Star. — London, England, 1821-05-01 00:00:00

original letter of General Wolfe, on the subject of she education of an Officer :•••• 4 Your brother, no doubt, is master of the Latin and French languages, an d has some knowledge of the mathematics: with- 1 out this last he can never become acquainted with o ne considerable branch of our business—the con-I struction of fortifications, and the attack and defence, of places. In these days of scarcity, and in these un lucky times, it is much to be wished that all young soldiers of birth and education would follow your brother's steps, and, as they will have their turn to command, that they will try to make themselves fit for that important trust. Without it, we must sink un der the superior ability and indefatigable industry of our restless neighbour. —The Hon. Member par ticularly applauded that part of the Institution which gave education to the orphans of meritorious Officers who had died in the service of their country. Captain O'GRADY wished to say that the Pimlico Establishment should be either done away with, or removed ro the College at Sandhurst. Mr. HUME complained that a Pension List had grdwn up on this Establishment. It was not true that it was kept op exclusively for the sons of Offi cers; for, of the whole number now in the College, the number of orphans was only fifty--(Hear, hear); of those who lately had got commissions, the greater rapt were foisted in by interest or favour—(Hear, hear).—He thought that if the Government would only make knowledge a test fur obtaining commis sions, the parents who intended their children for the Army would still give them the necessary education to fit them for that service. The whole expense of this Establishment might therefore be saved. Colonel WOOD denied that commissions were procured by interest. General HA RDINGE adduced, as a proof of the excellence of the military system of education at Sandhurst, the fact that two schools were lately set up in... Paris by the War Minister on precisely the same.plan. The -military science had made . great progress, and he did not think the Constitution of itis - country would be improved by encouraging mi litary ignorance. Officers were given to understand that their children would be provided for, and it tvould be a breach of faith on the part of the nation hot to *deem that pledge. He entirely approved of the suggestion of a gallant Officer (Captain O'Grady) that the Riding:house at Pimlico should be trans fen ed to Sandhurst. Mr. T. WILSON said thit fin man was less qua lified than himself to give an opinion upon such a question as the present ; but if there were only 55 orphans educated at this Institution, it appeared to him that the-Institution was perverted. Captain O'GRADY begged leave to ask the No ble Lord opposite a question. He saw that the por ter of the establishment had a salary of 1-70 a-year. Be wished to know whether thit individual was an old soldier, or a decayed iankeeper? If he was the latter, he (Captain O'Grady) trusted that the appoint ment would, before long, undergo revision. Such places, in his opinion, ought to be tilled by old soldiers. No answer was given to the question. The House then divided, when there appeared. For the original Motion - 32 Against it - - . 23 Majority - —9 After the return of strangers to the gallery, the following sums were voted: 5t172.250 for the pay of General Officers, not Colonels of Regiments. 250.000 for the same class of Officers for Ireland. tf1,2.!:5 9s. 2d. for the pay of the Irish Staff. R2d,204 2s. sd. was then moved for the pay of Governors of Garrisons on Foreign Stations. Mr. HUME objected to this grant, as most extra vagant. Amongst other complaints against Minis ters, the Hon. Member noticed their appointment of Lord Chatham to the Governorship of Gibraltar. llecondemned the selection they had made,_as inju dicious, and taxed them with prodigality, in giving, at this time, to a Nobleman, a sinecure office which cost the nation £6,000 a-year. He asked of what possible utility could a Governor be to a garrison who did sot reside there ? of the Secretary for the Home Department, and the Officers were paid for keeping garrison, though a goo was not left in it. The Honourable Member moved, as an Amendment, that from the sum proposed there , be deducted £2,449. Lord A. HAMILTON said, he could not give a silent vote on that occasion, when his Majesty's Mi nisters.refused to give any account of the application of the grant which they proposed. When any pro positionlor reduction was made, they raised objec tions on account of the smallness of the sums, or the merits of the parties; but they uniformly refused to adopt any such proposal, and gave the Public no hopes that they ever would consent to any reduction in the national expenditure. Lord PALMERSTON referred the Honourable Member (Mr. Hume) to the Estimates of the Tower establishment for the present year, whereby he could inform himself that it was different from what he sup posed it to be. The Noble Lord instanced the names of the Duke of Lord Hill, Lord Beres ford, Lord Combermere, and other illustrious names as well worthy of filling the various offices - which they now held. Mr. BENNETT would not object to Establish ments such as those of Plymouth or Chatham ; but he wished to know what necessity there was for a fort at Inverness? When the Highlands were in a state of disturbance, such a fort might have been ne cessary; but he knew enough of Sboiland, at present, to say it required no such Establishment. Why should Hull also be supported as a military establish ment? What necessity was there for a garrison at Stirling, unless for electioneering purposes.? Lord JOHN RUSSELL begged to ask the Noble Marquis opposite, if Lord Chatham was to reside per manently in Gib raltar? and whether it was the inten tion, in that case, to continue the office of the De puty-Governor, as at present ? The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said, all he knew was, that Lord Chatham was preparing to de part immediately for Gibraltar. Mr. PHILLIPS suppOrted the Amendment, and said it was impossible not to see that the sinecures were kept up by Government for the sake of patron age, on which Ministers depended for their support. Lord PALMERSTON said the Hon. Member (Mr. Bennett) was unfortunate in his argument, applied to Stirling, as to its being kept up forelectioneering pur poses. Lord Hutchinson was Governor of Stirling, a person who was not likely to exert any influence for his (Lord Palmerston's) side of the House. The House then divided on the Amendment, when the numbers were: For the Amendment 27 Against It 86 Majority -—6 O The original Resolution was then put and carried. Lord PALMERSTON then moved, that the sum of £11.1,256 17s. 6d. be granted to his Majesty for defraying the expenses of the retired Officers and un attached Officers of his Majesty's Forces of Great Britain, from the 24th of December, 1820, to the 24th of December, 1821. . Mr. HU3IE said, a great additional burthen was imposed on the Public in this charge. Some Officers were Called in from the Half.pay, and, after a service of two, three, or four years in the Veteran Regi ments, were then allowed to retire on Half.pay, by which the Public were saddled with an expense of £13,870, which was the difference between the half and full pay of 247 Officers who had been brought in on the Veteran Service, without any claim for hard or long service. The Honourable Member instanced several Officers on that establishment, who served only one, two, or three years. He would then ask what right had any Officer to claim to be put on the retired full pay for a service of two or three years?' He thought the Committee ought to deprive them of that to which their services did - slot entitle them. He would therefore move, that £13,870 be deducted from the sum proposed to be granted. Lord PALMERSTON said, that the point on which he would rest his opposition to the Honourable The Marquis of LONDONDERRY, in reply, Member's Amendment was, that those Officers who charged the Hon. Member with making his observa- were put on full pay had no claim to higher pro bons on the vote before the Huuse a vehicle for an motion. They could not rise one step higher, while attack of the most personal, and, perhaps, not the those on half-pay could rise through every gradation most gentlemanly nature, upon an absent Noble- to the highest rank in the army. Then, one condi; man. The Hon. Member was not ignorant the Noble tion attached to their .retiring on full pay was, 4.ord alluded to was now actually on his way to that they could rise no higher than the rank they Gibraltar. He had heard a great deal about this held. Another condition was, that they were obliged appointment, and yet the lips of Gentlemen were to do duty whenever it would be necessary to call closed during the Governorship of a late Royal Duke on them. The length of service was no criterion —(Hear, hear).—let it was a fact, that during his whereby to judge of the justness of an Officer's claim. incumbency the Duke of Kent received £6,500 a- 'Fifteen or sixteen years could not give a claim: The year, whilst Lord Chatham had but £-1,400. Commander-in-Chief made his selection from among Mr. HUME thought it was neither justice nor hu- those Officers who had been on hard service, and Inanity in Ministers, who had wronged the illustri- from those who were disabled, many of whom, from ous Duke during his life, now to taunt his memory length of time, and in consequence of their merito that be was dead--a(Hear,hear).—The Duke of Kent rious services, were raised from the ranks. The half ought to have had £3 ) 500 more, if Ministers did and full pay besides, were not, as the Hon. Member him justice. Ilis being made Governor of Gibraltar supposed, as one to two, they were as three to four; was the reward of ten years' service abroad with his and all such as had been put on full pay, forfeited regiment, bestowed upon him by his father. It was thereby all claim to further promotion. not pleasant to draw comparisons, but he put it so- Mr. HUME said, that as he understood from the berly to the Noble Marquis, whether he meant to Noble Lord that those who were brought from the say that in claims upon the country Lord Chatham nalf to full pay had no claim to promotion, he should could compete with the Duke of Kent? (Hear, hear). let his motion go to the Committee, but would not Everybody knew the services of the former at Wal- press it to a division. cheren and elsewhere--(Hear, hear)—and that they After a few words from Mr. BENNETT, the Amend had been fully requited. ment was put and negatived. The original grant of Colonel DAVIES observed, that it was more pro- £115,256 17s. 6d. was then put and carried. Per to inquire into an office when a new possessor was It was then moved, that a sum not exceeding coming in, than whilst one was actually in the situa- £14,742 17s. 6d. be granted to his Majesty for the tion. He then took occasion to censure the indecent same service in Ireland. haste with which the appointment of Lord Chatham After a few words from Colonel DAVIES, the blob place; for he asserted that the same messenger motion was agreed to. vho brought news of the Royal Duke's death to the The next vote was for granting his Majesty/21,26a. )40 kole Marquis a t hi s country-house in Kent, brought Tor thedisbanded foreign O ffi cers, and Officers' Widows. also intelligence of the appointment of Lord Chat- and Orphans. barn to be Governor of Gibraltar—(Hear, hear). Mr. HUME said, the Noble Lord (Palmerston) had Sir F. OMMANEY supported the Resolution. not acted with candour in the statements laid before 'Mr. HUME wished to know from the Noble Lord the House. There was, in 1816, and in every year the Secretary at War), whether the establishment at since, a person through whose hands the money the Tower was such at present as it was some years passed to foreign Officers, and who, for that, re a.llo? He would take that as an instance of the sys- ceived, of the public money, three or four thousand Pursued by his Majesty's Ministers, and from pounds a-year, but which was not stated in the Esti di'at the Committee might learn the rest. .. Ex tow mates. He also complained that the British Officers 0 1 , ce "Res !” At the period to which he alluded, were not on the same footing with the foreign Of :le...was not a gun at the Tower, although a reg ular ficers. The former had to pay, though on the spot etablishment of a garrison was charged in theEsti- themselves, a per tentage for the pay they received; _Tater* It WAS apprehended, as he understood, tlt:et whereas the German O.ficer might draw his bill for tae Radicals would attack the Tower and take the 1.:(200, -or whatever sum was due to him, and he re 4cuinst to the Cheviot hills--(A laugh). That he Uri-, ceived evert penny, without deduction ; but the Pub .ood have been done recommendation E lid.ftete charged - withit, although he was not. The • 1 .1.-_`l ; i I I charge to the Public was, on this account, in 1816, £2449; in 1817, £4459; in 1 818, £4415; in 1819, 1E2238 ; and in 1820, £3100; in all, the expense to 'the Public was £17,661, given to the Officer through whose hands the money passed ; whereas, two clerks in the Pay Office could have done it for £2BO. Ile would think it no hardship on foreign Officers to be put on a level with British Officers. If the former could not receive and spend the money in this coun try, they ought to pay for sending it to them, as the British Officer did. He would therefore move, " That £3050 be taken from the sum proposed," which was at the rate of 31 per cent. on the whole, which the Public had to pay for sending it; but the foreign Officers were to lose nothing by the deduction. Lord I'ALMEItSTON said, that, from what the Hon. Member said, it would seem as if the Office al luded to were created by him (Lord Palmerston). — The only connection he'had with it was, that two years since he reduced it from A to 31 per cent. The British Officer could receive his pay without any de duction, if he remained here to receive it ; but if he went to foreign countries, he could not complain if .he had to pay an agent for transacting his business in his absence. The foreign Officers could not reside here. When we had no further occasion for them, they were ordered home, and it would be hard if' they could not receive the reward of their services as British Officers could. Colonel DAVIES said , some foreign Officers were receiving half-pay from this country while they were serving under other States on the Continent, and it was impossible they could serve two masters at the same time. He instanced the Duke de Guiche, who was receiving half-pay, and was a Major-General in the French Army. Lord PALMERSTON said, he before heard of reports of foreign Officers sending over false certifi cates for their half-pay. He inquired into the matter, and found there was no foundation for the report ; and he could inform the Hon. Member, that since the Duke de Guiche went into the trench service, he never applied for his half-pay. It was unnecessary to speak of the services of the Duke de Guiche. Mr. BENNETT, after a few observations,. said he would move, as an Amendment, that £2,000 be de ducted from the sum proposed. Mr. HUME begged to ask the Noble Lord if there was any recruiting for the British service on foreign stations ? He asked the question, because he saw an order from the Admiralty to man a ship, ordering her to Heligoland, to convey 100 men from that Island. The Honourable Member then begged leave to withdraw his Amendment, to let his Honourable Friend's Amendment stand in its place. Lord PALMERSTON, in explanation, said, that it had been found necessary to fill up the vacancies in the 60th Regiment with foreigners, whilst it was on a foreign station ; but that in future the vacancies would be filled up by native subjects. The House then proceeded to divide on Mr. BEN NETT'S Amendment. For the Amendment Against it - Majority - - - --- The next Resolution moved, to grant a sum. of £42,796 9s. to defray the expenses of Chelsea Hospital. Colonel DAVIES objected to this sum, on the ground of the chief Medical Officers holding mere sinecures. The Surgeon, he said, had £BOO, and be had besides a pension of £446 a-year as a retired In spector, and the chief part of his duty was performed by an assistant. The siiiiition of the Apothecary was also a sinecure, because his duty was performed by the Dispenser. There was also an unnecessary number of Clerks, and their salaries had been in creased to an unreasonable extent. - 55 - 89 -54 Sir CHARLES LONG justified the appointments in question ; and maintained that the Officers alluded to were necessary, as having a great deal of duty to attend to. An alteration had been made in the pay ments to Pensioners, by making payments quarterly instead of half-yearly : this created a necessity of employing a greater number of Clerks ; and, in con sequence of the regularity which took place by means of this increased number, a saving of expense wa s effected to the amount of £BO,OOO a-year. Mr. R. GORDON wished to know the meaning of the charge of granting £lOO a-year to a Clerk to a Magistrate for attesting out-pensioners? Mr. HUME did not complain of the salaries paid to the thirty-one Clerks, provided they were all em ployed. But in the other departments, he thought there might be a saving of £2500. He doubted, however, whether the establishment of Chelsea Hos pital ought to be kept up at all, and he thought the sums paid to medical men were enormous. He was sure, that the men kept at that Hospital would be much better off if sums of money were paid . to them at their own houses.,-The Resolution was agreed to. The sum of £15,973 was voted for the In-pen sioners of Kilmainham Hospital, in Ireland. The sum of £943,000 was next granted to the Out pensioners of Chelsea Hospital; and £215,222 to the Out-pensioners of Kilmainham Hospital. Mr% HUME wished to know why the two Establish. ments of Chelsea and Kilmainham might not be con solidated into one, so far as regarded Out-pensioners, by which a great saving of expense might be effected? Sir C. LONG said, that a plan of this kind was now under the consideration of the Government. On the Resolution for granting £32,000 for the Military Asylum, Mr. HUME appealed to the Noble Lord whether it was necessary to keep up an establishment when the individuals for whose benefit it was intended no longer existed ? Lord PALMERSTON said it was intended to limit the number of children admitted into this place; but the thing could not be dpne at once. All the establish ments were to be done away except that of Chelsea. Mr. HOBHOUSE wished to know why great num bers of children who were not the orphans of soldiers should be brought up in a way by which soldiers should be separated from the citizens ? and .he asked if the children were those of soldiers who had died in battle? Lord PALMERSTON said they were the children of soldiers, who were brought up in the Asylum; and so far from their being all brought up as soldiers, numbers of them were bound out to various trades, after haring received an education at the Asylum. A sum of £31,560 was moved for Superannuation Allowapces. Colonel DAVIES said, that many of these super. - annnations were most extravagant. Retired Clerks had £5OO or £6OO a-year, when many General Offi cers had no more than ten or eleven shillings a day. Besides, most of the s e allowances were granted in defiance of an Act of Parliament. He concluded by moving to deduct £201.8 from the proposed sum. Lord PALMERSTON said, the Act did not ap ply to the Offices -in question ; because here the Of fices were abiolutely abolished ; and it was thought just to allow the retired Officers son - erhing more than the sum allowed to persons retiring from OBlces which were to be filled up by other persons. • Colonel DAVIES contended that meritcrious,Offi. Icers wet e left to starve, while enormous sums were paid to persons who had no claims whatever. Mr. HUME conceived it would be impo.sihle to go into all the details, in reference to this Re.oluticm, at so late an hour of the night ; and should therefore move, as an Amendment—" That the Chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again." Lord PALMERSTON said, he should agree to the Amendment ; but with the understanding that the Resolutions, as far as they had hitherto gone, should be reported to the House to-morrow. A short conversation then took place between M r . J. Slum, Lord PALMERSTON, Mr . BENNETT, and Sir ROSIEST WILSON, on the subject of Superannuation Allowances; after which the Chairman repotted progress, and obtained leave to it agaiti. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER obtained leave to bring in a Bill for more effectually carrying into execu tion the Acts relative to the Building of New Churches. Mr. HUME gave notice of a motion for to-morrow relative to the establishment and expense of the Royal Marines. The House adjourned at One o'Clekk. REVOLUTION OF PERNAMB UCO. (From the arreio do Ports.) OPORTO, APRIL 14. This day arrived here the Felix Ventura, Captain Jose de Freitas Chaves, 38 days from Pernambuco, whence she sailed on the 7th of last month. As soon as the vessel was allowed pratique with the shore, the Captain communicated the agreeable intelligence which we are about to repeat. The 15th of February was the great day on which the inhabitants of Bahia determined finally to pro claim their liberty, by the adoption of the constitu tional system of this kingdom, and by taking an oath to the Constitution which our Cones are framing. They instituted a Governing Junta, composed i.f men of prudence and respectability, and offered the Pre sidency to Count Palma, s ho was Governor of the Captainship. The Count, however, front motives of delicacy, declined to accept the office, and it appears asked leave to retire to Rio de Janeiro. The towns and villages in the neighbourhood of the capital have long entertained the same sentiments as the people of Bahia ; for, like them, they were doomed to suffering and lamentation. As soon, there fore, as they learned what had been done on the 15th, they followed the same course, and sent their homage and promises of obedience to the Junta of the capital. It was by this time known at Pernambuco, that the sacred sparks of the constitutional fire had reached the Villa das Alagoas, where they had produced their proper effect. The people of Bahia then fitted out an expedition for Pernambuco, to inform the inhabit: its of that city of the Revolution which had been accomplished, and to invite them to take similar measures without delay; they, at the same time, offered the Pernam bucans their fraternal co-operation and assistance, should aid be necessary to them. His Excellency Laoz do Rego Bareto, Governor of the Captainship, convoked the ecclesiastical, civil, and military autho rities of the capital; and having explained to them the purpose for which the meeting was called, they proceeded to deliberate on the necessity of following the example of Bahia, and delivering the country from the evils with which it was afflicted. All the persons present with one voice agreed to unite with their brothers of Bahia to proclaim the Portuguese Constitution, and to swear to it, as it shall be adopted by our Cones. The illustrious Colonel Gil, who in the absence of Lieutenant-General Canavarro, commands in this city, immediately on the arrival of this gratifying intelligence, ordered it to be celebrated by a salute of 21 guns, and in the evening by discharges of musketry by the troops. The Bishop also ordered the bells of the Cathedral and other churches to be rung ; and at the moment that this Paper is going to press (eight at night) the beautiful front of the Council-house is illuminated with a transparency, on which are inscribed in large letters the names of the two places—" Bahia and Pernambuco"—which have given cause to so much joy. The illumination is expected to be general. The following is a Pro clamation posted up at Pernambuco : PROCLAMATION. " Luiz do Rego Barreto, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Division of Pernambuco, Governor, Captain-General of the said Captainthip, &c. &c. ! You will prove to the world that the crime of a few men never can be the crime of a whole province. Fide lity to our Sovereign, and the laws of our country ; constancy 'in adversity, and courage to sustain the national character, will ever be the characteristics of the Pernambucans. Tout plains still bear the trophies which you have gained on them over the enemies of the country. Pernambucans, the time for displaying your true character is arrived, and for manifesting your political virtues. The knowledge of the age demands new institutions, founded upon liberal principles, calculated equally to promete the prosperity of kingdoms and the happiness of the people. Pernambucans ! The Government knows your desires, and they are about to be laid, as a most just supplication, before the Throne of our august Monarch. Nothing more Is necessary to be said. The Chamber of Recife convoked the Ministers and Superior General Officers, worthy men of all classes and orders in the State, without distinction of Americans and En. ropean;, who are all as oac family ; and I, with the rest, toter preted your intentions. " Our Monarch will crcwn your desires. Ile never can have my other views than these which tend to the welfare of his subjects. " Be tranquil, Pernambucans. You will have new institutions. Receive them from the hands of our S.: verelgn. lie will give you them, and that inestimable gift will render his memory immortal. " Meanwhile continue obedient to the established laws, and to the Magistrates who administer them, and thus give to the world a great example of popular moieration. These laws will protect you ; but remember, that these laws must severely chass tise all who violate their duty, by disturbing public order. "Pernambuco, March 3. " LUIS DO REGO RA RRETO. " Viva() us Behianos '—Vivao PernainLio.a.ge !" ;~: ~jh l