Star. — London, England, 1805-03-29 00:00:00

Ilitutional nor unjuß and if it w the motto of the Conllitution neither to bend or bow, yet as the Mili tia was but one branch of the great tree of the Con flitution, the Militia might be conftitutionally made both to bow and bend, to receive alterations, not only without violating the Conaltittion, but In as at once to maintain it, to guard it frim the encroach. ment of real violations, and by extending the fphere of its confervative power, to keep off the blights of time from the tiered body of the Conaitution. He would not admit that the Bill would be a tax on the landed interelt. The Militia was originally, how ever, more a taxation on the landed intereft than on any other. It was a wrong idea to floppore that the Militia was raifed for its own . defence merely ; for what would he our (*natation if, on the call of dan ger, the York or Lincoln Militia were to refute to *rve any where but in its own county ? For thefe reafons, he thought the Bill neither unconßitutional, union, nor oppreffive. As to what was laid of its being a breach of faith, it was not that, but a corn inumtion. Still he admitted that nothing could juf tify the meafure but the neceffity of the cafe. With verped to men's feelings, he could only fay, that he neither felt himfclf infulted or degraded by the Bill, and lhould tell his men, at the head of his regiment, that" Here, my lads, is a better way of ferving your country, and I know you will choofe the better way." He took notice of the remarks on the paper figned by the thirty Militia Officers, mentioned on a former night, and laid, that although he was prefent at the meeting of thefe Officers, he had never under flood that any refolution was paired, and had never figued his name to any, although it did appear at the publifhed refolutions of that meeting. Earl TEMPLE laid, that the Hon. Member was certainly reran at the meeting, and expreffed no fort of diffent from the Refolutions. Mr. ELLISTON, in explanation, did not deny basins been prefent, but as to the Refolutions, there were, in fad, none propofed while he was prefent, or none which, from the confuflon and uproar (a laugh) he could underhand. But, molt certainly, he figncd no Refolution or Refolutions whatever, and he cau tioned Gentlemen how they went to meetings in fa tore, the Refolutions of which might be inferted in the Public Joust's, with their names, without their authorities. Col , net FRANKLAND jußified the meeting, and in a fpecch of great zeal oppofed the Bill. He wifhed that every man in the empire would turn his attention to military fukieds, in order to the coun try's deriving the full benefit of its whole talent in tbib new fituation of the world. General TARLETON thought the preterit Rate of Europe, when one man was teen pulling down Carle monarchs and creating other new ones. was tufficient evidence of the imperious neceQity which laid the foundation of this meafure. and which ren dered it highly deferable to gain an addition to our difpofeable force of 19,0c0. This was not a trifling infignificant war, like that which a great general clime dela ibed as a perm depot de thank', but an att. , . ful conteil, which could never be decided by a mere Blew of volunteers in arms. We mull flat look to a force limply defenlive, when, in the EaR. the Well, and all other quarters. the enemy was purfu- 1 ing the moll important enterprises. He conlidered the Militia to be in a very high Rate of difciplinc, and had himfelf infpedlerl fume regiments of them. wad ken others, which were fir forward as to require but very little improvement to put them on full as good a footing as the regulars. Sir W. ELPORD fpnke very &only in favour of the Bill; and Lord STANLEY renewed his former objections to it. The Houfe then divided on the quellion for the Speaker's leaving the Chair, when the numbers were —For it, 113 ; agaitill it, 49.—Majotity, 64. The Houle now went into the Committee, Mr. ALEXANDIa in the Chair. A thou converfation took place between Mr.Sms s and the CHascsi.t.mt of the Esc/mums, refpeeting the preamble of the Bill. Mr. STILES %viand, as the Bill was a virtual re peal of fo much of the Defence Alt as relates to the gradual reduaion of the Militia, that it might fo be expretred in the Bill. The CHANCELLOR.of the EXCHEQUER ad mitted that it would be a virtual repeal of that AR, in the fenfe it was defcribed by the Honourable Gen tleman, but fuggelled, that as the preamble was never voted until after the feveral claufes and amend• stunts were gone through in the Committee, the better method would be to referve any alterations that thould be deemed right to be made in the pre amble, till the claufes and amendments were Co gone through. The CHAIRMAN now read the fiat claufe, when Mr. YORKE propoied the amendment, of which he gave notice in fubltance on Tnefday laft. He wilhed a power to be granted by the Bill to the Crown to enlilt into the Royal Marines and Artillery, but to exclude the Guards. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had no objection to the Houfe giving a difcretionary power to his Majefty, to aflign a certain portion of the I 7.c00 Militia to the loyal Marius and Artil lery. He could not, however, concur in opinion with the Right Honourable Gcntl:inanrefpating the Guards. The Foot Guards were a body of men in the highefi degree qualified for the molt important branches of the public fervice. After a few words from Sir WILIJAM ELTORD, WI4DHAM, and Mr. You a, the claufe was %mended, by the infertion, after the words " Regu lar Forces," of the words " and battalions of Artil. t_ry, and divifiuns of the Royal Marines." The Claufe for empowering the Commanding Of ficers of Militia Regiments to fet apart, in the firli in fiance, the quota of each Regiment, was next moved. On this a converfation arofe between Sir WILLIAM POLTIN IT, General TAILITON, Lord STARLIT, Col. &ores, General NORTON, Earl Tastrut, and the CHANCILLOR of the Excitsoy BR. The General Of ficers wifhed the Colonels cf Militia to be deprived of that power. The Colonels of Militia thought it almofi their right, though they were willing to re ceive it as a conceffion. The Chancellor of the Ex chequer adhered to his opinion, that the Command. ing Officers ought to have the power ; and did not doubt but that, when this Bill fhould be paired into a law, here, as in all other cafes, thcfe Gentlemen would honourably, impartially, and patriotically life their btft endeavours to carry the law into full effect. The Ciaide was then read and agreed to in its ori ginal form. Several other parts of the Bill were then read; and denied to with little comment. On the Claufe being propofed, which direas that ten guineas be given to each man on his enliffing into regular .ferrite, Come oppoGtion was made by Lord STall• LIT, Sir Waren' WILLIAMS WYIIIIII 9 and other Gentlemen, and as the Route was about to divide upon it. Mr. FOX role to ezprefs his hope that the Com • mittee would not divide on fuch a quellion, as it teemed to invulie the merits otanother, he meant the queftion of putting the whole of the Bridal army on limited fervice. He was Cure that the divilion propated would lead to a conjeatue that the Com mons of England had increafed its judgment, and given its deci6on on that important objea. He cer vainly intended to bring this matter forward for grave inveftigation on a future day, and he trufted, that this Maud would not be the only country where un limited military ferviee was to prevail. From the peculiar freedom of the Bridal Connitution, which was the glory and beppinefs of the kingdom, it s h ould appear to be molt oppo(ed to loch a fyftem, and it teemed moll natural that the fame fpint of liberty fbould prevade our civil and military inflitutions. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER faid, he did not with to protraa the bufinefs before the Houle , by deviating into any thing irrelevant— but, as the fubjea had been collaterally introduced, he would fo far fatisfy the Hon. Gentleman, as to allure him it had undergone the ferious attention of Government. It was, however, true, that great dif ferences of opinion prevailed regarding it, and at lean in one refpea this(' who had been confulted on the , :cafiod, teemed per . fealy agreed , namely, on the impolicy, and even tmpraaicability of effeaing this meafure during war. If, therefore, it should be fob. mined to the Houle, in the canting circumftances, he &odd be under the necelSty of oppofing it. In antwer to the obfervation on the comparative fitua lion of the military in foreign countries, it might be urged that the condition, in many effential retpeas, was fo ditlimilar, that no fair comparifon could be admitted. Mr. FOX raid. the objedlion on account of the war might be eafily removed, as the limitation of ler. vice need not take place before its termination. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER reluaantly law this matter intrude Will on the butt. nets of the Committee ; he would now only briefly remark, that the fuggeflion of the Hon. Gentleman would not diminith the difficulties attending fuch a meafure at filch a period. The Claufe was then read and agreed to without; divifion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQLJER fubmiited a Claufe, enaaing, that no volunteer from the Militia, under five feet four inches nature, fhould be received into the line. Earl TEMPLE obferved, that by the militia laws five feet two inches was the lowa ilature at which recruits were taken in the Militia ; thus it was ob vious that it would be a hardfhip on the Militia Offi cer to be called en to turn out none under five feet four inches. He was free to own, however, that in seneral they were boys of the Rature of rive feet two inches who were taken into the Militia. The CHANCELLOZ of the EXCHEQUER could nit think of giving 'bp the clank. Haley were in general boys who were fo entitled, it WAS fair to prefume that they vanuld, on becoming men. be moll of them of the (tame required by his clank. After a few obftrvations from Sir Warcitts WIL LIAM WYNNZ, General TAILLTON, and Lord STAN LEY, the queltion was put and agreed to. A converia•ion art& betweenfeveral Members re fpe&ing the palibility of Serjeants of the Line tam pering with the half fet apart by the Commanding Officers. Sir W. W. WYNNE deprecated the interfe rence, with the Militia, of that dangerous animal, a Re cruiting Serjeant lord lau0). "fhe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER re minded the Committee, that by the Bill the Recruit ing Officers of the Line could not enlift from the half fet apart by the Commanding Officers of the Militia, or, if they did, their money, incentives, and perfua fives would all be employed in vain. The Houfe having refumed, the Report was re ceived, and ordered to be taken into further confider ation to morrow. IRISH MILITIA. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER pre notice, that be fhould co•mortow bring forward a propofizion relative to the Militia of ireland. m•agyi3 CORNWALLIS. Lord CASTLFREAGH brought in the Bill he moved for to the early part of the evening, for confer' ing ten...in powers oo the Governor General of India, Stc. which was read a firft time, and ordered to be read a fecood time to•morrow.—Adjourned. LONDON. THURSDAY, MARCH 29. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK t Codal4, for motley, sSfF—for act. 58if...0maium 31. General Sir JAMES CRAIO, Sir JOHN STUART, and General VERNON, yefterday took leave of Hia MA. jESTY, and will fet off this day to affume their com mands in the fecre: expedition. General Trtsors is alfo to ferve in it; and Brigadier-General SLAW. has been removed from the Eaftern to the South-Weft to fupply his place. If we may judge from the forward :late of the preparations, the armament is upon the eve of failing. Porrfmouth is the principal point of rendezvous. The embarkation of the troops cornmercza there an Today, and finifhed this day. They will be conveyed by the DRAGON, of 74 guns, in which firip Sir JAMES CRAIG and fuite will embar k. The chips from Portfmoutb, on their par fage down channel, will be krined by a flrong corps from Plymouth. Two companies of the Royal Ar tillery, and the 8t ft Regiment of Foot, 750 rank and file, embarked at the latter place on Tuefday, on board nine tranfports. They are in the finct Rate of difcipline, and went off in high fpitits, accompa nied with the acclamations of thoufands of fpedators who cheered them from the (here. The expedition is certainly dellined for the Mediterranean. Orders were lark night fent from the Admiralty to Wien the failing of the above espeditioa as mach as porlibie. . _ . Lift night the Hambargh Mail, due on Wedge day, arrived. It brings but little intelligende. A Paris article in one of the Journals Rites, that the Roehefort fquadron has gone for Jamaica, and that bets have been laid in that city, that before the Ifl of May accounts will be received of the foccefsful iffue of the enterprize. This report may turn out true, but we do not believe the Parifiats are any more in the fecret than we are ourfelves. Two hundred and fifty commiffions for privateers to ernize againil the Englifh are Rated to have already been Med in the Spanifh Ports ; and the fleet fitting ont at Cadiz will, it is (aid, confift in the whole of 3o fhips of war, among which are three Sips of the line and thirteen large frigates. We have reafon, however, to believe that Spain cannot equip half the number for twelve months to come. A Mefenger with difpatches from Ruffia, came in the packet with the above Mail. Thefe difpatches relate to the arrangements now fettling with the northern powers, and we underfiand are of fuck a nature as to hold out a reafonable hope of (peedy and effeaual cooperation. Yefbirday morning his Mai ISTY gave audiences I at the gren's Houle to the Duke of You, Earls DARTIIoUTM, AVLISFORD, CANOVA. and CHAT HAG ; Lords MULORAVZ and HAWKISEVAN ; Sin 4 1,161111 CRAIG and JOHN STRWART. and General aims. The three latter took leave of his Main- Tv, previous to their taking their commands. On Wednefday bis Royal Highnefs the Duke of Sussex dined with the Marquis of DOUGLAS, when there was a great meeting of all the principal Chief tains of Scotland, to whom his Royal Highnefs com municated his intention of railing [as Earl of In van mess) a Highland Legion, and in which he hoped for the advantage of their friendfhip and countenance. The Colonelcy of the asth Regiment of Foot, va cant by the death of Lord Glows Last:ox, is given to Lord CH ARIAS FITUOV. The Earl of CHATHAM is appointed Governrm of Plymouth, in the room of Lord GEORGE LENNOX. The Right Hon. Lord Vifcount Duncan is to be appointed Lieuttnant Colonel Commandant of the 4th and sth Regiments of Forfarfhire Volunteers. Four or five thoufand men are to be encamped at Neweaftle, in the courfe of the rummer; the Corpo ration of that town has confented to allow Govern. ment the ufe of the town.moor for that purpofe. Yellerday a ballot was taken at the Eaft India Houle for the elation of a Direltor, to ferve till April, in the room of STEPHEN WILLIAMS, Efq. de. ceafed. At fix o'clock the ghats were finally clofed, and delivered to the Scrutineers, who, at half pall eleven o'clock, reported the numbers to be as follow: amen Poulton, Efq. John Jackfon, Efq. Ns wereupon JR ME 3 PAT T I SON, Erg. was declared duly eleeted. The report of frellt difaßers in India gains ground. It refs on private accounts that have reached town. and we doubt not is well known at the India Horde, though endeavoured to be kept levet. The divifion of our army which has fuffered is that under the or ders of Colonel Bnivratta, which was fent by Gene ral Laza to cleat the vicinity of Agra, where Hot.- KAI'S cavalry is Rated to be in great force. In this fervice he was unfortunately nnfuccefsful. and report lays that his lots was confiderable. HOLM has -proved himfelf a more formidable enemy than could have been apprehended at the commencement of the war, and private letters reprefent his troops as com bining courage and difcipline with a van fuperinrity of numbers. The plan of the campaign, on our part, by which our troops have been fo widely feparated, is, indeed, confidered by tome of cur bell Officers, as having given great advantage to the enterprizing foe with whom we have to contend ; while the policy of the war itfelf is mrch queßioned by thole molt con vet Cant in India affairs. For our own part, we are not without fcrious apprebenfions that confidera tions of permanent national interefl, and of a gene rous enlightened policy, hare, in force refpeft, been merged in the allurements of prefent partial advan tage, and the fplendor of fuccellive conquefls. In direa departure from the wife fyltem adopted by Lord Coax waeers, to preferve rather than acquire, we regret to find that the (word has been too readily appealed to on all recent occations. It is true, that in Come inhances, serious provocations have been given ; but it is no leis certain, that in others tha oßenfible grounds of difpute have been filch as might gala/ have been adju Red by a conciliatory policy.— The evident want of this policy of late has rendered it necefary for the prudent and amiable CORNWALLIS, notwithaanding the very advanced age of that di. Ringuithed veteran, to return to the Government of India; and it will be teen by the proceedings of the Houle of Commons halt night, that there is every likelihood of his being under the neceflity of placing himfelf at the head of the army en his arrival in India. It has been decided in the Court of Excheqner, that the pafrage upon the Severn between Ginnedler and Briltol is otenfia, and that the troves and ocher vctMs trading between Gloncefter, Bring)), and Cher flow, are liable to the regula ion; of the Itegifter Ads, and to thole refpeding coalting voyage , . DRIERY•LANE.—The houfe was fall night as com pletely crowded as on the fill night of the appear ance of You NG ROSCIOE. Before f . 's o'clock the !route overflowed in every part,and were crowd ed. The extraordinary youth never performed the part of Doughu with more harpy Cfren. COVENT GARDEN THEATRR.—LeIii night an apo logy was made for the abienc e of Mr. BR A tinm, and the audience way requellcd to accept of Mr. Hitt. as his fubflitute in the Opera of The Englilb Fleet"— The Houk became extremely clamorous, when, after foie interval, Mr. BLANCHARD came to, ward, aced read a letter from Mr. BRAMAN, stating "that he had withdrawn himfelf from the Theatre, and was not to be expeded to perform on that evening." Oti this the tumult increafed ; Mr. KrIMBLE was loudly called for, and foon after came forward. He laid, "that the letter, which had been read, explained the cattle of their difappointment ; and that if he did not then en ter into details, it was only becaufe they were to be brought forward in another shape" — The Piece was then Coffered to proceed, and Mr. HILL, in particular, was very muck applauded. MARK-L.INE. CORN EICHANOV, MARCH 29. There are not many frefh famples cf Wheat leell to-day; fume foreign are arrived—Thi, trade is hcav y, And at lets for the fecund and nrdipary qualities, fine being rather in demand, fetches our currency-- Barley in plenty ; the Diflillets and Maltflers rnaLe but few vurchafes at prefent, and it is only fin: 01;t: fupports the quotation. We obfervz fmall variation in Malt, Peas, nr Beans of each kind. 'Having a brUk demand for o.tts, this aricle maintains its price, not withlanding feveral Piuffian a►rival-- Flour continues in great plenty, and is expee...4l cheaper. GENERAL CURRENCY AS UNDr.R. Wheat, 64s Sos. Os per qr. Grcy Peale 3 to os. Fine Ditto. zoos. to4s. od. Bcat.s, 4ts. aSs. Rye, $4.1. 6os. od. Tick Ditto 41i. 476. 03 41‘ 471. od. Oats, sta. 23/.284. Malt, 744• Sos. od. Poland dint.. to . 3os White Peale, 04. 4E 4 . od. Cinquefoil, oa4. ozs. Rape Se d. 44 1 . to 471 Per la P. PRICE OF FLOUR. Flue Flour Sol. to Sp. Seconds 723. to Sot per Pack. NAUTICAL INTEL I e IG ENG.& • MAILS THIS DAY.—Wind S. S. E. ASR. DOR. ARR. DUE. Dublin z x I Hantburgb I o Watcrlird a 1 Gottenbbrgb 0 x PLYMOUTH, MARCH 27.—Came in the Nile cartel, of Portfmouth, from Mtnlair, having carried over Fsench . prilOners.--Sailed tie BRITANNIA, of r►o guns, to join the Channel Fleer ; the Prevoyante, of 4 .3 guns, for Standgate Creek, under quarantine. Admiral THOLNBOIOUGH arrived here this morning from the Eaftward, and is about to fail to take a command in the Channel Fleet. PORT/MOUTH, MARCH 28.—Arrived the TRIDENT gun-vetfel, with the Commerce, Adventure, and Carr tranfports under convoy for Guernfey.—Wind va riable. . DEAL, MARCH 28.—Sailed the DEFENDER gun• brig for Portfmouth.—Arrived the Dtostfoe frigate, and ACUTR gun-brig from a eruize, arid !main in the Downs with the re(t of the (hips as per Lett, with the Renewal, CROMARTIE, and the Echo, Rows, for Barbadoes.—Wind E. S. E. YARMOUTH, MARCH 28.—Sailed on a cruize off the Dutch coalt, la CONSTAMCI fligate. Arrived from the Texel the BOADICSA frigate, with 250 men, the remaining part of the crew of the Rom EY,of 5o guns, which was lately wrecked. The prifoners !peak in very high terms of the treatment they received while prifoners ; they were allowed more provilions than they could ufe, and 'three glades of liquor per day. The Dutch tranfports, which were hated to be ready fur fea, have all gone up to Amfterdam to be paid off. Sailed the BADGIR cutter, on a cruize; and the Hawes, fur Dover. The hips of war here are the MONMOUTH, ANTILOrt s ST. As.san's, endive. 'LEMMA ; Boarncea frigate, Cautzza and Immo. ros. !loops. The following are expeited to join the North Sea fleet in a few days : the Matarric, of 74. guns; AIDINT, of 64 ; and Isis, of so.—Wind E. S. E. light airs. HULL, MAIICII 25. —Captain Temielar,of the Johanna George. which arrived here on taturday afternoon, from Tonningen, briny inteldgence, that the outward bound fleet, which failed from hence on Sunday the 17th 'agent, arrived there on Wednefday Taft; and that Vie homeward bound (hips were expedted to fall for England it, two or three days.-The Providence armed fh p, Captain Rye. is appointed to take the neffels for Ton niugen nadir convoy on the 30th it:Rama-4y the diredions of Admiral Lord Kt ith, coovoya are appointed to fail regularly from this port for 1 muting= and Monte, akthe expiration of every fourteen days. FROM LLOYD'S LIST. GRAVESEND, Masco ail.—Pafftd by. the Jorge Jan. ••••••••••, front Altea ; Endraght, Frederick, from Po9pinburgb ; Vrow Eli• zabeth, Plus; and Vrow Oefma, Antrofe, from Lear.—.sailed the &Una, Whitfield, for Tonningen; luddstigabic, Weir; and Jan, White, for Jamaica. ARr tv a D.—ln Standgate Creek, General Wrangle, Olfon, front the Bay of Rofes—At Liverpool, Hedor, Irwin ; and William, Alnftvorth, from Surinam; and Kerr, Alberg, from Cadiz—At Surinam, Lord Nelfon, Hayes; Alexander, Duckworth; gifted, Treyer; and Goodrich, from Africa---At Old Calabar, Mary, Smith, from Liverpool—At SL Kitt's, Caroline, Hayes, from London--•At Savannah, Superb. —. from London—Off' Seaford, Thames, Burton, from New ProvidenceAt (lull. Ad fon, Bunker, from Lifbon—At Warrford, Martha, Ruffen, from ditto—.\t Belfalt, Mary, Church, from Rotterdam. The Ebenezer, Beartm, from Chriftianfand, is Branded near Ballythannon. The Frienaltip, Shillman, from Peterfburgh for Cork, was kit off Lavelifken on the 5d of November lat. Arrived in l.amlath harbour, from the lilt of Man, the 19th ia• Rant, the Wickham halt revenue cruizcr, Captain Fullartoo, hay. tug brought ha with her the Alsrt fmuggling cutter, pi.reed fur 14 gun., which Captain Fullarton captured after a cbace of 24 hours. The Spanith brig captured by the Negtenc, M.Kinlay. of Green. oat, on the tath November, doe, was recaptured on the zyth fame month, by the French frigate, Prefident, on her raffage from New York, and carried into a French port The Duchefs of Ratland, a tranfport, fr•nt Mal.a for Portf• mouth. cue of the Arrow's convoy, was captured in the Medi terranean, and !mined, on the 6th of February. The Minerva, Price, of Lath, is arrived at St. Thomas's in difirefs, and difcharging, bound for Leith. The dem (privateer) of Greenock. M'Laurin Matter, has re turned, after being at her cruizing Ration, where the was boarded by the Diamond frigate; the Commander at which imorrifol nine of Jur crew, took the commillion from the Matter, and fctit the Ship for the Clyde, owing to the Matter :4:vies omitted carry- Mg his regAtr with him. The Venus, Ltufworth, is arrived at Liverpool. the failed front Surinam the 27th of January, under convoy of the Imogene Hoop of war.' Ott the 13th of Niarch, the Imogene being vs.ry leaky, the crew were taken on hoard the diff...rent third of the fleet.— Capt. Vaughan ut the Im-;;ene, went un iyeird the Lord Farhcs. thiuml t I.n”don. The fleet, crinfiltii.g al , 25 fail, kert company, nbeyh,g C Intmrsiore'. fig.:ll4 from *he 1.0r , i horties. Same day (puke ill. brig Portfea, tote of the fleet, very leaky ; got found ing. In water; IpUke liar Ni..gilirdte. from New York to Falmouth in bat. 49. al W. the Venus parted, as fail in ciimpahy, taco otwilich were bound to l.iv rpooL On the aad Croke the lnl,n H.uty,tif •I'alker, bearing N. E. by N. ilitt.o.ce five league.. Ctpt tin PENDEK is appointed to command the (:), 21 een, of 9 g guns, which is about to fail for the pnr pole of rei:iforcing the fleet tinder Admiral Sir Joins (Nutt, off Cult,- Captain MACKENZIE, ~ rthe Experiment guard fhip, at Lymington, is appointed to the command of the Wolf Hoop at Portfmouth.