The Statesman.
London, England, 1819-02-20 00:00:00

QUARTER SESSIOvg.

Mr. DICKINiON moved for leave to bring in *
Bill to empower Magistrates to divide Quarter Sys.
'ions. lie stated, that in some parts of England, so
great Wag the press of holiness, that the Xlagistrates
in attendance were frequently obliged to sit up until
eleven or twelve o'clock at eight, in the discharge et
t►eir dety.—Leave was given.

4:1 the claims due to the lonian Islands, St. Lucie.
sod th• Mauritius, as pieces now belonging to the
British Government. It would be the object of the
Bill to enable the Commissioners to make es speedy
a disttibutinn to the remsi ' g claimants as possible.
One thing he had to state to the House was, that the
stolen, of different Governments bad been given up,
for espeoces iocarred by maintaining prisoners of
war Ile said this, in order that go ./else views
5t.0..1t1 go abroad on this aohjort. Neither would
tt.p Government interior, to i..tlonsnify persons who
had speculated in the French Breolatiessery Funds,
or those that had lost their money in those Funds,
escort such es bad been guaranteed by the Treaty
_ of 17115, which property wa• sequestrated by the
Revolutionary Government in 1793. The ►emaining
property was to be left to the adjudication of British
Commissioners. Ile then moved for Ism to bring

in the 11111.
Mr. TIERNEY perfectly agreed in the teal for
the public souk* with which the measure had been
elected. There was, however, • class of claimants
who were entitled to some consideration, bet who
may not possibly come tender the operation of this
distribution—he meant those persons who: had not
given due Hooke of their claim on the French (Jo.
verninen, ; for he apprehended that they were at
least entitled to • Ihare of the surplus which re-
stained after the recognised creditets bad been sa-
tisfied.
A satinet took place between Lord Coale.
relish, Mr. Tierney, Sir John Newport, Mr. lies.
hisser., end Mr. Denison, in which the Noble Lnrd,
I. reply to a gestation from Mr.Tientey.as to bow the
two years which the French Gammon's( were in
Server were to arco•oted for, said, that thst Go-
vernment had agreed to pay a million annually for
five yeirs, of which three were punctually paid ;
but the time allotted for discharging the other ewe
years, being Mot limited to nine months, was after.
wards wended to IS, end finallyio two years and
3 months; so that at the end of that lime, the whole
of the principal, with interest at 5 percent. would le
discharged, Ile, at the sometime. admitted the pro-
priety of appropriating to the discharge of the claims
of those who had not been retoenked, the surplus
that might remain over and above paying the other
creditors. The Right lion. Gentleman bad said,
that the whole tom t• be had from the French Go-
vernmeilt would never reach this country, bet be ex-
pended in keeping in repair the fortresses on the
frontiers of llollend. Could he be ignorant of the
purchases which had been made of vatesble colonies
in the West ladles from the Dutch ? In troth, if he
bad seriously epprehetided that so large a sum as two
millions had been misapplied, it was an indirect re-
proach upon him for having suffered it, and this was
now a late season to enquire Imes it. A distinction
had been drawn, insinuating that Government had
shown a greater partiality for the holders of funded
property than mercaotileciaiwants. The busioessof
vestigatioa might be accelerated with regard to funded
property; but it w as qoitedifferent with mercantile pros
petty, where it was obvious the claims of individuals
could hot be so easily ascertained. 'the present was a
question in which toot only the claimants were irate-!
seated, bet the Public in general. It ought to he
secollected that leciaestrations took place ors both
sides of the water : and that if British subjects had
suffered by them in Franco, Fiend' subjects had sof-
fered by them in England. Considerable property
bad been sequestered in 1793 ; bet is 1794 or 1795,
the law .1' hicts sanctioned such • mestere was repeal-
ed. It was not to be expected, and be wished it to
be distinctly understood, that the British Govern-
ment should identify itself with the speculations of
individuals. Upon those claims which appeared fair
and well-founded, a respectable body of individuals
would adjudicate; and he had no doubt that all dee
considesaiien would be given to the subject, so as to
effect an equitable adjustment on both sides.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT observed, that the pro-
perty of British individuals lied, io many cases, bete
sequestered its France, coutraty to the law of us-
lions.
Sir R. WILSON observed, that when the Noble
. Lord bad laid the late 'treaties on the table, he had
stated, that it was not his intention to bring them
wader the glottisl cousideratiun of the House; bet
that he was ready to •ffuril every information respect-
ing them. Ile should avail himself of this offer le
pat a short question, the objects of which were Si
remove the apprettestsions which existed in this coons
try, that, not withstanding we bad withdrawn oar
army from the Continent, we retained • political
ctonexion of an oneonstitatiosel nature; end, to
prove that we were not willing to invade those tights
in others, which In our own case we should defend
against all the world. In the Declaration of the five
Powers, dated 15th of November,
1818, were these words--" The object of this utiles
is as simple as it is great end salutary. It, does not
tend to any new political combinations, to say
change in the relations sanctioned by existing Trea-
ties. Calm and cut ss i ss int in its proceedings, it los
no other object than the maintenance of peace." If
the period had ended here, it would have been intel-
ligible ; but it went on to say—" And the parent**
of those transactions on which the peace was founded
and consolidated." Ile wished to know what were
toe transactions here evaraaterd ?
Lord CASTLE ItEAG II acid, that the passage al-
luded to these Tgestiss 'which bad already bees ap-
proved by Parliament.
The motion less then speed to.
SLAVE TKADE.
Mr. J. SMYTII, after a few observations, in the
course of which be regretted the valeta to which the
Slave Trade still prevailed, aotwithotatsding the Tres-
I ies oottcleded at ith foreleg, Powers for its so pptestit;n,
urged the necessity of taking immediate steps to carry
those Treatirs into effect, moved for Copies of ell
appointments of Commissioners intended to carry into
emotion the Treaties entered into wiry Portugal,
%pale, and the Netherlands, in 1817, respecting the
Slave Trade, and of all instructing's sent to Cam.
menders of cruisers on the coast of Africa relative to
the Huse subject.
Lard CASTLEHEAGII said he had no objection
In the motion, and admitted that the delay which bad
unavoidably taken place called for explanation. lie
admitted, that down to the present moment no in•
streciions had beet. given to our cruisers on the coast
of Afrka, because there were no fribunals as yet ap-
pointed where cases of tesstlrceptered in tbalbtraffic

could be tried. The delay in the appointment of
Commissioners *me from the difficulty of procur-
ing competent persons to undertake the office in the
Brazits,the Hiorannah, and Sierra Leone. This dif-
ficulty was, however, now at so end , tbeappoinimenta
were made out.
In answer tea geestion from Mr. DOUGLAS,
the purport of which we cnsid not collect, from the
low tone of .31Ce in which it was put, •
Sir C. ROBINSON went newly over the same
ground of esplioatioe which Lord Castlereagh bad
already stated, and expressed a hope that the Hesse
would be of opinion that on unnecessary delay had
taken place.
Doctor PIIILLIMORE maintained, that theses-
sons advanced from the otherlide of the Mese, went
I. show the ity of the motion. 'Abe Treaties
were 'peeled in July and September, 1817, so that
ample time had elapsed from that period till Nevem..
bee, 1818, fur the appointment of the Commissioeers.
Though the Chillies who were applied to refined to
accept °ribose appointments, there were many at the
Common Law Bit who would have gladly accepted
them. Ile was biome!, acquainted with two indivi•
duals who had applied in 'sin.
Lord CASTLEREAGH disclaimed say knew-
leg. of the applications alluded to. His only object
ss to find persons duly qualified, but it was soot
always possible to get Cummissiowess cut and dry
for the purposes of every Act of Parliament.
Mr. ELLIS declared the satisfaction which be felt
et the measures that were takes to put en end so that
inhume traffic, and trusted that they would be
filially enabled to prevent a trade so abhorrent to
tarry civilized feeling.
Mr. WILBERFORCE else eapreased mach satis-
faction at what had been done, bet feared that the
object of the Trestles could not be carried into effect
if they did not gn further.
Mr. W. smini regretted that the trade was atilt
carried on, bet when he recollected the difficulty with
which the passing of the Abolition Act was attended
In this country, he was not surprised that the Con-
tinent of Europe should be so slow in its proceedings.
—He relied, however, upon the staeugth of the case,
I and hoped that the prohibition would be rendered
effecteal by making she offence piracy et last.
Mr. MARRYAT considered that great credit was
doe to Ministers for what they had done; and he
was of opinion that it was only by persevering in a
peaceable manner, that the country coeld gain a final
triumph over the detestable traffic. The happy effects
resulting from pacific measures had been shown in-
•liat was dose for de Abolition in France and Spain,'
and a continued perseverance in such measures would
lead toe happy conclusion.
The ATTORNEY.GENERAL contended, there
had been no delay on the part of Ministers; bet, es
the contrary, every thing bad been done which could,
;'consistently with the important duties they bad I.
discharge to the reentry. Ile might farther sly, that
no delay bad taken place, at there was a general so-
w illiogoes In Learned Gentlemen to accept Alt Offices
of Commissioners. He was the most determined
enemy of the Slave Trade; bet be earned that means
had been employed by many, no doubt from the best
of all motives, which had led to abuse in some in.
stances. - _ .

Nit. WYNN thought that Ministers should hare
enquired. %bat persona were It for the sitostionsoied
that flied salaries should hese beta ellotted to them. 1.
such an Important core no time ahoeld bare been test,
bet whit was thecsse? Why the noose had beard ofno
person being lit all appointed. Ile would rest satisfird,
if the motion could base this egert of secelerating the
appointmeor. because it was iodispensibly necessary
that tin delay shoved take place.
Lord CASTLEREAGH could asters the lien.
'Wisher, that the elution could here no such effect,
as *very thing had been (low, which could be done,
to bring it to • speedy sod proper cooclesion.
Mr. sNirrit replied. Aber which the motion was
pet and agreed te.—Adjawsed at 11 .'deck.