The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-05-14 00:00:00

defeci which wee manifest is the rcirting lame,
.
rod to offend as- gratholottino of enga4ing nn the
service of foreign Pawers. from acknowledged
Nona Ind Government., to Mime Stoat, wit-re
the poweb of G rveriament were tioniased by in-
dividuals not regularly recognised by the law of
ii4OMIS. Ile conceive:l it to be an incloolatial
eilit inherent iii every Government to pro-
hnhit
its subjects tom engaging in star quar-
rel between States with wire., it was desirous of
maintaining a strict neutrality; lint with reepect to
this r.usitry, the common law right which wa+ vest-
ed in the Crown for this purpose, was further
treengthested by the 96h of Geo. 11. implanted by the
(Jill of the same, by which the offence of entering
into the service of any foreign 66 Prince, State, or
Goverionent." was declared to be a capital Inouye
Had those Swot,* comprised the words " colonieN
or permits assuming tlor rights of Goveroment,"
Ina parasol motion would have been unnecessary ;
Lost *I circumstances had arisen which 'hewed the
adoleory of the law in this particular, it was tie.
claire to correct it, stol as it was tqll Illy int.
0040 that neutrality should be observed between
Slate, controding with their revolted colonies or
.obiert-, as between acknowledged Sovereigns, when
..as the policy of the country not to take any
aloe in the rotund, it was proper that the law
r,oAlil he rendered equal with respect to all. By
1:1r low of this country, as it now stood. individuals
enlisting themselves. or inducing others to
enlist in the service of an acknowledged 66 Prince,
State, or Potentate," were liable to die penalties of a
c tonal felony. but they might rutin. or induce others
to...list in the service of revolted colottiea or subjects
wsiliont SOT danger of p • Imperil. Such • slate
of the he was most incongruous and absurd, and it
lon the ..19-et of his Bill to atueud it by adding to
the words Prince. State, or Potentate," the
words "or Noy colony, district, or number of in•
&within,* a...waling to themselves the right of
sover.igoty." This would put the parent State
lillll the Colonies on precisely the cone footing,
Ica" enable this country to preserve a strict
uru-
tral:ty whenever it was her policy to adopt it.—
It would be highly uhaurd if this country desired
to lie neutral between any acknooledged Govern-
mein and soy part of its revolted subjects,
that it 'tumid be highly penal for soy permits to
tolist in the ervice of the acknowledged Govern-
ment, and yet be perfactly legal to ti-list nod aid
those when may be in oppositiou to it.—(llear, hum)
—To render the law congruous, it was his intention
tar hung dowse the penalty fur entering into any
foreign service fium felony, as N now stood by the
atim of Grow 11. to a tali:Armes rrrrr . punishable
Cr Hoy and impriarininent.—(Mess, hens. bear.
was his nib dial this question ghoul.] be coiiti.
tiered on the broad pr' iple of legislative pro.
witty, without any reference to political occur.
•reocc•; and that the Home would regard the
measure as one brooded merely in justice, and for
thr n,..orterrance of a strict neutrality, which should
not dive to nue State or party an advantage over
soother. Tins part of the Bill had reference only
to the enlisting of iodividuala ; but he had another
object, which was of so much the more importance,
es the molter referred to was a more ellienblee viola.
tier, of the profiNeed neutrality of the country, and
that was to prevent the equipment of ships of war,
for warlike powwows, in the harbour* of Great
Blitaiti and Ireland, and other ports under the
power of the wonted empire. He did trot, however,
ty this part of the measure mean to place any
restraint on curninerciel speculation. nor to prevent
vessels believing to the contending parties from
entering our harbour,,, and there receiving pro.
net and such assistance as the absolute steers-
soles of the crews may require; bat the Bill
should 'amend them from being supplied with
warlike stores, from exchanging cannon. or oh.
taiiong assistenee calculated to give one of the
parties an unfair advantage. The Right Hon. and
Learned Gentleman then argued, that by the law
of nations the Gammon], of this country pos-
it-bard the right of enforcing the neutrality of its
pubjects; for otherwise, the acts of unauthorised
iodsviduels might force the country into a war,
contrary to its interests and its wisher. The pre.
snit Be. therefore, was merely for the purpose of
giving efficacy to this: principle. Such . were its
object., and to obtain them the more effectunlly,
he el Id frillier propose, that as the liret offence
should be only a misdemeanors ponishable by hue
said imprisonment, a conviction of • second °tinier
should be considered a felony. lie concluded by
Moving, for 66 leave to bring in • Bill to prohibit
eolotareotn in foreign service, rssd the 'Tumoral
of vessels of war without license."

The question bring nut,
Sir J. MACKINTOSH said. if be could conceive
that slw ineasure now proposed by Ins Right Hui..
sod Learned Friend. were intended merely RR 4,
mitigation of the Criminal Code of the country,
hr should nut oppose it; on the contrvy, Itr
should approve of a ineasuir which went to tepeal
the capital felony created by the statutes of the
9th sod 29111 of Gen. 11. These statutes weir
among those which it was his intention to bring
before the view of Parliament, the more portico.
lady because they seemed to have arisen from
temporary circumstances. 'the Attorney'-General
seemed to have considered those statutes as framed
for the purpose of preeersing the relations of peace
and amity between Foreign Powers. Such Waa sidt
the I..4se—they were framed to prevent the formation
of .1 „sap', armies in Frinee sod Souin.—(Heor.)—
Tlw rr,ent law, borrver specious its title ee its jastillcro
fury onotivea way appear, MOW cut deeeiee coy prima
re.pect to its obj.rag. IS might well have Wes es-
I iiird an Act to prevent his Majesty. 'O/jells Gam kitbag
10 the revolted Spassisis Colonies i,o Swab
A oteri Ilear, ban,-011 Pus 11,, 1141a.e *Lull pus.
41.1. 111111111 b. fore it Paso-flossed nor slip of thi•
iogret In the g urr.J prosraple laid Joan by ski
Yarned Geniis man, T. I ILI, 10 OW pOlll/0 of Goverumenta
In enforce the owlets silty of Ile is Nut+ clo, no &olio coal!
hr routrtuins d osn Ile au t. Ent why sere nut the Shaba.
twISSSIIII.6. 11 It WI sloe Is oiers conalgortl to them Ly the
emsonon hie, or sly p is to u!arly dost tip y at Ilsoos nosiness.
I am to Vol: mold Sr. a .11.tional panto.. (.uuld n 40
4, st illev ,' .1 it a ah the desire of Fres& vss,g so
buio.it swots alit; /km% kear.)—lt aka the duly of omit.
body, uu doubt, to rofoore the how, toriely againAt all
ttl.oos aLo 11101.1.1 V 1061.• 11 lot if by Ilse very 1411...
1.111011 of tin. 01/C tool) hying/id I, d,-err all
11.1venhige nut raj .),It I. t wiser, it vs AS lAA
Ilw dolly of R strirt 11.1111 1111 y 1.. .111011C1C, 11.1.4 after she
""001. .4 111.1 tin lure slat pree.ousty
".'..1• 'toe j et 4.f she is.esost 1 sw was to, mkt- 114
....ohima aunt of ill. p.lOl. woes Mao it ass
tin. lll.Etills est of ss:e4 a measure. 1 be aoltrits(ss of
*:I0 II.; I t tL ao) iu tog, ute " •

nerally speaking, mod, 'env• than lhal of those who entered
into the WI" • ICV of 31.knowIrdlirt! power.. In the hitter, they
would be voided to the pcnteciiim Of the laws of list tow.;
but in the f,rm'r, th*, were usable to be treated aa
g-iitn, sod nolii.cied to the attendant minholinsent 1 Itir
slow- wag s ntiflirient ranee re'iy the nano- of lisaorgent Go-
vernment* did not appear iii the Act. of George 11. Bo on
this nobjert he should m ik • on forther ohnercations for the
present than rthaervinz, that the prii7 wed measure formed
but a part of a very issvinie and nuziherone policy pursued
by the Government of this country with regard In the contest
that wan carried 1111 between Spain Roil leer revolted Colonica.
That policy was reprobated by the great rn +wily Of the
people of Ilea country, not folly as being unmixed to their
gem runs (echoes on behalf of a people struggling to "loam
their liberty from the set';. of an oppressiee G it/cranium!,
but a. hostile In their bent interest& lint not wit hat a nil int!
the strong impressiim which his Majesty's Munster% acemed
In cutes'Ltirt against the Colonies in their ntruggle for feet,
dom. trusted in Gosh the inhabitants of South America,
owned he event orally i email!!
Lord CARTI.ERTACII ruse at timer early Wire of the
inesaiire, solely for the purpose Of enterinx his pro', st
*Clout the armtiments rare:Red by the Ilou. and Learned
Geitth min, who Premed to entertain ntrange ideas nn the
subject of neutrality. He remarked, that Great Britain
war bound by Treaties to Spain to preserve nt least a spit t
wesitralitv ; rind notwithatanding what hail fallen from the
Learned Gentleman, he felt a confidence that the majority
of the people of thin country would not he led away by ally
sophist, ics, but were too well aware of what belonged to
their o• ii character, and the faith of Treaties, not to ap-
prove of R measure which went In secure that neutrality.
He %hewed .1w absurdity of the law, which rendered it
highly penal to noupport one of the contending parties,
while a perfect !amity was extended' to p. runs desirous of
waiting the other; and referred In the notorious circum-
stance, that regiment,. were raised, armed. 111111 equipped,
mail whip* fitted out in thin country 41 aid of the South Arne*
✓iean Colonirta, as affording to the Spanish Government a
different cause for complaint. The Government of Spam hail,
in fart, reitionsti•teil with that of Great Renato, and the
Prince Regent bail, ill consepsenee, issued, abort 18 months
since, a Proclamation, forhislilmg subjects of this realm to
engage in the myelin unhappy comets,. Ile felt that he
owed some excuse to the Moue, the country, and the world,
for nut 'Emilie brought forward this measure at an earlier
period. But the remain' cif the delay war Ibis: discusnions
had for moue Dune heel, carried ion for the piirp-se of in-
ducing a general interference of the Powers of Europe in
the rimiest between Spain and her Coloniea' for the purpose
of inducing • reconciliation ; and are liing as hopes were cuter-
taints! that them negoriatioita would be attended with any
salutary effect, the British Guyer 11111111 l did not think it
to adopt any Freifie measures. All discussions
of this nature, however, were now at an cod, 1111/1 this coun-
try was Imund in dirty to adopt measlier', for the regulat•
of her own conduct. He observed that it was too meth to
censure the British G .vernment for enforcing a strict neutra-
lity between the contending parties, when other nations,
particularly the United Stater of America, had already led
the way in a similar legislation. Bnt independent of all
political considerati 111 l s, was it not a monstrous principle
that it should be highly penal to levy troops hem for the
King at Spain, anal be comparativsly lawful to equip arma-
ments in favour of his revolted subjects'—(/lent, hear.:,—
A his Honourable and Learned Friend desired was tu make
the law connistent with itself, and to secure the neutrality
which it was tlve policy of the State to preserve. He could
eioi, even at this early stage of the proceeding, enter e
at length ion; the (inaction. but he trusted the House
111011111 are the expediency of the measure, and adopt
;neer.) . .

Mr. Easter rose, without any wish to let a covert part.
He meowed himself, vritl t disguise, a well.orisher to the
rause of independence., and to the fe erelong of the people of
!Guth America from the tyranny of Spaiii.—(ilear.)—
Ile ♦ersed this Bill with the insert jealousy, because his
Majesty's Ministers liod lollies to eticouragrel subjects of this
realm to emit irk in the cause of the South Americans, and
sonfght now to pettish them for an act that, when committed,
was not illegal. He begged leave to know whether it was
intended to punish all those who were stow engaged is the
bwiernelesit servie., and whether the Noble Lord purposed
le send a fleet into the Pacific Ocean to bring home the
thousands of seamen who were engaged is the cause of the
Patriots ? . _ .

Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that it was not intended to give
R retruspeciive operas to the Rill.
Mr. G. L►MB said, that if this Bill were adopted, it
world seem that hitherto we had only professed isenirality,
while it was how only to heroine real. He wished well to
the rause of the people of South America, but would not
willingly trust himself Ili speak of the tyranny of Spain,
lest Isis feelings might lead him beyond the strict hoisteds of
order. He denied shat this Bill was an amendment of the
law, it was in fact a new measure, for which there could be
f tno pretence. The measure was not one of neutrality,
but of 'motility to the Independent Governments of South
AIIIITHA, he should therefore oppose it.
Mr. %t''a wt. approved of the alteraliou proposed in the old
law, so far as to reduce the penalty un entering into foreign
service ; because experience chewed, that, although even
in Ilse iriges of Geo. 11. several indiviiiials entered into the
service of foreign states, the laws remained as a dead letter.
He also approved of the Rill, because he thought it not eon.
'Weal with the principle of neutrality, that one party should
have au advantage over another. He objected, however, to
the clause which constitnteil the second offence a capital
felony.—(" it is not capital," from Me Treasury Bench.)
It was of little tuatier—for it was not likely that an indi-
vidual who had suffered the fine and imprisonment with
which the Court would probably visit the °finite, would
again offend against the measure.
Colonel Wow) spoke against the measure, which was in
its suture iticonsistent with the principles of love of liberty
which mice esistioveished this country. If it was sincerely
ineant to maintain • strict neutrality, let Ilse Statutes of
Geo. 11. be repealed, and let Spain stud her emissaries to
this cootory, if she thought her cause of such a stature as
would be espoused by any of the people. Roth parties would
Hsu' he placed use ass equality, and the natiois would preserve
the tantrolily —Wear, hear.)
Sir JOHN NaMPORT expressed his belief that Ministers,
in bringing iii this measure, were influenced not by Ilse ter-
nllll4llllll of ilie discussions alluded to by the Notate Lord,
lint of which canscsl the Florida's to Ise ceded to the
United Stales. lie coosidered the measure as one of direct
Laßue, tif the cause of the Independents, and should op.
piss it.
tier W. we CIATATIGNY opposed the Bill, as likely to lead
In a war betweeu Great Bs itaiu and the revolted Colonies of
Spain.
Mr. R. MARTINI lot Galway), thunglst the propoard men.
'sere beneficial to the interests of the revolted Colonies. His
Palings were iiroualy in (AVOW* of the Colonial', because tle•y
wrsr contrioloig fur the e►tabiisltnseut of political and civil
freedom, het .bat consideration could nut weight in his mind
against Isis parses...tent duty as a Member ut. Parliament,
which required bites to coulee ul the Clown whatever
rivers ne re necessary for maintaining the neutrality whit
It 1441115... re Is. policy of the country to ailopt.—( Mar.)
ne Gallery was clement fur a division, but none took
place.—Lewer, we tenth rstood, was given to breng eu the Dill.

PENRYN ELECTION.
The !loose resolved itself into it Committee, In which it
retmmeii the t•ls • lido of WiiUtilIJCS UII tilt Petiryti
. .

Won. Girard eras then called in and examined at suave
!veva by lei C. Sorrell, Mr. 11 say. Colukift Hwy,
add Mr. Mania.. los
he stated, that had the alribroy Oath been put at Penryn,
11w voters who already Mosul pledged, would have shruuk
Gate their tiroatiod inks. Ile &limited that he understood
a b.e.tlioas. ni ant tat
I an•n., to opormons front Mr. V. Blake, he admitted
Ibat tow 1..00..be ul lit I.•• uul Pilltilootlt 1., oullursoce any
Nolosolt.3 u.Jle Ihms that 11 Inds cat p.urut tit the useeting.
1,10 a..; Gold was then I samimted. vi,ltner aro to
10.1.014.11151 C the proerolnu! lebtintotay se-prt tow the pokes
pall to sutra. al Pro.ryu, so far as lie tent au uppon tunny of
brains/ a 1 those ut stir Pelmet, Election.
ltios..llralaw.r was called, but wa• slot in attendance.
W. sea. was ex:emitted. Hr wait present at the Nord-
in...! of the el. Cara of Prior. last torruburdlt Ilte
icttwf th, genera: ulosoion Laving b.eso (brio Lltri.. as

In the• rmt nn winch a Reprrarn!ative was to come forward
for the horientle.
The Committee obtained le eve to report progress, and sit
oicein noon Ike same Committe►.
Oet the motion of Mr. Clive, hionae w.nt in*o
en•etel'etee elm the lionctpote Rrib r Merlin's mil, and the
Report wag ()Meted to he re, e•iveel on M lay Itext.
On Ihr motion or Mr nos w ELL. the INNtselude Act in
Scestlenol rmn ordered to hr read a seemed tient, and to he
commented on Monday next.
Time Committee me the kith Illicit Di+lillatinet was post-
poned lentil Monday m•xl.
The other Orders of the thy were then rel,l, and the
MOW adjourned at ONE O'CLOCK.

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