But according to the documents produced, there was not testimony to shew that he was a person even suspected of being suspicious. This case was a most unfortunate preJude to the extraordinary powers about to be now com'municated to the executive authorities. The noble lord had stated that it would not be prudent to disclose the names of the persons who gave private information on this subject this was the first time that it appeared that Government maintained a regular system of espionage on the subjects of the Crown of Great Britain; it would be far better openly to adopt the lion's mouth opened at Venice, in which secret and malignant information might be dropped with impunity. The honourable baronet lamented that the Report of the Commissioners on Irish Gaols was not proposed to be re-considered, for in it were circumstances of a most curious kind, some of which he detailed to the House, relating to the improper conduct of Dr. Trevor, of Kilmainham Gaol, notwithstanding he had been commended by the Commissioners. He thought that nothing could be attributed to the Irish Government in the time of Lord Hardwicke, and less in the time of the Duke of Richmond, but he lamented that their underlings were allowed so grossly to misconduct themselves.

Mr. Robinson opposed the motion, justifying the conduct of the Earl of Hardwicke, and denying the ill-treatment of Mr St. John Mason.

Mr. W. Smith asserted, on his own personal knowledge, that for four years Mr. Mason had been incessantly endea vouring to obtain a vindication; not, however, unattended with a hope of obtaining some remuneration for his sufferings. Mr. Mason would distinctly prove that all the allegations against him were unfounded. For five years preceding his arrest, he had never had any communication with his cousin, Mr. Robert Emmett. The honourable Member then proceeded to relate several circumstances, to shew that Dr. Trevor had perjured himself and imposed upon the Commissioners. He admitted that the attempt of Mr. Mason to assist Emmett's escape was highly improper, and would have justified Government in doing almost any thing but what they had done.

Mr. Bathurst opposed the motion at some length, arguing, that the attempts made by Mason to procure the escape of Mr. Emmett and General Russel, confirmed the previous suspicions of Government.

VOL. III-1812.

4 L

Mr. Tighe was in favour of the Committee. He attributed no blame to Lord Hardwicke, but thought that he had been imposed upon. The true cause of the persecution of Mr. Mason, was, that he was the first to bring to light abuses in Kilmainham Gaol.

Mr. Hutchinson spoke on the same side; he stated similar cases of hardship on individuals, during the Lord-Lieutenancy of Lord Hardwicke.

Mr. Sheridan replied shortly, after which the House divided, when the following were the numbers: For the Committee

Against it

11 51

Lord Castlereagh moved the order of the day for the House resolving itself into a Committee on the Bill for the better preservation of the peace. His lordship only wished that the Bill should be committed pro forma, for the sake of inserting a few verbal technical Amendments. He wished the Bill to be re-committed to-morrow, and that in the mean time the corrected Bill should be printed.

Mr. Sheridan observed that he wished the Bill to be divided, as he approved of one part and objected to another. He hoped that this object would be accomplished in the Committee.

Lord Castlereagh said that he should consistently resist any such attempt, as it would only increase difficulties in the House, and confusion among those who had to exercise the laws.

Mr. Abercrombie felt inclined to support a Bill upon this subject, and he had voted for its introduction, but to this particular measure he decidedly objected: no case had been made out to justify the part of the Bill which related to the searching for arms. As be approved of the rest of the provisions, he wished the Bill to be divided.

- Mr. Bathurst observed that unanimity was desirable, but reflecting on the arguments used last night, there could be little or no hope of attaining any thing like it, as the ob jections applied to both parts of the measure. The Committee was the proper tribunal to decide upon the propriety of dividing the Bill.

The House then went into a Committee on the Bill. Lord Castlereagh proposed a new clause, enabling the Crown under certain circumstances, during the operation of the Act, to appoint Justices of the Peace, although the individuals nominated might not be qualified according to law.

Mr. Tierney thought the conduct of the noble lord most extraordinary; he had said that the alterations were merely technical, and yet he now introduced a clause altering the whole object of the measure. It was taking the House completely by surprise, and was throwing the whole power into the hands of the creatures Government might think fit to appoint. If this clause was thus clandestinely introduced, time ought to be given for consideration of it. To what districts the law was to apply, he could not imagine. The attempt now made was quite unprecedented in England; in Ireland it might have been tolerated. He hoped that the House would not allow the Bill to be re-committed until Thursday.

Lord Castlereagh was willing to afford any personal convenience to the honourable Member, but be thought that opportunities enough of opposition would be afforded in the future stages. It gave no new power to Government, as they might, as the law now stood, send any qualified persons into the disturbed districts, who were totally unconnected with the county. He could not consent to postpone the recommitment of the Bill, but withdrew the clause, and said that he would introduce it on a subsequent day.

Mr. Abercrombie requested to be informed whether the noble lord had any more such clauses to introduce, that the House might not again be taken by surprise ?

Lord Castlereagh replied, that he should act in the manner warranted by Parliamentary practice. His only object in bringing up the clause to night was, to give the House the earliest information, and he could not be fairly accused of the charges brought against him.

Mr. W. Smith resisted the clause in its present shape, although it might be made less objectionable. The qualification for Magistrates was already too low. The better way would be to extend the qualification to the sons of those Justices who possessed double and treble the qualifications required by law.

Mr. Tierney further observed upon the extraordinary conduct of the noble lord. The House would now judge

what confidence was to be placed in the noble lord; it was obvious that something had been lurking in his mind which he was afraid to communicate to Parliament. Mr. Tierney advised the noble lord not to play any of these pranks in future. He hoped no more would be heard of the clause.

Lord Castlereagh added, that he should act according to Parliamentary practice, but, as a Member of the House, should act upon his own judgment.

Mr. Bathurst remarked, that by the mode of proceeding adopted by his noble friend, twenty-four hours' more notice was given than usage required. He admitted that a modification of it might be advisable.

Mr. Hutchinson was unwilling to allow the clause to be withdrawn, and wished the sense of the Committee to be taken upon it.

On the question "that the Chairman do leave the chair, reportthe Amendments, and ask leave to sit again,"

Mr. Sheridan called upon the noble lord to bring forward his technical Amendments which the Chairman was to report, for the clause was already withdrawn.

The Chairman replied, that he had received from the noble lord certain verbal Amendments, which he had not read.

The clause proposed by Lord Castlereagh was then withdrawn; Mr. Lushington left the chair; the House was resumed; the Report was received, and leave was given for the Committee to sit again on this day.

Mr. Vansittart moved for leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Commissioners to ascertain the amount of the property of the Crown in South America and in the West Indies.

Mr. Browne protested against the introduction of the Bill at this late period of the night and session.

After some discussion between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Marryatt, leave was given, the Bill was brought in and read a first time.-Ordered to be read a second time on Thursday next.

DISSENTERS.

Mr. W. Smith postponed his notice relating to the 9th and 10th Will. III. which refers to persons denying the Trinity. Adjourned.

EAST-INDIA LOAN.

629

HOUSE OF LORDS.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15.

The Commercial Exchequer Bills Bill, and the Bank Tokens Bill, were read a third time and passed.

VOTE OF CREDIT.

On the order of the day being read for taking into con sideration his royal highness the Prince Regent's most gracious Message,

Lord Liverpool stated that this was the usual Message towards the close of every session. The amount of the Vote of Credit was intended 3,000,000l., the same as last session. There was, however, an increase in the vote for army extraordinaries this year, the same being 5,000,000l. whilst that of last session was 3,000,000/ and the means had been found to meet this extra charge of 2,000,000l. The amount of the sum thus voted would not excite surprise, when the scale upon which we were now carrying on our military operations in the Peninsula was considered, together with the subsidy to our Portuguese Allies. by moving an Address of concurrence, which was agreed to His lordship concluded nem. diss.; and ordered to be presented to his royal highness the Prince Regent by the Lords with White Staves.

EAST-INDIA LOAN.

The Earl of Buckinghamshire, on moving the second reading of the East-India Loan Bill, stated, that the EastIndia Company, in consequence of the transfer of 8,000,000%. of their debt from India to this country, had been under the necessity of applying, at different times, to Parliament and the Government, for advances to meet this charge, their ordinary funds not being sufficient. The sum of 2,700,0001. remained of this transferred debt to be provided for in the course of the present year, to meet which this sum of 2,500,000l. was appropriated. He thought it right to state, however, that no charge on account of this sum would fall upon the public, the interest and sinking fund being to be paid out of the territorial revenues of the East-India Company and their assets at home, such interest and Sinking Fund to take place out of their dividends, so that if their