Star.
London, England, 1816-05-29 00:00:00

dia. no*. ne; such other date is she douse
might deem pedi
more exente—foohis only object was
to establish some protection for these aliens, who had
been long resident hi this country—who had contra
hued to increase our capital, to improve our ammo
wefts, to advance our skill in arts and arms—who
ha their property vested in our fun Os— who had, in
taco subsistence nglish habits, and who depindeii
for their upoti the stability of our govern-
lat He submitted to the consideration and can.'
door of the House, that no danger .could be appre-
beaded from such me', and that therefore they should
sor to pot out of the pale of the constitution.
Lead CASTLEREAGH objected to the skate,
ntsining that it would be better to reject the Bills
altogether, than to adopt it with such a restriction.
The powers of the Bill would indeed be quite illu-
sry, if it were accompanied by such a clause, and
if the House were unwilling to confide in the discre.
'iota ois Majesty's Ministers. it would be as well
oithdraw the Bill. He could.‘not; indeed, disco-
Ter by what chain of reasoning the Noble Lord had
comet° the conclusion, that if the Bill were neces-
stry at all, it was not proper to place any foreigner
toiler the surveillance of Government, who happened
so reside in this country before 1814, or any given
mod. For what should present those who wished
;esiisnoh us, from making such residents the instru-
ments of their design ? But if any date were fixed—
g any limit were imposed, his conviction was that it
would only serve to encourage foreigners, who might
mink p: oper to' make this country the seat of their
schinations, and thus defeat the object of the Bill.
Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH supported his Noble •
friend's proposition, which the Noble Lord- very
eensistently opposed, because nothing short of power
without cootroul would satisfy his views. It was,
however, the duty of that House to provide that
power should not be liable to abuse—that foreign
merchants or tradesmen who were settled in this
!gentry should not be exposed to the insidious repre-
sentations of rivals in trade, who might find their way
s a smeary of State ; for in such a case such fu-
signers would, without a clause of this nature, be'
placed in the most defenceless condition. It was an
err, to suppose that this description of foreigners
would ever be liable to be employed as the agents or
spies of any foreign intrigue., For such agents or
spies were ever more likely to be selected from among
profligate natives, who were always to be found in
this as in every other country. But with respect to
the apprehension of danger, it was notorious that no
partizans of Bonaparte had come to this country be-
ton 18'4, at which date his Noble Friend had ex-
pressed a disposition to. fix his clause, and therefore
no pretence of danger could operate against that
clause. There was, however, no gronud for this Bill
at all, especially at present. William 111. and
George H.. thought no such measure necessary to
guard against foreign emissaries, notwithstanding the
plots in !soh reigns to Li,aturb this country, Both-
riously under the sanction of the French. Government.
But the alledged necessity of such an extraordinary
measure was a libel upon the wisdom of our at:m-
ates, as weil as upon the principles of our Constitu.
non and 1.01W6, which amply provided against every
possible danger.
The SOLICITOR GENERAL defended the Bill,
andobjected to the clause proposed, which, if adopted,
void serve to render that Bill quite nugatory. That
foreigners long resident among us would be less likely
to lend themselves to any' plan for disturbing our
peace, he was ready to admit, but be would ask,
whether such foreigners would be less fit to execute
such a plan, and would it then be wise to refuse Go.
woment the power of guarding against the danger?
It was idle to suppose that Government could have
y disposition to disturb preign merchants, trades-
men, or artisans. For such persons had never been
interrupted since this Bill was enacted, and they well
knew, that they were as safe in this country with the
Bill, as they could be without it, if they did not mix
in any of those improper political schemes, for the
promotion of which the French usually employed
aegociants. •
Sir J. NEWPORT in animadverting upon the
Bill, took notice of the standing order at the House
of Lords, not to read any naturalization Bill a second
time,. unless accompanied by a certificate from the
Secretary of State, which he Contended was quite an
anomaly in our legislative habits.
Lord MILTON said, the arguments of the Ho.
nourable and Learned Gentlertion who spoke last but
one, were the most extraordinaty he had ever heard.
They were, in fact, applicable not only to Aliens, but
would be equally applicable if used in support of 4
similar measure being employed against Iris Majesty's
nnural born subjects: firm the same principle that
tra rarguede for the e present Bill, he might alio move
Peal of tne Habeas Corphs Act. He (Lord
Poulson_ ) felt no less objection to the argUments of the
"hble'Lord, than to those of the Honourable and
Lensed Member. He trusted, however, that the
Dill,.._ifallowed to pass, would not render us dioiros
net!t dews, because it would only be a temporary
ow re: but he was sure thst if such a policy bad
Lim generally acted upon in this country, we should
11" bait had the benefit of so many ingenious to-
t eig pert settling amongst us as had done so. He,
was convinced the measure originated, not so much
in the Government of this country, as in the connet-
-4'04 which this country now had with foreign Ga.!
7ernng, The Noble Lord talked about surveil-1
'an", a word which he supposed he wished to have
lacinelPe ar ated in our constitution ; but it was our hap.,
p
rid boast that no such system of surveillance
was
hid
seen yetits
recognised, though no doubt the Noble Lord
operations abroad in a variety of ways,
ww co
in rendered him a friend to such a power being
placedir the hands of Government. He should give,
tote for the clause of his Noble Friend.
Mr.-H- ADDINGTON observed, that what bad
stated on a former occasion respecting a teal&
ate of naturalization beisig refused upon the appli-1,
ration of an Honourable Member, was not perfectly
Hue had felt it his duty to make inquiries
t'Puilunstn subject, and it appeared that a very discou
ao
answer had indeed. been given, but not an ab-
4rute refusal was Made. On the contrary, an order
1/4$ actually given to grant that certificate, provided
"tans doubts were removed. With respect to the
`lll4e, he certainly felt strong objections to it ; and
shoe oho supported it seemed to reason—he antici-
NW a cheer at what he was going to say—(dlaugh)
"-WO the measure, as if it were the mes,tyressolcal
124 the mat oppressive ever proposed ;o the legisla-

__