The Sun. — London, England, 1819-01-22 00:00:00

'fios .great European confederacy, would be ge nerally beneficial ; and in such a view of the amelioration of the circumstances of that coun try he founded his best hope for the continu ance of continental peace. He could not, how ever, dismiss the arrangements agreed upon at Aix-la-Chapelle without an anxious inquiry as to what steps had actually been taken towards the complete abolition of the African Slave Trade throughout the wortd,.and;mOre particularly on the part of France. It was obviims. that without iceeveral and cordial co-operation of the different Powers concerned in that nefarious traffic, its real termination could never take . place. He trusted that some efforts Were directed by Mini sters to be made on that important opportunity towards. so desirable a consummation. There was arirrtlir subject which had not been sufficiently taken into view—he meant the actual state of the revenue, commerce, and general financial 'concerns of the country, though he regarded with sat isfaction what had been said upon these important topies; as tar as they went. To a 'certain degree these were certainly improved ; but still, with doe at- Itmrion and management, the See imprOvemeros roislit. he made to a touch 'greater extent. The agar. gate state of the Consolidated Fund was touch talked of ; 1 . 011 its actilar,Sorping did not exceed between 2 a c id 300,0001. Its proceeds were eaten tilt by ehe arre,ars'Of preceding. yeats; but, these were piiints - , lie knew, which most lie over for future distoesion by their Lordship's. The Ex penditure of the last year exceeded the Revenue, in point of fact, nearly 14 n ' lillions ;• and, if such a srate of defalcation continued, the whole of the Siekilig Fund must be affected by it. In the pre- . sent yer, such was the state of that part of our concert's, that not more than tour millions of the t'inkine. Fan() road be applied to the reduction of enormous load of debt witch oppressed the. Country'. He said this with no view of creating despondency, but with the view of stimulating Ministers seriously to apply to the subject ; to inquire deeply into it again and again, arid see what farther reductions in the national expendi tore were practicable. He would now advert to topic of peculiar arid urgent importance, on which it was incumbent on Ministers to afford some distinct information to Parliament, and set themselves sedulously to obviate a great and alarm ing evil—he meant the state of circulation in the county, which naturally involved the long-con tinued restriction of the hank with respect to cash payments. And on this head he had to ask of his Majesty's Government, for the information of the [louse and of the Country, what were their intentions on that important concern—What principle was to regulate their 'conduct ; and, in fact, what the system really was to be ? He was aware of the comprehensive nature of these questions; but they must wall be aware of the ne cessity of distinct information upon the subject, and in their resolving upon the measures neces sary to he adopted he must deprecate the injurious delays which were suffered to prevail in former Sessions. Something should be done to counter act that destructive system through which the Me tallic currency of the country was caused to dis appear ; and it may be regarded as matter of equal astonishment and regret, that all oilier countries, even those least able to command it, should have more extensive metallic currencies than Great Britain. There was another topic to which he would at present call their Lordships' attention, viz : the actual 4elations between this country and the United States of America. It was with satisfaction he learned the agreement to a Treaty Which he hoped was likely to lead all things to the most amicable termination; at the same time it was impossible not to feel that there was a cer tain transaction which be'should be glad to hear avowed had not the sanction of the Ameri can Government—namely, that in which the lives of r.vo individuals were sacrificed. With respect to what was said of the state of affairs, and the satisfactory termination of hostilities in India, be certainly concurred; as the event concluded equal ly to the honour of British Councils and of his Alajesty's - arms in that important part of . our Em pire. Subject to these observations, lie certainly agreed in the motion for the Address. The Earl of LIVERPOOL, in answer to some points urged by the Noble Marquis, stated, that the Address had been as cautiously framed as pos sible, so as to obviate all difference of opinion upon an occasion, and under circumstances, in which he held it most desirable that all difference of opinion should be avoided. The illustrious and most justly regretted Personage whose loss was deplored in it, had, in the course of a reign not much short of 60 years, called, by her example end uniform conduct, for the expressions front Parliament and :the Country, what were not to be considered as mere words, or even mere personal feelings—hut for expressions of heartfelt re gret at the deep and serious loss, which not only her illustrious relatives, but the country, and, in the present state of society, the whole civilized world, suffered by her lamented demise.—(Hear, hear !)—Adverting to the subsequent topics of the Noble Marquis's speech, the Minister observ ed, it was impossible in the present state of in formation before the House, fairly to enter 'upon any thing like regular or satisfactory discussion. They would of course be matter of distinct, regu lar, and serious consideration ou flitnre rfforto- PlirieS. The evacuation of France by the Allied Troops was evidently a matter of important congratulation, equally honourable to those Powers who resolved on it, and, he trusted, advantageous to France herself, and the gene ral interests of Europe. France. was .placed by it in a state of advantage which she could klot claim ruder previous stipulation for two Years to conic ; the measure was deemed consist ent not only with a generous. but with a wise 'and liberal policy. The .Allied Powers evinced by ft their wish to effect that for France and Ihe ge neral advantage at a much earlier period than at 'one time was deemed advisable : and of this great measure the moral as well as the political conaequences were liberally considered. As to •whatever detailed, considerations might necessa sily connect themselves with the measure, there , aeSolf! •be regular oppostunities hereafter to dis cuss them ; anti their: conduct evinced to the .world floes: never was a pesiod at which the Al ; were more anxious to perpetuate ,se aoai eoudiet tranvillity which Li happily prevaiied. With respect to the iinoot. 7 not question put by the Noble Martinis, reilteet ,, inn the4nore completely:, effecting, the abolition ttf the Slave Trade, he vvOuld say,. that his Ma jesty's Government were disposed, to take every proper opportunity to 'give every - practical ex tension 'to 'wliat had already taken place in that view, and particularly they were desirous well — regulated - right of search. The next point touched upon was what regarded the Finances of the COuntry :—With respect to this, he must advance, that 'every effort was made to create a surplus revenue, so as to operate a ma terial reduction of the national expenditure upon secure and solid foundations, and at the same time to give the country relief from the pressut e of taxation as far as was practicable. Since the re turn of peace, no less than the very unprecedented z•tn of - 17 millions of taxes were either remitted or suffered to expire. At the same time every possible implovernent was effected in the revenue, and safe ur practicable reduction in•tile expetuli- tore. At the moment, he did not feel justified in saying more. With respect to the Currency, he was fully aware of the great importance of the sub ject ; it was the general custom, Noble Lords woold recollect, to leave that topic to the tk isdom and discretion of Parliament, and to make no di rect reference to it in the Royal Speech. For litustit, his anxiety was well known to return to that state of things in which paper waa easily convertible into coin ; bo: in a state of war it was impracticable ; and since' that, a variety of difficulties, frequently arising out of temporary cit. : cutustances, pit:vented any regular or effectual ar rangement for the pur v ose. liis cond.:et on former Sessions, even on the third day of the last, proved that he wai desirous of calling the attention of Parliament in sufficient time to the subject—but he repeated circum stances bad frequently nccurred to render it impossible for the Bark to resume cash payments, without involving consequences almost ,ruitions in their operations and effects, and he had no difficulty, then, in saying, that it might be necessary, if not expedient, to continue the re striction beyond the sth of July, but for as short a period as possible. But upon a comprehensive view, notwithstandlng the difficulties of the soli ject, he did not in the least despair, upon due in quiry and consideration, of a satisfactory and be neficial result being Obtained. The only remain ing point upon which he had now to observe, was the transaction alluded to which took place in America relating to two individuals. Depre cating any detailed discussion in the present state of their information upon the topic, he could, however, say, that the transaction did not appear to be authorised by the Government of the Unit ed States, and even took place without its know ledge. At present he should not occupy their Lordships' time with any further discussion. Tl►e Earl of LAUDERDALE made a variety of observations on the Financial State of the coun try, but more especially with reference to its cir culation and, paper currency. In these, the Noble Earl principal'y advanced what he had repeatedly stated on the subject on former occasions, de precating the repeated procrastinations which he averred had taken place, and contending for the necessity of taking the subject into serious and speedy consideration, for the purpose of esta blishing an extensive and effectual system of Par liamentary Inquiry, in order ,to avert consequences the most disastrous, which, otherwise, he seemed to regard as inevitable. The question being put, the Address was voted Item. dis. and ordered to be presented by: the Lords, with white staves, to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. W I NDSOR ESTABLISH M ENT. ' The Earl of LIVERPOOL acquainted the House, that he should on Monday have a communicati on t o wa k e from the Prince Regent, relative to the future care of his Majesty's Sacred Person, and to the future arrangement of the Royal Establishment at 'Windsor. ' The Noble Earl then Anoved that the Lords be summoned for Monday next.—Ordered. On the motion of the Noble Minister,the Earl of Shaftes bury was unanimously voted Chairman of the Committees of Privileges, of all the Committees of the lionse, and of their Lordships' Private COnimittees, during the present Session. The House then adjourned till Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Many new Members took the usual oaths and their seats. The General Orders at the commencement of a new Parliament were afterw . atds read and received. The Bill respecting Clitntiestine Outlawry was read pro forma a first and second time. Particular days were appointed for the sitting of certain Committees, especially that concerning the Privileges of the House. TFIE SPEECH. The SPEAKER, On hiS return from the House of Lords, whither the Right Hon. Gentleman and the House of Commons had been summoned' by a Message through the medium of the Black Rod, intimated from the Chair, that he and such Mem bers as were at the time present, had repaired to the House of Peers, where they witnessed the Opening of the New Parliament by Commission, and heard the Roydl Speech, of which, to pre vent mistakes, he had procured a copy. Mr. Speaker then read it distinctly 'to the House (for which see our account of the proceedings in the House of Lords.) Mr. BaowNtow rose to move the Address of Thanks. He commenced by saying, that he should indeed present himself to their notice on this occasion with peculiar diffidence and embar rassment, did he not most sanguinely hope,. that however inadequate his efforts might prove to en gage the attention of the House, the same una nimous sentiments may be found to pervade his Majesty's Commonts.—(Hear,hear, hear !)—those of pride and satisfaction in their country's calm and peaceful joy, and of their becoming duty and attachment to that presiding wisdom and Royal Authority, horn whence bad proceeded the gra cious Speech they had ,now heard delivered to them by the Lords Commissioners—so expressive of his Royal .Highness's paternal regard for the welfare and happiness of his people. With regard to the melancholy events with which the Speech had commenced, there can be but one opitiion-: for who that is -an admirer of the virtues and ex cellenciez, of human nature, but must sympathize in the continued indisposition of Cur revered Mo !larch i--(Bear, hear, Lear !)—Wnile, at the Same 'time, Mr. Bro.aodow trusted the Ho eoe would not be merely guided by form, but irresisti bly worked on by feelings of affectionate regret, to condole with his Royal Highness on the severe loss he has sustained in th e death of her late Ma jesty. Surely, if weight an • attach to the de scending influence of Royalty on the morals and happiness' of society, in the Queen, whose loss we deplore, has disappeared an invaluable example of strict and urrerring decorum ! In love and mutual limmor, joined to her Royal Consort for a long course of years, his joy and so lace, and the faithful Guardian of his Per son ; promoting the interests of strict morality and religion, and, in the true spirit of a Chris tian, possessed of an active but secret prin ciple of benevolence, that always led her to the alleviation of sort ow, denying to misery nothing but her name.—(Hear, hear, hear !)--It is, how ever, gratifying for them to consider, and may it engage to his Royal Highness, in a still increased tlegeee, the h earts an d a ff ec tions of all his sub jects, that the close of a life so honourably passed, wa, soothed by his most anxious and unremitting; attention—(lfear, hear, hear !)—and this strict observance of filial duty must, in another sense, be most satisfactory to Patliament, as it affords the best pledge that every measure suitable to the dignity and cousequieflce of the object, and con sistent with economy, will be adopted, for the care and maintenance of the Person of his Royal flialmeas's Father.—(Hear, hear, hear !)—Turn- Mg from these distressing. events, abundant sou: eeS of congratulation Mity be found, both in our Fo e reign Connexions, as lately confirmed abroad, nod the lot ernal Prosperity of our Own Country. And, first, with regard to the Congress whose delibe rations have led to the evacuation of the French territory. If that august Assembly had taken place for the purposes of individual interest or ambition, or for any other end than the prornoa tion of the General '.Peace, he would have pre dicted to such a confirleracy----disunioo and dis comfiture. But what has been the object of this happy concord of Nations, at which hia Majes ty's Ministers bore so distinguished a part, may be seen by the papers ordered to be laid before the House. The most striking result of this mighty assemblage has been, a serious investigation of the . policy of the measure—to take the earliest oppor 7 omits , of restoring to a great and powerful people that weight in the scale of nations, of which they had, for t heir own and the general safety of Europe, been for some t hoe deprived ; and which necessity, as the consequence of revolutionary excess, had subverted the obnoxious principles, by so happily replacing on the Throne one of the natural race of their Kings. •Thus Prance, by the most Ito nourable and scrupulona adherence to her engage ments ,and by the success that has hitherto attended the efforts of his Most Christian Majesty towards the consolidation of his Government, has render, ed precautionary measures no longer necessary on the part of the Allied Powers. France 'there fore now rests once more on its own means• - for support. To our own shores have been given back our distinguished heroes— (Hear, hear, hear !)—equally moderate and dignified in the trying hour of fortune, as irresistible in danger. —(Hear !)—lt was not for him (said Mr. B.) to attempt to enter into the various Political Ar ranc,enten t - of these Conferences ; but so stiongly dial they display all the characteristics of peace, and so fully did they evince the spir it of the Al lied Powers to establish and preset ye s u ch rela tions among themselves, Pry might tend to the harmony of the civilized world, and so far ad vance the march of national Liberty, as cannot but greatly gratify his Royal Highness, that the result of his measures in this quarter of the globe will meet with the approbation of his faithful Commons. Mr. Brownlow then called their at tention to the success of his Royal Highness's arms in India. To all who took into their coo aiderathin' the wealth and importance of our un disturbed possessions in the East—to all who con sider the great intricacy and comprehensive na ture of its affairs—it must be a source of pecu liar congratulation to be assured, that our Opera tions in that quarter of the globe have been as decisive as they were well matured and quickly executed. The total suppression of the Piudar ries, and of the restless intrigues of their perfi (lions supporters, the Mahratta powers, are the happy results of one short campaign: But such events we may always anticipate,with justice war ing On our side. To the character of the British troopsemployell, and to the gOod conduct and wise Administration of the able Governor-General, the most unequivocal testimony has been borne, at the dose, and - on the -arena; of the campaign ; al though at the date of We document -to which he alluded there might have existed some protracted contest, subsequent intelligence announces the total cessation of those hostilities that had been forced on us by constant predatory attacks.On our .adjacent dominions. And under this auspicious administration of affairs, Bajce Row, of a restless and 'an intriguing spirit, disturbing the general tranquillity, has paid the penalty of his unpro voked aggressions, and is the prisoner of war of hip Royal — Highness's Governor in India. From East to West, a kind Providence seems to favour the efforts of his Majesty's Ministers for the good and prosperity of these realms. .The result of his Royal highness's -negotiating with the United States is equally favourable with the success of his army.. By previous Treaty, the Commercial Con vention between this Country and the United States would expire in the course of a few months ; but there. was considerable pleasure in ascertain ing, that the same arrangements which had already proved so beneficial to the wealth and industry of this Country have been renewed ; and that those regulattons are viewed with the greatest satis faction, and promise permanent duration : for we have acted on this liberal policy, that, in contri buting to the onion and prosperity of America, we but increase our own commerce, and open new re sources of-wealth to the trading and manufactirr hug interests of this li.ingdorn.—(Hear, _hear !)---- But there was no occasion, to wander so far aod so long from home in search of the flattering picture of national prosperity for he believed every'rnait who- now honoured him with his at tention would 'allow,- that never was the measure of joy more - full, or peace better coufirmed, Haan that now experieuced through every part 0 1 the United kitigdonis. there never' t"f e ft period at which all branches of the (lilac ti 1// :, nutactures of the Country were more Bally employer!, or received a fuller or mere ° ,e d fortable remuneration for their labour. Areviort and enterprising spirit exists in all our sea•P i d towns, and national credit never stood higiec than under the care of those to whom charge is entrusted. He was far from P ress e l c e the dangerous principle, that a couotry's 'to sources must iocrease indefinitely in proportiono. the demands made on its exertions ; f or greatest aflieence may be drained, and the firmest the p are wi patience exoausted : but it is surely source of coogrentlation, that after an uncearri the Pr ese . o ", pled Contest of 123 years' duration, and the 0 1( c i ite trying crisis of a state of peace, in wh ich f o r greater part of the people were forced to see - t ie new employment, the most gratifying an d ' l f of severable proof of the elasticity and resooree- 6f. the country should be given by the increaseis the revenue in all its most important branches (Hear, hear, hear !)—This great and prosperity Was, however, natorally to be aneem6 pated, as the consequence of that system ' 9l , 'i oy and retrenchinent so quickly eSt3l'.hre.er, and steadily pursued, niter our expensive of glory, on the reduction of the / limy aud the other war establishments of the C C I II- c r il ill every respect AS extensively as was e° os ' 9t pa• with domestic security, or the military " c lion of our colonies.—(Hear, bear, hest D' Brownlow then stated, that lie had now attenl t i ld. ed to give an outline of the political heariogs'3„....o state of the country. The picture stoo d 11 “: 9 Abroad, we have au unexampled c oncosd o ' thins, bourn! together by the most holy t ics ° „ e r" ; by their duties towards God and l b %'filid. ple whoa) they govern :--at home, ne'e e ' ence, and prosperity : and, above all oth er c oo sings, minds and disposit ions calculate d to 01 , joy ~ them.—(llear, hear, hear !)--T.soch te ne; happy country, which, by the elective trus t ' ' a nt es restored to the nation, and exereised,on us , b ° o „, c r under our charge. May a e jealously the laws of the land—may hOtnesily `!!mina!, partially partially support every part of the and apply ourselves in harmony and nolo)) plify and perpetuate. the. blessings sve (Hear, hear, hear !)—Haeing row tre 3 l l3s i e :gr, long time on tine patience of the Ilouse--("'fo; hear, hear !)—he proceeded humbly to () i lk :, ot; die consideration of the House' the A' o f of an ectle Thanks, which, as usual, was merely the Speech. Mr. PEEL.—In seconding the Address, e; be. has been proposed with so much b Y Hon. Member who has just sat down, I ca to but feel how absolutely necessary it is f0r: 11 ,,,e; pot in my claim to the, indulgence of t he 1 01.- be x: ,, and express a hope that its liberality willd of tended to one'who stands so mnch in nee e ,d , Many of the 'observations it was my ititenci°4f make, having very naturally been anticipate" -,. the Hon. Mover of the. Address- I fear 1 ra n t s' additional risk of wearying rite ' patience J r' [louse by descanting on subjects tvbieh have a : ready been noticed so much at large. tint , h ° ': ever, somewhat sustained by a belief that P e ' Address I propose to second is not'of a calculated to call forth o p position or fir` sttpP E , a b , ut i e t t a v p il i l m e )b x a p t e io ri i rc o e f e t i l , n e e ry cordial I.le r n) r state 0f ce House ; tor, as there can exist but one or in ' c t : as to tine propriety of ('lre;lng 'WIT c o ndolenc e I . the Pt ince Regent on those lamentable eii .t4lll.l e ° stances noticed in the Speech front the 111i r so there can exist but one wish as to the tin tinr i . nifty with whiell that offering should he conv e Y i e • IN io la t j ii e s s! l y lo t y )e a c i o h n i te ig s h e l v te :r s y . of additional aunt still deeper reeret ; es rh e , c() , , tinuance of that affliction must have ditni"'l:f ‘ in the miuds of tine most sanguine the h"P es !tad en'ertaioed as to the probability of hiS At; jesty's recovery. An o th er came o f the de e l: e l li natiot4al grief pres en t s i tse lf i n t h e lamented of th iC? o u t the l part of Queen ;a"1 witnessing , everyascls o as .WC dc ' , to posit sympathise with the Ptioce Regent on the e it, fortune which h e an d c u e country have s us-i l l ife in the loss o f t h at R oya l P erso nage, ." I : d 7;a t rit l e : was exercised in the discharge of every 1 „ every private ditty, the Representatives or, the' every will o f c ou r se b e a nxious to seize the tire_ first opportunity of expressing their sense o '. ie tre, general misfortune e and their desire to rar tic i li n •e• in the general sorrow. It would be idle ko" [ ee l, sionptious in me to dwell upon the mall e:4 pr e 'cocks which adorned the character o f ber sir Majesty—inasmuch as these excell e ncies or e !Y _ en . universally acknowledged ; and I am perfect sible of my own incompetency to d o them W ove . were Ito make the attempt. It having hec, i bG necessary that some new arrang em ents shoal!' of speedily adopted, with respect to the ett' t° ` his Majesty's sacred person,- such aneang elll , icy have beer, ,recommended to our considerattott'oie the Speech from the 'I prone. Future oppor t I ,e • ties will he afforded for a discussion of r b , e ., l ; to We are now merely asked to pledge ours e " jog the consideration of the subject. It is a P les n e; reflection that tine many topics with ouree!of CabiOn to Mingle our cougrattdatious pressions of condolence. Whatever differeoc bf opi,nion may have existed,. as to the m ean „ 9 thi. which events have been accomplished, or as (- t ea fl , e i ct. a events which have lately ()emit red to circumstances of other countries, yet a . ri to t in candour admit that the prosperoo3 and . future ntospets of tine c ountry forT,oer would afford us most ample grounds for exultation ; for '",-ord compare'oorselves to other Stwes, compare a chy log to - the fairer criterion, tuatiou at she present day witit the sitriali° the the country at other periods of our historY' o ec result of that eliMpierison must be it) every re s t ra flighty satisfactory. If we look, for instance ~l,e the commencement of the last Parliamentf4ofr, country had to contend with the creator. di don es ties. saw ourselves engaged in an a r lo bld, arid eventful struggle, waiting with onsr en %ye ei' xiety every atrival from tine theatre of the and though every arrival brought with: -it c ' oor e tidiugs of success, yet were those tiding' ac te loci ! or, aci, PPitied by others which could not fail E ( ' s ed much private misery througbout .the nettin'' o ddC "Inch anxiety K s to the futpre contiog enCi war, ajing the coursv, Ow l'arliatiooto