Star. — London, England, 1809-12-11 00:00:00

UNIYERSITT OF OXITiRD. 07cf9rd, December 9. pis THIRD AND LAST LETTER TO THE MEN= LEs OF CCN VOCATION, FROM AN INDEPENDENT MASTER OF ARTS. In my last letter, I endeavoured to point out to , you, the peculiarand specific consequences with which the University must be unavoidably affected from Lord Gitestva.LE's equalizing system between the Catho lics and the Members of the Established Church. I shall pursue that subject a little further, Should any one ask, what authority I have to shew that his Lordship's plans would introduce Papists amongst us ? I should refer you to his own protest of the 27th of May, 1807, one section of which stands thus ; " dissentient because we are fully satisfied that the removal of the unrentitted and degrading exclusion to which a most numerous and valuable part of the community have been so long subjected, and the im, parting to the whole people of this united kingdom ALL THE PRIVILEGES and duties of the British Consti tution, would be a measure of unquestionable justice and wisdom." Surely here is a proposal for a com prehensive and perfect equality. The University, indeed, is not here mentioned, "omit:alias, as a place where the exclusion is to be discontinued. But is not this aimed at ? Is it intended, I ask, to deny to the Catholics the privilege of instruction, and the attain ment of degrees, preferments, and honours, amongst us, when rights, beyond all comparison larger,. have been conceded to them ? Is it meant to put arms into their hands, but refuse them the use of books—to say to them you may be Admirals if you chose, or shall Generals, Legislators, or Ministers, but you not be Mathematicians or Scolars, Masters of Arts, or Doctors ? Is it meant that a Catholic Should be al lowed to preside in dress robes on the Woolsack, or in the Chair of the House of Commons, and yet be prevented from wearing a plain gown and cap inter silvan academi Much too ridiculous is such a con ceit as this. What Lord GRENVILLE'S meaning and intenyion may be, I can only collect from his protest and his speeches, which are surely broad, plain, and unqualified. But if I have mistaken him, lam sure that I do not mistake the views and intentions of the Catholics. As soon as Lord GRENVILLE has shewn them the way to cross the Thames at Eton, and enjoy the honour of being on the Civil List of the King's Household at Windsor Castle, do you suppose they will stop, and not come on a few macs further to look at the Gothic towers cf . Oxford, built formerly by Cardinals in better times ? The genti!- of the University may exclaim, indeed, before they pass the silailow fords of the Isis, as the genies of the Roman Empire address;:ci CESAR before he passed the Rubicon-- Quo tenditis Quo fortis Int a signa, viri ? si jure vtnitii, Si Cives : hue usque licet. But the exclamation will have no better effect ; the Catholics will approach us not in armour perhaps, but with some sharp weapons nevertheless ;—with Lord GRENVILLE'S speeches, protest, and equal zing bill, and they will tell as not only that it is their right but even their duty, to coalesce and intermix with us, in every place and station, in every office and endowment in the University. Am I miscon struing the operation of Lord GRENVILLE'S project, or the meaning of his language, when I assert, that on the very same day when the 46 sauneritted and degrad ing exclusion of the Catholics" shall cease elsewhere, it will also cease litre ; that the moment they become possessed of qua! ri . glits with the Members of the Established Church, under the State and the Govern ment, the same moment will bring them equal rights in our Colleges. But The sra of imparting to them the duties and privileges of the Constitution, and of the Uni versity, will be one and the same. Can any one doubt that it is the view of the adherents of the Roman Catholic Communion to obtain a participation in the patronage and foundations of the University ? Who ever doubts of this, has forgot some of the most important transactions of the reign of JAMES ll. What did they not make that unfortunate Monarch attempt, in order to force a passage for them int o the Universities ? At Cambridge, Dr. PEACIIEE, the then Vice Chancellor, and Master of Magdalen Col lege, was suspended and deprived of both those cf fices, for not admitting FRANCIS ALDAN, a Benedic tine Monk, to the degree of Master of Arts, with out taking the Oath of iftjuratioa, the Monk bring ing with him the King's sign manual, directing that he should be admitted " without tubing any oaths whatever." In our own University, Dr. the President of Magdalen, and 29 Fellows, were expelled, for not giving up the Presidentship to a new convert, named FARMER, who brought in his pocket a kind of conge d'elire, from Whitehall, and after some time Doctor GIFFORD, a Doctor of the Sorbonne, and Titular Bishop of Madura, got possession of the President's lodgings, which he kept till the same gale s which blew over the Prince of ORANGE, blew out the hallowed tapers of the Papists. Are these things enough to shew what were the designs of the Papists upon us about a century since ? And is there one living man who will believe, that a Papist is not now as anxious to become the head of a College, or obtain degtees in our University, as lie was before the Re volution delivered us from the Papal tyranny ? These proceedings, it may be said, were those of violence and outrage—certainly. Nor is it imputed to Lord GRENVILLE. that he would countenance attempts of that sort. The objection to his notions is not that he I would grant the Catholic any kind of dispensation to proceed against a law actually existing, but that he pro poses to repeal every law which.a Catholic says ought to exist no longer. The misfortune I impute to his system is, that it originates an extensive and deep in to% ati,n in some most fundamental maxims of the Constitution ; and by framing a new Bill of Rights and Privileges for the Papists, in reality supersedes I tat invaluable Bill of Rights on which the revolu tion i i tself was founded, and on which all its conse quences depend. A very large portion of Lord kk.NVII.I project would, in my apprehension, in jute the University, the Church, and the Govern ment, through the very medium of a public law, in' a manner not very different, no r , in effect, less ex tensive than that scheme of policy, the attempt to esW,Aish which occasioned to he last PrlnceoltheFlouse Throne of the se ki ng d oms, of STUART, the 100 of t h e The same ends would in burg respects re su l t , through means, ia apparent nature,_ opposit e to t h ose which Were pra ct i se d before the Revolution. King 4,.,, bi y, b Leta a m an d ate to the Iluiv . rsity gfCantbridgeo and required a man to he admitted to a degree( without taking the oath of Abjuration. Lord GRENVILLE would, I am sure, e2:claim as loudly as any man against this outrage. But when the Abju ration Oath has been abolished, under his new code, I should be glad to know what the ultimate di ference will be to the Universities, and how the most bigoted de votees to the Church of Rome (for with Black Monks perhaps we shall be less troubled) are to be prevented from obtaining matriculation, when there is no abju ration oath to refuse, and no test to decline. Here also I must remind you, that when religious disqua lifications shall cease amongst us - as to the Church of Rome, it must also cease as to the dissenters from our own Church ; our University will then become divided into different Bailiwicks, or Commanderies, that of the Papists, the Church of England men, and the Dissenters ; and I am not certain whether we must not add a fourth, for those who, when all tests Pre abolished, may think it prudent not to declare themselves of any religion whatever. But under this partition treaty, you may he assured, that the circle which the semis server= will get for his share, will not be the least. From this examination of the oaths by which we bind ourselvesto the University, before we are permitted to put on a Commoner's gown, I feel myself led on to consider a little the nature of that oath which we must all take on Wednesday next, a day I think the most important which has ever happened in the an nals of the University, before we can be suffered to exercise our choice between the three candidates for our Chancellorship. You shall choose no one, says the oath—" quern habilem et idoneum certo rciveris vd credideris." What is Lord GRENVILLE'S fitness forthis office I wish to know ? Is it this—that he has contravened, opposed, and treated with derision and contempt, the repeated wishes, the recorded opinions, the public addresses and petitions of the University ? Is it the meaning of this office, that our Chancellor should throw down, and trample under foot. the arta publix of our own Convocation-house ? Who will say such a person can, with any colour of propriety, be invested with the honour, the trust, and the power of the first Magistracy of the University ? The GIiEN VIL. LITES, and the supporters of the Catholic Bill, indeed affect to be startled at the least breath of objection to Lord Grtesvtue. They are ready to declare not only that he is a fit person, but the only man in Eng land, who is fit for this high post : they insist that the same urgency which requires the Catholic Bill, re quires his Lordship's nomination to the vacant chair; that it is an affair of immediate and unc9ntroulable necessity to have him for our Chancellor. The Sap's Psfie/i, and the Vas Academiae, is with them one and the same pint ; they think, that if they can first carry the Con vocation-ho,: .;e, they can then easily carry the Parliament, and afterwards assail the ears of the Sovereign him self, with the apostacy of the University from their ancient and re-iterated sentiments. Such are the views of the GRES VI LI. ITE.S. But whoever considers the re form of the Test Laws as a measure of danger, im policy, or disaster, will have a point deserving some attention to settle with himself, before the heat of party, or the pressure of solicitation, is allowed to supersede the dictates of his own cool and unbiassed judgment ; he will have to convince his own mind, in the moment of private reflection, how he can pledge his faith, and make a solemn asseveration, before the assembled body of the University, that he deems that Candidate fit to preside over us, for our grace, our honour, and protection, whose nffeetion consists in disowning us, and whose authority will be exercised for our destruction. If it is come to this, the academical career is at an end ; if we care not whether we are fostered or repudiated, guarded or deserted, caressed with friendship, or attacked with hostility; if we abjure to-day our own remonstrances of yesterday ; if we make public vows on one day and violate them as publicly the next; if it be Indifferent to us to preserve or throw away that first and im prescriptible right, the right of self-defence —if these things are no longer a care or concern to us, then, but not till then, may Lord GRENVILLE be raised to the Chair, which has been filled by CLARENDON, GUILDFORD, and PORTLAND. AN INDEFE.NDWT MASUR. ZIST-INDIES. BOMBAY, JULY 22. AFFAIRS OF AFFGANISTAN. The Cabul Embassy is now, we understand, on its I return from Peshour to the British territories, after the complete attainment of all the objects of its mission. Considerable apprehensions however are entertained, concerning the fate of the present Aff Ghan monarch, Suja•ul Mulk, whose competitor, Mahmud, was, by the last accounts, advancing from Candahar, of which he had gained possession against the capital Cabul, with a force which is understood to be vastly superior to any that the present monarch can muster to oppose it, even if joined by the army of Cashmeer, which is also suspected to be in a state of disaffection. Two Ccntlemen of the Embassy, charged with special dispatches by the route of Lahore, and two others by the route of the Indus, arc expected. We, have since learned through a private channel, that Lieutenants Harris and Tickell had actually entered the Punjab on their way to Deillec, and that Mr. Fraser, second assistant to the Envoy, accompanied by Lieutenant Ross, would presently set out by the other route above mentioned for Bombay. Rungeet Sing had given orders to the Killedars to offer no mo lestation,but to afford to Lieutenants Tickell and Har ris every practicable facility through his territories. A detachment of troops under Major Knox had marched from the stations of Dehlee and Dewarree into the Hurriana country against the fort of a re fractory Chieftain, situated beyond Hansee ; the name lof the fort is Bullealab, On approaching and recon noitring the place, they found it too strong to be Ear ried by a coup de main. A regular battering train of two 18 and two 12-pounders, together with all ne cessary implements for siege, had accordingly been ordered from Dehlee to join the detachment, . Pr DUTCH PAPRRS. PARIS, NOVEMBER 26. The Moniteur contains the following copy of a let ter from Marshal the Duke of Castiglione to his Ex cellency the Duke of Feltri, Minister at war, dated at Fornellis, November 9, 1809 : After the action of Santa-Coloma, the particulars of which I have reported to your Excellency, I was informed, that Blake's army was in full retreat, and flying in the greatest disorder across the mountains. Emissaries whom I had dispatched in all directions, informed me, that the enemy had formed large ma gazines at Hostalrich, and were preparing a consider able convoy, to throw a supply of provisions into the fortress of Gerona. Not being disposed to give them time to complete their preparations, I ordered the General of division Pino, to march with a part of his division, and if he found himself in sufficient force, to fall upon the enemy. My views and instructions have been executed to an extent which exceeds my expec tation. An aid-de-Camp whom I sent to the Ge neral, has informed me that the division of Pino at tacked the town of Hostairich, with an ardour and intrepidity which are above all praise. I had sent in structions to General Verdier, the ad interim Com mander of the division of General Souham, who is indisposed, to detach the 42d regiment, with a squa. dron of the 24th dragoons, to the heights of Santa- Coloma t and to send strong detachments towards Sant•llario and Albucia, to create a diversion, and to cover General Pino's right. My orders were car ried into complete effect ; and 1 subjoin a copy of General Pino's report to me upon this subject. REPORT OF GENERAL PINO TO MARSHAL THE DUKE OF CASTIGLIONIC. " I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency, that, pursuant to your orders, I marched with a part of my division, from my positions, to defeat a Spanish army that covered Hostalrich, and to make myself master of that fortified town, and also of the maga-1 zines collected therein, from which Blake's army drew its subsistance, and which were further intended to furnish a supply of provisions to Gerona. I arrived! in front of Hostalrich without meeting the smallest obstacle. The whole line of advanced posts in front ' of the fortress was driven in by:my advanced guard. A battalion of 800 men, who occupied in battle array an almost impregnable position at Massenet, was at, the same time defeated by General Mazzuchelli, at the head of the Ist regiment of light infantry. The Commandant and Adjutant of the battalion were made prisoners. " A corps of 2000 troops of the line, commanded by Brigadier Don PedroQuadrado,assisted by a great part of the inhabitants, attempted to oppese our en trance into the town. This place is ho;i-sed by a so lid wall, with turrets at intervals for musketry; one of which is very high, and of cons7derahle extent, and is moreover provided with two picces of artillery. Observing that the enemy were making Prep nations for resistance, I instantly ordered the 6th regiment of the line, with the battalion of the 7th, to advance upon the town ; whilst General Mazzuchelli, with the Ist regiment of light infantry, and a company of royal chasseurs, should approach Hostalrich, by mak ing a detour to the right. 44 Colonel Eugene, with his column, was received with a brisk fire of great guns from the fort, and a still brisker discharge of musketry from the town The only return which Colonel Eugene made, was to beat a charge, and to rush forward, with the rapidity ' of lightning, to the town. We found the gates shut ; 1 a moment's indecision might have been destructive ; the Colonel therefore set fire to the gate, and ordered his Voltigeurs to climb the walls, which they instantly did—the Voltigeurs scrambling upon each other's shoulders, amidst a shower of balls. In this manner was the quarter of the town where the highest tower stands, taken by storm ; but when the troops entered the town, they experienced fresh difficulties. The turrets poured upon them from all sides case shot and grenades, and from every house they were assailed , with a destructive fire of musketry ; and all this was supported by the troops under Quadrago, who had posted himself between the fort and the town, and also by a fire of musketry from the garrison of the castle, consisting of 600 men, under the command of the Governor Guliau d'Estrada. No obstacle, however, could impede the advance of our troops ; they rushed into the town, and put to the sword every one whom they found under arms. At the instant that Colonel Eugene made him self I; master of the left side of the town, General Maz zuchelli had got round to the right side, and was al-1 ready close under the walls,where he also had to sustain a heavy fire of musketry, and the cannonade from the fort. The walls in that quarter being too high for', climbing, General Mazzuchelli instantly procured ladders, which were found in the houses in the su burbs ; and by means of which, notwithstanding the well-supported fire he was exposed to, he ventured upon the assault. 46 In consequence of this double movement, the insurgents, and all the troops of the line, who now saw the town forced on both sides, respectively formed a junction on a level piece of ground, in the centre of the place. I then ordered a battalion of the 2d light troops to advance. Without being in the smallest degree daunted by the fire of case shot directed against them, they also succeeded in clambering over the wall, and attacked the plain its front, at the in stant the other corps attacked on the flanks. The resis tance was obstinate, but it was surmounted by our courage, and all that were opposed to us were put to the sword. ‘, I also ordered a battalion of the 4th to advance, for the purpose of supperting Colonel Eugene, who was threatened to be surrounded by a column that descended from the mountains, with the apparent in tention of making themselve roasters of the extremity of the town on the left, which, by Colonel Eugene's forward movement, had been lett without the means of defence. The battalion of the 4th regiment, led on by the brave Major San-Andria, attacked at the point of the bayonet the troops which were advancing from the mountains, and who had formed no part of the troops previously mentioned. This battalion also forced their way into the town, notwithstanding the fire kept up on them by the fort, in order to support the column adverted ro, which nevertheless disappeared with the rapidity of lightning. " To sum up all, I have the honour tq inform your Excellency, that the result of my enterprize has com pletely answered your wishes; the enemy having been beaten at all points ; all their mummer* ear;, and burnt ; their considerable magazines of Salt-fi. oil, brandy, with 18 oxen, belonging to E1ak0, : ,., and intended hr the supply of Gerona, havinlyl., taken or destroyed ; and every pan of the town w :„ the inhabitant; attempted to defend, havingbeen bit?: 6 ; The remains of the force of 2 000:nenoxbi e l l „ cupied the city could not have elected their ese al had not Brigadier Quadrado taken refuge in the cac. According to a very probable calculation, enemy must at left have lost between 8 and men in killed, and without including the wound, who had time to take refuge in the Castle. on ? side I had 85 killed, including two officer; a n d wounded, among whom are several oflicer.:. Of those who have distinguished thentsci7 2 :, shall for the present confine myself to mend ,n -only the names of General Mazuchelli, Colonel lata (who commanded the advance), and (.7 0 1,„ Eugene, all of whom gave proofs of unparalleil trepidity and complete experience, The terror impressed upon the enemy by ti : ferent enterprizes of the army, was so great, th:a:. 'titer Blake with his army, nor Colonel - Mita () u. his corps, dared to approach to relieve Ilo4talrL though they were only four or five league , : from it.. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) a The General of Division, PINO." THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. MONDAY, DECEMBER 11. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK; 3 per Cent. Cons. for opg. 7011. 3 per C. Red. 6914--Exc'iel. Bilis 6s. to ISs. pr.—Omn. 211 PRICE OF STOCKS ON sATurs my. 3 per Cent. Red. 691 lii.Fa Snuck for a c 11)7 3 per Cent. Cons. shut India Bonds '2..11 , 15. i.r. 4 per Cent. 84/ Fxcheq. tills I.N. 14s. pre. 5 per C. Navy shut State Lottery Tickets .t'l Long Ann. 181 9-16ths Cons. for .......c. 703 A messenger from France, with dispatches t r Austrian Ambassador has arrived in London. was landed about three miles to the eastward Dover, the Flag of Truce not being able to that harbour. He walked to Dover, and from ti proceeded to town in a post-chaise and four.— Flag of Truce returned as soon as she had 1. the messenger. The dispatches are understood to relate to the Treaty between France and Austria, the recall of Ambassador Prince STAIIREMBIAG, and the tion of all intercourse between Austria and this c , try. We learn from the Bombay Gazettes to the .Z July that, notwithstanding the strict blockade of Mauritius, the Bellone French frigate, and ti,a L: sloop of war, lately captured from us, had ca.:r:• to escape out of Port Louis. They were, ho•, discovered by our look-out frigates, and the RA, ABLE, of 64 guns, and the BOADICEA frigate, wer in pursuit of tbem.—For other extracts fic-.1 pagers, see the preceding columns. We have received Dutch papers to the `td The King of Holland set off from Amsterdam Paris on the 27th ult. He had previously an address from the Dutch Legislative Body. do not furnish any hint respecting the rumor change in the Government of that country. complain loudly of the burdens imposed on tht:is the continuance of the war and the conscc;tient strictions on commerce. We regret to find, that the most dreadful and heard-of cruelties still continue to be practised on Spanish inhabitants by the French. A report Saragossa states, that after an aff,tir with the lrisk gents, the French burnt a village with the whole its inhabitants, in return for the shelter they gl-;e the Patriotic Armies ! We have received Spanish and Portuguese Jot. and private letters to the 22d ultimo. The k from Lisbon state that the British army still contit very unhealthy and that the sickness bas grel increased by a change of weather : the general hi pital is now at Estramos, and some sick still at Lisbon. The 83d regiment, which landed 1000 strong, now reduced to scarcely 200 men, an 3 have late) left the garrison of Lisbon, where they had been for recovery. The cavalry, though somewhat improved in I.eA, are still 'very badly mounted. The 23d Light goons being ordered home (a skeleton), the folio\ change has taken place in the cavalry : The Ro: and 14th are now brigaded under General SLAV; and the 16th and Ist German Hussars under ARSON. General COTTON, who had hitherto co, manded the 24th and IGth, is appointed to the sion left vacant by the much-to-be-regretted loss General PAGET. The reason of Mr. VILLIERS'S return was unkn. to the people at Lisbon on the 16th, and was rei, dered still more mysterious by an embargo being laid en a Brazil fleet, which was at the same time on the point of sailing from the Tagus. Nearly all :11 wooden-bottomed ships are sent away from the ri and the vessels remaining (chiefly coppered) were more than enough for 8000 men. On the inhabitants hearing of the peace bets Austria and France, every thing at Lisbon bore' ' most gloomy appearance. A recruit for the 14th and 16th are on the marching for embarkation, under Lord CLINToI who we understand will be the b ears; o f so me dis• ratan to TrOrd WELLINIATON. tan alt-f i , 1 1.7 hick r). escap e cac: inn, •i riund On i . air - 41'7 nel (col',: LIc:1 t!:::t f , c) Si OTh it. fn. 211 . 11 ) 7 • i•r• 4s. pre. s s for • on. , :ward to m.• m then I land: ) the la all of termin- ais cut the '27t • de of ti• .a ItAlso. w:e se Idam 1. rec?l;e y. The rumoure r. Thr. 1.11,2:1: 1) 'c cent and ur ed or, th )art fro lnsur whole c y grre t: . Journ he lett- contin greatl j nerd hos- -11 remain strong, is Ire lately been sent in health, fight Dra- following le Royals SLADZ; r General mto corn- the di-,1- .!d loss of unknown was reit- being laid neon the r all tha the river, were not between i bore the e po int of Cuarros, some dis-