The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1806-03-27 00:00:00

of crimes of the Ant mab iituJe; but sir; 1 ‘ ,.,. w as Lord Melville, At the time of his delin ea terry, in the high office of First Lord of the Ad mita! y, a 14 narged *tit suTaring others to pecu late, and with being a participator in it himself. This, therefore, would he a trial rein's ing the tr . - most publicity, as there was not a man in the king d•on who was not interested in it. If Lor .1 Mel ville were innocent, it was bur justice to hint that it sla-mld he made as manifest as possihle : a :3, on the other hand, if he were guilty, it was right that he should he pronounced sn, in the fare ,)! the :assem bled nation. In conclusion, he s that he was canvinced the trial could no' law 10(17, as he knew it to be the wish of the Managers to curtail it as much as was consistent with the ends of public justice. Mr. W. DUNDAS said, that in the cour , e of this debate, he had not heard one word to shew that public justice would not be as well attained at the Bar of the House of Lord,, as it could in West minster Hall; nor any argument for it, but the ;Imposition that it would afford more satisfaelion to public. What be ;eked for was justice, but not aldatory and protraded justice. It was a s o un d ociple in the English aw, that a man should he held innocent until he was coevieled ; but how could that he done, if the judgment should for a I,t-gth of time he protrafted and withheld from him? After a long life laboriously spent in the service of the public, he would ask,whether it were fair or libe ral, that Lord Melville slieuld be consigned, without any sufficient reason for it, to an old agent pnvetty and want, if in the end he should appear to be in nocent ? He believed there was not a man who did not look at the long trial of Mr. Hastings with mockery and disgust ; and he recollcaed, nn the present occasion, to have heard nearly the same sen timents from the present Lord Advocate, who was not at this time in his seat. Mr. PERCIVAL said, that if it were shewn that a trial in Westminster Hall would advance the caw se of justice, he should approve of it ; but no such proof had hitherto been shewn him. The Gentle. men opposite, called him and his friends inconsist ent, because they voted for an impeachment, with out paying any attention to their own inconsistency. He was still for an impeachment, which, since the instance of Lord Macclesfield, could not be re proached for novelty ; but he thought that in all such cases, the least oppressive mode should have the preference. When the motion for a criminal infor mation was proposed, he objeded to it, and preferred an impeachment, because, in the other case, the bur. then of the prosecution would fall upon him who was known to be adverse from the proceeding ; he, therefore, wished it to he transferred into the hands of those who could not be suspecled of having any bias on the part of the accused. The event had shewn. that he was right in his conjedute; for, af ter along subsequent investigation, it was but lately that the Managers themselves could bring that ad ditional charge, which they, of course, thought ne eessaiy for his eonvision ; and what wonld they have said of him, if he had so protraned the insti tetion of prnceedings against him ? When the im peachment was a second time proposed, they were all for a prosecution, probaSly because they thought the Court of King's Bench had less partiality in fa. sour of Lord Melville, than he was likely to expe tient* in Westminster Hall. It was said, that if Lord Melville should be tried at the bar, it world be as argument rtainst having any more impeach ments in Westminster Han ; and he confessed that if it should have that effect, in his opinion, it would not be a rhischiev , u; one. But, even as a friend to such trials in the Hall, he should be a friend to their not being made, in all cases, oppressive, as nothing would be more likely to bring them into disuse. Mr. Fox said, it was singular that the night flon. Gentleman should attempt to throe.- the c!,:irge of inconsistency upon him and his friends, though he himself, and those with whom he lifted, were against any prosecution whatever. He sup pitted the Impeachment at first, because he thoogld it the mode best adapted to the purpose ; hot he was afterward: in favour of a prosecution, when. on the other side, he only saw an insincere and hollow mail*, in which he could place no confidence. Ile was very far from blaming the selivions or icier.?. of Lord Niel...ale for the part they had taken io his favour. or for their natural par tiaiities towards him ; hut he would never consent that he or the Maria z ;ers of the impeachment should be gui.tesipy their advi.:e. In the first instance, they stated, by way of a-gnmert, that Lord Mel ting himself preferred a criminal prosecution ; but, on further consideration. they came back again, and declared, that he wished for an impeachment ; an I. in supporting the latter proposition, it was ini poaihle but they mast have had before them the espence of a prosecution in Westmiestet Hall. and that Lord Melville himself should nut have it in his view. It was no wonder, therefore, the; he should he afraid of such frier ds associated with him. as *ere firit against having any prosecution at all. An Ilrnourable Gentleman. who spoke early, dwelt much en the piopriety of what he caled 6. the old Constitutional mode of proceeding,' torgetth.g all the time. that the old Constitutional mode was in favour of the Managers, and that he himself c 1:y rested on the one solitary instance of Lord Alscclesfield. Was it then to be expelled, that the hlanagers should always take instrudions from the friends and relations ot . Loud Melville? Were these the persons that they s..ould, in propriety. consult ? He remembered an old rule, which used to prevail ia that House, that Members should not attend the Committee ere a Bill, if they disliked the principle ; hut that rule was, perhaps p-dperly. reversed by these Gentlemen; for, though they dishked the principle, they were Aways the foremost, and most ambit.. on the Committee. A dislike was also ex pressed an the other side. to maloog this or any se_ tar trial, a spedade I but, cm the enutrary. he was in co - :Went hopes, that every public trial in this country. would ever be made a istahlic spedacle. Mr. CANNING sail, that after a speech of so mush warmh, it might perhaps be enocivisable is argue against the present motion, and if the terra)* arm of power were to bear heavily upon Atelvlie, it world be in wain for insh ',duals to contend against it. He and his friends had a right to expete that the present im peachment world take place et the Bar of the House of L. ; sod, ht rise operung "etch c 4 the Hon. Gereheriael (Mr Whigs' tad), the CAW of Lord hiemleasigld WIN Ilia WiSidl he partiaskr l 7 craned. :n induce the House to *equi , see in Ms prrHposel. la . the present d e b ate , he must deny th at t h ey had pointed out one distinn substantial point, where as much justice could not he done at the Par of the I louse of Lords, as on A trial in Westmiuister Hall. He said, that after the trial of Mr. Hastings, the people, in general, were so much disgusted at the length of it, that they expeeted there would have been an end of all trials of that kind ; and, under similar impressions, and to prevent its recurrence in flume, the Legislature passed the Aet ap. pointing an East India Jo licature. One Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Fox) had assert ed, that it was impossible that thnse who vot ed fur this impeachment should not have had in their contemplation the expellee of a tt ial in West minster Hall ; but thinking that the affirmative of one was as good as the negative of another, he must say that he did expen the Impeachment would not he condoned in Westminster Hall, but at the bar of the House of Peer., after the precedent of Lord Maccles field, and therefore had not such intolerable expenses in his contemplation. The same Right Hon. Gent. ohjened to the interference of the friends or rela- Lions of Lord Melville ; but if partiality were to be an ohjenion on one side, he was afraid that the gen tlemen opposite to hint would not appear altogether exempt from it. lie next adverted to the Noble Lord (H. Petty) who spoke from the Opposition Bench, whom he described as saying of the friends and relatives of Lord Melville —6' If they have their feelings of nature, I have also my feelings of Of fice •• and he assured t h e N o bl e L ord, that if the gentlemen around him sympathised so tenderly in these feelings, he was not disposed to congratulate them on their sim;larity. Mr. W. IVYNNF. said, that, in a trial at the BAT of the Lords, the room would he so much taken up by Members, that a single individual beside could not find admittance. As to Mr. Hastings, his case was of that nature, that could not have been tried by a jury ; and, as to the length of it, there Was no reason to stipp.,se that other trials would last as long as hi.. 13estdes, it should he remembered, that there was one session in which the Lords only allowed four days for the Impeachment, and it was always in their power to adjourn the proceedings. Mr. WALLACE acknowledged, that he seas one of those who did not think there was sufficient pound made out for any prosecution ; but when it was determined on, it was right that it should be made as little onerous as possible. Phe Gentiernen opposite, chiefly relied on publicity and solemnity ; but every one knew, that in the King's-Bench, or any other of the Courts, the publicity of a trial, or its circulation through the country, did not depend o n the number of the audience; and, as to the so lemeity, he believed that all that could be done by a trial in Westminster Hall, was to gratify the cu riosity of the audience, and the vanity of some other persons. He thought it also a serious thing, that the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's- Bench, who was also a Cabinet Minister, and most be supposed to be associated in the feelings, the par. tiAlities, and the passions of his colleagues, should be allowed to be a Judge upon this trial. Mr. GREY said, he meant not to enter into the general discussion, or the fitness of Lord Ellenbo rough to be a Cabinet Minister, or why Lord Mel •ille or his friends should now be alarmed at that circumstance; but simply observe, that if his Lord ship hod these partialities and passiems, rtreheer way to controul them would be, by the publicity of the proceedings. As to what was said by a Right Hon. Gentleman, that the India Judicature WAS establish ed to correet such long trials as that of Mr. HASS. Mgr. he neei only remind him, that Mr. Hastings's trial commenced in the year 1788, and the India Jadicature was instituted in the year 1714. He did rot much wonder that the Right Honourable Gentleman slaluld suppose the strung arm of power would be exerted to crush lord Melville, as he was c.mscious that he had himself exerted the strong arm of power for the purpose of screening him from jus tice. Hut, before he employed this observation, he should have refleCted, that the publicity of such proceedings must ever be the surest shield against the strong arm of power. He concluded by assur ing the House, that the Managers were resolved to bring the impeachment to as speedy a termination as possible, as far as depended upon their exertions. Mr. WESTLEY said, he only rose to express his hopes, that should Lord Melville be acquitted, he would be indemnified in his expences. After some explanations from the different speakers who took part in the Debate, the question WAS called for. and the gallery cleared for a divi• sion, which did not however take place, and the motion of Mr. Whitbread was carne.!. TRrkIING ACT. Mr. TIERNEY moved the order of the day for the House resolving itself irto a Committee upon the Elettion Treating Mt. He said, that he under stood it was the wish of the House to postpone the further consideration of this question until a week or so after the next quarter sessions, in order to give gentlemen an opportunity of examining the sutsjeCt he, therefore, should content himself with moving an amendment, in the Committee, for the present, and then postpone the further consideration until wich time as the House should approve. Sir ROBERT BUXTON regretted, that the Right • Hon. Gentleman should propose any amend ment uhatever, as the Bill, in every particular, met hit entire approbation. The House then went into a Committee ; the amendment was proposed and agreed tot and the Hue having resumed, Mr. TIERNEY then moved, 6. that the further consideration of the ReFort be postponed till Friday, the 18th April next " k:era few words from Mr. SHAW I.EFEVRE, it w.s postpone.] till Nienday. the 2lst April. Ihe Bill was then ordered to be printed, as amended. Mr. Hawthorn brought up the Report of the Commi , tee on the Customs Expiring Laws ; the a-neninents were read and •agreed to. ordered to be engrossed, and tile Report to be received to-mor row. He Alan brought up the Report of the Committee on Expo mg Laws, respes".ng the encouragement of lithici 6.iieries ; the several clAuses were read and .rgr eid to, and a Bill ordered to be prepared, parslisnt !hereto: I'ne other Orders of the I)ay we:w then di•posel of, and ate house asljouraesi till to-morrow. f ~_'_ ~~ • r •„ • The 'iouceediauga yeeivniay, at liselndia House; the limns , and Lanca•rer &seises. &c. are given in the bit page. - - THE BRITISH PRESS. 1 .0NI)()N, THURSDAY, MaSc H 27. Mr. WHITBREAD moved, last night, in the House of Commons, " that the House be present at the trial of Lord Met.viti.e, as a Committee of the whole House." This motion, as being prefatory to an Address to His MAJEsTv, to order Westmins ter Hall to be fitted up for the purpose of holding the trial there, produced a smart debate, in which the new Opposition took an allive part Viscount CAsrtEREAou, General TARLETON. Mr. Rose, Mr. CANNING, Mr. PERCIVAL, and several other Gentlemen of that party, spoke against Mr. WHITBREAD'S motion, but it was at length carried, without a division. There is an inaccuracy in the account of the Loan, given in our Paper of yesterday.— The amount shotild have been staid thus:— Loan for Great Britain only - L 14,000,000 Ireland, to be borrow rd in Eneatkl 2,04/0,0./0 Do. to be borrowed in Irela •d, if powib:e, and funded there - 1,0'0,000 Do. and to be raised iu I,y the ia.ue of Fluatiiig 11 , b.,ntures 1,0,0.000 In all I. J,uoo,t 0) The &liar, Si m woNs. from the Clyde for Hon duras Role, t, DA 111YSHI t, from Liverpool for Jamaica; Flora, of London. SUP VISE j Fume, of Bristol, —; and the He"), of Glasgow, —, (part of the rizord and Wov/eeritie's convoy) ; were cap tured on the 7th of December, in lat. 30. long. 27. by a sqsadron from L'Orient, consisting of the Re gular, of 81• guns ; Sarrtillan'e, of 18 guns ; Sybittir, and Prtsulent, of 44 guns each. The prisoners were landed at St. Jago, one of the Cape de Verd Islands, on the 23. h of December ; and the squadron pro ceeded to the southward, supposed for the Cape of Good Hope. The prizes were at St. Jago about ten days afterwards, and ptoceeded for Cayenne. Tuesday morning, the Russis i AMBASSADOR and Lord CATIIC A RT, Iran:a/led business at Mr. Fox's On Tuesday, at twelve o'clock. a consultation of Ministers, Military Officers, and persons of dis tinflion, took place at the Duke of Youtes Offize, in the Horse Guards. There were present their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of YORK and KENT. the Duke of Noneoia, Lords GRCHVILLIS and CATHCART, Mr. Fox, Mr. WINDHAM, and Gene rals DUNDAS and I.coanw. The Meeting did not break up till past thyme o.'clock. Yesterday, a Court cf Direecas was held at the East India House, when the following Commanders took their final leave of the Court, previous to de parting for their respeitive destinations, viz —Capt. A. Nasu, Marchioness of Exeter; and Captain S. Haw's, Illennrch, for Madras and Bengal. The Court adjourned at six o'clock, till ts,•morrow. The Society of Arts had their annual dinner, yesterday. at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, his Grace the Duke of Nnarotx, their President, in the Chair, being supported by Lords RADNOR, CHTTWYND. SELCIRK, and RIRBILESDALE. Several new Members were prnprsed, and the utmost har mony and conviviality prevailed until a Lite ho; r. Tuesday, there was a Ballot at the Board c•f Agriculture, in Sackvilte-street, for the elerti -in of a President, for the present year. The Candidates were. Lord Snceritto. and Sir JOHN SIHCLAIR, Bart. At the close of the Ballot, the numbers were— For Sir John Sinellir to Lxd siirtfield Majority in fay.on the fanner 10 Died, in Dublin, on Saturday morning, after a few days illness, the Right Hon. CHARLES To r- TEN V• bl Lorrus, !Marquis of Etv, Earl of ELT, Viscount Lorna, Baron Loma, of Long Loftus, in Yorkshire Governor of the Co unt i es o f Ferma nagh and Wexford, one of the Postmasters General of Ireland, and a Knight of St. Patrick. His Lord ship married, in 1766, .lama, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Rooter MvuiLt., Esq. of Killarney, county Kerry; and has two sons, Jous, Viscount Lorrus, now Marquis of Ei-v, and Roster Pos- SONIY, Bishop of Down and Connor. The Lee Marquis suceecied to the estates of his uncle, Herritv, Earl of ELY, who died in the year 1784, and whose widow is one of the Ladies of the Bed chamber to the Pat ite PULL He *as created a Ba ron in June, 1789; a Viscount, in D‘icember follow ing; a Marquis, in December, 1800; and an Fng lish Baron, in 1801. In consequence of the eleva tion of Viscount Lorrus to the Maiquisate, there will be a vacancy in the representation for the county of Wexford. which, we understand, will be filled by Mr. Coto t.o trots, of Tintern-abbey, in that county, whose ancestors ; have almost uniformly re presented the county of Wexford, in Parliament, for mote than a century past. A' meeting of the Homan Catholics, very nume rously and respectably attended, was held at Ennis, on the Isth instant. Counseilor O'Gorman, after an highly appropriate address to the asst mbly, pro posed a new resolutions expressive of their perfat confidence in the wisciam and integrity of His Ma jesty's present Ministers, Soc. He afterwards moved an address to His Majesty, congratulating him on the change of Ministers, together with an address to be presented to the Duke of Bedford on his arrival. The proceedings of the day terminated by agreeing to a motion for a Committee to be appointed to ma nage the Catholic concerns of the county, in which are included all the talent, property, and respeftabi lity of that body lin the county of Clare.--(Dirb/io Pieter-) . N OF • i THE,CgfIRT. . . s , • I esTeraar, about twelve o'clock, H. NtAirry. arrived in hit travelling ear•iag•-, at the Qezett's Palace, from NVin.fsor. His Marrary by the Dikes. of Yr‘RP:. K &ter, and Cost a.. I Art n. Snen after two n'clsck, His MAJrsi• ht Id a Pri: vate levee, which Was attended by The ford Chanceller, the Bisbee. of Witte!, the Firii 1.4114 of the Treaturr, too ti P pppppp t or Stile, Mewes. Foe and Winrihatit. the Lord Privy Se.f , t'..' Jude A.1i0.4'? .11,rel. the Muter Genera of the ttoto e o c e, en d the f.-e.l of the Admire ty ; Forls—Poulet, Car, arson, Moira, Gorr . ..rd. that. month, and Foawdliam Vimatuint Sehnotith ; 14.. t C.tts. Sr._.('. Morgan atA yr. C Chambers; C..nemis.— Oak.% and Finch ; C o lonel D r i h k water ; Captaiu Cochran*. It. N ; blegsrs.--ISqnd and Taylor. The following had the honour of being presented to His MAJCSTY.:— • Mr Brook be Mr Fox, on his being 2ppeintel Ante barsado- to few, Cruel. FAO Godorel. on , nation to that titl2. Colonel I)tinkwat %, b. rieyersl (likes who had the ho. • imuir to Fervent Ho MI tent with 2 / 2 °ok • The Bi,lt ,r 1 of press 'red Hs Maier*, with the Ser. moo wt iela he reach .41 before the /lousy cf Lord. , in West. minister Abbey, On the Feet Day Clll'ol , lll4shaw, Nigh Sheriff te the county nf Derby, by Lortt DreinriPe, unnn w' mk ~ e,, ire. • he re.,:eived the honour of Kniglithoort. and Ites.,l Ili. Majesty`, ha n d. Caocon Cochrane' ' ohs benlett the sp.ptehei f. , om A tml. raj Ducli , ennts, with the itlyato,g jetertheener , n• - the rirtoiy nt , er the Fr rich Art i by Mr Grey, the F.ou Lori of the Ad. noralty. 1114 hfaiesty meiteed him owe , graciously. After the Levee, His Marr.sry held a Priv? e Council, and afterwards gave as an•iience to Mr. ! BON 0, the new Judge Advocate, who laid before His MAJESTY several papers relative to Courts At five o'clock His MAJESTY set off for Windsor. tt • ANC!, NT CVNCERT. The Eighth of these Grand Conc•rts we, held last night at the New Rooms in Hanover square, under the d;re3i3n of the Earl of D MOUTH. The Concert commenced with a (;rani Overture, and a charming Duet, by Mrs. Bit. t. TON and Mrs. Vat:GRAM. Mr. HAS RISON TeCeiNee much appl4toe in Lord Rettirmier David. lira beautiful Madrigal, by Dr. COOK[, As rt,.sr the shade. of eve itahroers. The scenes where pen.ive peers Met, was admirahly sung. b- Mrs Rut pacrost. Messrs. HA itattsow, W. KRTVETT, and BARTIL [MAN. The whole performance was honoured with re pea•ed plaudits, by a splendid company ; among whom were— His Rota! Highness the Duke of Casltplialge. : • The D 01e.% of Gootm a Ttr- M u.ltwnes, ra Thumnnel. Dowager Co,otess of I. reef; a Cnuntrrs Si Vincent, Fars—rfnfrer. Radnor. Lentrord. and Man.heid. Voscounir—Gnenst,,ue. Ra..etagh, and Corson. Lathe.—parse, CR.., Enentau•orgh, Aeibetuk Alvanley, Arden, Holland, Wave end P.e.t.. n Lords—hleedenaki. W. De Woke. &Moo, &W en OO* and Arden. es Tn.- Archbishop of estrtelb..ry i end the Bishop of . " and War— •- • -s 7 IHE COUNTESS F DER ET'S GRAND AfUi/CAI, PART T. • a This elegant Lady gave her first mnsicaT part% this season, at her house in Grosvenor-square. on Tuesdsy sven'ag Isst, under the &reales of Messrs. Knv v r. l'he grand ball-rrrom was arranged for the concert ; every preparation dui played the taste and liberality of the Countess. Riiyal Highness the Prince of Wilma's favourite piece, tr Peace r• iou/s .f the was divinely sting by Nlessrt. klaaa.sors, W. and CuaeLas and Mr. NitLn, and received with rapturous applause. Miss Peals sang an Italian Arpreite, composed by herself. The fair Cyren was in fine voice, and enraptured her audi— tors. The sweet air, " True heave-d errs be." was given with great taste and sweetness, by Mr W. KM YVLT T. "S/. MI/ref.'s Ails," the cornposiUos of that gentleman, was rnpturuusly applauded ; a more elegant seleCtion could not be mtde, and a more delightful musical treat has nut been thrs sea son : refreshments of every kind were served is profusion. In tt e brilliant circle were--. s Highness the ?name of Weiss. T;., l 'chess or Godos. Marqtnues.o•Cuclonihans and Abrearn. The Matchione4 M Downshlre. Earls—eretn;,le, Cr.,--, Hare•mt, and aradrk Countesm-- remple. corapee. Absedsen e Darnley, 11.1dreerter, Tankarysl4, and Altwenaasis. Vise...este • M •Ibaur e. 1. 14 te - Potte.ohy, Lambeer, Pooh, Catili• Le Tauslia, AueklanJ, De Clifford, C Johns! m, Vernon, and Mere. Su Jrnses Stanley; Colonel Punnodry ; Mr and We. Alan, Mrs La Touche; the H. Miss Dronatssoad; Mrs Honloate, ano WriliUme Tuesday Lord C•T NC II SIT gave a grand dinner et his house in Gloncester-place, to the Duke of Yoax,, Generals Linituw, nacos, Vk . st.t.tscav, 191.nuas, &c. Tuesday morning Mr. Fox transacted hesitant with Earl Seances, at his house in St. James's place, in consequence of the Noble Earl being con. fined with the gout. Yesterday Mr. Fox gave a grand dinner se the Prince of WA Les, Lord Gata•tata, and ten of his Ministerial Friends, at his house in the Stable. yard. Mr. Fnx will give another grand dinner this day s to a party of about seventeen. On Sunday the Earl of C•anaavnn, the Master of the Horse, will given grand dinner to the PrMen of Wakes, and a number of the Ministers, at his house in Tentersien•street. Hanover-squaft. Mrs. Firzn lit se r gave her first grand rout Last night, at her house in I ilney•street, which as at tended by above four hundred Nobility. The Duchess of Di vossmi a s. we are come-w.d to state, was considered dangerously ill, last nignr. The Duchess of Goacion will give a small party on Monday next, and a grand rout on the lOth of April. 'rite Oratorio, last night, was crowJecl with fashion ; the per(.•rmerc were in fine •rare, and did ample justice to Mr. Asitxxv's excellent sitirEhun. It Na.