these arguments was to be added, the positive assistance which Great Britain would too justly be supposed to give to the aggressions of tyranny, should she now abstain from pressing for payment. Lord Castlereagh, in reply, observed, that minis. ters had made the claim in its full vigour," but that the demand of re-payment was attended by many circumstances of difficulty. His Lordship's speech, on the whole, afforded but faint hope that the most "vigorous " application in the way of diplomacy would prevent the debt's continuing (as had been predicted by Mr Fox) "a debt to eternity;" but as his Lordship made no objection, Mr Smith's motion for the production of the papers was agreed to without a division. In the Committee of Supply, by which this discussion was followed, Mr Macdonald renewed the proposition of a reduction of the army, to the extent of 10,000 men, which had been so pertinaciously urged on Monday night. A long debate ensued, in which several Military Gentlemen took part. The specific reduction proposed was in that department of the army which (if the general propriety of the measure be admitted) must be considered as the most proper object of retrenchment-the household troops and the cavalry. The tawdry dresses of several of these regiments were very justly complained of; and the gaudy folly was imperfectly apologized for, by the explanation that colonels indulge their fantastic tastes in deforming their fellowsoldiers at their private expence. Mr Macdonald's motion was rejected by a majority of 211 to 115; and a subsequent motion of Mr Dawson's, for a reduction of 5000 men, was rejected by a majority of 195 to 130. 15. Sir R. C. Ferguson called the attention of the House to what he described as a Breach of Privilege, arising out of some observations in the Morning Post, alluding to Mr Creevey's conduct in a recent transaction with Sir George Warrender. The Gallant General contented himself with having called the attention of the House to the paragraph, without making any motion upon it. On the motion of Mr James, a petition from Carlisle was referred to a Committee of Privileges to examine into the conduct of certain Magistrates of that place who called in the military during the late election.--On bringing up the Report of the Army Estimates, to reduce the number of men from 81,000 to 71,000, the amendment, after some discussion, was negatived, on a division, by a majority of 116 to 46. 16. Mr Plunkett moved the second reading of the Roman Catholics Relief Bill. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman went at great length, and with characteristic talent, into the proposed laws, and took occasion to observe, that he would submit in the Committee some clauses by which it would be necessary to modify and improve the measure. The principal of these, he said, were an explanation of the Oath of Supremacy, and a clause, exempting the offices of Lord Chancellor, or Keeper of the Great Seal, (we presume in both kingdoms,) and that of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, from the general admissibility of Catholics. The debate was prolonged to a late hour in the morning, and concluded by a speech from Mr Canning in favour of the bill. On a division, the motion for the second reading was carried by a majority of 254 to 243. 19. The Catholic Bill went through a Committee, when several clauses were added to it, on the motion of Mr Plunkett. The House, then, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, went into a Committee on the subject of the Currency, when the Right Hon. Gentleman moved for leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Bank of England to accelerate the return to payments in specie. Mr Baring moved a Resolution on the expediency of re-considering the Act, authorizing the Bank to resume Cash Payments. After some discussion, the Resolution of Mr Baring was negatived without a division; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Resolutions, both as regarded the Bank of Ireland and that of England, were adopted, and leave given to bring in Bills pursuant thereto. The Grampound Disfranchisement Bill was read a third time and passed. 20. Some conversation took place between Mr Grenfell, Mr Pearce, Mr Calcraft, and others, on the old question respecting the Public Balances in the hands of the Bank of England, and the remuneration allowed to that body for the management of the National Debt. The Public Balances were stated at L. 3,600,000; upon which the Bank might be estimated to make an annual profit of L. 185,000; and the sum allowed for the management of the debt was L. 270,000 annually. Mr Grenfell contended, that a sum of L. 10,000 would afford ample remuneration for holding the balances, whilst L. 100,000 would be a liberal allowance for the management of the debt, and thus upon these two items a saving of upwards of L. 300,000 might be made to the public. Mr Grenfell said, he would move nothing on the subject, but would not fail to call the attention of the House to it on every occasion. Sir R. Wilson moved for a Copy of the Letter of Sir W. A'Court, British Minister at the Court of Naples, to the Duke de Gallo; and also for Copies of any Instructions from Ministers at home, relative to the same. The motion was opposed by Lord Castlereagh; and, after a discussion of some length, in which Mr Canning, Sir J. Mackintosh, and others, followed, the motion was ultimately nega tived without a division. 21. Mr Western made his motion for the repeal of the additional duty on Malt; this was seconded by Mr Mackenzie, on behalf of the Scots Distillers and Barleygrowers. It was also supported by Mr Ellice, Lord G. Cavendish, and others; and opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Huskisson moved, as an amendment, the previous question, and was supported by Lord Castlereagh; after which the House divided-For the original motion 149-Against it 125. Majority against Ministers 24. MARCH. BRITISH CHRONICLE. Paupers in Scotland.-A report of a Committee of the General Assembly, "on the management of the poor in Scotland," has been laid before the House of Lords. It is very detailed. The general results are as follow: The gross population, including 36,290, the population of 20-parishes not returned, and 4411 of the local malitia on duty when the census was made, amounts to 1,805,688.--Paupers, 44, 199;--collections at the church doors, L. 34,099, 10s. 3d. 3-12ths;-other funds, L. 19,705, 10s. 7d.; voluntary contributions, L.10,782, 6s. 6d. 6-12ths; assessment, L.49,718, 10s. 5 d.; -expence of litigation, L. 1977, 7s. 54d.; -gross funds, L.114,195, 17s. 9d. average proportion of paupers to the whole synod, I to 394;-ditto to that of the parishes where there is no assessment, 1 to 45;-ditto to that of parishes where there is an assessment, 1 to 32;-average annual expence of maintaining the poor, to each individual throughout the synod, Is. 34.-do. to each individual in those parishes where there is no assessment, 8d. 8-12ths; -ditto to each individual in parishes where there is an assessment, 2s. 3d. 9-12ths. 12.-High Treason.-Thomas Ferrimond, whose trial stood over from last assizes from York, was capitally convicted of having conspired, with several others, to overthrow the King's Government. The prisoner was secretary to the confederacy. A number of his accomplices were found guilty at the assizes preceding on their own confession, and have been transported; among these was a young man, a son of Ferrimond's. The prisoner is 57 years of age. The usual sentence of the law was passed on him by Mr Justice Best; which was afterwards respited, and changed to transportation for life. Edinburgh. The wall around the Castle rock, from the North Loch to the Grassmarket, is now completed; and the whole of the rock, upon which there is a sufficiency of soil, within the inclosure, has been planted with trees, principally beech and fir. The improvements in the west division are proceeding in with great activity. An elegant walk, bordered with trees and shrubs, has already been formed within, and along the parapet wall which separates it from Prince's Street. The King. His Majesty last right paid a visit to the Opera, for the first time since his accession. He arrived at the Theatre about eight o'clock. A great crowd was assembled round the doors to receive him; and although there were some partial hisses, yet the applauses greatly predominated. His Majesty appeared in good health. The applauses were partially renewed between the acts of the Opera, upon which occasions his Majesty always bowed to the audience the end of the ballet, "God Save the King" was again sung by the audience, after which his Majesty retired antidst plaudits as loud as greeted his arrival. At were Leith Floating Chapel.-The Edin burgh and Leith Seamen's Friend Society has lately purchased a vessel, which has just been fitted up as a chapel, and was opened on Sabbath last for divine service. Very impressive and appropriate sermons were delivered by the Rev. Dr Peddie. Upwards of 400 sailors, from different ports, were present, many of whom neat and clean, and all being in the seamen's dress, presented a most imposing and gratifying appearance. The chapel has been fitted up in a most convenient and tasteful manner; and we understand that, since it has been completed, the vessel has been visited by many distinguished individuals, both from Edinburgh and Leith-some of whom have presented the Society with an elegant flag of pure white, bearing the emblem of the dove and olive branch, and inscribed in large blue characters, "Seamen's Friend," which is the signal for public worship. The vessel is moored at the west end of the second dock. 30.-Population of Great Britain.—An act was passed in July 1820 for enumer. ating the people of Great Britain. Copies of the act, and the necessary schedules, are now in the course of distribution. The survey is to commence on 28th May next, and the returns are to be made to the Secretary of State's Office on or before the 1st day of August thereafter. The enumeration is to be conducted in counties, under direction of the Sheriffs, and by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Glasgow, in their respective cities. This is the third government enumeration; the acts for the two former ones were passed in the years 1800 and 1810. In addition to their former schemes, government have now directed returns of the population to be made, classified into ages and sexes. The act also directs, that lists of births, marriages, and burials, be taken in England. It is also to be regretted that the registers in Scotland are not kept in such a manner as to enable government to procure similar information there as they do in England. APRIL. Dreadful Explosion. Monday evening, the 2d instant, about six o'clock, a high pressure steam-boiler at Lochrin distillery, Edinburgh, burst with a tremendous explosion, by which two of the workmen were killed instantaneously. A gentleman from the country, who was viewing the premises, also received some little injury. Part of the boiler was thrown a distance of 50 or 60 yards, which, falling on the top of the mash-house, destroyed the roof. No serious mischief happened in the neighbourhood, although the bricks and fragments were thrown a considerable distance. Many miraculous escapes were made; in particular one, where a safety valve fell through the roof of a small tenement at a distance of from 200 to 300 yards, in which a woman had momentarily quitted the spot on which it lodged.The names of the unfortunate men who were killed are William Falconer and Hugh M'Kay, both of whom have left widows, the former seven, and the latter six children. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, &c. I. CIVIL. March 12. The Earl of Wemyss to be Lord Lieutenant of Peebles-shire. April 12. The Earl of Fife was elected Lord Rector of the University and Marischal College of Aberdeen. Members returned to serve in Parliament. Feb. 6. Borough of Wilton-John Hungerford Penruddocke. 17. Borough of Newton-Charles Compton Cavendish. County of Wicklow-James Grattan. 23. Borough of New Ross-Francis Leigh. Borough of Plympton Earle-William Gill Paxton. 27. County of Dumbarton-Jo. Buchanan. March 27. Burghs of Wigton, Whithorn, New Galloway, and Stranraer-Sir John Osborn. II. ECCLESIASTICAL. March 21. The Rev, Mr Scott ordained minister of the Burgher Congregation of Inverness. 22. The Associate Congregation of Newton gave a call to Mr William Rutherford to be their pastor. 31. The Right Hon. the Earl of Kintore has appointed Mr John Keith, preacher of the gospel, assistant and successor to his father, Dr George Skene Kth, minister of Keithhall and Kinkell, Lord V int Duncan has appointed Mr Thos. Irvine, prea r_of the gospel, to be assistant and successor to th Rev. Thomas Raitt, in the united parishes of Lundie and Fowlis. Mr John Smellie, preacher of the gospel, has been appointed to the pastoral charge of one of the Scots Presbyterian congregations, Newcastleupon-Tyne. Colonel Blair of Blair has been pleased to present the Rev. Thomas Johnstone, minister of the Low Meeting-house of Berwick, to the church and parish of Dalry, in Ayrshire. 3F.G. Lt. Assist. Surg. Johnson, fm. h. p. Assist. Cold. Gds. A. R. Wellesley, Page of Honour to the 1 F. 2 8 11 13 Capt. Hay, fm. 81 F. Capt. Havilland, 55 F. Lieut. Vans Machen, Capt. vice Moyle, ret. Ens. T. R. Thompson, Lt. T. J. Neill, Ens. by purch. by purch. 15th do. do. do. do. Lieut. Prideaux, fm. 53 F. Lieut. vice Clayton, Ens. vice M'Donell, do. do. Bower, fm. 34. F. Lieut. vice Kerr, h. p. 104 F. superseded 14 Way, dead 1 Mar. 1819. Ens. Stuart, Lieut. vice Smith, dead 25th Feb. 1820. 22d Jan. J. Stuart, Ens, Capt. Wallis, Major by purch. vice Mackenzie, ret. 1st Mar, 1821. Lieut. Dawe, Capt. by purch. do. Ens. Patton, fm. 33 F. Lieut. by purch. do. Lieut. Greene, Capt. vice Giles, prom. 1st Mar. 1820. Ens. Carpenter, Lieut. do. Lieut. Kelly, fm. h. p. 104 F. Lieut. vice Prideaux, 11 F. 15th Mar. 1821. E. H. Dodd, Ens. vice Carpenter, prom. do. Ass. Surg. M'Lean, fm. h. p. Ass. Surg. vice Sandham, 11 Dr. 29th July 1820. Bt. Maj. de Havilland, fm. 8 F. Capt. vice Morris, h. p. 14 F. 8th Mar. 1821. Lieut. Hall, fm. h. p. 79 F. Lieut, vice Patience, canc. 15th do. S. H. Widdrington, Ens. vice Donido. thorne, cane. Lieut. Rowan, Capt. vice Gray, dead 9th June 1820. B. Gormley, (late Serj. Maj.) Qua. Mast. vice Hennessy, dead 22d Feb. 1821. Ens. Boultbee, Lieut. 20th Apr. 1820. Wetherall, fm. 45 F. Ens. vice 14th Mar. 1821. Boultbee Capt. White, fm. h. p. 14 F. Capt. vice Hay, 8 F. T. Byrne, Ens. vice Lord F. 1 Ceyl. R. Lieut. Hon. C. Napier, Capt. vice Christie, ret." 8th do. 15th do. Montagu, by purch. 22d Feb. Ens. Gibson, Lieut. by purch. do. Gent. Cadet W. Codrington, fm. R. Mil. Col. Ens. by purch. do. Wm. Aimsinck, Ens. vice A. Aimsinck, dead 1st Mar. 1 Cey. R. Lieut. Daly, Capt. by purch. vice Hamilton, ret. 8th do. Lord F. Montagu, fm. 82 F. Lieut. do. Miscellaneous. Capt. T. St. G. Lister, 11 F. Fort Maj. and Adj. at Jersey, vice Miller, dead 8th Feb. Lieut. J. Chadwick, assisting in the Riding School of the Army, to have the Rank and Pay of Capt. of Cavalry 22d do. Capt. W. Goddard, Barrack Master at Nova Scotia, vice Lynn, res. 22d Jan. Rev. D. Evans, Chaplain to the Forces. Exchanges. Lieut.-Col. Napier, from 3 F. G. with Lieut.-Col. Sir G. H. Berkeley, 44 F. Bt. Lt.-Col. Hay, from 18 Dr. rec. diff. between Full Pay Cav. and Full Pay Inf. with Major Synge, h. p. 25 Dr. Major Broomfield, from 16 F. with Bt. Lt.-Col. Hook, 19 F. M'Intyre, from 33 F. with Major Fane, 1 W. I. R. Capt. Jones, from 15 Dr. with Capt. Garth, 37 F. Lister, from 11 F. with Capt. Derinzy, h. p. Wiltshire, from 21 F. with Capt. Daniell, h. P. Sanderson, from 89 F. rec. diff. with Capt. Savage, h. p. Lieut. Tighe, from Gren. Gds. rec. diff. with Lieut. Sir John Burgoyne, h. p. Purdon, from 41 F, with Lieut. Townsend, h. B'Brien, from 48 F. with Lieut. Robinson, h. p. 22 Dr. O'Neill, from 58 F. with Lieut. Stevenson, 64 F. A. Cameron, from 79 F. with Lieut. Beckham, 89 F. Fenton, from 81 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Hall, h. p. 69 F. Randal, from 92 F. rec. diff. with Lieut. Clarke, h. p. Ens. & Adj. Osborne, from 1 F. with Lieut. and Adj. Russell, h. p. 62 F. Ensign Honeywood, from 45 F. with Ensign Wetherall, h. p. 1 F. Innes, from 49 F. with Ensign Birney, h. p. 94 F. ver 18th Aug. 1820. Demoor, 17 F. Fort William, Bengal 29th Sept. Wilton, 33 F. Bangalore 3d Oct. 28th Sept. 18th Jan. 1821. De Laffert, h. p. 3 Line Germ. Leg. Hano7th Oct. Cornet Hon. D. Carleton, h. p. 4 Dr. Newbury, Berks Ens. Gamble, 4 F. Trinidad 22d Jan. 1821. A. Aimsinck, 92 F. on passage from Jamaica Ford, 1 W. I. R. Dominica 14th Dec. 1820. White, Inval. Pimlico 17th Feb. 1821. Quar. Mast. Parkes, h. p. 4 Dr. Wolverhampton 23d Feb. Commissariat Department Dep. As. Com. Gen. Braybrooke, Berbice 17th Dec. 1820. Ackroyd, Barbadoes 13th Jan. 1821. METEOROLOGICAL TABLE, Rept at Edinburgh, in the Observatory, Caltonhill. N.B. The Observations are made twice every day, namely, at eight o'clock in the morning, and eight o'clock in the evening. The morning observations in the first column are made on the Register Thermometer. THE rains in the early part of March were followed by dry weather, which continued from the 10th till the 24th, and during that period a considerable breadth of land was sown with beans and oats in the lower districts. From the 24th the ground was too wet for receiving seed, till the 3d of the present month. On retentive soils in the higher districts the oat seed has not yet been all got in the ground; in early situations some barley has been sown about the 10th; and giving the second furrow to fallow, potatoe, and turnip ground, now occupies the farmers' attention. The temperature continued low till the 9th, when the thermometer stood 10 degrees higher than it did any time in the preceding spring months. On the evening of the 10th a heavy fall of rain was succeeded by a temperature somewhat depressed, occasioned partly by excessive evaporation. Vegetation has within these four days made astonishing progress, and the foliage of young wheat, to which the cold dry winds in March had communicated a brownish tinge, now assumes a lively verdure. Artificial grasses come forward with vigour, and beans that were plowed down in February show a regular braird. Early varieties of peas that were sown about the 21st begin to look up, and spring-sown wheat that lay five weeks in the soil now shows a fair and healthy braird. Farm produce of every description continue to bring low prices; cattle, indeed, are in request, but in the northern markets they have lately experienced a decline in price. Lambs, being a sort of luxury at this season, bring high prices in great towns; but the sale of sheep is dull. Grass parks bring lower rents than usual when exposed by auction. Seed potatoes are wondrous plenty, and sell at 7s. per weighed boll of 32 lb. to the peck in the northern counties. Labourers are, in general, regularly employed, and receive from 1s. 4d. to Is. 6d. per day of ten hours. 14th April 1821. |