The National Register. — London, England, 1812-06-14 00:00:00

~.r,.7~ mrigili , lw!q l P7 • P • I r : ' w ,, , • - 7,1". IMMV` '‘ 11., ‘ ,1 0! °71 - . THE NATIONAL REGISTER. Ilting, Conotitution, anti iLal3z. • 4 PRINTID AND PUBLISHED AT NO. 5, PICKETT-STREET, STRAND, NEAR TEMPLE BAR• PENCE 9d. N° .233. There are two kinds of ambition. The one aims at ho mnralile and useful ends, and forgetful of self, labours ( , r ,ly for the public good. In the other, egotism predo minates, and all generous and national feeling is lost. The fo:rner springs from virtue and patriotism ; the litter horn inteieLt and distorted pride. The one sacrifices all private views to assist the Country in her need ; the other avails itself of her d'fficulties and dangers to aggrandize its own pt.w , r. B h meet on the political field in every Lta!e. and n.itirn • flourish or droop as the influence of each Prevails or sinks in their Counci:s. Th: 2 reality of this distinction Nvill never be more readily acknowlechzed than at the present moment. The confi dent expectation of triumph latcly entertained by parties, has revealed the secrets of many hearts. Assumed disin terestedness has dropped her veil in her eager attempts at gra•ifying her cupidity, and feigned patriotism exposed its lust of place and power. This, we trust, will prove a salicary lesson to the Nvilole country. Professions will in f ut : lrc be less credited, and deceit ltss successrul. We shall now enter into a l.rief and impartial review of the conduct of p!iblic men during the late negotiations to re place a ministry, overthrown by the arts, and restored by self destroying rapacity of its opponents. xvanton and atrocious murder of Mr. PERCILVAL ha] deprived his Adminstration not only of one of its most able and active Members, but of a portion of that self confidence necessary to insure success in Parliamentary w,irtare. His surviving colleagues felt the weakened state to which they had been reduced, and sought effectual means to recruit their strength. Uninfluenced by per sclal motives, and still ignorant of the charges which their late assistant, Marquis WELLESLEY, intended to bring forward against their departed leader and them-;elves, they invited him and his friend, Mr. CANNING, to resume an active part in the service of their Country. But brighter prospects opened to the eyes of ambition. This overture ‘ V AS a confession of weakness, and it became evident, that it it w','re rejected, and an union were formed between the two r x-Ministers and the Opposition, a majority might be obtained against an Administration so poi.verfully shaken by unexpected misfortunes, as to afford hut little security to its interested fli'_inds, by whom it was there fore likely to be soon abandoned. Should it fall under t.iis combined attack, no doubt was entertained but the gratitude of the Opposition world raise the new allies, u) whom they would be indebted for this decisive victory, :be head of the new Ministry. On the other hand an ac quiescence with the proposals of Govmment, wx- 7 . 1,1 r. ccxxxia: '._- POLITICAL MS Q ULSITION. CONDUCT OF PARTIES. _.~ i 4 ;ii --' ,4 'v.4l SUNDA v, JUNE 14, 1812. have only secured inferior seats, and a junctio with a falling party might have involved both into irretrievable ruin, and once more plunged the Ex.Ministet s into .dl the horrors of unprofitable and powerless Opposition. Having duly weighed these considerations, the Statesmen whose aid had been solicited, rejected the offer, and I:tid the whole of the Correspondence that took plAce on the occa. sion before the public. A statement of the reasons which had led him to withdraw from office, was neat circulated by Marquis WELLESLEY, containing not only the explana. tion which his Lordship had been so frequently urged to give during the life of Mr. PERCEVAL, but most severe charges of obstinacy and incapacity against that Minister and his Administration, published after his death a". The publication of these documents produced its intended el f2ct. They announced that the Administration deemed itself t;:o weak to stand alone, and courted assistance. They also showed that assistance had been denied, and thus encouraged its opponents to profit by its weakness, and induced many of its former supporters to desert what seemed to be an helpless cause, and to 3pin in its over. throw. These preparatory steps settled, nothing was wanting but a champion to commence the grand attack, who, by his insignificance in the ranks of party, should create little alarm in the breasts of the Ministers, as it would be doubtful whether he should meet with any sup. port. Mr. Wort . rt.Ev undertook the distinguished task and boldly led on the charge. Surprised at the force which he was able suddenly to marshal against them, and neg , lected or abandoned by many of their supposed friends, Ministers were kft.in a minority on a question of vital im portance, and an address, declaring by inference their in. capacity, was ordered to be presented to the R:iGENT, re questing him to form a more effective Administration. This success afforded a clear opportunity for judging c f the true worth and patriotism of public men. All panics that had so long thirsted after power, were instantly filled with the most ambitious hopes and interested ezpectatiuns. They had united tp overthrow the existing Administr.. tion they now divided, to pursue their own views, a; d began to counteract each other. The conduct of tl.e defeated Ministers presented a striking crmtrast ; yielding, with becoming humility to the sense of Parliament, tl-ey • It has beep asserted by the partisans of the Noble Nlarqni; that this injurious document had been submitted to the PaiNce Rtoewr and to all the ivlembers of Administration previous to the murder of Mr. Pcitcr - JAL. That this i 3 u,terly false is proved by the declaration Of the Earl of Livitaroot. in the leuer in which he declines forming a part of a Ministry to which Lord WLLLESLLY belonged, on accuum of tow cent publications reflecting on the character and abilities cE his dece.;,ed friend and himself. Now we find that, a few days before, Lo-d Pool. was totally unacquainted with those publication., which must not then have yet made their appear4nce, or been even thought ut atl,.! not only felt no reluctance to act with the Noble Marquis, but even tea dercl a seat in nice to Lordship in vain.