The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-07-03 00:00:00

NEW SOUTH WALES DUTIES RILL.

Mr. GOULBURN moved the Order of the Day for
the House resolving itself into a Committee on the
New South %Vales Duties Bill. The House then
resolved itself into the paid Committee, when—
Mr. BeN N ETT declared his opposition to the Bill
in its present shape, without further inquiry—he
was mew to grant an indemnity to the new levy
of dutics by Govereor Macquarrie. without further
justification of their necessity. These duties had
been in sonic instances most impolitically and in-
juriously levied upon exports from the colony, and
hr could see no reasen upon earth why they should
be afforded in all their Cl/101.1111elleeS this summary
legal protection until the existing inquiry was per-
fected, and I the ensuing Session of Parlia-
ment. lie could not suffer this precedent to go
forth, that a Governor could issue an order for en-
forcing whatever new taxes i.e pleased, no matter
how injurious or impolitic, and the', come round
end require the cover of a Bill of Indemnity for the
illegality of hi,: proceeding. New taxes had been
imposed on the tonnage of vessels, a sort of poll
tax had bean levied upon persons going out. the
produce of which went to create a revenue. not for
the payment of the naval officers on the station, hut
for the fees of Mr. Campbell. the secretary, who
took a sort
,of heademoney of 18d. out of 2%. tiiL,
which was levied, mid 61 per ton on the shipping,
e bleb amounted to about 1.5/. upon each of his
Majesty's transports. He could never give his con-
relit to the Bill as it now stood, and he should move
that the clause of indemnity be omitted.
Mr. Foßßes defended the conduct of Governor
Macquarile, whom lie knew to be a very honour.
able and dieniterested man.—(flear.)—He would
ask, what was the nature of the particular cotn.

. •
plaints apinst the idi•eidual ? It appeared they
were far the imposition of some specific fees.
%Vas there any thing unusual in a Guyer;for adopt-
ing such a course ? Certainly not ; the only real
ground of complaint would be an abuse of the
power, and here he saw no reason to siplo•ct it.
Even in this country a person must pay for a puss.
port. Ile might perhaps lament the g..nenil
existence of fees. but *fetid a general law
were passed fur their tibolit he could not see
the particular objection iie this case, unless the
fees were novel and improper. It would he much
more estulid and manly in the Honourable
Genflemait, if he had any thing in the back
ground, to bring it forward now, and at once to
briug a specific charge ogaing Governor Mae-
goarrie. This Governor and his system bad been
previously eulogised by the lion. Member himself,
mid particularly by an 110. i. Member near him
(Mr. Willterforce). The Moo. Cs'essiltimio Was
proceeding to state the praises bestowed upon the
,Governor by the last lion. Member. when
. .

Mr. WIf:BERPORCE ro-e to order, and disclaimed
any recollectioto ilw pirtieolar circumstances al-
hided to, at this distance of time (ruin their occur-
rence.

Mr. FORBES rearmed, and said that he agreed in
the impohey or • duty no exports, hut he con•
erived that a different part of this question ; trot
with reference to the duty no spirits, it was laid
00 not whine by the authority or the King's Go-
vernment, but also of that of the authorities at
home. The 1109. Mentriter was proceeding In ►e-
fhte the unfounded supposition, that Goveinor
Macquarrie, who had been ten years in his
aitna-
lion, was about to
.returii with an improved pro-
perty„ and to state his inmate reasons for not be-
lieving that the Governor bad received any such ac-
cession of properly during hi► public services, when

. .
Mr. WYNN rose to order, Mild submitted. that
that House wrs not the place to correct or coutr.t.
(het reports nut nr doors:
The CHAIRMAN restated the !particular question
before the Flutor.

Mr. Fours resumed. and said, he would merely
repeat that Governor Illacquarrie had not derived
the MUM*, or any thing like thew, which were
avcribed to his arduous station.

Mr. BENNETT muds that lie meant to pass no
opinion upon the details of the queation ; lie wa*
only anxious that this indemnity blinuld not pass
before proper inquiry could be hail in its jusiitiea-
lion.

Mr. WILBERFORCE said, he had seen Governor
Macquarrie before he aunt out to New South
AVales, tad understood from him that lie had been
a soldier frosts early life ; he seemed to be a gene-
rous, open-hearted. honest soldier. litit the fact
was, that the office was sits arbitrary one, and it
was in the nature of arbitrary poorer to degenerate
into abuse. He would out hazard any opinion
upon the case, without further information.
Mr. GOULBURN observed, that the Hon. Gentle-
man, in touching as he had done upon the private
merits (deserved as they were) of the Governor, had
fallen into the same error in point of order that he
had censured in his Hon. Friend (Mr. Forbes).
Mr. WYNN said, that there was no evidence yet
adduced to justify this indemnity ; the House was
therefore about to proceed upon allegations without
proof.
Mr. GOULBURN coutencled that the simple quiet-
them was, whether Governor Alacquarrie should be
indemnified for the commission of certain acts not
strictly illegal, as appeared subsequent to their
commission, in the discharge of his public duty,
and for the good of the public service. The Act
map; to protect him, and, above all, those who acted
under him, from vindictive prosecutions, which, if
tolerated in this cue, might equally be brought
forth against his predecessors.
. .

Mr. WI( NN could not see how this Act could
pass in its present shape. It CountrtianCtd on in-
demnity for the continuance of ditties to be levied,
of the existence of which duties the House, he up-
prehended, could have no knowledge, as they did
not einninite front a Connoittee of Supply. _ .

Mr. F. ROBINSON and the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER were of opinion, thit ail Act, as that
in question. which emanated from a Committee of
the whole House, had equal force with one grouted
in Supply in this respect.
The CHAIRMAN concurred in this opinion.
After a few words from Mr. Citilburn, Mr.
Militirst, Mr. Bennett, and Mr. W 3 no, the Com-
mittee obtained leave to report progress, and ask
leave to sit again to-morrow.
CHASC AND CO'S ItELler BILL.

Lord .locuLsta moved the Ostler of the Day,
that this Noose do agree to the Lords' Amendments
in Chem and Co.'s Relief Bill. The Noble Lord
strongly enforced the necessity of agreeing to the
amendments, for the purpose of affording that re-
lief to the suffering individuals who were the objects
of the. Bill, and who were the widows and children
of meritorious officers, to which they were so well
entitled in the opinion of the Committee that bad
sat upon their claims.
Mr. CANNING opposed the motion, and entered
into a history of this case. He said that in the
year 1797, a Bill was pasted to prevent British
subjects from advancing sums of money to native
Prtoces in India ; after the passing of this Act,
and with a perfect knowledge of it, though it
might not have been publicly promulgated, Messrs.
Chase mud Co. and others, made certain advances
to the Nabob of the Carnatic, to enable him to
make good his payments with the Government of
Ntlidras. By subsequent arrangements between
the Nabob and the East India Company, the latter
became possessed of the insiiageniriit of his re-
brewer, and the claimants who lied advanced their
money contrary to law, were SHOWtti all oppor-
tunity of proving their case before Commissioners.
After much delay, n Bill had been prepared and
sent up to the Lords, their Lordships bath, how-
ever, so altered it in the shape of amendments,
as to throw an air of incon►►stency over the pro-
visions of the whole enattineiti. The Lou& had
of late di-played great critical skill Nom Bills
sent up by that House, and exposed the absurdi-
ties which they alleged had crept into some
of their. Their Lordships Seemed now determined
to take ample vengeance, by sending back sumo'.
menti to a Bill, as utterly at variance with each
other as they were against the principle of the Bill.
The Right Hon. Gentleman then enumerated the
amendments made by the Lords ill the Bill, and
pointed oat what appeared to him to be their in.

consiotenries. If the amendments were persevered
in. he must move that they be read a second time
this day thtee months.

Mr. WARREN contended thoit the House should
overlook ioiformalitirit, where the interests of unfor-
tunate individuals were concerned, aryl who hail
advanced money in reality to recruit the treasury
of the Madras Government, by paying in tile iu-
stalonents of the Nabob, who Icta given them se-
citrittevo. which, as well as their money, had ulti-
mately fallen into the possession of the East India
Company. He thought the eilMe of the claimants
irresistibly stroog;•siosil he could not, therrinre, be-
cause the Houses of Lords and Corn • did not
agree upon the ii;irticsilar form of the Bill, consent
to the adoption of a course so litchi would throw out
the Bill altogether.
Mr. CANNINO explained.
Mr. T. COrtaTtNAY agreed in opinion with his
Right Moo. Friend ( %Ir. Uniening), that the Bull.
hail nut beets improve:l in the Lorola, but lie Was
still atitious that some mode might be suggested of
*swing the Bill, though he could not concur in their
Lordships' artiendownts. •
Mr: J. P. GRANT enforced, with great energy,
the eseckweity of preserving to those claimants the
opportunity of proving their demands before a
commission. lie therefore hoped thet these would
not be sacrificed on itccoutit of a difference of
opinion between the two Houses of Perherbeuts se
to the form of the Bill.

Mr. C•nnixrx expressed his perfect readiness to
agree to any course to preserve the Bull without the
Lords' amendments. If the latter were rejected, the
Bill could, perhaps, still be sent to the Lords for
their co IWO rrence.

Lord JociLYN said he certaiuly Olfillat to per-
severe its his inoiinsi.

Mr. S. BOURNE oppatod the motion.

Mr. WAIRBN explained.
Mr. WYNN said, tliat agreeing to the motirn
would open a door for similar aitplicationli, which,
could not he refused.

Mr. Luntwitrrou thonglii it necessary to have
the Bill revised by both Houses.
After a few words from Lord JOCELYN, the
House divided—
For the original question
Araitist it IG

Majority. 29
CHANCERY COURT (IRELAND).
The order of the slay having been read for the
third reading of the above Bill,
Mr. C. HuTctit•sore said, the object of the Bill
was to deprive several officers of the Court in rims-
thin of the emoluments they had hitherto derived
from their places therein. Whenever the Legtsla.
tore hail seen it fitting to interfere in that way with
individuals. it had been 1111 invariable rule to pro-
tect vested interests. 'Elie present Bill, however,
appeared to him to be an exception, and to have
provided co such protection. He was not aware
that by it the Clerk of the Crown and Haim:ter,
111111 another officer, who had paid 14,0001. for his
office, were protected by it. The Hon. Gentlemen
then referred tot he °pillions:of the Commissioners for
Isecuiring into Fees of Courts of Justice in Ireland,
and the Select Committee of Finance, that before
such fees were reduced within due bounds, satilifirc.
tion should be made to the holders and to existing
interests. Ile knew that a
hod been set aside by Gavel iitnent to satisfy the
claims of the officers of the Court of Chancery;
hut he did not believe that to be sufficient. The
principal object of his Osing was, to call the atten-
tion of the Right Hois.ttietretary for Ireland to the
claims of the Register of the Court. The present
possessor of the office was Lord Viscount Avon-
more, the grandson of • very distinguished man,
who had been Chief Baron of the 'Exchequer in
Ireland for a long period, be believed 21 years—and
who bad made a conspicuous figure in Irish affeirs
at a remarkable period of the history of that
country, the year 178'2. His talents attracted time
notice of the Covernmetit—he was made Attor..
ney-Cetierid, and for his great services afterwards
promoted to the place of Chief Judge in time Court
of Exchequer. Many Members of the House
could bear testimony to the distinguished abilities
and integrity of that man—his high legal know-
ledge, powerful eloquence, and various information,
were well known ■ud justly celebrated. When it
was resolved, us a tribute to his deserts, to raise him
to the Peerage, an arrangement airs made on ac-
count of his lithited fortune, to bestow the
office in question on his eldest son, the better to
enable him to keep up that dignity of living his
rank and station would require. The present
holder was the third Viscount : he understood his
fees were considerably limited; and that (what he
vas sure would induce the House to listen to his
drisbielid with more attention) that part of the
jointure of the widow of the last Viscount were se-
cured 011 them. He had presented a Petition from
Lord Avonthore a few nights hack, and he trusted
the House would show itself not inattentive to his
request. The Hon. Member then referred to the
optimum of the Master of the Rollo and the Lord
Chancellor of Ireland, as favourable to the Peti-
tioner's desires ; and stated, that if lie had been
rightly informed the Bill had not been brought in
iii concurrence with the advice of those enlightened
individuals.

Ir. C. GitANT said, that before bringing in the
Bill Ii had had repeated discussions with the
Baronet with whom the inquiries into Courts
1.1 Justice had origimittd (Sir J. Newport). with
the Commissioners, and every ',emu will-iiilortned
1111 the subject, in which the cave of the Register,
mid of every officer in the Couit, was minutely
examined. The Bill had undergone a thorough
discussion before, and the only objection to it was,
that lie kid made the compensation too large,
raised it from tight to ten thousand pounds
a-year.
The Bill was then read the third time.

A new clause was added, by aay of rider, after
some remarks from Mr. D. ("MOULT arid Mr. C.
GRANT, and the Bill passed.
Smuggling Prevention Bill was read a third
time mid passed, after some I.3)llVeriiiilo4l between
Sir W. DB CRS:WIG:NT. Mr. J. SMITH, and the
CHANCELLOR ut the Excutotta.

mentS for 6 months otter the re.assunintion of cm')
payments of the Bank of England. These amend-
ments were considered necessary to prevent the
inconvenience that might arise in cons.qtrence of
the Bank of Ireland being driven to a competiOn
in the purchase 41 bullion with the B nik of Esq..
land. But, on the other band, it has bt.eit appro.
'tendril. that the diessarity•M the price of 1:11141 be-
tween Wilt countries for so long a period it% sec
mouths—the price 111 one country 41. I+. uud is
the other 31. Igs.t ‘l.—usiques•tionably, lie s.“l,
might produce inconvenience, and • ilineitti ta:;;;I:t
simmer. But at•this stage of she Bill if aa•
sible so to alter the amend-stems I it were therefore
better to postpone the I:oll4.ldrtation of Mork antelnl.
racists for three montlis, by which the Bill wued
be lost.
The consideration of the Lords amendments was
postponed for three months.
The CIIANCRI.LOR of the ExcuEqußa having
obt.titieri leave, diet) brought us a new Bill on awl
subject, providing for the resumption of
earls pay-
ments Oite month after the period. bottled for the
Book.—Read a first and 'wet:m(l time, and
ordered to be conimitted to-morrow.

Mr. HU rCIIINSOK, otter regretting the absence
of Nliiii.ters front the Hotise. moved for various
papers respecting the office of Auditor-General.
Mr. BKOODEN I.oggested to the Hon. Geotle-
man to !postpone the motion till tomorrow.
Mr. HUTCHINSON agreed to postpone it.
MR. OWEg'S PLAN.

Sir WII.T.IAM DE CRESPIDNY rose to postpone
his motion on this subject till next Session.
Mr. WARD complained that his name, without
his consent, was put on a Committee of Gentlemen
outside doors.

_ .
Str. SMITH defended die conduct of Mr. Owen.

The other O►drie of the I) were then read.
and tl.e (louse adjourned at HALIP-PAST Twri.vt;
o'CLoLK.

PARTICULARS OP APORIiGOIeS DEFEAT.

[From the Jamaica emerald of May 18 ]

RICAPTLYRE or PORTO BELLO BY THIS ROYALISTS WIDTH
GEN. MORE, AND FLIGHT OF GEN. SI GREGOR.
By the arrival of the Serpplat.-e we learn, skit a force, eon-
siqtiag of from 1,000 to 1,200 men, commanded by G. ferret
Rote, proceeded from Panama to PllllO Relloen. the Ihile
On the morning of the Ist instant, thVy soddenly as.
Noted the town, while the lintel). uttent fortes were u. their
heels. Gen. M.Gregter with considerable escaped
out of a window 20 feet in height, with onetime: on but
his shirt ; and for the preservation of his lifeproceedeel to the
head. sod plunged inter the sea and swam to a schooner,
from whence he was conveyed to the brig /fern. Deering the
roiliest Aro 100 men were killed and wounded, and Gen.
Lopez and Colonel O'Hara lost their lives, Ih. flniller before
he was out of heel About 300 men, and 70 Akers of the
Independent troop., teen• made prisoners, and marched to
Panama, not snore than 12 mete leaving curved. The NO.
pendent sepeadrun fled from the harbour of Porto lie ll'. dui -
ing the consternation.
A second accouut furnishes the under-mentioned informa-
tion :
The attack of Porto Reno was made at break of day, on
the 30th ~It during a thunderstorm ; and only about aidort
men escaped ; anion„ whom were Colonel Johnson and En.
sign Sempell; m ost of them got on hoard the Independent
squadron. Colonel O'Hara was shot through the Noce, snit
expired three days after. The fort wits well def.-tided by C -
howl Rafter, with about 250 men ; but at length hr e. 1.1.
Whiled, on the condition that they should retain their aims
and baggage, and lie scut to the nearest British ctleray„ in
Spanish vessels. All the wounded who were Otte to walk
proceeded for Panama. Dun Emanuel Lopez, who had b rn
appointed Governor of Purto Bello by General 311'Gregoe,
was beheaded by the order of General Hure; and General
Santa Croix named as his successor.
A third account girt. the following pattienlare :
du the 30th ult. General (lore, from P.lOlllllll, attacked
at sin in the morning the force tinder General IN:super,
and surprised them, but be was so f Monate as to escape, by
leaping out of a window of the Goveenment-louse, 20 ft et
high. The indisereet arleenturers who followed him l awe
toren either all killed or taken prisoners, and their baggage
fell into General Here's possession. Seventy Officer", and
3110 saddles. (prisoners) were marched to Panama, and about
100 men were left dead on the field of battle. Gt n. *Gre-
gor, who understands Itaping better than being m I lary
Coininatider, instead of taking refuge in the fort t.. tiefene,
himself, abandoned his people, and II don board a vessel.
The Independents kept up a treaty lire from tAnnOlt sod
musketry; but a trilling loss has been sustained f.om it by
the Royalists. General Horr had a very disagreeable inereh
of ten days, on foot, over woods, n 101110131116, and almost
impassable roads. General Hoye will quit Porto Bello on
the 3d instant for Cbagres, from whence lie is to proceed to
Panama, to affoed his troops rest.
Extract of a letter from Poi to.Bello to a gentleman in heir
citt, dated May 41111:—.. On hie night of the 30 la alt the
Spanish forces from Fatima, Isomeittended by Gen. Hole,
marched to the neighbourhood of this city, mid during the
early part of the morning of the lit instant, assembled tri
the immediate vicinity, wills an intent to commence au at-
tack in conjonctiou with a division under the command of
the General Santa Cruz, as preconeert id between the no.
The arrival of this division at Ilse point of anion did not
take place so early as it was expehted, and Gen. Moe eras
in consequence about to withdraw from before the town,
when the division appeared, and at six o'clock the united
forces marched bete) this city without the least teppesitios.„
The Spanish forces took possession of all the diffireset poltilt
at the same moment; and the Indeprodeist troupe alto were
exercising in the square, were intMeeliately attacked, and
the greater part obliged 10 surrender. Colonel O'Hara sea
shot through the lungs in two plarrs, in endeavouring to
enter the fort, and taken pristine' ; he died vu the 'wood day
in the hospital. Gen. M-Gregur was its bed at the tame of
the attack, and to effect his escape joinped from the window
into the street, ran to the water side, aced seam oil' I.
the brig. Here Governor Lopez, who torn pied a room nest
to M'Gregur's, was killed in bed. Coleus! Rafter, who,
with a few followers, had retired to a foe t near the beach,
upon being attacked by the Royalists, ass istvigel. I sa.-
render. The loss on the part of thr Imlrpcnoli eats has helves
about SO killed and shunt 50 wounded. 'l,l4,.3iponiissJs lust
only four men, which may be attributed td-SPGieg. s's ilea
taken so completely ley surprise, as there was not a sieeele
pieeptel.post outside the town. Seemly three Wheels sew
mashed t.. Panama, nod General How, having wail,
rangements fur the disposition of ht. forces au.l sue-wily t f
the prisoners, returned to Panama, by the ail) Of
The pratesl lineation was shewn to the sick moll tr
" His Majesty's slotep Cutefiamice Vt3R thellAlCll/41 final this
Vet. on the night of the 3d instant, for Jamaica."

. -
Bourn of oliicers Ito were kill, d, wounded, made pri. •
auricle, escaped, anal Ine.sioß:
Gen.
S Gregor 111‘Gregor, escaped ; 011ara, w winded,
since dead ; Halter, pi 'scoter ; Johnson, coed ; Major Bald.
prisoner; Brevet Major Rolle, primmer. iroptai,
Acton, missing, supposed killed; iienaen, Escaped ; Goo-
dins, wounded, prisoner; DA*5Ol4, prisoner; Nrlwrn, prosiester;
Pnlacios, prisonsr;ONl/aughneasy, prison, r ; Fruit, ',ripener ;
Black, pi Nonce. Idruienaiiiii— Mum e, ison. ,;.r,l,
prisoner; Colt:lough, uscaped ; F y, pri ))))) er ; N sane;
prisou. r ; U.aon, mussing ; Nl,Bean, wounded. priaunri ;
Suiitb. wounded, prawn..; Graver, 'trireme,. ; Beranci,
sutler ; Dudley, won nded, primmer; !Oakley, missing ; •
Oakley, pusou.r. rocopeil ; rhplajara,
prisosier ; Stewart, killed. Codei Cites, immerged,
prnuu. r.
F.m.igos—Haddock, prisoner ; WitivoY, ynr 4;‘!„...
prisoner; prisoner ; Ilootb. ,
.anon
killed ; Howard, priPoner; m •
rimmal.l.l:
prisoner;eociipeoi; rpiriieiaiNoreet