The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1805-06-21 00:00:00

I rad been done that warranted Administration -till to call upon that House for its confidence.— l'he Noble Secretary of State said, we had in Commission eighty-three ships of the Line ; but did he tell of the augmentations lately mate to the British Navy ? It had been truly sraied on a former occasion, with sorrow and relui9ance he mentioned it 3 but the augmentations made to the Navy, to cope with the United fleets of France and Spain, had been precisely three ships of the Line ! He differed from Ministers as to the impropriety of communicating the state of the Negotiations to Parliament. These should be Made, if they could at all be done with safety. If these were of a satis faCtory et favourable nature, ,uch should be made known to the country. If unfavourable, there would bean end to all delusive hopes and expedations on that head ; and the country would thereby he pre pared for the one, of two, certainly dreadful alterna tives; to chuse between the considerations, whether they would throw aside all thoughts of continental connedions, and treat for a separate peace, or he obliged to follow the war single handed. He had not heard any argument to prove the ill conse quences that would result from communication ; on the contrary, the reasons, he thought, operated the other way. There were, however, some very im portant facts, which he could not avoid adverting to' Such a circumstance as that he alluded to. never, he believed, occurred before ; that with so large a naval force as we were known to possess, a large squadron of the enemy should have notoriously put to sea, and sailed, but whither, neither His Ma jesty's Ministers, eor the public, were in pos session of the least intelligence. This was cer tainly a most extraordinary circumstance ; but he hcpe.d the House would receive some information on that head from the Noble Lord (Barham) at the head of the Marine Department, whom he now, for the first time, saw in his place. Were there na ether reason than these naval operations of the enemy, and the dismay and uncertainty that prevailed on that he-J, he thought it would be a sufficient ground for decaying the prorogation of Parliament. There was still another, - .hough a very different reason why Ministers were not rcev entitled to call on the House for its confidence, namely, the generally understood distraded state of His Majesty's cabinet: their quarrels and dissections distraded their delibera tions, and drove to clashing and contrary resolu tions, whether for peace, war, or negotiation. It was well knownthat lionaparte was overrunning with a powerful army Italy from one end to the other, while our Ministers were agitated in this manner. While these were engaged in quarrels and disputes who should go out, the Rochefort squadron got out of its place, and the Toulon beet ha I sailed upon its destination. Their Lordships, instead of consider ing such a question as that before them, ought to be, in a constitutional manner. addressing the So vereign to give a proper Administration to the country. The Earl of CAMDEN entered into a statement of the addition, which had been made to the Army and Navy since January 1804 ; 87,00 men, he said, !had been added to the former, and seventeen sail of i n .helix to thalatter. He then mad some observations on the circumstance of the Frenc fleets being at sea, Which he said did not prove any left on the part of the Government; and conclu ded by saying, that as he saw no grounds, he would not agree to the Amendment. The Earl of DARNLEY denied that any addi tion had been made to the aftual force of the coun try, though there might be some to the disposeable force, on account of the drafts from the Militia. Ile then argued that the government was inefficient, and challenged the Minister to say where the com bined fleets were, or whether Russia would enter into an alliance. His Lordship concluded by ex pressing his deter mination to vote for the Amend ment. T.tble. The Earl of WESTMORLAND thought that the amendment proposed infringed on the pi ero gat:ve of the Crown, as it recorred that their Lord ships should sit, in raft, as long as they thought proper; be therefore would oppose it. Earl SPENCER objetted to the Address, as, though it was usual to grant a vote of credit at the latter end of the Sessions; yet, under the present circumstances, he thought they should be informed how matters were; nor could he consent to give so large a sum into the hands of His Majesty's Minis ters, us he did not feel sufficient confidence in their Government. Lord HARROWBY expressed his disapproba tion of the amendment, and said he would much rather at once hear a motion for the removal of His Majesty's Ministers. The Earl of CA aNARVON adverted to the speech delivered from the throne, and said, we were tin better now than we were six months ago. He did not like the vote of credit, as it was a mist un exampled thing to allow the Minister to keep the public purse. Viscount SIDMOUTH took a general view of the case. He said that the sum was not so great as it had been stated, considering that no less than twenty millions had been added to the revenue with in 25 months. Ile then entered at large into the state of the Army, and regretted that his system of raising men for tank had not been approved of by those, for whose opinion lie had the greatest respell. His Lordship concluded with saying, that he must vote against the Amendment. Lord HOLLAND spoke in favour of the Amend ment. Earl of CA RYSFO:IT explained. Lord Gittsvmxt and the LORD CHANCTLLOa spoke at cca..iderable length, the former fur the amendment, and the latter against it. The Earl of CAMDEN, the Earl of C•it time, Lord GRENVILLZ, and the Loan CuancstLua, severally expLiined. The PRINCE of WALES stated, that he was prevented from rising earlier in the debate, in ex prctation of seeing a Noble Friend of his, who he new intended to deliver his sentiments and vote in Lwow of the Amendment; and perhaps he would have given his opinion, at length, on the same side of the Notate Lord who sat SWAT him (Lord Gren ville). The Hobse then divided, and there appeared, vor the Ueginal Motion, present, ti, —Proxies 44 'otal I 11. igainst it, present 3(l—Proxies 22—Total 58- in, icy for the original Motion hi, lcliu,araell at IWO o'Cloct. HOUSE OF COMMONS • A message Pon. t a e Lank informer' the House, that Lordships hail agrucil to the Irish Election Regulation Bill, and several Bead Kills. The Bill fiir the Exportation of Wool from the British Plan , ill America to the United Kipgiluai., was read a first •, and ordered to be read a second time to morrow. Toe East India Woollen Goo Is Repeal Duty B 11, and Mr Pitt's Indemnity Rill Waft severally read a second time, and ur- d .red to be committed to morrow. Mr. It RistovvE a.temled at the Wir, with the Annual Ac.. count. of the 'lnvitees of Ramsgate Harbour. Ihe Loyal.v Loan Bill, the Army Commissary's Motake B.ll,and the Crinan Canal Bill, were sevetally read a third time and pas:erl. Upon •t se Motion of Mr. STURGES BOURNE, the thi ther coati krati n of the Report of the C•ininittee upon the Southern WU, F shell Bill was deferred till to-morrow. The R the Committee on the Duties on Straw Pratt, was pot-o e‘l till Mo-day. Ota Mo ion • f Lo.d ARCHIBALI) HAMILTON, the Re port of the Con.tnittee on the Coru Bill was defereed till to morrow. Mr. ALEXANDER brought up the Report of the Com• mittee of W.1,V% and Meals,orhich was read and agteed to. The Report of the Committee on the Seamen's Bill was or- derM t be received In-morrow% Upon Motion of Mr. sTu R GESS BOITR NE, the Order of the Day for taking into consideratiran t h e Petition complaining of a endive Eletion for the County of Middlesex was dis charged, and a new Order fined for Monday next. The House retnlvell itself into a Committee upon the Dir. tillers A Is. The Report was received, and leave given to ►rind in a Bill Cirdistilliug Spirits for expectation to Scotland, and - from tl isnce elsewhere. - Mr. rETKR MOORE presented a Petition from certain Clothiers of the Counties 4 York, S.lleli,i, Writs, and Gloarthter, against the Woollen Manufadurers Suspension Bill, which was o.dvr,:d to lie on the tab!e. Upon the Inc/tint' for the second reading of the Woollen Manwafturns• Suspension Bill, , umir conversation took plac , , between Admiral Markham, Mr. Broolo, and Mr. Peter Moore, when the lattvt Gentlemen declared their intention of oppuatog this 11.11 Hi it, tutor, Iw:wrest. The bill was then read a se,:oad time, and vtd,red to be COOT 71ittft1 tomorrow. Mr PETER MOCRE snored for fuse for Counsel to be heard at the littr, on behalf of the Petitioners in the above petitio t : upon receipt of the Report of the Committee thereon. e s L Th: House w-nt into Committee mon the Land Tax Re itmption Bill, and the Report ordered to be received to /110f . - ...... Mr. FOSTER broug'it up au Account of the Expeediturcs pawl to persons in Office in Archand, extraordinary ter •.cei for the year 180. i, which was ordered to lie on the The noise went into a Committee upon the Irish Civil List Bill ; ant after some amendments proposed by Mr. Van satin. and a convert - man between Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Fader, and S r John Newport, the Report was ordered us be receited to morrow. _ _ Mr. HUSICISSON brought up an account of all the Pen sions and Balances in the Escherrier, which was ordered tu lie on the table. . . Lord HENRY PETTY roe, and sad, it was not his inten tiuit to trouble the limos with any motion upon this subject, dining the present Semen, as he had miginally 'mated to the House; but that he should take an opportunity of doing go, r.trly ill the next Seteion i He that mowed, that the Papas lie }whited. which was eidereil accordingly. Mr. ALEXANDER brought up the Repo t of the Com mittee of Supply. The several Re...lotion' were react and agreed to, and a Bill ordered to be brought in. putivaut thereto. _ _ A Message from the i.ords ieformel the flo, s., that their Lord:ltOss had agseed to the Lottery 8.11,, the Spanish Red %Vine Duty Bill, the English Militia Cloatlaing, and the Irish Mdntia Clostliing Bills, the Commissioners of Naval Inquiry Rill. the Subahern Militia ()Meets Allowance Bill, the Sad Cloth Bill, the Militia Adjutants and Serieant Majors Bill, mil the Bill I.e budding a Bridge over the River A wnn. NO. PAUL postponed his esotiou is:spatting the OlahoS of Dude until Tuesday next. TI 2;c 4 Ai PROSECUTION OF LORD MELVILLE. Mr. BOND said he rose to ask a question of the Honourable Gentleman opposite (Mr. Whitbread) which might prevent his making a Motion upon the . subject. He wished to be informed, whether it was the intention of the Hon. Gentleman to exclude any of the matters contained in the two Reports relative to Lord Melville, in the prosecution directed to be brought by the Attorney General against that Noble Lord ; he thought that part of the Report relating to the 40,0001. should be excluded ; he also wished to know, whether it was his intention to ex clude the case of Mr. Jellico, which he considered not of sufficient importance to be prosecuted ; but as the Hon. Gentleman had said it was his intention to make this a subjed of prosecution ; he wished some intimation might be given to the Attorney General upon that subjea. Mr WHITBREAD said, he considered the case of Mr. Jellico of very great importance, fur which reason he hat mentioned it to the House, and al though it made a very great impression on his mind but not on the House, he did not mean to press it, it was not his wish; as an humble individual, he could speak only for himself, but the opinion 4 I other Members of much greater consequence was to be considered The ATTORNEY GENERAL said, it was with very great reluflance he troubled the House upon this question, but there was a sort of constitu tional j-alousy in one servant of the crown prosecut ing another, and he had not been able sufficiently to collect the sentiments of the House with respect to what parts of the Report the prosecution was to be grounded upon. It would have been much more satisfactory to him, anJ more becoming the ho nour and dignity of the House fur them to ipe cify what particular parts of the Reports he was to proceed upon, and not to leave the whole of the Reports for him to collea Bum them such parts as lie should think necessary. In the civil prosecution against Mr. Trotter and Lord Melville, a very considerable formal difficulty arose ; he, therefore, would apply for liberty to bring Mr. Trotter as a witness against Viscount Melville, and to give in evidence the words spoken by his Lordship on the floor of that House. In considering this subjed, it brought to his mind the great inconvenience which arose from the mode at present in practice, rather than the old practice of addresling His Majesty to direct his Attorney Ge neral to prosecute. If an address had been pre sented, he would then have a communication with the Chancellor of the Exchequer; a message would come down from the Lords, and the House would consider what points they would proceed upon, and thus the difficulty and inconvenience would not arise. He thought the present occasion particularly called upon him to make these observations, and he hoped the House would condescend to give him their in , strnetions upon the subjed. , I Mr. BOND said, though not strialy regular, he begged to intimate to the House, that as His Ma. jesty's Attorney General felt himself not sufficiently inst: uded, he would make a motion for that pur pose With resped to the legal diffi..ulties, he left them for the consideration of Gentlemen more com petent to decide upon. Mr. WHITURE.AD hoped the House would put the Right Honourable end Learned Gent!matt out of all difficulty, in order that substantial justice might be done between the public and Lord Mel ville ; for his own part, he tithed the against Mr. Trotter might be suspende, Attorne.y General might avail himself tleman's testimony ; he would even propose him a bill of indemnity, to make him - witness, so that the whole of the hush the Navy Pay Office might be fully disc. Mr. pirr thought it a very extraordinary to leave it to the officer of the public the whole matter or the Tenth Report, cifying the particular parts. The I say, either negatively or affirmatively, to include, or what he was not to in( what manner he could best execute . was strongly impressed on his mind that should be reconsidered: he declared hims to both modes; and the more he considered more he was convinced that there was no ground for either. It was a general constitutional deration, in which a Peer of the Realm, - the first officers of the Crown, was ins sense of the House should be fairly and taken upon it. Under all the circumstai not think it by any means a proper mode, the house would deliberate upon what consattuti•eral method. Mr. FOX said, that the House ordered the Attorney General to proceed cases, and the responsibility was upon him to ascertain what were , grounds of charge, and it was most lie should he responsible ; but what w question ? that of impeachment; we lett out, and others introduced, and house was brought into this disgrace lous predicament. The gentlemen side had aJmitted, no question had liberately and properly discussed, wished they had expressed it by their Attorney General, he insetted, was 1:1( nature of his office, to take upon hi tion or the papers. If this objection mitred in future, the same objection brought in all cases of the same nat Mr. SHERIDAN considered it rents thing, that an address was to _ His Majesty, for his Attorney General Suppose he was ordered to prosecute of the Exchequer, was he to go to ' tion bow he was to proceed against Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. F that the first mode proposed was objeCtioreble, then he proposes one still more objectionable • ever, lie secured one point, that if one strong enough to carry the first poir to foresee that the worst mode of proceeding then take place, and so he has at last ' Mr. CANNING thought it worth; tion of the House, and a great constitutia lion, whether a man was to be tried is not ? Mr. HARRISON never knew, ... prosec tion of this nature was absolutely commanded, " His Majesty's Attorney-Ccnctal should - House for institiftiens : he should be a properly. an it was unbecoming to the House in such a manner; i to know the points he would be Upon the whole, it appeared to hi nor less than a plan to evade publi could by no means Innk at it in an The AT FORNEY GENERA. was a very unfair construftion to ' daft of ti.e servant of the crown, execute the commands of the Mom asking its directions. Mr. BANKS supported the the House. Mr. ROSE had looked into all upon the snbje& but this was the limy one he had ever met with. After a few wor.ls between Mr. Bu n u, the latter gentleman gave notice bring forward a Motion on this subi' next. STATE OF THE. NT% Mr. GREY—" I ri e, Sir, if, former notice, to call the attention the present critical and alarming try ; and apprehend, that in doing other apology than the circumsunci Empire is on all sides surrounded. home, to the state of our finances; the sitnation in which we are placed, foreign conneEtions and alliances' state of our navy and of cur arm must be convinced that they ca l solicitude, and the fullest exercise and our prudence. To embrace whole scope of the important cii c , would require more extraordinary .. to the share of any in lividual Member and it was only by a just tense of ," tion, that I was ia,:nced to enter Two years have a or elapse d sine( ment of the war in which we are handed against France, after a shot.' unavailing interval of peace. The in this extensive field presents point of view, is the state of our OR that subjal I do not medal t. night, as there are so many other have necessarily to allude, and the n qf do I feel myselt the more disposed in consequence of a practice V;) , ' here some years, and which I discontinued, for a Right Honour, mine (Mr. Tierney) bringing foi - close of the session, to take a gs hensive review of tne whole au, When the war commenced, we .. ation of the counety was so flour may go on with it to this time v any more expence, than what be sufficient to cover. I own that statement, I received it and that I was justified in doing evinced, for in the first year, a considerable was made to the permanent debt ` and the Minister band himself cot three loans to the amount of .0,0(X), When we replied, Sir, that no less were expended in the last year, and , of our expences being less in the be sen si ble of ate great neccaity , . • te e n 11111 , 111111 1 11 11Pr ir-7 ',.. • " '. - 're a, : Gendenian out e etenottly in the adralnistra elf g naw , re , t e e Ur Isuntial justice consider seriously whether I prellent or eie far sr/ lnd Lord Mel- 1 pedient to pursue this war , rther, if pe ace topes . the civil suit could be obtained on an terms. Ts e/er! !tided, that the these coeuiderations mist that of edit. 1.11 191 If of that Gen. tional permaaentcharges tot 0 1 573,1/00,11(Xl. mot propose to give ter annum, though we were flattered that any a!d- people m a comee:ent tional expends incurred would be rapidly made u r heave' loess respelling by the operations of the Sinking Fund. Suppeing q ueer disclosed. even the war to be at an end to-morrow, we stn as it ! aordinary mode never expect to come out of it without a grca eine;r :to colledl from additional peace establishment, all of which waled weak! it, without she- rah, the permanent taxes of the nation to the ewe- Teem : House should mous RUM of 5 0,000. 0001 - a year. The nest man of °l' ly, what he was jest to be adverted to, is to enquire how far any an& serve incluta and in what improvement has benmale in our rri it . e y serif le the trust. It force in the course of the last year ?Idoan F , I le. , that this subjn fess myself to he sufficiently prepared to go into are loih himself adverse minute investigation of this question, and the ere 7 `',- of tl onsidered it, the sity for doing so is in a great measure reinoted k• sent was no ground the notice given of a motion on that subject, by be re eitutionel consi- an Hon. Member (Colonel Craufurd) who is ptcr. coral' aim, and one of liarly qualified for such investigation, as web iron, of th s involved ; the his known ability as from his professional vein,- ton and deliberately vice in that department. I fancy there is no Tr,;:, t .:t,fl moaners, he did will now contend, that there was not in the ter eel' node, and hoped year a very great necessity for improvement iu r• that hat was the most military system, as it was not (int,- aeknosletlyeill sine but strongly insisted on by the Right Hon. (Gut, of lt • had frequently ( Mr. Pitt) himself, in the course of the lest Smiler, son roceed in similar ant furnished him a ground of eeerretc i 11p4nIC try , always thrown his predecessors in office. After thus a-a:tinting the tior. e the particular necessity, the mein question will b , has any inn ire, lost proper that provement taken place? or, supposing there had, r, y t was the specific is it an improvement at all carrespoading with a - pie words were then avowed necessities of the country.? lam indnia To I thus it was the willing to confess, that there was a consideraiie L,) ceful aid ridicut- amendment in the measure, for enabling the miala ete as on the other to volunteer their services in the regulars. Tes pee el been more de- plea could not have failed of producine ve-- nu he could have beneficial effects, or was at least confidratl; e• vat heir votes. The pccted to have done on It added to the a • tie bound from the pline of the army and to the driveable force ; t 4if himself the selec- no one would contend, Met it gave us any re. ire on was to be ad- ditional force in point of numbers, as thrsarne an i.l eraion would be would at all events have been available for ou- is in ature. terns' defence. Bat when we come to cone sr: : a most preposte- this improvement to the foriniclabl • and gime. th be presented to state of the enemy, who are actively ernplose• r , ieral to prosecute. armaments for the annayaace of nue distant l• te ite the Chancellor tories, while we are ourselves obliged to fit cc - It. him for informa. peditions, not to attack them hut to defend icir . tf tinst him ? The possessions ; the improvement can never be : tl dr. Pitt) had said dered as sufficient, unless means be als i fin n thjedtionable, and facilitate the regular tecruiting. In other vies ' e jeftionable ; how- the question, the House could find nothing • I one party was not solatory in the information ; that during the : s int, he did not fail six months no mote than font thousand in I proceeding would have been raised for the regular service, an . I set blundered it. that, including the casualties by death or - s thy the considera- sertion at home, our military force is at present 77 l' nstitutional ques- men less than they were by the returns aft he ill ... ) ed by his Peers or year—a consideration of the highest and deepest •• • I prance to Mote persons charged with tke admin . . 1 , when a proseen- tration of the public affairs. It no more has been commanded, that fetaed in the Military department, lam sorry to a hould apply to the tit.st there appears nothing more satisfeetory in et be able to prepare 1 contemplation of what has been done in regard ig et him to come I the grand bulwark and main pillar i our fierily ; it was his duty defence; I mean in the situation of be navy. se able to prove. find that the number of sh•pi of the line in comes him nothing more lion was tie in the last year, and in thisyeer ti lie justice, and he are 91, being only an addition of three ships in ty favourable light. space of twelve months. The frigates she L- AI. replied, tha: it pace with the hoe of battle slips, and had rely put upon the con- perienced an increase of seven. The nniries 1, endeavouring to seamen voted also in the lest year seas Mean a• louse when Itumely it does not appear thin any more have been re. in the pre scat year. I aJmit the: an addition I- mode adoptcd by been mask in sloops and gan-hunts in t service, but that can appear no way vinare ill the precedents able when compared with the almost iticrin :, he most extreorai- number of vessels of a similar descrietion cit- ed in the various ports of the enemy, •i Mr. Purr and Mr. against which they may shortly have to c: notice that he would tend. With regard to the ships of that cast now subject on Monday readiness, I cannot but think the Right Honnenti Gentleman was m el el in their eh 'reeler and qu It tTION. and if I am rightly informed, many of them tie- in pursuance of a such a description as cannot he expelled to le t...: on of the House to any very consequential effedis, and are Iste state of the coon- me Ins wall calcalatedfar the service, for witiche • ring in, I need no were intended. 4Tpon the whole, -indeed, I • nieces by which the thoroughly persuaded that the national navy . ed. If we look at present tar from being in that state, in *shier ices; if we look to this important crisis the country -must wish to • slued, in regard to it. From every information i could defier, gi a; if we survey the . re far as I have been able to collta the untie. ay at this crisis, we of others, the public opinion is at this time fne • all for our utmost able to the system permed by Earl On Vt.: • :Ise of our eitsdeen and I believe in my conscience, than had it 1 ce and discuss the persevered ire, and that Noble Earl tamale , . lcumnince at once. the head of the Ad:t fluky deputment, he e 7 ateliers then foil have brought the navy of this country to Cl.' , mber of this House, highest passible pitch of strength and glory. i this neinnal sitite- , was Mc:refire with fain and indignation that 1 - er upon the retied. time More beard ass Hon. Gentliumen (Mr. 3eE . lice the commences cherefterise that meritorious zed gallant officer, are engaged sinele i the gieatest enemy of the country, and as brine! hart, re steady, and' the British navy into disgrace.; and I am still , l'he first "bled that hopes that tne parliament will not separate oa itself in is general nut ass eirquiry in the present see,ian which x finances; but up. bring that question to a final issue. Hair,' to go at large this internal situerim of the country, the littaSC I. et topics to which 1 I Mink, a trent to be extremely well satisfied; ;he more particular- it is web Ma utmost Gals:Aaron, that ! have nee nosed from doing so. coagr itulete them 011 it. There neverwas. I thi ehich has prevailed Su this or any other, a more brave, determined. ' hope never to find lead people, firmly united. and ardent in dreen . , onourable friend of it tram say attack that may he made upon in or ward inwards the iroandet as they hare been by the most forna.. tenerel and compre. 1111aACes, they have not telexed in their pr im :ate of the finances. tions to repel them. Is this situation Ora •. were told the situ- sheen themselves disposed to forget /licit rare flourishing, th at we curnstances, and with an unexampled spina ,, .! se without interring w e re willing to bear their numerous buithests, a.. the revenue would ever severely and painfully they could nor :m that when I heard Wed to press upon them. In lookine to t he st . w:th great doubt, of Irelena also, I see ground of cenglatr: rf ' aing so was shortly the House and the country. A great ces• 1 - l e c h :onsicferable addition doubt, been produced, by the mild and iii l a lebt of the country. Administraeinse of my Lord Hardwicke ; i!" . 1 compelled to snake there is not yet MI the cordial efrenlion stn ie i 0,000,0001 sterling. that could be vrishee far amongst the peeve ' 4 less than 70 millions Uoited and Incoreorared Kiegdonen yet lam and can See eo hopes lanced, that those of Ireland see omit hr , t , the present, we must spnes, feelings. and liberality nt *heir Eng lls a y of th e most alia thr.h , and w4at they have a tight to csi ..et - 1 -