Star. — London, England, 1808-05-13 00:00:00

lORLIGN INTELLIGENCE. COPFNHAGEN, APRIL f..) The day before yesterday we received intelligence, that all the enemy's ships have left the Great Belt, and riled to the south-east, probably to Langeland. In the straits between Laland and Holstein, so many fo reign vessels were cruising, that the'passage was much impeded. On the other hand, the ships which lay in the Kioge Bay sailed away on the 20th. We have since heard that the English made an attack upon I.angeland ; on which occasion, they shot more than 'two dozen balls upon the wall ; and in the skirmish, which lasted about three hours, not one was lost on the side of the Danes, but more than six on the part of the English. The following official report has been received from Norway Colonel Von Staffeld went with three companies to oppose the Swedes, who had entered Norway by Milskougen, and drove once more their advanced guard, Consisting of 200 men, far over the frontiers, having in so doing not lost a single man. The Swedish commander in Dalecarlia has dispersed .1 pri - Nclunation in Skalbukila, which, however, will have no effect upon the faithful Norwegians." PARIS, APRIL 28. The exportation of cotton has been prohibited by an order of the Minister of Finance, in consideration of the nianuftctorics and of the p"esent circumstances. APRIL 30.—1 t is affirmed, that on the 24th inst. a personage of distinction arrived at Bayonne from Italy. MADRID, APRIL 19. The Grand Duke of Berg has issued a proclama tion, ordering a part of the French troops, which were in the city, to go into camp, and otherwise providing for the relief of the city. The following annunciation has been poblishod : " Ilis Ilighnp•ss :he Infant Don Antonio has received a letter forom Vittoria, dated the 11th instant, announcing that his Ma hsty is arrived in that town, and continues to enjoy his health.— We also hear that his Ilighoesa the Infant Don Cislas is arrived at Layonne, being probably informed of the approaching arrival of 11:s Majes:v the Emperor of the French and King of Italy. The Fin our Sovereign testifies his satisfaction at the good understan s'ing between the people of Madrid and the army of his great and LoiAl ally." *MADRID GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, MARCH 27. PROCLAMATION FOR THE BETTER DISCIPLINE OF THE FRENCH TROCIPS.--ORDERED BY Tyr GRAND DUKE OF BERG TO BE TRESTED FOR PUBLIC NOTICE. SOLDIERS !—You are now about to enter the capital of a friendly Power; i recommend to you the best discipline, the best order, and the btu friendship with its inhabitants. it is a nation to w!tirli we arc allied, and which ought to find in the French army a true friei.d ; ald recollect the good treatment you have already expo ienced in the provinces titroegh which we have traversed. Soldiers !—I hope this recommendation will be sufficient for the compliance with which I am guaranteed by the good conduct which 101 l have already observed ; but if l find any individual forgetting tha: he is a Frenchman, he shall be punished ; and any excess shall fie ~e vcrely punished, for the breach of th.tt which I shall order : That any Officers committing any crime, or neglecting his duty, shall be deprived of his commission, and be delivered over to Mili tary Comnthsion, for justice. All Soldiers found guilty of robbing, concealing, or of vi,h,ron,shall be shot. Any Serjeant or Soldier, con victed of abesirg or ilbt mating the inhabitants, shall be delivered over to the rigour of the law ; if of murder, to be shot. Any Serjeant or Soldier found drunk in the streets shall be con demned to eight days conf. nement in the stocks, and the Serjeant he sent into the ranks. All the Serjcants or Soldiers found in the streets after the beating of the retreat—two days imprisonment. Generals, Chiefs of Regiments, and Cs ~,, of the rielich Army in Madrid—hach of you will ace, as far as it concerns yen, th..t these orders are punctually executed, and that they be read at the head of every company. (Signed) JOAQUIN, Lieutenant-General, Con - .mander of the Van-guard of the French Army, and of the Troops ea: toned at Madrid. (Countersigned) EM. GROUCHY. MADRID cAzErrE EXTRAORDINARY. ORI)L•'R OF APRIL 2. FRENCH ARMY. SOLDIER S !—The general business of Sweden has retarded for some days the arrival of the Emperor; but the combined armies e.f France and Russia are already on thcir march towards Stock holm, where they will unite, and the Emperor will lose no time in puttit g himself s. the head of his armies in Spain ; it is necessary that you should pat yourselves in a state to appear before Majesty, and to merit his approbation. General Reboissier will order cartridge; immediately for the infantry to fire with. The Grand Duke hopes to inform his Majesty of the good conduct of his troops, and also hopes to have to praise them in all respects.—' Soldiers, I see with pleasure the good order and discipline that is among you, and above all, the harmony that exists between the French and !'.patti h armies; I inn filled with satisfaction. The Spanish nation is deserving of all the best wishes and good will of the French army, as, on their part, they do not cease to give us proof.; of their love and affection. This morning, a soldier who had bee ti cotenmed to punishment, was about to be delivered over to the hands of justice, but the inhabitants of Madrid have interceded frr his peirdr.n, which has been granted ; hut this must be Ow last instance. Soldiers, redouble out friendship with the inhabitants, and cement mare and more the affectiem that ought to unite us. (Stried) JOAQUIN, General in Chief of the Staff. April 1 , I fTR AUG. BLLLIAR O. .11cL!.1411L'Nf11Rr PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF LORDS, MAY In the Rox'....rgii Appeal, " Ker v. Tr: es and Ker," Mr. CiT wt.s rther heart for the Respondent, brigadier-General Ker. r ht ari. g on \lr•::day. The 31i:hi.: Pay-Bill, the iVfilitia Suhaltcrn Bill, the Militia Adjutants Bill, the Irish Militia Lill, and tie Irish Stamp Duties Lil:, AV (re read a second time and connr.itted for to morrow. DUCHESS OF BRUNsWICK. On the Order of the Day being read, for taking into considera tion his Majesty's most gracious Alessuge, Lord I IAWKESBURY said, there was no necessity for him to take up the Shoe of the House by goirg at any length into this subject, us he was convinced there was a general disposition amoegst their Lordships to accede to an Address, expressing their readiness chearfuily to concur in the object of his Majesty's Message, in snaking provisi'•n for an Illustrious Princess, who was so neasiy related to his Majesty. The late Duke of Bruns wick MI in a cause which was as much the cause of this country as of Prussia, and the consequence of his attachment to which, it was well known, was the confiscation and spoliation of his terri tories, and his Illus•riousWidow being obliged to seek an asylum in this country. Under the se circumstance:, he thought there c.suld be no hesitation inn acceding to thei Address which he should move. Lord AITCKLAND eXpressed Lis entire concurrence in the Address. The Earl of LAUDFRDALE did not mean to oppose the . but thought it would have be en better if the Noble Secre tary of State ad no' mentioned the clreumstances respecting Pres sis, a, at the time the 'Nem% happent d, to which the Noble Lord alluded, we w.re at war with Pressia, or at least Peace with that Power htd not been concludt d. He thought, however, that the sum intended to be given in this instance' (10,0001. a year), was inconsistent with the provisions inac:e for other branches of the Rocal Family, as with respect to the five Princesses, tbe sew: provide d for ~11 was 30,00'd. a-year, whn:h amounted to only tioool. a-yc.:r for each, little mere than laalf the amount of the sum granted TM,. case. Ile ss Hind also to be understood .es giving his -:;port it: this instance upon the ground of th e nt ar relation ship of 'sic ilirstrious Pri cc's to the Royal Family, and not upon anv kid that a foreigi , Erinct ss Coming to this country es an asylum, 'slionnicl therefore be provided for, us in the pre sent state of Europe seen a pi incii.le sr ight It ad to a heavy -pence. The Address was agreed to nem. DA VESSELS. TbP 1 4 ,?RD CHANCELLOR stated, that he hat tree:ved a letter from a Noble Viscount (Sidmeuth) intimating that he should be prevented„by indisposition, from attending to-morrow, and requesting to put off his Motion till Tuesday. The Lords were accordingly ordered to be summoned for Tuesday. REVERSION BILL. On the third reading of this Bill, The Earl of LAUDERDALE observed upon the circumstances attending the progress and rejec tion of the former Bill and those which preceded the introduction of the present, and had taken place during its progress, and contended that the present Bill evidently appeared to have been the result of a compromise. With respect to the Committee of Fi nance, he did not expect much from their labours, after the little they had yet done. He thought their time would have been much better occupied in con sidering whether the immense expenditure in the army, ordnance and navy, could with expediency be reduced, than in the compromise from which this measure had resulted, or in the consideration of the abolition of a sinecure place. Some regulation might undoubtedly be made with respect to sinecure places, but it was material to consider with respect to this question, the remuneration which ought to be given to those who gave up their professional pursuits for the business of the State. if it was to be. laid down that no persons but those possessed of property and fortune were to be admitted to offices, then he thought they would not be likely to obtain much talent, but, if ability was requisite, there must he means to make such a provision for persons of ability that they might be induced to quit their professional pursuits. He thought this was better done by sinecure places than by pensions. Lord HA RROWBY, with respect to the idea of a compromise, observed, that the constant practice of the constitution was a compromise, as if the dif ferent branches were continually to exercise all the powers they possessed, public business could not go on. With respect to sinecure places, lie agreed with the Noble Lord that the State ought not to be placed in a worse situation than the professions in the State, and therefore ought to have the means of inducing persons of to quit their professions to engage in public business. He supported the bill, and disa greed entirely with some doctrines advanced on a former night, respecting danger to the constitution. He thought the dangei• which some Noble Lords saw in this Bill was more to be apprehended from resisting salutary reform. The LORI) CHANCELLOR said if there had been a unnpronlis.!, he was no party to it. With re spect to the Sill, he could see no ground for that theory of danp;zr to the constitution, and invasion of the prerogative, which had been advanced in a for mer debate, or that the dignity of the House was at all attacked. He thought their true dignity consisted in yielding to a proposition of salutary regulation, and making a firm stand where an attack ivasreally made upon the constitution. Lord HOLLAND observed upon the extraordi nary eircumstuues attending these Bills, the amend ment r.tovcd in the Comer Dill being negatived by a large majority ; and yet it formed the substance of the present Bill, which had been agreed to by the House. Lord 1-IAWKTSPITRY observed, that there were three opinions with respect to the former Bill, and that two of the parties , coalesced against the amend ment then proposed, by which it was negatived, con trary to the real sense Of the House. Lord HOLLAND in explanation, observed, that he could only take the vote of the House as an indi cation of its opinion. The Earl of DARNLEY in a few words suppor ted the Bill. The Bill was read a third time and passed. Adjourned till to-morrfAv. ITOU3E Or COMMOYS. Lord YARNIOUTI t reported from the New Talton Commit tee, that Bryan Cooke, Esq. is duly elected, and the petition not frivolous or vexatious. Mr. HUSK ISSON gave notice, that he should to-morrow most ti Resolution, that in all cases of Inelosure and other Bills-, in which the Crown was interested, the Surveyor General, or other person, having the charge of the Interest of the Crown in the District, should attend as a Commissioner on the part of the Crown. Mr. R. WA".D presented a Petition from the Governors of Greenwich Hospital, for dividing the Living of Syrnondburn, into two or more Curec. Mr. WHARTON brought in a Bill for granting an Additional Duty on Made Corks imported.—Read a hrst time. and to brread a second time onWeducsclay. The Three Nlil!ioni, and One and a Half Millions Exchequer Bills were read a third time, and passed. Mr. WHI - 1 BRE prts•n ed a Petition from the Provost and Town Council of Annan, in favour of -the bill for preventing the granting of Offices in Reversion. • fie also presented a Petition from the same body, against the Scots Judicature Bill, complaining particularly of tho inefficacy of that part by v.l;:ch it is proposed that the Court of Session shall be divided o:Ilv into two Chambers.—Both Petitions were or dered to lie cn the table. The Rtgort of the Committee of Suppl y was brought up. The grant of an Annuity of 10,CC0I. to the Duchess of Brunswick was agreed to n, After a tew wo:•4s between Mt . ..TIERNEY and Mr. PERCE VAL, on the grant fur Sierra Leone, the other resolutions were also agn re to. _ _ '1 he Irish Past Offi-e T;i11 was reported, and ordered to be read a third time to-mJrrow. nov ERN:kTENT A NNUITTF.R. Mr. HUSKTs'!;ON gave notice of a motion for to-morrow to u!horize the Hoideis of Tht cc rer Cent. Stock to purchase An nuities. SCOTS JUDICATURE BILL. A Message from the Lords stated that their Lord,hips had passed all for the better regulation of Justice in Scotland, and concerning. zppeals, to which they desired the concurrence of the House. The Bill being read a first time, The SOLICITOR GENERAL of SCOTLAND moved that it be read a second time on Monday. Mr. HORNER pled the indisposition of an Hon. Member in terested in. and who had raid great attention to the judicial affairs of Scotland, as a reason for postponing the second reading to the first open day atter tie , dz v. It was accordingly fixed for Wed nesday next. DWI' LT, TION COMMITTEE. . ~..... Mr. YORKE pre . ,ented a Petition from certain Farmers and M,t:t.li:s in the County of Cambridge, against the Rept.rt of the Committee as to discontinu ing the Distillation of Spirits from Grain, and pray ing that it may nct pass into a law. Mr. YORKE, n moving that t'iis Petition be laid upon the Table, t xpressed his hope, that the House would lie as in, adopting a measure which at most could onlf be attended with a temporary relief to the coLinies, and which might be attended with a permanent disadvantage. .He wished the Nal( Lord would put off the discussion of that Report. whiCh had been • fixed for Monday next, in order that Gentlemen might have an opportunity of snort maturely considering the evil consequences likely to arise from it. The Report itself was very volumi nous, and it was impossible that it could yet have been sufficiently perused and considered by all those who should enter into the discussion of it. The Petition was then laid on the table. Lord BINNING said, that consideringthevery ad vanced period of the Session, and the necessity there was, that some measure should be taken upon this Report before its conclusion, he could not help still wishing to bring forward the discussion of it on Mon day. Although the Report was apparently volumi nous, yet a great part of it consisted of recitals of former Reports, &c. which it was not absolutely ne cessary to peruse, in order to be master of the subject to be discussed. Mr. W. SMITH was of opinion, that if it were postponed to any more distant period, there woi , ld not be the least chance of any measure being taken upon the Report in question. • Sir JOHN NEWPORT stated, that it appeared to him the Committee had gone beyond their pro vince, and in a certain degree recommended the vio lation of the Act of Union. The SPEAKER here observed, that the only ques tion before the House was, Whether the Noble Lord would delay his motion or not beyond the day for which it was already fixed ? LorcilllNNiNG added, that he was much inclined to abide by the day he had already appointed, having heard nothing stated that shewed him the necessity of altering it, lIPCLINTOCK'S PETITION. The Bill for Granting a Compensation to Mr. M , - Clintock was brought up. Upon the motion for its being read a first time, Sir JOHN NEWPORT expressed his disapproba tion of thus again opening those claims for compen sation for the loss of certain fees, occasioned by cer tain new regulations of a former Act of Parliament, as he thought it would be a bad precedent. If they were to be opened on the part of indivi duals, they might as well be opened on the part of the public. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that it appeared, from the face of the original documents, that great injustice had been done to the individual, and that this was the only mode of his obtaining redress. Mr. LESLIE FOSTER entered into a long ex planation of the manner in which the injury complai ned of had arisen, and shewed the necessity of gran t ing the redress required. The Bill was then read a first, and ordered to be read a second time. MR. PALMER'S PETITION. Major PALMER moved, that the House do now resolve into a Committee to consider the report of a Select Committee on the Petition of John Palmer, Esq. of the City of Bath. The SPEAKER left the Chair. Major PALMER stated, that before he should make a motion he must entreat the indulgence of the Committee, as he stood forward in the delicate situ ation of an advocate on behalf of his father. He trusted, therefore, that the Committee would grant him that sort of attention which it would bestow upon any person, standing in a similar situation. He then moved that the Resolution in the Report of the Com mittee be read, which was in effect, that Mr. J. Pal. rifer was entitled to £l5OO per annum from the year 1793, and to two and a quarter per cent. per annum on an increased revenue to the Post Office from that period, and during his natural life. This resolution having been read, Mr. LONG stated to the Committee, that the same subject had been agitated before the House nine years ago, and that the application for the ccmpensa lion now recommended had been refused. Th • Ho nourable Gentleman in bringing the matter forward, ought to have stated the facts attending it, wa:cli were, that the late Mr. Pitt contended, that Mr. Pal mer had not fulfilled his engagement, and, even had his claim been allowed, Still that Government expec ted from Mr. Palmer the discharge of certain official duties in the Post Office. Indeed the charges against Mr. Palmer were, first, that he had caused a delay in the delivery of letters from the Post Office, in order to throw the blame of that delay on the Postmaster General. Secondly, that he had suffered a person named Wilson to pass an exorbitant account for con veying the mails ; and thirdly, that he had thrown the Inland Office into a state of confusion. Mr. Long , contended that Mr. Palmer having accepted £3OOO a year during his life in full, as a remuneration for his plan of conveying the mails in a more safe and speedy manner by coaches, was not entitled to charge two and a half per cent. on the revenue that had accumu lated since, as the £3OOO a year daring his life, w as acknowledged by Mr. Palmer in the presence of Mr. Pitt and himself (Mr. Long) to be fully sufficient. Major PALMER replied, that the plan of his fa-1 flier, for the speedy conveyance and greater security of the Mails, had been eagerly embraced by Mr. Pitt and the Lords of the Treasury, and that they had earnestly recommended its adoption to the Postmaster General. Still he contended Mr. Palmer, sen. was , entitled to the two and a half per cent. on the increase of the revenue which had accrued from the enhance-1 ment of the prices of postage of letters from the intro-' duction of mail coaches, and that such had been the original stipulation with his father, but that it had ceased when he had been suspended from his duties in the Post Office. With regard to the charges against Mr. Palmer, the Major said they were not well foun ded, neither could they be proved ; for the Commit tee, years ago, before whom they were stated, sent the evidence to the House by their Chairman, with out making any report upon it at all, and that such evidence ought not to have been received, as the Corn. mittee had been ordered to report the evidence, with their opinions and o b servat i ons t h ereon, to the House. Mr. ROSE said, the reason which induced the Postmaster-General to suspend Mr. Palmer from his office, was, his instructing those under his command to make out vouchers prejudicial to the public. Mr. CROKER, as one of the Committee who made the report, contended that it was made upon the fullest conviction of the strong claim Mr. Palmer had upon the public for a remuneration, agreeably to the original engagement, an d h e was , in hi s own opinion, perfectly convinced of the propriety of that Report. Mr. Palmer, in bringing forward his plan, had a numerous host of enemies to combat in the 'ost-office, and they ultimately triumphed. The juarrel originated about a key, which formed a key for the Post-masters to dismiss him, and he was af terwards betrayed by the only man in the Post-office in his confidence (Bonner), who was immediately placed in Mr. Palmer's situation. He concluded by I moving, that " Mr. Palmer was entitled to 21 per Cent. on the improved Revenue of the Post-office.'• Mr. PE RCEVAI, contended, that the grant hav ing been forfeited by !qr. P.'s misconduct, he had been treated more liberally than he deserved, in re ceiving 30001. per annum for life. Mr. WIND HAM was fully convinced from the Report, and what he had heard, that Mr. Palm er ., . claims were placed beyond a doubt. Though he for feited his office from neglect, he could not in jus tice and candour be deprived of his patent, which war confirmed to him for life, a patent which benefit.;d the revenue beyond the sanguine expectations of Mr. Pitt. Sir J. NEWPORT stated several points in the evi dence, inserted in the Report, which went entirely in confirmation of the claim. Sir F. BURDETT raid, this was not a party (p m tion, and lie hoped the House would do justice to the merits of an individual, who had sacrificed his fcr. tune, and a great - deal of his time, in bringing to cia. turity a plan which had been of the greatest benefit to the Public. All those points which had been irri tably brought forward, could not, in his opinion, dc away the strong and urgent claim of remuneration. Coupled with what the Report recommended, the opinions of the first legal authorities in the kingdom were in his favour s e. Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, Lord Erskine, Sir V. Gibbs, and Mr. Adam. Inde. pendent of that, his patent was a greater proof of his claim. It was not attempted to deny that it was hie plan that improved the revenue. The amount was no objection, when it kept pace with the benefit that resulted from it. He thought it was the fairest claim that could come before the House. Mr. G. JOHNSTONE defended the conduct of Mr. Perceval in resisting the claim. -Mr. WINDHAM and Mr. CHOKER explained. Lord H. PETTY thought that Mr. Palmer should be remunerated. Sir THOMAS TURTON defended the Reper:, and said, even Mr. Palmer's enemies in the Post-Of fice acknowledged his fidelity and exations in the dis. charge of his duty. After a few words from Major PALMER in rep'', the Committee divided, when the question was carri:ti in the affirmative, by 137 to 74 On our re-admission, the question was, for receiving the Rel•6rt to-morrow. On this a second division look place, when the A) es were '26, and the Noes 51. The Report teas therefore ordered to be received on Mon day. MISCELLANEOUS. The further consideration of the Report of the Local Militia Act was postponed until this day. The second reading of the Scots Judges Bill was put off till Monday. The House then, on the motion of the Lord Advocate, went into a Committee to consider of the . investment and appropria tion of a certain quantity of Stock belonging to the Court of Ses sion. A resolution was passed, declaratory of the agreement of the Committee to the proposition then before them on the sul ject. The House resumed, and leave was given to bring in a Bill pun suant to the said Resolution. The third reading of the Assessed Taxes Bill was zed for this day. . . . _ The other orders were then dispose-I of, and the House M. journed at half after one o'clock. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. FRIDAY, MAY IS. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. Consols, for money, 67ff—for ace. 68i I—Reduced 671 f. Exchequer Bills, 6s. 7s. prem.—lndia Bonds Ss. 4s. prem. PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. Bank Stock :1313t 3 pu Cent. Red. 67 cri 67/ 3 per Cent. Cons. 67a 68 671 4 per Cent. 84,1} 5 per Cent. ;Navy, 9911 Long Ann. 18th India Stock 181 1801 1791 India Bends 3s. 4s. prem. Imp. 3 per Cent. cc Imp. A. 7 13-160 s 11-16thsi Irish 5 per Cent. 96i Excheq Bills, 6s. Bs. pre. English Tickets ea 195. Cons. for acc. 68 67{ 681 611 The WALSINCIIAM packet arrived at Falmouth on Tuesday, after a passage of nine days, from Gibraltar. She left Malta the 7th April. A Gentleman who came passenger reports, that on the Ist of May there were great rejoicings and an illumination at Algesiras, as also with the fleet at Cadiz when the packet passed it, from which it was supposed that BONAPARTE had arrived in the vicinity. Prior to the WALSINGHAW* leaving Malta, his Majesty's ship SPARTAN'S cutter had been sent in there to report that the combined squadron was off Tarrola, that the troops from them had been landed at Corfu, and it was supposed they were bound back to Toulon. Lord Cou.mowoon had received the intelligence, and was following them. Lord COLLINGWOOD was off Maretimo with ten sail of the line and three frigates. The enemy's squadron consisted of nine sail of the line, two frigates, and two corvettes. The PHCEBE frigate arrived at Gibraltar the 28th April, from Lord COLLINGWOOD, and re ported that his Lordship was following the enemy oz the communication being made from the WALSINO• HAM, which ship brought dispatches from Malta, and was ordered to communicate to the ships she met : she also fell in with his Majesty's ship ALACRITY at sea.—For other particulars see our Falmouth letter. By a vessel which arrived yesterday from French port, a copy of NAPOLEON'S Decree, issued at Bay ? onne, has been received. It is dated the 17th ult. and states in substance, that America having em bargoed her shipping, in order, as BONAPARTE states, to save her property from the English, he conceivci , it necessary, with the same view, to order an Em bargo upon all American shipping in the ports of France. It prescribes further, that as any American vessels which may be found upon the seas after the 28th ult. must be supposed to have violated the Ame- rican Embargo, or to be engaged in some illicit corn• nvrce, such vessel shall be captured and detained. 1 Accounts received by the same vessel state, that NAPOLEON was - expected to arrive at Rochefort on the 15th instant, in order to review the port and fleet. I tio' 1 _ fro Jbe‘ T e►t tool lat es 1