The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-02-25 00:00:00

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supplied front the good-will of the inhabitauts.
. Hsi believed, wheal the, returns acre nantle out,
that his former assertion would be rowel true,
namely, that only ahout.,Suou of air troops had
linen lost in the retreat from Salamanca.
Mr. Consouas requestqal the attention of the
House only for two inomenti, for aline!' time only
he would be disposed to divert the storm of elo-
quence which on Honourable Geldleinan justly
apprehended. lie was anxious that every ioces-
sury iuquiry should be given, but he did not think
that Ministers ought to be condemned Ai the pre-
sent instance, for they had, with a readiness un-
preeedeuted, granted every information moved for.
Withoat euteriug into a minute detail of the pro-
est:dings in Spain awl Portugal, he did think they
were to be commended for the promptitude in
which they had acted. Whether failure was to be ';
a criteriou of ministerial capacity, he would not
take upon himself to decide, but he was surprised
to hear arguments of that tendency from the other
side of the House. He thought *owe benefit had
been derived from the campeigii, for Sir John
Moore had checked the progress of Bonaparte ;
nor did he look upon the losses sustained so great
and alarming as they had bean represented.
Lord Mtsxurs expressed his surprise at the ex-
traordinary reasons mentioned by the Honourable
• Gentleman id order to justify the conduct of Mi-
nisters iu the campaign iu Spam. The Noble
Lord could not see any reason to be against in-
quiry, and %shifted it hail taken place upon other
expeditions, upon those of Ferrol, and tile Helder.
Whenever we saw such aim e'wedition as the late
one, which hail prinsa.facie failed, there was very
good ground for instituting inquiry. lii the
course of niiie months, great disasters lied befallen
the cause hi whiiili this eountry Was engaged.
Spain had been filled with the troops of Bonaparte,
and his brother Joseph had been placed on the
throne of that kiugdow, cud these events certainly
demand Minn r%.
Mr. CAN 'Nu said, lie was sorry that any U
pearalicie in his foamier should have 'attracted
seredttua from the Ihmoumble Gentleman ou the
serer ride of the Ilan,e. But with respect to the
argainents urged this night sgainet the conduct of
illinisters. those ishlcla had bete the west proinis
neat, were fitan‘led upon misrepresentatimis. At
the same time the Holsouruble Gentleman was a
plain and bloat loan, and iii that character address-
ed the Meuse : it was mint his tisteuticei to flatter by
mode of represtaitation but to state bare and simple
facts. The Br. Hon. Gem. appealed to the house
with respect fo the number of facts Uptight for-
went on the other side—for if any fact had been
alluded to, It eertaiuly did not beer the construe-
• turn put upon it. The division of the army in
Spain had astouished the Hon. tie t. who pro-
fessed himself ignorant of knilitary satfairs. Ile de-
nted that the urraugein Spam were owing to
the rueciagemeut of His Nlajesty'r
They thought proper to /iv': it general instruc-
tion ; but Sir John Mooni had the directio
His letter night have been seen on this subject, if
some Gentlemen hail not preferred darkness. for the
plirpose of instituting inquiry. Sir John Moore
hid the direction of the forces, trod he had. acted
from reasons best knows to himself. ir there was
misconduct, it ought ion be attributed to the
Adinisistratioin It was not incr.-di:de thut Gene-
ral Moore should believe Madrid suti!il be able
to hold tot, idtholigh it was a luxurious capi-
tal. 11 had heard of the bravery abewu at
Saragossa. and the deeds performed by the com-
panions of the gallant Palafox ma arms.--
Such conitleratjons might induce him to :advance,
and lie believed he bed GOO wisely at that time far
the purpose of relieving Madrid, lie must ac-
knowledge the Honouralde Gentlemmi had made
a speech distinguithed for every quality but that of
truth. Ministers had been unjustly rondennied
for sending the transports to Vign, and nut to CO-
runes; now it would appeal. in Sir Joint Moore's
dispatches that he himself requested the transpnrts
to Vigo or to Corunna, amid they item them upon
such Information to Corinna. In the Grat elmllit ion
of the spirit maiiifested in Spain, he considered it
was the duty 'di/mei-meld to give every assistance.
14 As to the seatiments delivered in the commence-
ineot of tin; discussion, they might I e very enter-
taining tout philosophical anitpl, but were nut adapt-
ed to be acted upon in the political world.
He Is id been of opinion from his first interview
with the Ambassador flow Asturias, that the coun-
try was all of nag mind. A cry of Fire, Fire,
den interrnet..,l the Right Hon. Gentleman.) Mr.
SUERIDAN in a low voice across the table stated.
that Drury-home Theatre Sias on tire. This com-
munication produced a pause, laficr which Mr.
CANNING resumed, and concluded with observing,
that Bonaparte's fortune was ouly fortune, and not
fete, and that he could only prevail over us from
our own %tent of spirit.
0 rollout Autism names haher—
Si ill Prutiedtis sed te Doi a Grimes.
Mr. WI:SIMIAN was about to reply, when Lord
INNPLE suggested the propriety, under the unfor-
ignite calamity ahi.la had just occurred, of ad-
journing the debate:
Mr. SIISIIIDAN, who, notwithstanding the cala-
mity, had remained firm in his place, opposed, in
the most .inaguanimous manlier, the idsa of any
interruption on his uceount, assuring the Home,
that be it to what extent it might, he did not con-
order it or a nature worthy to embarrass their pro-
reeding. nil so great a national question.
• Mr. PONSON lir acknowledged it was not a Par-
, liamentary cause, strictly speaking, fur adjourn-
ineut, lint it was evidently the cause of inueh amid
deserved anxiety ; and of a nature sufficiently
powerful to induce au adjournment.
Mr. PENCNVAL observed that the causes how.
ever to be lamented, was no reason for interrup-
tion of the debate, as it should be recollected by
the House there was no exhibition this night at
the Tlieetre, and therefore there was no ground for
apprehension for the safety of any of their friends
or redid' Ws.

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General M.ixtim declared be did not envy the
Right Hoo. Gentleman his feelingi on the occiviion,
virtirtdarly when he reflected, that half London
:night be burned down while they were debating.
L He therefore moved the Questio4 of Adjournment.
Mr. Herbert seconded the Motion.
101
Mr. Wittisasoacc staked, that if their adjourn.
ing woli:4 have the effect ,of putting out the blaze,
it world be good to do so. Bet what exhibition ,
. •