The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-06-17 00:00:00

---1 '.

, )
•

~„..

•
I •

f

. ~~G~..~... .t.. ~

•• • •
PRICE SEMI PEN-rt.

. I T
Lewd Lye enroos suits It MS
Ole intenVos OP IV
word on the question, if the Noble Magnetised let
k rest. He had before shown that tiorernment had
no alternative: and a 4 to the situation of the Howse.
k had fully rsplained it on a former night, wises he
Mated that the adjournment, for which be then moved,
*as iu reference to delicate -explanations and disclo-
sures which. had been just opened. and, the result of
which might possiGly routier the labours.of ,the Con -
mittee altogether unnecessary. There was nothing
in the mode of proceeding now pursued which mili-
tated against the dignity of the House. It could not
be at variance with its dignity to postpone the Com-
mittee from Saturday, to Tuesday, upon the sante
grounds which had induce l it to agree in the former
postponement front Tu.sday to Saturday.
Lord Daunt :v. in explanation. said that the po.t-
ponetnent would sot have taken place if the. Ministers
hail not discovered that :the
,House of commas was
not likely to entertain the tandem ill the manner
which they desired.* bad the advice of his Noble Friend
been takes, which was to ascertain in the first instance
the opinion of the other House, the House would has e
been saved from those embarrassing circumstances out
of which it could, sot now, escape without disgrace.
The Order was then discharged, and the meeting of
the f:mmtnittee appointed fur 'I ueeday.
RO fAL AIARRI.IIII3 ACT.—Lord Ilot.t.Sx•.•
to move the first reading pf the Lill CA. repealing
Royal Marriage A..t.. He said he was anxious that
the first reading should, take Ow without delay.
,Ac-
cording to the usages and courtesies of that Huusc, he
was aware that no opposition could be given on 'he
first reading of the Bill, He would put, therefore.
choose that time to enter into the discussion of its
merits ; but would be content with merely explaining
some ;mists. which circumstances made neensarj. end
be wouldsdo it in a fen surds.. .The Bill which he
bad the honour of presenting, went only to the simple
repeal of a statuty which was now the law of the land.
That statute was passed in the 12th year of the reign
of hie late Majesty, and was cowwoaly called tie
Royal Marriage Act. :their Lordships knew. that
the Act to which he ref reel had a preamble. that re-
cited a Message from the Throne. " Whereas Royal
marriages art of great importance to the State. and it
is proper to regulate them as they are hereby rep-
tetl.''. It then went on to eay, that ae slieceiulant of
his late Majesty, (ice. 11. shrink' be allowed to retry.
without the consent of his Majesty or his heirs and
successors, or if such marriages should be contracted.
trithout thu consent of the reigning King, it was
to all intent' null and void. Next came a pro-
visit's, which said, that if
,any of the descendants
of Ileorge 11. should attaiu the age pf twenty-five
years; and if. without the consent of the King.
they . made known their jiatentiori of .marrying to
the Privy Council. is case their notice lay one whole
year before, the Council. witkon the ititeeference.
of Pattiamest, that the marriage of er ti at term would
be valid. . There was another dame, which enacted.
that any person. solemnising or emitting, or even being
present at such marriage. abould be liable to the pe-
nalties of a. pearearreire : such was the substance of
the Act. He did not mean then to give its history.
He would reserve that end other considerations for a
future stage. Hp would, however, state that the Act
had passed through that House with extraordinary
precipitation. In the Commons it was not even
printed ; )et it was severely debated upon t and morn
was said against it, and lees for it, than was recorded
of any oth.t Actupon the Statute Book. This arp-
men lie did intend to press. But he was sure that be
should be able to prove to their Lordships, that the
Act was an unnecessary evasion of natural rights—that
it bad a direct tendency to produce immorality, and to
involve the nation in both foreigmand civil wars. Au-
other objection. and one still more deserving of being
dwelt upon. was, that it was calculated to render the
marriages of the descendants of Ueorge 11. unhappy.
This was one of the reasons for presenting the Bill
now. When be originally gave notice, he thought
that circumstances would hare obliged him to dwell
!auger upon it than be found they now did ; but the
same reason which had induced the Noble Lord to
postpone the Committee beyond to-morrow, induced
him (Lord Holland) also to defer entering into those
erguinente which were connected with the very painful
business, which he hoped would disappear from Par-
liament altogether. He would merely add. that if
their Lordships found his assertion to be well founded.
in saying. that the effect of the Act was to render
Royal Marriages unhappy, they would of coarse por-
e .ive, that in the necessity of dissolving such marriages.
their proceedings were not to be regulated exactly as.
in other cases. The peculiar effect which the Act bad
en such marriages took them out of the reason of the
general rule, and made the proper mode of treating
them particular, mid set such as any Sovereign could
afterwards quote as a precedent. His Lordship then
said, that he had inset induced to give this explanation
on account of various rumours which had spread out'
of doors coosected with the subject of his notice, and
which proved that his intention had bees oenVetely
misapprehended. He concluded, by moving the ill be
read a first time. and by stating, that be would after.
wards move that it be printed, and that in about eight
or nine days he would introduce it for further consi-
deration.
Lord Livintroot..said, he wished to correct an error
isb which the Noble Lord had fallen. It was toot
,the cite, as he seemed to think. that a Bill might sot
be opposed on the fleet reading. It hod been. se
doubt, the general practice and courtesy of the antes
to 1:t the first seeding pm without oppesitioui bet
that did nut take away the right to wow. Cimm,
that courtesy, however. be would 'twigs set. notes;
where the case was me gross and ti ex-
cite imMadiate hostility. But mit= es
wt.•;'d .at
the Bill is its first reeding. be bad a welder.
3ree.... objection to its riseipk. sad would trent necessary to
Hate the remotes of his sheathe& at a fetus &W.

rasr