Lift RI - 60 • .41 '` Snutriat Varitanant. HOUSE OP LORDS. MONDAY, FEM. 24. AGRICULTURAL DtaTnEss.—Lord SOMERS presented a p e tition hum the noblemen, gentry, clergy, and freeholders of Hereford, praying; for agricultural reh:f. Mr. BROUISEN and other iiianiliers from the Commons, brought up the Indemnity Bill, which was read the first time. MitießtAuE ACT.—'l he Archbishop of CANTERBURY moved, that the Cumtnittee on the Marriage Laws be allowed to repent front tittle to time.—Grilered. archbishop then presented a report, which was read at the table. It set forth, that the Committee of Lords, appointed to take into considerutlan the !ins of tinarsiage, bail met ; and har ing proceeded to take under consideration 4 variety of iinlxo tont mutter, were of opinion some time must elapse before they can make a fuil and satisfactory report :u the House. 'Duey theretare thought it would be advisable to bring in a bill to repeal the pro-. visions of the Act of la,t session, retaining only the clause which relousi to nullity is: marriage. The archbishop, after the report had been read, brought in a bill to reoeal all that relates to the prospective clauses in the bill of Ina session. Lord EI,LENIIOdOUGH czerc:sed a hope that the bill in. trodcced would nut be a pcntionent measure, and tha. the Coin niitsee would sewn introduce a clear and consistent law on the atal.ject. 'r he bill was read the first time. The archbishop than moved the second reading of his bill to legalize certain Marriage Licences. The bill was accor.:.ngly real the second time, and committed fur to-morrow. FOREIGN ltEtartows.—The Nlarquis of LANSDOWNE, 'Over:Mg to the notice he gave an a former night, of his intention to put some questions to the noble earl relating to foreign atruini, atkal whether the hope which was stated at toe opening of the session, nainey, twat the Peatur of Western Euro g re might still 'lpe presertei, continitei ? 'he Karl of I.IVEIIPOOL repeated what he said ar. the open ing of the session of Parliament, anu with reference to the ques tion of the noble marquis, said there was Still a general desire to preserve peace. and he was obliged to deprecate any premature inquiry. Until matters cave to a pass to make peace impossible, he s hould not Ix: able to enter on topics of general enquiry. Special circunistanees had ocanirrad, winch ougat to make him still more unwilling to make ar.y communication respeciing the Governments of Frantic and Spain; but he hail no difficulty in saying this country had entered into nu obligations that could prevent the King's Government tlOlll the practice of any mua sure, honour Ur interest may dictate. After a few observations from Lord Ellenberough, the !louse adjourntal. TUESDAY, 14:n. 25. Several petitions were presented against the Marriage Act and the Insolvent 1/ebtore Act. Su itituGAT Es' I ACENCES RILL.—On the motion of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the House went intoa Ciuninatec on the Hill to legaliae certain licences started irregularly after the passing of the Marriage Act. After a few verbal amendments by the archbishop, the clausev were agreed to, and the Bill re ported to the House. Nxw MARRIAGE ACT REPEAL BaLL.—The Archbishop of Canterbury moved the second reading of this Bill, which was ac cordingly road the accent) titne.—The !louse adjourned. WEDNESDAY, FEZ. 26. The Ma-quis CAMDEN presented a pail ion from the bankers and traders of Bath. for repeal of the Insolvent Debtors' Act. The noble marquis also presented petitions from the parishesiof Walcol, St. Paul, St. Michael, and St. James, in the City of Bath, praying for repeal of the Marriage Act.—The petiuons were severally read, mid laid on the table. ASSESSEI) TAXES.—The Marquis CAMDEN also presented petitions from the inhabitants of DWI, praying ftr repeal of the House and Window Tar. noble inarquisobserved, that die intended relief in taxation would operative its a benefit, bet still lie bur..en of the House and Window Tax presstd heavy on a lreat portion of the population. Country gentlemen, whit had arge family houses with many windows, complained must of those taxers. Certainly the relief would have been touch greater, hail the whole of die Douse and Window Tuxes been repealed. The Earl of LIVI‘.IIPGOI. wished to say a few words on the Window i , n.lother Tuxes, which it was the intention of his Ma jesty's Government to reduce. They found it more just to the public to throw off part of the Window 'l'ax and the Tux on Dunes used in husbandry, than get rid of the Window Txa is G,to. Dor DurY.—The Marquis of CAMDEN then presented petitions from Newinden, Limberhurst, and parishes in Kent, pr.iying lbr repeal of the duty on hops. The petitioners were numerous and respectable. The Earl of LIVERPOOL had no difficulty in saying that his right hon. friend had no objection to give relief to a distrisied district; but with respect to WWI repeal of the tax, much thffi• talky existed.—The petitions were read, and laid on the table. The Earl of IIOSEIiEII Rl' presented a petition titan Alirket Deeping, for repeal of the Insolvent I.hliturs' Act. The lndeninity,Bill went through a Committee. The West India and American Colonies Trade Bill was read the second time. The Marriage Solemnization Clauses Repeal Bill went through a col iiiii After a fi , / word, from Lord Ellenbormigh and the Lord Chancellor, the bill W 43 repoited.—Adjourned: THIIIISIMY, FEW. 27. The Royal Assent was given by Communion to the Annual Indemnity Bill. The Commi►sioners were the Lord Chancellor, the k:arl of Shaftesbury, and Lord Bathurst. The Duke of AIONTROSE stated that his Majesty had been waited upon with Atkin:sta.% for Papers, and had been graciously pleased to order retorts of the hantr. I.ord V ERULA t presented a petition front the Aiclidenconry of St. Alban's againat that portion of the New Marriage Act which abrogates the graut:ng of Licences. Read and laid on the table. fhe Report of the Marriage Solemnization Clauses ILepcal pill arts received, and atm:minions agreed to. The Surrogates' Licences Legalization pa was read the third tilue and pa►scd.—Adjourned. FRIDAY. VE. 28. Lord DORMER was introduced and took his seat. The kupporters of the noble lord MUT Lord Itahadale and Lord Colchester. The West India and American Trade Bill was read the third time and passed. • The Marriage Act Clauses Repeal Bill was read the third time and passed. ST AT lON CRY IN I WEL AN D.—Earl DARNLEY said lie held in his hand papers presented to the House, in consequence of his motion last session, respecting certain charges agiunst an vidual, who supplied the Government of Ireland with stationery. The noble earl pound the papers iniperftxb He did not suppose it was COLISCRient to the noble earl to correct the papers on that occasion ; but he wished to ask the noble earl, whether lie should be able to make the correction 011 Monday? The last letter on the subjiit, sent to tlr.•Gonlhuurn, dated the 11th of May, ',mutt that tunic terms were to be entered into by th,:. individual ; the noble inch, therefore, was desirous of asking whether the 4141CUIIIVIIIS received by his Majesty's Government, explained the teinis, and whether the individual, Sir IV. Bradley King, was continued in the Mike by die Government of Ireland ? The Earl of LIVERPOOL intituatei Wet he would give au us w el uu 31uuday.—Adjotuned. '•• • ••( 11A L , • 14 10 " 0 " • ' • • •••, : 4 p TISF NATIONAL REGISTER 1101.1 SB OF COMMONS. Montrau, Feu. 24. The Plymouth Cas Light Bill was read a second time. A member, Mr. Portman, we believe, took the oaths and his seat. deducted ; so that in one instance, where the Gee was 31:101. the expences were 3401. The letter of the promise had hero kept, but its spirit Istid been violated. Mr. LUS}IINGTUN replied, where the espences had been pressed, it was in cases where the parties bad obstinately re sisted the prosecutions of the Cron u. Sir It. WILSON was astonished at the language about the parties havir , obstinately resisted the CIOII,II, %ben, in fact, they were oticy engaged in defending what was their own. They were doing no wrong ; they were committing no mutat oll'enee ; they were only doiug what the Legislature afterwards declared to have been right; and yet the hon. Treasury ollicer talked about the pal ties havitr , .‘ obstinately lesistcd . the Crown--a resistance obich that House bad afterwards declared to be per fectly justifiable.—(Hear. hear.)—He trusted that, for the sake of justice, and the credit of the GOVeltament, that the law charges, which were more severe than the Sues, would not be pressed.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. G. BENNETT also expressed the hope that the mon strous charges would nut be urg ed. The Government ought to pay the expellees, for they h ad " obstinately" pressed what ought not to have been begunt—Mear, hear.) Ruffs, Do OLIN TIIEATRE.-Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice; that on Tuesday, April 15, he should bring forward a motion respecting the Irish Attorney-General's es officio prosecutions. REDUC rioN OF TAX Es,—Mr. CALCHAFT gave notice, that lie should move the repeal of the Leather Tax iu the room of that on carriages, and of the Caudle Tax instead of repealing that on riding horses—should the Chancellor of the Exchequer persevere in such repeals.—(llear, hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER, in reply to a question from Mr. C. Grant, stated. that he intended to ex tend Cie relief which had been proposed fur the distilleries iu Ireland to those in Scotland. Mr. CUM EN asked whether it was intended to relieve houses of 51. rent and under, having six windows, from the tax. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that he did not contemplate farther relief tbau what had been de scribed. Mr. HOBHOUSE gave notice, that be should persevere in his motion fur the repeal of the whole window tax. Sir T. LETHBRIDGE gave notice, that on Thursday, March 29, he should submit resolutions to the House, &ciao ratory of the state of agricultural distress, &e. Lord NORMAN BY asked what had been done to carry into effect the wishes of the House regarding the second Post- Alavter-Generst ? Mr. HERRIES brought in the Tobacco Duties' Bill, the Exchequer Rills' Hill, Surplus Application Bill, &c. Severally read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to morrow.—Adjourneo. WEDNESDAY. FED. 20. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that some measures were now in progress which hitherto had ren do7ed it inconvenient to determine °tithe best mode of carrying into effect such wishes ; hut the subject had been by nu means forgotten. On the report of the committee of ways and means be re ceived, Sir R. HERON adverted to the difficulties under which agriculture laboured, which in km, amounted to conliseation ; after .he constitutional language which lie had recently heftid, for the first lime, from the treasury bench, and recollecting the importance of the present crisis, be should nut throw any Jilliculiien in the way of the execui:re. /dr. MABERLY said, he should not p•opose his resolutions till Friday next, at the request of the Chaucellor of the Ex chrquer.—H eport agreed to. Sir R. WILSON presealtd a petition from St. Saviour's, Southwark, praying fur the repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill. Mr. Kemp took the oaths and his seat for Arundel. Petitions against the Insolvent Debtors' Act were presented from Manchester, Market nerving, &c. WEIGHTS AND MEAstJut:S.—Sir GEORGE CLERK rose, puranant to notice, on the subject of the regulation of weights and measures throughout the kingdom. As he anticipated uo opposition to the course be proposed, which was in substance the same which had been postponed last session for want of time, he should go nu farther into detail than was absolutely necessary. The great object of the bill—and it had been drawn up according to the recommendation of commissioners ap pointed aome years since to consider on the abject—the great object of the bill was to depart as little as possible from the system of weights and measures already in use. It was not p aposed to abandon the measures already established, but rather to asceitain, by the operation of the pendulum, exactly what those Measures ought to contain. The general standard recommended wan shit which had been suggested by the coin . - mittee cf the year 1755, and which was found to agree with tbs results of certain experiments lately made in the way of surrey, under the direction of the Board of Ordnance. The brass rod was to be the star.daid yard; the troy pound, which had been in tie possession of the clerk of the house since the year MS, was to be the standard of weight,—its amount to ha ascertained by comparison with the column of water whicb it would displaee. The measures of quantity did not, as gen tlemen would be aware, at present agree in ditTerent parts of the country. The nett standard would be a gallon, of such a size as should be capabla of containing ten pounds of water; but it was important that it should be understood (to prevent any lanticipation of difficulty) that in the smaller measures-- such as bier was sold in—there would be no alteration. The regulations atientlant'upon Ibis change would be very few and very simple. All bargains would in law be supposed to be under the new standard ; but if persons chose to employ any local measure, they would be at liberty to de so—specifying the same in their contract. Actual measures (the implemental) now in ben; might still be employed, being marked with the propertioas they bore to the new standard. Wl:ether it would be necessary to arm magistiates with any additional power to enable them to enrolee the observance of the new law, be (Sir G. Clerk) was not exactly aware: it additional powers were requisite, they would ho best given by a specific bill for the purpose.—Leave was then given to bring in the bill. It was afterwards brought in, and read a first time. Mr. 11011110 USE supported the prayer of the petition. Mr. CANNING begged it nut to be inferred, because he might be silent on that subject that had incidentally arisen, that lie was emit:dial of its interest and importance. Ile had been moat anxious not to prejudice this question by any pre mature discussion (bear) lee had indeed, ...if he might be allowed to use the expression, been desirous to suppress d:s • omission. There were most iinpurtant interests in issue, and he was extremely glad that his wishes on the subject of dis cussion had been ao well seconded by the hon. gentlemee opposite. The subject could hardly he touched without in some way Encroaching oo that line cr erguesent which it bad been deemed right to avoid ; cud he was therefore glad that the noble Lord (Altbogs)j eousented to po►tpone his motion fixed for Thursday for the repeal , of the Foreign Eulistment Bill.) —(llear, hear ! )—So lung as a hope remained to niainiain the pease of the world, the ministers could not r •lax in those elt'f:ioll4 whirls they bed hitherto made ; stud they were mainly stipulated thereto by the forbearauce of the bouousable members uploads e.—(llear ! ) The petitiuu was then brought up, read, and ordered to be printed. Serjeant ONSLOW gave entice, that, on April IS, be should more for leave to briug io a bill to repeal the Usury 1411%73.—( Hear.) (Jul. DAVIS gave notice, that when the Mutiny Dill was brought forward, he should more to introduce a clause limiting the powers respecting the dismission of officers, &c. SuerLY—NAv Y.—On the bringing up of the Report of the Committee of Supply, _ . Mr. lIUMR co . n:pia . ined of the patronage that was Dow taking place in the euy. As to the number of men, 25,000, he was glad that such vote had been muted) he had thought that the Tutu of last year was too small. Sir G. CLERK said, as • motion was to be made on the subject, it would be found that the Admiralty were prepared to justify the promotions that haul taken place.—Report agreed to. The Committees of bowl) , and Ways and Means were post poned till - The Annual Ditties' Bill was read a second time, as were the Eschequer Bills' Bill, the Advances in Aid Bill, &c. The LORD ADVOCATE brought its a bill to continue the Scotch Creditors' Bill. Mr. COULBURN brought in a bill for the better *collection of church rates in Ireland. Mr. GOULBURN snored thatjtbe Irish Yeomanry Ball be poginmed 'ill March 6.—Ortlered. SURREY PETITION.—Iift. DENISON presented the petition agreed to at the recent Surrey County Meeting, which was agreed to with about seven dissentient voices. Captain 111ABERLY supported the petition. The petition having been read, Mr. RICARDO said, be believed that those who moved and seconded the petition, desired nothing but that which was wished for by all lioneat men. There was much delusion on the subject of the advantages gained by the stockholder. Others talked about " equitable adjustment ;" he wanted no thing mote than equitable adjustment ; and he denied that the stockholder was now receiving more than he was entitled to. The debt was not contraeted in a depreciated currency. Four bundled millions were borrowed before there was any depre ciation • but fir the last twenty years the holders of such debt bud received their dividends in a depreciated currency. They had lost thereby twenty-seven millions ; Mr. Munchen had calculated and proved this subject more accurately.--Petition ordered to be printed. MANGE SOCIETIEs.—Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice, that an lion, friend of his would submit a motion to the House on Tuesday next, res,tecting the Secret Societies of Orangemen in Ireland..-(Hear.) CORN TILAUE--Mr. M. WIIITMORE brought forward Isis motion respecting the amendment of the Corn Laws. The principle of fluctuation, which they occasioned, was injurious to the best interests of the country. Ile concluded with mov ing for leave to biles in a bill to amend the Corn Laws. Mr. CURW EN, Mr. BENNETT, and Mr. HUSKISSON decidedly deprebated the idea of disturbing the law on such a subject. Mr. MONCK was in favour of the motion. Col. WOOD strongly lamented these frequent discussions of this question, which tended to keep the country in a state of uncertainty, and was injurious instead of beneficial to the agriculutrist. He hoped the hon, gentleman would not press his motion to a division. Mr. IiROWNLOW moved for the three series of legal pa pers oflegal proceedings against alleged rioters, conapiraturs, &c. in the Theatre in Dublin, on the 14th December last. Mr. PLLNKIVTP haul nu objection to the papers; he was glad the paper* were moved for. lle trusted 'hut as emly a day as.possible would be named for the discussion ; but he was rather surprised that an honourable member (Sir J. Stewart) who bad thought proper to condemn his coudect when he could nut reply, loud not himself had the manliness to move for the papers.—( I tear.) Sir J ST1:11 ART said, as his former opinion had been ad verted to, be did not hesitate to say in the face of the house, and the ‘Vorld, that all the proceedings had been most uucou atitutional.—(llear.) Motion agreed to; Papers ordered. Mr. BICIL/UGHASI, in consequence of what had occurred that ni,410, and'of a calamit) in the noble lord's family, he stated thus much for him, he withdrew Lord Althorp's motion for the present, regarding the Foreign Enlistment Acl.—(Hear.) The House went into a Committee on the Assessed Taxes Act. Mr. GRENFELL asked what was to be the condition of those who had compounded fur the Assessed Taxes ! The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, where payments hod been made, a proportion to be returned, and the future charge to be according to a per collage. The Resolotion moved was agreed to—Report on Friday. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the House go into a committee on the Sinking Fund Act ou Monday nest, when he should bring forward his plans for simplifying such fund. The house adjourned. TUESDA Y , 1:n.25. A petition was presented from the County of Dublin, com plaining of the return of Colonel White.—Ordered to be taken into consillostion on 'flturralay the I nth of April. Mr. 11. DAVIS presented petitions from prrishes in Bristol, praying for relief from the house and window taxes. Mr. BRIGHT spoke in favour of the tntsd MIIIII4IOII of the assessed taxes; thereby the patronage would be reduced, and the itifluencs of the crown diminished, and the taxes proposed to be reduced were not those that would afford roost relief.— Petition ordered to he printed. Sir IL WILSON stated, that when the Act was panted re ,ol.ling Roasted Cutlet, it %;is aialed that the prosecutions :should be stopped, end the hilt r, cliere any bud been let i.,l, returned. That had beet& tluue-...but the law exptacts were IIUMF considered discussion as highly beneficial. IC the country was unsettled, it was because they were on a wrong foundation. Ile loped his bon. friend's bill would be brought in, and discussed in all its stages. Sir 1. LEIII BRIDGE was decidedly against the measure ; he trusted his :Ilayesty's ministers would give It; agriculturists their support on this Occasion to negative the present motion. The Gallery was then cleared fora division— For the motion Vr—Against it lb.—lltlajority optima motion ii:{. f iP" l i i ~1 li_