The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-01-06 00:00:00

,~..,


the acknowledgment of the French Minister,.as to
the basis of the Treaty. wl.ich.iu former conferences
with that Minister, his Lordship had acquainted
His Majesty's Orme:repent. sss by that hlinister
proposed. On his arrive' at Perit, 1. Talfeirand
said, circumstances eerie efteneed, and that France
would insist on more heeetkiel terms. Now, Sit,
supposing for the moment, that the principle of ac-
t ill peesessien was the fi tits efo eel so on, it must, of
necessity, embrace both the contreaing parties ; an
though I am alive to the immense of the Declaration
of the French Chief, as to detaining Vienna, Trieste,
Fiume, &e ; yet, when in area cr to the expression
of NI. Telleyrand, that in consequence of the im-
portance of Sicily to the King of Naples, there was
notice of debatire upon it, my bred Yarmouth had
protested against the cession of any part of the
West Indies, or elsewhere ; I really de conceive,
that by this answer, Lord Yarmouth die recede
frosnahe principle of aetual possession, and conse-
qui tely there was a ground for the departure of the
French Government. A wish of equal and per.
feet justice solely induces ms to this inference.
I am induced to it by considerations of great
ail serious importance; and, as in private life,
tes highest and mist honourable exertion of equity
and iirdealipg, is he exercise of that virtue between
ri to and man ; so the same principle should hold
good between nation and nation; and on all ince.
aims we ought to be inclined to give fair credit.
where, from the circumstances of the case. i: is
either due or demanded. Thus, if you take the
conversation of Lord Yarmouth as a preliminary to
a treaty, upon the same principle had the Govern-
ment of France aright to enjoy the same benefit, and
profit of a similar inference ; for no species of s •phis-
try can convert that which is special pleading; agattist
our enemy. into a laxity with respell to ourselves.
But. my Lord Yermeut communicated the change
which had !taken piece in hie tone and manner nt
the French Wester, to the Government of this
et:untie; and Mr. Fez, with the indignant feelings
of his nature. ram sted against the tergiversation
of the French Cahi .et ; yet, even theta, though he
direeled Lord Yetaionth to demand his passports,
unless Sicily was made a sine pa son, we find no
stress laid upon the principle of aelual possession.
Indeed, the more I scilicet upon this subjeet, I fed the
necessity of setting the matter completely right, by
heti.% this en eumstance fully and explicitly proved
Left-re the world ; because then we would be enabled
to ascertain on what t fix our opinions ; and cor-
reelly to judge. whether the prominent feeling to-
wards us' impropriety of treating with hrance
Ise such. as the precepte cf. hunt .eire , and the dice
tates of patriotism. will sane:ion the countenance of.
biy Lord Yaimoutio, so discreet upon the principle
of the supposed basis of the Negnciation, has been
arreignel fee a premature exhibition of his peat 3,
in opposition, to the orders be had received, of not
:hewing them, unless Sicily wes given up Ent Lit
it be ri c heeled. that between the period when those
initruseities were given. and thin conduct of that
Lord, Very great changes had occurred.
Sicily was no longer considered a sane qua non, but
was looked on as an article of barter, on a full
and appropriate compeosation ; and M. D'Oubtil
had actually signed a separate Treaty with France.
In fact. the know ledge my Lord Yerreeeth
bad from the Russian Minister hheself, of his in-
tention to conclude that 'frosty, was an additional
inducement with that Noble Lord, to sheer his full
Powers to treat. If he had so ailed upon the spur
of the occasion. without any previous knowledge
of the inter tions of D'Oubril. then it would have
been the duty of his Lordship to have left Paris;
but mister the circumstances I have stated, al-
though there was not sufficient to justify a viclation
of the orders communicated to him, yet there was
certainly much to palliate. Let us refleCt upon
the situation in which this at of treachery. folly.
or baseness, on the part of D'Oubeil, rift:eked
the political relations of this country and France.
The moment this measure was effseled, France'
made great recessions from her former proposals ;
but we must relnen*.l, that by the 'fleecy with
Russia, the interests of France were materially im-
proved; she was bound by no bond of faith or
Treaty of Alliance with us; her Governer:sett had all
:thing told us is was their policy to treat with Kph
sia, and to separate Celt Power firms negociating
with us. When such a desireble objeel seas effeeted.
was it not natural that they should rise in their de-
m:lnas ? And was it not the duty of my Lord Yar-
mouth to ascertain what were the demands of
Fr: nee; what were the great interests at stake ?
Wonid neat ask. every sensible man, a&ing as the
trustee of negociator for others in a great and import-
MO concern, feel an equal anxiety as that Noble Lot
felt, Why to understand the new circumstances of
the case, under the material change which had
taken place? Upon the whole of the fraesadtion, I
eanror see that any injury was the consequence of
re coking the full powers. The Hon. Gentleman
has also arraigned the appointment of the other
Noble Lord. esti used with the termination of.
the negociation at leiris. Eut, Sir, when I retied!
On the numerous accomplishments with which lie is
so eminently endowed, on that prompt and decisive
resolution, which be. in so peculiar a degree, pos-
sesses; ano, lastly, when I recolleCt that he was not
totally unkm a.r le those with whom he was to treat,
a circumstance which, in my mind, would decide
the difference between two men equally gifted, I
really know not where His Majesty's Ministers
could have made a more suitable seleaion. That,
in his hands, the glory and credit of the country
were secure ; that, for one moment, he wnuid not
suffer the slightest derogation of its dignity, or its
consequence, I am fully convinced. Indeed, my
appreheieion is, that he was too peremptory; that
he adhered too strictly to the minutta of forms ; that
be did not sufficiently allow ler the difficulties which
are ii,wpatalile to the intricacies of human life ; but
most particularly to those, who, as in the present
case, have the severe task of first regulating the in-
temperate sallies of an individual, it fated with
vanity and cnccess, and then must devise the best
means of banging their prrjetts into esistence.
I regret the formal and categorical mintier in
which the cc eignition of the principle of aeluel
possession was demanded by that Noble Lind ; tor.
I am convinced, !het :such a demand, so petemptosily
suede, at the time when the supposed political death
of that great man, whom his country arid Europe ad•
mired, was caleitleted to weaken the belief of the ene-
my is the sincere views of the present Administration.

I know it has crested a great sensation through Eu-
rope, and a great apprehension, that the system of
British policy would be changed. This feeling with
the enemy I think to have been very strong ; how-
ever, in this country it was universally known, that
. all parties were &more in their desire cf peace ;
that my Noble Frieod below me (Lord Howick)
was one of the ablest supporters, both with his
splendid talents and sound integrity, of all the en-
lightened plans of that incomparable Statesman ;
and that, however weighed down by the infirmitie;
of the body, his great mind still presided over Cie
Councils, and direited the energies of his country.--
But another gleam of peace •etioned, and from the
moderation of the note presented by the French
Pleuipeteutiary, when intelligence was received of
the non-ratification of the Russian Treaty, it was
probable, the Negotiators might have concluded.
without much discussion, the abstrat propositio.,
of the :di passithies ; and again the time was lost.
rio use made of the passing events, nor any ad-
vantage taken of the non-ratification of the Freety
by- Russia. Here, let me not be supposed as the
advocate of the infraßion of any Treaty ; or
as the adviser of any bad faith towaid. our Allies.
No, the glory and sincerity of Greet Britain I would
preserve ender any circumitances of danger and
distress. I would support them as the dearest and
most valuable appendages et its reateeesoand se-
coeiry I would cling to them under every difficulty.
Although it WAS a Treaty orig•nicing in delusion,
and concluded in folly i it had involved
the country in perils, and the world in ruin ; although
it was the immediate cause of rousing the French
Chief from his schemes e Boulngne, to the know-
ledge of the plans fcirnseel against him, and which,
arlen known, effeited se fatal measures, which
led to the calamitous beetle of Austerlitz, and the
Peace of Presburg. Under every circumstance of
this eatuie and c mplexion, I wellid still support
•he provettrial iittegrity of Great Britain. Indeed,
upon the review of whole progress of the case,
what had taken p:acii on the lath of September,
when the French vernment appeared moderate
in terms, an J aux.. .s rot the attainment of peace, by
a candid mane, < em, and an abandonment of
a!)straet rope-S. or, might have operated upon the
11th of Angus.. n producing the good proposed.
With respeer tot tate of Prussia, however unwilling
to aggravate he elle.. situation, 1 yet can ,tribute
to nothing hut madness, her vain, futile, ill-timed,
illoiinslioted. and ill-concerted hostility to France.
Luting the c eirse of 14 years, she had suffered
mow opprn tootles to escape of humbling the
power ar:d aggrendisement of the enemy ; and it
was only when France demanded Hanover to give
to Great Britain, that she had determined to take 1
the field When, thsrefore, we talk of rapacity,
oppressinn, and injustice, and every other vice,
which mikes human nature treruble, let us fairly
analyse the motives and conduit of theie other
Powers, whose implacability we would fain ex-
cite. Cast hut stem eyes on the great theatre of
Poland, where ihe three great armies of contend
ing em,..res ate now assemaled, and whet must be
the compuoCtious venting; of their consciences, at
the refieetion of past deeds and former crimes.
Hence it is, that before we go to war, before are
take up the gauntlet, let us, from •iewing the
fientities of otlr.x., learn to improve our own con-
duct, and support the true principle& of national
greatness, founded as they are, on virtue, honesty,
and beneficence. What, I would ask, were the
grounds of the present war with France ? Malta.
For what was the Treaty of Amiens violated ? Teat •
Treaty, the non fulfilment of which was deprecated'
by Mr. Fox, who tulip proved by the exertions of
his able head and eloquent tongue, oiet the reasons
alleged for that conduct, were neither sound, solid,
insupportable. That unoer false pretences, they had
picked a quarrel only •o set the Continent in a
flame, and produced the third Coalition, that tissue
of duplicity, treachery, infatuation, and general ruin.
Yet, in the late Negotiation, France would give up
Malta, Hanover also, that point of honour, that
jewel without which your Crown was impeded; the
Cape of Good Hope, Pondicherry, Sec. England
to restore the Dutch Colonies ; but Sicily was the
great oboscle with Mr. Fox ; it might have been a
rime gas non; certainly not with a Ministry who
had converted it into an article of compensa.
non. Would to Heaven that the principle of that
speech, so replete with moral, political and practical
isdom, whieh, on the 21st of June, 1803, Mr.
Fox deliver d on the mediation of Russia, was ets-
graven on the hearts of the peat men of the word.
e• Suppose yourselves (said he) placed in the cir-
cumstances of the enemy, and consider how you
would be inclined to ad in their situation." Another
cause of the present failure, was the refusal of the
French to evacuate Dalmatia. What were the fads
of this case ? Dalmatia was taken by France at the
point of the sword ; ,the mouths of the Cattaro wen.
given up to France by the Treaty of Presburg, a
..lreaty concluded at the point of the sword, a Treaty
by which France has risen upon that which was dee.*
tined to be her downfall, but which has raised, ex-
tended and consolidated her to great and powerful
commend. This province so taken was acknowledged
by France as a poi .t of offence. But we are told it
gives her the opportunity of fomenting quarrels in
Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. '1 he answer
is, Can ycu take it from her ? Shall the flames of
war continue to rage. and the calamities of human
nature to be multiplied, because a hostile power
retains a formidable position, of which she cannot
be deprived? Allowing it probable that France
should evacuate it, are nit the Russians eager to
retain it, anl are they not equally disposed to fo-
ment intrigues in the Councils of the Porte? But
its possiosam by France endangers our India ter-
iitoty. Such a danger I believe to be very re-
mote ; but whilst Russia is so near, and the
intervening obstacles so numerous, the danger to
India is no Argument against Peace. I have thus
trespassed on the attention of the House, and,
perhaps, have exhausted its patience, by going so
mush him detail. The decided objeflion I have
to the Address, may, perhaps, Anse fiom the per-
verseness of my judgment; but I do most sincerely
declare, that, with the conviction I have upon the
sulijeft, it is impossible fur me to join in any Reso-
lution imputing the failure of the Negotiation to the
injestice of France, or to agree to what appears a
corollary from it, that there is no other alternative
teen iuterminable war with Frence. Good God!
befcre we enually throw away the scabbard, was

there no other peran to support me, humble as I
am, I will yet endeavour, with the most fervent
Loyalty and ardent attachment to my King 'and
Country, to effea that which France has done,
in offering to resume t!:! Negociation, and
whir!, Itnssia, on its refusal to ratily the Treaty
of declared its willingness at all times to
do; and though I should not be seconded, I con-
ceive it my duty to submit an Amendment, before
the avenues of Peace arc actually closed, and the
" gates of mer,:y shut up in mankind." Mr. Whit-
bread then moved as an Amendment, "To assure
I-1k Majesty of the firm determination of His faith-
ful Commons, to co-operate with His Majesty, in
a communication of the resources of the Empire,
and a vigorous prosecittinn of the contest in which
we are engaged : And to express the earnest prayer
of His faithful Commons, that His Majessty may
be graciously pleased to listen, as far as may be
consistent with His own hononr and the interests of
His kingdom. to every facility of just arrangement,
cakalat:•d to pot an end to the horrors of war."
Mr. G. JOHNSON seconded the Amendment.
The Motion, upon the Amendment, was put and
negatived withnnt a division.
The original question for voting the Address be-
ing then put.
Mr. CANNING rose and said, that having heard
the very eloquent and impressive speech of the Hon.
Gentleman, who had just sat down, he waited in
expeetation of some answer to it from His Majesty's
Ministers ; hut having heard the question put upon
that Hon. Gentleman's amendment, be was equally
astonished and surprised, that no answer whatever
had been attempted, on the part of the Gentlemen
upon the other tide of the House. Ile confessed, that
however difficult the answer might be, and however
anxious the resent Ministry of this country might be
to stand fairly in the opinion of Europe in general,
however sr,lici,ous they might be in their ellOrts to
stand well with the enemy abroad, and their friends
at home, it was unaccountable to him that they
could not give some explanation, or that they could
not enter into a justification of the measures pursued
during the lot e negociation ; at the least, he thought
they ought to have attempted k, and not stood in
solemn sullen silence. Had the observations of the
Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Whitbread) come from
his side of the house, he might have supposed they
would pass unnoticed 4 but toa speech, made under
the spocial circumstances of the Hon. Gentleman,
coming from a person attached to the principal
Members of His Maies.y's present Ministry, by ties
the most binding, by attachments of the strongest
retire, he did expect that some answer would have
been given by Ministers, he did think the Honour-
able Gentleman entitled •o some satistadion, as a
Member of Parliam-nt. Under ail the circumstances,

it was with the greatest astonishment he had seen
this omission. However difficult it might be
to follow all the particular points of such a
speech, he would yet endeavour to make
such obsei cations as should occur to his mind
upon so important a suljed. .I'he Noble Lord
who opened the debate in a speech of great elo-
quence, had entered into a drail- of transaftions,
which he had argued uBon riteral pr nciples ; with
remelt to the dates, dea he cordially agreed with
that Noble Lord; and 'however he might congra-
tulate the country upon the great totems and high
charader of such a Minister, yet he must ever con-
tinue to maintain a diffient opinion from that Noble
Lord upon some of those topics. He considered the
present question in three different paints of view.
The first was the opening of the Negociation, and
from which side the overtures had come. Secondly,
with respeet to insisting that the French Govern-
men should in the suosequent progress of the Ne-
gociation, admit the grounds of that N..gociation
upon the principle of uti pecsidttir ; and thirdly, the
maintenance of our own honour, and the nature
'of our alliance with Russia. As to the first point,
he thought there could be but one opinion,
that the overtures were made in consequence of
Mr. Fox's first letter to M. Talleyrand. The
second, he contended, was not made out by
any documents before the House ; nor could he
perceive, that any one of the very numerous demi:6
to be found in those Papers, had at all authorised the
supposition, that the Frvoch Government had, at
any one time pending the Negociation, in any way
whatever recognised the principle of eh poi,ideitT.
as the basis of the Negociation. With respect to
the third point, upon the maintenance of our ho-
nour and dignity as a nation, and the observa-
tion of those ties by which we were bound to
Russia, he was prepared to express his entire
satisfaaion. We were completely justified in pre-
serving that good faith with Russia, but he
could not avoid feeling, at the same time, how much
that country was our debt.,r. The Right Hon.
Gentleman then entered into a long investigation of
the several Papers, upon this subjea, and concluded
a long, able, and animated speech (which we regret
our limits will not permit us to go into at length),
by declaring, that he condemned the late Nego-
ciation, because it was produetive of War, and he
wished for War, as it might lead to a speedy and
honourable Peace.

Lord HENRY PETTY rose, and in a speech of
considerable length. replied to the arguments of the
Right Hon. Gentleman. For his part, he knew not
any reason His Majesty's Ministers could have for
wishing to avoid this niscuslion. He was satisfied
it had been concluded on principles refleatng honour
not only on the great Patriot who commenced the 44
Negotiation, but also on all those who were at all
concerned in it. He was happy to find even the
Right Hon. Gentleman himself satisfied with the
condult of Ministers, with reaped to nor Allies ;
though obliged to dissent from him in the opi-
nion that Prussia, being disheartened by the on' -•sal
length of the Negotiation, had determined on
taking those measures, which ultimately proved
so prejudicial to her own independence, and the in-
, wrests of Europe; as she was, at the time of the
Negotiation, attually in stria alliance with France.
riat the terms of the Negotiation were the stat of
aftual taossession, subje& to certain exceptions,
could not admit any rational doubt, as it was not
only admitted by General Clark-, but even Talley-
rand himself had not ()fleeted to it, when these
terms wete transmitted to Lord Yarmouth by Mr.
Fox, in a letter, which lie read in M. Talleyrand's
presence. He could not, he said, speak too highly of
the probity and honour of the Noble Lord,
throughout the whole Negotiation. His Han. Friend

..

(Mr. Whitbread), he was tom to say, laboured
under a misconception of a very unpleasant nature,
in supposing the I Ware of the Negociation otigina-
ted in a Orange of measures in the Nimist ry, on the
death of his revered Fiend, Mr. Ferri this he could,
he hoped, convince bon was not the case. Lord

Lauderdale, after his death, had informed the
French Minister he could treat on no °tiler grounds
but that of the rti possidelis, with oily such exchange
of territory as might be necessary for their mutual
accommodation ; hence, the terms of Mr. For and
those of the present Ministry were peifeetly the
same, and founded on the same original principle. Ia
this view of affairs, he was happy to observe the
superiority of the British to the French character.
France continually wavering-..yet England uni-
formly the same. Hence, France had been foiled
in the hope of separating Russia from our interest,
(who was a witness of our fidelity), and we had ols-
tained an accession of character for mod-ration,
fidelity and justice. Though I am not, I must
confess, sanguine in my exi.ectation of seeing the
present aspiring Ruler of France humbled, yet united
in the cause of honour, liberty, and kistice, Eng.
land, I firmly hope, will ever be able to maintain
her own proud pre-eminence amongst the nations of
the earth.
Mr. PERCEVAL rose, to reply to the observa-
tions which had fallen from the Noble Lord and
others in the Ministry. From the lateness of the
hour, we are unable to give our readers his speech
in detail. In consequence of some observatiohs
made by him on the conduel of Mr. For,
Lord HOWICK rose, and defended the cha-
rafter of his much-esteernel Friend, in a manner
highly grateful to all present, and extremely ho-
nourable to his own feelings.
After some further explanation by Messrs.WHlT.
BREAD and PERCEVAL, the original question
upon the Address was carried without a division ;
and at FIVE O'CLOCK this morning, (Toe:day)
the House adjourned.

TAE BRITISH PRESS.

LONDOS,
TUESDAY. .IAmtrARY 6.

We are cone iirned to ty-d, that the report of the
capture of 3 ',nos Ayres, con.inues to gain ground.
A letter received, yesterday, from Falmouth, states,
that the following intelligence has been brought
there by the Awl;land packet, f. sal Lisbon. Oa
the 1931, a Pdrtuguet,e vessel arrived in the Tagus
from Pernambuco, the Captain of which asserted.
that previous to his leaving that place, a Spanish
schooner had arrived with the loss of one of her
masts, having dispatches for the Spanish Govern.
meat, announcing the recapture of Buenos Ayres
by the Spanish troops colleted in the interior.
Another account from Lisbon, dated the fOth, an-
nounces the receipt of a letter from the Governor
of Santa Martha, stating, that an expedition had
sailed from Monte Video, against the conquerors of
Buenos Ayres, consisting of 1200 men, is schoo.
ners. brigs, &c. and COO in gun-boats.
Letters from Madrid, we understand, 'mention,
it that the Viceroy having colleaed a force of 80',10
men, drove in all our out-posts, and advanced re-
solately to attack our main body, which did not
consist of 1000 of different descriptions. The en-
gagement was hardly contested, but the great supe-
riority of the enemy compelled to to retreat, when

. .
disorder followed, and the Spanish cavalry breaking
in upon the ranks, General Br. It ES r 0 RD fell, and our
tronpr, thus divided, lilt in all. dire&ions." The
intelligence is ,said to have been brought to Ustrn
by a Portuguese vessel arrived in the Tagus front
Pernambuco,' the Captain of which asserted, that
previous to his leaving that place, a Spanish
schooner had arrived there with the loss of one of
her masts, and that this schooner pas the bearer of
dispatches for the Spanish Government, announcing
the recapture of Buenos Ayres by the Spanish troops,
colletted in the interior of that province. Letters
from Lisbon, of an equally recent date, from per-
sons interested in the fate of this colony, make no
mention of its recapture. The report, however, ap-
pears to have gained considerable credit in the
City, for a notice has been posted :at I.fovn's, ad-
vising all vessels bound to the river La Plata, to
put in at some intermediate port for intelligence,
before they proceed to the place of their destination.

An interesting Debate took place last night is
the House of Commons, upon the Address to His
MAJe.ry upon the Negociation Papers —fhe Ads
dress was moved by Viscount HOWICK, to which
an Amendment was proposed by Mr WHITIIttAD.
and negatived without a division. Mr. Camsitto
then rose, and resumed the debate, which continued
until five o'clock, this morning, when the original
Ad lass was carried with 3ut a division.

PRICE STOCKS. Y I•EaLI ‘Y
3 pet Cent. Retelue,4 s9' !I
tt
♦ I.er Ls lit. • • • .
LI& RJ..d.
knelitquit ,
Imperial 3 inr Cent. 591
inglitit Lottery Tickets
Crtilmak fn. ...... 6041 i

ROLM WATe.K. THIS ',AI, A r &. ►pp+)N skrook..
Maw it .nm. the It I Fewit....44 aiw •Are Id.

LONDON —Prsnv.rl by G DAVIDSON, Nu. 17, Duke's
linE-Stter!, Corent•Gereem, end vu ,iah,d at the
Oft% N., 1!, Mack of St. Clement% Church, Strand, by
W. STUCK, of No 7, New Silton-street, Load Acre.
Orden, tc tot thr Payer, leut to the Odom (postpaid )
wild be dell %minded tc.

Mother Goose,
Mr. Kies, sod M
Volvo, Or. Gail
Smalley Wesel
To-morroor, As
kq ohs Sri WAN

svi
rx A GENTLI
Money so 4
evince that the 01
plicable to ethvy 4
cant that this Ath
that the Illusinese
above the aniline!
Apply et with,
Offites, No. S. M
9, lining-lane. lb

BEAUTY i4Oll
A LOVILLI
I) . RIGGS,
--- •

-91111 H,
it Elms z a
_
TM EA
THIS PR
Their
THE
St. Franc, Mr.
tem Mr. Ma
Mw Powell;
After
On.
Coont
Nston
'ls which will
•
74fierim (Us
Vizier), M.
Mecoms(llle
(CslushWee),
Ts-morrow,
deniers; or,
Thlt new
ertarlible
Tex&
THi3 "
re be
SVI
*41144.111 *414141•114
RARLSQI