The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-01-29 00:00:00

Lord tiAITKPIS Y rose to explalo: with re.
sera to thi -,irtikeol proposition; what
hr had nursed in the gra innance, was couched ac-
cording to the uniform rule on such occasions,
which went toatata-the approhation generally ; and
that mode; in * military point of view, would be re-
garded as the more desirable ; it would be better to
leave the expressions general ; thtse observations
he applied to the two first propositions ; with re-
sped to the third, approving the desttuelion of the
captured ships, struck him :s the least objeCtionable.
The Doke of Cl rt P:NC:E explained, that he
rectolleeted a proceeding somewhat similar, in the
Vote of Thanks for the victory off Cape St. Vin-
cent's, its 1797
Earl SPINCER agreed with his Royal High-
ness as to the very handsome manner in which
the Noble Secretary rendered the tribute of
applause to the unparalleled merits of the riles-
-1"1111 officer in question. Ile was glad that
what fell from the Royal Duke, prevented his
giving a silent vote on a so' jell of such import-
ance, and on which he felt so deeply. He fully
agreed with every thing that fell from the Noble
Secretary of State ; but though the catintry had
to lantern the loss of Nelson, yet he trusted his
glorious example would inspire the breasts of other
commanders, in every particular, to emulate his
admirable conduet.
Lord Viscount SIDMOUTH observed, with all
due deference to the Royal Duke, that nothing, on
such an occasion as the present, ought to be pro-
posed, tending to interrupt that perk& unanimity
which would otherwise pervade the House Ile
fully concurred in the propriety of what was said
of the m.sguitude, importance, and brilliancy of the
vklnry, which gave rise to the present proceeding.
He had also to thank His Royal Highness,
for preventing him, ton, from having, perhaps,
given a silent vote on the occasion; where his
respect fur the illustrious individual in question,
as a man, was not to he exceeded ; or his admiration
of him. as an officer, to be equalled. The events
of last summer, including the brilliant exploit of
Sir R. Strachan, were not to be paralleled in the
naval annals of the country. At the same time, he
thought much praise Wai due to his Noble Friend,
then present ( Earl St. Vincent), for his v'ry ju-
dicious original selection of Lord Nelson fur the
important service he was entrusted with. lle could
not refrain from adding his mite to the well-deserv-
ed panegyrics upon the illustrious Nelson, that
evening. lie deplored his death, as a loss to the
country, but that event created sentiments in the
breasts of British Officers, pregnant with the elc-
menu of haute glory. Hi. life was devoted to the
service of his country; his disp.sition was noble,
generous, and humane /Near! lire!) ; it was no
wonder, therefore, that in command he possessed
such an• inestimable influence over those placed un-
der him ; his death made a deep and everlasting
impression on the hearts and feelings of every man ;
but an impression winch would hereafter tend to the
glory and advantage of the country.
Lord HAWKESBURY observed, with respect
to the fitter part of the Royal Duke's amendment,
the insertion of the words, and fur his conduct after
the aftion," would be totally unobjeflionable, and
generally met his Royal Highness's idea. The
words were, therefore, ordered to be inserted; and
the Motion, so amended, agreed to, new. dinar. His
Lordship then proposed the Thanks of the House to
Rear-Admiral the Earl of Northesk, for his conduct
in the said action, and to the several Captains and
subordinate Officers in the fleet.
A short conversation here tank place between
the Duke of Clarence, the Lord Chancellor, and the
Noble Secretary of State, chiefly on the most regu-
lar form of couching the motions. His Royal High-
ness thinking the Thanks to Rear-Admiral the Earl
of Northesk, ought to be the subjeet of a separate
motion.
At length the propriety of this observation seemed
to be admitted, and the motion was divided accord-
ingly.
The Thanks of the House to the Petty Officers'and
Seamen, and to the Royal Marines, then followed,
and were voted with equal unanimity.
The Thanks of the House were then moved by
Lord HAWKESBURY, to Rear-Admiral Sir Ri-
chard *trachea for his gallant and meritorious con.
dull, in the capture of a squadron of the enemy, &c.
and afterwards to the Officers and Seamen under his
command.
The Duke of CLARENCE took the opportu-
nity to express his very high approbation of the cha-
rater and professional coal's& of the gallant Officer
in question, particularly on the important occasion
which gave rise to the present motion.
The Duke of NORFOLK took the opportunity to
make some general observations, respecting the
conduct and character of certain other officers, who
were, perhaps, equally deserving of die praise and
the gratitude if their country. He alluded to offi-
cers, who were employed in hard and close services,
watching the enemy year after year, and through all
weathers ; what displayed the greatest zeal and ta-
lents, and wanted only the opportunity to signalise
themselves, perhaps as brilliantly AS those who were
more fortunate. Such, for instance, was the ease
of that veteran deserving officer, Admiral Corn-
wallis. With respect also to Sir Robert Calder, he
seemed to express his regret at what had taken
place. He certainly, with an inferior force, had
obtain N:1 a decided victory, and made captures. He
meant not to arraign the decision nt the Court Mar-
tial ; but, after such conduct on the part of that re-
spectable officer, he regretted things so turned out.
as that he could not Ire included in the Vote of
Thanks.

The Earl of !IT. VINCENT said a few words
in consequence of what fell from the Noble Duke,
bu: in so low a torte,we could scarcely catch a word
from bim. He seemed to express his sense of the
merits of Sir R. Calder, as an officer ; but to be of
opinion, that the topic alluded tn, with a reference
to the good of His Majesty's naval service, should
not be made matter of Parliamentary discussion.
[His Royal Ilighness the Prince of W Ales, who was
very near the Nohle Eat!, nodd4d his approbation
two or three times, at wttat fell from bis Lordship.)
The question was th!ri put ; the Thanks to Sir
R. Strachan, &c. were voted unanimously, and the
Lord Chancellor desired to communicate them in
the usual way.
After disposing of same routine business, their
Lordships adjourned tiU to•morrow.