The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-06-02 00:00:00

111 E STAMMAI4.

bet as there was none such they owed it to the se-
curity of civilised society, to the confidence and hap-
piness of families, to the purity and honour of do-
mestic life, that this clause in the present instance
should not be dispensed with. Such marriages were
contrary to the law of God, and it had been so de-
cided ; and what could be more contrary to the law
of God than any thing which might afford the least
encouragement to offences of this nature ? it was
absolutely necessary to (he interests of sound mora-
lity, to the peace and happiness of social life, and to
the purity and honour of private families, that such
offences should be marked out as something against
nature. If such an incestuous intercourse was to be
allowed to pass without suitable animadversion,
where could families find security ? Not only do.
mestic comforts would he at an end, but the very re.
cesses, the very nurseries of private families would
become the objects of distrust and suspicion ; and
even in the narrowest domestic circles, jealousies
might arise, lest the male part of the family should
be the gallants of the females. He did not wish to
dwell upon this, because he was aware how acutely
the innocent connections of the Lady felt upon this
subject ; and he was afraid, lest through the ordi-
nary channels by which their observations were con-
veyed to the public, any thing said by him should
meet their eyes, and add to their already too heavy
distress : but in the discharge of his public duty, he
could not avoid stating his strong sense of the neces-
sity of this clause in the present Bill. It had been
said, that it would endanger the remedy altogether ;
but it was for their Lordships' in the first place to
do their duty. Let it be their maxim, "as for us
and our House, we will serve the Lord," leaving it
to the consciences of the Members of the other House
of Parliament whether they could for a moment he-
sitate to declare that in this case at least such a
clause was necessary. For his part, he was con-
vinced that the same considerations of what was due
to the interests of morality, to the security of social
happiness, and the peace and comfort of domestic life
would induce the other House to look at the subject
in the same way that their Lordships did.
Archbishop of CANTERBURY.—IIe felt it im-
possible, in a case of this description, to give a silent
vote. In his opinion the interests of sound morals
would have been better consulted if the general mea-
sure of declaring all such marriages void had been
adopted ; but as that unfortunately did not succeed,
it was at least fitting to consider the propriety of in-
troducing such a clause as this in every particular case;
and surely in this case it ought not to be dispensed
with, for how could there be a case which called
more imperiously for such a provision ? He trusted
it would never be his iot to meet with a case where
such a clause would be more properly introduced.—
If their Lordships rejected it, they would ruin the
peace of families, destroy the best affections of the
human mind, and poison the very sources of do.
rnestic security and happiness. He concluded by
declaring his strong sense of the necessity of the
clause.
The Earl of CARNARVON said, that notwith-
standing all he had heard, he still thought that such
a general measure as that which had been suggested
would, instead of being favourable to the interests of
sound morals, prove highly detrimental to those in-
terests ; but a general measure would be preferable
to the Standing Order of the loose on that-subject,
for it had the appearance of insensibly and by stealth,
as it were, introducing a practice which as a general
measure the other House had rejected. If they
thought that the object was one of such great im-
portance, they ought again openly to come forward
with a general met:sure.
The Marquis of LA NS DOW NE said, that with re-
gard to the point of aliment, the Earl of Roseherry
had no wish but to do what the House thought pro.
per. The sum in the present Bill (3001. per ann.
we believe) was proposed by the Noble Lord who
usually sat on the woolsack, and the Earl of Rose,
berry would have had no objection to a greater sum,
if the house had thought it right to recommend a'.
larger, though he did not feel that it was for him to
propose it. The only anxiety which, in his comma.
itications with him, he had evinced was, that the sum,
whatever it might be, should he properly secured for
the lady. As to the introduction of the clause, de-
cluing any marriage between the offending parties
illegal, he had no doubt that in this instance at least !
such a clause was proper.

clause, it could not be supposed that more indecency
was practised now by persons in the act of bathing,
than had been the case formerly or of very late years,
and yet no attempt of the kind bad bees, made. It
would be impossible for himself and others who had
been bred at Westminster school, to forget how

often they amused themselves with bathing in the
Thames ; and was it meant to prevent the Westmin-
ster boys from enjoying this amusement in future ?
If any instances occurred of peculiar indecency in
any particular place, or by any particular person or
persons, the common law was open, and had always

. .
been armed with powers to punish the indecent ex-
posing of persons, either by the waterside, or in any
place whatever. To introduce a clause, therefore,
into a Bill of this nature, for the purpose of giving
extraordinary powers to Magistrates when there was
already sufficient punishment always to be obtained
by the common law, showed an itch for legislation,
which he could not suppose had existed, and which,
in his opinion, could not be done away too soon.—
lie concluded by moving for leave to bring in a Bill
to repeal part of the said Act (which was entered as
read) as far as relates to bathing in the Thames.
Mr. 11. ADDINGTON said, it was not his inten-
tion to oppose the motion, but he bogged leave to
say a few words, explaining the reason upon which
the clause had been introduced into the Bill. Se-
veral applications bad from time to time been made
to the office in which he had the honour to act, by

The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, that as he
saw that the feeling of the House was so strongly
against his proposition, he should not press it
farther.

The report was then received, and the Bill or-
dered to be read a third time to-morrow.
Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
HA REM CORPUS.
Serjennt ONSLOW moved that a Committee be appointed
to rtiquhe into the state of the laws re•pe. tine the writ of
Habra. Curios,, and to report their opinion thereon to the
flume.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL did not mean In obleeite:
the motion, but wag •eusihle there were cnn•iderable
ties, and it would require t. e mint serious consideration at the
, I !owe.
Mr. W. WYNNI said, that If there an• may pouibilitT of
an injury to She liberty of the subject, that should be sulletteet
to iialuce the House of Commous to enquire into the stole of the
17a on the subject.
The 'notion ua, agreed to, and the Committee appointed.
POLICE ACT.
Mr. W. WYNNE rose to make the motion of
which he had given notice. He said that last Session
ass alteration had beets made In the Thames Police
Act relative to deputations, and as nothing had been
said of any other subject being introduced into that
Bill, it had passed the House without any comment
or debate; and he believed meta person in the House
had an idea of one clause which it contained, except
the person who brought in the Bill. He now found,
however, that there was a clause which prohibited
bathing in the river Thames from seven o'clock in
the morning till after day-light was gone, from the
• West India Docks to Battersea-reach, a distance of
six miles. When he first read it, he owned he was
astonished, and was convinced that had it.been dis-
covered by any one while the Bill was passing through
the House, it would never have beets suffered to pass.
The practice of bathing in the Thames had been in'
use time out of mind. It was looked upon by the
middle and lower orders of people both as an amuse-
ment and a recreation strongly conducive to health.
With respect to the indecency mentioned ia the

. . .
persons in a most respectable rank in life, complain- the Bill.
ling of this custom of bathing having lately been car- I Mr. BANKES was against any further progress of
rind on in divers parts of the river side to such a the measure during the present Session, and should
I height, that it had become an absolute nuisance and therefore move as an amendment, that the Report be
annoyance not only to their individual families, but brought up that day three months.
that it was also a public nuisance. These applica- I The gallery was then cleared for a division, but
that's had induced him to give a sanction to the clause, after remaining some time closed, it was again opened.
not to prohibit bathing, as the Hon. Gentleman had ! Mr. SUMNER supported his former opinions...-
He thought that if, as Al r. Freeling thought, the re.
gistrates to punish indecency, carried to the height
represented, but to give discretionary power to Ma-
venue of the POst-OffiCe was likely to be mach inn.
which had been complained of, by giving notice that proved by the increased accommodation, the ex pence
in any places where parsons were guilty of a uui- ought to be borne by the public. Ile thought that it
' sauce, in the act of bathing, they would be punished. 1 was most unjust that so large a portion of it should
He did not, however, object to the motion.
Mr. %V. WYNNE said the notices were general, fall
'paying o n the counties adjoining the metropolis. The
it out of the Orphans' Fund was in fact pay.
and extended from Blackwell to Battersea. ing it out of a tax on coals, which was levied only
' Sir J. NEWPORT objected to the power given on the consumers in the neighbourhood of the metro-
by the clause, as too extensive to be entrusted to any polis. As they already paid much more for their
' Magistrates. Ile attributed the cause of the clause letters, in proportion, than those who resided in dis.
having escaped the notice of any one in the passing tent parts of the kingdom, he thought it most unjust
of the Bill through the llouse, to the late period of that they should also be called upon to defray a great
the Session when Bills of this kind were introduced; part of the expence of this new Post-Office. lie
and then, from the shortness of the time, they were thought that at present it was necessary to give to the
hurried on in such a manner, it was impossible any Allies as much of what was called " the sinews of war'•
one who had other material business to attend to as we could spare, in order to purchase from them
could give them any particular notice. 1 the sinews of tSeir strength, in co-operation of the
1 After a few words from Mr. HARVEY, 'nave was common cause; but when it was now proposed to
given to wring in the Bill. 'grant 300,0001. for a new Post-Office, 600,0001. for
Mr. B. BATHURST brought in a Bill to enable anew street, 200,0001. for a Penitentiary, besides
•
;the expense of a new Custom-house (which was
' the Doweratrick Election Committee to re-as-
semble, e hid' went thrisegh all its stages, and was 1 roily necessary), it would be seen that Ibis million
passed. : of money might be much better spent in inrigorating
i The report of the Caledonian Asylum Bill was , the exertions of our Allies. Those costly buildings
brought up, and agreed to. and improvements should be reserved for times of
Sir H. PARNELL brought up a Petition from financial abundance. They should he the symbols of
•
certain grocers in the city of Dublin, praying teller overflowing wealth, and not erected in times of uu-
from the Act which prohibits them from selling spirits exampled pressure.
in their shops. : The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
• Mr. Alderman SIIAW a(Dohlin) saidfew wards, . observed upon the different objections which had
but we could not distinctly ascertain their purport. been made to the new Post-Office. The first ob.
! GOVERNOR AINSLIE.
' Mr. GORDON wished to postpone his motion re- iection of its being inconvenient to the Merchants
appeared now to be in a great degree abandoned.--
!alive to the conduct of the Governor of Dominica,
It was now confessed that a very large expenditure
until to-morrow (this day) se'ntlight, in consequence
was necessary for affording proper accommodation
of not being at present in parliamentary possession
of an important Proclamation ; but on Sir R. Heron to this department. It was, however, stated by
complaining of the delay on the part of Go-
many who had the best means of judging, that a
vetoer Ainslie, and offering to furnish the Honour-
considerable increase of the Post-Office revenue might
able Member with a copy which he might use for the be expected from increased accommodation. It had
purposes of debate, it was agreed, with a reserve-
been suggested that arrangements might be made
lion on the part of Government by Mr. Goulburn,
which would increase the Post-Office revenue to the
that the order should stand for this day. , amount of 40,0001. a-year, which would be suffi-
Mr. R. ItTrZGERALD brOught in his several cient shortly to defray the espence. Ile thought
Bills relating to the Excise on Irish linen, hides, that there was no hardship in part of the expellee
malt, and spirits, which, after a few words from Sir being defrayed out of a local tax : as the improve-
J. NEWPORT, were read a first time. merit was not merely for the public benefit, bat
TR I SLAVE ADE. would also be a considerable toes. advantage en the
Mr. HORN ER referred to a question which he had inhabitants of the neighbourhood of the Metropolis.
formerly put to the other side of the House, respect- The longer the purchase of the ground was delayed,
ing a charge deliberately brought against this country the more expensive it would
.probably' prove. Ha
by the American Commissioners at Ghent. He wished thought the present opportunity for getting a con-
now to know what degree of. credit ought to be at- , venient site for a Post-Office should not be lost. If
Cached to the assertion, that a British Officer had it was not now concluded, the City might make the
been guilty of seizing and afterwards selling slaves improvements as-to the new road themselves, and in
in the West Indies. The American Government had, , that case it would be enormously expensive to per,
he understood, ()Died p,oofs of the transaction, chase the ground, when it was once covered with
and he should be happy to learn now what had op- 1 buildings. Ile could not by any means conceive the
peered to colour or corroborate them iu the course of ; pressure of this tax of 6d. on every chaldron of
the negociation. 1 coals to be so serious as ha‘l been represented. A

Mr. GOLJI.BURN was perfectly willing to afford
an explanation, and such a one as he Wiped would
prove satisfactory to the House. The ch%rge itt ques-
tion was contained in the instructs ms of the Attiet;-
can Ministers; and it was evidently of so serious a
nature, that it was impossihla any hesitation or delay
should he evinced in urging the necessary investiga-
tion. With this view a dein:toil had been made that
the American Commissioners 'would produce their
evidence. This, however, it unA replit d, was not
consistent with their instructions, hilt that they had
no reluctance to submit to him (Mr. (;oullturn) as a
private individual, the amount of the information
they had received. The effect of this wax, that a
person, a prisoner in one of the hat hours of Virgi-
nia, had wide an affidavit that a vessel had entered
that harbour to which a slave had been sold for a
given sum of money, which slave had been afterwards
re.seld in the West Indies ; and he hetieved this to
be a common practice. As both tile name of the de.
portent and of the vessel were named in his affidavit,
be had been directed by Lord Bathurst to institute
the most accurate enquiry in America, and from the
reported purchaser of the slave. These enquiries
had not yet been answered, but he earnestly hoped
that the Session would not expire before the most sa.
tisfactory explanation on this delicate business should
be received.
Mr. HORNER professed himself highly gratified
with the statement he had just heard. The conduct of
his Majesty's Ministers appeared to him to have been
very correct, and his only anxiety now was to see the
character of a [hills,' Officer vindicated, and set
.
right in the eyes of the world. jority
NEW POSE-OFFICE. On the motion' of the COATICELLOtt of the
Sir J. SHAW appeared at the bat with the Report EXCHEQUER, the Report was'ordered to be T.
of the Post-Office Bill, which he was pmcecding to ceived on Monday next.

war tax of no less than 34. a ton on the same article
had been lately taken off, and yet that circumstance
had not as yet produced any very great effect. By
the Repert it appeared, tliPt the new Post-Ottice must
be built either 0:1 the site proposed, or on snmeother,
old from every thing he hid heard, he should prefer
the site nom proposed.
All. ItO ;17, said, that the only point which he
recollecteJ the Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Sumner)
to have particularly pressed in the Committee, was
one come: cd with the re-examination of certain
parts of the former evidence, which they had not
authority to call for. In the opinion which he (Mr.
Rose) gave, he as entirely guided by the previous
recornmehd.ition of the Committees which had sat
on the sehject. If the present Post.office was decided
to he ioadequate for its uses, the balance of expense
between its enlargement and the erection of a ne%v
elle, was. in his opinion, in favour of the latter,
from the many advantages which it embraced.
Mr. BROWNE derended the decision of both
Committees, which had fully entered upon every
consideration relative to this question, although they
had heard every thing which was pertinaciously urged
in opposition by the' Honourable Gentleman Pear
him (Mr. Sumner), and also by the Honourable
Member for Taunton. (Mr. Bating), who he sup-
posed had altered his opinion nn the subject, by not
having persevered in his opposition. The house di-
vided, when the numbers. were—
For reeeithig the Report .• • •• • • 56
Against it

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