The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-03-27 00:00:00

CRIMINAL CODE.

Lord Heti-map presented Petitions from Stroud, Roch-
dale, Epping, Itishop.Sioriford, and other places, fur a re/A-
aiun of the Criminal Cede.—Laid on the table.

MESSAGE FROM IHa COMMONS.

...
Sir Wm. CURTIR and others brought up from the House
of Commons a Bill for Paving and Lighting the TOMU of
Ramsgste, and two Bills of a private nature.—They were
read a first time.

The Poor Laws Amendment Bill, the Netherlands Stare
Trade Bill, and the Hubbaudry Horses Bill, were read a
third time and parsed. •
STATE OF THE NAVY.

The Earl of Deism begged leave, before the
House proceeded to the Order of the Day, to call
their Lordships' attention to a miliject of the uttuo-t
importance to the well-being of the country. As
he did not anticipate any objection to the motion,
with which he purposed to conclude his observe-
timis, it might perhaps be thought that he was ob-
trutlitig himself unnecessarily upon the time of the
Howse; but he did not think he should act with
sufficient respect to the House, or to the Noble
Lords hi Administration, if he did not preface his
motion with a few remarks. His object was to draw
their notice to the actual state of the navy of this
country, which might emphatically be called the
right arm of our strength. The navy, lie fraud,
would ba found, on a nearer view of the subject,
to have been treated not with sufficient ottrittion,
whether considered in comparison with the state of
our army, or with what was due to the safety of the
country. He was very willing to do every justice
to the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Melville) for his
zeal, and for the numerous improvements he had
introduced into the service. One of those improve-
ments in particular was the sale of all old ships
which were unfit for service, whereby the country
was relieved from the expense of maintaining wea-
sels which could never he turned to any advantage.
Economy was, uo doubt, highly desirable, but it
might be carried too far. On this point he should
not now make any further observations, nor on the
errors which were stSll observable in the con-
struction of ships of war. The Noble Lord then
moved
0 That there be laid before Ibis House a list of all ships
aud vessels of war now in commission, also an account of
the number of seamen and marines employed, aud of all
abips preparing iu his Majesty's dock-yards"
Lord MetyttLE had no intention of opposing
the Noble Lord's motion, but he was glad of hay.
Mg this opportunity of stating, that the state of
the navy ut the present moment was such as ought,
and, he was sure, when the details were laid
fore the House, would afford the utmost coot.
dence to their Lordships, and to every man in the
country.—(Hear, hear.)—The navy had occupied
the most unremitting and anxious attention of his
Majesty's Ministers, and he hod not the least hesi-
tation in affirming, that never before, during a
period of general peace, was the nail equal its
power and efficiency to what it was at present.r
(Cheering from both sides of the House.)—Consi-
clued with regard to the character of the ships,
this was indisputable; and with respect to the
number of men, he need only add, that, while in
former times of pence they dill mint exceed Iti,ooo
men, they now amounted to go,ooo.—(Hear.)
The Earl of DARN LEI expressed his sincere 111-
tisfactiwi ut the stisteniem made by the Noble
Lord ; but he begged least tq add, thit his °tom:
motions did not apply to the number of men, but of
ships, and to the 'node its whicii the men were di*.
tributes!.
.The Ear) of I.4vearoor. said, that his Noble
friebd {Lord Melville) did not wt4s to enter at
length into an ammo of the state of the imey. leer
his etatetilessly of the vast improvements introduced
•iiith the emetic might seem to involve toe meth or
1 his own eulogy ; fur to his Noble Friend, sod the
sward at winch he en-Sided, the•coontry wait teal,

He could wish that some of these smart lancers
were converted into ship* of the line.--(Hcar.)
The motion was then agreed to. • .
WINDSOR ESTABLISHMENT. •
The Earl of LI veseuot lose to move the second
reeding of the Bill for regulating the Windsor
Establishment, but as the principle of the measure
was not meant to be disputed, he should occupy
little of their Lordships' attention. At an early
part of the Session their Lordships passed a Dill
for investing in his Royal Highness the Doke of
York the custody of his Majesty's sacred person.
A Bill was now brought in from another pleat
(where by the practice mid forms of Parliament
Bills of this nature generally originated), for the
regulation of the Rotal Esiablishinent. in which
the House would find that a very considerable re.
duction had been effected in the Royal Household.
This reduction and consequent 'ping to the public
amounted to 50,000/. a year„ ,which, wit the
Queen's Estabhshineet of 58,0001., giveu up by
his Royal Highness the.Prinie Regent to the dis-
position of Parliament, caused ou oggregete savinv
of 108,000/. a yes!. „ Shit. however, ate
was to be made of it gum of 18.01301.0 year, ;cram.
ed as compensations to her fate MojestyPseervauts,
whereby the total saving to the country was reduced
to 0,0001. a year. It might perhaps he necessary
fist he should enter into • consideration of the
reasons that induced the Noce Regent's (corers.
ment to propose • reduction in the 'Loyal Estottlish-
!tient at Windsor ems, rather itheu. ;Previous to the
demise of her late Majesty. He had the honour to
hold a test in his Majesty's Council at the petitel
when the Establishment was first regulated, he
could therefore state the principle upon which :list
measure had beets founded. At that pclisd the
King's indisposition had lasted nlO one year, and
though in the year 1813 the physicians said, what
they would perhaps now repeat, that they did not
expect his Majesty to recover the perfect use of his
understandiug, but still that she hope of such an
event should not be left out of the view of the
question. This consideration undoubtedly at the;
period exercised some iiifluence over the arrange.
meat ; but slow that the Kiev's indisposition had
continued for right years, the probability uf his Ma-
jesty's recovery was proportiotiably inure remote.
The arrangement, top, he ',mild add, was made
with reference not only to the King's situation, but
also with regard to that of her. Majesty. as Queen
Consort. As ins fair view of tbiesubject, it would
be impassible to exclude her Misjestes right to
dower, amounting to 100,0001. a year. to the event
of the King's demise, it would be found, iu form,
ing the Establishment, that the ben
of
.econoiny had not been.sieglected. bee .Majlesty
could be supposed to be in any snorting .rosalogotie
to that of having survived jUe Kilip„ber doses
could not be refused to her, ,cud if to this were
added, the consideratioo of the ry eitieentwa,
to wl'ach, .se Queen Consort, b:rerdeoty.uusst of
necessity have been subiected. he .did psi csoceive
Establishment ' thought

that the &webbailment coup be. Owen core lir
beral than was due to her dignity .and thAt
of the country. If they It•cf pups. glad .ois w
dilliteat principle, sod givek 9useu
her dower. they would not have effected s err-
lug to the country of ten thosesuri posagb
With' iespect to the ,proviione ;be Bill ppw been
fore their Lordiihipe. he might perhaps bp grerrsir+
ted to remark. that ;hey bed anderopse n, Strict
examinationanotei plece. whersyWtssir stpoirerlT
sally felt diet no further reductions 505.14 ViOr
With respect to wbat bed pavred liiiiithrr place,
he might be peanitted Fra3arigi 001 ecosogv
bad been cern too fir, for noteritbillontiimg mit
soysl Highness the priuce 4rip.4 bed sOOLNOTAi
hir right to the 30,0001.-opyeer,. *filch 641 to
Civil List on the demise It the goats; a grunts
to her Majesty's serves* Which werl bustpatary e.l

all similar occasions, had not been given. Altering
of about 6,000 or 7,000!. s•year hod been made
front the stipends of the Queen's servants. There
was one other point in the Bill, which, although it
ought to be made • subject of discussion in the
Committee only, and not in the present stage. to
which he should briefly refer, lest it weight be im:i.
gined that he was disposed to overlook it. The
House of Comtnono, it appeared by the Bill, had
thought proper to make 'k some allowance to his
Royal Highness the Dake of York, as autos per.
rower, as had been granted to her. late Majesty in
1812. The propriety of that grant had been re-
cognised by both Houses of Parliament. and not
only was the principle the same in the present
instance to warrant a limiter allowance to his Royal
Highness, hut there ojee certain circumstances
peculiar to his Royal Higlines*, which reentered it
more necessary. The illitrious Duke had public
services to perform, whigkrendered it impossible for
huts to reside constantly at Windsor. No one who
knew any thing ofihe nature of public situations could
doubt that much expense must attach to them. It
would, indeed. be impossible to calculate such el.
proses with accuracy, but it became Parliament iie
such cases to divlay 'note of generosity than of
strict and rigid economy, lest it might happen that
thee would nudist, unwillingly, individual injustice.
Attar a few further remarks to the mane effect. the
NA& Luur,l moved the second reading of the 80%

Earl Gillet' dial not rite to oppose the principle
or the Bill. on the contrary, so far as the Bill in-
volved a prine:iple of reduction in the general ex-
penditure of the country, at a moment when
tress pervinled every part of it, lie felt himself
bound to express his approbation of the measure.
He trusted that he yielded to nu man in sentiments
or loyalty to the King. iii feelings of compassion for
his sufferings, end of respect for his age, and that
he would spire no sacrifice to secure the main-
tenance of his dignity, and the utmost enjoyment
of every thing conducive to his personal comfort,
consistent with his unhappy situation ; but while
he admitted this, obligation on the one: hand, he
could ait allow that situation, on the other, ur
be made i pretext for umpecessary expense, nor Ulf.
let the claim of supporting the Royal dignity to be
weep as a delusive plea to add to the hoidens of an
exhausted country, marking in that dignity a con-
Iraq with the sufferings of the people.—(Hear,
hPisr.)—lle was of opinion, that the expense of the
Windsor Establishment had been incurred too
Ling. H,f was now, therefore, not so much
diprawd to object to the present Bill, which went
to reduce that establishment, as to inquire why
this estab!i•litnent had not been reduced sooner.—
( Herm Isteir.)—The Noble turd (Liverpool) had
stated w lie ibis reduction was now proposed by those
who lied fermerly resisted such a measure when re-
commended by himself and othere, and it appeared
that the demise of the Queen lend caused all the
41 fference in Ilse circumstances of the case. He
now, for the first tone, unders'ood that the E.ta.
lilishittelit had originally been proposed, with re Is.
non not only to the state of the King, but also to
the situation of her 3lsjesty. This argument had
never before been touted, hut to Isis mind the
qjeyst's situAinii, as Queen Consort, with the
E.tablishmesit of Siit,ooo/. a year, would place her
iv; a marls bet'er state than if she wrie to have re-
eciseal her dna er.

The present subject, he thonglst, might have
been brotiviot forward with more delicacy than had
brill (observed, both with regard to the character of
the Royal tanoily sod to the dignity of the House.
'the matter being confessedly arse of great delicacy,
tnight have been investigated in a Committee, or
the Hr use might of least have procured a copy of
the Report of the Committee of the House of Corn-
moos. Neither course 111111 been pursued, mid the
House iris now proceeding to decide un the case
without any exansination, in a manner little con-
sistent with the delicacy of the subject. and cer-
toirsty not in conformizy with those sentiments and
rrotillidlions of loyally dist were so freely made by
those who hadintroduced the measure.-11 fersr.)—
(hi the stslikiCt of the grant to the Duke of York,
he had mesl not to have spoken one word, feeling
with the Notre Earl opposite, that the subject be-
lorsged exclusively to the Commitee. No one had
a higher esteem than lie entertained for the public
services mod private viitues of the Duke of York,
and he lamented to see his name brought forward
ns connexion with such a matter us the present ;
but whatever might be his feelings on this subject,
lie eau not it mats to his deterred from what he con-
ceived to he his duty. Ile now declared that he
objected to the proposed grant, and in the Coin.
tuittee lie would state his objections to it. The
Noble Lord •Duke of the duty imposed on the
Doke of York, and of the expenses to which it
would subject him. No doubt there was a duty,
which, he was confident, his Royal Highness would
gladly perform, without requiting the stimulus of
a grant of money; but when the expenses attached
to such a duty were spoken cf as a justification for
the present claim, it WIA coming to Parliament un-
der false pretences.--Illear, hear.)—The country
was ringing with disapprobation of the grant, as
being not only injurious to the interest of the
people, but insulting to their understanding. In
the Committee he shou!d object to the grant, and
abroad for the present merely warn the House,
as the precedent of the grant to the Queen was
twat advanced, how they formed precedents in such
cases fi.► the future. He would admit that if the
grant were proper in the case of the Queen, it would
also he proper in the case of the Duke of York;
but he should absolutely drily the principle.—
(Iliar, irear.)--He should lake sonic blame to
himself fur nut having urged his objections to the
Queries grata. but they were still in force, and he
should state them in opposition to the proposed
allowance to the Duke of York.
The Earl of HARROWIY.—Whether this grant
was contrary to the understanding of the people,
would be hest decided when the understanding of
their Lordships came to be exerc:sed on the sub•
ject, and whether it was injurious to the interests
of the country, would be also determined when they
come to consider how far it was consistent with the
public welfare to support the dignity of the Crown.
He would not offer himself to the attention of the
House, but he feared lest they should seem to
acquiesce in the principles laid down by the Noble
Earl. Ile remarked, that it was not sufficient for
the House inertly to provide, as the Noble Earl
seemed to desire, for the food and raiment. and
medical attendance accessary for their afflicted

Sovereign, they should also eonsitler what Will due
to the country mod to the Constitution, of which
that Sovereign was the head. Ir there were ally
persons its the House who would limit the dignity
of their Sovereign to these paltry cunsidtretions, he
hoped they would be as eonsisteut as to oppose the
second reading of the Bill.
The Earl of CA111.131.6 remarked, that the Noble
Earl opposite had misunderstood the nature of his
Noble Friend's observations. His Noble Friend
had used one word which might lone screened him
from the Noble Earl's remarks, which was dd the
dignity of the King." He begged leave to inquire
whether the grant had been given to the Queen, as
eastos of the King's person ?
The Earl of LIVIRPOOI, replied, it was given
to her Majesty expressly to cover extraordinary
expenses.
Earl GREY said he hail never heard any thing
more indecorous then the rant of the Noble Earl
opposite (llarrowby) about his loyalty. lie had
stated distinctly thathe hail entertained the highest
sentiments of loyalty for the King's person, com-
passion for his sufferings, and respect fur his age,
far which he expressed his willingness to mike
every sacrifice, but that lie could never suffer this
delusive plea to be urged as a justification for load-
tog with 11111 l ecessary expense an overburdened
country. Ile stated that the present distresses of
the people were unparalleled ill the history of the
isatiosi.--1 //ear, hear.)
The Earl of HARROWS!". in explanation, raid
he had norunderstood the Noble Earl.
The Earl of DARNLEY protested against the jai-
potation which the Noble Earl had thrown on the
Opposition side of the House, as if those on the one
side yielded to the Noble Lords on the other ill at-
tachment to their Sovereign and loyalty to the Coll
stitution. Ile had never, in the course of his Par-
liamentary experience, heard a more unwarrantable
attaok.
The questiou was then carried. and the Bill be-
ing read a second time, was ordered to be com-
mitted for Moodary.

~~.