The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-01-27 00:00:00

bleud the circumstances of any campaigu with the
velour of our troops displayed in a particular ac-
tion. The instance alluded to last night by my
Noble Friend (Harrowby) I mean when your Lord-
ships were called upon to confer a vote. of thinks
upon Sir John Stuart and the artily wider s com-
mend, for the glorious victory ginned at Saida,
most be well remembered. It must be in your
Lordships recollection, that when a Noble Baron, in
this House, and another of tits Majesty's Ministers, in
another placeoneved • similar trihu te of praise totlicir
memory, whatever difference of sentiment might
exist, as to the measures which led to that event,
'such was the brilliancy of the act itself, such was the
glory gained by British valour on the occasion, that,
without investigsting other measures connected
with it, not only did His Majesty's serrauts, but the
whole Manic, agree to the motion, undiaimously.—
My Lords, different sentiment* might be entertain-
ed on the propriety of that descent upon Calabria.
Oil that occasion it was deemed expedient, by those
who directed the campaigit4 to make this attempt,
for the purpose of accomplishing two objects—one
as a diversion against the enemy, and assisting the
Calabrians, and the other for arising a fortress
on dee coast, thee iu possession of the French.
Although that army failed in the first attempt, and
succeeded but partially in the last, yet no one sug-
gested the General had not done his duty, no one
denied that the whole were entitled to the gratitude
of their country, and the thanks of Parliament.
Still, in that case, it might be said, whatever may
be your Lonkhips' opinion of the present, that
the consequences which ensued were unt beneficial
to the country, and the measures which preceded
it were not founded in policy. 1 come now, my
Lords, to the merit of that action which produced
the victory of Waren. I moat readily admit, if your
Lordships were called upon to decide upon all the
circumstances of that campaign, it would mate-
attentioniter the question but I wish to direct your
to the conduct of the officer. and the
army under his command, on the 27th and 28th of
July. We ought to consider the state of the army
before, and at the time of engagement; for if every
measure was pursued on those occasions, which re-
flect honour on the prudence and valour of the Ge-
neral, not any events which afterwards occurred
ought to derogate from his merit. The march
of Lord Viscount Wellington into the interior of
Spain, was not, as some may term it, a rash under-
taking; oil the contrary, it was well considered, and
deliberately executed. No greater prudence could
be 'manifested than his position at Talavera, and
it was afterward» described as such by the Frenck
Generals. Need 1 remind the House of all the
circumstance. with which this victory was preceded.
It had been determined on the part of the enemy
to snake an attack upon the combined armies. The
British forces altogether, afterwards engaged, did
not amount to more than 20,090 mem; and although
the Spanish army was present, and partially took
• part in the battle, yet it was evident, not only
frmi Lord Wellington's dispatches, but from the
accounts of the merry, that the attack was prin-
cipally, if not wholly, home by the kaiglish. Thus,
my Lords, the French army, amounting to almost
50,000 men, commenced their desperate at-
tack 'upon the British line, arid were repulsed. They
renewed it, and were repulsed again ; and though
they repeated their attempts. they were &fatted.—
Although, as I have said, the Spanish army were
present. the French directed all their efforts against
our troops. This was peculiarly evident in their
attack upon the strongest part of our position.
where Illsjor.Genetal Hill commanded, sad the
whole of their strength was opposed. but he frus-
trated their endeavattro. In a similar manner the
attack W.ll directed against other parts of the line,
and universally failed ; the enemy were routed with
the ossCould any near ten thousand mep, and obliged
ly
action be more deritive ? Could
any he more glunous to the British arms, when you
take into consideration the iuequality of number
The victory, my Lords, was attended with the
usual consequences. for what could be more deci-
sive? Seventy pieces Ng artillery, and four
steoclards, were the trophies of the' oble General**
success. Consider the battle in all points of siew,
it ',topped the enemy in his career, it was own&

out with prudence, and none could be more illus-
trious for the character of British soldiers, Though
the army was afterwards, by the same policy, di-
rected to retreat, that retreat was not owiug to any
want of skill or foresight. .W 11.16 the French army
were reinforced by another hotly of 36,000 men,
who, from other quarter.. had beau marched to their
aid, it was prudent, on the part of Lord Welling-
ton. to retreat, and re-erve his strength for a inure
favourable struggle in the cause of Spanish liberty.
For, certainly, my Lords, a brilliant sincess may be
gained over an enemy, and prudence may fter-
warns direct a retreat, of that enemy be strongly re-
inforced. An individual may gaits a complete vic-
tory by his valour over another, and that victory will
nut be affected l.y lii, afterwards declining the coo-
test, if his opponent should be aided by the arrival
of inure assistance. I am ready to allow, that 71 pro-
posal of this nature ought to be muds as one
of the greatest importance; but when such a mo-
tion is submitted to the consideration of Par-
liament, it ought to be considered that any objec-
tion to it may he attended with serious results. My
Lords, some may he actuated by motives, not al-
together suited with the propriety of being unani-
-- hut of a different and minor tendency; still
would impress uporr your misses, that dike( the
lest importance that such victories should be re-
warded
by every tribute of honour and praise this
House can bestow. If Asa refuse to reward the va-
liant deeds of our army, by every approbation we
can bestow, we take from them every incitenseiit to
valimr—we deprive them of those laurels, which
constitute the soldier's honour and his fame ; which
he thirsts after, not only for himself. but be-
cause lie knows they will be handed down to
his descendants. It a fur this that he devotes
his life to his conntty's good ; and if you refuse
such a tribute to his memory, you wiU act
unjustly to the army, and di-respectfully to those
who are dead. In titi4 bLee of the coutiueut of
I Europe. it becomes us more especially to consider
the interest of our army. Fritice was, under the
old Government, a great military power ; hut we
see her as a most formidable one in the present day.
Under the monarchy, not only the military, but
every other proftssiou, was encouraged ; while the
revolution, which has changed other governments,
altered the whole system of old France, and seeri-
ficed every thilig to the interest of the army. The
profession of the law has been destroyed, that of
the church has been overturned, commerce and
trade are little attended to, and nothing is coun-
tenanced with honour or respect, except the pro-
fession of arms. Nn stronger inducement than this
consideration can direct your Lordship to una-
nimity. When the out my eridelivniirs to traduce
our national character, this s the theme of bis im.
vective. We know he has pronounced ns a nation
of shopkeepers. It has been the good fortune of
Great Britain to unite a military spirit with our
commercial permits. and euctinregement is due to
it'. increase. No achievement was ever more en-
titled to praise than the victory at Talavera. It was
so emisidered by the Government of Spam--as a
victory of the Last importance to the safety of their
country—and they conferred the highest honour!
ou my Lord Wellington ; honours so greet, that
they will be found to have been hut seldom bestow-
ed. How, I will ink, dal His Majesty, in his G'...-
neral Orders, denominate the battle of Talavera N.—
tHis Lordship here read the General Orders, where-
in it was stated the French were completely de-
feated]--His Majesty, in those General Orders,
which might be certainly considered as proceeding
. from the advice of hie Ministers'--
Earl Gime rose to order. Ile considered any
mention of His Majesty's sentiments, in the coarse
of a debate, as irregular, and inconsistent with the
privileges of the House.—(Hear! hear! frees the
Oppositios side .1 I
-The Earl of LITXRPOOL continued—" My
Lords, I did Rot mention the opinion of His Ma-
jesty. in any manner, but as the advised opinion of
his Ministers, sod in that I conceiril am Justified-,
according to the usage of this HuUsit I will again
ask your Lordships, how the victory of Talavera was
*inmate(' by our allies? Why, universally, they
considered it one of the greatest Magnitude in itself
and its eons, quences. It filled the breasts of the
people of Spain with general admiration. It will
never do. my Lords, to judge of military prowess,
by all the rides of special pleading. I wish to press
upon your attention the importance of an unani-
, mess vote, ash will inspire your armies with a love
I of glory. and secure the strength of the country."
The Noble Earl coucluded by moving " That this
House do return their thanks to General Lord Vis-
count Wellington. and the army under Ins cow-
mend, for their valour and bravery at the battle of
Talseers, which effected the defeat of the enemy."
The Earl of SCIFFOILIL and, that it was with pain
Whit feelitegs he rose to state those objections which
irresistibly impelled him to express Isis opperition
to the motion of thanks to Lord Viscount Welling-
ton. On all occasions, he was sure that the British
army would discharge their duty, and, in every
emergency. exhibit proofs of nnquestionable vs-
lour--but he could not, as a military man. allow
that the Noble General heel acted prinler.tly, in
having brought himself into such a situation, when
the bettle was fought. The Noble Earl had 11l
laded to the battle of Maids—hut that was not to
be compared with the contest at Talavera. It was
decisive in its issue, and did not dine io a ques-
tionahle shape. like the victory of Talavera. He
could not denominate that a victory, where a re-
treat immediately followed, and the wiewoded sad
the prisoners fell into the hands of the enemy. The
Noble Earl hail dwelt upon the artillery taken on
the spot—but that was not to be considered at all
times as a signal of victory. It might have been
convenient for the enemy to leave them on the field.
As to the reinforcement or 36,000 men, why did
ant Lord Wellington know of their situation, and
the probability of their approach 1 It was the duty
of every General to h ivy such information. Hr
thought, that, considering the British force on the