The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-24 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATUEi'DAY, PEBILtJARY. 21, 1821

gad arodvk r died tit Me

PRlca SEVAN

N°• 5005.

THREE NEW PURLICATIONIL
The Three undernsentiooed Important Ne*Worts
Day published, by Sir Ricamtv iists.Lin sod Cio.l
Bridge-street, and May be had 6f all Bookosllers La thol
United Kingdom.
lINHE REMOIONS and RELIGIOUS CERS.
1. MONIES of all N vrio..4s.—Chrhit s. Wilms?
Medan', Jews, Oentoos. and Pagans; with 100
104. &I. is red, or Ifis. on royal paper. boards.
2. Thy GRAMM AR of Cl. ASS 'CAL LITERATURE. otr
negessory General Companion is the Study of the Classloi,
find the Latin sod Greek lAngwages • containing Anelewt'
sieography. Mvtholegy, Cuontriv. An and Biogra-
phy SEI4JAMIN JOIINW3N, A. M.! with 100 Maps
end Engravings: 414. bound.
S. The WONDERS of the HEAVENS. displayed in
Tasty Popular LECTURES on ASTRONOMY. with 46
Velwrior Ingraving.from Original Drawiags; by the Author
of the Weeders of the Worid ; 10s. 6d. in rod. or so royal
paper lA*. la boards.

Mr. LOCKHART presented a Petition front certain
Merchants and Sbip Owners of South Shields, against
anralteration in the Timber Duties.
M r. BRA N DLI NO presented a similar Petition.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR expressed his determination to
oppose any alteration in the Timber Duties.
Mr.hOCKHART said, that as the question would
shortly. cane before the House, he would not eater into
it at that instant, but he could not help saying, that
what was called a new and liberal system of trade, was
one open to objection, and dangerous, at a moment of
distress, to enter on. The cesstq, to that system, had
already sacrificed its agricultural system ; ft was now
called upon to sacrifice to the same prisciples. its peter'
nisi—its shipping and trade for the benefit of foreigners
without receiving any possible return.
Mr. LOCKHART presented a similar Petitillll
lir. Alexander Campbell, a Pionake of illtt
•of
St.,wisrard'a . •
- ~Petitions were referred to the Committer of Fo-

THUM IF (St. David's Day. Ist of March),
—• MA 111 OF 4'111.11, Oesseits aid Mtn
my( vs sntwtf !
TIIREE of 221,000 mutt be Draws is Us list flee *Mutes.
rill KISH respectfully_ rosmisids • Lis best Friends.
• the Public IlsoluTar approach of the Drawing, and
begs them ho Weedy In their applicatloa for Tickets and
Sharma, is the oily ones now on pie (and they are very
few), are those which Purchasers before Valentine's Day re•
bailed, but which am jum as likely to gala this Capitals a
other Numbers, Mill it ig very likely part of the Six of
XVI MUD may be amongst theme rejected.
'o.* There is osly one more day of Drawldg, after St.
David's Day.
4. Comilla', and 9, Chariag•Cross.

reign Trade.
hfr. CURTEIS wished to know from the Secretary of
the Treasury, whether there was any objection to return
to the use of wheat in distilleries? A prohibition
against the use of wheat was given at a time of public
scarcity, hut that cause no longer existed. It was for
the benefit of the revenue; but what was of still greater
importance, it would greatly promote the interest of
agriculture to take off that prohibition.
The SPEAKER requested the Honourable Gentle-
man to routine himself to the question which be

•
meant to rt.
Mr. Cl HTEIS said, that when the subject cane un-
der discussion, he hoped that some steps would be taken
that might lead to a useful result.
Mr. LCSitiNGTON said, that it was impossible to
give an answer to the liononrable Member. The ques-
tion was one of very great importance. it was nut at
present under consideration.
('HETWVNI) said, he bad moved for certain
return• under the Vagrant Act, which had not been
since foruished. Since that time he had received let-
ters from eifferent parts of the country, complaining
of grass and impudent frauds practised by race offi-
cers and constables. lie would now give notice, that
on Friday the 9th of 3larch, be would move fur a Se-
lect Committee to consider the present state of the
Vagrant Laws.
THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.
Mr. L. KECK presented a petition from the Protest-
ant Clergy of the Archdraconry of the County of Lei-
cester, praying that no alteration might be made in
the Liles whirl' aggrieve their Roman Catholic fellow-
subjects.—Ordered to lie oft the table.
CHURCH LANDS.
Sir T. LETHIIKIDUE gave notice, that on Friday
the 4.1 of March, he would move for leave to bring in a
WI! to enable the holders of Church Lands to alienate
the same.

THE CERTAINTY-OF THREE PRIZES OF .ell,OOO
And the possibility of ell Six of /611.000 being Drawn
NEXT THURSO tY, Ist of MARC)!,
(tax LASTADAY It T oval
Has caused so greet a demand for the few Tickets and
Shares that are left (of sale, that unless they are imme-
diately applied for. •
and J. SIV KI ti HT, the Contractors, fear they
er • shell not be able to supply those Friends who may
wish to partake of the advantages which the rich state bf
toe wheel affords.
•„• The only Tickets and Shares on Sale are those which
have bees returned ; but of course they have an equal
c'iance of gaining the Capitals as if they had never been
sold. Those Persons who returned their Numbers, but re-
gretting their precipitancy, and. reflecting on the mortifi-
cation they would feel if they should prove Capitals, would
wish to havethem back, may possibly procure them. if they
wake instant application.
Corohill ; 11, I tolborn ; and VI, Haymarket.

A. MOUNTAIN and Co., SARACEN'S lIP,AD
1•7• INN, finowttill. London. The following Post Coaches,
Mail Coaches, Le. set out from the above Inn:—
The "Telegraph," Ramsgate, Margate, and Canterbury
new post coach, every morning, at a quarter past seven.
In consequence of the decided preference given to the
above coach, the proprietors are determined no expence
',hall be spared to render it the first conveyance on that
road.
Dover, Deal, Raedwieh, and Feversham, every morning,
at a quarter past seven, and six in the evening.
Brampton, Chatham, Rochester, Sittingbourne, nod Rain-
ham. every morning. at a quarter past seven.
Valmoudt, Plymouth. Exeter. We% mouth, Dorchester,
Dartououthj end Salisbury, every morning, stoma, through
Ilonitob, fixreinster, Bridport, Rlandford, and Itssingstoke.
The " Union." Southampton, Lymington, Winchester,
and Nsingstoke nea conch, every morning vet eight ; ar-
rives at the Conch and Iforves, Southampton, by lye.
The proprietors of the above coach hope to receive a eon
Confiner of that support which has hitherto been experienced
..iece the commencement of the " Union." No racing w ith
other roaches.
A Bath and Bristol flying post coaches, through Chippen •
batik Caine, and Marlborough. every afternoon. at one.
COACUEs TO WELLS, HRIDOIMATILR, TACNTON,
AND PI.TMOL'TII.
The •11Belliplire," a new Liverpool light coach. oaly one
r.istit on the road. carrying four inside. sets out daily ;
tt,roeirla Woburn. Northampton. Weiford, Luttersvorth,
Hinckley, Atherstone, Lichfield, Stone, Newcastle, Lusts-
ford, Warrington. and Preston.
Shrewsbury, Wellington, and Shilfnal coach, every even-
inc. at Ave.
The "Union." Weymouth. Dorchester, Illandford, Solis-
intry, Andover, and ila,ingstole new post coach, every af-
t•unoon. at four. •
r'*: REnlot rII P ‘ctiETS TO GrERMOZT, JERSZT,
citranorac, ST. lil.ll.oltq. &e.

NEGLECT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS IN IRELAND.
Sir J. NEWPORT complained that cattails niters%
,srekls *mike op had Sin ordered, were not made
f otn Ireliad. the Right lion. Gentleman said, that
the neglect of those in public offices in Ireland crest, d
the utmost inconsenietwe and obstruction of the pub-
lic business. lie had no doubt but that the shameful
ne;lect of which he complained was not the result of
were inattention, but was dune to prevent inquiry into
public abuses. lie would now move that the papers
already ordered by the House from the Board of Cbs-
toms in Ireland, should be furnished in one week ; and,
in case the return was not made within that time, he
would most assuredly more that the Secretary of the
lloird of Customs, In Ireland, should be called to the

Bar of the House.
Mr. LUSHINOTON said, that there could be no
possible excuse for the neglect ; the papers required
were simple, and might he easily furnished,—The
motion was arreed to.
Sir J. SF.BIUGIJT presented a petition from cer-
tain Hundredt in Hertfordshire, complaining of the
state of agricultural Distress.—Ordered to lie on the
table.
Mr. S. WORTLEY presented • petition from Whi

The " Rockingham." Leeds n.sw light coach, sets out
ever) morning it eight ; and passes through Stamford,
Newark. Helfand, Ih;sicasti.r. and Ferrybridge, to the Gol-
den Lien. Leeds. next morning. alien.
NotwitlistandiT, the is nrommon eNperlition of this coaeh,
it is allon est to be the most nereenble end complete public
conveyauce on the north road, being unequalled by any
ether.
Glasgow. Longtown, Oretnn Green, Amin, Dumfries,
Itruwnlaill. Thornhill. Saminhar, Kiln, (*smock, Kiegswell,
:.id all parts of Scotland. a posicoseb daily.
oft.. Scorbursitich. Whitby. Shields, Sunderland, New-
el Ile and Edinburgh, new post coach, with a guard
it!roug4tosit ; sets oat every morning at nine, bv way of
Newark, Retforil, Tide:aster. Derlingion, Northallerton,
Perliam, Morpeth, and Berwick. Passengers finding thens-
',el% es fatigue 1 on Ilse jovrnev. may rest what time they
ttni then proceed on without auy additional fare.
Brides-north and Walsil poat coach every evening.
Marlborough and Swindon new roar inside coach. through
!!;!bons, Reading. La nattourn, Parton. Lydisigion. Pewsey,
'%ncton Rasset, Ranishury, Dungerforil and Newbury,
ry..r, morning.
Roston. /4Poldine. Peterborough. Stilton and ITentingdon
novel Mnil Coach. every evening ; to Spilsby, Leith,
Grimsby and Hull. every afternoon, at six.
Carlisle. Peoria, and Whltchaven near four inside Post
Coach : paises through !trough, Appleby, Oretnn-bride.
'.tiettmonil,Catteriek. Boroughbrkle. Wetherby. Aberford,
'ont:aster. and Ortuthem. Passengers detained on the
rert.l by business, or pleasure, have the peculiar advantage
cf their seats beiug secured in the next coach.
Kendal. Lancaster. Preston. Kirby-Lonssiale, Bolton,
C;orley. Ormskirk, and Oarstang post-couches, every af-
-1.. moon at Via e.
Liverpool, Warrington. Knutsford, Stone. Stafford, and
T:tehfietd post-coach. called the " Defiance.** every evening.
*h. Saracen's !lead inn. Dale-street, Liverpool.
Wakefield post-coach ea ery morning.
C:l..ster. Newport, NVlsiteciturc4. 'Farporley, Namptwich,
••-:.,n and Middlowich, post-coat+ every evening.
S,mderland. Stockton. and Vann coach, every morning,
t: tt,c Georce Inn. Sunderland.
_ V.serhester, W inslow. Con gleton, Newcastle. Weisel, and
o!verhassipton post-coach, every afternoon.
s'ielield and Rotherham post reach. called the Rocking-
! ."- even- morning at eight, and the Nelson at Nine.
Birmingham post-coach. sets out every afternoon at five,
71 passes through Leamington and Daventry, to tbe Sara-
a.vo's Rend. Bull-street. Birmingham.
Nortlicave, Howdeu, and Doncaster post- I
eoPeh. mere mortaine%
lierlford, Ware. Hoddesdon and Cbeshunt coach every
Troqling.
Tottenham and Edmonton coaches (daily) at eleven, half-
p: at two. five. roul eight.
mouNTAIN and CO. respectfully sequaint their
Fr;mashi and the Public. that they will not he account-
'. ,e for any Parcels, Passengers' Luggage, Writings, Plate.
1.1:• of more then rive Pounds value. it lost, stolen, or aloe
"ITel, males% entered as such. and the Insarrenee paid no-
"r4;1181), at the Saracen's Held Ina, Suoiruhill,

by, in the county of York, on the subject of the Timber
Duties.
?dr. LUSIIINGTON brought up a return of the
quavititv of soft soap and tallow.
Nfr. iIEAUMONT brought up a report from a com-
mittee, a.l obtained leave to bring in a Bill fur build-
ing a liaol in Bexhani, Northumberland.
Mr. WESTERN brought in a Bill fur building a
new Baul in Essex.—Read a first time, and ordered to
be read a second time on the 2d of March.
FINING DEFENDANTS FOR CONTEMPT.

- --
Mr. DENMAM said, he held in his hand a Petition
on a subject which demanded the serious attention of
the House—a subject highly important to the due ad-
ministration of justice in this country. The Petition
ss as from Thourts Usvidson, formerly of Duke-s;rt-et,
West Smithfield, but now a prisoner confine(' in Oak•
ham Jigg The Petitioner complained of having been
fined whilst making his defence by Mr. Justice Best,
before whom be was tried in the month of October
last. at Guildhall. lie (Mr. Denman) reeretted that
the Petition w s put into his hands. Hem had been
long in habits of acquaintance, indeed of friendship
with the Learned Judge. It was not necessary that
the Petition should have been put into the hands of a
lawyer, because the question was not so much a legal
question as a qnestion of constitutional right. The
Petitioner was tried for a blasphemons libel, and in
the course of his defence he was fined three times by
the Learned Judge. The first was a fine of 20!. in-
dicted on the Petitioner, because he stated to the
Jury that no Counsel at the Bar would cuter into au
honest defence of the defendant under existing- cir-
cumstances. The defendant, in the course of his de-
fence, was afterwards fined twice, each time in the
sum of 401.; so that during his defence he was fined a
stun of 1001. He (Mr. Denman) was not -aware that
there was any instance of any defendant having here
ever fined for what was said by him whilst defending
himself against a charge brought against him in a
Court of Justice.—(Hear, hear;)—that fact was
worthy the attent!on of the House. The Petitioner
had entered tete a sort of legal argument. He (Mr.
D.) had heard a Learned Friend of Isis (Mr. Cooper)
more for a new trial. His Learned Friend snpperted
his application with great ability, and displayed much
legal learning. The Petition new before the House

I +;,

qt.

contained a good deal of the argument of his Learne
Friend. The Petition asentitined two celebrated is-
stances, where the strongest language was uttered by
the defendants; but not punished by the Court. The
first was the case of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was pro-
secuted by Sir Edward Coke and Sir Francis Baron.
Sir Walter held language, which he was tolsk
was treasonable; yet the Conn did not fine him. The
next was the case of Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton
they were proceeded against in the Star Chamber.
The proceedings in that Court were carried en like
the proceedings in Chanceryof the present day, by bill
and answer. The defendanks auswered, aid threw
out the mast serious iturstabione on the Archbishop Ail'
Canterbury andfsers of the Judges. The Archbishop
oosisplalowellrblie Star Chamber, and wished that the
defendant should be punished for putttight each as
answer; but it was decided by the Star Chamber, that
no such power could be assented by the Court ; though
they held that the case was of a very scandaloni us
tore, and was aggravated by the answer ; yet as that
answer was put as a defence, the Star Chamber held
that they could not bring the defendant to an account
for it. The case of Col. Lilburne was another *wog in-
stance. Lilburne attacked the Judges in the course of
his defence, and though they frequently interfered its
prevent him, they never thought of imposing any Cie
upon him, and he was actually acquitted. Many other
cases of a similar nature might be cited. The case of
lard Cobham, who was tried fur heresy in the reigo
of Henry the Fifth, was a remarkable one. Lora
Cobham threw the most serious imputations willn all
his accusers, and violently abused the Arelibishirp of
Canterbury ; hut he was nut stopped by the Court,
though tried fir heresy in an age which looked with
horror upon any departure from established opinions.
Williams, who was tried for blasphemy before Lord
Kenyon, was defended by a tientleinan at the Bar,
who went into a defence of the doctrines of Pa:nr.
The Judge interrupted him, upon which the Cuans.l
said, that unless the b.tok fur the publication of whi s
the defendant was on trial, was left open fur tie-
fence, he saw no ground upon which the defendant
could be defended at all. Lord Kenyon did not 1.•-
, terrupt Couns:.l during the remainder of the trim.
From all these cases it would appear that the prac-
tice of fining a defendant WAS a novelty. Ile (Mr.
Denman) was not disposed to say that the COLA
had not a right to punish for contempt. The Court
certainly ought to have the power of vindicating its
own dignity. Such a power he conceived to be ea-
sential to the existence of the Courts of Justice. Bat
when Jndges go farther than that—when they as-
sume such a power as was assumed over the Petitioner,
be thought that they maid uist las watched ieltft tO5
4111111.11 jealousy. The proceeding was of a summary
bled. There was no Jury appealed to—k defeit.e
beard. If it were possible to bring a defendant before
a Jury for such an oCence, he might he able to skew
that he was not guilty of all offensive motives, and in
that case he would have been acquitted. Supposing
that he was indicted for uttering improper words, I.e
would have hail all the benefit of legal objections ar..l
of dates in the indictment. It might lie observed, too,
that in the summary manner complained of a fie,
might be inflicted, n hich the defendant might not b •
able to pay, which the Judge, with a knowledge vi
his circumstances, would not have inflicted—a flue.
%%hick might i.e nominal to one man, might be rain-
ons to another. There were other and very strong
grounds of ohjection to this assumed power. The
Petitioner stated, that he was intimidated in conse-
quence of the first tine, and was rendered unable to
proceed in Ilk defence with that freedom and ease ci
mind, which otheritise he would have preserved. It
was no answer to that assertion to say, that after the
Inc hail been imposed, he held strong and bold lan-
guage ; hr Was Ile• hest judce Of his feelings ; he be-t
knew what effect the severity of the Court had upon his
iiiiiid.—There was no calculating what would be the
extent of terror on the mind of a prisoner, if the Court
was to bold this power over Lis head, because though
lie might be acqnitted by the Jury of the charge for
which he was brought to trial, he might yet be ruined
by the tines itnpose.l on him during his defence, though
acquitted, be might leave the Conte a ruined man, or he
obliged to spend the rest of his life in gaol. The effect
of those fines would ekedy lead to intimidate the party
on his trial ; many persons had lately defended then:-
selves in political cases ; they did so with great ability;
they succeeded in Sollbe cases, where Counsel perhaps
wtoild not have succeeded fur them. Yet though a
man might obtain an acquittal, be might he fined for his
defence to a greater extent than the sum which ironld
he levied if lie had allowed judgment to lo by default.
The reasoning did not apply merely to political cases;
if on the trial of a political offence a Judge of the
King's !tench assnined such a power, any Judge or any
Magistrate might assume it almost under any pretence;
and thus in civil as well as in political cases—before in-
ferior as well as high tribunals, might a man he enlifect
to a heavy fine for urging points, and making observa-
tions, which lie at least might consider necessary fur bit
defence. Another strong object' to the existence of
this power was, that it con mined the Judge with the
party—(Hear')—which of 'ounce would prove injurious
to the party on his trial. Tboagli it was fair to observe
that in the case of the Petitomer, the Learned Jitd•sp
stated, and no doubt truly stated to the Jury, that he •
would take care that what hail passed in the progress of
the trial, shonl.l not disturb his calm consideration, or
prevent him from giving to the defendant the benefit nr
every topic of his defence. The legality of imposing
those fines had never been brought under the consideca.
tion of the Court, because those fines were remitted di
soon as the trial was over. If the question had come
before the Court of King's Bench, lie (Mr. Denman)
entertained a great doubt that they would have been
confirmed. The imputation which the defendant
threw upon the Bar, be (Mr. Penman) was eons ine'd
was a false imputation • but still lie was quite at 1 loss.
to conceive how it C0111:I he construe': into a contempt of
Court.—(Hear, bear.)—The Petitioner made a distinct
allegation, that in conseq muter of being fined, he was no'
able to proceed on his defence with that collected mi
--with that spirit and energy so necessary for a
placed in his situation. The language of die Petition
was unobjectionable. He did not intend to take

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