The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1808-05-10 00:00:00

torch at Gibtaltar. There was tlieo, litter:eyed, gallaist Offsmr (Captain Paget,) in that House, who coal& contirm this statement, so far, at least. as referred to the two squadrous to wllkb he had alluded. hlitchitress had been laid' by the Hon. Gentleman on the letter of Lord Gardner, of the 3tAll of October, wherein he seas ordered to port for the purpose of refitting, and war then to J uni tile Itochfort squadron. In order fully to un derstand this cireuiustanee, and to meet the charge that lad been made, it was uecessury to remind the Rause, that it was the teet;.:e of the Admiralty to leave to the dim:retina of the C andiiTOfficers of squadrons, what ships they should think proper to send into port, and what others should afterwards re deem theiu. Applying this usage to the case of the Conqueror, it was true that that ship what Win ',lto port, and did not return to the Roch fort squadrOn, es was originally intended; for tins reason, that, from the great pressure of naval duties at that period, the Conqueror was ti.vorted to ~anther service. She was dispatched to join the itiadron off the Tagus, for the purpose of convey v.., the Royal Family of Portugal to the Brazils.— ` lien how did the facts stand? It was most tree, a.. the Hon. Gentleman had stated, that the Roche fat squadron were short of provisions ; but it was most nalountled that suck want arose from ally . passible neglect, as bed been stated, but entirely front the adverse slat.. of the weather. To prove tics, it was only necessary to advert to the papers before the ai,d particular!) , to the eerie letters of Sir Richard Strachan. was argue , !, that because souse of the ships were tire months out of port, thiit, therefore, they must be io want of the lieeer•Sttry proviinoiss. Those who were acquainted iviia the practtce of the navy must know, that witrn saps were about to return, they umfuraily gave th 2 greater proportion of their pro vi-ions to the remaining ►hips. Vtith respect to the requisitions., which it t as contended had beeu itwf factually utad:: the tirbt communication was on the 34 of Dr , sember, and on that very day orders were issued for the .Ile iiator store-ship to be imme diately supplied with stores and sails for the aupply of the three sqoadrotis cruising off the ports of Roclifort, Lisbon. and Ferrol. Supplies were ac cortlingly nut, of potatoes, ouions, and bullocks.— At this !period there was ru dirvet communication toon Lord Gordner of aim 'mediate want ; but on the Ist orlanstry, a letter of Fie r I st Des. was received to that tract, and the Board of Admiralty ordered the Splicer and Superb, with the Mediator, to join Sir Ilichaftl Strachaa forthwith. Independent of these, the Camber(sad. a new ship Crain the Nore, vas directed to proceed n % ITshunt for the same purpose. The 11011. Member uewt referred to a variety of dates and numbers, to prove not only the vigilance of the Admiralty, as appeared front their own docuincots, but from the statements of Minitel Young, the Port-Admiral of Plymouth, ell.we genius and activity he highly praised, and also from Sir Richard Strichan's letters. He net proceeded, from the letters of that gallant officer, to prove dud the tempestuous state of the weather was such, that it was impossible either for the relief to reach the squadrou, or for the squad ron to regain the land. He detailed particularly, from certain communications of the Commanil ia4 Officer, that from the a int of December to the 121 th of .14;aary,, the state of the weattwv was• on- Commonly adverse, often preventing comnaunics tion netween the ships of the hue ; awl that on tile when the victuallers arrived, it was impossi ble. funs the same cause, to clear them, until the Itith of that same month. Such a statement aiwted no justification ; but there were circum istaates whet* he felt it his duty to state. not by an% means so the. way of *extenuation. He then cited the arrival of the Baltic fleet, the prepara tions fur equipping a squadron at St. Helen's for Lisbou, to prove the great pressure of naval busi ness. lie had the satisfaction to white, that the present Admiralty had accomplishid a system by which such ao assortment was arranged, as would reader it iinpracticable. isitimut gmoo neglect, to suffer a blockading ~,,, to have test than live mouth* prin joint) :no 1641:1.-d. The Hon. Gentleman by hoping:. that Cie Himoorahle Mover would, that night, fight the matter nut, because smarial hint, farther delay would tend to distress the public service. he :nos ed - the previou, ques tion ; and if the resoluta%) of censure was perse vered in, upon that he should wove a direct ne gative. Sir CHARLES Pol.e differed most materially from the last speaker, and coutewled that it was impaosilde, without conveying a censure which he knew was undeserved. to conclude that it was dis cretionary with that aisle and gallant officer to de tach slops. It was also iinpowilik to oils, that Sir Riche:A Strar.4. inn could or did leave his station from any other cause than to look for his en tual ler'. [laving so lift it for such a purpose, the ad vetse state of the weather prey. ated his regainiug• it. But allowing time activity of the Admiralty iu singling nut the alleged ouoplier, still they were far :runt ioeing oudirie,,t. 'I here was not a ,iiffieleat quantitj of bread tor fh days, awl there wt. a proportionate deticieney in the articles of wine and water. The House was also to t that OA": miloisliess winch a. re insufficient tii tit nut one aquadruti for the pursuit of the enemy, were brit totendeil for the three sduadro...s of Rochtort, I.:Orient. stud Lislian. Mr. Wsittestev ii:;LE explained. Mr. Holmes %V•ar. 6 , .ll'lllaeti tliat time lion. Gelid:nu:in %hauls sly: that Sir R. S-.ruelsall', letter was full of itaiiv, and not the oin. ere seu•i silents of the gallant Ailiniral. Tne fetter returned thanks for the prompt so:volv of provis . ,r.is st at. man 01111,1 sae with it t wa• cnrp. letice that this w .11 front. when et ery tiocutneut ou the tai.le shew....l that the Board of .I.lmirAlty had, taken even p--qn;.t rue:i.tirr t 1 alrwrd 'lse assistance required. lic tOU %%el arolnailitt,l vitit th....41111g;it Ad- nu m!, to kuow that he pap •r ney thing tiri• R t. i v,t Ti:e p:u:t ora.te use of !i, t'". I V:lStiPajtia: :44 no er his rt-al of .I.lTuir...;tv !NI 0.1: A 4 1 .111 t; I duly <t 4.rft- Yon Ayes. ues into effect, as tar es the emergencies stint ether fleets would permit. He believed the Hon. Geo tletuen at the other aide of the llou+e would pre the Admiralty credit for the expedition that was made in fitting out the fleet to go against ('open barn, however they might dislike the measare it,elf. The fleet returned, but it was so disnrganired by half the crew* of the ships being on board the Danish prizes, they could not be called into imuse chats service. Another fleet was engaged in that glorious employment of proteetinT; the Royal Family of Portugal, and au additional fleet was obliged to rendezvous oil St. Helen's, to look out for the Russian fleet, which *lli expected to he coming to this country. There never was a period when the Admiralty were more enoged. There never wua It greater multi plicity of basins...as than at that time ; and he felt a pleasing sensation iii basing it in his power to state that ureter was public business better exe- cuteci: Ile did not de . ily that Sir R. Strachuii.b squadron wanted provisions, but he would assert, that the seueity was not mused by the tieglcet of the Admiralty. The documents on the table chewed, that fur 55 days westerly wiods prevailed, gales and actual storms, which prevented the ships in our ports limn co-operating with Sir Richard Strut:hates squadron ; and was the Admiralty to be censured for that ? Thee might as well be blansfx.i for the loss of the Moroi George at Spitbend. It would be as justifiable as to ask them to tight aTaitint the eleraent.i. He recollected a story in Ii tory, of Philip the Second, of Spain, who was as dark, cruel, and inhuman a potentate as ever reigned ; when his fleet was destroyed by tv tem pest, his reply to the inelisenger was " Thank God it is no worse; I can defeat tneu, but 1 cannot tight against Cie elements." The Right Hon. GEoaGI PONI.ONIIY observed, thatthe Resolution went to say that Sir Richard Strachan's squadron was not supplied with provi s:on, awl that was proved by the documents on the table, 'imolai redemption. It had been said that Sir Ibtiaril had Dever left his steam' on account of the wai.t of provisions. A letter frotu ' dated the gl,t of November, says, "The wind having veered to the Northward, he stretched out to sea to try to meet some of the transports that he had expected." Why proceed to sea, in an uncertain pursuit, to look after transports, if not in want of provisions ? and if he did prof red to sea, he neva have gone Mr his station. The letter of Sir Riches d Strachan, upon which the Hon. Gentlemen prided themselves so much, contained net a particle of any thing that could support them. Sir Rich ard bad written several letters to his commanding officer, Admiral Lord Gantlet stating the situ ation of the squadron, and its want of provisions ; but finding the bupplim did not come, he wrote to the Board Wf Admiralty. The consequence was, he received a supple ; and this boasted prize, this letter, commencliag the Board, goes lust ea far as to say, he thanked them for the attention they had paid to his communication. Did this (-acuities:. them ? Usd he say any thing about what had been the situation of the fleet ? No: but look to his letter of the 23d of January, four days after the French had got out, and what dues he say, alter all the boasted supplies reached him ? " Tliat if his provision and water would last him, he would follow the enemy over the world." A blockadin" squadron ought to have provision on board rin to what the fleet they were blockading mule. sibly procure. The Board of Admiralty could not think that the enemy's squadron would go no far ther than what two mouths provision would allow them. That must have been their suppo sition, or that there was an understanding ire tween the board and the enemy ; for when Sir Richard went in pursuit, he had but two mouths' provision. He would challenge auy person in that House to prove the squadron ever had more than two months' provision, although an Don. esentleniau had found out that every British squadron ought to have five months' provision. It aas the most novel defence he had ever heard set up. It went to say, the enemy's squadron had got nut of Rochefort, and, if you say nothing about it, we will take care it never shall I.e so again. They next brought teinprsts and hurricanes, and they they could not-fight against the element., as au excuse. Hr had never heard that the Boy of Biscay was very. serene and calm in the months of Deeember and January. Every person knew that westerly winds ;generally prevailed at that season of the year; and ennui the Board of Admiralty be ig norant of it' If they were it aas not a wonder that n' Sir Richard Strachas sq uadron *uttered from the want of provision; and if they did know it, they were the more blaineahle for not having provided against it. Ile diet not charge the Board of Ad miralty with iutcortional neglect, but he charged them ants want of jullzmetat. The I louse then tilt niell on the previous ques tion— )46 Majtwity iu fovuor of Ministers .., ty7 The !lonse %tent into a Committee ott the peti tio•% of John "d'Clinteck and Vt'ilhana Foster 11•Clinto4 k. _ 04.:kel BARRY MAXWEI.I. propo , ed that a bill should he brought in for the relief of the Peti tioaers. and to carry into effect the .Ict 43d of the King, gondol; compete.ation to patentee rcrersio.i officers of tne Court of Exchequer in Ire la:Al. After some conversation between Mr. Ms %At %Et. A. TAYLOR, General MONIPAGVE MA- Mr. PA:RC1.141.., and Colo“el 3laxa att., it •retl to. Vie 1-loivic resumed, and leave was giveu to iti tlic Bill. 11:e Duuliu Insurince Itill wris read a second time. and ordered to be committed. The llott..c adj :limed at EIS. FIN 0 . 4. LOCK. DIAGLMAII i., or is immediately to be. • • •••••.l outii.ellor in Ireland. Mr. PE/LCSV•I. did `l.-%e Cie in , *.ructiosis to that etiect were ; 10.0 tae Irois :-..cretary spoke more hay. —Thi, irt,.eJ in the debate on Friday hot. 'I lie 10,-rt i, really el ‘ast importance an the pre- Ze . ••i aial we are bonny to find is t. Le .li-cw.ed this dalc in the motion 4,1 I . ..tniasm. That ;entleman gave notice of his in tent', stramms were excluded, ou F-Olay thia s7 . stm I !.st. THE BRITISH PRESS. LON DON, TUESDAY. MAY 10. Two (inittenburgh Mails arrived yesterdaes being all that were dne. They contain tivo official re ports from General Ett N Gerrit', the Swedish Corn mander-in-C hief in Finlaul, which contain accounts of the military operations in that country to the 20th of April inclusive. At that date the Swedish head-quarters were at Cumijockie, a town situate on the north-east of the Gtilph of Bothnia, to the south of Uieaborg, to which latter place it has been the declared intention of the Swedish Commander to effect a retreat.—This he appears to have nearly accomplished, but not without some sharp skir mishes, his rear having been constantly harassed by the Russians. The line of the Swedish retreat has beau close along on the Eastern coast of Finland, through the towns situate upon the se veral rivers which empty themselves into the Gulf of Bothnia. The last intelligence left Gen. K %Gs roe at lielejocte, on the 7th of April. On the 14th, continuing his march North, he was at Pylia- jacki, where be halted on the 13th. When the unity put itself iu !natio% on the 16th, Its rear was attacked near Yppari, by a superior force, where a sharp Ration ensued, in which the Swedes lost bll Adjutant-General, but tbey succeeded in effret iug their retreat in vial order. It was he inten- tion of the enemy to turn the Swedishr flunk, hut having failed in this attempt, be rive up the pus suit, and the Swedish army proceeded without fur ther mutest:dim& to Salo and thence to .Brahestadt, where it halted on the 17th. Ou the Inth, it marched for Sikajucke, and here the enemy having resumed their pursuit.' aline up with it, and an important action took place, in which General k LEN or/vestiges that the enemy were defeated and forced to retreat in the utmost disorder. It appears, however, that the Swedes, notwithstanding this suc cess, continued their retreat, as their head-quarters were, olithe 20th, at Lumijockie. It was repotted at Gottenburgh, on the :Id inst. - that the Swedish army had suffered very severely in an action near Brd'oe stadt ; but that is evidently the action of the lath, near Yppari, iu which General Is'AiNusroa admits he sustained souse Ims. A report prevailed at Got tenburgh on the Est that the enemy had succeeded in throwing a force of to,oou French and Russians into Gotbla:id. This island is situate in the middle of the Lakin, and belongs to Sweden. The ac 'nut, however, of its capture, was not credited.— An action has taken place between • small squa dron, consisting of four Swedish gun-boats and one mortar-boat, and • Dani►h flotilla of 34 ves sels, in which the latter acre defeated with the loss of three of their vessels. The Catholic Questiou was last night post pooetl, by Mr. Gasrrsa, in the House of Con►- loons, to the 25th instant. The Tigre, of to and the Trivaph, Ma isomer, mud Edgar ' 01 . 74 each, sailed, on Sunday morning, from theDowus, to blockade, as is sup posed, souse port an the Dutch coast. A Spanish cud Preach sloop, part of a convoy, have been taken, and hold are eutertinued that the rest of the convoy will also be tak:ii. They were met with close in with the enemy's coast. The following shipping intelligence was received at the East India Haase yesterday brought by the American ship /broil : The Itu)al George auk& from Madras fur Bombay this 13th Now-ober, 1507. The Witalham am to be dispatched &not Bengal fur Be.. evolett, for a cargo of pepper tor Larupe. The Walpole, Duke of Mohtruse Lad (:eylon, had brew dispatched to Prime of Wales's IYLad , from brute they were to proceed to Mains Private accounts of a recent date from Flushing state, that the eight ships which came down to that place, from Antwerp, have been ordered back again. There are four ships • t the hue now build lag at Rutterdata, and four at Amsterdam, which, with those already built and building at Aatwerp and flushiug, will make a formidable fleet. A second Expedition is preparing,. Twelve eatra and four branch pilots left l)over, on Sunday, for Deal, to join the ships. There will be four pilots on haunt each ship of the line. A Swedish ship, which made her escape from El Moro* in Spain, is arrived at Plymouth. She states that the Prince of the PEACE remained iu a dun geon at Madrid, but that it was supposed he would soon be brought to an i•nozinious punishment. A vessel, w Inch arrived at Cowes, on Saturday, from a French port, repeats the rumour of an ac tion iti the Nlediterrat.eau. It has also brought an account of the arrival of the late king of Seat %, tit Paris. _ . The List of the Mliu•rity, upon the Moynooth College Que►tion, iu our Paper of yesterday, aas incorrect; the pante of Mr..). !in MI, Member for Nottingham, basin:: been areideu:atly cmittel. The Kuiphausen galliot I rvcc Ele:nbah, Capt. Scuamas, arrist4 at Fahnouth, on Thursday, iu eight days from Biltsia, in ballast. The accounts brought by thii, •easel state, that Bora►aaT[ *es still at Bayotie, where the new liiug of Spats w as eepeeted to meet him. It was also stated, that the Pniice of the PLACI. v% eN.ptcted at Bayouut., lit re he has been ordered to atteild ; iris fate was clay rttaide , l by a wish to vet of Li. ito mton at .ilth, when it was expteted he would soon be dir,po-eel of. Orders lied h. en is,ued by Uu s•►at:Tc for the French TrOolis to erucriate Spain ; he Lad already quitted Madr.J acid bAlitaidrt.3. 'I 3 co .>:.~. - • , •'r•• AL.!) r I.illalder ui to du t 7J 411 - ,1111al4cal: lot that purp.):,-. It taut Lord C.:unlace :LI cal POETRY. Qua tires, Mt tfutwuta rat, aid sera,. Si stras,friss! its t *saris isi t eat:tram sit, hot Baas &Inks tomitme, rum adfaerit tribte/if io. SENECA. How haply , * he: how prone to woe, Vito broods oil future in! ror Lipprn, let him grime IN no, It will not, or it will• Mould Ileav'is avert it, then his fears fuse in .reh, been ideal : Yet he has Nlted as many tears, As if t!, grief were real. But shoula it chance, ■a be forhode, 12) Fatr's unerring laws ; 'Ti. time enough for ling sad, hen he has bad a cause. Then ht's he happy while we way, And loutish work-se sorrow ; 114 (log the pleasures of to-der, n) few iug fur to-morrow ACADIMSCL THE t ONGRATU LA HON. (Erma The Latis .)fercury.) Tlee Tusks, ameine'd b 1 their Slaitou defeat, That ltrauge, witkleir play, eau never be beat, Deteriniti'd to try 3 m um summary And " filch from Fitz% iiliam his excellent name.' —Thus Halal: of old, when afraid of his fires, And finding :tics numbers too strong to oppose, Sent heralds with gold and rich presents, to bribe Uld Balsam tocsin* tbe tow powerfal tribe. Did B----r succeed, or the Soothsayer worse? The one ttureif thy foe he itit•ndell to COMP ; Aud, sighing to murder a Peel's reputation, Row hum the other in—"fo+_rutdu•io+ • Major Hower " r.ar;rstu!stes" Lord Fitzoilham on t\e falsehood of the I:rjor's charge gut Isis Lordship —Sca Apalup The Glasgow Theatre opened, on Fridley last, with Mrs.Cowtce's elegant comedy of The Belle's Stratagem, and 'l3, bred to l'ay. Mr. 11c osN's benefit, which was to huge tuken place ou Thursday nest, is obliged to be ',est poned, in consequence of his being seized with a very sudden *nd iolent tit of the gout. Mr. Batman had 1111 overflouing house, last night, at his benefit—s proof of his popularity, and the good taste of the public. Mr. kzalILE played his favourite part of Haslet last night, in his very finest at) le, sad received the most unbounded applause. Mr. Linos played the part of Poionias, in the absence of Mr. Mc tca DEN§ who is goutined by the gout. Viscount blEtv ILLa, the Right Hon. Lord and Lady Htsca,s, and Sir Jobs Clarastii., Bart. hare arrived ut Edinburgh. ()u Sunday ;nothing an excellent charity sermon was preached in.Q*l4lscc,cliapel, iu Quetec-street. near Portinan-squarz, by the 'ilia Rev. the Lord Bishop of SALISSUST, for the Silsool of ti..: gent in St. George's-fields. Surrey, from the nth chapter of St. Luke, 21st verse. The collector% was we understand liberal. Banbury Theatre was opened, on Tuealay last, by Mr. Minns, and had a vary full attendance of obility and 'Gentry. The Harmonic Society at Bath, with their usual gallantry and liberality, proi,ote giving s grated fete Chiunpetre, oo the 19th umlaut, to the 'Jodie , of Bath. at Sidney Gardens. near that city. The Theatre at Wishech closed last tußhf. and Mr. ROBERTSON'S tOmpaoy proceed to Hatiting dun and Peterborough, N 1 here they are to be joined he Master BETTE. Brighton Races, acconling to the promise giwaa last year by the Steward of the Coarse, will this year take place on or before the Lith of July. Lady Hexer PETTT will lie presented, on her Marriage. to Her 3,11141101TY,A t the drawing-rooin, on Thursday. A female child was left, on Saturday, in a basket at the door of the Marquis of Bt.caiNGIIAW, Palls Mall. Tlo•tc , was u late iii the louktt a.idressed to the Marchiouess. The child via, wry properly sent to the workhouse. . Mr. Serjesot BAYLIS' . vesterday took Lis seat as $ Justice of the Court et king's Bench. On Thursday the Gentlemen of the Hampshire Hunt Club held their anniversary on Sohernia Down; there was much sport, and the fineness of the day. together with the beautiful sismery of the country, attracted a numerous and respectable com pany. A cup given Iry Mr. Po Laic. value fifty guineas, was won by Mr. At roisaaci's bay UAW' ; cup of the mine rains, Oven by the Officers of the Portadown, or South East Hints Yeomanry Ca valry, (run for by the Corps) •was.won by Mr. STEWAIIIT's brown snare Ccrtager: and the Mem bers' Subscription Cup, of the like value, was won by Mr. Mt xcuts.'s brown horse. A subscription has commenced to purchase two .;01. plates fur fae nest year. • On Wednesday last, a numerous aiscinblage of the Freemen of Oxford met in the Tow u-Hall, to celebrate the annivelsary of Mr. Lovausat's election to l'arliament. The dinner was served un at two o'clock, and consisted of an as, dressed in different forms, and plum-puddings. one of which weighed upwards of is butidr sl weight. Many loyal and constitutional toa-ts Were dru.ik, and several excellent .ors occasionally satroiluctd. The cowpony, winch voosisted of wore thaw •00 persons. departed at a late Lour in the evening. highl) gratified with the harmony isod conviviality of the day. At a Court of Common Council, held at Gail:- hall, :iesterrla , the Committee of C.tv Lands deli vered a Retort for impriii Sinititiekl Market, which was agreed to, and the Committee arm, em powered to prosecute the same in Parliament. The Lusa \ls rot laid blare the Court a Bill pzurling in Parliament for vstablohing a ',Dial • Militia, and the Committee for Colter's! Putimies were empowered to patch the progress ist the Mae.