Star.
London, England, 1817-03-13 00:00:00

Su rim 1,371.

OFFICE OF ORDNIACI, Airman 1817.
TilE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS •1 HIS Mii•
J Esrn ORIINANCE, do hooch give Notice,
That PriTo ads will be received at their Office In Pall-Mall,
ea or before FRIDAY, the 41st day of March neat, from such
?woos as may be willing to undertake the Supply of FORAGE
'vice rorses stationed in the under-mentioned Places,
t, be deliverd at the Expecte of the Contractor, viz.
PORTSMOUTH,
F'..75••,FX DISTRICT, PLYIVIOUTII,
V.TOOD, NORTH BRITAIN,
WFEDON, And CHATHAM,
1•'-?•••::'•;:iod of six Months from the let April neat. Tye Oat
F,ood, • weer, dry, and clean, without any mixture of Foxy
Oat', and must not weigh lett than 37 pounds per
Vincliritrr hu-Itel; the Hay to be sweet and dry, and delivered
t.
trut.e., iit 361b4. weiitht: the Straw to be good, clean, and dry
",ter: er itraw, an .I delivered in trusses of s6lbs weight.
l'ices to be paid for Os? retpemive Quantities grub 4r.
tide which may he ddivered, at the following rates, via
For tit: Olt., at I.er hint *red pnutsdA, •Ivoirdupnis weight.
For the ilay, at per hundred and twelve pound*.
F7r tt,e "t-aw, at per hundred and •welve pounds.
DI p., • 04a%% tray he d livened .rattly or jointly. for two
A? VW,* C. the sad Stmirris ; aril it is erre...red that the Contrac-
rie•itait r.ceive the arable Dung, which, during the period of his
Come-: may ace:uvulae, making au allowance for the same after
the mt., rer imrse per week.
Far!ver P.-rticttlars may be known upon application to the
Cr.eers Cori•re acting the Royal Artillery in each /Ration ; and
-7ro at t ;4ec:etaries Ober lu Pall-Mall aforesaid, any day be-
eh- hurts of Fen and Foot o'Clock, where the Proposals
matt be &Peered, sealed up and endorsed, " Proposals for Fo
eve;" 130 Proposals can be admitted after the said 21st of
7,!lirt•l tt *Fa flve o'Cluck at Noon of the same dayowither will
rx.; Tends he noticed, unk-ss the Party snaking it, or an Agent
iotds beis•utf, dull attend.
ivy Order of the Board. R. X. CREW, Saretary.

17ONFP:,-C r FOR COALS TO BE DELIVERED AT
GIBRALTAR.

COAfIIIISSARIAT DEJWTMINT,
T y Mahn. Merck 14, 1817.
SUCH Persons as are desirous of Contracting
whis the Agent for Commissariat Supplies toddies/ 11,000
CIIALDRONS of COALS at GIBRALTAR, mar/ receive
Particulars o' el e Contract at this Mike between the boars of
it and 5, and deliver tbelr Tenders staled op and directed to
the Agent Cr,, Commissariat Supplies. marking thereon" Tender
for Cush;" on or before TUESDAY,tIse skit instam, but bent I
will be me veil after Twelve o'Clock sa that Day; our will ant
Prorcmel he noticed unless made on se atoned to a printed
Psrt•cular, and th^ Price inserted in Werda at length; nee aa-
len a I.etter be .uttjoined to such Proposal, sired by Two Per.}
tons of known Property, enraging to become booed with the
Parry enderirg, In the mum expressed in the Particulars for the
doe perfurmarce of the Contract.

.E.IST INDIA RONSE, Mero 12, 1817. .
THE COURT of DIRECTORS of the UNITED
COMPA X2' of MERCHANTS of ANGLANDiereerse:
oat MIST INDIES, de Ace* give notice,
That a Cetterul Court of the said Company will be held at
their hot:te Ia Letdenhallwreet, on WEDNESDAY, the 26th
instant, :'rorz. Nine *Mock in tho Morning until Six in the Even.
iag, fur the Election of a DIRECTOR of the said Company, lw
the from Of JOHN ALEXANDLII BAlllltaatAfe, Esq. who bath

JAMES COBB, Ssswiett.
10 THE PROP'RIETORS OF £AST.IIOIA STOCK.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IN lelinquishing the distinguished honour you eon-
•L fared on me nine years ago of a seat la the Direction a your
Maim! feet it a duty and debt of gratkude to masa my deep
suss of your kindness. 1 Indulge a hem that the bauble but
sezlous devotion of my time and efforts to the boadasts of the
Company have insured me your approbabadao; sad as I am
again in the Pursuit of active en,* in your service abroad,
feel anxious to entitle raysell to a et.•ttletsanee of your favourable
entinients.—Witit sincere gratitude and retinal, I remain your
tl-voted servant, 10IIN ALEX. BANNERMAN.
East-ludli Hume, the 14th March, 11817.

BAST-INDIA MOSS, March 12.
THE COURT of DIItECIVRS e the UN ftED
COMPANY MERCHANTS q INGLAND,frafitg
to lA, ZAST INDIES, do hardy:lye mike,
Tta.r the Quarterly General Court of the said Company,
as pointed to be held at their House in Leadenha4•street, its
li*El)24licl)Air. tie ibth iustatit, is made Special at the request
It trrsain Proprieter,,, " for ;he purl ose of taking into cond..
c!entit,u the Mandamus Papers as far as the same relate to the
of the Court of Directors is resisting the powers cater.
eked on tlat, occasion by the Honourable the Huard of Commis-
dotter.: 1,,r the affairs of India, in adjudiestmg disputed peet-
niacy Claims, and in directing the application of the Company s
eau.% fur their stscharg:•" JAMBS Cr.. 39, Seceders.

MONEY.
VOBLEMEN, Gentlemen, &c. may be supplied
4-'4 with Money to any ;mount, op terms equal to mortgage,
mtcred on Freehold, Copyhold, Leasehold Land, or Houses,
:%!,.kr.cy is the Funds, Marriage Settlements, Widow,' Jointures,
acrgytnens'ldeings, or any other Property. Persons cf respect-
rri!ity may be aicommodated on their personal security, and the
!':shicss completed without exposure or delay. Application from
t to toe, or letters (post-paid) addressed to Messrs. Wills
c .1 Co. No. 49, South-street, Beclutley-square.

VASiIIONABLE DANCING, by Mi.ALLEN,
pcvattly 'aught, at No. 15. Sherrard-street, Golden-91litre,
tl I-01ot and flentlemea of any age, who have never learn: that
gtrOtt,plishnient, or have not tbe modern OPAC.
„ Mr, firtJti o' tesehlrg Is evpre*sly ulted for those
eiftsitom it is an object to acquire easily that fashionable requisite
r genteel si.cimy espeditiously, privately, and In a superior -tyis
a grace and elegance. Those who do not want private teaching
;toy learn at a small expence, with a respectable set of pupils, on
public trashing evenings. Professors of dancing taught the
;..oct eleg:mt fancy dances, and the superior parts of the pecks-
t on. 'I he Subscription Assemblies are every Friday.

C. DELL'S SURGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
This Day was publishtd,
la Ito. illustrated with Pier', Part lit. priced% sewed, of
SURGICAL OBSERVATIONS ; being a Qaar-
terly Report of Cans in Surgery.
By CHARLES DELI.,
Surgeon of the Middlesex Hospital.
Cnrteat.—i. Report of Pulmonary Diseases in connection
erhit Surgical Llompia•nts-2. C does of Wounded Arturicv, &c.
--tt. 01 Amputation in Wounds folloWed by Mortification-4.
W Antrutrion in consequence of Wounds by Machinery—S.
Vcirptitt.! Fractures, contrasted with Gun Shot Fractures—C.
Aimilit.itioat in Casts of Gun• Shot Fracture after Suppuration has
wial):istird, with an Account of the French wounded at
thou.-7. Discussion of the Question of Early Aaspiß.T.loo
Ut the Nitro•hlutiatic Asia Late, in canal's obscute Caw
:'yvlia
Pritreci tor Longman, Hunt, Reis, Orme, and Brown, ra-
tPmeiver-P. OW. Of whom may be had.
111 t, 1. of the abuse Work, price tie. akin

_THE CATHOLIC QUESIiON.
This day Is published, Price Is. 66
THE SOURCE OF THE EVIL i addres-
sed to the United Parliament. and the Peiftple of Great
Britain, to the League formed between thy Irish Lay Separatists
and the Irish Kornai: Catholic 111.1 tops, on the Measure Of Eman-
cipation By ANGLO- HIRER NUS.
Printed for Longman and Co. Law and Co. Loudon; Cum-
ming, Dublin; Macredie and Co. Edinburgh.
•.• 'llls Pamphlet Is also publlsbel in the PAMMILETILI.
No. XVIII. for March, 1817, with 7 other pamphlets, pr. 80.81

THWRSDAY, MARCH 13, 181/.

'age on the Property Tax which had been paid,
£30,000 had been saved to the country by that por•
min of the Tax having been thus paid.
Mr. GRENPELL said he was in a great error if
the charge of sllB9B was sanctioned by Act of Par-
liament.—The Vote was agreed to.
The House resumed, and the Report was ordered
to be received to-morrow.

Mr. WEBB obtained leave to bring in * Bill to
amend the Act of the twelfth Of George the Third,
for regulating the Wages of persons employ. l iu Ow
Col limes.

A Petition was pterented from the Rector. Church-
wardens, and Inhabitants of the Parish of Broseley,
in the County of Salop, praying for a revision and
amendment of the Poor Laws.
Mr. CUR WEN expressed his hopes th It some steps
would speedily be adopted for equalizing the ratirg
of property in this respect.
Mr. HALL stated, that in the county in which he
was interested, namely, Cardigan, the evil of the pre-
sent system of Poor Laws bad .wrisen to its greatest
height. In many parts of that district, the rates were
at 18s: in the pound; yet a sufficient sum could not
be raised to provide for the Poor, who were in the
extremest distress, many of them without firing, and
even the bread, which they with difficulty obtained,
they Were obliged to send fourteen miles to have
baked.—The Petition was then received.
_ _

General GASCOYME presented a Petition from
certain shopkeepers and traders of Liverpnol, pray-
ing some regulations might be adopted with respect
to the rating of shops and houses used only as ware-
houses. In presenting this Petition, he wished to
know whether it was intended soon to adopt any steps
on this subject and whether it was intended to as-
similate the practice in England to that of Scotland ?
Mr. LUSHINGTON informed the Honourable
General, that he had this evening given notice of a
lit,tion for to-morrow, for leave to bring in a Bill to
regulate this subject, and that it was intended to
assimilate the practice of England to that in Scot.
land.

Lord STANLEY wished to know what steps
would be adopted with respect to those individuals
who had been improperly charged with these duties?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
observed, where individuals hid paid Lou much. they
would find no difficulty on making proper application
to get the excess returned.
The Petition was then ordered to lie on the table.

PARLIAMILVTARif REM O.
Lord strroN said he held in his hand a Petition
from Liverpool in favour of Parliamentary Reform,
signed by upwards of fourteen thousand persons,
many of Thom were known to him as being most re-1
apectable, and some of them hp had the honour of
ranking amongst his particular friends. It was adop.
ted at a Meeting where the greatest harmony and
unanimity prevailed, although a regiment of the line
.arid a company of yeomanry were under arms during
the time the Meeting was held. Why the Petitioners
had not selected one of their own Representatives to
nt their Petition, he could not tell; but one thing
present
eleould say, that he considered himsrlf as highly ho-
noured in being selected to present the Petition, which
prayed for radical Constitutional Ref°, rn.- The Meet-
ing at which this Petition was adopted was not called
by the Chief Magistrate, who for some reason had re-
fused to call the Meetiag, at which a most respectable
Magistrate presieed.
Mr. BIRCH bore his testimony to the respectabi-
lity of the Meeting at which this Petition was voted.
Mr. BENSON could not suffer this Petition to be
laid on the table without saying a few Words in de-
fence of the Mayor, who, as a man and a magistrate,
was equally respectable. The Mayor had certainly
refused to convene the Meeting for petitioning; and
be had refused from the best motives—a wish to pre-
vent a recurrence of riots and disturbances in the
town, which bad of late occurred on various occasions.
When the Meeting did take place, he adopted every
precaution which prudence dictated. The Noble
Lord had talked of the quiet and decorum of the
Meeting: he believed the regiment of infantry and
the company of cavalry were entitled to all the credit
of having rendered it so.
Lord COCH RANE had heard a great deal about
the disorders and riots which had taken place at
Meetings held on the subject of Referral, in various
parts of the country ; but be believed there never was
a Reform Meeting held at which riot and confusion
predominated so much as it had done at the Hamp-
shire Meeting, held yesterday, called professedly to
congratulate the Prince Regent on his happy escape'
from the atrocious attack upon his person. At this
Meeting all the Parsons in the county were assembled,
and 4 most noisy set they proved;—(mil laugh)—the
marrowbones and cleavers in Covent-garden market
never equalled them. At length, so great was the
confusion, the Meeting broke up without coming to
any determination as to the manner in which their
Address should be presented; and in all this confu-
sion the Parsons led the way.
Lord FITZHARRIS defended the Meeting;
which be said was most respectable. He believed
five out of siz of those present were favourable to the
Address, though from the noise made by the rest, be
was ready to allow not a word that was said on either
side could be heard.

Mr. BROUGHAM complained of the imputa-
tions which had been cast on the character of the
people of Liverpool by an Honourable Member (Mr..
Beason) ; who had accused them of rioting on vari-
ous occasions. He wished to know, from the Ho-
nourable Member, when these riots occurred.

• Mr. BENSON said, he spoke of his own know-
ledge as to the existence of riot.; and as to the time,
he would tell the Honourable Gentleman they were
never more numerous than at the time when the
Honourable. Gentleman wu their leader—(Near, hear,
Order, order.)—Wu the Hen. Gentleman satisfied?
Mr. BROUGHAM would not tell the Honourable
,Gentleman whether he was satisfied or not with his
explanation ; bat asked the Right Hog. Gentlemen

,EVEN-P 1 NCE.

opposite if it WAS true that he had ever been the
leader of the mob ? The eipressions used by the
Hon. Gentleman *ere unparliamenzary: they imputed►
to him the leading a r-lb for mischievOtst purposes.
Mr. BENSON deried having imputed to the Ho-
nourable Gentleman any such purpose.
Mr. BROUGH,IN, said, the t:pression used by
the Honourab'e Gentleman would be.r that con-
struction. He r.culd, however, again appeal to a
gallant General near Wm, and to the Right Hon.
G•mtletran rpposite, wl:ether such had been the cha-
racter of the cornet in which he had been engagtd
—whether, .sn thec•>ntrary, the general expression on
the last dry cf the Election was not that the whole
had mrie the appearance of a peaceful pageant than
a political contest ?
General GASCOY?IE declared he had never
knovn an Election contest ia Liverpool so peaceable
as that alluded to.

Mr. CANNING observed. that on the occasion
alluded to he hid used his ermost endeavours to re.
press every sympteil of riot, and he believed the Ho..
nourable and L6aried Gentleman had done the same.
He was of opinion his Honourable Friend had con-
founded recent elections with that in question. These
had certainly not been so quiet as that which had
been alluded to, and the Mayor might justly and
reasonably apprehend a recurrence of disorders which
had repeatedly occurred. With respect to the Peti-
tion, he observed, it did not pretend to be a Prtitio:l
from Liverpool, but from certain inhabitants of that
town. TheM could. therefore, be no technical ob-
jection to it. He had. indeed, heard some accounts
of the manner In which signatures had been obtained
for this Petition. He understood, that out of the
14,000 signatures, the greater number were of the
sorter set, and others of a very tender age. But this,
however. Was not a reason which he should adduce
for rejecting the Petition. On the century, it was a
reason with him for recommending the Home to re-
ceive it with the greater indulgence; for in these
times, when the doctrine of Universal S was
contended for, it would be hard indeed if hit
gee were to be denied their privilege of voting.
Mr. Baoronatu and Mr. Bemsots explained.
Mr. CU RAVEN could not avoid complaining of the
conduct of the Mayor 011 this occasion, who had not
only refused regularly to convene the Meeting, bet
had after wards, on its taking place, nrmecessarily and
unconstitutionally called out the military.--The pad-
tios was then read.

SEFTON did not knew from whom the
Hon. Gentleman ( Mr. Coining) hid received
his information as to the signatures attached to the
petition ; brit he had received communications di,'
reedy contradicting the statements of the Right lion.
Gendenian.

General GA SCOYNE also defe!lded the signattuts
of the Petiti;m, and entered at length into the question
of Parliamentary Refatm. lle eotttended that our
present system was ot,j!ctionals:e in its most perfect
p .rt. Eve.* the elections for csati tes were under the
influetice, in many instances, of Peers, and persons of
large landed property. Lot .k at the system in every
way, reform was necessary.—The petition was the*
ordered to lie on the tauk.
TIIE EVANS'S.
Mr. BENNETT rose to move for a Return of the
number of perioas confined in Coldbath-fields Prison
under the Acts of the ;39th and Mk of the King._.
When be formerly brought this subject forward, he .
stated what he had been informed of, as to the.state
and treatment of the Evans's. • He then stated what
he knew, Only on hearsay. He had since that time
been to the prison, and found his information-was
correct. The elder Evans was confined with such a
person as he had formerly docribedt and the younger
Evans •Was in the foul ward.

Mr. BATHURST was ready to give the Mo.
nourable Gentleman all the information in his power.
He was sorry to say that there were at present seve.
ral lunatics confined in the prison in question ; but
their cases were not such as came under the cegni-
tame of his Majesty's Government ; they were con-
fined by the Magistrates under the power of the Act
of Parliament. With respect to the Evans's, the
Honourable Gentleman had toll the House that to
had seen these persons, and that they were in the si.
tuation he described; but he wished to know from the
Honourable Gentleman io candour, what those per-
sons said to him ? Whether they did not tell him
distinctly, that they had no complaint to Make ?
He wished to know whether the elder Evans was not
in the state apartment, and whether Evans had not
himself requested to have the person with him, whom
the Hon. Gentleman had described as an informer
and thief and whether the elder Evans bad not said,
this person appeared to be a decent man, and that he
had a pleasure in his company ? With respect to the
younger ,Evans, he put it to the Hon. Gentleman,
whether, though the apartment in which he was con-
fined was called the Infirmary, it was not the best
and most airy of any room in the prison : and whether
it was at present occupied by a single person, except
the person in question ; and whether be was not told
by Evans himself, that he had the privilege of
walking for hours in the day in the Governor's gar-
den ? and whether the young man did not himself
say he was perfectly satisfied with his treatment ?
The Hon. Gentleman ought, in candour, to have
stated these facts to the House.

Mn BENNETT said, he bad not invented the fasts
which he had stated to the House, nor bad be inven-
ted names. He was told the place where young
Evans was confined was called the Foal Ward; and
he was told that the elder Evans was made the com-
panion of a thief. If the ilder Ev its liked his corn-
panioa, that was his own:Coucern : misery made a
man acquainted with strange friends. But he, as a
public man, had a duty to perform, which called on
him to say, that to confinemvo persons for high tr... -
son, one with one thief as hip/companion, and the ( ther
with five or six, was 'a ciromstance tuiprecedenteci.
The defended
and nded
withth e
ttreatmentTlwhi'OchltuNleEEYv- RA
anGsE'sNbEadrecL deieed

ott

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phial, he sail, they had repeatedly declared them-
'elves satisfied.

Mr. W. WYNNE thought that the Lunatics con-
fined in the prison ought to have been removed by
order of the M.lttistrstes to their reveral parishes.
Lord BINNING greed that this was An improper
place of confinement for Lunatics. He was persuaded
they would not continue there for any length of time.

Sir F. MI RDET 1' was not satisfied with the state-
ment which had b: en mule of the satisfaction felt by
the Evans's at their present situations. The House
had formerly been told of persons being extremely
well off, and of their declaring themselves so, when it
afterwards appeared that these persons were very ill
off, and very much dissatisfied.
Mr. CANNING understood, that on 'a former
night the Honourable Gentleman stood forward as
the person complaining of the hardships which the
prisoners were subjected to. The Honourable Gen•
tleman had illustrated his statement on a former
night, by relating the story of a cruel jailer, who de-
stroyed a spider, the companion of his solitary priso-
ner. On that occesiGn the Honourable Gentleman
seemed inclined to impute cruelty to Government for
having confit;ed the Evans's in solitude. Now the
charge appeared to be a grave one against Govern-
ment, for having allowed them the comfort of so-
ciety. If, however, the spider should he destroyed,
it was but right that the prisoner should know, and
that the cou..try shoulJ understand, it was the Hon.
Gentleman who had destroyed it—(Neer, kar.)—
The motion was then agreed to.

REFORM PETITIONS.

Sir F. BURDETT moved the Order of the Day
for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Reform
Petitions

The SI'EAKER said, he had examined the fit
Petitions ; one had no names ; two had no name
en the same piece of paper with the Petition itself ;
28 contained the same words as the Petitions re-
jected on the 29tli of January ; 468 were printed ;
11 were the same as the Petition front Halifax ; and
four from another place; making .527. The first
question to be put would be on that with no name.
On the question being put, that this Petition be
read, it was rejected ; as Were the two which had no
names on the same skin.
The nest question was on the 28 Petitions worded
the same as that which, on the 29th or January, was
ejected, es disrespectful to the House.
Sir FRANCIS BuRDErr contendeJ, that these
ought to be received. It was impossible, with the
knowledge which the Public had of the practices
w hich had existed•in the House, that they should ask
for a reform of those practices without using strong
language of indignation ; and that language might
always be construed as disrespectful to the House.—
He thought some rule should now be laid down ;
but whet Oat rule should be. be was at a loss to say,'
as different Gentlemen formed different opinions of
what was and what was not disrespectful language.
It the objection was, that the House did not properly
represent the People, he was afraid no Petition for
Reform would be received. _ I

Mr. W. WYNN said, he had objected to a similar
Petition to these, because the Petitioners went out of
their way to throw abuce and contempt on that House.
It was not possible for the House to lay down any
rule as to Petitions ; it could only take into conside-
ration the general apparent intent and meaning of
the Petitioners. It could not be allowed. that Peti-
tioners should use any words they pleased in com-
plaining of grievances to that House. Every Court
and Institution in the country had the power of pro-
tecting themselves from insult, and should not tin
House have the same power ? But these Petitions
were sent round with a recommendation in the way
of a Land-bill, signed by a far-simile of the Honour-
able Baronet's haad•writing. He did not believe that
these Petitions contained she sense of the- people. If
they I•id down any rule of expression for Petitions,
other offensive modes of expression would be found.
He moved, that the Petitions be rejected.
Lord COCHRANE was of opinion. that these pe-
thinners did not mean to offend the House. But
Hon. Gentlemen should state the words they objec-
ted to. in order to guard the people from using such
expressions in future. The people did not expect
that the Constitution was to be suspended, but that
the House would rather have taken their grievances
into its serious consideration. No disturbance bad
Liken place in the country with a sieve to overturn
the Go►ernment—why then did they come to them to
suspend the Constitution ?
The. ATTORNEY GENERAL said, that in-
tead of the Constitution being suspended to prevent
the people from petitioning, there was to be a Meet-
ing in Westminster to-morrow, to petition the Re-
gent to dismiss his Ministers. It was the duty of the
House to attend to the representations of the people
as long as they did not attempt to vilify and degrade
the House. _ _ - - - - - -

Mr. MARTIN thought the House would do better
by confining itself merely to refusing to receive the
Petitioni.

Sir G. HEATHCOTE said, the House treated
the people of England with contempt ; for most of
the Members had retired coolly to discuss their alin-1
ners, instead of discussing five hundred petitions from
the people.
Mr. BATHURST denied that the House was ne-
glectful of the interests of the People; for it was
known to all, in and out of the House, that 400 of
the Petitions were printed, and could not be received.
The Petitioners might again bring the same grievances
before the House in an unexceptionable shape.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE thought the House had
Much to complain of the Petitioners, when they fdund
system introduced, which, in his opinion, could
only bring the great right of petitioning into con-
tempt. There were persons who had recommended
these Petitions, well knowing they could not be re-
ceived. It did not come well from those who advo-
cated these Petitions to complain of the inattention of
the Houtyolo such Petitions as these. Still the greatest
credit was due to the People for their pa fence and
resignation in this period of unexampled distress.
Ms. BA BINGTON thought, that if these Petitions',
were only roused to be ieceived, it would encourage'
the people to consesmck to the House with their com-
plAints, touched in inottrespectful term.
Mr. JONES said, Ott. if the Petitioners thought
the House unit to legislate for the People, they ought
not to tome there.
M 4. SMYTH thought the Hoye should not reject

the Petitions, but refuse to receive them.—The Peti-
tions were they rejected, without a division.

PRINTED PETITIONS.
The SPEAKER. intimated to the House, that the
next question for its coneideration referred to the 469
printed Petitions praying for Parliamentary Reform.
Mr. WYNN contended, that in conformity a ith the
established practice of the House, these petitions, in
their printed form, could not be received. The rule
on that subject, as appeared from the Journals of Par-
Lament, was ai far back as the year 1656: it had
been subsequently acted upon in the year 1793; and
46 the Honourable Baronet (Sir F. Burdett) must
know, he being a Teller on the division, so late as the
year MS.—Six days subsequent, however, a peti-
tion from Major Cartwright was presented, praying
that printed petitions might be received. No decision
took place on that petition, as from circumstances it
was withdrawn.—He begged to have the order of
1656 read from the Journals.
The Clerk then proceeded to read—That no priTale
printed petition should be received—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. WYNN could conceive no other object in pre-
senting such petitions, but the hope of exasperation
from refusal in the minds of those who presented them.
The House, in support of its own dignity, should meet
such an attempt with the strongest mark of its displea-
sure—(Dear, hear.) He did hope that the Honourable
Baronet would have paid greater attention to the rule
generally acquiesced in, and that under its influence
the Honourable Baronet (Sir F. Burdett) would have
recommended to these petitioners to have presented
such petitions as they wished him to be the channel
of introducing, in a decorous, usual, and unobjec-
tionable form.
• Sir WM. GEARY contended, that the rule of
1656 applied solely to private petitions, and there-
fore could not bear upon the present question. He
decidedly differed from the petitioners in their view
of the remedy of the public grievances. still he con-
sidered they were right in stating openly and with
candour their not:ons or the corrective. In regard
to printed petitiu.is he would put this plain question
to the House. W. re they anxious honestly to know
the opinion of the great body of the people on an
important subject, what more desirable course could
they adopt than to have the petition submitted to
the people put in that form which gave the best se-
curity of the question being fully understood ? (Hear,
hear, hear)—To put them in a printed form, was, in
his opinion, best calculated to produce that effect—
(Hear).—He opposed their rejection.
Mr. W. QUIN considered the rule of 1656 appli-
cable, inasmuch as every petition not proceeding from
a recognized public body must be considered private.
Sir F. BURDETT regretted he did not see ia their
places those on whose support, from their uniform
conduct, he could rely on, whilst the Treasury Bench
was arrayed in full force against the Petitions of the
People. The Callse, however, stood on strong intrin-
sic grounds, notwithstanding the-attempt of the Lear-
ned Gentleman (Mr. Wynn) to meet these Petitions
with an obsoleto order passed by Cromwell's Assem-
bly sitting in that House, but into which no member
could enter without previous examination from his
soldiers stationed in.the Lobby. It was strange to
see precedents drawn from such a quarter; but in the
strivings of the present day to counteract public opi.
'lion, any expedient, however fallacious, was gladly
availed of. But this rule had altogether a different
application : it was to prevent the disreputable system,
now toe often practised, of canvassing on private
Bills. It did not refuse the presentation of Petitions
on those subjects, but guarded against their being cir-
culated and dispersed in that shape amongst tbe Mem-
bers, under the penalty of being seized by the Ser-
, jeant at At ms—(Hear, hear.) Surely, in the course
of human experience, a foundation more sandy was
never assumed, on which to reject the honest prayer
of more than one hundred thousand Englishmen.—
In 1793, the very night of Mr. Grey's Motion for
Reroute a printed petition from Norwich was pre-
sented by a Mr. Hobart, who volunteered his doubts
as to the formality of the petition. The opportunity
was snatched, as they were now snatching to inter-
pose obstacles to the expression of the public voice.
One Member contended it was against practice—
Mr. Pitt believed it contrary to the usage—two Ho-
nourable Gentlemen, one of whom was Mr. Burke,
had their doubts, but of nine who declared their opi-
nions, five were in favour of its reception. Mr. Fox
denied most forcibly, the application of the rule now
alluded to, but even if it did apply, he scouted its
value when opposed to the very reason of the thing.
Mr. Sheridan, fully impressed with the propriety of
receiving the petition, expressed a wish that the fur-
' then discussion should give way to the important
, question appointed for discussion. The petition was
then withdrawn, thus the precedent of 1793 bore on
the present question--(Hear, hear).—ln 1813, on a
division, the rule of 1656 was made operative—but
who would contend that such a decision bound Par-
liament—that such a temporary resolve could con-
travene the Bill of Rights?—(lleardsear)—So much
for precedents. What said the reason of the thing ?
Why the reason took the very contrary direction of
the course now proposed. There were objections to
written petitions that could not apply to printed ones.
The great mass of the people by having their peti-
tions printed, were enabled fully to consider and un-
derstand what they were about to subscribe ;—and.
they had the further guarantee that what they had
determined upon as their petition, once being printed,
could not be subsequently alteted, as might be the
case in those written. Did the Bill of Rights limit
and shackle the power of petitioning by such obstruc-
tions ? Was it in the contemplation of its framers to
meet the exercise of that right, with objections of mere
form, such as this ink or that type—whether written
with a quill or a steel pen ? (Hear, hear.) The
King had no objection to printed petitions. The
House of Lords had received, within a very recent
date, a printed petition from Barnstaple on the Ca-
tholic Claims. Wu the Housrof Commons, because
the people complained, as the grand paramount
grievance of the corrupt state of that House, alone to
reject the petitions of between four and five hundred
bodies of the people? An Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Quin) would get rid of them under the rule as private;
that saved a world of trouble, and was the only way
of applying it ; it could have no forte in any ra-
tional or consistent manner of arguing the question.
The Learned Gentleman (Mr. Wynn) had read him
a lecture on his duty in presenting Petitions—he
thanked him for his condescension, but he could not
surrender what be considered his greatest duty,

namely, to _propose the Pedions of the people to thie
House, wisbout ally reference to what might be its
decision. Were they themselves always consistent ?
Did it not happen that, on even the same subjects,
they proceeded on one day one way, on the second
day another ? Need he remind them of their versati-
lity in the case of the late Lor.P. Melville, when, on
the one night, they voted for his trial by a Jury, and
on the very next, with that modest acquiescence that
was ever ar the beck of the Tieasury, they voted an
Impeachment before that Hoose pf Peers, to whoa
numbers the Noble Lord (Melville) was no small
contributor ?—(Hear, hear.)—He would not say (het
lie might appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober;
but he did feel it his duty, when he received Petitions
from a distant part of the c,untry, respectably signed,
to exercise no personal discretion, but at once submi!
them to the consideration of the House—(Hear, hear.)
Much was said of these Petitions bring circulated, and
the great influence made use cite procute signatures.l
How was every other Petition signed in counties but
by circulation and by influence ? (Hear, hear.)- -
Were not the Ministei s rt that very moment forward=l
ing their printed Declarations to every Banker's shop
in the Metropolis, and compelling signatures from
those who feared their interests mie,lit suffer if they
refused ?—( Hear, hear).—With Ministers, indeed, all
practices were considered fair; with those who wished
to check them in their career of ruin, all was com-
plained against as foul—(Hear, hear).—Upon the
whole, a body of public opinion had been raised on
facts which admitted of no denial .6 that the Repre-
sentation in the House of Commons was altogether
corrupt."--( Hear, hear).--Gentlemen might rail,
but they could not erase the signatures from the bond,l
or stem the torrent of general reprehension—Wear,'
hear).—.They might contend, that some monster of
terror—some magician with his wand (who, in fact,
was no other than a very honest-hearted individual,
acting in all things for the best), could issue his Pe-
titions, north and south, and countervail all the efforts
and tricks of Ministers. But, if they wished to con-
sult the dignity of the House—(not the dignity of be-
ing hated, as Junius called it)—if they wished to pre.
serve the respect and affections of the People, with.
out any hateful admixture of the oderint Jam *eluded—
they would never reject the prayers of the Subject,
because they were offered in a form of all others the
most convenient and the least objectionable—(Hear,
hear).—Arguments of this sort, he was aware, would
carry little weight in a quarter where the sic wale, sic
juke, was sure to carry a majority ; but he felt at his
duty to take a division on the question, however
small that division might prove.
Mr. W. WYNN offered a few words in explanation.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that if he might
judge from the conduct of the advocates of the peti-
tioners in that House, their object ssas to procure the
rejection of the petitions. The uniform practice of
Parliament had been conformable to and had estab-
lished the rule of 1656. But even were that not the
case, the manner in which the tight of petition Led
recently been exercised, ought to induce. the House
to proceed with some caution on the subject. He be-
lieved that the great mass of the petitioners were
sound and loyal, although a few wicked individuals
had endeavoured to excite them to use the right of
petitioning for the most indefensible purposes. He
should feel guilty of an abandonement of his duty
were he to consent to a relaxation of the tole of Par-
liament on the subjectaof printed petitions, at a time
when he believed in his conscience that many peti-
tions were sent to that House in order that they might
be rejected.

Mr. H. SMYTH bad no doubt that the Honour-
able Baronet thought he was doing his duty. but he
firmly believed that the course adopted by the Ho-
nourable Baronet was more calculated to defeat the
object of the Petitioners than any other that could be
adopted. As the House would always pay proper
attention to the opinions of Petitioners, when those
opinions really proceeded from themselves, so it wculd
always consider opinions dictated to Petitioners by a
few individuals, however respectable, very little enti-
tled to its notice.

Sir E. BRYDGES observed. that when the House
saw all the Petitions, not only couched in the same
words, but (with scrrcely any exception) printed by
the same printer, it afforded strong presumptive evi-
dence that such Petitions did not speak the sense of
the people from whom they professed to proceed.—
He should, therefore, support the motion for their
rejection.

Mr. BOSWELL said, that the helpless old man,
whom his friends in Westminster called the Polar
Star of Reform, had lately become a wandering star
for the purpose of enlightening the manufacturing
districts it the North of England and in Scotland ;
in which districts he had promoted Meetings, at
which he presided, and urged the presentation to
Parliament of Petitions for Reform. These Petitions
were all sent by a preconcerted arrangement from
the same manufactory in London. The way in which
these Petitions wereusually sigaed, might be inferred
from one which he had happened to look at, pur-
porting to be from a Hampden Club, the two first
signatures to which were those of an overseer to the
poor and an old woman.

Mr. P. MOORE, on the ground that the rule of
1656 referred to pirate Petitions only, ta:rely in or.
der that an undue impression might not be made on
the House prior to the so nbiderAtion of any private
interest, declared his intention of voting for the te.
ception of the Petitions. The House ought not to be
so fastidious as to take exception against any l'etition
presented to it, unless such Petition had on the face
of it some gross insult to Parliament. On the con-
trary, Petitions from the People ought to be encou-
raged, that the House might get at the knowledge of
the seal state of the country, of which it was at pre.
sent ignorant, and which, whenever it might be clearly
brought before them, would, he was persuaded, prove
that the Report of the Secret Committee was a libel.
The House then divided—For the Motion, 58—
Against it, 6—Majority, 52. .

The printed Petitions were consequently rejected.
The others which had been presented by Sir 13ur.
dett, from a variety of places in different parts the
kingdom, were ordered to lie on the table.
The Meths? Bill and the Marine Mutiny Bill were read a
woad tlnse; and ordered to be committed to-roorrow•
The Silk Ezportation Bounty Bill was reads Mame and passed.,
• The Lords' Amendments to tbe Treasonable Practices Bill
Ind the. Boldlen and Stamens' Seduction were taken hit,,
consideration, and agreed to.—Eogue further orders were die-
posed of, and Ike House &Owned.

THE EVENiNG STAR.

LONDON.

•;,* COatafilttt. —Msrcharts and qiip•O•trets, It it tobrnletag%
wonit find it to their in fff ef t to th it Aq. rtt„tartains;
and ;:upercargoe., wi L Mr. P• 11.1.. Pi 3-tical Abeedgemeret
of the Custcm :till Excise Laws," the llord Editin.i of whteh,
brought down to the Ist tsciv.rnihtt lase, is now robins' ed.
TI is Edith rn embraces the whole of the ['nestles, in anytvist
affecting British Commerce, recently co:ichided with Fswelge
Powers, as wel; as the Corn law., and ever/ other tieriht-
tiun concerning iii: Trade between Grew reitaln and s l pans
of the World, either :IS to the mode in which Goole may be
Itnitortrd, WarcLoust d, Ezpored, or carried Cosetwlie; tht
the ipannine of Duties. tlrawbackt, Bounties et Prcriflrs
to Lt: Paid nr alloy ei —Mr. Poet's 1A o h mr; he rrc-ured ‘t
cv.ry Bookseller in the United Einpdon%

THURSDAY, lARCH 13, 117.
PRICV.OI-SrOCV•ruis DAY A I''I","F.IXE. nri,ocK
It-tinted ebut—Con.. money, r9f —for Ace. ebtti
4 per Cent. J4n--5 per Cent. Noy,
Lacherptyr Bile 44 Ilis.Fr.—ludia liond, 36 pr.

A number of Petitions for Ref rm were las: niehr
gfered to the House of Commons, brit many of them
in a form so directly opposed to the rules of the Hon*
that they could not he received. No less than four
hundred and sixty-eight of them were printed Petitions,
In the course of the evening, when the state of the
Prisoners in the Metropolis fell under the corsidera-
don of the House, it appeared that the si.uatinn of
those who are deprived of their liberty for seditious or
treasonable practices has been made as cornhittable
in all respects as a regard to the security of their pet.
sons required. Any statements to the coutrary mast
therefore have been founded on miLrepre.onta:ioris.