on the present occasion. On the allegation of the petitioners, it appeared that the magistrates had refused the license, because they thought it was the intention of the legislature to prohibit all political discussion, and he must entirely disclaim any such intention on the part of the legislature; it might be within the discretion of the magistrate to determine whether or not a meeting were held for seditious or literary purposes, but it never could be the intention of the legislature to prohibit political discussion. The petition was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Mr BROUGHAM presented a petition from Birmingham, signed by upwards of 12,000 persons. It contained a statement, in humble and earnest, but touching language, of a degree of misery almost approaching despair. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. RELIEF OF THE POOR. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought forward his plan for the issue of Exchequer Bills for the relief of the suffering manufacturers and others. He moved two resolutions, which, after some discussion, were agreed to. The following is an abstract of the bill proposed. Exchequer Bills, not exceeding the amount of £1,500,000, may be issued in Great Britain (at 24d.), payable within three years. "In Ireland, Lord Lieutenant may direct the issue of £250,000 out of growing produce of consolidated fund there. Commissioners for the execution of the act in Great Britain to be named in the bill; for Ireland to be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant. To be sworn, and to act without salaries. Commissioners to examine parties coming before them on oath; and to class all applications, and to certify the sums required to the Treasury in Great Britain and to the Lord Lieutenant in Ireland, who are thereupon to direct the issue of Exchequer Bills or advance of money accordingly. "Persons receiving advances for the use of any corporation, or parish in Great Britain, shall give their personal security, by bond, to the king. "Mortgages of tolls, &c. shall also be taken, which shall have preference over all dividends and claims of proprietors; but not over claims of previous creditors without the consent of 4-5ths of them. "Money may be advanced in Ireland in aid of works managed by Commissioners appointed by the Lord Lieutenant on mortgage of the rates, &c. "Trustees on roads may increase tolls to secure the payments to an amount not exceeding one-half of the original toll. "Advances to parishes in Great Britain shall be made only on application of fourfifths in value, and a majority in number of the inhabitants, and shall not exceed the amount of the last half-year's poor-rates at Easter 1817; to be paid out of accruing rates within two years after Easter 1818; but such advance shall be made only when such last poor-rate was double the amount of the last three year's average. "Amount of Exchequer bills advanced to corporations, &c. in Great Britain, shall be paid with 5 per cent. interest, fifteen days before the Exchequer bills become due. "Sums advanced in Ireland shall be paid with 6 per cent. interest, by such instalments as the commissioners there shall direct, with consent of the Lord Lieutenant. Exchequer bills issued and not used, shall be cancelled. 66 "Seven commissioners a quorum in Great Britain. The majority in Ireland, excepting in cases specified where they may act. THIRD SECRETARY OF STATE. Mr TIERNEY made his promised motion on this subject, with the view, and in the hope, of saving £12,000 a-year to the country. The Right Hon. Gentleman, after stating the recent origin of this office, and the business belonging to it (chiefly colonial), which he thought could, as former ly, be managed at the office of the Secretary for the Home Department, concluded by moving, "That a Committee be appointed to consider the nature of the business transacted by the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department; to ascertain whether the existence of that department was necessary; whether it could with convenience be transferred to any other; and what diminution of expense would thereby be effected." After a debate of some length, the House divided, when there appeared for the motion 87; against it 190; majority 103. LICENSES TO PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIE TIES. Sir M. W. RIDLEY, in rising to move for a copy of the petition of the Academical Society, in Chancery Lane, to the Quarter Sessions of London, for a license to hold their meetings according to the provisions of the late act, said that he had to inform the House of another instance of the unwarrantable and oppressive construction which had been given to the late act. The Philosophical Society, established in 1808, for the discussion of political and philosophical subjects, applied for a license at the Quarter Sessions of London, on the 14th of April. The magistrates required a list of the subjects it was to discuss, and a definition of what its title or constitution would allow it to introduce. The society refused to comply with this condition, and its meet ings were in consequence suspended. If the magistrates of London, who were accustomed to expound the law, and to hear it expounded, who were men of education and information, were thus ignorant of the true construction of the late act, what would be the consequence of having its provisions interpreted by other magistrates not so well informed, with a less vigilant public to watch them, and with fewer facilities of legal correction? (Hear, hear!) The extent to which the zeal or the ignorance of such men might carry them, might easily be conjectured; and the danger to the liberties of the people from their conduct might easily be admitted, when he mentioned, that in one part of the country a mineralogical society had been refused a license, because the magistrates were of opinion that the study of mineralogy had a blasphemous tendency. (Hear, hear! and a laugh.) The Hon. Baronet said, if Parliament did not interfere, all freedom of debate or discussion was at an end. (Hear!) The Hon. Baronet concluded by moving for a copy of the petition to the magistrates of London, by the Academical Society that meets in Chancery-lane, for a license on the 18th of April. Mr B. BATHURST had no objection to the motion; and with respect to the case of the Mineralogical Society, the construction of the act was so absurd, that any law, however easily understood, might be perverted to any purpose by persons who could so far transgress the common rules of interpretation, as had been done in this case. April 30.MR MANNERS SUTTON ob. tained leave to bring in a bill to amend and consolidate the acts with respect to spiritual persons holding farms, for enforcing the residence of spiritual persons on their benefices, and for the support and maintenance of stipendiary curates. He said that the bill would follow the course pointed out by the act of the 43d of the king, and conclude by re-enacting the provisions of the act of the 53d, with regard to the allowances to cu rates; and would allow the clergy to take a farm to the extent of twenty acres. The bill would also provide for suspending all prosecutions, on account of non-residence, for six months after the expiration of the act of the 54th. The ecclesiastical year was made to begin on the 1st of January, and end on the 31st of December; and it was enacted, that all licenses for non-residence should in future be limited to two years, always ending on the 31st of Decem. ber. With regard to the stipendiary clergy, the alterations consisted in little more than in what might be called a dislocation of the clauses in the former act. Lord EBRINGTON wished to know whe ther there was any clause enabling the bishop to appoint a curate, wherever he thought the duty was not adequately performed by the incumbent. Mr MANNERS SUTTON said, there was a clause of that description. The bill was then brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Friday se'nnight. RELIEF BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought in a bill to enable the Commission. ers of the Treasury to issue £1,500,000 in Exchequer Bills, under certain limitations, for the furtherance of public works of ati-.. lity, the encouragement of the fisheries, and the employment of the poor, for a limited time-securities being given for the repayment.-Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on this day se'nnight, and to be printed. The Clerk of the Peace Fees' Bill, and the Window Light Bill, were read a third time and passed. BRITISH CHRONICLE. APRIL. Cobbett's Address" to the Public." Liverpool, March 26, 1817.-My departure for America will surprise nobody but those who do not reflect. A full and explicit statement of my reasons will appear in a few days, probably on the 5th of April. In the meanwhile, I think it necessary for me to make known, that I have fully empowered a person of respecta bility to manage and settle all my affairs England. I owe my countrymen most sincere regard, which I shall always entertain for them in a higher degree than towards any other people upon earth. I carry no thing from my country but my wife and my children, and, surely, they are my own at any rate. I shall always love England better than any other country:I will never become a subject or citizen of any other State: but I and mine were not born un- Parricide. On Monday, the 31st ult. the Rev. John Greer and Robert Greer were sentenced to death, at Carrickfergus, for murdering their father, a tithe-proctor at Churchtumbler, Carrickfergus. The clergyman was charged with wounding the old man in the head with a hatchet, and the other prisoner with abetting in the crime. The convicts were married. 5.-Trials for Sedition. This day came on, before the Court of Justiciary in Scotland, the trial of Alexander M'Claren, weaver in Kilmarnock, and Thomas Baird, merchant there, accused of sedition. The indictment states, that at a public meeting, held at Dean Park, in the vicinity of Kilmarnock, on the 7th of December 1816, which meeting was attended by a great multitude of persons, chiefly of the lower orders, the said Alexander M'Claren did wickedly and feloniously deliver a speech, containing a number of seditious and inflammatory remarks and assertions, calculated to degrade and bring into contempt the Government and Legislature, and to withdraw therefrom the confidence and affections of the people, and fill the realm with trouble and dissention. This speech was afterwards printed, with others of a similar tendency, in a seditious tract or statement, which the said Thomas Baird sold and circulated at his shop in Kilmarnock, at the price of fourpence each. The indictment contained a number of extracts from this publication. Found guilty, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Emigration. About sixty respectable farmers sailed from Bristol last week, on board the Chauncey for America, and many more are preparing to follow them, to try their fortunes in the United States. In one parish of Wiltshire (Mere), thirty persons are at this moment preparing to emigrate to that country. Queensferry Passage.The right of conveying passengers and goods across the Queensferry, was let on Saturday, 3d curt. by the trustees for the improvement of the Ferry, for three years after Whitsunday next, at £2020 per annum, to the present tacksman, whose qualifications for the situa tion are well known to the public. The rent, in former years, has not exceeded £1800 per annum, and the increased rent, in the present times, can only be ascribed to the increase of the number of passengers which has followed the facility of communication afforded by the late improvements, and the zealous attention of Mr Scott, royal navy, the superintendent. After the roup, the trustees partook of an elegant dinner, provided by Mr Mitchell, at the North Ferry Inn. Greenwich Hospital.-By a paper laid on the table of the House of Commons, it appears that no less a sum than £15,383: 7: 1, was due from the tenants of the estates belonging to Greenwich Hospital, for arrears of rent, for the year ending the 21st of November 1816. By another paper it appears, that the produce of the lead and silver, raised from the estates of the Hospital, in the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Durham, sold and unpaid for, on the 21st of November 1816, amounted to £25,109, 10s. Robbery. Early on Sunday morning, the 23d ult. the dwelling-house upon the farm of Everton, near Greenock, was entered by a band of ruffians, who, after dragging the inmates thereof, consisting of a man and three females, from their beds, and maltreating the money, wearing apparel, and other porthem in a shocking manner, carried off all table articles which were in the drawers and chests of the house. Mr Lenox, master of police, has arrived at Greenock, having in custody Hugh and Barney Macilvogue, and this daring outrage, and for whose apprePatrick M'Crystal, the persons charged with hension so much solicitude was felt in Greenock and its neighbourhood. Caution to Stage Coach Proprietors. YORK ASSIZES.-Mabsom v. Riscam and others. This action was brought by Mr Mabsom, a young gentleman of commercial character, from Birmingham, against the defendants, who were proprietors of a stage-coach called the True Briton, running from York to Leeds and Hull, to recover a compensation in damages for a certain bodily injury, namely, the loss of a leg, occasioned either by want of due care, or by wilful negligence, on the part of the defendants or their servants. He sat upon the box, and there were, besides himself, on the outside, fourteen persons, including the coachman and guard, and six persons in the inside-two of the extra passengers on the outside sat upon the roof; and, to make room for the third, the guard stood during the journey. The coachman and guard were frequently warned of the danger arising from the overloaded state of the coach, and that they were carrying a number beyond that which the act allowed, and were in consequence subject to information and punishment. The reply to this warning was, that "the times were hard, and that they were bound to do the best they could for their employers." At length, upon reaching a hill, where there is an easy and gradual descent of more than a mile, the coach set off at a quick pace, which increased rapidly as it neared the level or termination of the hill. When within about a quarter of a mile of the latter place, the coach commenced running at a most furious rate; the vehicle itself rolled and rocked from side to side, many of the passengers screamed for fear, and others, at the hazard of their lives, jumped off. In this alarming state, the coachman attempted to pull in the horses, when the wheel horse fell down upon his haunches, the leaders were pulled back upon the wheelers, and the coach suddenly overturned. By this accident the plaintiff was thrown beneath the coach, and had his leg broken. Amputation was the consequence. Damages for the plaintiff £200. 10-Explosion of a Steam Boat.-One of those unfortunate accidents, (says the Norwich paper) which attend even the best arranged establishments, that carry with them a certain though remote danger, occurred on the 4th instant, and the horrible spectacle of eight mangled carcases is yet before our eyes. These are the miserable victims of the bursting of the steam-boiler in the packet which sails from Norwich to Yarmouth. Just after the boat had started, it had not gone twenty yards, when the tremendous explosion took place. The vessel was rent to atoms, so that little remains entire from the stern to the engine-room, except the keel and the flooring. Twentytwo passengers appear to have been on board. The bodies of eight are foundfive men and three women: one child yet missing, and six have been sent to the hospital in a wounded state: six escaped unhurt. Of these last, one man was standing over the boiler when the explosion happened. It is said Major Mason was another whose clothes were torn by the shock, but who was otherwise uninjured. The third was an infant two months old, and the little innocent was discovered at the bottom of the vessel in a profound sleep, after the removal of the dreadful wreck. 11.-Fall of Snow.-Yesterday morning, between four and five o'clock, a considerable fall of snow took place, which whitened the streets of London for twenty minutes. Tuesday was remarkably warm and fine for the season, the preceding ten days were of a similar description, and the whole winter has been mild. 12. The Honourable the Barons of his Majesty's Exchequer in Scotland, have made a grant of the extensive sand bank, which lies off the harbour of Greenock, to the magistrates; infeoffment was, on Thursday se'enight, at low water, regularly taken of the property. Civic Entertainments.-The official report states the cost of the civic entertainments given to the Prince Regent, the EmVOL. I. peror of Russia, King of Prussia, and Duke of Wellington, by the corporation of the city of London, to be upwards of £24,000. Edinburgh Gas Light.-We have great pleasure in communicating to our fellowcitizens, that the subscription for lighting this city with gas is now filled up. Nothing is more creditable to the public spirit than the quickness with which this most desirable object has been obtained, the capital of £20,000 required, in the first instance, being subscribed for in less than a month from the publication of the prospecThe work, we trust, will now be forwarded with all speed, that the public may enjoy, as soon as possible, its many advantages. Several shops in this city are now to be seen lighted with gas, and considerable crowds assemble to admire their unusual brilliancy, anticipating from it the splendour which our streets are likely to exhibit next winter. tus. Importation of Grain.-Eighteen vessels have arrived at Leith, from foreign ports, with grain, betwixt the 4th and 11th inst. and the following is the quantity of grain imported during the week: From Foreign Ports.-Wheat, 1345 quarters 400 bags. Oats, 8185 quarters 115 bags. Barley, 1280 quarters 21 bags. Beans, 840 quarters. Pease, 45 quarters. Brought Coastwise. Wheat, 204 quarters 561 bolls. Oats, 405 quarters 349 bolls. Barley, 5146 quarters. Pease and Beans, 211 quarters. Flour, 14 sacks. Bran, 200 bolls. No less than fifty-one vessels arrived at Grangemouth, from the 1st to the 8th instant, laden with grain. Wrecking. On the 3d inst. about four o'clock, during a fall of snow, and in a strong gale from the north, the brig Mary, of Ilfracombe, Captain J. Bowden, laden with culm, was driven on shore in Fassel Geaver Cove, in the parish of Camborne, a little eastward of Godrevey, within the port of St Ives. After driving over a dreadful ledge of rocks for near an hour, she was driven on the beach, and fortunately the crew were saved. The captain, assisted by some of the principal farmers of Gwithian, and the officers of the customs from the port of St Ives, succeeded, on the reflux of the tide, in getting out the cables in such situations as were judged expedient to keep the ship in safety; parties of men hired to work on the ship, in securing her stores, and to keep watch during the night over what had been saved. During the whole of the first day every thing was conducted with the greatest regularity, and not the smallest pillage took place; but on the second evening a party of Camborne miners came down, determined for a wreck. They cut the ship's cable, carried off two of her small anchors, stole all the beef and biscuit on board, and even had the hardihood, before it became dark, to steal some of the seamen's clothes at Gwithian Church Town, 2 T were which, having been washed by the people of the village for the poor fellows, had been hung up to dry. In pillaging the ship, they set the watch at defiance, by threatening to cut them down with their dags or hatchets. Almost the whole of the vessel and cargo belonged to the captain, and, we are sorry to state, was not insured, so that he is totally ruined. We are happy to inform our readers, however, that three of the wreckers, having been identified, were apprehended on Saturday night by the Rev. William Hockin, and by him committed to take their trials at the present assizes, on charges of capital felonies. We trust that the magistrates of the maritime districts, on all similar occasions, by putting the existing laws (which are sufficiently strong) in force against such miscreants, will put an end to the lawless and abominable system of wrecking, which has so long been a disgrace to Cornwall and other maritime counties. Blasphemous Publications. Circular. Whitehall, March 27, 1817.-MY LORD. As it is of the greatest importance to prevent, as far as possible, the circulation of blasphemous and seditious pamphlets and writings, of which, for a considerable time past, great numbers have been sold and distributed throughout the country, I have thought it my duty to consult the law officers of the Crown, whether an individual found selling, or in any way publishing, such pamphlets or writings, might be brought immediately before a justice of the peace, under a warrant issued for the purpose, to answer for his conduct. The law officers having accordingly taken this matter into their consideration, have notified to me their opinion, that a justice of the peace may issue a warrant to apprehend a person charged before him, upon oath, with the publication of libels of the nature in question, and compel him to give bail to answer the charge. Under these circumstances, I beg leave to call your Lordship's attention very particularly to this subject; and I have to request, that if your Lordship should not propose to attend in person at the next general quarter sessions of the peace, to be holden in and for the county under your Lordship's charge, you would make known to the chairman of such sessions the substance of this communication, in order that he may recommend to the several magistrates to act thereupon in all cases where any person should be found offending against the law in the manner above-mentioned. leave to add, that persons vending pamphlets or other publications in the manner alluded to, should be considered as coming under the provisions of the hawkers' and pedlars' act, and be dealt with accordingly, unless they shew that they are furnished with a license, as required by the said act. -I am, &c. To his Majesty's Lieutenant of the county of Chester. I beg SIDMOUTH. 15.-Air Bed.-A very curious piece of furniture has just been introduced at Oakley's, the upholstery branch of the Western Exchange. It is an air bed. Half a dozen large pipes, made of gold-beater's skin, are covered with a ticking, and quilted together in knotted rows between each pipe. They are then blown full, the bed becomes distended, and is sufficiently soft. By turning a cock, the air can be let out, and the bed tied up in a pocket handkerchief! Destitute Poor.-Some gentlemen, deputed from Liverpool to apply to Government for a loan of £100,000, for the purpose of providing employment for the destitute poor of that place, have returned without succeeding in the object of their mission. Unquestionable security, it is said, was offered. Conjuring-At the Shrewsbury assizes, Thomas Evans, of Todley, was charged with obtaining money by conjuration, &c. and was found Not guilty. The following is a copy of one of the charms produced by a witness! "A Charm for low Spirits and overlooking Neighbours with an evil Eye. In nomine Patris up and down + Spiritus Sancti may lo 4558 + Crux Christi 4224 in 660602197 9555227 L. I. D. 698527 L. 26210202720897. Tetragnammaton To be sewed in the shirt collar." The Luddites.-The following is an accurate account of the fate of the Luddites. --John Clarke, Thomas Savage, Joshua Mitchell, William Towle, John Amos, William Withers, James Watson, and John Crowther, were capitally convicted, and seven of them left for execution: John Clarke and James Watson having been reprieved. John Blackburn and George Shipman, two of the Luddites, were admitted evidence for the Crown. John Slater, also a Luddite, was ordered to be transported for life. Samuel Caldwell, a Luddite, being ill, his trial was postponed.These, with Towle, who was hanged last year, and one who has left the kingdom are supposed to be all who were concerned in the Loughborough job--the word used by the Luddites. 17.-Election of a Scottish Peer.-This day came on, at Holyroodhouse, the election of one of the sixteen Peers, in room of the Earl of Rothes, deceased. The candidates were, the Marquisses of Tweedale and Lothian. PRESENT. Marq. of Tweedale Earl of Leven Earl of Marchmont Total, 13. |