The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-04-10 00:00:00

Ttig sligAiTssMAN,

Lord ROLLE also presented Petitions against the
Catl.olic Mill from the Rectors and Churchwardens of
tl re.- parishes in the City of Exeter.—Laid on the
table.
'I he Earl of BALCARRAS presented a similar
p•oirioo from thr Dissenters of the Staffordshire Pot-
teries.—Llid en the table.
The Marquess of LANSDOWNE presented a Pe-
tition from the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the
County of Wilts, praying for agricultural relief.—
Laid on the table.
CATHOLIC BILL.
The Earl of DONOLTOH MOH E, thumb he wished
al* as little delay as possible should take place in
passing into a law that Bill of entre, justice, and
merry. which come from the other house, yet
lie thought that their Lordships n ust he of opinion
ith him, that it was important that such a
trelsure should he duly .onsitlered by ail those whom,
it concerned. and itartiettlarly the Protestants. n
o
w
-
in.., therefore, that there were many Nehla. Lords on
the road, who cola not pos.ibly arrive in t;.lite to
share in the discussion of to-morrow, and who were 4
anxions that the question shonl.l not be decided will.
cut then), he thott2ltt it hi> duty to move that the
siieenl reading • f the Catholic Pill be postponed to
ano'her day. slaying conversed with several Noble
Peers on the subject, he hail found that 3liiiitlay next
had been generally considered as the ino,t convenient
day. Ile should therefore now move " Thrt the
Order of th.. Pay for reading the Catholic llill a
. second time to-morrow, and that suinnioning their
Lordships to attouil be discharged and Geed for this
dmv se'nnight.
Lord [MLLE thought that this alteration to ac-
commodate absent Peers, was hard upon those who
hid attended in the expectation that the Catholic
Lill v until be read a second time to-morrow.
The Earl of DONOC6II3IOIIE wondered that the
Noble Baron should think the postponement a hard-
ship, as it would give hint and those Noble Lords who
wished to see many petitions against the Bill, as
opportunity of procuring more than they had done.
The Noble Baron hail only presented three tliisday,
by next Mootlay be might perhaps be able to bring
thirty with him.—(A laugh).
Lord ROLLE had no doubt that the more the ques-
tion should be discussed, the more petitions would be
sent to the House against the Bill.
The LORD CHANCELLOR inquired of the Noble
Earl whether he meant positively to bring on the
attend reading of the Catholic Bill on Monday next?
:The Ejrl of DONOUBHMORE answered that he
skilishld undoubtedly bring it Oil that day.
The LIME/ CHANCELLOR said that he should
be perfectly prepared on that day to oppose the mea-
sure. But he could not help saying that such post-
. plittestetits interfered materially with the interests of
mother persons which it was his duty to protect.
• * • The Earl of DONOULtHMOK It regretted that _he
Cold sot in this institute consult the convenience of
the' Noble Lord.on the Woolsack, or that of the per-
mits to whom be bad Abided, as he considered it to
1p a matter of absolute necessity that a measure of
—*Ws importance. should undergo the fullest possible
ioristigation.
Tip Motion was then agreed to, and the second
rvadinfiliedlot: di/ iennight, as well as the
Order for sitnummists %Mir Lordships.
1110 Marais yFGANNINJW.NE nosed for. cer-
tain Returns relative to our Farrago Trade„-4.pr-•
tiered.

--- --.-=--------
GRAMPOUND.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE presented a Petition
from the Mayor and Free Burgesses of the Borough
of tirampound, praying to be heard by Conneel at the
Bar against the Bill for depriving them of the Elec-
tive Franchise.
The Earl of CARNARVON did not intend to op-
pose the prayer of the Petitioners to be heard by
Counsel at the Bar, provided he should be allowed to
go at once into the evidence. The witnesses called
by their Lordships' summons out of Cornwall were
now arrived, and their Lordships must be aware of
the difficulty of keeping such reluctant witnesses to-
griller, and of preventing any effort to tamper with
them from being successful. To delay their examine!
tion would, lie was convinced, be to put at once an ex-
tinguisher on the measlier.
The Earl of LAUDMIDADE knew of no inclina-
tion on the part of the Petitioners to urge a claim for
delay. He had been instructed to say, that if the
Counsel in whose hands tbey entrusted their case had
nut happened to he in the country, they would have
been really to go into their defence that very night.
As it was, they would be prepared to commence it as
soon as he should return. He should therefore move
that the second reading of the Bill be postponed.
The LORD CHANCELLOR had thougt it his
duty not to follow his own inclination, whicbh would
'have led him at once to oppose the second reading of
such a Bill, but to allow all the evidence to be pro-
duced before the House before it should decide on the
question. In a case in which punishment would fall
on the innocent as well as on the guilty, he thought
that a delay of a few days ought to be granted. He
knew that the Deputy Sergeant at Arms could not
have given a longer notice than two days to the. Bur-
aessee of Orampound, and in a mere action in a Court
of Law three 'lays notice would he granted. On these
grounds he trasteil that the Noble Earl would not ob-
ject to putting cif the second reading of the Bill, and
the examination of evidence till Friday.
The Earl of CA RSA AVON contended, that no
notice whatever was required in a case of public no-
toriety like the present. The measure bad been
amply discussed in the House of Commons, and was
it to be supposed, that whilst the whole country bad I
grown alive to its importance, the Petitioners had
fallen asleep ? From March 20 to April 9, during
211 while flays, the Bill hail been on their Lordship,
table, and it was neither his duty, nor that of the
Noble Lord on the IWoolsack, nor that of any person
in the House to give notice of trial to the Petitioners;
they ought to have attended to their own interests.
Unwilling witnesses hail heel brought to prove the
exi•tence of a systent of cor..uption in which they
themselves had been engaged ; and were such wit-
nesses to he left during several days to be tampered
with by those whose interest it was that they should
conceal the truth? On Monday next their Lordships
were to discuss the second reading of the Catholic
Bill, and on the following Thursday the. House would
adjourn fur for the Holidays. If the second reading
were put off till Friday, it would be impossible to
proceed with the examination of evidence after the
holidays were over. To vote for such a postpone-
ment would, therefore, be to get rid of thi Bill lty a.
side wind, and to create an impression in the country
that the House dared not meet it manfully. On ex-
amining witnesses, his questions should of course be
regulated according to the sense of the House, but
be would submit to no interruptions from the Counsel
at the Bar, or to have his questions objected to on
thei - part.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE denied that the Pe.'
thinners wished fir any wtheressary delay, and said
I that they had instructed him to state, that if their
Counsel had not heen absent they would be teady to
proceed that eve!i!ig.
The IMRD CHANCELLOR said, be would be as
onwilling as any one to agree to an ntmecesssry
poorinement, but if only a few days were asked for
an important purpose. the ease was different. 1n the 1
ordinary Courts of Justice it was necessal that a
person should receive notice of trial some time before-
hand, aed here, when notice had been given, it was
only roasonable to ask for some delay.
The Earl of CARNAI{VON observed, that the
Bill hail been 20 days 01 their Lordships' Table; it
was a matter of public notoriety, and there W 3% no
perSOn whose duty it was to give notice of trial to i
the Oratupound parties. It was also to be recollected,
that they had summoned unwilling witnesses, nho
might be tampered with in the mean time.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE disclaimed any wish
to get rid of the question by a side wind, or to avoid
stating the objections he had to it in the face of the
country.
The LORD CHANCELLOR could not help think-
ing, that if there were persons In lirampound who
were innocent, they ought to have the benefit of
Counsel upon the measure, which was in effect a Bill
of Pains and Pen hies against them.
Lord tIOLLANb thought that the regular course
at
of proceeding would be to agree to bear the P I-
tioners by Counsel, and then to, proceed immediate V,
unless proper reasons for postponement were stalte4 at
the Bar.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, that all tire
Petitioners required was a delay of three days, and
moved, that the second reading should be postponed
till Friday.
Earl GREY said, be bad never heard an applica-
tion made to Parliament less supported by argument
than the present. His Noble Friend bad informed
them, that only three days were asked, but did he re-
member bow near the holiday" were, and what impor-
tantdiscussions must interfere with the Bill, if not'
proceeded in immediately. He would not enter into;
a discussion on the Bill, but be would protest against
the notion of its being called a Bill of Pains and Pe.
nalties. The Elective Franchise was a high privilege,
bat he denied that it was given to the individual for 1
his personal benefit—it was held for the baifit of 1
the public.
Lord WESTMORLAND considered that•lit viola
be injustice to deity time to the parties. new h
only three days official notice of the Bill.
The Marquess of LANSDOW?i said that it woe obt
the practice of that House to serve any officr "Mike tin,
all The custom was, to consider. that t iMi
ll laid es:
the Table of that House, which aitgied.Paiiiiknifillis
notice to those parties of the proereding. Mt iliketlies
here had snore than wfortnigbes•notice. They: Amalie
their own ladies a ground fur delay. The Noble Lord

said, that he considered the apiiic ition not only un-
reasonable hot suspicious.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said, that he was of
opinion that the Bill ought not to pass. As for his
part he had no anxiety to have the vestlnn postponed,
he would as soon be chained there that night as any
other ; but in justice to the parties, he war of opinion
that some delsy was necessary.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL suggested that the
question should be postponed to Wednesday next.
After a few wt.): es from the Earl of CARNA:I-
- the second reading of the Bill was postponed
accordingly.

UNION DUTIES.
The Earl of DARNLEY mo►•ed for the Copy of a
Memorial presented to the Lords of the Treasury,
signed by the t3o►•ernors of the Bank of Ireland, pray-
ing for a modification of the Union Duties, imposed
by an Act of the last Session of Parliament.
After a few words from the Earl of ..IMERICK,the
motion was agreed to.
The lionse then adjourned till to-morrow.

G LOCCESTER ASSIZES.

MIT. SIDE.
Before Sir J. A. PARK and n Special Jury.
WATER1101:611, ESQ. e. cot,. !lERKELEY.
This case, which has excited so nitwit interest among
the fashionable visitors to the town of Cheltenham, and
antoitfr the inhabitants of the surrounding counties,
CAMC OR to be tried on Saturday. 'flte Court was
crowded to excess as early as seven o'clock in the morn-
ing, and a variety of disguises were adopted. in order to
afford facilities (or ht•ing present at the proceedings.
Among others, we observed a gallant son of Mars attir-
ed in the grave habit of a lawyer, and the charms of a
slushing belle eclipsed by tile sossihre shade of a clerical
dark grey frock. A vast number of persons were alto-
gether excluded from the Court, although there is not
an edifice in England, of the same character, which
affords so nitudi acconmottlation for the (-mai auditors.
After atone apprehensions that the cause would be
postponed to the next Assizes, froth the indisposition of
a material witness on the part of the defendant, it was
called on at two o'clock. A full Special Jury was then
assembled in the box and sworn.
The Counsel for the plaintiff, were Mr. Jerv!s, 11r.
Puller, Mr. Russell, and 3lr. West.
Those for the defendant, were, Mr. Tannton, Mr
Ludlow, Mr. Causpbell, attel Mr. Horace 'I wise.
Mr. Wave opened the declaration, whirls stated
nature of the action. The dautages were laid at 20,000
Mr. Jnavis then proceeded to address the Jury. The,
had heard, lie said, fr the pleadings °petted by his
Learned rriend, that this was an action hrottzht against
the defendant, for criminal vonversati 4444 with the plain•
tiff's wife. The plaintiff, Mr. Waterhouse, was the son
of the late Mr. tVaterhonse, who was a merchant o
eminence, carrying on business in Loudon under th:. f
firm of Willis, Waterhouse, and Co. In the year 119
he went to the Isle a Man, where he became acquainted
with a very respectable family, ore-Isom the unfortunate
Laity, who was the subjeL •ct cif the present action, was
the eldest dattgliter.—(l alltoled to Captain and Mrs.
Blake.)--The plaintiff was then about twenty, and the
Lady nearly of the saute age. but rather younger. On
the 15th September, 1812, with the tontual consent of
their parents, they were married. Soon after their tufo,"
it was found convenient, from the pecuniary.cirentu
stances of Mr. Waterhou.e, that he should retire with'
itLady t• like in seine cheap part of the Kingdom ;
• went, in consequence, to reside at Scarborough.
In ‘lse course of the three following years they were
blessed with three children, two girls and a boy. In
the year 1817, front the state of the health of Mrs.
Waterhouse, it was thought expedient that she should
remove to Cheltenham; and, after a short stay in that
town, Mr. Waterhouse settled with his family at a small
village, called Charlton Kings, about a nine irom thence,
where an aunt of Mrs. Waterhouse. the Lady of Sir W.
Weaxall, then resided. lii the winter ut I:41%, a Mrs.
Proliyn, who hail been an early frienil of Mrs. B'ater-
house, arrived at Cheltenham for the benefit of her
health. Their intimacy was, of course, renewed; ant!,
through the medium of this lady, the defendant, Colonel
Berkeley, was introduced to the plaintiff and iris wife
about the hewinnitig of the year ISIO. No particular
intercourse followed between the gentlemen, nothing
further having happened between them titan an exchange
of cards. On the Ilith of April. in that year, Mr. Water-
house went to Loudon to see his brother, who was at
that time in an ill state of health. it was material that
the Jury should attend to slates. Ile continued absent
till the 10th of May, when lie returned to Charlton.
On the 10th of July following, he was again under the
necessity of quitting home, for the purpose of going iss
Jersey to see a sister whom lie had not seen for many
years before. Ott this oecasion lie was absent a little
dote than a month. Ae returned to Charlton on the
Isith of Aneatet. The., were the longest absences
which, up to that period, hail ever taken place between
hint and his wife, front the tittse of their union. It was
tit to state, that on both these occasions Mrs. Water-
house was left antler the immediate protection of her
aunt, Lady Weasel), the sister of her mother. In the
heginninz of the year Ihl9, it had been proposed to Mr.
Witerhouse, in ronarquenee of the enereassing state of
his family, having had a fourth child horn at Charlton,
to proceed to Jamaica, to endeavour to obtain a situa-
tion, by which lie might be enabled the better to con•
salt the comforts sad happiness of those whom he so
tenderly loved, tor up to this time lie did not entertain a
doubt that he was in the full possession of the warmest
affections of his lady. Although, in the first instance,
his feelings promptest him to resist this solicitation, and
to remain in the bosom of hisslomestic circle, to which
be was es tenderly attached, yet prudence at length sug-
gested its propriety, and at the cot 00000 encentent of the
year I:320, he resolved to prosecute that design ; and un
the 1St)) of January, in the last year, lie left Charlton
Kings for Brfstol, with a view of embarking forthwith
for Jamaica.* Adverse winds detained hits in port till
the 14th of.reiornary, when he proceeded on his voyage.
During Isis absence, sod very soon after his departure
front Charlton, bits.-tgaisikause for reasons which
he would by and by take the eberty of explaining,
removed from ellarltoti to a lodging or furnished
house whirls she took in the town of Cheltenham.
It might be proper here to retnatk, thit do thus,
leaving Isis wits for Jamaica, Mr. Waterhoute
leg her under the.eastee protection as he had on the twol
former weirdoes. withersample provision for ber 014:111%1
teaance during Isis alosenee. Front Jamaica Mr. Water•l
house returned in July, and, knowing that be had hadi
no intercoutse with his wife from the 10th of January
preceding, the Jury %night better imagine than he was
capable of describing, the agonised attnasion in which
he was thrown on being informed uf the course which
she had adopted, mud elf her Iwitig then far advanced in
pregnancy. He went to Cheltenham, but took the pre-
caution of avoiding the abode of his wife. He remained
there threcileys after the communication 9f the
intelligence, and then left the Oboe. detetinitied !With
to see her seeakk—At-sisia awe, not having sufkiebt
orei4oriq 11.4 he the period of:titne tqtazn,her delin yenta
bad
.tareace, no as ,to
thZ , take any deft-:'
sive resolved Ilia t6f delfhtry:
eidliide his int Ions; "
bat t fOutid toilitiniitii'Vyllß Ir
letter—the teeniest, of whicls,-ae it haebeonte Mese *fr.
Waterhouse, he was not at liberty to state. It was ad-