would, without fear of contradiction, declare to be one of the most meritorious public servants that had ever been employed. The honourable gentleman had expatiated much upon what he called the various facts of the case, and had permitted his imagination to range without restraint; for certain it was that Mr. Creevey came to the discussion of the subject unshackled by the slightest information; he was mistaken in every point in which he had adverted. First, as to the triennial Report, he (Mr. Wharton) regretted that Mr. Creevey had not yet read the admirable Report which had been made by the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, and he would assure him that it was a pleasure, a delight which yet remained for him. The honourable gentleman had called the Canal projected, Lord Glenbervie's Canal, as if it were to be named after his lordship,. who had only a share of 3,500/. out of 280,000l. instead of receiving its appellation from the personage who now exercised the functions of royalty, and to whom it was intended as a compliment. The succeeding assertion was that Mr. Nash, the surveyor, was Commander in Chief of Mary-le-bone Park, and that he and Lord Glenbervie would derive improper advantages from the plan of carrying the Canal through the Crown Lands. The truth was, that seven acres of land had been rented at the high rate of 157. per acre for the purpose: if the honourable gentleman thought it a bargain for the tenant, Mr. Wharton assured him, that he, if he chose it, might on similar conditions obtain a similar advantage. It was acknowledged by all, and proved by satisfactory evidence, that the revenue of the Crown appropriated to the consolidated fund would be benefited by the improvements now effected, to the amount of no less than 30,000l. per annum. Mr. Wharton censured, in very severe terms, the flippant mauner in which the honourable gentleman had treated the characters of public men placed in responsible and arduous situations; such conduct could answer no good purpose, and might lead to the most dangerous consequences, even to a revolution, of which, perhaps, the honourable gentleman did not entertain so much dread as many of those to whom he was generally politically opposed. He concluded by stating, that the accounts moved for would not comprise the whole sum expended, which amounted to a little more than 14,000/.

Mr. Creevey replied very shortly, and the Address was agreed to.

BRISTOL ELECTION.

Sir Francis Burdett begged leave to put two questions to gentlemen on the opposite side; the first regarded a Petition he had presented some time ago, from a man of the name of Fletcher, complaining that he had been ruined by Excise Officers; he wished to know whether Government had done or intended to do, any thing upon it? His second question regarded a matter of much greater importance. An honourable gentleman over the way (Mr. Wharton) had stated that certain proceedings might produce a revolution. It appeared to the honourable baronet that if the statements of which he was in possession were correct, a revolution had already been accomplished. He had often had occasion to notice and protest against the interference of the military in the concerns of the British people, sometimes under the pretext of securing and re-establishing public tranquillity, and he had nearly as often stated his opinion, that if in such case any soldier should deprive any human being of life, he would be guilty of no less a crime than murder, and ought to be subject to condign punishment. Such was his opinion, and he should at any time (though perhaps the present was not the fit occasion) be prepared to argue the point with any lawyers of the land.

The Speaker interrupted Sir Francis Burdett, by inquir ing what notice the honourable baronet intended to give, as it was not the practice of the House to allow any argument on the mere giving notice of a motion, since that argument would in all probability lead to a reply, and that reply to discussion.

Sir F. Burdett answered, that he did not wish at this time to debate the matter, although, if he had chosen it, he could easily have put what he had to observe into a shape which would even now allow him to enter into a discussion. The question he had to propose was, whether Ministers were aware that soldiers presided over the poll, or had possession of the place where the poll was taken for the election at Bristol?

Mr. Wharton said, that with respect to the first inquiry, he could afford some satisfaction; he had examined the papers in his office with regard to the case of Fletcher, and found that they contained a complete refutation of all the

statements made in the petition. If the honourable baronet should persist in a motion on the subject, he (Mr. Wharton) should move for those documents.

Sir F. Burdett gave notice, that he should to-morrow submit a motion to the House on the subject.

Lord Palmerston was not in the House at the time the honourable baronet proposed his second question; but he afterwards entered and said, that he would state, if it were any satisfaction to the honourable baronet, that, as was usual in all places where any election was to be holden, he had issued orders that the troops in Bristol should be marched out of the town the day before the election commenced, and that they should not return until the day after the poll had terminated. In consequence of these directions the military had been removed, but this morning his lordship had received a letter from General Oswald, commanding that district, informing him that in pursuance of a requisition signed by the Mayor of Bristol, and several Magistrates of Gloucestershire, he had marched the East Middlesex regiment of Militia into the immediate vicinity of Bristol; but the commander added, "that he had deemed it inexpedient to quarter them within the city, and had therefore procured billets for a portion of the corps in the suburbs, and other convenient situations out of Bristol." Perhaps the honourable baronet might have more recent intelligence on the subject, but if it were true that the military were actually within the limits of the city, such a step could only have been occasioned by some tumultuary proceedings by the populace which required their interference. Government, however, had received no intelligence that the troops were within the city of Bristol.

CONVICTS IN IRELAND.

Sir Samuel Romilly, after a few preparatory remarks, moved that there be laid before the House, returns of the number of persons, male and female, in the several gaols of Ireland, tried at the various assizes of the city of Dublin, between 1804 and 1812, distinguishing their crimes, their, sentences, and several other particulars. The honourable baronet expressed his doubt whether the system of criminal law proposed by him, could be properly extended to the sister kingdom.

After a few words from Mr. Goulburn, expressing his concurrence, Mr. M. Fitzgerald assured Sir Samuel Romilly

that the extension of his system to Ireland was looked for with anxiety.

LINCOLN GAOL.

Mr. D. Giddy moved, that the Committee on Lincoln Gaol have leave to report from time to time.-Ordered.

Mr. D. Giddy afterwards brought up the Report of the Committee, expressing a doubt whether it would be expe dient to exert the power of the House to compel the Sheriff to bring up several prisoners confined on civil process, as he would thereby be liable to an action for an escape. Mr D. Giddy said a few words in further expla nation, when

The Speaker remarked, that no doubt could be felt as to the power of the House, the only question was, whether it ought to be exerted on the present occasion from pruden tial motives?

Mr. Brougham was of opinion that no warrant from the Speaker should in this case be issued, since it might be attended with circumstances of much difficulty and inconvenience. If it were issued, he argued, from the case of Sir Edward Pryce, in 4th East, that notice at least should be served on the parties at whose suit the prisoners were confined.

Mr. Abercrombie expressed several objections to the mode in which the Report was framed, since it stated a doubt regarding the power of the House in such cases.

The Speaker said, that it was a doubt which the House never tolerated.

Lord A. Hamilton and Mr. Brougham said a few words.

Sir F. Burdett said, that he had grave doubts as to the power of the House in cases of this kind, and he wished the point should be decided, and the rights of the House defined. He was not aware that the production of the Speaker's warrant, by the Sheriff, would be a bar to a civil action against him.

Mr. Bankes moved that the Report be re-committed for to-morrow, which, after one or two words from Sir Samuel Romilly, was agreed to.

Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS,

FRIDAY, JULY 3.

MR. PALMER'S CLAIMS.

The Earl of Lauderdale wished to know whether it was the intention of the noble earl (Moira) to press his motion for the second reading of Mr. Palmer's Compensation Bill this evening, particularly after the House had been fatigued with the discussion of the two subjects which stood before it, and when all the papers moved for were not yet on the

table.

Earl Moira urged the important interest to the gentleman who made these claims which were involved in the Bill, and the important point of justice which the Bill also involved, as considerations pressing upon the House at this late period of the session not to delay taking up the Bill. He was still disposed to move it this evening, if all the papers moved for were on the table. ·

The Farl of Lauderdale observed, that he had moved for an important paper respecting the Revenue of the Post Office not yet laid on the table, for the purpose of shewing that, according to the agreement, Mr. Palmer's per centage would amount to a much larger sum than he now claimed, and therefore that he had given up the question of right.

Earl Moira at length agreed to postpone his motion for the second reading of the Bill till Monday.

The Lord Chancellor presented a Petition from the Corporation of Cursitors, praying that their interests might not be affected by the Sinecure Bill, which was ordered to lay on the table.

EX-OFFICIO INFORMATIONS.

Lord Holland presented two Bills relative to Ex-Officio Informations, the object of the first of which, his lordship stated to be, to prevent delay between the commission of the offence and the filing the information, and between the filing the information and proceeding to trial; and of the other Bill to repeal so much of the Act of the 48th of his present Majesty, as related to holding persons to bail upon Ex-Officio Informations. The two Bills were read a first time, and ordered to be printed.