The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-03-12 00:00:00

t circumstances in pareicidar, or refer to any vulner ehle points, alai shall Irate Gentlemen to make their own refleaioue on it. MR if the war should become neccasary, I meet differ with those who re resent, that there ore not in the present Admini- Anton abilities to coedit& it. Surely, Gentlemen will hardly maintain, that if one of the principal de partments in the condua of such a war be consigned Lord St. Nf inceht, there arc nor the first-rate abili ties to govern it! With such a guide and leaaer at • our head, we can he in no danger; and if the war be commenced. and there are no meens of stopping it, there will be a necessity of her going into rt with cordiality and energy. If there be really a danger of invasion, hoe-ever some people may disapprove of the grounds or necessity of the war, there was no Englishman who would net say', aye, and feel to, that the French must be. resisted with the linked force of the country. I must again er hortthe House to call for, and insist on more eepla- Dation, before they become parties to the war. The great grievance of the last war has been, that its (+- Fa was never clearly laid down, and never under stood. The present Minister, no doubt, Owes to the country a severe responsibility for the measures he is pursuing ; but I • cannot • controvert what he has stated—that the tirne is not yet come for it. I readily believe his assertion, that the charge of too hasty concession was unjustly made to him ; but I hope and trust, that he will maize light of such repraaches, if he does not feel them himself. He must he sensi ble, that when the hour of respensibility shall- arrive, in whatever crisis the nation may find itself involved, it will not be by high-eounding words that he can possibly be detntied. It will indeed be a hap py thing for all, if war can be avoided ; bit if it be unavoidable, let us remember, that our forces et sea are now as great as ever. What passed in the last year of the war, has proved to the world, that we possess G.' meads and Officers that may be safely opposed to any that can_ be brought against them, and that our troops have fully and *mealy main tained their former reputation of being the best in the world. What then have we to fear ? I dread nothing in the way of battle, either by sea or land, but my apprehensions arise from this, that contemplating all the circumstances of these widely extended dominions, I am firmly convinced, that if a war were now commenced, and continued for many yeare,with all that uninterrupted success in every quarter, which we have here rather to wish than eepret with confidence—yet even so glorious and successful a war would, in thc end he, the most grievous, perhaps the newt ruinous calamity let could fell upon this country ." Mr. FRANCIS, in explanation, said. that when he alluded to the exclusion of the ability . ' of the catintry from the' adreieisrrnzion of the affairs of the nation, he be no mains alluded to any pca am conned:lel either with the army or navy, for •ehose services he entertained the highest consideration. Mr. BURROWES said, he. had considered the nee Gentlemaa on the Hoof.' (Mr. Fix) as one Of the best judges and ablest supporters of the Consti tuicui ot the c aniti y. He has therefore the more surprised to hear the lion.'Gent. call upon hfutisteis - in so urgent a manner to ceplain tee danger we were exposed to, and the necessity for adopting those mea sures at precaution which were recommended in his Majesty's Message, and upon which a constitutional ;tad prudential yelicy sfrialy enjoined his Vatoaty's Ministers, while scussions were pending, to observe the utmost reserve anti secrecy. The Hon. Gentle man said, that by vetting for the supply this night, he made himself a party to the war—This he by nc means could assent to (ere Mr.. Fox said he did not .mean so). If he misunderstood or misrepresented the Hen. Gentleman, he was, anxious to apologize for it, hut he really so co/waived the tendency of his expression. Another Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Fran cis) rather injudiciously referred to particular ob kat and causes for the renewal of the war, but where was the necessity far . this ? We are simply iafermed in his Majesty's Message, that certain mi- Itary preparations are making. in the ports of France and Holland, while discussions of great importance between his Majesty and the French Government are pending, the result of which is uncertain, and hie Majesty recommends certain measures of pre caution. In consequence of this, his Majesty's Mi nisters bring forward a Motion for answering the purposes recommended in the "Message ; and can any Man ia this House vote against so moderate a supply ?—So far froni causing despondency or alarm, •it must afford the greatest conmletion to the coun try to know, that our apprehensions of the renewal re hostilities . must be very trifling, when so inconsi derable an augmentation of our naval forte is ap plied for. It would be very different if we were e alled lame for a supple could to that mentioned by an Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Dent) who spoke before him; that indeed might aceteelarm, but we are bare ly called upon to adopt precautionary measures; and we should feel ourselves much indebted to Admi aistrution for their vigil:tete in protentiag us from any surprise. The First Consul of France, in the event Of an unfavourable issue to the discussions now vending, may attempt to throw an army into England cr Ireland; end if sttch was the event, could any thing justify Ministers in not adopting every Measure of arodential precAution ? The language o f Ministers was uniformly for .cc : and he Was con fident their Wishes most cal) , agreed with their leeguage. They knew, and they telt their respon sibility ; and under such an impression he was confi dent, would not hazard any steps to render that re sponsibility dangerous. It was, therefore, prema ten... to call upon Ministers for explanation—The French were arming, and to prevent surprise or Ileac:wry, we . adopt a precautionaty mode of arm ing also. But we are not front the Message to In ter, as several Gentlemen seem to do, that we arc in a state of actual hostility. It should rather be con sidered as the preventative of hostility. He entirely differed e ith the Hon. GenueMan on the floor (Mr. ox) on the subjea While renewal of the war. lie was confident, if, such an event Unfortunately should take place, that the energies of this country would be found unimpaired, and-equal to meet the most Obstinate and decisive connia. But he would re peat, that we ere not called upon to enter into hos tilities; and he Would contead,until that was the case, nay explanation on the part of Ministers would be premature, imps open, and highly dangerous. He tonchidea by warmly suppertuag the Motion for the Supply. Lord HAWKESBURY said, the Hen. Gentle- Arian who spoke last treated the question in a men pet which did him great credit. e' is to the consti - attiortal opinions delivered by another Hon. - Gen thattan Gyre. Fox) he could not entirely agree with r, ... . RIM Tur• - : • • • • . ' 'him. It seas' teertilitii the undoubted pi' terative of the Crown to make peace or war, and as un datibtedly the privilege of the House to grant or to withhold supplies ; by • which means the House, utouge they could net prevent a declaration of wet, possessed the power of giving it a pradical negative, by denying the means of prosecuting it. Kat the questions of peace and war were very different ; even when peace is concluded, it is a question, what degree of information may with propriety be given. In case of war, every possible degree of informatiMi ought at a proper period to be given ; but m case of peace, if that peace proved satisladoty, there was no Arena flcie necessity for explanation. In case of war, there was no inconvenience attending the full elucidation of the subjed ; hut at the conclusion of peace, it was often necessary to withhold many cir cumstances attending the negotiation for that pur pose. lie by no means meant, in case of war, to . withhold any information on that subjc.l ; he wish ed- varticularly to explain this point; but before the negotiations which were carrying on Nver.t , breuglit to a ctmchtsion, it would be unwarrantable in his Majesty's Ministers to give the information now re quired of theta. The Hon. Gentleman opposite to hint (Mr. Fox) had dropped a word in mistake, which implied that the Hoe se would be pledged to the war by the Vote of Supply. But he would beg leave to observe, that the House would not be so committed ; and he would at the same time ask, whether in case of an armament during important discussions, the 1 - louse ought to call for information, or whether it \meld be proper in his Majesty's Mi nisters to give it ? The Hon. ( leatleman has alluded to the affair of the Russian armament—Oa that -sub ject there was a diversity of opinion among the best informed mtn. Rut the war between Russia and Turkey did not immediately affect the security of his Majesty's dominions ; and as to political rea sons, every reason would weigh Against a war with Russia. But the question at present is very differ ent : it is a question with a Power at all times dangerous to this country. He might see a case when an . arrnament in the ports of France, even without any pending discussions, would justify the Measure - of arming on our parts ; but when there was not only an armament prepar ing, but discussions at the e s tme time going forward, the combination of such powerful motives rendered the adoption of precautionary measures doubly ne cessary. The French may. mean, .and he trusted did mean honestly ; but until the discussions were concluded, vigilance, precaution, and preparation were indispensibly necessary on our parts. At the same time he mast again repeat, that thosemea sures were merely precitutioaary, and could not in the remotest degree be sup posed . to commit the country in a war with France ; • and most assuredly, *lore the country was so committed, the clearest information should be required by Parliament, and given on'the part of his Maystv's Ministers. He was desirous to answer what fell from an Hon. t,entlemin opeosite to him (Mr. Francis) respect ing the confidence he had hitherto reposed in his lifajesty's present Ministers. It is certainly the un doubted privilege of every member of this House to give or to withhold, without any influence what ever, his free support, as his duty may dictate to him; and his Majesty's Ministers, however highly they May prize the confidence of any member of this House, should never desire or require it, except upon the most pure and constitutional grounds; and that confidence should be founded on the most mature 'deliberation and the most tried experience. All that his Majesty's Ministers can say is this, that they may indulge a hope of being dealt fairly with*. He would beg leave to say on their part, 64 DO not pre judge us—do not withdraw your confidence with out good cause, founded on setisfadory enquiry." Ilis Majesty's Ministers are perfedly aware of their heavy responsibility ; and he believed he might say, without presumption, that their condud was inva riably direded to the hest of their judgments, and the full extent of their abilities, to the. service of their King, and the interests of their country. They would be ready at a proper season to give every in iiirmation that may be required, and wished to stand or fall by the opinion of Parliament. He therefore would repeat his hope that they should be dealt fairly dealt with, and not prejudged, hut al lowed to continue that reserve which their duty en forced, until they could lay it aside With safety. As to the amendment moved by an Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Dent); he believed, thoueh amendments may be moved for the purpose - of decreasing a supple, it was unusual to move for its increases and should there be any necessity (which he trusts there will not be) for an augmentation, it can be resorted to without difficulty in the event cf war. Mr. FOX in explanation, said, that he was hap py to find the Noble Lord .agreed with him in the general principles he laid down. He acknowledged a slip of the tongue ; and instead of saying, :that voting the Supply would make us a party to the war —he meant to say that it would make us a party to the armament. The Noble reed said, that the ease of Russia was different from the present. It might be so. He said the armaments in the ports of France ' rendered it necessary for us to arm also—But was there any necessity of a Message to inform us, that • armaments were carrying on in the ports of France, when that circumstance was notorious. But now two grounds for arming were urged, the one in res pect to the armaments, and the other to the discus sions ; and upon either of those grounds to vote the ,Supply, must necessarily make us a party to the ar mament. As to the question of Prerogative, he must. contend, that when . once you establish it as a maxim, that his Majesty's Message. without any explanatory information, should be in itself a suf ficient cause for voting a supply—from that mo ment there was an end to the check which the Legislature had - noon the Executive Power. The Hon. Gentleman then alluded to a motion made in the year 1791 by an Hon. Gentlemen,- now absent, (Mr. T. Grenville) which went to establish this po sition, that, before a supply was granted, previous information as to die objets for which it was in tended should be indispeusibly necessary. As to the present case, we had no information whatever—We arc told of discussions and armaments in France, which, when combined, were urged as sufficient grounds for the adoption of this measure; but as to the nature of the discussions, we are totally in the (Jerk. If it was absolutely necessary to arras, Minis , ters, he said, were justified in doing so, even before it could lie: sandioned by a vow of this House ; brit if he understood the Constitution of England, there was not a point in it more clearly defined than this, that he should not vote away the money of his con stituents, without the most t atisf.Etory infortnatiou. .....~ all .~ ',a . . . --111 1F 77. . Lord HANtritESEURY in etplanat 7 on said, the iliqe.rence between the case. of Russia and the pre sent was this. In the former there was an, arma ment, but no discussion pending. Suppose there '. were no armaments preparing in the ports tit k'rance, and his Atkisty's Me:..sage required a supply, barely on the subjea of the discussions then pending, the Hon. Gentleman might then .objed ; but here we were called upon, because the state of .cli.cussions uid the milita-y preparations combined, impelled us to the a:l : )ption of mnsures of precaution, Mr. ELLIO I' rose. merely for the purpose of adverting to the systematic darkness which was ob served, no: oaly on the. present but on former occa sion% He wished to know what information had • seen given respating the late treaty; how far it had been carried into effea ; or why, if the execu tion of was to be interrupted now, any places had been given up ? Why our armies have with such blind security been reduced, and our viEtorious deets dismantled ? Upon all or any of these points no information had been given. Ministers still per severed in that system of obscurity ; and he con tended that the present call upon the House was in the spirit of that sys:em, a d that it was unpre cedented' to vote a supply without a previous expla nation of the objca !Or which it was intended, and the cause which required it. Mr. CANNING said, it was not his intention to pursue the discussion of the constitutional questions which had been entered upon. What he urged on a former night was not meant, and he hoped not calculated to disturb the unanimity which mani fested itself,on that occasion. His object was en tiseiy direaisd - to the acquisition of information on a sulejed so highly momentous to the country. lie was sorry to observe, that the answer he received was badly calculated to give him any satisfadion on the subjea ; he was told, that if lie was urgent for information, he could make a motion fer applying to his Majesty for that purpose. He did net meats to complain of that answer now, but he finds that a Member of rerliement must at times suspend the most urgent enquiries. He would go as liras any man in adopting measures of security, but if he was kept completely in the dark, as to the nature of the danger Which those . measures are intended to meet, he could not help trespassing on the attentioa of the House, by expressing his sentiments of disappoint ment. He should, however, vote for what is called for by the words of the message, on the ground that armaments being in a state of preparation in the ports of France, is certainly a good cause for arming ; neither can it be denied, that those pre parations being made while a discussion is pending, is another cause ; but then why should it not a.so be considered a cause for additional information ? When the first expedition to . St. Domingo was pre paring i n the pone of France, no' ealousy was ma nifested on that occasion ; and if. at tliat time any person ventured to point it out as an object of alarm, he would be accused of wishing to create ill-blood between the two nations. Was it not strange then to hear this urged es an. argument now, for assum ing an hostile 'appearance which was disregarded then ? lie was confuleotthere must be some other cause for having recourse to this measure, with which we arc not likely to be made acquainted. He did not blame Ministers for their conduct; he rather thinks them entitled to his praises, but he must still urge his wish for information. He ruses for the supply, not only to be prepared against invasion; but he would strengthen the hands of Ministers to bring those discussions to a final con !elusion, and put an end to this delusive repose, which we could not be said to,enjoy—He wish ed to put an end to a state which was. not -state of peace—a state for which history afford ed no precedent ; for which no vocabulary af forded a name—A state which shook our political security and existence more than the most calami tous war, with all its horrors, could do. But he trusts Ministers will take such steps as wiil rid us of this political lethargy ; and if we are again to re lapse into a feverish dream of pacific security, lie will be diseppointed in the object fur which he this night gives his votes Sir WM. PULTENEY thought that those Mi nisters who would - not involve the country into war, unless forced to it, were most likely to meet the general approval of the country. •An Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Canning) had seemed to him to wish for that sort of information which it would be very imprudent to grant, during the pen dency of the present important negociations. It ap peared to him that to grant such niformation would be 'injuring the negociations between this country and France.--s What was the reason wily the ques tion of peace or war was intraested to the Executive Government ? It was because there were points con tin' elly arising, the disclosing of which might be atteaded with consequences extremely prejudicial. Could - any man sunrise that the armament n ow pro posed would be sighcient to curry on a war ? It was nothing more titan a wise precaution to prevent. a war. • It would have the effea of shewing to all Europe, and particularly to that power which lead excited the alarm, and convince it we were prepared for the worst. He hoped our preparations would not end. here ; he trusted, we should not altogether depend on our fleets, but place our military at home in a forMidable posture. He thought, when so much was at stake, Ministers ought 'not to aa with a par simonioas economy, like a parcel of stock-holders. He believed the day' must come, when this country and France would struggle for power. The - First Consul had distinctly told us we, mast, fight' fir our all ; and therefore, if we are to have a struggle, we had better have it now than at any attire period. France wanted peace more than we - did; and he was peretralea that the insolent publications issued by the First Consul had excited a spirit of indigna tien in the breast of every subjea. He was •far from wishing a war should take place, bat he hoped we shoeld take care to be ready foe it when ever it did. That a great struggle would take place between Enelend and Fiance, was an event which ate considered as certain, and he really believed we had no reason to be apprehensive with regard to the event. Mr. FOX and Mr. CANNING shortly es ' plained. • Mr. TRENCH observed, that an Hon. Gentle man (Mr. Canning) had mentioned, that the Mes sage from the Throne insininued, thu although the avowei purpose. of the Free arritaraent was colnaial, yet that the real purpose of it was hostility with regard to this country. Now he would ven ture to say, there was no such iusizmation,cantaincti in any part of hi: ISlejesnt's Message. It was cited I to be tub/Ai:IL But it hid beta truly said by a ~~ ._.. i . .. . • . Noble Lord (Hawk‘stuty), tha' it . might he •-efritt ed to other purposes: Tile Message inferred that t!.erc were points in negociation wl ich, h as ),opal, would. be . terminated amicshly, but dist efy information respecting them at the present mo meat might be injurious. He was of opinion, that the question relative to the negociations depended' on future discussion, and that it would tie open toy him to applaud or condonn his i',l:4jesty' , Ministers, as he should have reason to approve their cantina. All he pledged himself to now was, that he would give credit to his Majesty's Ministers for adapting cautionary measures, and, subjeft to that observa tion, he should readily concur in the vote. Mr. ATKINS congratulated the House on the vote; he wished it had been for '20,009 seamen. I T.! Wag sure there was not a man in the country ‘ s ir. would not enable Government to have 9,0a0 stm men ; but he thought more might be done, th-- might be supplied by the adoption of a measure of enrollment. Mr. CANNING. recommended to the Honour able Gentleman, who had Moved the amendment. to withdraw it. Mr. DENT adopted his suggestion, and with drew it. The original resolution was then put and carried, and resolutions .for granting the necessary sum. to defray the charges of the Vote. The House resumed, and the report was ordered to be received On Monday. INDIA BUDGET. Lord CASTLERF.AGH, at the in - stance of Mr. Keene, postponed the consideration of the India Account till Monday. Dr. LAWRENCE stated, that as he was anxi4 ous to avoid the discussion of any stahjea that , Might in the least degree embarrass the important'negocatiniis with France, he should ltot bring for.' ward the motion, of which be had given notice, re+?e,ling Captain d'AurerFne, while things re rnainei in their present situation. The Chairman of the Select Committee appoint& ed to exAmine the merits of petitions against the returns for Coventry, reported, that Francis W. Barlow, Eco.. was duly elefted, and that Nathaniel Jeffries, Esq. nat being duly cpalitied, was not elected ; and that the petitions of W. Wilberforce Bird, Esq. and Peter Moore, Esq. were not frivo , lous or vexatious. Mr, TIERNEY moved for a new writ for Co ventry, in the room of Nathaniel Jeffinies, Esq.— Ordered. The other Orders of the Day were gone through, and the House adjourned till Monday. TFLEArRE-ROrAL, DIZIThr-LAY E. Tf - TIS EVENING be performed the ]'rag dy of HAMLET. Hamlet by Mr. COOPER, GE the Plitlailelphia and New York Theatres, Ileing his Sec Ind Appeatanes on this Sttec. King, (2d time.) Mr. Powell; rolonius, Mr. Dowtont Laertok, Mr. C. Kentish.; libratin, Mr. 14.111•tit4 ; Ghost s Mr. Wronglnipt ; Gravediggers, Mr Strat aul Mr. Purser. Queen, Ophelia, Mrs. Jordan. - To which will be adct.,i, .ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. SCA Xitty Sprightly, Mrs. Itenry, .(,her first eppeerance ott this stage.) ' On M3...ilay,•The Hs.,af Eh. North, With Tito Su'tsrt. ,• • • !THEATR.E4Z-91"4L, COrelVT-G4I2DEIe: 1111$ .E.V,NING will be performed a New (.needy cii.1241 JOHN DULL; • pr R AN ENRA.ISLIN4AV's SRE-slnt. - The principal Chirtiers by Mr. Lciwis, Me: C.rolce, Mr. •Ctwcort, Mr. .1 ibostrpia, Mr. Illnolinsttin, Mr: Rhutchstrbi.Mr. Emery, Mr. Welsiy. Mrs, (:.•abs, Mot. preenpetrt, anj Mrs. 14. Johnston. The Prologue to be spol.ted Mr. Brpat tn. With a Lynes' Epilogue by Mr Johnstone. To' which will be alriecl, • THE QUAKER. steady, (firsttlini) iMr. Ipeied.st ; G.lliatt, Miss Dixon. • The New Cmnady cattail John Roll; or, An Ettglidtman'rs Fire• Side, being•reetiv2.l With krolapie. perfectly it will be repeatsal every Evening till further itotiee. wit!t Nut anJ Virtnia. THE BRITISH PRESS. LONDON, SATURDAY, MAntit 12. Vestentay we received Paris Papers to the Stlt inst. The French Funds have sofiered a depres sion, but not in proportion to the fall in our's. 'Chest. papers contain nothing that can throw any light upon the present state of affairs, as understood In this country, unless it be an arrete of the 27th bf February, imposing a very stria discipline upon the carpenters *and other workmen belonging to the French navy, agreeable to the law of the fourth year oi the Republic; namely, a year of fierce war and contention. Our funds rocoverci a little in the course of yesterday, but we are not to infer from thence any change in public opluion. It was mem.- ly the rebound, that might he naturally expeaed, after the first panic produced by such an unforeseen crisis had subsided. ~ _. J ~. . _ `~ ...-.. .I=LL:„L., ~.11~ ILi`ii r+~il = I -•- • In the course of the Debate, last night,' in the House of Crimmons, n: thing was to be observed but th^ same s!..agfes of opinion which pervaded t',e former discussion on the same subjea.• The 14.1- , guage of the Minister was uniform and Consistent. He strongly expressed his with for peace, and his hopes, that the,last extremities might still be avoided, but declared his resolution never to purchase place by humiliation, or any injurious concessions. Mr. Fox appeared to be less &voted than before to Peace, upon almost any terms; and after taking a comprehensive view of the constitntianal part of the subjeet, displays the Naval and . Islilhary Powers of the country in the most favouraLle aid encouraging light ; but at the same ti me he deprecated war, which, if attended with 1,;:e Most glirious and tr•'., , st tempted success, he must still consider as out alike greater` calamities that could brill this country. IS the course a the 4.-batty, no du 2 As.hau•yer was to the nitl oft dr -the negactation st pentritglorN this. colony and Franc*. gr. Deivt moved nit suig=Shilivid tf st•aniet and ararines to 2: ..ON 4 t • • '-1 al [ • . 1 lit I, .11 I 1 =I r 1 I • I I~ ,~