Star. — London, England, 1813-04-14 00:00:00

'7 FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE. WAR DEPARTMENT. DOWNING-STREET, APRIL Is, 1819. A Dispatch, dated Heligoland, April 7, of which the fellowiag'is an ettract, was last night received at Earl Bathurst's Office, \ ' addressed to his Lordship by Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton. I have the honour to lay before your Lordship a Dispatch, forwarded to me by Major Kentzinger, containing intelligence of very great importance at this time, respecting a decisive victory obtained over a considerable French force, commanded by General Morand. The engagement took place in the town of Lune burg. The French General lost his life, and twelve pieces of cannon were taken ; not a man escaped. Extract of a Letter from General the Baron Tettenborn to Ma jor Kentzinger, dated Harnburgh, the 4th April , 1819. I hasten to announce to you the signal victory which our troops have gained, upon the 2d of April, over the corps of General MoAnd, who had possessed himself of the town of Luneburg. Gen. Mot and, with MO men, had marched from Tostedt to Luneburg. My Cossacks followed his Movements, and I gave information of them to Gene ral Dornberg, who, in conjunction with General Tschernicheff's corps, had passed the Elbe at Lent zen. The two Generals advanced by forced marches to Luneburg, and arrived there just as my Cossacks were engaged with the enemy. The gates we're forced with the bayonet, and a sanguinary conflict ensued in the streets of the town. The victory was soon decided in our favour. All who were not killed or already made prisoners laid down their arms. Not a single person escaped of the whole corps. Three pair of colours and twelve pieces of cannon fell into our hands. ADMIRALTY OFFICE, APRIL 19. Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart. Commander in Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the Mediterranean, to John Wilson Croker, E s q. d a t e d on b oar d the Caledonia, Port Mahon, March 7, 1819. • I have the honour to inclose the copy of t Letter from Lord William Bentinck, inclosing the narrative of a very gallant affair ori the coast of Calabria, un der the direction of Captain Hall, commanding the Sicilian flotilla, which you will please to lay before their Lordships. Palermo, February 23,1813. Sin--I have the satisfaction to transmit to you the copy of a Report on a very brilliant and gallant en terprise on the coast of Calabria, which reflects great honour on Brigadier Hall, commanding the flotilla, and Major Stewart, of the 75th regiment, as also on the whole of the officers and men employed under their orders. lam sorry to add, that the service has • to regret the loss of Major Stewart, of the 75th regi ment, a very gallant and deserving officer.--I have tl.e honour, &c. (Signed) w. C. BENTINCK, Sir Edward Pellew, But. &c. Lieut. Gen. Messina, February 16, My Loan—l have the honour to inform your Lordship, that since the attack of the 21st of July the enemy had thrown up new works at Pietra Nera, and felt such confidence in their protection, that a convoy of 30 sail of armed vessels had assembled within a few days past to transport to Naples timber and other Government property. Conceiving it necessary to destroy this confidence, I submitted a proposal, which having gained your Lordship's sanction, J proceeded on the night of the I4th with-two di Visions of .the flotilla, and four com-. panics of the 75th, under the command of Major. Stewart. Light and contrary winds prevented the • boats arriving until nearly daylight, when about 150 men, with an auxiliary party of seamen, under the command of Lieutenant Hunte', were landed ; and Major Stewart, without waiting the arrival of the rest, pushed. p immediately to the height, which we had previously concerted to occupy, and which a• complete battalion, with two troops of cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, were prepared to dispute Aware of the enemy having cavalry, I landed a de. tachment of the r cket corps, under the direction of Corporal Barenbach, the tire of which threw the ene my into confusion, and facilitated the approach of our troops, which charged the height in a most de termined way. Ihe enemy, however, did not aban don it until the Colonel-Commandant Roche, and smost of his Officers, were killed or made prisoners, and the height was literally covered with their dead. —The division of the flotilla under Captain Imbert had rfU w commenced a most destructive cannonade on the batteries, which held out with such obstinacy, that I was obliged to order them to be successively stormed. This service was performei by Lieutenant Le Hunte, with a party cif seamen, in a very gallant style.—At eight o'clock every thing was in our pos ' session, the most valuable of the enemy's vesseli and , timber launched, and the rest on fire. Upwards of r 15Q of the enemy killed and wounded, 163 prisoners, I. amongst whom is the Colonel of the regiment, three of his Captains, two Captains of cavalry and one of artillery, with his two guns (six-pounders), afford the r best proofs of the manner in which both services did L' their work :.very few of the enemy's cavalry escaped. The determined manner in which Major • Stewart k. led his men to the attack of the enemy's position, did r him infinite honour, and the army will share my re gret at the loss of this brave officer, who fell by a musket shot, while with me pushing off from the - shore, atter die troops were embarked. Lieutenant Campbell, of the 75th, who commanded the advanced, was particularly and generally noticed. I cannot sufficiently express my admiration of the very exemplary conduct of Lieut. Le Hunte, who was the observation of sailors and soldiers. Colonel Robin. son superintended the debarkation, and was very ac tive. The army flotilla officer, Don Luigi Muallo, is -vs distinguished 'oas these occasions—Captain I 'n Neapolitan navy, placed his'clivision •nrer that did him much credit. recommendation of this ''atella, and Don Pietri Royal Highness the honour to annex a ' , is occasion, which ifling, - compared This of itself 75th than any resent service, tied) td Brigadier. en wounded. R. HAL'. Z. Sce. Palermo. • • ADMIRALTY-OMM APRIL ts, Ism Copy of a Letter from Captain Dench, of Ms Majesty's sloop Nautilus. addressed to Vice-Admiral Sir Edward PeDew. Bart. and transmitted by the Vice-Admiral to J. W. Croker, Esq. His Majesty's sloop Nautilus, off the Esquerques, February 7, 1813. Slll--I beg leave to inform you, his Majesty's sloop under my command this day captured the French privateer brig la Leonilde, mounting 11 guns (twb long 18-pounders, two short twares, two 12-pounder carronades, and eight short sixes), with a comple ment of 83 men. Three men were wounded, one of whom died shortly after she struck. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Trios. Deleon, Captain. Copy of a Letter from Captain Filn, of his M4jesty's sloop the Cephalus, addressed toVice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellets, But. and transmitted by the latter to J. W. Croker, Esq. His Majesty's sloop Cephales, at Sea, Feb. 24,1813. beg leave to inform you, that his Majesty's brig under my command captured, on the - 22d inst. after a chace to windward of nine hours, in lat. 38 deg. 2 min. N. long. 7 deg. 19 min. E. the French lugger privateer la Dilligente, of Marseilles, pierced for 14 guns, eight only mounted, six 12-pound carronades, and two sixes, four of the former were hove over board in the chace, having a complement of 89 men, out 26 days from Marseilles, but made no capture. (Signed) EDW. FUN, Commander. Extract of a Letter from Captain Harris, of his Majesty'i, ship the Belle Pottle, to Admiral Lord . Keith, transmuted by his Lord ship to J. W. Croker, Esq. • Belle Poule, at Sea, April 4, 1813. I have much satisfaction in reporting, that I yes terday, after a chase of nine hours, captured the Grand Napoleon, the largest and most esteemed schooner that has sailed from America ; she is 29 days from New-York, bound to Bourdeaux, with a valua ble cargo on board, is a new vessel, measuring 305 tons, pierced for 22 guns, mounting only four, has a complement of 32 men, is copper-fastened, and in every respect one of the finest vessels I ever saw. Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew has transmitted to John W. Croker, Esq. a letter from Captain Graham of his Majesty's ship Alcmene, stating the c a p ture , by his Majesty's sloop Scout, on the 17th of February, o ff Cagliari, of la Fortune French pri vateer, of three guns and 96 men ; three days from Tunis. P4RLIAMEATARr PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF LORDS, APRIL 13. The Oaths were administered to the Earl of STAMFORD, and Lord Viscount MoN.rjov. The' LORD CHANCELLOR gave notice of his intention on an early day after the Recess, to call the attention of their Lordships to the judicial business before the House, with the view of appointing hours in the morning, for expediting it. His LortlAsip also stated his intention of moving in the Com mittee of Privileges to-morrow, to refer the question as to the admissibility of evidence in the Borthwick Presage to the House. Judgment is a case Wiumn and another v. Ramsay, Bart. was appointed for to-morrow. The Customs and Excise Duties Bills, were read a third time and passed. '1 he National Debt Bill, and the Passengers' Bill passed through Committees, and were Reported. he Innkeepers' Rates Bill, the Weymouth Voters' Bill, some local and private Bills, were brought up from the Commons, by Sir James Graham, Mr. Alderman A t ki ns , Sir Thomas Ackland, and other Mt mbers, and read a first time. The Weymouth Vo ter,' Bill was ordered to be printed. Lord BO R INGDON presented a Petition from the inhabitants of Barn , taple, in favour of the Catholic Claims, which his Lord thip stated to have been moved by an optileta clergyman of the Church of England, and seconded by another clergyman, also of the Established Church.—Ordered-to lie on the table. The Bishop of ki.Y presented a Petition from the sbip•buil dera of Sunderland, against the adinissiou of India built ships to British reEistry.—Ordered to lie on the table. SINECtiItE HILL. Earl GROSVENOR said a tew words relative to the Sinecure Bill, ktiniating his hiteution of calling the attention of the House to it. The LORD CHANCELLOR said the Bill wag nearly the same, word ft r word, as the Bill brought up to the House hot Session, and if the Noble Earl did not cal the attention of the Hitu.e to it, very early after the recess, he (the Lord Chars-tiler) should. PORTUGAL. The Order of the Day having been read, the Prince Regent's niost gracious Message for Aid to Portugal was read by the Clerk at the Table. The Earl of LIVERPOOL said the assistance proposed tb be rendered to the Government of Por tugal was the same as that afforded last year, namiy, te1,000,000, which had been agreed to unanimously, and therefore he did nqt think it necessary upon the present occasion to waste their Lordships' time by entering into any discussion upon the subject. The greatest efforts had been made by the Portuguese Government ; and by means of the assistance •:n -dered from this country, a force had been raised which vied with the British army in bravery, in dis cipline, and in every quality that constituted the ex cellence of the British soldier. Under these circum stinces, and convinced that the advantages that had resulted from the assistance afforded to Portugal by this Country, or the expediency of continuing that aid, would not be disputed, he merely thought it ne cessary to move an Address in answer to his Royal Highness's Message. His Lordship concluded by moving an Address of Concurrence, which was agreed to nem. di.rl. and ordered to be presented by the Lords 4vith White *Staves. * Adjourned till to-morrow (this day). HOUSE OF COMMONS. General MATHEW presented a Petition from certain Noble men and Gentlemen in Ireland, praying for pecuniary aid to the Inland Navigation Company of that kingdom. The Bermuda Trade - Bid was read a third time and passed. Mr. I.I . I"I'LETON moved, that there should be laid before the House ail account of the Number, Condi . ion, and Complement of Men of the Ships under the command of Vice-Admiral Sawyer, on the coast of North America, in April, 1812 —Agreed to. Also, for an account of the Ships under Admiral Stirling, on the coast of Jamaica.—Agreed to. Alan, for an account of the Crews of the Macedonian and Guerriere frigates, previous to their Capture; and also, for an account of the Crew of the Java frigate. On the last motion, a short conversation arose between Mr. Caoxaa, Admiral MARTIN, Mr. WHIM RAD, Mr.PONSO N BY, and Mr. LITTLRTON, when an Amendment was proposed by Admiral MARTIN, and agreed to, viz. " That there should be laid before the House, a Return rom the last muster-books of the Number of Men on board the Java frigete—distinguishing pressed men from volunteers, and specifying the time of their bung put on board, and of their sailing from this country." Mr. CANNING presented Petitions from the Merchants of Liverpool trading to the West Indies and the Brazils, and from the Ship-owners of Liverpool, on the subject of American Inter course.Orderedto lie on the table.' Sir JOHN NEWPORT made a few remarks respecting the Indemnity Bill, of which he had given notice on a former night. From some alteration of circumstances since his notice, he was induced not to bring in the Bill. Lord CAST LEREAGH said there was no necessity for any ouch act, as the Lords of the Treasury had committed nothing that required such indemnity. lord CLIVE moved tor a Copy of the Return made by Mr. Thomas Scruggen at the late Election at Tregony, and that the Attorney-General be ordered to presoak him foe attributing to procure an undue election. The SPEAKER approved rather of the conduct of the Cons inktee in ordering him to Neu/ate, and thought it more regular than bringing him to the bar. Mr. W. WYNNE was for the motion, and for putting the matter into the hands of.the Attorney-General. An Amendment having been proposed for taking him into the. custody of the Serjeant at Aram, it was -carried in the : affirmative. Mr. PEELE moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of amending the Laws respecting the Militia in Ireland. After a few words from Sir loom Neweorr, leave was granted. Mr. ABERCROMBIE moved for an Account of the Surgeons and Chaplains sent to India within the last ten years.—Ordered. Mr. RYDER moved for a Call of the House on the 11th of May. previous to the discussion of a Right Hon. Gentleman's Bi!l (Mr. Grattan's). After a few words from Colonel BARRY, Mr.W.WYN NE, and Mr. RYDZIP. 3 the Motion was carried in the affirmative. i 1 EAST-INDIA AFFAIRS. Lord CASTLEREAGH moved, that the House should resolve itself into a Committee to consider the affairs of the East-India Company. He wished„hpw ever, to suggest, that the mode in which the exami nation of witnesses had been hitherto carried on often interrupted the business of the House, and that the business of the House embarrassed the proceedings' of the Committee. He would therefore propose that a Select Committee should be appointed to sit out of the House, and to take the depositions of witnesses. A similar step had been taken in 1791, when the examinations before the African Slave Trade,Com mittee were going on. He did not think any disad vantage would follow from the Committee being held up stairs, as the attendance of the House was nut in general such as to promise any advantage in the re sult greater than would be obtained by Members reading the printed accounts of the evidence. His Lordship concluded with moving, that the examina tion of witnesses on this question be referred to a Committee to sit out of the House, and that every Member who chose to attend should have a voice. Mr. H. THORN'rON, on the part of the East- India Company, opposed the motion. He said they had been hitherto speaking to the ear of the country, and now that they had begun to make an impression, it was pr9posed to put them into a corner, to lay them on the shelf, and to defeat the impression which the publicity of the evidenc‘would makf t in their favour. It was not only his wish, but the wial of the Direc tors, from whom he had just come, that the evidence should continue to be given at the bar of the House. Mr. BATHURST could not conceive how any in conenience could arise to the East India Company from referring the evidence to a Select Committee. Mr. TIE RNEY thought there was as much -reason for having this examination conducted at the Bar of the House as any other, and if the arguments used by the Noble Lord went,to any thing, they went to this, . that all examinations whatever ought to be referred to a Committee up stairs. The hardship of not having the evidence given at the bar, applied equally or still more to those who wished to establish their claim to an open trade, none of whose witnesses had yet been brought forward. It was possible, how ever, that their evidence might be such, that they would rather be desirous that it should be given in a corner, than exposed to the broad face of day. If it would not too much distract the attention of the No ble Lord (Castlereagh), who he supposed was reading some India paper, (a laugh) he wished to be informed whether it was his intention that the Select Committee should sit atter this night, or not till after the holidays? Mr. PJNSONBY was of opinion that the India Company appeared in the character of defendants, that they had to maintain a possession, which it was proposed to take from them, and that therefore they had a right to the m Ist favourableand patient hearing. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it was true the East-India Company were peti tioners to that House ; they were petitioners to have the sovereignty of sixty millions of people continued to them for twenty years longer, and to retain the ex clusive monopoly of the trade of Asia. He saw not the slightest ground for resisting the motion for a Se lect Committee, where every Gentleman would be able to put any questions, and to cross-examine evi dence in any manner he pleased. Mr. C. GRANT, speaking on the authority of the Directors of the East India Company, declared, that that body would think itself grievously injured if the conclusion of the evidence on their behalf were not heard at the Bar. Lord CASTLEREAGH added, that his object was to consult.the convenience of all parties ; nor did he think, that by the proposed arrangement the Com pany would have any right to complain of severity. He could not admit, with Mr. Ponsonby, that the East India Company, or any other body, ought to dictate to Parliament the mode of its proceeding— such a doctrine was most unconstitutional and dan gerous, since the House was a fit judge of the steps it would take with regard to the cases of persons who appeared before it merely.as petitioners; asking the favour to be heard by their witnesses. Mr. ASTELL opposed the motion, maintaining the unfairness of smothering the remainder of the Pe titioners' case, by sending it up stairs. • Lord CASTLEREAGH replied, that nothing was further from his wish than to do injustice to any of the parties. Mr. PONSONBY denied, very strenuously, that he had asserted that the House was to be controuled in its proceedings by the dictates of the East India Com pany-. The Noble Lord, in truth,- was the author of all the inconvenience that had yet, and would here afiei result ; for if the examination at the Bar was objectionable, lie ought to have opposed nit in limine. Lord CASTLEREAGH rejoined, that he was not aware, originally, that the testimony upon one point only would be protracted to such a length. Mr. CANNING said, his reason for 'Voting for the motion of Lord Castlereagh was, that if it were not agreed to, the evidence would ..delay the decision to so late a period of the session, that it could not be concluded, and the interests of the Company would be endangered. Mr. TIERNEY observed, that if other parties were to be allowed the choice of being heard before a Select Committee, the Company. ought not to be de prived of its option of being heard before a Commit:- tee of the whole House. If two whole days were applied to the subject before the holiday, the same time after the recess would, he belinad, conclude the' whole subject on the part of the Petitioners. Mr. G. SMITH opposed the motion shortly, as did also Mr. GRENkELL. After a few words from Lord CASTLEREAGH, the question was put. Mr. LUSHINGTON (the Chairman) declared that the motion - had been carried.,--A division w called for, when the numbers were—For Lord Cat. tlereagh's motion 95—Against it 37—Majority 58. When the Gallery was re-opened, we found Lord CASTLEREAGII upon his legs, observing that it would now remain for the House to decide upon the rec.-orn mendation of the Committee, and to form the select body upon such regulations to the time of its sitting as it should deem expedie: - .t. Colonel Monroe was again called in, and unde went a long examination by Mr. ADAM and Mr. Fl LAY. The Colonel stated that private traders wet f! generally very obnoxious to the native population r.: - India, in consequence of tl!e harshness with wl.iet: they demeaned themselves. Indeed, he had heard of indigo merchants having put native Indians in tilt stocks, and subjected them to other inflictions per• - • liarly abhorrent to the nature of the Indian cliaracttz. In the course of his own experience in India, he had seen much . to justify the prejudice which the Indians entertained against the private traders. Acts of in justice and oppression were never, to his knowledge, attributable to the agents of the India Company, who were, therefore, much more popular among the In dian population. Commerce, he said, had never yet effected any alteration in the manners and habits of the native Indians. The Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave for the Committee to sit again. Mr. LIJSHINGTON then moved that a Select Committee be appointed to examine the further evi. hence on Indian affairs, who would report thit evi dence from time to time to the House. On the ques. tion being put, it was agreed to. • Lord CASTLEREAGH rose to move that the House continue the examination of evidence on In dian affairs to-morrow. After some observations, it was at last suggested by the &queen, that to obvitte this difficulty it might be proper to move, that the further considera tion of the question be continued till to-morrow (thlt day). This was accordingly moved and agreed to. DOCTRINCS OF MAYNOOTII. Mr. RYDER moved that there be laid before the House a copy of the course of lectures and instruc tions, particularly on theology, dogmatical and mo ral, of the Royal College of Maynooth, for the year 1812. Mr. W. FITZGE RA LD approved of the motion ; and stated, that he had been desired by the that of the College to communic a te to th e H o u se that they were ready to lay before the House any information that it might call for. —(Hear, hear). Sir J. NEWPORT thought the motion one of the most extraordinary he had ever heard (Hear, hear) — and could not but lament that the Right Hon. Gen tleman, While Secretary of State for the Home De partment, if so desirous of • knowledge on this parti cular subject, had not availed himself of all the in formation then within his reach—for it might have assisted him in the arduous duty of settling the nightly watch !—(Laughter). Mr. PEELE thought the motion a very fair one, as it would be much better to go direct to Maynooth, than to ask for it: doctrines from some five or six Universities abroad. Mr. W. WYNNE was of opinion, that as nothing less than a copy of the whole course of lectures would satisfy the Right Hon.. Mover, that he ought also to move for copies of all the sermons preached by all the Roman Catholic Priests in Ireland in 18121. Mr. BRAGG - E BA - THURST . contended, th - at they had a 'tight to know what were the documents promulgated in a Roman Catholic seminary main tained by the royal boUnty Mr. W. FITZGERALD and Mr. W. WYNNE explained, the latter observing, that he did not under. stand the motion since it had been explained, for by the whole course, he could not think that a part only was required. Lord CASTLEREAGH considered that the mo,. Lion meant a summary of the lectures. Mr. WHITBREAD would be very glad to know what really was moved for ? To the motion, as it stood, what could be returned but a copy, verbatim et literatim,_ of all the lectures, d e c . delivered in 1812 Mr. ABERCROMBIE; Mr. WHITBREAD, ME. RYDER, Lord DESART, Lord CASTLEREAGH, Sir H. PARSILLL i p Mr. PEELE, and Mr. WYNNE, made some further ob servations on the wording of the motion. Mr. WHITBREAD moved, as an amendment, that the College be required to give the head: of the Lectures. Colonel BARRY suggested the propriety of call. ing for the substance only. General MATHEW supported the amendment. Mr. FITZGERALD believed the Trustees were anxious to afford useful information to the House. Mr. MANNERS SUTTON contended that the Motion, as amended, would.not produce information satisfactory to the House. Mr. WHITBREAD immediately withdrew his amendment, and the original motion was agreed to. PORTUGUESE AND SICILIAN SUBSIDIES. • Mr. LI;SHINGTON brought up the Report of the Committee of Supply, and the Resolutions grant ing two millions sterling for the service in Spain and Portugal, and £400,000 for the Sicilian service, to his Majesty, were read a first and second time. IRISH MISCELLANEOUS ESTIMATES. The Resolution of granting a sum of 832,965 for Icarrying on the public works in Ireland being read, Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, this vote was di. rectly in contravention of the agreement respecting the Irish Civil List, of which the inviolability had been so strongly urged, but which had constantly been departed from. Mr. FITZGERALD said, that in the King's let. ter on which the Act in question was founded, the sum in question was proposed in accordance to the usage ever since the Act in question had been passed. Mr. BANKER objected to the grant, which, after some discussion between General MATHEW. Mr. Ft rz. GERALD, and Mr. PEELS, was agreed to. On the vote for publishing Proclamations being read, Sir J. NEWPORT said he should oppose this grant, which had a pernicious influence on the Irish press. From the Press, one of the papers encouraged by a share of this annual vote, the infamous fabrica tion against the Catholics, which had excited such in• dignatton, had issued. General MAT HEW objected to . the Vote, on as count of the influence exercised by the money thus granted over the Irish press. In one instance, when the Editor of the Clonmel Herald had voted in favour • I I