Star. — London, England, 1815-02-14 00:00:00

be carried up to be argued in the Courts above. He saw no reason why a Jury selected among the Scotch, the generality of whom were more enlightened than the English, were not well qualified to judge of those points of law which had always been tried by Eng lish Juries. The Noble Earl concluded by present ing a Bill for introducing the Trial by Jury in Civil Cases in Scotland. The Earl of LAUDERDALE observed upon the of this proceeding, there being already a Bill blore the House for introducing Trial by Jury in Civil Cases into Scotland, which had neither been withdrawn, nor in any other way got rid of. Earl STANHOPE said that the Bills were essen tially diiretent, the object of his Bill being to intro dace the English Trial by Jury into Scotland; whilst that of the Bill sent tip from Scotland, which had been introduced into the House by the Noble and Learned Lord on the Wcolsack, was merely to in troduce Ti dal by July in issues directed to be so tried. Tlr„ LORD CHANCELLOR requested the Noble Eat 1 would be 60 good as to withdraw his 13111 for the present, in order that it might be ascertained as far as possibli). in the mean time what could be done, with a view to the object of introducing Trial by Jury in certain cases into Scotland. After stone further explanation, Earl 'Stanhope agreed, for the present, to withdraw his Bill. TROOP'S ON THS cONTINENT. Lord GRENVILLE gave notice of a Motion for Friday, respecting the number of British and foreign uoops in lititish pay, now on the Continent. NILZTIA. Enri FITZWILLIAM postponed his motion re- Lcive to the Militia, which stood for this day. till Wednesday, for which day . the Lor,ls were ordered to be sotranorted. Adjourned till to morrow (this day.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. HT!RST gave notice of his intention to move onWedites day next tor leave to bring in a Bill for augmenting the Salaries of the tevrral Chap Lilts of County Prisons. Petitions ageinst the renewal of the Property Tax were pro. sented from New Sal',lill, Blackburn, Oxford, Bristol, Corohill, Foriarshire. und Poole.--Ordered to I;e MI the table. The Sheriffs of Lon foe presented a Petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Connuon Council, avinst the continu ance of the Property Tax, which was ordered to Le on the table, as was a Petition from the same Body, praying for the repeal of the Itis..:.-ceey Act, the Pet/dot:els at the same note expressing their mantra to coccur in any measure calculated to relieve unfortunate persons tailing into embarrassment. 1 1 :titiom, praying for sonic It:gig . ..Moe measure to protect the Cum Ira le, were presented front the Lana-owners and Corn- Srew.lS of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Riegate, Croydon. 6:ell Gut :Mind. Lord G. BP K tz;vo Ito reported at the bar tkat the Prince Re- gem had order Al the production of certain Papers, in compliance whb the Addrerses of the House. A Pet rut from ti.e Bank presented at the Bar an Account of the Amount and several description of Notes in circulation on the 711 t ;led 12th ot each month for a certain period.—Ortiered to he on the obit, and to be pouted, as was also an Account of the Number of B,•.11 Debar. And Stamped Tokens in circulation titan Match tele to :be esent inoeth. A Pthon from the Cout:eil Olhee presentid Copies of.the Cr neral 074. es of auti.ottsitig tt.ei.sue of Specie by the 841,it of V.::,;lasl, t o the amount therein stated . Al.o, a Copy of the Core.'. , ; Cull 'With respect to the opeuies of the Port of Liveipco: t., the Etst India Trade. Ltrki .k. 11:1M1'—'1'ON postponed until 'Thursday the motion ol which i.c had *Liven notice tor to-nto r..w, with respect to the al imit.;ment of a Coultnitttv to Cliyillre into the affairs of the Bank. _The iteeort of the Committee npon the Malta Trade who brotigbrue, and the Resolutiens a reed to. Mr. LUtitilklG lON brought in a /3:11 to indemnify such as have omitted to qualify according w law.—Read a first and tw eeted tti be read a si.cond dine. • 11l JAMES DUkF• Mr. GOULBURN moved far Copies of the Cor respondence between Lord Bathurst and Sir J. Duff, with respect to the surrender of certain Spaniards at Gibraltar. _ _ Mr. WHITBREAD observed, that the principal charge against iir James Duff, referred to is order to examine an English convoy at Cadiz, with a view to prevent certain Spaniards from availing them selves of that opportunity to escape from persecution. Mr. GUULBURN said, that from what he had beard, he was let: to think that the surrender of the fugitive Spaniards at Gibraltar was the main object of the Honourable Gentleman, and therefore he had so framed his motion. But he had reason to believe that the p.tpers to be produced would comprehend every thing the Honourable Gentleman desired on the subject. Mr. WHITBREAD remarked, that his observa tions upon the subject were made in the absence of the Honourable Gentleman on an important missiod, on the conclusion of which he was ready to congra tulate Inns. his animadversions and inquiry, how ever, on this subject, referred not only to the unjust and inhuinan seizure of the Spaniards alluded to at GibraltAr, but to the equally unjust and inhuman endeavours of Sir James Duff; at Cadiz, to prevent the ei.c.ipe of other Spaniards from the inqutsitotial power of that most detestable Government. —(Near, hear, hear.) After a few words from Mr. Cowman, the Mo tion was agreed to. • CIVIL LIST. On the motion of Mr. BANYES I the House resolved. into a Committee upon the Civil List Accounts BilL Mr. BAN KES stated, that the object of the Bill was, to provide that the accounts of the Civil-list should hereafter be made up to the sth of January, instead of as heretofore, to the sth of April ; and he was not aware of any opposition to the proposed ar rangement. Mr. TIERNEY, adverting to the conversation which took place at an early period of the Session on this subject, when he took occasion to observe, that it was highly expedient to have these accounts made up to the period mentioned in the Bill, regretted that this arrangement did not apply in any manner to the present )ear, in which there was notoriously an ar. rear, but wits reserved for the next year, when there might be no arrear at all. Fur himself , he could not conceive the existence of any difficulty to the produc tion of the Civil List Accounts at. least at such an early period as would enable the House to inquire into and discuss the subject in due time. He could sun indeed see any objection to their prompt produc. emit, for be had reason to believe that they were ready to be laid before the House. In one depart ment, he happened to know that they' were actually re thy. Upon what ground thin should their pro. ductibn be delayed—when that production would al. ford as much satisfaction. Perhaps . the Chancellor of:the F.echequer was somewhat angry on a former occasion, 4,v/fiat be might consider his (Mr. Tier ney's) pertinacity upon . this subject; but now be hoped the 'Right Honourable Gentleman was in bat. ter humour, and disposed to yield to his wishes, by producing these accounts in due time. It must be obvious, that if they were not laid before the Howe until April, they were not likely to meet the atten tion they deserved from that House and the country. There would not be time to consifler them or to move for further papers, if thought necessary, until a very advanced period of the Session, when other and very important subjects were likely to crowd upon the attention of the House. From these consi derations, he hoped that the Right Honourable Gen tleman would not object to a proposition for the speedy production of these accounts. • The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER declared that he had no objection w the production of the. accounts alluded to at the earliest possible pe riod, and that he had no doubt they would be ready before April. Indeed, he was led to hope, that lie , s!,ould be enabled to lay them before the by tar close of the present month. But the Right Hon. Gentleman might make a motion on the subject if he thought proper. • bfr. TIEItNEY said that he should decline to make any motion, on the understanding Iron) the Right Honourable Gentleman, that these accounts would be brought forward with all convenient expe dition. His only object was, that they should bel.iid before the House in due time, to render the subject fully intelligible to Parliament and the country be fore Easter.—Being on his legs, he took occasion to ask the Right Hcin. Gentleman when the paper was likely to be laid before the House, with respect to the Droits ()Rile Admiralty, for which he moved before Christmas ? Mr. WHITBREAD inquired whethcr an appoint. ment had not just bern made of a Secretary of Lega tion to Lisbon, with a salary of Xi 200 a-year, in au t. dition to the enormous grant already made to Mr. Canning, for which that Right Hon. Gentleman had yet done nothing but deliver a bi illi4nt speed) to a deputation of the British Factory ?—( A laugh.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that he was not aware of any such appoint ment as the Hon. Member stated. Mr. WHITBREAD asked, whether the Right Hon. Gentleman was prepared to say that nu such apForntment or nomination had taken place Heie the CHAIIIIIAN was proceeding to read the motion, Inn Mr. WHITBREAD persisted in repeating his question, which he said he should press for the satis faCtloll of the House and the countty, notwithstand ing the hurry of the Cl:a;;m4n, and the pertinacious silence of the Right Him. Gentleman, who seemed resolved to plead ignorwitui to every question. Ti;e CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER repeated, LILA he was not aivare of any such appoint ment. Mr. WHITBREAD stated, that it was publicly rumoured, and was by to hie ills a secret, that a Lord of the Admiralty kid ben appointed a Secre tary to the Embassy at Lisbon, with a salary of £120) ao year. Mr. PONSONBY expressed a wish to know what he was to infer from the Right Hon. Gentleman's reply—Whether the Right Hon. Gentleman meant to say that no such appointment had been made, or ithat it did not take p iece with his knowledge ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, dist the Committee was to infer, that he had been asked a question which he was not prepared to answer. The motion was agreed to, the House resumee, and the Report Was urdered to be brought up to morrow. The order for a Committee up:m the Bank Re striction Act was postponed till Thursday. The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER moved the postponement of the Committee of Ways and Means until Wednesday. THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. Mr. WHITBREAD said, that notwithstanding the apparent resolution of the Gentlemen who repre sented the Administration in that House, to maintain their dignity, to evince their discretion, or to conceal their ignorance, by a pertinacious siletree respecting the proceedings of Congress —notwithstanding the de clared purpose of the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to answer any question upon that subject until the return of our negociator, by whom that Right Honourable Gentleman promised that a most satis factor:), explanation would be given upon all possible topics, he still thought it his duty to call the attention of the House to this very interesting subject. Still he felt it expedient to trace the conduct and march of our negociator, upon points of vital importance to the honour and interest of this country—to the gene. ral repose and future security of Europe. That this negociator had, in concert with our Allies, engaged in the unholy Congress at Vienna, departed aloge tiler in practice from the principles which they not long since so loudly and so proudly professed, he had no hesitation in asserting ; for there was already but too much evidence before the world to justify the ,charge --A concurrence of , well-founded, information from various parts of Europe, left, unfortunately, no doubt of this fact. The unjust design upon Saxony was now matter of indisputable notoriety ; and the authenticity of Prince Repnin's Proclamation at Dresden, transferring that coanuy to the dominion of Prussia, could be no longer questioned. Yet, at the time that Proclamation became known in *the country, it woad be recollected that the well-informed Minister of that House expressed doubts upon the subject, although it was now ascertained that ourNeble Negotiator had actually put his signature to a paper authorising the transfer of S ixony to Prussia, and of course sanctioning the Proclamation of Prince Rep nin. Nry, although the Ri B ht Honourable Gentle man expressed his disbelief, or even horror at the idea, that any English Minister should assent to such ' a measure, our Negotiator was actually a party to it.' For this peoeeeding, however, it would appear, that either our negociator had, not the authority of his Government, or that, in consequence of the public , feeling excited by the transaction, that Governarent was impelled to change his instructions ; and accord ingly the Noble Lord was directed to present a protest against the annexation of Saxony to Prussia. But whether the Noble Lord actel without instruction: in the first instance, or received contradictory instruc nom afterwards, it so happened that Saxony was stil in the possession of Prussia. He did not presuMe tr ask any explanation upon this subject s pop did' he ex• pitt say: But dig Elise was before the *sentry and Europe, which mad decide upon its merits, and ppon the principles of those with whom it origiciated p —upon whose conduct in fact it was impossible to reflect without astonishment and indignation. For they who had been for so many years appealing to the opinion of mankind against the abuse of power ; they who had been so loudly invoking the aid of hu manity and justice, and every sacred principle against the Emperor of France ; they who had been so ac tively exciting all hearts and *ll hands against that power which was now no more, were in their present unhallowed proceedings, only to be found imitating, or even eclipsing the worst acts of that power. Who then could review such infamous conduct without shame, remorse, and regret ? The cause of proceed ing designed and pursued with respect to Italy, under the sanction of Congress, was but too well known to those who had any opportunity of information, as well as to those who are suffering. In that country, after a pompous promise, but a short time since of establishing Italian independence, such scenes were acting as must revolt the feelings of every man who had any regard for humanity, justice, and truth.— Yes, Italian independence was exhibited on the stan dards, and promulgated in the proclamations of our commander upon his first entrance into that country. By such means Lord William Bentinck endeavoured to excite the Italian people to co-operate against the late Governor of France. Here the Hen. Gentle man read to the House the proclamation of Lord William Bentinek, dated March 14, 1814, and issued upon his landing in Tuscany. This proclamation invited the Italians to arms, and strongly exhorted . the Italian army to co-operate for the recovery of their rights by shaking off a foreign yoke, and for the re-establishment of their national independence, which alone our Commander professed to have in view, and to which he pledged the good faith of Great Britain, referring for the support of that faith to the ezameles of our conduct towards Portugal, Spain, Sicily, and Holland. But how was this pompous profession acted upon ? How was the word of promise kept to the Ita lians? The Hon. Member then adverted to a Procla mation issued by Lord W. Bentinck, when he took possession of Genoa in April 1814, in which, among other things, the Genoese were promised that their an cient Constitution should be restored to them. If ever there was a declaration issued by one cowry, which pledged it to the maintenance of the independence of another, it was that which he bad now alluded m. but what were the facts as they had actually occurred? The sth of January, 1815, was the day fixed for re storing the Genoese to all those Constitutional rights and privileges of which they had so long been de prived ; but, a few days previously to that date, they were informed by a special messenger, who was sent from Congress with the black and inhuman declare. Lion, that they were not to be independent, that all the declarations made by the Allied Powers at Paris were hollow and superficial, and that they acre to be the first victims at that shrine of spoliation and dismemberment, which those Powers had erected.' On the 2a3th of December General Dalrymple ) wtio commanded at Genoa, announced the same melancholy fact. No pretence, not even the shadow of one, WAS offered for these proceedings. Un like, in that, the conduct of revolutionary France, whose principles the Allied Sovereigns seemed to be emulous of imitating. France, when she seized upon any State, at lease endeavoured to palliate or justify her conduct, by telling the people she invaded, that their Government was corrupt, that they groaned beneath the yoke of tyranny, and - that she came, in the spirit of fraternity, to liberate them from their thraldom. There was certainly no fraternity in the conduct of the Allied Powers towards Genoa, but he supposed it might be thought not inconsistent with fraternity. In the Proclamation which General Dal rymple put forth, he did nut attempt to tell the Genoese that their Government was a bad one, or that they were unhappy under it. No; on the con trary, he dwelt upon its excellence, and commended the regular and correct behaviour of the inhabitants; and yet, coupled with that admission, they were told that they had been consigned over to the Crown of Sardinia. Was there ever any conduct so disgrace ful and unfeeling ? And under what authority did General Dalrymple act ? By the orders of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. He wished to see the detestable mandate Oat thus empowered General Dalrymple ; he wished to know in what words it was couched; he wished to know by whom the Prince Regent had been advised to issue an order for overthrowing the independence of an ancient and a free State ; and by whom it was signed ?- -After the disclosure of facts like those, Ministers might, if they pleased, continue in their threatened silence; they might still wait till the return of Lord Castlereagh, and - the House might be forced to wait for the same event, before it could know whether there was such a document in the Foreign Office, but would venture to affirm, that not all the Powers on earth assembled in Congress had the legitimate right to place Genoa under the dominion of Sardinia; and lie hoped the people of the world would assert their rights against combination of usurping Powers, air they had lately successfully dope against a single Power which aimed at universal dominion. He was astonished how the word guarantee could have found its way into such a Proclamation as General Dal rymple's, when k was, in itself, the grossest violation of a guarantee that had ever occurred. Now, were those things which he had stated, true br false ? Would the Ministers deny them? Would they :hew the order that had been sent out; or would they shelter themselves in silence, and not presume to off, r a de. fence of a transaction, which, on the face of it, 1 )niced so odious, so abominable, and so disgusting ? I .e t Lhem do so if they chose. Theirs would be the a ha, te; and perhaps it was less shameless not to attempt a deence; silence would be their only palliative. But what was likely to be the effect of that conduct in Italy ? the Genoese received the intelligence of their degra dation in that way which most strongly marked their feelings, according to those who best under , stand the Italian character. No exclamations, no me naces, no indignation escaped them; they heard their fate in silence—a silence which proved that they only waited for the opportunity of avenging themselves, and he sincerely hoped they would be able to do so.— [he conduct of Austria in Italy had been most ex traordinary. She took possession of that country conditionally, in consequence of a s:irulation entered into with the late Viceroy ; a person now spoken of with enthusiasm by all classes of Italians ) as one whom character for honour and fidelity was not to be swayed by external circumstances. They believed that he would not falsify his promises , tho u g h the Powers with whom be negoeiated had falsified their! General Bellegarde took possession of Italy under .that stipulation, in the name of the Allies, not in the name of Austria. But what had been the domineer ing conduct of Austria ? She had seized upon the fortresses of that country, aid demanded to march an army into Turin. This demand, Sardinia, to whom we had en.rusted the protection of Genoa, was so weak that she could not resist it. By the Treaty of Paris; Austria was to be put in possession only of such territories as had belonged to her before that .convulsion which shook the whole of Europe. But she had seized on Venice, on Lucca, and on the Milanese. before the proper time ; and let it be remember that we were paying our contingent by suppo: t.t . 75.000 troops on the Continent, fir the protection • defence of States, not for their dation and dismen berment. Austria had taken possession of those cour. tries which never did nor never could rightfully belorg to her. And what was her conduct in them ? They were harassed by exactions, by imposts, and arrests. These were the first practical results of those fine fords which the Allied Sovereigns had put forth at Paris: this was the fruit of that tree of salvation which was to replace the tree of liberty. Austti. vtai detested throughout the whole of Italy ; she had always been disliked; she was now hated, because she was now more severe, arbitrary, and oppressive. I • the had arrested persons whom she had no power or unthority to bring to trial; and exercised a degree of jealous vigilance more odious than the Inquisition itself. , Such had been the conduct of Austria in Italy ; and he hoped, against tech conduct, every power in Europe, where liberty of opinion existed, as thank God, it still did here, - would protest. It was a most wicked and a most disgraceful policy ; and notwithstanding what bad happened to Saxony, and to Genoa, he trusted there was still enough of Brt. tisb feeling in the Cabinet of this country, even con stituted as it wet, to interpose in the behalf of these unhappy persons, a duty which he earnestly implored them to perform. There were ocher subjects also, coa. owed with the proceedings of C , lngress to which he wished to allude, Before the recess, he had asked some questions respecting Belgium. Ministers now knew the state of the fortresses and defences of that country.— Were we to be at the expence of putting them inw repair ; as well as of completing another absurd plan he had heard of, that of erecting entrenched camps in the intermediate spaces ? In ht.; opinion, the better way to secure Belgium, would be to give the people something like a Constitution and a Government to fight for, and there would then be no occasion for those fortresses and camps. In all times, those de voted countries had been the arena in Powers of the Continent hard content was the moment, if they were to _ Dutch, to make them strong by giving stitutional liberty. which would sect than art.ficial defences, and without n, in a few years, become the scene of knew not whether what he had said any reply from the Ministers ; he dn, that it would ; but if what he had asserted, uncontradicted, he should continue to formation carrect, and in the eyes of themselves, would be considered as (Hear, hear,frota the Ministerial Beaches.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXC.; 4s Sir, I hope this House will excuse mean to pursue, when it reflects for the propriety or justice,of preferring a Member in his absence.—(Loud from the Members around him.) home doubt most probably now on his way home doubt not, be ready to meet every be urged against him. The Hon. Gentleman Whitbread) will not be disappointed him no answer. The course he had unparliamentary ; and, were it only cannot feel disposed to encourage it.' Mr. PONSONBY.—" Mr. Speaker understand by this declaration on Right Hon. Gentleman who has y Since he does not choose to contradict stated by my Honourable Friend, rissd to conclude that it is impossible fend it ? Was the transfer of Genc false ? Nothing is replied. Mr. 3peal you would yourself cast your eyes ov which the Right Hon. Gentlemat fairly what you think of the present and his colleagues ? I wish you wool Cher you feel most inclined to pity or (Cries of Hear, and Laughs.) Will Gentleman deny the proclamation rymple, or the proceedings of Lord uncle ? These things, however, are are not even repelled ; and I, therefore, the Right Hon. Gentleman does not because he cannot justify them. Mr.: nothing more to say—(A laag4)-1 beggar all description ; and I am a. man in the kingdom that ever expo name of England so disgraced." Mr. WHITBREAD, in reply of the Exchequer, said that he had Castlereagh as a Member of the Got hear.) —And the Government who rections to him ought to be arraigned bunal of the world. He arraigned ' out contradictory instructions to Lord as being a party to the spoliation party to the dismemberment of hal The Honourable Member was pt upon some other topics, when he war and the Speaker reminded him that only into an explanation. Lord PROBY rose to request upon a subject which had come to He bad been informed that there vs( still serving in the Spanish armies; aiding by their situation, in the pros measures of the Spanish Government so generally reprobated. fie was whether the fact was so, and whether ceiving British pay under any denor The CHANCELLOR of the said there would be no objection to formation acquired by the Noble Ltir , move for it. He believed there were Miters still serving in the Spanish A Lord rROISY sht.irtly atter mot ~. a a le . . fubjects also, coa- tl greys to which he ( le had asked some ters now knew the si rf that country.— string them into 1 other absurd plan c ntrenched camps pinion, the better t: o give the people 1 1 wi V s Government to 1. eno occasion for i '.. times, those de- 2: n c Web the great ) c ended ; but now re. 0 be permanently ; r ving them a eon- t cure them better %trial they would, I t of invasion. lie a would call forth k I did not anticipate awned, remained I, f • to believe his in- 1 (the world, they, rl 1 as adopting it.— c thee.) r EXCHEQUER. .1. e. cuss the course 4 '". r one moment on .c g a charge against " f. r ud cries or fifer, My Noble Friend 2 S t C Imme ; and will, I i j ry charge that can ' t Gentleman (Mr. a ed in my giving ; ad taken is quite ; t y on that score, I i t. e, l iker, what am Ito n the part of the I just sat down ?—, dict what has been , , am I not authir We for him to de. 10.1 true, or was it t ieaker, I wish that • 1 over the bench Oa 1 In sits, and tell us i it situation of him 1 t nild say, Sir, whe- or condemn them. 1 11 the Right Hon. i of General Daly 1 ird William Ben- : not denied—they t ore, conclude, that of please to speak, Li. Speaker, I have . I —the transactions l' ; I sure there is not , expected to see the . 1 1 to the Chancellor ~.; lad charged Lord GOVernMeat (hear, 1 ) sent out such di. 1 r c ie t d hein before as sendingthet i r i - rord Castlereagh— , iof Saxony--as a A, ' sly. froceeding to touch ras called to order ; hut he could enter 1 some information to his knowledge. , 1 acre Britishofficers . s ; and, be feared, • f i tosecution of those Jr eat which had been • , s anxious to know :ther they were re- • tomination I , r EXCHEQUER 4 to granting the in. . I Lord, of he wonld were a few British Ii armies. I loved tor a RCM= I