The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1808-10-29 00:00:00

!anti). lad prowess of the British army. tt lid 1
taised the most general and uoqualitied expect
tions, that the glory of oar arms would hare
led to results still wore gratif3ing to the lustre
of the tuitional Lone and the advantage of our
Allies. What consequence has followed ? The
Convention at Ciutra. Are we not then, 1
ask, competent to judge of the effect? or are
we to be subjected to the imputation of pre-
judging certain persons, because we declare that
Coin eutiou to be a foul and disgraceful blot on the
nation's honour ? Hear ! Hear !) Knowing that
criminality exists somewhere, now can we be
charged with prejudgment, more than the Coroner
who returns the verdict orris Inquest, triffal mw-
der against some persons unknown ?---(Lewd c •,f
Hear! Hear !) There is another objection equa I
groundless with the last, by which it is endea-
voured to evade an expression of the public
sentiment on this transaction. We are told

.....
that ne unnecessarily importune the Royal
ear. Snell uneonstitutiomsl iloetnne 1 Will ever

feel it toy ditty to oppose and reprobate ; inasmuch
us on an estiaordiiiary occurrence, involving our
diameter and our interests, we are alone exercising
it right equally honourable to the people mud the
Sovereign. Having cleared the object, winch we
this day propose, of these two oly..jections, let tae
impress upon your attention the imperious reo,olis
which urge its adoption. Is it not notorious that
the Portuguese nation have felt themselves gross!)
injured by the Convention of Cour:o To
those who ow. otherwise, I oppose the pro-
test of the gallant Portuguese General Andrade.
Is it not notorious that the interests of • our
frilhfal and heroic allies in Sweden and in Spain
were •not. alone overlooked, but yoasiderably
deteriotated, by, reinforcing with seamen the enemy
of the one, and *ending to the theatre of
war a consivleuilvise-Frencli army; inlinetbatily to
act against the other'?—(Hear ! Hear 1)--If-itittb::
consequences cannot be denied; are we not bound'
by every consideration *Kasten hold dear, to de-
clare to the world our rePtikivatice.to Ws disgrace-
ful Conracitimi, to absolve natiotial aisracter
from a participation of the guilt,.und fosurtore the.
contidence.of the.gallaut nations with .witotb this
country was so ardent 'W 'en-operate, •anddsvlin:lt
this Convention must have so lanientably. iveiketi-
ed ?—(Hear ! Hear .1 i—Otet:ll would ntle.-
unwarrantable presumption to suppose -thit. our
gallant army, w hose laurels have beau withered,
and whose heroism has barn Made to produce no
other effect than disaster and ifisgrace--is it, I
say, unwarrantable to presurnethat they are anx-
ious for the testimony of their fellow-countrymen
in their behalf, that they are anxious that the, po-
!attar voice should acquit theta of any share in the
causes winch led to a result tit mortifying to their
honourable feelings, and that they should at least
be afforded the justice of seeing the real culprits
exposed to the world by a full, efficient, and public
inquiry I.—(Hear ! Hear
A great daimon. took glace at this moment, is
the lower part of the court. Persons from without
asserted that a great number of Freeholders were
unable to gain admission for want of roOln. They
called on the High Sheriff to adjourn. into Aeopen
air. The cry of " Adjourn !" thou isartially
raised at the bottom of the Court, by en on:7onsi-
derable number of iwNons, but it was loudly re-
echoed from the outside.
Mr. BUIWOY Ns then rose and said, that its one'
of the persons who signed the Requisition for con-
vening the Meeting, be disdained to support so
proud a cause by any expedient or effort to avoid
till aid free discussion. He therefor! felt it his
duty to none „That the Meeting should adjourn
to the exterior of the Town Hall.

Mr. Watent having seconded the motion, the
whole Meeting acquiesced.
The persons present then accordingly came forth
to the Trout 4 the Shire Hall, mid two large tables
were brought out for the aceinninotlation of those
who wished to address the multitude. The busi-
ness ryes 111111 l riteed by Mr. Westerit eguin reading
the Petition and Address, which was seconded by
Mr. Dueaiiie, who shortly recapitulated his former
arguineats and observations iii its favour.
Mr. Buttuovne then addressed the high She-
riff, and the Assembly, Prune a cart which stood im-
mediately opposite, completely loaded with the
multitude, which consisted both of Freeholders,
and • great many others, who were led there by
curiosity, and a feeling of interest in this important
question :--is Gentlemen," said he, I have often
had the honour of addressing you, lint Ido nut re-
colleet any occasion so important as the present
one. Other occasions have besot merely for the
pinpoint of considering, affairs of a domestic nature,
and such us were pnrely connected with our own
partieolar interests, but this one onset undoubtedly
be deemed far more important, in set much as it is
conueeted with the honour and justice of the Bri-
tish Italian, soul the voodoo which has been adopt-
ed by us in favour of our allies Let nie ask you,
Gentlemen, if it would net be ;tome consolation to
iu the present situation of pubic affairs, to
hod that our faith towards our allies upon the
Continent remains unimpreched, and that we
have scrupulously observed alt our engagements
towards them? I cannot allow it even to be
siinnised, that we, who have signed this Address.
hate been in the smullest degree actuated
by party views. Do not talk to me of the free-
holders of Bow: being alone intereated in the re-
sult of this meeting, for Britons in general are
equally concerned. Can you imagine, Gentlemen,
that that Noble Lord, who moved this Address,.
who has served his King and Country throughout u
long life, with much honour to himself smut adrun-
tage to the nation, would lend himself to nil
party? No, Gentlemen, that Noble Lord feels
strongly upon this occasion,—he feels fur the ho-
uour end glory of hi. warlike prnfession,he feels for
the reptinition and dignity of the army as well as
the miry of his country. lie ke.ows whst his own
feelings would !sate hero, if, alter r blockade of
ten or twelve tie, dunng which his gallant
wraineu had softest., the utmost hardships and ri-
vatitnes, he had beet, ordered, by %Li ignominious
Convention, to IN ing home his fleet, instead of as-
sisting our allies,. I. hope and trust Ate will always
continue to eutertiou those magnimiumns and con-
stitutional prinetples which he has hitherto, upon
ovens occasion,. hildly and nohlr etinced to hie
coujitiyinen.—There are other Gentlemen, waif-
ed with that Nuble Lerd in mutittent, same of

whom are well known to be
and assidnotts Magistrates of
imagine for a moment that'
upon this occasion by troy
commendable and most honor
I can with exinfidence assert,
the tool of any party. If
measure would harass on
sures of Government, I
consented to rut off
have signed the requirn
Ming of tins meeting; or, G.
I would rather bate done ;
rather have put hey
and disgraceful Couveution
Ater ! heoir !) I beg it to I
blame no men.; I would be
were to be guilty of condemn'.
heard; I merely eoraleinir the
tra, as briing most shameiiill.
own honour, 1 most itijuri
lies. if those laurels whit+
the brows of nor '
Intuits replaced—.l. the cuu.
tied tley have really been vie,
Mg fir's ignominious Conveuti
at once highly satisfactory
every lover of his connt•
iuca, recall your recollect...
of this uution, at the period
niards mood forth so nobly in
berty; every individual in this
Spanish cause his own. .There
mitt of spirit in the army, s
merely hearing of but wer.
sent to Siena, is order to cost;
towards its soma:at. Even.
tired from the fritigues of put
ling to devote their aged days .
then exertions for its protection.
'thraigholit the kingdom,
%inhaled with a wish to mese-
our allies, and the libertiewr'
aim" I have alroade stuted, of ,
slist4s• thmitsc'hres every merit
Muefi to their honon.r,
:tilt wishes of their country.
wen 4h.ovided to be sent to
"allies, siul considerable discussions
esection of upriver Officer to core
ainatositics ceased wljen the.
Wellesley were mentioned.
this.aroseditht sailed, and
tip-toe for news concerning
ceived intelligence, that the
the Due D'Abistates, cones(
defeated by our army. we
We were told, that yOOO men
not engaged,. and that there
Coosithrritble 'toinforcement.
of the Freuckartny, the:rely!
inferior in number, notlii;
and unconditional surrender v.
place) and
.pottpg, bat that
.fled the country . for-N.6e by
treavars spent upon the
themselves were perfectly I
tf tin; Experlitiou being
they ordered the 'Fortier guns
late hour of Mile o'clock at
usual that I believe it never
'person could sleep during the
chanced to slumber multi only
At length, however, • Gamete
border, and the first account'
was iu a language which the
did not understand. It war
published without any translation
was never done before. I, I—
to read it; mini I found its
the French army were not
prismers of war, but were
France with ull their baggage,
artillery., and plunder, which
their property. They were
purloin the horses which
of the Prince Regent and
bility, Add to this, the„F._._
their booty, were to be transported
our expense; and even those isr-r
sited them ip their 'video•
he ullowed to or:romped
judge of. other people's ti
and let us put ourselves
those soldiers of ,our array
',edition. After such a victui
our departed corsistrymeo
this world, fhey might risk u*
ficed our lice.'—a tut had
such a sacrifice' ' The ar,
thing, •laitt disgrace.' Goutkuseit
much ',longer upon tliis subject.
express shy hope, that we, upon
meet with the satire unaainn
country us to the Spairisli
this Convention itself. But
tleinen, th it all this thou
to His Mujesty's
of themselves, will institute
read the City Address, .and
could be more respectful, bul
regret the answer which has
cause it is a most unconstitut
as a check upon that right ul
reign, which is due biithrigin
I view it, however, its the sane
speeches noon opening Isis Pc
production of MaiiMersaad
bescsponsible for it. The
street enjoys this right of pert,
any check iniposo! upon
placed. Alinisfers say tiler/
but what timid ofiuoutry will.
a private uuturc,where evidence
upon oath, and on sratiatectine
forded to the country as to tilt
hunt of a Commander mi.,
know whom to blitinc, and
blames no body. I thick it
tern owe to themselves, es we
nary of the cbantry, to luvest
*private, but in the most pub
is su-ely proper to let the pup
was a want of artillery and e
ported. In short, we not
hlatue; but, to use a stron
from the Noble Mover of
ought to have the guilt, if

x t!ie most honest
of the County: I'•r
y otker than ti, 11
aut:_thp
t, that I it --'
ever ~,11
sad Pc'
ristiCetuarity , tu tet
Mr.
I,l6,amietialtiyi:neluerriliefogl
In in Portugal. Coatm
I be underatuort, try. Mw
sishumed of nu scli h;rth" 1
oniug any indivi;Ju,il ,
the Conventiou ui tiler"
tiltlly degrAiii4 in'l
ihir;thiu:rbiceo:o:4heo:elnruft4:llx.okl.bnetti., frrArlC:elltrcrl4:l,l
.
leteriorto,
..e, to
potion, would it
7 mid lidiratltiet,va ':t led
try.? Let toe, (,
:;on to the tutus.: s. the K 1
.erisid when the a bat •.1
thy in the cau•e ei dotal
this country wade
nut a top
I.wil:ll47.,ittrWitigeot
he ro: ht itbsernsu.r)c:
contribute his a ;.;., but
old men, who had I say,
ruldie service, sere
lays ill milking tool 10; hw
:ectioti: Every oi.e, as
ligaloiu, seemed asp:. oat p
preserve the honour h the
esof the world. ban be stn
F no party, Eli sire . 1.4 I
sent to which they a «Shit'
mon!, they (Cu would raw°
A- powerful armaln to i.e
to the ussiatance of 0 licks
iacussiona arose as to Shall
th command it; bet whom
he names of Moore a. The
I. With these 011ie Win
the country were up rote
it. We at length r mot
le French. army, mai milli
moldy caned ...toot, a e to ra,
trejoice) iii the victor, eaio
men of our army at We,
re were besides thew high
Ai to- the rematud.
fere, they beteg goati; (Thti
ping but an absolc. who
er ought to have tab. fr... 11
that Could have me troop
bffod spilt, alai d
e occasion. 51::1. to to h
certain of the ream pow
it; victorious, becalm. self
ms to fire, even at th ski
at night, a case so vet wan
▪ happerwel before. sod
the tot6lit. or those Rol. foor
only dream of some. bra,
Ifs arrived, with a blot ban
twai. of the t fast
le people of this court- day
is written iu Frenalt, ao, • bre
?dation ; a thing oho: hot
, however, endemou.t
in the first plat* that for
lot to be considered :,•1
!re to be went buck t 71
ht gage, ammnnitiut Ise
rat.
w
t re
e:rt.lieeii wereie) el:trcr
Portuguese
epuviri Ueditp ehru rait
ll se
uisported to FNMe st th
sews indiviauals who a> 11l
ern of -plunder were to it
my then,. We mint ii.
Isebolts by our owls; I
t in' the situatimi of
ay scot upma that et- all
!tory, were tire spirits of tai
permitted to return to ju
**for ulna hare we such-
our r oudtry ••,M,•41
xuarrer• would be
stkusen, I might go os
shret. but I oholl only
upoo Cos ovcao•oo.
ant/ that presulis in t!.it
"MAW, VVeil
it I shall be told, (.i•1-
bout,' hale been I,lt
later., and that the!,
ute ar! inquiry. I liaie
id I tiud that notinic.:
but I do [Root sincerely
is been made to it
utiouot act, uud optrut.• 1
or witty:Mimi the Soy -
tit of vvery.Enw6l""'"
time 'Ott Woo the h
Porliament. as beio, t!.c
thelmfore they alone r.. 0
inmosest beggar is
atitionsitg, zurl thevilerr
it .,t surely be e:l,-
'ft %%ill be au
111 it.he T It will be ooe
once I. not to be remit' ,1
tows eats thereby be• of-
the wanner the smart ot-
rigioated. We do not
td therefore Address
it is a duty which MOM.
sell as to the ivory end
stiptz this matter, cot
bhicaodopen moaner. ht.
abbe keow whether throe
I cavalry. as hes been !r
tot knee as yet whorl)
ong etprewoo that t, :t
of this Addrets--• oc
if any. saddled (Toil tl.if
111