Star. — London, England, 1812-12-01 00:00:00

• ' l l 4 3 4, ‘• E 4e • • - . . --.- • . _ 8-pounders to carry on'the siege of that fortress.— It ails almost impossible that the place could be car ried, except by a routs de main, which unfortunately 'did not succeed ; and again, from its limited means, he was obliged to retreat. If 'the victory and pos isecsion.of Madrid had' caused such sensations of sa tisfaction, what would not be felt at the reverse ? IP the war in the Peninsula was to be considered in the light of a diversion-in favour of Russia, ought not every nerve to have been strained to make it as ef fectual as possible ? Marmont was soon reinforced, and the beaten soon again appeared in the field with fresh reinforcements. But where were Lord Wel lington's reinforcements ? On the 24th, after he had ' abandoned Burgos, he was joined by a battalion of ' the Guards. The 91st Regiment had advanced as far aePenevente, but were obliged to turn back, and he hoped and trusted they had secured a safe retreat. ' awe regiments more were disembarked at Ccrunna, and were agaig embarked for Lisbon, from which place they would probably join at the beginning of the next camfaaign. His Lordship having adver ted to the campaign, contended we ought to have sent greater reinforcements both of men and money, Ind, stated as an instance of neglect in the latter case, that the_ military chest at one time contained but '20,000 dollars, and that the Marquis of Wellington was obliged-to use a sum of 37,000 dollars, which bad been sent for the use of a Spanish army. He complained likewise that the British Commander had been deceived by the expectations of co-operation and assistance from the Sitilian expedition, which had been sent so tardily and injudiciously, that it was of no use, and had served only to expose the Catalonians, without affording them protection.— His Lordship nest adverted to the transactions be tween this country and Sweden, and said it required explanation why the expedition which was arranged • to sail from Sweden was so suddenly abandoned af ter the negotiation with this country. He also ' thoughtit singular, that, with respect to Ireland, the Catholic claims were not at ail noticed in the Re. gent's Speech. It looked very much like what had been whispered, namely, that Parliament had been dissolved to get rid of the pledge of the last Sessions to take their claims into consideration. With respect to America, he was surprised to hear it said that the Orders itt Council were the ground of quarrel: he understood there were other high and important questions affecting our maritime rights, and he was ' ready to say, that never was quarrel more just than ours with America. The Earl of LIVERPOOL rose in reply.—He observed, the Noble Marquis had contented himself by observing upon the Address, without moving any amendment. He had dwelt much on the late re verses after our glorious successes; but the man who should look for a continued career of victory in war, without any reverses, I.3oked for that which scarcely by any - possibility could happen. He could agree with the Noble Lord only in a few topics ; and with • . respect to the campaign, he would ask any man if the result, as it now stood, had been stated as an ex rectation at the beginning of it, would not the hope have been treated as chimerical? The Noble Lord had complained of the limited scale on which the war on the Peninsula had been supplied; but surely, in speaking of that supply, he ought to have taken into his consideration the means of the country; and ; if he had done so, he would have found that they had exceeded not only what had been done in any former war, but beyond what a few years back . would have been thought possible for the country to accomplish. He could tell the House, that on the 25th of June last, the number of troops in British pay in the Peninsula amounted to no less than I 27,000 Then ; of 'this 50,000 were British ; and in the course of last year 20,000 men, and 7000 horses- had' been vent out to Spain. The Noble Lord had also made it matter of complaint that there was no battering train at Burgos. The fact was, thaethe rapid ad e vance of the army prevented their being accompa nied by a heavy train; and it did not arise from the want pf them, for there were two battering-trains stationed on the frontiers of Spain, and there was a 't third afloat at' Lisbon, ready to be carried to any part to which the Commander should direct them.— In shcrt, he could assure the House that there was no requisition - made by the illustrious. Commander which had not been complied wi-h ; and in justice to that Commander, he must say, that he was not in i t.he habit of requesting from his Government any • thing bin what they could afford him: The same observation applied as to the want of specie. The quantity given must be limited by the means of pro . curing its and if it could not be procured by the dis count of bills, it followed that the military chest must be scantily supplied. The Noble Lord had also shortly alluded to other topics. With respect to the Catho lic claims, the Noble Lord had said, for-his part, he should act in a manly and decided manner, and give ' them his distinct opposition, which he thought would be tar more honourable than eluding them by a side wind, and - evading instead of boldly meeting the question. With respect to the question of America, be admitted that it involved other matters besides the Orders in Council, and justified this country in 1 the course she had pursued, saying it was clear that there was a war faction. in America devoted to the French; and who were determined at all hazards to precipitate America into a war with this country. Lord GRENVILLE entered into the question of ' the Spanish war. He said the Noble Marquis had reasoned correctly in Ws view of the subject. But the difficulties which had arisen in his mind clearly sheaved the impolicy of i ursuing the war in that coun ty. He spoke with doubt of the efforts of the Spa nish Government, but admitted that the peasantry possesied a better feeling, bnt that the armies as now coastttuted were of no avail as allies, and instanced the conduct of Ballasteros, who had neglected his day . in the South, of preventing the junction of Su ohet and Soult. His Lordship also adverted to the question' of the American War, and insisted that our . concession in repealing the Orders in Council came too late, and that if such concession had been earlier made, it would have been more effectual. Such was the case of the American war, which ended' in the loss of our colonies ; concession was made after con cession; but every thing was done too late, and that which would originally have been received with gra- Ltitude, was, when o ff ered,. rejected w i t h contempt.— His Lordship went over the same grou hd s as the No hie Marquis, and coudeaMled the inOtie which Aliais. ters had adopted, both in the Northern Allies. Earl BATHURST vindica Ministers with respect to the " especially in regard to the des. reinforcements to be forwarded Wellington. He observed, dr, opposit7 well knew the entire placed in ttat illustrious person, and adverted parti cularly to the point—Lord Wellington's not deeming it advisable to send new regiments to Spain, so parti cularly careful was that excellent Officer of the health of. his troops. Adverting to what was said of the documents respecting the American affair not being .on the table, he observed, that Government had not yet received the final answer of the States to the pro positions transmitted through Sir John Warren ; and took occasion to remark that the Orders in Council were not the only ground of demurrer on the part of America. The Marquis WELLESLEY, conceiving that some points urged by Noble Lords opposite wereper sonally applied to him, shortly explained, that he thought nothing which fell from him warranted a personal allusion on their parts. He warmly remark. ed, that during the whole period to which he spoke, he thought the system of the war in the Peninsula inadequate to its object ; an opinion which he had uniformly declared—but he could not particularise objections without the permission of his Sovereign or his Representative. Lord ViscountMELVILLE defended the conduct of the British Admiralty with respect to the American and West-India stations, observing, that on the Ha lifax station alone, long before the commencement of hostilities, the sluadron was double the strength of the whole American navy. This he enumerated, as well as-the force in the West-Indian seas ; and stated the American navy to consist of five frigates, and a few sloops of war. (A Laugh.) It was impossible to guard against such casualties as were alluded to by Noble Lords opposite, but care was taken to render such attempts an extreme risque on the part of the enemy. Lord GRENVILLE spoke shortly in explanation. The question was then put, and the Address agreed to without a division ; and the Lords with white staves were ordered to enquire when his Royal High- - ness would be pleased to receive the same. The Earl of LIVERPOOL moved, that the Lord Walsingham be constituted Chairman of all the Com mittees of that House during the present Session of l'arliament—a motion, the propriety of which, he was confident every Noble Member of that House would acquiesce in. The LORD CHANCELLOR observed, that if the House could secure those services of the Noble Lord for ever, it would be a blessing. Lord WALSINGHAM shortly expressed his grateful sense of what had fallen from the Noble Lords. The question was put, and it was ordered accord ingly, nen 2 . di:. MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON. The Earl of LIVERPOOL gave notice, that he should on Thursday next move for the Thanks ofthat House to the Marquis of Wellington, and that the Lords be summoned accordingly. Ordered. At TWELVE o'CLocK the House Adjourned till To-morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS. At one o'clock the SPEAKER took the Chair, and several ' Members were sworn. At two o'clock the Unita of the BLACK Ron summoned ;he House to the House of Peers. The SPEAKER, accompanied by a great number of Mem bers, immediately proceeded thither, and on their return the usual business of form was proceeded in. The Clandestine Outlawry Bill was read a first and second time; the usual Committees were appointed, and the Standing Orders read from the Clair. The SPEAKER then informed the House, that they had been summoned to the House of Peers, for the purpose of bearing the Speech of the PRINCE RIO7.NT from the Throne, of which he held a copy in his hand.—(Vide the Lords' Report. ) The Speech having been read from the Chair, Lord CLIVE rose to move the Address. In the liberty he then took of offering. himself to the notice of the House, it was not, he said, his intention, nor would it be necessary to trespass at any great length upon their indulgence. With respect to the first part of the Speech, he felt confident that every person in that Houk, and in the country, lamented not less than himself the situation of the Illustrious Personage to whom it alludeo. There was no one who could avoid the feelings of sorrow, when he reflected that a life spent as that of his Majesty had been, in the prac tice of every virtue that was honourable to oar na ture, should, towards the close, be deprived of that rest and of that repose which were due to his merits and to his virtues--( Hear, hear.) The next point in the Speech to which he would allude, was the suc cessful resistance that had been made in the Penin sula, to the encroachments of France. Often as they had occasion, within the last four years, to comme morate the achievements and applaud the gallant conduct of the General, and the Army employed in the protection of Spain, yet in no instance since the commencement of that struggle, was skill or valour so gready displayed as in the decisive and glorious battle of Salamanca.—(Loud cries of Hear, Hear, Hear.) The consequences of that victory were as suds den and as important as ever followed from conquest. The siege of Cadiz was wised ; Madrid was eva cuated by the enemy; all the South of Spain was re. lieved from,their oppressions ' • and what was a y et more important consequence, Lord WellingtOn was raised to the rank of Generalissimo of the Spanish Forces. If any thing could teed more powerfully Than another to give vigour and success to the exer tions of the Spanish people. it was thus placing their resnurcea at the disposal of a person so well able to guide them, and vesting so able a commander with the uncontrouled command of their armies. fre would next take the liberty of congratulating the House on the relation in which they, stood to Russia. The circomstances of that country, he was happy to say, were such as left no ground for despondency,. The Russians, it was true, had met with some re verses, but they were not sufficient to damp their ar dour, or quell that enthusiasm for country, which should animate every bosom. That spark of resist ance, which had been lighted up in Spain, was ra pidly spreading over Europe, and had already ex r tended to the North. He was doubtful to which part of the prospect, now held out by Russia. he should first call. e attention of the House-,whether to the EMperoi or to his Generals, or tä tlae va- who fotight under their command—but, , Mr. HART' DAVIS said, that in rising to ae part of the picture they dire( tad their the Address, it was not his wish or his intention to whether to the magnanimity of the Eps- trespass Jong upon the indulgence of the House, eo skill of his Generals, or The bravery of his a protracted not i ce o f t h e topics wh i ch it contain. 4 ~ Hear,) they would find abundant They had been so ably elucidated in the Speech i t ,, dtationo On these topics it was unne- self, and the Noble Mover had so well and so d ea th swell. They were the admiration of every detailed the rea s o ns t h at Qperated on him ' in pro. could know and appreciate them—(Haar, posingthe Address, that he wotildhavelittle cede % dr.) From one end to the other of that vast Em- to detain them very long.—(Hear, Hear.) Though pire there seemed to be only one object' in view, and unwilling to intrude upon their attention, he c o uld that object was resistance to the enemy. (Hear, hear.) not, however, resist the motives that induced him to From one end of it ,to the other, there seemed to be second the Address. At a moment likeahe p reset; only one subject of contention, and that was, who when Europe looked up to this country as the should contribute most to the defence of their laws, principal source from which resistance to the p ole! , their religion, and their country—(Heal, hear.)— of France was to be expected, it was superfluous t o Such Were the men whom, for their bravery and state, that his Royal Highness was called to the G o . their zeal, the oppressor of Europe would stigma- vernment at a most important crisis. In reviewi ng tize with the name of barbarians. If enthusiasm 1 the events thtst had taken place since his accessio n in the protection of every thing that was dear to : to power, it was impossible not to dwell with hope our nature, could merit the name of barbarism, and with pride on the splendid succes s which attend, he, for one, would wish that such barbarity may' ed the British armi, in every part of the world in sle e t never be removed by civilization—(Hear, hear.)— they were employed. Spain had witnessed that But this was not the first time that a conqueror, when success, almost in every one of its provinces. 'lt he found himself unable to combat the difficulties that was not necessary for him to recur to the bravery by opposed his progress, endeavoured to load with the which Badajoz had been relieved ) or to the splendid same stigma the persons who had the boldness to re- victory at Salamanca, or the consequences. that fon . silt him. Alexander the Great, under much the same lowedfrom that victory. Wherever British soldier s circumstances, chose to designate as robbers and bar- were brought into action, they displayed prodigies of barians, the ancestors of these very •Russians who had heroism that must have filled evil , person who heard the .courage to oppose l encroachments. To such him With exultation. But, cheering as was themes language, they answered as they ought to have done, pect which Spain held out, he was happy to sa y that 44 that not to them who defended their country, but to the prospect was not less cheering in the North him who came to despoil it, the appellation of robber of Europe. When Bonaparte entered Ru s e * , to . was applicable ;" and he would ask, may not the Rus- gardless of the !has of those whom haled to eon. scans now exclaim to Bonaparte, as their ancestors quer it, and of the rights of those whom he invaded, did to Alexander the Great, e by what right do you lie fltetered himself that he could, after twang Mos. designate us as barbarians ; why cast upon a nation cow, dictate a peace to the Russians with the NM whom you are wantonly attacking, the stigma of being insolence as he bad before done at Vienna;—bat robbers ? Our only crime was a wish to trade with Russia, with a degree of firmness and selfalevotiaa Great Britain ; but is there any . crime in which you almost unexampled in history, sacrificed a capital to have not wallowed, even without the excuse of provo- save an empire, and by that means defeated the proud cation? Is there a corner in Europe, Asia, or Africa, designs of her invader. He was now farther than ever that has not witnessed your contempt of every thing from the attainment of his object, and obliged tohave that is sacred among men ? Have you not carried recourse to a disgraceful retreat. The emperor of your oppressions so far as to render them intolerable Russia shewed that he was not &person to be either even to your own family ? Has not the brother whom intimidated by threats, or deceived by negeciationaa you set as a King over the population of Holland re- (Hear, hear.) In France he found an implacable signed his situation to avoid your tyranny ? Has not foe ; in Britain a friend, upon whom be could On another brother thrown himself into an enemy's a steady reliance. Of his reliance upon British how country, where he finds that security and that pro- he could not give a stronger proof than his detain": tection which you refused to give him ? Whi c h, nation .of sending his fleets into the ports a * then, may the Russian exclaim with triumph, is the cguntry. With respect to America, every person's)* greater barbarian, 1 who defend my country from un- r lament that the endeavours for bringing about a puce just hostility, or you who wantonly : t ask it ?" He had been unsuccessful. The removal of the Orders in would beg leave now to call the attention of the' Council naturally- induced an expectation, both in the House to Sicily, and fie could not but congratulate House and in the Country, that America would ma them upon the result of a negociation with that power, ' brace that opportunity of removing whatever causes . which was likely to prove equally serviceable to both for hostility existed between the two co untries, zed countries. One effect of that negociati on wou ld b e , contr ib ute h er ass i stance aga i nst the common foe of to organize a much more powerful force than before Europe and of the World. The event, howevenua existed for the defence of that island. Every peiaoi r ti fortunately, did not justify such expeitations, and the he was sure, would rejoice on heating that the Regent , American Government thought proper to commence was desirous of bringing Sicily into such a state . as ehostilities. War was, 'he would confess, a th ing al. would be most conducive to its own interest, an d to i ways to be deplored, but as the endeavours to avoid that of Great Britain. The steady zeal and warin 4 ,k had been unsuccessful, he willingly anticipated ca attachment to the mother country, lately displayed the part of this country, that union and energy in the by the people of Canada, was another subject for prosecution of it, which the enemy would not fah congratulation which he could not pass over upon the 'employ on their part. He doubted not but the Kik • present occasion. They had withstood every attempt i both of the House and of the country would which had been made. by America to seduce them tin the determination to prosecute it with yigoldree from their loyalty, and the efforts to invade their ter 7 d With respect to the troublei that lately prevailed is ' thories were equally rnsuccessful. In the first at- , the northern parts of the country, he could not but tempt at invasion the whole American force surren- ; congratulate. the House upon their removal, whist; 4 dered to much inferior numbers ; and in the second, , was to be attributed to the mild and early meastats even the prisoners taken exceeded the British army ; adopted by the Government. The time was now,ia employed against them. Wherever the British troops ; hoped, arrived, when a more vigorous resistance nit, were employed, whether in Europe or in America, be expected to the power and the encroachments V they never failed to display that bravery - for which . France. It was by a resistance strong and persest• they were always_distinguished. They required no. i ring, and by such resistance only, that they could thing.but opportunity to display their valour, and sic- hope for a lasting and honourable peace. Soch a tory was.sure to follow.—(Hear, hear.) With respect peace was only to be won by impressing upon the ene• to the renewal of the East India 'Company's Charter, my a conviotion of their power to resist its efforts— it would not now be necessary for him to dwell at ( Hear, hear !) It was only by such a peace that they any great length upon the subject. Wh en t h e proper 1' could give to the exhausted Powers of Europe, safeqs time should arrive, he believed the House would be : independence, and prosperity. fully prepared to take that, important question into their I A considerable pause ensuing, the SPEAR= WAS serious consideration. Allusion had been made in the : about to put the question, when— speech from the Throne, to the late unfortunate dis- I Mr. CANNING rose, and spoke to the following turbances that prevailed in sonic parts of the country.: effect : He was happy to see that these disturbances were now ! " Sir—Although on the present occasion A* put to. rest by the salutary measures which the Go.. no intention whatever to interrupt the happy OM. vernment had found it necessary to resort to. Such mity with which the question in your hand MO were the principal topics of the Address which he aboutao be carried; and although I have waited*/ meant to propose to the consideration of the House . the very last moment in the e,apectation &mit. before sitting down. He could dot, however, bat , moor which has been so currently circulanslifts once more congratulate them upon the favourable ' Amendment to be proposed (having myself .* change that had taken place in the affairs of Europe. ' like, aa Amendment to offer) would be realusite* How different was the prospect now to what it was ~ tertaining, as I do, a respect and deferet4 at the meeting of the last P ar li ament ! He might say . the quarter whence it was imagined the that Great Britain was alone a n d una id e d i n the Cone: would proceed, that always in d uces me . test. The influence and the arms of France were 'rather than to precede upon such an ocetaineree felt almost without resistance in every part of Europe. cannot allow the motion to pass withouseo 24 ." There was hardly any part o f Sp a i n i n which its power at lame length the grounds on which I cascir!,",. was not then felt. The r esources of the enemy Here Address that has heen so ably moved by the 11 7, 1 . 1 ` then unbroken. She had a great an d, v i ctorious army Lord, andahe qualifications by which I feel NY'al on foot, commanded by men of the first chaicter for bound to accompany that concurrence.—Sur Whig ' military talent. But how greatly w ere t hi ngs a l tered ever A mendment, i f any, had been p r op ose d , for the better! Rus s i a was now up in arms against should have fi:lt, this under the circumstances o f ttio + her oppressor, and S w ed en was not unfi iendly to fier 'time and under the circa . es in which the Howl cause. She had d r i ven f rom h er territories a nimie- ' and time, country are plaCeid, - re would have been t roes and powerful host that threatened her with ruin; sirable, th it in making our decision between any d 6. and Bonaparte, so far from realizing the high and ferciit forms of Address, we should have been !lilt boasting prceoiser with which he had entered that ed by one distinct view of the subject—that viCsa country, was now endeavouring, under defeat and dis-• have come io that vote which would have Inert grace, to secure a retreat to Poland. In Spain also, pledged -our judgment, - and which would ne" Lord Wellington had beat one of the matt numerous given the greatest scope to our future cleliberati: , and best equipped ar m i es t h e F rench had everbrought This feeling would have been produced by the into the field, and o bli ge d t h em to draw together all visit's priutrple, that in the fi rst Session of a ° their forces for the p urpose o f oppos i ng his victorious Parliament a Parliament too in which there . ; ,. progress. Wh a t i s i t , h e wou l d ask, they may not greater infusion of new Members than ordinaree t hope from such a state of things ? When Europe was state of public affairs so complicated as that in tri a , l ,„ .at length convinced that Bonaparte and his armies the country is at this moment placed, when se 11 " were not invincible, was ther e not reason to ex- called %risen to answer a Speech from the no! pect that the nations oppressed by his honour would touching on so many important topics,—at is palm rise to asert their rights, an d recover that honour they much to say, that on several of those topics had suffered him to tarnish ? 'W as t h ere not reason information is requisite before we can cernplateli sil4 to expect that the descendants of the great Frederick terynine upon them. It is highly endesiralae would again come forward to oppose, as he bad often this House should at any time, and more partite done,- the devou r i ng power of France ; that they as the present time, pledg se itself in any way a , would again com e f orwar d lik e the brave people of precipitate decision ; and 'as any amendment, _ 1 'Russia, and exclaim, we a l so are men, and will not been p ro p ose d, wou ld i n - all probability have submit any longer t o t h e encroachments of our op. more precise than the Address moved by the sel pressor? He would not trespass any longer upon the Lord, I should undoubtedly have preferred the . .. 411. diet me A uf dd tp e e ss H h o e u m se e , a cH t e to ar, pro ke p a o r, s ) e. bu t submit to them 'dress to the Amendmestr, then read the Address.cl , '" The Noble Lord offered to our consideration. The Address; ott.,f g • as I have beep, able to collect its tendency, had an Amendment l'" Peninsula and .szkU tips rent men vim 111 b Aptever pa iicated law condect 'or intention, whet e Peninsula war, I*s ?icor, the skill legree and natimitif the troops—(Hear, •dcd to the Martinis of matter for exul that his Noble -Relative cccsary to dwel re confidence Ministers person who coi