Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-02

From London papers, received at the otlce
OF the N. York Commercial Advertiser.
HOUSE OF LORDS, July IL.
PETITION FROM THE QUEEN.
Lord Auckland presented petition from
the queen, 10 the purport that her majesty
had learnt that the I'd reading of the bill was
fixed for the Eth Of August, and her majesty
prayed to be allowed to have copies of the
dispositions, and the list OF the witnesses,the
better TO enable her to 60 into her defence.
His lordship said that noble friend OF his
would bring forward a specific motion, as to
the question OF granting list OF witnesses to
the queen. on Friday; for which day their
lo.dships are TO be summoned.
Lord Lauderdale thought that IN case OF
such great Importance committee should
be appointed 10 search generally for prece-
dents in cases of bills OF attaihder, and OF
bills Of pains and penalties and bis lord.
ship moved accordingly.
Lord Bathurst moved as an amendment,
that the motion be extended to cases Of i'm
peachments: which was carried, on divi-
sion, by l8 to 10.
Thursday, July IS.
Lord Peterborough moved the second read
ing of The marriage act amendment bill
The lord chancellor and lord Redesdale
opposed the second reading of the BILL
The house diyided-for the second read
ing, 80; against it 26; majority s.
The bill was then read a second time and
was ordered 10 be committed on Monday
next.
THE QUEEN.
Lord Erskne said. he should detain their
lordships at no great length. When he men,
toned the subject before, it did not strike
him that the noble lord opposite, had come
TO any definite opinion on the subject. He
thought the list OF witnesses might be fur
nished in order to prepare the ilustrious
perscpage tor her defence, without which
she could not with justice enter upon 1t he
considered this bill IN the nature OF Crimi-
charge at all and If they did not grant his
proposition hey would be acting contrary to
law and justice. j he queen was charged
W 18th all adul,erous intercourse, by the oil,
with person, originally in a meniaI capacl-
ty, which lasted Tor SIX years, and IN coun.
tries most remote from each other, SO that no
definite place OF point OF tine was specified
to which she might direct her defence. heir
lordshlps were the resources 81 all law and
set an example of both to all interior magIs-
trates, anu 10 the whole country. He Con-
tended that in cases OF high treason, lists Ut
Witnesses were granted, because the whole
OF the influence OF the crown Was employed
against the prisoner. Such an indulgence
Was equally necessary here, where the whole
power aud influence ot the crown was to be
used against lne accused person. The list
ui witnesses was not more necessary in Or
that they mIgni be made to contradict lhem-
Selves. 1t was IN vain TO Tell him, alter nis
long experience III courts Ut law, that it was
not absolutely necessary 10 have lists OF
witnesses IN order that it might be fully
knCHn who and what they were, to exhibit
helr irue character tor honesty, integrity,
and credlblity. a departure from these
sound PRINCIPLES OF jurisprudence and JUS
tice, had orerthrown princes, overturned
could think that he spoke from any bias tor
ne threw every thing Out Of this question
lthough he had had the honor OF serving bis
majesty out regard for justice, love for the
constitution, and true respect tor the ho-
nor and dignity oil The crown. He had spent
the greater part oil his lite in two proies
slons, where honor were the only steps to
preiermeni and he tek far more now that
nothing else should influence his conduct.
Ii the list OF witnesses were sent toi, her
majesty would, perhaps, not merely take up
heI case where the evidence Tor the crown
closed; but she might take il up at the be-
ginning or middle OF the proceedings against
her, in order TO compel them to speak the
truth if possible. He did not say that this
would De the case; but they ought to give
her an opportunity of doing so if she could.
The mode OF administering justice differed
In various countries; but the principles of
justice were the same in ALL He lnsianced