The National Register. — London, England, 1809-07-02 00:00:00

is THE NATIONAL No. 79: REGISTER. eur fling, ConOttution. anb Pzin.c 91. SUNDAY,. JULY 2, 1909. POLITICAL .DISQUISITION. NYMBER SEVENTY-FIVE. CONDUCT OF PARLIAMENT. The Prorogation of Parliament, which is in fact a temporary dissolution, seems to call upon us for some review of their pro ceeding., and some examination of the state in which they left the kingdom when they retired to their summer quarters, after the bustle of a laborious campaign. Indeed it is only at this period that wecoull take a fair view of their conduct, when we have at once the beginning, progress, and conclusion of their d:liberations. An enquiry, or rather a review, of this nature every Englishman is entitled to t:iise; and we know lif no one privilege belonging to us, in the free and unlimited exercise of which we are more interested, or from which more extensive practical good may result than that which enables us to determine the pretensions of public men to public approbation. The Parlia ment met on the 20th January, and commenced their legislative functions, under circumstances of no common difficulty and dan ger ; and we cannot help expressing a surprise which we felt at that period, in common, we believe, with every real patriot in this kingdom, at the opposition made to the Treaty entered into with the Patriots of Spain; hut this was confined to Lord GREK y ILLE, and a few other Members in each House of Parliament. We lament that delusion, which renders political opponents , blind to the merit of the Most eminent, and even necessary con duct of their adversaries. The commencement of the Session *as distinguished by many important object, which engaged the early attention of the House of Commons. Among these the operations of the Army in Portugal, the Convotion of Cintra, the Batik , of Corona, the Overtures from Erfuren, and the Votes of Thanks to the Conquerors of Vimiera. But the at tention of the House of Commons was completely absorbed and ingrossed by an occurrence of a domestic nature. Prom the ' moment Mr. NY A RD Les charges against the conduct of the Com mander in Chief, were introduced, nothing else seemed worthy of attention—from the Ministers of State down to the meanest silage politician, no other subject appears to.havebeen thought of. From the ample discussion which took place we cannot ac cuse the House of Commons of evading the business--a more Solemn, Important, or more cautious - investigalion never engaged their time; and although the ulterior decision certainly did not coincide with the conclusions drawn from the same evidence by the great body of the nation, yet we dare not, upon that account merely take upon us to say it was not war ranted by the facts which Isere really proved. Popular feeling is not always correct; the passions and prejudices of individuals sometimes usurp the seat of judgment, and that predeliciion Which is characteristic of the English nation, and of human na ture, to level the higher ranks with the lower, and to find out -something that shall place the higher classes more upon a par with the lower, may serve to account in some Measure for this d)Ference of opinion, _These proceedings, however, against the Drac or YORK, were productive of effects .more impurtnnt than the derision it • sof.. The public mind was roused from the apathy and ference .with which it bad for many .years regarded the several parties which have been mutnally contending for power. But in all the rfsolutions of censure upon the line of conduct pursued by Ministers, op this occasion, it seems wonderful that there wa- Sot the _slightest wish evpretsed of plAcing the old Opposition r q z. Lx..ux, again in power, or even of removing the present %Isinistis from their situations. Until the period of a hieh we are no wspeok ing, there appears to have been only Iwo recognized virile% in the country. the Pittites and Foxites. The coarse eyettisshas since given birth to a third party, H hieli has obtained a consi derable portion of strength from the support Of puhlic opinion. Among this party are certainly to he found some men elf pro ' party and abilities, but they do nut concentrate any great pro portion of either. The first business of - imp:m:loer which came on in the House of Commons, after the :nsesiir tion of the charges. was the consideration of a motion made by Lord FoLKsTONR "That a Committee be appointed to Enquire into the Existence of Corrupt Disrosal of Offices in the State, &c." This motion Kas opposed on the ground of being too general, and calculated only t.) keep alive the public ferment. It was very ably supported by opposition, and was ultimately lost by a majority of 173 to SO. This great majority against instituting a co:nmittee to in quire into abases excited cotaiderable surprise; and was the first indication of a sort of coalition between the two parties which had so long been rivals. Another subject which excited thuds interest was a motion brought forward by Sir F. BURDETT, respecting some Crown Land adjoining to the Infirmary at Chelsea, granted to Colonel GoßpoN. This grant was defended on the part of Ministers, as having been done under the Oaicial Reports of the Surveyors, and of the Medical Superintendent of the, Infirmary. This interference of Sir BURDETT oc• casioned several dicussions, which ‘ we believe, will ultimately terminate in Colonel Go RDON relinquishing his lease. Two other very important discussions also took place, one in the House of Lords, the other in tbeCommons, respecting theeonduct ai 'of Ministers as to the war is Spain. The division in the Howe of Lords was more numerous against I‘lini.ters Chun has usually been the case, where they are supposed to be fined in their din. tions; and it was generally . rionoured for some days afterwards that application had been made to Lord GREY for the purpose of admitting part of the opposition into power—but that he had refused unless the whole. were introduced. If this report be true, it . tioUla become a very serious question, how far such pledges given to one another by leaders of parties he conatitU• tional. The constitution distinctly sass, "The King shall choose his Ministers," bat if 41. the public Men of 'Talents bind themtelves not to come in, without the whole of the party; it ill evident the King would in effect cease to have any choice of in. dividuals, and must necessarily choose. either one party or the other. A conduct of this sore, tarnishes the strongest ment we have yet heard in favor of an alteration af the present system of Representation. .The qaestion respecting the con duct of Ministers in the affairs in Spain, was negatived in the !Louse of Commons bye. majority of 230 to 11 1. This was a pretty fair trial of the strength of both parties in tne lower house. 'Two other important questions *nave likewise been agatated: 'Flie ore as to the conduct of Lord CA STLERE Gti, on the ev;• deuce wl , .ich came out before the Committee on East India abuses. It was ;Omitted by his Lordship that when President of the Board of Controul, he negociated 11 ith a man of t he name of Rno tsiG, for the purpose of obtaining a seat in Parliament for Lord CIA Nc.e.nrY, and that a Writership in the gift of t ' S Lordship was placed at the disposal of his friend—the Writer. ship was in point of fact not ;,given, the seat REDING talked about, not tieing; to be disposed of. It was coptended that the corrupt intention was manifest.and that although the transaction was not completed, yet that Parliament should express a strong disapprobation or such an abuse of patronage, applied is corral" '•