The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-12-16 00:00:00

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COURT OF COMMOV COUNCIL—DEc. 15.

This day, a Court cirCoonnon Council was held,
pursuant to reqinsition, for the purpose of re-consi-
dering the Address to His Majosty,.agreed to at the
last mw tins. •
Previous to entering upon the bovines* of the
day. Mr. JACKS addressed the Coors. He had
made use of some expressions, to the warmth of de-
bate. during their last meeting, Which had been
construed tato a'personal effence, intehdcd
•
1 a Gentleman at the bar (Mr. Chlfonl.) He was
I not coui.ciosta of having made stair of the language
imputed to him 1 but .eirtainly, some of his own
friends bad assured him that he really slid so.—
•
Thme who knew him bat would easily believe,
that he never could mean tb affront the Gentlemen
in question ; or, in the remotest degree, hurt his
feelings. Thiii apology, he Caine to the'Court pre-
pared to make, and, he trusted, it would be deemed
• beftusing by thesis. But he had seen, by the pa-
perathis utorning, that the Gentleman alluded to
had taken a very extraordinary means of recrimi-
nation, by alsinderimi,• him, yostetslay, at a public
dinner (the 0. P. dinner.) Uposithis part of the
subject he had only one remark to make, the as-
ee d
was not in.the most distant degree founded
on fact. Mr. Jacks then explained the nature of
his situation in trades and concluded by seeing,
that a copy of thempologa• he had made, would be
left at the Clarke office. for the inspection of such
Members of the Court, as choose to peruse it.
. 31. S. Dixots said. if any Counsellor could he
offended at tieing called " honest," lie deserved it.
Mr. IVAlTltalan asserted, that Mr. Chiron'
had been must foully slandered, and the slander
Was the worse, as coming from one who had for-
merly agreed with hint in politics. The Gentleman
opposite (11r. looks) had disclaimed personality ;
but he insist say, he had known him more than once
throw reflections on those with whom he had for-
merly acted. It was thus he attempted to degrade
and vilify his old associates. Such, he had ever re.•
marked, was the couduct of those guilty of epos-
taey. Mr. Jacks had . grossly slandered the party
to which lie had belouged ; for he said. that lie
left thole, is hen he found they aimed at undermin.
Mg the Constitution." This he had noted down,
mind could v.sert, that the expressions were used ;
and who euffld doubt hot they were slanderous?
Altera few observations from Alderman Coo nv.,
on the impropriety of prolonging this CURYCh 60.4
the suatter dropt.
Mr. Dixon called the attention of the Lord
Mayor and the Court to a very serious matter. Ile
wished to know at what time the order for sum-
moning this Meeting was given out by the Lord
Mayor?
The Limy Mtroz replied. that the order was
invited at nine o'clock yz•sterday : owl in
answer to auother question from Mr. Meals, he
stated, that the summonses were absolutely issued
about three o'clnek in the afternoon.
The Clerk of the Court then stated the transac-
tioos between himself rind his Lordship, on this
head, and explviised the cause of an erasure which
Mr. Dixon complained of, as rendering the SUM. •
mons dubious and uncertain.
Mr. DIXON again remarked, that it remained yet
to be accounted for, why the extraordinary lapse of
time, from nine till three o'clock, had. been suffered
to take place; the notices to Meinbers were, conse-
quently, not served in time, and he himself only
beard of the Court from rumour and by accident.
Mr. Maantor contended that the Court was per-
fectly legal and regular, but he was dimatistied
with the conduct of the Clerk.
Several Members rase, and stated, that they had
received their notices to atteud an late as eight,
nine, and ten; and mine that they had not received
summonses by eleven o'clock this day. •
Mr. Sheriff Arlil,4/$ was convinced, that the Lord
Mayor.in all, had wished to satisfy the Court. The
delay must have been owing to some misunder-
standing, amid lie appealed to his Lordship if that
was not his owls opinion? Ile then put it to the Court;
whether or not they ought to have a fair period al-
lowed them, and that they might be satisfied th it
every Member received his notice in due time ? It
was likely that, for the present Court, many Mem-
bers had not been summoned at all.
The Itxconnea entered into a statement of the
frets that retooled the call, as far as lie was ac-
qnainted with them. He observed, that there was
much clamour against him fur nut hold gig a Lord
blayor's Court (upon which hundreds of thousands
of pounds depended), and which lie was prevented
from doing, as the Common Comenl, beim; the su-
perior Court, superseded the other.
Mr. WA{TIIIIAN ridiculed the gravity with which
this question was brought forward. He was really
afraid. at first, that something horrible had haps.
pencil. It was well known at the last Court, that
this Covert was demanded, and the thing was pub-
licly notorious. What then could be made out by
coating *roiled against an irregularity in the order.
which could by no possibility occasion any incon-
venience? If. however, it was thought so, 111 God's
asme, let them adjourn till to-morrow.
The cooversation on this subject was further pro-
longed by Mr. Deputy Ono, and others. After
which the Loan M OIL utlere Ito read the re-
q • 'lion, which was &eined unnecessary, and the
Court proceeded to the business for which they
acre called.
Mr. Sheriff Aexttis blamed the requisition for
. holding this Court, as inconsistent, inconsequent,
and unoecessary. It had been sent in without
stating a single ground or reason for the request it
eontained, to re-consider an Addiess, after it had
been agreed to by one of the fullest Courts ever
witnessed. Were such doings to be permitted, it
would be impossible ever to have business settled.—
larrxh.) As if 117 Members, and eight hours'
sliseussion, were not sisakient to settle a point; he
• knew not where they could stop. It was for the
honour and consistency of the Lord Mayor, and of
the Court, that he was so anxious; though he was
the unfortunate individual who, in the original
Court, stood almost alone against the first Address.
objections to time present ;node of .proceed-
ing were so strong, that• lie would draw up a re-
monstrance option them, even should he .do it
singly. What would the country think of them
li the Lord Mayor had done him the honour of ad-
vising and consulting with him—,nl &NO./
Mr. Omits spoke to order, amid reproved those
who gave this interruption by laughing.

Mr. Sheriff ATSINS then finished, by saying, he
did out wish tn.do away dillsVotltt.
Mr. Tanost thnu4lie the Address had been
brought in in a hasty manner, inconsistent with the
liprnHy (riche Ccturt, and that even the last speaker
would rind some alterations necessary in a'Cum-
•intttee upon it. Irhed. not the usual sanction of
a Cominittee, and a production so hurried could
not be agreeable twits Majesty. This second Ad-
dress had not been etutimied minutely, but was
merely voted because it was 'letter liked than the
preceding One. He concluded by meving, "That
a Committee be appointed to prepare the Ad-
d ress."

-- •
Mr. tin RPE 4econdeil this motion, and took occa-
sion to aiiiinscivert on the sqiiandering of the poli-
tic money, ou I rash and sod intriguing idlicer in
Spain, and on others, eqaally undeserving of it.—
lie then took a view of our late Expedition, and
the mighty tosses which we had sustained, which, he
contended, were to he imputed solely to the imbeci-
lity of Ministers. Were we then to lie driven from
our around, into week and little measures, by the
shallow artifices of a delinquent Minister, or boldly
to stand up, and demand inquiry., They would
demand inquiry, in serious languor, and not as
adopted to plaremen, place-hunters„ stock-jobbers,
and loaii•eontructors. lle was the man in the
Court, who would treat Ilia Majesty with disres-
pect ; lint it was well known, that, speaking of
public measures, it was Misikters, and not the
King, who were held reaponsible. It wias en un-
derstood principle, that the King mold do no
and their opinions, whatever they were, at-
tached only to his servants and advisers.
Mr. LUC AN -eaid, that he looked upon the int
Address as very objectionable; it contained ad
ac-
cusetion against one of the best Generals in Ilia
Majesty's service. He would undertake to wasift,
that the late Expeditious were inddeserving of such
reprobation as had been given by many Gentlemen
of. that Assembly, lie moved, That the Address
to His Majesty, upon the Intli of July, 1808,
should be raid"

After the Address was read, Mr. LUCAS again
rose, and said, that if His Majesty's Ministers
thought it a measure which would prove serviceable
to the conntry to send expeditions into Spain, they
shewed their patriotic inclinations by adopting that
measure; if those expeditions hail the fortune to be
imcces4ul, with what encomiums of approbation
would they have been saluted ; hut now that the
expeditimp, had not been attended with a fate cor-
respondent to the spirit with which they had been
undertaken, the dissatisfaction arising from their
ill success was directed against Ministers. lbw
mild they be responsible fur the conduct of the ar-
mies in Spain ? flow could they be responsible for
the success of those armies, when the cause of their
discomfiture and defeat was the desertion of the
Spaniards? The Spanish nation should be reviled,
instead of the English Ministry. What would
have been said, if Lord Wellington had calmly
looked on while the Siranish, troops were fighting,
and offered no assistance? The conduct of Lord
Wellington hid been grossly misrepresented, and
tbis misrepresentation was one substantial reason
for his not concurring with the motion for the pre-
sent Address. •

Alderman GOODBFHFILE said, that it lied been
mentioned by a Gentleman, that it would be an
insult to the Common Council, to have one Address
proposed after the other. lie was happy to have
a view of these noble priiiciplea ; and if the Cen-
tleMan would adhere to the maxims of oupportiog
the dignity of the Court, a very favourable infer-
ence was to be drawn. .The Gentleman too said,
that he had a deal of sowed timber in his kead. He
supposed that this was iu allusion to a ship, whose
chief quality is the soundness of the imiterials
which composed it. The Centleinan was deter-
mined to flatter himself; but if he appl..il the
word " timber" in its literal sense, he would find
an unanimity of concurrence in the present assem-
bly. (Cries of " Order! order r) The Gentles
man made use of the words, es I object to the
Address, because it euntaisis terms disrespectlul
to my Sovereign." Notwithstanding this iiisinu-
stion. that he was the only person willing to treat
Ills Majesty with becoming respect and decorum,
they would send *au au Addresrto the King. It
shall be cotestiturional and respectful, bet it
shall hear the character of censure upon his
Ministers. . lie hotted that no 113:111 would ever be
:amid to state to His Majesty the extent of abuses
with which the country was afflicted. Lie knew
the King efts surrounded by flattery ; and yet the
only terms upon which admission ao hilts could be
gained were those of dignity and independenv. If a
difference did exist between parties, let there be an
endeavour to agree. There had been two Ad-
dresses, one to which all investigation had been
granted, and even solicited ; sod another, to which
all investig ition had been denied; surely there
could be no hesitation as to the choice.
• Mr. GRIFFITH advised that both parties should
join, as one family, and that gam* 'hyoid follow.
He challenged soy man to say that he was supv-
rior to him in loyelty.
Mr. Maw% se thought it extraordinary, that
those who opposed the last Address should be.**
clamorous against the very pleasure which they
themselves had first broached. Were they contend-
ing for words, or for realities? If for the latter,
surely they ought to rejoice that they had induced
all the Members of that Court to the measure of an
Address of Inquiry into the fatal expeditious to
Icalcheren, and to a complaint against the Minis-
ters, for their squabbles in the Cabinet. Would
it not be more consistent in then, to say to those
who carried the lest Address, " Though you have
not adopted our words, yet, as you have our senti-
ments, we will go along with you, and comulain
with you, thong's you will not grumble and scold
with us." The real abject of that Address un-
questionably is, that His Majesty may cause an in-
quiry to he instituted. whether the Ministers or the
Commandersofthe expeditions are to be blamed for
their comlncts and yet is there no scruple in the re-
jected Address, without the slightest (publication,
to say, •• The Ministers have ecandelously lavished
the blood and treasure of a patient, loyal, and
burdened people." Suppose that, on inquiry,
it were to be proved, that, at the particular time,
and tinder the circumstances in which the Minis.
tern then were, that the adoption of the Expedi-
tions was justifiable, though they failed; should
we then think ourselves justifiable iu havisit, 11.11/1;

" that they boa scandalously las'ihed the blood and
'treasure, of a patietie, loyal, and burdened people ?"
And, again, in speaking of .-Sir A. Wellesley, tt
broadly says. that " he exhibited a rash staid
ostentatious display of unprofitable bravery."—
Now here, too, suppose on inquiry it should be
found. that this Commander was compelled, -by
the Ministers, to proceed. us we may say Sir Joint
Moore was, against his better judgment, into
Spoil', mid that lie could not avoid fighting as lie
did, should we then say " he exhibited a rash and
ostentatious display of unprofitable bravery?"—
To ask for inquiry, and thus to inflict positive
blame, is surely inconsistent !--Iti the Ad-
dress last adopted, no such inconsistencies would
be &wild; nor would it appear wanting in its
expressions of " deep regret" at the dwastrous
failure of the late Expedition, nor " sorrow and iu-
dignatiou," at the dissensions of Lisa Majesty's Mi-
nisters. Ile called upon the Members. of that
Court. therefore, if they had any regard for their
consistency—for their honour—and even for their
character for courage, not to permit their i.st Ad-
dress to undergo another consideration. He appealed
to their courage, because strange attempts had been
made to intimidate them.—Miters.)—lndiiiiluals
had accused that Corporation, in the Common-Hall,
of being corrupt and slavish. This lie was cooddent
was not true. His experience amongst them had
deeply convinced hint, that, in sell their decisious,
whether lie had been in a majority or in e romority,
they had always been those arising from no particu-
lar attachment to interest or party, but to the best
arguinesta and truths that bad been produced to
them—Mpplawael. lie thouKlit, too, that tlimic
who had throe accused -them before an aeenshly, in
which it was obviously inipossible for Members of
that Court to he heard iii their defence, was both
uocandiel and cowardly.—(Applease.)
Mr. Sheriff WOOD said. that he would refer to
the Court whether the Address had ever been read
piragraph, by paragraph. Ile was in the habit of
attending very constitutive and, in lilts presence, it
never had. . There had been Kis atnendtoent moved
to the Address; it was lost, and a new Address
brought. forward. He maintatued that the last
Address had not been reed.

Mr. KLMBLE rose to order, and said, that it had
been read.; and desired that the proceedings of the
last slay of meeting should be reed, iu cunfirmatior,
of what he scanted.
Mr. WtrOD said, that it had never been read
mere than once, and not paragraph by paragraph.
He then hoped the Court would go into a Com-
mittee. (Mairnturs of Nu, no.) If lie was inter-
rupted, he would continue speaking for an hour
longer, whatever address should he offered, which
should previously iinderau a thorough reading. •
Mr. Iliticawooo said, that he was astonished
how any Mini could have the audacity to uttack the
character of Lord W'ellnigton, a man so distin-
guished for his intrepidity and his judgment. He
would not, after so unwarrantable a censure, won-
der at Lord Collingwood's being. a subject of ani-
madversion. Ile supposed that his Lordship
come in for his share of splenetic disapprobation.
It lied been mentioned by a gentleman, (Mr.
Faveil), that there were in that assembly the tool,
of Administration. He was not one ; no man dared
charge him with being one ; he was not in the ha-
bit of insulting any man ; but he was es free and
independent as any man, and would not endure an
inot:t. An Addrr.s had beets proposed, and, after
a debate of 7 huurs„ it was carried. %Vas nfa the
majority of 17 as great as the" majority o(1 ?- Ile
was ashamed that a Comnoittee should be again
made ; ware not the whole Court as capable of
gien.g en opinion a. a Committee ? Ile saw on
OCM111:011, for such repetitions at all. He would nut
cam, if. when the spiestion was propoied, he was to
remain upon the discussion 7 days, instead of 7
houra. The Learned Gentleman insulted the As-
sembly, by representing the conduct of some of its
Members as cowardly ; cud again, and again, and
again, calling them the tools of Admiiiiitration.
Let him evince his spirit by pointing them out.
Mr. SPIIIICEst said, that the worthy Sheriff had
complained of the inconsistency of some persons, in
giving their votes ; for his part, if he were allowed
to use a slang expression, he was determined never
to be made a Kiddy of.
Mr. WAITHMAc he could not help making
• few obseivations upon Whet lead, iii the course
of the day, fscaenesi upon his notice. There had
been a great cry, n great repression of indignant
feeling, upon the ittapplied term of tools of the
administrution ; there had also been an imputation
cast upon the spirit of the persons front whom those
ill-grounded reflections had issued. Notwithstand-
ing sell this very equitable indignation, and this in-
trepid bravery, it was notorious that numbers in that
assembly were in the pay of Government, and were
very grateful and very indefatigable in their efforts
to deserve the countenance of tho:.e by whose smiles
they had liven degraded. It was not the ordinary
way in that.assembly to ii.iine the men who served
the Administration an the capacity of tools ; but as
he was called on by one Gentlemen (Mr. Wick-
wood) to give an individual instance, he begged to
ask that Gentleman whether he had nut himself
6001. per annum from Government ? He had,
since he first took his seat iu that Camel. seen va-
rious changes take place. He acknowledged that it
was • very stntnge o.le—that of acting bon, con-
scientious principles; at one time turning from
those principles, and still maintaining the' con-
science was the motive. This was a practice in
flinch estnisetion amongst some Gentlemen. Wit.'
respect to Spain, they say, ,they would wish to
consider an what manlier the Expeditions were
conducted. bcfore they would censure; atil they
thought that no honest Tall could disapprove of
the aniiduct of any individuals concerned iii those
Expeditions. Whet, indeed, ought the country to
say to the Ministry upon the subject of thew
accumulated ills? It ought to say to them. u I
have given every thing, and have received nothing
in return." It was said we acted unfairly inahmand-
ing an inquiry. He asked nothing wore, iu refuta-
tion of this charge, than the documents of Sir Ar-
thur Wellesley. What ennui be said m palliation or
that General's conduct ? He wrist into Spain under
various disadvantages; he received assistance from
the Span'ards, to whom he afterwards 'rimmed it.—
lie was not content with forsaking them at the hour
of peril, he calumniated dim, awl hoped to esta-
blish a character upon their shame. Why was Sir
Arthur Wellesley isaire tenderly he:idled than Lard
Chatham ? They were huth chsrlvt,g of crhsure


T

but if
.he was asked who had the greater claim
'it he would say, the strong prcsuasptrou w
topmast the former. (Here Mr. U attiusto wear
into the particulars of the expeditiume which, as hit
speech upon the subject has heels iuserted upon
N ioniser occasion, it is unnecessary to tiller Mtn.)
Ile expressed a wish to kuuw where them Lord Wei.
envoi, wa,, and what was his employment ?---
Much had been said of his courage; there was
not a soldier in his army who did out exhibit as
much. Mr. Weidman then said, that, to prevent
any future mistakes as to the re-conselerittirre
of Addresses, he would bring kirward a 'tomtit
order. The worthy Sheriff had started up at thel
words " awful crisis," mentioned in the Arldresnl
was it not very strange, if the country did nut tie
under very thermos calamities, that HA Majesty
should, but it year ago, say is the noose of Paella.
inent, thut that•was.the awful crisis of our fate?'
did not- the IMiuisters soy so—end did trot thu eve.'
sent, a titne which utfinded less tattoo/anon, deter 04,1
the epithet of awful crisis ? Some Gentlesueu said, ,
by way of consolation, that the Ministry acre hos
more col rupt then they were 40 years ego. They
was something 'ike the anontion 'of the nom to'
whom another had been representlng the use 01l
learning: " Uh," land he. " What du we omit with
learning, arc we not it. learned as we were du years
ago?" Why should not every exert MI be made to ne-
sist its attacks ? it cannot Ire era Heated, het surely
it might be repressed. The Gesitletions nu thief.
petite bide said, that he had beets a friend tu pen-
tiouitig. A great change must hate taken plate;
lie was like a person cm ward ehip, on its pessage ;
he thinks every thing moving about Iliac ; he had
clever known the gentleman to vote fur petitiouing
lie had tumid:fiord of abuses, and so forth; he,
ton, had usidergoile his chauge.—Why dsd not
that sera Geistletuau come burnitig into this Court,
to tell of the beneficence of His Mejesiy, in giving
i,OOOl. to some institution • Wei be not arliained
of offeuding his Sovereign ? And now lie talks of
his being a frientito petitioning. He said he was
now to state an Moult which the Court bad re.
coived from one of the Sheriffs (Mr. Atkins), who
declared that he would offer me address to His
Majesty, but tort one which would insult his
feelings, and affect the honour of the Court.—
This si as out only throwing an kill/0181km of al (*VW.
Inlay of improper couduct upon the Court, but of
a systematic observance of it;—this was a retleetme
upon the honour of theConrt, and lie was deteriniord
to oppose the soindaleus charge. A worthy Mem-
ber (Mr. Dixon) seta, that he had au °Nee-
holt to the Address; but that Grath Dieu was
not iu the habit of reinataing within the con-
finer of reason. Ile desired that the (levy
shinty be looked to. Upon a glorious occasion.
when intrepidity and judgment have been exerted,
congratulatiuu was most fervently offred—hut
was the conduct of the navy to screen or excuse
that of the army—was the NISCCrbSI of oue Officer
to curer the disgrace of mane ? As to the para-
graphs in the Address., the worthy Sheriff did tort
anderseind one of them. (Order Order He
would prose that they were incomprelieusitile to
him. Ile said that, in a paragraph, Sir John Moore
had been reflected ulma—this was a most grunt
absurdity ; lie (Mr. Waithwan) had net Leta a pme.
teased panegt nice, but he was at a i 035 to imagine
bow the Gentleivan could have isecu so enormoosly
mistaken. Mr. W. coiclueled with easing, that a
reform never could be effected without driving the
Ministry auto it. A strong exprr seism of the public
feeling must always have it ncrvuus effect; mid such
80 expression was the only mewls of producitig a
teformition. Why did trot his Whig Ca-other re.
mum iu Court to vote ? there was an oveasioa
for the display of lux talent., in supporting the
motion for the Address. file•was afraid of cx.
hauling their isstience, and also of ealuiustieg his
own strength; but there was tore fact he could
nut overlook. The worthy Sheriff' (Atkins) ex-
pressed, the other day, an opinion, that, if the
Ee-
(sedition to Walrhereu was delayed, until an artois.
tice between France and Austria had been signed,
there would be no odium too great to be thrown on
His Majesty's Ministers: he might have made hins-
self acquanded, that it was an detained, by attend-
ing to dates. Ile had also confessed, that, O,COO
mete in his opinion, would have been itufficient fur
the reduction or that place yet these were the
men he would defend, and the saaae that hail
formed four great armies, and sent them to de-
stmt.-time He (Mr. Waithinass) did nit know
whether they hail at present uoy Governesent.
It could not be disputed that the Ailminsetia-
tion were the Government ; and it was formed
of men so little known, that lie was igaorant
of who or whet they were. Ile could not see
what objection there could be to a general inquiry,
for they had a right to know whether the calaturtses
were caused by mismanagement or accident. He
we, the friend of Lord W'ellington, by calling for
ant inquiry, if he was innocent. They midst not ex-
pect a proper oniony to take place in the Howe of
Commons, while the Ad 'strutting had the env-
trof of that Howse, and Lord Chathurn formed a
part of it. Ile entreated them to P'lo4. ue the Cor-
potation from the odium and obloquy thrown oo it
by the last Court, whru they did away with their
own solemn vote of the proceeding one. The ob-
jection of its not twinge full Court could not stand
a moment, for those who complained were ulnae
blamable. There were at one time so few Mem-
bers in the House of C!)1001011% voting away the
public money, that they voted away one snilhion &
man, yet the country pod the taxes, and did out
tied fault.
Mr. Swann. Mum said, that the proceedings.
yesterday, in the Common Hull, were a foul asper-
sion on the whole Corporation; their proceeiliie.s
lied riot a right to be animadverted on in env other
Court. The Gentleman opposite (Mr. Width-
man) had si,rl touch about the spilling of the Woes(
of the wilitsera. The Government were most care-
ful of the widows and children of their soldiers ;
tbey could not expect to have warfare without blood
loceig spilled. lie would put it. to that Crude
mait's caudour, whether he het, in Ids long (in-
tongue, said a gurgle tiring that it, had not. repeated
befo-e, except that cavalry had been snit to
Walcheren; but he must know, that tlwre
was mute contemplated to be den,' lay the ex-
pedition, than the mint e reduction of that place.
Ile also *MI, he did ant know whirr Lord Wel-
lington wits. This lie bels..veil; fur God forbid that
the dispetcheo from that ?ruble (surd to Liorrro-