The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-19 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

',From the Maile dated Friday, Dee. 10.1
Pit EPRUIIO, DEC. 2.
Ots ednesday, November 10, the twenty-third sitting of the
diet was held. In the Chamber of the Star-s, which met at nine in
the morning, the gracious rescript of his Imperial Majesty, which
had been brought by his Imperial High:testi the Archduke Pala-
tine, whose kind intentians were acknowledged with the most
lively marks of gratitude. was again received. It was resolved
unanimously to send a deputation to the Chamber of Magnates, to
express, in concert with that body, the sentiments of gratitude in-
spired by the result of his kind mediation. Berme this deputation.
Lcwever, appeared in the Chamber of Magnates, the Primate of
the kingdom had performed this task, in a discourse full of dignity,
and the Speaker of the deputation of the States pronounced his af-
terwards.
(The Hungarian Diet Is composed of four Orders—the Upper
Catholic Clergy, the Magnates or Barons of the kingdom, and
the Deputies of a fiftieth of the cries. This is what is called
the nation (poplins Hungaricus): the peasants, though free
as to their persons and acquired property, cannot possess lands nor
participate in any political rights. The Nobility, which is three
tunes more numerous than the Electors in France (though Hun-
gary has not more than one-third of our population) meets in its
own right in provincial assemblies, calls for accounts of the con-
duct of the provincial administration, deliberates and decrees regu-
lations of a local nature, examines afterwards the general situation
of the kingdom, and, according to circumstances, arranges its series
of instructions for the two nuncios or deputies, which it elects from
its own body.]

•
BANKS Or THE HITINV, Dec.s.
The conferences between the Plenipotentiaries of the several
powers of Southern Germany. in order to form a Catholic province
of the Upper Rhine, are to be condoned this winter; but it is
doubted if those estates will long concur in pursuing the object in
view, after the report that the Grand Duke of Baden intends sepa-
rately to conclude with the Court of Rome an arrangement relative
to his Catholic subjects. Tans measure appears the more lami-
nable, u in none of these Stales, s 3 much as in Baden, has the
Catholic pnfollation felt so much the necessity of seeing its cede-
'Manes' affairs settled by a definitive, and especially by a prompt,
arrangement.

FIRST VAVAL ACTION BerwrpN THE SPA-
NIARDS AND -OP COLOMBIANS.

The following extract of a private letter from the garri-
son of Gibraltar, dated Nov. '2O, gives a very different, and
we believe more accurate, statement of the action in the
Bay of Gibraltar, between a Spanish squadron and the Co-
lombian privateer, the S.mblette:--
" An affair took place within sight of this garrison, yesterday,
which has excited the greatest consternation among the Spanish
merchants, both here, at Malaga. and Cadir.
" A Colombian privateer hertnaprodite brig, the Soublettc, Cap-
tain Cunningham, on the 19th inst., weighed anchor and stood out
to lea with a slight breeze, wind N.B. and shortly afterwards fell
in with a Spanish convoy proceeding from Cadiz to Malaga, con-
sisting of three brigs of war and two smaller vessels, under orders
of a Commodore, all under loose rail. The moment the privateer
was discovered, a brig, of 22 guns, was deapatched either to take
the privateer or drive hits off, lest he might, by his superior sad-
ing, cut off part of the convoy.
•"I'he brig soon came within gun-shot, and discharged a broad-
side; the privateer stood upon the other tack, and came close to
and met the brig with► a heavy discharge of grape-shot and mus-
ketry ; the Spanish vessel thus engaged, not being satisfied with
such close quarters, fired only two rounds and then made all pos.
!utile sail for the squadron. The privateer, net being intimidated
by superior force, pursuetl the brig, and in one hour afterwards
found himself in close action with the Commodore's squadron.
" He fought the three brigs for two hours; and he states, that
if part of his crew had not shown symptoms of cowardice and
mutiny, he should have succeeded, after having nearly dismayed
the Commodore's vessel, in bringing her • prize into Gibraltar.
" When he discovered the spirit of his crew, he was obliged to
extricate himself in the best way he could front such a perilous si-
tuation ; however, he soon effected his escape, and got back to
Gibraltar with the loss of an arm, which was caused by a splinter,
and, with the exception of this misfortune, neither the crew nor
vessel suffered the least injury. On the privateer's return to the
Bay of Gibraltar, a guards costa stationed at Algesiras, seeing
what was going on, and supposing the privateer to be disabled, and
pursued by superior force, made an attempt to intercept him.
the brave Captain Cunningham perceiving this, turned round
upon the clumsy Spaniards, which threw them into such confti..ion,
that, in the anxiety to effect their escape, they actually discharged
a gun while two unfortunate fellows were standing before it, who
were soon sent into the next world.

66 However, had the Spanish vessel outrun a ground near the
batteries of Algeciras, the privateer would hare taken her."

The Brussels Papers received yesterday state, that on
the 11th instant the barrack at Mona, formerly the Hos-
pital of St. Nicholas, was destroyed by fire. The church
of St. Nicholas and the adjoining houses were saved. This
misfortune was " improved" by the Etode into the confla-
gration of a hospital, full of patients, all of whom that
veraciousjournal stated were " according to report" burned
to death.

It is said that the King of Bavaria has given orders to
carry into execution the plan for rectifying the course of
the Rhine, the Lech, the her, and the Danube, by re-
moving the immense sinuosities which they form in the
kingdom of Bavaria. Under the late King, an estimate
was made, of the great advantage:, which the correction of
the course of those rivers would produce, and it is now
affirmed that the lands which would be gained would defray
the greater part of the expense.
The Senate of Hamburgh has appointed Mr. E. Weber
Consul-General for Hamburgh in Ilayti.
The accounts rtceived on Saturday from Rio Janeiro,
of the 42d October, were important. The treaty with
England hail been signed, and would be sent home in his
Majesty's ship Bramble. The packet for England was to
sail on the 25:h October, ria Lisbon.

A letter has been recently received from an officer of
high rank at Calcutta, which states that the army, under
the command of Sir Archibald Campbell, at Prome, was
in high health and spirits, and that the neighbouring
Burmese were acting in the most friendly manner towards
OUT troops.
Advices from Calcutta, dated the 26th of July, state
the exchange with England at 2s. ;it was expected to
advance materially. The Five per Cent Loan, attempted
by the Indian Government, had not succeeded. Treasury
Notes (similar to oar Exchequer Bills) had been issued,
bearing an interest of 64 per cent.
Letters from the Cape of Good Hope have been received
to the 15th October. The Ariadne was preparing to re-
ceive on board his Excellency the Governor, who will
shortly return home on the leave of absence granted to him
by his Majesty's Ministers. One letter states that the
steam vessel Enterprise, was very unlucky in her voyage,
having experienced blowing weather and adverse winds all
the voyage. A salute of three guns was fired when she
entered the bay. The passengers were in the highest
spirits.
ATTEMPTED AS9ASSINATION.—A horrible crime was
committed on Thursday evening last in the Palais Royal,
about seven o'clock, when the garden and gal!eries were
filled with the usual multitude. A money changer named
Joseph, who occupied one of the shops in the gallery of
the Cafe dc Foy, was suddenly attacked by several men,
who inflicted five wounds upon him with a sharp instru-
ment, one of which was on his throat. They seized a
large sum in gold and silver, and before the attention of
the passengers was excited by the cries of the sufferer, the
assassins escaped into the Rue de Montpensier. At eleven
o'clock at night the wounds, though very severe, had not
proved mortal.—Paris Purr.
SHIPWRECK FAD SAILOR 9 FUND.—In consequence of the
lamentable effects of the last winter gales, a society was
formed, the object of, which is to grant prompt temporary
aid to the widows and orphans, anti fathers and mothers,
who wire dependent for support upon such sailors as have
perished by shipwreck or other disasters at sea, and to af-
ford temporary aid to the distressed sailor. The anniver-
sary meeting of this excellent Institution will be held to-
morrow, at the City of London Tavern. We are sure no
panegyric of ours is necessary to recommend it to the at-
tention and support of our readers.
Lrsex TRADE.—It would appear that the Linen Board,
notwithstanding the unanimous recommendation of the
bleachers and manufacturers of Cob rain in favour of a per-
son who hail been regularly bred to the business, and
whom the trade considered amply conversant with the
duties of scalmaster, have appointed an apothecary, or
perhaps, more properly speaking, a surgeon, to be the sole
measurer and wall/taster of the linen cloth brought for sale
to one of the most important markets in lrcland. XetrrJ
Commercial Telegraph.
LATE. REPENPANCE.—At Leominster, in Hereford-
shire, is an ancient alms-house, over the door of which is
the figure of a man with a hatchet, beneath which is the
following inscription—
Let him that gives his goods before he is dead
Take this hatchet and eut oft' his head.
This curious couplet is supposed to allude to the disrespect
with which the founder, who had entiow,..l it in his We.
time, had been trea:ed I?vfore his death.

PROVINCIAL BANKS.
WENTWORTH'S BANK.
[From the Lewis Mercury of Salurday.l
'e have the heartfelt satisfaction to state, on indis-
putable authority, that Earl Fitzwilliam, with his charac-
teristic liberality, has signified his intention to afford prompt
and efficient assistance to the banking-house of Messrs.
Wentworth, Chaloner, Rishworth, and Co. and thus to
confer one of the most important obligations not only upon
the individuals, but upon this great trading community
generally, that it is possible to afford.
This gratifying information was communicated by Lord
Milton tc a meeting of noblemen and gentlemen, connected
with Yorkshire, which assembled in London on Wednes-
day last, and on Thursday night, at eleven o'clock, Godfrey
Wentworth, Esq. the senior partner in the house, accom-
panied by his eldest son, and Mr. Lee, his solicitor, left
Woolley Park, in his carriage, for London, to complete
the necessary arrangements for resuming their payments.
In the present depressed state of the money market, it
may he some days before the requisite funds are supplied,
but the holders of the notes and bills are warranted, under
the support that is now extended to the Wakefield, Brad-
ford, and York hanks, trading under the above firm, to'feel
themselves as secure as if the money was actually in their
possession. The effect of this timely assistance will be to
revive public confidence, and to overcome that panic which
is affecting the commercial world, in the same manner that
panics operate upon armies.
Wakefield notes, of the firm of 'Wentworth and Co.
which had been paying during the greater part of the week
at a considerable discount, rose yesterday to par.

SOUTHAMPTON NK.
[From the Damp:hire Telegraph of Saturday.]
The past weds, which has proved so disastrous in Lon-
don and some other parts of the kingdom, has passed over
very satisfactorily in this town. Much alarm was excites!
on Monday morning, by the stoppage of Kellow and Prit-
chard's Bank, on account of the failure of Sir Peter Pole's,
but as their notes were readily taken at Mr. Kellow's shop,
and by most of the tradesmen in the town, confidence in
their ultimate security was very soon restored : a stronger
proof of which cannot be adduced, than that there was
very little run on either of the other banks. Messrs. Kel-
low and Pritchard have given notice that they will pay
their V. notes on Thursday next, and their 5/. notes in the
regular course of business on the following Monday.
A gentleman who has been staying a few days in the
Isle of iVigkt, informs us, that the panic which had been
so .severely felt in most parts of the kingdom, has not there
produced the slightest effect.

NOTTING 11.1111 BANKS.
[From the Nottingham ✓ournal of Saturday.l
On Tuesday a public meeting of manufacturers, trades
men, &c. was held, at which the Mayor presided, when a
declaration was signed, expressive of confidence in the
solidity and safety of each and every of the Nottingham
banks, and that the subscribing parties would continue to
receive their notes in payment as usual with the moat per-
fect satisfaction. This timely and judicious proceeding
has had all the effect intended—public credit has been
supported—and business has experienced no interruption.
But however promptly the danger has been met and over-
come, we fear that an evil, though less formidable, will
arise out of the present state of things, highly injurious
to trade—we mean the necessity the banks will be under of
narrowing their discounts. This we arc apprehensive will
have a serious influence upon trade, and add materially
(fora time at least) to that depression which has been in-
clining gradually to worse and worse for the last two or
three months.

HUNTINGDON BANKS.
[From the Huntingdon Gazette of Saturday.]
We are happy to find, amidst the excited panic and un-
precedented terror which has lately prevailed in the com-
mercial world, arising from the stoppage of many of the
London and provincial banks, that the credit of those in
this town remain unshaken. A meeting was held at the
Town Hall on Thursday, comprising most of the principal
merchants and tradesmen. -lien resolutions were adopted
expressing their entire confidence in the stability of the re-
spectable banks of this place, and their determination to
continue taking their notes as usual.
The commercial bank of the firm of Rawlins, Amery,
and Rawlins, at Bedford, suspended payment yesterday
morning.
SHEFFIELD BANKS.
[From the Doncaster Gazettes]
DONCASTEE, DEC. 16.
Messrs. Walkers, Eyre, and Stanley are sorry to have
just received intelligence of the temporary suspension of
payment of Messrs. Everett and Co., in London, but Messrs.
alkers, Eyre, and Stanley, beg to assure the public,
that it will not affect their banking establishments in Shef-
field field and Rotherdam. They have made arrangements for
the payme:tt of their draughts at Messrs. Jones, Lloyd and
Co. s.
Thursday, two o'clock, Dec. 16.
DOVER AND ROCHESTER BANKS.
(From the Kentish Gazette of Saturday.]
Amidst the panic which unfortunately exists at this
moment in the commercial affairs of the kingdom, it is with
pleasure we perceive individuals stepping forward to assist
in restoring public confidence, disturbed as it has been by
groundless apprehensions. We allude to a paper now be-
fore us, and in general circulation, to which is attached'
upwards of 100 names of persons, headed by the Magis-
trates of the district, indicative of their unshaken confi- '
dence in the firm of Messrs. Day and Sons, of the Rochester
hank, an example which, if generally adopted, we have no
doubt will do much towards dispelling the alarm so in-
juriously excited.
Yesterday Messrs. G. K. Jarvis and G. W. Ledger, who
were lately elected Common Councilmen of the town of
Dover, gave their inauguration dinner ; but before the
company entered the dining room, the following declara-
lion relative to the Dover hank was signed:-.-
The alarm caused by the stoppage of several of the bon.
don banks, and of some country banks connected with them,
although it has not affected Dover or its neighbourhood, may
possibly do so; and although the long-established credit of the I
Dover banks, and their known prudence and responsibility. make
I us perfectly easy and free from all doubts u to their safety (anti
the same feeling, we are quite certain, pervades the public at large);
we nevertheless think it necessary, without having previously
communicated with either of the firms, to declare publicly our
opinion of their Stability, and thus endeavour to guard against the
public suffering inconvenience, by inducing the Banks not to
diminish the circulating medium, nor to restrict that accommoda-
tion so beneficial to trade, which they have hitherto been aceus.
tamed to furnish.—We the undersigned do therefore publicly
express our perfect confidence in the stability of the Dover banks,
under the firms of J. Tlinet, Fcctor, and Cu., and Latham, Rice,
and Latham. And we declare that we shall continue as usual
to take their notes to any amount. The house of Mince and
Strides having some weeks since announced their intention of
closing their Dover banking concern at the end of this month, we
have only, in reference to them, to observe, that our confidence in
their stability is folly equal to what we have expressed with respect
to the other banks."