House of Lords Journal Volume 63: 25 February 1831

Die Veneris, 25° Februarii 1831.

DOMINI tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Ld. Lyndhurst chosen Speaker protempore.

The Lord Chancellor not being present, and The Lord Tenterden, The Lord Wynford and The Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, appointed Speakers by His Majesty's Commissions, being absent, the Lords unanimously chose The Lord Lyndhurst to be Speaker pro tempore:

And his Lordship took his Seat upon the Woolsack accordingly.

PRAYERS.

Brack v. Johnston et al:

After hearing Counsel this Day upon the Petition and Appeal of William Brack residing in Earlston; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the Second Division, of the 23d (signed 24th) of November 1827; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellant 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 George Johnston, Farmer in Yetholmmains, in the County of Roxburgh; Henry Swan, Writer in Kelso; Francis Hall and Adam Hog, then of the Island of Jamaica, afterwards residing at Earlston aforesaid, put in to the said Appeal; and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause:

Interlocutor 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 Interlocutor therein complained of, be, and the same is hereby Affirmed.

Fraser v. Fraser:

After hearing Counsel this Day upon the Petition and Appeal of Archibald Thomas Frederick Fraser Esquire, of Abertarff; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary in Scotland, of the 25th (signed 26th) June 1829; and also of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session there, of the First Division, of the 29th January 1830; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellant 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 Thomas Alexander Fraser Esquire, of Lovat, put in to the said Appeal; and due Consideration had of what was offered on either Side in this Cause:

Interlocutors Affirmed, with Costs.

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: And it is further Ordered, That the Appellant do pay or cause to be paid to the said Respondent the Sum of Fifty Pounds, for his Costs in respect of the said Appeal.

Viscount Sydney takes his Seat.

This Day John Robert Viscount Sydney sat first in Parliament after the Death of his Father John Thomas Viscount Sydney; his Lordship having first, at the Table, taken the Oaths, and also taken and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed by The Lord Chancellor.

Reform of Parliament, Petitions in favor of: (Staffordshire Potteries:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Staffordshire Potteries, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will grant to them the Privilege of returning Members to Parliament in such wise as to their Lordships shall seem meet:"

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

Maidenhead:

Upon reading the Petition of The Mayor, Bridgemasters and Burgesses of the Town of Maidenhead, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships "to support the King's Government in its laudable Efforts to reform the Representation of the People in the Commons House of Parliament, and which the Petitioners believe cannot fail, under the Favor of Providence, to secure to the Public the most solid, valuable and permanent Advantages:"

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

Merchants, &c. of London:

Upon reading the Petition of the Merchants, Bankers and others of the City of London, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to support the King's Government in its laudable Efforts to effect a Retrenchment in the Expenditure of the Pûblic Money, and to reform the Representation of the People in the Commons House of Parliament, which the Petitioners believe cannot fail, under the Favor of Providence, to secure to the Public the most solid, valuable and permanent Advantages:"

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

Towcester:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitant Householders of Towcester and its Vicinity, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to cause such an Alteration to be made in the Representation as shall annihilate the Borough System, and extend the Elective Franchise to all Persons who are charged with the Inhabited House Duty, or at least cause the Right of voting for County Members to be co-extensive with the serving upon County Juries; and that such a System of voting may be established as shall secure the Voters from Tyranny and Oppression: That a Revision of the Church Property may be made, and such an Alteration in the Tithe System effected, as shall prevent those unhappy Altercations between the Clergyman and his Parishioners which now too frequently take place; and also to cause a more just and equitable Distribution of the Church Revenues; and finally, That their Lordships will abolish all those Taxes which paralyze the Industry of the Country; and that, to meet any Deficiency of the Revenue, their Lordships would be pleased to impose a Tax on Real Property, and such an one as will reach Absentees, so that they may not escape bearing a Part of those Expences which are incurred by the Protection of their Property:"

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

Dudley:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dudley, in the County of Worcester, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That they may be empowered to return Two Members to Parliament, a Privilege which this Town once enjoyed, even at the early Period of the Reign of Edward the First; and that, in any Plan of Reform the Legislature shall be pleased to adopt, the Constitution may be properly upheld, and our Rights and Liberties protected, so as to preserve inviolate the best Interests of the Empire:"

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

Titchfield:

Upon reading the Petition of the Owners and Occupiers of Land and Inhabitants of Titchfield, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will second the patriotic Endeavours of His Majesty's Government in restoring the Constitution to an healthy State, by extending the Elective Franchise to all Persons liable to serve Parochial Office, and by restoring Triennial Parliaments, which would restore Confidence to the People, and prevent those Scenes of Bribery and Intimidation so derogatory to the Dignity of the Commons House of Parliament: That their Lordships will repeal those Taxes more immediately affecting the Necessaries of Life, particularly those on Malt, Hops, Soap and Candles: That their Lordships will so revise the Tithe Laws, that instead of operating as a Check to Industry and Agricultural Improvement, and as an Encouragement to Schism and Dissension, they may be so amended as to encourage and protect the former, and prevent and destroy the latter: That their Lordships will totally abolish the present Laws for the Protection of Game, and (if thought necessary) substitute others more congenial to the Spirit of our excellent Constitution:"

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

Bristol:

Upon reading the Petition of the Bankers, Merchants and other Inhabitants of the City of Bristol and its Vicinity, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to make such Alterations in the existing Laws as may remedy the several Evils in the said Petition complained of; and especially that the Right of Election may be granted to those large and populous Towns not now enjoying it, and the Right of Suffrage be extended to the Trading and Manufacturing Interests, Copyholders, Householders and many others, who, by their Talents and Industry, contribute largely to the Support of the State, so that the Property and Intelligence of the Country may be fairly represented, the Duration of Parliament be shortened, and the Vote by Ballot, to prevent corrupt Influence and Intimidation at Elections, and an Abridgement of the Time allowed for taking the Votes, be granted to the Prayers of the People:"

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

Thorne:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Thorne, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to lend their cordial Assistance to the framing of such Measures as to them shall seem best calculated to effect a wise and salutary Adaptation of the Representation of the People in the Honorable the House of Commons to the altered Circumstances of the Nation:"

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

Bilston:

Upon reading the Petition of the Clergy, Chapelwardens, Overseers of the Poor, and others, the Inhabitants of the Township of Bilston, in the County of Stafford, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That the Parish of Wolverhampton, containing Fifty thousand Inhabitants, (of which the Township of Bilston forms so important a Part, having a Population of at least Sixteen thousand,) may be included in the Extension of the Elective Franchise to Parishes now unrepresented, not only as being the Centre of the Staffordshire Coal and Iron Trade, but as carrying on within itself extensive and important Manufactures, requiring a large and active Capital, and affording Employment to many Thousands of the Labouring Classes; and that the Commons House of Parliament may be so effectually reformed and purified, that it may be, in Deed and in Truth, a real and faithful Representation of the People:"

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

Winchester:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the City and Suburbs of the City of Winchester, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to adopt such Measures as shall effect a full and efficient Reform in the Commons House of Parliament:"

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

Devonport & Stoke Damerel:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Devonport and Parish of Stoke Damerel, in the County of Devon, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for a speedy and effectual Reform in Church and State, embracing Vote by Ballot, as the best Guarantee of the Public Safety, and as the only satisfactory Means of conciliating Public Opinion, and of transmitting to Posterity unimpaired the glorious Principles of our inimitable Constitution; and that when the Measures of Reform shall be matured and organized, their Lordships will be pleased to extend to this populous and increasing Town the Privilege of an Elective Franchise, under such wholesome Regulations as their Lordships may consider equitable, efficient and satisfactory:"

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

Berwick upon Tweed:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed and its Liberties, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to adopt such Measures for extending the Right and improving the Mode of electing Members to serve in Parliament as shall render the House of Commons an efficient Guardian of the Rights, Liberties and Property of every Subject of the Realm:"

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

Cullybackey:

Upon reading the Petition of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Village of Cullybackey and its Neighbourhood, in the Parish of Ahoghill and County of Antrim, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to remedy the following Grievances,-the decayed State of Trade and impoverished Condition of the People, the present State of the Church Establishment of this Country, and the Oppression of the Tithe System, by a complete and general Reform in Church and State, by introducing the Vote by Ballot, and by limiting the Duration of Parliaments to Three Years at furthest, as by those Means the People's Liberties will be guaranteed, the Stability of the State secured, and the Freedom of the British Constitution rendered a happy Reality:"

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

Belfast:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Belfast, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That, in pursuance of the wise Designs announced by the present Administration for lightening the Public Burdens and effecting Parliamentary Reform, their Lordships will see fit to introduce such Measures as may rescue the Commons of the Empire from their present Subjection to the Influence of the Aristocracy, and restore to them that Constitutional Weight in the Legislature, which is the only Bulwark of Public Liberty in these Realms: That, by the Extension of the Elective Franchise to those Towns and Places which are at present totally unrepresented, by the Abolition of Elective Monopolies in those Cities and Boroughs which are under the Influence of aristocratic Patrons, and by the Disfranchisement of such as are not entitled by Numbers, Intelligence or Property to send forward Members to Parliament, their Lordships will so equalize the Rights and Privileges of the whole People as to give no one Class an undue Preponderance over the other: And finally, that by the Adoption of Vote by Ballot and Triennial Parliaments, their Lordships will secure the Purity of Election, and the Fidelity of Representatives in the Discharge of their momentous Duties:"

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

Waterford:

Upon reading the Petition of The Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen and Common Councilmen of the City of Waterford, in Council assembled, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships, "That, in the Measure of Parliamentary Reform about to be brought forward, the Propriety of changing the Qualification to vote at the Election of a Member of Parliament for this City be taken into Consideration; that the Elective Franchise may in future be extended to Persons residing within the City and Liberties thereof, being the Occupants of Dwelling Houses, or Premises with Dwelling Houses attached thereto, and valued at the Rent of Eight Pounds late Irish Currency, or upwards, per Annum, in the Book on which the Ministers Money is collected in the City, and to Persons possessing a Freehold of the clear yearly Value of Ten Pounds per Annum or upwards in the said County of the City:"

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

Lymington:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of Lymington, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for a speedy and effectual Reform in the Commons House of Parliament, for an Extension of the Elective Franchise, and for the Adoption of such other Measures as shall ensure to the People of Great Britain and Ireland a full and real Representation in that Honourable House:"

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

East Linton

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of East Linton and Vicinity, in the County of Haddington, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to grant such an Extension of the Elective Franchise as shall appear best calculated to redress the Grievances of which the Petitioners have just Cause to complain:"

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

Devizes:

Upon reading the Petition of the several Persons whose Names are thereunto subscribed, all resident Householders living within the Borough of Devizes, in the County of Wilts, or respectively assessed to the Poor and other Rates and Charges payable within the said Borough; praying their Lordships "to root out the Evil of confining the Elective Franchise to Corporations, to the Exclusion of resident Householders rated to the Poor, which has spread its Ramifications into most of the Institutions of the Country: That their Lordships will support those Ministers His Majesty has so prudently chosen to conduct the Affairs of the Nation, in carrying into Effect such Measures of Reform and Retrenchment as will satisfy those who, being interested from the Property they possess, wish to see their Country flourish, and kept free from Anarchy and Confusion:"

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

Cerne Abbas:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Cerne Abbas, in the County of Dorset, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "for the Sake of the Peace, Freedom and Happiness of this Country, to support and assist His Majesty's Ministers in correcting the present defective Representation of the People, and establishing the Right of voting upon just and uniform Principles, so as to render the House of Commons the true Representative of the Wishes and Interests of the People:"

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

Leeds:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Leeds, in the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will adopt Measures for carrying into immediate Effect a thorough and efficient Reform in the Representation of the People, and the most rigorous Economy in the Public Expenditure:"

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

Sanquhar.

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates, Heritors, Merchants, Tradesmen and other Inhabitants of the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to extend and improve the Elective Franchise of the Kingdom, or to afford such Remedy therein as to their Lordships shall seem meet:"

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

Parliamentary & Burgh Reform, Petitions in favor of: (Kennoway:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Village of Kennoway and Neighbourhood, in the County of Fife, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to reform the Mode of electing Members to sit in the Commons House of Parliament for both Burghs and Shires in Scotland, and to extend the Elective Franchise so that the People may be fully and fairly represented, and to do otherwise as to their Lordships shall appear most expedient, so that Bribery and Corruption may be checked, and that Voters may no longer be tempted and influenced by base and sinister Motives to make Choice of Men to be their Representatives who have not the Weal and Interest of their Constituents at heart:"

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

Ayr:

Upon reading the Petition of the Burgesses, Proprietors and Inhabitants of the Royal Burgh of Ayr, in Scotland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to pass a Law entitling all Burgesses and Owners or Occupiers of Lands or Houses of a moderate yearly Value in Scotland to vote in the Elections of their Municipal and Legislative Representatives:"

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

Dunshalt:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Village of Dunshalt, in the Parish of Auchtermuchty, Fifeshire, Scotland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "in taking into Consideration the defective State of the Representation of Scotland, to give the Petitioners a Voice in the Election of their Member of Parliament, to confer the Right of voting by Ballot, and limit the Duration of Parliament to Three Years:"

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

Merchant Incorporation, Dundee:

Upon reading the Petition of the Guildry or Merchant Incorporation of Dundee, under their Common Seal; praying their Lordships "so to extend the Elective Franchise in Scotland both in the Boroughs and in the Counties, as to substitute for the present nominal Representation in Parliament a real Representation of His Majesty's loyal, intelligent, industrious and wealthy Subjects in Scotland; to grant to Dundee the Privilege of electing a Representative in the House of Commons; and to restore to the Boroughs of Scotland their ancient Right of electing their Town Councils by the Votes of the Burgesses, or in such other Manner as to their Lordships shall seem meet:"

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

Ceres,&c:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Ceres and its Neighbourhood, and the Villages of Craigrothie and Chance Inn, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will zealously support the present Administration in all its Endeavours to bring about a substantial Reform in the Commons House of Parliament, by greatly and generally extending the Elective Franchise, and adopting all attainable Means, the chief of which the Petitioners conceive to be the Ballot, for annihilating corrupt Influence and maintaining the Purity of Elections:"

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

W. Beck.

Upon reading the Petition of William Beck, One of the Burgesses of the Burgh of Lochmaben; praying their Lordships "to abolish the Magistrates and Council of the said Burgh, in Example to others, and, in particular as the Town is in Bankrupt Circumstances, and nothing left to support a Magistracy of any Description; and to empower the Burgesses and free Inhabitants of this Burgh in every Right that the Magistrates and Council had in Time past of electing a Member to serve in Parliament, either by their Property to a certain Extent, or by inhabiting a House or Land at a certain yearly Rent, or otherwise as their Lordships may judge best for the Good of this Burgh and Welfare of the Country in general:"

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

Coals carried Coastwise, Petition from New Shoreham for Repeal of Duty on.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Borough of New Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to afford an Instance of their Intention to remove or modify such Taxes as press with undue Weight on the most industrious and least opulent Portion of the Community, by repealing the Duty on Sea-borne Coal, a Tax doubly objectionable from its Amount being between Forty and Fifty per Cent. on the Prime Cost of the Article, and from its extremely partial and unjust Imposition; and by shielding the Petitioners from the further Operation of other onerous Imposts, which their Station in Life and restricted Means so inadequately enable them to sustain:"

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

Slavery, Petitions for Abolition of: (New Shoreham:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of New Shoreham, in the County of Sussex, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "forthwith to pass a Law for the early and utter Extinction of Slavery in the British Colonies; and should any Compensation be judged equitable and expedient, the Petitioners express themselves ready to concur in such Measures as may secure the Accomplishment of their Object:"

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

Kingsley:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kingsley, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Binsted:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Binsted, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Stockleigh Pomeroy:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Stockleigh Pomeroy, in the County of Devon, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Castle Green Chapel, Bristol:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Calvinistic Independents and Members of the Congregation usually assembling for Religious Worship at Castle Green Chapel, in the City of Bristol and in the County of Gloucester, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Stewarton:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Stewarton and its Neighbourhood, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Rosehearty:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the United Associate Congregation and other Inhabitants of the Town of Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Westburyleigh:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters assembling for Divine Worship in the Old Baptist Meeting, Westburyleigh, Westbury, in the County of Wilts, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

2 d United Associate Congregation, Elgin:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Second United Associate Congregation of Elgin, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

St. Andrews:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the City of St. Andrews, in North Britain, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships "to adopt such Measures as will lead to the early and utter Extinction of Slavery in the British Colonies:"

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

Dunfermline:

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates, Ministers and Inhabitants of the Burgh of Dunfermline, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "with a due Regard to the Interests of all Parties concerned, to make such Legislative Enactments as shall be effectual in leading to an early and complete Abolition of Slavery:"

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

Bremton:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Bremton and its Vicinity, in the County of Somerset, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to devise and enforce some decisive Measure, whereby all Children who may hereafter be born of Slaves shall be declared free, and Provision made for the entire Abolition of Slavery at an early Period; with such Regard to the Indemnity of the Planters as to their Lordships shall seem fit; and with such Legislative Provisions and Restraints as shall place the liberated Negro under the Authority and Protection of just and equal Laws:"

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

Ryde:

Upon reading the Petition of the Female Inhabitants of the Town of Ryde and its Vicinity, in the Isle of Wight, County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will take into their Consideration the best Means of insuring the speedy Extinction of Slavery in the Colonies; and, as a first Step to this great moral Work, will fix an early Day on and after which all Children the Offspring of Slaves may be born free throughout His Majesty's Dominions:"

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

Thornhill:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Thornhill and Neighbourhood, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "not merely to ameliorate, but speedily and utterly to annihilate, the great Evil of Colonial Slavery; to redeem a solemn Promise recorded in the Statute Book of the Land, and thus to remove a principal Crime from the Roll of a Nation's Iniquities:"

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

Alyth:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Alyth, in the County of Perth, Scotland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "forthwith to pass a Law for the early and utter Extinction of Slavery in the British Colonies; and, until this most desirable Consummation shall have been attained, to take immediate Measures for arresting the Progress of the Evil, and for preventing any further Addition being made to the present Number of enslaved British Subjects, by fixing a Day after which all Children who shall be born within the Dominions of His Majesty, whatever be their Class, Condition or Complexion, shall thenceforward be absolutely free:"

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

United Associate Congregations of North Berwick; of Avonbridge;

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the United Associate Congregation of North Berwick, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the United Associate Congregation of Avonbridge, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships "to take the Business of legislating on the Subject of Slavery directly into their own Hands, and require the Colonies immediately to adopt such Measures as may to their Lordships seem best fitted to put an End, as soon as shall be practicable, to a State of Suffering and Moral Degradation, which this House has declared to originate in Injustice and Robbery; to form such Regulations as shall remove immediately the more grievous Oppressions to which the Slaves are subject, especially such as interfere with their Religious and Moral Improvement, and thus prepare the Way for their complete Emancipation; and, in particular, to fix an early Day, after which, all the Children born of Slaves shall be declared free:"

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

and of Banff:

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the United Associate Congregation of Banff, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to adopt such Measures as shall seem best fitted to put an End to Slavery in the British Colonies, and to remove in the mean time the more grievous Oppressions to which the Slaves are subject, and thus prepare the Way for their complete Emancipation:"

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

Thornhill:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township and Parish of Thornhill, in the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will, at the earliest Opportunity, take into Consideration the State of our Fellow Subjects in the West India Colonies, and devise prompt and immediate Measures for the total and utter Extermination of Negro Slavery:"

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

2 d United Associate Congregation, Falkirk:

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Second United Associate Congregation of Falkirk, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take effectual Measures for the immediate and total Abolition of Slavery throughout the Colonies of the Empire, that Britain may no longer disgrace herself and offend Almighty God by sanctioning directly or indirectly that System of odious Crime; and at the same Time to make such Provisional Enactments as shall be necessary or expedient for protecting the White Population, if their Safety shall appear to be endangered, for promoting the Temporal Comfort and Moral Improvement of the Negroes, and, in general, for securing the Interest of all Parties who may be affected by the great Measure of Emancipation:"

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

Kemnay.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kemnay, in the County of Aberdeen, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships, in Justice to the oppressed Victims of the cruel System of Slavery, will no longer continue to sanction those heavy Protecting Duties and other Burdens by which Colonial Slavery is upheld, to the Injury of Free Labour, and by which the Inhabitants of these Kingdoms are compelled to support, at an enormous Annual Expence, a System of Oppression which they abhor; and that their Lordships will immediately enact and enforce such other Measures as shall effectually secure a speedy and complete Abolition of Slavery throughout every Part of His Majesty's Dominions:"

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

Com ee on the Poor Laws, Becher to attend.

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

London Bridge Approaches Bill, Petitions against: (Vestrymen of St. John's, Southwark:)

A Petition of the Vestrymen, in Vestry assembled, of the Parish of Saint John, Southwark, in the County of Surrey, was presented and read; taking notice of a Bill depending in this House, intituled, "An Act for enlarging the Powers of an Act passed in the Tenth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty, for improving the Approaches to London Bridge;" and praying their Lordships "not to grant the Leave applied for by the City of London to convert the Burial Ground situated close to the new London Bridge, known by the Name of The Flemish Burial Ground, into common Ground, for the Purpose of erecting Shops or Dwelling Houses thereon, as such Ground is not necessary for the Approaches to the Bridge, such Approaches having already been made."

Ordered, That the said Petition be received as the Petition of "J. C. Abdy Rector, and Chairman of the said Vestry," and "Charles Batsford, Vestry Clerk," who only have signed it.

St. Olave's, Southwark:

Upon reading the Petition of the several Persons whose Names are thereunto subscribed, being the Rector, Churchwardens, Overseers of the Poor, and several Parishioners of the Parish of Saint Olave, in the Town and Borough of Southwark, in General Vestry assembled; taking notice of the last-mentioned Bill, and praying their Lordships, "That the same may not pass into a Law:"

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

South Lambeth.

Upon reading the Petition of the Householders, Occupiers and Owners of Land in the Vicinity of South Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; taking notice of the last-mentioned Bill, and praying their Lordships, "That such Means may be taken as shall restore to the Commissioners of Sewers their ancient Jurisdiction and Controul over the Ephra Sewer and Vauxhall Creek, and oblige the South London Waterworks Company to take their Supply immediately and only from the Thames, "by Means of an Engine they have erected for that Purpose," as stated by their Agent before a Committee of the House of Commons in July 1828; and that Provision may be made in the said Bill to prevent Damage to the Petitioners by the overflowing of the Tides:"

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

Dickson et al. v. Cunninghame & L d Medwyn.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein David Dickson Esquire, and others, are Appellants, and John Cunninghame Esquire and The Honorable John Hay Forbes Lord Medwyn are Respondents, be heard by Counsel at the Bar on Wednesday next.

MacPherson v. Cameron et al.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein Captain Ewen Mac Pherson is Appellant, and Mrs. Catherine Cameron or Mac Pherson, and others, are Respondents, be heard ex-parte, by Counsel at the Bar, on Monday next.

Assessed Taxes, Petitions for Repeal of: (High-Hoyland:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of High-Hoyland, in the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Shepley:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of Shepley, in the Parish of Kirkburton, in the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Liversedge:

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of Liversedge, in the Parish of Birstal, in the West Riding of the County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Lindley cum Quarmby.

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of Lindley cum Quarmby, in the Parish of Huddersfield and County of York, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships for the immediate Repeal of the whole of the Assessed Taxes, as a Measure calculated to give great and lasting Relief to the Country, and which, the Petitioners respectfully represent to their Lordships, may be adopted without Injury to the Honor and Safety of the British Empire, if His Majesty's Ministers (imitating the Example of their Sovereign) make a Sacrifice of a Portion of their Official Incomes to the Public Exigencies, introduce a rigid Economy, and abolish all useless and sinecure Offices in the State:"

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

Labourers Wages, Petitions from Wolverhampton & Stockport respecting.

Upon reading the Petition of the Workmen and Labourers in the Iron and Coal Works, residing in the Town and Neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, and also of the Operative Mechanics and others residing in the said Town and Neighbourhood, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will adopt and pass such Legislative Measures as will prevent the Payment of Wages otherwise than in Money:"

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

Upon reading the Petition of the Persons whose Names are thereunto subscribed, being of the Clergy, Manufacturers, Tradesmen, Shopkeepers and other Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of Stockport, in the County Palatine of Chester; praying their Lordships "to take the Practice of paying Wages in Goods, or by way of Truck, into their serious Consideration, and to adopt such Measures for the Purpose, in Conformity with the Spirit of the existing Laws, prohibiting such Practice, or otherwise, as their Lordships shall deem right and proper:"

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

Maiden Newton Inclosure Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for inclosing Lands within the Parish of Maiden Newton, in the County of Dorset."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill, with the Amendments, shall pass?"

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with Amendments to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Wingfield and Mr. Trower;

To return the said Bill, and acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the same, with some Amendments, to which their Lordships desire their Concurrence.

J. & S. Johnstone v. Darling:

Upon reading the Petition of John Johnstone and Samuel Johnstone, Appellants in a Cause depending in this House, to which Thomas Darling is Respondent; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to order that the Petitioners may have Leave to withdraw their Appeal, the Agent for the Respondent having signed the said Petition, as consenting thereto:"

Appeal withdrawn.

It is Ordered, That the Petitioners be at liberty to withdraw their said Appeal, as desired.

Magistrates, &c. of Dundee v. Kay & Morton, Appellants Petition for an early Day, referred to Appeal Com ee.

Upon reading the Petition of the Magistrates and Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Dundee, and others, Appellants in a Cause depending in this House, to which Alexander Kay and John Morton are Respondents; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to appoint an early Day for hearing this Cause:"

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.

Richardson to enter into a Recog ce on Reid's Appeal.

The House being moved, "That John Richardson of Fludyer Street, Westminster, Gentleman, may be permitted to enter into a Recognizance for John Reid, on account of his Appeal depending in this House, he being in Scotland:"

It is Ordered, That the said John Richardson may enter into a Recognizance for the said Appellant, as desired.

Governors of Birmingham Grammar School et al. Leave for a Bill:

After reading and considering the Report of the Judges, to whom was referred the Petition of the Governors of the Free Grammar School in Birmingham, and others; praying Leave to bring in a Private Bill, for the Purposes therein mentioned:

It is Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, pursuant to the said Petition and Report.

Bill read.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to enable the Governors of the Possessions, Revenues and Goods of the Free Grammar School of King Edward the Sixth in Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, to erect a School House, Masters Houses and other suitable Accommodations for the said School, on a new Site in the Vicinity of the Town of Birmingham, and to extend the Objects of the Charity; and for other Purposes."

Maddison Leave for a Bill:

After reading and considering the Report of the Judges, to whom was referred the Petition of John Maddison Esquire; praying Leave to bring in a Private Bill, for the Purposes therein mentioned:

It is Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, pursuant to the said Petition and Report.

Bill read.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for rendering valid the Supplementary Award of the Commissioners under an Act of the Fifty-ninth Year of King George the Third, intituled, "An Act for inclosing Lands in the Parish of Alvingham, in the County of Lincoln."

Mac Pherson v. Cameron et al. Petition to amend Appeal.

Upon reading the Petition of Captain Ewen Mac Pherson, Appellant in a Cause depending in this House, to which Mrs. Catherine Cameron or Mac Pherson, and others, are Respondents; setting forth, "That this Appeal complains of certain Parts of the Judgment of the Court of Session in Scotland, pronounced in an Action of Reduction and Declarator raised by the Petitioner in that Court for the Purpose of reducing and setting aside a certain Trust Deed made and granted by the Petitioner's Father the late Colonel Duncan M' Pherson, whereby he conveyed to the Respondents, and certain other Persons now deceased, the Lands and Estate of Cluny, in Trust for Payment of his Debts and certain other Purposes therein mentioned: That the principal Grounds of Reduction insisted on by the Petitioner were that the said Trust Deed was ultra vires of the Petitioner's Father, inasmuch as he had, by his Contract of Marriage, settled the said Lands and Estate upon the Petitioner, the Heir of the Marriage, subject to certain reasonable Provisions in favor of his Wife and younger Children, and had therefore no Power to grant a Trust Deed of the Nature sought to be reduced, whereby he deprived the Petitioner of the Management of the said Lands and Estate for a Series of Years, burdened the same with additional Provisions to his Wife and younger Children, and ratified and confirmed a Deed of Entail of the said Lands and Estate which he had previously executed: That the said Court pronounced a Judgment reducing the said Trust Deed as ultra vires of the Granter thereof, but sustaining the Provisions thereby granted in favor of the Widow and younger Children of the Granter, and ordaining the said Trustees to dispone and make over the said Lands and Estate to the Petitioner, "and to the other Heirs and Members of Tailzie called by the Deed of Entail executed by the said Colonel Duncan M' Pherson, and under the Conditions, Provisions and Declarations; Clauses prohibitory, irritant and resolutive, contained in the said Deed of Entail:" That the Petitioner appealed to their Lordships from the said Judgment in so far as it sustains the additional Provisions granted in favor of the Widow and younger Children, and ordains the Respondents to dispone the said Lands and Estate in favor of the Petitioner in Terms of the said Deed of Entail, inasmuch as the said Court had no Power to pronounce a Judgment on the Validity of the said Entail, that Deed not having been brought before them in the said Action of Reduction and Declarator: That since the Petitioner's Appeal was presented to their Lordships, viz ^t. on the 28th of April 1830, the Petitioner and the Respondents, and such of the younger Children of the said Colonel Duncan M' Pherson as had then attained Majority, have executed a Deed of Agreement as to the Amount of the Provisions to the Widow and younger Children of the said Duncan M' Pherson, and all Claims against each other, whereby it becomes unnecessary to obtain the Judgment of their Lordships House on that Branch of the Cause; and the Respondents and the other Parties to the said Deed of Agreement have also thereby bound themselves to acquiesce in the Application of the Petitioner for a Remit to the said Court of that Part of the Judgment in relation to the Validity of the said Deed of Entail, so incompetently pronounced as aforesaid;" and therefore praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to order that this Cause may be remitted to the Court of Session to consider and determine the Question of the Validity or Invalidity of the said Deed of Entail; or that the Petitioner may have Leave to amend his Appeal by striking out such Parts thereof as relate to the Provisions to the Widow and younger Children of the said Colonel Duncan M' Pherson, and to withdraw the Cases already laid upon their Lordships Table by the Petitioner, and to substitute an amended Case:"

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

Robb v. Forrest.

The House being moved, "That a Day may be appointed for hearing the Cause wherein Donald Robb is Appellant, and James Forrest is Respondent, ex-parte, the Respondent not having put in his Answer to the said Appeal, though peremptorily Ordered so to do:"

It is Ordered, That this House will hear the said Cause ex-parte, by Counsel at the Bar, on the first vacant Day for Causes after those already appointed, unless the Respondent puts in his Answer thereto in the mean time.

Napier v. Goldie et al. Respondents Petition to lodge Cases, referred to Appeal Com ee:

Upon reading the Petition of Alexander Goldie, Alexander Crombie and Xaveria Glendonwyn, some of the Respondents in a Cause depending in this House, to which John Napier Esquire is Appellant; t6th Report from Appeal Comee. he said Alexander Crombie and Xaveria Glendonwyn praying, "That their Lordships would be pleased to grant them Permission to lodge the Prints of their joint Case;" and the said Alexander Goldie praying, "That their Lordships would be pleased to grant him Permission to lodge the Prints of his separate Case:"

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.

6th Report from Appeal Com ee.

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Lords Committees 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; and to report to the House; and to whom were referred certain Petitions in the following Causes; Grahame against Jolly; Macintyre and others against Macdonald and another; Inglis and others against Harper; the Magistrates and Town Council of the Burgh of Dingwall and others against The Honorable Mistress Hay Mackenzie and another; The Earl of Mar against Lady Frances I. Erskine and another; Bulkley against Wilford; Lady Montgomerie and another against Messieurs Rundell and Company, and others; The Attorney General against Winstanley; The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon against Aikman; Mahon and others against Irwin; Sir Charles Cockerell Baronet and others against Cholmeley; and Pentland against Booth and another; "That the Committee had met, and considered the Respondents Petitions in the Causes Grahame against Jolly, Macintyre and others against Macdonald and another, Inglis and others against Harper, and the Magistrates and Town Council of the Burgh of Dingwall and others against The Honorable Mistress Hay Mackenzie and another, and the Appellant's Petition in the Cause The Earl of Mar against Lady Frances I. Erskine and another, severally praying their Lordships for Leave to lodge their printed Cases; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the Petitioners may respectively be allowed now to deliver in their printed Cases: That the Committee had also considered the Appellant's Petition in the Cause Bulkley against Wilford, praying their Lordships to order that he may be at liberty to withdraw his Appendix and relodge the same when compressed; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the Petitioner may, upon Payment to the Respondent of the Sum of Five Pounds, the Amount of the Costs of this Proceeding, be allowed to withdraw the said Appendix to his printed Case, and lodge another Appendix in a more compressed Form, in lieu thereof; and that the said new Appendix should be lodged within a Fortnight: That the Committee had also considered the Respondents Petition in the Cause Lady Montgomerie and another against Messieurs Rundell and Company and others, praying their Lordships to appoint this Cause to be heard on an early Day; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Cause should be appointed to be heard on Monday the 14th of March next: That the Committee had also considered the Plaintiff's Petition in the Writ of Error, His Majesty's Attorney General against Winstanley, praying their Lordships to appoint an early Day for hearing Counsel on the same; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the Errors assigned should be argued by Counsel at the Bar on Wednesday the 13th of April next, and that the Judges should be ordered then to attend: That the Committee had also considered the Respondent's Petition in the Cause The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon against Aikman, praying their Lordships to order the said Appeal to be dismissed as incompetent; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Appeal ought to be dismissed this House as incompetent: That the Committee had also considered the Appellants Petition in the Cause Mahon and others against Irwin, praying their Lordships that they may be at liberty to withdraw their Appeal in this Cause; and it appearing to the Committee that the Appellants printed Case had not been deposited within the Time limited by the Standing Orders of the House, and that the said Appeal consequently stood dismissed, and thereupon the Appellants Agent having prayed Leave to withdraw this Petition, the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Petition may be withdrawn, as desired: That the Committee had also considered the Petition of William Seymour Blackstone of Castle Priory near Wallingford, in the County of Berks, Esquire, eldest Son and Heir at Law of James Blackstone deceased, late One of the Appellants in the Cause Sir Charles Cockerell Baronet and others against Cholmeley, praying their Lordships to order that the said Appeal may stand revived in the Petitioner's Name, in the Place and Stead of the said James Blackstone his late Father, and that the Petitioner may have the same Benefit of the Appeal as his said Father might have had if living; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Appeal may stand revived in the Petitioner's Name, in the Place and Stead of the said James Blackstone his deceased Father; and that the Petitioner should have the same Benefit of the Appeal as his said Father might have had if living: And that the Committee had also considered the Petition of Walter Dickson, One of the Respondents in the Cause Pentland against Booth and another, and of Edward Browne Esquire, One of the Directors of and a Trustee for The Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation, and of Samuel Fenning Esquire, Secretary of and also a Trustee for the same Corporation, praying their Lordships that the said Appeal may be revived in the Petitioners Names, and that the said Edward Browne and Samuel Fenning may be added as Parties thereto; and had heard the Agents thereon, and the Committee are of Opinion, That the said Appeal may be revived in the Petitioners Names, and that the said Edward Browne and Samuel Fenning may be added as Respondents thereto, and should be ordered to put in their Answers thereunto, in Writing, within Four Weeks."

Which Report, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House; and Ordered accordingly.

Petition of the University of Cambridge to change Reference to the Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, and others; praying their Lordships, "That the Order referring their Petition for a Private Bill, presented to the House on Tuesday last, to the Consideration of Mr. Justice Gaselee and Mr. Justice James Parke, may be discharged, Mr. Justice Gaselee leaving London on Monday next the 28th Instant, to open His Majesty's Commission for holding the Assizes at Aylesbury, and Mr. Justice James Parke having left London to proceed on the Northern Circuit several Days previous to the Presentation of the said Petition; and that their Lordships will be pleased to refer the Consideration of the said Petition to Mr. Baron Bayley and Mr. Baron Garrow:"

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the lastmentioned Petition be, and is hereby referred to Mr. Baron Garrow and Mr. Baron Bayley, who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill, and, after hearing them, are to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties, who may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill, have signed the Petition; and also, that the Judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Report from Com ee on E. of Bandon's Claim to vote for Peers for Ireland:

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Lords Committees for Privileges, to whom it was referred to consider of the Petition of James Earl of Bandon; praying, "That his Right to vote at the Election of Peers of Ireland, to sit in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, may be admitted;" "That the Committee had met, and considered the Petition to them referred; and had come to the following Resolution; (viz ^t.)

"Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That James Earl of Bandon, of that Part of the United Kingdom called Ireland, hath made out his Claim to be admitted, as a Temporal Peer of Ireland, to vote at the Election of the Lords Temporal to represent the Peerage of Ireland in the Parliament of the United Kingdom."

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

Resolution that his Lordship bath made out his Claim.

Resolved and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That James Earl of Bandon, of that Part of the United Kingdom called Ireland, hath made out his Claim to be admitted, as a Temporal Peer of Ireland, to vote at the Election of the Lords Temporal to represent the Peerage of Ireland in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Parliaments do transmit to the Clerk of the Crown in Ireland the said Resolution and Judgment.

Presentation to new Churches, Petition from Southampton respecting.

Upon reading the Petition of the Clergy and Inhabitants of the Town and County of the Town of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to pass an Act to enable any Individual, or Body of Men who shall unite for the Purpose, to build and endow a new Church, and to hold the perpetual Presentation thereof after it has been consecrated by the Bishop, without requiring the Consent of the Diocesan, the Patron or the Incumbent of the Parish Church:"

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

Agricultural Distress, Petition from a District in Southampton respecting.

Upon reading the Petition of the Landowners and Occupiers of Farms residing within a certain District of the County of Southampton, and near to the Market Towns of Winchester, Petersfield, Alton, Alresford and Bishop's Waltham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to revise again those Laws which relate to the Import of all Articles, the Produce of the Soil; and to take into their serious Consideration (with a view to some Relief) the severe Pressure which all those endure who pay the Rent, the Tithe, the County and Parochial Rates, and the Wages of the Agricultural Labourers of this United Empire:"

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

Dartford Road Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir George Warrender and others;

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Road leading from Dartford to Sevenoaks, in the County of Kent;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Burton Bridge Road Bill.

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

With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Road from Burton Bridge, in the County of Stafford, to Market Bosworth, in the County of Leicester;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The said Two Bills were, severally, read the First Time.

Trade of India & China, Papers respecting, delivered.

The House being informed, "That Mr. Danvers, from the Court of Directors of The East India Company, attended;"

He was called in; and delivered at the Bar, pursuant to an Order of the 16th Day of December last,

"A Statement of the Commerce of British India with Great Britain, North America, South America and Foreign Europe, for 1827-28 and 1828-29; distinguishing the Trade of The East India Company from that of Individuals, and Merchandize from Treasure - Imports into Bengal; Exports from Ditto - Imports into Fort St. George and Subordinates; Exports from Fort St. George and Subordinates - Imports into Bombay and Surat; Exports from Bombay and Surat:"

Also, "Abstract Statement of the Value of Imports into Bengal, Madras and Bombay from Great Britain, Foreign Europe, and North and South America, and of Exports from Bengal, Madras and Bombay to Great Britain, Foreign Europe, and North and South America, in 1827-28 and 1828-29; distinguishing the Imports and Exports by The East India Company from those by Individuals, and Merchandize from Treasure:"

Also, "An Account of the Quantity and Value of Cargoes exported by American Ships from the different Ports of British India, for the Years 1827-28 and 1828-29 - (Bengal:)"

Also, "An Account of the Quantity and Value of Cargoes exported by American Ships from the different Ports of British India, for the Years 1827-28 and 1828-29 - (Fort St. George:)"

Also, "An Account of the Quantity and Value of Cargoes exported by American Ships from the different Ports of British India, for the Years 1827-28 and 1828-29 - (Bombay:)"

Also, "An Account of the Quantity of American Tonnage which has cleared out from different Ports of British India in 1827-28 and 1828-29:"

And also, "An Account of the Quantity of Tonnage employed annually in the Country Trade between the different Ports of British India and Canton, for the Years 1827-28 and 1828-29, both inclusive: The said Statements and Accounts being respectively Continuations of Statements and Accounts presented to the House in the last Session of Parliament."

And then he withdrew.

And the Titles thereof being read by the Clerk;

Ordered, That the said Papers do lie on the Table.

Distress, Petition from Kilbelfad & Ballinahaglish complaining of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the United Parishes of Kilbelfad and Ballinahaglish, in the County of Mayo, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take into their Consideration the Poverty and Distress under which they labour, aggravated by the Loss of the Potatoe Crop in many Districts in the last Season, with a view of affording Relief to their immediate, as of taking Legislative Precautions against prospective Wants; and that the making of a Canal from Lough Conn to Ballina, thus connecting through the River Moy that extensive Lake with the Sea, would afford ample Employment to the Petitioners, and improve the Agricultural Resources of the Country:"

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

Shepherds Dogs, Petition from Tweeddale, &c. to take off Duty on.

Upon reading the Petition of the Shepherds of Tweeddale, &c. whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to exempt Shepherds Dogs from the Duty charged on Dogs:"

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

Com ee on the Poor Laws Leave to report from Time to Time.

Ordered, That the Select Committee appointed to consider of the Poor Laws have Leave to report from Time to Time.

Poor Rate Returns Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for procuring Returns to Parliament Annually of the Amount and Application of the Monies collected by the Poor Rates in the several Parishes in England and Wales."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill on Monday next.

Education (Ireland,) Petitions for regulating Grants for: (Kinvara:) Kilbaconty:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kinvara and County of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kilbaconty, County of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to institute such Change in the Administration of the Parliamentary Grants for the Education of the Poor of Ireland, as will make the System of Public Education in Ireland conformable to the Wants and Wishes of the People:"

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

Rathkyran, &c.

Upon reading the Petition of the Roman Catholic Inhabitants of the Parishes of Rathkyran, Aglish, Portnascully, Poulroan, Ballytarsna, Clonmore and Tubrid, in the County of Kilkenny, in Ireland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will commit the Distribution of the Public Grants for Education of the Poor of Ireland to Persons in whom the Roman Catholic Inhabitants (who in these Parishes comprise Seventy-nine Eightieths of the entire Population) can have Confidence, that so the large Sums granted for this important Purpose may no longer be wasted by shameful Peculation, or limited to the Education of a few Protestants, but may procure for the immense Majority of the People the Blessing of a good and moral Education:"

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

Sub-letting Act, (Ireland,) Petition from Navan for Repeal of, & for a Tax on Absentee Landlords.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Navan, in the County of Meath, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to repeal the Sub-letting Act, and suffer the Poor to take small Holdings, by which they could be employed and supported; and to endeavour to compel, by Taxation, Absentee Landlords to return to Ireland, where they would have to spend the Rents raised in it, thus materially serving the People; and in case they should continue to remain Abroad, the Amount of the Taxation to be expended in some useful Work, wherein the Labouring Classes might be employed:"

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

Union with Ireland, Petition from Stradbally for Repeal of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Stradbally, in the Queen's County, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for the Repeal of that Measure of Union between Great Britain and Ireland which a Minister of England has since declared to have been "atrocious in its Principle and abominable in its Means:"

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

Kilcullen & Limerick Roads, Petition of T. Dillon for Repeal of Act relating to.

Upon reading the Petition of Thomas Dillon of Lamb Alley, in the City of Dublin, Hotel Keeper; praying their Lordships "to repeal that Part of the Act of 1798, relating to the Kilcullen and Limerick Roads, which enacts a Continuation of the Powers vested in William Bourne Trustee by the Act of 1798, to Fifty Years from the passing of the said Act of 1798; and also to repeal so much of the Act of the 51st of King George the 3d, as relates to enacting a Duty of Four-pence a Horse at each Pay Gate on the Limerick Road; and that their Lordships will be pleased to consider the Necessity of passing an Act to do away the present Monopoly, which has so long existed to the Injury of the Public and fair Competition, or refer it to a Committee of their Lordships more fully to investigate it, or to the Committee now sitting on the Tolls and Customs of Ireland:"

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

Idolatry in India, 3 Petitions from Wareham respecting.

Upon reading the Petition of the Independent Protestant Dissenters assembling for Divine Worship at the Old Meeting, Wareham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Independent Protestant Dissenters assembling for Divine Worship at the Old Meeting, Wareham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships "to take the demoralizing Idolatry of India into their early Consideration, and to adopt such Measures as shall be likely to put a speedy Termination to any existing Connection between British Authority and the Idolatry of Hindostan, and thus remove the Stigma at present attached to a Nation, which, though professedly christian, yet sanctions Idolatry amongst its distant Subjects; and also, that their Lordships will adopt such Measures as shall be likely to do away with any Law at present in force in India, by which Converts to Christianity lose the Right of inheriting hereditary Property:"

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

Upon reading the Petition of the Protestant Dissenters assembling at the West Street Meeting, Wareham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That the speediest and most decisive Measures may be adopted to terminate the Connection of Britain with Hindoo Idolatry, so that Hindoo Idols and Temples may be left to the Management of their own Votaries, and no longer be aided, sanctioned, and honoured by British Management and Influence; and that their Lordships will adopt such Measures as shall occasion a speedy Termination of those oppressive and persecuting Laws, now permitted to exist in India, by which Converts to Christianity lose the Right of inheriting hereditary Property, and secure to the Petitioners Hindoo Christian Brethren the full Enjoyment of their Religious and Civil Privileges:"

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

Churches Building Bill.

It was moved, "That the Order made on Monday last, "That the House be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to amend and render more effectual an Act passed in the Seventh and Eighth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty, intituled, "An Act to amend the Acts for building and promoting the building of additional Churches in populous Parishes," on Monday next; and that the Lords be summoned," be now read."

The same was accordingly read by the Clerk.

Ordered, That the said Order be discharged.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill on Thursday next; and that the Lords be summoned.

Bankruptcy Court Bill presented.

The Lord Chancellor presented to the House a Bill, intituled, "An Act to establish a Court in Bankruptcy."

The said Bill was read the First Time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be printed.

Incumbents, Abstract respecting, delivered.

The Lord Melbourne laid before the House, pursuant to an Address to His Majesty of the 14th Day of this instant February,

"An Abstract of the Numbers and Classes of the Resident Incumbents and of the Non-resident Incumbents, according to the Diocesan Returns made to the Privy Council of Great Britain, relative to the Residence of the Clergy in England and Wales."

And the Title thereof being read by the Clerk;

Ordered, That the said Abstract do lie on the Table.

Ordered, That the said Abstract be printed.

Lunatics Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to diminish the Inconvenience and Expence of Commissions in the nature of Writs De lunatico inquirendo; and to provide for the better Care and Treatment of Idiots, Lunatics and Persons of unsound Mind, found such by Inquisition;"

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill on Monday next; and that the Lords be summoned.

Canada Lands Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to explain and amend the Laws relating to Lands holden in Free and Common Soccage in the Province of Lower Canada."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill on Monday next.

Drainage of Land near the River Shannon, Order for Memorial respecting, discharged, & Address for the same.

It was moved, "That the Order made on Tuesday last, "That there be laid before this House, "A Copy of a Memorial presented to The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on the 30th of May 1825, by The Earls of Clanricarde and Clancarty, concerning the Drainage of a large Tract of Land, by removing Obstructions in the River Shannon," be now read."

The same was accordingly read by the Clerk.

Ordered, That the said Order be discharged.

Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, to request that His Majesty will be graciously pleased to order that there be laid before this House, "A Copy of a Memorial to the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury from The Earls of Clanricarde and Clancarty, dated 30th May 1825, concerning the Drainage of a large Tract of Land, by removing Obstructions in the River Shannon."

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.

Adjourn.

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