The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-12-22 00:00:00

IMPI%iII 11. P/IRLUMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Dtc. 21.
The House h ring met, pursuant to adjourn-
ment, wire rew Members took the oaths and their
seats.
A persnn from the Cnmmission►rs of Inquiry, in
Ireland. presented at the bar, the Third and Fourth
Reports.—Ordered to lie on the table, and to be
printed.
Upon the motion of Ms. HOBHOUSE, the Ex-
piring Laws Commioee was appointed.
Viscount HOW LEK stated, that as it was usual at
the commencement of a new Parliament, to fix a
limited Cerne for the receiving of private petitions,
and as the public business was much impeded by
enlarging the ptri 'd at first appointed, be should
move, that the Stith day of February be the last
day, and that it should not be enlarged.—This mo-
tion was adopted.
His Lordship afterwards proposed, that is order
to expeditt• the public business, the House should
meet at an earlier hour ; and that it was the
intention of himself, and the rest of His Majesty's
Ministers, to be present, in their places, at half-past
tout o'eleck.
The SPEAKER signified his perfed accordance
with such an arrangement ; and declared his in:cn•
tion of coming down sooner, and entering upon
private business at an earlier hour than heretofore.
Mr. FELLOWES wished the Noble Lord would
mention the resift time when Isis Lordship's propo-
sition would be carried into executi in.
'I he standing orders of the House, relative to
petitions agaitsr undue eleeliont, being read,
The SPEA KER asked if there were any Mein li
-
bets who hail petitions of such a nature to present ?
The followirg Petitions, complaining of undo!
Returns, weir then presented :—Horsham—Ordered
to he taken into consideration on Thursday, the 14
of January. Penrhyn—Ordered to be taken into con.
sideration on the same day. Saltash—Tuesday, the)
ISth January. Tregony in Cornwall—:Fuesday,
tOth of January. Malden—Tuesday, 20th of Ja-
nuary. ASertieen—.l hursday, 22d Januat y. •
This being a Scotch Petition, the SPEAKER
signified, that though the earliest day was fixcl, yet
upon an agreement between the respeirlive patties,
the House uswelly contented to a reasonabhr and
justified delay.
WESTMINSTER ELECTION.
Lord Fa:stone presented a l'e:ition from J.Paull,
Esq. complaining of the Elation and Return of
the R f.,ht Hun. Richard Brinsley Sheridan for West-
minster. Tre Petition set forth, that Mr. Sheri-
dan, rega►dless of the laws against bribery, had
been guilty of that offence, by influencing a
number of Valor* to vote for him, by rewards,
gifts, promises, securities, and treating ; also, that
he had persuaded, by threat! and other unlawful
means, many Eleflors, having good votes, not to
vote for Mr Paull; and that he had procured a
number of persons, having no right to the eleelive
franchise, PI poll for him ; that by such means he
had procured a colourable majority, and therefore
praying relief. —lt WAS ordered to be taken into con-
stderation on Tuesday the 1 ith of January.
The standing Order of the House for Petitioners
against undue Returns, to enter into recognizance;,
WAS then read and agreed to.

The SPLAKER;;Ad notice from Mr. Thnmas
linittchier. of Dublin,stat;ng the list of Irish Bar-
risters above six years standing, to aft as Commis-
sioners, according to the• provisions of the At eI
Union, for trying controverted Eleeions.
Mr. Lamb appeared at the Fier with the Report
of the Address.—Ordtred to be brought np.
Ltd HOW ICS rose to carte an error of datcs.

info eehich be thall.ittllvt •Ity .h;ia !speech
.of the-last
night. In coalmen; on the last Ittter of Mt
Fox, fo the trenbh MliTster,Taireyrartd,wlin ever}.
heirr_ of pe4te appeared to His hlajetty's Ministers
to have totally vaniihed, he had mentioned the
date of that cornmunic 41 to be on the .913th of
March, whereas, it was n • written until the 21st of
April. As this mistake of dares, a circumstance not
unusual where there was a necessity of introducing
letters of so many different periods of correspond.
encr, might have tended to strengthen the argu-
ments he had used in support of the condudof him.
self and colleagues, as to the relationship of this
Country with Prussia, at that particular time ; he,
therefore, thought himself bound to explain this
circumstance, let any unfavourable conclusion
should he drawn from what was merely an inadvat t-
enise. There was also another point, to which an
allusion was made in the 'debate of last night, to
which the Noble Lord wished to refer. It was in
answer to the observations of the Right Honourable
Gentleman opposite (Mr. Cenring), that the an-
swer of the French Minister, to the letier upon the
assassin, did convey the charge of encour ging such
a system upon, their predct.,ssors in office. From
accidental circumstances the Noble Laid was un-
able to have immediately referred to the document,
but he was fully confident, that such an implication
was refuted by NI-. Fox, as well in the course of the
Correspondence w.. 11 the French Government, as at
the time when 9;s recorded friend had a personal
conversation with the French Minister, during the
Peace of Amiens.

Mr. CA NNINC.: expressed a strong sen'e of ob-
ligation to the Noohs Lord, for the can four and
corredness with which he had explained himselt.
In resped to the mistake of the dates, he did own.
he was not a little suimised with the statement of
the Noble Lord on that point. in the debate of the
last night, as he felt unable. at that time. and under
that impression, to reconcile the intermediate cor-
respondence between the two Governments. from
the Oath of March until the mission of Lord
Lauderdale. However, as the observations he had
submitted to the House wire of a general natu-e,
and applying to the state of relationship between
this country and Prussia for the last eight months,
he could not conceive that the error in dates could
lead to any material support or weakening of the
Noble Lord's arguments upon that head. o Indeed
(said the Hon. Gentleman), as every argument I
advanced on the negociation, was founded on the
partial Correspondence that has been published, I
could not have stated any thing on that subjem but
hypothetically, most particularly as I am convinced
there are many chasms to be supplied. When those
chasms are supplied, I do most sincerely hope, that
in the whole pittiorats of this business, it will appear,
that the honour, the Credit, and interests of the
British empire, were not for a moment forgeuen, or
overlooked."
Mr. PE R.CEVAL rose, and sooketo the following
effrd—" Mr. Speaker ; Sir, f had purposely ab-
stained from offering myself to the attention of the
Howe, in the course of the last night's debate, un-
der the convidion, that many oppoitunities would
occur of taking iuto consideration the general to-
pics of that discussion. There certainly was one
observatinn a.lvanced by the Motile Lord opposite,
on which, at the time, I could hardly refrain
from animadverting. That Noble Lord had iri-
dolged himself in drawing a contrast between the
condo& of the Opposition of the last 6 fteen years,
and the condunt of those Gentlemen, echo conceived
it their duty to oppose the measures of His Majesty's
Ministers, during the last Session of the late Parlia-
ment. The condud of the one, he stated to be
manly, liberal, and consistent ; the mann4 of the
other, to be captious, harassing, and v atious ;
the former was an opposition upon genera and en-
larged principles ; the present, en opposition of de-
tail, animated by party irritation, and influenced by
personal views. In answer to that charge, I do as.
sure the Noble Lord, that as one of the opposition
to Which he has alluded, I shall, upon all occasions,
continue to exercise my free judgment, in watching
and combating such measures of His Majesty's hh-
nisters, as shall appear to me, either in their general
principle, or in their pradical operation, hostile to the
interests, honour, and security of the empire. And
here I must beg leave to advert to the alleged un-
popularity of the present Opposition, compared with
the ardent and general popularity of His Majesty's
Ministers, as fairly deducible from the spirit which
prevailed in those places where the popular feel-
ing displayed itself during the late General Elelion.
The Noble Lord, in urging that contrast, had, I
think, been rather too sanguine ; he had not, in my
mind, sufficiently reflented on the history of the
transadions which have taken place in the popuLr
contests for Hampshire, Southwark, Norfolk, and
Westminster. In the Borough of Southwark, his
Hon. Friend near him( Mr. Tierney) could have fully
convinced him of that loss of popular support, which
he has experienced since his junaion with that pepu-
lar Ministry. He. who for so many years. in opposi-
tion to Ministerial exeriion, in despite of a very strong
local interest, was returned, solely upon the independ-
ent support, has now found that he no sooner joined
his solid popular attachment to the negative quality of
Ministerial popularity, than he is deserted by his
former adnerents, and adoally thrown out .by the
popular voice. But if the Noble Lod is anxious to
form a more accurate judgment of the popularity
of the present Administration, I have only to refer
him to the circumstances which have taken place
during the eledion of the City of Westminster. As
the Right Hors. Genneman more immediately con-
neded with that business, I mean the Treasurer of
the Navy, is not now in his place, and as a petition
has been presented to this House against his return,
I shall not further enlarge upon that part of the
subjed. Neither shall I enter into a discussion on
the cnndult of His Majesty's Ministers, of the ex-
traordinary measures adopted in Hampshire. That
subjed, and those measures, I do assure the Noble
Lord, will become the subjed of future serious and
important inquiry. TOrning norm these matters to
the ropes introduced in the Address of His Majesty,
and in the report now preserved to this House,l must
observe, that it there remained no further documents
upon which ro ground an opinioN yet there is, in the
papers published, a full and undeniable manifesta-
tion of the good faith and honourable feeling of this
Coma? y, at the same time that the hollow insincerity
of our inveterate enemy is truly esinhited.—ln-
deed, throughout the erhtle progress of this Nilo-

theism, although the marked charafler of Great
Britain for sincerity and good faith, is, upon all
tsee,,s;ons,, Strietly preserved ; yet, from the condua
of His Majesty's Government, and the evasive sys.
tern of the French Minister, 1 de contend, that it
was artifice practising upon credulity ; tiron a credu,
lity the most unjustified. But there is one fart so
mysterious, so inearrable of being reconciled, that I
must be excused in impressing :t upon the attention
of the House. On the 14th et June, two letters
. were dispatched to the French Minister, the moil
inconsistent with the language and spirit of each
other; the one was a long argument upon a dis-
puted point of most setious importance ; the other
a short note, of the same date, annotincing a fad
done, irreconcileable with the whole tenor of the
argument. There certainly must have something
intermediately occurred, tending to reconcile so pal-
pat& an inconsistence. The omission in the
King's Speech of any reference to the catastrophe
which hos hi fallen that illusricus departed hero,
the Duke of Blunneick, is, I confess, to me
the most unaccountahle measure which, in the
whole course of my life, I have witnessed. To as-
cribe to the King's Government any want of feeling
or sympathy for the calamities of that farral9,
would be highly improper ; but after the eloquent
and impressive manner in which the Noble i.ord
described the sufferings of that distinguished p.n.
sonage, a manner which has magnified the reasans
for direOly condoling with His Majesty, upon this
regtetted occasion, I am sure there is no peront in
this House, who would, in the most distant man-
ner, impute to His Majesty's Ministers, a want of
sensibility upon this affl Eting occurrence. But it is
answered, there is no precedent. Why is there no
precedent ? •Because there Las not occurred, in the
whole History of England, so distressing a circum-
stance to the brotheninfew of the Kap, sad the
father of the Princess of Wales Therefore it is.
because no such lamentable circumstance has ever
occurred, that I do recommend, most strenuously,
to the Noble Lerd, at this instnnt..to insert some
mention of this unequalled and unprecedented ca.
lamity. But, Sir, this it not the only omission in
the Speech and Address, on which I feel myself called
upon to animadvert. I mean the total silence, as
to the glorious and brilliant riflery of Maida. It is
to me peculiarly surprising, that upon a great sad
signal triumph of the British arms—a triumph upon
which His Majesty's Ministeis, in both llou.es,
have given notice of moving the thanks of Yuba.
meat, His Majesty should not be gratified with the
opportunity of returning his thanks to his' brave
tieops, in the gractims communication. That it is
the wish of Ministers to keep His Majesty frcms any
communication with his valiant slimy, I, in no
manner, insinitate. Indeed, I can only ascribe this.
an.l other conduit, to a scrt of sl-eenness. which
seems to have completely subdued them. Not even
.e reference to the great and -.flourishing state of our
.essurem and revenue. +Jotting spots this head, to
console and cheer the public mind, underthe severe.
bet unavoidable, heir hens, imposed upon the coun-
try. No 'nankin of nor success at Sierr Leone (a
load laugh Irma the Treasury &nal ; I mean Buenes
Ayres. It certainly has been currently reported.
that Minirtsrs entertained considerable dollish, as
to the propriety of that measure, ani the impot-
ence of that capture ; and therefore it was, that my
Honourable kriend, near me, was careful to use
the very language of Earl Lauderdale, apoa ,
that subje& to the French Government. At
all crests, I should think it the duty of the Go-
vernment to lose no opportunity of just encourage-
ment, and of raising the spit it of the people to its
proper level. There yet remain two measures of
considerable magnitude, and which, from the si-
lence of Members upon them, have excited in my
mind, no inconsiderable apprehensi WI and anxiety..
One is our intercourse with the United States of
America. Weer I. relied upon the quality and
spirit of those Mt A;t:res, which were Last Session
introduced upon that subjell—and when I find that
the authors of those nannuies are the tWI'bOIII ap-
pointed to negociate a treaty with that power, it is
impossible for me to conceal my doubts as to its
beneficial issue, or of the dangers I suspeasn to the
bulwark of our safety and happiness—the mini-
time supetiority of this country. But.this I do at
least say, that previous to the execiiton of any
treaty or negotiation between this country, and ate,
neutral power whatever, some communication ought
to be made to this House, in order that it may be
enabled to as . naio what coastrultion or view such.
neutrals have put upon, or entertain, of the state of
blockade. in which this cottony is declared by the
head of the French Government. The other measure
upon which I did expert some communication from
Ministers, is the state of Ireland. The only reasoa
I can suppose for such silence is, that the reportt
abroad concerning that country are. what I hope
they are, unfounded. But if, lamentably, such
rumours are borne out by the foes, I do most sin-
cerely hope, that His Majesty's Ministers will nor,
from a mistaken principle of lenity and moderation.
be induced to any suspension and prutratlion of
those strong powers of Government—by the delay
of which, crimes are suffered to increase; and
which, in the end, proves i.o ail of mercy to the
disaffeined ; whilst the existence and safety of the
loyal are too much endangered. Should such an ex-
tension of power be At last thought necessary, His
Majesty's Ministers will find, both from myself and
the friends who coincide with me, no dispositicn is
thwart and oppose any measure of vigour, under
the mis•aken hope of is temporary popularity."

Lord HENRY PET Sir, I think I shall
best consult the Wishes of the, House, by avoiding
any answer to the numerous details, into which the
!tight Hon. G ntleman teal pleased to go at suck
length. But that;! wet on 3 °llse: vat ion so peculiar*
personal to myself, that 1 must be excused trt
same notice of it. The Right Hon. Gertleman has
complained, that in His Malstty's Speech no noike
is taken of the nourish:rig •taot. of our ikooscet and
revenue. Indeed, I have only to refer to the
Speech, to find the general expression orsa,i,faftion.
at the unimpaired state of our resources. That I
should at least I,ay.e thought, and do think, lolly
sufficient for the end; reservir.g to my:elf, at a future
opportunity, when it will become my immediate
duty to open the Budget, to enter into the satisfac.
tory statement of our tinancn and revenue ; and.
at the sarto time, to r :he cliie praise to all those
who have been engaged in maturing this solid
system of iill;al:Cr 44 well to Mr.: P.:: for his greet

trader of Cre,r
th, is, upon an
rom the condutt
the evasive sys.
contend, that it
r ; uron a credo.
.e is one RA su
colleges!. that I
in the attention
me, two letters
nister, the most
spirit of each
int upon a dis-
inc ; the other
souncing a (aft
de tenor of the
lave something
econcile so pal.
mission in the
the catastrophe
a depot ted hem,
confess, to me
which, in the
leased. To as-
want of feeling
of that
ter the eloquent
the Noble Lord
stinguistred prr.
tied the reasons
rsty, upon this
is no persen in
st distant man-
ters, a want of
enee. But it is
Why is there na
recurred, in the
suing a circuro.
King, and the
Therefore it is,
stance has ever
ost strenuously.
..to insert some
ineedented ea-
,lily omission in
vl myself called
total silence, as
f Maids. It is
pan a great and
a triumph upon
I both 1{10,b„.%
Aoki of Portia-
ratified with the
s to his' brave
ion. That it is
.jetty from any
my, I, in no
my ascribe this.
-epiness. which
tem. Not eves
ing state of our
on this head, to
nder the severer
spat tlie roue-
Sierr Leone (a
I mean Barnes
-entry reported.
able doutus, as
'Ad the import.
it was, that my
careful to use
derdale, dpon
-ernment. At
sty of the Go-
just encourage-
le people to its
m measures of
t, from the si-
excited in my
n and anxiety.
nited States of
he quality and
ve last Session
!hen I find that
ihe pasons ap.
!at power, it is
°Wits as to its
suspect to the
ess—the mail-
ut.this I do at
.cution of any
entry, and any
Inidation ought
hat it may be
n or view such
of the state of
declared by the
s other measure
onication from
'he only reason
in the reports
what I hope
lentabiy, aura
I do most sin-
isrers will not.
od moderation.
protraCtion Gf
—by the delay
increase ; and
mercy to the
si safety of the
ald such an ex-
necessary, His
irn myself and
• disposition to
vigour, under
,purity."
I think I shall
r, by avoiding
into which the
to go at such
ut so peculiarly
•iised in t .ki-g
Gertlemar. f,s
,ee.:ll no I '-e
Lac GaiusCcS +IA
refer to the
orsa.i,fadion.
trees. That I

lo think, tally
:elf, at a future
my immediate
Ito the satisfae•
revenue; and.
Use to all that*
ring this soit.l
;: for his great