Star. — London, England, 1808-01-21 00:00:00

mei . • • MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. THE KING'S SPEECH. We have already stated that Parliament met this afternoon, and that it was opened by Commission.- -- = is his Majesty's most gracious Speech, to both Houses of ParlialUent by the IRDS AND GENTLEMEN, --- tileceived his Majesty's commands to , in calling you together at this im tcture of affairs, he entertains the , viction that he shall find in you the with which his Majesti , himself is uphold the 'honour of hiS Crowii, and and interests of his People. commanded by his Majesty to inform sooner had the result of the Negocia !onfirmed the influence and controul of Powers of the Continent, than his tipprised of the intention of the enemy Powers in one general confederacy, either to 'the •catitire subjugation of this the imposing upon his Majesty an ignominious Peace. purpose it was determined to force against his Majesty, States which had Lowed by France to maintain or to teurrality, and to bring to bear against d his Majesty's dominions the whole .e of Europe, and specifically the and Denmark. )se fleets out of the power of such a :ame therefore the indispensable duty ttion of this duty, so far as related et, his Majesty has commanded us that it was with the deepest reluctance, - found himself compelled, after his ivours to open a negotiation with the Government had failed, to authorize his Corn _ to the extremity of force, but that greatest satisfaction in congratulating you successful execution of this painful but tie- further commanded to acquaint you, ;hich his Majesty had to pursue with 'ortugal, was happily of a nature more Majesty's feelings. That the timely )mmunication by ele Con •t of Lis demands and designs of France, while Majesty the authenticity of the ad had received from other quarters, to his Majesty's confidence in the assurances by which that communica Portugal was destined by France to an instrument of vengeance against That fleet has been secured from the , and is now employed in conveying Dominions the hopes and fortunes of Monarchy. His Majesty implores Divwx PROVIDENCE upon that en in the preservation of a Power so d ally of Great Britain ; and, in the establishmen.in the New World, with and splendour. in command from his Majesty to the determination of the enemy to between his Majesty and his late allies, - Russia and Austria, and the King of but too successful, and that the Mi- Powers have demanded and received measure on the part of Russia has been at tstified by a statement of wrongs and have no real foundation. The Em had indeed proferred his mediation ijesty and France ; his Majesty did mediation, but he is confident you will , ropriety of its not having been ac- Majesty should have been enabled to ussia was in a condition to mediate until the principles and the basis on was ready to negotiate were made jesty. xnce of justificationhasbeen alledged conduct of the Emperor of Austria, ; Prussian Majesty ; his Majesty has ast ground of complaint to either of Is ; nor, even at the moment when ectively withdrawn their Ministers, igned to his Majesty any distinct cause 'ing. • " His Majesty has directed that espies of the cor: respondenie betireen his Majesty's' trthal sad& and the Minister for Foreign Affairs oitii Imperial Ma ieity the Emperor of luisja,,dujipg. the negotiation at Tilsii, and Hof the official note Of , the Russian. Mihio ster at thii Couri, containing the offer of his Imperial! Majesty's Mediktion between his Majesty and France,' together with the answer returned to thif *tee by , his Majesty's commands, And also copies of the *IL; vial notespresented by the Austrian Minister at this Court, and of the answers which hiiMajesty comman ded to be returned to them,, should be laid before you. 44 It is with concern that his Majesty commands us to inform you, that, notwithstanding his earnest wishes to terminate the war in which he is engaged with the Ottoman Porte, his Majesty's endeavours, unhappily for the Turkish Empire, have been defea ted by the machinations of France, not less the enemy of the Porte than of Great Britain. a But while the influence of France has been thus unfortunately successful in preventing the terminat ion of existinghostflities, and in exciting new war against this country, his Majesty commands us to inform you, that the King of - Sweden has resisted every attempt to induce him to abandon his alliance with Great Britain ; and that his Majesty entertains no' doubt That you will feel with him the sacredness of the duty which the firm ness and fidelity of the King of Sweden impose upon' his Majesty, and that you will concur in enabling his Majesty to discharge it in a manner worthy of this country. a It remains for us, according to his Majesty's commands, to state to you that the Treaty of Com merce and Amity between his Majesty and the United States of America, which was concluded and signed by Commissioners duly authorized for that purpose, on the 31st of December, 1806, has not taken effect, in consequence of the refusal of the President of the United States to ratify that instrument. " For an unauthorized act of force committed against an American ship of war, his Majesty did not hesitate to offer immediate and spontaneous repara-' tion ; but an attempt has been made by the Ameri can Government to connect with the question which has arisen out of this act, pretensions, inconsistent with the maritime rights of Great Britain ; such pre tensions his Majesty is determined never to admit.— His Majesty nevertheless hopes that the American Government will be actuated by the same desire, to preserve the relations of peace and friendship between the two countries, which has ever influenced his Ma jesty's conduct, and that any difficulties in the dis cussion now pending, may be effectually removed. His Majesty has commanded us to state to you, that in consequence of the decree by which France decla red the whole of his Majesty's dominions to be in a stateof blockade, and subjected to seizu re and con fiscation the produce and manufactures of his kingdom, his Majesty resorted in the first instance to a measure of mitigated retaliation; and that this measure having proved ineffectual for its object, his Majesty has since found it necessary to adopt others of greater rigour, which he commands us to state to you will require the aid of Parliament to give them complete and effectual operation. His . Majesty has directed copies of the Orders which he has issued with the advice of his Priyy Coun cil, upon this subject, to be laid before you ; and he commands A; to recommend them to your early at tention.• The following i s his delivered to bot Lo CHANCELLOR My LORD 6 A • We have blecei as sure . you, that in t Cottjuncturt mo st perfect convict same determination an imated, to uphol the just rights and i, • We are comm ix , t hat no sooner ;inns of Tilsit confir Rance over the Pc Majesty was bPPriR ° combine thOse Po to b e directed either 'j og dom, or to dm i nsecur e and ignomi a That for this p into hostility agains .itherto been allow .I , .chre their neutr cierent points of h the naval force t i t Ices of Portugal an " To place those confederacy became • his Majesty. " In the execution o the Danish feet, ea assure you, that i " his Majesty fou endeavours • 1, ,• , Government ..CTS to resort to • has the greatest st the successful • service. . 4 We are further • the course whici t to Portugal, i • genial to his Majt • d unreserved comr ‘n of the demands onfirmed to his Maj ices which he had . title that Court to • erity of the assurt • was accompanies " The fleet of Por employed as an it t Britain. Tha •• of France, anc , its American Don ei• Portuguese Moi protection of Di •rize, rejoicin g i n cl ' O , the friend and e 'pest of its establ • , ented strength We have it in • you, that the , • nthostilities beta Emperors of Ru • sia, has been but ' from those Po Passports. This measure •ted to be justifi o aces which ha , • rof Russia had rm een his Majesty refuse that medi %pc of the prof until his Ma er in that Russi rd ' 'ay, and unt t Prance was pirf ily 'to his Majest ,test That no p roton o uts• the hostile cond' rititg that o f hi s P I dire nt to Ven the least :e Sovereigns; barn respe ct ' e ''heY assigne ( tat Oroetedin g • " GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, His Majesty has directed the estimates for the en suing year to be laidbefore you, in the fullest confidence that your loyalty and public spirit will induce you to make such provision for the public service, as the ur gency of affairs may require. d , His Majesty has great satisfaction in informing you, that, notwithstanding the difficulties which the. enemy has endeavoured to impose upon the com merce of his subjects, and upon their intercourse with other nations, the resources of the country have conti nued, in the last year, to be so abundant, as to have produced, both from the permanent and temporary revenue, a receipt considerably larger than that of the preceding year. 44 The satisfaction which his Majesty feels assured you will derive, in common with his Majesty, from this proof of the solidity of these revenues, cannot but be greatly increased, if, as his Majesty confidently hopes, it shall be found possible to raise the necessary supplies for the present year, without any material ad dition to the public burdens. 4 , MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, " We are especially commanded to say to you, in the name of his Majesty, that 4 ever there was a just and national wat h ilt is that which his Majesty is now ctittried to prOse;itte. This War 4, in.. itspincipli. pure y defensive. 'fv4ajest7 looks l;nt, to the ;at. taiinnent l pf,a, secure and honourable penee; ; but sucl • 1 • • . • .4 peac e caa,oaly- be pesociate4. ainotint of per. diet equality - . •ii•us • . • The 'eyes of , .E4rote 'and art& wqici arr flied • 44 If, as hiSsMajesty confidently trusts,. yon display in this crisis of the Tate of the tnutitry the' Character- istic spirit of the. British nation, aface vn ap palled nd. .. the unnatural combination: which is gathered around us, his Majesty bids us to assure.you of his firm per suasion, that, under the blessing of DIVDTE NOVI DENCE, the struggle will pros'e i successful and glorious to Great Britain. 44 We are, lastly, commanded to assure you, that in this awful and momentous contest, you may rely upon the firmness of his Majesty, who has no cause but that of his People ; and that his Majesty recipro cally relies on the wisdom, the constancy, and the af fectionate support of his Parliament." NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE. PLYMOUTH, JAN. 19. Came in the Success, of 32 guns, from Madeira, and has brought an account of that island being in pos session of Adthiral Sir Swim= Hoop, who landed there the 24th ult. ; Revolutionaire, of 40 guns, from a truize Cyanne, of lb guns, from the Channel fleet. Sailed the Phoebe, of 36 guns, with dispatches to the Mediterranean. PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 20. Arrived the Strenuous gun-brig from a cruize; and the Coureir, French lugger privateer, of 20 guns and 100 men, belonging to Cherbourg, captured by the Linnet gun-brig ; also arrived the Elizabeth, Boag, from Waterford. Dropt down to Cowes, his Ma jesty's ship Blossom, to join the Mediterranean fleet. The Kingston packet, Boyce, joined the convoy for . Cork, at the back of St. Helen's, and proceeded on. YARMOUTH, JAN. 20. Sailed the Ariadne frigate, on a cruize. Arrived the Musquito and Cruizer sloops of war ; Archer and Havre gun-brigs.---One P. M. The Goliah is now working into the Gut. The John and William, of Dundee, SOWTER master, is on shore near the Old Jetty.—Remain ships as per last. DEAL, JANUARY 20. Arrived, the Clyde frigate, Commodore Owszt, from a cruize off Boulogne ; Flamer gun-brig, from a cruize, and brought in with her a smuggling lug ger, having about 500 kegs of contraband spirits, which she took in company with a custom-house extra lugger ; the spirits were landed and put in the cus tom-house here. Arrived, the Orestes sloop and Pidgeon schooner, from Sheerness. The Hope ketch, which ran on shore near Walmer Castle with the loss of her anchors in the last gale, has got off again this afternoon, without sustaining any material injury. REMAIN IN THE DOWNS. Princess of Orange, Vice-Admiral Rowley; Trusty SO guns, Clyde frigate, Sparrow Hawk, Mutine, Orestes, Pandora, and Royalist sloops ; Flamer, Furious, Bold, Mariner, Bustler, and Ernest gun-brigs ; Pidgeon schooner; and the Marquis of Ely East-India ship, for the River.—Wind N.W. and moderate. The William, Taylor, from Montserrat for London, is put into Tortola, leaky, and has been unloaded. The Janet, Calder, from Monte Video, past Gre nada on the 4th of December last, all well, bound to Curasoa and Jamaica. The William Manning. Bonner, from London for St. Kitt's, was all well on the sth of January, in lat. 40. long. 10. 30. with twelve other vessels that had parted from his Majesty's ship Astrea. They were in hopes of falling in with them again, it being fine weather. The Harmony, —, from Bristol for Milford, is totally lost on Berry Island ; crew saved. The Endeavour, —, from Messina for Liver pool, is lost in the Highlands. The Sugnal, Moore, from Liverpool for Limerick, is on shore on the island of Mull ; but is expected to be got off. The Navigator, -, from Gibraltar, bound to London, is captured by a French privateer,' and car ried into Dunkirk. The Susannah, Raymond, of an d for New Bruns wick, was driven on shore at Tobago on the 16th of October last, with five other vessels. The Falck, —, from St. Bartholomew's for t. Domingo, is captured and carried into St. Domingo, where. she is condemned. The William and Henry, Silk, from London for the Cape of Good Hope, that was on shore on thq Swin Rock, is got off, and carried into Ramsgate Harbour, with little damage. Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India House, when the under-mentioned commanders took leave, previous to departing for their respective destinations, viz. Captain James John Williamson, Ocean ; Captain William Duns. ford, Ceres; Captain John C. Lackner, Canton; Captain R. H. Blown, Dorsetshire ; Captain C. E. Prescott, Ainwick Castle; Captain John Locke, jun. David Scott; Captain Henry Mahon, Exeter—Madras and China. Capt. W. Maxwell, Cakutta ; Capt. W. C. Hutton, Lord gel son ; Caps. W. Fairfax, Hugh Inglis; Capt. H. Sturrock, Preston, —Madras and Bengal. The following Captains were sworn into the com mand of their respective ships, viz. Captain John Dale, Streatham ; Captain George Hooper, Sir William Benda) , ; Captain Altzwides Campbell, Sovereign—Ma dras am; BertgaL Captain John Cameron, Jane Duchess of Goedon—Ceylon and BengaL . The Court adjoturtect at six o'clock, till to-momw. THE BLENHEIM. AND JAVA. ..ETTER MOM A LIEUTENANT GP THE MS UNCLE IN4CHESTER. " His Majesty's ship Greyhound, Sept. 21, 1807, Sinton's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 44 Dear Uncle—A few days since I received YoUr kind letter of the 15th October, 1806; I am sorry I have nothing favourable to give you in return. In niy last from Madras - , I informed you of our intended search after our much lamented friend Sir THostas.. At the Isle of France, Captain TROUBR =lt sent me in with a flag of truce ; they did not allow me to land, but in other respects were very civil ; gave us every information they possibly could, sent us extracts of letters from different correspondents at Madagascar, Bourbon, &c. the description even of a piece of oak which had been picked up near Bourbon, they sent us ; from this it appears to have been a large ship's top mast cross-tree. The Harrier parted from the Blenheim and Java in thick weather, about the sth of February, and in one of the Governor's extracts it says, 44 on the 7th of February, a line of battle ship appeared off the heights of the Isle of Bourbon, making signals, but at such a distance they ctudd not be made out." We imagined it might have been the Blenheim making signals of seeing the land to the Java, whose distance from the land might have been too great to have been seen. - tour ideas, I assure you, 1. were very sanguine on the subject, more particularly when we arrived at St. Mary's, an Island on . the coast of Madagascar, with an excellent harbour, plenty of the best of beef, and a good watering place. The inhabitants informed us, two ships answering their description had been there, watered, took a number 'of bullocks, stopped about twenty days and sailed, they believed, for Bombay ; this must have brought on the middle of March. We sailed- the 254 of June ; it takes a fortnight to convey news over land from Bombay to Madras ; there remains about ten weeks ; it is possible they might have been so long on their passage under jury masts, but very improbable ; it is, however, the qnly chance left. We imagined it was them, and that they had sailed fur this, consequently made the best of our way. Off the Cape we met with contrary winds, and most dreadful weather, which nearly put an end to our miserable existence, and on our arrival, to our great astonishment s found Admit.: I Silt:two, who is fitting us with all possible dispatcl intending to send us back to India, with convoy, I believe Madras ; we were in hopes, from the state of the ship, .and from the Captain's probable loss, the Admiral would have allowed us to have gone home, particularly as Capt. TROUBRIDGE so much wishes it," Died, on Sunday evening, of a fever, in the 20th ear of his age, the Right Hon. H ORATIO Vi scount TRAFALGAR, only son of the Earl NELSON, whose virtues and accomplishments rendered him worthy the name of his illustrious Uncle. Yesterday a ballot was taken at the East India House, in order to determine the resolution submitted to the last General Court, exonerating the owners and commander of the Ganges from any blame in her loss. At six o'clock the glasses were finally closed, and de livered to WILLIAM HUGH BURGESS and JOHN LAY TON, Esqrs. the scrutineers, who declared the question to have been carried in the affirmative. Lord MINTO, as Governor-General of India, was introduced to the Council Chamber, under a salute of 19 guns, from the ramparts of the Fort. Sir G. H. BARLOW, and JOHN LUMSDEN, Esq. likewise took the customary oaths and their seats at the Board, as Counsellors of the Presidency. Sir G. H. BARLOW, Bart. is also appointed to be Chief Judge of the Court of Sudder Dewanny Adawlut and Nizamut Adaw. lut ; and be President of the Board of Revenue. Sir G. H. BARLOW has been invested with the Or der of the Garter, by Lord MINTO, as his Majesty's ' Representative, with all possible ceremony. Yesterday a Mail arrived from the Deward Islands after a passage of 30 days. Letters from Granada, of December the Bth, make some statements, not altogether satisfactory, concerning the disposition of our naval force in the West In lies. Admiral COCHRANE has SO pendants under him.— Twelve or 14 sail are in Carlisle Bay, while the rest are attending on the Admiral to the leeward. In con sequence of no British man of war being at Point. a-Petre, in Guadaloupe, French privateers go in and out daily without interruption, and frequently carry in prizes without any molestation whatever.—Two sloops, or ships of war, would be sufficient to guard the pass, and in this case the prizes made by the French might be recaptured. But it is added, that orders have been received from Government for the blockade of Martinique and Guadaloupe. A few sloops and frigates will be quite adequate. We may hope, therefore, that the grievance complained of will be soon removed. The crops have been very plentiful at Barbadoes, Tobago, and St. Vincent, as well as at Grenada. The Danish Islands are still in a state of blockade.— No instructions have yet been received for proceeding actively against them. They are said to suffer greatly for want of provisions. DRURY-LANE.—In the opera of the Cabinet, a Me. I. SMITH last night made his appearance as Lorenzo. He has a counter-tenor voice of great strength and sweetness, but some of his lower notes are not agree. able. If he will pay some attention to his action, which is exceedingly inappropriate and ungraceful, he will, no doubt, be a ;eneral favourite ; for in his songs he was enthusiastically applauded and encored. A correct List of the Jury who acquitted William Chapman, charged with the wilful murder of Robert Dunn : Thornu Loveland William Monday William Fdwards Caleb Welch Corns* Joseph Turner William Moore William Rich - Charles Shipley Locke► • William Dixon Thomas Norton William Lambert Charles 031 e, - I