The Statesman. — London, England, 1810-03-31 00:00:00

man then read tire resolution of a Gallant Officer on the, present subject, and observed, that if the Mouse fairly, judged, it would justify the coquet of Ministers, by agreeing with it. One thing had fallen its the course of the debate which was not correetg namely, that which considered the Expedition to Copenhagen as a disgrace; but for that measure the enemy would have had not only Danish sailors, but a Danish fleet. He was much pressed en the subject of the retention of the island of Walcheren ; it cannot be supposed that in the mind of the Gentlemen opposite there exists a stronger feeling of compassion than that in the breasts of those who are accused as the aathors of this calamity. • No ; this was a feeling uninfluenced by party opposition; it' was general, it was sincere. With this, how. ever, Ministers were nut to be blamed. The Noble Lord had charged them with not having evacuated the Island when convinced of the im eraeticability of success in the ultimate object of the Expedition; but it was the failure of that, and the other 'objects, which enforced the ne cessity of a return. If Antwerp had been destroy ed, then retreat was secure; but when that point was unguarded, no value could be attached to a longer retention of the Island ; the chief con sider-Awn then was safety. One is a bad judge in his own cause; perhaps then his opinions might be erroneous. The possession of such a naval situa tion was itnportato r itot only in a military, but in a commercial view : the revenues of Antwerp in 1806 produced one-third more than arose from all the revenues of France in the preceding year, the former amounting to eighteen millions, the latter to twelve ; that alone was an object ; for it should not be consider& what the extent of treasure, but what the extent of trade was which could be destroyed by such a loss. We already have hail occasion to consider its naval importance; the strength, as a fortress, of Walcheren was thought so great, that in the year 1798 it was in contem plation of Mr. Pitt, of Lord Sidinoutlt in 1802, and again of Mr. Pitt -in 1805; the reason of their plans not being executed was, the want of a sufficient force to execute them. He would Confidently ask, was it not their opinion that it would he an impregnable fortress in the Mouth of the Scheldt ; and this was farther strength. cned by the opinions of Lords Nelson and St. Vincent. When in possession he thought it his duty to abandon it under the circumstances whish attended the calamities of s disease. Lord Chat ham never objected to its indefensibility ; but it may be asked,'lf it was an object of such fen psrtance, why was it abandoned ? Not on the Bret, but on the second opinion of Sir Richard Strachau ; even his letter of the 13th of Sept. !stated that it might be maintained. He would ask the House if he had given up possession within the time he did, would he not think the opposite side justifiable in bringing forward their accusation? In October it was Sir R. Strachau's opinion that the Island might be maintained with a force proper. tionable to that which would be likely to attack it, together with a squadron alwafs in readiness to protect the Scheldt. It had beets represented that the sickness was expected all the time; he denied that ; it was but a natural consequence, ou account of the unwholesome vapour which generated after heavy rains: the troops, besides, were badly ac commodeted in a town which had suffered so much from bombardment. These fatal effects would not have happened if the weather had been dry. Not one of those seamen, or those a Ito were allot suffered from the sickness; could nut then floating barracks have been instituted ; might not by this means every ill effect be avoided ; and, lastly, could nut the garrison of Flushing be gait - Need on the coat of Kent within 24 hours sail of their pest ; but the expedienty of this mea sure at least might have been taken into considera tion. The Rigbt lion. Member wished to know whether for the consideration of exposure to dis ease, the maintenance of so important a situation should be precluded. On this principle we should ' deliver tip our possessions in the West ladies ; we should no longer estimate the value of St. Lucia, and St. D-nningo. Is it because many in dividuals were, front sickness, there consigned to untimely graves, we should resign the protection of our acquisitions there ? The same consideration presents itself on the coast of Africa ; is it to be maintained that iu noticing lesser objects we are to give up the notice of the greater ? Let the House but fairly judge the matter, and surely, in • point of importance, they will not compare St. Lucia or Domingo to Walcheren. [Hear, hear!] The operation of the evacuation of Walcheren *as not the work'of 'day; the sick were first 'Conveyed away, every accommodation was af forded them; and the transports, before they were ' suffered to return for more, were carefully fumi gated. It the swath of November, the disease • Ceased ; in the mouth of October, the sit k were carried, away. t will be found that they Could not be removed' during the sickly season, though the period of the abatement was in view. %Vhilo there was reason to suppose Austria conti nued in the sense position, Walcheren was de. fended ; but whets Austria had made peace, its possession bee:Mien° longer advisable ; the last act of the Expedition willhe demolition of the works of Flushing. Walciteren should have been main tallied while it was possible with safety, but whoa that ceased, it was the duty of Ministers to relin quish it. Ho trusted that, on a just, Impartial view by the House, the whole case would be un derstood by the country [Load cheering], and that too blame would be attached to' Ministers for 'their conduct. He concluded by apologizing for having detained the attention of the Utilise, and sat down amidst the loudest cheering. • • • Mr. It. DUNDAS . rose amidst cries •f Ques. lion! Question ! lie tithing! the Howie he Would trouble them only fur a feei raotnenls. Ho posi tively denied that the retention of Walcheren had been the effect of the intrig•ues of Ministers. The island could not be evacuated sooner': •' The nem. eery steps for that purpose could not have been taked tuouer---and this he conside'red wasieemplete ansirei fdthe objections on that point. He thentid- Serial to another topic--the answer to theAddresti of the City of London'." The' pu Tared thetas', that o inquiry war Considered Deemer: into tilt coact u . t r * 1 • iiik 4 \ TEIP, STAT FDS MAN: of that Expedition, either naval or military. As to any other Inquiry, Parliament would see to that. The clamours' which that answer excited would be well remembered ; and yet, now let Gentlemen compare that answer with the Resolution of the Noble Lord (Porchester), completely acquitting the Officers. They might, if you would, have served a bad Ministry—but still they did their duty as far as depended on them. He hoped this weld be a warning not to attack the character of Officers who did their best in the service of their country. He concluded by observing, that even the Ijun, Baronet (Burdett) who had blamed these Officers, must vote for their acquittal if he per sisted in his intention of voting for all the Resole duns of the Noble Lord (Porchester). Mr. BROUGHAM expressed his most perfect conviction, that when a subject, embracing the vital interests of the Empire, one in which every man was anxious to ascertain the exercise of that ditty which the House of Commons owed its Con. stituents, was in discussion ; tie could not satisfy his feelings even by voting for the original Resole tions, if the matter was to rest there. He had a confidence that those who felt fur the country's calamities, would fist support the present Resolu tions; anti looking forward to the ulterior consider*. tion, which could alene afford the country justice fur the past, and guard against similar- delinqueti. civs in the relive. Those who, on the other hand, could limit their sense of duty to the present reso. lotions, would of course support them, inadequate as in his mind -they were to any other purpose but the salvation of Ministers. [floor, hear! and murmurs.] Sir HOME POPHAM, amidst loud cries of gg Question, Question," rose, but from the im. patience of the House, and the uproar which fol lowed, was wholly inaudible in the Gallery, The House then divided. Szvstuir. private letters hart been roesivesl from Portugal. There is strong reams to believe, notwitbstand. iag all we have heard of the enthusiastic attach. meet of the Portuguese to their" Deliverers" — that the majority of the People view them with more than jealousy. A transport, which had received on board some packages of goods from a packet which was sud denly ordered for sea, has been surrounded in the harbour -at Lisbon, and a number of packages have been forcibly carried offas being contraband. The indefatigable activity of Colunel Tisane, at Oporto, is acknowledged to have been of the high est service ; yet the Portuguese have showed a de cided aversion to contribute to the remuneration of the expences incurred by him in the execution of that service. In consequence of this, the Bri tish merchants have liberally contributed fur that purpose; and there now exists a coolness between the British and Portuguese, amounting to nling.st an open breach. The following extract from ooe of the letters, is strongly illustrative of the high value wo ought to place on the barman Mercenaties, of whom there is such a multitude in the pay of Great Britain ; 66 V ISEU, M4aom 15. " GENE, L CIAUFURD, who commands the light bri gade at Penella. which is the advance in the northern direc tion, was, a fist daps ago, very nearly Solna prisoner under the following circumstances: He went on a reconnoitring excur sion sr ids some a the GERNA a Lemma, some of token found war to go over to a strong French out-post, and gave Eqpt motion where General CRAUMITRD was, but as soon as he missed the deserters he was on his guard, and by the swiftness of his korso, he gof. though with difficulty, clear of, along with the officers that attended him on this occasion." When the Opposition were in the Lobby, Mr. PONSONBY addressed them, and begged, as there would be several tli►isions to-night, that Gentlemen would nut leave the House. The first question was on the first set of the ori. ginal Resolutions of Lord Porchester, conveying a censure on Ministers, on the ground of the in'. policy of the Expedition. Ou this question, the numbers were For the original Motion Against it The probable dependence on (hese troops in the hour, of invasion, may perhaps, be now correctly appreciated by the gallant General—who bad so nearly fallen a sacrifice to their treachery. Yet there are men in this country who can reprobate the manly attack of Mr. Coararr nu this us. CONSTITUTIONAL ARSIT OF FOREIGNERS ! ! 227 275 Majority against the Resolutioes A second division then took place on the Amendment of General CRAUFURO to the first set of Resolutions, the Amendment going to au ap probation of the conduct of Ministers en the Po. licy of the Expedition. While the Ministerial Party were in the lobby on this question, Mr. PERCEVAL addressed tlern, and begged ' that they would not depart, as one or two other divisions might be expected to take place. . The Ayes having gone in, the Tellers could not agree as to the numbers, when the Ayes again catne out. At length the numbers were found to be. For the Amendment - Against it 232 Majority in krour of Ministers —4O A third division thou took place, on the second set of Resolutions, to the effect of censuring Mi nisters for the retention of Walcheren. While the Opposition were in the lobby on this question, Mr. PONSONBY informed them, that this me. tion was on thuir own proposition, for censure against She Ministers for the reten tion of Waldo:. ' run ; the next would be on the main question for approving of She conduct of Ministers on this point, and of ionsequence, throughout the whole Expedition. On this last point, he hoped that they would stead considerably higher than they had yet done. The Resolution that no blame is imputable to the conduct of the Army or Navy, was carried nem. con. Upon the Resolution of Censure as to the po. licy of so lung retaining Walelteren, a division took place, Ayes - Noes 275 Majority 51 .Upon the amendment approving of the eonduct of Ministers - in the retention of Walchereu t the numbers were Ayes - 253 Noes 9. 4 2 Majority - 21 • Adjourned at half past seven o'clock till Mon. day. THERE iS a report in circulation, that an ad, jourument of the Muse of Commons, for some days, will be moved early in the ensuing week, This, we presume, to have originated with the friends of Ministers, who would gladly, if they knew how, consign Mr. LETHBRIDGE'S Motion to oblivion—by adjourning over 7'hurs day. The following are extracts of letters received from Portugal yesterday : " CADIZ, MAII.CH 13. " We have Just nowt learnt that all the people la Xerei, capable of bearing arms, have been pat in a state of requlsi- Asa by the enemy, and were directed to bald themselves in readiness to act according so eimumanores. In consequence of this order, 1300 of there jramediately afterwards escaped from Xeres, and fled towards the Sierra de la Ronda, where there were previously assembled upwards of 15,0J0 of the peasantry, Who, although noorgaalied, had eaten shoat 400 French troops, tbe whole of whom they had dispatched. On the other hand, every day .irradaces as account• of dozens being slain by the enemy. " A Gentle:oafs has found his way hither from Seville, who left that place three days since. }P informs as that the French had relaxed in their riper, hut had broken open the houses of several emigrants. The number of French tibops in Seville did not exceed SW men. The Commander had issued orders, directing that for the space of four days no per son under any pretext Was to be permitted to pass the bridge, or be suWered to go into the suburbs. This looks., if some fears were felt, lest the people of Seville should follow lie example of those at Xeres." • " LlSRoll,llllsacm 17. " When I reflect on the many fears and Spprehenslimis that have assailed us doringihe last six months, and sow, on the 17th of March, see this country in a state of perfect quiet, I scarcely know how to believe my senses. The state of defence in which it is now placed, ought to command some attention; the improvematat in the discipline of the Portuguese troops is also a circumstance calculated to in spire hope; and from one and the .other, 1 conclude, .that whenever we are attacked, the resistance n ill be proportion ed to the object at stake. With less than 80,000 men, it seems impossible that any serious impression can be made on the capital. The provinces may be ahandpeed ; but where,jpi may be asked, are the French to find pros isima for :mei so army ? We, who are in possestion of a sufficieaiibere, and have at our sommand all the resources of the color try, find great difficulty io transporting the necessary supplies to the different points where oar troops : sta ' Honed, and they are frequently Sue to isicouvemeoce.— What then have Dot hostile troops to dread in such a •kingdnm? I mention this to chew. that the conquest of hon must be difficult, be the invading force what it may . . If ' small, it will be beaten . ; it large, it will be half starved.— My simmer will, I now tbin%. be Oise* M Lisbon, auks Iton APARTid should mate greater exertions than . usur:l. Ilad be Austria to deal with, it would only be necessary to', march towards their armies and bent them. and the war Would be Over. In the Peninsula it is the reverse. The whole coun try is hostile to him, and if we bad not a soldier, would still be so. Ilis cotaussusd extends Out beyond the reach of the bayonet." TO CORRESPONDENTS. Ws have received a Letter from Hsttttr CLITroRD, F.sq. oa the subject of the assertion made by Sir Joins An- SratITZEI, respecting the part said to have been taken by Mr. CLIFFOND in the lute regulation of the Denchers of Lincoln's lino.--Mr. CLIPPOIIIeII Letter bill appear in I I Tate &nazism" of Monday nest. THE STATESMAN. LON4JUN : -••••••••- SATUILDAY, ILAUCU 31 ) 1810. . THE triumph. of Ministers this morning in the Rouse of Commons, is truly negative...fort al, though the attendance was more frill, we believet'l than-on any Question since the "'Regency"— Marshal NET again summoned Ciudad Rodrigo. there being 512 Members present at rho first (Uri. on the 12th ult. The answer of the Governor sion—Ministers concluded with the exiguous ma. not being to Isis satisfaction, he fired upon the jurity of Twenty-One. place fur two hours with shot and shells on the. From the leteuess of the hour at which the alight of tlle 12th, and on the morning of•the'l3th be retreated in the direction of Satifeliees. 'f here Rouse adjourned—half past 7, it is impossible to • • was some skirmishing between the Spanish light give more than a sketch or this most important troops and some detachments of cavalry that tu mid interesting Debate cm the subject of the Ex. veied his retreat. pedition, which, in the emphatic language of Sir The Privy Council have refused the simnel'. PRAM!! BOSSIITT, "BAs UNDERTAKEN SY tion fur a Charter fur building a third Theatre. i 6 111111011 ASCII• AND EXECUTED BY IMBECILITY;— Notice of this detertninatiou was sent to the Pete. ..s dossers on :Wednesday. 66AN EXPEDITIO4i WHICII WASTED THE TirEASLIng Nora /loom—Yesterday a Court of Direc. 66 Or THE COUNTRY, TSB LIVE' 07 oual Taoor, tors • was held, when the ships Larkins, Liebe, ABS THE nomotin Or OUR malign ;—AN EXPE. AlldlYnct were stationer! for Bengal direct. The 6t DITIOS PLANNED BY terfoghics AN a nous desiisatied of the Eari Spriesr w4s altered from :s einelt Tfla aIQIT WAPASALLILID! !" t 13•401 direct MadeiTal Ceylon) 40d Bengal. . • .. , , - • . . - • ''_~'# s~ INiRIC.4. CONGREIS.—SENATE, 13nt Fits. • Mr. &MITZ I from the Committee, to wham „ rai r a erre d the Kili " conceiving commercial ho e ,. coalese with Great Britain and France, a n d ika dependencies, and fur other purposes,' kind the same, with an anteudineet (not elfectinc t l a principle of the Bill), which was read. Th e B ill . made the Order of the Day flor Mund w a i y il a b e e a s i titi li Nsw YORK, Fan. 9.o.—Mr. CURL, of Al. beep, has challenged Da W. CLINTON. latter did not choose to iglnit,mbu:saubs t b s afar to the Senate, as a- broach of the ptivilegs3 of a Member o f (hit House, 'llw cause a th e chaii.l67oB.g2s tis.—Mr. k r. e m ow a n c . oo dieted, pass the Senate in some shape or other ; but it begins to be suspected that the 4 t phk li u l u a t r . ""l o " f otriiiits'Athreiericidt rictive part, t there is p v doubt that the British and French armed 11 , 4 , 4 will be excluded from our ports, alit! the N O . intercourse law repealed. The British p acket, we up . tierstand, has smith:oy been ordered to I l i; by Mr. Jac/LSO . Dr. LLIQAM goes out vessel ;in at character, either as tln aCklion. judged Miuister„ or prieitte mediator, the 1'4(;! are nut given to tristierstorid, (vittvaTts lATTFIL.) fg A 'mail hes just arrived from Washingiou,4 which we learn, thit tttu Committee appionted hy th e Seuate to consider and report ou 14,se , iies e l q fur the repeal of. the Non-intercourse Law lim e reported in its favour, after striking out the p o i which went to authorise the cAlit.ire of the tr > . eels of the bellizereuts found within a certain Ili & lance of the coast of the United Statci. made the Order of the Qty for Monday the Irrtk 0T March, But stit.: we thin!: its rite eil.drimti on the cumplexiim of the accounts winch are daily expected from Great Britain." An alarm was spread at Itiestbnry, (hit Mr. PIIARLEs Yong s was to be proliosed to therein ' Candidate fur election ; and though the Wain. tents have no voice in the election, and no mans of preventing the return of any man, 1101:v2U noxious, yet they determined to show their feeliv of indignation at the insalt of obtruding tot th t place this Right lion. Gentleman. .Bceordingly the street was crowded with people to such a de.' grec, that the Mayor and Aldermen found it is. possible to proceed to the Town-hall, and tit election was delayed full twit Sours. The tumult was excessive, and all attempts to untiecriee the people were Vain. At length, however, with great difficulty, and after having suffered much penults! abuse, the Magistrates got through the umb, ug Mr. DE PoNTIIIMJ was duly elected. It was Lord Pot.t.tecoom, the Member fot Pontefract, end not Lord FRANcIS who spokeafter 11Ir. Reim in the debate ea 'nun. • day night' The Twelfth Report of the ci4ramigqiquers of Military Inquiry, upon the Ordnance OiTice, ha; been printed. It is wholly (attained in detrctirti the peculations of the tote Treasurer, Mr. Hum. The dine during which he acted its this departmest r is divided into two periods i the foritol Wadi% from his appointment 'in 1803 till 1805, uhorela the mode of eunductittg the pecuniary concerns of the office was only prescrined by an Act of Chinks U. This Act, it appears, was however, vli• • lasted, as Mr. hunt in his eiamiti.ition mks .tilth the privity of the. Master-General, upoo which the Cemmiosifaisera remark : It might he observed &Isis, that although the Master : General and board of Ordnisece did set t a; it is said, sanction Mr. , Iftint in 'mak on of the Ordnance money to .his sictrale 6001 " uient, 3et that their knowledge implied sq approbation of a practice, which put the public Isno - ney in hazard, 'night at times greitly incoa- Saode and injure the oervice, from this mosey it ' being ut immediate command, and might so lotto ! rally lead to delay in making up stud closing the office .accounts." Daring the svcond period, OF Treasurer acted ender new regulations, his !lisle. tion of which, and the consequent loss to the country, are but too well known. Theportico. lars of the defalcation alrmdy 'discovered (bat others may remain behind) . arc thus mentioned iq the report : fiblts'this evilksee, sad •frqui the papers futtilidledliy him, 41'14,4:ar5, that lust A uguik and titt: 7th of January, 18 10 , M r. thilit drew *I/Orions venni (rum the Batik witbust ahthority Mounting to • atib'9,lo! 1110 _ °tithe petty account also without authority - - X 14.53 0. And on account of sulories and al- , lowances - - 7,500 go,now 0 1 4,1011 2 I To which mutt he added snots sunnaillait to 2,4 " I 'Entered tw recehed in the WOW gawk, but not paid into the Book Amountiag oltoother to 40i11 L 4 with which Mr. Hunt ik So henharged not in discharge oust be taken the Rl4Olllll of sums paid twin his account at the Bank. of which no entries appear in the Oltice Bookf, amounting to - - £85,12ti 16 9 and the amount of payments of I)ehentures and lot real • mitered in the 'Waste Book; - • which were not paid by drafts, on the Bank - - - ,54 511 6 7 t ta g 0 $ ---....-"' , 10 I The difer nee therefore , - - 4111 9 ) 5 . is the sum deficient on these transactions I during his lied Trenourcrshili t art if to this . be added the balluitv due .un his former 11,80 a 9 Treasurership, or - - - —.------' the sum now due from Mr. flout cannot be , 5 183,7t p. " lea than - - - - On Thursday evening, between sit and Wen o'clock, a young woman, of &cent apPeara ucel was observed to throw herself into the New Rife , near the Thatched lloitse, Islington, why" la ; boating safe t!.shure; she' 44 as • taken to a public-Moor.' man jumped tit after her, and br ou g htb Where being recovered, she said she lived in a 13 ' roily at Pentonville, but did not mil the ca se her attempting so rash an action. --"*"- VNDON : Printed and Psihihdied by V. 141011 Si Ike STArrtsv N Writ E. b 7, Flet:t•strcct. r PP' 0,„ 0 D s T .11r. Q . 1 ho ~~,,!r I' lr GITI Or. I .t 3' l;' s ( V' t n r i , ( A It it 441 . a S do !a a ti v All