Star. — London, England, 1814-11-09 00:00:00

4 4 1 .3" • r 4t - 4111 q QS tP" vl4t 0 1( 4 I ,v, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1814. PRICE SIXPENCE4gALFPENN Y. "1": UMBER 8638. 2.IRLIAMENTAItr PR@CEEDINGS. HOUSE OF I OROS, NOVEMBER 8. This day, exactly at two o'clobk, his Royal Highness tile Pas wit Rcces'i came down, in the usual state, and on entering this }intl.., attended by the Royal Suite, in which the Swots! of State vta. borne by the Earl of LIVERPOOL ; the Cap of Maintenance, by tl.e Marquis of WINCIUSTIR ; the Imperial Crown of the Realm by Lord JAIA IS MIARAT ; and the Prince of VlTAtaes Crown, by the Earl of YARMOUTH—his Royal HighneSs took his seat on the Throne. His Royal Highness was dressed En purple and gold, with various orders—his entrance into the House was announced by a discharge of cannon from the Lambeth shore. Sir T. Trawurrr, Km. Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, was then sent to command the attendance of the Commons, who forthwith, to a very considerable number, with the Speaker at their head, appeared at the Bar. The Power Kroger then delivered the following meet (m -elons Speech from the 'Drape s. My Lora, a Goothstas, " It is with deep regret that I am again obliged to announce the cottieunnes -of his Majesty'h maned indisposition. . It would have given me rest satisfactioi to have been enabled to communicate to yin the tar*. nation of the war between this country and the United I States of America. ,4 Although this war originated in the most un provoked aggression on the part of the Government of the United States, and was calculated to promote the designs of the common enemy of Europe against the rights and independence of all other nations, I never have ceased to entertain a sincere desire to bring it to a conclusion on just and honourable terms. " I am -still engaged in negotiations for this purpose. The success of them must, however, depend on my disposition being met with corresponding sentiments on the part of the enemy. 4, The operations of his Majesty's forces by sea and land in the Chesapeake, in the course of the present year, have been attended with the most brilliant and successful results. _ _ _ " The flotilla of the enemy in the Patuxent has been destroyed. The signal defeat of their land forces enabled a detachment of his Majesty's army to take possession of the city of Washington, and the spirit of enterprise which has characterized all the movements in that quarter, has produced on the in habitants a deep and sensible impression of the cala mities of a war iii which they have been so wantonly involved. _ _ “ The expedition directed from Halifax to the Nor thern coast of the United States has terminated in a manner not less satisfactory. The successful course of this operation has been followed by the immediate submission of the extensive and important district east of the Penobscot titer to his Maiesty's, arms. these events I p. - N confident you valonr die . forded by s .4 of alTairi —Swope, - considrable military force to the rive St. Lawnence, but its arrival could not poi l 7 take place till an advanced period of the campaip. " Notwithstanding the mime which appears to have occurred on Lake Champlain, I entertain the most confident expectation, as well from the amountd • firs from the description of the British fOrce now serv ing in Canada, that the ascendancy of his Majesty's' arms throughout that part of North America, will , be effectually established.' . . . " The opening of the Congress at Vienna has been retarded, from unavoidable causes, to a Liter period than had been expected. It will. be my ear nest endeavour, in the negotiations which are now in progress, to promote such arrangements as may tend to consolidate that peace, which, in conjunction with fhis Majesty's Allies, I have had the happiness of concluding; and to reestablish that just equilibrium amongst the different Powers which will afford the best prospect of permanent tranquillity to Europe. " Gentlemen gibe House of Commons, " I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. " I am happy to be able to inform you, that the revenue and commerce of the United Kingdom are cr: the most flourishing condition. ' 66 I regret the necessity of the large expenditure 'which we must . bn prepared to meet in the course of the ensuing year; butlbe circumstances under which the long and arduous ceriteet in Europe has been car- Vied on and concluded hats unavoid'ably led to large arrears, for which you was" the necessity of pro viding ; and'the war still sat • : with America ren ders the continuance of great s Indispensable. bus Ala ". My Lord:, and Gentlemeti t a The peculiar character of the late war, as well as the extraordinary length of its duration., must have materially' affected the internal situation of all the countries engaged in it, as well as the commercial relations which formerly subsisted between them. 66 Under these circumstances, I am confident you will • see the expediency of proceeding with due cautit'n in the adoption of such regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of extending our trade' and securing oar present advantages: and you ma; rely on my cordial co-operation and assistance inevery -measut e which is calculated to contribute to tint prowtt ity and welfare of his Majesty's dominions." At the catchiness of the Speech, the Panics RESENT ant the Royal hike retired, and the Commons withdrew to theit own Howe. lord Esc M OOT* ( late Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.) was i ntro s dursd mid , the accustomed formalities, sworn and took his seat. His Lards' ip's supporters were lords Kenyon and Ellenborougls. Lord Aux ILA no took the oaths and Nis seat, on succeeding so the Peerage, by the demise Olds father, the late Baron. Their Lot dships then adjourned fill ive o'clock, at which bout the Home fesumed. • The Eat 6 .l of ABINGDON rose to move an Ad dress to she Prince Regent, in answer to his Royal . ; Highness's most gracious Speak. Us the fine , iragraph bf that document lils Lordulsiy observed' • every Peer, he was dettaink would pager , hi is.. , -.. the rAintianaa* 'ot bib MeieNY'e a.'—. ------., 44 In adverting to dtese ',ants I an confident you will be disposed to reader toll jostles to the valour and discipline whiih bine distingunhedlris Illejestes land and ass forces, 441 wig with ate the aversion the mom 401414 shiA tetastilleitutilko weeps iii died- trance span phloem. . 44 I availed sqvif of die earliest opportunity af forded by the state of affairs in 'Europe, to detach a indisposition. With respect to those important parts of the Royal Speech, which referred to our existing relations with the United States of America, he trusted their Lordships would recollect, that they first declared war against this country, and at a period when they thought that our external and internal re lations were in that state of difficulty, from the un paralleled exertions we were mating with a view to the deliverance of Europe, that they could join, and support the cause of the Ruler of France, with the greatest advantage and effect. Under such circum stances America felt no repugnance to declare in his favour. The Continent of Europe owed its eventual deliverance to the firmness and exertions of this coun try, combined with the other illustrious powers who so nobly sided with us. Pjo efforts were wanting on the part of the American Government to obstruct those measures of policy; which had solely for their object the establishment of a safe and honourable -Poem Under the peesenr - eircernstances of this. , countvy with America, he was satisfied that the _Prince Regent was desirees of the speedy.attainment el a safe and honourable peace, but he trusted that dere would be taken to have a peace really of that dipracter and description. The gallant and success ful enterprise undertaken by Sir Alexander Cochrane and General Ross was known to, and, he doubted not, must afford satisfaction to all their Lordships; and when it was confidered how large a disposeable forge we should hate to act against our remaining !Veiny, there could, he thought, be little doubt- as to the result of the contest, notwithstanding the disas. ter: which lately occurred on Lake Champlain. It certainly must afford great satisfaction to the House, to be apprised from the highest authority of the flourishing state of our commercial and financial re. lations ; and still rnore so, to learn that measures would be taken into serious consideration, for the promotion of the general interest and the improve ment of those advantages we had acquired. In con cluding, he begged leave to say a few words respect ing the part he had then taken. He was fully aware of the advantages obtained for the •country by the government of the Prince Regent ; but by no means himself bound by that support longer than they continued in that line of policy which proved itself so advantageous and honourable to the country, which was guided by sound principles, and had for one of its objects the inainteuance 04 those substantial laws, which were elaturod by the eiperience, and transmit.' lad to us by the wisdom of our ancestors, and which proved the best means of carrying us through a period of unexampled diffic u lty and danger. The Noble Earl concluded by m o ving an Address to his Royal Highness the Prima Regent as usual, embracing the leading topics of the Speech, expressive of the appro. lotion of their Levdabips, and assuring his Royal Highness of the support of the House. • The from the Woolsaeks. • The Ear oft) AWARE seconded the motion .3514 t re-aLbe A ga for agreeing to the same; and expressed his hope that the general sense of the House would render it un necessary for him to offer many arguments to induce their Lordships concurrence. He, however, solicited their Lordships indulgence while he offered a few observations.- The regret which they all felt at the continuance of his Majesty's indisposition, was ren dered the more painful by the recollection that he did not in his latter days participate in the joyful sen sation resulting from the bright dawn which at length had dissipated the gloom induced by a long and eventful struggle, and from the restoration of peace among all the civilized nations of the Old World.— But their Lordships knew the gates of the temple of Janus were not yet quite closed : though the sound and din of. war were no longer heard throughout the Continent of Europe, we still had an enemy to com bat, whose hostility seemed to proceed from a rooted enmity to this country. So far from being ac, u.itcd by the example of Europe, there seemed to exist in creased malignity in the Western Hemispio re to wards this country. The war originated on lie part of the United Statet, at a time when this country was engaged in a contest for that very liberty of nations, of which America declared herself the champion. It would scarcely be believed by posterity, that while we were engaged in an unequal struggle, on which the fate of Europe depended, America had declared war against us, and attacked our Canadian frontiers. Adverting to the prominent operations on the Conti nent of North America, his Lordship paid an elo quent tribute of applause to the memory of the gal lant Chief who expired in the arms of victory : and referring to the Congress at Vienna, the opening of which had been unavoidably delayed, he trusted their Lordships would think that a better mode than that devised for obtaining general security—even self-in. terest, that ever powerful motive, would operate as a reciprocal check against the future aggressions of the Continental States. The termination of the war afforded ground for just exultation, when they called to mind those outrages and abuses committed by a fanatic ambition, in the effort to exclude our com merce imm every port of Europe—when shey beheld the fruitlesi result of the high sounding anathemas which were fulminated against this country. These were consoling reflections, whilst they had unavoid ably to lament the necessity of making farther provi. sien for an extmeire expenditure ; and he trusted they would all jells la the support of measures to ren der that pease universal. which now so happily reign ed in three quarters of the world. The Earl of - DARNLEY could not agree with the Noble Mover and seconder of the Address, that the present state of things promised to produce per manent ad and tranquillity . When he saw that the gr; P L I Z extraordinary events of the last year, ou sont the Continent of Europe, bad as yet only uu~ the existing state of things in that quar ter.; and when be cast fils eyes across the Atlantic.' and beheld all parties inthe United Stzwf America power united against th e of this co ,he could by no means form those flatteriiig expectations form ed by the Holge . Vekih. In the . midget of the war ageing ;la thdO batmo %hike was one point of . prominent and peculiar importance;' he meant the naval part of it. In the contest in which we were so long engaged, out naval character attained a proud and glorious height; but since engaged in the com paratively diminutive contest with America, it was unhappily much deteriorated. hi contests with ships of the same force our vessels were debated : the causes of these disgraceful and injurious results called for serious investigation. In a former Session he felt it his duty to call the attention of the House to it, and probably he would have to do so again. The present state of affairs between this country and Ame rica should be more explicitly stated, before the House was called upon for its support, as the Ad. dress imported ; the attainment of Peace 'upon sate and honourable terms he regarded but as words of 'Course. It would be for the Government to declare, whether it were Meant to force America to such ktegns as might seem fair and honourable tp us, or rwhether a new Natter wand be . Wet Cot or whe ther the question of war now turned upon any oth grounds without bringing under discussion our mari time rights ; and whether the Americans were dis. posed to conclude peace without any of those unjust calls upon them? These were topics upon which Par liament ought to be informed. He trusted the war would not be protracted on account of any unwar. rentable pretensions on the part of this country.' The Noble Earl then adverted to the topic of the Slave Trade, and seemed to express his surprise, that after what passed on this subject, and the assurances which were given, that no farther progress was made to. wards effecting the so much desired object of the Abolition. Upon the whole, it appeared to him, that the present were very unfavourable circumstances for calling for any thing like unqualified approbation; and he felt he shduld be wanting in his duty to their Lordships if l►e suffered these topics to go without some observation on his part. With respect to the important question of the naval administration of the war with America, he particularly felt himself called upon. At the same time, he earnestly wished some person better able to do justice toahe subject would come forward before the close of the Session, and urge that enquiry which was so loudly called for. Viscount MELVILLE felt hiniself called upon to trouble their Lordships with a few remarks, it' con sequence of what fell from the Noble Earl, respect. ing the Naval Administration of the war with the United States.. He had• to complain that the Noble Lord's charge was of so general a nature—so ab-• stracted from all particulars, that he could scarcely find any specific mode of reply. He wished to know to what particular circumstances, events, or periods, the Noble Lord alluded, - id; his opinion, that the Nay, country was not conducted ought to be 1 He trusted pet Wm to stoat it- lifer charge of the Noble Earl, most unqualified manner of the war against America. _se (_ i.) not deem that branch of the war so very badly con ducted, when it had brought, within a few hundred men, 20,000 American seamen into our prisons.— Was that a mark of misconduct? There were a few other little facts of the kind to advert to.—When the Noble Lord should bring forward his charges, he hoped he would not put out of the consideration of their Lordships, that very near 200 American ships of war, or armed vessels, had been taken or destroy. cd ; of these there were no fewer than 199. Of the enemy's trading ships they had no documents exact ly to direct their calculations, but of these there were no fewer than 900 taken ; to these, if the various other descriptions of vessels were added, he had every rea son to hope that little less than 1900 were captured in the whole. If it were then meant to say that the croizers of this country had not done their duty, their Lordships must know how these facts would With respect to the protection of our trade, the rates of insurance compared at certain periods, may throw some light. How did that stand ? Notwithstanding the numerous privateers ufAmerica, the means of pro tection afforded were such that the rate of insurance in June last was rather lower than it was in the month of June preceding the American war. Perhaps the number of captures on the coasts of this kingdom and Ireland was in the contemplation of the Noble Lord:On this head the Noble Viscount (after glancing at the comparative numbers of vessels respectively taken in former wars between this country and France,) observed, that he had taken some pains to be informed as to the extent, and he found that the number of them since the Peace of Paris was 172 these were of ships going to foreign ports under cir cumstances in which it was impossible for them to sail with convoy. Now out of these 172 ships, over which the Admiralty had no controul, no fewer than 94 had sailed and exposed the properties in direct violation of the law. Of the ships which sailed with convoy, there was scarce an instance in which corn. plaints were not made by his Majesty's officers, of ships deserting their protection, and exposing them. selves to all the risks of capture. With respect to the coasting trade, the whole number of vessels taken, over whom the Admiralty had controul, did not ex ceed eleven ! From these plain statements it would appear how far the Noble Earl's general charge was founded or not. He could assure the Noble Lord that his general inferences were totally inconsistent with any intiamation he had ever received on the subject : and that with respect to what he had alluded to rela tive to contests where the respective force was equal, that the Noble Earl was misinformed. With respect to the question as applying to the occurrences on the Lakes of Canada, he could then afford no di►tinct or satisfactory information, because no details had yet arrived to enable his Majesty's Government to sub mit any thing to their Lordships in an official shape. All that he could say on the subject was, that when ever the Noble Lord should bring forward the en. quii y, he should be perfectly prepared to state at all times, as now, that with respect to a supply of naval stores for thou particular service, it would be found that all the demands, all the expectations, all the re quisitions from that part of the world, had not only been complied with, but had been anticipated in every instance, at least two fold (Rear, kettP I) beyond what was required!' He would establish that the supplies had been so furnished, and under these circumstances •the Noble Lord was at full liberty to bring forward his charges whenever he thought proper. ' Lord GRENVILLE considered that common sense and observation only were necessary to perceive -that the present contest .with the United States of America had been productive of tesolts highly injuL lions to the exalted reputation of this country, and telling to the feelings of Englishmen. With respect to the sufferings complained of by the merchauts, be could not believe that representations upon reptestoL tations would have been presented if there had bee* no strong ground for remonstrance. We had sot. gained more injury in our naval cba-act+et• froM the prints of the prAmit- Ainerican War than - fibs .tflose of the preceding twenty years. He hoped that a day would speedily arrive . when the American contest *Mild be deliberately and impartially examined in detail. When such an examination should take place, be wished that the conduct of the contest on our part ;sight be found worthy of approbation. Certain it Was, however, , that the disasters which had befallen oor ships on the Lakes, and the succeuful depreda tions of the American privateers on our commerce, Ltd with the circumstance that no blow had struck worthy of the great force of this country, had excited a general feeling of regret and indignation. In every quarter murmurs of discontent end regret were heard. That this feeling was preva lent could scarcely be disputed. Whether it was just he could not pretend to decide in a positive manner, but from what he knew, however imperfect his in formation might be, it appeared to'him that he would not be justified in expressing approbation of the man ner in which the struggle with the Americans had been carried on. It was necessary to look at the power of Great Britain, the force of her enemy, and the results of the contest between them. In Lining this, who mild hesitate to say, that the instruments in the hands of Ministers had not produced effec's 'adequate to what might reasonably have been hoped from• their strength ? His Lordship waited anxiously for a detailed investigation of the subject, which he Should assist with the impartiality of a Judge. He did not wish to prejudge the question, but facts were so obvious and glaring, that it was impossible to dis guise them. With the largest navy-upon the ocean, Great Britain had .been insnited, her ports had been actually blockaded, and her commerce greatly in. iured - American . preponderance waters which the British nation had a right to (spec', both from its resources and the profusion with which it bad poured them forth, for the purpose of giving full effect to the warlike measures which Ministers might adopt. If any thing could have persuaded him to a different opinion on this subject, it would have been the eloquent speech of the seconder of the Ad dress. He congratulated the House on the acquisition of such a Member. As to the general question al the war with the United States, while oar unjust Orders in Council were in force, he could never consider the war altogether just on the part of this country ; but when they had been repealed, there was but one voice on the subject. No one was willing to give up our maritime rights. As to the present negotiations, no information was given, and, indeed, nr.ne was to be expected, either relating to those at Ghent or at Vienna. It appeared to his Lordship, that the prin cipal cause of the war with America being now de stroyed, by the termination of the grand contest in Europe, nothing could be easier than the adjustment of the differences between the two countries. It was surely not necessary to continue the waste of human blood for the sake of a mere abstract question, which, in all probability, that sanguinary proceeding could never terminate. There might be impediments to the negotiation of which he was not aware, but cer tainly the language of the Speech was not of the, most pacific tendency. If, indeed, there were substantial reasons for the continuance of the war with America, they should have been stated in a public declaration. If the object of the war was not changed, the House would still feel bound to support it ; if, according to report, the object of the war was no longer the same, this should have been stated. He would say nothing positive on this subject, but the point ought to have been explained to Parliament. The statement of the Address of the readiness of the British Government to make peace on honourable terms was a mere com mon-place, as it was of course the duty of every Go vernment to do so. The war, indeed, before our Or ders in Council, was a war of aggression on the pet of the Americans, but the object now in continuing it ought to be peace, and not punishment of our enemy. This point was the mote worthy of particular atten tion, because the war appeared not to be pursued with the view with which it was originally undertaken.— Such a calamity as the war which now afflicted this country, ought not to exist without some vci y poi+ er ful cause. It was not to be treated with indifferenoe, nor were any exertions to be spared to put an end to it. The Address furnished no information as to the grounds on which the war was still carried on. His Lordship next adverted to that part of the Address which mentioned the capture of Washington.— The Address appeared to exult in the events which had taken place there, and which had cast a dreadful stain on British glory. He admitted that the enter. prise itself was one of the most brilliant that had oc. curred during the present contest, and he deeply Te• gretted the fall of the brave Commander who had led the troops to the glorious field of conquest ; but he no less lamented, that the same of that Commander . , . .., O - ed, on which he grounded jured by American cruizers and privateen. a the Laval Administration .of the'Lakes of America our naval force had beta Wonted, :ted in the manner in which it and anew disgrace inflicted upon our flag. It needed ed their Lordships would p00...430 great *focal lagocity to see that the • - .. lo h i m its ?t or t er thernetv..-tiorati vf-defonditsg Canada - seas brebta ft = :arl. who had censured in the lion of the Lakes. No military. force could otherwise er the Naval Administration be adequate to the purpose. Yet no proper measure mica. He (Lord M.) could bad been taken to insure that preponderance on those