The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-01-24 00:00:00

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daa dram that Awe' Is the ellanivailave v
had performed metilations soviet" far their
trE But it was Weenie*. aft mewed. W
" That an Atldtps be presented to Ss Moiesty.re.'
questing His Majesty to be pleased to lay beam,
the House all the correspondelice which best paraisli
between this and the Aitrerican Goveninient, rela-
tive to the Orders in Council. and the Embargo,
particularly the letters which pinned between the
British Government and Mr. Pinckney urn those
measures." He trusted that no objection could
possibly he taken to 'Ovum the information desired.
otherwise he should have pootpooed bringing this
subject forward till to-inorrow. In the mean time
hegave notiee, that it was his Noble Friend's in-
tention to make a motion in that Ilouse, Oil this
day fortnight. fel, a repeal of the Orders in
Council.
The Earl of LirtnrooL had no objection what-
ever that the correspondence between the two Go-
vernments, which had been laid before thasCongress
of. Amencs.should ulso he laid heron- their Lordships.
Bat there were circumstances ah,ca rendered it in-
convenient to produrc every part of the correspond-
vile? ; and the information *tumid not go far-
flier than what he hwd already stated, otiltrwi se he
should wish the Noble Lord to postpone Ins motion
to anoth-r dar.
Lord %vc Lawn felt himself satistied with what
had been stated by the Not,l Earl, for no other
communication wits sought for. hot that which
immediately affected the Embargo an I time Orders
in Omitted.
The Earl of Etvr.arnot. cons:Jere(' it advisable,
as the words of the motion included all correspond-
ence I oetween the two Governments, that the motion
should be deferred till to-morrow.
Lord Easesan said, he was certain that the
papers which had been laid before the Government
of the United States. respecting their Embargo and
our Orders in Council, would answer every purpose
tar which the motion wee made. lie still could
not refrain from making oat observation, in respect
to the situation of the two countries, that he had
not the smallest doubt, on the contrary, he was
sure, as of his existence, that if the proposal made
by America were agreed to by this county, there
would within a mouth from tins time be war be-
tween the United States and France.
After some further conversation with the Earl of
LIVERPOOL, Lord AUCKLAWD agreed to defer his
motion till to-morrow.
MISREPRESENTATION.

The Berl of BeCKINONIAMSHIKE was sorry to
sire at this particular time, when business of im-
patience presented itself to the consideration of I
the House. He could not, however; pass over lin.
Danced It inisreoresoatation of what he had stated
before their Lordships on Friday night, and which
appeared is a newspaper called The Morning Chia-
aisle, of Friday last, wherein sentimeats were at-
triboted to him, at which he was surprised, and
which he was confident he never uttered. It was
stated in that paper, that he had said the Conven-
tion of Ciotra met with his approbation ; but it,
was impossible that any octets proceeding from him
in his speech. could be so far misnntlerstood ; for,
in the whole of his observations, be never made
isae, not even the slightest allusion, as to the Con-
vention of Ciiitni. Whether such misrepresenta-
tion were .wilful or not, he did not presume .to
know. but he thought it his duty to mention the
subject before the, House, and should satisfy him-
self at piesent by declaring', that the statemeot
was not only a imisrepreseutstion, but a direct
falsehood.
VOTE OF THANES TO SIR ARTIOTA WELLESLEY.
Llison the Order of the Day being rood, .
The Earl of Ltvearoot, sp‘ke to the following
effect t—" My Lords,ll rise for the purpose of es-
pressing a few observations upbts the subject which
I have now the honour of subinitting to the atten-
tion of the !louse. It is my duty to call upon
your Lordships to vote your thanks to that gallant
General and his troops who gained the victory of
Vintierw, on the .2 I it'of August, and thereby over-
came the enemies of their country, and added fresh
glory to the British arms. I shall purposely ab-
staiu from every topic which may in the least dis-
turb the minds of those who Call have RO reluct-
ance upon this question to concur is the necessity I
of such a vote. From the time Sir Arthur :Vet-
lesiey landed in llondegn Bay, to the period he en-
countered the French army. Ie it:inducted every
measure and every movement with the greatest
skill as a Gettertil. Too ouch praise cannot he
bestowed upon the manlier in which lie foretil the
enemy to abandon his situation, after he had ail-
yawed and occupied one of the strongest positions
amongst the mountains. linlee‘l, the battle which
succeeded was nue. than iu witirh ticvi.r gmater
snore astonishing bravery, and iorleCitigitlilq perse-
verance sere ma tifesteri ; it was fought with diet' tie
spirit of British talmtq and ended in a victory glon -
one to the British arms. Oa that miry the French were
completely overcome, stud lost two-thirds of their
artillery. The einem:miler in Bach an engagement
is well worthy of the greatest applause ; he 'e ell-
titled to the in miration, the coniiileece, and af.
fection of his country. From his exert ions we ob.
tsinerl at the time all the success that entild be
looked for, independent of his having sheen to the
world a glorious example of British valour. It is
not my intention to call into trirAtino the chars, tee
of another person, who wits at that time enjoyine
the chief eortonand ; I should be sorry if it ei,uild
h iinagiued that I meant the smallest imputetion
t , other brave mete for 1 am ready to say, that
the Columeader-in-Chief is an excellent and
brave officer. But in proposing this vote of
thanks to those who were actually etiopleyed on
that day, I nm indoc-d to do in, because it not
only sneers to my TDl:kt a correct luethed, but also
comes recommentled by ..evend examples, winch
your Lordships must bear its reeullectinn. As an
exemple rif the thanks of Parliament being voted
to the "ecnnti in Command, I weak' instance the
battle of the Nile, where Loni NI:ISOR commanded
in a mtg.:foolery enelieity ; smother is that of Ric
Richard 1-ttraches.; and in the case of Covembige,
may be et-jovial the principle upon which no: present
voi.tioet is goided, for there it may he said Sir Wile
Perker had the disposition of the flee', but I.nrd
Nelson certainly had the.
execution. Now the tar....
sent % rite of' Thanks medics to an Officer, s ho,
though not firer in onnunisiiil. had both the thspo-
sitioa and execution .4 all that was achiere.l on
that day." The Nolde Earl having professed

-

•
il~lto trot !II digUsetea
, by
" husimeelbt conduct.
eltiktbisligisuki er br returssit '
!AllelburWelleslq, for thstdisfmraisbed brarmy *ad
ability disAsyW by ibiurisgesest the Freitak sway,
or die 210 V( August. at the battle of Vimiera."
Earl Kithira. said, that he wished to express his
seutimmits alum this particulur rubject; about
which he bad lately bee,' invests,' with • mast iar
portent ogee, for the purpose of making every in-
quiry into the eetiduet of those officers alluded to
by the Noble Earl. He fat himself culled upon

-
by the most cogent reasons to state his opinion; be-
cause he conceived that the duty before imposed
upon him would not he completely dischanrd
were he to remain silent upon this occasion. That
every praise and reward should attend those who,
as soldiers. exhibited their courage and skill in
battle, against the enemies of their country, could
not be objected by any man. But he did think
that the vote of thanks, if given by the House.
ought to have been extended to Sir Harry Bur-
rani, who took and posameed the command of our
army on the very day when the battle of V imiera was
fought. It was not his wish. in naming Sir Harry
Burrard, by any means to *match the laurels from
the brow of Sir Arthur Wellesley. After having
so seriously examined into the conduct of both
these officets, upon a late occasion, he was ready to
de( ;we what he thought of the conduct of Sir
Merry Burrard, after be took the command, and
he would assure their Lordships. that hail they
known all the citconistances which had fallen
under his notice, they would not have felt them-
selves warranted in blaming that officer, fur, in
his opinion, it was not injudicious. flow would
this case, appear if that engagement had been
disastrous, and attended with such circumstances
us to induce suspicion that the Commander
had not done his duty? Sir Harry Burrard was
forced, in the course of things, to take the com-
mand. Ile had notice of Sir Arthur's landing, and
when he arrives at the place, the tiring had begun;
during the battle lie hastens to Vimiera, meets
with Sir Arthur, and is present during the rest of
the engagement, when absolute victory is ob-
tained. There can be no doubt, if disasters
hail befallen our army, Sir Harry liurrard would
have been intim-at liable ; amid why should he be re-
spottaible in the one case, if no prairie is due to I
him in the other? If he were judicious enough to
perceive, that the measures adopted by Sir Arthur
were the best, there was a degree of merit
in him on that account. The Noble Earl
thought that a Vote of Thanks to Sir Arthur
only, would be injustice to Sir Harry, and e'er.
taiuly would tend to disparage his character. He
should feel it his duty to propose anfernendutent,
‘• That the name of Sir Harry Burrard be add-
ed to that of Sir Arthur Wellesley ;" although he
must, before be sat down, observe, the thanks of
Parliament ought not to be mine too common, but
granted only on important occasions, when the
achievement and success efour armies were such as
produced some permanent good to the country.
Lord HAILIWITST did not conceive, by the pre-
sent Vote of Thanks to Sir Arthur 11'ellesley, any,
even the slightest stignia;t could be attached to the
conduct of any other. 011441. He did not agree
with the Noble Earl (Moire) in the propriety of his
observation,' concerning the necessity of success
subsetiment to that at the precise time of victory.
But victory had been already obtained at the pe-
rind of General Burrard's landing • he saw so alter-
initials necessary, nor did he interfere: with any of
the measures of Sir Arthur Wellesley. (Here his
Lordship read the letter of General Burford, went
home with other dispatches. and coutaioing an cc-
conutof bis motives for sot Mknig upon him tattled
time the toiimaadd He observed, he could not quote
better authority than the letter he had read. for it
was most satisfactory. Sir Harry himself had de-
dined to share any part of iie glory obtained pro.
views to his arrival. Such conduct was highly ho-
nourable in him, end folly announced ever, reason
why his name should not lair included in the pre-
, sent Vote of Thanks.
Viscount Stomoirre declared. it was with regret
that lie felt himself obliged to oppose the motion
of his Noble Friend (Alarm), who wished to in-
clude Sir Harry Burrard by his proposed amend-
ment. He should hove been laid under the great-
est &Sanity and embarrassment in agreeing to the
motion of the Noble Earl, if it had been possible
that the slightest intimateuon cosh) have been cast
upon Sir Harry Burrard. But yet he had no shire
in the general trans,me•ion; he himself makes no
such professions. nor ever intimated that he
had coetrihnted towards any_ thing done on
that day. His Lordship would deny, that from
the present Vote of '1 hanks the smallest stain
coidd be attached to the character of General
1311.7.11"11. Whatever consequences may 61111 re-
sultcd in that part of Etitope, and no man could
41, pier.' them with more grief than the Noble Vis-
count, yet he should consider himself devoid of
every ray of patriotism, he should be mid and un-
feeling in the greatest degree. if he were not most
warm in the expression of his sincere thanks to
those svho hob fought, in such a gallant manner, at
time battle of Vimeira. When we reflected on
Spain and Portugal, there were recent events to
which it was painful to advert, and which he did not
wish to mix with the subject uow under discussion.
As to himself, he was induced to give an uuqua-
lined atm] unmixed Vote of Thanks to the valiant
General Sir Arthur Wellesley, who led on with
skill and valour our troops to victory, and crowned
our army with additional fame and lustre. His
Lnolship concluded a very eloquent speech in fa-
solar of the original motion.
Lord Elt•IIINy, in offering himself to the con
It.rittion of their Lordship', begged to premise
tint lie ens altogether unacquainted with Sir Harry
lioreirti or lois tmaiily, and that he did not even
Istrow the lie had ever seen his person; at the value
Now! he was tr.ltly to give the highest possible
praise te Sir Arthur Wellesley, which his warmest
and most entiote,.!astie admirers could devise, and
to tacknosdedge he had eminently conducted hien-
-44-If. wit may un :lir present oraasinti, button every
support tijuit than had offered itself ; but he
ln'g lo•avt• to ask one plain question—Waal
Sir Harry Burrard in the chief command on the
el st August or not ? If he were, he was entitled
to the teliniretion of hie country, and the thanks
of their Lormlithies, for having embraced those
Orin, and adopted these measures, chick he found

1 spautsiter in AU pdgitsit of. Tor Ins wt. jet,
Pad event the curlier per( of his le till so:.
Ace, end wassioquwinlnCwith its inks. end his
Lordship thought. the vrever wWit usid skilful
previous plans might 'hat. been found, yetis" the
moment of action much might &prod upon the
scents afesing from the r•ritioits of iniliviluubi.
whether from skill or accident. In the nuvv. fur
instance. when the Command, r-in-Chief luul ar-
ranged his plan.. awl rushed into the-battle, ill
the midst of smoke soil confusion, much of the

success Might be fairly attributable to the 4ffnrtt
of a Captain, or even the hardy intrepidity of a
common seinnan ; and yet, he lwliered it had
never occurred to any one, that the Commander
war the less deserving of his tribute of praise.—
Ti►tts, if their Lordships should agree to the
atnendinent proposed by his Noble Friend,
the world would do ample justice, by apportioa-
ing to each of the gallant Commanders his
due share of praise; to the one for the wisdom
of his plsns and the gallantry of their esectition.
and to the other for his magnanimity a:al good
setsr iii, played its their adoption. for
instance, :luring the course of an engagesisetit, au
officer, solairslialte is economic!, hail 'tie gins for-
tone to perceive. sisal bar skill to vaibrace, time op-
portunity of snaking such a wo.eirse.st a- to be inn.
Jowl tee of signal advantage. in .lecni.n,.; Ilse fortune
of the slay, were their lorclslo4 prepared to s.y
that the Costsmasstler-iu4hiel should cot restive

those thanks which the victory deserved ? 1;pool
the subject of the vote of thsaks to Sir Ilerr)
Burrard, his Lordship profes.siel himself at a
tined loss to conceive what could be the objec-
tion to it. Would any Nub!e Lord slate, that
the gallant General himself ii, or that
he had 'awaited his inditrzrchee to their iniprintei-
thin ?If such an avowal as this ol Id be made, he
for one should rest eatisfied: and feel relieved from
all embarrassment on the subject. Money, he believ-
ed, was an object of desire with most men ; he was
sure soldiers and sailors loved to acquire it ; but to
them in particular was not praise an object of the
most ardent desire ? With respect, therefore, to
Sir Harry Burrard, as it could not be deuied that
he held the chief command during the engagement
of the 21st August. he would put to the feeling*
and honour of their Lordships, whether, when lie
approved and adopted the arrangements previously
made, he was not entitled to praise and whether,
as • Commander-in-Chief. he might not, had he
thought proper, have disapproved of there arrange-
meats, and have substituted others in their room?
and, therefore, heeling all the responsibility, whe-
ther he was not eminently entitled to their
Lordships thanks?? Impressed with three senti-
ments, his Lordship felt himself bound to support
the proposed amendment.
Earl MUMS, for the purpose of preventing,
if possible, any difference among their Lonlohips
on the subject, proposed to withdraw his amend-
ment, in order to make it the subject of a separate
motion. •
Lord Muumeava had conceived t kat the business,
as it originally stood, would hate been a mere Vote
of Thanks, unmixed withotber matter, mid, as such,
nut liable to the *lightest opposition ; but the
Amendment proposed by the Noble Earl bad
given rive to a question, how far the silence of the
Vote of Thanks to Sir Arthur Vi'ellesley, with re-
gard to Sir Harry Burrard, toured to stigmatise the
latter ? His Lordellip (bedewed, that if it had the
Slightest tendency in his mind to any such conclu-
sion, he would he the (rat man to agree to or adopt
it. Bat his Lordship would ask. did it do so, when
it mast I.in acknowledged, on all hands, that the ser-
vices of the latter. were at all events less brilliant
than those of the former ? A Noble and Learned
Lord (Erskine) had declared he was wholly unac-
quainted with Sir Harry Burrard; but his Lord-
ship knew him well, and also his sentiments on the
subject ; and be knew that the gallant General ut-
terly disclaimed all right to thanks, which 1w felt
he had not earned. Their Lordships hail heard of
the Court of Inquiry, and the sentiments arising
thereon; hut the proceedings of that Court were nut
before their Lordship*. and they could form no
opinion therefrom ; but there was a theliment
which their Lordships were hound to know, and
that was The Casettes. What did they say ? In
them Sir Harry declares be saw no necessity for in-
terfering in the arrangements he found made by
*it Arthur Wellesley, and the% therefore he had
directed him to proceed in completing the work
which he had so happily begun. Did their Lord-
shipsimagine that the gallant General would take
to himself thanks for merely acting thus ?
la adopting such measures, he had not only
evinced the most scrupulous honour, hat the
soundest discretion, by declining to interfere
when be saw the 'measures taken were wisely
taken • here, therefore, wins a clear and convincing
proof that he disclaimed: all praise en the subject.
It had been said that Sir Harry was present during
the action. as Commander-ioeChief, but did lie
make the report of the proceedings? In the ordi-
nary course of proceedings, if he hud conceived
himself as acting on that occasion in that capacity,
he should have &sae so • but be disdained it, and,
with a delicacy which reflected the highest honour
on him, he caused the man who had rendered the
service, to make the report of that service; he knew
be had done nothing to deserve it ; and his Lord-
ship was sure he would only be stung. at the
thought of thanks bestowed when he was conscious
of net having earned them. Their I..ortlehips had
now to decide whether arty thanks at all were to lie
given ? end to determine that question, lie ivenla
boldly ask, is Sir Arthur Welleoley'o victory found
wanting in the scale when compared with tiny the
most brilliant achievement to be found i,i military
reading ? Ills Lordship saw in it every thing that
was dignified and trensceudant, uniting together at
once the soundest judgment with the sown prompt
decision; collecting as it were by Enagie the IlleilliS
of irommeuciiig his (carets to meet tine eoelo)• ;
carrying with hint the confidence of the
evinitry in his progress; reaching that enemy,
posted in a superior and difficult situation ;
and, lastly, in the short space of twituty-one dayo,
bringing to imam that greet queetionn, which
is snore likely to suetesel, attack or defence tie-
tweets coutendiug armee.' ? lisysng in the attack
made by hint on the 17th, met the defence of the
21st August. proved himself ropineOlv I.nyrrinr
in both. It was the glory of Sir Ilarry bernoll of
hating duly admired dud done justice tit these eia-

vices; and outlaw gretlnds his Lordship wus od-
711onhe to to them together in the same vote.
The Earl of -Buenteunsmsniaz m.o. Hot to
odd by any thing he could say to tie. thanks he
conceived Sir Arthur Wellesley deserted at then.
Lord:hips' hands, Out Inertly to put a quvhitutt
to the Noble Lori Ploiraj who bald propo.eti
. .

the umetsdment, ■etuuted .h 1• the iutere;t 1.. s

Lordship tnok in what C1311:!erlItli that
General. liis Lordship war ciinwit,us th.it tie
victory was to be at►ril,uteti to his a rt ;
and that if Aiihiwtai up. as he had iidviimia,
innch snore .night have het:ln done. Iw st4iii4
thin, his Lordship did hut wean to throw the
slighte,r imptiratinn un Sir !Lary
hug Lurd.hil, had his upthinh, that the come.
yienees bare heel' tar ititfereat frr.in wh•st
they turned ntu. The Noble F..trl had stated it •s

ism till:lion that So 11.:rry i.l

diciolpAiy 114 n1414)410.4 the fJtII I 1 ; 111.1 t 'at, !intl.
the h.tille 11112e4 Kl%rai it at III" IIIII111(111, 1,1•4 L

curate jwizoneut on tint lnn..t enuH a .ly Lr
foruar.f by thn...l •who wee t'ar vot.

6.44. %ho,loftl to for sofor :o•ti (.I'o3 0:

thoft. wI a viere actuullv mt:tl.B '•11 le
the Board I,l' Inquiry/ .iii 3 011.tsc7 t 3 •
H:lNtly Cr to thIS to Lie due to Ile c:).auctei t 4 711.