The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1808-03-04 00:00:00

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Lord Gambier, in the Copehhagen t xpedition.—
Teat appointment did, iwelas opinion, confirm the
expeetetious he had originally formed, and the
expectations of the country were indeed truly ve-
rified as to the admiuistration of that Noble Lord .
sr I shall, however," said Mr. Catered, eb pass over
other instatuces of misconduct, iu order to come to
that which is the immediate subject of my intended
Motion. It was stated o me, and vev generally
rumoured, that that gallant officer. Sir Richard•
etreeliati, who conenauded the Rochfort Squa-
dron, was obliged to leave his station in Basque
Roadie for want of a sufficient supply of provisions
to enable him- to keep his anchorage, and %%etch •
the French fleet in the port of Rochfort ; that it o
transports arrived during the long space of eleven
weeks. Perhaps the House would not beltere it.
bat I desire you not to believe my statement, but
to look to documents upon this subject. At
length, I say, that officer was obliged to leave his
station, and cruise in the offing, in search of what- °
ever supplies he might procure from ally of His Ma-
jesty's ships he might meet. In doing so, lie he
cheace fell in with the Srperb, the Cdossier, and
the Mediator, and to thou lie applied in his exhattist-
..eastese, for relief, in order to citable taiga to follow
the enemy, who, in the mean time, he learned had
escaped out of port. After taking every thing
that could be spared from the crews of these ves-
sels, he was still under the necessity of getting
some further supplies front the Ferrol wpstadrou
before he could he enabled to follow the enemy.
It would seem from this, that what had been gene-
rally deemed a
.part of the routine busiumis of the
board of Admiralty. was, iu this case, entirely lost
sight or; and that the squadron of such a distin-
guished Officer as Sir Richard Stmchatt was left in
a most arduous situation iii the Ray of Biscay,
was entirely out of recollection. This ought not
to have been the came, because, to my knowledge,
during that portion of time, various vessels sailed
from Portsmouth, Plymouth. and Falmouth, and
the wiud wus fair for carry iug supplies to that fleet.
I lillillOt ceaceire, then, how these Right Hen. Gen-
tlemen can excuse themselves for such a culpable
neglect of their duty. If there was a situation in
the service, in which those brave men who served
their country by sea eevuliarly demanded atten-
tion from the Board of Admiralty, it was that in
which they carried on that hard and heart-break-
ing duty of blockading the enemy's ports. They
ought to have been plentifully supplied, according
to the practice of every former Board, with every
accommodation, and perhaps in that instance,
more particularty than any other. That gal-
lant officer had taken his situation in Basque
ftoaaf, within three ur four miles of the
enemy's squadron, so that it was impossible
they could escape. 1 would ask, how could a
more vexations occurrence have happened to him,
than that, for the want of those supplies which are
so plenty here, he should have !ref the opportne '
uity of adding another laurel to his brows, and
contribute at the wane time to the security of the
country. Besides the papers which I ant to call
for, I ask for leave to call an Officer of that squad-
ron to the Bar of this House. in order to substan-
tiate what I have stated, who will prove to you
that they were reduced to two-thirds allowance,
and they ultimately had oily five days meat on
beard, and not above fifteen or twenty days
beswis with a- won" supply- of spirits and wine.
I tape the Right Hon. Geutletueu will not neglect
this necessary part of their duty, in granting the
necessary documents to titian those rumours which
have thus gone abroad, by supposing that I make
this Motion fiir the purpose of harassing admi-
nistratioat. Unless they can prove any danger
likely to arise to the State from such a production
as I shall call for, or can state any inconvenience to
accrue from the stimulant* of a Naval Officer at
the bar of this House, I cannot persuade myself
that they will not go along with me in a question
that so materially involves the vital intermits of this
country. All that I ask is, informatiou of the re-
tentations made as to the actual distress of this
t. This could not inform the enemy of any
thing from which they could derive any advantage;
on the contrary, I think it will shew them, that if
'such a breach of public duty should exist in any one
of our departments, still there is a vigilance in the
Government of the country which will not allow
any such neglect to be overlooked."—Mr. Cal-
craft then moved, for a list of the ships under the
orders of Sir Richard Straehan, during the
mouths of December, January, Kid February last,
with all representations made as to their actual
distress, and extracti of the letters that passed be-
tween Lord Gardner and Sir Richard Strachan, re-
lative thereto.
Mr. W EI.LESLEY POLY.' said, that every docu-
ment that could inform the House, and that would
go to 'hew the conditet of the Admiralty upon the
present subject, he was most ready to produce. It
was most necessary to do 80, after the violent. un-
just, and indecent attack that had been made upon
the Noble Lord (Malgrave) now at the head of that
department, If the Honourable Gentleman had
found it convedient to have required this informa-
tion, or to have comtauniceted his wishes to the
Admiralty, every satisfaction would have been given.
He was prepared to give every paper and every do-
eminent that had reference to the state of supply
in which the fleet was as to provisions, &c. and
the means used for their victualling and watering i
but he could not coimeut to the production of
those letters which would expose the opinions of
the Officers of the fleet and Admiralty to the
enemy. The last letters from Sir Richard
Striae-hen were dated the 19th January, at which
period he had a supply of tea weeks bread for
each ship, fourteen weeks of every other article,
and six weeks and three days supply of water.—
The Mediator, a very large ship. had been fitted
out for the additional supply of this squadron, but,
from contrary winds, and the tempestuous state
of the weather, could not sail until the 6th January.
—This ship bad a large quantity of vegetables, to-
gether with forty bullocks, on board. The Hen.
Gentlemen has said, no steps had been taken for
the supply of this squadron. But when the llouse
are Informed that the Cologres, Saperb, Cumber-
gat,d, and a large ship called the Lavinia, had
loaned them on the ited. his assertions would not
Le given the most implicit credit to. Together
• with these ships there was a large transport. laden
With every species of provisions. allowed to returu.
It teas been asserted, that the squadroa, after the

3'
escape of the French Bert, were obliges-I to seek,
provisions from the Ferrol ileet : this he aheolute;
ly denied. It so happened, dee the first informa-
tion Sir Richard titre :hail had of the escape was
en the 3.5 d Jauirary, but lie had not until the 429t1i.
received tack as. he could fully rely upon. On
the i.ad the weather was so very telapestuou., and
had blown such a gale of wind, that it was impos-
sible to,get the fleet under weigh. The dispatches,
dated off Gibraltar, say not a word of the neeese
city for the distribution of provisions among the
shape. • There was not on the *conk of the Ad-
miralty, which he had closely examined, one letter,
in which mention was made of this squadron hav-
ing taken provisions from the Ferrol one. There
was not a moment lost, on the feeeipt of the intelli-
gence of the sailing of die French fleet. in following
them. The IlonourableGentleman has deelaiined
against the conduct of the Admiralty, and had
contended they are unworthy of the slightest eon-.
fidence. He has Moo made the Noble LortP(Mul-
griere), a Nobleman of the highest probity and.
honour, the subject of the most unjust *backs:—
Was it correct to indulge in such indecent asset-
tiou, without the slightest
.proof whatever Nei
seems angry, she' would think, at this squadron,
not having been made the sole object of attention..
lie does nut eoasider the ardnotts period in which!
we are, the necessity of keeping np the blockade
of every port daft oi,u• predecessors had, to do.—
There were some filets *hick lie thought it neces.
eery to state, to chew that the present Admiralty
leave at least some dam to confidence on the groom/
of activity. Between the 14th amid 16th No-
vember, the Baltic fleet, consisting of seventeen sail
of the line owl ten frigates, arrived in Ply-
mouth, after having suffered most severely from
tempestuous weather. It was necessary to have
them refitted for immediate service, and a great
and extraordinary exertioti had been made.
During this month. 12 sail of the line were pre-
pared, and sent to St. flelen'o. to watch the Rus-
sian squadron. Sir Sidney Smith was dispatched
to the Tagus with eleven jail, anti the sereices reu-
dered bylnin in affording relief to the Portuguese
Family, were well known. Sir Samuel Hood was
also sent to Madeira, to secure that island. If
these exertions were arguments of neglect, he was
ready to admit them. The best mode, and it was
allowed by the ablest judges, of relieving aqua-
dmno, was by sending fresh shipo feethet purpose,
and this was,. adopted in the present inststuce.
Every assistance, both in ships auel supplies, had
been sent this squadron, which would be seen when
the papers were produced. Instead of not havi:•g
been in t situation to pursue the enetny. they had
previsions and water sufficient to follow teem to
ally part of the world. The ships appointed to
join this squadron were, the Betterophun, C'idorser,
Cintiberleivd, Superb, and Spencer. The first ship
had suffered so much in tempestuous weather, as
to be obliged to go into dock. The last ship'.
crew had been affected with an epidemic disease,
which prevented her
,joining. The squadron off
Rochfort consisted of 7 sail, and he woe's' ask
whether 5 out of 7 was a bad relief, together with
every other means that had been used fur their
supply ? Sir "Richard Stachaii was new in the Me-
diterranean in pursuit of the Roc:Wert fleet ; Brest
was blockaded • every prevention taken fir the
safety of our ilrest-ledia Celonies, and la tides.
• ableforee remaining to took after America, if
it should he found necessary. The Admiralty
would never shrink from inquiry, and their cou-
duct was such as would entitle them to the thissiks
of the country. He would take the liberty to read
such Resoltitione as it was the intention of the
Admiralty to have laid before the Howse, and
would beg it to be remembered, that he had never
seen the motion of the Hotiourab e Gentleman.
He then read several Resolutions, the purport
of which was that all orders for victualling
and supplying the Rochfort squadron be itii•lntion
the table." It may not he unnecessary to state,
that the practice adopted in the blockading of the
enemy's ports, and in the regulation of that service,
was, that the Commander of the Channel Fleet
has the sole direction of the minor squadrotis wafer
him, the supplying and victualling theist, &c. It
was not exactly the duty of the Admiralty, not-
withstanding that they had, in the present in-
stancy, done an.
Earl Tzert.-•. very much feared, that the reso-
lutions • read by the Hon. Gentleman would not
bring before the. House the information sought.
Throughout these resolutions not a word was said
of the letters from Sir Richard Strnchan to Lord
Gardner, so necessary to be produced. Such parts
of them as it might not- be proper to produce, it was
not intended by the !Arnim' of his Honourable
Friend to look for. The Honourable Gentleman
has told us, he would surprise us by the corn-
munieation of the extraordinary exertions of the
Admiralty, and has made use of this to keep out
of sight the charge alleged, namely, that Sir
Richard Strachan was obliged to leave his auchore
age for want of provisions. Let it be reuteutbered.
that the supplies stated slid uot arrive until after
the sailing of the French fleet. A great deal had
been urged as to the tempestuous weather that
prevailed during the month of November, and the
difficulty of ships going to sea in consequence.—
He had the curiosity to inquire into the state of
the weather, and he found, that from the eth to
the stith November, there was not a day that ships
of war had not sailed from Plymouth.
Lord Cartszateon said, that a tender and
sevenl transports had sailed from Plymouth ou the
14th November, for that fleet.
Mr. WesiesetY Pout said, that Sir Richard
Strnehan had appointed a rendezvous, and that it
was to that he had. gone. It may be also neces-
sary for u fleet, in very tempestuous weather, to
go into the offing for greater security.
Mr. CALCRAFT thought the Hod. Gentleman
(Mr. Pole) in the language he had made Ise of,
might have been somewhat more decorous than to
have derignatest what fell from him in the
manner he did. What he had asserted was,
that the appointment of Captain Sir Home Pop-
ham, after the sentence of a Court Martial, over
many able and distinguished officers, was a want of
judgment and discretion in the First Lord of the
Admiralty, and that the navy and country Weight
as He would pledge .himself that when the pa-
per were produced; it would appear that the Koch-
fort squadron had been grossly ntedetted. We
have been amused with the able arnmseutente of

•
the Adtninitty and.llla blockade or West, &c. but
with the controul over the fleet, aid the sviiteiss,arl
methiod pointed out, it was hdrdly pixiskide for th 4
meat inattentive to deviate. The iton,,C.,;ent:.liail
expreased his surprise at this Motion not hisioo
beeu seat ta the Admiralty. What, was it ueoers
nary for a Manlier of Parliament, when he wished/
to be informed on 16 subject of such importance as
the present, to tend his motions to the Aduitiralty
It was an assertion that inig:it be' with more. pro.,
priety celled indecent, that' what the 404 deutleu
Joan thought proper to call 60• He coachyted
.by
expEessing his couvii tion, that whits) thee. pal'e's
were produced, he would make out a stromg K 434
against the-Admiralty. •
The motion was then put and iiirreed
ORDERS IN COUNCIL _

Lord !Ivan' Petry, in porsumice of tire-notice
given by him, rose to make his promised motion.
He began by stating, that whatever difference 4.f
opinion might obtain upon the present questien„
there was bug one mind as to its paramount im-
portance. Ir. after the various explanations and
disemosiotis which have been bad upon this sub-
ject, very little satiefactiou has been obtained,
it beetune the more necessary to examine atid•
to ascertain what justificatory grouuda there
are fur imposing duties on foreigners, cone
trary to usage and customs, and how far it was
practicable and expedient vo. to 44? If any
thing was clear, it was the impracticability
of carrying theme Orders in Council into effect,
without the co-operation of our allies. We a:e iu
such a state, that without positive assaninee tit
such en-operation, it was in vain to look to their
practical effect. Can we be satisfied that Sweden
will co-operate in those restrictions ? Suppose.
Sweden should-not see the adrautage of excluding
the Continent from those articles that we have
done ? Suppose that, as a commercial coantq, she '
should deem her intercourse with America too
valuable to co-operate in your theory of exclusion ?
--sin that case there was an end of your Orders in
Council. Was there any doubt, if an Aineritun,
corning to Eitgland, was obliged to pay heavy
duties for his trade with France, aud if he were,
by tonching at Sweden, exempted from such du-
ties, that-he would prefer it? Ile was aware that
this only applied to American produce. It has been
urged that colonial produce cannot be carried by a
neutral to au ally. He had bestowed
.greet pains
this question, cud could not satisfy himself
upon the subject. What would be urged as to the
co-operation of Sicily and Sardinia, two powers
through which France could easily get supplied ?-
1 Here were three distinct quarters whose co-opera-
' Von in these Orders in Council was indispensable
to their being carried into effect. He would call
upon Minister* to know why they have not ob-
tained satisfactory information upon this Subject,
before they would issue these illegal and impolitic
restrictions? lie trusted they would satisfy the
House before they called upon them to give their
'Ruction to such measures. lie then moved "That
an humble address be presented to His Majesty,
praying that he would be .graciously plensed to
have laid before this house the substance of all
communications, that poised bet Ween His, Majesty,
and powers iu alliance with him, subsequent to the
issuing the order or the 11th November."
. ThuCstasootese-of dyer Homes ore.rt Mor ready '
to admit the importance of the Subject. lie wed
satisfied there would be no disimtlitiatioo on the
part of our allies' to co-op etate in thosetortlers.
Every disposition to thatefett !Wl:Wen nutnifeateal
by Srvedetn, though no spectlisc pledge to that
effect had been received. It cduld out be es',69t.ie
ed blurt those orders had passed the.ll'ouees.and
the duties imposed. under them were fixed, thug
any positive communicatiou should lie giveas„.elf,
however, those on whose dispositions we Couot.
should turn out differeatly, he could Ilia colletiiit
it to be difficult to extend the blockade to died.
It was the only remedy, at the same time that no
apprehension of that kind was entertained. .
Sir Aalrlitat PIGIiaTT thought, if any additional
proof was requisite to stiew the precipitancy and in-
coosiderateness of those measures, it was what had
fillets from the lion. Gentleman. What, if Swedeu
does not concur, you propose to extend your
blockading system to her; a strange way of treat-
ing your ally. The reliance is, that Sweden has
as touch iuterest in the execution of those ord;rs
as we have. He feared, and was certain it would
turn out ditTerethly.
The CH ANC&I.toR of the EarfiravErt sail!, there
was every reason to rely on the good dispositions of
our allies. •
Mr. Poesonnv conceived, that his Nolile
Friend required the production of whatever coat-
munieations took place between this country and
Sweden. Silt the Chancellor of the Exchequer
has told us there have been none, and that Sweden
had given no specia.: pledge. It would be hard
to expect the concurrence of Sweden to mea-
sures which the Honourable Gentlemen themes-Ives
do not understand. The King of liardinia would
also be said to have good dispaitions towards
us, but if these ba Itelown to Bonaparte, that unfor-
tunate monarth would, is all probability. have to
regret them. This was a strange utatiner of deal-
ing with our allies. To the one you would be re-
duced to an act of hostility, and the other you put
in the way of losing whatever little territory he
pookiessft
Mr. Secretary CAN Nuto thonght the King of
Sardinia could isot be cousidered an Ally of ours.
He was strictly neutral, and therefore the argu-
ment of the Ilouoarable Gentleman, as applied to
that, had failed. With respect to Sweden be
thought it odd to expect a specific concurreuce in
the details of those measures before they were fixed.
Mr. Potosi:4BY considered the extending the
blockade to Sweden would be a measure of great
hostility to that country.
'Dr. LAWILENC% laid, if Sardinia was not to be
-conaidered an Ally, he was at a 1044 to know what
state was. Since the iutroduction of the new mora-
lity, the •Dey of Algiers appeared to him to he the
fittest Ally for us.
Mr. Roatasox thought Sardinia bad a right to
be considered an Ally.
Mr. Isms conceived that us this Bel wait in ope-
, ratio,' citiceNriecinber, the cu-operation of Sweden
inight lie had toet as far a. it went.
Mr. limas void, that the dispositions manifested
'by Sweden were as strong as in the present stage
of the Bill could be .xpectukl.

~ . .
•
WHITBREAD wished to know whether any
connuunication bad been had with Sweden? fle
cosisiderea it the bounden duty ul' Irlinisters t•
have ascertained whether die would co-operate to

.. ;-~

toe full extent.of the* measures or not.
• Mr. A Lex s.ll Pea BLitt 111 GI thought Sweden would 1
not eo-operate in these measures.
Lord Haunt' Perry would not occupy the time
of the House. The Hon. Gentleman has told us,

that Sweden had manifested good dispoeitiote tb-
wols u% But are those to extend to her general
view of policy ? Wai it to be expected, that in con-
tradiction tuber interest, or in compliment to onr
theory on .this subject, she would adopt those
meatures T But her non-compliance was iollowed
Ly a threiits If she does not agree to exclude swift'
and tobacco from the Contiaeut, you will blockade
her. It is now four mouth' since the issuing of
those Orders in Council, and no co-operetiou was
ascertained. -Does be meau to assert, because
details ate-net fixed, that, therefore, there can Le
no pletl4e ? Did hr never hear of a Cominereial
Tr.sity ? We are now L-alled upon to cmne ton deci-
sion upon one of the most itnwrtatit tonics that has
ever occupied the eonsid•ration of this Hesse, with_
put knowisig whether it is possible to reduce it to
*active, without knowing whether our allies shall
co-operate or, trot in its execution, and from the
cot spleaity and confusion in *inch it is iterolreol,
incapable ofescertaintog its merits. He concluded
Ly expressing his hope that the Hotta, would *feel
the necessity for the productiou of 11,ose commit-
' 'Orations, in order teasiessble thew to term their
judquient on this momentousand important subject.
A division then took place; whew there appeared, •
fur the motion—
Airs
I\oee..
Majority alpine it 5;)
LIVERPOOL PETITION. .

General Gascuirs a stated, that the Petition
which he I,ehl in his hand was Wailed by seta's
hundred* of his constituents. Were tiory as well

. .
known to the House es they 'were to him, the
Iluuse, he was sure, would feel equel anxiety for
its success. It was not his wish, at that late hour
of the night, to enter into a discussion of its merits,
and as to form, he hoped there were no rules of
the House that could occasion its rejeainn upon
that ground. With respect to the of and
spirit of those whose signatures were to the Pe-
tition, there was nothing to disapprove. It was
not their intention to remonstrate against times, or
to shrink front their pressure. It was not their wish
to makx wily alteration in the sjstens. Ilia constitu-
ents were welt aware that it was necessary to carry on
the war, and Cu it the war was just mid proper. Their
Petition related not to the enemy, but to neutrals;
not to war, hut to conunerce. The tos a which he
had the honour to represent, ca.rizd on 3-4 this
of the trade with Arartea; and he was confident,
that the House would duly consider the maguttude
of so large an interest. Nearly 64) voyriges were
made to that pot from America in ships of which
the burden amounted to 1.23,unn tins% and the
I produce of the alutkw thereon amounted to not less
than one million. Its ansiouslv wished no form
!if the House might be perverteii, for the purpose
-)9f prohitiiting the complaint of the Petition trout
g leant-arid discussed.: "The Petitioners were
Hot noxious to exonerate themselves front the pees-
ore of tas.tion, ties:family felt throughout all
likuks t they had ever borne their proportion with-
!tut inurinuniag ; but they wished the Government
pf the country should not render that load in-
rhiportaLile, by enactments tending to destroy
be vcry sources from whence taxation could he
mead. Nothing could Ise. more constitutional
bin . the manner of their apolicatiom ar,d cer-
, taidly nothing wore grievous than trle matter of
cotarlaint.
T e!ieesiwit wished to know of the lion. Ge-
ueral, it the pentium were agriast the bill timinied
on the °niers of Council? to which the lion.
Member answered in the negative. The Sisk:AKAR
titan informed the lion. 31emiser, if the petition
complained elan act of taxation passed within the
present session, it could not, sceordiug to the
forms of that House, be received. .

Mr. Maxey then rose, and spoke as follows:
—" Sir, 1 admit, with the decision just now pro-
nounce from the chair, that the standing order
of this House Bain hitherto heen tusilerstood, rind
perhaps justly So, to prohibit the subject from
inlikiwg any application tb Parliament iagainst any
tax Unposed, during the same sessiqn in which it
passed. This is necessary. 1 reknit. to present
the frequency of application from those who,
without duly considering the nature and con-
sequences of those Acts established by the I..egisla-
tore, might be inclined to. shift from themselves
their just proportion of the burden of the public ex-
peisiliture. But. Sir. I have been anprised that
the present petition does not complain of the tan
levied by the Bill in question, its complaint, is sole-
ly mid exclusively against tie principle of the sees-
sures romrted to, in order to effectuate the Orders
of His Majesty in COMMiI. Not so mach against
the duties imposed by way of tax ou neutrals ene
teing the ports of this nation, as against the gene-
sully pernicious eth.ets of ,he Bill in question.
This Sill has been said. by the Right Hon. Mover,
not to have been enactod for the purifose of re-
remit., but for carrying into effect the Orders of
Council. The petitioners then need only read the
preamble of the Bill to be satisfied of the propriety
of the applies/time If we now pass this Bill, the
responsibility, which before rested on the advisers
of the Orders in Conned, falls immediately on us.
\Ve are now called on to patronise and make
our sown, this most objectionable and detested
measure. Let us here, for a moment, pause.
The initiation of the petitioners is truly critical.
Their till is now et stake. They afle4e the
Bill your Niiiister of Vimunce. has proposed
for the protection of trade, is only cislculitted
to cut it up be the motet It lies been before
""Pitetly. tobc,olll4hOtilil have been referred to a
COinosittee cf Trade ear * former_ stage. This I
slit agree in, as it bail been supported
the usage of the Hanle, and in refuSing this appti-
canon, far the !lest time, I perceive with sorrow and
regret, the House had heels suhjected to an into*
lerable burden of respousilelity and align!. Mahe-
eyes of the couatty. Either the Rieht Hon, GeMi
'Cleans!' (or we are wrong. Ile has .iiiee partly ad-)
ruitted his own error, by peruuttieg two cleans d