The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-03-25 00:00:00

srsslON.

Lord AUCKLAND rose i;;tte purpose of milking
• a few observations, in respect to the present niode of
Legislation, which appeared to him to be such as
to call forth aMmailversiou, and was soll•ient to
require the intervention of that House. If their
Lordships referred to the number of votes in the
other House, it would be seen, that, in respect to
the Bills which passed during the last Session of
Pailtament, the greatest pail. of the public busi-
ness had not been brought up to their Lordships'
House, till almost the ead of the Session. Indeed
it appeared within the last three weeks, the enor-
mous number of st:tenty-nine Dille, of a puldic na-
ture, bad been crowded before them : and at a
time when it was almost impossible for their Lord-
ships to attend their duty in Parliament. lie ram-
sidered this mode of proceeding extremely deroga.
tory, net only to the propriety of Legislation, but
al,. to the dignity of that House, and to its cha-
rue t-r es a branch of the legislative part of the
coustitution. It was au evil ui considerable mag-
nitude to the piddle, as it rendered Acts of Par-
liuinciit barite to be passed without the neces-
sary attentina and scrutiny, before they received
their Lordships' concurrence; besides which, it elm
an evil of slice a growing nature, as justly to alarm
every Noble Lord of the consequences being dan-
gerous, and likely to attack their privileges, and in-
fringe upon the exercise of their legislative capa-
city. He therefore should deem it highly incum-
bent upon the House to take some measure on this
subject, sod, be stone expedient which it inigld Ix
pi wield to adopt, this irregularity,• of dispatching
public busiaess might be discontinued fur the fu-
ture. •I tt r. was tin disposition on his part to im-•
• 0 rticeilar blame to those, who, eit this time,
tilled the offices of Administrating, f ir lie was aware
it bed bean sof.% il along cominutince ; bust now had
grown to such 4:ll•llorinnus extent us loudly to de-
mand weir atteetion. He trusted al-n, that the
Noble Lords opposite would feel the propriety of
doe ietelitiou neutig paid to this slll./jVCI, as they re-
garded the importance of that House ill Legislation,
:tad would also concur with lon in the sentiments
v hick he had rApremsett ou the iireseut occasion,
alter which he %Imola consider it his duty to move
"'That a Committee be appointed to examine the
Journals of that House, and thereby collect such
information as should tepid to show at shot ttttt r,
clueing the last Stl*SiOU of Parlianient, Bills of a
public nature had been brought from the House
of Commons, and specifs ill; the different times of
their bring so brought up."
Lord CItenVILLE Sill. if was impossible for him
not to coucor in the prieiriety of what hail been
stated by his Noble Friend. No subject could be
of more importance for the considerriti tttt of the
House. as it involved materially those functions
which belonged to them in their legislative cuss
tacter. It would be recollected, du 'Mg the last
Stssiou, that upwards of one-half of the public
had been brought into that House within the
last three weeks of the sitting ui Parliament; At a
time too, whets there was a isry thin nttentlanee,
which must eventuully be the case at that period of
the yew. Fur although it might be alleged, the
duty of Noble Lords in utteuding to parlinmeatary
proceedings was 14117111.101111 t to every other consi-
devotion, which certainly was correct, still it mint
be allowed, every Noble laird had other public amid
private duties whirl' must be discharged, mid which
consequently required their absence. It ought al-
so to be considered, the Seseion genireallymusiclud-
ed at that time of the year when the Itevereud
Prelates were obliged to be absent ou important
concerns belonging to their in the Church:
the Sone observation also extended to some Lea ni-
rol lar.ils, in respect to their professional duties.
bole pendent of the time when Bills to the enormous
tininher of seventy-Mile were hurried through the
House iu the space of three week;, it was hot pos.
?Able to see with accuracy the propriety or noise°.
priety of their being passed iota is law. He recol-
lected that in the ease of one Bill, during the last
Session, sit error of considerable import hail been
introduced through the 'Menke of the Engrossing
Clerk. Upon being applied to, his excuse was,
and he considered it a very just and proper mac,
that so mane Bills had twin pavan through Par-
liament at the tittle, 111111 there was so much busi-
ness tutu transacting, it was iinpossible for hint to
get every thing done corr..etly. Now, if this were
the inconvenience find incorrectness attenchug the
Engrossing Clerk, because of the &mother and the
hurried manner in which Bills succeeded each
other, what must be the inconvenience and danger
Noble Lords would be exposed to, in whose bawls
rigs lodged the rare of Legislation ?
The Earl of !AYR/WOOL expressed his concur-
reoce with what had been suited on this irregula-
rity in postponing. so much iii the public futilities.,
till the latter end of each Session of Parliament. A t
the •NIIIC time tie thought proper to remind their
I .1)111.11i p 4, the quantity of Parliamentary proceed-
ings bad liven coesiderahlv increased witliiii mo-
dern time-, mid the Legifilation was now far more
occupied w Intining new laws, both of a 'addle mul
privaii! mottos, owing to the greet increase of the
trade and emitmerce of the country. This state
of soricty rresstisl, of course, a halide of rights
and iii their regulations, called fur
the interfeience of the Legislature. But he con-
sidered it quisitionnlsle, whether injury bad not re-
. salted frees tiles hole applications to Par-
' liarstens for new laws. moot whether the siumerons
private Bills which Ifni of late years bees, intro-
duced. not too munch partake of da4-
, Wing in le4islatson. z slitiald likewise be con-
, sidered, that the cominenccineut of every Session t,

.

. •
Was frequently employed, as several instances hall
occurred, in attending to .business difiereut from 1
that of legislating.. ars4 for a considerable leagtli.
of time, which, 11l Nape measure, prevented their
proceeding regularly with Bills before the House-
However, he entertained the Same opinion with the
Noble Lords opposite, respecting the impropriety
alluded to, which had been increasing, and nes,
likely to produce dangerous consequences to the
independent character of that Holier!, cad he
should think it right to investigate the subject ;
and it' it could be done,. to proviie means ugaiust
its future existence.
The Earl of Jlotaa diespproveil of the manner
in which, particularly at the end of last session,
Balsa public importance had been crowded into
that House. He recollected a Bill, which lie con-
ceived of great public interest, cont. ' se molly
new provisions which ediately affected the aub-
jects of this country, and which had needy, f.oin
the number of other public Bilk, escaped his ob-
servation. It was les ititentiou to have stated his
sentiments to tie House on the occasion. I lie
gave notice to that oaten ; but when the day
came, there were several other public Bills
stood for the same time, and caused consi-
derable discussion, which made it too late for
his addressing himself to the sideman' of the
House; but such was the case, that considerable
public incoureilience would have ensued, had be
retarded the progress of the Bill in that stage of
the proceeding. This mode of delaying the public
business, at the commencement of their sitting,
called for sot's.: regulation, and lie would suggest
to those Noble Lords opposite, who weie his Ma-
jesty's Ministers, to advise with their colleagues in
the other House of Parliament, mid induce them
to bring forward all the public business as won
as possible in the early pert of the session.
The Duke of NOltEOLli observed, it would be
worthy of the cousideration of Parliament, if au al-
teration were to he introduced in regard to the
period of their aseembling. Ile conceived if they
were to meet in the latter end of November, or the
beginning of December, rather than the latter end
of January, it would produce greater progress in
the public business ; and they should consequently
avoid the inconvenience of attending their Parlia-
mentary duties, during the hot summer months.
Lord Aunt LAND. ill reply to what had fallen from
the Noble Secretary, allowed, that the number of
Bilk passed every Sessioii, originated in die in-
crease of the commerce of the coumtry, mud he
was happy to think, with the Noble Earl, we had
it in our power to explain the difference between
past and present times, by tracing it to that cause.
Bin still, the number of Bills being increased, did
not et sill account for their being delayed at the
comineucemeut, and brought forward, altogether,
at the conclusion of each Session. Ile tru-ted,
souse method would be adopted which would p.• .-
vent time recurrence of these irreetthtrities. lu the
first instaneee lie should meet, e' That a Commit-
tee be uppoiuted to examine the Jouniels of
that House, fur the purpose of informing their
Liedsliips of the bee of Bills brought up
to that House, and also of specifying the times
when they were so brought up during the lost
Session of Parliament."
The LUND CHANCELLOR said, the subject now
alluded to was certainly one of considerable im-
portame, add lied caught his peculiar attention
for the last wren years of his parliamentary duty ;
' hot he trusted the Noble lord (atickleud) world
a elide. w his motion for the present, until he
should have a longer time to form his opinion on
the propriety of a hat ought to be adopted. in order
to predate. so important an alteration.
Lord A lasKLAND expressed his readiness to
comply with the desire of the Noble and Learned
Lord, and accordingly withdrew his motiou.
CAPTIgE OF FERROL.
Lord AUCKLAND shortly addressed the House
mi the late capture of Ferrol by the enemy, presi-
ons to hie untidier a particular motion on die sub-
I jest. He considered it a matter of very great Mi-
-1 primmer, and lie tritsted the Noble Lords opposite
would, agreeably to their frequent declarations of
readiness to grant every information properly called
for, and for which he was disposed to give them
i7rerlit, in u candid manner on this occasion agree to
concede every paper which could in the least thmw
any light upon the rapture of this port by a Freneli
squiulrom Such iliformatimi ought to Ise given to
eunilout to every Noble Lord, for every nee felt au
interest on this occasion. It was well known a
squadron of the enemy hail proceeded to Ferrol,
and there taken loossession of the Spanish ships of
war iii that- harbour, three of which were three-
dickers, of 11! guns, too of 74 gulls, awl several
other ships of the line, frigates, &e. and it was not
accounted to us why this capture should not have
been foreseen, and judiciously prevented ; and,
what was still more extraordinary, amongst all
those papers which were laid upon the table, for
the purpose of giving information respecting the
conduct of Ministers in relation to Spain, not one
would be found which !rave satisfactory information
on the subject. Ferns' was scarcely alluded to. He
would not ilo Ministers the iMusti, e to sei.i-ese,
they linsersised no information with) 1 -,,Let to the
state of that port, or that they tied ant takes mea-
sures of prevaiitiou against its falling into the ene-
my's hired.. It semitone oldies, prominent sit nations
iii the North of Spain, which ought to hareettracted
the must serious inteution of the Administration of
this country, and unless they should declare them-
selves they were iii possession of no cointuuni-
i idiots which they could produce before the House,
lo- would not do them the injustice to sisppose they
could have leeu so tiegligent of the interests of
Spuiii, as well as those of this country. Some
pros iSIOII ought at least to have been made to guard
against wheat les unfortunately happened. It would
not be satisfactory to his mind on this particular
,object, to be told, justice prevented our iiiterfer-
ig with the internal regulation aid policy of the
•iiiiitry we had taleagrA to insist ; he would not
:elv, rt to such au excuse tieing alleged by His Ma.
jesty's Ministers, for it wild only tend to recall
the painful memory of our conduct to other na-
tirnig• and particularly to that disgraceful conduct
at Copeeliegen. On the part of the Spaniard., it
must be allowed it would have tended to their in-
terest, as well as One% that the ships should not
have fallen into the hands of the enemy; neither was
there ocesision fur their being put in the possession
. of Eriglaud, but they [night bate been dimmed

to some other piece of :sr, ty. He , id not pen wive
there could be the alualie,st wl•jr, to.i to the um.
tion which be ehsisi!d aim propose—
" That all papers sea cona.tialicatiotas s kith Led Fay g
bekstetn lit .11ajts1)*11 Guter..seuest and the Guar rentest of
!vain, relative to the outs uod at fence of Ferrol, should be
leaf McGee that Bowe"
• Loud MC LE CAI L slierti' stated, that a conuntiei-
cation had rekee piece let, esti] Admiral De Coirrey
end the Crteeruor of Ferrol, who had butted, Mt
that occasion, the situ:omit of defence ill which
Ferrol iiiis, ;eel that it v ould be enabled to with-
stand soli attack of the tor my. Butte no other
comulititieatturs bill taken place which lie could af-
ford to il••• i !rotlet. fonit I department, lie slid not
stippoee t ;,ere wouid be :my iteceesity for further
iirussiiig tlie motion.
Lord Goals • t LLB felt himself disposed to trot.
car with those ii lin ineitituined, Ono, in our ad-
justineuts with I•lfutilt, for the purpose of assisting
her regrind the cute moo enemy. we ought to have
ref' :lined entirely fsom anything which could de.
note a wish to proceed with force or violence ;
not lit the rime time it ought to be recollected, eto
gaged as we were int tile side of Spain. it could
not have been objected to. on the part of the Spa-
, niards, that, in case of any danger bring appre-
I headed Of their shippiug falling lino the pesseasiou
I
ui tile enemy, it ought 'Ater to have brill Celetel!tal
' to the protection or this country. At aii events,
the enemy's aquadron having taken poesexeiou of so
important au acquietime without any thing being
done to prevent *twit a eislainity, on our port, cer-
tainly tyquired ettple, :Atom
'the • Lvrl of layEeti oor. was happy to beer the
observation made by the Noble Parini (Gruoville)
that on no account we would be justified in our
bite conduct towards Spain, if we had hail
recourse, for the purpme of currying any measure
into elect, to force Of violeuce ; mid he trusted tie
Noble Baron would go one ste p further. and sit
we would not have twee juetilied it we had used
eveu a threat or menace. With respect to the
papers now on their Lori/ships' table, he must say,
that he would venture to state, nu instance of
any former inquiry into the conduct of Adminis-
tration could be adduced, where so much issfortua-
bon had been ....tranted• iu respect to the whole of
their condect, as whet was fomented in the papers
now on the talt:e. There might be. NOME iucosi-
venitotee attending the preseut mottos), but he was
extremely anxious that the whole conduct of Ad-
taillike/loon should.), • ovutiiiized, as to their con-
shirt to the late ttutossehoos iu Spain and Portugal ;
and if the Noide Lent thought proper, it might k.
as well to postpone his motion to a future day. •
• The Duke of Noavote tirged the importance
of our having front the test entered into a stipula-
tion with the Spaniards behire we assisted them.
He an., apprehensive Cadiz, as he had noticed on
a loom I tik.Ciliioo, Meat likely would fall into the
;omits of the French, unless something had been
done to guard agaiust that erect. God forbid any
man should stela up in that I louse to say hunt:e-
ssay might not to have been %hewn to the Spaniards
when they attempted to rostit the usorput ion of the
French Emperor ; but still, in justice to this coun-
try, and that of Spain. 0003 c provision ought to
have beeu made. whereby, lifter the van elipsiise
we had been put to on this occasion. we should at
least have secured the Navy of Spain front Merest,-
ing the marine of the enemy, which woe the best
policy of Spain, as well as tine couotry, to hate
adopted.
The Earl of BUM/felt ANSMItE Said a few words
in favour oldie omit and the necessity a hieli ex-
isted of fuller infurinatiou being given on the sub-
ject.
After *short reply from hoed AULILLA X o, and a
few remarks from Earl Geer, it was agreed to post-
pone the motion till a future day.
PRODUCTION OF LETTERS.
' The Earl of Dees LEY rose, and, after a few oti-
servetimis on the propriety of producing every in-
format which email possibly tend to assist the
!loose in f g their judgments on the conduct
of Administration, he proceeded to move for
certain Papers, to which, he understood. since lie
came to the House, there would not lie any ma-
teriel objection. The Noble Earl then read a
number of motions, that certain letters which
passed from Mr. Emir, Sir John Moore, Mr.
- Stewart, Sir David Baird, Lord Castlereagh, Sir
Hew Dislryttiple, &e. &c. to each other, be laid be-
fore the House.
The Kill of LIVERPOOL stated, that with re-
gard to t of these motions he had no objection.;
hut he comb/ twit at sill approve of the orodurtion
of the letter from Lord Castlereagh to General Sir
(high Dalrymple, wm, its ineinsurre, respecting
the regency of Portugal, He hail eolue partial
objections to some parts of the other papers, but
these were the only ones that could not be pro-
duced entirely. without considerable detriment to
the public service. In answer to some of the ge-
neral observations that had fallen from the Noble
Mover of these documents, he should state, that
His Niaiesty's Government were well prepared to
elite. into the fullest explenatiou of their conduct
as to the Spanish cause, whenever Purliaineut
chose again to tome to the consideratioo of that
question. The information upon this subject, al-
✓eady before them, is., 110 doubt the fullest that
ever was laid before Parliatneut, hut he had no in-
clination to oppose adding other papers for the
production of which any. real grouuds hail
been given. With respect to the correespondente
between Sir John Moore and Mr. freer. and Sc,
John Moore and Sir David Baird, he could inform
the House, that Government had not seen that cot-
respunileitt e, but that that of Sir John Moore and
Mr. Errol was in powieseion of a Member of the
Government, but not yet produced as public docu-
ments. These tower had been transmitted to His
Majesty's Goverment; but while he stated this
fact, he did not do so for the purpose of imputing
blame. Ho conceived, however, that these !utters
were in no plat of view important, in the way in
which shay win applied for on a former occasion.
tho ground baying been to account for the advance
of the British army front Salerno ne a. It never was
his meaning to say, that the advance of the Bri-
tish army from Sselarnanea was improper, but, uu
the contrary. it was highly protier, in every point
of view. An opportunity woitlil be afforded of dis-
cussing that point, wherever the general question
wee before them. He only me asit tot ay at present,
that that advance did not grow out of that corm-
spundence, Otid under these Lire a tievatices he meant

'to have reshited the productiOn of these peewits; but
ourlerstatfilag ~that it was the with or perboue
cur:sleeted with Sir John Moore, that there let.-
, tere should' be produced, mid being inclined ou
his part to pay every possible intent' to that
freliug, as far us it was consistent with the public
service, he elimild withdraw his opposition, and hr
disposed to accede to that part of the 'Joanne un-
der the reservation with which at was now proposed.
Ile had no object' to that part of the Noble
Load's Motion standing as it did; and us to the
other correepontlente mentioned, there would I.e
• reason fur its nine-production apparcot opus'
the return to be Hide. The letterwritten by Lord
Castlereagh to Sir Hew Dalrymple, upon the ete•-
gestiou of the Portuguese Ministers, did not tend'
to throw Roy light upon the general state of the
war in Spitiee.andeould not be produced, as he'for-
nierly landed, without injury to the public gel-eke.
As to the letter from Mr. Secretary Limning to
Mr. Frere, lie intended to accede to its production ;
hut it would be found entirely to relate to events of
this campaign that were passed at the time it was
• itteu. The other letter from Mr. Canning to M r.
4 'rule, ref.nring to that of Sir Joliti .1i wire, dated 2d
MT. I 81)8, he *how Id object to, as it referred to event.
that were in seam degree untrue:Went. • fir dial Hot
of, rest to the production of the divnteli from Mr.
St t to Mr. See. Cliooirig ; but as to the ()beer-
s anon relative to the emit of cavalry in Spain,
ad :say was, that he wished Noble. Lords
to suspend their judgments 1110111
,that poiat, till
thee were billy satisfied by docuineins regarding
it. There was no one objectiout to the el-Induct of
His Majesty's tioverniumat less founded ate reason
thauethat charge, and he hoped it small, appear to
lie me. when on opportunity occurred of diceessiiig
t.le grarral.quertiou. The letter from Sir Juhu
Moore to Lord Castlereagh, dated Jaacary 13,
1410, 91.11411 t lint to tie pressed just lina. as there
weir wine remains existing for its non-production
till s Shalt time bailee. Upon the whole, with the
exception of the instruct oils contained iii Lorre
(!astlerenglea letter, its to the support of the regency
of Portugal, he watt disposed to acce.le to all the
motions that haul been made, if they were persisted
in, at least so far as is consistent with the public
service. Ile was unwilling to autimpute the dis-
cussion iipop the general question that must short-
Is follow; lint lie should only say, that the con-
duct of Ilia Majesty's tioverument had .proceeded
front a just consideration of what was best calcu-
lated for the interests of our allies, cud of our
own country.
Lord Russet a thought, that an additionhl mos
flan begone neeessiiry upon this subject, and that
was for the production of copiee or extracts of all
correspondence between His Majesty** Principal
Secretar. of State noel His M:ijesty's Minister resi-
dent in Sputa, touetuaig any military arringetneets
for supplying tits British army with provisions
upon their march through that countr ; at it ap-
',cured these matters that had been wider the
airanagerneiat of civil mitred of nathlary officers.
If at, were outeudeil tlintthe &emission of this itn-
pertain subject should he full anal cousp:etr, he
could not frame. to Innat:lf nay objection that
cook! possibly lie tawle to such is domitne.it as the
one he alluded to haeree produiced. However, as
he haul not „wivu.ii a regular :
be should, if thought necessary, postpone it to a •
futon! day.
The Earl of Ltvittrotat, atuewered, that not
being aware of such a neon being to lie made,
he could not take upon himself to say at present
whether it could Ire pro:le:led or taut, bust as the
Noble Lord had no objection to postpone his mo-
tion, it would be ucettlese then to enter into further
explanation.
Lord GRENVILLE said, he could not agree with
the Nol le Secretors, what be insinuated that even
• a small degree of inmate wits to be imputed to Sir
John Moore, iii not sending. home more minute
etatteieetits wf his progreel it, Spain ; for in his
(Lori ( ;rem o, ii arm, lint thu: enialheit degree
of blame aoedd tie a: etched to that gailant sod
lameteted Officer. It was utidoilinu dly toe duty of
our Minister at Madrid, io intriria our Secretary of
State here as to the progress of ear townie in that
irountry. lie shoald, therefore, assert, that if
blame was at Ml to be imputed to soy oue, it at-
, inched to the living, and not to the dead. Mr.
Prere was the person who ought to atcouist for any
apparent otimetiotis or neglect:
The Earl or !Av.:Art.oi. etplainiud, and said, lie
• lintßlC4ll to infer, that if Hilt' blame existed, it
was to Is impend to StrJohis Moires; al: lie stated
was, that if letters, such us 'bore alluded to, were
addreeeert to any eereon, either civil or military, in
Spain, they ought, the comurou course of Inca-
mess, to hare been transmitted to him. But, in
pookt of fact, there were mine trent:flitted, either by
Frere or by Sir John Moore. This, he con-
ceived, might occur through the pressure of
• His Majesty's Ministers were not offieially
is poviesinan of threw letters, so as to be able to
produce them as ',oldie documents; but, indeed.
the object for which those letters were desired, dial
not appear to be one that could be answered in soy
degree by the production of them. He wished it
to he distinctly understood, that he did hot mewl
to attac:a the vurailost degree of blame to Sir John
Moore in partietilar.
Lord GREN1111.1.1; could not help disapproving
or the Noble Se.cretnry, merely as it were making
en
attestants. for Sir John 1\ Iron, for not haring
transmitted these dispatches, ur,e tu-comit 'tithe pres-
sure of bininess, anal the difficultieri in which that
gallant officer stood. Ile hid a right to prolleme
that the King's Ambassador at Nfadnil, who trans-
mitted instructions to Sir John Moore, would have
also tramsinitted them to Ills Mujeety's Secretary
of State herr ; and therefore Sir Joint Moore vita
rhy no nieaue to blame, as lie most have hod reasoit
to think these dispatches would hate been trans-
mitted to this country through another ehatintl.—
This, however, was not the day Are enter further
into that pout or toe subject. ft ass only nerve-
wary that their Lordships should keep time minds
(span fur its selaserttenit consideration„ amid de-
cide it upon the evideure that might he kola:Out
forward. As to the letter, reknie to the peva:dish-
silent of the Regency of Pnrtegal, the Nolte Se-
as/buy had said it could not be produced without
detrimelit to the public serrate; but in raving
so, lie must take the responsibility of thr sissertiou
upon himself, for there WON no doubt, cotwielcnable
responsiloility attached to Minasttro, atoling such

eh melte ter the nos-produetion of a public
document. It had beets also rutted, that that
letter was wjwlly hileOulleeted with the campaign
la Spaim; but, in his seamen, so fur from its being
foreign from that campaign, st would appear that
the measures taken to etteietsli that Regency had
all immediate effect m thief-fore ht
shank! le oe st against this jiletice of such an asser-
tion. As to the motion for the .locusuent, relative
todates, he shotilit pruteee, that instead of with-
holding it altore tiler, esi aveumeit of its being in-
complete, it should be produced as far els it could
be made up.
Visconut SITMAILYTU olnienTil, that although his
Noble Friend thought that such u due unwed beme,
produced would prove eletrimelind to the public
service, it did not tliereliire follne., that that House
should thiek so. It rim) avail the objection
feu-
merly stated, that the Regency hod mirth et upon
the campaign, that he had urged his Iseble
Friend near I
evidently appeared that it had had au effect awn' the
war in Spain ; fur, previous to the Reeeuey,a, iamb
larger force was employed in Portugal then idler it;
when our force wt 4 withdrawn into the Spanish
territories. He could not help thiukine, that the
docuMent called tor as to ties subject ought to be
• CdriGltkT oleerveil, that, as the Noble Secree
tary of State asserted, that the production met this
document would be. detritneatal to the public Sal.
Vice, he could out avoid thinking that, whet' our
of the f iuzg s Ministers toek so much responeibilitj
upon liiinrelf, it was certainly his duty to state
some' reasons for *ltch an itisertimi. Ile must ac-
quiesce, undonbtedly, iii what ees stated by that
Noble Seeretary ; but when there appeared to lee
something u, the: trurivartien itself that 'mule him
suspect it would turn out otherwise, he had a right
to eat further explanation of the grounds upon
which it wits suooosed to her detiimental ; or, at
least, that it should be shewn there WIL4 a praise-
bike of sueh a detriment existing. The persons
composing the Regency, tieing still in power, it
might be possible thut the peeluction of these in-
otructions might he attended with some detriment;
bate a+ io the document being micouneeted with
the camp aieu in Spain, he must state his °plains's
to be completely °temente ; and, besides, it was
necessary to be produced, to 'hew the knowledge
which Ministers, at tiro', had of the Armistice and
Convciition concluded in Portugal.
The Earl of Livcarool. added, that the first
knowledge they had of the Aratilitiee von-
sequence of a communication from the Portuguseat
• Minister, inclosing certain papers. The object of
this 'notion Was to produce tee iuclusures as well
as the correspondence ; but be cell tmight.
the ofsiduction ofeither of them woule
and he was therefore inclined still to object to the.
motion ; and the more so, because the Armistice
,was at that time unsatisfactory to the Portuguese
Goversament, as well Its to [his Majesty's Govern.
went. The pullers in question arose out of that
coimuunicatiou fruit, the Portuguese Government,
aecompanied with a letter from Si: floe. Dalrym-
ple, which, without explauatiou, could not be in-
telligible to any one.
Earl Gate said, if he understood the Noble
Secretary rightly, his ultjectiose then appeared to
relate only to the predictor of the 'actinium, as
relative to the Armiatice ; if so, lie should move as
eftaragodiro ant to the motitin "That the words • with
the incloeures ' be omitted."
The Earl of LiOisassoos persisted in his objec-
tion to ',nth the letter *ad inclosurea.
The Berl of Butetstettaustung said, lie enuld
not conceive what detriment was likely tett:Lille to
the public service by the production of the docu-
ment desired. It was dime to Sir Dew Dalrym-•
pie, that the grounds upon which the original ob-
jection was made should be stated.
Lord Gagevixac said, the objection made to
this production was quite ioaduaissible, especially
when it was snaineutleil. It was material, as a do-
euinent, to sheer the impression that Wits 'Dude
upon the minds of His Majesty'r Govt. uj first
hearing of the 'armistice. The objection stated was
one that should never be urged, except upou ex-
ceedingly good grounds, aid he
.begged therefore
to caution the Noble Secretary to refiect upon the
sittiatiou in which he thereby placed himself. It
was not a matter tint °light to Ire 'ell to hazard,
for every one must say, how was It possible
that the prmluctiou of such a document could
be detrimental to the public service. Ile had
all along understood that the first impression
made itpoe Mmisters as to the Armistice *us, that
they had li.believed it; audit so, how came it that
even ;hider those circumstances, when the Con-
veation was first heard of, there were immediately
public rejoicings and firing of guns by their orders?
They appeared to have been determined to make
.the Convention palatable to the country, whether
right or wrong.
The Earl of Ltvearoot, said, he meant piiiiei-
pally to object in that part of the correspondence
which related to the iiistructious sent to time Por-
tuguese Government, trout His Majesty's Goren,-
inent. . The first impression ispou His Majesty's
Gpverinneut, undouleeely was, to disbelieve it
bfit he begged to observe, that the subsequent re-
upon occasion of the Convention. were net
to be taken a. a sign of His Majesty'. Government
approvisig of the Articles of that Conveution. but
it merely took place on amount of the evacuation,
by the enemy, of the country of our ally. He
melt easily cotweive that there might be tuauy
CA*.t, of the capture of islands, upou which
rejoieiiige might take piece, and yet the terms of
the capture be such as might be afterwards the
sulnuct of severe censure. It was merely. upou the
event of the expulsion of the eueniy from the coun-
try of our ally, that the rejoteilig. in the entailer
itemised to, took place; and therefore it could not lie
looked upon as an approval, either of the Aimistiee
or of the Convention, by Ili. Majesty's Govern meat,
in any' shape whatever; for they should always re-
bane their Or mon, that 10111 C of the articles comild
not be jueldied, ender all time cif...innateness of tile
cane; but there were others of them, for ahic:i
some excuse might he pleaded.
l'isenistit Swum: tit said, he believed this was
the first instalice in which the Ministers of Dis
Britannic Majesty ever ordered 'while rejoicings fur
diezracefiil Convention ; our, that, in His Majes-
ty's men opissimi, from the Throw. had disappoint.
rd the hopes and expo. et "nines of the country.

•
The Lotto CW41100104 Oben Pot 114 e t°li°l"ini
Motion sort A inamdirorot from tht: Woolsack,
TI lan kiihnbid Address be to Hie Miajesty,
praying, tied he imeold be great, Slypkweased to order the pro.
decagon of a espy of tie Dispat. '• .. mewl C.-iritliereagh, to
Sir Hen Doirsn.olii, with its high,.-rea, Jilted the sth of
*Seedier, Igoe, refereed to is Lard l'imakatogli's knee of
the t 7th 4 Seetember." •
The Araeodusrot proptaid by Esti Gat. w was,
• • .
that the words with it, intioattreie' be ons..,ted.
Straugere were ordered to witiotritv, in order
float their Lordshipe !night 413 ville it it 4113 tht: .11tuent1-
meld, but we understand that both the A otesesi-
went nod original Motion were Deg:atrial o'thui t.
a
Adjourned at sine o'clock. •
silk • . •
HOUSE OP CO3INION. ,
The Depisty Usleniuf the Black s AAAAAA nuucJ :be Honer
A. glee. Floe, of Lonls, to hear the Hord Assent e,% en by
germane hills-=The tie owl hie retsina,
infernos,' the House, that the Royal Ammo bad Mee gives •
to a Bill to allow the Fu ding of unt.standiug Eurherpier
Bills; a Bid for the Revolution of the Royal Marine., while
onshore; tlw Jartiaice Free-Put Bill, mid 'etyma! Pcirate
Bills.
Mr. TNOMNT.'T brought •p the Fourth Report of the
Fisialwe (Nesiniattes, which was Nadel eat to lie on the table,
and be printed.
The Accoentant-(:eueral of the Beek of England reseal-
ed au Account of she iiember of Sauk Nodes ice circulatios
from the at of LIU), teua,te Ike lit of Fehru•r) tie-9;
distiliguishine each quarter..--Ordered to lie on the table,
awl he printed.
SW. Haworth, Gum the Exchequer °Mee, preseteed aa
Account of the Folded Debt of Great [intent, up to the Ist
of Foe nary lest—ordered to lie gioa the table, sod ho suited-
The House resolved *itself auto a CC/1111111W( of tlw oho e '
Hotter, on the Navy Olken,' lViduee' Penguin Bill. The
Report mss ordered to be staved en Minelay nest.
The Order of the Day fur the Hooter going into a Coon-
slime ire the Vgymontli Purace Bill, was postponed to Wed-
uevitay fort meld
Mr. Wit au roe brought up the Report ut the Committee,
en the propriety of lowering the Dulles on Supra used for
which was agreed to.
AD Actouut of all Suizars imported tido the Limited Kim:.
dmos, in the year lame dedinaUishiug that fauns the
Plantations and eons the Last lushes, was ordered to
be hie: before the House.
Earl Temp r.r withdrew Wm motion fur as Address to His
Majesty, for Paper. relative to Spaiu, 4 coesermenee of a
part ot the in twang laud ou the Tabk, whirl he tail opened a
snide held fur disc asoom, till mitts the holidays.
Mr. tt'errear. A U said, es the hot letter of Gra. Moore
was closely connected with this subject, sad fur the pro- •
diestion of whirls he had given notice ; be shosid, for olakihr
rtasuus to those of the Noble Lord, postpone pressing the
subvert tall *for the holidays.
An Acconut was preiiialed of Mil Ow mimics seat M Spein
sad Portroal —4 hAirseell to he on the Table apd be twisted.
WHAIIITONI b4Str,thi up the Report of the lAA Vies- •
Seni bounty Bill, which us, &peed N.
31r. Pa Rer V• L postponed Mingle-4 iu a Bill, of wheb.he
had given notice, to cornet odours in the Broluwege auk sale
efollkee, tilt Monday unit.
Sir Jona Saw PORT mooed for as Actoent of certain laid
Ploaoakair of the lanes- Board of !friend ; east ate fie a
Cup, .(thew Architect's Bill, which were severally ordered.
Si. Jane N wrofer then said, that wilco thew Papers
err, beton. the iiinew, lie skould CIA their atteatiou to the
sabirethe had roenti.anal !mitred:ay
The Hare went Sete a Committee on the Peusinn Duty
Bill. l'be Report was ordered to be in:eared on hlusiday.
Mr. 'Wei • u observed, that in the acceowts which
had hey laid or the Tater nom the Stamp OlFsee, there
were bar sums given melee the head of " luceleres " As
I it wail his oatentoos to 1••••.: for a detailed accoeut of these
incidests, be wished to know whether any objectless would
be wale to its sodas tau° To which he I•••fteisirered, that
too übject.on would 11C mirk.
IRISH 31 !LIT 1.1 COMPLETION BILL.
Sir rutin Wei•toat.be ease 'to iditettledierve- fo brful
in aßr fur (orapletise the Militia of Ireland. The prin•
cask of the W.ll Ise teatest to lw the saute as that iutroloseed
by the sights Lord ',Hawlesbury) foe eirespietlisg the Militia
of (4154 Britons, mid that it one therefore 111111elmary to
enter into particulaas.—Leave was thee given to lulus in
the Rill us Alooday next.
THE THIRTEENTH REPCIRT OP NAVAL COM-
. 3/ IsISIONERS.
Mr. Gress roe, to inquire whether any proorediils had
' been cern:Deuced araiset Dr. Mayne, in cuuseeuvorr uf the
represeutatious mad. in the lloirt.es.tio Repeet of Naval
Commissioners. That Osulleissan bail held 'contracts rela-
tive to the sick and hurt, by. which he Laverne possessed of
sums which be should have been compelled to refaud. The
Honourable Member sidled, that d no preen-dings were in-
itiluteit, it ...mid be swam is future to Upiltlll4 COWRlES-
routers to detect public abuses.
Mr. Ross replied, that pruceedines were ening on, out
only in revolt to that Report, hut also to several others.
GENERAL CLAVLIIIN(V.

The Serjeant eit Anus mforiutd the House, that,
in pursuance of their ordeis, he had taker Geu.
Chivering into custody.
Mr. C. W. W. IVV net then moved,
" That General flaves:na Lomas been fogad guilty of
grow prevarication befure the Committee of that Muse, ap-
pointed to iwiaire iatu tbr cuudact of his Royal Highness
t►e Duke of Yort, he s►ould, fur the said offeoc,, he com-
mitted to Hu Silajuity's soot et Navigate, and that the
Spat/tor do issue his warrant attawdolgiy "—Ordered.
ENGLISH MILITIA COMPLETION BILL. •
Lord Castr.Litcswi muted, " That this bill be
now read a second titre."
Lord A. Harit.ton said, be should oppose its
further progress ; he would wove the rejectiou of
it altogether, as tucimmistent with the justice, ho-
nour, or policy of the country. It was his inteution
to propose, instead of its being now read a second
time, that it should be react again this day three
mouths. It was not his wish toeister tate a discussion
of its various clauses ; as, if it went lute a Commit-
tee, he should tlieu be al.lt to suite his olaitrirtiurts ;
but in cooside►iug it geurrally, he declared it to be
a breach of the faith of l'arliament; for in the Mi-
litia Act of iio7, it was there decland that recourse
should not agent lit had to the ballot Iw•fuhr the
year 1810 ; he therefore maintained, that it iris i 4
dograut breach pwlilic iwth, mid hopc.l the
House would timer sutftr it to go to a Cowin/titer.
Notice hail berm given in bring so n buil a, .huhrnd
the Local Militia Act, so that where Parliament
promised not Esicatis to tided...it with the people, by
bringing forward any new totemic, they had au-
tually brought forward two. If any isessure west
brought forward to *ellen the burdens of the
people, it was art aside, but when a measure im-
posing hardships upou them was brought in, it was
pressed toward. Auotiu ground of objection to
this Rill was, that it proposed 'Moog recruits for
the militia be beat of drum ; a thing 'serer before
heard of, sod could may be attended to delude. It
was welt known that recruits could net be procured
for dotilde the 111111 of the bounty 'imposed ; iu
that point, therefore, it was nulotory ; aril the re-
su►t would be, that the whole number would lave
to he raised by ballot—i measure which they were
p!edir.l not to adopt. The Noble then si►ited
the Impropriety Of pawing such as Nil tlas session,
the objections to which would be greatly floae
aiiny aids in a ter ruonth*, mod casueluticd with •

moving, "That iaattml of the cord coo,' this
day three inuetlm• be Substituastl."
Mr. Otte+ said, the abjection* be had to make
to thisßill were on suother retina trout tlis•Ae stated
by the last streaker. The Noble lord's (Hawker, •
bury) plaits dolled the possfhility of inerea.ing the
regular florets tlyatlie ordiaary modes arreurandig.
There were but three neele,i of augineutiog our
army ;•"bs, giving um initiate:aid bounty—li,thtelitig
the burden and lessening the ;meet of service— .
or by cutalmil.inn. 'There were list those three
ways of getibag rid of the Noble Lord's shifieulthrs.
Oh, but the Noble Lord thought he had fouial out
another, ass! gnt them to transfer their scrams
from the :Militia ; but this was the moat exgetieve
of all ; Ito does not increasie the strength of our isti
i tars. establishment, he only obtains 411111“tniSe
the disposable force; and then, to support the
militia, he his recourse to ballot or to compulsieu.
The reason given by a Right Hon. Gemlesnao,
, now no snore, for giving sip the /allot, was. bteltllNC
, he found that it did not produce more than one is
'Oen who served in person, mei therefore air
creased bounty was given. Now the Noble Lard
thiiiks by his measure we get co • soldiers' with•.nt
an increased bounty. The Nellie Lord certainly
avoids raising so much motley, though the hordes', •
its eficet, is the same upon the country ;-11f-ne !
hear!/—with this difference ouly, ea nitre-wish .
are raised by increased honnty. that he 11‘46
19.000 bidders to the marker, where these chnsdol
he only one, and consequeutly increasers the har-
dens of the penpk.--I Hear hear 'j Fier w, s wit
the House to recollect what the 20,000 me i raistd
for the year 1807 cost the country. The Noble
Lord provided as a bonuty to each who voliontre.-
ed to the line from the militia, from 131. to 151.
a Insir ; to make up tins deticieney in use eildstte,
the eolith• give their substitutes from 181. to 4.51. •
a mail, which upon the lowest average was II bounty
of lel. each; this, added to that which the Noble
Lord had given, would, at,lthe lowest computatiewa
'Delta bounty to each Mau seteally raised, .4 341.
to that the est 000 meta raisA cost the i mutt y
the sum of 700.0001.! (Hear! lie.:, '1 Ilia
the Stride Lord mean to say, without interfering
with the Militia,. be colds' not raise men at a
bounty of 381. each ? The Hon. Member thee
stated: that the 760.0001. was paid, one.th4.l out
of the general times, oae-third out of the poor:-
n*1.40-Inch was from the landed interest of tb -
country, at, I the reittaiiting third was paid be tlic
individuals upoit whose lot the billot happened 10
fall. Thus the bounty was not only isicirsitsof,
but fell reran those eta when it ought not to fall ;
and could any on 4 Le foiled, who would cell
joist? He thou said, diet men might be raised bye
an adequate bouritv-, without harieg recourse to
this measure, and it the bounty were ciente, t trio
high, it might be lowered, by I' 'ting the period sti
service.-1 he idea of raising-tneu he heat n(
drum for fel. who kuew, if they waited a four
mouths, they would get treble the bum f"040 aeon:
who were ballotted, was so contrary to manta that
he could not entertain it for it nioareut. In attdi- •
tion to these objections, there were many clauses
iu the Bill which he should object to, bat which be
would not then speak upon. as be could do that iii •
the Committee; but trusted the House would &Ile
him that trouble, by rejecting the Bill altogethet.
Colonel Mown. elm opposed the Bill, and de-
clared, that the discipline of the Militia was never
sunk so low as during the operation of the Act
for recruiting the Line from the Militia. It di.-
ci waged the Militia Officers, and changed their
• engagements and their duties. The lieu. Member
Inge(' many arguments against the Bill, but ii, SO •
low a tone of voice, we were unable to collect these.
Mr. Locetater said a few words in support of
the 'emote reading of the Bill, and considered the
measure as equaltziog the burden which must se
ctssarily fall upon the people.
Mr. Barraito said, that if such a number of
men had been lost, as to render this Bill necesaie
for replaciqg them, be considered it a subject wei
worthy of inquiry ; if, on the other hand, as hid
'beam asserted, oar loss had only amounted to enoa
men, in that case lie saw no Necessity for the meat-
sure, which he considered as drstrtictise of the
spirit of the militia ; for whet officer would be at
the trouble of recrnitieg, when he knew that elm
men would to. drafted away as soon as they vier
rendered fit for service ? There were several GiftW.ra
in the Bill, which were particularly objectiomble.
and which must be altered in the Committee. pa.-
ticularly that authorising the batistes-ring Ito e
from one regiment to another ; a measure
contradictory to the vary spirit of the milling,
witch was founded in a kind of local preditectiou,
which led men to enter into particular regigneeta
in preference to others. To the principle of the
Bill he had a total objection, as tieing calculated to
lay a tery urgent burden on the landed ti,tarral
the country., in raising the Decessary maniac hart
fur its protection; if it were tut soled, as be 0.1 -
eeived it was, to get std of the matzos altogeti
let it be done opeuly and manfully, and not the".
by Is side wind, attack them for the purpose of
tratering them away by degrees.
The Mame then divided on the motion, win n
' there appeared for the around reading of the Mil—
Now 41
*gamut it .
Majority
The Ali ass secordingly teasl a second titer,
and ordered trebe criminate, nu aluotlay next.
The House, a Committer welt through the
Irish Expiring Laws Bill, the step ort of which a.as
ordered to i.e received da Monday neat.
The Lill prohibiting the E.portation of Provi- ,
sions from !reload as, likersos.t gorse through a
rConsiuittee of the whole UMW, and the Revco t
ordered to lie received via Monday uext.
The Committees of Supply and of Ways sod
Means were postponed to 'll)arelay next.
Mr. PERCEV•t gave notice, that he would, on
Mende), ne•st, move, o That the House resolve it-
sellauto scConisnattee, to take into eon•nsteret
the comoaasetion to be granted to certain preemie*
holdiug public offices in Stotlaual, for the hisses
mestained by them in the lets of their temper:tore
ofilices."
The liink..epers' Allowance Hill was brought in
by Mr. Peat:Eves ; read a first time, and oclerti
to be read a second time as Monde, meat; to *Aids
day the Howe: adjuarited.

-T.-.

:

I

_ ___._—g-- _...olimeal.—..

is. . .
, THEBilt/TISH PRESS.

LONDON.
SATURDAY, MAncm 21.

I -

- I

A vessel from Demerara is arrived at Liverpool,
which passed Martinique on the 12th last. While
rff that place; she was boarded by the iiivistch
sloop of war, Captain Distal:RAP, who informed
her, that Fort Bourbon was shortly expected tom
surrender, as the British troops were on the hills
bombarding it.
A third set of Papers, relating to the I.tte cape-
kitious to Spain mid Portugal, has been published.
It consists of thirteen letters from Major-1;1~nd
Lairs, dated successively from Gijon, Oviedo,
Santander, San Vinceitto, and Lugo. The first is
dated so far back as the 31.0. of August, and. with
several of those that immediately follow, consists of
such local infonnatiou as Geti. LEITH could collect,
and the means adopted by him to encourage and
assist the rising spirit of the country. The latter
part of these fetters relates to the military operations
of ROXAWA and Gem BLANK, in the early part of
time war, at Balboa, Samosa, and Valtitesada.
The iityrutkuce of Lord CASTLEREAGH. aho itow
appears to have formed the plait of the eampaigu,
in not fixing a place for the landing of the troops
tenor to the theatre of war, is fully established by
the authority of General LEITH. In page 173, al.
lading to Rost sass corps, amounting to 8,671,
that lacelcd at Santandet, lie says, I conceive
their coming at once so near the hue of operations
of great iniportauce." Here we have no less au-
thority than that of General LEITH. against the
course that was'adopted, and led to suck a fatal
catastrophe.
By one of those sudden trausitians which mock
all human calculation, hut which will not excite
astonishatent in those who are acquainted, either
from history or from p•rrwtul knowledge, a ith the
characteristic features of the Spanish people ; a
resistance, equally general and efficient, has arisen
in various parts of that extctisive peninsula, to the
further progress of BONAPAUt it. We are as-ured,
that, in addition to the advice, received by Govern-
ment in an official, or at least in a regular shape,
from Oporto, Liken, awl Cadiz, private letters,
of au authentic description, have been transmitted
to respectable individuate in this metropolis, within
the last two days, fully confirming the above ac-
counts. They positively state, that throughout all
Gallicia. a regularly-organised insurrection has
taken place ; that the invaders are retiring, or have
beeu expelled from Orense, Toy, and St. Jago de
Compostelle. Lastly, that Ferrol and Corutin*
arc already blocked by the patriot ituurgeuts. whose
nnmbers hourly. as well as rapidly, wistaria. One
of the letters alluded to, dated from Vigo. and of
which we have seen an extract, asserts
that the Austrian levies had surrounded St. Ander°,
and hoped to compel the French in that place to
surrender.
Without pledging ourselves for the absolute cer-
tainty of these facts. we cannot possibly doubt
that the French arms are Imo longer progressive in
altaost any part of Sio6i. The sudden departure
of NAPOLPON. the recall of the Imperial Guards,
whose exertions are now wanted on the Daittibe.
and the critical position of the I:sucker's affairs iii
Austria, Russia, Turkey, as well as in .Sintriny and
Prussia ; so tinny events taking place nearly 'at
the saute moment, must necessarily- awaken, en-
courage, and propel the Spanish energies. Junett
Bow APARTE, the Tensedo of this great Enchanter.
his Viceroy. and lois instruments may conciliate,
by his linty, or negative virtues, the roil sill and
affection of many individuals ; but he can neither
immure respect, nor loyalty, nor terror, except while
he is sustained by superior force. Ile may coal-
nue to occupy the Royal palaces, to diets himself
on the Prado, or to preach to the. Spanish Pr, I oes
at the church of Our Lady of t ; lan his
sceptre can only be confirmed by new Memories
*ping the Austrians,. We must, nevertheless,
admit, that so long as 808 APARTE POLO wilts to
retain the passes anti tile keys of the Pyrenees, to-
gether with the four frontier provinces of Biscay.

_ ...

Navarre, Arragon, and Catalonia, he is in fact m.o-
ter, in a military *Luse, of the peninsu la ; even
though Old uud New Castile were recovered by the
patriots, and though Joszeu were compelled to
take refuge at Saragossa, or at Painpeluna. In
this view of the subject, we never can enough re-
gret or lament the fall of Saragossa, or the fate of
PALATOL In whatever way his death has bee■
neccomplished, the loss to his country is incalcu-
lable. The Spaniards may find other Chiefs as
brave or as able ; but it is not easy to replace a
man, whose virtue was proof to all corruption or
seduction. Like Pattie of Nlacednia, the Corsi-
can Conqueror buys his way to Empire, and sub-
jugates more by gold than by arms.
Still, it is evident that NA voLuov, far from hay-
hag athiaved, as be promised ■nd thmateuisi, the
redaction of the Pyrenean Peninsula, is, on the
contrary, arrested raid-way, and compelled to turn
his efforts to another quarter of Europe. lie may,
indeed, return, after entering a second time into
Vienna, and complete the sny.ction of Spain.
Ent, meanwhile. how is Jorarn to ►emain at Ma-
drid' Will the Spun ands allow this precious in-

_~ N

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IBC

MlMlllii