Star.
London, England, 1811-01-31 00:00:00

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The proceedings of the last Court were yesterday Mr. Alderman WOOD remarked, that bowewet un-
read and confirmed, ju t his insinuations might be towards Mr. Wilber-I
A letter of thanks from the Sea Bathing Infirmary' force, and however anxious that gentleman might be
was submitted t. the Court, for the liberal grant of to meet the wishes of the comtununity, be had, on the
two hundred pounds towards the support of that In- last occasion, when the bill was discussed, brought a
stitution. Majority of 19 to 3 against the Bill in the Committee
tof the House of Commons. It - well known that

LUDGATE PEtSON. . was
Mr. WAITHMAN wished to put a question, which he Mr. Wilberforce would approve of no other (Jai than
Loped would be satisfactorily answered by some of Tuesday, and that alibis energies would be exerted
the Members of the Court. A petition was presented to oppose any other proposition. He contended,
some time back from the debtors confined in Lud- therefore, that the naming of the Market-days should
gate Prison ; he should like to be informed whether be left out of the Petition altogether.
•
any thing was then doing to alleviate their deplorable Mr. Courerrns wished to be informed by the Law
situation ? He had received several pressing letters ,Officers of the Court, whether the Court had the
roin the unfortunate individuals to whom he alluded, Power to alter the market-day or not ?If they had,
and in conformity with their wishes sought informa. he was at a loss to find out the necessity for applying
tion on the subject. He believed the matter had been to Parliament on the subject but if they had not, it
referred to the Committee on City Lands, but was not was evident to every man oicommon sense, that the
aware that they had done any thing of importance. I application should be made.
Mr. Alderman Woon, in answer to the query of The RECORDER, in answer to this inquiry, obseried,
the Hon. Member, observed, that the case el Lud. I that as the market then stood, the Court certainly
gate Prison had been referred to the Committee of I had the power to make any alteration they might
City Lands, and that they had actually given orders' thiuk proper in the market-day ; but in case of the
to the City Surveyor to make those alterations which enlargement of the market, their prescription would
were deemed necessary to the comforts and conveni- I not go to the extension.
ence of the prison. At the present moment he did Mr. HARPER said, that in former times the Court
not think that any great disadvantage was experien- was not aware that they had the power which had
ced by the prisoners. During the exercise of his of. just been described by the Law Officer of the Court.
flee as Sheriff, a considerable number of debtors had It had often been urged, that by changing the mar-
been discharged ; sad in all events he did not think ket-day from Friday to Thursday, a great part of
the situation of those who were then confined was the inconvenience which had hitherto been experien-
such as to make it a matter of pressing necessity that ced, would have been avoided. As the Court were
their case should be taken into consideration. When now aware therefore of the extent of eleir powers, he
he looked to Newgate, his feelings were very different; thought they might save all further expence and de-
that jail was dreadfully crowded, and from the great lay, by changing the day forthwith.
increase of prisoners, he feared, unless some measures Mr. FAVELL confessed that he did not conceive the
were shortly adopted for its clearance, diseases would report would have contained so much as it did. He
arise of a most melancholy and fatal description. imagined the Law Officer would have curtailed it in
PROPIIIIITY or ASSIMISLING THE COURT ON THE emu- many points, and more especially in that which threw
VIRSARY OP THE MARTYRDOM or KIND CHARLES. the power of the Court, to change the Market-day,
Mr. S. DIXON considered it highly indecent, that into a dubious light. The Court had evidence of the
the Court should have been convened on a day which importance of an alteration in the Market to a very
had always been held as a solemn fast. He should considerable extent ; but the Committee, in framing
be glad to know upon what principle a proceeding their report, had not in his opinion followed that
so indecorous had been adopted? course which was likely to be attended with ultimate
The LORD MAYOR said, it was his intention to have advantage. In all events he thought the Petition had
summoned the Court for Tuesday, but as it had been better go up to the House of Commons without the
represented to him, that a question of great conse- clause respecting the alteration of the Market-day.—
quenee to the interests of the City of London was to The rights of the Corporation should not be risqued
be agitated in the Court of Aldermen, he had been on any occasion.
Induced to forego his original intention, and to defer Mr. HARDY was entirely of opinion that the al.
the meeting to that day. He certainly should not teration of the Market-day ought not to form any
have chosen the 30th otlanuary, had he not been ac • part of the Bill.
tuated by the conviction that had he fixed any sub- Mr. Alderman Woo. was willing that the experi-
sequeet day, the most serious consequences would went of changing the Market-day to Thursday should
have ensued upon the delay, as the merits of several be tried, which could not be attended with any greet
Petitions to Parliament were to be discussed, which cost.
of necessity were to be presented by the first of Fe. Mr. Alderman BIRCH was of opinion that the Pe.
bruary, in pursuance of the order of the House of tition should go to Parliament for the enlargement of
Commons. The Court would therefore see, that in the Market only, and that the mention of the akerso
following the course which he had adopted, he was tion of the Market-day should be left out.
solely guided by the urgency of circumstances.— Mr. DIXON supported the proposition of Mr. Al-
(Neat, hest.) derman Birch, and wished to be informed why the
strain COMMERCIAL ROAD. Petition could not go to Parliament in general terms,
A Petition from the Subscribers to this undertak- without any specification of the Market-day.
fog was presented to the Court, stating their inter. Mr. WAITHMAN had so frequently expressed his
tion to apply to Parliament for a Bill, and represent- opinion on this subject, that he felt it would be im.
Ing that for the completion of their plan, they were possible to urge any thing new on the subject. He,
desirous of purchasing certain City lands, which they was firmly convinced, even if Parliament compliedi
prayed permission of the Court to do. with the Petition which had been proposed, and the
Ordered to be referred to the Committee of City enlargement of the present market took place, it
Lands, would only increase the nuisance and create an addi-

11111TRFIELD MARKET.
The Report of the Committee appointed to inquire
into the best mode of enlarging Smithfield Market,
was rsad, and also the letter, dated Whitehall, in an-
swer to the Memorial on the same subject.
The Report commenced by stating the expediency
of changing the market-day from Friday to Tf.urs-
day ; it then proceeded to describe the houses which
it would be necessary to remove, at the north end of
Long-lane, to carry into effect the proposed enlarge-
ment of the Market, and the other rneasltres which
would tend to facilitate the object desired ; and con-
chided, by recommending that a petition should be
presented to Parliament, praying for leave to bring
in a Bill, in pursuance of the said Report.
On the motion that the Court should agree to the
Report,
Mr. Alderman Wools said, it was not his intention
to say one word upon the merits of the Report itself,
he merely wished to observe, that by asking Parlia-
ment for leave to change the market-day from Friday
to Thursday, the Court would be only requiring a
favour of which they were already possessed. In ad-
dition to this circumstance, it would be giving Mr.
Wilberforce a new opportunity, in the House of Com-
mons, of changing the first market-day in the week
to Tuesday, which it was well known would be of
serious inconvenience to all the butchers in London,
ns on that day they were particularly engaged in ser-
iing their customers. He trusted, therefore, the
Court would see the folly of giving up any one of
their own privileges, and of leaving it in the power of
Parliament to refuse them that, of which they were
already possessed.
Mr. WHITE bad the strongest objections to the
Report altogether. He censured the manner in which
the subject had been treated, tor its first introduction
to the attention of the Court had been most disgrace-
ful. It had been postponed from time to time, at
one season one party had a majority, and at another
the opposite side had the sway. It had already been
decided that less than twelve acres of ground would
not be sufficient for the market, which spice could
not be procured by the proposed alterations ; under
these circumstances, therefore, he should object to
all that part of the Report subsequent to the mention
of the day to which the present Market-day was to
be changed. He then moved an amendment to that
effect.
Mr. DIXON observed, that whatever disgrace was
imputable to the manner in which the subject then
before the Court had been discussed, the Hon. Mem-'
bers on both sides had contributed to increase it.—
With respect to the insinuations that had been thrown
out against Mr. Wilberforce.he thought it extremely
unjust, as from the late comilici of that Gentleman,
he had shewn a propriety of prOceeding highly cre-
ditable to himself. He (Mr. Dixon) was donvinced,
therefore, he had too much good sense to object to a
measure which seemed so generally to meet trio wishes
of the community. With reference to the insertion
of the market-day in the Petition, Wain Law Officers

tional sentiment of reprobation and disgust. The
question, however, had been so often agitated, and
the opinions of the Members of the Court were so
much at variance, that rather than enter upon a topic
,which had excited so much' trouble and discord, theyl
would let any thing pass, however absurd, than again
Involve themselves in a fruitless contest. (Order, Order)
In truth, the very idea of Smithfield market was so
nauseous in every point of that view, it was impost'.
ble to think of it without sickening. It had beep fully
admitted on a former occasion, that unless a largo
space was allotted to the market, it would be fruitless
to attempt improvement. To this opinion he still
acceded. He was perfectly satisfied that it was ut-
terly impossible to remedy the defects in the present
market, and that, by pursuing the plan which was
then proposed, the evils would be increased, and, in
a few years, a more considerable ezpence would have
to be incurred in making new alterations.
Mr. Deputy Box reprobated- the Report altogether.
Mr. Alderman Woon was about to address the
Court, but was interrupted by
Mr. Alderman HUNTU, who remarked, that be
had spoken five times.
Alderman WOOD again rose, when
Sir JOHN Battu reprobated the attempt of Alder-
man Woed to be at all times exalting his voice above
the other members of the Court.
Alderman Woon observed, that the Honourable
Member did not like to hear his voice on any occasion.
Sir JOHN EANIER positively protested against the
conduct of the Worthy Alderman, in thus obtrud-
ing himself so frequently on the attention of the Com-
mittee.
An universal clamour now pervaded the Court,
and coughing, laughter, and confusion reigned trium-
phant. When order was obtained,
Mr. Mutsu rose.—He remarked, that it seemed
to be the opinion of a great part of the Court, that
no relief could be given, unless a more extensive piece
of ground was chosen for the market, and in this
feeling he most heartily coincided. However, as it
was now understood that the Court had the power of
altering the market-day, and that every accommoda-
tion would be obtained from that alteration, he did
not think there was any necessity for going to Parlia-
ment at all. If the day could be altered, why not
try the experiment, and avoid the erpence hich must
otherwise be incurred.
Mr. Gmerrrns said, that the question respecting.
the Smithfield market had been before the Court for
eleven years. He trusted they would not any longer
let it hang between wind and water, but adopt the
Report as it was framed, as it seemed calculated to'
afford the most genet al accommodation.
Mr. WinTE wished to have the experiment of chan-
ging the market-day to Thursday tried.
Mr. Quite objected to the precipitancy with which
it was attempted to pais the Report thro' the Court.
The question was then put by the Recorder, and
the Report, in its original form, was agreed to.
The intended Petition to Parliament, founded upon

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ithis *ft ttrad, agree
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be presented to the House by ths _, _
by their Rernensbrancer.
tureovltateNTS Al TESEPLk-SAR.
The Report of the Committee appointed to toper-
intend these improvements was brought ups It re-
commended that a Petition should be presented to
Parliament, praying leave to bring in a bill tcrenable
them to borrow £lO,OOO on the Orphan Fund, to
carry on the said improvement:.
After some discussion, in which Mt. Dixon, Alder-
man Doraville, and Mr. Vandercombe took part, the
Report was agreed to.
The Petition was then read, and ordered to be pre-
sented in the usual forms.

_ ___ *

SUNDAY TOLL.
The Report of the Committee, recommending a
renewal of the Sunday Tolls on Blackfriar's•bridge,
. after a abort discussion, was ordered to be referred
back to the Committee, in order that they might take
the subject more fully into their consideration, and
suggest some efficacious measures which would relieve
the City in future from the burthen of the whole ex.
pence of repairing the bridge, &c.
BAST LONDON MILITIA.
Alderman WOOD was desirous of being informed,
whether it was the wish of the Court to enter on the
subject of the Report of the Militia Committee then,
or, whether from the lateness of the hour, it might
not be expedient to defer the subject to a future day.•
Perhaps the Lord Mayor might assemble a Special
,Court for the purpose, by which it would have all that
attention it so imperiously called for.
Mr. WAITHMAN said, it was desirable that no de.
l_ay should take place in the discussion of the subject.
If it was the with of the Committee, he was ready to
go on with the question then.
The Lows MAYOR said, if it met the opinion of the
Committee, he would hold a Special Court on that I
day se'nnight, for the purpose of taking the matter
into consideration.
After some remarks from Mr. Hunter, Mr. Waith.
man, aad Mr. Deputy Box, the Court adjourned to
Wednesday next.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PLYMOUTH, JANUARY, IN.

The DRYAD frigate has detained and sent in here
the American brig Matilda, LEE master, 49 days
from Boston, with a cargo of Ssh, bound to Nantz.
The Maria brig, belonging to Plymouth, which sailed
from London to Cork some time ago, it is feared has
been lost, as she has not since been heard of. Ar.
rired the ARMIDE frigate from a cruize ; the NIMROD
cutter from Rochefort ; the London, OLDRIRVE ;
Sally Ann, Puturs ; Mary, COOPER ; Unity, WAY ;
William, FowLza ; Liberty, VARRAL ; and the John,
Lewis, all from London ; Goodzez, BanoustAst,
from Bristol ; Apollo, StrarsoN, from Ipswich ;
Hope, OLDEN, from Yarmotrth ; and the Neptune,
Pniutvs, from Scilly. Sailed the BRITANNIA hired
cutter to the Eastward ; and the Acukrzs, of 1$
guns, on a cruize. Also sailed the Duke of MArl.
borough packet for Lisbon ; Princess Mary packet '
for Malta ; and U Lord Hobart packet for the
West Indies.