abandoned it with pleasure.-The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The original proposition which had been made by ministers, for giving the prince of Wales an annuity of 60,000l. per annum for three years was the final settlement of this important business for in a few days after, an event took place, which caused the Prince to signify to the House by Mr. Erskine, his chancellor, that he could not think at such a time, of increasing the burthens of the country; and that he was perfectly satisfied with what parliament had done.

Debate in the Commons on the Notting ham Election Bill.] March 16. Mr. Hawkins Browne, from the select committee who were appointed to try and determine the merits of the petition of Daniel Parker Coke, esq., and also of the petitions of the several other persons, complaining of an undue election and return for the town and county of the town of Nottingham, informed the House, that the said select committee have determined that Joseph Birch, esq. and Daniel Parker Coke, esq., are not duly elected; and that the last election for Nottingham is void, with respect to one of the burgesses to serve in parliament for the same.And also, that the said petitions, and the opposition of Joseph Birch, esq. thereto, did not appear to the said committee to be frivolous or vexatious.

Mr. Hawkins Browne also acquainted the House, that the said select committee had come to the following Resolutions:

The Prince of Wales's Annuity bill passed the Commons on the 7th. On the 14th it was read a second time in the House of Lords; previously to which lord Pelham made some observations on the length of time, the prince had lived in a state of comparative obscurity; and the universal wish that seemed now to pervade the House, and the public, that he should be relieved from his difficulties. Lord Moira stated, that on account of debts, which the Prince found binding upon him, both in honour and in justice, he was prevented even now from resuming his state and dignity; but felt grateful to parliament, and content with the allowance they had made him; and had instructed his counsel to drop the proceedings respecting the duchy of Cornwall. The Earl of Carlisle felt, that this provision was not sufficient to enable his Royal Highness to resume his state; but in the present circumstances of the country, he 1. That it appears to this committee, thought no more could be done. The that John Allen, being the returning Earl of Darnley was of the same opinion, officer at the last election for Nottingham, but did not consider the situation of the acted contrary to his duty in opening a country so perilous as to justify despond- poll, and proceeding to take the votes of ency. The Duke of Norfolk thought the electors for the period of about an hour, allowance for the Prince insufficient; and and until forty-four electors had polled, that a person of his elevated rank in the there being, during the whole of that state, ought not to be left in a situation, time, no third candidate. 2. That after where he was eclipsed by many lords and the first day of the said election, the commoners. Lord Caernarvon disapproved freedom of the election was grossly vioof the bill, as inadequate to its object, and lated, by disturbances and riots, accom as unconstitutional, in getting rid of the panied with personal intimidation and Cornwall claims, which was a civil list violence, practised and continued during debt, without any inquiry. The Earl of the six subsequent days of polling. 3. Moira denied that the abandonment of That the petitioner D. P. Coke, esq., the Cornwall claims was at all the effect after sustaining several insults, and sufferof a compromise: his Royal Highness had ing personal violence, was obliged, from made that claim for the benefit of his cre- the just apprehension of hazard to his ditors, but when he found that the allow-life, to leave the place, and could not ance now proposed would enable him to venture to return; and that a large numsatisfy his debts, without recurring to it, he ber of electors in his interest were de

terred from exercising their franchise of voting. 4. That John Davison, the mayor, and Joseph Oldknow, and Thos. Oldknow, two of the aldermen of Nottingham, took no effectual means to preserve the freedom of election, or restore it when so violated, or to punish the offenders. 5. That it appears to this committee, by an entry in the corporation book of Nottingham, that at a common hall, held on Thursday the 8th of January last past (after reciting the petitions referred to this committee), it was

Resolved, that this corporation will defray all such legal expenses as have already been, or shall hereafter be incurred by them the said J. Davison, J. Oldknow, T. Oldknow, and J. Allen, or either of them, or George Coldham, under their direction, in preparing for, or making their defences; and that the chamberlains for the time being be < hereby authorized and directed, from time to time, to advance Mr. Coldham all and every such sum and sums of money as may be necessary for this purpose.'

pose, that they were completely intimidated, and thereby prevented from polling for the said D. P. Coke.-That the said John Davison, the mayor, John Allen, the sheriff, T. Oldknow and J. Oldknow, two of the aldermen of the said town, and who, by virtue of their offices, were magistrates, frequently attended on the hustings, and were repeatedly applied to, to preserve the peace of the place, and the freedom of election; but the said magistrates took no effectual steps to prevent any of the 'violent or illegal acts which took place at the said election.'-5. That the said A. Foxcroft stated to those who signed that petition, that it was a petition for those who would have voted for Mr. Coke, but he admitted that the major part of them were not acquainted with the allegations against the magistrates and sheriffs, and that about sixteen of those who signed the petition were, to his knowledge, not at Nottingham at the time of the election."

The said report was ordered to be taken into consideration on the 20th of April; and Mr. Speaker was directed not to issue his warrant for a new writ.

April 20. The House proceeded to take the said report into consideration. The first resolution was postponed; the second, third, and fourth were agreed to; and the subsequent ones were postponed. After which,

It appearing that the mayor and aldermen have, by charter, an exclusive jurisdiction within the town and county of the town of Nottingham, and the committee thinking it highly expedient to provide some better security than is likely to be provided by the corporation of Nottingham, to preserve the peace within the said town and county thereof, and to prevent the repetition of the same disgraceful scenes; Resolved, 1. "That it is the Mr. Hawkins Browne recapitulated the opinion of this committee, that the House circumstances of the shameful riots which be moved for leave to bring in a bill to give had been permitted to go on in Nottingthe magistrates of the county of Notting- ham during the late election, not only to ham concurrent jurisdiction with the ma- the alarm of the peaceable inhabitants gistrates of the town and county of the and the personal injury of many indivitown of Nottingham. 2. That unless duals, but to the total violation of every such or some other measure to the like thing like the freedom of election. Wheeffect be taken previously to the next ther those riots proceeded from a neglect election for Nottingham, there is no rea- of duty on the part of the magistrates, or sonable hope that a free election can be from the inadequacy of the powers vested had. 3. That the evidence adduced be- in their hands, it would not now be relevant fore this committee be laid before the to inquire; it was obvious, however, that House for its consideration. 4. That it some step was necessary on the part of the appears to this committee, that Alexander House, in order to prevent the recurrence Foxcroft was employed to procure signa- of such shameful disgraces. The purport tures to one of the petitions referred to of the bill, which he should move for leave this committee, namely, that signed by to introduce, would be to appoint such 537 petitioners, and containing the fol- officers to act in aid of the civil power lowing allegations: That at the said during every future election, and to give election they had determined to poll for such jurisdiction to the magistrates and the said D. P. Coke, but that such was the county at large, as should more effectuthe violence of the mob, systematically ally tend to preserve the peace of that ' regulated and conducted for the pur-town and its vicinage; and to preserve

the freedom of election. He then moved, "That leave be given to bring in a bill for the more effectually preserving the peace, and securing the freedom of election in the town of Nottingham."

that of calling in a military force. He had heard an instance quoted by a very eloquent member of this House, of an election carried on at Brussels, within a hollow square of the French army; but he trusted never to hear of an election for a member of that House carried on upon such principles.

them for it; the obvious meaning of which was, that the land, garden, orchard, cattle, or any out-door property of the party liable to depredation, was sure to be despoiled or plundered; and this passed without any material interference of the magistrates. He wished, therefore, to see the jurisdiction extended to the magis

of the posse comitatus might be resorted to. He could not conceive upon what ground the hon. member who spoke last gave his opposition to a measure so necessary.

Mr. Pierrepont bore his testimony to the shameful state of riot and outrage in which he himself found that town, on his visit there during the election; a state of Mr. Bond coincided with those who riot and outrage so utterly uncontrollable had stated the shameful riots which by the civil power, as to render the inter- existed at Nottingham during the election, ference of a military force absolutely to which he was himself a witness, and indispensable. Such proceedings were many atrocious instances of which he renot only violatory of the freedom of elec- capitulated; particularly, that a cant tion, but dangerous to the lives of the phrase was in common use, by which peaceable inhabitants, and disgraceful to every person whose conduct or principles a civilized country. The magistrates he were held obnoxious to the opinions of a would not charge with actually encourag- self-appointed tribunal of the Nottingham ing the rioters, but he would state, that mob, was threatened with a complaint to they stood by as idle and indifferent spec-" punch;" or that "punch," would visit tators, without making due exertions for the suppression of those riots. He, therefore, most cordially approved of the bill. Mr. Fox said, that whatever measure the House should think fit to adopt on this occasion, he trusted they would not be satisfied to support it upon mere assertion, however respectable the quarter the information came from. If what was al-trates of the county at large, that the aid leged by the hon. gentleman was founded, then were the committee most grossly defective in their duty. But if he was to form his opinion upon the evidence before that committee, he could find no such charge substantiated. On the contrary, those magistrates deserved thanks, for having done every thing in their power April 25. Mr. Fox presented a petition to preserve the peace, without having the against the bill, from the mayor and cordesired effect. It appeared that they had poration of Nottingham, who stated, that given every aid which the civil power it would be a virtual censure upon, and could possibly afford; and if that was un-degradation of, the corporation, without successful, the fault was not theirs. The chief charge against the mayor was, that he was averse to seeing the election booth surrounded by a military force, and the electors constrained to give their votes under the intimidating influence of a body of armed soldiers; a thing which must be allowed directly to militate against the letter and spirit of every election act, and of the British constitution itself. It appeared also, on the minutes of the committee, that an uncontrollable spirit of riot had prevailed upon former elections in that town. Therefore, though he fully agreed that some bill was necessary, he could not see the justice of implicating the magistrates. But whatever measure was adopted, he trusted that no power of so obnoxious a nature would be given, as [VOL. XXXVI.]

Leave was given to bring in the bill.

any imputation of delinquency; and a violation, in the persons of the magistrates, of those rights and privileges, which Nottingham had enjoyed for nearly 400 years.

April 29. On the order of the day for the second reading, Mr. Serjeant Lens appeared at the bar, and was heard against the bill. After which, the bill was read a second time.

Mr. Hawkins Browne said, that the evidence not only proved that dreadful riots took place during the last election, but on all similar occasions in that town. The bill went to put an end to those scenes of disorder. He did not see a single evil that could arise from the bill, and should therefore move, that it be committed on Monday.

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