The National Register. — London, England, 1816-02-04 00:00:00

FEB. 4. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. fall conviction of their justice and sound policy, he relies confi dently on your co-operation in such proceedings as may be neces sary for carrying them into effect. GENTLEMEN OF TILE Horse or COMMONS, The Prince R:4;;Pnt has directed the estimates fur the present year to be laid before you. His Royal Highness is happy to inform you, that the manufac tures, cominerce, and revenue of the United Kingdom are in a flourishing condition. _ _ _ The gi - eat exertions which you enabled him to make in the course of the last year, afforded the means of bringing the contest in which we were engaged to so glorious and speedy a termination. The Prince Regent laments the heavy pressure upon the country which such exertions could not fail to produce; and his Royal Highness has commanded us to assure you, that you may rely on every disposition on his part, to concur in such measures of eco nomy as may be found consistent with the security of the coun try, and with that station which we occupy in Europe. MY LORDS AND GENTLEAMN, The negociatious which the Prince Regent announced to you, at the end of the last Session of Parliament, as being in progress, with a view to a commercial arrangement between this country and the United States of America, have been brought to a satis factory i-sue. His Royal Highness has given orders that a copy of the treaty which has been concluded shall be laid before you, and he confidently trusts that the stipulations of it will prove advantageous to the interests of both eonntries, and cement the good understanding which so happily subsists between them. The Prince Regent has commanded ns to inform you, that the hostilities in which we have been involved iu the Island of Ceylon, and on the Continent of India, have been attended with decisive SUCCCSS. Those in Ceylon have terminated in an arrangement highly honourable to the British character, and which cannot fail to augment the security and internal prosperity of that valuable possession. The operations in India have led to an armistice, which gives reason to hope that a peace may have been concluded on terms advantage 'us to our interests in that part of the world. At the close of a contest so extensive and momentous as that in which t%e have been so long engaged in Europe, and which has exalu'd the character and military renown of the British Nation beyond all former example, the Prince Regent cannot but feel, that u:ider Providence he is indebted for the success which has attended his exertions, to the wisdom and firmness of Parlia ment, and to the perseverance and public spirit of his Majesty's people. It will be the Prince Regent's constant endeavour to maintain, by the justice and moderation of his conduct, the high character which this country has acquired amongst the nations of the world: and his Royal Highness has directed us to express his sincere and earnest hope, that the same union amongst ourselves, which has enabled us to surmount so many dangers, and has brought this eventful struggle to so auspicious an issue, may now animate us in peace, and induce us cordially to co-operate in all those mea sures which may best manifest our gratitude for the Divine protection, and most effectually promote the prosperity and hap piniss of our country. At the conclusion of the above, the Marquis of HUNTLEY rose to move the Address. He observed, that there was but one feel ing of regret among them, and that arose from the much deplored indisposition of our beloved Soverei.rn, and the absence of an illus trious person. They were all deeply impressed with the know ledge, that his Majesty would have hailed with joy and satisfaction tie great events which had happened ; but, unhappily, that exqui s.te pleasure he could not enjoy. It was not more than a year since the general enemy of Europe escaped, to plan the overthrow o Europe ; on that occasion the European Powers were animated by one soul. By the judgment and vigour of our councils, and the courage, skill, and bravery of the General commanding the British together wish the gallantry of our troops, the vast plan of discord projected by the universal disturber was destroyed. Th;ir L mrdsh ps well knew the merit of time Royal Personage who pre si.led over the army, who might be called its Royal Father; none wou:d deny the praise due to that illustrious Personage for his ex cellynt arrangements, which had greatly contributed to the great result. They had also to look to what the Army had done under its illustrious Commander, whose talents had_ never been excelled ; they ought to consider that he had fought anti conquered from the extremity of Spain to the glorious plains of Waterloo. All his brillant atchievements rushed upon the mind, and the yet mol e giutiou te,rwinutiou of his vietoriv:: increased the joy which filled 917 every British breast. These feelings, however, should not drive them to an extravagant excess of joy, or sink them to aplithy; but they should join heart and hand to improve the advantages which a glorious peace would afford. The burthens of the people would doubtless occupy the attention of Ministers; who, so hr as possi ble, would adopt means to lig,hten their burthens ; they would take care, to the utmost of their power, that not one heavy heart should he left in the dominions. The Noble Martinis apologized for want of ability; but observed, that however dehcient he might be in eloquence, he would yield to none in love for his King and Country. He concluded by moving an humble Address to the Prince Regent, thanking his Royal Highness for the bailie, and conveying an assurance that the House concurred in all the topics therein contained.—The Address in other respects was as usual, an echo of the Speech. • Lord CALTHOR PE rose to second the Address moved by the Noble Marquis ; and, in so doing, considered it a part of his duty to advert shortly to the topics of the Speech. When the terms of the Treaty should appear in the House, their Lordships would see that all had been done that human foresight could imagine for the safety of Europe and her general prosperity. Independent of the consideration which involved the general interest of the civilized world, the offending Power, bottomed upon injustice, had been brought to retribution. His Lordship, adverting to the excedant conduct of the British army, observed, that it had Mu wn ilie supe riority of British feeling ; for the threats of desti•oction %%hien had been so frequently dealt forth against the troops of this country by a late army, the British bad returned continued kind.,ess. His Lordship was disposed to throw a veil over such effects and causes; yet he could not avoid considering the conduct of our soldiers in France a triumph of British feeling. The British army, on the whole, had justified the confidence the country ,hail placed in them. The concurrence of the French Ce,,verninent in regular measures, had afforded some proof of the continuance of trans • (laths . in that country.—His Lordship seconded the Address. Lord GRENVILLE said, it was great satisfaction for fine to he able this day to admit, that there was not one word its the Speech in which he did not most cordially concur. lie had no doubt it would receive their Lordships unanimous assent. The noble Baron rejoiced in our general situkuion —not only that peaCe was re• stored, but that it was ac qni, l b the restoration of the Goverde ment of France svhich had been ove.thrown. His Lord;h.p ex pressed a hope that there could be but utt,- opinion as to the Speech ; and be, without hesitation, gave the Address his cotdial concurrence. _ _ The Marquis of Lestsnowe said, it was impossible he could con cur in the Address, without stating the limits to which he %mild convey his approbation. He was ready to admit the Address was temperately formed :—within the limits of the 'Speech be would give his approbation. The splendid successes of the last c .m -paign, the downfall of the system to overthrow the Governments of Europe by military force, were subjects on which he could sin cerely vote congratulation; but he did not consider their Lord ships then in a state to form any opinion with respect to the great and important questions to be discussed in Parliament. Whether it was in the power of his Majesty's Ministers shortly to lay on the table documents which may atiOrd satisfaction and commendation, he did not know ; but until such documents appear, the Noble Marquis declined forming any opinion whatever. He gave the greatest concurrence to that part of the Speech which referred to the state of the country, and the disposition of his Majesty'; Mini sters to concur in every effort mule with a view to economy ; and trusted there would be a readiness in both Houses of Parliament to introduce that subject as early as possible. The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, to the Address before titer Lord ships, there was no adverse feeling, ; and he considered it in the sense the Noble Lord had entertained ; namely, that it pledeeil the House to no opiniln whatever with respect to those arrange ments which remain tube brought under the consideration of Parlia ment ; that it contained only congratulation on the present p:os pect of peace and the country, leaving open the discussion of a n y particular measure to come before the House. The Noble Earl intimated, that either himself, or one of his Noble Friends, would shortly be able to lay on the table documents anil papers men tinned by the Noble livrd. He should be aide this day fortnight to 1 my ht fit e the Home copies of the Treaties with France, anti three Treaties concluded with our Allies. His I.oi dl ip gave au assu.•- ance of the intention of his Majesty's Go vernim nt. stea-ity to pursue measores for the public advaetage ; not to hold out illusive hopes, but an intention ta proceed tor the sveleare of the country. Lord HOLLAND said, he could bring his mind to tote for the Address ; but le , should he wanting in sincerity if he did not say, lie rc.trved the right of dif f ering on subjec:s connected - .rlth this