Star. — London, England, 1813-07-15 00:00:00

PiIItiMMZNTART PROCIEDINGS. • HOUSE OF LORDS, JULY 14. The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Annuities Registry Bill, the I.andTax Bill, the hish GrandCaval Bill, and the Irish Inland Navigation he Commissioners were, the LORD CIIANCELLOR,Ihe Duke of Most max, and the Marquis of WINCIUSTER. The Peninsula Accounts Bill, the Excise Dude; Bill, and the nada Insurance Bill, were read the third time and passed. • Mr. CotiaTlNar, Mr. Lustizxciov, and other Members from the Huuse of Commons, brought , up the India Bill, the Trinity. Doctrine Bill, the Stipendiary Curates Bill, and the Irish Loan Charge Bill, which were laid upon the table, and after wards read the firstlime. The Irish Distillation Bill passed tkrnugh 4 Committee (the Earl of MORTON being Chairman), and was reported without any amendment. The Earl of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE gave notice, that he would on Friday next move the second reading of the India Bill, for which day he now moved that the Lords be summoned.— Ordrred accordingly. Lord HOLLAND presented a Petition, praying that their I ordskips would provide for the propagation of Qhristianity in Ind A.—Ordered to lie on the table. ITIITERANT AUCTIOiMERS' BILL. The Earl of LAUDERDALE presented a Peti, tion from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London, against the Bill for the purpose of preventing Sales by Itinerant Auc tioneers. His Lordship stated, that no doubt could • be entertained but the fair dealer was much injured by the present system of Itinerant Auctioneers. A person in the latter capacity, travelling from place to place, and proceeding to the sale of goods, produced a mischievous effect, not only to the regular aid sta tionary tradesman, but he tended to delude and in jure the common purchaser. Their Lordships were aware of the burthens which the fair tradesman had to support on account of the taxes, and that they were materially injured by this mode of sale, but the purchaser was also deluded, for the goods thus sold did not go generally to the best bidder ; persons were employed by the auctioneer to purchase the goods in again, if they did not fetch the price upon which he calculated. It was thus a bad article was oftentimes imposed upon the unwary purchaser, and he had heard of an instance of two men, of the name of Mure, who obtruded themselves upon the Public as Hamburgh merchants, who were not the characters they represented themselves to be ; that they had sales of this description at Greenwich, Edmonton, and other places, where they pretended to sell Ger man linen, and yet he well knew that the article was manufactured in Scotland. The Noble Earl, how ever, contended that the Bill on their Lordships' table would not afford the relief which was desirable, and at the time of moving that the Petition do lie on the table, he also gave notice, that he would to-mor -Tow move that this 13iil pe committed that day three months, The Petition was ordered to lie on the table ; and it was also ordered that the Lords be summoned for the service of that House to-morrow. .tumittiwrity REGISTP t .Y 1!(1.L. Their Lordships having resolved themselves into a Committee of the whole House on this Bill, Lord HOLLAND adverted to a clause, which provided, that the Registrar should in future be re stricted as to the use of moneys which he might tier c:rlulealE,fficii hold in his hands; and he thought the Igeg4lature ought to be careful in pronouncing their decision upon the legality or illegality of the conduct of the Officer for the time being, A ions discussion ensued between theLoaDCHAN 7 CELLON Lord LAUDLRDALE, and Lord HOLLAND, and the Bill passed through the Committee, and was ordered to be reported without amendment. Adjourned till to-morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Warwick Hospital Bill was read a third time, and passed. Seieral alterations were made, on the Motion of Mr. Lt; sit• INGTON, in the Standing Orders of the House, and the said Orders since 1811. Ordered to be printed. The Lnnatic Asylum Bill went through a Committee, which, em the Report being brought up, was ordered to be printed. A new Writ was ordered for the Borough of Oakhampton, in the room of Lord Graves, who had been appointed one of the Lords of his Majesty's Bedchamber. Ordered, on the motion of the CUANCELLOR of the Excitr vote, that the House, on its rishig, adjourn till Tuesday next. On the motion of Mr, ROSE, an humble Address was ordered to be pref;ented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that be would please to direct that such parochial Reports as w ere made to the Privy Council, should be laid before the House. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved, that an bumble Address be presented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regertt, praying that his Royal Highness would be pleased to order the sum of i.:23,p00 to be paid to "thotnas Macdonald, Esq. and the ether Commissioners appointed to investigate the Ac counts of the American Claimants. In explanation, he stated, that at the ordinary rate of £4,000 a-year, their fair compensa tion might amount to about £4p,000, it being above nine years since their appointment. He meant only the present sum, there• fore as part payment to account. isir.TIE.RNEY seemed to doubt of the great utility of the lieryices of these Commissioners to the Public. The CHANCELLOR' of the EXCHEQUER stated, that tire Commissioners, by Oki: investigation, bad reduced the amount of the claims from £5,000,000 to £1,500,000, The Address was accordingly ordered. .4n Address was also moved, by the Cunuett,Loe of the Ex eatquatt; voting the sum of £2,900 to the Treasurer of St. Margaret's Cbuicb, Westminster, for defraying the repairs of that Church, over and above the sum already granted by Par- Lament, Mr.TIERNEY contended that the Report ought to have been laid before the House in time for perusal, and not to have been put off to the last day of the Session. Mr, COURTNEY stated, that the Chairman of the Com mittee having met with an accident, was the cause of the Report Laving been so long delayed. M. TIERNEY contended it was establishing a bad precedent, pit isw lIQ reason why the vote should not be delayed. Ihe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER withdrew the Motion. An Address was then ordered to be presented to his Royal V e Ones., prayicg that he would confer some promotion un the' v. lames Glover, Chaplain of the House, for is services. The follow-Mg sums were also voted by Address: Tu S, itumbOld Lt,shiugton, Esq. Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, the sum el £1,200: To ,lohn liatsell, Esq. Chief Cleric to the House, su. - 1 a sum s with the Fees may make up the sutn of £2,500. To John Ley, dreg. Deputy CPA, a sum to make up with the tees, re20: 1 0. • To George Whittam, Esq. for compiling the .Icurnals, Asfts ; frith the other usual annual grants. 1 014 4 Message was received from the Lords, stating that their pirdships lad agreed to the •• ig Judge .' 'Salary 1411, and e i ther pu!,lic ansi prirate Bills. ~... . • An Athlress was also orde vmting such a ,um as olight be thouSkt a Prnier omens. to the Clerks attending Public cautunitiveg. .=. • . the Amendments in the PVniik, tire Insurance Bill, 41..0 $ Lord‘i 1!r4;12k104 into c4tifflericksit and agreed to. pawl LiViE. • Mr. SWAN said, - it` had been is intention tr 'twin for 4 Cerpmtttey 49 eon* with the Lords r,l tlie'subJe4 of 'thz Helatu4e gleto o , that hail!;je,. ;brown out ilk the other Hottseo 'hut the lateness or _ - r ~s~~ the Cession now prevented him. He should, how. ever, take the earliest opportunity, next Session of Parli►.tment, of calling the attention of the House to that subject. Lord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON thought that instructions ought to be given that the Speaker, in case of a death or other casualty, should issue no new writ for that Borough, in the present circumstances in wh i ch they were placed by the rejection of the It would be the grossest ir.dignity to the House, should any new election in the mean time take place. Ult. PALMER'S COMPENSATION DILL. On the CifANcEtt.ort of the EXCHEQUER having moved the third reading of this I3ill, Mr. TIERNEY wished to hear it .t:ited, on what ground ie50,000 was to be granted to Mr. Palmer by this Bill ? If Mr. Palmer's claims were well-founded, why was he not to get the whole annum of what was due to him > and, if they were not well-founded, I on what principle was this modified sum granted ? A Committee of the House of Commons had repea tedly given their opinion that those claims were well founded ; but because the Lords persevered in refus ing to pass the Bill, they were called on to make a compromise, not very consistent, he thought, with the dignity of the House. He wished to hear the principle of this compromise explained. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that many Members of the House had thought 030,000 more than Mr. Palmer was enti titled to ; for his own part, he thought fe50,000 were enough, and as liberal a grant as Mr. Palmer could have expected in all the circurr st7-•.ces the case --• Those who thought he ought to ve hitt more, could not object of course to this. Mr. TIERNEY wished to know if this sum was intended to include all the expense that. Mr. Paiti.er must necessarily have been at it 'winging the subject repeatedly before Parliament, sr.d in the other legal proceedings to which he found . necessary to resort ? If Mr. Palmer was considered be entitled to fifty thousan4 pounds for his service \ to the Public, he ought to have an extra allowance for his expenses.— He objected, as a Member of Parliament, to this mode of giving money i because the Lords persevered in rejecting the Bill, the House were to compromise for a less sum than was acknoVedged to be due to• the claimant. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE,;2I./E•R eNplained. Mr. W. SMITH was of opinion, with his. Right Hon. Friend, that it was rather a hard dealing by Mr. Palmer. After being often disappointOd and wearied Qut, a man might sit down at last satisfied with a less sum than wa.; due to him, but this was more from the necessity than the justice of the case It had been repeatedly said, he understood, that Members had from time to time been induced to vote for Mr. Palmer's claims from so:ii.itation more than a conviction of their justice; but he bad no doubt, for his own part, that there was not a Member who had voted for these claims that did not do so from a conviction of their justice. He did not see tbat this i Bill would prevent Mr. Palmer from afterwards com ing forward with a statement of his expense, for the consideration of Parliament, and with tl.is understan ding he voted fOr the present Bill. Mr. ROSE said, he had always opposed Mr. Pal mer's claims from a conviction that he had no right to the temuneratiop asked ; whatever right he had, he had forfeited by subsequent misconduct in the (of. lice, With respect to the proceedings of the Lords, no man was more disposed than himself to support the rights and privileges of the Commons; but would the Right Hon. gentleman, or any other man, say the Lords had no right to throw out the Bill, should they think that proceeding necessary ? Mr. TIERNEY thought the compromise was es. .ablishing a bad precedent. • roitrocuese SLAVE TRADE. Mr. WILBERFORCE rose, pursuant to his no tice, to move for an addres to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, praying that he would be gra ciously pleased to communicate to the House all such information as hadbeen received from the Portuguese Government, respecting the performance of that ar ticle, the treaty of ltio Janeiro, which related to the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade in the domi nions of the Crown of Portugal. The article in ques tion admitted both the injustice of the trade and the impolicy of introducing a factitious population into the heart of the empire. The course which he now proposed had been adopted in the year 1806, and in June 1810, on each occasion with reference to the object he now had in view—that of accomplishing the ultimate and complete abolition of the trade in slaves. He entirely believed that his Majesty's Mi. flusters had been sincere and zealous in their exertions to comply with the declared sense of the Legislature, and his motion was far from being intended to cast the slightest imputation upon them as deficient in their exertions. He was sure, however, that the House would learn with regret, that since Great Britain had relinquished the trade, it bad increased in the hands of the Portuguese, attended with cir cumstances of the deepest aggravation and outrages shocking to humanity. They had gone in many in stances upon the Nery ground which we had deserted, and thus directly defeated the fond expectations that were indulged of seeing at least one part of Africa freed from the oppressive influence of this baneful traffic. He was sorry to be obliged to add, that the gentle treatment and care to educate, which marked the conduct of the Portuguese towards the slaves,' which they imported from their settlement: in the South of Africa, were not to be found in the manner in which they now prosecuted their voyages from the coast north of the Equator. They were now, on the contra 7, in the practice 'of stowing the wretched slaves in such numbers into small vessels, tfiat the effect was almost too deplorable and too loathsome to conceive, and necessarily impossible to describe. In that climate many had often been found dead in the morning fruits suffocation ; still more • perished horn epidemic diseases, crowded as they ivere some times what was called spoonwire, without sufficient room to lie at length. The picture of nauseous and he; i rtrendrng misery which these scenes presented, it was too painful and distressing to contemplate. He trusted that the tlOnse would express its sense of such atrocious tranactinns taking place under the coun .enarv7p ?Jul ii . etmiscion of our ally, and skew tOathe ', ) rinri.! Regent of Portugal, not only that they were in .que:4 in demanding from ;lira the concession in the Treaty of Rio Janeiro, t t ut that they were &tenni? tied iv see it fulfilled—Wear, hear.) He had hint- self always looked with gratification to the friendly , did not think the simple statement of the Honourable intercourse which had now subsisted for so many ' Baronet could justify the House, in overturning a de. years between this country and Portugal--and recol. cision to which they had come after a debate that lected with what constancy and firmness that con- , was protracted through four successive weeks. It flexion had been adhered to by the King of Portugal, would be premature to vote these Resolutions, though when, during seven years, his dominions were threat- ; the facts recorded were admitted, before some. pe ened with invasion, unless he broke off his alliance tical measure was in contemplation. As net-v with Great Britain. Dearly, however, as he valued sion, therefore, was likely to arise, he shot ; the, ties that bound together the two countries, he that the House do now adjourn. could not see with patience the naval power of this The latter quest fan was then put and carried, and couatry employed to protect a trade in slaves carried the House adjourned to Tuesday next. on by our own ally, in support of whom we had 1 made so many exertions, in direct ~ „iolation, too, of the provisions of a treaty of amity 2 —(Hear, hear.) — He knew well that Ministers had had many difficul ties and embarrassments to encounter, and he must frankly declare, that he would rather see the con nexion dissolved than incur the guilt that mast fall upon our heads, in the sight of GOD and man, it we should continue to forfeit the favour of a protecting Providence, by countenancing, or in any way making ourselves instrumantal, in perpetuating such various and inexpressible afflictions. He trusted that we should be reduced to no such alternative, but that the Prince Regent of Portugal would be found at length to concur with our wishes, and that our other ally, Spain, would act in the same spirit which was manifested in abolishing the Inquisition, by consent ing likewise to relinquish the small portion of it that still remained in his hands. Mr. DOUGLAS seconded the motion. I Lord CASTLEREAGH agreed, that it was per , fest: ns natural that his Ho. •.rraSle Friend should wish to know whit progress haat been made in accomplish ing the execution of the Portuguess. Treaty. He had no other enjectinn to the nietiot., than that there would be some difflculty in erodua.ng all the cones pond. 'ice !)!.it had passed, find in cite course of which his Majesty's Ministers had feet v.ith many difficul ties and s bstruetions immediately, and that it must, at this late period of the Session, "Lie impossible that any discussion os subsequent preceeding could be had upon it. Upon this growl.: he expressed his wish that his Honourable Friend would withdraw his motion, and be saitisfied with giving notice of it for the next Session. ' Mr. WILLIAM SILITH was of opinion, that if the conduct of the Portuguese Government, in evad ing the pedant:ante of the Treety, were accurately known in thistountry, it would excite an universal feeling of indignation. Wns f it net for the prevalence of our marine, the trade rust ee speedily extin gitiShed. • Mr. SNOTH hoped, tie! Gentleman, (Mr. WiWerforce) would persist in his motion, and Was of opiuion, that it would rather facilitate than embarrass 'the remonstrances of his Majesty's Ministers. Mr. C. GRANT, jun. had no inclination to speak to the iminetrate question of presenting the Address. That he might lately leave to the discretion of his Hon. Friend. The impression made upon his mind, however, from what he had that night heard, was, eat unless Parliament sheiddsetercise an unceasing vigilance ;lan subject, the c Sject they had hi ~view would never be accomplished. The House had 'interfered with success to put down attempts which bad been made, even in this country, to defeat the ends of the Legislature; and he hoped that the same attention and perseverance might be produetive of the same effects in other countries. He did not doubt the sincerity of Government; but it was singular that the only country in Europe by which, with the excep tion of Spain, the slave trade was now carried on, should be that with which we were in the closi'st alliance, and whose existence was bound lip with our prosperity and power. It was still more singular, •that after an acknowledgment in a solemn treaty by the Prince Regent of Portugal himself, that the trade was both unjust and injuiious, not only that the gra dual abolition should not have been prosecuted, het that nothing should have been done t,, check its rapid augmentation—(Hear, hear.) It was of importance to shew that the House had not forgotten its ancient pledge—that it was alive to those dreadful scenes that were now acting in Africa—to that system which was now again in full vigour and activity, with ail its complicated machinery of crimes and sorrows (Hear, hear.) If we continued to exercise our con nivance by permitting the Portuguese, ender the sha dow of our naval superiority, to carry en a com merce which we had abandoned as an evil not to be endured, he did think the pledge of Parliament would be surrendered. His Hon. Friend had not touched on one'feature in the question on which he had formerly dwelt with peculiar eloquence—that of the interest of Africa herself. However desirous they might be to wash away the dark and damned spot in our own iniquities, it was incumbent on us to consi der how it was possible for Africa to enjoy the liberal blessings bestowed by PROVIDENCE upon her, whilst subject to the depression and degradation of having between 70 or 06,000 of her natives p.nnually drag. ged from her shores. He hoped . they would all he anxious to repair the deep, he hoped, not it remedi able injuries we had inflicted upon her, to bind up her wounds, and thew at least the ardour of a gene rous spirit, in healing wrongs of which we were our selves the authors. Mr. WILBERFORCE, after some compliments to his Hon, Friends, acceded to the wish of the No. ble Lord, and consented to defer his motion till the next Session. FRENCH PAPERS. 04RMY OF ARRAGON. " VALENCIA; JUNE 14. I have just this moment (four p. in.) received a letter from the Governor of Tortosa, dated the 3d of June, three.quarters after nine o'clock, a. m. of which the following is a copy ; EXCELLENT MoNsatosiaue—The enemy's flee: was yesterday in sight before Tarragona, at five o'clock ; it consists of about 180 sail ,• it appears to steer in the direction of Villanova de Sitjes. 44 In this suite of things I have determined to march with 600 infantry and 800 horse into Lowe: Catalonia, in order to rally the troops of General Decaen, and, if it is possible, endeavour to fight the English.-1 am, &c. (Signed) r MARSHAL DURF. OF ALEUITIIA. " To the Minister at War." EXTRACT OF A Larrra rens! THE SAMC TO THE SAMS " Tortooa, Jour 21, six A. M. "MONSIEUR LE Doc—l informed your Lxcellency of the embarkation of the Anglo-Sicilian Army nt Alicant, of its departure from that place on the alst of May, and of its rapid arrival on the 2d of Jun! under Tarragona. The army landed cturieg etc night, hastened to invest Fort St. Philippe, at the Col de Balaguer, and the enclosure, without a fosse, which at present constitutes the defence of Taste- Li e n:, the forts and extensive fortifications having med. " A fire from several batteries began on the 3d a during five days Belaguer held our, made an ho nourable resistance, and killed or wounded of the enemy more than 300 men. On the morning of the 7th, the explosion of a powder magazine caused the surrender of Fort St. Philippe. a The enemy, by a five kept up from the sea and land, attacked Tarragona, at the departure of the - Anglo-Sicilian Army ;—the Duke del Parque had arrived from (;aniline, to replace General Murray in his camp at Castello with tha ffd goanish corps, was close upon our posts. " As soon as I was informed that the eneniy had sailed from Alicant, I made dispositions upon the coast of Valencia to receive prompt informatioq, whilst I charged General Decaen to collect troops to fall upon the English. He eagerly executed that disposition, and on the first information detached from Gironne, Beaumann's brigade upon Barcelona, where he arrived the 10th of June. Go the 2d of June I had dispatched from before the Xucar Man ner's division, and the brigades of Paunetier and Aigrcniont ; they proceeded by forced marches tq. wards Tortosa. I learned, at ten leagues trom Va lencia, that *e fort of Belaguer had capitulated. I lost the only cannon-road by which I cogld act; but it was of importance to stop the enemy's success, and on the 10th 1 proceeded to Tortosa. o The head es my column overthrew the English dragoons veer Perello; on the 11th my troops arrived; I pushed forward, on the 12th, upon the 'rarragooo road ; and not being able to act on the high road, Z determined to seek a bye-road across impracticable mountains, in order to announce my arrival to the brave garrison of Tarragona, which refused all sums menses, aqd defended melt* with high valour. In short, on the 12th, I lighted fires cin the tops of the mountains, and advancing on the 13th, beyond the village of Valledellos, my ;mops could see And be seen from Tarragona. " In the mean time, General Maurice Mathieu set out from Barcelona, acid pushed forward to Ar bos. The resistance of the place and the march of columns from Barcelona and Valencia, frightened the enemy and obliged him to precipitately raise the siege, and re-imbark the greater part of his troops, abandoning under the place 27 pieces of artillery and an immense number of bombs, bullets, &c. all of which have been conveyed into Tarragona. as The convoy of 180 sail left the port of Sailor., and came to anchor under Belapuer ; this nines of vessels presented a fine spectach. 44 On the 14th, I advanced my troops to tv noitre the fort : some battalions defended the preaches to it, and the fleet fired a more hot murderous fire upon us. Upon Valledellos the Engi h Dragoons roughly handled by the Westpe .lien Light H. and the sth Light Infantry oblia.Fxl fiwe English talions to fall back under Hospitalit and t e f • tho English ships. 44 On the 15th and 16th, the-e were illght mishes, and the report of 25 de s peeved t that the enemy, either covered I . az fort of i. guer or embarked, were placed at of reach of attempt on the part of a Lnd *mir e Whilst I was acting lit Catelosia 4 100 r: neral Harispe with two and three divideohe&r: Xucar. On leaving him, I directed he should *ow STATE OF THE CURREXCY. lin his advanced posts, and establish himself in works & s r HENRY PARNELL did not wish tobut go at prepared for some time behind the river; this move. any length into the discussion of the question of a ; meta was being executed with precision, when, 04 motion relating to which, he had given notice ; the 11th, General Elie, with a numerourcavalry, at. I he trusted, that his Hon. yriend'who was Chairman tempted to press upon gar rear-guard. Generzl of the Bullion Committee, would call the attention Mesclop turned, and at the head of a squadron of the of the House to it early in the ensuing Session. He ° 4th hussars vigorously charged the enemy, killed of wished merely to record the particular facts to which wouoded fifty men, and brought back sixty horses the House might afterwards recur and make the end as many prisoners ; the Irish Colonel ibroman future groued of their proceedings. In the first was of the number. On the 13th a double attack was place, he should move a Resolution, declaratory of made on the points of Albereque and Alura, early its the price of gold, as compared with its price when the morning ; General Harispe sustained, in a great the Report of the Bullion Committee was made.— part of the day the enemy's demonstrations ; The second would state the quantity of gold which , cannonade took place, but the enemy refused to en( might be purchased by an equal nominal sum in the " The Duke del Parque, with the divisions of I. paper of the Bank of England. since the period t Prince d'Anglona, and of the English Roche, at. when the discussions upon this subject took place, the s tasked in two columns General Herbert before Car. price orgold had continued gradually to rise, and caseate, who did not hesitate to march against the was new about £5. 10s. per ounce, His third Re- ; enemy at the head of a squadron of the 4th regiment solution would pledge the flopie to take the subject et hussars and the whole of the 14th and 16th of the into consideration in the next Session of Parham( nt, j line he reached and broke the enemy in the streets with ;hew of restoring the currency to its inuud I and gardees of Carcaxente ; more than 400 Spa. and natural state. march were killed or wounded, 700 soldiers and 30 The CHANCEI O LOR of the EXCHEQUER officers made prisoners, tle colours of the Cannov. V