his motion, and moved for
papers on the subject. Mr. Palmer, who argued that the insurrection
arose from expectations among the slaves of entire emancipation,
fostered by the proposed registry-bill, moved an amendment to the effect
that the colonial authorities should be recommended to promote the moral
and religious improvement, as well as the comfort and happiness of the
negroes: this amendment was carried.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 2nd of July. The speech of the prince
regent expressed regret at the distresses suffered by many classes of
his majesty's subjects; but which it was hoped would be found to have
arisen from causes of a temporary nature.

RIOTS, ETC.

The general distress felt at this period arose from the expensive war
in which England had been so long-engaged. As the year, advanced, the
calamities of an inclement season and a deficient harvest were added to
a general stagnation of trade and commerce. The consequence of all this
was a sudden rise in the price of the necessaries of life, which was
combined with a reduction of wages and want of employment among the
poor. Distress engendered discontent; and, unfortunately, there were
mischievous characters abroad, who availed themselves of the irritated
feelings of the people to stir them up to sedition. Serious tumults took
place in the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and various other
parts of the kingdom; and in the Isle of Ely an organized insurrection
broke out which was not suppressed without great difficulty. Some of
the rioters were taken, and twenty-four were found guilty, of whom five
suffered the extremity of the law. The metropolis had continued tranquil
until nearly the close of the year, but at length the distress felt
goaded the multitude on to seditious acts. Two meetings were convened
in Spa-fields by some of the mob-orators, to petition the regent for a
reform of abuses; and a vast concourse of rabble attended which on the
second occasion led to a serious riot. Mr. Henry Hunt figured as
the principal demagogue; but though his language was seditious and
inflammatory, he had the prudence to withdraw before the consequences of
his harangue were manifested. Like Gash-ford, however, he had stirred up
mischief, though he retired before it was committed. A band of his more
desperate associates, who had attended him with a tri-coloured flag,
and other symbols of a revolutionary nature, ende