a

ings and voice of a people were unani-, had not produced in the last session of mously expressed, it had occurred in this parliament a tittle of evidence as to the country in consequence of the calamity extent of the conspiracy. They had asthey had experienced. Those feelings, serted that it had ramifications throughout and that voice, had been manifested in the the country; but in the trials at Derby, most general and strongest manner, and where it was the business and the partihad been conveyed in accents of condo- cular object of the attorney-general to lence to the foot of the throne, and in prove that the discontented there had a prayers to the foot of the altar. Before correspondence with others in different he quitted this melancholy subject, he quarters, he had completely failed. He must take the liberty of remarking, that could not prove that in any part of the the event they had so much reason to de. country there had been the slightest conplore, had afforded the strongest proof, nexion with these conspirators. This terwere any proof wanting, of the unfeigned rible conspiracy, too, was suppressed and unalterable attachment of the people without the slightest difficulty by eighteen to the principles of the act of settlement, dragoons. He was satisfied that the men by which the House of Brunswick was engaged in that transaction were very called to the throne-to the constitutional properly brought to trial, and justly conmonarchy of the country, and to the order victed, but it was the only thing ministers of succession which had been established. had to bring forward as an apology for Having said this much, it was unnecessary their measures. It was natural that the for him to assure their lordships, that the attorney-general should have exerted all part of the address relating to the event his great abilities to prove, if he could, which had occasioned such universal sor- the existence of a communication between row had his most unqualified approbation. these conspirators and others in different - With regard to other parts of the parts of the country; for the only chance Address, though he could not give them of an acquittal depended on the actual inhis concurrence, yet it was not his inten- significance of the affair. The learned tion to propose any amendment. It was, counsel for the Crown, had, however, eshowever, impossible for him to allow it to tablished no connexion whatever. No. be supposed that one topic could have thing could more decidedly demonstrate either directly or indirectly his approba- the absurdity of this conspiracy than the tion. He meant that part of the Address evidence of what had been declared by in which was implied a doubt, whether the leader, or Nottingham captain-genetranquillity could have been obtained ral, as he was called, who had been desunder the usual operation of the constitu- cribed to have announced to his followers, tion, if there had not been a change in that France, England, and Ireland, and the situation of the country. Was it pos- clouds from the north, would assist them sible for their lordships now to entertain in their insurrection. But, after all, the any such doubt, after all that had passed insurrection required no force to meet it, last session, and all they had learned since? and might have been suppressed by a few Where had there been any appearance of parish constables. It was not the sus. a conspiracy, for the suppression of which pension of the Habeas Corpus that put the laws were inadequate? After all the down the insurrection, or the conspiracy, trials and investigations which had taken whichever it might be called : it had been place, their lordships might ask themselves extinguished by the due administration of whether they had discovered evidence of the law-by apprehending and bringing any thing like an organized conspiracy, the persons accused to trial; and the same which called for the setting aside the con- law could have been applied with equal stitution; and whether any discontent efficiency, though the Habeas Corpus act which had existed, was manifested in such a had remained in force. At the same time manner, or possessed such a force, that the it was to be observed, that there was no ordinary and fair administration of the laws proof of any conspiracy hostile to the could not have suppressed it? He should institutions of the country. The whole expect ministers to show distinctly, not disturbance sprung from partial discononly that there had been a conspiracy, tent, with which the great body of the but that the number and character of the population of the place where it broke persons engaged in it were such as to re- oui were untainted.

Even in the very quire extraordinary measures for its sup- villages through which the insurgents pression. He would maintain that they passed, the people ran away from them ; and in no part of the country was there calling for any such opinion on the part of any trace to be found of the existence of others, that it might be so framed as to a conspiracy to alter the king's govern- obtain the unanimous approbation of the ment. He must therefore continue to House. In this they were persuaded maintain, that the grounds on which the they had succeeded ; and he hoped, when suspension of the Habeas Corpus was the noble marquis reconsidered the subcalled for by ministers, were entirely un- ject, that he would abandon the view of founded, and that the measure was alto. the Speech which he had taken. In fact, gether unnecessary. What he had that the Speech did nothing more than state, night heard of the state of the country that the improved situation of the country afforded him great pleasure, but he could had withdrawn from the disaffected the not give that change the credit which mi- principal means on which they relied for pisters seemed desirous of attributing to accomplishing their seditious or treasonable it, of removing great disaffection, and sup- ends. This had no reference to the quespressing extensive conspiracies. The re- tion of the propriety of suspending the turning prosperity, on which ministers Habeas Corpus act last session. The noble had dwelt with so much emphasis, was marquis thought there was no necessity for what he was happy to hear. He hoped that measure: he lord Liverpool) thought also that the predictions of the improve there was : but whether the opinion of the ment of the revenue would be realized, noble marquis or that which he opposed to and he trusted it would continue to flou. it was the right one, had nothing to do rish, and that the burthens of the country with the present address.--He must now would be diminished; but he must con- say a word or two on what had fallen from fess, that this was a matter which, in his a noble friend of his (earl Stanhope) in a opinion, admitted rather of hope than of speech of great ability, which he had adcertainty. He had thought it necessary dressed to their lordships. In his noble to make these observations, though, as friend's peculiar situation it appeared that he had stated, he did not on this occasion he considered himself called upon to state intend to trouble their lordships with any his sentiments, and he approved of the proposition.

feeling on which he acted.

He thought The Earl of Liverpool said, he was gra. it necessary, however, to remark, that the tified with the manner in which the noble observations of his noble friend were not marquis had expressed his concurrence of that kiod on which it would be fitting with one part of the address, and acknow. for him to dwell. All he wished to say ledged the candour with which he had was, that the great policy of this country stated his sentiments respecting other parts. was, to maintain the present peace, so imIf this were the proper occasion for enter- portant to this country and to Europe : ing into a consideration of the subjects to and that it would be the object of his mawhich the noble marquis had referred, he jesty's government to preserve that peace should be ready to maintain and prove that by pursuing the course most likely to sethe precautionary measures which minis. cure it; namely, a strict adherence to the ters had proposed were called for by the engagements into which the country had necessity of the case. The reports which entered; which was the best means of se. had been made by committees chosen by curing the fidelity of the other contracting their lordships, and facts subsequently dis- parties in their engagements. He must closed, all showed that the state of the also observe, that he could not partake in country was such as to require that extra. the opinion which his noble friend had exordinary measures should be resorted to. pressed respecting the feelings of the peoIf this were the time for discussing the ple of France towards the sovereign of subject, he was prepared to maintain that, that country. He had, indeed a strong in a case which involved the tranquillity impression of a contrary nature. This and safety of the country, it would ill be much he would also say, that neither come their lordships to calculate how the state of that country, nor of any much danger and risk ought to be incurred other part of the continent of Europe, before they employed the means of secu- exhibited, in his opinion, any appearances rity which they held in their hands. With calculated to excite the apprehensions regard to the Speech from the throne, he which his noble friend entertained. The must frankly confess that it had been the well known disposition of all the continenwish of ministers, without giving any opi- tal powers afforded the best guarantee for nion on disputable points themselves, or the preservation of peace. He should

say nothing farther on this subject; and Speakers had been appointed by letters he hoped that what he had previously patent in the absence of the chancellor, stated would have the effect of removing but if they had been absent also, the the objections of the noble marquis. When House must surely have a power to supply the present motion should be agreed to, their place. The same reasoning would his noble friend, the secretary of state for apply to their clerk. After complimentthe home department, would propose the ing the industry of the clerks in general, preliminary steps for the measure of which he concluded by expressing his opinion, he had given notice.

that they should have a copy of the inThe Address was then agreed to nem. strument under which the appointment dis.

was made, in order to know whether there Lord Sidmouth gave notice, that he was any body who had a title to the office, would present a bill to-morrow for repeal- and should provide in the mean time for ing the Habeas Corpus Suspension act, and the discharge of its duties. also, that he would move for the suspen- Earl Grosvenor said, that this circumsion of the standing orders, which requires stance confirmed him in the opinion he a certain interval to pass between the dif- had always entertained of the necessity of ferent stages of bills, in order that they inquiring into these offices. might be enabled to pass the bill in the The motion for granting a copy of the course of to-morrow.

letters patent and that for authorising the

signature of Mr. Cowper were agreed to. CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS.] The Earl of Liverpool observed, that the office

HOUSE OF COMMONS. of clerk of the parliaments having become vacant by the death of Mr. Rose, it was

Tuesday, January 27. vested by reversion in his son, who being

REPEAL OF

THE HABEAS CORPUS at present out of the country could not ap- Suspension Act.] The Speaker havpear before them to take the oaths. In ing taken the chair, several new writs order to obviate the inconvenience which were ordered, and the Clandestine Outmight result from his absence, he would lawry bill was, according to custom, read move that_Heory Cowper, esq. be autho- a first time. On the motion that it be read rised to affix his signature in the mean- a second time, while to such proceedings of their lord- Lord Althorp wished to occupy the atships as required the signature of the clerk tention of the House a few moments on of the parliaments.

the subject of the Habeas Corpus SuspenLord Holland regretted the situation in sion act. He thought it was of the utwhich the House was placed, and intimat- most importance to the character of the ed his intention of moving for a committee House that the earliest opportunity should to inquire into the state of the clerks of be taken of repealing that act. As it was the House. There was evidently some necessary to give previous notice of any thing that required to be remedied in order motion of importance, he did not consider to protect them against such an occurrence. himself warranted in then moving for leave Perhaps it might turn out, upon investiga. to bring in a bill for the repeal of this tion, that the present clerk held situations odious measure; but he gave this notice, which he was not authorized to hold with that to-morrow he would submit a motion out the direct permission of the House. I to the House for leave to bring in such a At all events they owed it to their own bill. dignity to inquire into the cause.

Mr. Arbuthnot said, the noble lord The Earl of Liverpool suggested that would probably hear something in the the regular course would be to move for a course of the evening which might have copy of the patent by which the appoint- the effect of inducing

him to forego his moment was made. He believed there were tion.--Shortly after, resolutions on the Journals prohibiting Lord Althorp, seeing lord Castlereagh persons from holding certain offices who | in his place, wished to know from him acted in the capacity of clerk of the parlia- whether or not he intended to move the ments.

immediate repeal of the Habeas Corpus The Lord Chancellor concurred in the Suspension act, because, if this was not his propriety of the course recommended by intention, he should himself submit a mothe noble earl. He, as chancellor, was tion to the House on the subject. Speaker of their lordships House. Other Lord Castlereagh said, it certainly was (VOL. XXXVII.)

(C)

in the contemplation of his majesty's mi. , liance from which so many advantages nisters, as the situation of the country no were anticipated. From the gradual exlonger called for the continuance of the pansion of a mind of such strong native measure to apply to parliament for its excellence as that of the illustrious prinrepeal. Notice to that effect would be cess, the nation were well warranted in given in that place where the bill origi- entertaining the most sanguine hopes and nated.

expectations. The premature death of

that Princess bad suspended the hopes of State TRIALS IN SCOTLAND.] Lord the nation, and closed the bright prospects, A. Hamilton wished to take the earliest the extinction of which was so feelingly opportunity of calling the attention of the lamented by all classes of this country. House to the late state prosecutions in It would be wasting the time of the House, Scotland. He gave notice that he would or even worse in him to attempt to deon that day fortnight submit a motion on scribe to them a life so much entitled to the subject. As he did not wish, how their admiration-to attempt to paint the ever, to bring the subject before the House bright lustre which opened to their view. in the absence of the Lord Advocate, he This would be a mockery of real feelingwould, if any such wish was expressed, it suited neither with the nature of the postpone his motion to a day more conve- subject, nor the dignity of she House. nient to that gentleman.

Without intruding on the sacred sorrows

of the illustrious father, they might assure Distressed Seamen.] Lord Cochrane him that parliament sympathized with him wished to know whether or not the Lords in his misfortune--that as they were assoof the Admiralty had come to the resolu- cinted with him in his hopes, they were tion of appropriating any part of the associated with him in his grief. Nothing Droits of the Admiralty towards the relief was more congenial to the British characof those distressed seamen, whose wretch- ter than such a sympathy with the suffered state gave such pain to every person of ings of the illustrious Person to whom any feeling.

they had plighted their allegiance. Their Mr. W. Dundas said, he was not in anxiety on such an occasion must be restructed to make any communication on garded as an indubitable proof of their at. the subject alluded to by the noble lord. tachment to the family on the throne of

Lord Cochrane said, if a proportion of these realms.- In the Speech a variety of the Droits was not applied towards the topics were introduced, all of which, from relief of the persons in question, he would their importance, would become the subtake an early day of bringing forward a ject of future deliberation, and therefore motion on the subject.

he should not trespass on their attention

by entering into details. They had heard ADDRESS on the Prince Regent's of our amity with foreign states-our Speech THE OPENING OF THE prosperity and tranquillity at home-the Session.] The Speech of the Prince Re- stability of our credit, the improvement of gent having been read by the Speaker, our revenue. The picture was certainly

Mr. Wodehouse said, that in moving the Aattering, but it was not coloured beyond Address which the House usually voted to what our national resources would warthe throne at the opening of the session, rant. Daily intercourse furnished to he should ill discharge his duty, if he did every man abundant proofs of the im. pot avail himself of the earliest opportunity provement which had taken place in the of calling their attention to the deep dis- circumstances of our fellow-subjects. He tress in which a

recent calamitous should be grieved to think that he was event had plunged his Royal Highness. either the victim of credulity, or that he We had lived so many years in a state of spoke the language of delusion. Whether war, and our attention had been so much we looked to our agriculture, or to any occupied by the succession of wonderful other branch of our industry or commerce, events to which that state had given rise, there was no longer seen that stagnant that our minds seemed, in some sort, di- langour and dejection—that feeling among verted from the consideration of our own men that they were struggling for existdomestic affairs. The first event after ence with no hope of advancement. Now, the return of peace, in our domestic his- instead of the former depression, there tory, which was viewed with deep interest were every where seen that vigor and by the whole nation, was the virtuous al- that elasticity which was the most satis

AT

factory evidence of a real and substantial has come home like a private calamity to prosperity. The restoration of internal the hearts and affections of all descriptions tranquillity was a subject on which the of his majesty's subjects: imagination loved to dwell. There was “ That, reflecting on the hopes which

? now.a perfect restoration of content, and we had fondly cherished, that the virtues the hateful seeds of disaffection were displayed by this excellent princess in all banished from the land. The diffusion of the relations of private life, would herereligious instruction was also most pro- after adorn the throne, and would be transperly under the royal eye, and an increas- mitted through a continued succession of ed number of places of divine worship princes in his Royal Highness's august was recommended to our particular atten- sine, we find ourselves unable to express tion. There remained one or two mate in adequate terms the profound impresrial points in the Speech which ought not sion of our regret and disappointment ; to be passed over in complete silence.- and that while we trust that the Almighty He alluded more particularly to the com- will still continue to watch over the prosmunication on the subject of the treaties perity of a nation hitherto so signally faentered into with Spain and Portugal for voured by his gracious Providence, we the abolition of the slave trade. If any are duly thankful for the consideration thing could add to the importance of which amidst his own sufferings, his these arrangements, it was the consolation Royal Highness has not failed to bestow derived from the consideration of the on the effect which this sad event must narrow limits within which that traffic was have on the interest and future prospect now confined, affording a reasonable hope of the kingdom : that it will soon cease to exist.

It was a

" To congratulate his Royal Highness proud triumph to this country that an on the assurances which he continues to end to this most detestable traffic—the receive from foreign powers, of their existence of which was condemned by the friendly disposition towards this country, unanimous feeling of Christendom--was and of their desire to maintain the general

" accomplished through the mediation of tranquillity: Great Britain. Of all the glorious “ To assure his Royal Highness, that it achievements, of which she had so much is in the highest degree satisfactory to us, reason to be proud, none would throw to find that the confidence which he has more lustre on her than the accomplish- invariably felt in the stability of the great ment of the universal abolition of this sources of our national prosperity has not abominable and iniquitous traffic.- The been disappointed: hon. gentleman concluded with moving, That the improvement which has taken

“That an humble Address be presented place, in the course of the last year, in to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, almost every branch of our domestic into thank his Royal Highness for the most dustry, and the present state of public gracious Speech delivered by his command credit, appears to us, as well as to his to both Houses of parliament:

Royal Highness, to afford abundant proof “ To assure his Royal Highness that that the difficulties under which the counwe fully share the great concern expressed try was labouring were chiefly tu be asby his Royal Highness at the continuance cribed to temporary causes: of his majesty's lamented indisposition: “ That we rejoice the more in this im.

“ To offer to his Royal Highness the portant change, as it has withdrawn from expression of our sincere condolence on the disaffected the principal means of that awful dispensation of Providence which they had availed themselves for the which, by the untimely death of her purpose of fomenting a spirit of discontent, Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, which unhappily led to acts of insurrechas visited his Royal Highness with an tion and treason; and that we indulge a affliction so deeply distressing to his feel confident expectation that the state of ings both as a parent and a prince: peace and tranquillity to which the coun.

« That we should ill discharge our duty try is now restored, will be maintained as affectionate subjects of his majesty, against all attempts to di-turb it, by the and as representatives of the people of persevering vigilance of the magistracy, the united kingdom, if we did not eagerly and by the loyalty and good sense of embrace this first occasion of testifying the people : our participation in the general sense of “ To return our humble thanks to his this irreparable national loss, a loss which | Royal Highness, for baving directed the