After a few words from the Lord Advocate of Scotland, Lord A. Hamilton, and from Messrs. Bennet and Brougham, the Address was carried unanimously.

His

HOUSE OF LORDS, Jan. 28.. Viscount Sidmouth presented a Bill for repealing the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, which was read the first time. Lordship then moved to suspend the standing orders (forbidding the passing a Bill through more than one stage in the same day) with reference to this Bill. Ordered. On the second reading of the Bill, the pre. amble was read, which, after reciting the titles of the two Acts, one suspending the Habeas Corpus till the 1st of July last, and the other continuing the suspension till the 1st of March next, stated that the continuance of the powers thus grauted was no longer necessary.

Lord Holland said, that neither in the Trials that had taken place in the Metropolis, at Derby, or in Scotland, had any necessity been proved to exist for the suspension of the Act. There was no proof, in any of the cases that had occurred, of any insurrection, that did not appear to have been fomented by the agents or the spies of Government. After alluding to the trials of Mr. Hone for blasphemous Parodies, and giving it as his Lordship's opinion that, had those Parodies been directed against the Opposition or Reformers, no prosecution would have been instituted; the Noble Lord concluded with declaring, that he felt it to be his duty to deliver his opinion in condemnation of the measures which had been resorted to, without any adequate reason, and upon asserted infor mation, which he was satisfied could not stand the test of real inquiry.

Viscount Sidmouth declared, that he was unconscious of any harsh or cruel exercise of the powers entrusted to Ministers under this Act. The responsibility of its execution rested, of course, chiefly with himself; and he could say that he had anxiously endeavoured to do his dutythat he had acted, to the best of his judgmeut, leniently, but firmly-that he had in view only to prevent the threatened danger, and had not been the means of depriving individuals of liberty any further than as the necessity of the case required. The improvement in the condition of the lower classes, he was happy to say, rendered the further continuance of the Act unnecessary; and although there was no precedent upon the Records of Parliament for repealing an Act of this description, all of them having been suffered to expire, yet he was of opinion that, the necessity having ceased, the Act ought not to be allowed to continue any longer; and therefore, although the period till its expiration was very short, he had determined to move its

repeal. There were still persons at work, in the Metropolis, and elsewhere, endeavouring to excite disaffection; but there was nothing in their attempts that could not be put down by the vigour of the Law, the vigilance of the Government, and the loyalty and activity of the Magistracy. The Noble Lord had alluded to the prosecutions of Mr. Hone. With regard to these, he rejected with indignation all im. putation of base motives (for hypocrisy he considered to be a base motive); and placed the prosecutions upon the general feelings against Parodies of that description.

The Bill was then read a second time, the Commitment negatived, and the Bill ordered to be engrossed. The engrossed Bill was brought into the House almost immediately. It was then read the third time, and passed; and ordered to be sent to the Commons.

Mr. M. A. Taylor also expressed a simi❤ lar determination, and was followed by other Gentlemen. No numerical division took place on the subject; but it is remarkable that Mr. Speaker, when the cries of Aye and No had been repeated from all parts of the House, adopted that form of words which is expressive of doubt, and usually leads to a division; "and the Ayes, I think," said be (casting a glauce over the House, and speaking hesitatingly) -"the Ayes, I think, have it."

The motion was then declared to be carried in the affirmative; and Mr. Disbrowe was appointed to carry it to the Queen.

Jan. 29.

A Bill to repeal the Act for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus was brought from the other House, and read the first time.

On the second reading, some conversation took place. Lord Folkestone said, that, as far as he could form a judgment, the persons confined on mere suspicion, and discharged recently on recognizances, had been unjustly treated. He could not see the right so to bind them by recogniz

ances.

That right was strenuously maintained by the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. B. Bathurst.

The

Earl Stanhope would condemn a factious opposition to those Ministers who had steered the vessel of state in safety through a storm unparalleled in difficulty and danger. Under the present Administration the principles of anarchy and insubordination, so dangerous to society, had been more effectually opposed than ever. Adverting to the military occupation of France, his Lordship stigmatised the French as "the most unprincipled people on the globe- - a people who had pursued the career of slaves and robbers, and were now the most abject of the human race." He knew from conversation with the Duke of Otranto, better known by the name of Fouche, that it was his opinion, the instant Buonaparte was set loose, the Bourbons I would cease to reign, and the fall of that family would ensure a war against the rest of Europe; and the renewal of such a contest as that we had lately been engaged in must be attended with inevitable destruction to this country.

The Marquis of Lansdowne would not propose any amendment, though he could concur with only that part of the Address which related to the death of the Princess Charlotte. He insisted that no evidence of any thing like an organized conspiracy had been discovered, which called for the suspension of the Constitution.

The Earl of Liverpool shortly replied; when the Address was agreed to.

In the Commons, the same day, the Speech from the Throne being then taken into consideration, the customary Address was proposed by Mr. Wodehouse, and seconded by Mr. Windham Quin.

Lord Althorpe agreed with every part of the Address, excepting that which ascribed the present tranquillity of the Country to the measures of Government; yet on that subject he should not now enter. Delicate as was the topick, he could not, however,

refrain from alluding to the late three successive trials. Mr. Hone's able defence of himself convinced him, as it had convinced three Juries, that he had been guilty of no legal offence. But why was the prosecution continued after a Jury had pronounced a verdict of acquittal ? (Hear, hear!)-A Jury was the only competent tribunal to say what was or was not a Libel. The Judge had given his own opinion, in opposition to the Jury, the only compe tent authority.(Hear, hear.)-The opinion of the Judge was not desired at all on such a question. The evil of prosecutions of this sort was great indeed; but it was not to be compared with the evil of destroying the confidence of the Country in the Trial by Jury.(Hear, hear, hear.)

The Attorney General said, that all three Parodies were Libels upon sacred subjects of the Church-service. The object of the prosecution was not punishment, but the prevention of the circulation of the writings prosecuted. It was his deliberate opinion, that he was bound to proceed, unless be were convinced, by the verdict of Not guilty in the one trial, that the defendant was not guilty of the other two Libels.

Sir Samuel Romilly condemned the suspension of the Habeas Corpus; and contended, from the proceedings on the trials at Derby, and from the release of many of the Manchester prisoners as far back as September, that the conspiracies so much talked of by Ministers had no existence, prior to the passing of the Suspension Bill; but were first hatched about the beginning of June, at the instigation of Government emissaries. The prosecution against Hone was a part of that system on which Ministers came into and remained in office, But the religious cry had not, on this occasion, turned to their advantage. He strongly censured the Parodies; but observed that the Attorney-General had absurdly begun only to prosecute for them months after they had been voluntarily suppressed, and by his repeated prosecutions had contrived to produce a convenient little volume of such compositions to be handed down to posterity.

The Solicitor General contended for the accuracy of the statements on which Parliament had suspended the Habeas Corpus Act; and vindicated the proceedings with regard to Hone.

Lord Castlereagh said, that Papers would on Monday be laid before the House, which would fully justify the measures adopted by the Administration,

After

After a few words from the Lord Advocate of Scotland, Lord A. Hamilton, and from Messrs. Bennet and Brougham, the Address was carried unanimously.

His

HOUSE OF LORDS, Jan. 28.. Viscount Sidmouth presented a Bill for repealing the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, which was read the first time. Lordship then moved to suspend the standing orders (forbidding the passing a Bill through more than one stage in the same day) with reference to this Bill. Ordered. On the second reading of the Bill, the pre amble was read, which, after reciting the titles of the two Acts, one suspending the Habeas Corpus till the 1st of July last, and the other continuing the suspension till the 1st of March next, stated that the continuance of the powers thus grauted was no longer necessary.

Lord Holland said, that neither in the Trials that had taken place in the Metropolis, at Derby, or in Scotland, had any necessity been proved to exist for the suspension of the Act. There was no proof, in any of the cases that had occurred, of any insurrection, that did not appear to have been fomented by the agents or the spies of Government. After alluding to the trials of Mr. Hone for blasphemous Parodies, and giving it as his Lordship's opinion that, had those Parodies been directed against the Opposition or Reformers, no prosecution would have been instituted; the Noble Lord concluded with declaring, that he felt it to be his duty to deliver his opinion in condemnation of the measures which had been resorted to, without any adequate reason, and upon asserted information, which he was satisfied could not stand the test of real inquiry.

Viscount Sidmouth declared, that he was unconscious of any harsh or cruel exercise of the powers entrusted to Ministers under this Act. The responsibility of its execution rested, of course, chiefly with himself; and he could say that he had anxiously endeavoured to do his dutythat he had acted, to the best of his judgmeut, leniently, but firmly-that he had in view only to prevent the threatened danger, and had not been the means of depriving individuals of liberty any further than as the necessity of the case required. The improvement in the condition of the lower classes, he was happy to say, rendered the further continuance of the Act unnecessary; and although there was no precedent upon the Records of Parliament for repealing an Act of this description, all of them having been suffered to expire, yet he was of opinion that, the necessity having ceased, the Act ought not to be allowed to continue any longer; and therefore, although the period till its expiration was very short, he had determined to move its

repeal. There were still persons at work, in the Metropolis, and elsewhere, endeavouring to excite disaffection; but there was nothing in their attempts that could not be put down by the vigour of the Law, the vigilance of the Government, and the loyalty and activity of the Magistracy. The Noble Lord had alluded to the prosecutions of Mr. Hone. With regard to these, he rejected with indignation all im. putation of base motives (for hypocrisy he considered to be a base motive); and placed the prosecutions upon the general feelings against Parodies of that description.

The Bill was then read a second time, the Commitment negatived, and the Bill ordered to be engrossed. The engrossed Bill was brought into the House almost immediately. It was then read the third time, and passed; and ordered to be sent to the Commons.

Mr. M. A. Taylor also expressed a simi❤ lar determination, and was followed by other Gentlemen. No numerical division took place on the subject; but it is remarkable that Mr. Speaker, when the cries of Aye and No had been repeated from all parts of the House, adopted that form of words which is expressive of doubt, and usually leads to a division; " and the Ayes, I think," said be (casting a glance over the House, and speaking hesitatingly) "the Ayes, I think, have it."

The motion was then declared to be carried in the affirmative; and Mr. Disbrowe was appointed to carry it to the Queen.

Jan. 29.

A Bill to repeal the Act for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus was brought from the other House, and read the first time.

On the second reading, some conversation took place. Lord Folkestone said, that, as far as he could form a judgment, the persons confined on mere suspicion, and discharged recently on recognizances, had been unjustly treated. He could not see the right so to bind them by recogniz

ances.

That right was strenuously maintained by the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. B. Bathurst.

The

The Bill was afterwards read the third time, and passed.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in answer to Mr. Grenfell, said, that the Bank had made ample preparations for resuming its payments in cash at the period fixed by Parliament: but the loans now in progress in foreign countries might, by possibility, make it a question for the consideration of Parliament, whether the restriction ought to be further continued, whilst the immediate effects of such arrangements should be in operation.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Jan. 31.

The Royal Assent was given, by Commission, to the Bill for the repeal of the Act of last Session, entitled, An Act for the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.

Feb. 2.

Viscount Sidmouth presented certain Papers relative to the past and present state of the Country. His Lordship would not then move for the appointment of a Secret Committee to examine, owing to the absence of Lord Holland and the Marquis of Lansdowne, who were prevented from attending by the death of the Earl of Upper Ossory.

Feb. 3.

Lord Sidmouth moved the appointment of a Committee; which was opposed by the Earl of Carnarvon and the Marquis of Lansdowne, on the ground that it would be a mere mockery to confine the inquiry to the Papers furnished by Ministers themselves; that information of a very different character was requisite; and that the Committee should not only be appointed in a manner different from what it had been heretofore, but that it should have latitude of inquiry, and a power of examining witnesses, or calling for evidence, far beyond the mere reference of Papers furnished by themselves. The Secret Committees of last Session, their Lordships observed, had made their report upon ex parte evidence and upon exparte evidence Ministers might get what Report they pleased.

The Papers were then referred to a Committee of Secrecy to consist of seven Lords, to be chosen by ballot.

In the Commons, the same day, on the motion of Lord Castlereagh, the Finance Committee of last Session was revived.

On the motion of Mr. Grenfell, who urged the impolicy of continuing the restriction on cash payments, various returns respecting the affairs of the Bauk were ordered.

Mr. Vansiltart said, that as to the restriction, he had alluded to it on a former night as a measure merely probable. If, however, it should so turn out that re

course to this measure should be found necessary, he should then take the opportunity of giving his opinion more in detail.

Lord Castlereagh presented several Papers, purporting to be communications from the Prince Regent respecting the internal state of the Country; these Papers he proposed should be referred to a Committee, to be appointed on Thursday the 5th instant.

Mr. Vansittart, in answer to a question from Mr. Brougham, stated, that all the papers connected with the Property Tax had been destroyed.

Mr. W. Smith moved for an account of the sums received at the Crown-office from Mr. Hone for copies of the informations filed against him, together with the authority on which they were demanded, and the uses to which they were applied. In considering the recent prosecutions instituted against Mr. Hone, he could not help admiring the intrepidity, sagacity, and skill, with which he had conducted his own defence. He had since had an opportunity of conversing with him in private; and he must declare, that he discovered nothing that could tend to give him an unfavourable impression of his character, nothing unbecoming the manners of a gentleman. As for the Parodies published by Mr. Hone, his opinion perfectly coincided with that of the publick in general, that they were highly censurable; and, it was not the least honourable part of Mr. Hone's conduct, that, immediately on finding that such was the public impression respecting them, he used every means to prevent the circulation. But those Parodies, however censurable, were not a fit subject to be animadverted on in a Court of Justice. It appeared to him that the free operation of public opinion was the only adequate and proper check to their popularity.

The Attorney General opposed the motion, as Mr. Hone had paid no fees but such as had been paid in similar cases since the year 1693. He would not object, if a proper ground was laid for it, to a motion for a general return of the fees.

After some remarks by Sir F. Burdett, Lord Castlereagh, Mr. Bathurst, and Lord Folkestone, Mr. Smith withdrew his motion, to renew it in a different shape.

Feb. 4.

Lord Folkestone made some observations on recent alterations in the mode of proceeding in the House, as to the manner of publishing the Votes. The change was in some respects convenient; but he saw objections as to the not printing of Petitions, unless the printing of them was ordered by vote. The printing of those Petitions certainly tended to delay the

pub

publication of the Votes; yet it was possible that it might be injurious to the people, and therefore he regretted its tendency in that way. The printing of the Votes of the House was the only regular way in which their proceedings were made public to the Country at large. He should do no more thau mention the circumstance, hoping that the House would never be inattentive to Petitioners.

The House then went into a Committee of Supply; in which, on the motion of Sir G. Warrender, 20,000 seamen were voted for the present year; 611,000l. for pay; 520,000/. for victuals, &c.; and a sum for wear and tear.

On the motion of Mr. Vansittart, an issue of Exchequer Bills to the amount of 25,000,000l. was voted; to pay off outstanding bills. Mr. V. observed, that it had been said that, on the 5th of January 1818, they would be at 60 millions; but he was happy to say they were three millions and a half less than that: they amounted only to 56 millions and a half, and a small sum more. On the other hand, it was to be considered that the funded debt had decreased, 19 millions.

Mr. S. Bourne moved for the revival of the Committee on the Poor Laws, with the addition of two new Members, to replace the deceased Mr. Hall and Mr. Rose.

Mr. Curwen condemned the existing system of Poor Laws, as tending to break down the spirit of the people, by making them look to the Poor-rates as a relief and refuge.

FOREIGN

FRANCE.

Lord Castlereagh observed, that great good had already been done by the Committee ; and much benefit might result from further discussion and inquiry, by ascertaining principles, and suggesting improvements, which would be acted upon in the several parishes, although no legislative act should pass on the subject. The Committee was re-appointed.

Sir F. Burdett presented Petitions from Bath and other places, for Parliamentary Reform.

Lord Binning brought in a Bill to establish Lunatic Asylums in Scotland; and Mr. W. Wynn, a Bilt to regulate Election Polis.

Mr. W. Smith made his promised motion, for an account of all fees taken by the Clerks of the Crown-office for office copies of informations on ex officio prosecutions for Libel, from the persons under prosecution, or their agents, from the 1st January 1816, to the 1st January 1817; specifying the rate at which the charge was made, the total sum in each particular case, and to whose use it was applied. Motion agreed to.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 5.

The following Peers were appointed Members of the Secret Committee:-The Lord Chancellor, Earl of Harrowby, Duke of Montrose, Earl of Liverpool, Marquis Camden, Marquis of Lansdowne, Earl Fitzwilliam, Earl of Powis, Viscount Sidmouth, Lords Grenville and Redesdale.

A new Comet was discovered at Marseilles, on the night of the 26th of Dec. last, by M. Pons, in the constellation of the Swan. It presents no extraordinary aspect in its appearances, and is expected to arrive at its nearest point of proximity to the sun on the 3d of March.

The Duchess of Angouleme was the most prominent and interesting personage at the expiatory service of Louis XVI. at St. Denis, on the 21st ult. Her Royal Highness was deeply affected by the melancholy remembrances which it excited; and, on the reading of her royal father's will, she was bathed in tears.

The Speech of Lord Stanhope, in the House of Lords, on the opening of the present Session, (see p. 163) has produced a great noise at Paris. A prodigious number of translated copies of it are in circulation.

We are sorry to announce an attempt made at Paris, on Wednesday the 11th instant, upon the life of the Duke of Wellington. His Grace's carriage was entering the gate of his hotel in the Rue des Champs Elysées, when some wretch, who

seems to have slipped from behind one of the sentry-boxes standing at each side of the gateway, fired a pistol at the Duke, though with so bad an aim that the bullet did not even strike the carriage. The sentries gave the alarm, and the guard turned out; when the villain was pursued by the soldiers, and by servants of the Duke's household, but running off at full speed, he was favoured by the darkness, and got clear away. His Grace heard the report

of the shot, which he supposed to arise from the accidental discharge of a musket of one of the sentinels. It is stated, that the Duke had that day given a diplomatic dinner; after which he went to an assembly at the house of Lady Crawford, in the Rue d'Anjou; whence it is conjectured the assassin must have watched his return home, and accompanied his Grace's carriage through the streets; the coachman having observed a man running with all his might, as if to reach the gate of the hotel before the carriage should arrive there. The French Government had assigned to the Duke a guard of honour, consisting of 24 men, and commanded by a subaltern offi

cer.