The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-03-27 00:00:00

• .
woes totally deficient. Nay, what the Ni de
Ord bas sat.;, only n oves to rue, that sh •uld acs
---,jai voices-me be woe made, it will only serve to
rkt the appetites of the Catholics of !retold tor
we groat! ; and this is not only a deduClion of tea-
s,. bolo cou.eityl w an ave.. ed manifesto of that
iv of the {rise people. Hut, my Lords, observe
i
rdL!ial measure. We
te' exisequenees ass
e die Catholics of Ireland. that we consider
ahem too dangerous to be entrusted with any
,e6ees in the civil department of Goeceerw.et, we
eel eve them unsafe ascot ants in Legislation, or in
the councils of the State ; yet we will admit ts.em
to the highest ranks of the ssemiiiig force of tl,e
awry, What shallow sophistry ! Yes, tell them
et caw, that although .they shall not be entrusted
eeh the implements of peace. and the exercise of
the Legislative lundions ; yet they shall be girded
with Ole. Sword of
uinar, Prlwcr, and th
eance. a means of
ut, my teking
areple andsangy veng B
Lards, let rite for a moment draw your attention to
the main point of discussion ; and from which I
ter:airily should not have swerved so much, had it
not been partly necessary te follow the Noble Lord
ono opencd the debate. Pha diipeteh which was
Wel hefore Hi; Nlejesty, previous to its transmission
to Ireland, did, ip the very first instance, meet with
lii; Mejestyrii entire disapprobation and his de-
*Jed iicgetive, In c hisequence of this avowal
of his ancient•hestility to tile measure, the Noble
Baron addressed to His Majesty a long letter.
requesting His Misj•esty would retrael his avowal
ef Ma hes:Atte, and permit the Bill to be
Ibsen so as to admit the right of the Catho-
li der cettain rehrielions; the letter stated
«we only wish you• to agree (as yea have on
a former occasion:) to the principle of the
former Bill, so as to prevent the eof 1793 be-
coming a deed letter, and thus extend the privi-
lege formerly granted To the Catholics in Ireland to
th rte in your Majesty's forces in England." What
eel then he twee clean., than that the King, its giv-
ei • cement to the measure proposed, was de-
nt ..ly of neini in, that he was (Illy sanetioning the
1793, and rendering itefr-efisal ; and diese-
-1 ee could not hr thought to have embraced within
the meenine of the Aft, those restrietions which
I hid all Along conceived to he inconsistent
h los duty, and the interest of the Nation he was
I, to defend and protect. The N ft iron
;Ilea received taw lef:ions to confirm, as far AS pos.
able, the bill to that of 1793 ; how far such a con-
formanna had taken place, the House is corn ne:ent
to decide. Wets respeel to the teserves w: the
N •qe By. exoefted to be ad Mitt dto exist in his
hew. eufd it to say, that inch were totally
tic insistent with r ,e spirit of the Constitution ; it is
t s separate the King (rain the Enecntive Govern •
mew ; it is to throw the wools odium of
..toy napopular measure on the Sovereign. -
"' r Rohl • Lord has been ingenuous in his confes-
s • to has been undouluelly erroneous in his con-
, • , however the Noble Lord may have
t • t .!ctitated by an anxiety for :he prosperity and
reefere of a minter so intimately canneeted with
Ragland, I beg leave to assure hi ei, it shall be eo
• • lets the ebyeele of the present Ministers to contra•
tzate. and unite the en: rgies and population of the
soontry in her defence, against the threats of oar
p:oete and mena( ing tne."
The Earl of NlO IRA supported the statements
et his Nit'le Friend, and adverted to the en-
gagement rutted into by a Cabinet Minister in
toissiiig to his seat ; hie Lordship observed, that
he was swoin to perform his duty, by giving
to His Majoty the best a hike he was able ;
with this obligation his fete colleagues in of.
b:a had endeevoused to do their duty ; and he
was happy the present q testier' had at iSPii, as their
great oejed was to submit the whole of their con-
s:met to the public. In cone hisien, his Lordship
observed, that he end his ellieteues in nffice were
iedebted in :he highest degree in His Mejeeys for
hit gracious condescension a: all times towards
teem; and 'deferred their firm opinion. that in this
matter liis 'elaiesty had been situated by a high
testa of dery sowerds subjeds•
Lied MELVILLE expressed himself highly I
Beatified that this subjefl had crone under public die-
tssion, as he was setoied that every one, from one
cud et the bland to the other. should have full
Lnewledge of she traneaaion. Ile then adverted to
the conluel of Mr. Pitt, in 1831, who declared that
he would net remain in office, uniess be could intro-
duce the measure of Crohnic Emeecipetion; and
it was a iretorieus feel. that, spars his return into
offite, having fairly stated the circumstance., he did
pledge himself that !le never would resume to dis.
tueb His elaje-ty's mind with that sitejtiel in future.
bezelHi leave to ask the Noble laird (Gren-
ville) whether he would no: ha ie gone into office
with that illustrioes man (:le. Pit.) and pledged
himself in the same term.? The N.eile Lord asked,
sets their no other means of conciliating the people
irelaud, but by the conce-sieri of this gartieular
measure, by which Fps Majesty was put in such a
predicament ?
Lard GRANVILLE. in explanation. said, that
from the distinct question weich had bees put to
Mat, he felt it his duty immediately to answer it.
The Noble Viscount had asked, whether he meant
to ineineate. tint he would not, in toeitioSion with
Mr. lint, have m tde such a pledge ? He expressly
hated, that however great his resped ter the talents
or Mr. Pitt, he yet could not have taken upon him
arty Ace, without a most cemplete reserve to him-
self of his opinions urea this particular subjen.
Lewd ROLLAN D. in a most animated and spi-
rited speech, supported the measures of the late Mi-
nisters. We regret our limit, will not permit a
The Earl of CARNARVON supported the late
Ministry with warmth, rind considered the language
e: the present Ministry 4$ amounting to high treason.
Lord HAWILEStiLIitY defended the hlisis-
try troth this. ooeisssurete
East of CekiitN•AliVON explained.
MI! Earl of BUCICt*.IGH NISHIRE thought,
that any concession! to. the Montan Catholics of
Melted. wouii only testi to diatub the peace and
Wenqullitysol the country.
Lord ERSKINE. although he admitted him.
self to be tine of the per.nns whn opposed the Ca-
tholic Bills warmly supportlid the conduct of the
Ex-Ministers.
The Ent of BIN KINQHAMS; II RE explained
;it some length.

The Mario; r,f STAFFORD gave *not:ce, that
he would, on Wednesday se'cnight, submit some
propocitions to the House, upon the subjeft of the
ussin•S of this night.
Lord HAW KESBURY wished hire to explain
the nature of hi, motion; but the Noble Marquis
did not make any answer.
The Rine, at Twelve o'clock, adjourned to
Wednesday ,e'nnight.

110 USE 7F crietatOete.
Lord Folkestone brought up a 1111 for the im-
provement of the Harbour of Folkestone, in the
county of Kent, which was reed first and second
time, and ordered to be committed
Sir Charles Price brought no the Temple Bar,
and Seow• I fill Improvement Rill; also the Smith-
field Market Regitletion Bill ; which were severally
read a first and second time, and ordered to be
committed.
Mr. Cobb, from the Auditor's Office, presented'
at the Bar several Accounts from the Commissi-in
ers for auditing the Public Accounts, which were
ordered to lie on the Table, arid be printed
Mr. Sheridan brought up a Bill for ereCting a
Bridge across the river Thames, opposite South-
empton-rtreet, in the Sirand, to the hurry side,
which was read a first time.
Sir Samuel Romilly also brought up a Bill, for
making the Freehold Estates ot perseni iving,
liable to the Bankrupt Laws, assets in the hands ot
Creditors ; which was likewise read a first rime, and
ordered to be reel a second time out Thursday the
9th of April next.
Sir John Newport brought up a Mil for emcee:l-
ing several Ards relating to the Poor in Ireland,
which was read a first time; also a Ixll to em-
power the Judges in Ireland to aepoint certaiu
Offieers to administer Oaths, which were severally
read a first time, and ordered to be reed a second
time on the 9th of April next.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT also moved for, and
brought up, an A.ccoent of the duties upon Spirits
for a certain period, which was ordered to lie on
the Table. and he printed.
Mr.,ROBSON roe., and said, it was its inten-
tion, iMmediately after the Easter recess, i steunit
a motion for the cnnsideret ion of the House, upon
the srthjelt of the Barrack Department lie com-
plained of the great delay which had taken place in
printing these papers, a, a consriierahle injury to
the public ele did not hawerer name any particit-
lay day tor the porpose
Upon mono i of Mr. LEIGH lECK, a month's
time was grant-.t for bringi gin a Bill for inclosine
certain pert: of he Forest of Charlwell, in lesec t-
shire, upon th• special grounds, that the lands to be
inclosed co-A.46rd 32 parishes, and upwards of
18,000 acre:. A d twiny of the Landholders had
not .s yet Agreed n ie the terms.
Upon es eon re Mr CI:EEVY, the House went
into a C ormi•ree teem the Petition fee erefting a
Bridge eerie •he Fee:. neur River, in the coonries
of Ce,o.iry i 0 tire '4rerineuth, and le.e, was given
to ferrite ie
re W. te en +h
--Maddoxie His Me
Ejesty to meke
certein gr ves
•B. , sq. fir that
proem!.
Mr. 11013.1:eU SE brought up the Report of the
Cernmotee ot Nays and AiTearts upon the Iri4l
His .gee ; the s?..t.r•ti Resolutions were read and
agreed to, and hills ordered to be brought in pur-
suant thereto.
Upon the order of the day for the third reading
of the Sicilian Prize Motyy Bill, the Advocate
Generel brought iip acl vise to be inserted in the
Bill, for vesting in the hands of the Ambassador
such sums as had been Alm teed a; prize money to
certain officers and seamen of his Sicilian Majesty.
Atter a short conversation be'wern AI viral
Markham, Mr. Biker, and the Advocate General,
the clause WAS agreed to, and the Bill read a third
time, arid pissed.
The 'Preesurer of the Navy's Regulation Bill was
read a third time, and pissed.
The London Dock Company Bill was ordered
to be committed on Wednesday se'neignt.
A new writ was moved for, for Northampton, in
the room of the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, who,
since his Edenton, had accepted the place of Chan-
cellor of the Exrheq ter, and Chancellor of th e
Duchy of Lancaster, datrinz plot:are
On the motion of Mr. HDSKISSON, a new
IVrir was ordered for the town of Northampton, in
the room of Mr. Perceval, who, since his Eire-lion,
has accepted the office of Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, and also the ollsee of Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster, during His Majesty's pleasure.
CAME OF TIME CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION.
Mr. HUSKISSON moved, " That this House do
at its rising adjourn to Wednesday se'nnight."
On this motion being proposed from the Chair,
Viscount IiOVsTICK rose and addressed the
House as follows ri-eff The motion which has just
now been made by the Right Hun Gentleman, is
one which has been usual at this period of the 78,14.
and I trust it will not be thought improper._ if 1
embrace this opportunity of giving to the House
that explanation to which I allimfed some days ago,
and or which I formally gave notice yesterday. It is
an explanation which is of the first importance to my-
self, and one which I think is due to my Colleagues.
Tiler the circumstances which have led to the re-
cent change in His Majesty's Councils should be
fusdy explained. and known to the public. is a mate
ter that cannot be disputed. It is of importance,
to'), that the House should rece*.ve etch explanation,
in order that the Members of it may be able to
term A power estimate and opinion of the char:after
and conduce of those parsons who have retired, and
that they may judge of the consequences likely to
result to the c untry by the change which has
teken place. It is of importance to the 'lnuit-, in
the decision of the question now read term the
Chair, inesmuch as the propriety of a lung or
short adjournment may be dependent upon the
necessity of adopting sume -esures to avert the
consequences of the extreordanaty events which
have Worn place. To myself personally, every feel-
ing of honour tenders it important, that I may
as soon as possible convince those who have sup-
ported me in this House, that my conduct has not
been such as is make them repent of the kindness
and ioduleence which I h ore experienced from
them. Undoubtedly, Sir, every moment's delay
in explaining my condutt, upon this most important
and itsterestiog suhjea, has been exeeedingly painful

•
hf me ; yet I conceived it to be my duty to abstain
from saying any thing by way! of that iatend4l ex-
planation, till such time as /die .feLtiesty had. des
dared his intention of effeetini; ;hat change which
puts it now in my power to bring the whole circum-
stances under the review nt the House. Anximes,
however, as I may be, to take t..e earliest possible
moment to make the statement, 1 mu .t confess
that I feel considerable regret in being placed under
the necessity of doing so, in the absence of chore
whose presence some may think was requisite, in
order to watch the accuracy of my statement, and
to acquiesce in it, or to cone& its inaccuracies,
should any oceir therein. I do not mean to
impute to the Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Sturges gownej who made some observations last
'light, as to the impropriety of bringing such mat-
ters before Inc Hoose, in the absence of certain
%I:tubers of His Majesty's New Adminis-
tration, that he entertained the belief, that I
would state to the House any thing wilfully iccnr-
reß
; I only suppose, that he alluded to that de-
gree of partiality which. in most cases, naturally
arises, when a 1114 R% own conduit is the subjeet
of his own explanation aril jastrfeat on —rle
conceived, I suppose. that I w•iuid be dispoiee
to give as favourable a view of my own conduit es
possible, and it is with no other view that I there!'
fore mentiou my regret at being under the necessity
of bringing it forward in the absence of those per-
sons he alluded to. lam as anxious as they can be,
that they should be present upon such an occasion;
but I hope that this matter will yet be discussed at
some future time, and that they will thereby have
an opportunity either of making a restatement, if
y think it necessary, or of entering int) a further
vestigation, and sifting every part of the details
::etch I may this day feel myself disposed to
ent-r upon. It is neither is my nature nor
in my habit, to shrink from the exarnmet;on
ot any man; but I feel my self in that situatizm,
that I must either take this early opportunity, not-
wolotanding the absence of certain individuals,
most tnaterialle interested in the present question,
or submit yet longer to the currency of false re-
ports, and misrepresentation, supported by partial
exttafts from confidential papers. (The Noble
Viscount was here alluding to the Extraas from cer-
tain Letters addressed to Lord Grenville and him-
self, which appeared in a olorning Paper, of Mon-
day and Tuesday last. This allusion was followed
by loud and reiterated cries of Hear ! bear! hear
so as to interrupt the Noble Viscount for a consi-
dei able time.) In justice to tor& and to my
Colleagues (continued he) I mike this statement,
upon the coneiaion, that a fair, Carldli, and c,rreA
statement, can be the only said it. to such misre-
presentations. I conceive this, e .e. dose. to he my
only method of geeieiaing my csooluet w this
House, ton'. 43 a Member of the late Adminiatia-
tion, a 7•:cesber of Parliament. In every
point my duty calls upon me to state
e,' ..stance. Ido not know, that, in any
suation, os under any other circumstances,
. eutd have suffered such a period of time to
elapse. In justice to myself, to my colleegueb, and to
the public at loge. it was =possible WE =U. in °-
present instance, to delay ray explanation, CO
time as the prisons alluded to could resume theh
seats in this House. Sir, in eeling thus, howeveir
upon the present occasion, their absence will havr,
this effea, that 1 shell not only confine my iele
orialy to what 1 conceive to be a true statement
of the teas, but shall avoid every tning that
can possibly lead to argument or discussston.—
I shall leave such points for a future occasion; andt
I rust that on au truly day after the holyiays,
an opportunity will be afforded the House by
some individuals, whoever they may be, of judging
of toe whole matters act o ways connected with the
cause of the change which has ne.v taken place
:laving premised thus much, Sir, I shall now pro.
cerd to the statement I proposed to make upon this
occasion. When the late Administration was
formed, there were many Members admitted into
it, whose opinions and principles, with roped to
I what is called the Catholic Question, they had of
themselves very recently manifested to the public,
in a manner the most authentic, both by their
speeches and by their votes in pArliarnen:. They
came into Parliament at a time when their
mons and opinions upon that particular topic were
well known. lam sure that there was not, hi any
quarter, exile Rations or suspicions entertained, that
those persons. whose charsiters were so well known,
could be induced, for the sake of emolument or pre-
' ferment, to abandon those principles and opinions
which they formerly expressed, when coming into
office ; no such requisition was made from them,
nor did they come into the Government under any
such stipulation; which, if it bad been elaeled of
them, they would have found themselves bound in
duty then as now, to decline suhmitting to. At tile
same time that it was known what were their opinions,
it was also known what were the prevailing opinions
in Ireland upon the Catholic Question. As all
Ministers are bound in duty to give advice to His
Majesty upon all occasions, and upon all subjelts,
so upon the other hand, I can safely say, the late
Ministry came into the Government with an anxious
end sincere desire to ark up to their duty, and at
the same time to avoid, if possible, the propeiing
of any subjea which could in any degree prove
repugnant to those feelings and opinions of His
Majesty, which they were, from every motive of
affection and attachment, bound to respea. Such
were the principles upon which those who composed
the lace Alcuiaistretion came into power. they
hoped, by a prudent, lenient, and conciliating sys-
tem of Government, to keep that question totally
at rest, and their hopes and expeaations were flat.
tered with every appearance of propablesoccess, for a
considerable while after tney had taken possession of
those official situations to which His Majesty had
thought proper to appoint them. However, Sr.i
towards the end of last year, there did occur eh-
curnstances in the West of Ireland (the most valu•
able, but I am sfrud the most vulnerable part of
the British dominions), that engaged their most
anxious attention ; and, indeed, the general situa-
tion of that country had materially done so, ever
since they came into the Government. The dts-
turbances, I say, which occurred last year, en-
gaged not only their attention, but increased their
anxiety. Notwithstanding that they were urged by
many persons (who are fonder of the policy of
course than I am), to adopt force, in order to re-

.uce

"mlW'"'

... . . •
dace that spirit of revolt which • existed in the Vt
st
of Ireland; yet they declined it, se dreg ha'
of succeeding, watoint bavieg email lie to the
vigorous exertions re tee known powers of the law,
recommended by their more Sollesiiste and u. lee -
leg advisers. They, determined to aeopt thew
measures, which would give never se-tie/awls tee
the people of Ireland, 416,1 S'lCil as woolo coolies
that polity which they preveouly pursued. , So•
veral opinions wire bias aod• Ute ;exult of .041
first &Jibe/ALIN,* was the measure Which, i lassal,
brought into teis biatise. lowa' reeettorniended,to
than, as a measure calcoleted to get the bettor of
a great bar to the augineatasson of the err o 4
the empire at largo, as affording the means eterei
cruitir.g Our MILSATYaiid naval forcer so Weenie"
at the presmt moment. It was their cepviction.
that the measure sic proposed, was the b st edapte
ed for adrniuing those persons who are at present
excluded, by what I may say is the ill•undersoioid
policy of the present Adinthioration. Tole q icetion
oew agitated, is what has hitherto been called die C.,-
tholic Question ; but je is improperly_ so eeliej as
it at present relates tq end sepia:Cunt/6 other .bo.
.enters from the Ostablishedchurch, as oleo thossie4
it would further tend to the treequillity,of p
by ao.dingout to-Gentlemen ofoll dewilressoseto-
pooped Orrising its theoriser and navy, and uulualiog
motives of string attaeninent Amongst that people
in general towards this country. Ir was euggesied
as being the most proper for dressing torth Use su-
perabundant population of that country, ai a sonrcu
of strength tor the detente of the whole British
Empire. I do not know that it is iteee-sasy
relate circumstances upon :his occasion. which have
beeu formerly so often alluded to. It is enough
for me, at present, to state, that the late Adeadustou.
lion thought, that by taking this measure, they
were not ineaJing, but streogthenino the general
security of this country, as well as irelend itself
which is materially interwoven, not only with t.
welfare, but the very existence of the Booth Em-
pire. They were endeavouring to pretreat that
discontent in Ireland, which (*hail ian invitee:re of •
that country take place, which may God avert I;
they foreeavir would tend mot violently to shake
the foundation of our Established Church.—
As friends, therefore, to the Established Church,
they contemplated this measure. When that mea-
sure was in contemplation, there arrived ac-
counts from Ireland, transmitted by the Lord Lieu-
tenant, of a disposition having been manifested !iy
the Catholics to prosecute those claims, vouch they
had so recently urged in a former `Session of .mss
imperial Parliament. I, who had formerly sup-
ported thou claims, did think that the giving there
encourage.nent, by :soy other means titan those
already agreed, to in ate Cabinet. would be ea-
tremely impolitic. ft was a measure intended to be
used as a mode of preventing the introdudicto of
such an applic:stion as that I now allude to ; and it
was one whicii tended to afford setieloesion to the
generality of the Catholic inhabitants of 'relate'.
Such were the general inducements, both upon
policy and priaciple, which tmcoteragee us to bring
such 4 measure forward, ani we had no apprehero
eiosO.l6)ot it. 441 liiill7.;upsorpg-Abe
ieae
to which the q lotion ot Catholic konitscipatioa was
formerly eaposed. In eon:ensplating th • law passed
by the Irish Parliamenr, in the year 1793, there spe
peered to esi t in it a strange incor.gr tity ; and at
toe same time we wete aware el the 'lineations of
the Government of that country, as manitested
upon the occasion of passing that Bill, by Lord
Hobart, now Eat' of Buzionghernshire, to intro-
c:uce similar laws, or to extend the provisions of that
al, at some future period, to this country. He had
the authority of that Notle Lord, stating generally,
that such a pledge had been given to toe Irish Ca-
tholics ; and tn aztore this measure was not only to
be considered upon tler growsdi of policy and prin-
ciple, but also upon that of keeping yoserel
good faith, by giving to men that boors witeu had
oeen, upon a termer occasion, promised to theta,
under the sacred authority of Government. Upon
this last ground alone, the late Admi estratie did
hope the measure they were about to introduce
would meet with twat general approbation, from a:I
parties, which, upon other grounds, they linked t i.
It was, therefore, upon all these grounde intimated
to His Majesty, that such a measure was in
agitation ; and a detailed dispatch was written,
and sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
(a document which I wish I could lay before the
House upon the present occasion), stating all the
reasons which induced us to propose this nico.tue.
and convey* the several opinions of the Cabinet.
That written dispatch was previously sent to His
Nlejesty by a Cabinet Minister. ( Hear ! he,,r.l)
To that first proposal, undoubtedly I must say, Mot
His M vjesty indeed expressed his strong disseot.
Upon this the Cabinet Aeon deliberated en it,
and they again mole a respectful representation to
Hip Majesty. as to the particular grounds upon which
they were inclissed to think such a measure expe-
dient, both in point of police, priociple, good faith.
and general security of its 'dominions. To that re-
presentation came an answer from His Majesty.
expressing still considerable reluctance certainly
but, at the same time, adhibiting his consent. ( LonJ
and repeated cries of Hear ! hear!) i repeat it oir,
that that answer, while it was conceived in terms :f
reluctance, conveyed, at the same time, a /waive es. -
sent. ( Hear ! hoar ! ) Under the sanction of tai t
high authority, anothrr dispatch was sent of to •'
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, ;red soon afterwards a
meeting was held by the Ceaolies, in constgeeece
of its having transpired, through the intormete a4,f
Mr. Elliot, the ptinrioot Secretary to the Loid
Lieutenant, that this nseesure was to be Mau-
duced into the Mutsu,' Bill. Some discussion arose
upon the subject, and a question was put to Mr.
Elliot by Mr. O'Connor, as to whether t' e
Bill went to admit Catholics into all ranks of
Army ? or whether they were to be precluded trout
those of Commaseier-in.Chief and of %taster-tee-
ner:6l of rho Utdderice, as was the case in the Irish
Bill ? Mr. Eli/MCI answer was, that he coyote/ell
no restridions were in view, except the imposing ccte
tam oaths, as expressed in the Bill itself. Although
Mr. Elliot expressed himself thus deuettally, yet the
'sooting immediately conceived they *ere to enjoy e -1
offices. Dispatches to that purpose were sent to E eis
land, forwarded to His Majesty, and received his I
ful perusal ; and no objeCtion was stated. to the wee.
sure that was thus intended to be ietrodneed. Hoe.
ever, Sir, dm:: slid Attlee, subsequently to ereas WOW