The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1808-03-04 00:00:00

.csoiution, espresso ipprol of that House of the conduct of His Majesty's Ministers in taking a decisive step, by which they disappointed the expectations of our inveterate enemy, and defected the hostile combination that was fanning agniast the unuitiute greatness and smieriority of Great Britain. 'Lord Hints e fa, in an eriergetieand able speech, entered into a comprehensive view of this question, now introduced iu a direct form to the House, and fix which he thanked his Noble Friend(Earl of Diirtk. ley) ; because, whatever !night 13st the result of the motion, it elfUrded to those who joiued with him in reprobation of it, au opportunity of recording their opinion of its injustice upon the Joanials of Parlia ment. Where sow 4 . 4 Ministers rest their ground of defence, or where did the Noble Lord who pre ceded liiin find the information on which he formed his opinion of its necessity ? Was it iu the secret articles of Tilsit, now totally given up by His Ma jesty's Government? It was shameful to observe the evasions and retractions adopted by them on this pert of the sullied. Formerly they were arti cles, next arrangerneata, and last of all, an implied conetasion of there being engagements. Tile Noble Lord denied that Denmark had been the life and soul of the Armed Neutrality. He knew it as an undnulited matter of history, that the Courts of Madrid and Berlin bail given birth to that measure in the year 1790. Ile blushed for his - country, to see its Gevernment lend itealf to such • means of defence, and recommended them to find less censurable grounds for their conduct than Bonaparte's shrugs or gestures to the Portu guese Ambassador, or the communications of some patriotic Irish Informer, when he denounced an independent date. It was safety for Ireland, for sooth, that induced this act of violence towards Denmark. Be just, in the first instance, to the fair claims of the Irish people, and do not defend your oppression of them by aggression towards un offending states. It was said, if in the streets you see a man, determined to commit a c personal vio lence, were you not justified in preventing him? Yes; I would prevent him, in a manly manner; I would knock him down, but never ermfine my precantion to robbing him of his watch.—(Hear ! Hear o—This Address might be rejected, but, unless it be carried, I know of no communication this House could make to their Sovereign on this subject, preferable to that reported to have been made by a `;banish Minister U his Monarrh, and in which the'veat Lord B-- Con observed, there was a great portion of salt, when that Minister said, " May it please your Majesty, you have but two enemies, three are, the whole world, and your own advisers." Lord Beithroomr opposed the Address, and defended the attack on Copenhagen. He confided in the statement of Lord Granville Leve-on Gower, that the Baltic transactions were not the cause of the hostility of Russia. The question was then pot, and the House di vided ; when the numbers were— Coptipats 26—Proxits gs--. Total Nott-eucteats pi—Prusies 54—Tutal ► 50 Major ly agalut tke Motion 39 We understood. whilst strangers were escluded, that Lord Eliot proposed his resolution of op . , and after some disctmion, a division took it; when the mimbers van-e— -mirs 61—Taal ..... ..123 K• Vi 19.....Pr0mes se— Total.... 57 6. Majority. 1 • After which the flotfte :Adjourned, HOUSE OP . . . 4EILI,MPOUND ELECTION COMMITTEE, all Ll4l - rigu 1011. TUla DAY. ...fig: °lt lI , M. Thanes Jones, Esq. Shan Esq. R. Wisrani, EN , .0 kt. g , min. su C. Pries, Burt 1. 11 . 2 7 00 1 Eq. A Macmaghteo, Erg. . iniMininple Mark Weed, Esq. . John Simeon, Ego W. Dickenson Esq. Chula Misoro, Egg W. Smith, E s:q. MOVIIIttP. _ _ 11. Momentary, Esq. Davies Giddy, E. • tip Mimeo's ebtaime4 lime to bring in • Bill to ens sho Ilega• Ansmalleihnurissionern to vest the balance in their tur Oft mike, that, to-morrow, he nottid It impeeties the granting of licenses for forme the umetive et the CHANCYLLOR of the Excels- Omr seseimi waft 'a the Nett Vuty Bap ints post supplow ihorie JOHN GIFFARD. Sir Jon Plx.wroax, in pursuance of the notice he gave yesterday. rose for the purpose of moving for a cow of the patent, by which John Giff ar d ism appointed to the office of Accountant-General at the Cuitains, in Ireland, with the reasons as signed why said appointment took place, after he had been dismissed from a situation under the tersest Clommuneut. Sir AaTuua WILLEILILY said he would wish to bear some reason or other why such a motion should be agreed to. Sir Jost Naweoite answered, that he would not wish Meister into a discussion of this 'abject, till such time as the papers he called for were laid before the House. He should then endeavour to• dhow that the original dismissal was perfectly well grounded, and that the subsequent appointment of that person to the office he now held, was injurious to the peace of Ireland, he (Mr. Giffard) having formerly acted inn manner that tended to the dis quietude of the country. Sir ARTHUR WIriLLSLET said, Mr. Giffard was a very old servaoluf the Crown in Ireland, and per fectly well knows to the present Government, and cettaialy had mit been removed from - the situation lig formerly Wild. worth about 5001. a year, upon my reason officially seated. It was true that that Gentleman had en tertaisad and expressed opinions, in common with the House, as to the Catholics in Ireland, and he did suit know why, upon that are count alone, he should have bean removed. ile did not wish to enter into the circumstances which occasioned that removal, as possibly be might hare beet. very properly- dismissed ; but be did Dot see any reason why, because he was owe removed, on account of certain opiaiona, he should be excluded , life. Upon these grounds he was ally oceasioit rot: bitch a wads by the High! Hon. Gen- , said, Ise should state teliat the me -, circumstances of the ease were, amid why the dismissal of Mr. Gitfard was, if not an arbitrary act, one of ill-judged policy, and his restoration to office an act of mere justice. Any man who knew him (Mr. Croker) and his opiiiions as to the Catholic Question, would not think that he was giving a partial judgment. About the year 1803 a Petition was presented from the Catholics, and Mr. Giffard did move, at a meeting of the Corpora tion of the City of Dahlia, that a (,'ouster-petition should be prevented to Parliament, praying thou not to grant what the Catholics demanded. This, sad this aloue, was at the head and front of his offendiug." He merely petitioned this Howse against the Catholic Petition lying upon the Table, as be thought it would be disgraceful to the Go. 'eminent of that time should it be listened to, he not being apprised of the disincliitation of the Goveruineet to hear him. The very day the mo tion was to be made by him in the House of As. seedily in the city of Dublin, a person mine to Mr. Giffard's house, and inquired for hint, fur the purpose of cautioning him against it. That indi vidual acquainted one of his (Mr.Gitfard's) that he had come to prevail upon Mr. Gitfard not to make the motion, of which he had given notice in the House of Assembly, as the then existing Government would be inclined to take harsh mea sures against him. His relation, shinned at this information, hurried to the lieu...! of Aisseintsly to prevent the motion being made, lint it was then already done. He (Mr. Croker) would pledge Iniuself, that that motion was made without Mr. Gilboa knowing the unwillingness of Government that it should be so, and therefore it was utyust and uureasonable, that a person in Isis situation, exercising the right of a British subjei t, should be diataistied from an office which he had held far la dear., he IMAM the office of Regittrar of the C ustom "muse Quay, not at all connected with his present capacity. He believed Mr. Gifford to be a very respectable gentleman ; and although he differed with hint upon the subject of the Catholic Ques tion, he never should say that a person should be dismissed from office, because, in a corporate body, he held an opinion different from him. lie wits sa tisfied that what lie had said would satisfy those gentlemen who were friendly to the right of peti tenting. The Motion, in his opinion, appeared to F e an undue interference with the right of the Crown in appointing its own officers ; at the same time that he should acknowledge the House had a right to interfere, if the /tight Hoe. Baronet had prove.' to their satisfaction, that the appointment iu question had been made either incorrectly or cor ruptly. He trusted he had said enough to shew, that if the measure sn adopted by Earl liardwicke was not all arbitrary breach of power, at least that it was an indiscreet act; hecAtuse, however injudiciows it might have been for Mr. Gifford to put in such a petition, yet no one had a right to dismiss him from office merely on that account, and far less to con demn him to an eternal exclusion from office. It might probably have hero thought very necessary for Earl Hardwicke to buy a little papalerity by suds a measure, hut he should be glad to know what reasuu there could be now assigned, why Mr. (infard should be excluded from office for ever ? Ife believed that a Right Honourable Ginitleisau, now no awe, who formerty eat on the opposite beeches, sopporting the right of petitioning, thought that the present case was an arbitrary dis missal, and being perfectly impolitic, that justice should he done to Mr. Giftard as soon as possible. Mr. Peassos sty said, that he never had had any political conneution with Earl Hardwicke daring his life, hut had the honour of enjoying that Noble Earl's friendship in a considerable degree, mid thought he was as little likely as any man to do an arbitrary act, such as that alluded to, and pertly attributed to him. He thought there was 'a ncient Parliamentary ground for the production of such papers as those now moved for, when it was stated that a person, under such circumstances. had acted improperly. He had heard that the Go 'crewcut of that day did take the step of dismissing Mr. Gitfard, because he had proceeded in a man lier most offeusive against the Catholics of Ireland, and such as was calculated to keep alive all those religious discords and animosities which anhappily were but toe prevalent. Government were on that account afraid that if he kept that office which he then held. the people would believe that he acted under their authority. It was upon that AC. count alone that Goverinueat took such a step, and therefore no partioular charge could be hronght with justice agisiust Earl Hardwicke, for having acted as he then did. He did not understaud the argument that was attempted to be used as to this being a perpetual proscription, as he thought it was fully sufficieut thst that Government thought it a wise measure to dismiss such a person from the office winch he thee held, from their disapproval of his conduct. 'lid the present Government mean to say, that the former (Internment were wrong, and that they are determined to 'hew to the coon try that those who were most forward and most in discreet in agitating a question of the nature alluded to, were et to be continued in office? Whether the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland hid acted in a prudent and discreet manner was not for the present Go vernmeat to determine. He had had the honour of enjoying a considerable share of Mr. Fox's friendship, and had even talked over this very sub ject of the Catholic Question with him, and lie never, in his whole life, heard that departed states man disapprove of the conduct of Earl Hanlwieke, hat, on the contrary, had heard hint say, that he ha 1 acted in a manner the mast useful amid bene ficial to the country. Mr. Purzotaasu said, that having had the ho nour of holding n situation under Earl Hardwicke, in Ireland, he could not hear it said, that lie had acted in an arbitrary tattooer. There never was a person who conducted himself with more 'toper-, tiality, and, therefore, he could not suspect that Noble Earl of having acted, in the present hi pline% flora any sutwortlty motives. It was not to much with a view to Mr. (liffiril's individual opinions. that Earl Hanlwirke thought it presser to demise hint, but it wesin order tojustify hinualf to the Goverument of the country. as well as the vassey then; that he thought it proper to mark hi. disapprobation of ,such a conduct as that whielk , tiithird had adopted. Ha- did not call in question Mr. Giffard's right, as a Member of a Corpotitiwn, to express his opinion, but s jni his situation as a Member of Government, Earl liardwicke thought it was necessary to guard the Government against the mischievous effects of St" OPiniOni as were circulated by that individual with unceasiug perseverance. lie hoped the Right flououmble Gentleman opposite (Sir Arthur Wel,- lesley), consistently with his opinion expressed last n;ght, would not think of keeping Parliament in the lurk with regard to a subject so materially connected with the safety of both countries. Sir ARTHUR WKLLESLEY, in explanation, said, that he had merely stated, last night, that he was convinced if Mr. Gifiiird answered the description ~,iven of him by the Right Honourable Baronet, he would not have beau appointed to the situa tion he now held. Dr. Mimes/tau said, that it was very easy to attack the character of an individual, when he was not presilt to defend himself. It was absurd to imagine, that Mr. Giiiird, as an Ex ciseman, had a power from Government to re present a considerable body of His Majesty's sub jects. The fact was, that the Petition alluded to had been presented against a Petition of the Ca tholics, claiming, not indeed emancipation, but privileges which the rest of His Majesty's subjects did uot enjoy. That the Catholics alone were to be heard, and the rest of the King's subjects to have their mouths shut, was a doctrine which he could not conceive just nor reasonable. All that Mr. Gifford had done was, that in a guar terly assembly . of the Corporation lie made a Motion expressive of their hostility to the Catholic Petition, and the result was, that the Catholic Petition was rejected by the Hoare of Com mons, and the object of the ether Petition granted. Can it then be said, that Mr. Giffard was acting in opposition to Government, when it could be shewn he was then acting directly in unison with the sense of Parliament? Were one milliou five hundred thousand people of Ireland to have their mouths sealed up, while the other part of them, who were of the lowest' order, wishing to destroy the constitution, were to be left at liberty to represent things as they pleased ? Could Mr. Giflard's conduct under such circumstances justify an act of such violence, as to remove him from a place :le Mid, worth „tloo a-year ? Was this jus tice? Was this equality? Because a man veutured to state - his dissent to the inisrepresentutioris and falsehoods of the Roman Catholics, was he, upon that account alone, to he reprobated ? • Dr. LIWRZNCE said, lie had no connexion with Mr. Gitlin-if, but was surprised to hear the Hun. and Learned Gentleman avow himself his groat patron. He thought the present subject was one that ought to be inquired into, because, should he find that Earl Ilardwicke's Government had, beer such us it was represented, lie should be the first One to censure it ; but, if it was not censurable, why should this individual be re-appoiuted to a situation under Government, and even with eouse thing additional given to him, as a reward for his forincr services? He begged, however, to observe, that lie had riot formed an opinion upon the fads of the case; but he thought that, upon the face of it, it was a re-appointment which he should least of all approve. It wits a case that aught to be in quired euto, were it for no other purpose than to, put the conduct of the two Gm eminent's upon ;Ro per !commis. If it wens to be said that Earl I lardwicke's Government was ceusurable, why should the present Government shrink frosts the inquiry ? Mr. GRATTAN said, he should not take up much of the time of the House in giving his support to the !notion. Ills objection to Mr. Gitiiird was, that he had been a very active religious agitator, and it seemed to be admitted, that his conduct had tended very much to produce religious animo sity in the situation iu whigh he - was placed. These religious dissensionswereorydangerous, and them fore the sooner they ceased the better. Earl Hard a icke's government was, he thought, extremely mild and exreedingly pure. Earl Hardwicke disapprov ed of this marls opinions, and he removed him, be cause the Cioveriuneut was au enemy to religious animosities, auil therefore what construction 'could be put awe' the return of that Gentleman to office, hut that of the present Government approving of the return of religious discard? Ile paid greet re spect to any opi Mons mini no from the Corporation of Dublin, and was therefore disposed to listen to any thaw coming from that quarter, but lie knew that Mr. Gitfard's, interference was not conflool alone to agitating the question there, lie having heeu active in coutributing to similar animosities else where. That Gentleman's restoration to office was, in every view he could take of it, in the face of principles, which he thought were fundamentally necessary for the preservation of Ireland. it was, the duty of every Lord Lieutenant to avoid pro motiug religious animosities. The Roman Catho• tics had surely a just right to complain if any man be involuted to an of f ice who bad previously con , ceiired enmity against their claims, and a detes tation of their characters. Government should, in jastice to that class of society, avoid imposing upon them, by appointing one to a high and responsible situation, that was so remarkably iunnical to their principles. In doing so they much misconceived the true interest of the country. If the Irish Go vernment became religious partizans, the English Government would become the worse for it. He therefore should object to this appointment, as it was one totally offensive to the Catholics, and not only an act of injustice, but one of extreme folly upon the part Government. The CHANcti.toit of the Etcueevest said, he should never be deterred front expressing- his sen timents, however adverse they might be to those of the Hon. Gentleman oppoaite ; but at the same time he should never be - kwaril to enter into any discussions of this sort, where they were neces sary, end should wish to discuss it as temperately as poseible. How the papers moved for could gist. say grounds for disapproval of the appointment in question, was more than what he could conceive.— .411 that had been stated against Mr. Gifford, wag, 'tint he, hissing a corporate office in the city of Dublin, and being himself a Protestant, did take upon himself to state reasons why the object of the Catholic Petition should not be complied with.— This' conduct could not constitute any grounds fur sidered it lisstified by that public law of pillions, (roe office during which had thirits foundation the very principle of did nos think there self-preservation. On such a view of the case, he ocitiot tsffitntistw war determined not only to oppose the :notion of tteinaill. . • the Noble Earl, lout should it be negatived, tp Mr. Catmint-mid submit a resolution, expressive of the approbation tual circumstances ~ . , not restoring that gentleman time. He was ready tel giie th tration all credit for their cowl, call it an act of arbitrary pea, cretion. Upon the whole, self wit stating, that,. jn his Ilan. Baronet had notikid any do , Lion of those papers, and opoisa the motion. Lord IlAttaY PETTY approved HonountlilirGentletnan opposite necessity of discussing subjects Catholic claims, with temp but he begged to differ frour upon the present occasion. gronnds for the motion, because existed for the removal of Mi administration of the Duke isted during that of Earl Nardi he knew of Mr. Pitt, he really nut hare suffered such a Right Honourable Statesman to keep down religions disseusien and wished to discountenance ' Catholics to odium or stir Earl Hanka:lie iu Ireland w, of, both by Mr. Pitt and Mr. ten thought they could enter i the conduct of the Duke of of Earl Ilardwicke, the present justified upon that ground al vernments, which have acted one of them must undoubtedly . this point ought to be determined way er another, he though* • Friend was entitled to I , e " fee bringing such a Motion forward. The Cii4st•Li.t.mt of the Excut that lie did not niuke any accusation Mania 'eke, but lie thoUght, Roble Earl hail dune right operate as a total exclusion office. Rr. Rpsz united in the by the Chancellor of the Excheqt Mr. WILLIAM SMITH said, V fard acted as an Eseiseulaii, his violent conduct against companies. He thought 411roug grounds for making Sir JOHN NEWPORT said.. situation in Ireland, the Board Inquiry thought that the offic metal of the Customs should the person holding it must h half ofthe salary. The Chancellor quer had expressed a wish as were connected with be temperately discussed, doubt that that Right Honourable must be of opinion, that no more temperately urged than had submitted to them. lie farther grounds for it yesterday (R&M hail not only been re-s' under Government, but had' superior one to that which he one office was merely that of tom-house Quays ; and the count:int-General of the Cc welly stated. what he should thought it would be nglit argument or discussion of papers lie Called for were _ cause he was far from thinking statement of any member -- an authority equally strong . consents he called tor, to .hew of removal and re-appoivitipeni move fur various letters that grounds of Mr. Gitfarit's dismissal. last man that would object - bringing forward any petition 'proper; but hr certainly thou , of the Government of Ireland violeat measures against the in times like the present. tainly disapprove of any man Catholics o a parcel of blood-thirst) front their childhood !" It surely we highly unfitting in any Government any man who could dare millions of His Majesty's toys. Wherefore, he should ask, ought lies to be styled by an Italie' worthy of being trusted [he wan who had used such self entrusted with au office had been said, too, that the country were tint to be put the Governuieut of it. hese graceful to humanity. lie amongst the Irish Catholics respectable Two as any oho was not tolerable that any Government courage such pientienents, and •' millions of His Majesty's sub' The question being then Heim ffirvided,• alien there Against the .11•tion Twit Majority Upon our re-ailinission into the gallery, we fou:.4 the lLouse engaged upon the subject of ?UE ROC4IFORT SQUADRON. Mr. CALCIAVT, in pursuance of his notice, stated. that lie had heard reports from various quarters, of good authority, touching the situation of the Rochfort squadron, of a nature that made it ne cessary for him, in duty to the cointry, to make them the subject of parliamentary inquiry. Hr had always thought that the person uow appomotd to the head of the Admiralty, war one as little quo lifted for the situation, as any that could be chows at the head of a B oard. With all the di.advaii• tages of a want of discretion, he hail never thougti that person qualified for such a situation, and • rt• view of the circaasstances that had taken plot since that Noble Lords appointment, tended I* confirm the opinion he had at first formed. an *pinks whkb, he believed, *as pretty - pr'- Talent throngbout the country. lie Amnia elm' vcntwre to sat, that almost the very first act MAI followed thatNohle Lord's appointment, was a sr cimen of his extreme indiscretion in bin depart ment. k was the injudicious appointnitnt of Sr lloine Popham, under the command of Admiral ,---- flan to off„, at k Lord ( ice the form er ,A, • That t conduct, nor .1. 41 tetra , Power, nor ere. of expect , , he should couttai rimed u 'hi. opinion, the e‘ 1 sli; I any ground for t i other i and therefore be that WI M proved of w h a t t k e , m otto' ama iptetite had I ,w , as Strach jects tormitected o droll, 1 !sup e r oast moiler. floods otur him in has se • , to ens DR. lie saw ss i , the Fr lecause the same e tramp ' Mr. Clifford. d ~• weeks. ike of Richm on d, . bat 14 Hardwicke. From to lot rally thought he length i re-appointment. 1 steno' tesiaan always ever ol dissension iu i t . iimiY." once the exposing of clutac ,tigma. Th e coy the Al I was generalle up. .oil sta Air. Fox. lttke fili the u titer iute a comps ' amp of Richmond with . that e 'resent Matisse soli sets, nd alone, as of t wo some ed on opposite Kiwi. befor übtedly be wrong. It we eternaned early. is ndly. 'sought his Right , 'Mt 'ie Thanks of the tight a forward. guish the Excieouta a , . a 1111 f accusation walnut was e gilt, that whether , to ha it ta wrong, it would dun' to of this individual , from the I lie sentiments ex • . I can Exchequer. tient said, that while Mr. t negli tan, he was notorious the , inst the Catholics, in their t that there were lion g such a Motion. whits id, that while lee held ing i 'card of Cominissie ottgl ofhceof Accountant . to th uld be divided, sad if IleCO t have been satisfied nom . - ..,hancellor of the ' . lent iish that ouch vie* , itoa the Catholics site ram id, and he could they Honourable Gratlem MOT . nothing could hare i . that than the motion which so I lie had not stated nit, ertertlay. than that cons n re-appointed to apl eau tad been even put into for, ihe formerly held. ' run t of Surveyor of the C tint he other was that of tits Customs. lie hail I and could still state, that bus gilt to abstain from bre of the mutter, until i I It re before the lioure, • thi thinking that any rt. . or 'bee could be taken h a s rot% sr this written ski ~, Assam the real gross. Dim otipent. He intended lik o that would she* as 1 dismissal. lie was lac jeet to any set of • tin etition they might th . the ,- thought it was the do th :land to abstain from a co the Roman Cathole pr sent. He should • Ile man calling the Rona th blood-thirsty murders on It surely was a costive au :overtime/tit to enconros est s on to denominate thee ti level and faithful subjito sec , ought the Roman Casio Cr col rn w d u :( : I I ; I ?: lu v : dear ex p ress i ons t Whereforehaesc per son aro wb en s h o t EA it le mob or beggary of shot ti .ut into competition o,;1 b hese were expressions ,lir le averred, that there wt•re e g P hoes haeagrrdeehtitnru,sjaud'oritythoaftr/ Y Goveratneut should ea- or and thus denounce teen l' subjects. tl n fondly called for, tlit d re appeared-- f tea ti