The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-05-28 00:00:00

longer any .chance of assistance from the Conti nent, and none of its interests td provide foe . ; It was only when we had to consider of no more than terms for ourselves that we found ourselves•more at liberty to make concessions, :aid even of British objeds, in order to avoid the evils of a protracted war. I assure the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Fox) that What I have said has been spoken with the utmost sincerity, and not with the slightest view of referring to former discussions, nor for the purpose of allud ing to any variations in his sentiments. I sincerely think that it is of infinite importance for the coun try to remember the principles on which he support ed his motion of this evening, as his opinion cannot fail to have all that weight in the nation to which his high charaCter and eminent talents are so justly entitled. It Is still of the more consequence that this eninion should be known, as many Gentlemen in this Houseeunder the . shelter of his authority, have carried the opposite principle much farther than ever I have knoll n him to do, who openly rejoiced at onr being disencumbere a as they call it, of all such alliances, who publicly rejoiced when they appeared no longer attainable, are now ready to maintain, that nothing could be more unjustifiable than,to sacrifice any British objeats, however small, to continental purposes or alliances. I have al ready said, that all foreign powers I were not so Much British objects as that any encroachments on them could be, in all cases and circumstances, con sidered as grounds of war. War must be the less desirable on such occasions, and, perhaps, even not justifiable, when it may not be likely to attain irs objets. It was for this reasons, that he saw many great apprehensions pass without any serious inter ference on the part of England. let these Gentlemen learn and be aware of the authority in which it is this night admitted, that British objets may sometimes he advantageously sacrificed for continental purposes; and that whether in war, or in the course of negotia tions, which may lead either to war or peace, it is the duty and policy of this country to avail itself cal any disposition it may find or excite in any of the great powers of the Continent to act in concert with it. I cannot but very highly approve of the temper and discretion with which the Honourable Gentleman abstained from applying the eflult of the • mediation he recommends to the particular objeCts in dispute between the too countries. The Honour able Gentleman has adverted to another objet, of a nature as important as it is desirable, which I should be extremely happy, if I mild look forward to with any confident or sanguine mtpeEtatiOn. The Hon. Gentleman expressed his hopes, founded on the hu mane and magnanimous charafter of the Empeeor of Russia, would extend' his influence more generally and comprehensively on the general peace and secu rity of Europe ; that-the other powers should re main in their present situation ; that those who had lost by the war should put up with their losses ; that these who had gained advantages should not be allowed to entertain any means of ex tending them. Certainly,. if, by a league be tween the great powers of Europe, these grand objets could be accomplished, if there could be found any means of uniting with or en grafting on the proffered mediation of the Emperor of Russia in the present differences, any pxospeft or chance of perpetual peace, and general guarantee of the interests of all. I should consider that, for so desirable an object in this dispute, something less ad vantageous than otherwise to the interests of Eng land, would be considered as inadmissible. Be that as it may, I think we are all agreed that we ought • not unnecessarily to separate ourselves from conti nental conneftions and alliances, but be ready, to link ourselves in interest with them again, either in war or peace, whenever an opportunity may present it- Self ; and I readily concur in the opinion, that the Emperor of Russia would be the most advantage ous, powerful, and most natural ally for this coun try. But if we shall be left singly to struggle against a dangerous and implacable adversary, if reduced to fight alone in order to counteraft the hostile views t f France upon British interests, I would not indis creetly part with any of those great and subs!antlal securities which had been gained by British valour, and which Britishvelour would still, if necessary, re tain. I would not throw away any of the advanta ges we now possess, either by continuing hostilities, till some accommodation may be agreed upon e or the retention of these securities, which in the pro secution of the war must be produftive of the most beneficial effeets to ourselves, and may, under a variety of possible circumstances, induce some powers of the Continent to shake off their fetters, to unite and to make a common lapse withous. In'that case we should reap a double ad vantage for retaining them; and at all events, the • retention cf such important securities would, at • least, hold out an encouragement which may, sooner or later, have an effeet upon the powers of the Continent favourable to our interests. But not withstanding this, I am very far from recommend ing to the people of this country to hope, or even to dream, that this contest was nut to be their own„ or to suppose that the struggle will, in any case, rest with the powers of the Continent, unless they con sent to be reduced to tl.e same degree of debasement, degradation and misery, to which so many countries and states have been subjeeted chiefly by their own • weakness and timidity. Feeling then the force of the grand principle which the Honourable Mover • has so candidly admitted, and confident that the de termination of Ministers not to lose any chance of effectual mediation which may present itself, it the Honourable Gentleman be led to believe that there remains no immediate necessity of pressing it, I am in hopes that he will not persevere in his motion, nor suffer it to be put to to previous question, which, however, I think was The 'best mode my Noble Friend could have taken to get rid of it. The reason • why lam so anxious for this is, that the inference .• which might he drawn from a division would be, that one side of the house was less disposed to adopt the system of mediation and conciliation than ano ther ; and that the acceptance of the mediation would cone more graciously, and with greater ef ' feet, if the Government could •not be supposed to have been forced into it by a hasty interference of the Parliament." Mr. FOX—" The Right Honourable Gentleman has thought proper to advert to discussions and opi • nions, advanced in former times, which have not al , together the closest reference to the present. Even the last war,,opening with so many prospefts, and terminating ao appears to me an argument why the proffered negot ia t i on -ought te be accepted. • At the commencemen t of the revolution, and before we were ostensibly unc onneded with the approach ing hostilities, an application was made from Pans, , • , that his'Majesty would interposeitis mediatian to.a*- concile the differences, and) never ceased ttilaintiht that the requested mediation was not acceded to. In what I have said at the periods alluded to, ancLon the present day, I am not conscious of any incon sistency wh:aever. Speaking histritically, I was and am a friend at times and fit occasions to continental alliances ; but I thonght that in the last war there WAS a perversion of the principle which formed the ground of my disapprobation. I supported the Treaty of Amiens aswell as that Rt. Hon. Gentleman, and was not di4sosed to find fault with our concessions. He now admonishes us not to fall into the opposite .extreme, nor give up the securities we now pos sessed. As to the principal point which, I make no duubt, he considers the most solid security, though I widely differ from him as to its value, solidity, and effea, yet this is not the time to enter on the discussion, and I have my.doubts whether by retaining we have the chances he seems to expert of so many important advantages. Lhave no wish to put this Motion to a division, and yet I do not see how I can with propriety withdraw it, on the grounds that have hitherto been alledged.— With respeEL to the mediation I do not a'uso..itely charge his Majesty's Ministers svitii neglea ; but I cannot forget that it is notorious that the mediation of the Emperor of Russia has been offered, without its being known or avowed, that the offer has been ac cepted. It; however, I hear it °facially announced, that the Ministers arc ready to accept this poWerful intervention, I have done, and this motion shall be heard no more of. Ido not see the grounds of these insinuations, thrown out by the Noble Lora and others, that the negotiations would tend to un nerve or relax the public mind or spirit ; but I think that the negotiation will give r. better chance of peace than we can otherwise have. Ido not expert nor wish that hostilities sh:add, in the mean time, be suspended. From the history . of the negotia tion, I cannot help concluding , that if the corre spondence had been concluded by notes from M. de Merkoff, on the one side of the water, and al. de Romenzou, on the other, the event might have been different from what has resulted from the &Mi. munications between Lord 'Whitworth and M. Tal leyrand. I shall have no objection to withdraw my motion, should . the Ministers avow their intention to accept the mediation. The Right Hon. Gentle man has asked me, why I should not rely upon them ? My answer is, that in that way, some time may be lost ; but I assure the House, that I should be much better pleased, if the Ministers should 2e- dare their acquiescence, than I could lie by The in- terference of Parliament." Lord HAWKESBURY—" I can assure the Hon. Gentleman and the House, that this commu nication did not come so much in the way.of an offer of mediation, as in the shape of an irregular intervention. The dispatch contained no more than that the Emperor of Russia, supposing there was a relvaance betweeh the two contending powers to communicate hilly with each other, and afford mutual explanations tile ambassadors of Russia at the respeaive courts, were authorized to become the channels of communication. This his Majesty's Ministers could not but be considered as too loose and vague to admit of being construed into' 'an offer of mediation. There was also something very particular in the moment of the commu nication, at the very time when negotiation was at an end, of the rejedion of our ultima tum, and when it was evident, through the whole course of the proceedings, the objeds of the French Government were to protrad and gain more time. Our answer was, that we had already given every explanation we had to make; that the nego tiations were at an end, and that our Minister, Lord Whitworth, was already on his way from Paris.— The British Government, however, I can assure the Hon. Gentleman, has no wish to conceal from him or the country, that it is ready to explain with the Court of Peter burgh, and to accept its mediation, in respea to its own disputes with France, and the avneral interests of Europe ; and that it is willing either to hear and receive the proposals that may be made, in regard to these objects by that Court, or itself to originate proposals, which it will be ready to communicate to Its Imperial and Russian Ma jesty. ' At the same time I wish it to be understood, that until some accommodation or 'a dj ustm en t shall take place, his Majesty's Ministers cannot be ex peeled to advise hint to aft or suspend in any degree the most vigorous exertions for the continuance of the war." Mr. FOX then said, that understanding from I such authority the British Government was itself ready to originate proposals of accommodation,' he would not objeCt to withdrair his Motion. The Motion was accordingly withdrawn. The House went into a Committee on a Bill for the Fompletion of the Militia, in which the Secre tary at War proposed a clause to prevent seamen from serving as soldiers. After sonw discussion had taken place between the Marquis of Douglas and the Secretary at War, the report was brought up, and ordered to be read a .ccond time onWednesday next. Mr. VANSITTART presented a Bill, according to an Act made in the 27th year of his present Ma jesty's reign, for repealing certain duties of the Cus toms,. and granting others in place thereof. The Bin was ordered to be read a second time on. We dnesday next. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved for a Committee of the whole House on Wednesday next, to take into consideration the dif ferent A. rt.lativc to the Assessed Faxes. Agreed to. A Bill was presented to prevent slips sailing from the different ports of England without convoy. A Committee was appointed by ballot, to try iht. merits of a Petition complaining of an undue elec tion for Newcastle-under-Line, and the names of the Members reported to the House. The names of the defaulters ad the ballot al:. pointed for to-morrow were ordered to be called over. Lord W. RUSSELL presented a petition from Colonel Ogle; against the last return on the late Boston election, which was ordered to be referred to a Committee on a future day. The SPEAKER gave notioe, that he should count the House to-inorrow 2t half past three o'clock pre cisely, The House then Adjatuned at half past nine o'clock till to-morrow. S I.' . • THEATRE-tor:IL, cOrAT-GifRDEN. ou MONDAY EVENING wlll be presented Bic floniedruf; ' • JOHN BULL ; • • • . ENGIASIIMANN The Principal Characters by; Mr Lewis,'Mr. ivlureav, Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Johnstlme, Mr. N.3ulut on, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Finery Mr. Waddy. Ml's: H. Siddorti, Mn. Davenport, and Mrs. k Johngtun. With'a Lyrical Epilogue by Mr. Johnstone. 1”. added '" • • PEROUSE ; Or, •THE DESOLATE ISLAND. 'On Thursday, John Bull, with Perouie. THEATRE-Mr/IL, H.ArMARKET. • THIS EVENING will be presAitect. its Threu Acts, THE MOUNTAINEERS. Octavian, Mr. Elbows ; Viro!ct, Mr. 1. Palmer; Kilmal lock, Mr. Denman; Roque, Mi. Chap u man ; Lope Tocho, Mr. Holiday; Bulcazin Mulcy, Mr. Archer; Ganem, Mr. Smith; Stsdi, Mr. Mathews. Zoraytti, Mrs. T. Woodall ; Flor.intlie, Mrs. Gnodal . ; Agnes, Mrs. Atkins. To which will be added, MRS. WIGGINS. On Tuesday, The Poor Gentleman. with Mrs. Wiggtns. THE BRITISH PRESS. LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 28. Mr. Fox, last night, made his promised Motion in the House of Commons, for an humble Address to his Majesty, praying that he would be graciously pleased to avail himself of the disposition shown by the Emperor of Russia, to offer his mediation be tween his Majesty and the French Republic ; a me diation which he said would not only be the means Of terminating the war, but of producing the best effeCts to the general tranquillity of Europe. The motion did not produce the interesting debate to which it was expelled to give rise, as the ground upon which it was made, was completely done away by Lord HA%i KESEIII AY'S answer. A public rumour prevailed that Russia had indirectly offered her me diation, and Mr. Fox's motion was framed in the , spirit of that opinion. His Lordship's answer, how-. ever, while it admitted a foundation for the report, placed the matter in an entirely new light. He dis finely stated that the Court of Russia, conceiving a reluCtance between the two Governments of Lag land and France to mutual explanation, had in sinuated that the Russian Ministers at London and Paris were authorized to become the chan nels ,of commerrication between them. This in timation on the part of Russia appears to have been also founded in error, for., as his Lordship dis tinaly stated, no such reluaance existed. The English Government had dirally stated its terms, and 'France had as direaly rejeCted them. No • ground, therefore, for explanation, could exist be tween two Governments who so clearly understood each other; and, further, this intimation on the part of Russia was not made until the negotiation was broken off, and the proposal came too late.— With such a case standing in his way, it became impossible for Mr. Fox to persevere in his motion for the avowed purpose of arresting the progress of hostilities. He was, therefore, content to withdraw it, upon receiving the assurance of Ministers, that they would be ready at all times to accept of the mediation of Russia, not only with regard ' to the, disputes subsisting between this country and France, but also respecting the general interests of kurope ; that they should be ready not only to receive, but to make overtures for that pur. pose; at the same time, however, his MAJESTY'S servants could not advise him to relax in the most Vigorous efforts for the peosecution of the war. With the nature of the rumoured Russian media tion thus explained, it would have been puerile to suppose, that England having declared war against France, would suspend it for the chance of the me diation of Russia, and still less for the chance of its success. The assurance of Ministers, therefore, amounts to no more than this, that tLe country will prosecute the war, but that it will not rejeCi the friendly interference of Russia to put an end to it. :c • • pis assurance is reconcileable with the most deter minable resolution for war, and, therefore, we la ment that we cannot see, any thing pacific in the ?ground upon which Mr. Fox consented to with his motion. Yesterday the arrival of the 3fanship and Earl St. Pin - cent from Bengal was announced at the East India House. These Ships do not bring any thing new. A Letter from Plymouth of the '2 4t h inst. says : —‘ 4 A French privateer, exaaly like an English trawl boat, is just passed up Hamoaze. There are now in the Channel nearly fifty of the same description, mostly fitted as English fishing boats, and have on board swivels and small arms. After Mr. Fox withdrew his motion yesterday hi the House of Commons, he went over to the Trea sury Bench, and shook hands with Mr. ADDINGTON and Lord HAWKESBURY. An order from Government was reCeived on Tuesday by M. COQUEBERT DE MONBRET, the French Commercial Commissioner, to leave Lon• don within twenty-four hours, and quit the kingdom with all posible dispatch. He accordingly set out on his return to Paris last Wednesday. The Commissioners under the Navy Abuse Bill, have made their first report, which is very volu minous, but the subjed is so, immaterial, that we do not think it worth while to make any extraEts from it. The re fort consists of 113 folio pages, and relates wholly to the premium upon hills drawn for the public service at Jamaica, not having been b r ought to the account of Government, which it seems had never been the pra6tice of the naval offi cers, but which the Navy Board have within the last dace years very properly enforced. ' ' * .... •t ~ . • EASY! M IMPftr.` ROrr. Mrt. Done rave a grand Rout off Wednesday evening, at her house in Grafton-street • and having signified a wish to see MaSks, several of the fa shionable world stopped there,. on their way, to the Countess of MOUNT mon als's Masquerade. Amongst the charaelers and fancy dressesilat were stational were the following : The Duchess of Fttri. AND in a beautiful fancy dress; Lady I-luraoac, fancy dress; the beautiful Miss llufiLoK r, a flower girl ; 'the Dechess of'Buo' CLEUGH and Lady C. Momrsovr, Quaker,. Mr. SEATON, The Grand Seigneur; Mr. 'iota-cu., a j'w Pedla.-, with different coloured stockings, em blems of his trade. &c.; Lord 04R1t1t.i- a Chelsea Pensioner, with the fragments of the' French colones taken ip Egypt; Mr. TOWNSHENO, * lndian Chili Mr. HA hi MERSLEV, dun. a Knight of Malta; Lady C. F.F.Nsnx, an Ind as *Prinieu ; Mr. Itoousv, a Country lVaggoner ; Lady E. IT'LL ARS, a Flower Girl; Lady A. M. ST AN HOPS, a Coltage Girl ; Duke of ORLEANS, Duke of Moreresnutt,' and brother, Three golly French Friar,. LIST OF THE COMPANY. Duitess—St. Alban `q, Orleans, and Montpenaier. Dnchessea—Rutl.kud, Gordni, St. Altran'4, Muntrose, Burdeugh, Northumberland, Beatifort, and Athu'. Marquiszes—•Douglas and . . Downshire, Salisbury, Winches* Digby, Limerick, and Galloway. -.matters:es—Leitrim, Harrington. Talbot, Malmsbury, Ross. lyn, C.Jare, Essex, Liverpool, Daby, Chatham, Cork, and Dal keit h . Viscotant.4-‘Fitz-James, Brome, Sydney, and Stanley. Viscountesses—Sydney, and Stanley. Lords--Montague, Gray, Grantham, Amherst, C. Somer. sett, A. Hamilton, C. Bntiuck, hillier , , and G. Leveson. Ladies—Henley, Carrington, Langford, two Clements, Hunloke, A. M. Stanhope, Amherst, C. Harris, C. Monta gue, two Sortsersetts, C. Hornby, Warren, C. Waldegrave, E. Stratford, Le De Spencer, Crofts, Blayne'', C. Jenkitison, A. Percys, Templeton, L. Manners, A. Wynyard, W. Rus s Auckir al, St. Asaph, M. Paget, Andover, G. Ceci', Mikimay, C. Harris, Hcthe, F. F. Harris, Boston, E. Honk, M. Taylor, and C. Lennox. Sirs—C. Douglas, and Wynne. • G-neral Lennox. C..lonel Grosvenor. Messrs.—Alexander, Brsderick, Laseeller, Monektnn, Tay lnr, Vausittart, Townshertil, Diekitrs, Singleton, Cletnents, Pierrepoint z Sloane, Orby Hunter, Whitbread, Northey, Duff, Robinson, and Wortley. Mistresses--Addington, Monckton, Freemantli., Vansit tirt, Clements, Beresford, Walker, Greivenur, Orby Hunter, Lung, Whitbread, Sydney, and Duff. Misses---Smith, Addington, Monekton; Hunlokc, Legge, Hornby, Browne, Croft, Dickens, Bereslord, Bennet, Mary ners, Hollqway, and Cornwall. Marcltionesiet-- ter, and illeadfort The Countess of LIMERICK gave last night a grand musical party, at her house in Mansfield street. The Duchess of DEVONSHIRE gave last Thurs day evening the last subscription concert, at her house in Piccadilly,. to near 3eo persons oldistitic tion and fashion. The Earl of LAUDERDALE is exerti.'.g his interest in behalf of Lord ELPHINSTONE, who is exi efted to be eleeted one of the sixteen. Peers of Scotland. Mr. DUPRE gives this day a grand dinner, at his house in Grafton-street. Viscountess CARLETON gave last night a grand rout, at her house in George-street, Hanover square. The Marquis of HEADTORT is expedted to set Off next week for Ireland, to take the command of the Royal Westmeath Militia, of which he is Colonel. Yesterday Lord ELLENBOROUGH sat at West minster Hall, but nothing occurred of any import ance. A marriage will shortly take place between the Hon. • Captain.. Et PHINSEON FLEMING, brother to Lord KEITH, and the Hon. Miss DRUMMOND. Amongst the presentations to her MAJESTY on Thursday, was that of the Hon. Mrs. C. MUR RAY, presented oil her marriage by Lady Et. izaerrie HATTON.—Her dress consisted of ' white crape, appliqued, with white satin le4ves drawn up and fas tened with bunches of flowers, and fine lace in dra pery across. It was extremely beautiful. The Marquis .of HEADFORE has lately purchae d the beautiful seat called North Brook, near Exeter, situated on the bank of the river. Exe, the pro perty of Mr. SIGH. The Far' of CHF,STeRFIELD will give his usual grand dinner on the 4th of June. Sir THOMAS BROUGHTON, since his reterrt om France, has purchased four elegant bays, which he sports in his new-launched curricle. . " • Yesterday HENRY KING, Esq. who was, at the last Court ofAldermen, nominated to serve the office of Sheriff by the Right , Hon. the Loan MAYOR, paid a fine of 4001. and twenty marks to be excused serving the said office.—N. B. ,This is the Fourth Gentleman who has fined to be excused serving the said office.of Sheriff. At a Court of Lieutenancy held at Guildhall yes terday, Lieutenant BENNVELL was eleetcil by ballot Captain Lieutenant of the Last London Militia, in the room of Lieutenant Aviles promoted. Also, Lieutenant LOVETT, to be Captain-Lieute nant of the West London Militia, in the room of Captain-Lieutenant Mc HOLAS promoted. Mr. and Mrs. BARHAM returned to town from France on Thursday last. Lady LADE sports her high curride • and four bays, to the admiration of the Bond-street Loungers. Yesterday morning his Royal Highness the Duke of YORE reviewed the Coldstream Regieient of Guards in Hyde Park. The Earl of INNISKILLes died Rn Saturday last at Hazlewood, in the County of Sligo.— His Lordship was on a visit at the time to his son-in-law, OWEN WYNNE, Esq. He had been attacked by the influenza, but was considered as recovered, and was in the ad of putting on .his coat when he died. An express was immediately sent off to his eldest son Viscount Co LE, now Earl of NISKILLEN I who was supposed to be in London. The express arrived here at eleven Qn Wednesday morning, but his Lordship had set off for Ireland at si x in the morning of the same day. The Marquis a - HEADFORT'S beautiful seat, called Bective.castle, near &Hs, in the county of . Meath, is undergoing great alterations ; the house which is now low, in the Gothic style, is to be raised one story higher with a fine gallery, and also the addition of four round towers, of great beauty and workmanship, to form a castle ; the road lead ing to.the demense Is to be altered, and a new bridge is immediately to be erected over the Blackwater.--• The building and the alterations are estimated at 20,0001. The Vizi,: gun brig, Lieut. Bitowx, is put under quarantine in Walmer Roads. ~ ,' 1 I , , 11 . 1 . .. ... ~.' . .' ...-' .... ~