The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-02-21 00:00:00

ASRICULTDRAL DISTRESS.

Mr. LOCKHART presented Petitions from Scarsdale,
and a place, the name of which we could not learn, pray-
ing relief from Agricultural Distress.
31r. JONES expressed his opinion that the plan adopt-
ed by Ministers would afford no relief. The redaction
of a shilling a quarter upon malt would only give every
partial relief to the barley counties. He contended that
the duty on salt hying removed would afford a mere ge-
neral and effective relief. The removal of that tax, and
some regulation on the tax of leather, would he all that
was necessary. At present the duty was so much per
pound, and the poor man being obliged to hare thicker
soles than the ladies, consequently he paid a mach
higher tax upon his shoes. Some further reductions
ought to be made in the expenditure, and be thought the
Civil List was the quarter from whence they ought to
commence. He believed that Ministers had
and deserved the confidence of the country, and possessede
hoped
that they would continue to do so by attending to the
general voice expressed at all, the county meetings
without dissent, unless where reform was mixed up with
other topics. He recommended that there should be au
abolition of Lotteries, for it was absolutely unjust to suf.
fur the poor man to pay a tax upon gaming, whilst the
rich squandered their fortunes without contributing any
thing for their play to the expeuces of the Oovernment.
Either the Lottery should be abolished, or the gaming
houses should be exposed to a tax.
The Petitions were ordered to be printed.
Mr. DAVENPORT presented a Petition from certain
Owners and Occupiers of Land in the county of Clie-
shire, praying relief from Agricultural distress.—Order-
ed to be printed.

ORPHANS. 'CND.

Sir W. CURTIS presented certain papers, with an se-
went of stuns paid into the Chamberlain's Office on
amnia outfit Orphans' Fond.—Ordered to be printed.

Ma. MINT.

Mr. HUME presented a Petition, signed by 4 or
WOO inhabitants of Preston and its vicinity, praying that
part of the sentence of Mr. Hunt might be remitted.—
The Hon. Member stated that be bad wriues to Mr.
Hunt to ascertain the truth of the contents of the
Petition, and that be had confirmed it. The Peti-
tion contained the same complaints as that presented
to the House a few nights ago, as to Mr. Hunt be-
ing denied to see lie Surgeon and Solicitor, and sub-
mitted to solitary confinement. The Hon. Member
then stated that he was quite convinced by the argu-
ments of the Hon. and Learned Member fur Notting-
ham (Mr. Dentuan,) that the Manchester meeting
was a legal meeting, and that Mr. Hint was unjustly
punished. He believed that no Jithtes, since the days
of Judge Jelfetleei bad pronounced sentences of such

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i ognised in our law books. At d 1 mein; it Malt the
the laws ill qoestion should be Pulsed.
*se?. trrEIRKIDOR explained.
The Petition bedew read,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL felt himself called
upon to trouble the house again, particularly. for the
purpose of explaining oatureofthe appliention made
by 31r. Hunt, whieli sensed to have bees relsoilterstood.
Hunt made an appfitation by letter to Mr. Jpetien
Bayley, who immediately communicated it to the other
Judgee. The letter complained that the Surgeon awl
Solititor of the Prisoner had been excluded from weidg
him. As the Court could give no judgment ripen a let-
ter without first hearing the other party and having the
aftessary affidavits, they immediately sent an order for
the ridentelion of the Solicitor to Mr. Hunt, in order that
he beighespelehe with him, and take the reqsisite pre-
Meetings. This was the position in which the case stood
with regard to the Court of King's Bench. the Hod.
Member for Shrewsbury had thought proper la charge
him with bavinEc used unbecoming language ; sot to
himself, but to soother Hee. Member of that Heat. It
wonid be remembered Oat that Hon. 111.-Issiet
thought proper to state that no jadgesest shoe the
time of Jades Jefreviese was more inhumes thee that
passed upon Mr. Hunt. Now be would ask wheelier it
was unbecoming in him to describe seek hogeepte as
being grossly libellons. If the lion. Member for Shrews-
bury thought that he was to form his manners or his
langsdere to suit his view of a case, he was more
mistaken. He begged the Honourable Member fbe '
Shrewsbury to understand that wherever hi bad occa-
sion to speak of hint or his acts, he shook' be ready to
justify his langnag• there or in any other places
The SPEAKER rose to order. The House would
see, notwitbstendiac the mysterious language of the
Hon. and Learned Member, obat was its intended mean-
inc. Nothing could be more injurious to the freedom
of debate necessary to the proceedings of Parliament.—
'(Hear, bear.)—He trusted that the Hon. and Learned
Member would be the first to see the necessity! 40 his
stating that the words he had used were hewed mewl-
rey no other than their literal meaning.
Che SOLICITOROENERAL said, Attie the len-
gusee be had need, he bad no inteatios bet that of
justifying himself against the charge which bad been
made.
Mr. HC'IIE said, that the assertios of the lies. Bart.
that Mr. Haut had not been in solitary confieseineet, was
net sufficient authority for the house to go epos, *alms
the Hon. Boronet put it in possessioe of the source of
his information. The Hon. and Learned Geetlentan op
posite (the Solicitor-General) had done that which he
often did, he hail employed abuse instead of argument.
He would recommend him not to resort to such means.
of sot sure clothed in brief authority weenie that die-
...trial style +Ariel, so ill became them. Let the Hen.
Mad Learned Gentleman not suppose, that by using
obese instead of argument, he could produce the effect
lie intended, either there or out of doors. With regard
to the subject of the Petition, he should probably bring
khefore the House at as early period.
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE explained. His Maori', for
statist that Mr. Hunt was mot sebmittml to solitary tow
,limement. was that of a p*sblic officer competed with the
proaL From what he wedersteed is ham tssj.a from *0
New. lember. the 'object meld mese befit. the Wiese,
.eed be tree saddled, that the charge' *Ole* the Ma-
gistrates would be disproved. He would met Mikis
that they had submitted a prisoner to solitary coubne.
sent, contrary to the order.of a Jude, even ape? a
eleriesseiverrameret signed '• Heel Haat" Int were
proved to be se, be should he amongst the beat to mo-
dems such au act.—(Hear.)
The Petition was ordered to be printed.
SLATE TRADE.
Mr. BROUGHAM, seeing a Noble Lord in his plat% .
wished to ask him if be bad received any official com-
munication from Spain. upon the gratifying Weill-
genre which bad been received through the (weigh
prints, that the Cortes had abolished the Slave Trade.
The Marquess of LONDONDERRY said, that he was
not in possession of any official document open the sgbjet t.
He understood that the Cortes bad passed some laws foe
giving more effect to the laws previously in force. The
Hon. and Learned Gentleman was doubtless aware that
Spain bad already abolished the Slave Trade; but the
laws now enacted rendered the dealing in slaves More
penal.—(Hear, hear.)—When in possession of the laws.
he should be happy to give the Hon. and Learned Uem.
further information.
Mr. BROUGHAM said, that of tonne he wOOlOOOO4
that the Government of Spain bad previously abolished
the home trade by law. What be wished to know was,
whether the Cortes bad not affixed the penalty of ten
years labour in the galleys for the importation of slaves
to Cuba. or any other part of the dominions of Spas ?
Th. Marquess of LONDONDERRY understood that
to be the nature of the laws.
LAW CRARGER.
Mr. DENISON gave-notice of a motion for tbe 7th of
March, to revise the Acts of the Ist of George 1., or the
67th of 0,0.111., relative to the law charges. The Hon.
Alember stated, that at the last Spring Amite' at King-
'ton, there were eleven actions to recover the sum of 691.
7.. 61., the law expenses of which, amounted to 111/6/.
9e. 10d. ; and that at the last Summer Moires at Crog-
don, four actions fur the recovery of 71. es. bd. met in
law expenses, 531/. be. Id.
Mr. WODEHOUSE presented a Petition from cettain
owners and occupiers of laird in the eastern part of the
Isle of Ely.—Ordered to be printed.
ME. MOTT.

Mr. DENMAN presented a Petition from Mr. A. Oa•
thorne Butt, a 'person who had been iniprisonal for a
libel upon the Noble Marston opposite. Ha +ben
liwought actions against Mr. Conant. the Magistrate,
upon whose warrant he was committed to prison, and
Mr. Brown, 'the Keeper of Nett/late, for receiving hint
upon the warrant. For the expentes of these amigos he
had been committed to Wititerross-street Prison, whets
he had been one and twenty isootha. The Petitioner
stated his belief that the Magistrate and Keeper of New.
irate bad sot paid the costs of the seders% but had be►n
indemnified by the tto►ernmaa'. blow if-this were ...so-
rrel, he should like to know froftwbst parse the lades,
ai6cation had been made, It woes Matter that required
the grays consideration of the Soya. Ho slionld now
more that the petition Ils.npoo the table, sad be
hoped that it would be rendetod annocessary to nochle
the House Colby, with t►e ao,biect, by releasing the Pe-
titioner from prison.
The SOIACITOK-GENERAL thought it right to lad
, the Dolor know the situation is which the Petitioner
'stood. lie was one of the party in that fraud in which
a Member of that House was also condoned, and of
which they were found guilty by 'medal fairy of nor-
cbanti. He was tbereueon sentenced to imprisonment
by the Conn of Kieg's Beath, and it was for libels upon
Lord Ellenboroorlt, then Lord Chief Jennie,. hi conse-
quence of the sentence, as well as upon the %obis Mar-
quess Bear him. that tie sairant of th• Magt %rive warn
issued. These libels were published in the It offer..
si • way, namely, t sing posted in couspicuttO p IWO&

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eq.". .

- . the town,. ._ _ -..'. Butt'seoolitt been
Os try the question of right, he n not
toong_ht two actions. as that question would be.
art at rest by the decision in the action against
Conant. As to the indemnity alluded to by hi
nail Leoldiiii Friend, and upon which so insets sti
been laid, it was bat same., and Jost, that an 4.
ta'ared in the situation of Sir N. Conant, should look
ke.tiozeritosiost for indemnity. If Mr. Butt doold pay
the costs in question, there was no reason that the pub-
lic puree should lase them . • and if ho. could oat, them
wasps. reasoir why he shonl4l not take the usual course,
MU ipply for the benefit of the Insolvent Act.
The Petition being brought up, read, aid ordered to
lie on the table.
Mr. DENMAN !moved that It he lOW, and said that
'be bad hot kXowis that Mr. Butt. as ia prison for the
libels in question,- though be had heard of that Gentle-
man's ethrimittnent fee them, 'He trusted tlist the Tau..
airy would take Mr. Butt's leek imprisonment Wee en'
sideratioo, and release him. The Petition wen an ore
deredso be printed.
11111741111 111Chattif.
3- fr. R. COLBORNE wished to obtain some inform..
lion from the Honouribte Measlier lid Corte Castle- re-
lative to some proceedlags in the Vice-Chancellor's
-Court, reported in the Newspapers of the day. From,
Ahist report it appeired that there was a dispute betrays
.4hd trustees of the British Museum and the Doke of
jaddlord, respecting the right of the former to make rim
IWO erections on the gmend adjoining the Museum.
He hoped the ten.tees would not go to any considerable.
...wore in litigaiinz the qnestion, especially as it was`
most 4tirsiratrie that some other building should he so.
Limed for the deposit of the valuable collection now is
the Muoune.
Dlr. RANKIN said the Pact was, that there being a
eliEssince of opinion on the 'object referred to, the tees-
lion hod, In the most amicable manner, been pet in a
Olive Air Its receiving a legal decision. That unforto.
Stately was delayed at present, hut he trusted that an issue'.
et law would he feinted which might have the effect of
shortening the proceedings. He folly concurred with
She Hos. Member in hi. opinion, that it would he desk.
able to And another building, or at least to increase the
size of the present one. There was great inconvenience,
Itbd even danger to many of the valuable articles in the
Pillie9lll, in consequence of the present limited size of
the Museum.
The SOLICITOR-(IENERAL said there could he no
question that all used desire titsee the Collection in the
Widish Moses's depseifed in a Safe and proper place.
Elbe present proceeding was altogether amicable, for
dm Pure pups's. of setting the rights of the parties at
test.
dlr. A DERCROMBY thought, that even if the ques-
tion ihould be decided in faioar of the Trustees of the
Matiettas, it Might be proper to consider the propriety of
erecting a new building altogether; but he feared the
legal dledusiton woad not be concluded in sufficiest
*mato enable the House to do any thing effectual in the
prtheed Session.—The conversation here dropped.
Mr. LENNARWpotipoised his notice of motion for
she redaction of Me expellees of the Civil List, from Fri-
ilythrst, to theZth Wet.
• okettals echo.
- Cl.Tßllli' 'to r - for the appointment
into the state of the
Orphans' Fnnd. He
Wee of the character
t Of his own credit,
I:iiikjeict. He was de-
pas satisfied it would
a hull carried on with
to the present fond.
..i anith kad been raised
'Reddest Mistagensent of the
our years sooner than hod
.esodey wrna.ooginally bor.
then MO* that a Select
liiesligate Ile epplicatims
the meanst.,.. eane tweeted to fee
'debt it present charged
, .
ibiXiotion)sael been
...., at mosaic, .1041 very
"pa raised principally
by a sod Afton applied- to dm lo-
Citing.- . .eiCity . ,ent.
,-After a te_ words froth __ 11d.t. Smith,
'Mr. HOLMIE SUMNER Path thi 800. Baronet, by
tits present motion, had tauten ;he business out of his
(.11r. S. s).hand. fife had hit far !fief lode@ Ora Ino-
thin on the subjec:t, buthird'ieverdi dittia deferred it at
ti omitted of thelitin. flareisecnitibuse members of
GMs family. It 'hid beets Ids hiteuon Amore fOr leave
to brio:tin i Bill to regnldte this Tuna, as be conceived
the present tutnigement of it was Mini disgraceful. He
&theist iiithrmthilictuse thm a great many years since
hat Lord Matorlind Aldermen bf London were formed
irtti ii-Codrt?thrthe relief-Of the Orphans and Freemen
of the City, add that tIMY bad ithissed a sum of
;eO,OOO/., fur which they could notioccurut. This was
fatidlObe in the tiiiirelhe'clyll 'yip, A Bill 11.4 in
Xrdsequence bren palSed to 'heats a fund for replacing
this sum, and for that irarpoie, it idipesed &dies princi-
pally upith Coals brolight into the port of London. He
(Mi. S.) rotnpliined that Pubd.hita not been duly
iptliett„ end thatt'the'Cooit of Aldermen, the Guardians
trf the find, hid etindlidtly Oppaintri One of their
own body to be the collector of it. Tie ailinitted that
the nominal salary Was dnly Isof. b year, hut this cir-
'endistaliCelie -Minted rendered tt the more discredit-
able for one ofthe Guardians Cif the 'Fiind to heir; col-
lector. Air strpahry-aenroidetatihn. This Collector was
appointed under a condition that he ithoold pay into the
fltansbertain's truce onee't 'Month the amount of the
duties he ihouldcolleit by 'viftrie of hisidlice; hot a cus-
coin had itievxlied of his retaining Mtge of the 'balances
due fromit in his own liatott. Originally, this was a
small balance; but the present Colloctor,:the Hon. Bart.
11;nitilwx3'iliati on an average dude hibitthe balance in
his lauds, ainoiinting 'also Open an decrier to 11,700/.,
a SUM not unimportanCto a persthan tHelituatidniif the
lion. Baronet, for to a tanker, I floating
_balance of
1-151311. "aid not bin be useful. Tile interest upon this
✓ink was about sio/. a year, though the whole ditty of
the office f acperfornied -by a deputy at one hitnilred
Gods a tear. This prectiee was contrary not 'oak. to
he Act of. Parliament, but to the condition, of 7the
ard, exeented by the Collector on his 'taking the -of-
r:
6.. -He laid spoken on this solicit three years ago, to
an Hon. Alderman; then .member bf -Met house, and
kid expressed his intention to bring Ina Bill on the stilt-
IT'. By airotlientleasan lie Pu'reipirated to give Pp
hie intention for that Session ; indidi iinuiriliate inquiry
uo the subject WAS promised; Irwin accordingly hi-might
before tbetourt of Alrarnietr: referred by them to a
Cowiluitteea and the Report of-that -Committee stated
the mere fact of these balanees beidg retained, but with-
out suggesting any,otteratibn in the practice. ['Ailed.
• viiotion fora hettermanyeement of the 'Pond, haul in
the Court of Aldeciers, fallen to thegrontul for wall of
a seconder. The-subject was then brought before the
tionitnob ComMil,illiring represented to them that it
deeply affected their interest..
. Air W. CtiftalS.ltett rose to order. The Common
-Outwit be said itiotmermore to do Willi the titbject than
tbellon. Meinirierhid with the affairs of France.
• r Air, SUMNERtani it was obvious that the Comoro
bithiocilliad Minidtilitg•to do with the subjett; for the
Gity.'ttiends oVe'plealgeti to• make good the Pend, ht
case shi'dettiffitnposed ebintill prove Insufficient for the
•10efittke. •Airtriiiumwitre that the Rnit.fret was hot agree.
slice+ to liseidon. liahniel,-lint b. rued he content to hear

•

•-• 111116.NMEMeel
- - over Ned Mr,

The Hos. , _ ___ proceeded to road a part , Report,
containing i &alio to this sleet. when
Sir Wit. CURTIS again rose to order, and submitted
that the Hot. Member bad weight to read a pager re.
fleeting "pow the condue of a ineutier of that WOW.
The SPEAKER said, the paper in question did not re-
fee to the coadoet of the Hon. Bart. as a member of that
bone. It yoke of the Collector of the Orphans' Paid.
The Hon. Baronet bad ndeapprehended the vele dappast-
ingthe pnctiee of the bowie. It wu competent the lay
member Goon every modem before the house, to stage the
lerof his assent to or disseat from it.
SUSINIM continued. This conduct wu directly
nahnirary to the condition of the Collector's Boyd. La-
bial? a new condition bad bees framed. the language if
which appeared to legalize the retaining in hand Wells
slesell's balance; but eves new the Hoe. Ilaroset P.
Word two. These practices. he (Mr. S.) colonise. rip-
Isagol die continuance of the duty impelled apes 'disk.
sad displayed a shameful system of jobbing. When he
eenaidered the courtesy he bad shewn the Memorable
Baronet, by postponing his own motion. he could sot
bet think that the Hon. Baronet had neglected to *hew
him • similar courtesy, for he had only heard of the
Hon. Baronet's notice of motion the night before hat.
He of course did aot oppose the appointment of a Com-
mittee, but he suspected that litho Hon. liaresiet could
get a Committee of his owe he would be better pleased.
He thought no Alderman ought to be upon the Com-
skim but that it should be composed principally i
'die sombtrs of the Home Comities, whose constituents
W Bits chief enterers by the duty in question.
Sir U. CURTIS disclaimed any wish to show a
want of courtesy to the Hon. Member whom he bad
often requested to bring the subject forward. He
v.. edged his honour and character upon the result of the,
airy.
e question being put,
Mr. IROLME SUMNER moved an Amendment. I
which. alder resolving the appointment of the Select
Committee, declared that they should he directed to
inquire what steps had been taken towards extingnish-
lag the debt upon the Pond, and to state to the House
whether, upon the payment of that debt, it would he
adviseable for other persons to have a share in the ins-
moment of the Fund besides the Lord Mayor and Al-
dermen.

Mr. HUME wished to know who were the " other
persons" alluded to in the Amendment of the How.
Member. Ile presumed they must meat) the Members
of the Honse of Commons.
Mr. SUMNER said that wita the meaning he bad in-
tended to be pnt upon the words.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, hat we un-
derstand that (there not bins forty Members to form a
House for dividing) the original motion was agreed to.

eCoTell n1:10115.
Lord A. HAMILTON row., pursuant to Wires to
move that the Reports of the several Committees ap.
pointed to inqairelato the the state of Scotch Burghs.
he referred to a Committee of the whole House. He
owed It be said to the Petitioners upon this subject,
and to the country at large, to bring this question to
an issue in the shape of a distinct specific withal'.
The petitioners were not less than 590,000 in number,
sod the ►evenue. in question were 101.00 W. per se.
sum In velum : and if this was not e subject 6t for the
consideration of the Howe, he knew not what would
be. It would he recollected, that It was three years
since be bad moved on the part of sixty-eitt Royal
Burghs, for a Committee to Inquire into their manage-
ment. The petitioners wet, almost unasionthe in
their complaints and as unahisnows in their applies.
rion for remedy. It was then said that no case had
been made eat; and that the statement then made was
intended as' cloak fur Parliamentry Reform. This
was io the year 1819. His motion on that occasion
was rejected; but, about a month afterwards, he bad
brought forward another motion, somewh►t differing
from the farmer one, and had been fortunate enough
to carry his motion for a Committee, against Ministers
and the Law officers of the Crown. The Committee
made a Report at the end of that Seseion. The Com-
mittee bad been re-appointed in the succeeding Sea-
storm, and investigations had pose on ever airier, es-
cept during the discussionewlsich had taken place the
year before last, and which be thought reflected such
little credit upon Parliamenthe alluded 'to 'the pro-
ceedings against her late Majeity. He should here
state that Le blamed himself very much fur acquiesc-
ing (as he did on the appointment of the third Com-
mittee) in the suggestion of the Learned Lord oppo•
site, in consequence of Which, he (Lard A. H.) had
been left in a minority in that Committee. But, nut.
withstanding this circumstance, all the Reports, in
substance. affirmed the complaints of the Petitioner*.
lie called upon the House to esatuine the Reports, and
provide a suitable remedy for grievance., which had
been proved to exist. So long ago as the year 1793
there had been a Committee appointed, and a Report
nude upon this very subject. There were then the
same complaints, and the same confirmation of them
by the Report. In short, all the Reports agreed in
admitting the mismanagement, the corruption, and the
the abuse which prevailed in the Scottish Burghs;
Mid that for this grievance there was no remedy is
the Courts of Law t the latter circumstance being la-
mented by the Judges themielees on bring appeaillr
to. It was true that the Leatned Lord prop,sed to
bring in a bill which professes' to giv► a remedy for
this mass of injustice, but this remedy was nothing
more than a law snit, or a power to the Burgesses tel
go to law. lie entered his protest against such I
measure•; and if the flonse should on this occasion
be against him, he moo tlettiosir of getting. any relief
for the petitioners. There was another opinion of'
more hop rrtance than any lie bed quoted. This was
the upinion of the 3lagistrates of the Burghs, oho
admitted that the evil of self election did require re-
dress. This w.s the declared opiniou of above thirty
of the Burghs themselves. He would particularly di-
rect the attention id the House to the opinion of the
Burgh of Aberdeen, Which the house would cement.
bee had been disfranchised, baring declared itself
bankrupt under circumstances of very peculiar
aggravation.—(Cries of tsar) Theme Magistrates
themselves, who had been •parties, and Weed the
cause of this bankruptcy, admitted that upwards of
200,000/. of debt had been concealed from the knot,.
lege of the Burgesses. Tilt se tientlensen too, on their
evidestc:, adniitted that the b ;oh* of the Council con-
tAning the arronipts were n..t permitted to be seen
by the lturcesses, atia that the debts of the Burgh
were frequently et.ted at sums romidensiely Mle'
i What they realty 'were. No.v he becg.•l to rewind

ly remedy

allegations of the Committee of 1819? He was eon.
elated the House would not sanction such a measure ;
bat would examine into the smilers themselves, and
devise a more *deviate remedy. The priseirri tile•
rations of the Petitioner, were—self-elsetios et *it
Magistrate; a want of doe representation ; $ mot of
e.mtroul in the Burgesses over the eepentlitere; the
waste of charitable funds, the impoeitlen of local
taxes without due authority. lie begged to state that
be had no direct or personal interest in the redress hr
continuance of these abases, further than as belonging
to the country io which they prevailed, as baring
been employed originally by the Petitioners. and as
Chairman of the Committee appointed to investigate
the grievances. Under the system of the Burghs, it
appeared that, in 1793 the mown of extra exactions
in assess, that is, illegal exactions fur ten years, was
upwards of 12,000/. is twenty-nine Burghs. Asti
this system of exaction had been going on at the
same me ever since, and it was remarkable that the
sums so raised never fined their way into the Trea-
sury. Ile confessed that he did sot enpret to do any
thing against his 31ajesty4 Ministers, ►et he was
convinced that he could satisfy say twelve as a jury,
of the necessity of Reform: How far be Aright be
able, however, to get a vote In that House was another
question, but he would undertake from the Reports on
the table to gratify the taste okay Hon Member for any
species of malversation he might fancy. Amongst
other things it was pro►ed that in the Burgh of Ca-
par, the seats in the Conseil were bought and sold.
Is another ease, it append that a person actually
sox covey was appointed to the office of Town-clerk.
There were laws fur making the 31agistrates resident.
bat they were held to be in desuetude, end thus non
residence was a frequent practice. The Noble Lor.!
referred to the Report of the Committee in support to
what he ad►anced. He loped he should not be sr-•'
ewered either by claiming respect foe these abases a.
being sanctioned by the Act of Union, or as being
chartered rights; for the provision of the Union heti
been changed and repealed frequently, and in point o
fact there was so chartered right—they had been s •
changed by the Crown, by the Convention of Rots.
Burghs, and by abases, that they coed no longer b
recognised as chartered rights. Ile hoped the how'
would at once adopt the mode most convenient with
justice, in treeing this question. lie hue's it Kuul•
be asked of him how things were to hr ch.oggell for
the better—what was his plan? Ile was not prepared
to 'ohmic any detailed plan, but he should first mom
mewl their taking Into consideration the Reports of
the Committees; and no change could be effected to
his mho!, which bad not the abolition of self-election
for its ground work. His opponents were sot to im-
pute to him a desire to make any sweeping change
In the Constitution. He had no objection to the
same Magistrates and Conedl which served far,
oat year serving for Vie react, so as the; were,
elected. Bet there most be some dependence of'
the governors on the governed—something ohich
should establish sympathy between them, or there
could be no satisfattion. Its a Committee of the
' whole house, he would submit a detail of the
changes in the system, which be thought eli-
gible. But it was more correct. first to debate the
grievance and then the plan which should seem fittest'
to meet that gri . The Noble Lord cos laded
by moving, " That the house resolve itself into a
C..mitnittre of the whole house to consider of the Royal
Burghs of Scotland."

The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND said he
expected that the Noble Lord would have now brought
forward a specific remedy for the evils he had stated. or
that he wuald have waited until he saw the Bill, which
he (the Lord Advocate) had given notice of introduc-
ing—a Hill which be was confident would accomplish
all the objects that could be wished, without destroying
the chartered rights, or altering the present constitution
of the Scotch Burghs. Serb an attempt would neither
be more nor less than to bring about what was called a
Parliamentary Reform.—(llear, hear !)—I f such an at
tempt was made, let it he made openly at once, without
an indirect mode, such as was now proposed. His plan
would have for its object a more regular administration'
of the finances of the Burghs. There were great
'bus's in many other litirghs in Scotland, which were
not Royal Burghs, which sent no Representatives to
that House; and why was no inquiry tried to be made
in their constitution? The reason was obvious; the
present was all ettempt to bring about a Reform In Par-
liament. When the Hon. Member for Aberdeen was
elected, he had only two to vote for bitn, and he was re-
turned by his own casting voice.—(Langht►r.)—Then
why did not that Hon. Member propose a Reform in his
Burgh ? He denied that there were such instances of
corruption as the Noble Lord stated. There might
sometimes have been an excess of expenditure'; hot the
wisdom of each ■a expenditure could not be judged of
by figures, and many expenses were applied to beneliehil
purposes. The expenses for Aberdeen for instance, were
most usefully incurred in snaking very great and
im-
portant improvements in the harbour of that town.
Great expenses were also incurred by the City of Edin-
burgh, Eno they contribnted greatly to the improvement
and convenience of that capital. h would be impossi-
ble for the (louse to form a judgment from the immense
volume laid before it, because that Report comprised
only the state of four Burghs. Indeed it would have
been useless to go into the examination of any other
towns; and the grievances found to exist were attri-
buted solely to a want of proper cheek* over the expel).
(Sore of the Burghs, which arose from circumstances
that had occurred since the Union with Scotland ; the
old Court of Exchequer not !mettle sufficient pooer
examine into and control such expenses. Hy the Bill
then which he should introduce, lie meant to propose
that there should he an appeal in all cases of this kind
to the Court of Exchequer. There .vas one Burgh (that
of Stirling), where such a system of improvement exist-
ed, as was proposed by the Nobir Lord, and its aff,,rs
-were not conducted one jot better than those of the other
Burghs. The reuiedies which lie should propose ought
first to be tried, before any attempt was merle to alter
the constitution of the Burghs. That remedy ought to
be tried before any h.rz,rdens experiment were attempt
e I ; or before any of the articles of the Union were al-
tered. If the Rouse were to agree to the minion, and
follow it up in she way ptothised, it welsh' be impossi-
b'e to apply a general remedy. 'because evory Bergh in
i•otiand was con:Ili:lite:I in a manner d tf.-rent from an-
other, and no such general remedy cool I 'apply without
o!ating the chartered rights of the whale.

HUMS maintained that ail 118717,777
bin Rohl, Friend had been fully paved is
before the Committee. It was prom!
been sold sod that kind of mien
existed in all the Harem. The Committee
r d into the state of fear or live Hardy, whsle
fraud all the allegations as to abastafally
l
and they had a right to conclude that similar sus
would bare bees foetid to exist iu the whey g;
Burghs. if the inquiry respecting tire.badtee;
gone into. When he bad proposed that a fall '
geiry 'holed be entered into, the
'Committee, 17 to 1, opposed it, and how .null >ie
Report of the Committee betailed soonimpe?
eusteoded the hsts* eight nt.t to pleorike
'ports,
the last Report; but should look yegaw
where they would And all the elleriyise6
spreting the corruption of the thurghe fsyj
mid that a system of self-election existed lit &kg:
elective st °see to the rights of the Inhabitant w y
the finances. He was reedy to admit that elyiniNa
proposed by his Noble Friend %mild Oulets/eye,
o share In the elective franchise—that ft weak
is
prb the Representation of Scotland, mad that, he
' confessed. was the very thing which he watitet—
' (Hear, bear.) He frosted, therefore, that althygt
Ministers might reject the presem metion, his Ihnie
Friend would try his plan of Reform &gale aid aithi,
until he should accomplish his object. Hot at yes"
time he would eaniion Ministers against resistivity
TO9CC tuff coes,ilsiots of the Scotch people. Lindy
mart stretch the airing too tight moil it should boy;
sad be partietaistly whetted that the Leaned i
would mato 'ely consider this subket b•fur, ht.
tats
domed hi. 11111, And determine whether it windiest%
poli:ie ar well as jolt to commie something to them
pie of -Mcotlanil. Sure be was they should make pre
peas towards Reform. He declared that this ropy.
time was not to make a sweeping reform is the
thetglos; hot a gradual anselieratioo. If Ministers
wore determined to bare no Retires at all, !nth,*
wan so at once ; and th, n the emus, would haw what
they were to look to lint if they were resolved wants
toe people of Scotland to resistasee, they 'weld be is
stramental in effecting that which be was NC
Uid sooner or later. be elected. He tii4 i#
impute blame to say of the iadivisloais who mid
*odor power in the Soorelt Burghs ; but th
deidattsed the whole of the system which earnaral
Go. it .%% as declared that men C 041.1 ant Kt Aide,
such a system, tied be honest at the same ease; soil
chat they were obliged to be knaves, after thry hd
gone on in it fir ten years ; and yet those ONII sme
reinstated in their offices of Magistrates by the Bisre
Ministers. Otte of the Burghs (Aberdeen) had he.
come bankrupt. It had not, indeed, been Oisettedie
a totkrept ; but It gave up the whole of its atftirt
the management of trustees; and that war its fatt re
Pet of bankruptcy. This was tire example of
Irides c.ipsble of managing their own aLin,
getting the town in debt to thi amount of toed
bemired theuvand pounds, sod sten ditelarierthle
selves incapable to manage any thing. The itnot.t.
lag away the public money bad nothing to Juana
the improvement of the harbour, for there was a
partite harbour trust ; and as to the great Mum,.
silents said to be made in the harbour, they wort no•
thing, and only served to endanger, instead of ievor
log its a ifety. The Magistrates had evea takes
70,040 f. belonging to the hoepital. which they wpm.
dered away. This was dose by a few sellielertr4
men, who he believed were now liable to a prattling'
far what they bad done ; and the beet proof of their
ioiseom:u.t was tbs act of giving up their Untie
others. la short, the Magistrates of Aberdeen' 104
gone on, jest like the King's Ministers. ecinmdeeng
away the public money ; and the only difference
between them was this, that the Magicratts of
Ahertlien were stilt so:vent, compared to tie
King's Ministers; for they had leads snfficient to
pay all their debts ; wit II the feeds of [hi•
tain, it sold, would not be sufficient to pay 114
National Deist. Therefore, as `• birds of a father
flocked together," he was not surprisid that the Mt
gistrates of Aberdeen were supported and Mendel
by the King's Ministers. Then with regard to the
wonderful, improvements said to have been made is
PAinhttrzlt, he would say. that if the whole rare,
belonging to the Corporation of that City were sold.
it would be bately sufficient 'o pay the debts incervi
Iby them. All now required was to give the Seoul
Illtrghs the same rights which they enjoyed befit
the Union ; and that the people should have the
tamer of electing their own Magistrates. Thareith
had been recognised by six Statutes. It was of its
utmost importance that those Magistrates whose Fic
sleets it was to administer justice, and dispose of tit
public money, should not elect sbemselvis. Thole
Magistrates were not a distinct race of persons, veldt
separate interests from the rest of the cotmhonity;
and the whole of the community, thus robbed by ttts
of their elective franchise, were hostile to them.
to Refortn, he was sure if the burgesses of Fdinhargi
had the right of election the non. Member who firs
sat opposite to him. would not, after the espingro
sf
the present Perham/tit, sit there 111plin.l."1.1111100'
ter.) With regard to Aberdeen, he was himsk as
example of what could he done there. For 23 rim
his predecessor sat for that place, because be ell*
melted to Ministrrs ; het as soon as Montrose .110"
el its right of voting, they then elected himseq• lit
was confident that a moderate change in the Flottillf
would make the M.sriotratt, respectable, in•test/
being hated ; and wortid bring about a system of KO-
' • ("esti The FroPle
KO-
minty. and a doe 41.111.1115-14.1011
of Scotland how collet on the House to place :boa hi
a oituation by ottiell'union and peace sh told he oil'
blished in all the Itorgba; there would be eii Aso%
no corropti .no, no playing into ',ma.; god tins
would be one mode of introducing a whtlestnite tlt
tuArt ate Reform in the noose of Comte ins.
therefor biped the (louse would not toured to tbt
1 at:cements of the Nolsie and Lear, fed- Loud. bet arte
ito the motion of his Noble Frtavd.—(l'he, es )
1.0 d lIINNINti topposect the motion. Re
.0:
servcd, that from the silvers with which the *teat:
the lion. Member for Ahrt doen was verged. 11l
jert was to begin evitn 'the ques•i•dt or Poll thwart!
RefJrsit by little and li•tly, thno sapping the fats
dr
tion of than system !you tut Scotch 131.
were regulated. list lie was threidettle °PP°
the pr-vent tiostidn,.l.ectseree it involved Amt r ery2l.,
.e
tion of ParliaMentiry dlefilras, Fir conjneed the
not to be led away by 'the argfitnentsof ter Nollelte
' not,
for there woad be no it'd to the business of lug •

Mr WM. CURTI'S Mee Mote h
of a heleCt Ceidsdi to logoire iol
pumbeithent of tfili laiidoo
fade thls isetioithilimckfir be
Idl lielleor KtbYcifFhl Ter it
*la% 'had beea*Akiiii
OA* Of huhatiariatleis ir
*Kier that so petite bed h
Vi ate fahlteil than thit tetbdns is
See bra lirst'eatililfilhasent ithey se
?job It:, Asti *file, Ooder the.proaeut
ypioi;irattlaii lighillated four fear
hitteitiffilited'Aiti the ..dry
.t
.1101111
0. lavestig
it'd the ins
'thejhrpose of litrililatihitlie debt i
tires it.
11 r..Serjeaot ViStOti vas kfaA
made; for he thoexht the %btu.%
little to do with this Piod. it Wps
by a tax upon coals, aid was too bfts
ailliurithses of the CityoY podim.
, Atter air* words froth Mr. Ald.i

. .
•, .
t- • •
!ETA TA ../e.- _ _ „._.. „
_ . _ ___.
is me-trly al'eawlet TIOCAShooII Caswell ; • kit" 11.• I ti11606.1b h bankruptcy liot4aly agg(te4l II" Mr. H
to have ‘s tie Ciiiiimillhe be (yesvpal illiococidea. t Cot reuses of the ill,owa. but all the Cbaritaile 'Doti: ma le by I
end ‘ll' oat*"" 61611 hp"*Wa Hu* Vow . • b lotions of Aberdeen. Was it possible that giving deuce 6'6
ligitsHlHrol..
~:ilkeyenalitcosee" tileiHrtre.aPPwhrisreHT:antiltestesiscei•°l4B"sadhe:illat the Burgesses power to a • se law with the Nees- lice had I
tepee hail Itett.-egeoset could ece,„ur hi, conduct la die Aim erases. would he a sadleleet remedy for am evil of this meet axis
I Officer, of Collator with his duty as a Guardian of the Foul. nature? Was the Bill of the Lord Advocate to be the lags r d i
ci look to The Hos. Member proceeded torud ! part of the &port, only remedy for the evils stated to exist io the eight they (Jam