Star.
London, England, 1811-03-27 00:00:00

griertneerwere gr: At, so was the want of attention ;
and if one-fourth of the sum raised for the poor was
expended in a proper manner, he thought the poor
would be relieved much better than they were. This
bill ought not to pass further, as it would tend to
establish a bad precedent for others.
Mr. G. VANSITTART thought there should
be particular laws for particular parishes, as it would
not be possible to make a general regulation upon
this subject.
The question was then put, and the motion was
negatived ; and the amendment agreed to without
a division.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS.
Mr. LOCKHART, in pursuance of his notice,
rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill for regis-
tering Charitable Donations. He intended it to be
of a similar nature with that which the Honourable
Member for Yorkshire (Mr. Wilberforce) had brought
in last Session, but which the multiplicity of pub-
lic business prevented being. proceeded in. He would
have. thought it unbecoming in him to have taken
the business out of that Honourable Gentleman's
bands, had he not already got his entire approba-
tion of the Bill he now suggested. This mea-
sure was founded upon the proceedings of the House
so long ago as twenty-three years, when they had
under their consideration the state of the Pour
Laws. It was found upon the imperfect returns
that were then made, that there was money to the
amount of £48,00() subscribed annually—and that
‘210,000 had been permanently subscribed, a great
part of which had been actually applied to other
purposes than those for which it WAS intended.—
Nay, from the report of the Committee formerly
appointed, it appeared that part of it was even
stolen ! The House had already pledged itself to
adopt some means to prevent such abuses, and if
they did not do so, they had done more evil th in
good by making the previous inquiry, as greater
neglect and inattention would follow. The measure
he was to propose was to compel persons and sure-
ties to register the property that has been put into
their hands for charitable purposes, by which means
the property itself would become matter of noto-
riety, and thereby be rendered more safe. When
it was thus known where property of that descrip-
tion was vested, persons would have an opportunity
of applying for leasesof landed property, and the same
prices would be given as if it were the property of
individuals. There were many instances where land-
ed property was occupied by the trustee himself,
or by the relations of the deceased, which* as highly
improper, as it was apt to create partiality. When
once this open register was made known, men will
be ashamed not to do their duty ; and if not, per-
sons agrieved will he able to state the case to the
Attorney-General. He then concluded with mov-
ing "tor leave to bring in a Bill to register and se-
cure Charitable Donations."
Mr. WILBERFORCE,in rising to second the motion, expres-
sed his unqualified approbation of the measure. lie thought it
would be productivt of the happiest consequences, in preventing
abuses which were now as open as the noon day. It would tend
to secure that property for charitable purposes which was as ne-
cessary to be secured as any other .pecira of property.
Sir SAMUEL ROMILLY said he had no intention to oppose
the bill, but lie merely rose to state his opinion that it would go
bet little way (if any) to reform abuses in respect to public chari-
ties. The existence and the continuance of those abuses did not
proceed from persont being ignorant of the nature of the charities I
themselves ; but the reason why abuses were suffered to exist ;
when they were known, was, that the remedy was too expensive,
for persons must have recourse to filing an inforniatiop in the
Court of Chancery. But no champion could b: found to do this,
as they ran the risk of paying the costs of suit if they fail ;—and
even if be get a decree in his favour, he might get the expenccs
at the distance of some years. Now, there were very few per.
sons who would put themselves iooneh a 'painhil, troublesome,
sad invidious situation. The mode should be, that, instead of
Wing an information in the name of the Attorney General, the
Chancellor, who is, in truth, the eustodier of an public clialties,
should be enabled to proceed upon a petition prevented in a sum-
mary way. On account of the great difficulties to which he had
alluded, there were now very few informations against the trus-
tee* of public charities.
Mr. W. WYNNE said, it was in his *Onion a great advan-
tage the brining this subject under the consideration of the
House. lie could state several grievances existing in different
parts of the country, where Trustees of fublic Charities let the
property at a lower rent than was proper.
Leave was then given to bring in the BilL
SERVANTS' EMBEZZLEMENT BILL.

Mr. SHAW moved " fur leave to bring In a Bill to protect
Masters from the Embtszlement of their Clerkaa4.l Scrvurcs In
Ireland."
This motion was agreed to, Mr. SHAW hiving stated, that it
was intended to be similar to the Bill which ',tined in England
upon that subj.:et. He added, that he w to have it rea 1 a
brit time and printed, and then he would wave the second read-
ing of it after the recess.
VICTORY AV BARROSA.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave notice that
be would, upon Thursday nett, move the thanks of the Hottest,
General Graham, and the Officers and Army engaged in the late
victory.—/Bear, hear, hear
MILITIA ENLISTMENT BILL.
Mr. RYDER moved the order of the day for the recommittal
of this Bill, for the purpose (as we understood) of postponing it
to Friday.
This produced some conversation upon the impropriety of
changing the order of proceedings, according to their late regula-
tions, in which Sir SAMUEL Rowlett' and Sir JOHN Nrwroav
severally took a part ; and it was at last agreed that the Bill should
be immediately recotamitted.
The Speaker accordingly left the Chair, arzl the House went
Into a Committee, in which they cot.sidered each paragraph of
the Bill, and adopted several additional clauses.
Upon the House resuming, the Report was ordered to be re-
ceived on Mondaj next.
HUSH MISCELLANEOUS ESTIMATES.

The Report of the Committee of Supply an Irish Aliscellanecia
latimates was brought up.
On the Resolution for granting the sum of £8,973 to the Ro-
man Catholic Seminary of Maynooth, being read,—
Mr. HUTCHINSON expressed a wish that this Resolution
might be postponed, as it appared to him subject to the strongest
objections. It resolved itself into this question, whether we shall
starve by an illiberal grant, or support by a liberal one, an lim-
ttutoortneti was rourtdettl a
tv ror Me ettucarton of the Clergy of four
millions of people. In the present exhausted state of the House,
it was extremely desirable that the further cot/duration of this
Estimate should he postponed.
The CI lANCELLOR of the 2XCI lEQUER apprehended that
the Hon. Gentleman wss somewhat erroneous in his mode of
proceeding, and that he could have no idea of withholding what
was alreat:y granted, which would be the effect of this estimate
being omitted. He apprehended it was rather the wish of the
Hon. Geutlemad to locrease the sum ; but as he sad uo means of
proposing that increase, after the whole of the e.timates were
brought forward, it would be better that the Resolution should
remain as it was.
Mr. HUTCHINSON said, that It was against the principle
which dictated the diminution of this estimate that he contended;
he conee:red it one that Involved intcres.a of the first impor-
ta-ce, and was extremely desirous that thi.Re.olution should be
recommitted.
Mr. POSTER was inclined to ascent to the recommitment of
tl e resolution, In confostrly with the with of the Honourable
essintk:nan.
The CHANCEI.LOR of the EXCHEcIrER objected to any
ait ration being wade in the grass amount of the Estimates.
he SPLAX,EiI said, ;oat it was tory unusual to make any