House of Lords Journal Volume 63: 4 February 1831

Die Veneris, 4° Februarii 1831.

DOMINI tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Nicol v. Sir R. W. Vaughan et al.

The separate Answer of Sir Thomas Denman Knight, His Majesty's Attorney General, to the Petition and Appeal of William Nicol, the Administrator of the Goods, Chattels and Credits of George Nicol, late of Pall Mall, in the County of Middlesex, Bookseller, deceased, was this Day brought in.

Robertson et al. v. Alexander et al:

After hearing Counsel this Day upon the Petition and Appeal of John Robertson, residing at Mill of Ogilvy, John Robertson, Farmer at Sheriffmuirlands, and James Robertson, Farmer at Craigtown; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary in Scotland, dated the 3d of July 1830; and of Seven Interlocutors of the Lords of Session there, of the First Division, dated respectively the 10th of July 1830; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellants might have such Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, should seem meet;" as also upon the Answer of Edward Alexander Esquire, of Powis, Robert Thomson, late Wood Merchant in Stirling, John Thomson, late Manufacturer at Boroughmuir, Patrick Connal, Merchant in Stirling, John Wright residing there, Peter Wright, Writer in Stirling, and John Hutton Syme, Brewer in Alloa, the Partners of the late Stirling Banking Company, and Alexander Smith of Glassingall, Esquire, Trustee on the Sequestrated Estates of the said Company, and of the individual Partners thereof, put in to the said Appeal; and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause:

Interlocutors Affirmed.

It is Ordered and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Petition and Appeal be, and is hereby dismissed this House, and that the Interlocutors therein complained of, be, and the same are hereby Affirmed.

Robertson et al v. Alexander & Smith:

After hearing Counsel this Day upon the Petition and Appeal of John Robertson, residing at Mill of Ogilvy, John Robertson, Farmer at Sheriffmuirlands, and James Robertson, Farmer at Craigtown; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the First Division, of the 10th of July 1830; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellants might have such Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, should seem meet;" as also upon the Answer of Alexander Smith of Glassingall, Esquire, Trustee on the Sequestrated Estates of the Stirling Banking Company, and of the individual Partners thereof, and Edward Alexander of Powis, One of the Partners of the said Company, put in to the said Appeal; and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause:

Interlocutor Reversed, & Cause remitted.

It is Ordered and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Interlocutor complained of in the said Appeal be, and the same is hereby Reversed: And it is further Ordered, That the Cause be remitted back to the Court of Session in Scotland, with Instructions to dismiss the Petition and Complaint as against the Respondent Edward Alexander, without Expences; and to find the Respondent Alexander Smith liable to the Appellants in their Costs and Expences of the said Petition and Complaint: And the Lords Find, That the said Respondent Alexander Smith acted with Indiscretion, upon his own Explanation, in destroying the Letter referred to in his Deposition, after he had been served with Diligence; and thus took upon himself to judge of its Materiality, whereas he ought to have kept it ready to produce under the Diligence.

Sir R. B. J. Honyman v. Campbell et al. Petition of all Parties for an early Day, referred to Appeal Com ee.

Upon reading the Petition of Sir Richard Bempde Johnston Honyman Baronet, Appellant in a Cause depending in this House, and of Elizabeth Campbell, and others, Respondents thereto; praying their Lordships, "That this Cause may be specially appointed for hearing before their Lordships on such early Day as to them shall seem meet:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Causes in which Prints of the Appellants and Respondents Cases, now depending in this House in Matters of Appeals and Writs of Error, have not been delivered, pursuant to the Standing Orders of this House.

Nicol v. Sir R. W. Vaughan et al. set down for hearing:

The House being moved, "That a Day may be appointed for hearing the Cause wherein William Nicol is Appellant, and Sir Robert Williams Vaughan, and others, are Respondents:"

It is Ordered, That this House will hear the said Cause, by Counsel at the Bar, on the first vacant Day for Causes after those already appointed.

Respondents Petition to lodge their Case, referred to Appeal Com ee:

Upon reading the Petition of Sir Robert Williams Vaughan, and others, Respondents in the last-mentioned Cause; praying their Lordships, "That they may be at liberty forthwith to lay their printed Cases on their Lordships Table:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of the Causes in which Prints of the Appellants and Respondents Cases, now depending in this House in Matters of Appeals and Writs of Error, have not been delivered, pursuant to the Standing Orders of this House.

Appellant's Petition for an early Day, referred to Appeal Com ee.

Upon reading the Petition of William Nicol, Appellant in the last-mentioned Cause; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to order that this Appeal may be advanced in their Lordships Paper, and that an early Day may be appointed for the hearing thereof:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the last-mentioned Committee.

Mahon et al. v. Irwin, Appellants Petition to withdraw Appeal, referred to Appeal Com ee.

Upon reading the Petition of Darcy Mahon, and others, Appellants in a Cause depending in this House, to which John Irwin Esquire is Respondent; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to order that the Petitioners may be at liberty to withdraw their said Appeal:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the last-mentioned Committee.

Brodie v. Sinclair.

Upon reading the Petition and Appeal of George Brodie, residing in Bowermadden, in the County of Caithness, complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary in Scotland, of the 24th of June 1828, in so far as it sustains the Defences, and finds the Petitioner liable in Expences; and also of Three Interlocutors of the Lords of Session there, of the Second Division, of the 3d Day of December 1829, the 19th Day of November 1830, and the 18th Day of December 1830; and praying, "That the same may be reversed, varied or altered, so far as complained of, or that the Appellant may have such Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, shall seem meet; and that William Sinclair Esquire, of Freswick, in the County of Caithness, may be required to answer the said Appeal:"

It is Ordered, That the said William Sinclair may have a Copy of the said Appeal, and do put in his Answer thereunto, in Writing, on or before Friday the 4th Day of March next; and Service of this Order upon the said Respondent, or upon any of his known Agents in the Court of Session in Scotland, shall be deemed good Service.

Macdonald v. Mackie & Co.

The House being moved, "That a Day may be appointed for hearing the Cause wherein William Macdonald is Appellant, and Mackie and Company are Respondents:"

It is Ordered, That this House will hear the said Cause, by Counsel at the Bar, on the first vacant Day for Causes after those already appointed.

Report, East India Judicature:

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Titles of the Lords that appeared upon the Ten Lists reported to the House Yesterday, and to report the Names of those who shall appear to hold or to have held any of the Offices or Employments specified in an Act made in the 26th Year of His late Majesty King George the Third, for the further Regulation of the Trial of Persons accused of certain Offences committed in the East Indies, and for other Purposes therein mentioned; "That the Committee had met, and considered the Titles of the Lords contained in the List referred to them, and that it does not appear to the Committee that any Lord whose Title is contained in the said List now holds any Civil Office of Profit under the Crown, during His Majesty's Pleasure, or now holds or heretofore held any of the Offices or Employments mentioned in the said Act of Parliament as Disabilities from serving according to the said Act."

Which Report, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.

Titles to be transmitted to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery.

Ordered, That the said Titles be transmitted to the Clerk of the Crown in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery, or his Deputy, by The Lord Chancellor, under his Hand and Seal, pursuant to the Directions of the said Act.

Reform of Parliament, Petitions in favor of: (Launceston:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Launceston, in the County of Cornwall, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to institute a full and impartial Enquiry into the present State of the Representation of the Kingdom, and to place it on that Footing which will embrace the Property and Intelligence of the Nation; and so to extend it as that this Privilege and Birth-right of British Subjects may be guarded from any undue Influence on the Part of either Peers, Commoners or the Crown:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Clerkenwell:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitant Householders of the Parish of Saint James Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex; praying their Lordships "to adopt such Measures for Reform in Parliament and a Reduction of Taxation as their Lordships may deem most expedient for the Interest of the People of this Country, the Petitioners being firmly persuaded that nothing short of a great Extension of the Right of Suffrage, an Abridgement of the Duration of Parliaments, and the Adoption of Vote by Ballot, will satisfy the Public Mind:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Kidderminster Political Union:

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Kidderminster Political Union, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to take such Measures as will remove the Evils arising from the unequal Manner in which the different Parts of the Kingdom are admitted to participate in the Representation; and that their Lordships will restore in Purity of Form and Efficacy of Practice the Rights and Civil Privileges of the People, assured to them by their Ancestors in Magna Charta, and which all the Kings of England, from Edward the First down to William the Fourth, have, by their Coronation Oaths, bound themselves to maintain; and that their Lordships will not continue to oppose such Measures as may be proposed for the Reform of the House of Commons:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Stirling:

Upon reading the Petition of the Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Town and Suburbs of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take into Consideration the unconstitutional, defective and degrading State of the Scottish County and Burgh Parliamentary Representation; to give the Petitioners a Vote in the Election of their Municipal Magistrates and Members of Parliament, without the Intervention of any Corporate Body, or irresponsible or self-interested Magistrates; to enforce Economy and Retrenchment in all Departments of the State, so far as consistent with the due Administration of the Public Service; and to preserve the Blessings of Peace to the Empire:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Wright Incorporation, Perth:

Upon reading the Petition of Charles Scott, present Deacon, and Thomas Taylor, present Boxmaster of the Wright Incorporation of Perth, for themselves, and in Name and Behalf of the said Incorporation; praying their Lordships "to alter the present defective State of the Representation in the Commons House of Parliament, and to amend the same in such a Manner as their Lordships shall deem best for the Interest of the Country:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Shoemaker Incorporation, Perth:

Upon reading the Petition of the Shoemaker Incorporation of Perth, praying their Lordships "to amend and reform the present unequal and defective System of Parliamentary Representation, and to make such Alterations in the Constitution of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, and of the other Incorporations in the Kingdom, as to their Lordships shall seem proper:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Auchterarder:

Upon reading the Petition of the Proprietors and Occupiers of Land, Feuars, Householders and Inhabitants of the Parish and Village of Auchterarder, County of Perth, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to extend the Elective Franchise to all solvent Householders; encrease the Number of Representatives for Scotland in proportion to her Wealth, Intelligence and Population; and grant Triennial Parliaments and Vote by Ballot:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Magistrates, &c. of Newburgh:

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Council of the Royal Burgh of Newburgh, in Fife, under their Common Seal; praying, "That their Lordships will, in reforming the general Representation of Scotland, restore to the Burghs of Newburgh, Falkland, Auchtermuchty and Earlsferry, their original Privilege of returning Members to Parliament:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Strathmiglo:

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Baron Burgh and Inhabitants of the Parish of Strathmiglo, Fifeshire, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to alter the present and defective State of the Representation of Scotland in Parliament, by allowing them a greater Number of Representatives, and that the Elective Franchise shall extend to the Owners and Occupiers of Property to the Amount of Five Pounds and upwards; and that Elections in all Cases shall be by Ballot, and Parliaments be Triennial, or in such other Way as they shall deem best for the Interests of the Country:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Knaresbrough:

Upon reading the Petition of the Gentry, Merchants, Tradesmen and others, Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of Knaresbrough, in the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That, with the view of furthering the Objects of His Majesty's Ministers, they will, at an early Period of the present Session, take into their serious Consideration the present inefficient State of Representation afforded by the Lower House of Parliament as now formed, and make such Alterations and Improvements therein as will be calculated to remedy the Defects of its present Constitution, to cause it more efficiently to represent the Community at large, and to render it a more effectual Guardian of the Public Interests; and that their Lordships will exercise all due Vigilance to cause an economical Expenditure in all the Departments of State; or that their Lordships will adopt such other Measures as may appear most conducive to the Interests and Welfare of the Nation:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Totnes:

Upon reading the Petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Borough of Totnes, contributing by direct Taxation to the Support of Government, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will lend their prompt and efficient Aid to the Restoration of the Municipal Rights of the Inhabitants of the said Borough, by extending the Franchise in the Election of the Members of Parliament to such Persons inhabiting within the Borough as, by reason of their Respectability and Property, are entitled to be represented in Parliament as Burgesses, convinced that an efficient Remedy for existing Evils may be found in that Parliamentary Reform which consists of restoring to the Inhabitants of Boroughs and Cities, and extending to populous Towns, their due Share in the Representation of the People:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Walsall:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall, in the County of Stafford, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will adopt such Measures as may be necessary to restore to the Petitioners and to the People those Rights, the Loss of which they have so much Reason to deplore; and that their Lordships will pass an Act to shorten the Duration of Parliaments, to extend the Elective Franchise to every Man who is called upon to contribute directly or indirectly to National or Local Taxation, and to restore the antient and undeniable Right of sitting and voting as a Citizen and Burgess in the Commons House of Parliament to every Individual among the common People who may be lawfully chosen as a Member thereof; and that, in order to secure the free Exercise of the before-named important Rights, their Lordships will make due Provision for taking the Votes at all the Elections of Members of the House of Commons by Ballot; and that their Lordships will pass an Act to repeal all Laws imposing Taxes or Restrictions in any way affecting the Liberty of the Press:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Lewes:

Upon reading the Petition of the Chief Officers, Burgesses and other Inhabitants of the ancient Borough of Lewes, in the County of Sussex, in Public Meeting assembled, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships, "That the Elective Franchise be greatly extended, so that the Commons House of Parliament should represent the Rights of the many, and not the Interests of the few; that the Duration of Parliaments be limited to such a Period as shall give the Electors a perfect Controul over the Conduct of their Representatives; and lastly, for Secresy of Suffrage or Vote by Ballot as a most essential Part of any Reform, believing that without this no Protection can exist to the conscientious Voter in the Exercise of his Elective Right:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Ward of Farringdon without:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitant Householders of the Ward of Farringdon-without, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take Measures, without Delay, for the Extinction of Rotten Boroughs, the Extension of the Elective Franchise, and for exercising it by Ballot; and that their Lordships will immediately relieve the Country from its present oppressive Taxation:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Dursley:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Dursley, in the County of Gloucester, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for such a Reform in the House of Commons as shall give to the People their due Influence in the State, and which, in the Opinion of the Petitioners, can only be obtained through the Medium of the Vote by Ballot extended to all Persons paying Taxes and Parochial Assessments:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Wolverhampton:

Upon reading the Petition of the Gentry, Clergy, Merchants, Manufacturers and other Inhabitants of the Town of Wolverhampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take the inadequate and defective State of the Representation into their immediate Consideration, and adopt such Measures for their Relief, and the Relief of the whole unrepresented Part of these Kingdoms, as they shall deem fittest and right; the Petitioners seeing no other Remedy for these Abuses than by purifying the Representation; by the Extinction of the Rotten Boroughs; prohibiting every possible Interference of Peers; extending the Elective Franchise to large Towns, and with it the Representation of a more general Description of Property; shortening the Duration of Parliaments; and as an effectual Means of putting an End to the disgusting and demoralizing Scenes of Perjury, Bribery and Drunkenness, and those bitter Feelings of Hostility, of which every contested Election is now the fertile Source, and to secure to the Elector the uncontrouled Exercise of his Choice, and rendering unnecessary a ruinous Expence to the Candidate, to adopt the Vote by Ballot:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Cropper Street, Manchester: (and for Abolition of Slavery, &c.)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Cropper Street and its Vicinity, in the Town of Manchester, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to alleviate their dreadful Sufferings by speedily reducing the present Amount of Taxation to what it was in 1791; immediately to abolish that most odious Restriction the present Corn Law; to lay open the Trade to the East Indies, and remove the unjust Restrictions imposed on the Commerce carried on between this Country and China; not only to repeal the Septennial Act, (the Enactment of which was a monstrous Violation of the Constitution established in 1688,) but also to establish Annual Parliaments, Universal Suffrage and Vote by Ballot, which, in the Opinion of the Petitioners, will be the only Means of restoring and securing to them the permanent Enjoyment of those Rights and Privileges to which their Birth-right entitles them, but of which they have so long been unjustly deprived; and that their Lordships will effect a speedy Abolition of the horrid System of Slavery which utterly disgraces our National Character, and stamps with Infamy the Christian Name:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Romney:

Upon reading the Petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Romney, in the County of Kent, in Public Meeting convened, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to adopt any Measure having for its Object a full and efficient Reform in the Representation of the United Kingdom:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Cottingham:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Village of Cottingham, in the East Riding of the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to adopt every deviseable Means for the Purpose of reducing the National Expenditure; and that their Lordships would for this Purpose unite in advocating the Measure, that every Excess in the Public Expenditure may be done away, and that every possible and practicable Plan of Retrenchment and Economy in every Department of the State may be adopted and carried into Effect, in order that the Burden that thus heavily presses on so large a Portion of their Fellow Countrymen may be made more tolerable:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Inhabitants of Newburgh:

Upon reading the Petition of the Burgesses, Householders and other Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Newburgh, in the County of Fife, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to grant an extended Elective Franchise to Scotland; to alter and amend the Laws which countenance Self-election within Burgh, and thereupon vest the Right in the Burgesses; and also to alleviate the Burdens of the People so far as is consistent with the Honor and Safety of the State:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Magistrates, &c. of Auchtermutchy

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Council of the Royal Burgh of Auchtermuchty, in Fife, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships "in reforming the general Representation of Scotland, to restore to the Royal Burghs of Anchtermuchty, Falkland, Newburgh and Earlsferry, their original Privilege of returning Members to Parliament:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

of Falkland;

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Council of the Royal Burgh of Falkland, in Fife, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships "in reforming the general Representation of Scotland, to restore to the Burghs of Falkland, Auchtermuchty, Newburgh and Earlsferry, their original Privilege of returning Members to Parliament; at least to bestow on the Owners and Tenants of Property in these Burghs the Elective Franchise, to be exercised either in conjunction with other Burghs, or with the Freeholders of the Counties where the Burghs are situated:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

of Earlsferry:

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Council of the Royal Burgh of Earlsferry, in Fife, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships "in reforming the general Representation of Scotland, to restore to the disfranchised Burghs of Scotland, and particularly to the Royal Burghs of Earlsferry, Falkland, Auchtermuchty and Newburgh, their original Privilege of returning Members to Parliament:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

and of Greenock:

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Town Council of Greenock, in Council assembled, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take their Petition into their Consideration, and, if necessary, to allow the Petitioners the Opportunity of supporting, by Evidence and by the Aid of Counsel, or otherways, the Claims which Greenock has to a Representation in the Commons House of Parliament:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Crompton:

Upon reading the Petition of the Freeholders, Yeomen, Merchants, Manufacturers and other Inhabitants in the Township of Crompton, in the Parish of Oldham, and County of Lancaster, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will immediately adopt Measures for an Extension and Equalization of the Suffrage throughout the United Kingdom; for all Elections at a General Election to be on the same Day; and for all Persons to whom the Right of Suffrage may be extended to exercise that Right in the Township or Parish in which they reside; that the Duration of Parliaments be limited to a Period not exceeding Three Years; and, above all, that the perfect Freedom and Independence of exercising the Elective Franchise may be secured to the People by the only Means which the Petitioners think it possible for the collective Wisdom of their Lordships to adopt; viz ^t. the Vote by Ballot:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Inhabitants of Greenock:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Greenock, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "without further Delay to pass a Law for securing to the People a full, fair and free Representation in Parliament, and empowering the Electors to vote for their Representatives by Ballot:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Whithorn:

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates, Councillors, Burgesses and other Inhabitants of the Royal Burgh of Whithorn, in Scotland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take the Subject of Parliamentary and Burgh Representation in Scotland into their Consideration, and to grant such an Extension of the Franchise as the Evils to be remedied may require:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Maybole:

Upon reading the Petition of the Burgesses and other Inhabitants of the Burgh of Maybole and its Vicinity, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to remedy the Abuses in the Elective Franchise in Scotland, both as regards Counties and Burghs; and to make such an Extension of the Elective Franchise as may embrace the Case of the Petitioners, who are excluded from any Share in the Election of Parliamentary Representatives, and are, in fact, totally unrepresented; and generally to make such Improvements in the Representative System as may seem to be necessary and expedient:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Kinghorn.

Upon reading the Petition of the Operatives and Labourers of Kinghorn and its Vicinity, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That the Members of the House of Commons be chosen by Ballot and by the People at large, and that the Duration of Parliaments be shortened; or to do otherwise as their Lordships shall deem expedient:

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Galway Elective Franchise, Petitions of Roman Catholics & Protestants of Galway for Extension of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Roman Catholic Inhabitants of the Parish of Saint Nicholas, in the County of the Town of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Protestant Mercantile and Trading Classes of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to equalize the Civil Rights in Galway, by extending to the Roman Catholic Mercantile and Trading Classes the Elective Franchise in as full and ample a Manner as the same is now enjoyed by Protestants:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petitions do lie on the Table.

Slavery, Petitions from Thornbury & Worksop for Abolition of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Thornbury and its Vicinity, in the County of Gloucester, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "forthwith to pass a Law for the utter Extinction of Slavery in the Colonies of Great Britain, at the earliest practicable Period, consistent with the Security of the Colonies, and due Compensation for the lawful Rights and Property of all Parties concerned:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Congregation of Independent Dissenters at Worksop, in the County of Nottingham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to adopt such Measures as shall put an End forthwith and for ever to such a System of Wrong, Outrage and Evil as the abominable System of Slavery prevailing in many of the Colonies of Great Britain; remove the Stain of Moral Turpitude which has so long disfigured us as a Nation, in consequence of our suffering the Cries of the oppressed and captive Negro to be heard without our affording that Relief-Liberty, which was in our Power to bestow; and repel the Charge of Inconsistency which may now so justly be brought against us, of proudly boasting ourselves a free Nation, and at the same Time holding our Fellow Subjects in the direst, most degrading and disgusting Bondage:"

It is Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the Table.

Judgment & Execution Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir James Scarlett and others;

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the more speedy Judgment and Execution in Actions brought in His Majesty's Courts of Law at Westminster, and in the Court of Common Pleas of the County Palatine of Lancaster; and for amending the Law as to Judgment on a Cognovit actionem in Cases of Bankruptcy;" and to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to the same, with One Amendment, to which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Bedfont Road Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Campbell and others;

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for more effectually repairing the Road from the Powder Mills on Hounslow Heath, in the County of Middlesex, to the Twenty Milestone on Egham Hill, in the County of Surrey;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Bill was read the First Time.

Foreign Tobacco, Returns of Imports & Exports of, Ordered.

Ordered, That there be laid before this House, "A Return of the Quantity of Foreign Tobacco imported into Great Britain and Ireland for Seven Years ending the 5th of January last, and the Amount of Duty paid thereon, distinguishing each Year:"

And also, "A Return of the Quantity of Foreign Tobacco exported from Great Britain and Ireland for the same Period, distinguishing each Year."

Sir J. Colquhoun v. Colquhoun.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein Sir James Colquhoun Baronet is Appellant, and Robert Colquhoun Esquire is Respondent, be heard by Counsel at the Bar on Monday next.

Thomson v Dr. Williamson et al. et e con.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein James Thomson Esquire is Appellant, and Doctor James Williamson, and others, are Respondents, et e contra, be heard by Counsel at the Bar on Monday next.

Com ee on the Poor Laws, Wells to attend.

Ordered, That The Reverend Wells do attend this House on Wednesday next to be sworn, in order to his being examined as a Witness before the Select Committee appointed to consider of the Poor Laws.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunæ, septimum diem instantis Februarii, horâ decimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.