• t • .!- .. • .. 4 4‹: .... --ge 1 ...‘ a ......... li k . . . ..• ' 4- 7. • . A1..14p. i -4 4 1 - • % lib .-. I' . •••••• • ••• it .4 1 p , . .. •.. • • ..." " 111 E NATIONAL 42 . 3) itil HOUSE OF LORDS. TUESDAY, FED. 4. This being the day apiviiiiett the the meeting of Parliament, the Archbishop of Canunburv, the Lord 11tgu Cii;:ncellor, the eai I of Shaftesbury, tlie Earl of Westniorlanii, anti the Earl of Harrowby. took their seats on the woolsack as Comiuissioners unlit the Grua( Seal for oi.ening the Session. The Cou 1111 l iiis l auug liceu buunuoned to attend at the Dar, lu► Majesty's spess:ii was rain : " My Loons ♦ND GENTLEMEN. •• We are commanded by hi. Majesty to inform you, that sinter he last met you iu Parliament, his Mujesty's citrons here b.cn unremittingly exerted to preserve the peace of EUTOOC. Faithful to the principles which his Majesty has promulgated to the world as constituting the rule of his conduct, his Majesty declined being party to any proceedings at Verona which could be deemed an interference in the internal concerns of Spain on tin part of Fin eign Powers. And his Majesty has since used, and continues to use, his most anxious endeavours and good offices to allay the irritation unhappily subsisting between France and the Spanish Governments ; and to avert, if possible, the calamity of war between France and Spain. •• In the East of Europe his Majesty flatten himself that peace will be preserved, and Ins Majesty continues to receive front Id Allies, and generally from other l'uww-J, assurances of their un altered disposition to cultivate with hls Majesty those friendly relation* which it is equally his Majesty's object On his part to maintain. " We are further commanded to apprise you. that discussions have been long pending with the Cunard Nladrid, respecting de • predations committed on the commerce of his Alajaity's subjects in the West Indian Seas, and other grievances. of which his Majesty had lawn under the necessity of complaining; these dis cussions have terminated in an admission by the t:pani►h Go• refitment of the justice of his Majesty's complaints, and in an engagement for satisfactory reparation. •• We arc commanded to Assam you, that his Majesty has not been unmindful of the Addresses presented to him by the two Houses of Parliament with respect to the Foreign Slave Trade. Proliositions for the more dratual suppression of that evil were brought forward by his Majesty's nenipotentiary in the conferences at Verona, and there have been added to the treaties upon this subject, already concluded between his Majesty and the Goveinnients of Spain and the Netherlands, articles which will extend the operation of those Treaties, and greatly facilitate their execution. " GENTLEMEN OP TILE HOUSE OF COMMONS, " Ilis Majesty has directed the Esumates of the current year to be laid before you. They have been framed with every at tention to wonting ; and the total expenditure will be found to be materially below that of lust year. 'Tie diminution of charge. combined with the progressive improvement of the Revenue, have pio.lucod a surplus executing his Mmjcsty's expectation. His Alai...sty trusts. therefore, that rots will be able, after providing for the services of the year, and • • without affecting public credit, to make a farther considerable reduction in the 'multi - :as of Cie people. " MT LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, •• His Majesty has anutnanded us to state to you, that the Ina nifentationa of loyalty and attachment to his Person and Govern ment, which his Majesty received in his late visit to Scotland, has made the deepest impression upon his heart. •• The provision wide., you made in the last Session of Par liament for the whet' of the distresses in considerable districts in reland, has been productive of the happiest efficts, and his Ma jesty recommends to your consideration such measures of internal regulation, as may be calculated to promote and secure the tran quillity of that Country, and to improve the habits and condition of the People. Deeply as his Majesty regrets the continued depression of the Agricultural Interest, the satisfaction which his Majesty con. templates the increasing activity which prevails the tuannfactur ing districts, and the flourishing condition of our commerce, in most of its principal branches, is greatly enhanced by the confi dent persuasion that the proworive prosperity of so many of the interests of the country cannot fail to contribute to the gradual I mprovement of that great interest, which is the most important of them all." At the conclusion of the above, the Commons withdrew, and the Lord* adjourned during pleasure. - - Soon after live o'clock • numerous body or Peers attended. The Earl of Tankerville took the oaths and his seat. The Earl of Liverpool, as usual at the commencement of the eession, moved the first reading of the Select Vestries Hill. MARRIAGE ACT —Lord ELLENBOROUCH gave notice of his intention, to-morrow, to move an amendment of the Act to prevent amdesiine THE ADDRESS. . . . The LORD CHANCELLOR, haring required the attention of the House, read again to their lordships the speech from the throne. It was also read by the clerk at the table. bail MORLEY then rose to mote the address, which praised the speech as usual, wad was as is custoa.aiy a lauda tory echo of it. I4•rll MAYO seconded it. Lod STANHOPE expressed his regret that the address moved by the uublu earl should, as usual, be nothing more than the echo of the speech. Danger and destroction was among the industrious classes of the orininsanity, and it was erniccalcil in the intended address. liu remedy was proposed ju the speech for tit: di .tressed state of ai,ricolture, which was of vital importsuee to the country. The uolde lord en tered into a statement of the causes which bad led to the dis isesses Gf ago iculture, and conAtiili 4,1 by moving. as an amend- Meld, " The hope that his Majesty would be graciuto.ly pleased to (loco an inquiry into the cu,J•ca of aarictiliticil distress, mid the most effectual means of stlordi.o; tell , f." Lord LANSDOWNE salt liu would tortnar to follow his . . • ...' noble friend, who proposed the amendment, through all the subjects he had introduced, but would confine himself to that which, in his soul, he believed most influenced the minds of Coe public at preseist, namely, the tituation of Spain ; he would put off the discussion of every other to a future day.— /le was ►orry the speech of his Majesty was not more ezplicit on the part which tins governmeut meant to adopt, but siring ' ministers credit for good motive upon the occasion, and for the declaration they had made, he would forbear offering any op position to the address. But he would entreat ministers to couaitler. Snppose Prance should succeed in her unprinci pled attack upon Spain, that success could only be maintained lay a military occupation, and [Coen must we not, under more unfavourebie circuonstences than the present, embark in the war, to prevent the ruin of our ally, Portugal, whom we are hound by treaty to support. The noble marquis thought this country should at once make a manly and hold declaration of its opiaion on the rights of nuoions. The country should re collect that the government of the Contintnt, totally outflank fop and aismindful of the sacrifices we had made ; that family, too, on the throne of France, forgetting that we are at this moment labouring under an enormous debt incurred to re-ea eataldiali them on that throne, are willing to rush into this war, regardless of the ruin it may eventually bring upon us. They call the asseition of a toodion'e hidependeuce speculative theo ries.—" I say," said the isoWe marquis, " while such a system is endured, there can be no happiness for onaukitid." With a deep sense of the serious crisis that is at land, lie had some regret that a inure full and explicit declaration had not been made ; hat at the present moment he would refrain from pre yoking further discussiou. lord LIVERPOOL rose and said, upon the present occa sion lie would coulitoe himself to that topic which alone lie cou sidered fit to be discussed on that night. Ile alluded to the a.rgreesion, for such he. would call it, of France against Spain. The noble marquis who had spoken last, expressed regret that a more explicit declaretion had not been made in the King's speech, of the feeling of his Majesty's government upon this subject. Boit he (Lind Liverpool) could conceive nothing more explicit thou the first passegc in that speech, which said, "That his Majesty bad declared to the Sovereigns at Verona, that lie would recognise no tight of interference in the Waite of other nations un the part of those Sovereigns ;" and he did not beehive to say, there was nothing in the conduct of Spain —nothing in the ikon, but rational manner, in widen she had conducted her revolution, which could alter his Majesty's de terminutioo on this [teed. Spain had pruceeded with a degiee of moderation seldom met with in history open similar changee of Government. But although his Majesty's Government was most anxious to save Spain from the calamities , with which she was threatened, yet there can be to doubt but neutrality was the policy it is most wise to adopt, *Mould the effects which had beets made, and which are still making, on the part of England to prevent a war be ineffectual, the nub e lord said he had hopes of preserving peace, not very sanguine once.— Undoubtedly circumstances might arise which must inevitaltly involve us in war, and he would boldly say, should any such occur, this country was in a state prepared to meet the evil, and so she would ever continue to be, an long as Ler character for high honour and credit was maintained. his Lordship re peated, that the door was not as yet completely closed against conciliation, and the country might rely that nothing derogatory to the character of this high and indepeudeut nation would for • moment be entertained by his Majesty or his advisers.—(llia Lerdsloip's speech was received with much applause.) Lard ELLEN BOROUGH said he was inclin►d to express his feelings very strongly upon this subject, but waiting to at e a little further what course aliuislers really intended to adopt he would nut, fur the present, intrude further ou their attention, nor would he offer any upiuiou to the address. Lord DARNLEY said its hoped Iris Majesty's Ministers would chew to the country, upon this trying occasion, a manly and independent attitude. Lord STAN HOPI persisting in his amendment, the House divided. 'floe aineoidnient was negatived, and the original address carried by a majority of 52 to three. Adjourned at nine o'clock. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5. This (lay several Peers attended the !louse, in the expectation of business, hut it appeared the Lord Chancellor adjourned the House on Tueaday night to Friday; when the House will receive his NI sjesty's answer to the Add, eta, conveyisi, whim at Brighton by the Lords with white stoves. FRIDAY, FER. 7. The House met this day at aquarterpast three o'clock. The Earl of ABl NGDON presented a petition from the deb. tors in the gaol of Ablngtion, praying for a revision of the hued. vent Dobtors' Act. The Earl or SHEFFIELD presented a similar petition from the merchants, traders, and others, of Lincoln.—Both were laid on the table. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY also presented a similar peti tion from the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, praying fora repeal of the Maniatae Act. Mr. Best, front the Bank, presented copies of all applications front the bolds of the 'I reasury, and the Chancellor of the Ex chequer to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, lion' the sth of January, lart, in silt January, 11123. Mr. Walpole, front the Treasury, presented an account of the sums redeemed by the commissioners for the redemption of the national debt. The Marquis of COSYNG II AM, Lord Steward of the Household, said, his Majesty having been waited upon with the uddresis of their Lordships on the late speech trem the throne, had been pleased to return his most gracious answer. The answer, as usual, was read by the Lord Chancellor, and was ordered to'be insetted in the journals. Tut: NEW MAKRIAOE ACT.—Lord ELLENBOROUGII said he took the first opportunity which offered on the opening of Parliament, to gist notice of his intention to lay on the table a bill to amend the act of last session for the better preventing of clandestine marriage!. The manner in which it would be desi rable to proceed with the bill this session, had been the subject of enquiry. The most natural nude seemed to be that of amend ing it by another bill. Tb.. first clause of the new bill would repeal all the prospective clauses of the last, and the bill would go on to re-enact such clauses as it might be inexpedient to niter. He understcxxl that the I louse last year clearly came to a tictet • nitration to proceed on tile principle that all marriages once so lemnized shall be held good and saticl, ani it was intended that security should be given, in oaths to be taken by the pa. ties• with the penalty of severe punishment in cases of perjury. The bill he intended to submit anuld contain enactments to accord with the House on these points, and enable every noble lord to conti nue any clause in the existing act. Beyond the security proposed in the new bill he desired none, but any noble lord might pro pose other security, if any better should occur. The security in the new bill CllllEibled in the Oath to be taken by parties under 21, touching the consent of parents and guaidians. 'rhe form of oaths is inserted in the schedule. They are to be taken before a minister, who will be guilty of a misdemeanor if lie fails to atlrninister the oaths, 'there would natu ally be many imper fections in the bill, but the noble lord said he might rely upon the assistartee of the noble and learned lords in its progress through the House. A slight inaccuracy in the bill prevented laying it on the üble before Monday. IJ* that day he bhould lay it before the douse. ~~ ~ '~~ ~~ I,'~. • ;. ~. 1 ~\. 40 0 . ;DALI 'ice in which th• by clergyrpes.— • A responsibility attached to those who granted licences. — which it would Lot be wise to remove. There was no reason why they should be released from the bunlien of taking oaths to tluow rt on clergymen. There was also some impropriety in making the oaths to be taken at the time of marriage. The Right Rev. Prelate (Archbishop of Canterbury) must be &ware that. the out ministruon of such oaths would often retard the caeniony of marriage. In some instances V 5 couples were married at the same tune, and it must be obviout that the clergyman had no tithe to spare. The noble and learned lord was of opinion there ought to be a clear way of marriage by licence. At present con siderable objection could be made to the mode of gianting licences.—Some would not grant licences, others, less scrupulous, would. He pledged himself , however, when the bill came fairly before the House, to render all the assistance he could. 'I he LORI) CHANCELLOR adverted to the bringing in of the bill last sartion of Parluunent. It appeared to him than that the proposed alteranon ought not to be made, but his objection. did not succe.ll. He suited this in defence of his former opinion; but since the bill had passed he bowed to the decision of the House. He took no part in the discussion upon the bill last year that he wound not take again. All he had to claim on die present occasion was, that their Lordships would give sufficient time to c aisitLr what really ought to be the amendments an this important measure. It time was allowed be was Beady and wil hog to assist in bringing it to maturity. Lord ELLENROHOUG II said, nothing could be more sane. factory titan the observations of the noble and learned lord. He should be happy to obtain the benefit of the noble lord's assistance. It would be ins study to take cafe sufficient nine be given. The noble lord concluded, by observing, that not a single instance of inconvenience trout the retrospecuve operation of the act had come tee Ws knowledge. The House adjourned to Monday. lIOUSE OF COMMONS. TULSDAY, FEU. 4. At half past two o'clock the Speaker took the Chair. At three o'ciuck the House was imunnoneil to attend the House of Lords. At a (varier before four o'clock the House resumed, when tallies new 3lenthers took the oaths and their seats. Mr. LUSHINGTON then moved for various new Writs for Liverpool, iu the room of Mr. Cronin:: ; for Peterborough, it► the room of Mr. Seeded (moved by Lord J. Russell) ; for Harwich, Rippou, Chiche►ter, St. Germain's, New Windsor, Berwick, and Colerain, instead of Mr. Bathurst, Mr. P. Ro binson, Mr. Huskisson, Mr. Vansittart, Sir H. Taylor, Mr. Arbuthnot, arid Lord Ossulton. The Speaker also stated what Writs be bad issued daring the recess, where vacancies had occurred by deaths. Lord J. RUSSELL suid, after the Easter recess, be should renew his motion respecting Parliamentary Reform. Mr. MA BERLEY said he should move, on the 18th of March, respecting the Sinking Fund, and the repeal of the whole of the Assessed Takes. Mr. WyNN (for Mr. Plunkett) gave notice of a motion res pecting the Catholic Claims on the 20th instant. THE KING'S SPEECH. The SPLAKER then read a copy of the King's Speech that part of it which referred to the ell'orts to preserve peace be tween Frame anti Spain was received with considerable cheering. Mr. CHILD rose to move an Address, which Mr. WILD M A N seconded. Sir J. YORKE said, he hoped all would endeavour to pre serve the peace. Nothing would be more impolitic, more unjust, thiui the threatened attack on Spaiu. (Cheers.)—Those Spaniards, too, bad preserved for Ferdinand his throne, when be had the baseness to truckel at Bayonne ; and the war. if commenced, would be moat bast and unjust. (Cheers.) Mr. BROUGHAM joined in the truly English sentiments that had just been uttered. He hoped all would express ab horrence. unqualified abhorrence, at the reutiog and hypocriti cal efforts sod proceedings against Spain. (Cheers.) —The conduct of that House would, lie trusted, be such as to gin* comfort to Spain, and to all free men, and dismay to those Allies who had dared, with sentiments of religion and humanity on their lips, but who ouly sought to promote their own bast views, and to introduce their own uncivilized or half-civilized hordes into the contest. (Hear, hear.) He considered that his country had arrived at a most important orisis—aa big with consequences perhaps as the ccioniencenieut of the French Re volution. (Hear, hear.) Those who pretended to see the results affected, lie feared, too much knowledga. The state of this country was wont difficult. The various meetings had been important, and were viewed with umbrage by some, pars titularly the Norfolk meeting; hut lie viewed them as ebulli tions of transitory feelings. 'The cousequences, if the measures were adopted, would be most ru'nous ; and if the plans wen adopted, moat ruinous effects would be the result. As to our sending armies abroad, that would he impossible ; but if war against Spain were commenced, lie feared it would be impossi • ble for us to remain neuter. In his opinion, it would be policy in England, after the documents of the Aliies, to declare, that, in the event of certain occurrences taking place, England would immediately rush to the assistance of Spain. (Hear, hear.) — He thought such a course would best avert the evils now ap prehended. The greatest danger was to be apprehended from such Congressional interference, especially that of Alexander; and the language was clear, for reasoning there was none—we have hundreds of thousands of armed mercenaries, and we will chastise you into salmis:4cm. Spain answered with frankness, which defied craft—we are millions of free men, and we will tint sloop to reason with you. Such coina g e abashed all in terlopers, whether it was the Goth, the lien, or the Coitio"; it destroyed all their craft. The Anita had severally been beaten —they had kissed the hand that subdued them; but hardly had they gained the erect posture of men than they began to med -1 dle with the rights of other nationa. Ile regretted that the Kink of France had given momentary countenance to the pro ceedings against Spain ; but as far as 'Leslie was concerned, I he thought it was a strange thing to behold Spain struggling for Liberty, and being told to accept a Constitution from a Tyrant. Eiiglauti's duty was cl.ar. He would not say, go to war ; but 1 he would say, repesi the Foleign Eidintment bill. ( Loud cheers.) hook to free stales as our best allies, and resolve to ! support the honour of the Crown and the best principles of 1 freedoms. (Continued cheers.) Sir F. BURDETT rose to return his grateful acknowledg ments to the learned gentleman for his speech, and which truly supported the beat interests of this country and of the world. It identified itself with the wisdom of the questiun, and the King, and the Allies too would find, if this speech spoke the truth, that there were what there had not been for a long time, a united Parliament as well as a united People. (Loud cheers.) 'Thus would be promoted the best interests of this country and the world. Mr. PEEL said, that in the principles, as well as in the man ner of expressing the feelings of his lion. friend, he completely coin:oared. If lie spoke with reserve of the policy pursued by the Government of this country, it wan because he cherished the hope of the cuptinuauce of peace. After the establishment