House of Commons Journal Volume 85: 28 April 1830

Mercurii, 28 die Aprilis, 1830:

The Bill was read a second time; and committed to a Committee of the whole House for Monday next.

Committee on Sub-letting Act Amendment (Ireland) Bill; No. 320.

The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill to explain and amend an Act made in the seventh year of His present Majesty, with respect to the Assignment and Sub-letting of Lands and Tenements in Ireland; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair; and Sir Alexander Grant reported from the Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereunto.

Ordered, That the Report be now received.

reported.

Sir Alexander Grant accordingly reported from the Committee the Amendments which they had made to the Bill; and the Report was brought up, and read.

Ordered, That the Report be taken into further consideration upon Friday the 7th day of May next.

Ordered, That the Bill, as amended, be printed.

Game Bill, deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill to consolidate and amend the Laws in England relative to Game, and to authorize the Sale of Game;

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday the 10th day of May next, resolve itself into the said Committee.

Sheriffs (Ireland) Bill, deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill for the better. Regulation of the Office of Sheriffs of Counties in Ireland;

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow, resolve itself into the said Committee.

Consideration of King's Message deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for taking into consideration His Majesty's most gracious Message of the 22d day of March last;

Ordered, That the said Message be taken into consideration upon Friday next.

Leases of Lands (Ireland) Bill, deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill to confirm certain Leases of Lands for the purposes of carrying on the Linen Manufacture of Ireland;

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow, resolve itself into the said Committee.

Insolvent Debtors Bill, deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for the second reading of the Bill to continue and amend the Laws for Relief of Insolvent Debtors in England;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time To-morrow.

Committee on Leather Duties repeal Bill.

The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the Bill to repeal the Duties of Excise and Drawbacks on Leather, and the Laws relating thereto; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair; and Sir Alexander Grant reported from the Committee, That they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereunto.

Ordered, That the Report be received this day.

Marriages Validity Bill, deferred.

The Order of the day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to render valid Marriages solemnized in certain Churches and Chapels;

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday next, resolve itself into the said Committee.

Petitions in favour of Chard Roads Bill.

A Petition of Trustees of the Chard Turnpike Roads, in the county of Somerset;-of Inhabitants of Chard;- of Owners and Occupiers of lands within the district of the Chard Turnpike Trust;-and, of Creditors upon the Tolls of the Chard Turnpike Roads,-were presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for amending an Act of the last Session, intituled, "An Act for more effectually repairing and improving several Roads which lead to and through the Town and Borough of Chard, in the County of Somerset, and for making and maintaining a new Road from Chard to Drempton, in the County of Dorset;" and for making and maintaining other Roads communicating with the said Roads, in the Counties of Somerset, Devon and Dorset; and praying, That the same may pass into a law.

And the said Petitions were ordered to lie upon the Table.

And then the House, having continued to sit till half an hour after one of the clock on Wednesday morning, adjourned till this day.

Mercurii, 28 die Aprilis; Anno 11 Georgii IV ti Regis, 1830.

PRAYERS.

Ireland-Returns, &c. presented Charitable Establishments.

THE House being informed that Mr. Johnson, from the Office of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, attended at the door, he was called in; and at the bar presented to the House, pursuant to their Order,-Returns of the different Establishments for the Relief of Sick or Indigent Poor, supported in part or in whole at the public charge in each County; City and Town in Ireland (City of Dublin excepted); stating the number of Inmates at present in each, the number relieved in each of the last five years, and the total annual expense thereof; and in the cases of Parliamentary or Grand Jury Provision, specifying the Acts of Parliament (local or general) authorizing the same.

Ordered, That the said Return be referred to the Select Committee on Irish Poor.

First Fruits. No. 321.

Mr. Johnson also presented to the House, pursuant to their Orders,-Return to an Order of the House, dated the 26th day of March last, for a detailed Account of the sum of £4,302. 4s. 3d. being the entire amount of First Fruits paid in to the Commissioners of that Fund from the Dignities and Benefices of Ireland, during ten years, ending January 1830; specifying the several Dignities and Benefices from which the said First Fruits were paid, and the amount of each severally.

Peace Preservation Act. No. 322.

An Account of all expenses of the Police Establishment incurred in the County of Limerick, under the Peace Preservation Acts 54 Geo.3, c. 131, 55 Geo.3, c. 13, and 57 Geo. 3, c. 22, during each of the last three years, ended the 31st December 1829, and the number of Men employed; also, the source from whence the Payments have been made.

House Valuation Commissioners (Dublin.)

An Account, in detail, of £. 1,553. 9s. 3d. charged for Salaries and Incidental Expenses of the Commissioners for the new Valuation of Houses in the City of Dublin, three quarters to 10th October 1829; stating the Names of the Commissioners, the amount of Salary of each, and by what authority appointed.

Ballast Office (Dublin.)

Return to an Order of the House, dated the 6th day of this instant April, for an Account of the Expense incurred by the Ballast Office Corporation in erecting a Patent Slip at the North Wall, Dublin, and in dredging and making Approaches and other works near the said Slip, and connected therewith; and also, the number and description of Vessels repaired thereon since the completion thereof, and the Income (if any) that has been derived therefrom.

Public Accounts. No. 323.

Mr. Johnson also presented to the House, pursuant to the directions of an Act of Parliament,-The Eighteenth Report of the Commissioners for auditing Public Accounts in Ireland:-And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That the said Accounts and Papers do lie upon the Table; and that the Returns respecting First Fruits, the Peace Preservation Act, and the Report on Public Accounts in Ireland, be printed.

Return respecting Fees of Insolvent Debtors Court, presented.

The House being informed that Mr. Sturgis, from the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors, attended at the door, he was called in; and at the bar presented to the House, -Return to an Order of the House, dated the 22d day of March last, for a List of all the Fees allowed to be taken by the Provisional Assignee, Brokers, Messengers and other Officers of the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors in England, and the aggregate amount of each of such Fees received in the year 1814 and in the year 1829; stating the share of Fees received by the Provisional Assignee and by each of the other Officers of the Court respectively, in each of the above years:-And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That the said Return do lie upon the Table.

Return from Fleet Prison, presented.

The House being informed that Mr. Brown, Warden of the Fleet Prison, attended at the door, he was called in; and at the bar presented to the House, pursuant to their Order,-A Return of the number of Persons committed to the custody of the Warden of the Fleet Prison, to whom the privilege of the Rules has been granted, during each of the last five years, ending 1st January 1830; showing, in columns, the number of such Prisoners whose debts were under the sums of £.100, £.200, £.300, £. 400, £.500, and £.1,000, and exceeding £.1,000 respectively; stating the amount paid in each year by each of the above class of Debtors, on account of such privilege being granted, by what authority, and by whom received, and how applied; also, the number of Prisoners for debt in his custody on the 1st January 1830, who have been confined above one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten years respectively:-And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That that said Return do lie upon the Table.

Return from King's Bench Prison, presented.

The House being informed that Mr. Hewitt, from the Marshal of the King's Bench Prison, attended at the door, he was called in; and at the bar presented to the House, pursuant to their Order,-A Return of the number of Persons committed to the custody of the Marshal of the King's Bench, to whom the privilege of the Rules has been granted, during each of the last five years, ending 1st January 1830; showing, in columns, the number of such Prisoners whose debts were under the sums of £.100, £.200, £.300, £.400, £.500 and £.1,000, and exceeding £1,000 respectively; stating the amount paid in each year by each of the above class of Debtors, on account of such privilege being granted, by what authority, and by whom received, and how applied; also, the number of Prisoners for debt in his custody on the 1st January 1830, who have been confined above one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten years respectively:-And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That the said Return do lie upon the Table.

Accounts to be printed. No. 324. No. 325.

Ordered, That the several Accounts from the Bank of England relative to Exchequer Bills, Contract for Loan for completion of London Bridge, and Distributions amongst Proprietors of Bank Stock; and, the Accounts relative to Post-Office Packets, which were presented to the House upon Monday last, be printed.

No. 326.

Ordered, That the summary Abstract of Returns relative to Pauper Lunatics, which was yesterday presented to the House, be printed.

Petition to be printed.

Ordered, That the Petition of West India Planters and Merchants, and others interested in the West India Trade at the Port of Liverpool, which was presented to the House upon Monday last, be printed.

Committee on Muskett's Divorce Bill

The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to dissolve the Marriage of Joseph Salisbury Muskett, Esquire, with Mary Muskett, his now Wife, and to enable him to marry again, and for other purposes; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr. Peach reported from the Committee, That they had heard counsel and examined witnesses for the Bill; and that no counsel or party appeared before the Committee to oppose the Bill; and that they had gone through the Bill, and had directed him to report the same to the House without any Amendment.

Highgate School Estate Bill, put off.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Wardens and Governors of the Possessions, Revenues and Goods of the Free Grammar School of Sir Roger Cholmeley, Knight, in Highgate, to pull down their present Chapel, and to contribute towards the erection of a new Chapel or Church in Highgate, and for other purposes, be read a second time upon this day six months.

Highgate School Estate, Petition for Leave.

A Petition of the Wardens and Governors of the possessions, revenues and goods of the Free Grammar School of Sir Roger Cholmeley, knight, in Highgate, was presented, and read; setting forth, That by letters patent, dated the 6th day of April 1565, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, at the request of Sir Roger Cholmeley, ordained that there should be a grammar school at Highgate, and constituted six persons a corporation, by the name of The Wardens and Governors of the Possessions, Revenues and Goods of the Free Grammar School of Sir Roger Cholmeley, knight, in Highgate, and ordained that the Wardens and Governors should have a common seal; and that by a deed or grant, dated the 27th day of April 1565, the Bishop of London, as Ordinary and Lord of the Manor of Haringay otherwise Hornsey, granted to the said Sir Roger Cholmeley a certain Chapel at Highgate, and two acres of land, to the intent that the said Sir Roger Cholmeley should give the same to the said Wardens and Governors, and which grant was confirmed by the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul; and that by another deed, dated the 7th day of June 1565, the said Sir Roger Cholmeley granted the said Chapel, and the two acres of land and other tenements, to the said Wardens and Governors; and that after the death of the said Sir Roger Cholmeley, and on or about the 14th day of December 1571, the then Wardens and Governors, with the assent of the Bishop of London, made and ordained (under the authority of the said letters patent) certain statutes for the regulation of the said school; and that the Petitioners are desirous that a Bill should be brought into Parliament during the present Session to enable the said Wardens and Governors to pull down their present Chapel, and contribute2,000 l. towards the erection of a new Chapel or Church in the said hamlet of Highgate, in which the master and scholars of the said Free Grammar School for the time being shall have sittings free of expense, and for the confirmation of the said deed or grant of the said Bishop of London by the present Bishop, and for transferring the endowments belonging to the preacher of the present Chapel to the new Church or Chapel; and that the Petitioners were, from unforeseen circumstances, precluded from making an earlier application to the House for leave to bring in the said Bill; and praying, That leave may be given to present a Petition for leave to bring in a Bill for the same.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to a Committee:-And it is referred to Mr. Byng, &c.: And they are to meet To-morrow, in the Speaker's Chamber; and have Power to send for persons papers and records.

Petition against Hull and Hedon Road Bill.

A Petition of Owners and Occupiers of Ship-yards, raff-yards, warehouses, counting-houses, dwelling-houses, messuages, tenements and hereditaments, formerly part of His Majesty's military works at Kingston-upon-Hull, situate on the east side of the River Hull, and near to or adjoining the west side of a certain street called Great Union-street, in the county of the town of Kingston-uponHull, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for making and maintaining a new Turnpike Road from the Town of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of the said Town, to Hedon, in the County of York; and praying, That they may be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents against certain parts thereof.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill; and that the Petitioners be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents upon their Petition, if they think fit.

Ordered, That counsel be admitted to be heard in favour of the Bill, against the said Petition.

Dovor Improvement Bill, committed.

A Bill to amend two Acts of his late Majesty for paving, cleansing, lighting and watching the Town of Dovor, and for removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein, was read a second time; and committed to Mr. Trant, &c.: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Power to a Committee.

Ordered, That the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the present state of the Library of the House of Commons, to consider respecting future regulations for the preservation and management thereof, and to report their Observations thereupon to the House, have Power to send for persons papers and records.

Petition in favour of Clyde Navigation Bill.

A Petition of the Provost, Baillies and Town Council of the royal burgh of Irvine, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill to enable the Trustees for the Improvement of the Navigation of the River Clyde to purchase up certain Exemptions from the Rates payable on the said River and the Harbour in Glasgow; and praying, That the same may pass into a law.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Petition in favour of Port Glasgow Harbour Bill.

A Petition of the Provost, Baillies and Town Council of the royal burgh of Irvine, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for improving the Harbour of Port Glasgow, constructing a Wet Dock or Wet Docks adjacent thereto, and for altering the Road leading from Port Glasgow to Glasgow, near the said Harbour; and praying, That the same may pass into a law.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Petition against Glasgow Royalty Extension Bill.

A Petition of the Provost, Baillies and Councillors of the royal borough of Rutherglen, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for extending the Royalty of the City of Glasgow over the Lands of Blythswood and adjacent Lands, and for amending the Acts relating to the Police of the said City; and praying, That the same may not pass into a law as it now stands.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill.

Petition against Administration of Justice Bill.

A Petition of the High Sheriff, Magistrates, Grand Jurors and Clergymen of the county of Carmarthen, at their Spring Great Sessions 1830, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for the more effectual Administration of Justice in England and Wales; by which it is proposed to deprive the Inhabitants of the Principality of Wales of the system of judicature which they have enjoyed for the three last centuries, possessing in itself many advantages, for which no equivalent will be afforded by the proposed assimilation of the judicature of Wales to that of England; and praying, That the same may not pass into a law.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table; and be printed.

Report of Sunderland Harbour Bill, considered.

A Motion being made, That the Report which, upon the 1st day of this instant April, was made from the Committee on the re-committed Bill to amend and enlarge the Powers and Provisions of several Acts relating to the Improvement and Preservation of the River Wear, and of the Port and Haven of Sunderland, in the County Palatine of Durham, be now taken into further consideration:-And the House being informed that printed copies of the Bill, as amended by the Committee, were delivered at the door to the Members of the House upon Thursday the 8th day of this instant April, pursuant to the Standing Order;

Ordered, That the Report be now taken into further consideration:-The House accordingly proceeded to take the Report into further consideration; and the Amendments made by the Committee to the Bill being read a second time, were agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Petition against Sheffield Waterworks Bill.

A Petition of Owners of, and Persons interested in, mill property on the brook or small river called Porter Brook, in the manor and township of Ecclesall Bierlow, in the parish of Sheffield, in the county of York, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for better supplying with Water the Town and Parish of Sheffield, in the County of York; and praying, That they may be heard by their counsel or agents against certain parts thereof.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill; and that the Petitioners be heard by their counsel or agents upon their Petition, if they think fit.

Ordered, That counsel be admitted to be heard in favour of the Bill, against the said Petition.

Petition against North Level Drainage and Navigation Bill.

A Petition of Edward Garton of Tid Marsh, in the county of Cambridge, farmer, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for improving the Drainage of the Lands lying in the North Level, part of the Great Level of Fens called Bedford Level, and in Great Portsand, in the Manor of Crowland, and for providing a Navigation between Clows Cross and the Nene Outfall Cut; and setting forth, That an attempt is now making to induce the promoters of the Bill to deviate from the line laid down in the Plans deposited with the Clerks of the Peace, and in the Parliament Office for the intended navigable or main Drain from Clows Cross to the Nene Outfall Cut, and to substitute some other line in lieu thereof; and praying, That the original or parliamentary line may be so far retained as to prevent the same being carried in front of the Petitioner's dwelling-house, and the consequent severance and destruction of the homestead and lands of the Petitioner.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill.

Petition against Perth Navigation Bill.

A Petition of Sir David Moncrieffe of Moncrieffe, Baronet, Proprietor of the Salmon Fishings situated at the Friarton Hole, the Weel Ford, and at the Willow Gate, in the River Tay, on the estate of Moncrieffe, and of Sir John Hope of Craighall, Baronet, Sir Francis Walker Drummond of Hawthornden, Baronet, Thomas Richardson, Writer to the Signet, and James Moncrieffe Melville, Writer to the Signet, Trustees of the said Sir David Moncrieffe, and also of Matthew Bell, Tacksman of the said Fishings, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for enlarging, improving and maintaining the Port and Harbour of Perth; for improving the Navigation of the River Tay to the said City; and for other Purposes therewith connected; and praying, That they may be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents against certain parts thereof.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill; and that the Petitioners be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents upon their Petition, if they think fit.

Ordered, That counsel be admitted to be heard in favour of the Bill, against the said Petition.

Petition against Tweed Fisheries Bill.

A Petition of Heritors and Proprietors of estates and fishings on the coast of Berwickshire, and of the Trustees and Administrators in Law of Proprietors of estates and fishings there, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill for the more effectual preservation and increase of the breed of Salmon, and for better regulating the Fisheries in the River Tweed, and the Rivers and Streams running into the same, and also within the Mouth or Entrance of the said River; and praying, That they may be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents against certain parts thereof.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee on the Bill; and that the Petitioners be heard by themselves, their counsel or agents upon their Petition, if they think fit.

Ordered, That counsel be admitted to be heard in favour of the Bill, against the said Petition.

Report of Wigan Branch Railway Bill, considered.

A Motion being made, That the Report which, upon the 2d day of this instant April, was made from the Committee on the Bill for making and maintaining a Railway from the Borough of Wigan to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, in the Borough of Newton, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, and collateral Branches to communicate therewith, be now taken into further consideration: -And the House being informed, that printed copies of the Bill, as amended by the Committee, were delivered at the door to the Members of the House, upon Monday the 5th day of this instant April, pursuant to the Standing Order;

Ordered, That the Report be now taken into further consideration:-The House accordingly proceeded to take the Report into further consideration; and the Amendments made by the Committee to the Bill, being read a second time, were agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Dundee Harbour Bill, reported.

Mr. Hume reported from the Committee on the Bill for more effectually maintaining, improving and extending the Harbour of Dundee, in the County of Forfar; and to whom the Petition of Managers appointed by the Lords of Council and Session to act in the management of the ordinary affairs of the burgh of Dundee, in the county of Forfar, was referred; That they had considered the said Petition; and that they had examined the allegations of the Bill, and found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereunto; and the Report was brought up, and read.

Ordered, That the Report do lie upon the Table.

Petitions for mitigating the severity of the Criminal Law.

A Petition of Inhabitants of the adjoining parishes of Spratton and Creaton, in the county of Northampton;- of the Mayor, Magistrates and Inhabitants of the city of Hereford;-of Inhabitants of Ross, in the county of Hereford, and its neighbourhood;-and, of the city of Chester,-were presented, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners yield to none in deference to the British constitution, and to the impartiality with which justice is administered to all classes of His Majesty's subjects; they nevertheless lament the existing state of the Criminal Code, equally at variance (in their opinion) with the principles of sound legislation, as inadequate to their primary object, the prevention of crime; and praying the House not only to repeal laws rendered ineffectual by their cruelty, but to take into its consideration the present state of the penal statutes generally, in all cases affecting human life, in order to facilitate the due punishment of offences, and promote the reform, instead of the extirpation, of their depraved fellow-creatures.

And the said Petitions were ordered to lie upon the Table; and to be printed.

Petitions against Sale of Beer Bill.

A Petition of Inhabitants of Gillingham and its vicinity;-of the High Bailiff, Justices, Aldermen and Common Council of Kidderminster-and, of Magistrates for the county of Stafford, assembled at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the said county,- were presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill to permit the general Sale of Beer by Retail in England; and praying, That the same may not pass into a law as it now stands.

And the said Petitions were ordered to lie upon the Table; and to be printed.

Petition for abolishing Slavery.

A Petition of the Minister and Members of the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Independent denomination, assembling in Queen-street, Sheffield, was presented, and read; praying for the abolition of Slavery in all parts of His Majesty's dominions.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Petition respecting Labourers Wages.

A Petition of Manufacturers, Tradesmen, Shopkeepers and other Inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Stockport, was presented, and read; setting forth, That notwithstanding the provisions contained in the several statutes and laws now in force relative to the payment of Labourers Wages in Money, the practice of paying the wages of persons, employed in the cotton printing and other manufactories, in the town and neighbourhood of Stockport aforesaid, and in many other manufacturing towns and places in this Kingdom, in Goods or by way of Truck, is become very prevalent, whereby the persons so employed are grievously oppressed, the poor-rates of such towns and places greatly and unnecessarily increased, the shops and other buildings and property therein lessened in value, and the trade of the persons dealing solely in such goods in many cases quite destroyed, in all much depressed; and praying the House to take the matter into their most serious consideration, and to adopt such measures for the purpose, in conformity with the spirit of the existing laws upon the subject or otherwise, as the House may deem right and proper.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table; and be printed.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Lord Viscount Stopford have leave of absence for a month, on account of ill health.

Ordered, That Lord Killeen have leave of absence for a week, on account of the illness of a near relation.

Petition against additional Duty on Corn Spirits.

A Petition of the Dalkeith Farming Society, and other Farmers attending Dalkeith market, was presented, and read; setting forth, That the Legislature of this country has always been in the practice of granting protection to the home manufacturer of Spirits against the competition of the West India Planters; that this protection is essential to the British Distiller, who manufactures his Spirits from Corn, which is heavily taxed, and without a protecting duty could not withstand the competition of Rum made from the refuse of Sugar, which pays no tax; that it is on this simple and equitable principle, recognized by numerous statutes, that the distiller claims a protecting duty, which merely places him on an equal footing with the West India Planter; the Petitioners, considering how intimately the interests of agriculture are connected with the prosperity of the distillers, respectfully but earnestly pray the House not to impose any additional duty on British Spirits, without a corresponding one upon Rum.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table; and be printed.

Petition against Watching, &c. Parishes Bill.

A Petition of several Persons (being a Quorum) on behalf of themselves and the rest of the Committee for paving, lighting and cleansing the parish of Saint James, within the liberty of Westminster, was presented, and read; taking notice of the Bill to make provision for the lighting, watching, cleansing and paving of Parishes in England and Wales; and praying, That they may be heard by counsel against certain parts thereof.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

The Lords have agreed to

A Message from the Lords by Mr. Cross and Mr. Trower:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have agreed to the several Bills following, without any Amendment; viz.

Four per Cent Annuities Bill.

A Bill, intituled, An Act for transferring certain Annuities of Four Pounds per Centum per Annum into Annuities of Three Pounds and Ten Shillings, or Five Pounds per Centum per Annum:

Haymarket Removal Bill.

A Bill, intituled, An Act for removing the Market at present held for the Sale of Hay and Straw from the Haymarket, and for establishing Markets for the Sale of Hay, Straw and other Articles in York Square, Clarence Gardens and Cumberland Market, in the Parish of Saint Pancras, in the county of Middlesex:

Berwick Light Dues Bill.

A Bill, intituled, An Act for relieving, in certain cases, Vessels entering or sailing from the Port of Berwick-uponTweed from the Duties leviable under two Acts passed in the forty-sixth and fifty-fourth years of his late Majesty's reign, relating to the Northern Light Houses:

Wistow Inclosure Bill.

A Bill, intituled, An Act for Inclosing Lands in the Parish of Wistow, in the County of Huntingdon, and for Extinguishing the Tithes in the said Parish:-And then the Messengers withdrew.

Hollingrake's Patent Bill, committed.

A Bill for prolonging the Term of certain Letters Patent granted to James Hollingrake, for an improved Method of manufacturing Copper and other Metal Rollers, and of casting and forming Metallic Substances into various Forms with improved closeness and soundness of Texture, was read a second time; and committed to Mr. Greene, &c.: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Motion respecting Terceira.

A Motion was made, and the Question was proposed, That, prior to the 12th of December 1828, her Majesty the Queen Donna Maria the Second had been recognized by His Majesty, and the other great Powers of Europe, to be legitimate Queen of Portugal; and that, at the period above named, the said Queen was residing in this country, and had been received by His Majesty with the accustomed honours of her Royal rank:

That, on the said 12th of December, the Island of Terceira, part of the Dominions of the Queen of Portugal, was governed by Authorities, Civil and Military, in allegiance to her Majesty:

That, on the said 12th of December, Instructions were given by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, stating, that a "considerable number of Portuguese soldiers, and other foreigners, are about to sail in transports from Plymouth to Falmouth, and it is supposed they intend making at attack on Terceira, or other of the Western Isles; and His Majesty having been pleased to command that a Naval force should be immediately despatched to interrupt any such attempt, you are hereby required and directed to take the Ship and Sloop named in the margin under your command, and to proceed with all practical expedition to Terceira; and, having ascertained that you have succeeded in reaching that Island before the transports above alluded to, you will remain yourself at Angra or Praia, or cruising close to the Island in the most advisable position for intercepting any vessels arriving off it; and you will detach the other Ships as you shall deem best for preventing the aforesaid force from reaching any of the other Islands:"

That, on the arrival of the Naval force sent to Terceira, in pursuance of these Instructions, the Commanding Officer found that Island in possession of, and governed by, the authorities above-mentioned:

That, in the beginning of January 1829, a number of Portuguese, subjects or soldiers of her said Majesty, voluntarily left this country, with a view of repairing to the said Island, and that their departure and destination were known to His Majesty's Government; that they appear to have embarked and sailed in unarmed merchant ships, to have been unaccompanied by any Naval force, and themselves without any arms or ammunition of war:

That these unarmed merchant ships and passengers were prevented by His Majesty's Naval forces, sent for the purpose, from entering the Harbour of Porto Praia; and that after they had been fired into, and blood had been spilled, they were compelled, under the threat of the further use of force, again to proceed to sea, and warned "to quit the neighbourhood of Terceira and the rest of the Azores, but that they might proceed wherever else they might think proper."

And the House having continued to sit till after twelve of the clock on Thursday morning;