The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-02-15 00:00:00

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feign, and, he believed, the cnr.li.lenre of the
people; and lie ts as firmly of opinion, that it the man
to whom they had lately-voted a monitteent, could
again appear mosses them, he would acknowledge
that every thing was to be eXpOted from such a
abothination of abigsies. 'I he soorthy Gentleman
then concluded, by moving, That a dutiful and
loyal Address be presented to I his Majesty,to congra-
tulate him on the appointment of the new Admi-
nistration, and on the confidences- is li:ch that mea-
sure excites of a vigorous opposition of the enemy,
and of procuring a secure and speedy peace."
This motion being seconded, and read by the
lehcorder,
Mr. WA I THM A it was not his intention, in
the course of the very few observations he had to
offer, to let fill any thing which could call firth
party spirit or animosity. He hoped, from the
mildness of the speech of the worthy Mover, and
the wording of his motion, that nothing which
might be said by other Gentlemen would have that
tendency. If there were any strong assertions made
use of, he hoped he would be :snowed to answer
them. The worthy Gentleman then adverted to
the impropriety of the measures of the late Admi-
nistration ; and said, as ti friend to the individuals
of the present, he certainly did not wish to see
them placed in the critical situation in which they now
stood ; but, as a friend to his country, he could
not but rejoice at their being called into office.
On the support which was given to them, in
his opinion, depended the safety of the country.
It was necessary they should have means to carry
great measures into execution. The present state of
the army was such, that many alterations and
amendments wets necessary. The navy should be
supported, and the country should maintain her
dignity. Ile had heard it whispered, that it was the
intention of some to oppose this motion; but lie
could not anticipate any one of the grounds on
which this opposition was to be supported. Ile
could not conceive how gentlemen could oppose a
motion, the sole object of which was to congratu-
late His Mails!), on the combination which had
been made of all the talents, and all the parties
which this country possessed, for the purpose of
preventing the nation from sinking in the estimation
of the world. He would not, he said, at present
up more time, but lie hoped the rumour was
unfoundort, and that the Court would unanimously
agree to, and go up pith this address. As the
worthy gentleman sat down, he said he was sorry
to see a gentleman near him (Mr. S. Dixon)
shake his head at what he had just said.
Mr. ti. thaws instantly rose and said, " truly, I
did shake my head, but there was nothing in it."
(.1 loud Idogh.) The worthy gentleman then pro-
ceeded, and, after adverting to the proceedings t f a
former day, which in a measure involved a question
respecting the worth of the late Ministry, he said,
we had now an administration of men possessing the
first talents of the country. He sincerely hoped they
might find the benefit of theta. For his part, when
he soy they had the interest of the country at heart,
they should then have his firm support. By agree-
ing to this address, he conceived it would be ap•
proving of the conduft of the snembois of the pre-
sent administration, before, in fag, as Ministers,
they could have condueled themselves in any man-
ner which merited either approbation or disappro-
bation ; and he hoped, they should never form their
opinion of men in office, born what they were when
tint of office. One of the causes for'congratulating
His Majesty, was, as hinted at by a worthy gentle.
man, that instead of one man at the head of the
army, it was now under the diredion of a Mili-
tary Council. It was yet to be ascertained whether
that would turn out advantageously to the Country.
As to the formation of the bulk of the Administra-
tion, it WAS, in his opinion something like casting
lots. No man had a higher opinion, of the abilities
of Mr. Erskine, now Lord Erskine, than he had,
and he was sure, that, as Chief Justice of the King's
Bench, or Common Pleas, he would have been of the
greatest service to his Country ; but he very much
doubted, whether the situation be now held, was
adapted to the particular information and educa-
tion be had received. Flom these circumstances,
he thought it his duty to move, as an amendment
to the motion, " that it be postponed until this day
six months."
Mr. Bloom merely rose to second the amerol-
ment. He pledged himself to the Court, that he'
had nn animosity against the new administration,
but he certainly could not subscribe to the present
motion, AS he had lately heard sentiments foil from
some of them, which made it totally impossible
that they could have the confidence of the people,
until those sentiments were abandoned.
Mr. SMITH supported the original motion.
Sir R. C. G v ta observed, that when the moth-in
was made, he was inclined to concur with the
mover ; but the worthy gentleman who moved the
amendment, having put the question into qoite
different point of view, he would soy a few words,
mod explain his reasons for giving his vote. A Mot
tleman (Mr. Waithrnan) has said, we must sup-
port the present administration ; but until he koew
the measures they would pursue, and the bills they
would bring in, he, for one, would not support
them ; as, however extensive their abilities, they
might be turned to the disadvantage of the Country.
One circumstance had Ahead, occurred, which, in
his opinion, was an impropriety in the condo& of
the new administration. The Lord Chief Justice
of the King's Bench, a Nobleman of whom he
entertained the highest opinion and esteem, had
been called into the Cabinet. horn every thing
he had heard and read, that was not a constitu-
tional proceeding. It never was intended, when the
Judges were made independent, that the Lord Chief
Justice should have a voice in the Cabinet, and also
aft in his executive capacity. Suppose a case
should occur, es did once before, when an Alder-
man of the City (Alderman Wilkes) was prosecuted
in the Court of King's Bench, by order of the Ca-
binet, in what a situation would the person prosecuted
find himself, when it might be, almost said, that
leis judge and Lis prosecutor was the same person?
The worthy gentleman concluded by saying, that
as the worth of the new Ministry had not, as yet
been proved, he would support the amendment.
Mr.T'ootvy declared himself in favour of the ori-
giro' motion.
Mr. GOODIEIIt r wished to know whether the
Gentleman who moved the amendment, thought
that the trade and commerce of the country should

stand s.iil. in order that Le might be convinced of
the v du.: of the New Mit ista y Such a trinsiglit
do Oily well with *gald to taking apprentts, but
With respect to an adroinisteallon, which was to have
the management of a great nation, another line of
condue leas to he pursued. A worthy Aldertnan,
he said, had also declared his opinion, that we
should have a trial, but he was not absurd enough
to limit it to any particular time. He then observ- '
ed oa the different argurneets which had been
urged in favour of the amendment, and said, they
all disappeared, like tire light snow on the haw-
thorn; with the rising sun. The Ministry, he
had not yet given their opinion on the Cathnlic
question ; perhaps they would not be culled on to
do sn for lour or- five years—and was the City of
London, and the Country at large, on that account,
to withhold their support ? The very idea was oh.
surd ; he therefore hoped, that the amendment would
lie withdrawn, and that they should approach the
Throne, with one mind on the subject.
Mr. Doe NIORD supported the original motion.
Mr. Jacks was of opinion, that His Majesty's
Ministers should be supported, as they were chosen
by His Majesty. He was confirmed in this belief,
as he understood, on the death of Mr. Pitt, His Ma-
hesty had sent for Lord Grenville, and agreed with
im, that Mr. Fox should be taken into an Admi-
nistration, formed of the greatest talents of the
eCountry. He, therefore, would vote for the ad-
dress.
Mr. TA DDY thought it a matter of the first im-
portance, that the original motion should be car.
tied.
Alderman Praisers said, if he had discovered
any thing in the motion which savoured of party,
he would have heen the first to oppose it ; but as he
perceived so touch moderation in it, and so much
respect for Hie Majesty, he could not but give it his
concurrence. it was the only measure which could
have been adopted, after the loss of such a Mall as
Mr. Pat. He could net see any reason why they
should not congratulate His Majesty on the union of
those abilities, which, thus united, might equal those
which had been lately lost.
Alderman Bo v DLL csaid, he would support this
motion ; but would not pledge himself to support
the new Minkters, whether they conduaed them-
selves well or ill.
Alderman Rowe none said, he had entertained
some doubts whether it would have been proper for
the Court to come to any resolution on such a sub-
jea ; but as there were precedents of such motions,
and as the sense of the Court was the other way, he
waved all his scruples on the subjea. With re-
spee to the motion itself, he thooeht it was couched
in as gentle terms as possible, and that the worthy
mover had taken every pains to avoid making use of
any words which could excite party spirit. He,
however conceived, as His Majesty had appointed
his own Ministers, it would be more respectful it
they would approach I.is Throne to thank him for
the selection, than to pm2ratuf.ire him on the ap-
pointments. He was convinced the worthy gentle-
Man, who made the motion, had not turned his
thoughts to this particular point, or he would have
so worded his motion, if he thought it less exception-
able. He then concluded, by hoping, that the mo-
tion would he carried to thank His Majesty fur the
appointment of the new Administration.
Me. C.itlrrrrua was of opinion, that every mark
of respea which could be shewn to His Majesty
should be demonstrated by the nation at large; and
as, on the present occasion, he undoubtedly merited
congratulation, from whom could it Come with
more propriety, than front the worthy Citizens of
London ?
Mr. KENS' s spoke at some length against the
measuse. He was of opinion, that their merits
should he known, before they approved ophem.
Mr. Qcts was happy the address was worded in
such modest terms, as it was almost impossible, in
such a form, it could be negatived. He acknow-
ledged, that there was no precedent for the present
address ; but he conceived every man must acknow-
ledge, that there was no precedent for the present
situation of the Country. Fle did not conceive,
that thanking Ilk Majesty for the appointments,
could imply an approbation of the past condua of
the members of the present Administration. The
worthy Gentleman then adverted to differeat argu-
ments which had been made use of in the course of
the day ; but, on account of our limits, we are sorry
to be olaliged to omit them. He concluded a very
eloquent harangue, by declaring his intention of
voting for the original motion.
Alderman Ilan et v Mr. Nicmota, Mr. Box. and
Mr. SHARP, declared themselves in favour of the
Address.
Mr. S. Dixore, and Mr. IVAITHNIAN,, a second
time delivered their sentiments.
Mr. BIRCH, in speaking a second time, said, one
of his reasons for opposing the present motion WAS,
thin a Gentleman high in Office (Mr. Fox), had
declared, on the hustings, at Westminster, that the
people were returning a man, who should ever main-
.tain the principles he bad before held.
Aldermen Coots az said, as he was at the hustingi
at IVestminster. be could set the gentleman tight,
with respea to any thing that passed there. Mr.
Fox made a very short speech, and hat not said
what the worthy Gentleman had stated ; but that he
should ever approve of the principle which gave
them an opportunity of making a tree choice in their
eleaion." The worthy Alderman deprecated the
iJe r of postponing the motion, until the measures
could be approved of; and concluded by giving his
hearty support to the original motion.
The question was then put on the amendment ;
and a division having taken place, there appeared,
For Cl^ .i:qe,itlinerit, 71
Agatha it, 91
• Majority,
On which a Committee was appointed to with-
drawand prepare an address ; who having returned,
presented an address accordingly, and a motion be-
ing nude, that the Address now read be the Ad-
dress to be presented to His Majesty, a divisims was
demanded and granted, and there appeared,
For the Address, 47
Agaimett, 17
Majority, 30
Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared the Address
curried in the affirmative, and the Sheriffs. attended
by the City Remembrancer, were requested to wait
on the aing, to know when the Court might attend
him with the same.