The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-06-21 00:00:00

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patriotism of these corps, hot, tit sir offiereireould
not well be .considered as efFeetive as men eiels6se
habits and education atforded them more knowledge
and experience. We had already 72,91i5 militia,
and officers of the description alluded to could'pot
be found for them. The additional force of 60
battalions would be officered from the Intlflery list ;
where those may fail, recourse would be had to
officers in the marines; in the third case, officers
would be seleded who had been in the service of
the East India Company : in the fourth case, which
suppose the failure of the former classes, those offi-
cers would be chosen from those fencible regiments
who served with so much distinction end honer to
themselves in Ireland. The fifth resort would be
to officers in the • recruiting service, under the ma-
nagement of General Hewitt, whose military cha-
eeeer was well-known, and who would be himself
a host. He would abstain. from entering into the
consideration of Irish and English regiments serving
indiscriminately in either country. They had al-
ready shewn that no legal compulsion was necessary,
and that reciprocity he proposed of mutual defence,
could not, he supposed, be liable to the smallest
objection. The substitutes in both countries would
have to serve, instead of five yeare, as hereto-
fore, only four years, or one month after the,
ratiacation of peace. He then enumerated the
proportions that should be raised by the coun-
ties and cities, comparing them with the force
raised during the last and former %vars.—He'
concluded with exulting in the strength and se-
curity which the united country had to rely on, upon
considering that in Great Britain and Ireland there
would be an army of Ila,ooo for internal defence,
Laving a strong disposable force for offensive ope-
rations. Upon the whole, however, be said, it would
not be more at the commencement of the present
than at some periods of the list war. The burthens
to be imposed would necessarily be very heavy, but
would be chearfulle borne when it was considered
that it was to avoid the most horrible state of sla-
very and submission to foreign tyrants that any
country had ever. experienced. The arrangements
then were, that all males from 18 to 45 years of
age were liable to be drawn by ballot. In the plan
for raising a Supplementary Militia, he found that
Peers were not exempted, and it was now proposal
en this occasion, to follow the same rule. The ex-
emptions were to extend only to officers in the army
and navy, and those apprentices whose indenture"
had been executed before the sth of June, when his
Majasty's Message was delivered. He was firmly
convinced, from the spirit already manifested, that.
the country would feel those measures, with what.;
ever inconvenience they might be attended, were
no more than what was necessary to carry on the
war with success and glory. It was requisite to have
a large disposable force to co-operate with our pow-
erful navy. It was not so much with the Govern-
ment as with the Governor, whose ferocious efforts
against us may be depended on. France, however,
was very vulnerable at some points, to v.-hich only he
wished to allude ; and while we had suet a disposa-
ble force, the First Consul would find himself oblig-
ed, with all his animosity and blustering, to look at
home, and look to his own preservation. His first
motion would be for an Address to his Majesty;
thanking him for his gracious communication, and
assuring him of the utmost support. He should
next move for the levy of an Army of Reserve of
50,000 men, and as no similar measure had before
been resorted to in Ireland, he should propose a
bounty to be given for substitutes in that country.
The motion for the Address was carried nzem. ton.
On the motion being put on the second question,
Mr. WINMI A fsi rose. He said, that the solem-

pity with which the motion was introduced, met
with his perfect approbation ; from the novelty of our
situation, and the new state of things, pregnant
with extraordinary dangers. The measure now pro-
posed, in his opinion, would only aggravate our dif-
ficulties, and tend completely to cut up the recruiting
for the regular army. The quantity of men now pro-
posed, was not in proportion to the necessity of the
case, nor to the population of the united country.
We had already an Army of Militia, and this
measure was intended to augment it and make a
ruinous competition between the two services. Even
in the Militia he could not but objeft to a general
system of substitution, though in particular cases
he felt it would be a grievance if every man v.-as
compelled to serve beyond a certain extent. The
nunihets of Militia for Great Britain and Ireland,
was stated to he 120,000 men. He much approved
of their being direCted and commanded. by officers
cf experience, and yet the Ministers talked of the
disposable force they would have for offensive
operations, and yet keep 120,000 men locked
up at home. It was asked on a:former day, what
would do in such circumstances ? His answer
w.ts, that lie would have no competition between
the Militia and the regular force ; without that com-
petition, we might be sure of a more. effective army
of regulars. The military system, as the Secretary
at War stated, stood ht need of alteration. • We
llught not, however, to wait till a time of quiet, but
inimechately take all the necessary measures. Ile
approved of the proposed change in the footing on
*which the army stood at present, and make tha
term of years, instead.of being for life, which was a,
great discouragement to the recruiting. 11c knew.
this to be the opinion of souse of the most judicious
ar.d expc.ienced officers in our service. It was said
to 6 the greatest of a book, to get itself read : and
in the same --
fir.t to get
be
and irregular
be appointed
any impeaci•
the Militia,
as available
they were di.
the properties
thus, in the

discipline of
' till they were
country.
Egypt, and
the most
ever reliance
Englishmen,
and that of
Irliritia the
my, recollecting .
Was ft noting
sway to de
tions t Was
neat, which
Posed to'
though we

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1/Oull not send ane pasta that ertelY to ad'ord
them assisjaece on the Continent. He would rather
see •an augmehtatlon of the yeemaruy, the natural
defenders of their country; than that of the Militia,
and yet the Yeomanry were scarcely mentioned by
the Secretary et War. ' The three services of Regu-
lars, Militia; and Yeomanry, seemed to be considered
as the nilscnline, tentinine,and neuter; but the worst
of it was that the regulars were to he the feminine.
They had entered with a bounty of almost 101. with
• the Militia, where the bounty or inducement to sub-
stitutes would be at least 15 guineas. He was sorry
to observe the system of recruiting for rank again
resorted to ; that was only by bidding high prices
to make ene party rob the other ; for whatever
might be his Majesty's regulations with resped to
the sum to be given as bounty, those who recruited
for rank would find means of evading them. He
paid high compliments to British officers who, he
asserted, were much better, from their regard to
charn4ler, than others who may be supposed to
know more of their profession. He should feel quite
easy if our troops were to meet the enemy with equal
numbers; hut to make assurances doubly sure, we
should be provided against superiority of numbers
a-Li artificial means of attack. The mere physical
force against an invader must always be in favour
of an island ; but experience bad shewn, that physi-
cal strength did not always prevail; and it 100,030
Frenchmen were landed, which was by no means
impassible, the population of thi ; metropolis would
be ia.lflid;iir.t to destroy them. They might, howe-
ver, Tnake their descent in some quarter of England
or Ireland, where an equal army, inured to discip-
line, may not be readily assembled to oppose them 7
and in such a case, the mischief they might perpe-
trate, was not to he calculated. If physical force
alone was effectual, the population of Hanover
would afford a number of fighting men, infinitely
superior to the army that was sent against it ; and
yet this Electorate surrendered to General Mortiet, ,
without even striking a blow ; for, reduce a for-
tress, and the surrounding country submits.—
The progress of Jacobinism, where a few desperate
men, by well-concerted means, triumph over mil-
lions, would itself afford a striking illustration.
There was, therefore, great dager, though in the
millions of those armies which Bonaparte boasted,
there may be very few who wished him well. What
he so muth disapproved of in the Ministers, was,
that at the conclusion of their treaty they disbanded
their troops, and in six months 'afterwards wished
to have them back again. In a very few months we
may be called upon to defend ourselves, and by the
present system, although we might have 140,000
men,they were not regulars, and only like those shop
goods which look very well to the passenger, but would
not bear the inspection of a person who was a
judge of them. He liked very much the spirit of the
volunteers, and doubted not of their ruler, but they
were composed of a description of persons, who from
their situation and talents of life were not calculated
to undergo the hardships that must be endured by
soldiers. What he wished was, that the country
should rise as it were in a macs, that we should on
any emergency be found an armed nation, and that
every man capable of bearing arms, should be
taught and trained to shooting at a mark. It would
not do to have finely tegimentaled volunteers,
itti-
tired into all the forms of—" drerr"—" eyes to the
ri-11,ht,eyes to the left," and taught to begin their
march with a pafticular leg foremost. Such
was not the system of tactics pursued by the
great Duke of Marlborough ; and it was by de-
viating from cashiering modern improvements,
and recurring to the old fighting system, that
were to be attributed the vidories of the
French in the course of the late war. He spoke
with contempt of any system which tended to con-
ceal from the country the real extent of its danger.
He spoke with confidence, when he asserted that
the secret preparations of Bonaparte for our inva-
sion were much greater than was generally known.
The Ministers seemed to imitate the condud of
Bonaparte, as if there was no difference between
the two situations. Bonaparte's situation was that
of an officer, who wished to surprize a post, and
keep his design concealed from his enemy. That if
the Minister's was the same as of anofficer command-
ing a post, who had inteliigence of the intention
to surprise, and should say to his lieutenant, " I have
received intbrmation that the enemy means to take
sis by surprise ; but hush ! do clot for the world
apprize the soldiers of it." Such, in his opinion, was
the condition of the country, which was not at all
met
.by this hasty, ineffective, and ill considered
measure.
, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, it was not his Wish to enter into a long discus-.
• sion upon the measures which had been laid before
the House, he only designed to make a few observ*
tions on what had been said by the Bight Honoura...,
file Gentleman who spoke last. The latter had said,
the measure adopted in the present instance was tar-
dy and inconsiderable. It was but a short period
since his Majesty's Message had indicated the ap-
proach of war. Since which an army had been
raised by the vigilance of his Majesty's Ministeteci.,
amounting to 50,000 men, and measures had been
taken to insure general security. The Right i inn-
ourable Gentleman had imputed to Ministers
what he called a calm in their conduct ; every
means in. the power of the Government had
been taken to provide for the public safety, which
would appear conspicuous by the complexion of af-
• the - -- the -

71177

or;Af.

his motives, there would.poasiblrhave beet! time to
carry them into effect ; at that period it was isnpos.
siolc He expresse4 his surprise that Ministers hould
he acculeal of not having taken measures for We ge.
neral welfare of the kingdom. In the situation in
which the Government hadbeen recently placed, they
had taken the necessary precautions for public safety.
A military force had been raised, sufficient to answer
the purposes of the public service ; there had been
no remissness in meeting thedenger which threatened,
a danger he never would treat, either in public
or private, with contempt; a danger Nee ought
to be prepared to meet with every endeavour in our
power. He described the sugge_stion made by the
Right Hon. Gentleman, respeding the raising of
regular troops, as our unsurmountable barrier to the
plan of expeditious defence ; and observed, he
would not pursue the argument further than to
ask the House to stazc, whether any better mode nc-
curred to them, Whereby we could meet the danger I
ith which we were threatened. The Right Hon
Gentleman appeared to revolt at every measure but
such as called for the assistance of a regular force.
He begged, the latter to understand; he was not dis-
posed
to undervalue -the state of public defence.
The measures proposed were not immediately to be
taken nor necessary, they were only urged as the
means of permanent security, and until we had
convinced the power that governed France
that this island was impregnable, and her resources
inexhaustible. There was not the least hope of pa-
cification to be cherished. (Hear, hear.) . He asked
the Committee to consider the plan proposed as the
best that could be adopted by his Majesty's Minis-
ters at the preset:: period. Tu enter into a discussion
how far it was necessary to atm the corps raised by
the means alluded to, with other circumstances re-
lative to discipline, was neither wise nor-necessary ;
they were not siscussions which called for the atten-
tion of the House ; the country reposed reliance on •
the public exertions for the general good ; and he
trusted such would ultimately take place at the mo-
ment of exigency.
Mr. PITT rose to express his entire concurrence
with the sentiment expressed by the Right -Honour-
able Gentleman, namely, that it was necessary to
defer all discussions upon the proposed plan of de-
fence until a future period.
Colonel BASTARD observed, it was the duty of
the Secretary of War to bring forward the present
plan of defence, which had,his entire approbation:
be had a few words to reply to the expressions
used by a Right Honourable Gentleman' (Mr.
Windham) respeding the condud of officers em-
ployed in the Militia. He thought he had heard
that Gentleman, upon a former occasion, discuss
upon the benefits derived from the services per-
formed by Militias. He had known the time when
the invasion of an enemy had occasioned more
alarm and danger on the coast than the Right Hon.
Gentleman imagined. There was one part of the
speech made by the latter that appeared exceeding
mean, namely, where a doubt had been expressed
as to the ability of the troops raised accord-
ing to the proposed plan to encounter the enemy.
If the French forces landed, he was convinced
every man in the kingdom ought to bear arms ;
they would then assail the common enemy, and, by
having been accustomed to the use of fire arms,
they would aamck with bravery ; the Militia
would join them, increase the effed of their defence, .
and they would all live and die together united in.
the common cause.
Colonel STANLEY said, if ever there was a
time when the good council of the House was re.
quired it was then. A permanent Militia was re-
quired, and the first consideration was the de.
fence of the country • it was from the policy
of Ministers that such defence was to be ex-
pected ; and while they were to go on with the old
system of proposing contrary plans, be was afraid
the blood and treasures of the country would be
expended to no purpose. He agreed in the neces-
sity which had been stated for raising an army of
40,000 men ; and expressed a belief, that a body
of marines would accelerate the restoration of peace.
Upon a case of emergency, he observed, that the
courage and good condua of marines had becn
often tried, and if it was necessary to send them
on foreign service, their behaviour would be as
good as that of any troops in England. It was
not usual for him to trouble the House, and he
would not have taken up so much of their time if he
had not thought that cn an occasion like the pre-
sent, every Member was bound to afford any senti-
ment which he might entertain, tending to the pub-
lic good.

Mr. WINDHAM, in reply, said, he had heard
it stated, that the present was not a proper time for
the discussion of the plan in question. He expressed
his opinion to the contrary ; and with respea to
the explanation of ghat l•ad been noticed by an Ho-
nourable Member• (Colonel llas,ard) he did not
mean to refied upon the condnft of the officers of
the Militia. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had
thought he had merely spoken against the measure
without havin& reflefted upon it; that he kid
done, and had also considered with the rest, the
plan of balloting, which he by no means ap-
proved of.
Mr. PITT, in explanation, said, he had stated
that day was not a proper time for the House to
discuss the question, he only toot the liberty to ex.
press why he was not justified in takingup•the time
ot-

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.where he had spoken of raising regular tromps,
wished to kaow Lowe regular ariny could be,r
within the time they would be wanted. Did
Right Hon. Gentleman conceive, that tf money
been necessary to raise men, the Treasury
have hen sparing It was not money that
rase regular troops, they must resort to
means than money ; that was .no compcnett
t;me like the present. Every man, through
of the general good, he trusted, would ceinatforward,
if aecmary, and do their best. in defeat ,
that was dear to them. He gleiced at an
used by the flight Hon. Gentleman, relati
condult of three officers in the rectal/dog serve .
it could be ptoved any person had violated
iorders issued. for the regulation of that
be could say they Auld be severely 'punisl.
he was persnaded that *the disobedience of
orders alluded to, wonld subjeet the offender
main no longer an trif.-:er in his Majesty'
He shoeld not have taken up so much of
' of the House as he had jone, but he could
still, and hear what had fallen from the Hi..
Gentleman, without taking notice of thsr
The motion was then agreed to, runs. con.
IitISII BUI)GET.
The House resolved itself into a Committee
the Ways and Means for Ireland.
Mr. CORRY said, he trusted the business of Ire-
, land would not take up any considerable portion of
time, and he should conceive himself out in his duty
if he did not state the readiness the I louse had ever
shewn to discuss the interests of that country. It
would, therefore, only be necessary to state distinctly
their concerns to attract the attention of those he ad-
, dressed himself to, after all that had been said, andthe
transactions orthe British Empire, it would be neces.
sary to enter into a general discussion. The policy
'adopted by Great Britain, must be acknowledzed by
all persons of discrimination in Ire land; and thenew-
ness of the war, with other circumstances, rendered it
necessary to demand those charges on that country,
' which none could be inclined to refuse ; he should
only state what had been adopted is the best mea-
sure that could be chosen. The charges con-
sisted of those which she bore separately, and
which did not interfere with this country. Ile
entered into *a statement of the situation of the finan-
cial concerns of Ireland since last December, and
observed, that the trade had been considerably in
favour of that country during the. last year.
He had pledged himself upon former occasions,
that the exports of Ireland would be increased ;
which had been the case. He stated also, that the
Linen Trade was liable to meet with great in-
convenience, owing to the importation of foreign
' linens ; it however appeared, that in the course
of the present year, the whole stock which re-
mained in that country for so long a time had
been cleared out, and he trusted, that he had
reason to congratulate that country on the
article of orovssions. The demand for that
commodity, he understood, last year was 25,0001.
. corn had also produced from 50,0001. to 50,0001.
He trusted that during the present year, the fleets
, and armies would be supplied with the articles last
mentioned ; however war might be disliked, it was
a happiness to retie& that we had resources in
Ireland to support it. There never had been seen
such a prospect of flax as during the last year, nor
so much pains taken to cultivate it. The revenues
last year had increased Since the year before con-
siderably. He was sorry to say, tobacco and sugar
had fallen off in,,the exports. He had only to state
further, the means by which the charges so neces-
sary on the present occasion were to be raised.
On the importation, including 'the Custoris and
Eicise, ten per cent, which would produce 140,0001.
The increase upon the exports upon various articles
would amount to 17,0001.

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DISTILLERY.
A tax on the distillery of Ireland of nine-pence pee
gallon, and an additional tax of nine-pence on all
foreign spirit, which would produce :1.0,0001. To-
bacco would be subject to no additional tax, as that
article had been observed to lose considerable, daring
the last two years, in the importation.
MALT.
The tax upon this article, he observed, would fail
on the brewer, inasmuch as the duty was increased
to one shilling on the barrell which would not be
more thanlnine.pence currency oft 32 gallons. He had
ever considered it his duty to encourage the brewer-
ies, and he trusted the additional duty would not
be severely felt. The last-mentioned tax produced
40,0001. The whole of the taxes he estimated at
380,0001. The loan 142,0001. A surplus of 170,0001.
would arise from the Calculations, which would af-
ford an opportunity of lowering the different duties,
if peace should be restored; but if iffir Was continued
every judicious person must observe the necessity.
, there would be for contributing towards the support
Government, as the only means or defence and
safety. It was wise for every country to avoid war,
but it was also wise to meet the .extenees of the
moment with resolution. He concluded with inti-
' mating his intention to levy a tax upon property, if
great exertions should be sequired fOr the general
good.
- LEE objeded the general principle on
tending
beyond.'

IN

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1111

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Wimp% otna *.t •
be raised
. Did the
money' had
;ury wool'!wool'!that would
to stronger
isatier4 at a /
gh motives
forward,
'ere of *II
expression.
ttive to the t.
cervice. If I
dated the. 4
at service]
shed ; ar.ct
If any suck t.
!rider to re-
servke.
I the time
tld not sit
ionourable
sans:,
nmittee on

reatest of a book, to get ascii reita : AMA ..........t.r...... -----r-- -- , __ _ .
e way, the greatest merit of an army was fairs ; the country had then 50,000 in the army, press way ne was not Justineu 111 LUJCilig up t.i.c L.,.4c
it. The grand difference bet Ween a re. and 40,000 more were then called for upon a print of the House. He was in possession of every argu- Mr. LEE objeted to the general principle on
irregular army was, that the former may ciple which embraced still further utility. It had ment that could he used in opposition ; and al- which the taxes were founded, al tending to psuplex - ,
ed general cervice. He did not mean been said also; that it was a tardy measure to pro- though the plan was then proposed, he did not con- and harrass the people of Ireland beyondwhat they.
rhment whatever of the men or officers of cure the additional military force alluded to, by bal. sider it as settled it that time, he considered wile-
' then
he measure would prove as effedual as it could support. • He observed, that it was better, if
, when he asserted that they could not be lot ; that mode had, however, been sandioned upon taxes were necessary, to levy the same for the poor
le oreffeetive'es regular troops. Though similar occasions, and acknowledged to be good ought, and other circumstances which he could only, as Ireland could not support such saxes es 1
disciplined in the same way, they had not by persona who had seen service. England did in time of peace, without/cellos tha
It would also discuss if necessary. He begged his'ltight Honour.
ties as those whohad seen service, and had be admitted, that if we had an army corriMatided able Friend to understand he did not adually apt greatest calamity- i
rove or resist the plan in question. Having great After some farther eonsideratlon, the resoktione ..
.
tailor's phrase, got into deep water. The by officers whose experience was not to be P I
i the Militia was never in a high state called in question, the advantages arising were spans( Lion in the outlines of the.tneasure, he would were agreed to, and ordered to be reported-
suggest whether it would not be better for general The Diu, imposing a duty jig"
ere removed from those quarters of. the obvious, although the men were not so strictly !acorns, &e. was
read a first and ordered to be read a second • I ,
Much was eel:pi:4.lNi from the army of disciplined as regular troops. The setvices of security, to pat the country upon the foot of an
. armed country, by country all by which • ans, if ti time, , 1
•
' I
id' partly as they had already performed the. corps to bc raised were -to extend fyrther than me to•morrow.
the Right Hon. Gentleman had stated; it was to to. an enemy came, they would be enabled to resist in '
brilliant exploit% but no man, what-
Mr. voicributt . brought up a Bill to prevent .
valour of 'to all parts of the kingdom, by -Ohl& it would o all clirettinal. . ,
rice he might place on the •
n, when fighting in their own defence 1 fain augmentation, and establish the belief Of seen- The SECRETARY at WAR said, he claimed itierful cmnbta;*" sateen PHlTheimen trade"' `.
of their country, could expect from the rity. It had been w•gesi; that raising -itody of men, no credit for the consideration of the measure laid ,„ &e. in Irabmat • Read erst time, and ordered • .
. t•
e same things that he might from an art b. y the meant alluded- to, wouldha4etbe effect of in- before the House, but trusted the Couunittee ssauld le leads maim tirmcti v. elhlPdlir•
juri. ng the regni:tr tmors—dikhieb tras an deg:— not fail to tender it as period so possible. Whetk, eirIiXANDER 'ttp t Bill to revive
.. . brought
retina the renown it had already acquired.'
tin this great force could not be seat he could not comprehend. The Right flew • the histot7 cifxbe belligerents were traced, it th,_e Mt' ,ths Seth ald44llldtbe Kingt forAraut
- . i
d the teeentry by offensive opera.. man had given ao able discussion of the itinitary COW would appear.; that so far ' Majesty's Mien/ in ". . • U'Oati an 4 itant•Mejoes
as it noting that the rovers of the Conti- duct whicivhoottght . a .
et. Ctifrrean that occasion ; errs walls= bphyring 41172 .;ett to the is.. .of the 0.., Read a tisigimai
46 ,10040 ji ,
ch might., m the course of the war, be dis- t
.uia, .
when the Bin was Rirmerly breight in fee ford de en Ide
~, of the ccinneryeAtot nasssure was taken ilb afi mailiOli.. Iva-a*".".lll**Nm92lll4n. IP i'
4 that pa_tt, of the Dderred tilt ethet.oriari.4l64* - - fli
co-operas: with us, should know that, .
t Lad au this /was fas•haine defence. .'T -40,000 iota for the Militia. !Ike had*. Right Hon, Code:nen% speech ilk: Vruttlition)s leiOntisests • ' ''' '
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