The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-17 00:00:00

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•n the trial against hitn,—((fear, hear,)—as well as
the names of all the jurors by whom he was to he tried.
When the trial came ou, no witnesses could be re-ex-
amine(' ; and, what was perhaps the greatest &than-
Lige of all, counsel was, from lir st to last, allowed to
the defendant. The only innovation of tt bleb he was
aware, was the introduction of the English law of
. %mum, which had Wen made applicable to Fastland
at the time of the Union ; and he admitted that the
'proceedings under the law were not so favourable to
the accused as those under the law of Scotland.
Mr. KENNEDY meant to propose that the bill
should be printed, and read a second time a week
hence, profrrnae, with an understanding betweeu the
Learned Lord and himself, that it should stand over
till April, subject to acy future robtponctuent that
might be necessary.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR was not disposed to agree with
the view which the Learned Lord bad taken of the
criminal courts in Scotland. Ile adverted to the sew
teoce passed on Mr. Muir in 1791, and on the autho-
rity of the ablest lawyers of the day, Le professed
himself prepared to contend with the Learned Lord,
that the court, in passing that anatence, had exceeded
Its powers.
I lie LORD ADVOCATE explained, and stated his
rt•atlitiess, whenever occasion should offer, to demon-
strate the legality of that lodgment. The question
had recently undergone a solemn discussion in the
bttyregOE court of Scotland, and the legality of the hen-
teuree had been established by its 'decision.
111 r. J. P. GRANT could not sit in silence, and hear
it said that a tioletnn decision of the supreme court of
Scotland had approved of that judgment, when he
'strew that the ablest judge on that bench had expressed
a different opiuiou ; and he was prepared to asset t that
Ciere was no lawyer of eminence in Scotland who did
not entertain at least the gravest doubts on the sub-
ject.--((lear, hear.)
The b:11 was then read a first time, and appointed
to be read a second time on Thursday next. It was
dered to be printed.
Mr. MARK VAT presented a petition from the mer-
e:ante:Lod others engaged in the trade to North Ame-
r:ea, praying that the House would nut consent to any
I:iteration of the laws relating to the importation of
t..:.!ier that might give an advantage to fureignera.—
Orlered to be printed.
IRISH UNION DUTIES.
Mr. CURWEN presented a petition from the town
of Kende!, in Westmoreland, praying the House to
'eoi.sitler the propriety of repealing the act of last ses-
sion, for coatitioing the Irish Union Duties. The
Von. Mention' enforced the prayer of the petition, and
suggested the propriety of appointing a committee to
inirtire into the subject.
Sir H. PARNELL supported the petition, which lis
conceived to involve a question of great importance to
• the country.
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON deprecated the object as in-
.jurious to the interests of Ireland ; and he could state
trout his oo u knowledge, that if accomplished, it
.would throw a great number of persons out of bread.
Mr. LITTLEION and Lord ALTIIORP were in favour
•f the prayer of the petition.
Sir J. NEWPORT could not see bow toe going
into a committee on this subject could injure the manu-
factures of Ireland. The intercourse between the two
countries ought to subsist upon the same footing as
the intercourse betweew any two ports of Great Britain.
Mr. PEEL felt himself hound to express his earnest
Lope, as one connected with the county represented by
Lis. lion. Friend behind him (Mr. Littleton), but Touch
5:. ire as one deeply interested in the prosperity of Ire-
land, that his (Light lion. Friend would give his earliest
vonsithrration to this important subject.—(Hear, hear,
hear.)—Ile was perfectly certain that it would he for
the interests both of Great Britain and Ireland that
tirese heavy restrictions, which only fettered and im-
p ale:I their mutual communication and prosperity,
ar.oniti he removed.
1 he I'HANCEL',OR of the EXCIIEQI EIL said that
it was impossible for hint not to give some explanation
butt. of iris conduct, last session, in proposing the re-
Lewal of these duties, anti of the general principles by
whieh he should be guided as to this matter. At the
end of ISM government were most seriously urged and
entreated not to take the Irish trailers by surprise, in
onsequetire of a sudden reduction of these protecting
duties. A variety of weighty difficulties, however, had
orceurred upon this subject, to his Majesty's govern-
went Cand he did still doubt whether inconveniences
%mild not arise from the revision of this system, much
greater that had yet been experienced from its conti-
nuance. .The ayatem of drawback' and countervailing
duties, which the institution of the protecting duties
bad instituted, he did, however, consider to be unwise
dad impolitic ; and be entirely agreed with the Honour-
. qble Batonet opposite, that the sooner it cott:d be re-
formed sad altered the better.—((Hoar, bear.)
Mr. U RICE FITZGERALD was very glad that
this anititin had. It length, been brought miller the con-
sideratioa of the House; but he was particularly pleased
with the Manner in which it bad been treated. lie must
protest igainst the doctrine of raising any revenue by
charging a tlnty np m the intercourse between the two
countries. It was tin injury to the manufacturer, whose
goods were to be soli!; ana an injory. to the consumer,
by wham they were to be purchased in the other island.
'to illustrate the impoliry of the prevailing system, he
seed state hut one fart ; for the authenticity of which
be could appeal to the Right lion. Gentleman opposite
(Mr. Pert.) When Mr. Peel was Secretary of Ireland.
lie (Mr. Fitzgerald) found out cases, (which he commu-
nicated or the *Right Hon. Gentleman) in which the
enatorn-hone charges upon the freight of vessel s, en-
gaged in our own coasting tradeonly, actually amounted
to a duty of VC per Cent.
Mr. CURW.b4N.elsosely mg
:tined.
Mr. SHAW said, that when the renewal of the pro-
Meting duties was first proposes by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, he presented several petitions against
tneasarre, the intelligence of which bad created
great alarm among his constituents..
Sir lIEXRY PARNELL said that he had been
suisunderatood. It was assumed by the hon. member
for Cork that be was anxious for the redaction of
th:se duties at once. On the contrary, he is hilted
them to be gradually reduced.
Mr. H''TCHINSON explained.
An Hun.: Ileitnim said that these duties were de-
precated by all parties; bat there was oneclass among
those who bad been mentioned as aggrieved that had
net been nabsed—he meant the agricultural interest,
who were, however, severe.sufferees.
After a few words from Mr. BROWNE, which we'
could not heat, the 'potitiOn was brought up, read,
and orderefil• to be printed. • •
Mr. ARBUTHNOT laid lipid &hatable the esti-
mates of Oil *eonnalloaelat. tiimMing, and barrack
departments lorllsegurieni year.

THE: ST

14,
Mr. IIORACE TWISS gave wilier, that be should .1
on Monday fortnight, move (or leave t,) bring in a 1
bill fur the greater dispatch of retain Wiliness Nth
Court of Chantcrv. [We underttood the motion to
apply to matters of bankruptry]: --
j Mr. t lIETWYNDE moved fur a retort' of all,
lines imposed by the Court of King's Bench, and ofl
all t‘tirli as have been paid within the last 3 years.
'I he names of members absent from the ballot of
tte4lay, and ordered to be set aside, were directed W
reportel on Movolav nest.
COURT OF SESSION ACTS.
The LORD ADVOCATE moved that the report
received.
Mr. CREEVEY wished to know from the Learned
Lord whether the new hill, proposed to be I,rought
in, was occasioned by the suggestions of the Parl.ia4
t mentary Cotontissioners.
The LORD ADVOCATE replied in the Ann,

ative.
Mr. CREEVEY said that it appeared then to be
the satne course that was adopted respecting the
Courts of Irrbiutl ; but c. 4 rtainly wore inforina!iva
ought to have been giantetl. The subject ought to
have been referred to two select conituittees--a cow-

mittee fur each county.
Mr. KE:NEOY thought the eppointment of som-
mittees would have been inadvisable ; but he should
wish to be informed if the provisions of the bill bad
all been recommended by the commissioners.
The LORD ADVOCATE said that lie would stifl-
ingly he every information in the proper stage ; but
he could now say that they were generally approved
of by the commissioners.
The report was received, awl leave was given top
bring in a bill in pursuance of the resolutions.
IRISH JUDGES SALARIES.
'llse house resolved itself into a Committee un this
subject.
On the 'notion of Mr. C. GRANT, the reports of
the Parliamentary Commissioners was referred to the
Committee.
Several sows were voted tolls, officers of the eliffer-.1
eta tour:* of law in Ireland, amid the report was ordered
to be received on Monday.
COMPENSATION TO THE CLERKS OF THE COURT
OF ADMIRALTY IN SCOTLAND.
The LORD ADVOCATE wuved that,tlre report be
brought up.
Mr. CHEEVEY objected to this motion. To him
this topic of compensatio► wai one of great sitspis ion.
(Hear.)—If they were trustees fur a private individual
and not for a distressed people, they would examine
every claim of compensation with great care, and even
with suspicion. Whether compensation ought or ought
not to be granted si 14 be ascertained by careful in-
spection of the facts He would therefore move an
amendment that the report he brought up un Monday
se'nuight, and upon that amendment he would take the
sense of the house.
Mr. KENNEDY said be had thought that the Com-
missioners were too much disposed to give compensa-
tion. lf, however, the recommendation cause hem
them he would agree to it ; but as no information ..f
that kind had been given, he would support the amend-
ment.
The LORD A DVUCAT K said he bad no objection to
delay whets the object was to obtain information. But
he would say, respecting compensation in this ease,
that if Parliament thought proper to abolish offices on
the recotau►endation of the Commissioners, and the
necessary and unavoidable effect was to deprive indi-
viduals of otlices with which they were invested for tife,,
it was but fair to give them compensation. If the lion.
Member (Mr. ('reevey) would consent that the report
!boob' be brought up now, the consideration ot it
might be delayed till Monday se'nnight.
When the que.stion was pit,
Mr. CREEVEY called for a division, and the gal-
lery was nearly elearel. when
Lord CASTLEREAGH was seen on his legs, but
was not heard in the gallery.
The report was then h: • .;;ht up without a division,
and the further consideration appointed for Monday
se'nnight.

FLAX AND corrON ACTS,
The order was read, and postponed till Monday
next.

ARMY FATIIIATES.
Lord PALNIERSTON brought up the Pi timates of

land forces.
Mr. HUME inquired if the military stores, we be-
lies?, were included.
Lord PALM IC itSTON 'replied in the negative.
The estimate.; were ordered to be taken into cons
iteration this day fortnig.ht. •
Malls,' MUSEUM.
Mr. LENNARD said, that in bringing forward the
subject of which he had given notice, he would remark
that the subjects of natural history, and the Elgin
marbles, in the British 3lur.eum, were with gust
liberality claws n open to the public. Bat he had to
complain that there was a ,litheulty of access to other
parts of the Museum, which were nut less iotportaat
or less interesting. In France public establishments
of this kiwi were accessible with every possible faci-
lity ; awl lie might make the sause Remark of the
tleological Institution in this country. why, this,
should not every facility be given to the visitors,ef
the British Museum? if the officers were net milky-
rous enough, let their a*evber he increased; if thpit
salaries were nut large enough fur socii roustnnt
attendance as might be required, let an inereasecof
salary be granted. 'flue lion. Gentlem in then weint
on to say that stranzers were not admitted to certain
parts of the lit itish Mitsetum without trennimentiations
trout the Trustees, and this, he conceive.!, was making
that which was for the pblic itenefit an object of pri-
vate favour and patronage. His object on the present
occasion was, that the accounts of the numl.er of per-
sons admitted, and also the number of applications
for admission, to those parts shouts' he submitted to
the House, before the estimates fur this establishment
were brought forward. lie concluded by moving 1
that there be laid before the House an nceattnt of the 1
number of applications for admission to the reading-
rooms of the British Museum ; also for the same to
inspect the coins and medals nut generally shown ;
also to inspect the prints, drawings, and manuscripts,
or any part thereof, not generally shows; and also
thr number of such applications which were complied
with, the motion to extend to all such application*
made within the last five years.
Mr. C. LONG said, that his object in rising was not
to oppose the 'notion of the Hon. Member, bat to assert
the House that it was net ton the wish thou the duty of

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