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be expelled from their number. The consequence of this measure was, that Fiamboriale lost his situation under the government, and he was afterwards prosecuted for perjury. With respect to Santa Maura, a public work was to be undertaken in that island, part of the expense of which was to be defrayed from the public treasury, and the remainder from the local treasury; and for this purpose certain duties were levied, after the best evidence had been obtained as to the most proper mode of carrying the object contemplated into effect. These duties had no concern with the subsequent disturbances. The insurrection broke out in conse

lands was a system of revolting espionnage. No one durst speak his mind, because every expres sion, however idle, might be reported and punished. The last grievance he should mention was excessive taxation to support useless officers. Within these few years 16,2921. had been levied for additional salaries. Colonel Robertson received a half per cent. on the whole revenue of the islands, amounting to 432,408, which was equivalent to 21,671 dollars. Sir T. Maitland himself held appointments to the amount of 10,000l. a year, and resided in the Ionian islands, while his presence was required at Malta, of which he likewise held the governorship. The members of the sequence of the militia fearing that nate, who were the creatures of sir T. Maitland, were paid, in all, 36,000 dollars. Mr. Hume concluded with moving an address for the appointment of a commission to proceed to the Ionian islands and inquire into their condition.

Mr. Goulburn justified the conduct of sir Thomas Maitland. The proceedings against Fiamboriale were not at the instance of the lord high-commissioner. The period. at which the transaction occurred, was the time of the meeting of the legislative assembly. Upon Fiamboriale's landing at Corfu, that assembly, who were in possession of a paper which was afterwards made the ground of their proceeding against him, demanded, whether it was of his hand-writing or not. He replied in the affirmative; and the assem bly thereupon took upon themselves to decree, that in consequence of his having in that paper libelled them, as a venal, corrupt, and oppressive body, he should

they would be draughted to the West Indies, of the unwholesomeness of which they had heard a great deal. The utmost forbearance was shown to these people. On the 29th of September a large body of them appeared in arms. In such a case, the first feeling usually was to resist force by force. But what was the conduct of the commanding-officer ? He desired the people to state their real or imaginary grievances, On the following day, the 30th of September, the resident induced certain

them for the purpose of tranquilpersons to go among lizing their minds. These individuals were ill-treated, and driven back to the town; and a person, who assumed something of an official capacity, was assassinated by the peasants. It was not until the day following, that the com manding-officer sent a body of troops from Corfu. They arrived just as the insurgents had burst into the town and were about to set it on fire. The commanding

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officer saw that it was necessary to put an end to the insurrection. He immediately took measures for that purpose, and when it was effected, those only were brought to justice who appeared to have been particularly active in the disturbance. The executions were confined to four individuals, and no property was confiscated, except that which belonged to persons who had fled from the island. The instances of violation of the rights of property which Mr. Hume had adduced, were, in fact, cases in which property was taken from those who had obtained wrongful possession, and was restored to the true owners. The affair of Alessandro Pataglio was decided before a legal tribunal. It involved the title to a certain estate; it came before a regular court; and the question was, whether a particular Venetian law gave to the possessor of the estate the right which he claimed; or whether, under another Venetian law, the property did not belong to the church? On this the judges were divided in opinion-two declared themselves on one side, and two on the other: it then became the duty of sir Thomas Maitland to decide: and he had given his decision according to the best of his judgment. The decree for the reclamation of church property had been issued during the absence of sir T. Maitland, who on his return caused it to be recalled. With respect to the disturbances at Zante, and the prosecutions which followed, the hon. member had contended that those prosecutions ought not to have been instituted, because the disturbances emanated from the act of government. But even if that

had been the case, he must deny that the disturbances were justified. The fact however was, that the disturbances originated, not in any alarm for the interests of the church, but in the alarm of those who feared, that the property, which they had iniquitously obtained, would be taken from them. Martinengo was undoubtedly arrested, but with other persons. The hon. member objected to the tribunal by which Martinengo was tried, as unauthorized by the law of the Ionian states; and to the prosecution itself, as exhibiting a disregard of justice. Both those positions he denied. He maintained, that the tribunal was competent, and referred to the articles of the constitution in proof of his assertion. The lord highcommissioner had referred the subject to the highest legal authorities in the Ionian states, and their opinion was, that the ordinary civil tribunals could not take cognizance of the particular crime; and that there was no alternative but that the lord high commissioner, or some one delegated by him, should act as judge on the occasion. It had been argued, that the tribunal, before which this individual was tried, was not competent to the inquiry; but even Martinengo himself had made no objection to the competency of the tribunal. He had appealed on different grounds, namely, that he had petitioned the king and government of Great Britain, and therefore he claimed, as a matter of right, that he should not be put upon his trial, until an answer to that petition had been received. The hon. gentleman might contend, that this was a legal ground of postponement; but how could it be so considered,

unless it was allowed to operate in criminal cases generally? If such a delay were allowed, it would overthrow the whole criminal jurisdiction of the Ionian states. He would say, therefore, that whatever inconvenience arose in the trial of this gentleman, it was not at all attributable to the lord high commissioner. If the delay claimed by the accused could not be allowed by law, what course could be followed, but that of giving the party time to enter upon his defence, and in default of any defence to pronounce sentence? He denied that Martinengo had been punished with more than necessary severity-he had been allowed to take necessary exercise under the inspection of a police officer. As to the alleged unhealthiness of the prison in which he was confined, he did not deny that sickness had prevailed in Santa Maura, but it peared from the report of an officer, who had long served in the Mediterranean, that that island was more healthy than any other of the Ionian islands, except Cerigo, the situation of which made it inconvenient to send perpersons to it.

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Mr. Goulburn then proceeded

to show, that the fees and emoluments under the former state of things were much greater, than the regularly established salaries of officers now were. This had been the work of sir T. Maitland. He had also put down the monopoly of grain, and had left that trade open in the islands. This however, was not easily done; it was not until all attempts to induce the merchants to open the trade had been found fruitless, that the funds of government had been placed in the hands of an individual for that purpose; and by what means, he would ask, could those islands expect to be supplied, unless the granaries of Europe from the Black Sea were opened to them? This it was that had preserved the Ionian islands from that famine, which otherwise would inevitably have come upon them.

The vindication of sir Thomas Maitland was satisfactory to both sides of the House; and even those who voted for inquiry seemed willing to admit, that the fault lay not in the man, but in the system which it was his duty to administer. The motion was negatived the Ayes being 27, the Noes 97.

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CHAP. VII.

Prorogation of Parliament-The Queen's Claim to Participate in the Coronation-Her Illness and Death-Her Funeral; the Tumults attending it-The King's Visit to Ireland-Disturbances in Ireland.

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T different periods of the session (and particularly on the 21st of May) the ministers had intimated, that the Queen would not be allowed to participate in the honours of the coronation. As the period of the prorogation of parliament drew near, an occasion was taken two or three times by her majesty's partisans, to assert her right to share in that honour; but no regular motion was made on the subject, till the very day and hour when the session was to terminate. On that day (the 11th of July) Mr. Hume moved "That an humble Address be presented to his majesty, praying that he will be graciously pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the coronation of her majesty ; thereby consulting the true dignity of the Crown, the tranquillity of the metropolis, and the general expectations of the people."

The hon. member had just commenced the reading of his resolution, when the deputy usher of the black rod was heard knocking at the door, and as he was concluding it, he was called to order by the Speaker, who reminded him of the presence of that officer. Mr. Hume immediately took his seat, and the deputy usher informed the House, that

his majesty's commissioners for giving the royal assent to several bills, and also for the prorogation of this parliament, attended in the House of Peers, whither the attendance of the Speaker was required. The Speaker, accompanied by most of the members present, immediately repaired to the House of Peers.

After the royal assent had been given, by commission, to several bills, a speech of the lords commissioners was delivered to both Houses by the lord chancellor, as follows:

"My Lords and Gentlemen;

"We have it in command from his majesty to inform you, that the state of public business having enabled him to dispense with your attendance in parliament, he has determined to put an end to this session.

"His majesty, however, cannot close it without expressing his satisfaction at the zeal and assiduity with which you have prosecuted the laborious and important inquiries in which you have been engaged.

"He has observed, with particular pleasure, the facility with which the restoration of a metallic currency has been effected, by the authority given to the Bank of England to commence its pay

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"His majesty bas commanded us to assure you of the gratification which he has derived from the provision which you have made for his royal highness the duke of Clarence.

"My Lords and Gentlemen: "It is with the greatest satisfaction that his majesty has observed the quiet and good order which continue to prevail in those parts of the country which were not long since in a state of agitation.

"His majesty deeply laments the distress to which the agricultural interests, in many parts of the kingdom, are still subject.

"It will be his majesty's most anxious desire, by a strict attention to public economy, to do all that depends upon him for the relief of the country from its present difficulties; but you cannot fail to be sensible that the success

of all efforts for this purpose will mainly depend upon the continuance of domestic tranquillity; and his majesty confidently relies on your utmost exertions, in your several counties, in enforcing obedience to the laws, and in promoting harmony and concord amongst all descriptions of his majesty's subjects.'

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A commission was then read for proroguing the parliament until the 20th of September; it was afterwards prorogued from time to time by successive proclamations, and did not meet again in the course of the present year.

A proclamation, dated the 9th of June, and inserted in the Gazette on the 12th of that month, appointed the 19th of July for the coronation. Upon this, the Queen addressed a letter to the earl of Liverpool, desiring to be informed what arrangements had been made for her convenience, and who were appointed her attendants on the approaching solemnity. An official answer was returned, stating that it was a right of the Crown to give or withhold the order for her majesty's coronation, and that his majesty would be advised not to give any directions for her participation in the arrangements. The Queen in reply insisted on her right, and declared her firm resolution of attending the ceremony. A respectful, but peremptory answer was returned, re-asserting the legal prerogative of the Crown, and announcing that the former intimation must be understood, as amounting to a prohibition of her attendance. On the 2nd of July, a memorial, bearing date on the 30th of June, was received by the ministers

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