Star. — London, England, 1814-03-22 00:00:00

k - THE OXFORD ADDRESS. 1 i ' a k [We have inserted the following Address from the University of Oxford, with the Prince Regent's Answer, in consequence of the observations it has given rise to in the political circles.] TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. " MM It please your Royal Highness, gi We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal sub jects, the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Oxford, beg leave humbly to approach your Royal Highness with renewed assurances of our constant and zealous attachment to your Royal High ness's person, family, and Government, and with heartfelt congratulations on the late sudden and aus piciouz change in the coniition and prospects of Europe. " That the same Power, whose unremitted aggres sions have so long extended the miseries of war over peaceful and unoffending nations, subverted their li berties, destroyed their Governments, and desolated their provinces, should now, in its turn, be exposed to the peril and calamity of foreign invasion, we con sider as a dispensation of PROVIDENCE, equally awful • and instructive. " For a reverse thus signal and stupendous we offer up our thanks and praises to the merciful RULER of the Universe, without whom the wisdom of man is as folly, his strength as weakness ; and on the same ALMIGHTY BEING we place our devout reliance for further support in the necessary continuance and ulti mate conclusion of this great and arduous warfare. " In due subervience to such religious feelings, we cannot but attribute in Nn eminent degree, the humi liation of the common foe to the firmness and perse verance of your Royal Highness, treading in the steps, and emulating the example, of our beloved Sovereign. 46 With grief unspeakable we reflect, that he is precluded front witnessing this result of British coun sels and British valour ; for to these, under the bles sing of FLEA VENt may we chiefly trace that succession of events, which has terminated in the awakened energy, and, as we hope, indissoluble union, of the Powers of Europe, for the re-establishment of then rightful independence. " On all sides we contemplate the fruits of that na tioaal constancy which never shrunk, even in thought, from the contest ; but upheld, alone and undismayed, • the cause of justice and.of mankind : some, however, of its effects we cannot fail to welcome with especial thanktuli:ess and eaultatkn. 66 The glorious efforts and sacrifices made by the nations J the Continent, are calculated to strengthen their attachment to that just and well-b danced systen: of mutual defence, by which, under the wise policy of former times, the. common security was happily main tained: and the sentiments they have now general! V and unequivocally manifested, must discourage every future attempt to alienate them, by vain theories or deceitful promises, from their legitimate Govern men's, and from the institutions of their forefathers. " While we admire the noble enthusiasm and heroic atchievements of the Allies, we rejoice that, even amidst this blaze of glory, new aad signal triumphs have stillaiistinguished his Majesty's arms; and parti cularly, that the standards first planted on the territory of France, were those of our own victorious Chief. . 66 Most sincerely do we congratulate your Royal flighness, that the Electorate of Ha• wer is among ...life countries rescued from the grasp of usurpation; in the joy s( forcibly and unanimously expressed by • :those who are again placed under the paternal go vernment of the House of Brunswick, we most cor dially participate. 66 With similar feelings we behold the renewal of our an: lent and natural alliance with the United Pro vinces of the Netherlands, and the restoration of the House of Orange. • " To the Heroes of that name, their own country formerly owed its religious and civil freedOm, and its subsequent protecsion from the very Power from which it has now again been delivered. To the same House this kingdom also is indebted for similar be metits ; and the close connection, of which we are proud to tioast, with its brave and illustrious Descen dant, whose early virtues we have been permitted to witness and to cherish, must ever give us a peculiar interest in all that can contribute to the increase of its prosperity and glory. 66 We cannot conclude this our humble Address, without expressing the gratitude with which we have teen our establishments lore the diffusion of literature and science extended and improved, by new instances of yo e ur Royal Highness's munificence. " These, and all the marks of Royal favour by which we have been distinguished, are assuredly so lemn calls to the discharge of the duties incumbent on Us, as teachers of true religion, sound learning, and steadfast loyalty. These duties we have earnestly endeavoured to fulsl in times of difficulty and danger. The day, we gust, is new at hand, when our labours will be facilitated by the return of peace—not of a fire earious ansl.l4ll,9ms.trlice, the parent of still more peribus conflicts —but of,,a peace according with the magnani mous views of your Royal Highness—a peace at once just and wise, glorious and permanent; which shall oppose an impregnable barrier to lawless - ambition, and recompence our children's children for the exer tions and sacrifices of their lathers." To which Address his Royal Highness was pleased to return the following most gracious Answer: 66 I thank you for this loyal and dutiful Address. 66 The sentiments which you have expressed at the auspicious and unexampled change which has been effected in the condition and prospects of Europe, ate highly gratifying to me. I recognize in it the awful retribution of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, on which I humbly rely for continued support, to enable the Allied Powers to bring the great cause of indepen dent nations to a secure and honourable conclusion. 66 I cannot but feel with you the deepest regret, that his Majesty is precluded from witnessing the effects of that unshaken constancy by which his people have been so eminently distinguished throughout this arduous contest, and of which his Majesty has inva riably afforded the most illustrious example. By continuing your exertinns to instil into the minds of th , ,se entrusted to your care the principles of true religion, sound leer •lu joss will discaaro importa nt ng,and steadfast loyalty, duty to your coun try, and provide for its future service a succession of viers trninentl,y qualified to .adort and protect it." PARLIJMENTAR r PROCEEDINGS. HOT/SE OP LORDS, MARCH 11. In pursuance of the Adjournment on the Ist inst. their Lordships met this day, about half past three o'clock. The Earl of MANSFIELD, and Lord DOUGLAS took the oaths, and their seats. The Bishop of PETERBOROUGH was introduced by the Bishops of LONDON and CHESTER, and took the oaths, and his seat. Green's Divorce Bill, and Best's Divorce Bill, were read the first time, and ordered to be read the second time on Thursday fortnight. The proceeding's in the Consistory Coutt, in the case of Green v. Green, and also those in the case of Best s,. Best, were presented at the bar, and after. wards ordered to lie on the table. Mr. JOHNSON, from the Chicf Secretary in Ireland, presented the 14th Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry.--Ordered to lie on the table. The Earl of LAUDERDALE moved for several returns of the issue of Bank Notes, and of the num ber of Country Banks ; which were ordered accord ingly. The Marquis of LANSDOWN presented a Peti tion, praying for the extension of time in respect to an order on private business, which had expired in the course of the adjournment. Ordered to lie on the table. Mr. BROWN, and other Members from the House of Commons, brought up a Bill of a private nature, which was ordered to lie on the table. 110 Ult OF PUBLIC BUSINESS. The Duke of NORFOLK thought it would be expedient that their Lordships should distinctly un derstand what hour would be selected in future for the House to proceed to public business, or even pri vate business, if it were likely to be considered of a public nature. Half past fuur o'clock had been ap pointed some time ago, and he wished to know if that time, or five o'clock, were to be understood as the hour when the House should proceed to business of this description ? The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, half-past four o'clock had been fixed, on acco , nt of convenience before Christmas; but, for the future, he believed that it would, perhaps, be more convenient for their Lordships generally to understand, that public busi ness should commence at five o'clock. It was not material what hour was appointed, provided it was understood, and in his opinion, that hour might be preferable to any other. The LORD) CHANCELLOR then put the ques tion of adjournment, and their Lordships accordingly adjourned till to-morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS. This being the first day of the meeting of Parlia ment, after the recess, a numb.:: of private Bills passed through various stages. Mr. Jousson presented the Quarterly Report of the Sclect Committee of Ireland. It was ordered to lie on the table and to be printed. Mr. KENRICK said, that as he should have oc casion to be absent on the Welch Circuit, 'he would put off the second reading of the Poor Relief till the 26:h of April next. The Stort Navigation Bill was read a second time and committed. COMMISSARIAT ESTIMATE% Ar The Commissariat Estimates were laid upon the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. ARBUTHNOT rose for the purpose of naming some day to take the Commissariat Estimates into consideration. Mr. WHITBREAD thought it was important chat the probable time of their being considered could be known. He wished to be informed whe ther the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (the Chan cellor of the Exchequer) thought it possible that the Estimates could be now formed? It would, at !east, be desirous that the time for considering them should be named. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it must be obvious that now the subject could not be considered. Before other estimates were dis cussed, it was proposed to raise any sum that may be necessary for the Commissariat Department upon account. Mr. WHITBREAD wished to be informed, whe. ther these estimates would be brought forward before or After the Easter recess ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it was not yet determined. Mr. WHITBREAD said, there was a report in circulation, of the truth or falsehood of which he was desirous to be informed: It was said, that during the different periods of adjournment which took place, various sums of money had been sent by the Government of this coutnry to the Allies, without the authority of Parliament, or without any fund voted by Parliament from which such sums could be drawn. He did not know any thing about the truth or falsehood of this report, but he thought it his duty to mention it, and to obtain information up on the subject. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it would be ist the recollection of the House, that this year they had placed £3,000,000 at the dis posal of Ministers. From this, and partly from the loan of Last year, the sums remitted to the Allies were taken. These were the only funds employed for the purpose altuded to, and they were sanctioned by Parliament. He was not aware that money drawn frc-m any other source was transmitted to the Conti nent for the use of the Allies. If such was the fact, it was not within his knowledge. Mr. WHITBREAD expressed. his surprise that the Right Hon. Gentleman could not tell with cer tainty whether money had been remitted from any other 'funds than those mentioned by him. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he believed that money Was remitted from as other funds for the use of the Allies. .PROPOSED ADDRESS TO THE PRINCE REGENT RELATIVE TO PEACE. Lord OSSULSTON, preparatory to a motion for an Address, made a variety of inaudible observations, the substance of which we understood to be, a cots]. parison between the present state of affairs and those of a period . which he described as being one of the most remarkable though not the most honourable. epochs of our history." He alluded to the Peace .4 Amiens. Anticipating that the negotiations now ' n the tapis would end in a treaty of peace, he should move, that an hjuuble Address bcpremeted to.tne Prince Regent, entreating that the Plenipoten tiaries at Chatillon be instructed not to conclude any treaty of peace, unless the same contain a full and complete amnesty for all persons, subjects of France, who may have previously committed offences of a political nature. His Lordship was proceeding to make some observations on the present state of affairs, when the SPEAKER informed him that there was no question before the House. Lord OSSULSTON said, that it was his intention merely to move an Address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent relative to a peace. It seemed, `lie said, to be the general feeling that a peace was soon to take place. He did not know upon what foundation this hope was built ; but whether or not the expectation was realised, the motion he was about to make could produce nn mischief. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER called his Lordship to 0r,,,1ez. The SPEAKER informed his Lordship that he must abstain from any argument relative to peace ; but if he merely intended to make his observations the prelude to a motion, he might proceed. His Lordship then rase to speak. He was again.called to order by Mr. BATHURST, but there being s general cry that be was about to make a motion, he was allowed to proceed without further interruption. His Lordship spoke at some length, but in so low a tone of voice, that it was not possible to hear him in the gallery. He concluded by moving— " That an Address be presented to his Roy a l Highness the Prince Regent, praying that instructions be given to the Pleni potentiaries now met at Chatißon. on the part of this country, not to conclude any Peace that did not contain an 3111b...-ty tt. all French subjects for political offences committed by them pre vious to the peace." The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER expressed his surprise that the. Noble Lord should at this remarkable period bring forward a question of so deli Cate a nature. On the impropriety of agitAt 'ing such a subject at this peculiar time, he should decline offering any opinion ; but he would beg leave to move the previous question. This was immedi ately put and carried. THE SPEAKER'S SPEECH. Mr. PON3ONBY rose, in consequence of the re quest of a Noble Friend of his (Lord Morpeth) who was absent, in consequence of the death of a relation, to give notice that he should, on the first open day after the Easter holidays, submit to the House motion relative to the Speech delivered by the Speaker, on the close of last Session, at the bar of the House of Lords. • The SPEAKER wished to know whether the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Ponsonby) would name a day ? Mr. I'ONSONBY said he did not know whether the Easter Adjournment would be long. When that was ascertained, he should then publicly state to the House the day on which he would Laing forward the motion. INSOLVENT DEBTORS. • Mr. KENRICK gave notice that he would, after the Easter recess, move for leave to bring in a Bill for the Relief of certain Insolvent Debtois in the various gaols in the United Kingdom. THANKS TO LORD WELLINGTON• Mr. W. WYNNE said he-expected that before the House rose that day some person would give notice of a motion for Thanks to Lord Wellington, for his late successes. He wished to know whether it was intended to Five such notice ? Mr. BAIHuRsT said it was not in contempla tion to give such notice ; but it was not unprecedent. ed to have thanks voted without previous notice. Mr. WHITBREAD said, this was the first occa sion upon which the House had met, alter so long a time, without notice of a Motion of Thanks for the splendid achievements of the British arms. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER hoped that, in a short time, they would be called up on to vote thanks for more brilliant successes. The House, at Six o'clock, adjourned until To morrow (this day). FRENCH PAPERS. PARIS, MARCH 16. A Military Commission formed at Rheims has con demned to death a person named Rougeville, a re. turned Emigrant and an old officer of cavalry, ac cused and convicte4 of corresponding with the Rus sian armies. A letter addressed by him to Prince Wolkonsky, which was intercepted by a French de tachment, evidently proves the treason of this indivi dual. The minute of this letter, which was found among his papers, we think it our duty to lay before the public, in order to shew to all Frenchmen the manner in which the Russians recompence those who are base enough to serve the enemies of their country, LETTER WRITTRN TO THE PRINCE WOLKONSKY BY THE SIEUR DE ROUGEVILLE, FOUND IN MINUTE AMONG THE PAPERS OF TILE LATTER. • 6 PRINCE !—Twice I have had the happiness to be useful to your combinations in the reconnoissances which you ordered to be made on the 17th at Eper nay, and on the 25th at Villiers•Cotterets. Twire I have voluntarily accompanied the Cossack Officer ; because, in the first place, being myself an old officer of cavalry, I was acquainted with- the roads and all that related to proceedings so important; and second ly, because I was full of zeal for the success of your armies. But it is with sorrow, Prince, that I call to your recollection, that on the 17th, whilst I was ab. sent in your service, my country house at Baslieu has been totally pillaged ; and in addition to this, that the guard corps of General Woronzuw was placed in rn:, town-house on the 23d, whilst it ought to be quarter cu in a large unoccupied house, which is opposhe to tlr apartments of the General. 44 If your Prcellency has the goodness to appre ciate and approve the zeal and ardour by which I have been guided in favour of your armies, the only favour I demand is, that the six labouring horses which have been taken from me should be returned, and afterwards, that orders should be issued to with draw the guard from my house, and place it in the house, N0..1, opposite to the residence of the Gen,:ral." During the short time the Russians remained at Chateau-Thierry, an officer of that nation was quar tered with an inhabitant of the town. The era' eme elegance and politeness of his demeanour, which for med a contrast to the rude manners and behaviour , his soldiers, indicated kith to be a well educated man. One evening his host perceived that•he carried under hi.. rrtic ► wn~r smell A-Lard hills stain- ciatnenuloicUrnin_ his neck by a silken ribboy. There was a heart ea,. broidered in the middle of the bag , and bene at h i t a Russian Inscription . The o ffi cer being pressed witt. questionsconcerning this rather tinmilitary decoration, avowed that it was a present which leis mistress had made to him previous to departure. It was observed to him that the heart was not accompanied by a flame. and he could no longer refuse an entire expla nation. The Russian motto, he said, signified that the heart should receive its flame only at Paris. n t officer added, that Inany of his comrades had recei%ed similar presents on their departive r France, and that they had promised to carry Lome in tile bags some of the whet of Paris. The tbitar Is of Chateau- Thierry replied with a smile, that Lean was ahead , . well advanced, and that il..rh-Wednesday was gone by. The Duke de Bellunu and General Grouchy 1:.;‘, arrived at Paris. Accosints have been received this day from the Fe. nator Count Rcederer, Commissioner Extritordintiry of his I .ll.4jcsty at Strasburg. Affairs . ucceed wun. der.ully in Alsace and Lorraine. The manufacture of arms at Montzick h is been transferred to Stras. burg, where it is going on •vitii the greatest acti. vity. The arsenal at Str.i.htlrg h.ts Leen tilled with finished arms. The National Guard of Strasburg, independently of the garrison, consisted of from 7 to S',;oo armed men. The town was blockaded only by 2 or 3000 men belonging to the troops of Bidet:, who did not dare to approach it nearer thaa duce leagues. The national guard and the garrison of Scliele. %tacit have distiriguished themselves by their vigilance, and have made contii.ual sorties. This city WAS also blockaded by the troops of Baden. In a v:rtie made in rho first days of March, the garrison had taken from the Badenese all their artillery and 1,1;) oxen. It led the enemy lighting as fas as the Valle of Sait.te Maiie-aux• Mimes. The garrison took more than 100 prisoners. _ _ _ Huningen and Befort have equally dis - inguished themselves. Travellers coming from atraburg have passad by Nancy. t►e whole of Lorraine and Alsace are organising by communes for the levyaen-masse. They are rising every where, and disarm the stragglers. Every one ex; ects with impatience the signal for tailing on all sides qn the columns of the enemy. Similar accounts are received from Meta. from Mexeres, and from Mauberge, where the manufac tories of arms tfave furnished an immense number of muskets. There are only eight Cossacks round Verdun, on the road to Etain, Twa persons, one of the name of Callaerts, a wood merchant and farmer at Wesemael, and the other named Achter, a native of Aerschut, department of the Dyle, have been cohvicted of acting As spies, and corresponding with the enemy. The lists of proscrip. tion found on one of them have likewise proved that they rendered themselves accusers of Frenchmen the most devoted to tho service of his Majesty. These criminals have been condemned, the first for conta mae7, and the second to the punishment of death, by the judgment of a special military commission eaua. ordinary, sitting at Chavignon, on the 9th of this month: 4chter has undergone the execution of his sentence. PARIS, MARCH IA Yesterday her Majesty the Empress, and his M4' jetty the King of Rome, rode out in A carriage. PARIS, MARCH 17. They write from Lyons, tinder date of the 13th. that on that day one thousand prisoners, made ny the army of the Marsbal Duke of Castiglione, were expected there. A. column of about two thousand prisoners to•diy passed through Paris. PARIS, MARCH 16. Her Majesty the Empress and Queen to-day held a Council of Ministers, His Majesty the Xing of Rome to-day, at n^on, took an airing. In g.-ttiog into the carriage, he per. ceived several grenadiers of the national guard on duty at the Castle of the Thuilleries : he took off his hat to them, saying, " I salute the gentlemen of the Guard of Honour." PARIS, MARCH 17. EXTRAPT Of A LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE 1 4 11 , MISTER OF WAR, FROM THE MARSHAL DUKE OF CAS TIGLIONE. 'Villafranca, March le, 1814. SIR—T had the honour to it your Excel. lency, by my dispatches of the day before yesterday, of the motives which had induced me to repair to the right bank of the Saone, to stop the progress of Ge. neral Bianchi, who, with 15,000 men, w.,s advancing by forced marches towards Lyons, by the way of Macon, while the division Hardeck, and the light brigade of Wieland, were coming upon Bourg. " I ordered General Bardet, who had remained posted at Pont d'Ain, to advance upon Bourg to keep in check this division, while I went myself to roett the corps of Bianchi. In fact, General &octet advanced on the 10th to Bourg, where he met with the etlany's advanced guard ; he overthrew it, took tit ty prisoners, and posted himself beyond the town, obsci wing the roads of Macon and St. Amour. " During this time I rapidly traversed Lyors with the divisions Mushier and Pannetier, and thsee regi. ments of cavalry, and advanced to this place, (V - lafranca.) The divisti n bilusiiier, and the I'!ili rt giment of husiiars, composing the van-guard, met with that of the enemy at St. George's, two icague. from Villafiatica, and drove it ti to vsition'to posi tion, to within half a league. Macon, taking tv: o pieces of cannon and B'Ju prisoners, of whom feta . Are officers. • " The 12th huss trs peen/me,: pro.:igies v.ll Oll notwithstanding that it WAS ..arasse 1 wall f algae, and had four Austrian regiments to contend with. 1 c was this regiment that cut down the cannone.A s be longing to the two pieces of cannon, and tool; ibbed hi 1 . of ne N ar th ini A at U, U w sip tb *f P 1 lc 11.- ..4