moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the abolition of gaol and other fees, connected with the gaols in the United Kingdom. He adverted to the Acts passed on this subject in the 23d of Charles 2, and the 32d of George 2. In a large number of gaols, and even of county gaols, no table of fees was kept. In others the greatest irregularity prevailed. In some these fees were very exorbitant, and it often happened that the prisoners were compelled to sell their clothes and bedding in order to pay their fees. The hon. member then described the state of our gaols in general, as requiring regulation and improvement. He mentioned two in particular, those of Rockingham, and Halifax, in Yorkshire; the former was totally out of repair, and spirituous liquors were publicly hung up for sale in the face of two Acts of parliament; in both, the prisoners were without fire, and almost without food and clothing.

thought it would be proper to fix the quantum of clothing, food, &c to be provided in these cases. He was apprehensive, that from the improvements about to be introduced by parliament into the city of London prisons, they might be over-crowded and inconvenienced, if similar improvements were not adopted with respect to the gaols in the vicinity of the metropolis.

ridiculed the idea which seemed to be entertained by some gentlemen, of persons seeking an asylum in these places for the comforts to be found in them.

lamented the state in which many of our prisons were at present known to be kept.

Leave was given to bring in this Bill.

expressed his dissatisfaction that no return of the Fees of Office had been made by any but the deputy registrar of the Court of Chancery; and declared his determination to move, that a general order should be made for all the persons whose duty it was to make out the returns for the different courts, to appear at the bar of the House to-morrow.

excused the delay which had taken place, on account of the difficulty in ascertaining the amount of fees for so long a period as the last twenty years, many of the persons having died in the interval. He hoped, however, the right hon. gentleman would not persist in his motion to bring the clerks of court to the bar of the House, as he believed they were hard at work in executing the business he had provided for them.

stated the object of his: motion to have been, not to ascertain the amount of fees received, but the amount of the augmentation. He should not, however, persist in the motion of which he had just given notice.

expressed his intention of bringing forward a motion on the article in the late Treaty with France, relative to the Slave Trade, on Monday next.

observed, that as Monday was one of the days which had been appropriated to amusement in another place, he was afraid it would not be possible to go into the details of the subject, or to come to a satisfactory conclusion on that day, without interfering with arrangements out of the House. Thursday or Friday in the next week, as far as he was aware, were not liable to any such objection.

objected to fixing his. motion for the latter end of the week, on account of the probable thin attendance of members. Perhaps his noble friend would consent to postpone the general consideration of the Treaty to Tuesday or Wednesday sunlight, and to have the particular clause relating to the African Slave Trade brought forward on Monday sunlight.

said, it was painful to him to put off the general question of the Treaty any longer than Monday se'nnight.

then fixed his motion for the same day, stating, that he should frame it in such a manner as not to render any opposition likely.