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Bristol to what was stated in the Appendix respecting desultory emigration without capital. Was that hon. member aware of the deprivations endured by such emigrants? In the Report of the Quebec Emigrant Association, it was stated, that those emigrants were employed in breaking stones upon the road, as the association had resolved not to give any relief in the shape of money to able-bodied men. The complaint of those emigrants was the same as that which they had expressed at home; namely, want of employment. Such was the situation of settlers without capital; and such would be the situation of those men whom the hon. member pro- | posed to set down in Canada, by the cheapest mode of conveyance from Ireland. How, he asked, was it possible for men thus thrown down, without capital, to prosper in a new country? He could assure the House, that the opinion in North America, respecting such emigration, was not such as had been stated by the hon. member for Bristol. The opinion entertained by all classes in North America, from lord Dalhousie down to the humblest individual, was, that "if we adopted emigration without capital, and the emigrants were to depend upon chance for employment, our plans of emigration would fail; and that the prosperity of the emigrants depended upon capital." The questions to be considered by the committee would be, whether repayment of the expense incurred by government, in making an advance of capital to the emigrants, was practicable, or whether the emigrants should be sent out wholly unprovided with capital. When he looked to the published evidence, he looked with confidence to the decision of the committee in favour of his opinions. He, for one, was glad that the evidence before the committee, and the plans of government, were published, because the publication would induce the public to turn their attention to the subject; and, by this means, suggestions would be made, which would enable parliament to come to a sound and practical conclusion.

The Amendment was negatived without a division. After which the original motion was agreed to, and a Committee appointed. Ju

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COMMITTEES OF APPEALS ON PRIVATE BILLS.] Mr. Littleton said, that the machinery of the resolutions which he had VOL. XVI,

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formerly introduced, relative to appeals on private bills, would be incomplete, if the House did not sanction an resolution, subjecting the party appealtion an additional ing to the payment of all costs and expenses, in case the committee of appeal declared the petition to be frivolous and vexatious. It was necessary that the House should do this with as little delay as possible, because he knew that one report at least was about to be presented, relative to which it was probable there would be an appeal. He had, some time! since, proposed two measures for the purpose of carrying his object One was, to compel the petitioner to enter into effect. into recognizances to defray such costs as might have been incurred before the committee, in case the appeal should be considered frivolous and vexatious. Some gentlemen, however, especially those of the learned profession, had objected to this, on the ground, that there existed no precedent, where one branch of the legislature assumed the power of taking money from individuals. In all cases of that nature, it was observed, it must be the concurrent act of the three estates, He had next proposed, that the party or parties appealing should deposit a certain sum of money to meet the expenses incurred if the appeal should be considered frivolous and vexatious. Against that, however, it was objected, that where the parties were poor, the call for a deposit of money would effectually prevent the appeal, let the grounds of it be ever so just. He had, therefore, in the interval since the former resolutions were carried, endeavoured collect the opinions of the gentlemen (especially of the legal profession) who had objected to these two propositions; and he had now their concurrence in the propriety of the resolution which he was about to lay before the House. His proposition was, that one or more of the parties appealing should enter into a penal bond, for a certain sum, covenanting to defray such costs and charges as might be incurred by the other side, in case the committee of appeal reported the petition to be frivolous and vexatious. The hon. gentleman then moved, "That no proceeding shall be had on any petition so referred to a Select Committee, unless the petitioner, or one of the petitioners, in case there be more than one, shall, within two days after presenting such petition, or within such further time as $

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shall be limited by the House, enter into a bond or obligation to the agent or agents, or some person named for that purpose by the agent or agents of the opposite party or parties, according to a form to be approved of by the Chief Clerk, or one of the Clerks Assistants of this House, in the penal sum of 500l. and with two sufficient sureties, to be approved of by one of the said Clerks in the penal sum of 2501. each, conditional, to be void, in case the said Petitioner, or Petitioners shall duly pay all costs, charges and expenses of the party or parties who shall appear before the House in opposition to such petition (such costs, charges, and expenses to be found and assessed by one of the Clerks of this House, for the time being) in case the said Select Committee shall report to the House that the said Petition appeared to them to be frivolous and vexatious."

Mr. G. Bankes was anxious that the question, which was of considerable importance, should be postponed to another night, in order that it might be properly discussed. In his opinion, the objections which were raised against the resolution which called on parties to enter into recognizances, applied with equal strength to the present proposition. If a man was poor, he could not enter honestly into a bond for 500l., since he knew that if the committee voted his petition frivolous and vexatious, he could not meet it: and thus the right of appeal was virtually denied to him. Besides, how could they expect a poor man to procure two sureties in 2501. each? The resolution gave a great advantage to the rich man, while it precluded the poor man from seeking redress. In fact, he thought it was very unjust to impose on individuals the necessity of entering into such a bond. He did not wish that the expenses attending the private business of the House should be increased. On the contrary, he hoped they might be lessened; and if no other member made the attempt, he would hereafter bring before the House some proposition with the view of effecting a diminution of the expenses attendant on private bills. He was convinced that such expenses frequently operated as impediments to improvements in the country. effect such diminution of the expenses would not affect the officers of the House, as they were not paid by fees; those fees going to a treasury fund. The expenses

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frequently operated as reasons for not applying for bills, or for not coming to the House to renew most useful acts respecting roads, &c. The parties were deterred by the expenses; they being 5007. or 6004. for each bill. There was no necessity for the enormous expense to which parties were now exposed. On account of the importance of the present proposition, and that it might be considered before a fuller House, he would move, "That the Debate be adjourned to Monday."

Mr. Alderman Waithman observed, that the expenses incidental to getting private bills through the House were enormous; and, instead of increasing them, some means ought to be devised for reducing them.

He was of opinion that the debate ought to be adjourned.

Mr. Littleton said, that the House could not be considered to be taken by surprise, as the measure had already been discussed twice. He understood also, that it had been agreed to in its present shape, by those gentlemen who, on the former occasions, objected to its adoption. He was anxious that the measure should be speedily disposed of, as he understood there were several reports ready to be brought up, and that in one of them an appeal was to occur. As the resolution did not possibly impose any grievance, but merely specified the mode in which a favour was to be granted, he was determined to take the sense of the House on the question.

Mr. Batley agreed with the hon. member for Corfe Castle in thinking the measure impolitic. It might also have the additional inconvenience of bringing the privileges of the House in contact with a court of law.

Mr. S. Bourne thought that all scruples on legal points might be silenced, when it was recollected, that the resolution was drawn up by the Attorney-general. Unless this resolution was carried, the other measure of the hon. member would be incomplete.

The House divided: For the Resolution 32. For the Adjournment 10.

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HOUSE OF LORDS.*. Friday, February 16. o yan GRANT TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS or CLARENCE.] On the order of the day for taking his Majesty's Message into consideration,

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elements of that consideration. In the case of his late royal highness the duke of York, that principle was acted upon, even before he came to be so near the throne as he was at the time of his decease; for, during the life of his late majesty, indeed during the life of the princess Charlotte of Wales, the allowance he enjoyed from parliament was greater, in consequence of his proximity to the throne, than that which was assigned to the younger branches of the royal family. It will, perhaps, be as well for me here to state, what the income assigned to the duke and duchess of York, under these circumstances, amounted to. In the first place, his late royal highness derived 26,0007. per annum from the consolidated fund. In addition to this, there was a pension on the Irish pension list, of 7,000l. per annum, making together the sum of 33,000l. The duchess had, for her own support, an annual income of 4,0007., which, added to the 33,000l. enjoyed by the duke, made 37,000l. And it was thought, upon numerous occasions, when brought under the consideration of the House, that taking into view the relation which their royal highnesses bore to the throne, it was an allowance not more than sufficient for them to maintain the station in life which they were called upon to fill.-I will now state to the House, the income of his royal highness the duke of Clarence.

The Earl of Liverpool said, he did not feel it necessary to trespass on their lordships with many observations in reference to the Address which he was about to propose; for, after the melancholy event that had recently taken place, and the situation in which the illustrious duke stood in consequence of it, he thought there could be no objection to a reasonable provision being made for him, under such circumstances. He knew that the measure must originate elsewhere; still he wished that their lordships should be informed of the nature of the proposition which was to be brought forward. By the death of the duke of York, a sum of 3,000l. ayear fell to the duke of Clarence, as well as to the other sons of his late Majesty. To that sum it was now proposed to add 3,000l., a-year more, and 6,000l. as a further provision for the duchess, making in all 12,000l. a-year. He was quite sute that no one would say that this was too much, considering the situation in which the illustrious duke now stood as heir presumptive to the Throne. With respect to the duchess of Clarence, he could say, from the knowledge he had of the conduct of her royal highness, that it was altogether irreproachable and unexceptionable. Those who with himself had similar opportunities of witnessing her demeanor, would fully bear him out in this assertion. The noble earl concluded by moving an Address to his Majesty ex-That prince has a charge upon the conpressive of their lordships' concurrence in his Majesty's Message.

The motion was agreed to.

ROHOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, February 16.

GRANT TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CLARENCE.] The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the King's Message for a Provision for the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, and the said Message having been read,

The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose, and addressed the Committee as follows: Sir; whenever parliament has been called upon on former occasions, to consider what provision ouglit to be made for the due maintenance of the station and dignity of different members of the royal family, the consideration of the degree of proximity which any individual of that family might have to the throne, has always been one of the most important

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solidated fund of 26,500l. per annum, but he is without any allowance whatever for the duchess. The whole of his royal highness's allowance is, therefore, only 26,5007.: this is somewhat more than is assigned to the other junior branches of the royal family. It was considered but right that his royal highness should have 2,500l. beyond the other junior branches of the royal family, for a reason which I shall presently state. Sir, the income he now enjoys was assigned to him by various acts of parliament. The first act to which I shall allude, was passed at an early period of the late king's reign. It was to take effect after his death, and assigned to all the younger princes a sum of 60,000l. per annum, which was to be divided between them in equal portions, with benefit of survivorship, until the sum enjoyed by the survivors should have reached 15,000l. per annum each. The six younger princes, since that act came into operation, have enjoyed 10,000 per

annum in consequence. This act was passed about the year 1778. On the death of the duke of Kent, the right of survivorship raised the sum of 10,000l. enjoyed by the younger princes, to 12,000l. It was under that law, then, that his royal highness the duke of Clarence receives 12,000l. a-year. In 1806 another act was passed, giving 6,000l. per annum additional to the younger princes of the royal family. This raised the amount of his royal highness's income to 18,000. By another act, the date of which I do not now exactly call to mind, a further allowance of 2,500l. was made; but this ceased at the death of his late majesty. It was renewed in 1820. This made his royal highness's income 20,500l. When his royal highness married, a proposition was made to increase his allowance on that account. An increase of 10,000l. was, therefore, proposed to the House; but it was thought too much, and upon discussion was reduced to 6,000l. Under all the circumstances, his royal highness felt that it would be more becoming in him to decline to accept the reduced grant. He, accordingly, did decline it; and that grant, therefore, was never carried into effect. In 1822, I think it was, that the proposition was renewed of allow ing him 6,000l. additional; as had already been done in the cases of the duke of Cambridge and another of his royal brothers. The House, I believe, almost unanimously consented; and this raised his royal highness's income to 26,500l. the sum I have already alluded to. It may be well for me here to state, that, in 1820, until the civil list could be settled, which did not take place until some months after the demise of his late majesty, the allowances to the different princes of the royal family were charged upon the hereditary revenues, which occasioned some confusion in the accounts of that year; but in June an act was passed to regulate their payment. It was, at the same time, re-enacted, that the portion of the duke of Clarence, and the other younger princes' income, which had ceased by the death of his late majesty, should be continued. That act secured the same benefit of survivorship which had before existed. The effect of that was, by the death of the late duke of York, to put his royal highness the duke of Clarence, into the possession of 3,000l. per annum beyond what he enjoyed previous to that event,

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This raised his income to 29,500l.; the law, at the same time, preventing the possibility of any further increase by right of survivorship, as that 3,000l. made the sum of 15,000l., which was the limit the law had set to the operation of that right. I have thus explained to the committee the amount of his royal highness's income; but nothing, as I before stated, is allowed for her royal highness the duchess. I therefore propose to submit to the e consideration of the committee, the propriety of placing their royal highnesses on the same footing, with respect to income, with that enjoyed by the duke of York. There are certain differences between them, which I beg leave to state. The late duke of York, in addition to his income of 33,000l., had an allowance, as I before mentioned, of 4,000l., on account of her royal highness the duchess. I shall, therefore, propose to add 3,000l. to the income of 29,500l. already enjoyed by his royal highness the duke of Clarence, which will raise his allowance to 32,500l. I shall further propose, that an annuity of 6,000l. per annum, be granted to the duchess during her husband's life-time. [A member called out, that that was, altogether, more than the duke of York had had.] That is true; but, in looking at this matter, it is necessary to take into consideration the difference between the professional emoluments of the one and of the other. It has always been considered, that the duke of Clarence, in the profession he embraced, was placed in a less favourable position than his royal brothers who entered the army. on this consideration, that the 2,500l. I alluded to before was granted him, over and above the allowance made to the other junior princes. Upon these grounds it is, that I propose the grant. When matters of this kind are considered in this ed in this House, it is not considered necessary, and very properly, nor would it be consistent with dignity, to enter into any account of the personal merits of the royal individual, whose claims we may have under er consideration. Grants of this kind are not made to the individual as an individual, but on account of his public station, and na nearness to the throne. It is makes it the duty of this is country to be liberal in its allowances to the members of the royal family. I therefore decline to rest the question upon claims of a per sonal nature; but I think I may say, with

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parting from respect or delicacy, | House; and though he went further, and that her royal highness the duchess of was ready to admit that the private conClarence, a stranger among us, is as emi- duct of the duke of Clarence, as it ap nent for the graces of her mind as for her peared before the country, had been virtues, and that, although not a British- marked by a degree of economy and doborn lady, is yet one of that long list, who mestic management, which, to the full as have done honour to this country, by the much as any of his royal brothers, entigraces and amiability of their disposition tled him to the attention of parliament; and propriety of their conduct. I hope, yet he did not think that any case for the Sir, I shall not be considered to have grant had been made out, and he was transgressed, in having said so much. I sorry, for the sake of his royal highness do not consider it necessary to trouble the personally, and for the sake of the royal House at greater length; but one observ- family altogether, that, under the circumation, and I have done. It was not stances of the country, it had been deknown to his royal highness that this pro- manded. With distress and ruin running position was to be made, until the mes- through every part of the kingdom, and sage had received his majesty's signature, with a revenue deficient four millions in and a copy of it was sent him. If the the course of the last year, some go good House should think proper to assent to ground indeed ought to be shown for askthe proposition, no doubt his royal high- ing for any addition to the burthens of ness will receive its decision with due the people. The right hon. gentleman gratitude; but this I am bound to say, had said, that it was the constant custom that the part of it which his royal highness of parliament to give to the heir prehas regarded with the greatest pleasure, is sumptive to the throne a grant beyond that which goes to place the duchess, that allowed to the other members of his whose virtues and excellence he must ne- family; but he had not adduced a single cessarily have the best means of appreciat- proof in support of that statement. The ing, in an independent and honourable right hon. gentleman had quoted the insituation. I move, Sir, come of the duke of York when he was 1. "That His Majesty be enabled to not the heir presumptive; but he had not grant a yearly sum of money out of the shown that a single shilling was added to Consolidated Fund of the United King- it when he fell into that situation; theredom of Great Britain and Ireland, not ex-fore there was no precedent for the grant ceeding in the whole the sum of 3,000l., made out at all. But, even if to his royal highness the duke of Clarence, dent could have been found, for the further support and maintenance of his royal highness.

2. "That His Majesty be enabled to grant a yearly sum of money out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, not exceeding in the whole the sum of 6,000l. to her royal highness the duchess of Clarence, for the further support and maintenance of her royal highness."

Lord Althorp regretted deeply that his majesty should have been advised to send downlo down a message like the present to the House. If it could be shown, that in consequence of his change of situation, his royal highness the duke of Clarence would really be put to additional expenses, doubt it was fit that he should be enabled to meet them; but, although he fully concurred with the chancellor of the Exchequer, that the personal virtues of the illustrious individuals concerned in questions of this description ought to form no feature in the deliberation of the

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he thought it would have been more to the honour of the royal family, if, in a moment of distress like the present, the demand had not been brought forward. He regretted that the message had been sent down, and that his view of what was his duty to the country compelled him to make these observations; but, feeling as he did, he had no choice but to oppose the motion.

Mr. Hume reminded the House, in the first place, that the duchess of Clarence had already 6,000l. a year secured to her by parliament.

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The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that that grant was only applicable in case of the duke's death.

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