The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-03-12 00:00:00

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TILE STATESMAN.
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LONDON:
• 111VIIISIATe MANCH 12, 1818.
•
by the Shipping Intelligence tq-day we observe,
with much satisfaction, that so losses hue been sus.
taitteJ on the Leith coast.

•

The Indemnity Bill was fully discussed last night
In the House of Commons, on the third reading.—
The debate afforded ample scope for eloquence and
nnergy in displaying the iniquity of the measures
which have been pursued by a corrupt and a►bitrary
Administration; to keep the People in subjection to
'their thraldom, and impois •pots the nation /heir
law and Gevernment as the Coststkution of Siseeoun-
try. Some of the speech,. 'against indemnification
for *hese measures were excellent; but if majorities
air votes be triumphs to Ministers, in spite of
all the reasons urged against the Bill, in spite of
Conviction itself, the majority in favour of Indent-
pity amounted to 173, there being 238 to 65. To
produce this happy result for Spies, Jailers, In-
formers, and their official employers, Mr. CAN.
NINO made a most furious defence of the Spy
S)stem, and actually found a precedent for it,
Pot rather an unlucky one, in Bowen, where
poor PRIAM, amidst his incapable Ministers, is in-
formed of the destruction of 'rroy, more by the
flames raised around him than by the friendly soli.
citode of the guardian Oliver of that day. It is cu.
;loos to see what arguments and histories, bearing
upon any thing but the point in question, are set up
to disprove evident facts, and how such arguments
are received as triumphant refutation. Mr. Law was
Soother of the Ministerial defenders, who expatiated
largely on the propriety and lenity of the system for
putting down the Reformers. He declared, that to ter-
rinate the system of delegation adopted by the Re-
formers, was the object of the measures of the Suspen.
lion ; that is the system of delegating such men as Oli-
rer to parade the country, and blow the materials of
combustion into flame, was wisely and prudently re-
torted to by the Government ; sod Mr. LAW, for
delivering this speech, 64 sat down amidst loud
cheering from the Treasury Bench !" We ought
not to be surprised at any thing that occurs, after
the proceedings connected Kith this memorable le-
gislative measure; but it is really as surprising as it
h amusing and instructive, to observe the character of
these avowed proceedings, and the nature of the de-
fences made for them—

•' To lamb outright vtere sivn of wan, Ounce,
And to be grave ricer& all power of face."
These patrons of renegado democrats, and josti-
liers of the seizure of innocent men's property, can
easily conceive how illogal actions might have been
committed, )et be absolutely necessary and legally
justifiable, from the same patriotic motive that
suggested the expeditions of the Spies and Delegates
from tine Home Secretary's Office. They also think
concealment extremely decorous and necessary, in re-
gard to their Informers, but pronounce all other
statements false, unless the names of the parties are
disclosed.' But what is the most strange part of all
this. strange business ic, that
.names though given

mould be held as nothing, for even the oath of re-
epectable men at the bar of the House is refused to
tracts of the utmost importance alleged and denied
lit the House. It is attempted to quibble easy the
feet of Oliaer's basing been in the Park inciting the
populace, in the grossest language to outrage. In-

•toad of tbts contemptible mode. of meeting the
assertion, let the fact be investigated. We have
heard the Gentleman who saw Olivcr state the
particulars of his conduct on the occasiuss alluded to,
and his veracity and respectability are well known
sod acknowledged in the City. Mr. CANNING OM

this Gentleman a traitor, because he did not g 6 for-
vieerel and ledge information with Government of
Oliver', conduct. This Gentleman is far from me-
riting such on epithet ; nor did be conceal what he
bad witnessed in the Park on the memorable day of
the insult to the REGeNT. The circumstance was
mentioned, and made a 'Subject of very general con-
versation in Companies six and nine months ago.,
Why did not the Spies mud Informers whoa Ministers
keep in their pay mate them acquainted with this
particular ? Can it be asserted that this pretended
ignorance extended to the Home Office ? And
why, if it is not to screen Oliver for this act.
(and Heaven knows how many of a darker cha-
racter, of which the Public are ignorant), is the
Indemnity to Spies made to have a retrospective effect
so far back as the 26th of January, 1817 ? This art.
fiat and convicted villain, whose authority lies been
so much relied upon, is' now espusfd, and ample
proof can be produced of his treason. lYhat is pro-
posed to be done respecting hirer ? Why " thl much
injured individual," whose character may be easily
collected in Ratcliff-highway, and the most notorious
parts of the Erst end of this metropolis, is to he
protected by an Act of Parliament, and probably
to have something better than another certificate of his
loyalty pat in his pocket. When Spies like Reynold:get
places of a thousand a year, are made Grand Jury-
men a Counties, and have their sons provided for
with situations in the Treasury, Oliver may Dow
look to sowetbing beyubd a rope.

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