Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 001.djvu/208

 with sincerity; he therefore accepted some presents, and gifted your king with various precious articles. You must return thanks to the emperor for his benefits, and return with speed to your country, that your king may feel a respectful gratitude for these acts of kindness. Take care to embark the rest of the presents with safety, that they may not be lost or destroyed.

After this lecture, should the ambassadors supplicate you to receive the remainder of the presents, answer—"In one word, a decree has passed; we dare not, therefore, present troublesome petitions;" and with this decision you will rid yourselves of the embassy. Respect this.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

The advertisements in the Sydney Gazette are of considerable interest, in conveying an idea of the great improvements in every description of European manufacture, of East India goods, West India produce, &c. They have their theatre, their Hyde Park, their races, and every description of amusement England in miniature. A new governor has lately been appointed, and it is said, it is no longer to be used as a depot for transported criminals, but that every encouragement is to be given to settlers, and that it is likely to become a colony of the greatest importance to the mother country.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION BILL.

Mar. 3—The order of the day being read, for taking into consideration the amendments made by the Commons on this bill, the Earl of said, he disapproved of the original framing of the bill, which placed the liberties of the people of Scotland in a very different and far more precarious footing than it did those of England. In the former, an inferior magistrate was empowered to act under the bill; whereas, in the latter, a responsible minister, or six privy councillors, only could act. So far he approved of the amendments; but of the measure generally he disapproved. After some discussion, the amendments were agreed to.

Mar. 4.—The royal assent was given, by commission, to the Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill, the Malt Duty Bill, and several private bills. The Army Seduction Bill, and Treasonable Practices Bill, were brought up from the Commons, and read a first time.

NAVY AND ARMY SEDUCTION BILL.

Mar. 6.—Viscount moved the order of the day for their Lordships going into a committee on the Navy and Army Seduction Bill, when Lord  took the chair. The bill being gone through, was reported without any amendment, as was also the Regent's Protection Bill. Adjourned.

TREASONABLE PRACTICES AND ARMY AND NAVY SEDUCTION BILLS.

Mar. 7.—The Earl of moved the third reading of these bills; but on some ambiguities being pointed out by Lord, it was agreed to postpone the third reading of the Treasonable Practices Bill till Monday; and the Army and Navy Seduction Bill, after some opposition by Lord , was read a third time and passed.

DISTRESS IS IRELAND.

The Earl of pressed the necessity of adopting some measure very speedily for the relief of the people of Ireland.

Mar. 10.—Lord gave notice, that he would, on an early day, move for copies of the instructions given tu the governor of St Helena respecting the treatment of Napoleon Bonaparte; and moved that the Lords be summoned on Tuesday se'nnight, which was ordered.

Mar. 11.—The bill for the protection of the Prince Regent was read a third time and passed.

SINECURES AND USELESS OFFICES.

Mar. 11—Earl called upon their Lordships to agree to a motion, generally, for the abolition of sinecures or useless offices, to which he could not conceive any sound objection; and after a speech of considerable length, he proposed these four resolutions: 1st, That sinecures should be abolished, after the expiration of the lives during which they were at present held: 2d, That useless places should be abolished forthwith, or properly regulated: 3d, That places or offices should no more be granted in reversion: and then, 4th, He should propose a resolution in favour of some reform. The Earl of asserted, that there never was a period in our history when men in office were less corrupt, and perhaps never a time when the public was more corrupt; that the influence of the Crown in the House of Commons was far less than formerly, and abolishing these places would be no relief to the public burdens. After some discussion, the question was put. Contents 5; non-contents 45; majority against the motion 40.

Mar. 13—Earl presented a petition from Chalford in Gloucestershire against the corn laws, and praying for a renewal of the property tax; also one from Southwark, praying for the abolition of sinecures. Laid on the table.

IRISH DISTILLERIES.

Mar. 14.—Earl presented a petition from Belfast, praying for the stoppage of the distilleries; which was laid on the table.