The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-04 00:00:00

DEATII OF BARON DENON

[FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.]
I lament to announ,:e to you the sudden death of the
celebrated Baron llsixoN, so well known to all the literati
of Europe. This enlightened traveller and munificent
patron of the arts, attended on Tuesday last, at the sale of
the valuable collection of paintings by the old masters,
the property of Mons. Perrier. The concourse of amateurs
which this sale hail drawn together was immense, and
rendered the room in which they were assembled so op-
pressively hod, that the Baron, unable any longer to endure
it, retired for relief into the fresh air. The day was chilly,
and the sudden change of temperature produced an almost
instantaneous effect upon him ; he was seized with a
trembling, and getting into his carriage, proceeded im-
mediately home : medical assistance was procured with-
out delay, but the symptoms of approaching dissolu-
tion came on so rapidly as to convince the faculty that
their aid was vain; he languished till the next day, when
he expired. He was buried this morning (Saturday) at
the cemetery of Pere la Chaise, attended by upwards of a
hundred persons of the most distinguished literary emi-
nence, as well as others of the highest military rank. His
two nephews followed as chief mourners. An immense
crowd of the poorer orders followed in the train, and their
tears and benedictions bore testimony to the sincerity with
which his loss was deplored. The body was removed at
twelve o'clock from his house on the Quoi
to the Church of St. Thomas Aquin, which was hung
with black on the occasion, and high mass performed with
the utmost solemnity. There were twelve mourning
coaches, and a considerable number of private carriages, at
the obsequies of this distinguished individual. A detach-
ment of the garrison rendered the deceased military ho-
nou-s. The Baron was in his eightieth year. His inva-
luable collection of rarities in works of art—the choice but
very numerous assemblage of unique articles of Egyptian
antiquity—the drawings, paintings, and curiosities, of the
most interesting description, which enriched his cabinets,
are well known to every Englishman of taste and sci-
ence who has visited Paris, to whom his house was always
open. He possessed a vast fund of knowledge, which he
was ever ready to communicate; his sentiments on all sub-
jects were liberal and elevated. In a word, lie was an ac-
complished Nobleman of the old French school. As he
died unmarried, his property, which is very considerable,
devolves to his two nephews, one of whom resided with
him ; the other is a Colonel in the French service.

On Saturday last, the Yeomanry Officers of England
dined at Willis's Rqonnt. Lord Grantham, Lord Lieu-
tenant of the County of Bedford, and Colonel of the York-
shire Hussars; presided; and Colonel Horner, of the
North Somerset Yeomanry, was the Vice-president of the
evening. The dinner consisted of every delicacy of the
season.

A highly respectable meeting of the Catholic Solicitors
assembled on Friday, for the purpose of framing Resolu-
tions of thanks to the English Bar, for their conduct re-
garding the Catholic Question. The meeting was most
numerously attended, and all the Resolutions were passed
unanimously.—Duhlin Paper.
There is a veteran soldier, still living in Paris, who was
born in the reign of Louis XIV.; his 112111 C is Pierre Ileret.
He is 118 years of age, is in the full possession of his fa-
culties, and in good health; his long venerable heard gives
him the appearance of one of the patriarchs of the olden
times ; he has served in numerous engagements, and is
decorated with orders given him on various occasions.

THE BRITISH PRESS.

PROCEEDINGS 01 THE LEV/NT COMPANY.

At a General Court of the Levant Company, held at the South
Sea House, on Thursday, 4th Ptbrupy, 1825, Jacob Bosanquet,
Esq. Deputy Governor, is the Chair 'a letter was read from the
Right Honourable Lord Grenville, governor of the Company,
I Well Dropmore, Feb. 1, 1825, transmitting a letter addressed to
the Governor and Company, which Ins lordship had received from
Mr. Canning. his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, communicating the intentions of his Majesty's
Government, with regard to the transfer of the Company's autho-
rity in Ttirke,, Mimi scggesting the expediency of giving up its
remaining privileges.
His Lowfthip, not dotfliting that these proposals are made with
a view to thv advancement of the King's service, and especially to
the prommion of the cbmmercial interests of the country, recom-
mended them to the favourable cortaitleratlon of the Company,
assuring the Court of his ready concurrence in any resolutions cal-
culated to meat these objects. • •
Mr. Secretary CAnnina's letter was then read, aturbeferred to a
Special General Court nn Friday next, the 11 th inst. The Deputy
Governor was requeSted to confer with the Governor, in the mean
time, on thfs,initti important subject.
At a Special General Court on Friday, the 11th of February,
1825. the Hight Honourable Loed Grenville, Governor, in the
('hair, the following letter vita read from the Right Honourable
George Canning, his Majesty'r. Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs :
Flre,ign Office, Je11.:7, 1825.
My Lord and Gentlemen,—His Mapsty:s Government having
for a considerable time past had in preparation a Bill, to be sub-
mitted to Parliament, for the better regulation of the Consular
Establishments of the country, I have the honour to apprise
you that such a Bill will certainly be introduced in the course
of the approaching Session ; and that, upon full considyution,
it has been thought advisable to include in the regblanons of
that Bill, the Consuls and subordinate Officers of time Levant
Company.
'Flit object of the latter part of this arrangement is to trans?er the
Company's authority, iii those respects, to the Crown.
In announcing to you this intention, I must, in justice no less
to yourselves than to his Majesty's Government, assure you that
it results solely from considerations of public expediency. and
in no degree from any feeling of disrespect towards the Levant
Company, or from any disposition to impute blame to their put
administration.

In order to obviate any misunderstanding, I think It right to
explain to you, that the whole of the officers now holding commis-
sions abroad under the Company will be taken into his 3lsjesty's
service, and their claims considered, as if they had been in that
service from the beginning.
The Company being thus relieved front the charge of maintain-
ing their establishment, the duties and consulages levied under the
authority of their charter upon the trade to the Levant will of
course be repealed.
Having thus communicated to you the intentions of the Govern.
ment. I might content myself with expressing my hope that you
will readily acquiesce in a measure, which has no other object
than the advancement of the public interests, without prejudice
to those of individuals, were it not that, feeling as I do, in com-
mon with every other member of his Majestys Government, an
earnest desire m act in perfect harmony with the Company on
this occasion, I cannot refrain from suggesting to you, for your
consideration, whether it may not be expedient to give up the re-
maining privileges of your charters, which being no longer con-
netted with the pro:ecti.m of public interests, may be deemed, by
Parliament and the public, to be useless and injurious restrictions
upon made..
I have the honour to be, my Lord and Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
• (Signed) GEORGE CANNING.
To the Governor and Company of Merchants
of England trading into the Levant Seas.
The Governor (Lord GRENVILLE) then addressed the Court to
the following effect :
Uentlemen—Before we proceed to the business of this day, permit
me to take this opportunity of thanking you for the renewed mark
of your confidence which I have recently experienced in my re-
election to this Chair. During the long penod of twenty-five
years, in which I have been thus honourably connected with you,
no occasion has ever been neglected by me, in which I thought any
exertions of mine could, with pmpiety, be made available to your
interest and I o tour ; and it will afford me a high gratification, if,
in the course of the busineis now before us, I can hope to con-
tribute in the smallest degree to the promotion of the same import-
ant objects. No motive of less force than this desire would, I can
truly say, have induced me, wholly retired as I now am front all
political business, once more to present myself before a public
assembly, even for the purpose of addressing to you these few
sentences.

In submitting to this numerous and highly respectable meeting
the questions on which you are called to deliberate, it is my duty
to state to you, however imperfectly, the opinions which I have
formed upon the subject, and the grounds on which they rest.
Some difficulty I must unavoidably feel in off: ring this explana-
tion to persons so much more conversant than I am with every
part of this business. But it is a great satisfaction to me to
reflect that your better knowledge and experience will readily enable
you to rectify any error into which I might inadvertently fall.
The first object of the plait communicated to us in 31r. Can-
ning's letter is, to relieve the British trade with the Levant
front that peculiar burthen to «hich almost alone, among all the
merchants of Great Britain, you have hitherto been subjected—
the hurthen of maintaining, at your own cost, the Consuls and
other Officers abroad necessary to the protection of your commerce.
The charge of those establishments, and the corresponding duties
of their appointment and control, are now, we are told, to be
transferred to that quarter to which, on all general principles of
policy, they naturally belong--to the public Government of the
empire.

Thus far the proposal seems, on our part, to admit of no
culty. There can never have been a moment in the whole period
of the Company's existence, in which you would nut gladly have
accepted this arrangement. At the time when the Company's
Chinas were first granted,o it was not unusual to incorporate
commercial bodies for such purposes. But to these days it must
b: thought a measure of much harshness, not to call it injustice,
to have thrown upon this Company the burthen of maintainirg
these public establishments. All law and all public authority rest
on one fundamental maxim—that the duties of obedience and pro-
tection are reciprocal. It is fur the sole purpose of mutual aid
that men unite together in civil society; and what interests in the
whole circle of human occupations can be better entitled to the
benefit of that principle than the honourable ente-prise of the
British merchant ? The founders of this trade were engaged in a
just and laudable adventure, of great probable, we may now say of
great actual, advantage to the whole community. In the prosecu-
tion of that object, how undeniable was their claim to an adequate
and full protection, upheld by the joint exertions of the State, and
defrayed by its joint contributions. Yet what was the language
herd to them by their Government? You may explore, if you
desire it, for your country, new paths of profitable enterprise—you
may open fresh channels for her industry, carry her flag into ports
where it is yet unknown, and enrich Ler markets with the corn.
modifies of the remotest regions ; but you must expect from her
no protection—neither in the doubtful hazard of the adventure, nor
even in its most beneficial career of ultimate success. If public
Ministers, if Consuls, if Interpreters, if any other establishments,
shall at any time be wanted to promote the extension of your com-
merce, or to provide for its security, you must maintain them at
your own cost : you must even receive it as a grant and favour
from your Sovereign, that he permits you to levy for such pur.
taxes on your own commerce, and to apply them at your own
your :csetion !

Happily for us, it is not so that in these times the Government
and Legislature °four country deal with its merchants. This stain
upon our commercial legislation is now to be removed; this pecu-
liar and injurious burthen is mi longer to press upon your exer-
tions; and the arrangement to be made for this purpose is cer-
tainly nut a sacrifice asked from you by the Nimes Ministers, but
a benefit conferred—a benefit, however, to which, on every principle
of public policy, and by every rule of public right, you are plainly
and unequivocally entitled.
The surrender of your Charters In consequence of this wise and
just measure, is the second part of the proposal made to you by
Government. On this it is fur you to determine. My own im-
pressions, if you will permit me to state them to you, arc strongly
in its favour. The essential objects of (hose grants have either
been provided for In the lapse of time by the full establishment of
your corn.nerce, or will be sufficiently answered by the arrange.
ment of which I have already spoken. Little more would then
remain to you, except the monopoly which excludes from the
British commerce with the Levant all persons not admitted to the
freedom of this Company. No useful purpose, either to your.
selves or to the public, would, I think, be answered by the contii
nanee of this invidious restraint. In your former position it was
both necessary and just ; those who bore the burthen of protect-
ing this commerce could alone claim to share its benefits. But
it will become wholly useless when you shall be relieved from
the ditties and expenses in contemplation of which it was originally
created.

And if the removal of such a restraint on any branch of trade is
a measure, on general grounds of policy, not only uoubjectionable
but desirable, there are, in the circumstances of the present mo-
ment, two considerations which appear to me peculiarly and forcibly
to recommend it to your adoption.

The first of these arises from the rapidly increased. and I trust
still more rapidly increasing, commercial prosperity of our coun.
try ; an augmentation in which your own trade has already par-
ticipated largely, arid in the further progress of which we have
every reason to hope it will bear its full proportion. t From
this suspicious circumstance the whole fabric of the British Em-
pire, and every one of the numerous and extensive interests which
it includes, are daily acquiring new strength and stability. To
all the members therefore of such a community, and most espe-
cially to those who are by their own exertions so greatly instru-
mental in its advance. it peculiarly belongs to concur with zeal
in whatever can conduce to objects of such inestimable value:
it will be no less your pride than your interest to take your full
share in the removal pf every obstacle which in the slightest de.
• The Company's Charter was granted by James the First, and
confirmed by Charles the Second.
An appendix is added, which shows the increasing importance
of the trade of the United Kingdom with Turkey and Egypt. In
1022, the value declared at the Custom-house. of goods exported.
was _ - 4:972.447 8 1

In 1823 1,274.23 16 9
•
In . . • 1,397:5W 4 ll

. •
gree embarrasses oPfitipedes the working of this great engine of
national prosperity. •
The other consideration totrblch I adverted is of yet wider scope,
and still more extensive importance. States and empires partake
of the instability of all human affairs. We know not what revolt'.
tione our own tree and happy country may in the lapsed ages be I
destined to experience. But whatever be her future fortunes. one
boast she still may make, one wreath she has taw ever secured to
herself of imperishable glory. In the history of the human mind,
and through every successive advance which man has yet to make in
valuable and useful knowledge, never will it be foigotten that here
the first aceds were sown of that experimental and practical philoac.
phy to which all subsequent improvements in science must trace
back their origin. Never will it cease to be recorded, that litre
also the first lessons were given, the first great example mini-
felted to the world, of social institutions founded on their true
basis of religious and civil liberty.
Nor is it a small addition ta these benefits thus conferred upon
mankind, nor will it lightly enhance the gratitude and admire.
tion of posterity, that here also—in this favoured nursery of science
' and of liberty, and as the natural consequence of the joint eultiva.
lion and influence of both these inestimable blessings--here were
first developed to statesmen and legislators the rights and the ad.
vantages of unrestricted trade. Whatever portion of human hap.
pines shall hereafter restift,•and large, I trust, will that portion be,
from the fixed establishment and universal diffusion of these great
principles, from the undisturbed freedom of peaceful occupation,
from the uncontrolled Atiscretion in the application of each man's
industr and capital, and from the open and unfettered intercourse
of all the tribes sand families of mankind, to Great Britain must
all such blessings be referred: here first was it demonstrated that
these are fundamental maxims of policy mid justice ; alike con-
ducive to private happiness, productive of national prosperity, and
consonant to all rightful exercise of public legislation.
Nor is this all.. To the glory of the discovery, to the merit of its
first promulgation and establishment, we have now added the still
higher praise of it; general reception, its iliat and enlightened ap-
plication. During a long and laborious public:service, it has been
my happiness repeatedly to concur both in tlie preparation and in
the adoption of detached but corniderable experiments, in which
these principles were practically and successfully exempl fiat:
But I teteern myself fortunate indeed to hare lived to see the tittle
when our Sovereign sod his Parliameps• have now, first among all
the legislatures of the'world, sanctioned them by a definitive and
solemn recognition. They are no longer unprofitable and barren
speculations--the visions of theorists dreaming in their closets of
public happiness and public justice never to be realised ; they arc
toe rules by which the British Legislature has pledged itself
from this time forth to administer all the unmeasurable interests
committed to its charge; they are the foundations on which is
henceforward to be rested the whole commercial prosperity of the
greatest commercial empire which the sun has ever yet en-
lightened.
I need not recapitulate to those who now hear me, what has re-
cently been accomplished in this course, by measures well consi-
dered, and therefore gradual, but the pledges, I trust, of a systems.
tic and undeviating perseverance in the same wise and benevolent
design. When compared with so much more which still remains
to be performed, these indeed are but of small extent and limited
operation. To judge rightly of their value, we must estimate them
by the prejudices which were to be surmounted, and by the advan-
tages of which they have already been productive. In those advan-
tages you have yourselves partaken largely, and they have extended
themselves to almost every other class of British merchants. And
if, in the long and honourable career which is still open to the ad-
versaries of commercial restriction. monopoly, and preference, the
same spirit shall animate, the same resolution uphold the Lej,risla-
ture, if full and uncompromising effect he finally given to a system
thus confirmed by experience, thus sanctioned by public ap-
plause, not this age, nor this country alone, will have reason to bless
our exertions. There is no period so remote, there is to nation
so barbarous, in which we may not confidently anticipate that
these successful researches of British philosophy, this auspicious
example of British policy, will become, under the favour of
Providence, a pure and ample source of continually-increasirg hu-
man happiness.
The deep interest with which I view this prospect, and the glow.
ing hopes which it excites, have led me much farther than I had
intended. I will not detain you longer, by explaining what you
all feel, the close connexion of these topics with the questions now
before you. In such an assembly of British merchants as I now
address, deliberating in the centre of this great metropolis of the
commerce of the world, can I be deceived in the belief, that an
eager and earnest desire will be expressed in your language, and
manifested by your conduct, to follow up to the utmost this benefi-
cial and happy system of public policy ; carrying into full execu-
tion, in so far at least as depends on you, the gracious recommenda-
tion from the Throne, the wise determination of Parliament, for
the removal of every restraint by which the native freedom of trade
is still unnecessarily, and therefore unjustly, fettered !

The principal measures of this description, adopted before his
pment Afajesty's reign, were the commercial treaty with France in
1786, that with the United States of America in 1791, the comma.
vial arrangements of the Union with Ireland in 1881, the opening
of the corn trade between threat Britain and Ireland in le* and
the partial opening of the East India trade in 1813.
The restoration of our currency after the peace, a measure of
almost infinite importance and value, was only the removal of a re-
cent and pmfessedly temporary, but deeply calamitous publlt mis-
chief. Our corn laws, an evil of hardly less magnitude, still un.
happily subsist.