The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-04-25 00:00:00

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live was bad, its antiquity hail amitiee to do terth W—
ife contended that the use of Extents in' Aid was unjust
stet ottnecemary. They were not sled in Scotland, and
the revenue of this entropy required In fur:ber protec-
tion tharthat of Scotland.
Mr. W. SMITH explained.
Mr. P Slt/ORE supported the Petition.
Mr. LYTTLETON explained.
Mr. DEN MAN said, that the softens held out soeh
an eneunragement to abuse, that 'it onght to be come
pletely pot down. There wise no poesiloility of obtaining,
rearms by representing any Individual eases of abater
the only remedy was to sweep sway the whole system
altogether.
After a few farther observations from Mr. W. Smi
the petition WAS Wined to he printed.
Mr. HILL pees/rated a similar petitioo from the ire*
masters of the county of Salop.—Ordered to be printed.
Sir .1. NEWPORT gave notice of two utotious in
Wednesday the Sib of May, for papers relating (as
tea
understood) to tithes end taxes in Irelaod.
MIL tiCNT.
Petitions were presented from Salisbury, Norwich,
Rothbury, Halifax, and another place. praying for • re-
ruisaiott of the remainder of Mr Hunt's sentence.
The Marqness of TITCHEI ELD presented a similar
petition from the Borough of Lynn. Is the ob
floes with which the Noble Lord accompauied the peti-
tion, we were frequently enable to follow him. from the
low tone in which they were delivered. The petitioners
ronsidered that Mr. Hunt was entitled to compensation
for his sufferings, end they particularly dwelt upon the
severity of his sentence. They also begged to remind
the Honse that it hail already remitted part of the sen-
tence of one indiri,lnal, alluding to the cave of Sir M.
Lopez. Notwithstanding the respect which he enter-
tained for the opinion of his constituents, the Noble
J.ard declared that he did not tigregift all their condo.
Mona. Ile did not see that his Majesty's Ministers bad
Weil improperly by recommending the prosecution of
Mr. Hunt. Neither could he believe the Judges to have
been actuated by any desire hot that of giving an ade-
quate punishment in proportion to the °Bette, of which
the prisoner had been found guilty. At the same time
the punishment which he had received had been greater
limo was contemplated by the sentence, and be thought
that the two years imprisonment, with the increased Se-
verity, WAS more than equal to the two years and a half
withont it. He shonl,l not, therefore, recommend the
release of lar. Hunt, as matter of favour hut of justice.—
He was one who would never interfere with the decisions
of the Courts of Justice without the most obvious neces-
sity. As the prisoner in this case had suffered consider-
able more than was awarded to him by his sentence. be
thought the Home Department imperatively called upon
for its loterforence,
/dr. WYNN said, he did not wish to antiripate the ap-
proaching discussion twit this topic, but be could not
allow one of the allegations in the petitions to past
withont imbed's': immediately contradicted. That HOU,
did not interfere with the sentence of SW M. Lopez. A
motion was submitted for that purpose; but if it had not
been withdrawn, it was his them belief that it would
have horn negatived.
Mr. 4.1. BENNET said, that the motion was certainly
withdrawn, but it was with an implied understanding
thst the ease should receive the consideration of tiovern•
snent. lie knew this to be the case, because he was a
party to the understanding.
Mr. PEEL was present at the debate in question, and
he never heard a word about any understanding or coin-
promise. Besides that was a ease peculiar in its cha.
ract .r ; and the very grounds upon which the interfer-
enee of the Honse was recommended were, its haying
originated the proceedings against the individual,
and the offence having been committed especially against
it.
Sir J. MACKINTOSH stated that the impression on
his mind at the time was. that the Honse had interfered
in the case of Sir Slanasaeli Lopez.
Mr. BROCLiIIA NI said he was of the same opinion.
After some words from the Marquess of *ft refill ELI),
and Mr. %Vitas, in explanation, the petition was laid
upon the table, and ordered to he printed.
Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a similar petition
from the town of Halifax, which was signed by 2,500
pentium,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, referring to the doubt whirl,
ordered as to the interference of the House in the case
of Sir Manasseh Lopez, said that it was distinctly itn-
premed upon his mind at the time that the House had
substantially interfered, though perhaps not is. form.
"The petition was then ordered to lie upon the table.
Mr. W. SMITH presented a petition frum the city of
Norwich on behalf of Mr. Hunt.
Mr. BEAUMONT prisented a similar petition from
Rothbury, in Northumberland.—Both ordered to lie en
the table.
Sir P. BURDETT then rose and said, that after the
number of Petitions, which had been presented to the
Hawse upon the subject on which he was about to ad-
dress it, and in favour of the motion he was about to
make; and after the able manner in which they had been
supported—one I. particular, presented by a Noble Lord
connected with a part of the county of Nottingham—lie
felt considerable mobs rrr r went, because that Ni-ble
Lord had taken and occupied those grouds upon which
he was ceotented to rest his case. Ile felt particlar
anxiety for the fate of the present queciou, inasmuch as it
deeply affected the interests of the public, as well as those
of the individual who was the subject of it, and had he
believed. already met with a favourable reception among
some of the Members of that House. lii, object was to
obtain the liberation of Mr. Hunt from his present con-
fiotinent, because it was uuder circutustances which ren-
dered it already tvleqttate to the punishment intended
by the Court which had sentenced him. Up to the pre-
sent moment, he had trusted that Ministers would of
themselves have taken the course which would hare
roulered it unaecessary for the Ilunae to be troubled
with the quettion, and he confessed that he was some-
what surprised, that they had not availed themselves of
the opportunity to advise an Act. which could be no less
eratetail to the feelings of his Majesty, than it would be
to those of the people at large. With regard to the
support for which be looked, hr would observe that
altliongli he was *Ware of the difficulty attending minis-
terial trammels and parliamentary tactics ; but uotwith-
standiag that difficulty, be trusted he should have tie
able support of the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr.
Peel.) Upon that support be was the Mrs disposed be
calculate, agile a recent occasion when he had thought'
it necessary to represent to the Right Hon.Dentleman the
eases of two persons who bad been convicted for some
offence committed in the North, and who had good cha-

-To sustain
heron the Home, he toned that he was not compelled he-
it
impugn thesenteareHam If be satisfied the
Hinse that the senesce itself was severe enough for the
offence; and that the modt of carrying it isto effect hall
been more severe. than the Coert which palmed the sew;
hence intended it to he; then hr flattered himself' lie
should hare the assistance of the Right Honearible
Gentleman ; hat, at all events, he thought Mr. Hint
entitled to the thanks of the public, for having seem
cloned the investigation respecting Whetter jail, t
result of which was before the House in the Osmosis.
stoners Report. In order to if'. ore his first prepossitiets.
that the senesce on Mr. Hem was amply severe, It hes
came necessary for him to advert to the charges egoista
Mr. H. In the indictment against that gentleman, draft
wen a great somber of counts, containing diorites fres
the highest degree of guilt to the lowest. and the jar,
acquitted hint of all the greater charges, sad had.
Ave hours consideration, returned a verdict againet
spoil the least of all. And here be could ant bet ilit.
Ore a 0 the hardship attending the practice of prefer 1
tiny charges for the greatm as well as for the lesser of-
in one and the same indictment. The law in nit '
•°'.....ei
Wight be. sot unaptly, compared I. those Acts.
"Sikaherinen which were forbidden by that seine law.
,The nets in question were calculated to catch the large
Ash as well as the serenest fry ; and isdictinents of the
waters be alluded to were a species of net containing the
tefieed meshes; so that when she legal net was throweei
over the unhappy defendant it was scareele possible feel
him to escspe. In one of the smaller meshes Mr. Heal
had been caught. He bad been found guilty on Ile,
count containing in point of enormity the least of do
several charges; but if he had been "found guilty spar i
every count, be (Sir F.) drought that a sentence of a
year sad a half of insprisooment would amply hare sm
tisfied the justice of this case; the guilt was at the least
of a lesser degree. Indeed, in point of mind and of in-
tent, Mr. Hunt was innocent of all crime; and it was a
legal maxim that to constitute a crime, the mind must
concur with the act. The Maeistrates of Manchester
did not protest against the Meeting for attending which
Mr. Iluot hail been convicted; although they had pro.
tested against one which had been advertised a few days
before. Indeed. up to the present moment. he declared
he was at a loss to know what was the offence which
Mr. Hunt bad committed ; hut whatever was the of-
fence. the sentence was quite sufficient to answer all the
ends of justice. Dui, if this seatence was called for 1
by the offence contained in the particular count oe
which Mr. Hunt bad been convicted, he really should
like to know what would be the necessary punishment
if be bad been convicted upon the whole of the indict-
meat. The entire life of Mr. Hunt would not have fur-
nished matter for panishment, unless indeed lie were to
live to the see of Ilethusela, and unless the life of the
Rev. Dr. Colston were prolonged to an equal length to
enable hint to ha the visiting Magistrate of the prisoo.
He should not go at length into mitten which might
be considered as ie some degree extraneous; and as the
subject arising of the Licht-wee Jail wont.' come before
the House, in the shape of a specific motion, he should
touch upon it very shortly. He would first call the at-
tention of the House to what took place when the sen-
tence upon Mr. Hunt was passed. "Mr. Hunt, with
great readiness of mind, asked if the imprisonment wad
intended to he solitary; and the Judge answered,'"' BY
no means." Short iy after wards, i t was stated, be believed.
to the house, drat Dcbests rJ ail w•s the healthiest prison issi
goateed, and that it teal upon such account, that Mr
Hunt had been sent there. It was now proved, that IC
was the most unhealthy and ill-managed; and it there-
fore followed that the Cunrt bad norititeniled to send
Mr. Hunt to such a prison. One of the Members for
the County of Somerset hail admitted that Mr. Hunt
ought to have every indulgence consistent with his safe
custody. Now all the charges of severity. brought by
Mr. Haut against the Jailer, had been proved; and as
his punislintent bad been increased in sultnence, it
ought to be lessened in duration. Mr. Hunt, it appear-
ed, bad been taken to a part of the jail called the North
Ward, wherein, for tire months in the year, the son
never shone at all; and when he did shine his rays
were an annoyance. for local circumstances caused the
light to be a reflecting light, which was very distressing
to the eye.. Mr. hunts eyes haul, he (Sur F.) under-
stood), suffered very materially from this canoe, and
would never recover their former - trength. The place
in which he was directly confined was too large for a
cell, and certainly too small for a room. When hr first
entered it there wive two truck beds. and two prisoners
in it, who were destined to Le his companions; and one
of them was confined fur attempting to murder his wife 1
and children. Mr. limit very naturally objected to this
company, and the persons were removed. Subsequently
Sir John Acland called to visit the prison, and on enter-
ing Mr. Ilunt's roormhe found it so damp that he apolo-
giseil to Mr.lfunt forkeeping on his hat, as he was appre-
hensive of catching cold unless lie did. The door also he
found to be so cold that he ordered a mat for his feet, and
desired that another might he brought for Mr. Hunt.—
It was bet justice to Sir Julin Aeland to atate, that he
iminciliati4 ordered the stone floor of Mr. Hunt's room
to lie b•-arded. It was extraordinary that Mr. Hunt's
own servant was not allowed to attend upon him ; but
that was the fact. There was a yard attached to the
prison ; intended for an infirmary ; but it was only fit
to prepare people for an infirmary. In this yard alone
was Mr. Hunt at first allowed to walk ; but afterwards
lie was allowed to walk in a larger yard. It was to be
remembered that
by a complaint from Mr. Hunt, and that every complaint
he had made had horn fully substantiated. 'Sir Charles
liastifylite, the Sheriff, had forbid the keeping Mr. Hunt
in solitary confinement ; but on Sir Charles going out
of other, the Rrv. Dr. Colston again because a visiting
Magistrate to the prison, and counnuenced a series of
cruel, unnecessary, ungentlemanly, and disgraceful ob-
structions on Mr.-Hunt. Mr. hunt discovered that grois
malyersations prevailed in the jail, had the courage to
demand an investieatiou, and to press his demand in
the face of every discouragement which was throwo in
his way. The jailer hail acquired a sort of character by
the grossest meanness and hypocrisy, and haul become a
companion of the magistrates. The unhappy sufferers
under this man's power, appeared to have no chance of
snccess ; hut Mr. Hunt determined to encounter the
risk, and at length compelled the Magistrates to listen
to his complaints. An inquiry was instituted, and be-
fore three Jays were concluded the Alegistrates were so
satisfied that the emits would be established, that they of-
feria to compromise the matter with Mr. Hunt by dis-
charging the jailer, on condition that Mr. Hunt would
not press any further inquiry. Mr. Hunt refused. He
said, it was fur the Magistrates to do their duty noon
the evidence which would be laid before them, but as the
matter involved the consideration of a public grievasee
he was determined to press it. Immediately after thin.
Mr. H. was served by Mr. Droderip. the Under Sheriff 1
(who was mixed up with the Magistrates) with an at-
tachment for the payment of 50/., the costs of an mime-
ensful position made by Mr. Hunt to the Coart of
King's Beach, for relief. He was then served with an
Exchequer process at the suit of the Crown. for certain
peualles said to ban been incurred by bins for using

*serial with . Exchequer process agunas a—
sad at the same theta a Retire was served gala his to.
Cffatif So pay bine any real. Mr. Hut esisked the
ta nowise the rents, sod satisfy the peludeles
ofdient ; bet Chia bad been refused. His
soiled; a sale of it was appoisted, sod tretalTseid.l4.,
ai earlier day than that orientally deed; and is=
lqmsoce of its Wag reported, that the Watt was
- led, several of the people committed trespasses epos
aim property. dlr. Host, at this period. got the amount
ae the penalties advanced. paid them. sod saved his
estate. These proortelinge. for might he brew, might
be strictly legal; bet legal or not, they were cruel and
oppressive. It op that, what in other men would
be praiseworthy was in Mr. Haat a cringe. He (Stir F.
Burdett) thought Mr. Hunt had conferred a benefit on
the public by the discovery for which be had been
amerced by the Excise Laws. It procured a cheap and
wholeirme breakfast. aml occasioned a demand for our
bow produce. In fact he should have obtained a pre-
miontrether than have suffered a punishment. Among
imams who applied at the jail to see Mr. Hunt was
hie shilicesod dying sister. Yet. would it be believed,
a deveread teacher of Christianity had hail the hard
hearteilness and the cruelty to deny the farewell-taking
of a dying sister and s captive brother? She was re-
fused; she did not snrvive, and Mr. Hunt did not see
her. It was this Rev. Dr.Colston who had done this;
and by this be bad violated his profession as a clergy-
man, and his duty as a Magistrate; he bad violated the
law as well as the mild precepts of that Holy Gospel,
which it was his ditty to teach and to enforce by has
example. This act of Dr.Colston was. be would ven-
ture to say, one of cruelty without a parallel.—(Hear,
hear, hear!)—lt would scarcely be believed, except it
were related as a part of the history of the Inquisition.
Bat enormity like this hail long been its protection; for
when it was stated it was declared to be impossible.—
Mr. Hoot, however, by his ability and fortitude, had en-
titled himself to the gratitude of the palilic, by being
the means of patting an end to the system so long prac-
tised in Ilchester jail. Indeed, Government themselves
ought to consider themselvis benefitted by the discovery
of practices, the abolition of which relieved them from
a considerable degree of odium. lied it not been for
the interference of Mr. Hunt, the atrocities is question
might, and no doubt would, have bees continued up to
that monneata. Among other parts tattle conduct of the
Rev. Dr. Colston, he had to state, that when Mr. Hunt
was in solitary confinement, by order of the Rev. Doc-
tor. and was also suffering under illness. he applied to
the R ad Divine for permission to be visited by the
Doctor living in the tows. This application was treated
with contempt, and Mr. Hunt was referred to the Doctor
of the jail; tie man who hail hen an active party to
the oppression Mr. H. had so long complained of. 'his
medical doctor was the man who hail applied the mate-
rials of the healing art fur the purposes of torment; sod
Mr. Mont, under all the circumstances, preferred leav-
ing his complaints, which consisted of violent spasms in
the stomach, in the hands of nature. This doctor, it
seemed, had applied a blister to the head of an unfor-
tunate prisoner who was heavily ironed ; because, as the
Doctor said, e- he was a troublesome fellow." The
same course had been taken with soother. because
it was said. '- lois manners wanted mending;" to soo-
ther, because" lie was a troublesome jockey;" and to
another, because the Dortorsaid he " shammed." Now,
there tooid be little doubt that the Doctor would view
Mr. Haat in all these lights; and he thought therefore
the latterlad done very wisely in avoiding him. From
that time to the present, inquiry had gone on, and the
severity upon Mr. Hoot hail bees gradually mitigated.
A wall winch had been considered useless was now re-
moved ; and on the whole his situation was compara-
tively easy. For tbis Gentleman, be (Sir Fraaeis) melted
not for mercy, bat for inadequate tardy justice, because
Mr. Hunt bad suffered snore than was intended by the
Court when they passed sentence upon him. He was
nut interfering with the sentence of the Court; indeed
the Court, as far as lay in their power, had afforded re-
lief to Mr. Hunt. The Hon. Baronet here referred to
the Report of the Committee appointed to esquire into
the management of llcliester jail. Th. Commissioners,
he believed, were men of high character, and so one
could suspect them of a desire to be severe upon the Ma-
gistrates or the jailer; for as much as honest men could
do so they had softened down the evidence affecting
these persons. It appeared there had been no regula-
tions for the management of the jail, and the Commis-
sioners stated it was the reverse of what it had been re-
presented to be. Doctor erasion was the leading per-
son, and the jailer's word was taken upon every occa-
shin. This, tie (Sir F. Barlett), contended was wins&
than no visitation at all ; fur it was taking away all re-
sponsibility from the jailer and placing it no alien
at all. That the general body of the 31agistracy of
the County were very deserving men he was perfectly
ready to admit; bet be protested against the sweeping
practice which had prevailed of praising t'aem indiscri-
minately and exempting them from all blame because
they were not paid. Ile would prefer a paid Magis-
tracy to a Magistracy without any responsibility. The
situation of the prison was that of a dead level, and the
prison itself contained an accumulation of filth, with
which the water was tainted. The river was close to
the prison, hut the prisoners were not allowed to obtais
it. There never was, he believed, in this country, a gaol
so mismanaged. There was no classification of the
prisoners. It was true the amen, under pretruce of a
regard for morality, were kept separate from the men;
but there had been abundant proofs that the turnkeys
bad had access to them. The Report of the Conan's-
%loners stated that all the subordinate officers of the
prison were persons of bad character; I of them
indeed had been coolined in the jail two or three times.
(For continuation of Iklsole see lust payr.)

-

ST. Kilac.—/111

Ft, et 11

o, On amnia of the great increase of the eirentutton et
Tor Seernmev sine, the arrangement frith Mr.
connarr. it has been deemed expedient to nom? Ike
Opre to were C'eatral and wire Connentent
No.frt. timid ; sad that no dela, in the deferent
the Paper. asap be eeessisartt bp the additional d lily
gale, proper measures hoer bees adoptedforarerfer4thii
the pi/Wootton.

ght Notatrommt.

-
TIM BRITISH STATESMAN IS iscout
STATISMAR...

WIT. " Tit

LONDON:
TICRIDAT ZWENIVO, APEIL 25. Mt

STOCK EXCHANGE, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
Although this day is a Holiday at the Bask, the
Stork Bashing, 'maim open, with bat eery fitde
Wilms Oleg. Cowl, an at present 701 w i for
the Account; and for Money 781.

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1 '. cernel. If something were sot done be the 'imagery hi
ti shenid seem,' Awing the subject before the House.
Stir J. BO tir lIE otpreaaed his bop. that the 'natter el
the Petition woad receive the most fieflOilll considers
Lion of li-trlisnunit.
7.. i . Mr. WIPXCIi wade a few observations which were in
. at' ,1 iEfe. ..
Aus4ll4:MalggicAligNailAi.whilsesl to obroewejleal
i '-1 when he 'wept it said /bps -Retrofit in Aid were not ne-
. crouir i to the *twit? oT the Remote, he most state, the
suthe
elortetaalton wee WWI different frmwthat .trtiti
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who were hest Infbruied apes the snit.
j.• At. As far as be war concerned, if any sperioens of
' .b se were le.inted out, he should he mist willing to as-
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i.
law., or hy enforcing existing regulations. He should
ent. r into nu further discussion upon the present occie
1
sestina came ,
.ion, tint if the q before thesis in a rePI la,
shape, he should he preprirni to meet it.
Mr. HUM E said, that if the exercise of the pretoo
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never bethought either cowspeuons or extraordinary. thrown epos mr. not ImmesHat iffier hi, • -I- Maim• -. *
—To sustain the moth's which lis Intended to lay commodes ON Aim* nithellot t Jailer. He was 0 0.1 Jersey - 0 I Frame . o
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