The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-06-07 00:00:00

THE FOREIGN ENLIST.IIIy
TO TH F. .F;DIIT011. r "

Iwo

.

~...

Stft—The 13111 which the Attorney-General has

lately introduced into P.srliament, mailer the title
of " The Foreign Enlistment Bill," has brought
tinder discuwions the political relations at present
subsisting between ibis country, Spain, end the
South American Provinces.

The purport of the Bill is to prevent British
subjects enlisting in my foreign service. or supply-
ing any foreign nation with ships or warlike stores ;
but it has been distinctly avowed, by the Learned
Gentleman who introduced it, that the measure
was specifically directed against South America.
It is not my intention, in this letter, to discuss
the policy of this new law ; but to confine my ob-
servations strictly to the ipiestion—Whether Old
Spain has a right to dentand this restriction upon
our intercourse with the revolted Colonies, either
in consequence of any Treaty, or its virtue of the
obligations which the law of notions imposes upon
a neutral State ?
I will first consider the duties of neutrality. Vat•

lel, B. 3. 6. 7. define. thrill 'limo—
" Let us examine in what eun►ist! that impartiality which
a maitre nation ought to übterve.

" It solely relates In war, and isiclades two articles :
To give no assistance where there is no obligation to give it;
nor voluntarily to furnish troop.; arms, ammunition, or any
thing of direct use in war."

It will moat clearly appear from the other
passages which I am now going to cite, that these
restrictions are confined to the acts of the Govern-
ment alone, and have no reference at all to the
conduct or individuals, who may, by the law of
nations, enter into the service of either belligerent.
or supply arms ■nd ammunition without at all in-
volving the State to which they belong iu any breach
of neutrality.
" When it is the custom of a nation, for the purpose of
employing and training her subjects, to permit levies of
troops in favour of a particular Power to whom she thinks
proper to intrust them, the enemy of that Power cannot
look upon such permission as acts of hostility, unless they
are given with a view to the iuvasion of his territories, or
the support of an odious and evidently unjust cause.
" He mom even demand, as matter of right, that the
like favour be granted to him, because that nation may
have reasons for refusing him, which do not bold good with
regard to his adversary ; and it belongs to that nation alone
to judge of what best snits her circumstances. The Switzer.,
as we have already observed, grant kites of troops to whom
they please—and no Power has hitherto thought fit to quarrel
with them on that brad.

" If dm troops above alluded to were furnished to my
enemy by the State heraM and at her own careen, or the
utensey in like manner lent by the Slate, without interest, it
would no longer be a doubtful question whether such assist-
mace were incompatible wills neutrality.

" Further it any be alarmed, on the same principles, that
if a nation trades in arms, timber for ship.building, vessels,
and warlike stores, t cannot take it amiu that she sells such
thing. to my enemy, provided she does not refuse to *ell
t►em to me also at a ressossaiste price. She carries us her
trade without say design to injure me ; and by continuing
it in the same manner a. if I were not engaged in war, she
gives me no just ensue of complaint."
It would be very easy to fill your columns with
numerous citations from other authorities to the
sane effect; but the doctrine in principle and in
practice is so clear and undisputed, that I forbear
further comment.

It is evident, therefore, that the laws of neutra-
lity do not justify the proposed measure ; that Spain
has no right upon that pretext to claim new laws;
and that if the statutes of George the Second, pro-
hibiting enlistments generally, should be judged
to restrain Spain, without applying to South Ame-
rim, a repeal of those statutes, as relating to Spain,
would be a most liberal concession.

Let us oow consider the obligations imposed by
Treaty.

" His Britannic Majesty being anxious that the troubles
and disturbances which unfortunately prevail in the dotal.
Mons of his Catholic Majesty, in America, should entirely
cease, and the subjects of those Provinces should return to
their obedience to their lawful Sovereign, engages to take
the most effectual means for preventiug his subjects from
furnishing arms, ammunition, or any other warlike article
to the revolted in America."

It is impossible to read this article without lament-
ing that any British Minister, cognizant of the former
promises which his Government had held out to the
inhabitants of the Spanish Main, should have 'roc-
Cloned engagements so inconsistent with those pro-
mises. We remember with astonishment, that they
troubles and disturbances which the Treaty now
described as unfortunately prevailing in the dumi-
nions of his Catholic Majesty, were excited by Bri-
tish Officers, acting by the express orders of Go-
remittent at home, who by virtue of that authority
stimulated the discontented is South America to
open insurrection, assuring them of troops, arms,
and ammunition to any extent. But it is nut my
present object to impeach the justice of that Treaty;
it is to the obligations imposed by it that I wish to
call the attention of the public.

Now I tuke it to be clear, that the Crown has no

power, even by Treaty, to bind Parliament to the
enactment of new laws, nor can the prerogative be
extended by Treaty against British subjects beyond
what the laws before sanctioned.
All, therefore, that the Crown could stipulate for
wilt, the enforcement of existing laws—and, if this
were done in the usual and accustomed manner,
Spain would have no right to complain, nor to urge
demands for new legislative measures. •
The good faith, therefore, which the Crown of
Great Britain is bound to preserve in the execs-

lion of Treaties, would be amply satisfied by the
execution of the laws ill being. No ololig:it 11111 by
the mere making of the Treaty coulil be Unloosen
upon the British Parliament, and as this Treaty to
this hour has never received its approbition, no
obligation, even by implication, could have bteti
since incurred.
I have thus, Sir, endeavoured to treat IN,
po►tant question dispassioilately, and I submit that
the true result is, that Spain ha, out, by the law o.f
nations, nor by Treaty, any just claim upon 11,,!
British Legislature to restrict our intercourse with
South America. Whether such measures can be
supported upon their intrinsic political expediency,
or any other grounds, may perhaps form the sub.
ject of another communication from
Your obedient Servant,
A Nau•rntt..
London, 7th June, 1819.

••• For op account of the Meet tag et Dreitiloos Theatre,

au Saturday list, us tut part.

T.EiE BRITI S PRES S.

LON DON.
MONDAY. JuKe 7. iBl9.

We have received Paris Papers of Wednesday
and Thursday last. Madame the Duchess of
ANGOULFDIE is said to be slightly hulisposed,
but the KING'S health impro•es flatly. His.MA•
JIESTY presides with his usual regularity at the
Councils of his Ministers, and receives the custo.
mary visits of Ambassadors, Mititeters, sad other
personages, whose duty it is to crowd the levees
of Sovereigns.
In the Chamber of Deputies the estimates of
the public expenses fur tl►e present year continue
to be discussed. Noth►ng important occurred
until the Chamber arrived at the budget far the
military establishment, amounting to 194 milhons
of francs, when M. DE LA BOORDONNATE, who
may be considered one of the chiefs of the Ulirc-
Royalists. opposed the erticnate, and moved, that
it be reduced to 170 millions. tie contended
warmly against increasing the military force of
France as dangerous, and spoke of the recruiting
law as contrary to the spirit of ■ Monarchy.
This observation was followed by violent murmurs
from the left side of the Chamber. which were re.
pealed when the Member said that the army was
created essentially poor, and that their poverty
would lead them to look to wars and revolutions as
the only means of acquiring wealth. This speech,
however, seemed to please the Members of the right
side, who called loudly that it should be pru►tes! ;
but this was opposed by the Members on the left,
and particularly by M. B. CONSTANT, who said it
was a libel on the Monarchy and the Charter. To
put an end to this dispute, M. De LA Bouanoe.
NATE declared he should print the speech ut his
own expense. O►lier Member, spoke on the eti.
mute, and some recommended reductions*, but not
to the same extent as was proposed by the first
speaker. Finally, the debate was adjourned to the
following day.
In the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies, of
Tuesday. a petition was read from • man named
COEREARLI, one of those unhappy persons who were
on board the Medusa, when that frigate foundered
off the coast of Africa. Still smarting from the re.
tnembrauce of the infamous conduct of the Captain
and officers of that vessel : first in neglecting to
take proper precautions to prevent the occident;
next in barbarously abandoning the c►ew with-
out provisions, sails, oars, or compass, in the
midst of the ocean. on an open and ill-constructed
raft ; and finally. on securing their own safety, Wow-
ing no measures to seek after the miserable wretches
they had consigned to a situation so horrible; M.
CORREARD now petitions the Chamber of Deputies
to have a more minute inquiry instituted .into this
affair, The Chamber, however, perhaps not willing
to renew the recollection of this event, which is so
disgraceful to the national character, thought pro-
per to pass on the Petition to tier Order of the Day.
The Five per Cents. are 67 f. 15 c.—Bank Stock
1,500 f. 75 C.

Our columns contain an article on the Foreign
Enlistment Bill to which we wish to call the at-
tention of our readers. It is the most unpopular
measure that Ministers ever attempted : policy,
justice, and every humane, liberal. aud gene-
rous sentiment plead against it. It is order-
ed to be committed on Thursday, when, we trust,
the Minister, yielding to the public voice. will see
the injustice and impolicy of pressing it further.
Were sufficient time allowed, there is not a ma-
nufacturing or public-spirited city or town in
the empire that would not petition against it.—
There will be a meeting of the Common Council
ou Wednesday on the subject, to which we
hope the discussion will be confined, and that
it will not be mixed with extraneous matter.
The result, as favourable to the cause of liberty
and humanity, may be confidently anticipated.
It is a fallacy to suppose that the national faith is i
the slightest degree affected to the state of
our relations with Spain by the species of tiAl
which the Patriots of South America may have
derived front the exertions of individuals in tin,
country. The optional good faith, honour, st 4

dignity, ore in molt danger horn those who would
wilt the King of SPAIN to continue the reign of
ingotry, darkness, and oppression in that interesting
sod long-sutieling quarter of the globe.

We have received American Pipers to the 211
I.ot. Gen. M'GxEcost has probably commenced
1„ operations with un attack on Santa Martha.
'Das t. u seaport town on the Spanish Main, to the
Lurtli-east of Carthirgeria.
from the New York Gazette of 29th April.)
By the schooner Retrieve, TWYCROSS, arrived
from Santa Martha in 30 days, we learn that official
information had been received at Santa Martha, that
General M'Grtrcott, with six Bail, end born I,euo
to 1,500 troops had landed near Porto Cabello, and
were daily expected at Santa Martha. The town
was under arms; all the Indians and troops in the
,kinity were ordered to that place to defend it,
should General M'Grrecott make an attack upon
it. Oa the Bth April, the Retrieve spoke a trans-
vort slap, No. 16, off Ileneega, from Jamaica to
Sera Leine, with Black troops on board.
The Baltimore Patriot states that the United
Sin sloop of war Ontario, Capt. BIDDLE, arrived
,t Annapolis on the revealing ,25th April, after a
long cruive on the South American btation. last
kw Rio

BOSTON, APRIL 28.

rNtit'LLA.—St. Croix accounts to April 5,
w0,,.,,ce reports current there, that General Mo-
-1:11 ru had been defeated on the 6th of March by
• r l'Artots, under General PREZ, and that it was
,t-ctetl the whole royal army would be Burgoyned
—o:ler accounts place the /root OR the other leg.
.inc will tell which report is correct. We know
t.o the war operations of both parties were in
b. ;%11V.

Saito lay afternoon the Astell Indiaman, Captain
taxbwELL, passed Portsmouth for the River, in
c..n►l.ai.y with the Fairlie and Porcher extra ship..
The Attell left the Hooghley on the 43d of January,
company with the Northampton, which ship she
left at St. Helena on the 3d of Apr►l last. By
some passengers which canted at Portsmouth, we
Isar that tranquillity prevailed through out India,
the measures and precautions of the Governor-Ge-
neral having had the most decided effect on the
turbulent spirit of the Mahratta Chieftains, who
..re so closely watched by our troops, for whose
maintenance they severally pay heavy subsidies, that
they will not again be able very !weedily to collect
large bodies of troops to disturb their more peace-
able neighbours. While the Astell was at St. He-
lena, C. M. Ricxerrs, Esq. of the Company's
Civil Service, who was passenger in her, hail an
iuterview with BONAPARTE, who was so much
indisposed, that he received Mr. R.'s visit in bed.
This Gentleman is the hearer of a rotninunication
from the Ex-Emperor to our Government, and also
of diipatches from Sir HUDSON LOWE, w►th which,
an landing here at Portsmouth on Saturday *ther-
mion, he immediately set off for London.—Mr.
Osw A to, of the Bengal Civil Service, d►ed on board
the Astell a few drys since. A LEX A ND2R COLTER,
Esq. of Calcutta, died in that city the latter end
of December; and, at a public meeting of mer-
chants, a monument was directed to be erected to
his memory. The cholera ;sorbets, which had
proved so dreadful a scourge from one end of Asia
to the other, bad entirely disappeared in the Cool-
y:ill's territories.—C. M. !bourn's, Esq. Mr.
and Mrs. HARRIN'OTON and fatuity, and Mr. DUN-
lii.LTON, of the Civil Service, Col. Mrs. and Miss
CARPENTER, Mr. M'ALPIIIN, Dr. and Mrs. COCH‘
NAVE, and Mr. DURHAM, Surgeon of the Military
Service, and Mr. MASSETK, merchant of Calcutta,
are passengers in the Moll, some of whom landed at
I'ortsn►outh.—Generals JACKSON and LAWRENCE,
CuI.NIUNRO, and Captains BABINGTON and KELLY,
have landed there from the Fairlie and Porches.

It is iniderstand that the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER'S Financial Resolutions
will __ h e pro-
piw•eil this night in the House of Commons, and
that the Loan and the remainder of the Budget
will be brought forward on Wednesday.

The Funds rose nn Saturday, but with great
fluctuations. Consols were at one time as high as
71,7. They kft off at 69f.
There was a report that one of the parties who
waited on the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
bus declined bidding for the Loan, and that another
list is prepared by a different party.

Yesterday the PRINCE REGENT gave a dinner to
H numerous !Holy, at Carlton House. Among the
coanininy were--
Dules—Bedfurd, Grafton, Dorset, and Rutland.
The Marrieds of Stafford.
);acts—Beseborough, Loss&le, Darlington, Bradford,
bad Wieehilsea.
_ _ _

Lords—Lowther, F. Ilentisck, and Ross.
4.rrs—Thomas Liddell and Vm. Keppel•
Altars —Villiers, It Seymose, &c.
hi this list of company are some distinguished
mimes for some time not aeeu in the ministerial or
courtly circles. Their presence will give rise to
political speculations.

Oil Saturday and yesterday the LORD CHAN..
cri.roa had audiences of the PRINCE KLOENT, at
Cat Eton House.
Cott Moorrett had an audience of the Patnt
lit t,E ST yesterday,

VAAL ;44 • . op.
.crett mgc.4‘.
e. 4
46,7 '7( -••••4# • ' •-;
=,/ t.htl
.1; t 2.15 Clow