The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-03-19 00:00:00

(though the clerks were dismissed), who hail merely
to receive their salaries, and assist each other in the
diminished duties of their office. Ile saw an Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Croke t) smile at this statement.
Doubtless he had conic down to give some new
information of the subject—and he should he very
happy to hear him explain every thing satisfactorily
to the course of the debate. The (ion. Baronet
then argued, that, from the year 1702 down to
1790, the number of junior Lords of the Admiralty
had frequently varied—sometimes there were four,
sometimes five, and at others six. It was said,
that, by the existing system, it was necessary that
all orders from the Admiralty should be aigssed be
three or more of the Commissioners. But this
objection might easily be got over, by re-
questing his Royal Highness to direct, that the
signatwes of " two or more" should in future
be sufficient. It was also observed, that it
was necessary to send Cominisrioners to the out.
port.. This might be the fact iii time of war, but
certainly it was not so in time of peace. And, at
any time, he could not imagine what service could
he performed by persons, who, though they perhaps
knew a mail-coach from a seventy-four, were quite
ignorant of nautical affairs.—(Hear, /rear.)—How
could they make a report on a subject of which
they knew nothing ? Such persons must occasion
more mischief than they could possibly do good.
Such was the view he took of this subject. He ad-
mitted that, in point of saving, the question was
insignificant ; but, as far as principle was concerti-
ed, it was of greet importance—since they ought to
cut off, whenever an opport nutty offered, every situ-
ation of power and influence, not immediately con-
nected with the interest of the country. The Hon.
Balonet concluded by moving—
., That au bumble Address lie presented to his Royal
Highness the Prince Itegrot, to represent to his Royal
Highness, that his faithful Commons, relying on his gra-
cious disposition to concur is all melt measures of economy
and retrenchment, as are cuiwisteist with the security of the
country, humbly !way that his Royal Highness will be pleas-
ed to give directions that the I.ords Commissioners of the
Admiralty be reduced to such number as the exigencies of
time public service may actually require in a time of profound
peace."
Sir (co. COcKBURN rose to repel the personal
charge that had been made against him by the Hon.
Baronet.—(Hear, hear.)—Yes, it was stated that
an injustice had been done with respect to the ap-
pointment of u chaplain at Portsmouth, on account
of electiosieering influence. He was proud to
to say that he was the Member for the borough of
Porismooth—and, standing in that situation, it
was clear the charge was directed against him. He
was ready to meet it, or any other charge the Hon.
Baronet thought proper to advance against him.
He would now state a plain tale to the House. The
redoction of chaplains was well considered and
angora at the Admiralty—and when, in come-
quelice of some representations, it was agreed that
three senior chaplains should be sent to the out-
ports (the first to Portsmouth, the second to Ply-
' mouth, and the third to Chatham), a letter was
directed to the proper person to make out a list.
This was done—and lie (Sir G. Cockburn) knew
nothing whatever of the iedividuals selected.
Under these circumstances, would he have been
.justified in rejecting Mr. Cuthbert, the Gentleman
alluded to, because he happened to belong to
Portsmouth ?—(Hear, hear.)—The gallant Admi-
ral then p•oceeded to spew that the number of
Lords of the Admiralty were not too many for the
business they had to transact. Formerly the ships
of war were placed at ten or twelve stations, at
each of which there was a Commander-in-Chief.
He maimed all the minor details—and with Ines
only the Admiralty bail to correspond. The case
war 110 W different. All those ships were paid id;
soil there were eight ar ten thousand officers spread
over the face of the globe, who all corresponded
with the Admiralty, on various subjects. Eves. if
they moved from one place to a 00000 her they were
obliged to give notice of it. Besides, they fur.
Dished a great variety of new plaits, for the in.
proventeipt of the hull, sails, and rigging of vessels.
It was right that these should be examined—aud
who was to examine them but the Lords of the Ad-
miralty ? The Lords of the Admiralty were the
guerillas's of the cominerciel and maritime rights of
this 4 Inlittry--Kild they were to see them duly pro.
tectrd. But, in doing this they were to take care
that existing treaties were not infringed—•alld, to
prevent such an occurrence, it was oecessary that
the sea Lords should he assisted by a number of
civil Lords. Three sea Lords and three civil Lords
wese preferable to two or each decription—because,
there was a chance of a decided majority, when any
point was disputed—aud, in all Cates, where per-
vious meant to get on well, they ought to have a
decided mitjwity one way or other.—( Laughter,
mad shouts of " Hear I" frost the Oppositiva
Beaches.)—He wits sure, if the House looked to
the reason of the thing, there would be a decided
tnsjority against this motion. He had been a
twelvemonth in the situation, and, he was persuaded
if this system, which had now existed for 100 years,
were altered, it would ptoduce incalculable mis.
chief.
Sir I. COFFIN was convinced that the three
sea Lords performed their arduous duty, with zeal
and attention—but he was sorry to observe, that.
since the year 1817. young mess were appointed
Lords of the Admiralty, who amused themselves
riding in Hyde Park from morning till slight, in-
stead of attending at the Board. It was most un-
fair to throw all the duty on the three naval Lords.
Sir G. Coc•oUusi mid Sir M. W. RIDLEY seve-
rally exploited.
Mr. Cst.carcre conceived that the argument of
the gallant Artistes'l wren rather too far, because,
if it were good for any thing, it proved that there
had been too many Lords of the Admiralty its time
of war. He described the duties of the situation at
tlust time to lime been very light; but now, it
seemed, the time of use junior Lords was fully oc-
copied in corresponding with 8 or 10,000 oflicers,
and examining their differeut inventions. This was
a new defence, for they were formerly told, that it
was necessary to keep up this establishment at the
Admiralty us kl political school fur young gristle.
men, who could sort triune their minds for business
without such a preparatory edaeat .—(A lusigh•l
—Those who thought such 14 seminary was steers.
sary, might vote against In. flote. Friend's musiou—
lint those who did not perceive that neer-away, and
who considered ibis a navy, comprisiog 1,000 ships
and 140,000 iseanten, et quirrd more official exertion
than a Davy of 137 ships aud :0,000 mimeo, would