The Statesman. — London, England, 1823-04-17 00:00:00

TOE STATESMAN: IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OP LORDS—WeDNIS DAT. Their Lordships beard Counsel and evidence on After dice's Divorce Bill ; and, on the emotion of the LORD CHANCELLOR , the evidence was ordered to be printed. The Bishop of OXFORD presented petitions from Wind sor and Bath against the Catholic Claims. Lord SALTOUN presented a petition from the I slands of of Nevis in the West ladies, prayingor an i Duties. The Innkeepers Rates' Bill, and Extent in Aids' Bill, were read a third time, end possed.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAT. Petitions against env further concessions to the Catholics were presented by Sir .JOHN STEWART, from some Pro testants in a parish in the County of T y rone ; by Viscount BARNARD. from the Burgesses of Bandon; by Colonel LESLIE, from some Protestests in the County of Wong and by Colonel O'NEIL from 18,024 Protestants in the County of Antrim ; all were laid on the table. Mr. T. ELMS presented three similar petitions from the Skinners' Company, the Guild of Merchants in Dublin. and from the Clergy and some others in a certain parish in the County of Westmeath. Sir H. PARNELL said he understood that the Hon. and Learned Geatiernan had some time ago received for present ation to that House a petition from one of those Corporate Bodies in Dublin, for the repeal of the Act of Union with Ireland. He wished to take that opportunity of asking the Hon. and Learned Gentleman what bad become of that petition. Mr. EI.LIS replied, that when notice had been given of a motion tin the repeal of the Union, he had received a peti tion from tie Skinners' Company in support of that intended motion ; bur, in consequence of the death of the Hon. MOTII• her for Wiacheises (Mr. LUCIUS CONCANNON) who gave that notice. the motion Who to the ground , he lead she petition, not its he receive any instrin tions about it.—The petitions ware then ordered to lie on the table. Mr, B. COOPER presented a similar petition from the Dana and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity of Gloucester. Mr.GRENFELL said, he did not wish then to anticipate the discussion s onthe g 1 question fixed for to-morrow ; bet as he might not then have an opportunity of declaring his sentiments. he would avail himself of the present occa sion. The longer he lived and the more he examined that great question. the stronger was his conviction of the opi nion he formerly gave in favour of that vital measure.— (Hear, hear.) The best security for the permanent estab lishment of the Protestant religion of this country, was to be found in granting those concessions of the Catholics.— ( neer, hear.) On the other hand the withholding their un doubted rights from the Catholics would ultimately destroy the well-being of Ireland. Hn expressed his surprise at the quarter from which the petitions came, because' the parties ought to be the teachers of more mild and liberwl opi nions. sir T. LETHBRIDGE deprecated the warmth °Nielsen. , He bed as strong an opinion as the Hon. Member, but it was the other way. After the progress which that question bed made in the House, he hoped the Clergy of the country to a man would oppose it. The petition was then ordered to be printed. Similar petitions were presented by Lord HOTHAM, from the Burgesses of Beverley. is Yorkshire ; by Lord CURRY. from the Protestant inhabitants of two parishes in the county of Fermanagh: and by a Member whose name we could not learn. from the Dean anclehapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Bride, and the Virgin Mary, in Chester.— Laid on the table. Mr. AGAR ELLIS presented a petition from the nobility, gentry, and freeholders of the county of Kilkenny. of every religious persuesion, in favour of I:reclaims of the Catholics. —(Hear, hear.) —Ordered to he printed. Sir WILLIAM GUISE pres soled a petition from the woollen manufacturers of the county of Gloucester, against the Warehousing Bill.—Laid on the table. Lord GEORGE BERESFORD said he had to communi cate a Message from the King, that hie Majesty lied receiv ed the Address of that House respecting the erection of mo numents to the late Earl of St. Vincent and Lord Duncan, a rid would give the necessary directions. SCOTCII- LAWS AND IittETIIINKIRS. Mr. HUME presented a petition Irons 110 persons, members of a Society of Freethinkers in Edinburgh.— TLe Society was organieed for the purpose of discussing literary and philosophical subjects.--the doors were open to all without payment —there were no fonds except vo• I 1-ntary contributions from some in dividuals to p urchase books for the formation of a small library. The Society existed from the spring of 1820 to IS2i. and were not aware that by their meeting they . had violated any law. Among their books were 'Voltaire's Philosophical Dic tionary," Home's Essays," "Carlile's Republican," " Owen's Sketches on the F o rmation of Character," with some others. While engaged in discussion on a Sunday, thti Sheriff, with othei Magistrates, entered the room, seized and carried away the books, and threw into pri set, some of the persons in the room, whom they belt: in confinement till the Wednesday following, when they v'ere discharged on bail. When be received the petition, he wrote back to the person who sent it, to apply to the law for redress, rather than to the House of Commons. Ile received for answer that there was no complaint against the Sheriff or those with him, who took away the books, as the esil'enre of the Society was found to be spinet the laws of Scotland. On receiving that answer he referred to the 49th of George the Third, which was the law of England on the subject, and he found that no Magistrate in England could do as they did in Scotland. Looking then to the laws of Scotland, he found that by a law of Charles 11., declared in 1661, to read works against the Trinity, was deemed blasphemy, and was punished with death, and that law, be believed, was not repealed. The petitioners did not complain of the con duct of the Magistrates, they said that as Vreethink• ers,.no too of them arte . o on any religious opinion, but alTdiffered in their illic*ssinia, and they were not, there fore, 'guilty.of blasphetey.. They prayed for the repeal of the law,. to mails Acts to, discuss all subjects. They did not endeavotir qfnienaibile opinions on others ; all c hildren were exelWe'tciind they did not see how tbey off-nded. The ble)tiltratel ought not to intrude on them, who did not iritrade themselves on the public. They added, that at they did not go to Church, they V.auglit they - could not be better employed than in meeting and promoting good morals among themselves. The LORD ADVOCATE said the petitions had two otijects --firm they complained of the for treatment th er lion re ceive,l, and secon dl y , they prayed au 'Mt of the law. On the latter part he would not say touch ; but if the Hon. Gentleman brought down a Bill for that purpose h e would meet him. With respect to the treatment of them by the filstrates, the thw did certainly justify it. By tin f of William and Mary the first offence i ris confinement, the second was punish ed' by tine and confinement, and the third was punished capitally. De waS made acquainted with the meetings and discussions of the Society, and he took on himself th'e responsibility of measures resorted to by the Sheriff and Magi strat , a, who sae.] by his ad vitt% 'laving learned'that the 'Society met in Einburgli, each Sunday, at two o'clock, not to dismiss religious subjects, but to exclaim against all r• ligion--ahat the oiscussions were not confined to the Society, but that the room was opened to all young persons in town—that even boys and slid. dreg were admitted, he was astonished to find that such things (mold be in Edinburgh, where time Christian re ligion was Infirmly established. On imitiiry the Sheriff foetid thingsto be actuallyworse than they were reported. Toe meetinL •always opened with the reading of an essay denying the Christian religion and the u ility of prayer. • Earth person beirig.allowed only ten minutes to speak. and the ititeirtaptidn during that time being frequent, nu one could oppose efftctoally the dangerous doctrines pro• poolded, winch were numerous. Of the 200 persons in Cie. Society when taken by the Sheriff, there was no person higner than a gtooer. Tbe Magistrates of Edio. burgh would* guilty of the grossest dereliction of duty, if they suffered such a dangerous school to exist. Al t the violence done was the taking of the essayist and of two other members, and confining them two day', and then admitting them to bail. He did not wirh to-carry the proceedings farther, but if the House approved it, he was prepared to bring the parties before a Jury. Mr. lilolllCli wished to know if there were Jews in Edinburgh, for if they were, they were obnoxious to the same !cans, as they entertained worse opinions than those Freethinking Philosophers. They oppo-ed the Christian religion, and did not respect the Sunday. There was a system of inquisition in that country than ever there was even in Spain, which latter had not the power to indict capital punishment. The petition was then read, and ordered to he printed. Petition 4 against the Cai:ilk Claims were presented from the following places :—By Lord Charles Manners, from the Clergy of Ely—by Col. Barry, from the town of Enniscorthy—by Mr. Peel, frog the Provincial Synod 'of Glasgow—from the inhabiters of Oxford—the Pa rish of Bedford, in the County of %Vern ick.—the Arch deacon and Clergy of Gloucester. and froin several pa -1 riches in the County of Warwick —by Mr. ooulburn, from the Vicar-General and Clergy of Elphin. SCOTCH TOSTILLICRT LAWS. Mr. CAMPBELL wished to ascertain from the Right •Honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his intention was with respect to allowing a drawback on the stock in hand of spirits of the small distillers in Scotland. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that it was not his Intention to allow the late regulations to come into play before the 10th of October, as by that time the stock of spirits on hand might be disposed *E— lle had some idea of giving the Scotch distiller the same advantage as the Irish had, that, of warehousing spirits without payment of duty. , SOMERSET PETITION., Sir THOMAS LETH (SRI DOE rose to present a Peti tion from the (aunty . of Somerset, witch limi been put into his hands by an mdividoal of the name of Hant (A latrgh,)—and which that person tok him was signed by 300 Freeholders of the County. He felt it to be his duty to present the Petition, though he could not by any means concur in its allegations. At tie same time he was called upon to declare, that his opniou still remain ed the same, that no measure had as set been produced likely to produce that relief to which the Agricultural interests of the empire were entitled to. Instead of pre senting the Petition whim be then did, he hail hoped to have one of a ilifferentdeecription to offer. But at a Meeting of the I'l:nutty where his Petition was produced, an individual, qualified * every fascinating Power — (Hear, and laughter)--apierred, and certainly carried a Petition against him. A conversation took plan between Mr. HO RHOUSE, Mr. IV. WYNN and Mr. lAN KES, relat i ve to the pro priety of the High Sheriff affixing his signature to the Petition of a County Itleettig, the tenor of which we could not exactly catch. The Petition, complainirg of Agricultural Distress, wail then laid on the table. Lord PALMERSTON preented a Petition from the Chancellor, Master and Sctolars of the University of Cambridge, anint the Cathoic claims. Mr. IVODEHOUSE presented a Petition from the Dean and Prebendary of Norwich to the same effect. FOREIGN PILICY. • _ _ Cal. DAVIES was anxious to pot a question to the Rt. Hon. Secretary for Foreign Affair% arising out of the documents which were laid on the tulle, and the speech delivered by the Right Hon. Centlernao himself. An ex planation was then given with regard ;a two points. The 'one, that of the blockade on the Spanith Main, and the other with regard to any attack %Oki might be made by France against those Spanish colonies which renounced the allegiance of the mother (-wintry. He wished fur ther to understand what the policy of this country would be in case of any aggression by Frame on those colonies which had not as yet renounced theirallegiance. A large French fleet was now in the West Indian seas ; and he was solicitous to learn if any pledgt was received from France that that armament should wt attack Cuba. Mr. Secretary CANNING replied, in a very low and indistinct tone. We understood hill to say, that be had no further explanation to give, and that he could not find any answer to the contingent anl problematical case put by the Gallant Officer. roantoll INLIsTneI4I ACT. Lord ALTHORPE rose, pursuant to notice, to bring on his motion for the repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Act. He assured the House that he would trespass very little upon their time. The subject was one which did not require much debate, either for or against it, and the arguments which be intended to produce might be nar rowed into a very little compass, indeed. 1., however, he did not give some explanation, he might lay hims'elf open to the misconstruction of sone who would suppose' that his object was to involve the country in war. He wished, in the first instance, unequivocally to declare that he was a strong advocate for peace.—(Hear, hear.) And having made that declaration, he was also willing to avow, that he was tar from being indifferent to the suc cess of the Spanish cense, or how strongly he felt against the violent and atrocious outrage against the liberties of man. It was necessary for him to trespass for a few ini ontea on the House on matters not quite revelant to the subject before the House. In the first place, he slid not think that any man who really looked at the circum stances of the country, could say that they couhljustify a war. His Majesty's Ministers bate declared, however._ that the country _ was competent to enter into a war, if the necessity of the case left that alternative to it alone. But every man must admit that war would he at present to Britain the greatest evil that could he inflicted upon it. Ha would even go further, and say, though great a calamity it would be to Britain, that a war undertaken now would be of little service to Spain On the contrary, he feared that it would be rather detrimental, and unite the French more strongly titan they were.—(Hear.) In making the motion which lie then did, he was satisfied he could show that a repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill was consistent with the strictest principles of neutra lity. It might have been wise to have spoken of war at au earlier period, on the first espreesion of hostile senti ments at crone. The country might have expressed its honor at an aggression of the liberties of Spain, or even gone the length of declaring an intention to support her in case of an attack. At that time a declaration of war might have been probably. prevested, and he felt com pelled to declare,that his Majesty's Ministers did not consult the honour and dignity of this country or the tranquillity of Europe. They certainly knew better than tie could the feelings of the Allied Sovereigns, but his Majesty's Ministers should not have confined them selves to mere representations of the interests of Spain. 'f bey should have p ut forward hi g her g rounds. 'l' hey should have appealed to the honour and dignity of their stations; to the infamy which would exa attaeli to their names, and to the disgrace with which they iv ould be handed down to posterity. Ttat language should have been used if the Sovereigns were indifferent to other sug gest:oils, and higher principles aught to have been ap pealed to, than apprat by the papers to bare been intro , dUced.--(Hear, hear.) If it erre necessary for hint to prevent a friend in private life from committing any crime, lie would not appeal oily to the interests of the parties oppressed, but hr would attack hint on strong I grounds of principle—of the lois of honour and eternal infamy. His Majesty's Misisters sent forward nothing but the Interests of the Alllesited neglected to appeal to public law, to justice •or * morality. It was quite clear that the only duty which a neutral State had to perform, was to act with perfect impartiality between the Belligerent Powers, If pertuisiou to one was given • , . to senbst troops in this country, it would be At ♦iola• tion of neutrality to the other. But if we give to both parties equal right to do the same, we commit no wrong to tither. The lion. Gent. (Mr. Canning) shook hit head in dissent, but the principle which he advanced Was that to be found in all the books of the Jurists. It was to be found in " Grottos," in his chapter on Neutral States; and all the illustrations of those authors were taken from ancient his tory, that particular case was founded on a complaint made that the Corinthians alone were allowed to enlist troops in the territories of Athens, by *filch the neutrality of that State was violated. if France became displeased at the re: peal of the Bill, and went so far as to declare war stalest the country, it would he a war of open Regression ; and be trusted, however wise it would be for England hot wantouly to engage In any contest, it was not jet sunk so low in spi rit or resources as to fear or submit to an unjust aggression. If the Enlistment Act were a measure by which the neutra lity of the country was alone evinced, he would be glad to inquire how was neutrality shown flow the Norman Coo quest to the year IS19? lle would be glad of an answer from thote who maintained that the continuance of the Act was at this day necessary to show the preservation of a strict neutrality. If, then, the repeal of this could not be strained into a violation of neutrality, he would nest Inquire was there any thing of a domestic nature to prevent it? When the Bill was first passed, it was asked would you allow ' filers enlisted for a Foreign Power to be paraded in your.l streets? That objection could have no force at present, as one of the sic Acts rendered any military training illegal without the license of Government. The repeal of that Act was perfectly consistent with the true principles of liberty in the country ; for it was one of the definitions of freedom that every man should have a right to do that which was not inimical to the community.—(hear.) The House would we collect that by the 9th and 22J George IL it was made fe- lony for a British subject to sent, in a Foreign State. The penalties were so severe as to render it a mere dead letter on the statute book. • In 1519 it was intended.by the last Act to mitigate the penalties of the former, and the fact was changed from a felony to a misdemeanour. In moving for the repeal of the Act of 1819, he was of course not to be sonsidered as renewing the former and severer Act. The motion he bad to make was, that all the clauses of that Act be repealed. Lord FOLKESTONE rose to second' the motion. He was anxious to take the earliest opportunity afforded bins of declaring his opinions on the speech of the Right lion. Secretary for Foreign Affairs on a late night, and on the papers which he submitted to the House. lie never addressed the House on any occas'on without deploring that language failed him to express Itie sentiments. But if there ever was so (washes where he was at a loss for terms to express his feelings it nos then, when he had to declare his indignation at the utter degradation which the papers reflected upon the country and that House; and how much thecharacter of the ti 'don was comprouised by all that passed at Verona. If he tittered in any re spect with the sentiments of his Noble Friend (Lord Althorpe) on the expediency of war, he hoped teat it would not appear a want of a courtesy when be seconded his motion. If the House would allow hint to refer to the speech of the Right Hun. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Can ning), there were sonic parts of it to which his cordial assent was given. lie found in that part where it was said if this country was to he neutral at all, it should pre serve the strictest and most honourable neutrality. Every feeling of justice sanctioned the propriety of that conduct. When the Right Hon. Gentleman spoke of the ties be tween England and Portugal, and stated that we were bound to it by treaties of defensive alliance, but not of offensive—that we were not bound to support it in any quarrel of its owe seeking, be considered it nufair to elide that public declaration—to go nut of the way almost to-do su, for the purpose of telling the world ant France of the weakness of Portugal. That feeling had pervaded the whole of the transaction—a feeling not of strict neutra lity, bat of an evident leaning and partiality to the interests on side. That feeling was displayed by the too passages which the Right Hoooureble Gentleman read on the former evening with so much confidence.... From the first there could be no ambiguity as to the part which France meant to take. It was stated openly that there were other views for the Army of Observation be sides the cordon sanittdre. But if the English Minister had not been duped by the French diplomatists, he would have construed the first establishment of this force into a declaration of hostilities. Times were when the position of this army on the frontiers of Spain would have called forth a British armament into the Bay of Biscay to watch its motions. The fact was, the Right Hon. Gentleman and his colleagues were duped ; but if that was so, for what p ur pose were so many thousands a - y ear p aid to the British Minister at Paris ?—(Hear.) Were our statesmen so little versed in the arts of Courts, that they expected the Frenchtwoald send us notice of their intention to in vade Spain ? Does the robber who means to pillage and murder the passenger on the bigway, give forewarning to his victim of his intentions ?—(Cheers,) The Right Hon. Gentleman piqued himself on his " round unvar nished tale." Unfortunately the want of foresight and political wisdom was too nakedly exposed. Such con duct he (Lcrd F.) could not consider otherwise titan as disgraceful to the country, and he wished there was spi rit enough in this House to remove a man who would act so, from the direction of the Councils of the country.— He lid been hitherto alluding to the first despatch 'sent by the Right lion. Gentleman to the British Minister abroad, in which the line of policy which this country, meant to pursue was disclosed. From that he would pass to the last of the Right Honourable Gentleman's productions, in which he stated, " That confiding in the declarations of France that she had no views of eggran dizement, or of keeping Spain by military occupation, his Majesty's Government had determined" upon acting so and so. In this declaration he was sincere, or he was nut. If he was sincere, he was made ,the dupe of the French Minister; if be was not, be was making a dupe of our Ministers abroad and of t his House. Could he doubt that France had views of aggrandizement when Chateauhria,nd avowed that of the war with Spain was to place the House of Bourbon, in that commanding position which was first aimed at by Louis tbe Four teenth--(Hear, hear), and to give them such a controul over Spain as would enable them to influence the affairs of Europe.—(Hear.) But the Frenchman was too kees to speak his mind so freely to this country—at least if he - did so, that paper was not laid upon the table. The declaration was made to France, end with a view of making the quarrel a popular one. For however unpala table a war undertaken with such views might be to dui English nation, the placing it on grounds of national aggrandizement was the best mode of gaining the sap port of all Frenchmen. But what would be laid of this, British Miaister, who, in the teeth of all these declara tions, still suffered himself to be duped; and shutting his eyes, contented himself with expressing his hopes, that the Frenchman had wither views of commit to. wards Spain nor Portugal, or of carrying his interfere, mice too far in the relations between the King of Splits and the people—(Hear);—and this, too, at a time who, he might have known that such views were entertained as might he seen from perusing the papers on the table.' Could the Right Hun. Gentleman be ignorant of the real ‘views of the French Government then, or was he dc. ceiving the Home by feigning an acquaintance with them ? There were passages in these papers which in ide one's blood boil, and when be (Lord F.) read them at home last night, he let thein drop from his hand tireiv) times in indignation. It was clear from the very first despatch to the Spanish Ambassador, that Ministers had no intention of taking a manly part in the contest, but th.tt, humbled and degraded, they bent, crouched, and bowed down before the House of Bourbon, and that too in the cause of liberty—a ranee in which England hd4 ever made it its beast and glory to bleed.—(Cheers) Walnut this enough to make one ashamed of their country, which was brought thus low by the conduct of Ministers? Throughout the whole of this affair there etas shown ~; • 11, - • (1 ''. suecurnbing to France which was humiliating. The Duke of Wellington was sent to Verona to lay before Congress all the negotiations which bad passed with France, and the answers of Spain respecting them; but' France, oil her part, was never called upon to state • whit steps she had taken. 'thus, it would be seen, that the Court of Liandon sass interfering between the two Powers, whilst it was not ashamed to tell the world that France refused to makcit the confidant of the terms she was asking. Why did we riot insist on France being more explicit ? It was el-ar that we were afraid to do so. It was a question which a child, who had received any notions of diplomacy, worth! have asked. He (Lord F ) would not advert more particularly to these pipers, as Le had not had time to make himself Master of them. Nei4 O'er was be prepared to say that this coantry should have hastily hung out the show of war. lie was no advocate for bullying, and did not approve of throwing out a me nace when there was no power to inflict the blow. Bat why was this cottotry reduced to such a pass as to be un able, on such ao occasion, to take a becoming part? 'there was a thus when Lord Chatham said, " be would be glad to see the Power is Enrupe that dared to tire a cannon." This wAS also the cant of Ministers of the pre sent day to a very late period. That Noble Lord was s on et the bead of tiovernlrent, who was invested with the illustrious Order of the Garter, " for having raised the country to unevtinpleil greatness and power."--(hear, bear, and a laugh.) In eight years after that same coon try. through the fault of those who directed its councils —fur they alone were responsible Co Goo and the country for the degree td good or evil which it possessed, found itself obliged to submit to dishonour and disgrace, by crouching before the House of Bourbon, and promoting the eggrandizetrient of that house, in direct opposition to the policy of out: ancestors—that system which was acted upon in the rei i pl of Queen Anne, which induced the wars of Marlim rough, acid was the great principle of ac tion since the days of Louis the Fourteenth.—(Hear.)— It was also in opposition to the efforts that we had our selves made, and by which that very debt was contracted, which I!..ts UV" the greatest obstacle to our exertions. For what was that which prevented 1111 from going to war. to vindicate the liberties of Europe awl preserve the safety of Euel ind? It was never denied that the Wt. pendence of Spain upon France was essential to the LI- lance of power in Europe. The Home had heard much last night of she miserable state of Ireland; but it wan•• still of great importance to this country. The conquest of Spain by France would afford facilities for fitting oat armaments for the invasion of I reland, and the subjection of the West Indies. It was therefore atasolutely esseutial to the safety of England that Spain should be i ndcperot. en; of France. This consideration placed the Righ t lion. Gentleman's tonduct, in suffering himself to he' duped, in a worse light. It AVMs alleged, in the ot'or House, that the state of the debt prevented this country from going to war. Let it he recollected, however, t at this debt was contracted iu order to restore the family of Bourbon to the throne of France.--(ilear, Unless measures were taken to get rid of some part •of this incubus, the French 4he allowed to control ail the west of Europe. Ile (Lord F.) had been char red with bro !cling systems of spoliation, hut he would I or. severe in arguing that this debt would coil in °vertu in. ing all the establishments and liberty of the country at home, and neutralize the power of resisting enemies fr eta abroad. Two years ago he gave notice of • motion un this suhject, and be should continue to impress upon the House, that paying the full interest of the debt was las consiatent with all capabilities of national defence. 'lie Noble Lord then alluded to the hopes which had b tin held out to Spain that this country would adopt its eau ss. He condemned the festive' at the City of London Tav tre as a mockery of the distress of Spain. tie did not cha: Ministers with this. because there were no t arties but he blamed those Gentlemen who made mere pro: o lden' of sympathy there, and did nu more. Such condi et was uncongenial to the spirit of Christian charity. I though the Right Hon. Gentlemen did not make op en professions of sympathy, yet be was to blame for leadi. the House astray, au : inducing them to vote establis b. meets under the one :mien of war, which they otherwi it: would not grant. And if Ministers had not determin sit upon going to war, they should reduce the heavy cat a blisliments of the country. -Since ttllZi the army h ut been kept up on a war footing, and the existence of to large a force was justified by the alleged necessity af enabling this country to take an imposing part in 0 to politics of Europe. Now, however, when a case presen t ell itself which demanded their interference, the Britis la Government were wholly unable to take any part.- - (Hear.) The Noble Lord concluded by again expres• log his reprobation of the negaciations which bad bee a carried on with France, in which he contended that tl e honour of this Country had been committed, and its it portance compromised by too much succumbing to th e French Government. Mr. AV. LAMB opposed the motion. He thought e observations of the Noble Lord who seconded the ni lion came with a bad grace from him, who had called o s loudly before for the restoration of the Bourbons as, e now exclaimed against them. lie hail complained of tl e event of the National Debt, but there was no man the House more answerable for it than himself, front tt e active part which he had taken in driving this co untr into the last war with France. And although he o, posed some of the subsequent acts of that war, yet whe a be bad voted for setting it on foot, he was bound to to.. a it with all its consequences. He (Mr. Lamb) would o ; ose the repeal of this Bill under any circumstances.- - There were dines when, in a spirit of chivalry, erotic were fitted out here in aid of the Palainate, and the Pr. - %canaille of France and Holland ; but things were now 8 changed, and a pacific course appeared to him the most' arise for this country to pursue. Besides, the prerogae tive of war and peace belonged only to the Crown, and . he did not wish to see it trenched upon. If this Bill I were repealed, it would amount to an act of decided hos- t tility unworthy the former act of this country.—(Hear.) If we were to interfere at all, it should be done in a way•l becoming a great nation. The amount of the debt coated • ' nut be ascribed to an unreformed Parliament, for the fault had been, that Parliament had rather gone with the people. than in opposition to their !visors. lie thought that the people sometimes carried the expression of then' sentiments on political subjects to excess. There were, . however, times when the Parliament and the ramie act ed together, and the nation then out forth all its ener gies, as was the case in the late war in Spain. The House ought not to proceed to legislate according to its feelings, but upon that line which duty pointed our, and pursue that with firmness, steadiness, and impartiality. lie concurred with the sentiments of Ministeis entirely, that neutrality was the course which was most seitable to England on this occasion. Should war be unavoi::- able, she had the spirit to undertake, and the means to carry it on. But he saw no reason of policy that should induce her to engage in the struggle. He denied that the occuPatien of Spain by Frenth soldiers, was any proof of a spirit of aggrandisemeAt on the part of France. For all these reasons he should feel it his duty to resist the !notion. Lord FOLKESTONE said that the Honourable Gentle nine, in the course oT his observations, had stated that be (Lord Folkestone) was is a peculiar warmer responsible for the existence of a great port of the public de , t. lid really did not understand upon what ground the Honour abls Member bad made such an assertion. Mr. LAMB said that he remembered very well the Noble , Lord, in the year 1803, to have made a very forcible speech in favour 'et w .r, and expressed his opinion that the . resto ration of the Boothe!! dynasty should be made the sow qua non in any neeochttion tot peace. Lord FOLKESTONE said he was ready to admit that tie had, on the occasion alluded to, stated that It *mild be mit sotageous to Europe tl be set up in France; bus ripression of such an opi • for the debt. Dr. LUSHINGTON ss span to abandon prirciples maintained, there was no could be made with more just sat down. He did must say that he was the a person of great abilities pletely fors•ken the sent nuously advocated and be his bitterest antngouista. who would disc.urage dot cause he supposed they p 1 were parties to such a dee of him who would advanc teat when all the strocitie licy were laid open. the p press their communion mil and their indignation egg were we now to couch an had Casteaubriatni reduc mouths of the people of they to go in mourning fo tha lion. Gent, wished to nation in that 110.:se. TI b Idly asserted that the re be silent lest their opinic perhaps, raped:tient that A 'ludic business, SKOPId us that House, he trusted he cessfut to neck the ti..nei tae d espots of Europe a rage upon the country. ' the House. he cnicurrer that the Bill might be IN trallty. Tact such a me as a MOM 111 l ly of our ready to admit. lie he a Foreign State had tto r ter of a cocatry against lation, end if a Foreign uoureole Ilientlentao opp tish Parliament had thlop b., disposed to say that t • 4.trzr any opinion upon unless it could be shown t silty. He shout I like . stated fiat n lowing a Pe . chase ships' st , tres , rom jecti to en:ist is the sere r eu.ra:it). lin this pi kelpie, but it preve r %verity years lir iug leg into a foreign I a misdemeanour. lie ell nations in her servic la exist: nee, to a foreigner, who 111 during a time of war In it not the practice that vies,. men, unit stores. taem after the war had parties toe same rights br. nett of ti ideality. 9 feedlots tied interests a -in Mar that this Bill Spain, i.t order to prey, 1604 from asserting the c..tisNuenee 7 That head of spain, for it wt try iiiving her assislancs a. his j ud;.oeutmeet, tai: country was net I but in prittelple,titat he v to war. A war should should be able to my tl eould not amid it withot • rests. Ti:ere was no re' • could escaps golog to w go to war with greater of *pelts was broken, as to lea's us the task, ni Ile did not deny that n not oblige us to go to I sae might very well say IA conquered by the Fr Great Britain to save country was in a sittiat Dr. Plill.Glllfilit which a discussion ha might be reserved for to argue in favour of t a view to the ancient the law of nations. ' eluded by saving that visable to repell thi stances in Europe. Mr. MARRY ATT inconsistent with the I man had a right to fa Nome pursued commet rushed to take up the should be thrown in were strong and urge recollect, !hat we have in his optuton wisely neutrality if we wen give an advantage to peace came, the pro pealing it. Lord JOHN RUSS had just sat dowmatit uncut. Though he with the principles of because it it mild be in Gent. would consent he of use to no one, would confer incalcul for liberty, by allowti Englishmen who mig Learned Civilian (Dr to show that this law land, but the princil Lis case was ititntersh John) denied ; and b and Lesrne I Friend, who, on a tormer occ in authority (sight I lidity of any which hrongbt forward to c Ilun. Member for II velem tbe at i tject; anigitt be felt ie to the dahterous tont frequently the cause very fortunate in the eloquence of Mr. Wet war, was on an ocessi The two cases admit undertaken to suppr put forth his dove , paid advocate of the that he supported th centi• ence on the s which cunvi need Ilia the rustily of telling fall new c.ontideuce, t. miens of the liberty but as for Ilia part, In f erinivion of Alinitite • ii he did, he must were to believe them have acted as it apps they. had done, he in hat faith. If they they sent out Lard t Spantarde to agree t t et time Fres.ch Aml aa an lhdttrement to that they "mild seer the more easy rstovt ',.theangrord