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at common law, and not mere non-conformity to particular points of doc trine. By introducing the 3rd Geo. IV. he (Mr Smith) had flattered himself at one time that he had done some service by amending and explaining the law in the respects he had mentioned. The, penalties denounced against the profession of these tenets by the common law were of the most heavy kind,-fine and imprisonment, at the pleasure of the judge, who was authorised therefore to take from a man the half of his fortune and years of his liberty for dissenting from the received doctrine of the Established Church! With the knowledge of facts like these, how was it possible that he should have made any such agreement as that imputed to him? (Hear, hear!) A statement of so serious and so mischievous a nature ought not to have been lightly made. The Hon. Gentleman, adverting to the other bill he had brought in for the relief of Unitarians from the obligation of taking certain oaths prescribed by the marriage ritual, observed, that after it had received the sanction of all the most responsible Ministers, it was thrown out in the other House. The petition he had now the honour to present, entered fully into the object. If the House should feel hereafter disposed to accede to its prayer, the denial of Christianity as such, and blasphemy, would of course remain offences at common law.

Mr. ROBERTSON cautioned the House to be aware how they encouraged too much the prevailing spirit of innovation.-The petition was then brought up and read.

Wednesday, June 22.

COUNTRY BANKS.

Mr. HUME presented a petition from Mr. Frederick Jones, complaining that he had demanded payment in gold for certain notes of the Castle Bank of Bristol, and was told by the clerk that it was not convenient to get at the gold then, and must call another day, at the same time tendering Bank of England notes in payment. The petitioner complained of this refusal to pay in gold, and said that upon consulting his legal adviser, he found he had no remedy but an action at law, on which he might not obtain judgment for nine months, and then be put off still further by a writ of error, or some such dilatory course. The Hon. Member observed, that the House must be aware of the operation of the currency upon the price of every article in the market, and that political economists attributed the Auctuation of general prices to some alteration which was effected by the working of the currency. His wish was, that before the close of the present session, a bill should be brought in to place country banks upon the same footing as the Bank of England-namely, that they should pay in gold on demand. ***** Mr. JOHN SMITH said, that the country banks were not only liable to pay in gold on demand, but he never knew an instance in which they were not ready to do so. Indeed, it would ruin the credit of any country banker to refuse such cash payments, and he was at a loss to understand the object of the petitioner.

Mr. BROUGHAM said, that the country banks were liable to pay in gold, as well as the Bank of England, since the passing of the last act The petitioner complained that in default of payment he had no remedy now but an action at law. Why, what other remedy would he have if a new law were passed? Indeed, a new law would be an evil, for it would raise a doubt upon that which was, he thought, perfectly clear at present; for beyond all doubt a country banker was bound to pay in specie on demand without a moment's delay.

Mr. HUMB replied. He was informed that the interpretation of the new act was such as to deprive the claimant of a right to that prompt arrest which existed at common law before.

Mr. HUSKISSON said that there was no doubt of the immediate responsibility of every banker in issuing a 20s. note.

Mr. HUME consented to withdraw the petition, till he had made inquiries concerning the facts.

AUSTRIAN OPPRESSION.

Mr. BROUGHAM wished to ask the Right Hon. Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he had received any advices of the arrest of General Devereux by the Austrian Government, within their dominions, through which he was travelling with an American passport?

Mr. CANNING said that he had received private information of the arrest under the circumstances described by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman. Mr. BROUGHAM said, that in the course of the last two sessions, be had, on a variety of occasions, been prevented from making allusions to the conduct of the Austrian, Prussian, and Spanish Governments, from the conviction which he had, that he was very likely, by so doing, to bring down new severities on many unfortunate persons who had fallen within their power.

DECCAN PRIZE-MONEY.

Mr. BERNAL wished to know if any speedy distribution of Deccan prizemoney was likely to be made?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that the Commissioners had nearly accomplished the task of making out the list of distributions. He could name no time for them.

Mr. BERNAL said, that unless something were done in the mean time, he would early next session move the House upon the subject.

Mr. BABING complained of the practice of tacking important clauses to bills upon the third reading, which were frequently of more consequence than the whole Bill, though suddenly thrust in without a chance of discussion. It was only the other night that a clause imposing the expense of a Church Establishment upon the West India Islands, many of which were able to bear it, was carried in this sudden and irregular manner.

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The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated the circumstances nader which that clanse had been introduced. It was, in fact, at the suggestion of the Hon Member for Aberdeen, who ought to be responsible, and not the Government.

LORD CHARLES SOMERSET.

Mr. BROUGHAM postponed his motion for taking into consideration the petition of Bishop Burnett against the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope until the beginning of the next session. Upon consideration, he found it would be very unjust to open charges which, from the probable duration of this session, could not be answered

Mr. CANNING said that leave of absence had been forwarded to Lord C. Somerset, that he might, if he so thought fit, return to meet the charges made against him, which were so frequent as to call for inquiry. But whether his Lordship came home or not, the Commissioners would prosecute their inquiry at the Cape; and until some return were made from them, he himself could not form an opinion upon the case.

Mr. BROUGHAM assented to the proposition of the Right Hon. Gentleman with this condition-that after ample time should have been given to Lord C. Somerset to make up his mind and to come home, he (Mr. Brougham) was not to be prevented from bringing on the subject on account of his Lordship's absence. (Hear, hear! from the Ministerial Bench.)

Lord EDWARD SOMERSET seized the first opportunity which presented itself of assuring the House, that his noble relative was most anxious that his whole conduct, and the measures of his government, should be submitted to the investigation of Parliament. He implored the House to suspend their judgment, until the report of the Commissioners had arrived. if his Noble Relative thought that his justification should need it, he would without hesitation avail biuself of the leave of absence, and return home. (Cheers.)

NEWSPAPERS.

What

The report of the Newspapers Bill was brought up and read. Mr. HOME entreated the Chancellor of the Exchequer to listen to his proposal for reducing the duties on newspapers, which he might do with out injury to the revenue. The doing away the restriction as to the size of the paper was good, so was the reduction of the stamp on supplements to two-pence, provided they contained nothing but advertisements. he proposed was, to reduce the stamp to two pence on all newspapers.— The reduction as it stood would do no good to those establishments which most needed it. The duty was increased 1d. in 1814, but the increase in the revenue did not correspond. The increase from 1806 to 1814 in newspaper revenue was 300,000. In the nine years following, with the addition of 1d. on the stamp, the increase was only 4,000/; whereas it ought, if it had followed the proportion, to have produced 100,000. An additional shilling was laid upon the two and threepenny advertisements, which had produced no corresponding increase. Philadelphia was ten times less than Liverpool in size and commercial consequence; yet six times as many papers circulated at Philadelphia as at Liverpool, and there were seventy times as many advertisements published, the price for iusertion being about 6d. ; the price of the newspaper itself, 14d. Reduce the duty on advertisements to 1s and the stamp so that the paper might sell at 3d., and more newspapers would be circulated and more revenue collected. He would guarantee the Right Hon. Gentleman against loss (Laughter.) So anxious was he, that he would almost become personally responsible, if, at the end of the year, any loss should accrue." Mr H. entreated the trial for one year, and concluded by moving to leave out the word "supplement," for the purpose of reducing the stamp on all newspapers to 2d.

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The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would have taken the guarantee of the Hon. Gentleman for the purchase of an estate, but could not in a matter of half a million of revenue. What might be done hereafter, he could not say; but really so much had been done with so many kinds of taxes, in reducing them, that there was no opportunity left for more experiments at present.

After a few words from Mr. HUME, the clause was negatived; and the bill was read a third time and passed.

The Customs' Laws Repeal Bill, was read a third time and passed.

CRUEL TREATMENT OF CATTLE BILL.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAI. said, that as the law now stood, maiming or wounding cattle, whether it originated in a malicious design or otherwise, was viewed as a felony against the owner. In the course of the last Session, the Hon. Member (Mr. Martin) had brought in a bill, which passed this House, but was thrown out in the other, by which the offence that was made a felony by the bill of his Learned Friend the Member for Knaresborough would have been reduced to a misdemeanour. Now how did the Hon. Member, in the present instance, endeavour to get over this difficulty? Why, by introducing a proviso in the present bill, which set forth, that nothing contained in that bill should be construed to extend to the bill introduced three years ago by the Learned Member for Kuaresborough; thus declaring, that a particular offence was a misdemeanor, which said offence was, by the former bill, the provisions of which were not to be repealed, declared to be a felony. So that the offence was, it appeared, to be both a felony and a misdemeanor. (Hear!) Such a contradictory measure could not pass into a law.

Mr. R. MARTIN would maintain that this was a bill of the Attorney. General's, except that part to which allusion bad been made; but if the Attorney General would strike out everything in the present bill, and make it precisely similar to the bill of which the Learned Gentleman was the author, he would be satisfied. If the Attorney-General thus stood

forward to oppose bills which had in view the interests of humanity, he feared the public would look upon the House of Commons as a very bad place for the education of a Judge.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL said, if the Hon. Member could reconcile the first and last clauses of the bill, he would support the measure.

Mr. MONCK said it was easy to cure the defect, by leaving out the words relative to cattle, and merely stating, that if any person or persons shall maim, cut, or wound, any dog, he shall be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor. After a few words from Mr. S. RICE, the Gallery was cleared for a divi. sion, when the numbers appeared to be-For the second reading, 18Against it, 27-Majority against it, 9.

SPRING-GUNS.

Mr. TENNYSON said, the frequent occurrence of accidents from springguns being accidentally discharged, proved the necessity of some alteration being made in the law as it at present existed. Even in cases where the guns had the effect which was intended, the punishment was far too great for the offence, because it inflicted the punishment of death, or worse than death, for crimes to which the law of the land had awarded a much more lenient sentence. The practice was repugnant to common humanity, and countenanced the commission of homicide in cases where it was wholly unjustifiable.

Mr S WORTLEY contended that it was perfectly legal for a person to set spring-guns Every Judge on the bench had over and over again declared, that it was legal for an individual to place such instruments on bis grounds.

Sir F BURDETT said, that instances were perpetually occurring of a kind of assassination (it deserved no better term) being committed on innocent persons. (Hear!) He apprehended that it was not so clear a point that persons had a right to set spring guns. Previously to the last decision, the Judges were divided. So tender was the English law of human life, that it would not permit it to be destroyed if a person could by any possible means defend his property without destroying it. It was totally inconsistent, then, with the humane principle of the law, blindly as it were to destroy individuals innocent or guilty, but who, if guilty, would not incur a penalty equal to that which was inflicted upon them by the setter of spring-guns. (Hear!)

Lord Bathurst, the British Cabinet, &c. According to the statement of the Governor himself, all law and authority were outrageously violated; and though the Magistrates acknowledged that they were aware of the intentions of the rioters, they admitted that they took no measures to counteract their object!-After touching upon the case of the unfortunate Mr. Smith of Demerara, Mr. Buxton concluded his speech by moving, "That this House, having taken into their most serious consideration the papers laid before them, relating to the demolition of the Methodist chapel in Barbadoes, and the expulsion of Mr. Shrewsbury, a licensed teacher of religion, deem it their duty to declare, that they view with the utmost amazement and detestation that scandalous and daring violation of law; and that they beseech his Majesty to take such steps as shall secure the reconstruction of the chapel, at the expense of the colony of Burbadoes; and to assure his Majesty, that this House will afford him every assistance which may be required, in order to prevent the recurrence of such outrages, and in order to secure ample protection and religions toleration to all his Majesty's subjects in that part of bis dominions.”

Mr. W. HORTON said, the unfortunate occurrence arose entirely from the state of slavery which had been so long sanctioned by that House, and that dread for the security of property, founded on the irritation of the planters. Measures of conciliation, he thought, were the best adapted to remedy such mischiefs.

Mr. W SMITH observed, that conciliation had been tried for a twelvemonth, and he was sorry to find that it had not produced the beneficial effects which had been expected. There was not even a shadow of a charge against Mr. Shrewsbury, nor the slightest pretext for the outrages committed at Barbadoes.

Mr. CANNING said, that with respect to the act itself, there could be but one opinion upon it, namely, that it was most unjustifiable, wholly indefensible, a violation of law, and a defiance of authority. (Hear, hear, hear!) In every expression of abhorrence at such a gross outrage he fully concurred with what had fallen from the Honourable Mover. Where he differed was, in the course most proper to adopt. It was his convicIt was tion, the House should be directed by practical considerations expedient so to regulate its interposition, that, while it expressed its indignation at the enormous outrage itself, it should have the effect of preventing hereafter the repetition of such similar acts. He was most disinclined to disparage the labours of the Wesleyan Missionaries, but spring-education and moral improvement of the inhabitants of the West ludies with every due sense of their merits, he was not disposed to confine the

Mr. R. COLBORNE supported the principle of allowing spring-guns to be set by night only, and not to be used by day.

Mr. HUDSON GURNEY did not believe that the practice of setting guns at all was lawful, and hoped that it would never become so. The House divided-For the bill, 39-Against it, 27.

Thursday, June 23.

to their protection exclusively, or even to the Missionaries of the Church Establishment. He was the friend to toleration in the most ample extent. The Governor of Barbadoes had acted under misadvice; but he possessed the fullest means to put down riot and insurrection. The only fault was that there was a non-use of such anthority. The outrage was a case for the House of Commons to express its opinion upon-not in censore of the Government, but in aid of its anthority, and in approval of those measures which it had promptly adopted to prevent any future repetition of the same unjustifiable and scandalous character. With respect to penal indietions on large bodies, their occurrence was rare in the legislative history of this country. Before Governments proceeded to such a course, they were bound to look to the effects; for when once the decision was made, we should, with every nerve, prepare for the utmost consequences. Believing that the course he was about to recommend was most expedient, he should propose to omit a branch of the Hon. Member's Resolution; and by the supply of other words, render the whole more advantageous to the object sought. He should therefore move a Resolution to the following effect:-"That this House, having taken into its most serious consideration the papers laid on the table relating to the demolition of the Mewith indignation that most daring and scandalous violation of law; and that they have seen with satisfaction the instructions sent out by his Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Governor of Barbadoes, to prevent the recurrence of similar acts of outrage: and they beg to assure his Majesty of their readiness to concur in all measures calculated to secure ample protection and religious toleration for all his Majesty's subjects in the West India Colonies" (Hear, hear, hear!)

CASE OF MR. SHREWSBURY, THE MISSIONARY AT BARBADOES. Mr. BUXTON introduced to the House the case of Mr. Shrewsbury, the Missionary at Barbadoes, whose character, he said, was that of a pious, able, and exemplary Dissenting Minister. He had married the daughter of a Planter, and could not be deemed a violent friend to the abolition system. He had resided in Barbadoes nearly four years, during which time he had borne all sorts of ill usage with the utmost meekness. Persous bearing the character of Gentlemen in Barbadoes came into his chapel with their hats on, whistling, &c. In 1823, a fiercer spirit began to display itself. Merchants and others dressed like gentlemen called him a villain in the public streets. His chapel was surrounded on Sunday, Oct 5, 1823, by a concourse of people. Bottles filled with aquafortis and assafoetida were thrown among his congregation. One of them nearly bit Mr. S. on the head, and did strike another person. One lady was a good deal burned; and a lawyer, one of the rioters, took his station at the communion table, instigating the mob to violence. They threatened to pull down his chapel. On Sunday, Oct 12, the mob, with many "gentle-thodist Chapel at Barbadoes, deem it their duty to declare, that they view men" among them, again assembled at his chapel. Some of them wore masks and were armed with swords and pistols. The window-curtains took fire: a cry of "fire" was raised, much confusion arose, and the lives of the congregation were in great peril. The rioters were all Whites, some of them people of "the greatest respectability!" The Magistrates did indeed interfere: but with whom? Not with the rioters, but with Mr. Shrewsbury, whom they summoned before them as the offender, bringing a pitiful charge that he had not enrolled his name in the militia, from which service he was exempt! Finding the violence increase, he took refuge in the house of a relation, and applied to the Governor for protection, who told him to apply to the Magistrates! Knowing this to be useless, as they were his bitterest enemies, he did not apply to them. He however shut up his chapel. On the 17th October, a secret Committee issued a proclamation, stating that "the Gentry and Inhabitants" would pull down the Chapel on the following Sunday; and they invited them to come with pickaxes, swords, &c. They did meet, and the mob, which was headed by several “Gentlemen," was not composed of a single Negro or Mulatto! The chapel was attacked, the windows were broken, the furniture, books, &e destroyed. The work of destruction was so complete, that the Barbadoes Editor, in his triumph, remarked, that "the chapel has shared the fate of the Temple of Jerusalem-not one stone remains upon another!" (Hear, hear!) Mr. Shrewsbury retired through the fields to the sea-side, and, finding that his life was threatened, got into a small vessel, and escaped to St. Vincent's, where his wife was confined immediately on their landing. After this the Barbadoes mob-It was well known, that the instructions of the Ministers of the Estadestroyed Mr Shrewsbury's furniture, and pulled down the house of an old woman, who was a Methodist; and they then issued the most violent proclamations against all who should befriend the Methodists, against

Mr. BROUGHAM stated, that he highly approved of the Amendment, which, unlike many other so called motions from that side of the House, was an amendment. Mr. B. then noticed the remarks of Mr. W. Horten, observing that he was rather mealy-mouthed on the subject. He dealt his censure very charily upon the conduct of those by whom the disgraceful outrage had been committed. The Hon. Gentleman certainly allowed that the act was much to be lamented. This amiable indiscretion, it seemed, was occasioned by a wish to preserve their property. "Just," said Mr. Brougham," as if a man, professing merely to protect his own purse, should indiscreetly take mine. (A laugh.) To protect their own property, these amiable but indiscreet persons went and destroyed a meeting house belonging to others. And then these offences, committed day after day, and night after night, were absolutely gloried in by their perpetrators, and called the triumph of true religion! They burnt, destroyed, pulled down, and demolished the property of others, were nearly cornmitting murder, and did actually commit high treason, and all for the triumph of true religion! Never before were the words so prostituted. blished Church were not so well adapted to the peculiar exigencies of the Colonies, as the instructions of Dissenting Ministers. The very refinements of the men educated at the Universities, rendered them bad instra

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West India Proprietors. As an enemy to slavery-a cause in which he
should persevere while he had life he felt it, to be his duty to bring
forward the present motion, which he should now leave to the decision of
the House.
The Address was agreed to nem. con.

Mr. R. MARTIN postponed his motion until next Session, for a Committee to inquire whether the practice of bear baiting, and other cruel sports, has a mischievous effect on the morals of the people.

COMBINATION AMONG SHIPWRIGHTS AND SEAMEN.

Mr ELLICE could not understand, why a ship owner should not at all times be allowed to have his ship repaired at the cheapest place. Mr. ROBERTSON opposed the measure. He would put down combinations; but he would not allow of the introduction of foreigu seamen, nor of the ruin of our maritime superiority.

Mr. HUME thought the Honourable Member had completely misunderstood the nature of the measure proposed. He would give his strenuous support to the measure, and he would allow any person to have ships built abroad, if combinations prevented them from getting them built here. Mr BRIGHT contended, that the House by this law were about to punish the owners of dock yards for the proceedings of the shipwrights, by which they were already suffering.

ments for teaching the ignorant population in the West Indies. Even the Clergy of the West Indies, themselves admitted, that if negroes were taught at all, it must be by Dissenting Missionaries. He was exceedingly sorry, however, to find that such was not the opinion of a Right Reverend Person lately sent as Bishop of Jamaica. Bishop Lipscombe, in his dis patch to the Government, asserted that the negroes were very favourable to the Established Church, and on the contrary, regarded Sectaries with a most unfavourable eye. The Bishop could not have arrived at Jamaica before March. The moment he gets there, he sees what is the religions disposition of the slaves. He says, "A very strong predilection exists Mr. HUSKISSON moved the third reading of the Ships Registry Bill. for the doctrines of the Church of England, if opportunities for attending By the law at present, no-British ship could be repaired except in the Divine Service were afforded them." Now, how could the Right Reports of this country, unless the owner could shew that the ship had inet verend Prelate discover in his inference of ten or twelve days, that this with some accident which rendered the repairs in a foreign port necessary. predilection for the doctrines of the Established Church existed among In consequence of a combination among the shipwrights, carpenters, and the poor negroes? The doctrines of the Established Church! Lord help all the persons employed in building and repairing ships, it was impossi the poor souls! What did they know of the Thirty-nine-Articles, or of the ble to get any ship repaired in the Thames For several months past difference between "consubstantiation," and transubstantiation ?"- there had been no work done in the port of London, in consequence of But no matter, the Bishop expresses his conviction, that they entertain a these combinations, and the commerce of the country was suffering under strong predilection for the doctrines of the Established Church; and he this impediment; and it was high time to show them the folly of their adds, “wherever I go, I find the greatest aversion to sectarianism of proceedings by enabling our ship owners to procure repairs elsewhere. every kind and denomination, but every degree of confidence in any He should propose, then, to add a clause to the bill, allowing, for a teachers of religion whom I may be pleased to appoint." Why, really, limited period, ship owners to have their ships repaired in foreign ports, the Island of Jamaica must be a perfect Bishop's Paradise, thus delighted and it might be hoped that in a short time these deluded men would see as the population were with the Church of England, and abhorring with the folly of their proceedings. There was also a combination among the a true orthodox abhorrence all Sectarianism! It appeared also by the seamen in other ports, particularly Newcastle and Shields, and he meant Bishop's Dispatch, that "psalmody and organs had great attractions to apply a similar regulation to them. for them, that they seemed particularly fond of form amd ceremony, and were greater critics than many persons would give them credit for."[Mr. Canning asked, if the persons alluded to, were the negroes?]— Yes, the poor negroes! The Learned Bishop no sooner arrives in the Colony, than, with the eye of a lynx, he thus dives into all the depths of the negro character. It appeared, that the Bishop made his report before he had seen the people. Elsewhere investigation generally preceded opinion; in Jamaica, it seemed that it was to follow it. Now, whatever the Bishop of Jamaica might think of the opinions of the negroes, he (Mr. Brougham) would rather have the sentiments of one poor Methodist preacher on the subject, than those of the whole Hierarchy. He would remind the House of the kind of justice dealt out in Barbadoes to the negroes. There was an Act which rendered the holding up his hand in menace by a slave to his master or mistress, a felony, punishable by death without benefit of clergy. What would the House think of another law? If a negro held up his haud in the way of threat to a white child, he was liable to imprisonment and hard labour! For the second offence (an offence which, in England, would subject the offender to a fine of a shilling), he was liable to transportation, and hard labour for life. And when did the House think that this law of Barbadoes was passed? In 1824; seven weeks after the discussion which took place on the melancholy case of Smith! Last session they were told, to wait and see what would be done for the slaves in Jamaica-and what had been done? A bill was brought into the House of Assembly, making, under limited circumstances, negro evidence admissible in Courts of Justice. Small as the step was, it appeared important as indicating a change in the character of West India policy. But this bill on the second reading was thrown out by a majority of 36 to 1 against it! Such were the fruits of waiting to see what they would do in Jamaica. The Planters and Proprietors had received ample warning. They had promised amendment-those promises had been broken. They had pledged themselves to be activethey had stood still. The effect was, the outrages committed at Barba does and Demerara. Such being the case, he now solemnly gave notice that in the very earliest part of the next Session, unless between that time and the present some substantial measure should be introduced in the colonies themselves, he would move for leave to bring in a bill to render negro evidence admissible; to abolish the punishment of women in the field; to restrain the use of the whip as a stimulus to labour; to the adstriction of the slave to the glebe or soil which he cultivated; to pre vent any persons from having plantations in the West Indies, or being the masters of slaves there, to hold any office in the colonies; and lastly, to take the course which it might seem most fit to take, in order, slowly, gradually and safely, both with respect to the master and the slave, to prepare for the final emancipation of the negroes. These objects might be better accomplished in the colonies. Bat such a measure as he had described, would most certainly be proposed next Session if required.

menace.

Mr. BERNAL regretted the tone which the Learned Gentleman always assumed when he spoke of the West India Islands. It was a tone of If the Learned Gentleman thought that, by assuming this tone, he should do any good in the Colonies, he was entirely mistaken; for, not only in Jamaica, but throughout the whole of the West Indies, nothing could be more effectually calculated to create irritation than the course uniformly pursued by the Learned Gentleman.

Mr. MANNING disapproved generally of the course pursued by the Wesleyan Methodists in respect to the Missionaries.

Dr. LUSHINGTON said, that nothing could justify the conduct of the white population in Barbadoes. He was favourable to sending out Bishops, but regretted that the first act of the Bishop of Jamaica should be to appoint the Rev. Mr. Bridges as his chaplain-a gentleman who was only known as the libeller of Mr. Wilberforce.

Mr. BUXTON observed, that the manly language of the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Canning) would, he hoped, have its proper effect on the

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The clause was agreed to, as was also another, giving to the Privy Council the power of dispensing, in certain cases, with so much of our Navigation Law as required that three-fourths of the crew of British ships should be British seamen.-The bill was then read a third time and passed.

Friday, June 24.

CLERICAL MISCONDUCT.-DR. FREE.

Mr. J. SMITH presented a petition from Montague Burgoyne, Esq. Churchwarden of Sutton, Bedfordshire, praying for such an alteration in the law as would enable the parish to proceed against Dr. Free, the Minister, whose conduct was a perfect scandal on morality and religion. Mr. S. stated, that this orthodox divine had had four or five illegitimate children sworn to him; that one of his ladies" miscarried on account of his ill-treatment; that he was frequently drunk, made use of the grossest language, displayed indecent books, and exhibited his own person! Except by a few old women and children, his church was deserted. The charge of proceedings for his removal would cost the Diocesan 5 or 6001 and it was feared a prohibitory writ in favour of the Doctor would issue, on account of a lapse of time, which would keep him in the living, though he had openly defied his Bishop. After a few remarks by Mr. PEEL, who said he would enquire into the case, the petition was laid on the table.

MR. KENDRICK.

The House then went into a Committee on the conduct of Mr. Kendrick, when Mr. Canfor was examined respecting his treatment by this Magistrate.-When the witness had withdrawn, a conversation arose as to the mode of proceeding. It was finally agreed that the Committee should sit again on Monday; and it was understood that Mr. Kendrick would defend himself by a petition..

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTES.

Tuesday, June 21.

BANKRUPTS.

T. Perkins, Melton-terrace, Borough-road, baker. Solicitor, Mr. Chester,
Newington-butts.

J. Street, Manchester, commission-agent. Solicitors, Messrs. Hurd and
Johnson, Temple.

G. Norton, White's-yard, Rosemary-lane, Whitechapel, builder. Soli.
citor, Mr. Donno, Princes-street, Spitalfields.

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rast, Green Man, Stratford, victualier. Solicitor, Mr. Thomson,
George-street, Minories.

J. Gunnell, Platt-terrace, Battle-bridge, bobbin-net-cap-maker. Solici-
tor, Mr. Sutcliffe, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars.
J. Norton, Brompton, master mariner. Solicitors, Messrs. Ravenhill
and Crook, Poultry.

J. Sheiles, Merthyr-Tidvil, Glamorganshire, mercer. Solicitors, Messrs.
Hurd and Johnson, Temple.

1. Worthington, Manchester, draper.
Johnson, Temple,

Solicitors, Messrs. Hurd and J. Shave, Stonham-Aspall, Suffolk, grocer. Solicitor, Mr. Golding, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street.

Co. Bedford-row.

J. Richardson, Liverpool, merchant. Solicitors, Messrs. Adlington and
J. Welchman, Bristol, linen-draper. Solicitors, Messrs. Williams and
White, Lincoln's Inn Old Buildings.

T. Pearson, Redman's-row, merchant. Solicitor, Mr. Horsley, Nassau-
place, Commercial-road East.

W. Kilner, Dorrington-street, Coldbath-fields, victualler.
Messrs. Birkett and Co. Cloak-lane.

Solicitors,

J. Y. Lucy, Paddington-green, hay-salesman. Solicitor, Mr. Lane,
Marshall-street, Golden-square.

THE FUNDS.-Consols have experienced little or no fluctuation' during the week, and business in the Foreign Market has been very heavy and not of a nature to call for specific remark. In shares, the chief purchases are in Anglo-Chilian Mining, which have advanced accordingly. Not withstanding the evanescent nature of many of the recent bubbles, several more are said to be in concoction; in their turn to effect a greater or less number of credulous adventurers, and then disappear. Latest quotations :Reduced, 90% 91

34 per Cent. 984

PRICES OF FOREIGN Colombian Bonds, 1824, Acc. 888 Danish Bonds 102, #

Danish Scrip, 1825, 21 dis.

Greek Scrip, 1825, 10 dis.
Mexican Bonds, 77

Do. Acc. 771

Mexican Scrip, 1925, 2) dis.

Do. for Acc. 24 17 2 2 dis.
Peruvian Bonds 75

Do. Scrip, 1825, 3 dis.
Do. Acc. 24 dis.

Consols for Account, 9141

STOCKS YESTERDAY.

Russian Bonds. 1822. 96t
Spanish Cons. 22 3 1

Do. Account, 22 3 i
Spanish Cons. 1823, 17) 15} 16
Do. for Acc. 171⁄2 16h

French Rentes, 5 per Cent. 102 50
Exchange, 25 10

French Rentes 3 per Cent. 76 25
Exchange, 25 10.

THE EXAMINER.

LONDON, JUNE 26, 1825.

not rise above 55s, or 60s. per quarter. If then, by unnatural laws, the price is forced up to 70s. with a proportional rise on oats and barley, it is plain that the country pays at least twenty millions a year more for its corn than is necessary-or, in other words, it pays a tax of twenty millions a year on its food. The tax, too, like the blundering imposts of the Turks and Hindoos, impoverishes those who pay, much more than it enriches those who receive it; for a great part of the gross produce is wasted in forcing the cultivation of poor soils The landlords, in fact, compel the country to pay twenty millions a year, that they may have the pleasure of pocketing six or eight. The tax has yet a worse quality, that, falling entirely on the necessaries of life, it presses more heavily on the poorest classes. Let us suppose a labourer with his wife and two children to consume, in corn of all kinds, four quarters per annum. It is certain that upon this quantity he pays at least 30s. of tax to the landlord in consequence of the corn bill. The obrok or tribute which a Russian peasant, who has liberty to work where he pleases, pays to his lord and owner, is, we think, about 8s. a year. The obrok paid as a tax on his bread by the British labourer or mechanic, is a tax pretty much of the same kind, levied by persons of the same class, but nearly four times as great in amount. We may even carry the comparison a little farther. The value of an estate in Russia is computed by the number of tributary peasants attached to it. So the riches of an English landholder increase with the number of those he taxes through the medium of their food. Assuming that the consumption of a grown-up labourer and his family is what we have stated, a great lord or commoner whose estate produces 20,000 quarters a year, may be said to have 5000 tributary peasants or mechanics. Hence too the labourer who pays tenpence for his quartern loaf, will not be guilty of any great miscalculation, if he reckons the price of the bread eight-pence, and considers the additional two-pence as part of the obrok which the laws compel him to pay to the neighbouring proprietor, whose corn he consumes, for the privilege of being taxed and ruled by a great landed aristocracy."

The Debate respecting the brutal treatment of Mr. SHREWSBURY in Barbadoes completely exposes the intolerant and intractable spirit which animates the Planters, in regard to all attempts to enlighten or ameliorate the condition of the Slaves. The exposure will be useful, especially coupled as it is with Mr. BROUGHAM'S admirable sarcasm upon the branch of Mother-Church lately put forth in Barbadoes. We agree, however, with an evening Journal, that the brutum fulmen of a Parliamentary censure will be lost on a body who care for nothing short of the coercion which is all in all to their habits and feelings; and that the only effective and dignified mode in which the British Parliament can act against them is, to THERE is no foreign news to detail of much consequence, unless we except the reported capture of Navarino by the Egyptian force under commence a gradual reduction of the duty on East India sugar, IBRAHIM PACHA, which fact is positively asserted in extracts from which at present operates as a bounty on the commodities of these the Piedmontese Gazette of the 14th inst. The tenor of the predi-refractory Colonists. This would touch their pockets, and very lections of this paper, and of the Austrian Observer and Venetian speedily bring them to their senses. Journals all which convey the same intelligence from the same source, may induce us, as well-wishers to the Greeks, to pause in respect to entire belief, especially when we consider the tendency to exaggerate on both sides. This system of lying is becoming very pernicious to the Greek cause, by detracting from all freshness of feeling and spontaneous emotion, be the intelligence received what it may. The worst news is more calculated to excite sympathy and energy, than statements which it is felt can never be relied upon, and which, as a matter of course, are always received with a distrust that soon leads to apathy, and finally to entire.neglect.

The rejection of the Canadian Corn Bill by the Lords, in spite of the efforts and almost the entreaties of the Ministers, shows at the same time the overwhelming power of the Aristocracy which rules us, and the dogged obstinacy with which they support their selfish interests (real or supposed) to the prejudice of the people. This bill simply allowed the importation of wheat from Canada under the duty of 5s. per quarter; it is proved by official returns, that notwithstanding the enormous price of corn in this country, the Canadian supply, even duty free, has not, in the very highest year, exceeded 47,000 quarters; and the Prime Minister offered a pledge to revise the law, if the importation under it should exceeded 100,000 quarters;-yet the high and mighty Landholders would not allow even this insignificant supply, for the benefit of an important colony and of the consumer at home. "It is clear now," says the Scotsman, in a very able article on this ugly oligarchical symptom,-" that the corn-eaters are held in a state of vassalage to the corn-growers as complete, and almost as hopeless as that of the serfs in the tenth century to the feudal lords. We find it difficult to imagine any change which will give the former a chance for emancipation from the fiscal extortion of the latter, short of a reform in Parliament. It has been shown repeatedly, that, if the corn trade were free, the average price of wheat in this country could

30,000l. has been granted for settling Irish emigrants in Canada. We WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY ON IRISH EMIGRATION.-The sum of believe this to be a gross misapplication of the public money. Ten times the amount would not relieve the superabundant population of the country in the slightest degree, and 100/. expended upon a labourer and his family would make them as comfortable in Ireland as in Canada. The sum appears little amidst the vast mass of our national expenditure; but how much good could be done with such a grant more wisely applied? With this sum, for instance, ten Mechanics' Institutes could be permanently endowed in the ten chief towns of Ireland-or Mr. Brown could establish Itinerating Libraries in every parish in Scotland—or schools could be provided for every district that wants them in our Highlands, for seven years the granting of a transitory relief to 1500 Irish paupers out of three or four to come. What comparison is there between any one of these objects, and millions? We could name a hundred other modes of expenditure infinitely preferable to that which the Government has chosen. It is mortifying to reflect how many improvements of true national importance are languishing or utterly neglected for want of funds, while hundreds of thousands are annually lavished on Irish charter schools, foundling hospitals, and other institutions and objects, either useless or hurtful.-Scotsman.

ANTI-CATHOLIC MANŒUVRE-A very singular discovery, it is said, has been made relative to the opposition in the House of Lords to the bill for the emancipation of the Catholics. It appears that certain of the Peers, in their zeal for the Protestant cause, actually engaged an ngent who travelled through the whole of the South of France, collecting information, which was transmitted to a noble Marquis of military fame, by whom it was read to a circle of Peers, and probably to the Heir Presumptive. The object was to show the danger which the Protestant cause would sustain of the influence of the Jesuits and the persecutions of the Protestants in from Catholic Emancipation, by producing facts real or alleged in proof France. Some of these communications were of a nature to produce the desired effect, and the coterie boast of having thereby secured an fllastrious Personage. They were read en circle-as they were received, and the agent has been munificently recompensed.-Scotsman.

N

Parliament, it is said, will be prorogued on Saturday, the 2d of July next, by his Majesty in person. The President of Haiti has, with great liberality, given passports of return to those negroes who, having emigrated from the United States to the Republic, became discontented at not finding the Haïtian Government eager to make great sacrifices for their accommodation, although it had paid the expenses of their passage, and offered them land to cultiváte. It is satisfactory however to learn (which we do from the Telegraphe, Port-au-Prince journal, of the 3rd of April) that the great majority of the six thousand emigrants who have arrived from the United States since last September conduct themselves with propriety, and labour with great industry. The malcontents appear to be much fewer than we should have expected out of so large a number. Two brigs were sufficient to carry them back to a country where they are degraded, and often reduced to slavery! The cause of their disappointment was, the absurd notion with which they had been imbued (the Haïtian journalist says, by interested persons) respecting the manner in which they would be provided for in Haiti. They embarked (says a New York paper) with the idea that they should live without labour; that they should become Republican lords; and that others would toil for their subsistence!

A letter has been received from Liverpool, stating that the Vulture, arrived from Puerto Cabello, has brought intelligence of the capture of Callao, and that Bolivar had put the garrison to the sword. MONUMENT TO MAJOR CARTWRIGHT.-A meeting, it will be seen, has taken place, of the friends of Freedom and Reform, to promote the erection of a Monument to the Memory of the late Major CARTWRIGHT. The great virtue of that admirable person may in some measure be gathered from this, that his enemies-(who were only to be found among the ignorant and corrupt)-in their desire to depreciate his character, could only charge him with being "old." "The poor old Major," &c.—The reptiles spoke truth,—which had at least from them the attraction of novelty; but if it be a crime to be old, the very Heavens themselves partake of it, for they too, as Lear says, are ancient !-Major CARTWRIGHT was a high-minded, disinterested, and consistent lover of his country; he was also an active, benevolent, and wise man; and though the memory of such a being can never die, it is useful to society to show its attachment by every mark of respect, which it may be in its power to bestow.

if he were not, why is it now issued? Either way the Chancellor has been shamefully wrong; but then DELAY is satisfied, and that is something! Selden seems not to have been so very wrong as that very mediocre and modest man, the silk-gowned and aspiring Mr. Sugden appears to think him, when he said that equity was so UNCERTAIN in its nature, that it was all one as if the standard for the measure (of Equity) were the Chancellor's foot. What an uncertain measure would this be! One Chancellor has a long foot-another a short foot-a third an indifferent foot: it is the same thing with the Chancellor's conscience!"There is much pleasantry in this: unfortunately there is much truth also. June 18, 1825. F.

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NEWSPAPER CHAT.

IMPROVEMENTS AT BUCKINGHAM-HOUSE AND WATERLOO PLACE-The new elevation will be Grecian, and of stone, advanced in front of the present building, which will be re-arranged so as to form a magnificent gallery, in which the beautiful collection of pictures belonging to his Majesty will be most advantageously disposed. The grounds are also to undergo considerable alteration, and a piece of water will from a new feature amongst their beauties. From the taste and activity of Mr. Nash (whose merits the country so justly recognizes, and so duly appreciates) everything may be expected; although we believe it is no secret, that to the personal suggestions of the Sovereign himself many of the improvements in progress, connected with the removal of the Court from Carltonhouse, are attributable. The alteration consequent upon the demolition of Carlton-house will be one of the most splendid yet effected in that part of the town. A square, corresponding with Waterloo-place, will be opened towards the garden, but separated from it by an iron railing. To the right and left of this, facing the garden, on a terrace, four or six first-rate houses will be erected, and three more on the site of the present riding-honse-all of which will have the advantage of a view into the garden and park; white from Regent-street the view will be uninterrupted across the Parade to Westminster-abbey. Nothing can be more beautiful than such a prospect; and, on the other hand, the magnificent change to be worked at Charing-cross will secure to London a not surpassed in grandeur and variety in any city in Europe. But, perhaps, the generality of the public are not yet prepared to understand, that from this grand square, in which a fac-simile of the Parthenon, the portico of St. Martin's Church, the Herald's College, the College of Physicians, the Union Club, the Athenarian Club, and a splendid façade to the present buildings of the King's Mews, are to be collected, a street upon the same scale as Regent-street is to be built, annihilating all the vile neighbourhood of the Seven Dials, and part of St. Giles's, and leading directly to the British Museum. In the front of the Museum, it is proposed to insulate the church of St. George, Bloomsbury, and leave a grand area in front of that building, while, at the other end of the street, the beauti

Place"

A little Poem, under the title of The Marauder, has just appeared. It is evidently the production of a man of wit, as well as an observing politician and keen satirist. My Lord ELDON cuts a very prominent and pretty figure in it; and there is a portrait of Mr. Secretary PEEL, which every impartial man will, we think, acknowledge as a master-piece. APOLLONICON.On Thursday last, the pupils belonging to the Royal Academy of Music attended the evening performance. Mr. Adams distinguished himself in his extempore subjects, particularly in a masterly fague; but the most effective piece was the Overture to Der Freis-ful church of St. Martin is also to be insulated-a change which not chutz-which was loudly and deservedly encored. This Overture is a remarkable favourite: it has been performed every evening this season, always twice, sometimes or third time. The room was crowded to excess. SUBSCRIPTION FOR SPANISH EMIGRANT.-Mr. Fitzwalter, Il. We hear that scarlet fever prevails at Eton School, and that more than 40 of the scholars have in consequence been sent home.-Times.

CHANCERY DOINGS.

"Attack the system-spare the Chancellor;" so Mr. Peel now says. Is Lord Eldon, then, altogether so innocent of the evils which undeniably result from the delays in the Court over which he presides? Let the following plain statement of facts answer the question:-" MONDAY, June 13, the Chancellor did not sit :-TUESDAY, the Chanccellor did not sit:-WEDNESDAY, he sat for two hours and a balf:-THURSDAY, he did not sit:-FRIDAY, he sat for nearly four hours :-YESTERDAY, he did not sit." -We offer no comment on this: the insolent demeanour of Lord Eldon seems likely to bring the affairs of this Court to a speedy crisis indeed. Saturday, June 18.

F.

A WEEK IN CHANCERY.-The Lord Chancellor has honoured his Court (emphatically his!) twice, during the last week, by his attendance therein, namely, on Tuesday, from eleven till half-past one, and on Friday, from ten till nearly two. Considering the smallness of the pay which his Lordship, as Chancellor, receives from the country, this is perhaps as much as can reasonably be expected of him; for he is indeed sadly under-paid, and 'tis well known he is shockingly poor. But how has the time he has condescended to spend in his Court been employed? Mark:-On Tuesday, he heard the Solicitor-General in a case which had already, to the exclusion of all the old causes, occupied two days of the suitors time, and gave a sort of intimation of his intended judgment: but, though the facts were clear and undisputed, and though he had resolved how he should decide, he could not be so inconsistent with himself as to pronounce his judgment then, and accordingly took 48 hours to consider" of that which he had already determined to do! So far on Tuesday. On Friday he did-mirabile dictu!-give his judgment, wherein he actually REVERSFD that which he gave in December last, on the very same statement of facts;xcept indeed that then his judgment might have baen of some service, as the Lancet was at that time publishing Mr. Abernethy's Lectures weekly, whereas they are now complete, and the injunction consequently comes too late! Really, my Lord Eldon, this is shocking imbecility; either Mr. Abernethy was entitled to his njunction then, or he is not now if he were then, why was it not issued?

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only will bring that magnificent structure to the eye of the public, but also place the front of Northumberland-house as a feature in the square to which we have already referred.—John Bull.

EDUCATION OF WOMEN.-Nature is seldom observed to be niggardly of her choicest gifts to the fair sex: their senses are generally as quick as ours, their reason as nervous, their judgments as mature and solid. Add but to these natural perfections the advantages of acquired learning, what polite and charming creatures will they prove, whilst their external beauty does the office of a crystal to the lamp, not shrouding but dis. closing their brighter intellects! Nor need we fear to lose our empire over them, by thus improving their native abilities; since where there is most learning, sense, and knowledge, there is observed to be the I see no reason, therefore, greatest modesty and rectitude of manners. why we should make such bugbears of women as not to trust them with as liberal education as ourselves.-Turkish Spy.

SPREAD OF KNOWLEDGE.-The Glasgow Mechanics' Magazine gives an interesting account of the formation of a Mechanics' Subscription Library at Edinburgh. Two or three persons, it seems, who had been students of the School of Arts, but had left off attending the lectures, found themselves excluded from the library in consequence, and resolved to establish one of cheap access for mechanics. In two months the arrangements were complete, and the library was opened to 200 subscribers, which number is daily increased. Many liberal donations were made to the library; among others, more than fifty pounds' worth from Messrs. Constable the booksellers.

MUSICAL THRUsh of Brazil.-The travellers Spix and Mastius found in the Brazil a greyish-brown bird, probably a thrush, which frequents the bushes and ground in damp low woods, and sings with numerous repetitions though the musical scale, from H1 to A2 (of the German scale) so regularly, that not a single note is wanting. It commonly sings each note four or five times over, and then proceeds imperceptibly to the following quarter tone.

MAKING LOVE IN THE CHURCH.-"But that which is to be held in the greatest abomination is, that it is common for men to make love to the women in the Christian churches! They present themselves before the altars, but the Saint whom they invocate is some beautiful female. She engrosses all their devotions; to her they make their vows. Thus assig nations of lust are made in the house of prayer, and the affairs of Cupid are managed under the mask of religion, and they fight the battles of Venus under the banner of their God!"-From the Letter of Mahmut the Arabian to the Venerable Mufti.

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