The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1808-01-22 00:00:00

Itet SS d HOCSE Or COMMONS. At three o'clock, Mr. Qearme, Deputy Centlemma Veber of the Black Rod, appeared at the Bar, and summoned the Rouse to attend in the How of [Ards to bear His Ma jetty4 Speech need by Comtuission Whither the Speaker a nd Member* present immediately prticeeded. Epuu his rcturu, the SPEAKER acquainted the House, Got, in pumnauce of an Act missed in the .24th of His pre sent Majesty, he had issued his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Cltatteery, fur new Writs for the Election of Mem bers fur the following. places foe the Borough of Besuusaris, in the room of Lord IY ew boro h , deen.sed. roe the City of Lincoln, in the room of the Hon. Colonel Noasuu, deceased. Fur Tacistock, in the room of Lard Howie, now called to the House of Peers, hi , the title of Earl Grey. Fo t the Comity of *Monaghan, la the room of Richard Dawson, Esq. deceased. 1 or the County of Donegal', in the room of H. P. Brooke. Esq. deceased. About Fillets Meinhers took the oaths and their antis. Amongst these were George Ponsouhy, Esq. M. Mathew, Esq. and Geneva' Clephiute. Sir F. Bitrdett made h appearance in the House,lMM was too late to take the oaths, so that he was wader the necessity of takiny his vest under the Gallery The SPEAKER announced to the House that the Clerk, according to custom, had prepared a Sal, for the worn effec tually preventing Claudestiat Outlawry, whioti he should now submit to consideration. This Bill was accoeditigly read a first, arid ordered to be read • second time. A new Writ tins ordered to he irned fur the EleeCon of a Purim foe the Boron& of St. %chart, Cornwall, in the room of U. G. Mills, Esti. who, since his Election, has 'alerted the Chiltern Homier& A new W. it was ordered fur White !week in the room of thistles Biodrick, who, sloes his al/mien, has ac cepted the office of sue of the coiumissivoeni of Hi: Ma lang" TletaarY. Anew W tit was ordered fur Stamford, in the room of Gemmel Leland, deceased . A maw ISrit was ordered for the Boronch of Clittteroe, in the room of the Hon. Juba Cost, 'IOW Claltal to the House of Pairs by the tale of Lord Brow aloof. THE ADDRESS TO HIS MAJESTY. The Speaker acquainted the flows that he had been in the House of Lords, by order of the Lords Commissioners appointed under the Great Seal, for • opening b u d holding the present Parliament ; and that the Lord Chancellor had read the Speech of lin Majesty to both Rouses of Parliament, of which, to prevent mistakes, he had obtained a copy, and should read it aloud to the House for their information and consideration.—(For His Majesty's Speech, see the proceediugs of the Muse of Lards.) Lminediately after the Speaker had concluded the reading of the Speech, Lusa HAMILTON role, and addressed the Mobile nearly in the following manner Mr. Speaker, in addressing you upon this occasion, I shall endeavour not to waste the time of the House by entering much into detail, or by pretending to explain subject* which most of the Member's, Most probably, know and understand much better than myself. We all know the situation of Europe, and our own r resent predictuucut ; we all know the nature of the struggle we are engaged in ; we know the enemy whom we fight against ; a powerful ene my, inveterate. merciless, and exasperated, bent upon our destruction; we know what we light for— in one word, oar stake is every thin;; we know too that in such a contest we now stand alone, and have no human reliance but upon ourselves, our re / sources, spirit, and deteraniaation. Sir, we arc not only ma op owed .as ri b !: to w na t t w inn rwa . but ed himself into to sue of the most gigantac powers that ever yet ex isted, hawing at length succeeded so alwevistrig all Europe within his vortex. Every roan must dins be aware that our present situation is most critical. demanding nut only the pet nn iary aid, gut oven the personal exertions of almost every individual. Under such circumstances, faint-heartedness weeld be our ruin. For ns there is now no medium be tween aboslide ruin and ultioo.tz success. le this unparalleled situation it is NI att e r of agreeable con sideration, pride, and triumph, to turn to the state of our resources, and the unabated spirit and energy of oar country. However much we usay lame it the occurrences of protracted war, or grieve for the injury sustained in one commerce, which cur enemy has attempted totally to destroy, we have but to look around us, and behold the can tina between us and every surrounding na tion. We must then feel grateful for that liberty, independence, and pre-eminence, which we enjoy, and which, instead of being torn from us, seems rather to have risen by our difficulties, to have ang- Mented with our dangers, to be paramount to the form made use of to overwhelm them. Con sidering this country alone, without reference te ethers, it exhibits the spectacle of a country which leas lieu engaged in war against a most inveterate enemy for fifteen years, and at the end of that period has actually gained every thing, end lost nothing; every blow we have given has been effectual ; we have indicted blows, but re ceived them nowhere. Our commerce has hither to increased, and our possessions abroad, instead of being loin, have been enlarged. Our navy, always paramount. is paramount now to a wonderful de gree, having swept away every other navy frosts the face of the ocean. We exhibit also this astonish ing spectacle, that the war, which to other nations has proved disastrous, has proved to us comparatively a blessing. With all the calamities attending it, and with all its expenses and burdens, our chan nels of resources are . yet likely to prove our sal vation and security in the present situation of Europe. Although in any nominal peace that might be effected, 'here might be a diminution of expense, yet there might also be as much danger. Increasing as our resources have appeared, yet still this House is not the less bound to insist, that those Ministers of the Crown, whose duty it is to conduct the affairs of the country, husband these resources. At such a crisis as the present, it is no trivial consolation to reflect, that the existing Ministry have shewn theuuelvir. competent to the discharge of it, and have deserveA the counte nance, support, and protection of Parliament. and of the country. What circumstances haie oc. carted since we last met iii this place, His Majesty has in his most gracious Speech informed us of. as Lire also the public documents which have formerly s;meared,so that they hive left it unnecessary for me to enlarge upon that point. The regret that His Majesty has expressed as to the seizure of the banish Fleet, the attack upon Co . penbageo. and his eerurring to hostile measures agaiost a Country with whom he had invariably been upon terms of the greatest intimacy and friendship, is sn,h as the Parliament mid the mutate) , will isa. doubtcally join M. His Majesty looks forward to no important increase to the burdens of the peo ple ; and I trust we all look to the future with equal pleasure and satisfaction, as backward with couteut and thankfulness. A more cheerin2 , prospect in auother quarter may well be threaten to compensate, in male respects, any injosf dune by the enemy to particular branches ot: our com merce. There is one thing statediti the Speech, which affords matter of great eXultation and sa tisfaction, without any On, Whatever ; 1 mean the escape of the Royal Fe..itily of Portugal from the fate itepentling ove; theta. It must be highly gra tifying to every oltie to reflect, that the oldest and most faithki of our allies has thus gone to a throne of Boleti . , and of real power, by means of our assist ance, the incalculable and beneficial consequences a such a removal, present a field of speculation which I cannot presume to descoibe. The new sys tems and relatious that must thence arise, are of an extent and importance far exceeding any imme diate possible valuation ; they can be estimated only in proportion as they advance and unfold themselves. This we way ut least safely calculate upon, that the prospects thin held out. Whether in a political or commercial view, are advantageous and encouraging in the extreme to this country. I am afraid I have almost transgressed too long upon your patience, in making these superficial obser vations—(Hear ! Hear !J-1 shall therefore only arid, that it is with such impressions, and an , h feelings, that I buinbly move 'That an Address of Thauki be presented to Its Majesty, in answer to his most gracio us Speech, which has been delivered to this House. ' [The Address here moved, was, us usual, an echo of the Speech.] Mr. ELLIS rose, and seconded the Motion; and, in doing so, took an enlarged view of the several topics touched upon therein, and in the observations of the preceding speaker. [Here the address wits read from the chair.] Lord MILTON next rose, ani spoke to this purport—" It has been stated, Sir, that Ilia Ma jesty will never make peace till he has ascertained the stability of the medtating party. Now, Ido not conceive, in the first place, that mediation is to be looked upon in the same light as an argu ment between the two contending countries. A mediator has only to In good offices to each of them. I cannot but deeply lament, that His Ma jesty's Ministers did nut endeavour to embrace the opportunity offered them. It would have been better to have desisted from making any clamour upon this subject, till such time as we had ascer tained the measures sad steps which Ills Majesty's Ministers had taken towards the restoration of peace. At the same time we have heard descrip tions of the flourishi 4 state of our commerce and resources; but I adioald think, had persons attend ed more partictilarli to those subject , ' than they seem to have done, they never would have used such expressions. Locked up as we are from the Continent, and almost excluded from any inter course with America, how can it be said that our commerce is -flourishing? How are we to dis pbse of our manufactures ? So far from as surances bring given of an anxiety to restore Peace, a warlike tone on tie contrary is us enet& We are told, that we are to act not only in hostility to France, hot to the whole world. ft is asserted, that We are to give great credit to Mi sisters upon the subject of the expedition to Co penhagen ; now. I say that to attack a country jn the manner we did Copenhagen is totally unjustia Sable, prima facie; for as far as I can ace, without further documellts, I cannot be convinced that there was any proof of hostility on their part. If Denmark had been hostile to us, would the Crows Prince and his army have been in Holstein, ready to resist any attack on the part of France ? From the Orders of Council there appears every pro hability of our breaking off with America, and yet, notwithstanding all this, we are still represented as being in a progressive state of prosperity. I will not, however, at present enter into any further comments, till the papers be laid upon the Table." The Right lion. GEORGE PONSONBY then addressed the Rouse—" The Speech that has been read to us this day, embraces such various topics, that it it not easy to ex :s oneself upon them. Had the course been adopted, which usually prevailed till within these two or three years, of making His Majesty's Speech known to the public, previous to its being delivered from the Thome, it would have been much more easy to have given an opinion upon it. It not only embraces a variety of subjects, hut is, in itself, one of the longest Speeches that I believe was ever read from the Chair. -It requires much circumspection to be able to speak on sub jects which we may notat first easily conceive. The great object of the Speech seems to be, the mode ' of persevering in war with France and the other Powers on the Continent. It is not eery to Five a direct opinion as to the state of the negotiations with St. Petersburgh at one time, and with the Court of Vienna at another. If. however, I were to speak of Pewee or of War, I should say that Peace is an object of the first moment for Great Britain. It is our first blessing ; but I cannot say positively that inch • Peace can actually now be obtained, as is compatible with our honour, or our interest ; bat of this I am sure, that the first object of every Statesman should be to obtain such a Peace. In saying thus much, I beg not to be un derstood to advise too g..cat a facility in any Minister in this Country, to listen to the demands of France. At this particular tine too, it is cer tainly requisite to stand upon the high ground which is suited to our spirit. benbitr, dignity, and resources. If Britain was ever to atoms her head before France, she could tamer raise it again; (Hear ! Hear !) bat to say whether Ministers have acted right or wrong in ihtbe particular nego ciations, is impossible, till she paper] alluded to in the Speech be laid before the /louse. I shall therefore abstain from any reference to their con duct. If it has been right, I shall approve of it ; if oroejr I shall disapprove of it. As 0 the con deft of Government, in rtaiect to Copenhagen. it appear, that their intentioos sire to obtain from Par liament an nnel‘alitied eoProbatioa of their pore dere, withont laying before Its any evideoes what ever. (flow ! tete . 1 ) Thrir were tn lay ewidencr before the Howie as to the negotiations with St. Pe tersburgh and Vienna: but their earefidtg_abstaie from laving any documents before es, sweet a tiob jeet which is, abovepll. others. dear tea tbipeople of this country, Am/ milked tharsibio Ober / hoar! hear 1 - used in tilt Sp's& ja,, Frame to seise the agoitibt this country the Noble Mover, as t cooder of this address, too long forborn. and . of the flagitious media eouutries connected now high time to ° could be justified in attackino mark, betere we knew that she would the confederacy which France hod propoied, and without any apparent hostility on her part against us, is more than I can comprehend, flow aui Ito understand why we were not even to wait for any symptom of weakness being evinced by Denmark ? Were we, because the conduct of Bonaparte was unjust towards other countries, to begin to imitate him, by anticipation of his intentions ? Hitherto it has been the boast of this country, that our con duct has been fair and moderate to all other countries ; and this has beet one great argu ment used in Parliament, in order to induce the people of this country to bear their burdens. Whatever the injustice of France might have been, this country prided itself upon the contrast of its moderation, and of its sense of public character. When France was attacked in that House, for its disregard of acknowledged rights, for its violation of sanetioned treaties, te-land justly took credit for its characteristic good faith. We were told, that however for a time that Power might prevail. the dignity, the consistency, and the credit of this kingdom, would ultimately secure its safety and success. If, then, Ministers have a good case to make out, they will produce these papers, upon which the House can atone form an opinion. The only meatus of information are with them, and if they are detennined not to produce any papers, it will be for the House and the country to act upon the only opinion, that, under such carcenutances, they' can form. I agree with the Noble Lord who pre. ceded me, that the attack on Copenhagen might, by possibility, be a good measnre, it might be a case for which His Majesty's Ministers may have a justification ; yet all these considerations tend to prove more strongly the necessity of having before es the reassous for its adoption. We should know thetilis tires which influenced His Nlajesty'sGovernment;foli it by no means follows, that though a reason way be found for an expedient, that therefore either the motives or ioducemeuts of its supporters were right. The cause iu the abstract may be correct, though the argument of its advocates might be improper and injudicious. The measure itself is so unpro• cedeuted and important, that investigation by Par liament becomes • most necessary duty. Iby n• means am inclined in this state of raisin to pronounce a decided opinion, because I ions to know the facts before I pled ge myself eau to a tacit concurrence with the merits of the UM. sure. if His Majesty's Ministers are detertninei to withhold from this House, not only the ground/ upon which they were influenced to undertake this measure of policy. but to deny to it the means of regulating its opinion, by not producing the vouch ers and necessary documents, then do I pledge my self to endeavour, by a direct motion, to bring the merits of this question before the discussion of Pass' Lament, aud to call its serious attention Is the pas nous views in which it presents itself for essl4lllM We are bound first to consider upon its ri next upon its policy. It is for His Majesty'l Government to reflect whether they will refuse to Parliament the materiels upon which it can 'best form its judgment. At all events, in the present stage, I do feel it mod objectionable to pledge myself to any approval of what I am at present uninformed, and of which, under certain circum stances, f might hereafter disapprove. Thus • much I have tliouoht it my duty to state on that part of the Speech which refers to Copenhagen ; I now proceed to the observations upon the conduct. of the Courts of Petersburgh and Vienna. Vi ith respect to our differences with these two Courts, the House is promised the production of those Do cuments upon which alone it could come to a proper determination. Until those means of in formation are before the Horse, it is not my inten tion to precipitate a discussion; but, in speaking of the latter Power, I mean that of Austria, it is impossible for me not to express both my surprise and regret at the state of hostility in which the two countries are unfortunately placed. Can it be otherwise ? Austria, the Power that, during so many years of protracted war, has been the prop and stay of England on the Continent of Europe ; Austria, that has been the ally upon whom we so strongly depended. and whose conduct has fully justified to the world that our denewl ance was not ill-placed--in war with' that power —I own I am surprised at the communication.— I think it incredible. But as it is unhappily the ease, I presume it has followed front the fallen fortunes of that August House. I pre game that power has been obliged, by an impe rious necessity, to yield to the course of events, and stoop to the succresful efforts of the enemy with whom she so long and so gallantly contender}. And, therefore, I do sincerely impress upon the Commons of Great Britain, and upon the Minis ter' who preside over its councils, the absolute duty of regulating their conduct to that respected power, by forbearance. liberality, and the recollection of ioniser services, of displaying in their language to her. temper, suavity, and gentleness. Talk as bit terly as you please of France, with her you are upon equal terms. This country can newer hold towards that nation more insulting language, than it has on many occasions delivered against But to an old and faithful ally, forced by her severe eitertions, in a common cause, to yield to the preponderating influence of the conqueror, it is suited to the mag nanimity of a high-minded and grateful people, it is suited to the spirit and libe ral disposition of the English character, to use a temperate, healing, and conciliatory language.— The next topic in His Majesty's Speech to which I wish to advert, is, the paragraph which alludes to our relations with Sweden. It is not a vary dis tant period of time since some part of the public /tress of' this country rang with panegyrics upon the disinterested magnanimity and unabating gemero.ity perseverance or the. Emperor of Russia. There was then no server e which we were not bound to pe-fonn for that Monarch—there was nothing within the limits of our capacity and oar alliance . _ _ Any Men pert .. eetreinely cautious before 1 assent to snob a roe commendation ; for if such a line of ofteduet wait pursued, what security bee flits House time same Gentleman en the opposite side will sat tutus hr fore the lapse of a long ionarval of tiiees and lode with as heavy epithets of censure and isimeme this Monarch, whom we are now aided to s lathe same manner as we have this eight hserd their loM magnanimous ally of Russia abused arid ealeensili stud ? And I ask, who in this Menne will take upon himself, under the present (immobilises of the Continent, to antiwar and vouch far thetteeli. nuance of that firmness and attaehneent wilt*** are now told so peculiarly chamcterieesat Steedielt Monarch, mid for which this nation is au lekeptill to make sacrinues suited to its high irpotatimiat 11 may perhaps place a wrong inierpretatase epees S this part of the speech, but until the WOMB of MN planation are more fully before the illmeses- inellaV be excused from giving my promise et istts to any such unintelligle reeonseseededs*- NS .' alluding to our ditterencee with. A • to the Orders of Council relative to AM - trade of neutrals, I will not, attempt le soild" :r pate any discussion, previous to thk . .. papers which have been -promised. •he . . ~ upon the table. • Lf mach imams am be '' by their operation either to vindicate the renew this country, to assert her riobee air maintainleill ',•-: interests, there is no mom, 'leer witide Ot IMMO this House, who will mat thermimir oappost term approve theta : and when the peeper period ming% ....: no man will enter more impartially into a dieenes .ion of their merits, than I wills Hatuabelj r, i these few observation- upon poises tai Majesty's Speech has all u., liesee yet iniiikilit ~ an important subject to which. t a z si vaz . • it ought particularly to have - upon which it is so stnuigely stall tehillreilealk _ I menu dm state at lesion& If level err gamer sear!fro's Mr. Aire /. If tear there "we'd subject, to the alamdiee'til elicit lie • , ', Ministers were called by *Mr lease el' feeling of patriotism, it if, tie SIMI mil of helmet. At all times a paresatelet end considerstion, but if we we to centime ins boa of protracted-warfare, its importikallMiellealk: more materially a question of listened ilea security. I do•itope that, although tiro is ligais out of the Speech, it it still the inielliee ". Nl•jesty's Ministers, on seine lawn . .orifit,'W . - bring it before the Legislature. Pio MN - gel: more fully appreciate the effect and utifitylitile introduction by the servants of the Ciesink d • • •• wish neither to hurry them, nor to itadesiti is precipitate dsclosure of their views sod , • tiers upon this important and parealmot question of policy. It will be highly ,'• gr% to me , dust the goad is dame to the country , reference to the source from whence it 'het • ceeded. I have felt it necessary thus lar,:to •', troubled the Housi, 'nwilling to autieipsite a dies cussion upon topics, where, with the promise GNI • prodinsion of the documents, it would hare . . contradictory to have forced a premature . • ,- • Upon the other point-, with teepee" to the expedition, I have ouly reservedmy opialets." . is true His Majesty, in his Speech, has asprammi • his approbation of that measure; still irlilie fai lief House to recollect, that His Majesty, or ; his Bililife ters, might have good mime with which the • Bement was unacquainted. Surely it was Oa of trevagant to suspend' approval, until those Softy* were communicated to Parliament. it might lests pen, that, on a future oceasion. I might be told,' s hen eonileinniug this measure, - that I bade illib • occasion given it a tacit support ; and the gesalsil men on the opposite side might my, why do you see oppose it? I am anxious to guard against any eels difficulty, by postponing my judgment until lam ita possession of the faits. It int* most important event that has occurred in the political history of this country within the last oentary, and therefore it is that investigatior and inquiry are aleolutelt netts nary. If those who have guided the Cosine-its of the country have acted with justice and policy, the result will terminate in their praise and appro.. bation ; but if a contrary conclusion shall be de duced, I do hope the character of the country wIU never lend itself to the disgracefiil actions of any Administration." Mr. MILLS --s• Sir, in the sentiments which fell from the Right Hon. Gentleman, (11i.1Ponsonby), and which were urged with so much temper and moderation, I did expect to have found his objec tions supported by arguments valid and substan tial. I must codes+ I have been much disap pointed. The Right Hon. Gentleman set out with advancing, that in the present state of things, and while we were so little prepared with materials for coming to a fair discussion of the merit of the present Nunnery, it would be altogether premature to hazard any conclusion on the subject. Yet scarcely had these words escaped the lips of the Right Honourable Gentleman, than he proceeded in the most eificathous, though certainly not the most direct mode, to deprecate the whole tenor of conduct pointed by the present Ministry.— Tbe arguments to support the policy of their inco mes have been copiously considered, of which seine of the strongest are drawn from the speech of the Right lion. Gentleman on the opposite side. These last I shall compress in as few words as reasible. In the cruifeessen which the Right Hon. C;entlemsn huts made, respecting the many topics introduced into the Speech from the Throne, es well as its very extraordinary)eneth, he has tete Mini, betrayed a very great inconsistency. in my mind, in following it with an avow,tl, that he was thewee unable to enter into a clisens.ioa of at. sub. stance. I should have iinagioeil that in wope-ti- a as the Speech of His Majesty was diffusive, tl e Right Hon. Gentleman would the more reveille 'arm on a subject adapted to bie talent, and to ....hieh he Might with the more me have liir.lished the Rouse ifitia objections. Indeed, contemptible • Aug Ingai d ivaiiiPsima. rib phi& No- Sittillatiii got • thoult&eme that it was the sotteAis, is amt celled • bi thalipwaskereas Denidt Meet, sod .ompierat toliftitooto Mow Rod ottioli. ; and the crime/CIO - 4 biy. pest of* Mesaseek Awe *I s o x limo well u the Hoitoitrable Se. te enseaseffi nesuesullnesto we if mei ter ss, es, is, that His Majesty hed chavietur. Wet dud sal it I I had beeu too long .past meinit,the, thong woes• tvottotli Ilatered t o % ,duct of France to other (*rut *stele with tint Power. is - the with us, but that it was good faith Ist, them he raided. ilet Keb assis depart frotn it. How we contracts exist, and it is meant to equip iu I albs attackin.. the capital of Den- aidiary treaty, Or to form an ofiensewsiseektinfeauf ew that l ithe would submit to alliance with that Power, foe ay own pert I soil/ bi