The Chancellor of the Exchequer said their case was at present under consideration.

The Report of the India Loan Bill was taken into consi deration, and the third reading of the Bill ordered for to morrow; when Mr. Creevey said he should submit a few observations to the House on the subject.

Mr. Home Sumner moved for leave to bring in a Bill to explain the Exemptions from Toll, contained in several Acts of Parliament, on Carriages employed in Husbandry.— Leave given.-Bill brought in and read a first time, and the second reading to-morrow.

The Irish Stamps Bill was read a third time and passed. The Committee on the Frame-work Knitters' Bill was postponed till to-morrow.

Mr. Parker Coke presented a Petition from several Hosiers of Nottingham, in favour of the Bill.-Read, and or dered to lie on the table.

LONDON PRISON BILL.

Sir W. Curtis moved that the Report of the London Prison Bill be taken into further consideration.

Mr. Home Sumner opposed it. He observed, that by law all prisons ought to be built at the expence of the counties in which they were situated; and that the city of London, by proposing to raise the sum of 90,000l. for their New Prison, on the Orphan Fund, were actually throwing a great part that burden on the neighbouring counties. The honourable gentleman went into an explanation of the Orphan Fund. By several laws the corporation of the city of London were entitled to the custody of the estates of all Orphans. This sum, at the period of the civil wars, amounted to between seven and eight hundred thousand pounds. On account of the losses which the city sustained at that period, they were unable to discharge that debt, and Parliament were obliged to grant for that purpose a duty on all coals and wine brought into the port of London, which duty was continued from time to time by several Acts of Parliament. Instead of applying this duty exclusively to the purpose for which it was granted, the city of London had formerly raised the expence of building Blackfriars Bridge on it; and they now proposed to raise the expence of the New Prison on it in the same manner. This was an injustice to the neighbouring Counties, who were obliged to draw their coals and wine from the port of London, and consequently paid their share

of the duty, which would immediately cease on the debt being discharged, for which it was originally granted. He therefore moved that the Report be taken into further consideration this day three months.

Sir W. Curtis said, no body of men had done so much for the public as the citizens of London. He recapitulated the benefits which the county of Surry had derived from the building of Blackfriars Bridge, and the taking off the Toil from London Bridge. The city of London were not only obliged to keep their own prisoners and the prisoners of the county of Middlesex, but they were also obliged to keep the state prisoners from other parts of the country, till they were disposed of by transportation or otherwise. The expence for bread, for the last quarter alone, amounted to 950/

Sir James Shaw said, the city of London had made a noble use of their funds. Within the last 30 years, no less than 120,000. had been voted for monuments, swords, boxes, and other honours to the defenders of our country.

The House then divided

For the Amendment of Mr. Sumner
Against it

Majority

The Report was accordingly taken into further consider

ation.

The Report of the Moorfields Improvement Bill was moved to be taken into further consideration.

Mr. Home Sumner said, the ground of Moorfields was granted to the city of London for the recreation of the citizens, and the express condition that it should not be built on. Was this Bill to pass, there would not be a piece of ground within two miles of the Royal Exchange on which a volunteer corps of 200 men could exercise.

Sir W. Curtis said the ground in question had become one of the greatest possible nuisances. By this Bill, instead of being in the desolate and abominable state in which it was at present, it would be covered with magnificent buildings.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, the late Mr. Perceval had stated at first the same objections to the present plan which they had now heard from the Member for the county of Surry.

The Bill was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.

Mr. Tierney moved for an Account of the Income and Charges of the Consolidated Fund, from July 1811, to July 1812.-Ordered.

Sir George Warrender, after some observations on the hardship of the tax on windows of the lower classes in Scotland, which was extremely productive, and expensive to collect, moved for an account of the amount of that duty up to June last, which, after a few words from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was ordered accordingly,

LINCOLN GAOL.

Mr. Davies Giddy brought up a Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the state of Lincoln Gaol. The Report stated, that the Committee could not proceed in their inquiry without the attendance of a number of prisoners in the Castle of Lincoln. They were aware of the power possessed by the House to enforce their attendance; but they stated the inconveniences and expence which would be occasioned by it. The assizes would come on soon, when the gaoler could not be absent without great inconvenience. On all which accounts, and from the advanced state of the public business, they wished to be discharged from the duty imposed on them by the House,

Mr. D. Giddy, on the Report being read, suggested, that to send down Commissioners to Lincoln, would be the more advisable mode of carrying on the inquiry.

Mr. Home Sumner said, as the business would now stand over for another session, he wished to set the character of Dr. Illingworth right in the opinion of the country. There was sufficient evidence before the Committee to convince them that no money transactions had ever taken place between the gaoler and that Magistrate; and he hoped that the other gentlemen of the Committee now present would also express this opinion to the House.

Sir Samuel Romilly said this was the first time he had ever heard of this charge. He had never stated that Dr. Hlingworth had borrowed money of the gaoler, nor did he believe any other person had stated it; but it was too much, because the gaoler had been examined on this subject, to ask him, on this ca-parte evidence, to say that no such circumstances had ever taken place.

Mr. Eason said it had been expressly stated by an hon. baronet (we believe Sir Francis Burdett), that the practice of borrowing money of the gaoler had even travelled up

to

the Magistrates. This charge he considered to be totally done away.

Sir Samuel Romilly explained. He had never accused the Magistrates of corruption, but he had accused them of connivance at improper practices. He had alluded to the taking money for beds-the resolution of the Magistrates to allot only two rooms to those who should not pay for their beds, and seven to those who should pay for them-and the conversation of one of the Magistrates with Mr. Finnerty, who was told he might have a better room if he paid three guineas a week for it.

After a few words from Mr. Brougham, the Report was ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. Davies Giddy then moved, that an humble Address be presented to the Prince Regent, praying that he would be graciously pleased to order that a commission be issued to inquire into what had been, and now is, the condition and treatment of prisoners confined in Lincoln Castle, and into the conduct of Magistrates with reference to that county.Agreed to.

ISLAND OF JERSEY.

Mr. Abercrombie rose, pursuant to notice, to make bis motion respecting the commission lately issued to inquire into certain matters touching the Island of Jersey. The honourable Member went into some details, as to the origin of the charter granted by King John, which was confirmed by Charles II. in 1671, and again by his present Majesty in 1771. He stated, that the inhabitants of Jersey were apprehensive lest it. was intended to deprive them of their elective franchise, as possessed by them at present in the mode of electing their jurats. They complained also of the great secrecy which was observed by Ministers as to the object of the commission; and being left altogether in the dark with regard to what was intended, they naturally feared the worst., What they desired was, if they were accused of any thing, to know the nature of the accusation. Their first wish was to remain as they were; or if not, to be incorporated with England, governed by the same laws, and regulated by the same institutions. Mr. Abercrombie contended, that as a sum had been voted for the payment of those commissioners, Parliament ought to know something of what they had done. He concluded by moving, that there be laid before the House a Copy of the Report of

the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the mode of electing Jurats in the Island of Jersey.

Mr. Ryder objected to the motion. He said, that while he had the honour of being one of the confidential servants of the Crown, he had opportunities of knowing that complaints were made to Government, and requests made that some important alteration should be made in the constitution of that island. Commissioners were accordingly sent out to inquire into circumstances; when they returned they made à Report, and upon that Report no proceeding had yet taken place. It was still under the consideration of Government, and he thought the honourable Member would come with a better grace before the House, if he waited till the Government had decided in one way or

other.

Sir Samuel Romilly did not think the motion of his honourable friend premature. The House had voted money for the commission, and they ought to know something of its object.

Lord Castlereagh objected to the production of the Report while the matter was still.sub judice.

Mr. Abercrombie briefly replied, in which he stated, that probably, during the recess, the Government would proceed to make some alterations in the constitution of the Island of Jersey, in which case the subject would again be brought before Parliament next session, in consequence of a petition that would be presented most numerously signed. The question was then put and negatived without a division.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that there be laid before the House, an account of the produce of all the different taxes for the last three years, distinguishing each year.-Ordered.

Mr. Goulbourne brought up the Report of the Committee of Supply.

Sir S. Romilly made some observations on the magnitude of the sum (30,000/.) voted for the purpose of building a Penitentiary House. After some explanatory conversation, the other grants were then read, and the Report read a first and second time.-Adjourned.