The Statesman. — London, England, 1818-01-09 00:00:00

77 1 4 of the olollo6lentonme' and of the Illiffsfy ; 24 1Nsva1ts, embracing sititalsinsnr lon for fortifications and for the g r aduig hoj ea ;. Tio A svy, paying the interest of the Public Doha % : ai d esti/gabbing anon than 18 millions of the prim % v i ll a, within the present Tsar, a balance of SUM Milli sit mato , of dollars,applicable to the current iervlce of the ensuing year. The Government Joanna of this coontry style the Message, a " most pleasing and / ratifying doeoutent," and en it is; but these blinkers of the trails will not point out by any allusive to such 'material points as these, why the Speech is so satisfactory. It is agreeable to them, because it con • s a l s a no declaration in favour of the South Ameri. ems against Old Spain and other old nuisances, and „A g ora "the honest candour of the PRESIDENT." It ev i D res more than this, and they who shall peruse It with equal candour, and consider why the infant Republic of America has thus transcended in wealth sad liberty and securitr, and general happiness, .Thu ancient States of Europe, will be at no loss to form a proper estimate of the justice and utility of ,me Administrations a Web pretend to make the :tv of nations their care. By the Leeward Island Packet, the arrival of which we noticed yesterday, we have received a variety of intefeeting documents and papers relative to :Mars in Venezeela and the events passing on the Spaeish Main. The letters from Trinidad and St. . Thomas's also supply some important communica tions. We have made as copious estrects from all these sources as our limits will afford. We learn from these that the Independent Cause is going on seccessfully, 'notwithstanding two onfortunate in stances of dissension that base occurred.—General PIAC, who had displayed the greatest bravery and enterprise (iring the whole of the contest, has been shot by order of a Court-Martial, for conspiring against the existing Government, under a plan to se. parate the people of colour from the whiles. PIAR was himself a mulatto, and a Dative of Curacy.. The Trinidad letters state, that all the witnesses spinet him were person, of his own colour. It is generally , thought that the Spaniards had attempted to gain FIAR over to their interests; and not long ego it was stated he had gone over to them. This was, however, by no means his object, though it does not appear that the conspiracy had many partisans, as no others are mentioned iu General BOLlTAtt's Proclamation. This affair, deeply as it is to be deplored, we are glad to find has brought no material injury to the cause, though it has delayed the approach of the Patriots to the Atlantic coast. The latter have, however, now begaa to carry their new plans of campaign into ege. cation. On 26th Sept. Gen. BERMUDEZ left An. gesture with his division, repassed the Orinoko, and proceeded on to Chaquaramas to join Gen. 'Liana, who was advancing from that point. Oo the 17th Oct. Tonne's division starched by the same route, and on the 27th of the same month, Gen. BOLIVAR was to set lot with the remainder of the army, and proceed towards San Fernando de Apure, in the at tack of which place, a flotilla fitted out in Guyana, was to co-operate. This flotilla cos►sists of '2O gun boats. Whilst these operations are to take place in the interior, and along the iioe of rivers, Gen. Pau is to advance his pnsiti on from Varinas to San Corlos, in order to press :VI °alum, who had dismantled La Guyra, and pocted himself in Valencia. The ship Two Friends had arrived safest Margarita, and the Captain had proceeded up the Orinoko, to we Gen. DourAn and Admiral Baum One of our extracts will convey a very good idea of the result that would attend an attempt to mediate, at the present moment. The Paris Papers to the 6th, which have arrived, intone ■s that the Duke of WELLINGTON had set out for Cambray. Ills Grace has probably by this time reached England. Ile will, it said, return to the French capital before the end of the present month. The other statements is the French Papers are such as we find is the Biomels Journals,which • Flanders I Mail, arrived since yesterday, has brought as. It is denied in the accounts from Brussels, that the ' , Army of Occupation is to be withdrawn from France' so eatly as the Spring, as at that time the Danish, Hanoverian, and Salon Contingents will receive the member necessary to their completion.—An article from Switzerland positively contradicts the report of the approaching departure of the Austrian troops from France. This corps, it says, has received no in stractions which can give rise to such a conjecture. Contracts for provisions have been made to ari ad visored period in the yesr 1818; and other circa's. stances show that no change respecting this corps is - _ thought of at present. On the other band, the pri vate letters from Paris to this country state, that the Doke of WELLINGTON and Count WOZONZOR have both declared, in many circles, that the foreign loops are to be withdrawn in October next. A Meeting took place yesterday at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, for the purpose of forming a plan for the relief of general distress at present in the Metropolis, and also for the consideration of the means of abolishing Mendicity altogether. Mr. WILLIAIIS, the banker, was in the Chair; and after the necessary elecidatory discussion, a Committee watappointed to consider the means of carrying the above object intro effect. —Several Subscriptions were also received. A Report of the proceed ings is given in our columns. The Meeting, we were Wry to perceive ; au by no means so numerously le had pro . fri b • Tea e !WI •ht roettin It .fie *be ire that oae prof - ebtir I, if Mose a!III"7 4 4 1 beteleeee to f the Amp- anatory ea rs, and 'ha If tin, A me mericaa cos ecs in this arrest, he It infirmities, dent of the commenced itity to prf. If, said Mc. its transitc— !eriOUS d sly intemplatvd. was deco*. 'on which it there it kstd A pors'ous ideal affairs, 1, , t on this sub nts thus at pf the Court g. The re very depart entertained sided, forbad hat Court to t bitnvif per needing was he imperious respect. For on which one r? The es means of it e r in favour of of the DW- I two others: )n to rioftrain ns. if Iht fit be emplo pines. to look of the per unftwourable rge of troops nothing in The passage according t * riding oa the if the country sled at its the obligs wiles ehgaged .AY said, this s, the persons numbers, not as, ander any rnrps. If it as taken piaci., ided. w al the slat_ zing adopted, thorisilig scch re is certain* profeacniu of tent which ad- sales into its it the mouse at enter the ports e one claioneil the prope►ty s pirates. N e ,mericau Legis t►ed to the Con. s is to be rego atious3 and the of the PRE.I.• it the indepen licipated as as nercial coitus*. irk of jealessy position, or the f the People.— ents, that seek be Inquisitiou e, be able to illiberal pro anly document have already and important elle melancholy esenue, the deb s , )ns of this cool , . hussar uniforms, a the comforts a Frith the prosper 'it, as, and Itop boast, after s. - 'a • for the 5": .. -- , e attended as the importunes of the sobject respired. —The evib which it is the object of this benevolent Asseciati. t. to remote have extended themselves in en alarmiog and unprecedented degree throughout 1111„sintrepolis. Some permanent prevision ought to ; Maid for their removal altogether. The distress is ;peat, and the number of objects craving -relief are meenerees beyond example. Bit we do not conceive that the diffiCulty will be so great as some per sons imagine in distinguishing impostors from those who are really deserving the benevolent COO' sideration of the Public. Cosmos beggars ate well know• to the Police and the Parish Officers, and their faces are even familiar to every person who traverses the public streets. The great diffi catty, therefore, will be the procuring funds adequate to the relief of those who are really indigent, and boding employmeot for the industrious who" are ready and willing to work. We hope the contribu tions of money and esertion to this fond of distin guishing charity will be such as to enable the Society to free the Public from the pest of such mendicants. The attention of the first Meeting at the City of London Tavern has been exclusively directed to the relief of Distressed Seamen ; and the objects of the Meeting seem in a fair vraj to be attained. In ad dition to the sebscriptions of iodivideals, for this purpose, we have great pleasure in observing that the Corporation of the Trinity noose has sob scribed 2001., the East India Company 2001., and the Marine Society clothing for one hundred men. These are very liberal donations, both useful in themselves, and in the way of example. Of the poor men who have been examiufdll this Committee, 230 have been found Seamen, chidy belonging to King's ships; for these a temporary lodging has been provided. Fifty more have had food administered to them. The Committee, therefore, is in full activity. We cordially wish all such labours to be effectual.— But we desire also to see the attention of Govern ment turned a little more to the real cause of so much distress amongst the inhabitants of this country. It is not difficult to discover this--a considerable por tion of the general evil might be traced to the opera •tion of causes io the Government itself, which it is still attempted to veil by the usual expedients. Kum's THEATRE.--This Theatre was partially opened on Wednesday night to the Subscribers, and friends of the Proprietors, for the purpose of re hearsing the opera of Le No.tze di Figaro, and of trying the effect of a new method of lighting the house by gas. The light is of the most soft and delicate kind, and at the same time extremely brilliant ; it proceeds from a large glass lustre suspended from the ceiling ; and though it contains less flame than that at Covent-garden Theatre, evinces more taste in the form and the manner of fitting it up. The ceiling itself has been newly painted and adoraPd with alle,zorical figures, in the French style of drawing, and some. *hat obscure in their meaning, collected in groups, with the names of the most celebrated Poets and mu sicians et their feet. The rust of the Theatre remains in the same state of internal decoration, if we may apply the word, as . at the close of last season. The opera of Figaro is cast nearly in the same manners, when it was last represented. Madame FODOR, who then played the Countess, now takes the part of Susannah; and the new singer, Signora CORRI, fills that of the Countess. The Theat re opens for the ins on on Saturday with the opera of Griselda. COVENT•GARDENTHEATRE.—The Operatic Drama of Artaxerxes was performed last night to an over. flowing audience. The airs are of that description in which BRAMAN most excels. He, therefore, gave great effect to the character of Arbaces. Moeiar's Aft Perdonna, adapted to English words, was sung by Mr. BRAMAN and Miss STEPHENS. with great taste and spirit. Their efforts called forth the most fervent approbation. The quartettes of Mild as the Mountain, was admirably executed by the toso Per formers just named, with Mts. Bono? and Mr. Du- Hunt. Miss Srcensas was compelled to repeat 77e cruel tyrant love, and The soldier tit'd. Du ir us Er land Isa•cs acquitted themselves with great ability as Artaxerxes and ifrtabancs, and the Opera went off altogether with great eclat. Prince Lroermo, before his departure for Came, visited the QUEEN and PRINCESSES, at Windsor, and the Duchess of YORK, at Oatlsnds. His Serene Highness has been so afflicted with rheumatism in the face, that he has been out very little lately ex cept in a close carriage. Daring his abode at Came, it is expected that he will occasionally visit Wey mouth, a place mournfully endeared to him as liar. ing been the residence of his beloved Princess. DEAL,JAN. B.—Arrived and remains in the Downs, wind bound, the Hyperion, Horn, from Bombay. Tcrunmourn, JAN. 7.—Arrived the Dove and Unity, Mudge, from Figeara, in 12 days, brings account of the loss of the brig Ben and Susan, Drew, Master, belonging to this port, about the middle of December, near Visne ; all the crew lost ; long boat and about 20 casks of oil, part of the cargo, saved, from St. John's, Newfoundland. FALMOUTH, JAN. G.—Arrived the Duke of Marl borough packet, Eastman, with Mails, from Lisbon, in 11 days. GRAVESEND, JAN. S.—Arrived the Young Wil liam, Doselver, from Dunkiik ; Commerce, Shottoa, from Bombay.—Sailed the Wansteed, Young, for Madras and Bengal; the Ann, Reynolds, for Bom bay ; Roebuck, Neale, for Goree and Sierra Leone ; Edward, hi ilman, for Cadiz ; New Braganxa, Comely, for Malta; and Lyre, Guest, for Smyrna. Coss, Excoanna, Jar. 9.—The Wisest trade was very heavy this manang, an Meaday% prices.—lnferior -staples of Harley easalcaote at a redacting of Y.•.--date at a dcrhae of Iv.—to Peas. Bee, and unser articles no &seriatim. SMITISIFIELD MARK ET, Jots. 9. To Oak the Offal, per stone of sins. B ee f ~,.. 3 6 . od. us 41. 0.1. I Beam of Cattle this day s %tattoo ..si. 44. to 4a. ad. b oo b Veal ....bs. (H. to Si. Od. Sheep sod-lambs . Port ....4s. Od. to be. J. Calve Lamb —.Us. 04. to Oi 04. Pin .. HAY-114l.ILET. Hay ...... 4L Oa. ltd. mo 51. 59 N. Clover .... 41. 0.. Od. to 61. 6-. 04. Straw ..... /I. lis, Ud. to 2. h e. 011 ;At VP•Yrry ) Itrr F. if EN D /CITY. ireeterday a Meeting was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, is the Strand, to consider of the [nowt advisable steps to be pursued, for the immediate Relief of the Destitete, and the ultimate Suppression of Mendicity in the Metropolis. Mr. WILLIAMS being called to the Chair, observed, that thnegb placed in that situation by the kindness of the Meeting, he mach regretted that some person of "lore consequence than himself had not been chosen to preside on such an occasion; for he re garded the objects which had induced them to as semble, as the most important that could engage the attention of the friends of humanity and their country. He should not now attempt to describe the measures which might be calculated to accomplish the great objects the Meeting had in view. This was not the time for details ; but the Committee, the ap pointment of which it was intended to propose, would be able to enter into the most minute con siderations, and mould soon come forward with a well-digested plan. For the present, it was sufficient to state, that the objects for which the Meeting had been called, were the relief of immediate and press ing distress, and the enforcement of the laws of the reentry with regard to Mendicity. The Duke of Northumberland, he bad hoped, would have been present at this Meeting; but be was sorry to state that a letter bad been received from his Grace, stat ing. that in consequence of a loss in his family, he could not attend. He bad reason to hope, however, that another occasion would arise, in which his Grace might have an opportunity of appearing in that room, In support of the benevolent perposes of the Meeting. He trusted, that the Gentlemen who might be disposed to speak on the business submitted to the con-ideration of the Meeting would avoid, es much as possible, all extraneous matter; that they would confine themselves strictly to the distress of the Metropolis, and the means of affording di• rent sod immediate relief; above all, he hoped they would avoid any thing like political discussion ; for certainly nothing could be more injurious to the humane object they all had in view, than any attempt to nit politics with charity. The Advertisement for the Meeting having been read— Mr. METHUEN MARTIN rose to propose the first Resolution. In offering it to the consideration of the Meeting, he was sorry that some person or greater rank or talent had not been found to perform that duty ; but he believed noon' could be founi who had great'r experience in the investigation of the evil which it was their object to remedy. It did not need much I argument to convince a feeling Public of the magni tude •f an evil which they all witnessed. It was an evil which called forth all their humanity, and do served all their 'unions. He bad been long la bouring in this vineyard, and he bad been confirmed in his ides, that there was such an extent of suffer ing, that the major pert of the poor of the metropo lis died prematurely, from want of those comforts necessary to the support of intrmity, sickness, and declining age. He alts confirmed in this opinion by a Gentleman of great experience in the populous parish of St. Martin's. As to the artifices of pau pers, there were, no doubt, a great many impostors in the streets, and such peisons had steeled the hearts of the loveliest and most benevolent females, by the frauds which had been repeatedly practised upon them. Much discrimination was necessary. The multitude of applicants was at present surprising.— I But what was a multitude, or any undertaking, if : the Gentlemen whom he saw before him would unite with their money, their influence, and their activity ? By the division of labour great things might he done. The first thing to be effected would be. to divide the paupers into classes, by which they might see that it was practicable to do much. The applicants should be divided into parochial and non-parochial. Of the parochial he could confidently assert, that one-third of the beggars in the metropolis belonged to parishes in the metropolis. It would be easy to send those persons to their proper places, sad these parishes, if they were relieved, as by the 'tortillas of the Society they might be, from foreisoi applicants, whoeld have more leisure to relieve their own paupers. As for those beggars who had settlements or parishes in the country, the Society should either assist in their maintenance here, if they had means of subsisting by trades which they could only exercise in London, r r in conveying them to their own homes. The cases would require to be looked into. There were others whose settlements were uncertain, bat by the efforts of the Committee these settlements would be ascer tained. As to the non-parochial paupers, they were either Scots or Irish, or foreigners. As to the Irish, it was to be hoped that some exertions would be made to raise a subscription for them in their native country, as it was very hard on some parishes in London, St. Giles's for instance. As to the Scots' beggars, they were few, and very industrious ; some would be relieved by the Scuts Hospital, and others might receive small aid to return to their native country. The foreigners would receive some relief by application to the Consuls ; so that when a pro. per plan was digested, the difficulties of disposing of all the applicants did nut seem inseparable. lie had received much information in researrbes, is which be co-operated with a Committee of most respectable Noblemen and Gesstiesoeo, as the F7.4rls of Spencet, Hardwicke, and Chichester—Lords Dyne, or and Caltborpe—Mr. Vansittart and others. It was not necessary to rack their hearts with needless relations of scenes of misery. Bst.this be could say, that,l however the giving alms in the street was to be de. precated, there were many mendicants who, if they did not receive alms to-day world die te.snorrow.— (Hear !)—He hoped he should not plead in behalf of such distress in vain. Neither should be invesigate the causes of it. He believed one cease was the tardy I administration of parish relief. He did not throw blame on the parish officers, who were forced into their gap without allowance, and who were dis tracted by the necessity of attending to their own concerns. When they retired to their homes to take their meals, after attending to the business of tbe pa rish, they were again besieged by applicants, and the money was extorted from them. It would be a duty of the Society Awn it was formed, to relieve them of some of the business which pressed on them. A subscription would be necessary to enable the Society to 'Nippon the applicants, till they were finally dis . posed of; and be hoped, by the eaertioo of beam- ' I.,lrffl ' 4 . ', f `' who bad given the matter consideration. Den WI, lence and 'Wavily, an sod weehl be pet st fast ty the digest:od teak d beggieg sod imposture. Ho concluded by/arming thoftset Reedation, statists tba great extent of the evil of aveodielty. Mr. HAIILOOII secooded the Ittedetien, sod said, that if the Meeting were enabled t• awry its basa -1 volent object lets effect, the time would set be far distant, whea 'totem quarter of the ales now given iu the street would be required to relieve the des& tote. The present state of the ateadicants most be felt as an evil by all classes, and the *potent, espe cially females, were besieged in their carriages by the most importunate claimants, who would not de. sist from their applications till they received Money, without there being say possibility of discrimioetiug whether they were fit objects of relief. The Resolution was agreed to. Mr. (luxe said, a Resolution had been pot into his bands, which he should propose with much plea sore, though he bad apt been one of those who caPeed the Meeting. The plans for the ro. I lief of the poor were almost as various as the persons . . one thing in which all had 'raid—that the Titian should be general, and that any Committee for temporary or partial purpose, was nut whet humia.. nity looked to. The purpose which they had in view mest•be attained iu a grades-1 maneer,and there was a difficulty is taking any decisive plan. When the subject was seder the conaideration of the House of Commons, in 1814, they Naiad the dills:6oy so great that they did sot recommend any specific mee. sure. This was a proof that the evil could not be easily removed, bet every friend of bernanity, if be could not do all the good which was to be wished, would at least attempt to do some good. There was a great mass of information laid before the testacy by the Committee on the Poor Laws, and as ratios, plaint might be suggested, he should not aster hero details. The Institutions already existing I. this country, if their powers were properly everted, would, as he should be aWe to show by -a few hints, go a great way to remedy the exit. Art object of the Society, therefore, be conceived, should bas to lend their assistance, by a sub-division of labour, to the rations existing establisinnests. Sub-Commis. tees should be established, as it was impossible that one Committee could do all the business which could be necessary to effect toy thing towards the suppression of mendicity. The Sub.Cooretitthe should cooperate aith the Parish Officers and with the General Committee.---Re should allude to ewe or two classes of prominent beggars, whom the Gem. mittee might easily remove from she streets. Otte class was formed of Me iokabitoots of Asia—chide 'Actors. Every person who brought these indi viduals to Europe, was obliged by the Laths Com pany to give sec. , rity in 1000 tepees to comer Sera back to their own country, ace limo Ind Wee Ali Depot of the Compaey for receivieg thernSill they were sent back. If this Depot did lot islet, there was no doubt that the Company woeld 'peweidlierniti if applied to. At little or no expense, therefore; this class of persons might be reamed. Then wets also a number of African', who were asses/ the most distressed or importunate aneedicants. Throne was a Society misting which directed its esertissu to the cause of that onforteentte country, Afrree.~. That Society week!, be hoped, opus an espies for diatress ) ed Africans, towed theta back to their owls country. As for the sailors, there liedbeevi formed s Society esprassly for their relief. Another branch of the mendicants were discharged soldiers. they bed often small pensions, and the Committee would find by investigation, whether they required an addition to their means of support. Ilis loyal Iliglineassises Doke of York would, perhaps, adopt some nee. , sores which would afford them temporary relief, by' applying a barrack for their reception. Another essential part of the dories of society would be the: detection of impostors. With theee impressions its to what it would be possible to do, he should prevent" the second Resolution, " that a Society be ewe. birthed. to be entitled, the Society for the Suppression'' 111.-adicity, arid tha► a subscription be raised to defray the expellees." The Sobacriplioa was pro. posed, beasts, dimes all eiktirri iostitetioas would be made available, yet pending the movinatiew of ' applicants, espences would be incurred. Retreated the subscription weetd be adequate, Imam kip foods would not be necessary. Every snap sawmill evert himself in his perish, aid be hoped the pobiic Papers would make known the objects of. the So time. Though he did not conaemplase t►e absolute suppression of the evil, mock good might, he thseght be dime. • The Reverend .1. RUDGII seconded the Resole. Linn, and said, that as the Minister of a imp sad populous parish, where innumerable cams of distress consently came under his notice, he should be happy to co-operate in any plan by which the wants of a • suffering and starving population might be relieved.. The Resolution was agreed to. Mr. TOWLE said that the plan which bad bees • suggested was, that a Committee should be appoisit. ed, and that all Subscribers should be famished with tickets to be given to beggars instead ofpenceoeshich would entitle them to have their oases ineestigatedre. By this: means fiend would be detected, as dew•' who made a trade of begging would decline to go ter' -die Cake. Those whose cases. were investigated would be passed to their parishes, or relieved from / the funds ss& apart for them. It appeared from the 'statements -which bad been made, that the Africans were the Only persons destitute of any provision. If the Public could be induced to support with vigour such a Society, it would be attended with economy on their own parts, as well as with benefit to their fellow.crestures. A tythe of the money given in alms could be sufficient, and the relief given to tit* distressed would be much mesh more effectual.— fie auticir.ted complete cucor4S, which a Gentleman who had spoken (Mr. Hume), mimed so despair of. If be did not think that it would be practicable to supersede the necessity of giving alms, be (Mr. T.) would not have contributed to that Society. The time he thought might come, when the Society hawing provided means for the relief of all who wanted re. lief, might appeal to the public against the practice of tiring alms. But, in the seas time, they amid not steel their hearts; as they would rather give is the chance of wasting money, then row the risk of sufering fellow-creatures to perish fee mint, as they had heard from Mr. Martin that many mast do, it they d'ad net mein these alms lie regretted the i .. ~~ ~^~