§ The first reading of the Clergy Penalty Suspension Bill (which was ordered to be printed) took place on the motion of the archbishop of Canterbury; who gave notice of his intention, if the prints were on the table, to move the second reading on Wednesday, for which day the Lords were ordered to be summoned.
§ Lord Holland presented petitions from the debtors confined in Chelmsford gaol, the gaol of the county of Berks, and certain persons, natives of foreign countries, confined in the King's-bench prison, praying relief; which were ordered to lie on the table.
§ His lordship also presented a petition from the debtors confined in the Isle of Man, praying relief; and took the opportunity of observing, that for a considerable period, although several Insolvent Acts had passed, yet these unfortunate persons had remained without relief. He understood that the local legislature of the Isle had passed an Act last year for the relief of the debtors confined there; but, unfortunately, it had not received the sanction of government.
Lord Viscount Sidmouthstated, that the Act for this purpose passed by the House of Keys had been officially transmitted to him to be laid before the Prince Regent in council. Upon reference, however, to the law authorities, the Act was found so extremely objectionable, that it could not be assented to; and an order in council, stating precisely the grounds of objection, was sent to the governor of the Isle of Man, with a recommendation for the local legislature to pass an Act free from those objections, which would be readily assented to. He believed that the House of Keys had not assembled since that period.
Lord Hollandobserved, that probably the House of Keys, like other Houses, would readily attend to the suggestion of the noble viscount.
§ The Petition was ordered to lie on the table.
§ The Lord Chancellor introduced a Bill for vesting in the accountant-general of the court of Chancery for the time being, and his successors, the property in that court, which found its way there in consequence of the burden thrown upon the court by the legislature, in sending them 174 for arrangement the affairs of Canal Bills, Turnpike Bills, Parish Bills, and other speculations, which took up so much of the time of the court. He introduced a similar Bill last session, which passed that House; but, owing to the want of time before the close of the session, could not get through the other House. The object of it was, to prevent property of that description (the property of the suitors being already provided for), from vesting in the representatives of the accountant-general in future, and to take it out of the hands of the representatives of the former accountants-general; so that, upon the death, resignation, or removal of that officer in future, the property should immediately vest in his successor.
§ The Bill was read a first time.
§ The Lord Chancellor read a letter from sir Thomas Graham, acknowledging his high sense of the recent vote of thanks of that House; and a similar letter from sir J. Abercromby, relative to the vote of thanks for the capture of Mauritius.