Star. — London, England, 1811-07-19 00:00:00

ralty, and in the event of their having been neglected, then to have brought them before Parliament. In the present instance it appeared that the Officer had been tried by a competent tribunal, and although acquitted of murder, convicted of cruelty, and that the severest sentence which the Court could inflict for the offence, had been passed upon him. Even on the supposition that the Court Martial had been in error, yet this man, having been acquitted of a ca pital charge, ought not to be capitally questioned again. In his opinion, no grounds had been laid for the production of the minutes of evidence. General TARLETON regretted that his Honour able and Learned Friend had brought forward the present subject. The principal part of his Honour able Friend's statements had been most fully answered. Adverting to the question of military punishments, he (General T.) while he acknowledged that those were the best regiments in which flogging was not resorted to, was obliged conscientiously to say, what ever odium might follow the declaration, that in his opinion, it would be impossible wholly to abolish the practice of flogging in the Army. Mr. P. MOORE supported the motion, and trusted that at least the discussion would have as good an ef fect on the regulations respecting the discipline of the Navy, as the discussion brought forward by an Ho nourable Baronet near him had had on the regulations respecting the discipline of the Army. Mr. CROKER was surprised that the Honourable and Learned Gentleman should suppose that any per sons who gave information of abuses to the Board of Admiralty, would expose themselves to its displea sure. He could assure the Hon. and Learned Gen tleman that the Board of Admiralty was fully dis posed to listen to all complaints brought before it, snd had within his knowledge thanked several indi viduals by whom those oomplaints had been pre-I (erred. As to the anonymous cases which had been mentioned, if the Hon. Gentleman chose to keep the names of his informant, and of the persons accused, secret, yet if he would only state the name of the ship from which the man jumped overboard, the Admi ralty would institute a minute inquiry into the circum stances of the case. For a long series of years no ac cusation, not even an anonymous one, had been passed over by the Admiralty without investigation. As to the old practice of sending convicts on board men of war, the Admiralty had for several years opposed it with the utmost determination. Mr. BROUGHAM, in reply, declared that he had not heard a single argument against the production of the Minutes of Evidence. There were two parties whom their production might affect—not the Officer, for he agreed entirely with his Right Hon. and Learned Friend, that it would be impossible again to try him—but the Court Martial, and the Admiralty, by whom the trial by Court Martial was ordered. Lord WALPOLE in explanation of his former statement observed, that the trial had been ordered by the Admiral on the station, not by the Admiralty. Mr. BROUGHAM resumed, and comer, - _J, that the individual in question ought to have been tried, not by a Court Martial, but by the Admiralty's Juris diction. If there was one species of jurisdiction, to the proceedings of which greater publicity ought to be given than to any other, it was that of Courts martial.' As to mentioning the names of those from whom he received his information, he should be very cautious on that head. He did not mean to say that the Board of Admiralty would distinctly visit their resentment on such individuals. They would not for instance put them at the bottom of the list. They would not set a Mack mark against them in the Ad miralty books, but they would set a black mark against them in their own minds. They would be biassed to their future prejudice. This he said with. out reference to any particular set of men, for he should have the same apprehension were his own po litical friends in office. He cordially closed, however, with the proposition of the Honourable Secretary of the Admiralty, to state to him the name of the ship in which the transaction that he had described hap. pened. He would obtain as soon as possible the name of the man, and some approximation at least to the date of the occurrence, for the purpose of communi cating the whole to the Honourable Gentleman. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that the Hon. and Learned Gentleman must entertain a strange notion of the effects of office, if he conceived that against the name of a person who gave information of a foul murder, Gentlemen in office would set a black mark in their minds, and that they would be indisposed from that period to • do any thing kind or fair by such an individual. So strongly was the Hon. and Learned Gentleman im pressed with this notion, that he thought even his own friends, were they in power, would be influenced by considerations of that nature. The observation would be unfortunate for the Hon. and Learned Gen tleman, if at any future time he should himself get into office, as it might be supposed to proceed from a conviction of what would be his own feelings under similar circumstances. It appeared to him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) that no grounds what ever had been laid for the production of the minutes of evidence. The Hon. Gentleman complained of the officer alluded to having been tried by a Court Martial instead of an Admiralty Court. Now the Act of Parliament expressly declares, that any one accused of having committed a murder in the fleet, should be tried by a Court Martial. The Honourable Gentleman's observations, therefore, ought to be di rected against the Law, and not against this case, which was in conformity to the Law. He lamented that the Honourable and Learned Gentleman should have stated so many anonymous instances of miscon duct. However delicate the subject, yet by not men tioning the names of the Officers accused, the charge was, in fact, brought against the whole service. It would be generally circulated, that but for the appre hension of a black mark in the minds of the Admi. ralty, many persons would come forward to sustain these complaints. Although he was sure that the Hon, and Learned Gentleman did not mean it, yet all this would do infinite mischief. Let the Hon. Gentleman place himself in the situation of the Gal lant and Honourable Officers on the Western Station, and then say how he should feel under that general imputation which the pub Cation of charges not spe cifically made against a n particular individual by name, must necessarily occasion. He moved, as an amendment the word " Minutes," for the purpose of inserting the words" Charge and Sentence." Mr. BROUGHAM explained, and stated the ex treme reluctance with which he had listened to the linformatkin that had been given to him, until he be came satisfied of its authenticity. Sir F. BURDETT, in support of the opinion of• his Hon. and Learned Friend, that persons preferring complaints were liable to the resentment of the higher powers, called to the recollection of the House the case of Admiral Montague, who, soon after he had made a complaint to the Admiralty, was put on half pay. Mr. R. WARD denied that the one was in conse quence of the other ; and observed that this was ano ther of those unfounded assertions which the Hon. Baronetwas in the habit of making in greater num ber, though certainly without being aware of their falsehood, than any man he had ever heard. Sir FRANCIS BURDETT disclaimed any asser Lion on the subject ; he had merely said that there was a strange coincidence between the complaint and 'the dismissal. Lord COCHRANE observed, that, in addition to Admiral Montague's being put on half-pay, his son had been denied the privileges of the School at Portsmouth, until the subject was mentioned in the House of Commons. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL declared that this latter circumstance arose out of the mis-statement of Admiral Montague himself. As soon as the error was discovered, his son's wrong•was redressed. The Amendment was then carried without a divi sion, and the original motion, so amended, was agreed to. Adjourned. THE EVENING STAR.. LONDON. FRIDAY, JULY 19. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. 3 par Ct. Cons. for money and account (11 62 3 per Ct. Reduce d 62}1 —Navy 5 per C at. 930 4 per Cent. 7311--Bon4s 11.. 12s. preen.—Omnium 11 2 di& THE KING. The Bulletins of yesterday and this day were not published at St. James's Palace till after our Paper was at press. They are as follow : " WINDSOR CASTLE, JULY 18. " His MAJESTY has had some sleep in the night, but he is not better this morning;' (Signed) 66 BAILLIE, HEBERDEN, WILLIS." gg WINDSOR-CASTLE, JULY 19. " His MAJESTY has passed a sleepless night, and is not better this morning. (Signed) "H. HALYORD, "W. HEBERDEN I "11. WILLIS." A Heligoland Mail reached town this morning. The news brought by it is of little interest. The boat which carried the Ex-King of SWEDEN from the Island had returned after landing the Royal fugitive at Toningen. The Captain of the QUEBEC frigate has taken the command of the Heligoland station. Captain Lord GEORGE STEWART, with the HORATIO, has sailed to join the British fleet off Flushing. LISBON MAIL. STAR-OFFICE-TWO O'CLOCK. A Lisbon Mail has this moment arrived, bringing Lisbon Papers of the 4th inst. The following is the substance of the intelligence they bring : LISBON, JULY 4. Our army remains in the same positions as when the last packet sailed. SOULT has followed BLAKE towards Seville, with a considerable corps,' leaving a great. force, chiefly of cavalry, to cover his march. MA ItSIONT continues in the neighbourhood of Merida; in short all is in itatu quo, and it seems as if the important work of this campaign was over, though indeed it is impossible to say what is now a campaign, as the work of at. tacking, fighting, &c. continuesthroughout all the year. The Lisbon Gazette, of the Ist July, contains an A.:La dispatch from Lord Wellington to Don Pereira Forjaz, dated Quinta da Saint Juao, 27th June, stating, that on the morning of the 22k1 June, the enemy made a strong reconnoitring with a large body of cavalry, on the fortresses of Campo Mayor and Elvas. In addition to the official account of Lord WEI, LINGTON'S dispatches, which appeared in the greater part of our impression of yesterday, we are happy to find that the private letters are of a most satisfactory nature. They state that the enemy, while our army was retreating, manifested a disposition to attack us ; but the moment Lord WELLINGTON took up his position, (to use the expression of an Officer of the 4th Foot) they fought shy, and not the slightest ex pectation of an attack from them was entertained in the army. On the contrary, it was supposed they would soon retreat. The accounts mention the arrival of BLAKE at Mertula, on the Guadiana, where he cross. ed, and marched towardsCastillejos, on his way to Se ville.—Advices had been received at Lisbon from Ca diz, of the 20th ult. ; General GRAHAM had embarked there with two divisions oflii s army for Ayamonte,from whence he was to move forward towardsCastillejos, to form a junction with BLAKE, when their united forces would march upon Seville, where it was supposed a grand blow would be struck against the numerous depots which the enemy have in that city ; after which they would act according to circumstances.— The French Commander seems to have been aware of the movement against Seville. He had extended his rear, and had sent off two detach ments inthedirection of the Guadalquiver, and this ar rangement of the enemy seems to be construed in some of the letters as a retreat. It is said, that from the swampy and unhealthy situation of his present en campment, as well as from the deficiency of provi. :ions, it is impossible that he can continue with his large army without grievously suffering from epide. mia or famine. It is certain that he made no effort to aavance. TIMATIeIL - . I COVENT•C ARDEN.MI*S. JORDAN appeared, for tne second time, last night, at this Theatre, in the part of Lady Teazle, in W. SHERIDAN'S admirable comedy of The School for Scandal. It was, like her former performance, replete with gaiety, good-humour, and feeling. The applause of one of the most brilliant and crowded audiences of the season followed her through every scene. The whole comedy was well received, and went off with great spirit. Thnour the Tartar followed with all its grandeur, scenery, and stage effect. LYCEUM.—Mr. SHERIDAN'S elegant Comic Ope ra, The Duenna, was last night represented.—The piece, which was extremely well supported in all its parts, gave the highest satisfaction to a most nume rous audience. After the Opera, an heroic, tragic, ope ratic drama, in two acts, called Quadrupeds; or, The Manager': last Kid, was performed for the first time. The piece opens with a scene between the Manager of a Theatre and his creditors, in which he informs them of his inability to discharge his debts, in consequence of the season having been most unproductive— quadruped: being all the rage, which he has hitherto found it impossible to introduce on his small stage. He, however, proposes, if time should be allowed him, to produce Fool's's laughable piece, entitled, The Tailors; or, A Comedy for Warm Weather, with such emendations and additions as should astonish the town, fill his treasury, and, of course, enable him to liquidate his debts. A vein of pleasantry runs through this introductory scene, which seemed to please even those who came with a determination to find fault.— Next came the mock-tragedy. Several burlesque songs, adapted to popular airs, have been introduced, and have an excellent effect. The last scene is truly ludicrous. The tailors, divided into two rival factions, the dung: and flints, appear mounted on poney, donivs, and horse: created by the machinist ; and the opposition is real, as neither party can stir for the other, from the want of skill in the riders. The grand battle takes place in the front of a castle. RAYMOND is the represen tative of Aral:amides, and appears on a little poney. In the heat of the battle the tailor is dismounted, and his horse sheer: off. He then enters with a shovel in his hand, exclaiming, " An ass, an ass, my shopboard for an ass!" A number of warriors advance, armed with brooms, crutches, and similar weapons, and the charge is re newed with increased fury. Horse and foot mingle in the fray, and a tremendous discharge of cabbage: closes the scene with suitable pomp and solemnity. In the preliminary dialogue the audience are told, that the piece is intended but to excite a harmless laugh— and, certainly, from beginning to end, it is well cal culated to produce that effect. In a house crowded to excess, it is not wonderful that some opposition should be manifested to a piece which goes to ridicule a prevailing rage of the day—but the great body of the audience were most decidedly in favour of the 'performance. The principal character s in th e M oc k- Tragedy were inimitably supported. The PRINCE REGENT is to dine with Mr. PanctvAL to-morrow—and he will in turn dine with others of the Cabinet Ministers. But it is understood that La dies are to be of the party—so they are not to be Calinet Dinners A Requisition has been presented to the High Sheriff of Essex, signed by four Members of Parlia ment, and upwards of 500 Freeholders, to call a County Meeting, for the purpose of taking into con sideration the most efficient, legal, and constitutional means of promoting a more equal representation of the people in Parliament. To this Requisition the Sheriff, it is said, has declined acceding. EXTRACT Of AN OFFICIAL LETTER IROM CORUNNA, DATED JULY 3. gi On the 20th ult. General Bonnet arrived in Leon, from Asturias, with his division of 3000 men, which, together with 800 that garrisoned Leon, aban doned that place the same day and marched for Pa lencia. When General Seras evacuated Astorga, he had 6000 men under his command ; his I.s:or-guard, com posed of one Lieutenant and 80 men, of the fourth Polish regiment, deserted, and delivered themselves to General Santocildes, with their arms and accou. trements ; they have since arrived here. I have also information of 19 officers, with 200 soldiers, having deserted from the corps of General Seras, in Bena vente, and who have delivered themselves to the corps of the Gallician army, in Puebl . i de Sanabria, comman ded by General Ponze. Two Mamelukes of those which form the body-guard of the Duke of Istria, in Valladolid, have deserted, with their horses and arms, and arrived here. " The desertions from the enemy's forces in Leon and Castille have been considerable ever since it has been known that they were destined to reinforce the army of Portugal. " In consequence of the late successes of the Gal lician (or 6th) army, arms are now much wanted ; the possession of Leon and Astorga has enabled Ge neral Santocildes greatly to augment his army, and affords, at the same time, much more extensive means of supplying it. I have just received a letter from him, dated Vega de Magar (between Astorga and Leon) 27th June, informing me, that he has got 3000 men who have joined him unarmed, and requesting that number of muskets and accoutrements to be sent in all haste, which I am now dispatching for him. " J had the honour to mention, in my communica tion of the 29th ulr. the action of the 25th of May, between the party commanded by Mina, and a French escort, in Puente de Arlaban ; I now inclose a trans lation of the official account of it, with a return of the number of prisoners liberated from the enemy, whom he sent under an escort to Valencia, where they ar rived safe." The attack above alluded to is that on the 25th of May, of which we have already had so many varying accounts. The affair took place almost at the gates of Vittoria. The French consisted of 2000 infantry, and 200 dragoons, who were conducting 1100 Spa - nish prisoners, all of whom were liberated, and .1 pro digious booty obtained by the gallant Spaniards. It has been falsely reported that the women who accom panied this escort, were killed by the Spaniards, as they were treated with great respect, and were suf fered to go where they pleased. 01 the 2000 infantry and 200 cavalry, not above one-halt returned to Vit toria. The loss of the Spaniards was inconsiderable. The action lasted from eight in the morning till three in the afternoon. I , a THE ARMY. The principal part ofrhe Western Battalion of the Norfolk Militia, with their officers, hare volunteered their services for Irebind. The Royal Perthshire regiment of militia have, with singular protnptness and spirit, furnished their quota of 176 men to the line. Monday se'nnight, the Fifeshire Regiment of Mili tia, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel DOUGLAS, were reviewed at Aberdeen, by Major-General Dust- HAM, whose approbation was expressed in very hand some terms. The DIADEM, 64 guns, has arrived at Plymouth, with 34 transports ander convoy. The VESTAL fri gate accompanied the DIADEM, but went up Chan. nel to Portsmouth, with a number of merchant vessels liand transports under her protection. Several of these transports have sick and wounded British troops on board, and some of them a number of French priso. ners. They were 22 days on their passage from the Taous. The above transports are to take out the 4th, or 'Th us. Irish Dragoons, and the other reinforce ments now at Plymouth, to Lisbon. The remainder of the 4th Dragoons marched into Plymouth on Wed nesday. This fine regiment is upwards of 800 strong. . EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE BRITISH HEAD QUARTERS IN PORTUGAL, DATED THE 27T11 ULT. " I have now to inform you, that the expected battle between Soul.? and Lord WELLINGTON is de ferred, by the former having retired, after leaving a small reinforcement in Badajoz. It is supposed he is gone for Seville, where BLAKE has been, hut has now retired to the Sierra Morena. This will bathe the efforts of their cavalry, in which they are abund antly supplied ; added to which, 3000 Spaniards are dispatched in their rear, so that they will be much harassed, and give us time to get reinforcements from England. The party which the Fren h, on a late occasion, represented as consisting OW Ca. valry and a large body of Infantry, and which they admitted kept them in check, consisted only of. 45 Dragoons and a single company of Light Infantry ! The Dragoons were commanded by a gallant and high spirited young officer, Lieutenant EDWARD Pet.tew, of the 14th Dragoons, who has obtained great credit in his regiment since his arrival in Portugal. The In fantry were commanded by Captain Hair, (son of General HAY) of the 3d Royals, whose bravery on the occasion alluded to was most conspicuous." NifYilL INTELLIGENCE. TORBAY, JULY 17. This day arrived the DAPPER gun-brig, having under her convoy four transports, one of which has troops on board, last from Portsmouth, bound to Plymouth, and from thence to Ireland. PLYMOUTH, JULY 17. Went cut of harbour, the PEACOCK sloop, and AR ROW schooner. Sailed the ltEsoLuTit gun-brig for Cork, with a small convoy. Arrived the DIADEM, 61., and Vssrat. frigate with a convoy of transports,Stc. (about 40 sail) from Lisboa. They left the Tagus on the 23d ult. consequently bring no news. Arrived the Jane, GRAHAM, from Oporto, and the James, Car tell, from Morlaix. PORTSMOUTH, JULY is. Arrived the ROLLA, ZEPHYR, and DONfIYICA, from the Downs ; LINNET, from a crnize ; and the VEcr:st. from Lisbon, last from Plymouth. Sailed the Hot.* on a cruize. DEAL, JULY is. Arrived the Hese, with about 70 sail of merchant men, from Jamaica ; they are all gone for the River. The whole fleet, which consists of about 98 sail, have Arrived in the Channel, all well. SHEERNESS, JULY 18. Sailed the RIFLIMAN for Leith. Arrived the Btn. MUDA from the Northward. FROM LLOYD'S LIST. The William Pitt and Haddock, from the isle of France, ar rived at Bengal. The Monarch and the Tyne sailed from Bengal for Madras, the 9th of February. The Lord Hood, Pearson, from St. Andrew's for London, sailed under convoy of the Cleopatra (arrived at Portsmouth), and paned on the night of the 20th ult. off Cape Sable. The Portuguese brig letter of marque, San Man tel, Lieutenant Jose PowrELLA Commander, has ar rived at Plymouth, in 7.5 days, from the Brazils, with a cargo of sugar, hides, and dye-wood, bound to Pe tersburgh. She came last from Rio de Janeiro. The point of rendezvous for Sir JOSEPH YORKZ'S squadron is Bermuda. We are assured, that the Ad miral has it in command to require a prompt apology from the American Government for the affair between the President and the Little Belt ; and, in case of refu sal, he is to proceed to active hostilities against Ame rican ships of war. His orders, however, are under stood not to extend to the capture or destruction of American merchantmen. ----- - A Messenger from Russia is said to have reached London yesterday, and so strong was the impression in the City of the re-establishment of a commercial in tercourse with that country, that Havannah sugar, among other articles suited to the same market, un derv. ent a considerable augmentation in price. A Lisbon letter of the 30th ult. states, that Colonel TRANT had left Oporto, and was gone to join his Mi litia, which in the absence of Gen. SPENCER had been collecting near Almeida. Sin.vaina remained on the Douro, and a detachment from his troops had inter cepted a convoy of 10 or 12 waggons, killing and making prisoners 160 Frenchmen. Five thousand of the enemy who had left Asturias, Biscay, and the north of Leon, had arrived at Salamanca, OR their way to join Sout-r in Estremadura. The Gallician armies had followed the steps of the enemy, and Lord WELLINGTON in consequence of this seasonable acti vity, had sent his thanks to the Junta of Galicia, and expressed an earnest wish that a prompt and powerful co.operation front the North might contribute to the isuccess of the general cause. MARK-LANK. — The Market this day has but few i fresh arrivals of Wheat, and sales in this trade, for I that of first quality, at a small increase in price— Barley, with Malt, in short supply, and fully at last prices—White Peas nearly so—Grey somewhat lower —But few Beans of the two kinds, and each rather dearer—The supplies of Oats are again short, and sales thereof support the last quotation—Flour con• tinues at late prices. 4 ..