Page images
PDF
EPUB

HISTORICAL REGISTER.

POLITICAL JOURNAL.-AUGUST 1, 1831.

THE Statement of the Revenue for the Quarter ending July 5th is, on the whole, highly promising, because, though duties have been repealed to the amount of several millions, yet so quickly does the repeal of taxes act, by the additional stimulus given to industry, that the decrease in year and quarter are only as below stated:

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

The following are the Members of the New Parliament for Scotland and Ireland, (See page 132.)

IRELAND.

[blocks in formation]

Drogheda-John Henry North.

Down County-Arthur Moyses W. Hill, Vis-
count Castlereagh.

Dublin County-Lord Brabazon, H. White.
Dublin City-Robert Harty, Louis Perrin.
Dublin University-Thomas Lefroy, LL.D.
Dundalk-James Edward Gordon.
Dungannon-Hon. John James Knox.
Dungarvan-Hon. George Lamb.

Ennis Rt. Hon. W. Fitzgerald V. Fitz-
gerald.

Enniskillen-Hon. Arthur Henry Cole.
Fermanagh County-Mervyn Archdall, Viscount
Cole.

Galway County-James Staunton Lambert, Sir
John Burke

Galway-John James Bodkin.

Kerry County-Daniel O'Connell, Frede. ick
William Mullins.

Kildare County-R. Moore O'Ferrall, Sir J
W. Hort.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Kilkenny County Hon. J. W. Ponsonby,
Earl of Ossory.
Kilkenny-Nicholas Philpot Leader.

King's County-Lord Baron Oxmantown, Col. Queen's County-Sir H. Parnell, Sir Charles T. Bernard.

Kinsale John Russell.

Leitrim County-John Marcus Clements, S.
White.

Limerick County-Hon. Col. R. H. Fitzgibbon,
Hon. Lieut.-Colonel Standish O'Grady.
Limerick Rt. Hon. Thomas Spring Rice.
Lisburn-Henry Meynell.

Londonderry County-Sir Rt. Bateson, Theo-
bald Jones.

Londonderry-Sir Robert Fergusson.

Longford County-Viscount Forbes, A. Lefroy.
Louth County-A. Dawson, R. Lawlor Shiel.
Mayo County-J. Browne, Dominick Browne.
Meath County-Hon. Arthur Plunkett, Sir M.

Sommerville.

Monaghan County-Hon. Cadwallader Davis
Blayney.

Mallow Charles D. Orlando Jephson.
Newry-Hon. John Henry Knox.
New Ross-Charles Tottenham.
Portarlington-Rt. Hon. Sir W. Rae.

Aberdeenshire-Hon. W. Gordon.

Henry Coote.

Roscommon County-Arthur French, O'Connor
Don.

Sligo County-Edward J. Cooper, Lieut.-Col.
A. Perceval.

Sligo John Wynne.

Tipperary County-T. Wyse, jun., John H.
Hutchinson.

Tyrone County-Sir H. Stewart, Hon. Henry
Corry.

Tralee-Walker Ferrand.

Waterford County-Sir R. Musgrave, Robert
Power.

Waterford-Rt. Hon. Sir J. Newport.
Westmeath County

M. L. Chapman.

Lieut.-Col. G. Rochfort,

Wexford County-Lieut.-Col. A. Chichester,
H. Lambert.

Wexford-Charles Arthur Walker.

Wicklow County-James Grattan, R. Howard.
Youghall-Hon. G. Ponsonby.

SCOTLAND.

Aberdeen, Montrose, Brechin, Aberbrothock,
and Inverbervie-Horatio Ross.
Argyllshire-Walter Frederick Campbell.
Ayrshire-William Blair.

Ayr, Irvine, Rothsay, Inverary and Camble-
town-Thomas Francis Kennedy.
Banffshire-John Morrison.

Berwickshire-Hon. Anthony Maitland.
Caithness-shire-George Sinclair, jun.
Cromarty-Duncan Davidson.

Dumbartonshire-Rt. Hon. Lord Montagu W.
Graham

Dumbarton, Glasgow, Renfrew, and Ruther-
glen-J. Dixon.

Dumfriesshire-John James Hope Johnstone.
Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Annau, Lochmaben,
and Sanquhar-Wm. Robert Keith Douglas.
Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Burntisland, and Kinghorn
-R. Fergusson.

Edinburghshire-Sir George Clerk.
Edinburgh-Robert Adam Dundas.
Elginshire-Col. Francis William Grant.

Elgin, Banff, Cullen, Kintore, and Inverary-
Sir W. Gordon Cumming, Bt.

Fifeshire-Lieut.-Col. James Lindsay, jun.
Forfarshire-Hon. William Maule.

Jedburgh, Haddington, Dunbar, North Ber-
wick, and Lauder-Robert Steuart.
Kinross-shire-Charles Adam.

Kincardineshire-Major-General H. Arbuthnott.
Lanarkshire-Hon. C. Douglas.

Linlithgowshire-General Sir Alexander Hope
Craighall.

Orkney and Zetland-George Traill.
Perthshire-Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Murray.
Perth, Dundee, St. Andrew's, Cupar, and For-
far-Rt. Hon. Francis Jeffrey.

Pittenweem, Anstruther Wester, Crail, and
Anstruther Easter.-Andrew Johnston, jun.
Peebles-shire-Sir George Montgomery.
Renfrewshire-Sir Michael Shaw Stewart.
Ross-shire-James Alex. Stewart Mackenzie.
Roxburghshire-Henry Francis Scott, jun.
Selkirkshire-Alexander Pringle.

Selkirk, Linlithgow, Lanark and Peebles-W.
D. Gillon.

Stewartry of Kirkcudbright-R. C. Fergusson.
Stirlingshire-William Ramsey Ramsey.
Stirling, Inverkeithing, Dunferline, Queens-
ferry, and Culross-James Johnston.

Tain, Dingwall, Dornoch, Wick, and Kirkwall

-James Loch.

Wigtown-Sir Andrew Agnew.

Fortrose, Inverness, Nairn, and Forres-C. L. Wigtown, Whithorn, New Galloway, and Stran-
C. Bruce.
Inverness-shire-Rt. Hon. Charles Grant.

rawer-Edward Stewart.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 23.-The Archbishop of Canterbury introduced two Bills, one to provide facilities for the composition of tithes, and the other to prevent the holding of pluralities under certain restrictions.-A conversation took place between the Earl of Aberdeen, the Duke of Wellington, and Earl Grey, on the state of our foreign relations, in which the latter nobleman observed, that France was pursuing the same conduct towards Portugal, which would have been adopted by England under similar circumstances.

June 28.-The Marquis of Downshire presented a petition from Newry, praying for the introduction of poor-laws into Ireland.-Lord Wharncliffe brought in two Bills on the subject of wages and the truck system.

June 30.-Lord Wynford rose for the purpose of laying on the table a Bill to enable creditors to avail themselves of the property of persons who remained in prison after a certain period, and also to get hold of the property of those persons who went beyond the seas for the purpose of avoiding the payment of their just debts. His lordship dwelt on the imperfect state of the law of debtor and creditor, particularly in allowing a debtor, if so disposed and having the means, to live luxuriously in a prison or abroad, while the creditor had not the power to get at the property. Lord Fife thought the Bill would have an effect very different from that contemplated by the noble and learned lord.-The Marquis of Londonderry, in presenting petitions against the Reform Bill from Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, and Shields, disclaimed for those places the language that had been used at various public dinners there, as speaking the sentiments of the country. The MarAugust, 1831.-VOL. I. NO. IV.

Y

quis of Cleveland defended the county of Durham, which was decidedly favourable to reform; and denied that speeches had been uttered there which would warrant the construction that it was desired to put on them. The petitions were laid on the table.

July 1. The Earl of Harewood complained of the restoration of Mr. Stocks to the magistracy of the county of York, as an unprecedented circumstance. The Lord Chancellor explained the grounds on which he had been induced to re-insert his name; in doing which he had followed the rule laid down by Lord Eldon, that "no man who had been in the commission of the peace was to be removed, unless duly convicted, by a competent court, of crime, or declared a bankrupt."-The Bill for revising the laws relating to the appointment of Lords-Lieutenant of counties in Ireland was read a second time.

July 5.-Lord Wynford's Common Law Courts' Bill passed through a committee. July 7.-Lord Wharncliffe moved the second reading of two Bills respecting the wages of workmen. His object was to prevent the payment of workmen in goods. He thought the legislature was bound to interfere, and prevent the growth of this practice, otherwise the whole manufacturing interests of this country would be carried on upon the principle of barter and traffic, instead of fair payment in money. Lords Skelmersdale, Auckland, and Goderich, supported the Bills, which were read a second time, and committed.-The second reading of the Earl of Winchilsea's Agricultural Labourers' Wages Bill was opposed by the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Bishop of London, the Duke of Richmond, and Earl Grey; and the measure was withdrawn at the suggestion of Lord Carnarvon.

July 8.-The Customs' Oaths Bill, the Duchy of Cornwall, and other Bills, were brought up from the Commons and read a first time.

July 11. The royal assent was given by commission to the Buckingham House Exemption Bill, the Deputy Lieutenants of Scotland Bill, the Expired Commissions in Ireland Bill, and a number of private Bills.

July 12.-The Earl of Shaftesbury brought up the proceedings of the committee. on the Lords-Lieutenant of Ireland Bill. The Marquis of Londonderry, having first defended himself against some attacks made on him on à former occasion, said it had been asserted that he was opposed to the Bill because he was Custos Rotulorum of the county of Down. He was certainly anxious to preserve that office. He succeeded an individual who had received honours from his Sovereign, and his Majesty was pleased to confer the office upon him. The office of Custos of the county of Down was dearer to him than any other office. Lord Plunket said, as to the apprehension entertained by the noble Marquis that he might be deprived of the office of Custos Rotulorum by the operation of the Bill, he could assure him that the Custos in Ireland was not removable. The Bill, with alterations, was reported, and ordered to be printed.

July 13.-The Bishop of Ferns presented a petition from W. Althorp, a clergyman in the parish of Grange, and others in the county of Kilkenny, complaining of the difficulty in collecting tithes, and praying for legislative interference.-Lord Farnham brought forward his promised motion for the information possessed by the government illustrative of the Newtownbarry affair, his chief object being to prove the falsehood of many flagitious statements that had gone forth on this subject. The Lord Chancellor rose to order, and reminded the noble lord that the House of Lords formed a court of judicature. He could not think, because newspapers had entered into the discussion, that the House of Lords ought to interrupt the due course of law. The motion was withdrawn.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 24.-On the motion of Lord Althorp, the House resolved themselves into a committee of supply, pro forma.-Mr. Baring moved for copies of information possessed by the government on the subject of cholera morbus.-Lord John Russell, having moved that the passage in his Majesty's speech relative to a reform in the representation of the people be read, which was done accordingly, then rose to move for leave to renew the Reform Bill for England and Wales, as introduced last session. His lordship stated that the Bill had undergone no material alterations; the changes that would be found in it were only improvements, such as would enable the principle of the Bill to be carried more completely into effect. The Bill was then brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday week.

June 25.-Several private bills were read a first time; and Mr. Bernal, chairman of the committee of supply, brought up the report of the committee.

June 27.-The House resolved itself into a committee of ways and means, Mr. Bernal in the chair; various sums were voted.

June 28.-Mr. Hunt presented a petition from the National Union Association, complaining of the Six Acts passed in 1819, placing restrictions on the press, of the prosecutions commenced under them, and praying for their repeal. The hon. member said the House would disgrace itself if it did not repeal those Acts, which were passed in a time of danger and excitement. The presenting this petition led to some discussion.-Sir R. Peel presented a petition from British subjects residing

at Canton, praying for the protection of their persons and property from the Chinese authorities, and that a British resident should be kept at the court of the Emperor of China.-Mr. C. Grant then moved for a select committee to be appointed on the affairs of the East India Company, and to inquire into the state of trade with China and the East Indies. The committee was accordingly appointed, to consist of thirtysix members.-Mr. Weyland moved for leave to bring in a Bill to explain and amend the law of settlement, by hiring and service.-Mr. Hume moved for leave to obtain a re-appointment of the committee of last session, for the purpose of inquiring into the patent and duties of King's printer. After a few words from Mr. Goulburn, the committee was re-appointed.

June 29.-The Bill to prevent the spreading of Canine Madness was read a first time. Mr. Hume presented a petition against the Six Acts. He also put a question with respect to a clause in the Reform Bill; he alluded to that clause which prevented persons paying their rents quarterly from voting. Mr. S. Rice begged to say that he had every reason for believing that a trifling error had crept into that clause which the hon. member alluded to, and that it would be corrected.

June 30.-Several petitions were presented in favour of the Reform Bill, and Mr. Paget gave notice that he intended to move that instructions be given to the committee to leave out so much of the Bill as related to the division of counties. Mr. Sadler presented a petition from Legh, Salop, complaining of the operation of the New Beer Bill.-Mr. Alderman Wood moved, "That with a view to more speedily relieving the country from a part of its burthens, it is expedient that all the public offices should be revised, and regard being had to the present value of money, the amount of all salaries of public officers be reduced to that received in the year 1797." Mr. Hunt seconded the motion. The House then divided for the motion, 13; against it, 216-Majority 203.-Mr. Lambert moved for a copy of the commission, and evidence in relation to the late disturbances in Newtownbarry, in Ireland. The motion was withdrawn.-A committee was formed to inquire how far molasses might be used in distilleries.

July 1.-Mr. Hunt presented a petition for radical reform, but the language in allusion to the clergy was so indecorous, that, at the desire of the Speaker, it was withdrawn. The House went into committee on the Customs' Duties Acts, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer renewed his propositions of last session regarding the coal and cotton duties, &c. The resolutions were adopted.-The Lord Advocate moved the first reading of the Bill to amend the representation of Scotland. July 4.-Mr. Hunt presented a petition from the working classes of Blackburn, praying for annual parliaments and vote by ballot.-Lord J. Russell moved the second reading of the Bill for the more effectual Representation of the Commons House of Parliament. Mr. Estcourt put a question to the noble lord respecting Mr. Gregson. Lord Althorp said the circumstance to which the hon. member alluded had, as he believed, arisen out of a statement which had been made in the course of last week, that Mr. Gregson had made some alterations in the Bill without the authority of government. Lord J. Russell said, when the alteration was proposed, and communicated to Mr. Gregson, he said there would be objections to it. Mr. Gregson was not to blame; yet the public must be aware that it would be extremely prejudicial to the public service, to divulge in any way the transactions which must take place between the government and the person deputed to draw up the Bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said Mr. Gregson had no concern whatever with the Bill, except drawing it up. He would exempt Mr. Gregson from any blame whatever. Sir J. Walsh contended that the Bill would be fatal to the institutions of the country, and to the principles of a representative government; and, after some desultory conversation, moved as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. Mr. Fynes Clinton seconded the amendment. Sir J. Mackintosh defended the Bill, and contended that the elections showed the sense of the people of England on the subject. Mr. Bruce protested against the opponents of the present measure being called the opponents of all reform; they were for reforming all abuses, and for extending the representation without doing away with the benefit of corporate and municipal communities, risking the permanent tranquillity of the country, and destroying the constitution. They might secure this, but they must first reject the present rash and ill-digested Bill, bolstered up with the sophistries of foolish declaimers. Mr. C. Ferguson defended the Bill, and maintained that it was founded on the common law of England, which gave the right of voting to all persons paying scot and lot. The present Bill would embrace all classes in England. Lord Porchester said, if the present measure was to pass, it would leave but a remnant of our ancient constitution, and he should give it his unflinching opposition. Mr. Galley Knight said the progress of time would never cease to require improvement, and our forefathers could never mean to close the door against all necessary change. The present change, however dangerous it might appear to some, would in effect keep danger at a distance.-Adjourned.

July 5.-The Marquis of Chandos gave notice of his intention to move an addition to the Reform Bill.-On the Order of the Day for the adjourned Debate being read, Mr. R. A. Dundas rose to condemn the Bill as a measure of experiment,

and as one of too sweeping a character. Captain Berkeley supported the Bill, and said he should do so to the fullest extent. Sir J. Malcolm condemned the Bill, and considered the measure as a concession to popular feeling, and he thought that those who were at the head of the government would do well not to give ear to popular clamour at the expense of private interest. Sir F. Vincent gave the Bill his humble but firm support-reserving to himself the right of suggesting alterations in the committee. Colonel Trench considered that the measure was rash, improvident, ill-considered, and revolutionary. Mr. Vernon said that he had endeavoured to teach his electors to discern between mock and real Reform. Considering the artifices that were too frequently resorted to at elections, it was necessary to have something like a test; and he had taken for his test the Bill of his Majesty's ministers. The hon. gent. concluded his speech by eulogizing the measure in most glowing terms. Sir E. Deering saw no sufficient ground for altering the present system of representation. Mr. E. L. Bulwer said, that so far as the people were concerned, it was not denied that the Bill was already carried; and at a time when authority can no longer support itself by the solemn plausibilities and the ceremonial hypocrisies of old, it was well that a government should be placed upon a solid and sure foundation, which he thought the present government would be by the passing of the measure. Mr. Miles sincerely prayed that the commonwealth might survive these rash and inconsiderate innovations. Mr. Godson said, he was proud to have been bound by the Reform pledge-a pledge demanded from their representatives by a free people at the request of a patriot King. Mr. E. Peel considered there was great danger in disturbing too hastily the well-tried institutions of the country, and that the Bill did the greatest injustice to the majority of those who for a long time had enjoyed the elective franchise. Colonel Torrens would never bow to popular opinion when it was a temporary ebullition; but when that opinion was the result of thought and reflection, it was omnipotent. The same circumstances that gave the people the desire for an increase of political power gave them increased motives for the preservation of order. Knowledge was the great preservative of order, and if there should be a convulsion in this country it must be produced by that infatuation which, when the machine of government was working at a high pressure, would close the safety-valve of Reform. Mr. Trevor deeply lamented that such a sweeping measure of Reform should have been brought forward. Mr. Macauley should give his hearty support to a measure that he believed indispensably necessary to the repose of the empire and the stability of the crown. Mr. W. Bankes expressed his firm conviction that both Houses would suffer by the Bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer urged the House to adopt the Bill. Ministers were pledged to give satisfaction to the country in the measure of Parliamentary Reform they had to bring forward, and they were of opinion that it would be trifling with the people of England, and with the measure itself, if it were not of an effective kind. His Majesty's ministers had the satisfaction of knowing that the measure they had so brought forward did give satisfaction. Sir George Murray saw no grounds for so general and sweeping a change as that contemplated in the Bill. The country had long continued to prosper under its present House of Commons; and the effects of the Bill would be to separate the powers of the three estates of king, lords, and commons. The debate was adjourned till the next day.

July 6.-Mr. Hunt wished to know if Ministers had made up their minds with respect to the alterations in the Bill relative to the periods of paying rents. Lord John Russell had already explained, that all bona-fide payers of rent would have the franchise allowed to them. Colonel Sibthorp hoped the government would not interfere in so dangerous and dreadful a measure. Lord W. Lennox approved of the Bill, because it sought to put an end to the existing nomination of members. Mr. K. Douglas admitted that some reform was necessary, but resisted this Bill as being of too sweeping a character. Sir Ralph Lopez said he would most cordially support the Bill. However his personal interests might be affected by it, he should cheerfully sacrifice them for the sake of a Bill which he deemed so well calculated to sustain the institutions and best interests of the country. Lord Valletort wished he could believe the measure to be beneficial; it would save him many an hour of melancholy forebodings. He condemned the conduct of Ministers, who, in their desperate desire for victory, had excited the country; and pointing its attention to all the blots in the Constitution, and omitting all its excellencies, they had raised a clamour, and at the head of it placed the King's name. Mr. Strickland considered the Bill as a measure of peace, union, and consolidation. Sir C. Wetherell repeated his former opposition, and would maintain that neither the church nor the aristocracy could continue to exist in a parliament elected by such a constituency as this Bill was preparing. Mr. Foley had supported reform in the last parliament and would follow the same course in this, and throughout every stage of the Bill. Mr. W. Brougham said the people were actuated in every part by one strong and single impulse, and that was Reform in Parliament. Sir R. Peel repeated his conviction that the Bill was destructive on account of its uniformity; and that the demand for Reform resulted more from the events on the continent than the

« PreviousContinue »