The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-06-08 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. RURDON mese:dad a Petition from the Ship Owners
of the Nerthesii Comities, against the importation of Coah
by the Gaud JiinCtion Canal. Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. CLARKE presetisd a Petition from the County of
Southampton, congratulating the House upon the procee !ince
which had taken place upon the Tenth Report of the
Commissioners, and exhorting them to proc-eill in then in-
quiries into public abuses. Ordered to lie on the tilde.
A Menage foam the Lends announced, that they hart pa•s-r1
the Irish Stamps, and Irish Excise and Licence Ditty, with
some private Wilt.
The P ire of Londsn Impmveirtent Bill was committsl,
and onlered 10 he reported on Monday.
Mr ROSE hrought in a Bid for rendering the Duty on Sail
Cloth perp.dual ; wh.ch was read a first, anti ordered to be read
a second time on Monday; as was also the Bill fir regulat-
ing the Duties on Wine, Corn, and Hides, exported from Eng.
land to Imiand, and lAN! se.►a.
Mr. Serjeant NEST brought in the Bill for limiting the
Privilege of Members of Parlament who might bec,irne bank-
'opts ; which was read a first, and ordered to be read a steond
time on Thursday next ; and also to he printed.
Mr. Johnson, from the Ofil:e of the Chief Secretary in Ire-
land, presented a Copy of the Correspot.dence between the
birearir Gen.wal and the Committee of Proprletots of the
Grand Irish eine! —Ordered to lie on the Table.

Sir JOHN STEWART presented a Report item the Com-
mittee, to which vat Tattered the Message from the flout* of
Lords, requiriug the grounds on which the Committee ap-
pninted to consider of the repalti of HK Majesty', stripe Roo-
ney and La Sensible, while under the command of Sir Hems
Popham, in the Red Sea, required the attendance of Earl St
Vincent, to be examined before them. The Report recited the
answer to be transmitted; which was agreed to, and ordered to
be taken be Sir John Stewart, to the llnuse of Lord..
Mr. ROSE moved, that the Message from the House of
Lords requesting the attendance of Sir James Stewart, Ban.
and the Right lion. Sir John Stewart, Bart to be:examined on
Monday, relative in the charges against Mr. Justice Foe, be
taken into conseleration which we. agreed to.
The SPEAKER then asked those lion. Baroneu severallv.
whether they had any &neaten' to attend the said examination'
arid on their answering in the negative, teive wa. given for their
attendance, if they thought proper, and a Message sent to the
Lords a;coidinj y.
he Feting Ev:a;ie Bill was r,parted, and ordered to be read
a thii time on Nlntidav,
Mr. V ANSI t FART obtained leave to hring in a Rill for
enabl.siz the Barrack Masten trienerel t s-II estates, vcatld in
them, with the consent of the Lord. of the Treasury.
tif.eitETAILY at WAR ovaitterl leave to bring in a
B 11, no enflame Lilian that of 17.19, hi enable His Atiettir
to ',main in full pav and allowance, during the war, aeltalterit
Officers of the Militia, notwithstanding any redua.ort.
SIR J. T. f)UCKWORTI f
- -

Colonel WOOD proposed to deter hts motion fr.r
a copy of the proceedings of the Court Martial held
on Admiral Sir John Thom as Duckworth, to Ibis
day sennight.
Mr. BAKER stated, this he saw a paper this
day circulated amongst the Measers of the Mune,
which he conceived calenleed to convey an unfa-
vourable impression against the gallant Admiral ;
and, as there was no specific reason given for the
delay, he thought the motion should either be
brought forward now, or totally abandoned.

Colonel WOOD said, his objed was not to delay
the proceeding—hut to give gentlemen time to digest
and cpnsider of the public documents which had
been distributed. He had, however, no obledion
to make his motion now, if, in the opinion of the
House, that should he thought more adviseable.
Admiral MA RI: HA M that if the design
of the Motion was to bling before the House the
Papers which influenced the judgment of the Court
Martial, he should ohjed to their produdion.
The SPEAKER then interposed, observing that
he could suffer the conversation to proceed no fur-
ther, as there was no Motion before the House.
Colonel WOOD, seeing the House disposed to
proceed, said, he should no longer delay his intend-
ed Motion. The Vice-Admirel had himselt pub-
lished the proceedings of thu Court Martial, though
his friends spewed n desire to bring it before the
House. To shew that the verdid of the Court

Martial was a gross and malicious misrepresenta-
tion of the condusll of Captain Wood (his brother),
the prosecutor, he read the memorial of that Gen-
tleman to the Lords Commissioners of the Admi-
ralty, stating the manner in which he had been su-
perseded in the command of His Majesty's frigate
Amato, by Admiral Duckworth, in the West-In-
dies, for the purpose of giving that ship to his own
Captain, in order to bring over logs of mahogany,
stores, and household furniture, belonging to the
Admiral, which Captain Hood would not receive
on board His Majesty's ship, as being contrary to
an express 241 of Parliament. In support of his
motion, he quoted a precedent wt.ich happened ou
the .2.Bth of November, 1744, when the sentence of
a Cowl Martial, under similar circumstances, was
declared to be partial, arbitrary, and illegal. After
reading the articles of war referred to, and the opi-
nion of Counsel upon the subjel, he moved, ",That
there be laid before the House a copy of the pro-
ceedings of the Court Martial upon Admiral Sir J.
T.Duckwo'th, with the memorial of Captain Wood,
and the opinion of Counsel given on the verdia of the
said court martial." .

Mr. W. DICKINSON said, that when notice
was given of this motion, he expefted that something
might result from it, likely to prove of advantage
to the public, in which he was completely disap-
pointed. The Court Martial alladed to had the op-
portunity of e amining by rice voce evidence, how
the Mt of Pa•liament was atfeCted by the condna
of the Admiral, and, in adding to their verdict a
censure on the Pr ,secutor, they went upon the usual
pratlice of every court martial, as was the case in the
trial of Admiral Keppel, when the verdict deprived
his accuser, Sir Hugh Palliser, of all his public
employments, and also of his seat in the House of
Commons. Captain Wood, in bringing forward
his chair, must have been aware of this conse-
quence, tf unsuccessful ; and could, therefare, have
no reason to complain of it.
Sir W. ELFORD also spoke against the motion ;
and represented Admiral Duckworth as a man in-
capable of injustice.
Mr. BAKF.R said, he had no other interest in
this motion, but that which be took in behalf of a
very revered friend, who had been honourably em-
ployed, for forty years, in the naval service of his
country ; not lass than thirty of which were passed
on ship-board. Though his long and meritorious
services bad been honoured an 4 rewarded by His
Majesty, it was impossible that he could have been
in so many situations, without being subjesi to some
slight charges of this nature. He said, he could
not consider the present proceeding as a very fair
one, fnr. no sooner was the verdift of the Court
Martial known, than Captain Wood had served the
Adin.ral with notice of a civil action, pending

.
ss this criminal proceeding was attempted.
Lor.: G i.ENBERVIE spoke against the 1-louse
issuer. in such a manner, as to bring b,lore its
r to ii.erdiEts of Courts Martial.
AIIKHANI said, he had known the
gallant Ad-niral Alluded to, for many years, and
stated, that h^ had served both with him and un-
der him, in different quarters of the globe—during
all which time, he never knew or beard of his using
any oppressive or unofficer.like coudue. if the ar-
ticle alluded to, as contravening the Ad of Parlia-
ment, was to he literally adhered to, and strictly
construed, he believed that not only himself, but
every Officer in His 'Majesty's navy, might have
been convieted of bringing home some wine, of
which many Gentlemen in that [louse had frequent-
ly, and very convivially partaken— (Laashierj.
Colonel WOOD said, he was willing to defer, at
present, to the prevailing opinion of the House ;
and should, therefore, beg leave to withdraw his
motion, pledging himself, however, that he should
bring it forward in some other shape, early in the
next session.
Captain HERVEY said, he must object to such
a mode of getting rid of the motion, and should
insi.t on the question being put—which was done,
and the motion negatived without a division.

STATE OF THE NATION.
Mr. GREY said, that in the speech from the
Throne at the opening of the Session, His Majesty
had been pleased to communicate to Parliament,
that overture► of Peace had been made by the French
Government, but declined on the ground, that His
Majesty was then engaged in an intimate and con-
fidential negotiation with another Power. As the
Minister had not since given any further explana-
tion to Parliament, he now wished to be in armed
whether any further communication on the subjed
was to be espeitled before the close of the present
Session'
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replied, that all the answer he could give was, that
matters were not yet in such a state as to induce any
public communication.
Mr. GREY then stated, that he did not think it
right the Parliament should separate without having
an oppostunity to enquire into the present critical
situation of the nation ; for which purpose. he pro.
posed to bring forward a Motion on Wednesday
se'anight.
STATE OF THE ARMY.

Colonel CRAWFORD offered a string of Mo-
tions on this suhjelt, for Accounts of the state of
the regular infantry and cavalry, and the casualties
of the regular European troops from the Ist of
May 1803, to the Ist of Jan. 1805 ; the compara-
tive increase of the regular infantry and cavalry
for the last five months; the return of casualties
in the force in the East Indies, with the number of
men added to it from the Ist of Jan. 1804 to ditto

WPM

lAOS ; the return of casualties on fureign stations., ote.
&c. which were agreed to.
He then said there was one point which he tneara
particularly to discuss, at the btiniug 13,
ward his Motion, itarsic!y, the p..licy of
m•it for a certain number of years, a-, exemplitil
in the East India service, in which the nicii were
listed for five years. He did notir'rve. that an see.
rate return could be regularly and ~'but he would,
notwithstanding, move for an account of the returns
of the number of East India Companies, exclusively
of engineers, discharged and returned to Europe
wi:hin the last five years.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said that he thought the account might be produc-
ed, but he did not see how it could be reasoned upon.
as the Companies alludes' to had been lately in A
state of diminution.

Colonel CRAWFORD said, that, in order to
shape his Motion, so as to obtain his objefi, he
should cot:tent himself with giving notice that be
should bring it forward on Monday next.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
reverted to the notice given by the Hon. Officer, of
a Motion on Friday next. tle observed, that ato.
ther notice (Mr. Whitbread's) bad been given fur
Tuesday, on a Motion for the impeachment of Vise.
Melville, which would probably occupy the whole
of that day, and as there were also some Resole.
Lions to be moved, which respeeted himself, pee.
tonally, and which he should be sorry to have oa
any account deferred later than Thursday, he stb.
mined to the Hon. Colonel whether he would think
it expedient to make his intended Motkfi on the
Friday following.
Colonel Cit.AWFORD replied, that he should
very much regret, if the Motion he had to inal.e
should come on in.a thin attendance ; and as he di:
not typed that any prorogation would take place is
the mean time, he should agree to defer his notice to
Monday ee'nnight. •
THE DUKE OF ATFIOL's PETITION.

On the Order of the Day being r.;ad, for tali,-,
into eonsideration the Petition of the Duke of
relative to the Isle of Man ;
Mr. CURWEN rose for die purpose of oppo,in 7
it. He went, in a speech of considerable lenzt!,
into an historical and financial account of the
of Man, and skewed that the territorial right only
was the objet that could now be fairly in questiln.
He allowed that King :Limes the First had grantee.
an immense power to the ancestors of the present
Duke ot Athol, for he ha-1 made him over the
island in question an absolute Monarch ; but it
was absurd to suppose, that he could grant him
the power of laying on duties on difFTent articles
imported into, or exported from, the said island, at
his own will and pleasure—because that was a power
which no King ot Eagland ever did, or, accordirg
to the Constitution, ever can, possess in himsel:,
of taxing the subjeets, w:thout consent of Parlir.
ment—and, of course, a power which was not a:-
tually vested in him. he could rot delegate.
matter, he said, w:
late Administratior

duty to speak of that
thought it deserved,
economical and patr
he instanced their

ness as a proof of
taken the opinion or
neral on the subject,
nion against it ; and
nistraticio ought
conduct. That, hip
thought it his duty
sent Petition, in as .
already been given, and any further
could be neither more nor less than a dired draw on
the public purse, which, in his Opinion, vauld nut be
fairly warranted.
Sir WILLIAM BURROUGHS thought the
Duke of Athol emitted to compensation from the
liberality, if not from the justice, of the House.
Mr. BOND declared himself of a contrary opi-
nion and resolved to resist the claim.
Lord GLENBERVIE supported the petition.
Earl TEMPLE said, he thought it his duty to
come forward against a measure which carried with
it the greatest appearance of a job, brought forward
for the purpose of tilling the pockets of an indi-
vidual, at the public expence. He then entered
into various arguments against , the claim, and
concluded by saying, that as the Right Hon. Gent.
opposite him had now no hopes of entering into as
alliance with the Emperors of Russia or Germany;
he supposed, he thought it prudent to secure the
friendship of the magnanimous Sovereign of the
Isle of Man.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
stipported the claim at considerable length. Ile
thought it perfedly reasonable to open a- bargaia
made at such a distance of time, when it was cot•
sidered, that little more than twelve years purchase
was given for an estate to which so much proud
distindion was attached. The Revenue, which thes
yielded but 60001. a-year, now produced lf•,0001•
and was still progressive ; he therefore thought
it reasonable, the individual should be remune-
rated.
Mr. WINER-IA:11 opposed the propostion; he
thought it would give rise to a perpetual claim by the
Athol family; he considered it a complete job; it
was an unwarranted abuse of the public moneys
and doing a flagrant and violent ad, in a vile man.
nee, if this motion was to be carried ; he, therefore,
gave it his warmest, and most decided opposition.
Lord Ds BLAQUIERZ ar.d Mr. ROSE supported
the Motion at some length.
Mr. BANKS and Mr. Wirameroacs spoke at
some length against the Motion.
Mr. SHERIDAN thought the Report of the
Committee should be taken into consideration, and
therefore supported the Motion.
Mr. GREY spoke at length against the claim,
and made several observations on the ar!;uments
advanced.
Mr. WINDH AM explained.
The House then divided ; and there appe/areafet
the original motion 114—against it 4i —majlititlf4;,*
Before the admission of strangers, we undlerstaw
Mr. Prrr moved that the Report should he 1"
(erred to a Committee of the whole Hot;;ei °2
Wednesday nest. Af:er which
Mr. MOORE moved an amendment, th-
nesday neat be left out, and Monday wee
sated in place of it. A division then

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Idonday.

THE

Mr. G'
of Common
the County
Earl of C•
6011 in the I
These se.;
vb )rt conve

AITY'S Spe
abetted to
Russia.

The Lite
Plymouth a
rater, whit
Admiralty,
nand thcf I
;mud th,.!
bined Flee
b eisg able
him by to
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French flee
ion of 14 s;
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al, that he
who said th
The Jur '.it•
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Was brong'it forward during the
Dn, and he would tees think it his
Flat Administration in I terms he
ed. He deemed it a luch room
itriutic one, than the p i!nt ; and
mode of proc ding in his busi-
of it. That
t
Mist .ttn hat_
of the Attorn and Sc r •
Et, who had bo h given eir °pi.
and he thought the p,rl.-aerit Admi.
to have pursued,aLe same hoe of
sowever, not haviisg been done, he
Ly to oppose the !forayer of the pre-
s much as a fair compensation had