Star.
London, England, 1819-12-11 00:00:00

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they had said amounted trielfdy to this—lf there ha
j been such an increase of libel as -you tisserht. , wlrrntit
pretend to ,say wether you
prosecute? We do not
are right or not in what you stated..-but before you
call upon us to pass new enactments, prove that the
existing law has failed. But with regard to the in-
crease of libels, it was well said by his Noble Friend
(Lord Holland), last night, that the question • their
Lordships ought to consider was, not their number:,l
but the proportion that number bore to other publi-
cations. The printing of works, on every subject,
had increased, and particularly on religion. He was
informed by a Noble Friend, who had attest to
know the state of publications of that description,
, that making an estimate from what had been printed
' in the .coorse of one month, the number of 'Religious
Tracts published, could not be less than 500,000 a
year. Some might conclude, from this state of the
Press,. that there was a greater:tendency to bigotry,
than to infidelity. The Noble and Learned Lord I
then alluded to that anomaly in the law by which'
one person is punished for the acts •of another. He
pointed out, very strongly, the hardship-of persons,
in extensive business, having to trust to servants,
who might be truly trust-worthy, being subject to
severe and degrading punishments. His Noble Friend
(Lord Holland), had, last night, made some quota-
tions from that great man, Mr. Burke ; but his Noble
Friend had afterwards observed to him, that he had
forgot to notice the passage-relative to an Addressing
Parliament and a Petitiqning People. Nothing could
have been more applicable to the present occasion.
He brought other passages to the recollection of his
Noble Friend, for his memory could supply him with
a vast number of the excellent observations made by
that Statesman. Here his Lordship repeated a long
passage from a speech of Mr. Burke on the dispute
with the American Colonies, and concluded by sup-
porting the Amendment.
The Duke of WELLINGTON thought that the
Noble Lord, who had just sat down, was entirely mis-
taken in the view he had taken of this subject. Their'
Lordships were not now to consider the question
whether blasphemous and seditious libels ought, or
ought not, to be prosecuted? but whether a more se-
vere punishment than that provided by the existing
law, ought, or ought not, to be inflicted, upon a re-
petition of the offence ? I certainly should sup-
port the affirmative upon this question, and he found
himself justified in doing so, when he reflected on the
necessity of the case. It was a notorious fact, that
Caride was enabled to repeat the same offence, net
only after his conviction, but immediately before he
was brought up to receive judgment, the existing law
having no power to restrain him.
Lord HOLLAND said, that the opposition of the
Noble Duke to the Amendment was founded on ar-
guments which would tend to establish a most ex-
traordinary and most dangerous precedent. The
Noble Duke contended, that the extent to which pro-
secutions had been carried was not the :object which
their Lordships had to consider, but whether because '
one individual had continued in the commission ofl
the same offence after his conviction, a more severe
punishment ought not to be adopted than the law
had before provided? But it was to be recollected,
that if that rjndividual, Carlik, continued to publish
libels subsequently to his conviction, he was liable
to be punichskil for every repetition of the offence,
without the aid of any new law whatever. Nor did
he (Lord Holland) see what was to prevent a mah
from sending forth a libel from the place of his exile,
as well as from his prison : but the precedent which,
the Noble Duke's arguments sought to establish,
would sanction a progression in punishment from
one stage to another, till 'at last it should end in'
death—(Near, hear).—Tho Noble Lord concluded,
by declaring himself in favour of the Amendment. ••
The Earl of WESTMORELAND opposed the
Amendment, and mentioned, that the new measures
were not directed against the liberties of the People,
but intended as their protection against anarchy,
which must eventually end in despotism.

Earl GROSVENOR was in favour of the Amend-
ment, and said, that the accounts of the actual dan-
ger in the country were fatly exaggerated. In
proof of this fact, he need only to mention, that
the most alarming reports were industriously circu-
lated respecting the disturbance which had recently
taken place amongst the collier; in Flintshire, but
which had, by this time, entirely subsided. It had
been connected with no political cause whatever, but
arose merely out of a difference about wages, which
had been settled by an amicable adjustment. The
Noble Earl then, in allusion to blasphemous libels,
on which, he said, no difference of opinion could
possibly exist, deprecated the mixture of spiritual.
with secular concerns, and the interference of spiritual
persons in matters not pertaining to their office;
while, at the same time, he was -fully prepared to
appreciate the laudable seal of the Bishop of London
in circulating religious tracts, as an antidote to the
poison of infidel publications.
The Bishop of LANDAFF spoke against the
Amendment, but confined' himself particularly to
blasphemous libels. Against these he was convinced,
that * new enactment was necessary, as they were
now brought down to the level of the meanest capa-
city, being totally devoid of argument; and, it mighs
justly be said oPthe a Age of Reason," that it was'
without any reason at all. He was as well acquainted
with infidel writings—almost as well as any man
. who was not an infidel himself, but they now assumed
quite a different aspect from that which they bore in
the last century, when they were written by men of
liberal education, and confined in their power to iti-1
jure, because only few were capable of comprehend-1
mg them. The Right Rev. Prelate repeated his opi-
nion,
that the Bill, as it was framed, was urgently'
called for by the necessity of the occasion.
Lord LILFORD opposed the Amendment, and
read extracts from the evidence, to prove the nature
and extent of the alleged danger in which the country
was placed.
The Earl of CARNARVON replied ; and the Bill
was then read sithird time and passed, the Amend-
ment being negatived without a division. Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,
'Mrs C. HUTCHINSON presented a Petition from I
bilialltants of Co,* for a Bill to repair Cork Harbour.
(erred so a Committee. -
The Cotton Factory Amendment Bill was read a second time,
and ordered to be committed on Monday.
The second reading of the Fedryn Bribery Bill was post-
poned to nest Monday.
Lord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON gave notice, that on

4

.t. ~....

Tuesday "Wets( be should amtve for tie reilvalof the Com-
nags or Scotch 13urthi•
WALT DVIk.
Lt/SHTNGTON brain brought up the Report of the
Nek Any BM,
Lord A. HAMILTON atikpletaell of the manner is width
Its provisions effected' Scothatd. They had the elect of ralabg
the Deities on Scotch Barley to about the same price as the •
ley itself, or within a abating of it. This was putting the
Countries on an equal footing, and ought to be corrected. This
arose probttbly from the existence of two Bills upon the subject,
the one permanent, and the other annual. He should &by
bather observations Witte permanent measure should be beferc
the House, when he should call its attention to the gross in
lice which was thus done to &ottani!.
Mr. 1,1:SIIINGTON stated, that the correction of any
error which might have been tiorasitsed would come.raore pro-
perly in the permanent .BUL The subject should be investi-
gated with the greatein care, to ascertain whether any error
seined, and if it did, his Majesty's Government would be most
willing to correct k.
The Report was then agreed to, and the Bill ordered for a
third readbig on Monday. .
PRIVILEOZ.
Mr. tOURTNEY rose in pursuance of his notice
yesterday, to bring before the House a Publication,
in which was contained a direct invasion of its privi-
leges. He could assure the liciuse,- that the task
which he had undertaken was to him one extremely
painful, and nothing but a strong conscientious feel-
ing of duty could induce him to attempt it. How
ever, having once made up his mind as to the neces-
sity there was for having the Pamphlet noticed bj
some one in the House, he was led afterwards to the
belief that the duty ought very naturally to devolve
on himself, partly.indeed, from an idea that he heard
the passages more distinctly, as they were read, and
as they made therefore a greater impression on his
mind—partly, because he was quite unacquainted
with the person to whom the Pamphlet was imputed,
and very little interested in the political contention
to which it alluded—and, lastly, because the nature
of the place which he held in that House, gave to
him a character of impartiality, which he thought it
would be proper to maintain upon this occasion.—
He was as willing as any other Member to allow
that there were cases of the publication of matter re-
flecting improperly on the character and proceedings
of that House, which it would be more consistent
with good sense and prudence if the House did not
notice. But between these publications and the Pam-
phlet in his hand, there was a manifest difference.—
In the first place, the House was put into a very de-
'cote prediciment by the circumstance of the Pam-
phlet being read and commented on by an Honour-
able Member in his place—(Hear, hear). He never
'met a publication which, in his view, contained n
greater invasion of the privileges of the House. In
addition to this, it held out a strong recommendation
that the House of Commons should be reformed by
" brute force ;" that the People should, of themselves,
abrogate the authority of their Representatives, and
disperse the Members by physical means. The
House was aware that the circulation of publications
of a seditious and blasphemous nature had excited so
strong a feeling in the Public, that Parliament was
forced to enact preventive measures. If Parliament
had neglected to do this, with what justice might it
be said in future times, when the mischiefs of these
wicked publications were fully developed, that Par-
liament has been instrumental, in a great measure, to
the ultimate production of these events, by not havi •
originally provided a remedy to check the causes •
them ? With what tenfold force might not the sa
argument be used to justify the greatest outrages on,
the privileges of the House of Commons, if that
House, having brought before it a Pamphlet - •3
•ffensive to its chaster, refused to inflict a just
measure of punishment on its author? He need not
take up the time of the House by referring to prece-
dents, is which the Houle adopted measures for the
vindication of its dignity and character. Every one
who heard him was suffickntly familiar with cases
of this kind, and there were various instances in which
the proceedings were conducted by Gentlemen who
were at all times conspicuous for their zeal in the
cause of the People. Mr. For and Mr. Sheridan, in
that House, had contended that the best way of
maintaining the Rights of the People, was to uphold
the dignity of the House of Comm Hear, hear).
Sot the House, on this occasion, was called upon to
"notice, not only an attack upon its dignity, but also
i recommendation which,, if it was carried into effect,
must destroy their very existence. The language not
Only reflected on the character of the House, but con-
Mined a direct threat, 'and an advice to the People,
quite of a novel description. The House has already
card some obnoxious passages of the Pamphlet read.
Hence he felt it would be improper if he did not also
read to the House those passages which, in his mind,
were the most offensive. The Pamphlet treated, at
much length, the question of Parliamentary Reform,
d the Author complained much of those persons,
whom he described as having abandoned their former
principles. After speaking of the House of Commons
111 terms of extreme severity, the Author observes—
" What prevents the People from walking down to the
Hoe* and pulling out the Members by the ears, locking up
thel.edeoes, and flinging the.key into the Thames? Is it any
which hedges in the Members of that Assembly? Do
wititti them? Not at all—we have an instinctive horror and
• at the very abstract idea of a Borouglunonger. Do we
aspect them? Not in the kart. Do we regard them as es-
dovred with any superior qualities? On the contrary, indivi-
dually there is scarcely a poorer creature than your mere Mem-
ber of Parliament • though in his corporate capacity the earth
furnishes not so absolute a bully. Their true practical protectors
lies. the real clic:lent Anti-Reformers, are to be found at the
Horse Guards, and the Knightsbridge Barracks ! As long as
tha House of Commous majorities an backed by the regimental
*spacer roll, so long may theme who have got the Tax power'
I I "h. —Such
eui
mtc; hfoand
justified
a ns tTigh e those
erne language
werew adoptinghsresist
a hwntaohr this writer
hedoubt,i
who
thoughtohu oseeox
.f
ns.
ny,
pressed an anxiety for a Reform of the House of
Commons. He was willing to allow individuals to,
express their opinions upon the subject as strongly as
they pleased—let them be as argent as they could is
rasing the necessity of it upon the country—let'
Om advocate even the doctrines of • the visionary
Reformers if they thought proper, but to call on the
pie to exert their physical force to bring about
Reform—to endeavour to deceive them into a belief,
Lthat they ought to do so, every one must allow to be
an intolerable violation of all legal and prudent re-
straints. He would say, that the pamphlet, the ex-
tract which he had just read, did hold out In plain
intelligible terms, that it was by force alone they
could effect an improvement in the state of the Re-
presentation. After stating' the unreasonableness of
expecting that Reform could be produced by the
Meuse of Commons, ho said—" Nothing but brute

: . •

•orce, or the pressing fear of it, will ref
orm
'lament." With what other view could
be written, than as an encouragement to
cation of brute force by the people. It
no;other obnoxious passage; in the pamphlet
be thought it would be sufficient to desert.,
prehension of the House. In what a situ;
the House and the Country placed, if the
this pamphlet were suffered to go unpin
they lived to see the practical effects which
suit from the recommendation contained
pamphlet, what could they say to the
wretches who might be deluded by it int
mission of acts, the idea of which made one
if now, that the pamphlet was brought before
they refused to manifest a proper degree i'
against the author of that recommendaticn
calculated, as it was, to lead to the subversioi
Constitution. Would not any unfortuii,
who was involved in these alarmint: transact
a future time say to the House of Commons
are now pouring down your vengeance •
when you yourselves have refused to pun;
son by whose advice and recommendaticr
into the fatal course, I have pursued ?"
this be a very justifiable reproach, if the
refused to act with just severity against
of that advice ? This pamphlet, it was evl
ftom whom it might, was the preductii
son holding no mean station in society. ;
nifestly a man .of great education, and en,
very considerable accomplishments.
House was pouring its vengeance on the
of low two-penny publications, would
the productions of a man whose advantat
many recommendations to the dissemir
opinions? (Hear!) He thought the House
resist taking the most serious notice of thi
In this opinion, he knew many concurred
By their advice he was induced to undertv.
as well as from a conviction that impunit
thor would be a strong encouragement
merous and moreaggravated violations
kind. At the same time, he was sensible
peculiarly necessary to proceed on this occ;
great caution, and that whatever was
should be done after mature deliberation.
anxious that the first step taken in this
be to call to the Bar of the House the
a view of ascertaining the real offender.
then move, that R. Stodart, 81, Strand,
to 41te Bar of the House on Monday next.
there were cases wherein a Resolution as
ratter of the publication, was put, agreed
then the author, or publisher, was•exal
Bar: but there were also cases in whici
process took precedence of the former,
present instance, being one in which the
was concealed, he wished that the first stn
the House would be to bring the printer
He concluded by tabserding, that it was '
design that the House would take just ,
of the author, and the publisher, as they
The Hon. Gentleman then delivered in ,
tion of which he complained, the title of
read by the Clerk. He then. moved, that .
dart, bookseller in the Strand, be ordered
at the Bar of the House on Monday next
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT said, it
him that the House was in an awful 1
in attempting, at the present time, the
a power, under the denomination of
which was repugnant to the sense of
Country, after it had but a fesv days belga e
entering into an inquiry which the whole
loudly demanded. After the House h;
dared its incapacity to exercise its inquil
dons,. was it now to take upon itself a
was at once inquisitorial and judicial?
had abandoned its right, of inquiry, on .
wiles% inquiry would be.of the greatest benerit
People; and now it was called' on to determi
ther a passage which had just been read ._
was a libel? and persons were to be punished
vote of the House alone, without being affo
opportunity to bring forward evidence in
fence. This mode of prosecuting was ir
and *mild excite great distatisfattron thi
Country. The Rouse was thus to become
in its own cause, and to usurp.all that mon,
stunption of power, which would only lower i..
it could be, in the estimation of the Public: The
aourable and 'Learned Gentleinan who now
plained to the House, had not stated that an)
had been committed ; besides, the whole book
to have been read, when it might appear, by the,
text, that the passage he quoted was harmless-
* For my own pan," said the Honourable Barone,
" I believe the statements contained in the Wet to
be true; for I believe, that the character of a Bo-
roughmonger is as low and as despicable as
character canoe" He could quote horn Mr. Si
and Lord Chatham passages which were as sea.
this against the Boroughmongers. Lord Chatham
had declared that House to be so corrupt a bode. 3
to be subversive of all law and order. Yet no pro-
ceeding was ever adopted against either of these per-
sons, or any complaint preferred against them:
having broken the Privileges of Parliament.
Privileges of that House were granted for the par-
pose of supporting the Members in doing their duct
Mr the People, and to protect them against interrup-
tion in the performance of that duty. But there
never could be any thing more monstrous than 11.-a:
of the House claiming a privilege to do whatevei it
pleased, in opposition to the will of the People.
Mere the Honourable Baronet read a passage from
Selden, in which that great lawyer gave a definitive.
of ParliAinent Men ; he said, that " like great Prir,
they could do what they pleased, and call that thor
privilege; and that they exercised the greatest tyrant'
4in which could exist any where." He objected, then, t
the proceeding which was now about to be adniiteot
d could not concur with the Hon, and Leached
Gentleman in the construction which he put upon the
.ptiblication in question. He talked of the disgust
which such a publication must excite; but what
would he say to the general disgust which the Bills
then before Parliament must excite all over the king-
dom—Bills which were to be carried into effect by
force ?—(flear, hear). That Bosse had already lot
its authority, ;nd it.was only by .coercive measures
that it could compel the People to yield obedience te
it—(Hear, heir). - Yet the House Would now consi-
der it highly penal to say sol The House had de-
clared their conviction that force ;lone proteFled

•
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,• . -4. • 40*-
• 4,411,

:oral
hitthiolettis thhththseeenreaeatn:ewl
tht
seise:urarteionth,:. wasfic
the
'hjiet
I(rich
t ave
tined
pr
eintuon ftline uto' •P'f;tc
!. one shut!,.
t before t::
Te of sere -: ***el'
tion, so 11%,
iversior, of, nt
tunate peg., cl at
ansactior.s. rd
imons,
Ice arca , rt
iunish the .
:ions I was ..
" Would . st
he House
~
Ist the , a
evident, e, its
ction of a ci
He try .ro!
endav ed et
wkikz rer
the circi;:at: ar
I they pug ,
ntages was iu
nination of ,
ouse could . tb
this pamplg . •se
rred with hi., e
ertake theta Ise,
.nity to this a int
nt to more ~
ins of a situ.' an
able that it • . I a
s occasion .
as to be d.. su
'ation. He . p:
s matter shot
le printer, W 'sit
er. He ' di
nd, be brou
text. Ile h. Is
n as to the IY
agreed to; s
xamined at • w.
hich the I cc
ser, and in t.
the real Audi, 'se
,t step Liken b ns
ster to the :
as his wi'b
SO much
gey de ,
in the publ'•
eof which . '
sat Robert S
lered to art • '
ext.
it apreared
Il predicam
•
the exercise
of Priyfleges,
of the while
before -died
whole Nation P
had thus de e
luisitorial font.
v power whir=
? The Horn
on an erasion
t benefit to the
determine *he,
td from a beak
ounished by the
ng afforded is
Ice in their de.
ts most unjust„
througbouttbe
ecOme a Judge
monstrous as.
)wer it, if lower
blic: The Ht
•ho now Gn•
hat any offence
ale book wee
'ar, by the COn.
as harmless.—
trable Baronet, I
n the booi to
atter of a
picaßo-
Gle°
mp rytadbi
tesal
eb
h.iraoaßties t r u.
&:k
rLe
v
t
er of these per•
tinst them, ef
liament. The
for the pur-
ling their duty
ainst
7. Bo there
ous than that
cto whatever tt
f the People.
passage flora
ye a dofinitioa
great Prince'.
call that their
eatest t yranny
ected, then, to
:o be adypteo,
and Leuzieci
put upon the
the disgtet
te; but what
.i.g..1. vb., Rills

;, that they could nut be mis:
or of this pamphlete whoever
■o more. He (Sir Francis
self at present with opposing
he printer to the Bar, till they
ned whether the passage was
ris ilege. Ile protested against
,1 into a Court of Justice, as
ide in its own cause ; by which
.ke the law into its own hands,
of defence or fair trial.

he listened with the greatest
delivered by the Honourable
urse of that speech he doubted
duty to have interposed, and
-occeding with the extraordi,
c ventured to advance. This.
that the Honourable Baronet
teges of the House. With re-
aving recently renounced the
s, when called on to enter into
did no more in that case than
y power; and that discretion
a great majority. But the
s asserted its right of inquiry,
.to be expedient. The House
se of this kind, to be a Judge
that was a power which it had
f times: or, it could order that
3e carried on by the Attorney
assage which had been read, he
more gross; for it directly en-
to tumult and actual rebellion
Privileges of that House were
nett of the People; and the
stain those Privileges, if it had
proceedings against, and punish
em. No branch of the Legisla-
ald sustain itself, if it suffered
be practised, and therefore he
vileges of the House against the
broaching doctrines which led
sion.

;ELL declared it as his opinion,
more ill-advised than that now
Led Gentleman. There were at
)n the table of that House, seve-
ntained as gross libel 3 as could
I. One of them went so far as
obedience ought to be paid
It. Why, then, were not these
why should one be particu-
Ithers ? Why not take proceed-
publican and the Medusa? But
ow the present publication could
►reach of privilege? The privi-
Jed always to be exercised against
I its proceedings; but public*,
ould not be said to have that ef-
with moving as an Amendment,
attend on the 18th day of Ja-

KINNAIRD observed, that there
effect conviction on the minds of
his was a libel or not (Laughter).
y read the whole Pamphlet, they
ent construction on the passage
inferred; for the impression on
the fear, and not the love of the
Luse of their obeying the - laws
se.
said. he should support the origi.
same time, he agreed with his
sirn (Lord John Russell), in dis-
nduct of Government, in passing
publications. But he could not
of the House to be so openly at-
ion had been given out as to who
d it appeared from te style and
me from a man who 'was worthy
the insulted dignity of the House.
hat the House was to be a judge
rr he believed it was the intention
and Learned Gentleman to move
Jeneral be directed to prosecute
his name should be made known.
of prepared to meet obloquy and
was not fit to be the Representa-
; and while they sat there, they
d as the Representatives of the
could wish to see them differently
oncluded with giving his support

'ORCE declared, that he never
ey a grosser attack against the
which had been quoted; nor was
;shed than to bear an Honourable
ncis Burdett) express his doubts
bel or not. Every thing depended
ikh an opinion•was expressed, and
I to disturb the order of society.
1g more likely to persuade and to
:my their insults further, than for
.ess itself lightly on a question of
ng so, the House would betray a
;. Whatever the mode of proceed-
as impossible for the House to pass
r, he thought the best mode of pro-
to call on the Attorney-General to
not correct to impute to the House
such principles or motives as those
rend,' thrown out in that' House ;
oss insults as these were thrown nut,
to pass them over without notice.
n, that the contest of this passage
,n a different interpretation tothe
stert had been read, nor any expla-
ie House respecting it.
SKINNAIRD <aid, that the reason
he context was, that he did not think
.ould wish it to be read, and that
hose, might order it to beread. The
)n was a mere incidental- one, and ap-
be no more than what it purported
mistake!"—(Mere the cries of Order,
on. Member, and he sat down).
sse amidst loud cries of ^ Question !
.aid, that he conceived the proceed•
as about to adopt to be a most irre

N c3ntended, that there never was a'
k on that House, or a more glaring
People to destroy that House, than
h had been read; and he mast corn=
t of.the Honourable Baronet respect-
s of that llousc, which were well dc-

fined, and had always been acted upon. A doubt
had been started, whether the context might net do
away the effect of the passage in question.' He had
read .the whole of the Pamphlet; and so far from.
finding the context to be such as was stated, there
were many passages nearly as objectionable as that,
which had been quoted. Let the House form their
judgment from the following extract :
" My determination, for one, is. fixed. If those who have the:
powek attempt to deprive me of the inalienable right of meeting,
my fellow-countrymen, by tetting loose a soldier at me without'
the warning of an Act of Puliament, I will resist him if I can.
If they do give the the warning of an Act of Parliament, I will'
break it if / can. _

• He would pit it then to the House, whether it was
not bound to vindicate its own authority, and that of
all inferior Courts of Justice, against such libels asi
these? It was impossible for men with their common,
senses about them to doubt the object of this Pam-,
phlet. As to the proposal that the Attorney-General
should prosecute, he maintained that the House weak-
ened its own authority if it yielded its power to vin-
dicate its privileges to any other authority. That
House had the undoubted tight to issue its process,
like the inferior Courts of Justice. Some might re•
commend the •passing this over with contempt. Sur
pose it was said of the Court of King's Bench, in daily
publications, that no justice could be obtained there,
he would ask whether that High Tribunal could sub-
mit to sects attacks, without losing its character and
weakening its authority and power with the Public ?
The situation in life and rank of the person supposed
to have written this libel, was another reason why he
should be prosecuted. It was under an impression of
that kind that the House thought it necessary, some
years ago, to issue a i.rosecution against a Gentleman
of the name of Reeves, who held a high situation
uader Government, for a pamphlet he had written.
The original Motion was carried without a division.
SEIZURE OF ARMS.
Lord CASTLEREAGH moved the second read-
ing of the Seizure of Arms Bill.
Mr. TIERNEY stated that he bad no objection to
the principle of the Bill, though he had to some par-
ticular parts, especially to the Clause empowering a
single Justice of the Peace, upon information of
which he was to be the sole Judge, to order an officer
to enter a house and search for arms in the night.
But as the different Clauses in the Bill Might be de-
bated in two subsequent stages, he should reserve his
objections till the Bill came into a Committee.
Mr. BENNET hoped that the whole of the
Northern Counties would not be put under the ope-
ration of the Bill, as tbe disaffection was confined to
some particular districts.
Mr. LAMBTON wished to ask the Noble Lord,
if he had not received a communication from the
Deputy Lieutenants of the County:of Durham, stating
that the County was in a state of tranquillity.
Lord GASTLEREAGH observed, that he had
not asserted the County to be in a state of disturbance,
but in a state that might lead to it. A letter bad
been addressed to Lord Sidmouth, on the Sd of De-
cember, by the Deputy Lieutenants, that an applica-
tion had been made to them by four Magistrates, for
the raising of a body of Yeomanry Cavalry.
Mr. WHARTON stated, that much disaffection
prevailed in certain Districts of the County of Dur-
ham. The authority whence be derived his informa-
tion he could not name, as it might lead to the mur-
der of the parties. Much discontent prevailed among
the Colliers, who were organized and divided into
classes of twenty each, under certain leaders, and
had a communication with the Colliers of the West
Riding of Yorkshire. The Honourable Gentleman
then read a letter from a Magistrate of the County
of Durham, mentioning that the Lambton property
had been parcelled out by an Agrarian Law. He
understood that it had been stated by the Honourable
Gentleman opposite (Mr. Lambton), that there was
no disloyalty among the Colliers, but only a great
zeal for Reform. That Reform, however, was not
Parliamentary Reform, but a transfer of ie property
of the present possesors to others.
Mr. LAMBTON said, that he had lived for many
years among the persons to whom the Honourable
Gentleman alluded, and he was enabled to .state that
the charge was unfounded. He had written to his
agent on the subject, and had been informed by him
that, at a full Meeting of Gentlemen connected with
the coal mines, none could take upon himself to state
that the Colliers had arms, and he (the writer) was
convinced they had none ; that the Colliers at no
time had been more peaceable, and more inclined to
work ; and that many of them had left the classes
into which they had been divided. He should move
in the Committee that the provisions of the Bill
should not extend to the County of Durham.
Lord MILTON could take upon himself to state
that the Colliers in.the West Riding of Yorkshire had
no communication with those of the County of Dur-
ham, and were as loyal as any class of his Majesty's
subjects. He thought the continuance of the Bill for
two or three years wholly unnecessary.
Mr. H. CLIVE stated, that depositions from four
Magistrates had been received, that many of those
who attended the Meeting near Newcastle, had been
secretly armed, and had pikes in their possession.
Mr. BROUGHAM.observed, that the Mayor of
Newcastle had made his statement from the informa-
tion of others, and not from perfbnal knowledge.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that he had seen a
letter in the hands of a Member of that House, men-
tioning that the agent of the Honourable Gentleman
opposite bad dismissed many of the heads of classes
from theb- situations, and he thought it was worthy
of inquiry, why they had been dismissed from the
employment of so excellent a Reformer? (A laugh).
Mr. LAMBTON said, it would be necessary to as-
certain why the men had beep dismissed, before any
conclusion could be drawn fromit; as it did not fel-
low that they had been dismissed for their attachment
tes the cause of Reform. He thought it was too
' much to be taunted in the way he had been by the
Itioble Lord.- He was no Radical Reformer; and
bad plainly tokl them what-he thought would be the
consequence af their wild and impracticable plans—
(Hear, hear).
Lord CASTLEREAGH assured the Hon. Gen
tleman that he called him' an extelletititeformer,
a Constitutional sense, and never Meant to class him
with the Radicals. , He knew he was not a Rai-.
dical, for he had read the• Hort. Gentlemoses speech,'
delivered at the Newcastle Meeting, with all that epaz
manliness which marked his conduct in every other
respect. He only thought the Hon. Gentleman was.
more disposed to place confidence in those persons

'tints he elm:lo2W, and motioned the subjectsifely
that the. Hon. Gentleman, if not aeriusinted•withch.
shduld ascertain' whether his.agent had thought'
of the leading- Reformers as to dismiss them from
"vier'.
Mr.'LAMETON said, the Noble Lard hav7
with that conciliating manner which no man
_better how to display, disclaimed 'the intention
ti)
mputing those •iolent printiples to him, he,
arse, cpuid not, for a moment, retain the idea tha
ny thing personal was meant. If his agent had r'
missed these men, he was not implicated ; and ,
toed for any thing it must be shewn that they
Atscharged on account of their, political princi
'and for no other cause.- -
• Lord CASTLEREAGH only mentioned it,
the Hon. Gentleman might satisfy himself.
Sir C. MONCK wished the Bill should be confit
to three Wards of the County of Northumberland.
The Bill was then read a second time, and on'
to be committed on Monday,
A message from the Lords announced to the House, that .
Lordships had assented to the Amendments in the Trailing
JPeevention Bill; and had passed a Bill for the Punishment of
Masphemous and Seditious Libels, in which they desired '
concurrence of that House.
The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read
cond time en Monday.
Sir C. MONCR wished to ask•the Noble Lord, if the
maim at Santa Maura had been suppressed; and, if
noxious Tax that had occasioned it had been repealed?
Lord CASTLEREAGH replied, that the Insurrection
been quelled; and that the opposition to the Tax, which
foe local purposes, had arisen from misconception ; but '
not take upon himself to state, whether the Tax had, or
been repealed.—Adjourned.

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT, DF.CEMBEI
STEALING A WARD IN CHANCERY.
SANDFORD V. GIBBONS.
Mr. BELL, in this cause, applied to his 1-1‘
the VICE-CHANCELLOR, .on behalf of the mother
the infant, and a Mr. Lee, the guardian, prayinJ
that Court to order Mr. John Wiltshire, sen. J,
Wiltshire, jun. and Charles Willsfiire, to stan;
mitted to the custody of the Warden of the Fly
son, for a 'contempt of the authority of the
they having, as it was alleged, conspired to carry
the young Lady in question, and Charles Willsh,
having solemnized a marriage with her, without '
authority of the Court.
After hearing arguments on both sides, the
CHANCELLOR ordered the father and husbai
stand committed.
The parties were immediately taken into custody
and Mr. Lee took the Lady under his protection,
order to convey her to Bath, from whence the
anent took place.
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, DECEMBER
MACERONE V. MURRAY.
This action was brought by an Officer in the
and the son of a merchant in the City of "
against the defendant, a bookseller, to recover
mages for an alleged malicious libel, publ;'
The Quarterly Ream*, No. 88.
The plaintiff, it appeared, was in Paris about
time the expulsion of General Joachim Murat
the throne of Naples was decreed by the European
Powers. The plaintiff, on that occasion; -
by the Allied Sovereigns in quality of Envoy,
gociate with Murat for the surrender of the Th
He was instructed by Prince Metternich to offer
a passport to proceed to any part of the Emp.
Austria's dominions. On the arrival of Maceroni
Naples, Murat refused to accede to the terms
and was preparing to commence hostilities
brie. The plaintiff, notwithstanding such
delivered the passport to Murat, contrary to
structions, and soon. after gave information I
taro Baster, the British Naval Officer on the
for the purpose of intercepting Joachim on
to Bastia. The information was too late, and
on that occasion was not taken. The plaint'
time after, published an account of the life
of Murat, which was examined in The Quarterly
view. The article purporting to be a review
work, charged the plaintiff with treachery
country, high treason, and intimated that I
served an ignominious death.
Mr. Beta., in support of the plaintiff's case,
tended, that his client was entitled to claim
damages.
The defendant pleaded a justification.
dente offered consisted of the two books.
The Somiron GENERAL made an able st
the Jury, contending, that the alleged' libel
more than a fair comment on the public conduct
the plaintiff.
The LORD Cum hurtles left the Jury
whether the defendant had published a fair
or not?—The Jury, without hesitation, found
dict for the defendant. His Grace the
Wellington sat on the Bench during the trial.
WRIGIIT V. CLEMENT.
This was an action against the defendant
fishing two alleged libels, contained in
Weekly Political Register • one on the 4th of
1817 ; and the other on the 3d of July,
puling to the plaintiff the forgery of certain
obtaining money under false pretences, Ste.
Mr. SCARLET? in stating the case for the
distinguished this from the action which
been tried, by observing, that this was a
much more aggravated nature; inasmuch
onsly affected the interests of a private indi,
points upon which his very existence
depended; whereas the former arose.out of
connected solely with the political character
conduct of a person, who was an actor
of the continental. transactions of the last
This distinction was the more likely to r
attention of the Jury, corisidering the
nature of the libel now presented to their
plaintiff was a person well known to the lit
of the City of London, as being the conductor
eager of part of the Parliamentary Histr
Country, namely, Iteports• of Proceedings i.
meat, published wider the name of Mr. Cobbett.
defendant, Mr. Clement, was a Gentleman well known
as the Editor or Proprietorof The OhtenetrNeetepepet.
The publication in which the alleged libets, which
'were the subject of the. present action were co
was got one of which the defendant avowed
the proprietor, althnugh it would. be prov:
vase the agent of the propriturn, • What share- or
taut he act in the salcof it, was not publicly
pounced, nor indeed, for. this purpose of the -

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

t

. -.

• • .- •
.0111 k . ; 1
• . . . . •• • .
• . .
I -
Asely aetioni- wit it necessary. Inordir ta estplain the tta- ' • ' 1
ith,,it, tare of the libels for -which Mr... Wright sought ft . • 1, •
:loin compensation. in damages, it became necessary theft ,
,os his he should enter into the history of the pasty libelling l' ',
and the party libelled.- Ths Jury were•iaformed fives
ruing, the pleadings, that the libels were published in Cob- i
knew' Irett's Pditicd Register. It was unneoessary•for hint,
on of to state who Mr. Cobbett was. To,menti:ei thename -
he, of of that person, was sulkier% of Itself to convinc,ealern
.:-..'.
a tha of the 'influence and-effect whith -a work coming
.d di s- from his pea must have upon theininds of those who
lto be, were susceptible of the strongest impressions which . •
r were the English language was capable of
.making. Mr.
ciples, Cobbctt was a person well known .to possess great
powers of argument, and probably equalled any man - , ,
t, that that ever existed in the faculty of exciting popular
feeling.. His knowledge of language, his power of
Infined expression, and Ms manner of har...:liog an al gument, ' t
:
and. rendered him a most formidable opponent to any man
rdered who entered the lists with him in written dhcossion.
,',
At
These acquirements were still more formidable when
Sat their exerted for the purpose of satisfying personal resent-
I I
rennin, 7
- ment. There was once a connection between. Mt. . t.'
fired
treend the Cobbett and Mr. Wright. This connection commenced i'' ' •
soon after the former returned to his native counter
ead a se- from America, in 1800: When that Gentleman •c-ote : 1
•
le Maur- to England, he opened a bookseller's shop in Pall •
the eh. mall, under the emblematical insignia of the Bible,
the Crovrn, the Cushfbn, and the Mitre, with the '
11 IS
lien bad loyal devise of .4 Fear GOD and Honour the King."
Bich was Under such auspicious designations'. Mr. Cobbett re-
r orid commended himself to the Public as the publisher of - •
literary works of the highest character. Under such f.
circumstances, nothing was more likely than that • I
r.
•
MitWright should anticipate the most advantageous
results in point of character and respectability, frann
Ut to. a connection with this Gentleman. so announcing i
himself to public notice. Mr. Cobbett having thus
established himself, sent forth publications, which 1 ,
•
Honour presented, perhaps, some of the best specimens of ,
other of style that ever adorned English Literature. • His sen- . .
praying tiniest% Upon Morality, Religion; and Politics, then
:n. John commanded the esteem and respect of the whole
ad corn- Nation. His sentiments with respect to Mr. Tho-
leet Pri- mas PALM'S political and irreligious works (if the . •
e Court, Learned Counsel might so, express himself), reflected
carry off the highest' character upon the motives which i
Nillshire then influenced his conduct. His eloquent and
' 1i 1 •
bout the powerful animadversions upon that person's efforts
to subvert all GovernMent and Religion iu this , ; ••
re Vice- Country, and the consequences which marked his 1 .)
band to career during the French Revolution, were the ad- ,
I II
•
miration of every reflecting and well-ordered mind. . k •
'
:ustody ; The Learned Counsel proceeded to read an extract
ction, in from the Works of Mr. Cobbett of that day, to sheet
lie elope- the horror and contempt which the author entertained .
towards Paine, in which a lively and eloqUent de- 1 ~,,
ER ;o. scription was given of that man's situation when
doomed to a dungeon in Paris, having fallen a victim
le Army, to those persons whose violent passions were turned • c
London, loose• under the influence of his pen. At this period
over da- Mr. Wright formed his connexion with Mr. Cobbett, • ; r ' ,
dished in which continued until the year 1810, during which 1 ,
interval the plaintiff had been his most useful -and
about the active coadjutor, in bringing forth The Political Re-
na from gm' ter, and The Parliamentary Debates. In the year
Eutopean 1810, Mr. Cobbett was tried and convicted of a libel
was sent published in his Register, with respect to Military
oy, to ne- PunishmentK On that occasion a negociation was
e Throne. entered into by Mr. Cobbett with the Government, ,
offer him for the purpose of arresting the judgment that
mperor of awaited him, on the condition of his discontinuing / ,
tcerone at the publication of his Register. Mr-Wrioht was his
is offered, confidential agent upon that occasion, but the regeci-
s in Cala, ation having failed, Mr. Cobbett was sent to N-..-‘ e ate.
h refusal, In consequence of this The Register proceeded ; but 7
4t .
to his in- in the mean time disputes having arisen between Mr. _
n to Cap- Cobbett and Mr. Wright, upon matters of pecuniary
1 I ,
i:
be station, claims on the part of the latter, which ended not' I
in his way long after in open hostility ; the negociation alluded , • , .
,
find Murat to having failed, it was an object with Mr. Cobbett,
ntiff, some for the preservation of his public popularity, to keep i I
and death that matter out of view. Mr. Wright was the only i
l'
•
:,
trterly Re- depository- of this secret, except Mr. Reeves, a Gen- 1 '
,
iew of the tleman of high character, through whom the appli- . >
ery to his cation was made to Mr. Perceval, then Chancellor of
tat he de- the Exchequer. This circumstance, however, .by • 11 (-
.
some means was divulged, and Mr. Cobbett attri-
case, con- bating the communication of it to Mr. Wright, pub- i
laim large lished the libel on • the 4th of January, 1817, which . '
was one of the subjects of this action. The libel can- ,
The evi- sisted of a letter, published in The Register, and was
. occasioned in consequence of certain observations •
e appeal to published in The T'inaes newspaper of the day -con-
bel was no cerniag Mr. Cobbett's application to Government to
conduct of arrest the sentence of the law. That libel, with- r
out naming Mr. Wright, sufficiently expressed MT. • I i
iry to say, Cobbett's conviction, that that Gentleman was I .1
ir comment the channel of the communication, and was es- :
• i
aund a Ter- pressed in terms the most injurious to his character;- 1
e Duke of and any person acquainted with the parties, and their •
rill. connexion, must at once. dime to the.conelusion, that
Mr. Wright was the objectef the libel. That Gentle- -
nt fjorertb- man, however, thought the subject then unworthy of
a t's legal proceedings, from the obscure manner in which
of January, it was expressed-, lie beingthen desirous of withdraw-
-1818;-in- ing himself from public observation. Thus matters „ .
taro letters, Vested until the year 1818, when a General Election
•c. took place for the City of Westminster, for which
he plaintiff, there were several Candidates. Amongst others, the
:h had just late distinguished ornament of his country, Sir Sa- ' _
i
a case of a muel Romilly, Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Kinnaird,
4 as it semi- and a •Gentleman named Hunt.• This latter Gentle.
I
divifual, on man was considered to be a pdpular Candidate, and •
in society it had, for a considerable time before, been the study
of a matter of 'Mr, Cobbett, in hii writings, to recommend
aracter and this Gentleman to the favour and good opinion ,-
or in sonic of the Citizens of Westminster, as a fit and proper , i •
last war.— Representative of_ their sense in Parliament. In . 1, , 4.
engage the short, his object seemed to be to write Mr. Huta -
i
aggravated up, as the only man who eculd properly represent
notice. The the free and enlightened inhabitants of Westminster. , •11
literary part On theoccasion in question, Mr.Cleary, whointetested
uctor or ma- himself in the success of Sir Francis Burdett, bei.lg'
into ry of the desirous of proving to the' electors of Wilittiihster • - ,
in Parka- that the opinion ef Mr. Cebbett was not tritis the , 1i '
:op bbett. The same. with respect to Mr. Hunt's character con- 1,
uwell known duct, produced a letter, written by Mi•,. Cobbett in , ;
i
rN . the year 1808, adettesyed'by that Gentleman to Mr.
libels w ich Wright, itk reilids wete•the'filllowing exPretsforfir. 1
ere contained " There is one HOU; the Page Men; ' bewate or t!frii•
awed himself e:—he lives with a-sv;;;-&-i the itiffi•isf inethet man; ~;
seed that he "ishh whoetlite•ii tiditlabilfit the • ,tneant4-= a' sad' • :i
share or its c•fklkeserifinnittenbirig*sfenlithilltht -A eel: -Irk. i I
publicly stn- a CoIIVIASTrIJ-TifrifiefttlPlttsitificiaviitNilitritings; •' •
f the present order to shew that )air. Hunt was not a person worthy ill
Of
•
. 4
•.. • ,