House of Lords Journal Volume 63: 3 March 1831

Die Jovis, 3° Martii 1831.

DOMINI tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Slane Peerage, Com ee to meet.

Ordered, That the Committee for Privileges, to whom the Petition of George Bryan of Jenkinstown, in the County of Kilkenny, Esquire, to His Majesty, praying, "That his Claim to the Barony of Slane may be referred to the House of Peers, to report whether the said Title be or be not a Barony in Fee, by Writ of Summons descendible to Heirs General, and whether the same is or is not now in Abeyance between Edward Lord Dunsany and the Petitioner;" together with His Majesty's Reference thereof to this House; and the Report of The Attorney and Solicitor General for Ireland, and also the Report of The Solicitor General for England, thereunto annexed; and also the Petition of Henry Fleming of the City of Dublin; praying, "That their Lordships will not adjudge the Barony of Slane to the Claimant Mr. Bryan until he has fully and clearly proved, that, according to the Usage and Law of Ireland, he is entitled to it; and that Time may be allowed until James Fleming his eldest Brother, who is at present in France, and altogether ignorant of the Steps that have been taken by the said George Bryan, shall return and have an Opportunity of proving at the Bar of their Lordships House the Truth of the Allegations contained in the said Petition;" stand referred, do meet to consider further of the said Claim on Thursday next; and that Notice thereof be given to His Majesty's Attorney General for England, and to His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General for Ireland.

Sir R. B. Honyman v. Campbell:

After hearing Counsel, as well on Monday the 28th Day of February last as this Day, upon the Petition and Appeal of Sir Richard Bempde Johnston Honyman of Armadale and Graemsay, Baronet; complaining of Two Interlocutors of the Commissaries of Edinburgh, of the 11th of July 1828 and 26th of February 1830; and also of Two Interlocutors of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the Second Division, of the 9th July 1830; and praying, "That the same might be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellant might have such other Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, should seem meet;" as also upon the Answer of Elizabeth Campbell or Honyman 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.

Rothschild v. Brookman.

Ordered, That the Hearing of the Cause wherein Nathan Mayer Rothschild is Appellant, and James Brookman is Respondent, which stands appointed for this Day, be put off to Monday next.

East India Co. & Trade with India & China, Papers respecting, to be printed.

Ordered, That the several Papers respecting the Affairs of The East India Company, and the Trade between Great Britain, the East Indies and China, delivered to the House on the 8th, 15th and 25th Days of February last, be printed.

The Magistrates, &c. of Dundee v. Kay & Morton, Petition of W. Ogilvy to be made a Respondent, referred to Appeal Com ee.

Upon reading the Petition of The Honorable William Ogilvy, residing at Airlie Castle, in the County of Forfar; setting forth, "That upon the 11th Day of February last, the Appeal wherein the Magistrates and Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Dundee, and others, are Appellants, and Alexander Kay and John Morton are Respondents, was set down ex-parte in their Lordships List of Appeals for Hearing after those already appointed; and upon the 25th Day of the same Month a Petition was presented to their Lordships, on behalf of the Appellants, praying that their Lordships would be pleased to order the same to be heard on an early Day; which Petition was referred to the Committee of their Lordships appointed to consider of the Causes in which Prints of the Appellants and Respondents Cases, in Matters of Appeals and Writs of Error, have not been delivered, pursuant to the Standing Orders of this House: That the Appeal in question complains of a Judgment of the Court of Session pronounced upon the 9th Day of March 1830, in the following Terms; "The Lords having resumed Consideration of this Case, after hearing Counsel in their Presence, in Terms of their former Interlocutor of the 12th December last, in respect that the Election of Alexander Kay as Dean of Guild of the Burgh of Dundee for the Year ensuing the 8th of October 1827 was not duly completed, and declared by the Council, in Terms of the Sett of the Burgh, and that William Lindsay was not duly elected Dean of Guild in Terms of the Sett, and that the Number of the Council at the Close of the Annual Election complained of was thereby incomplete, therefore Find, that the whole Election of Magistrates and Council of the Burgh of Dundee for the said Year was illegal, null and void, and decern and declare accordingly; Find the Complainer entitled to Expences, and allow an Account to be given in, and when lodged remit the same to the Auditor of Court to be taxed and reported on in common Form:" That the Effect of this Judgment is entirely to disfranchise the Burgh of Dundee, and to render any Person claiming or pretending to be Provost, Magistrate or Councillor thereof, incapable of exercising the Elective Franchise in respect of such Burgh, or any other Corporate Right, while the same remains in force, unless the Burgh shall be restored by the Justice and Favor of the Crown: That soon after the pronouncing this Judgment, viz ^t. on the 23d March 1830, the Appellants presented a Petition and Appeal to their Lordships House, complaining of the same; but in the mean time, before it became necessary for them to deposit their printed Case in Terms of their Lordships Standing Order, they had come to an Arrangement with the Respondents, by which the Judgment of the Court of Session was to be acquiesced in, the Burgh to be considered as finally disfranchised, and a Petition to The King in Council presented, praying that His Majesty would be graciously pleased to restore the same: That accordingly the Appeal was allowed to drop, and being dismissed the House, on the 18th May a Petition to The King was presented by the Appellants and others, praying, in the usual Terms, for a Renewal of the Municipal Rights of the Burgh: That notwithstanding of this Acquiescence the Appellants did, upon the 10th of November last, present to their Lordships a new Appeal against the said Judgment, for the Purpose of aiding and assisting the Views of the Candidate whom they favored at the late Election of a Member to serve in Parliament for the District of Burghs in Scotland, in which Dundee is comprehended; and the Respondents having now been induced to join Interests with them, to support the Return of Francis Jeffrey Esquire, His Majesty's Advocate for Scotland, (which cannot possibly be sustained unless their Lordships shall reverse the said Judgment,) the Petitioner is apprehensive that the said Appeal may, in consequence of the Understanding between the Parties, proceed to a Hearing without any Case lodged for the Respondents, or any Counsel appearing at their Lordships Bar on their Behalf; or, if Counsel do appear, the Petitioner is desirous that his Interests should be protected by the Intervention of Counsel on his Behalf: That the Petitioner having been a Candidate at the last Election for a Member to serve in Parliament for the said District of Burghs, at which the Vote of Dundee (the Illegality of which, to a certain Extent, depends upon the Judgment appealed from,) was most improperly counted against the Petitioner, he trusts that your Lordships will be of Opinion that he has such an Interest in the Matter of the said Appeal as to induce their Lordships to allow him to interpose as a Party Respondent therein, in order that he may have an Opportunity of stating all Reasons which can be legally urged, as well against the Competency of the Appeal on the Ground of Acquiescence, or otherwise against the same;" and therefore praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased to allow him to interpose as a Party Respondent in the said Appeal, and to be heard by his Counsel and Agents against the same:"

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.

House & Window Tax, Petition from St. Paul, Covent Garden, for Repeal of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Churchwardens, Overseers of the Poor and Vestrymen of the Parish of Saint Paul, Covent Garden, in the Liberty of Westminster, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for a total Repeal of the Duties on Houses and Windows:"

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

Wimborne Minster Road Bill.

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Road from Wimborne Minster to Blandford Forum, in the County of Dorset," was committed; That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Bristol Poor Bill.

The Earl of Shaftesbury made the like Report from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act to alter, amend and enlarge the Powers of an Act passed in the Third Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, for regulating the Poor of the City of Bristol, and for other Purposes connected therewith," was committed.

Tithe System, &c. Petitions respecting: (Corbridge:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the Parish of Corbridge, in the County of Northumberland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Haughton-le-Skerne:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the Parish of Haughton-le-Skerne, in the County of Durham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships to take into their most serious Consideration the present State of the Tithe Laws, and the Effects now resulting from them; also the Changes which have occurred since they were framed; and that, after a strict and mature Investigation of the Question in all its relative Bearings, their Lordships will adopt such Measures and make such Arrangements as shall appear to them to be consistent with Justice to the Payers and Receivers of Tithes, and most beneficial to the general Interests of Religion and those of the Community at large:"

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

Leverington & Parson Drove:

Upon reading the Petition of the Owners and Occupiers of Land in the Parish of Leverington and its Hamlet Parson Drove, in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Llanwnen:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Llanwnen, in the County of Cardigan, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships "to abolish the present Tithe System, and adopt such other Measures for the Support of Religion and its Ministers as their Lordships may devise:"

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

Northorpe:

Upon reading the Petition of the Owners and Occupiers of Land and other the Inhabitants of the Parish of Northorpe, in the County of Lincoln, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships, "That the present Tithe System, so obnoxious to the Feelings of Englishmen, may be abolished in a total Commutation by a Money Purchase, or by such other Means as their Lordships may think fit to adopt:"

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

Dunmore, &c:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the United Parishes of Dunmore, Muckallee and Kilmadum, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to afford them some Redress by regulating more justly and satisfactorily the Payment of the Established Church, the Petitioners conceiving that the Interest of the Christian Religion would be more effectually consulted if its Pastors were not associated with the oppressive Exaction of a Species of Property which is abolished in every Part of Europe, and suffered to exist only in this Country, where it is peculiarly opposed to the Wishes and the Welfare of the People:"

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

Kells:

Upon reading the Petition of the Parishioners of the Parish of Kells, in the County of Kilkenny, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will take into their serious Consideration the present State of the Church Establishment and the Situation of the Clergy; and in particular that their Lordships will abolish altogether the present System of Tithes and Church Rates in Ireland, and substitute in their Place such liberal and independent Provision for the Clergy, and such Fund for defraying the Expences of Church Repairs and similar Charges, as their Lordships shall deem just and expedient:"

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

Powerstown:

Upon reading the Petition of the Parishioners of Powerstown, in the Diocese of Leighlin and County of Kilkenny, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to abolish Tithes and Church Rates altogether, and to substitute in their Stead some other Mode of Payment, more consonant with the Dictates of Religion and Charity, and conducive to the Peace, Happiness and future Well-being of this long-distracted Country:"

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

Pancrossweek:

Upon reading the Petition of the Occupiers of Lands in the Parish of Pancrossweek, in the County of Devon, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to support and assist His Majesty's Ministers in their Proposition of a Commutation of the Tithe System; and make manifest their Lordships Sympathy with their oppressed and indignant Country; and enable the supported Gospel Minister and his Supporters to meet amicably:"

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

Stoke:

Upon reading the Petition of the Land Owners and Occupiers of Land in the Parish of Stoke next Guildford, in the County of Surrey, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to substitute such a Commutation for Tithes as they may deem equitable, and so release the Farmer from the enormous Exactions at present laid upon him, and induce him again to cultivate his Land with Spirit, to the general Advantage of the State, his own Profit, Respect for the Church and Clerical Character, and the increased Loyalty of the People:"

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

St. Paul, Cornwall:

Upon reading the Petition of the Tithe Payers, Inhabitants of the Parish of Paul, in the County of Cornwall, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for the Extinction of Tithe, a Case which involves the Interest of Religion itself, as well as the temporal Well-being of the whole Community:"

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

Dingestow, &c:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants, Occupiers of Farms and Lands in the several Parishes of Dingestow, Tregare, Mitchel Troy, Cwmcarvon and Trelleck, in the County of Monmouth, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to take the Tithe Laws into their early Consideration, and to make such Alteration therein as the present Circumstances of the Agricultural Interest require:"

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

North Wootton.

Upon reading the Petition of the Payers of Tithes in the Parish of North Wootton, in the County of Somerset, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to abolish the present Tithe System, so pregnant with Evil, as the only Means of restoring Peace and Good-will between the Clergy and their People, a System never even hinted at by the Founder of our Religion, or His Apostles:"

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

Education, (Ireland,) Petition from Crossmolina for regulating Grants for.

Upon reading the Petition of the Catholic Inhabitants of the Parish of Crossmolina, in the County of Mayo, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "no longer to repose their Confidence in the Kildare Association, but either to entrust the Funds for Public Education (at least a Portion of them) to the Hands of Men who will consult the Feelings, Opinions and Religion of the Petitioners, or to throw them on their own Resources, without taxing them to support a Society which has nothing to recommend but ill-disguised Fraud and obsolete Bigotry:"

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

Tithe System, Petition from Outwell for Revision of, & for Reform of Parliament.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants, Owners and Occupiers of Lands in the Parish of Outwell, in the Counties of Norfolk and Cambridge, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "forthwith to pass an Act for the Abolition of the Tithe System, and for providing in such other Manner for the just Claims of the Clergy as their Lordships shall judge expedient;" and further praying, "That such a complete, effectual and thorough Reform may be made in the Constitution of the House of Commons as shall cause every one of its Members to be chosen by the free Voice of those who possess Property or pay Rates and Taxes in the Town or District of which he may be appointed the Representative:"

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

Churches Building Bill, Petition of G. Bliss against.

Upon reading the Petition of George Bliss Clerk, taking notice of a Bill depending in this House, 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;" and praying their Lordships, "That the Section or Clause of the same, commencing with the Words "And be it further enacted, That in all Cases in which any Person or Persons shall have already endowed," &c. may be so modified as not to comprehend within its Range any Chapel or Church which has been already consecrated and actually used for Divine Service, as their Lordships cannot but see that in its Application to such Case or Cases it will virtually form an ex post facto Law:"

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

Poor Rate Returns Bill:

Hodie 3^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."

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

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H.C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Cross and Sir Giffin Wilson;

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Exchequer Bills Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for raising the Sum of Twelve Millions by Exchequer Bills, for the Service of the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one."

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

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Dartford Road Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Road leading from Dartford to Sevenoaks, in the County of Kent."

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

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Messages to H.C. that the Lords have agreed to the 2 preceding Bills.

And Messages were, severally, sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers;

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

Burton Road Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for repairing the Road from Burton Bridge, in the County of Stafford, to Market Bosworth, in the County of Leicester."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet Tomorrow, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Transfer of Aids Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for appropriating certain Sums to the Service of the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one."

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 To-morrow.

Consolidated Fund (£5,000,000) Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to apply the Sum of Five Millions, out of the Consolidated Fund, to the Service of the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one."

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 To-morrow.

Pensions, &c. Duties Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for continuing to His Majesty for One Year certain Duties on Personal Estates, Offices and Pensions in England, for the Service of the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one."

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 To-morrow.

The Monkland Canal Co. v. J. & W. Dixon.

Upon reading the Petition and Cross Appeal of the Company of Proprietors of the Monkland Navigation; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the First Division, of the 27th (signed 28th) May 1830, in so far as it "finds no Expences due by either Party," and does not find the Petitioners entitled to the Expences of Process; and praying, "That the same may be reversed, varied or altered so far as complained of, or that the Appellants may have such Relief in the Premises, as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, shall seem meet; and that Messieurs John and William Dixon of the Calder Coal and Iron Works may be required to answer the said Appeal:"

It is Ordered, That the said John and William Dixon may have a Copy of the said Appeal, and do put in their Answer or respective Answers thereunto, in Writing, on or before Thursday the 31st Day of this instant March; and Service of this Order upon the said Respondents, or upon any one of their known Agents in the Court of Session in Scotland, shall be deemed good Service.

University of Cambridge Leave for a Bill:

After reading and considering the Report of the Judges, to whom was referred the Petition of The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, 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 effect an Exchange between The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, and The Master, Fellows and Scholars of the College or Hall of the Holy Trinity commonly called Trinity Hall, in the same University, of Lands situate in the Parish of Saint Andrew the Less, in the Town of Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge; and for authorizing the Removal of the present Botanic Garden of the said University to a new and more eligible Site; and for other Purposes."

Complaint of a Breach of Privilege:

Complaint was made to the House of a Letter addressed to a Member of this House, and containing a Breach of the Privileges of this House, and signed by Thomas Woodcock.

The House was cleared.

Then the said Letter was read by the Clerk, and is as follows; (viz ^t.)

"My Lord,

Leighlin-bridge, 26th Feb^y 1831.

"I have this Moment read in the Sun Newspaper, bearing Date 22nd Feb^y, a Speech reported to have been spoken by your Lordship, on the 21st Instant, in the House of Lords, in which Speech you are represented to have said, "that a Half Pay Officer of the 4th Dragoons" (meaning me) "instigated a Multitude to Excesses in order to prevent the Collection of Tithes." "An Assertion so false, so base, and so injurious to my Character and Interest, I cannot allow to pass without contradicting in the flattest Manner; and request that you will give me up the Author of this foul Calumny, otherwise, of course, you must take the Responsibility on yourself.

"I hold not myself accountable to your Lordship for my Actions; nevertheless, I must inform your Lordship, that so far from "instigating the Multitude to Excesses," I was the very Person who caused them to disperse, and return to their Homes without committing the slightest Depredation, without drinking One Drop of either Spirit or Beer, or without saying an offensive Word to any one. This, my Lord, I can prove on the Oath of many. Your Lordship should be cautious how you utter a Calumny against any Person; but when a Half Pay Officer is made the Subject of Defamation, the purest Motives cannot be attributed to him making the Attack.

"I have the Honor to be Your Lordship's

Most obed^t humble Serv^t, Thomas Woodcock."

(Addressed to)

"The Right Hon^ble Lord Farnham, &c. &c.

London."

Then John Thomas Maguire was called in; and having been sworn, was examined as follows:

"What are you?"

"A Clerk in the Office of Cox and Greenwood."

"Do you know Lieutenant Woodcock?"

"I do. He is on the Half Pay of the Fourth Dragoon Guards. I have known him Two Years."

"Have you seen him write?"

"I have not."

"Have you corresponded with him?"

"I have. I have received Letters from him, and have answered and acted upon those Letters. Messieurs Greenwood and Cox are his Agents."

"What was the Subject of that Correspondence?"

"It was upon the Subject of his Half Pay."

"Can you, from that Correspondence, speak to his Handwriting?"

"I can."

"Do you believe this Letter to be in his Handwriting?" (The above Letter being shewn to the Witness.)

"I do believe it to be his Handwriting."

The Witness was directed to withdraw.

Lieut. T. Woodcock to attend.

Ordered, That Lieutenant Thomas Woodcock, on the Half Pay of the Fourth Regiment of Dragoon Guards, do attend this House on Thursday the 17th Instant, to answer the said Complaint.

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

Upon reading the Petition of the Landowners, Farmers and Persons interested in Agriculture, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will be pleased, during the present Session of Parliament, to pass such Measures as shall give to all Copyholders, Leaseholders and Farmers of Lands, a full Share in the Representation of the People in the Commons House of Parliament:"

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

South Shields:

Upon reading the Petition of the Merchants, Manufacturers, Ship Owners and other Inhabitants of the Town of South Shields and its Neighbourhood, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "so to regulate the Elective Franchise as to impart it more extensively to those of their Fellow Subjects who possess enough of Intelligence to form a judicious Choice, and enough of Property (the Fruit of Industry and Skill) to maintain that Choice with Independence; and to take such early Measures of Parliamentary Reform as may redress the Grievances of the Petitioners, and promote the Concord and Stability of the Empire:"

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

Warrington:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to adopt the most efficient Means for putting an End to a corrupt Representation, by shortening the Duration of Parliaments, and securing to every Voter the free and unbiassed Exercise of his Right of Choice, which can only be secured by the Adoption of the Ballot, or some other equally protecting Measure:"

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

Chesham:

Upon reading the Petition of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Chesham and its Vicinity, in the County of Buckingham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to effect a thorough Reform throughout the State, and in the Honorable House of Commons, whereby we may, as a suffering People, obtain the Redress of our Public Wrongs:"

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

Marden:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Marden and its Vicinity, in the County of Kent, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to assist His Majesty's Ministers in their Endeavour to reform and amend the present Representative System, as far as appertains to the Mode of returning Members to the Honorable the House of Commons, so that they may be what the Constitution requires them to be, the real Representatives of the People, without which the Petitioners are firmly convinced that any Attempt at Economy or Retrenchment will be useless and unavailing:"

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

Taunton:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Taunton and its Neighbourhood, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for a full, fair and free Representation of the People in the Commons House of Parliament, secured by voting by Ballot, by which alone an adequate Extension of the Elective Franchise can be independently, conscientiously and usefully carried into Effect:"

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

Bread St. Ward, London:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Ward of Bread Street, in the City of London, in Wardmote assembled, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to repeal the Assessed Taxes and such other Taxes as more particularly affect the Necessaries of Life, and to cause such a Reform in the Commons House of Parliament as will give to the People a full and fair Representation:"

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

Isle of Wight:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Isle of Wight, in the County of Southampton, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying, "That their Lordships will speedily adopt such efficient Measures as will place the Representation of the People on a Basis calculated to secure general Confidence and Respect:"

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

St. Mary-le-bone:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Saint Mary-le-bone, in Public Meeting assembled; praying their Lordships, "That, in granting a due Representation to the People in the Commons House of Parliament, they will include amongst other Places to which the Right of Suffrage may be extended the wealthy and populous Parish of Saint Mary-le-bone, which at present contains upwards of One hundred and twenty thousand Inhabitants, the Rental of which is Seven hundred and twenty thousand Pounds, and the Assessed Taxes of which are at least equal to those paid by the whole Kingdom of Scotland:"

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

Tiverton:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of Tiverton, in the County of Devon, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for an Extension of the Parliamentary Right of Election under such Qualifications as may be deemed expedient:"

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

Shaftesbury:

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Shaftesbury, in the County of Dorset, and its Vicinity, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "to effect such a practical and determined Reform as will give to the People those sacred and valued Rights which have been so long and unjustly withheld from them, and which will make the House of Commons what it ought always to have been, the powerful Guardian of our common Interests, the honest and enlightened Organ of our Wants and Feelings, and the real Ornament of the British Nation:"

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 their Lordships "to adopt the necessary Measures for restoring to the People the following undeniable Constitutional Rights: First, The Right of having all Placemen dismissed from the House of Commons, agreeably to the great Constitutional Act of Settlement, which places the present illustrious Family on the Throne: Second, The Right of having Triennial Parliaments, as recognized and secured by the great Constitutional Act the 6th of William and Mary, Cap. 2d: Third, The Right of sitting and voting in the Commons House of Parliament, when lawfully chosen, without the Qualification of Property, which was fixed unconstitutionally by the Act of 9th of Queen Ann: Fourth, The Right of having all the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons paid the reasonable Wages of Attendance, by a Rate upon their Constituents: Fifth, The Right of having the large Towns and populous Districts represented in the House of Commons, in the Place of decayed Boroughs which return Members to Parliament: Sixth, The Right of every Man to have a Vote in the Election of Members of the House of Commons who is in any Way called upon to contribute to either National or Local Taxation, direct or indirect: Seventh, The Right of having Elections for Members of the House of Commons free and unbiassed, under such Regulations and Provisions as may ensure their full and free Exercise on the Part of the People, without endangering the settled Institutions of the Country:"

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

Strathaven.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Village of Strathaven, in the Shire of Lanark, Scotland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for a fair and impartial Representation of the People in Parliament; but if their Lordships do not think fit to adopt Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot and Triennial Parliaments, they will enact, that, in consequence of not being represented in the Commons House of Parliament, the Petitioners shall be exempted from serving in the Militia, and from the Payment of all Taxes direct and indirect:"

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

Lords summoned.

Ordered, That all the Lords be summoned to attend the Service of the House on Thursday next.

Galway Elective Franchise, Petitions for Extension of: (St. Nicholas, Galway:)

Upon reading the Petition of the Protestant Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Nicholas, in the County of the Town of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

Clare, Galway: Tuam.

Also, Upon reading the Petition of the Roman Catholic Inhabitants of the Parish of Clare, Galway, in the County of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed:

And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Sovereign, Free Burgesses and Commonalty of the Borough of Tuam, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying their Lordships "to equalize Civil Rights in the County of the Town of 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.

Coal Trade, Petition from Southern District of Durham for regulating.

Upon reading the Petition of the Proprietors, Workers of Coal Mines, and others interested in the Prosperity of the Coal Trade in the Southern District of the County of Durham, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for the entire Repeal of all Duties levied upon Coals carried Coastwise and exported Abroad, which they submit to be highly unjust and oppressive alike to the Petitioners, the Ship Owners and the Consumers of all Coals carried Coastwise: That their Lordships will consider the impolitic and injurious Consequences that result from the Taxation of Raw Materials; and that the Petitioners may be placed upon an equal Footing with the Proprietors of Land Sale Collieries: That their Lordships will suppress the Municipal Exactions which prevail in the Ports of London and elsewhere on the Coal Trade, which create such vexatious Delays to those concerned in the Trade, and tend so greatly to enhance the Price to the Consumer;" and further praying their Lordships "for the Revision of the Act of the 47th George the Third, for the Regulation of the Coal Trade; and that their Lordships will repeal that Part of it which directs the Sale of Coals to be made by Measure, and orders the Appointment of Meters, which Regulations subject the Persons engaged in the Coal Trade to Delays and vexatious Proceedings, affording no Protection whatever against Frauds, but holding out Inducements for their Commission; and that, in lieu of Measure, the Sale of Coals may forthwith be established by Weight:"

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

Union with Ireland, Petition from Kilfeenaghty for Repeal of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kilfeenaghty, in the County of Clare, Ireland, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for the Repeal of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland:"

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

Slavery, Petition from Kirkcaldy for Abolition of.

Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Burgh and Parish of Kirkcaldy, in the County of Fife, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "forthwith to pass a Law for the speedy and entire Abolition of Slavery in the British Colonies:"

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

Study of Anatomy, Petition of Worcestershire Medical Society to facilitate.

Upon reading the Petition of the Members of the Worcestershire Medical and Surgical Society, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships for the Removal of all legal Obstacles to the Practice of Dissection:"

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

Taxes, Petition from Chart next Sutton Valence for Reduction of, Repeal of the Malt Duty, & Reform of Parliament.

Upon reading the Petition of the Owners, Occupiers and other Inhabitants in the Parish of Chart next Sutton Valence, in the County of Kent, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; praying their Lordships "for the Repeal of the Malt Duty, and a Reduction of Tax on other Commodities; for the Removal of the numberless Sinecures, a great Reduction in the Salaries of Statesmen, a total Abolition of the Tithe Laws, and for a complete and thorough Reform of Parliament:"

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

Public Works, (Ireland,) Account of Sums advanced for, Ordered.

Ordered, That there be laid before this House "An Account of the several Sums advanced for the Purpose of making Roads and other Public Works in Ireland, in the Year 1822 and the subsequent Years, up to the present Time; specifying the Counties in which such Works were carried on, the Names of the Engineers under whose Direction they were conducted, the Amount of Money paid to each, the Number of Miles laid down in the several Plans and Specifications; distinguishing each, and how far those Works have been carried into Execution."

Churches Building Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to 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;" and for the Lords to be summoned;

The House was accordingly adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the said Bill.

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Committee, "That they had gone through the Bill, and made several Amendments thereto, which he was ready to report, when the House will please to receive the same."

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

Accounts delivered:

The House being informed, "That Mr. Peck, from the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, attended;"

He was called in; and delivered at the Bar, pursuant to the Directions of an Act of Parliament,

Bank Annuities, &c. paid to Comrs for Reduction of National Debt:

"An Account of the gross Amount of all Bank Annuities and Long Annuities, and any other Annuities for Terms of Years, transferred, and of all Sums of Money paid, to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, and the gross Amount of Annuities for Lives and for Terms of Years which have been granted for the same under the Provisions of the Act of the 10th George 4th, c. 24, within the Year ending on the 5th January 1831:"

Savings Banks & Friendly Societies:

Also, "An Account of the gross Amount of all Sums received and paid by the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt on account of Banks for Savings, including Friendly Societies, in Great Britain and Ireland, from their Commencement at the 6th August 1817 to the 20th November 1830 inclusive:"

Expences of the Comrs.

And also, "An Account of all Expenses incurred by the said Commissioners for Salaries of Clerks or other incidental Charges during the preceding Year."

And then he withdrew.

And the Titles thereof being read by the Clerk;

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

Bankruptcy Court Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to establish a Court in Bankruptcy."

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

Lunatics Bill.

It was moved, "That the Report of the Amendments made by the Committee of the Whole House to 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 or Treatment of Idiots, Lunatics and Persons of unsound Mind, found such by Inquisition," be now received."

The Question was put thereupon?

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Earl of Shaftesbury accordingly reported the said Amendments.

And the same being read by the Clerk;

Ordered, That the said Bill be re-committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next; and that the Lords be summoned.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, quartum diem instantis Martii, horâ decimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.