Star.
London, England, 1816-03-27 00:00:00

T R A WSPORTL

Mr. H. ADDINGTON moved for leave to bring
in 13i11 to continue and amend the Act of last Ses-
sion, with respect to the transportation of offenders.
This measure, he said, he should have brought for.
ward sooner, if he were not in hopes of being able
to frame a Bill, for consolidating all the Acts upon
the subject of Transportation, from that of George
I. downwards. But this consolidation heist; found
impracticable. it became necessary to provide for the
continuance of the Act alluded to, which would et-
pire on the Ist of May, some o'raissions in which it
was intended to supply. It was also meant to intro.
duce a clause fur providing Inspectors, at the pons
to which the transports are usually sent for embark*.
don, such Inspectors to act intermediately between
the jailors. or persons bringing transports, and the
Commanders of the vessels in which such transports
were to proceed to their destination.
Mr. BENNETT expressed a hope that this mea-
sure would not be hurried through the House, but
that ample time would be afforded for the considera-
tion of the important subject to which it referred.—
Upon this subject it was known, that the highest au•
thorities entertained an opinion, altogether adverse to
the principle of transportation, and with that opinion
he himself fully concurred. For in his judgment, a
much better plan might be devised for the reform of
convects at home, and at a considerably cheaper rate.
But the fact was, that transports were never reformed
at Botany Bay, where the whole system of manage-
ment was of such an opposite tendency, that the
number of executions is that settlement tar exceeded
the average nt natural deaths. lie would, however,
cuter more at length upon the second reading of the
Dill, which, he trusted, would nut be proposed for
some time.

Mr. H. ADDINGTON said, that he had no wish
to hurry the Bill, but yet, as the Honourable Mem-
ber objected to the principle of transportation alto-
gcther, he could not see how his purpose could derive
any advantage from the delay of this measure.
Mr. ABERCROMBY observed, that although he
did not agree with his Honourable Friend as to the
expediency of abolishing transportation altogether,
thaaght that the system ought to be very materially
makfied. The Learned Gentleman asked whether
Governer M,crinirrie had yet returned any answer
to the letter which, he understood, was some time
since addressed to bim from the proper office, in-
closing the report of a Committee of that House,
upon the subject of transportation to Botany Bay,
and the general conduct of that colony ? If such ,
answer had been received, and he expressed a wish
to have his question communicated to the Under Se-
cretary of State for the Colonial Department, who
was not then in his place, he (Mr. A.) thought it de-
sirable to have that answer laud before the House.

After some further conversation between Mr. An
Dierrrou, Mr.Aseacaomwr, and Sir M. W. RIDLEY;
Mr. LOCKHA RT observed, that he believed the
plan for reforming offenders at home, by solitary
confinement, 'cc. was found chimerical, as those con-
nected with the penitentiary system could, he under.
stood, fully testify. He himself thought, and his
opinion was supported by some able writers,• that it
would be advisabll to hairs convicts emplied to
work in the open air, which would certainly be more
for the advantage of their health, a9d most probably
tend to diminish that hostility to society, which was
too often the source of vice. •

Leave was given to bring in the Dili, which was
accordingly brought in, read a first, and ordered to
be read a second time on Monday next.

DEB T° ft&

Mr. ABERCROM.l3l7presented a Petition from
the Delators confined in Yotk Jail, stating that they
were imprisoned for debts which they were unable to
pay, that their insolvency was created by the pressure
of the times, and by unavoidable misfortunes—that
they were ready to divide their effects among their
creditos.e• gam= Alley WIC 44/100 to satisfy by all

the means in their power, and ,tbat under such
car-
cumstances,
.they heard with alarm of the introduc-
tion of a measure into that House which they under-
stood was calculated to deprive them of the clemency.
of the existing law, 'and to condemn them to such
measure of imprisonment, as any capricious, or cruel
creditor, might think proper to inflict. B:tt the Pe-
titioners earnestly prayed the humanity of the House
would he graciously pleased to take their urhappy
case into consideration, and save them from the visi-
tation of such aggravated calamity, as they were led
to apprehend from the measure alluded to. The
Learned Gentleman in presenting this Petition, took
occasion to espress a hope, that the House and the
Committee to whom this subject was referred, would
not, in considering the evils which might have re-
sulted from the existing law, entertain the idea of
recurring to the former system, under which such in.
tolerable injustice, such unparalleled inhumanity,
took place. In prioviding against fraudulent debtors
he hoped the House, in its justice and humanity,
would never overlook the case of due unfortunate
debtors from whom this petition proceeded, and he
much feared that such unfortunate debtors were but
too numerous, especially in the present state of the
country. Therefore, while he wished, as much as
any man, to guard against fraud, he would never
allow, misfortune to become the object of punishment,
and particularly of punishment so severe as any cal.
lous or thoughtless creditor was at liberty to inflict
upon his debtor under the old law of debtor and
creditor, to which he confidently hoped that Pai Ha-
meln would never consent to recar--(llear, dear.)
The Petition was referred to the Committee ap-
pointed to consider the effects of the Insolvency Act;
and on the motion of Mr. Abercromby, the-name of
Mr. 8. Bourne was added to that Committee.