parliament to guard against the conse-| ters had not the intention to which he had quences of that transfer upon the treasures alluded. If it should be declared, that of the Bank. From such transfer, indeed, the provisions in the treaties to which he should the apprehended loans take place, had referred, were owing to special cir. the exchange would rise against this coun-cumstances, not likely again to occur, and try, and, in consequence, the transporta- that the case was not to form a precedent tion of the precious metals would natu- upon future treaties, great good would be rally take place. Under such circum- done. It was extremely desirable, indeed, stances then, he put it to the House, whe- to remove the delusion which prevailed ther it would be wise to remove the re- on this point, for too many persons were striction upon the issue of cash by the at present disposed to conclude from the Bank? But he would assure the right treaties alluded to, that the faith of gohon. gentleman and the House, that his vernment was pledged to procure the remajesty's ministers had no disposition to storation of any property they might incontinue that restriction, unless a strong vest in foreign funds, and especially in case were made out. He was ready to the funds of that country with which we go along with the right hon. gentleman had been lately at war. in deprecating the consequences of the in- Lord Castlereagh said, that he had creased issue of paper by the provincial difficulty in stating that the debts alluded banks; but, on the other hand, it was to to in the treaties of 1814 and 15, stood be considered whether the Bank should be upon particular grounds, and that therereduced to the necessity of starving the fore they formed the subject of a special circulation of the country, or limiting that provision in those treaties. By the treaty degree of accommodation which was es with France in 1787, it was covenanted, sential to every branch of our commercial that in the event of war, every British subindustry. Ministers would, in his view, ject should be allowed one year for the rebe highly culpable, if they sought the moval of his property from that country, and triumph of clinging to a principle, with it was in direct violation of this treaty that out considering the case to which that the debts alluded to were contracted. principle was to be applied. They were, Therefore it was pledged by the treaty of as they ought to be, highly solicitous for Amiens, that those debts should be paid the removal of the restriction upon the by the French government. The treaBank, but it was their duty to consider ties, then, of 1814 and 15, only provided the circumstances under which that re- for that which originated with the treaty moval should take place. The noble lord of 1787, and was sanctioned by the treaty concluded with assuring the House, that of Amiens. Those claims were indeed ministers were not at all disposed to con- of such a nature, that if provision were tinue the restrierion upon the Bank, on not made to secure their liquidation, the any ground or principle of expediency government which concluded the treaty from year to year, and that they would of 1787, would be exposed to the charge not propose or accede to the continuance of having entrapped British subjects to of that restriction unless a distinct and invest their property in France. But this special case was made out to justify the formed a special case, and afforded no en a measure. couragement to British subjects to vest Mr. Hammersley expressed a hope that their property in foreign funds. He was ministers would not be found to have any ready, then, to go along with the hon. intention of giving any encouragement to gentleman, that those who should make the proposed loans to foreign states, or to such investments had no claim whatever the investment of British capital in foreign upon the British government, and that in funds. He was sorry to understand that the event of any war, or on the conclusuch encouragement was inferred from sion of any peace, no such transactions certain provisions in the treaties of 1814 would be entitled to the consideration of and 1815, as he himself had calculated at the British government. It would, indeed, the time those treaties were concluded; be an extraordinary principle to admit that he meant with regard to the reimburse the government of any nation should have ment of British subjects who had lost the its faith pledged, or its operations regulated, property they had vested in the French by the spontaneous transactions of indifunds. A distinct declaration from the viduals. noble lords upon this subject, would be Mr. Hammersley expressed himself perof considerable utility, especially if minis- fectly satisfied by the declaration of the noble lord, which would, he had no doubt, could not vouch for the truth of these al. serve to dissipate a great deal of mis- legations, but they were stated by 26 perchievous delusion. sons of respectable character, who were The Resolutions were then agreed to. most anxious of supporting their state ments by evidence at the bar of their lordships' House, or before the come HOUSE OF LORDS. mittee. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Monday, February 9. troubling them with a few words on a CHIMNEY SWEEPERS REGULATION subject which he had not the opportunity of Bill.] Mr. Bennet rose, pursuant to bringing regularly before them. A peti notice, to move for leave to bring in a bill tion had been transmitted to him, in order for the better regulation of Chimney to be presented to the House, which he Sweepers and their Apprentices. It was regretted to say he had unfortunately the object of this bill to put an end to the mislaid or lost.' The petition itself, and evil so long, so universally, and so justly the circumstances under which it was to complained of, as to the use, or rather be presented, were of great public in- abuse, of young children in sweeping portance. It had been the wish of the chimnies. He felt it unnecessary to enter petitioners, among whom were many into any detail upon this subject, as the highly respectable persons, that it should sufferings endured, and the cruelties inbe presented to their lordships House in Aicted, through the practice alluded to, time to be referred to the secret commit- were so fully described in the evidence tee. It had been sent to bim for that taken before the committee of the last ses. purpose by Mr. Taylor, of Manchester, sion, from which committee this bill emaand he still hoped that he might receive nated. The bill was indeed a transcript another copy before the committee made of that which he had brought forward last their report. He felt it, however, to be year, with the exception only of that prohis duty, thus publicly to acknowledge vision which related to the total and his negligence, and express his regre: at prompt abolition of the use of climbing not being able to comply that day with boys, and which provision, perbaps, prethe wish of the petitioners. Though vented the bill from being carried. He | he had not read the petition which reached was happy to say that since last year the him with sufficient attention to recollect desire to abolish this odious practice had its contents, yet, having had access to been expressed at public meetings in all the another petition from the same persons, great towns throughout the country ; those intended for another place, he was able to meetings unanimously adopting resolutions state to their lordships its general purport. that the employment of climbing boys ought The allegations it contained were very not to be any longer tolerated, especially as strong; and coming as they did from a mechanicalinstrument was found efficient persons of respectability, they merited the for the purpose. But who could dissent attention of their lordships. The peti- from these resolutions that had any knowtioners stated of their own knowledge, ledge of the effects of this barbarous systhat all the disturbances in that part of tem? Within even the last year, no less the country, and all disorderly proceed than five fatal instances had occurred to ings which had attracted the public no- show its character. One of these instances tice, had been the work of hired spies, in- in England, and another in Scotland had formers, and agents of the government. been attended with circumstances of peThe petitioners had, from their local si-culiarly aggravated cruelty. But the tuation, opportunities of ascertaining the masters, or properly speaking, the owners facts they stated, and had made it their of the unfortunate children employed in business io inquire into and trace the dis- this business were rarely susceptible of turbances to their source; but when, in the common feelings of humanity; but, the course of their investigations, they even if they were, it would be impossible pointed out any individuals as objects of to have the business done without a sasuspicion, they either disappeared from crifice of those feelings. For, from the that part of the country, or if carried be- manner in which chimneys were confore inagistrates were soon released. He structed, especially in London, where with a view to save fuel, the flues were often no their best safeguards against the encroachmore than seven or eight inches in dia- ments of arbitrary power and the abuses meter, and consequently in order to clean of intolerant party spirit ; that although such chimneys, it became necessary to firmly convinced at the period when those employ children of the tenderest age. For measures were proposed by his majesty's that purpose, indeed, children of less than ministers to the consideration of the seven years of age were often employed, House, that the circumstances of the nay, female children were actually so en times did not require, and that constitugaged in some instances [Hear, hear !). tional vigilance could not acquiesce in, The House and every man of feeling in the suspension of the act of Habeas Cor. the country, must naturally be shocked at pus and the other restrictive enactments such a fact ; but he hoped that the repe- adopted by the House, the petitioners tition of it would be effectually provided thought it most proper to defer the exagainst. The object of his bill, the hon. pression of their sentiments upon this immember described to be, without disturb- portant subject to a period, when the heat ing the present apprenticeships, that no of political feeling being somewhat allaymaster sweep should hereafter be allowed ed, they might be enabled to examine to take any apprentice under fourteen with maturer deliberation, with more years of age. This was the first step scrutinizing caution, and with more rigid which he proposed to take in a proceed impartiality, the truth of the information ing, which, he trusted, would lead to the upon which, judging from the reports of total abolition of a practice so revolting to its secret committees, the House must be humanity. The 'hon. gentleman then presumed to have acted; that the peti. moved, " That leave be given to bring in a tioners could not avoid feeling that the bill for the better regulation of Chimney character, not only of the towns in which Sweepers and their Apprentices, and for they reside, but of the very populous disthe preventing the employment of boys in trict that surrounds them, and perhaps climbing chimnies." even of the county of Lancaster at large, Leave was given to bring in the bill; was involved in the charges of disaffection, which was afterwards presented and read disloyalty, and treason, which were so a first time. lavishly heaped on the most numerous and the most industrious class of its poPetition PROM Manchester con- pulation; that the petitioners take leave CERNING Seditious Practices.] Mr. to assert to the House, not only that the Philips stated, that during the absence, conduct of the labouring part of their feland at the desire of his noble friend, the low townsmen at that period did not exmember for Lancashire, he had a Petition hibit the slightest tendency to insubordito present from certain merchants, manu. nation or violence, but that they sustain, facturers and others, inhabitants of Man. ed an unparalleled extremity of distress chester, Salford, and the neighbourhood. with fortitude the most exemplary and he. The petition stated, roic; that without stating themselves to “ That the petitioners heard with great concur in the propriety, or to defend the pain and uneasiness the alarming state- prudence, of all the political conduct of ments which were currently circulated du- the working classes in their neighbourring the early part of the past year, as to hood, the petitioners have no hesitation in the evil designs entertained by the labour- assuring the House, as the result of their ing classes in their neighbourhood, and careful and assiduous inquiries, that the concealed under the disguise of an anxiety proceedings of that part of the population to obtain a reform in the representation of have been completely and most grossly the people ; that the petitioners have misrepresented ; that as far as regards the found themselves obliged to conclude that meeting of the 10th of March, familiarly the impression produced by the statements known by the designation of the blanket to which they have now referred, greatly meeting, nothing could exceed the quietinfluenced the decision of the House in ness and order with which the populace concurring with the proposals of his ma- proceeded to it, and demeaned themselves jesty's ministers, entirely to suspend some, throughout its continuance; that it had and materially to abridge other, of the been publicly announced several days ; most valuable rights and privileges which that not the slightest intimation of its imEnglishmen derive from the bravery and puted illegality was given; that no atwisdom of their ancestors, and which afford tempt was made to disperse it by means instituted against the offending parties, it would not be just to enter 'much upon the subject, but he might 'be permitted to say, should such inquiries take place, purposes of the blackest enormity must be disclosed to the public, and that those who professed to doubt their existence would finally be constrained to admit the existence of the of the civil power, but that, without | pendiary chairman of the Salford quarter warning, and, as the petitioners verily be- sessions, did, in his address to the grand lieve, without even reading the riot act, jury, allude to the subject in the followdoubtful as it is whether under such ciring terms, As judicial inquiries would be cumstances that statute could legally be enforced, the dragoons, acting under the orders of the magistrates, dashed impetuously amongst the multitude, and compelled it to seek safety in flight, although magistrates at that period did not possess the discretionary power over public meetings with which the House has since invested them; that between two and three hundred persons, who were proceed-whole of them; that the suspension of ing on the road to London with petitions, the act of Habeas Corpus being, as appears were, in the course of the before-mention by the terms of the Bill itself, applicable ed day, apprehended and lodged under only to persons suspected of entertaincircumstances of great hardship, in aing designs hostile to his majesty's governprison which contained, even before their arrival, nearly three times the number of prisoners it was originally calculated to receive; and that eight of the persons then arrested, who refused to give bail for their future appearance, were committed to Lancaster-castle, and after being detained in gaol amongst prisoners of the most profligate and abandoned description for nearly six months, were at length discharged without trial; that on Saturday the 29th of March public apprehension was most generally and painfully excited, by the appearance of an advertisement issued by the magistracy and police of Manchester, bearing date the preceding day, and in which they stated, that Information, on which they could place the fullest reliance, had reached them of a most daring and traitorous con'spiracy, the object of which was nothing less than open rebellion and insurrection;' that the town of Manchester was one of the first pointed out for attack, and the moment fixed upon for the dia'bolical enterprise was the night of the 30th of March;' that as the petitioners could not think it possible that the magistrates or police would wantonly or thoughtlessly trifle with public alarm, by making so horrible a charge on dubious or insufficient grounds, they confidently expected to see such daring and desperate offenders, as those implicated in this dia'bolical enterprise' must necessarily be so supposed to be, brought to early trial and condign punishment, particularly as on the 23d of April, when the examination of the supposed delinquents must, as the petitioners conceive, have brought the evidence against them under his magisterial cognizance, the rev. W. R. Hay, sti ment,' the petitioners conceive that it was never intended by the House to supersede the necessity of public judicial inquiries into charges of treason, distinct and specified in their character, and of unparalleled atrocity in their complexion; that the petitioners are therefore persuaded that the House will learn with astonishment, that all the persons arrested as participators in this alleged conspiracy have been discharged without trial; and they would farther represent to the House, that if the slightest suspicion of the guilt of the parties still remains, it is most dangerous to the welfare and tranquillity of the country at large, to restore to liberty, and consequently to the capability of doing mischief, men who have connected themselves with a design of such dreadful wickedness! whilst, on the other hand, if there is no foundation for the diabolical conspiracy imputed to them, every principle of justice and humanity imperiously demands that they should be publicly and legally delivered from the charges to which they have been so foully and falsely subjected; that the attention of the petitioners having been aroused by the discharge of these alleged conspirators without trial, some of them have entered upon an extensive and rigid investigation of the grounds upon which traitorous and rebellious proceedings were imputed to the parties taken into custody, and the result of that investigation is a most positive and irrefragable conviction that no such conspiracy existed, that no violent designs were in contemplation, and that no measure dangerous to public tranquil. lity was ever proposed or discussed at any of the meetings which took place, except by hired spies and informers; that whilst the petitioners are convinced that no effort utmost diligence and alacrity in furnishing was left untried by these wicked and the House with such evidence as they detestable emissaries, to ensnare and confidently believe will most fully and delude the labouring classes into acts of completely establish the conclusions they riot and insubordination, they cannot but themselves have formed on the subject." think it will be satisfactory to the House, Mr. Philips then observed, that it must to reflect that the illegal schemes and be obvious that he could not pledge him. exhortations of these miscreants, though self to the accuracy of the facts referred addressed to men suffering the most dis- to in the petition, and on which it was tressing privations, have been so eminently founded, but he was inforined that they and uniformly unsuccessful; that the con- had been most diligently and cautiously viction of the petitioners as to the activity investigated by some of the persons who of the spies, in endeavouring to engage had signed it, and particularly by one persons known to be petitioners for par- gentleman, known to him to be a man of liamentary reform, in their own villainous intelligence and active benevolence. His machinations, does not rest on general own opinion was, that the facts would be and indefinable impressions; but the proved, on investigation, to be such petitioners believe that their habitual as they had been reported to him. violence, their endeavours to seduce Before he proceeded to a detail, which individuals to the commission of specific he feared would be tiresome to the crimes, which would deservedly subject House, he wished to say that he did not them to capital punishments, their offi- at all mean to reflect on the intentions ciousness in appointing meetings in dif- of the magistrates or municipal officers of ferent parts of the country, their activity Manchester. If they had been instruin procuring a large attendance at such mental in deluding ministers, and through meetings, their assumed names, their them the House and the country in geneapprehension and immediate discharge, ral, it was because they had been first and their connexion with the magistracy deluded themselves; for he had no doubt or police, can be clearly and indisputably that they sincerely believed in the repredemonstrated; the petitioners would fur- sentations which they had made. He ther state to the House, that during the conceived them to have been deluded by early part of the last year nocturnal domi- their own spies and informers, and those ciliary visits by subordinate agents of the of the government. The utmost that he police, without the exhibition of warrant had ever said on this subject was, that if or authority for such proceedings, during the poor people were liable to delusion which the greatest abuse and inhumanity from their own prejudices on the one was displayed, were of disgracefully fre- hand, magistrates who were treasurers, or quent occurrence; the petitioners there. zealous supporters of Orange lodges and fore, conceiving that the House could societies, could not be considered as neither foresee nor intend to sanction exempted from the delusion of their own such proceedings as they have enumerated prejudices, on the other hand. He deand that the employment of spies in the precated strongly the encouragement manner and to the extent to which it has given to such associations, the tendency prevailed in the neighbourhood of the of which could only be to inflame relipetitioners is pregnant with the most gious and political animosities, to call dangerous consequences to his majesty's into exercise the worst passions of our peaceable and well-disposed subjects, and nature, and to make one class of his maanxious also to vindicate to the country jesty's subjects hate and persecute anoat large the loyalty and good character ther. The hon. member here stated, that of their extensive and populous district, there had been several meetings, more or do humbly, but most earnestly, intreat less numerous in Manchester and the that the House will be pleased to institute neighbourhood, before that of the 10th of a strict inquiry into the truth of the March (familiarly called the “ Blanketeer matters stated in this petition, and also Meeting"), for preparing resolutions and into the general proceedings, not only petitions on the subject of a reform of the of the labouring classes but of the ma- representation. These meetings had been gistracy and police of Manchester and very peaceably conducted. To show that its neighbourhood, during the early part the poor people really meant what they of the past year; and the petitioners do professed, namely, to petition for a reform hereby pledge themselves to use the of parliament, with which they had been |