The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-21 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 21, 1823.

The House of Conrnons will meet this evening; and
see shall, from time to time, resume our Commentary on
the important proceedings of the, as well as the other
House of Parliaruest. But when we say important pro-
csedings, we mean those in which the public at large
have really an interest, and not those which are brought
forward to indulge personal feelings, or gratify the desires,
of a Faction ; no matter to us whether that faction be in,
or out of power. For example; there are two m tions
expected for this evening; one to be made by Mr. Sykes,
for the repeal of the duty on candles ; the other, a loud
and sounding Motion to be made by Sir James Macin-
tosh for softening the Criminal Code. To the first we
shall direct our attention ; for it relates to the repeal of
a Tax; an 1 what may be said on this subject, will be
really seri.its and important. 'f he other is to enrage
what is called a act debate; or, in other words., a Hum-
bug- ; and our readers, and the public, will be humbug-
ged, if they be induced to give it the least notice. iire
can tell our readers what will be the course. Sir James
Macintosh will mike a long, a very long, speech about
this softening of the criminal code; but, (and we beg our
Readers to mark it well), he will take care to say
very clearly, or leave very clearly to be inferred, that
by " criminal code," he does not mean Six .lets. He
does not mean to condemn the laws respecting " political
offences" as he calls them. No, No. This he declared
in good round terms on a farm. r occasion. He sees no
objection to the laws which authorize the infliction of
BANISHMENT upon seditious libellers; which
abridge the right and almost destroy the power of peti-
tioning. lie wishes to soften the punishmert upon
housebreakers and forgers ; but he cares not a farthing
for the effect of Six Acts. In that, lie will do nothing to
commit himself or kis party ; and it is our firsts cons ic-
lion that if the Whigs (as they are facetiously called)
were to get into p.lwer immediately, they won's' not Imo-
pose the rrreal of any one of the said Six Acts.
This motion is to be mere!) a political juggle; and
every one who is ever so remotely acquainted with par-
liamentary tactics, is fully aware of this circumstance.
Ministers care not a single farthing, as Ministers, for the
!notion ; and indeed why should they? If the punishment
of lasuaehreakers and forgers is really too severe, and is
rosily impolitic and unnecessary, as Sir James will say,
andaltnost asecar that it is, what possible interest can Mi-
nisters Imes in wishing to continue that punishment ; for
they have no more dislike, or particular hatred to house-
breakers and forgers, than Sir James has himself ? No one
knows this better than the lawyer. But then, the motion
will gain him popularity among the canting and
the unthinking, and particularly among the quaker:;
these very men who, while they pretend to he full of hu-
manity and clemency, are actually endeavouring to ob-
tain a law to autisorze the conviction of torn in cases of
life and death, upon their bare affirmation. In short,
the whole affair is a trick; and it shall not be our fault
if the public do not understand it to be so. The motion
which Sir James Macintosh will make this evening, will
give no (fence to any one; and this, too, is Kell known
ley Sir James. Let him stand up, and clearly, distinctly,
and seriously, move for the Repeal of any one of that
Collection of the Statutes, called Six Arts; and
then, and not till then, shall we believe him to be se-

r:o is.

In the mean time, we repeat that the subject., for this
evehing, upon which the public should really fix their
attention is that relative to the proposed Itaral of a Tax.
It is here that 11/inisters will be really pinched. Here
they will be serious, and will count every vote with the
greatest anxiety. The motion of Mr. s)k.-s, is for the
Repeal of a fax. Oa that account, and that ;dorm it is
des• ruing of attention ; and, whatever may be the result,
Mr. Sykes will be entitled to the thanks of the country
for his endeavours.

We feel a Nausea at returning to the farcical, humbug.
ging motion of Sir James Macintosh, though we say
again, and foe the last time, that Ministers care not one
bran farthing about it; any more than we do ourselves.

IVe have this morning received Bayonne papers to the
14 h instant. They mention a mini.% that had been
circulated, by a ComtM.ssary of Police there, of Mina
having been abandoced by his soldiers on the eve of a
battle io w hich be was forced to engage, and delivered
to the French tr. ots. Notwithstanding the confidence
l‘ith which this was related, it is observed, that thestory