The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1808-02-19 00:00:00

_l.-rittob littto,',..

RI 19, 1808.

that necessity was removed tecaure,
had ever read on that alibied, he wua fully per-
suaded, that what necersity had crested, the tame
necessity did limit ; therefore it was, that be con-
sidered it 'the Jut) of Parliament- to defend the
character of the country, by coming to a resolution
to keep the navy of Denmark in a situation to be
eventually restored to the Sovereign of that inde-
pendent state. He said eventually. because he
wished to abstain in the moat strict manner from

auy encroachment on the prerogative of the Crown:
Wheu the House considered the nature of the offer
made-by this country to the Crown Prince, when
it reviewed the declarations and summonses of• tnc
officers who cbtiontinded on that expedition, he aas

convinced that the.true duty of the (-man, was to
refrain from employing for its own ser:ice the ships
taken from that poser, nader such circnuntonces
orregret and culsonty. The-Noble V iscon%t wad
deltrent passages from those documeids, and nest
adverttd to the probable uhjeeUea that he
should hear, of those clod/nations beL sepdihr
weed by the resistance of the Danes, and the
subsequent declaration of hostilibt_s. Would sot
Cie House take into its comiderntion the ;-otives of

exoneration, and the ratural result of the ofr'er
that hud been made ? Was it not to be expected
that reoiatance wonid follow from the tdternattre

that Siiiiistc rs had °Warred to that gallant and dis-
tinguished individual, the Crowd Prince P What
else hut exasperation could be pr Turned from-our
mosult on an independent, friendly, but defence-
less power ? It was impossible to expect any otter
result. Scarce had a few mouths elapsed since the
Court of Denmark was informed by the late Go-
vernment of this country. that whilst it persevtred
in its cuurse of strict neutrality, it should receive
the protection of Great Britain. T.le next com-
munication it received, the mode in which thr
promise was realised, were by the bombardment of
its capital and the seizure of it= marine. Den-
mark heard all our charges of hostility eviinst
Russia, bnt felt every ettaelt herself. The'
Noble Viseonut nest contendefel, that, -in ordrt to
convince the world that our unduct towards Des:.

mark was the consequence of anindispen ah!e
nr-
cessity, it was the duty of the. Howe to be p-
remed by what, in emelt cases, the Law of Nitiote
provided. HO quoted from the Jura leelii of
Grotius, that a natine acting Imo° such a prin-
ciple had a riihf to make restitution to the state
against whom the fteereesion was made, the me-
merit when the releiions in which both countries
stood were changer% and from the effect of which
the aeceasite had ceased and be omit determinate.
There also remained an additional indmement
with him to submit hie present motion ; He had
made accurate inquiries into the stale and condi-
tom sof thew skips, which he mow toneleritoteHr
was the intention of Ministers to preoare for the
actual service of this comer:. Indeed, there was
little doubt of the truth A smelt rumour, as he
found that the reports of the snereeors employed
to inspect them were now on the table of the
other House of Parliament. The result of snch
inquiries was, that from the manner in which they
were built, and the mode of their wear and tear,
they were not in any degree likely to snit the naval
service of this country. Moreover, he had been
informed by the most respectable and intelligent
persons, conversant with those subjects, that
it would cost much more to fit ant theDar.ish ships,
than would be necemery to complete the whole of
the British shipping now upoi, the stocks in the
various dock-yards. As well then open evere
principle of justice, upon every vie* of truth and
policy, and to prevent an improvident expenditure
of the public money, be called upon their Lord-
ships' acquiescence in the resolution which he should
have the honour to move. The Noble Vie-on:It
conjured the House to reflect upon the proud cha-
racter which Great Britaiu had hitherto main-
tained ; a character. to rriarnph over which, the
man who new presided over the resotirees and go-
vemmeie of France, would prefer to all the Newels
which by his genius and hie talents lie had obtained
at Lodi, Austerlitz, Jeue, or Friedland. The
House should appreciate the peel-ratite effect
this reeitntion would have with Rossi*,
a country with which Great Britain had more
points of 11114011 and he, of collision than with any
other state on the continent of Europe. It was but
telerday this nation was assembled in its veered
churches to implore the forgiveness and the pro-
tection of the Almighty Ruler of the Cniverse.
The first step to insure those Meetings wile to de-
serve them; and in his sight the first and paramount
recommendation was to be just and cotisciestioae.
His Lordship then moved a resolution, "that no
measures should be adopted relative to the Danish
ships, which inielit prevent their eventual restitu-
tion to the Danish Monarch."
Lord BOILINGDON contended, that there never
was • more novel and unprecedented motion sub-
mitted to the consideration of Parliament. It was
not only not analogous with any former precedent,
het was. in its consequences, fraught with miwhief.
What would bare been the cousequetice, if the
Parliament of this country hod acquiesced in a
motion to deliver op the ')Coulon fleet at the con-
clusion of the Treaty of Amiens ? It was cer-
tainly a ~-round on which these Noble Lords, who
difFeied with His Majesty's then *invents, might,
with more plausibility, hare brought forward a re-
solution. similar to that proposed be the Noble
Viscount Did the Hoene feel justified to agree
in sods a peoonstion on the reizare of the Spanish
ships, prieioas to • decherstiou of hostilities ? No
such proposition eou!d be adopted, because it was
incompatible with every principle sia which this
coseitry or any other was aecttitersed to act. He
had beard mach sit the conduct of the pistriotic
Crown Prince. as he was called, and of the deters
mination of De.iinark to pr merge a strict neatra-
lity. The history of the transeetioos of the lost
Uwe vests would, °creosol. &gond isaterialll/2 from
wlneh a dilereat cosalosiest esidd be very ary
testi). dednesd.

Mar

(PRICE SEXPI

'Lord Estumnosounn replied to the observe-11F
timis of the Noble Lord who preceded hint. He
said, that it was a general, arid perhaps true, re-
mark, that nothing was more unlike th •n a simifc
at least it was so illustrated in the comparison 'lade
17 the last speaker, relative to the late attack on
Copenhagen, and those precedents to which he
alluded, in the cases of the Toulon fleet and the
subsequent seizure of the Spanish frigates. lie
never was a very sanguine admirer of the latter
transaction, but still there were features. and
cuonstances connected with it, which justified to
• certain extent the actual.comerencement of he' s
tilities. With respect to the principle of the sr.-
tack on Copenhagen, be disdained to coquet with
such a transaction ; he pronounced it as the mom
tireprinciuled violation of every sacred duty,
every re:Teeted riuht, that he had either hewn! sr
wad of, since he ;as enabled to form any mtioisl
opinion on human motives and events : it con -
mewed in unpmsoked injustice, and terminal d
`llltiateenfirl robherr. He world feel ashamed to
reade in that situation, where it was his province,
hoped daily to dispense justice, unless he gate
to that ootrogeons proceeding the true character
which he felt attached to it. it was true, that ti
Ministers bed seised pima the unequipped
ships of an unpre cored and defenceless nation, and
they had %%afted than to British ports, followed by
the cares of the whole pputation of Denmark.
The only means of recovery item the font stein
cast by this measure upon the character and gee& •
faith of the country, were for Parliament to ads
quince in the resolution of his Nolte
lire objection of the 'Coble Lord (floringdon)
arose from the subsequent resistance of 'Denmark..
Upon no principie of eiftity, or of prolific law,
ceuld it stand for ft moment, became it van
tilmr::l result of the ot7er this country bad
aed of the alternative en which lifter n"
procceded to act. In dl east's where ag
win grounded on an eltiderit and inclispern
cenitr the resistruice of the Power on wl
arrgression wag Matte, never did change the
relation in which it stood, and .the istratieu
reititation whiCh it' possessed on the cal
neceisity. Suppose the arrilaeons case
two persons were ttruguling on the rum
wh'.,:h was competent onty so the safety.
arentd the ezertior'of viclence oat
of the individual poshed off, constitute
of criminality, by which lie was sabjeeti
sequent punishment? Or let us con •
'dinitry instance,' There the r;et a
corned into pra.dire br a bAig
r:ght was properly ezeremed on the
power who sestvise,i,• bet thence no
forfeiture attached Istire capr.

erttlettflrfcaelfoVis -alTrifinhigen. There was
nothing to provoke hostility, the Danish people
preserved a strict political neutrality. They. rnn-
ducted thernse!res as every other power in suniiar
circumstances would, merely by taking advantage
of to extended commercial intercourse, aril{ withia
the strict letter of their national (mermen's. Ia
such a situating Great Britain committed an ag-
religion, attended with the moat incalculable evils
to that nation, and therefore was bound to take the
proper occasion for absolving-Itself from the charge
of injustice, either by specific restitution of tie
shies it had seized, or by a substantial entre/tea-
tine far the injury incurred. The Learned Lord,
after a variety of similar unanswerable bbsen-ationr,
delivered in a most animated and convincing man-
lier, concluded by giving his most decided support
to the proposition of the noble Noble Meyer.
The Loan CHANCELLOR contended fled the se-
rimiest' of the Noble and Learned Lord, if well-
founded. went mach further than the remedial**
then proposed. lithe measure of seizing the Danish
navy was, as it was designated by that /04oble Lord,
an art of robbery and outrage, then the mode of re-
dress he had recommended was a species of penu-
rious justice. If this country had robbed We-
t mark of her ships, it was the duty of theme who
thoiveld so to mote far their hein. restored forth-
! with. He, however, ?ad a far different opinion;
I so much se, that he should cernider himself
dt-
graced and dishountirei, unless he awned to Pate
!lament and the cutinti7, the full share he had
taken in the prosecution of that measure. Whom
the Learned Lord nest indulged in his strong
of that occurrence, he trusted he 'mid
act upon the sense principle that he was wont to do
at the Old Bailey, that ass, when he charged the
Jury, he would at the same tune detail the evidence.
Ala respect to the illuAration of the exertion of
the right of search, he was inclined to make &dif-
ferent inference ; becanst ho convideved that the
exigence of that right precluded that of the carrier.
Would the Learned Lord say, that any effort of toe
latter to resift the search was not a breach of loss-
trailer, mad directly went to provoke and tomtit/
hostility' The Learned Lord melt adverted to tt a
Cases of Toulon, the 'leisure rf the Spanish frigates,
and the capture of the Dutch ship( in the year
1795. He considered those prevedc.ts directl:. in
point, and conclusive aganiet the adce.tien of s
resointiom calcolate4 to injure the ruost evential
int:rests of this *clutter, without the most remote
hope of producin; the slightest afivenMge.
Lord He LLA3CD ably replied to the statements of
the Noble and Learner.. Lent on the Woolsack,
and contended, that he had most ev:.dently mis-
takes or miseuderetecd the view ci:7 the question, as
it was taken by his Learned Friend ;Eilenbo-
rowels). The motion did not pr•e.eed on say re-
ference to the justice or injustice of the L.te pro-
ceedings against Denm rk ; ft entirely kept that
consideration out of its compealteartion. The
question was, whether, having mired 1110" snips
without any previous manifestation or sci -f hot-
' tility In the part of Desimerk. this etenove was not
bound, in strict jostiee, to canape itself to the
alleged necessity:and to restore to it that pro=
at a period ohm-prowetty,
the danger shall hue
by tie devimhle conclasi..o of a peace ? la bear-
kfig in mind the situation of that Power, and

1 -

nropricty of this
enhanced. With Frame,
there was al-
permanent source of
continue in vio-
power. such as
oppression of the weak
House no longer heard
Tilsit from Ministers.

insintaiued, mid sei
totally given up
For that deterim-
to the challenge in
,Ministers to the proof of
article sed to that Treaty in the
degree hostile or applicable to Great Brits.; u.
If that publication had not made its aapearanee,
the Douse would prolong,- have heard theta de.
feuding their conduct towards Denmark, by throe
secret articles of which they now scarce venture to
make a mention. The resolution of the Noble
Mover had his perfect concurrence, mud he advised
the I louse, voluntarily to do that which, whenever
the happy period of a termination of hostilities
shall arrive, it must do. Was it not better, then, to
teU France, when she interfered with this couutry
on this subject, that the question was previously
settled, and was plto4ether a separate arrange-
ment with Denmark ? li. was extremely sorry to
see his Noble Friend (lloringdon) lend his
11114111 e and couutenance to those scurrilous and
cooludly invectives with which, under shelter of a
state of hoitility, the degretled and mercenary part
of the public press was daily in the habit of topers-
lag smite of the in, ristiuguished and honourable
characters ise iiteut of Europe. It was a
discredit er and taste of this nation,
nirmils supported confiden-
trusted with the Goveru-
he Solite Lord decidedly
his Noble Friend.
se itglinist the motion.
red surprise at the turn the
The motion of the Noble
. upon the defence and jus-
Ministers flu the seizure of the
-4 proposed originally to de.
state in which it then was.
...kW now, what Ministers
nt. But supposing, for
-.eat, that a Noble Lori (Gain-
cross-bench, were to fall in with a
••• terns, upon condition of
be asked, if the Spanish
would he grant the saute
the Spanish fleet by force?
not ; but the two cases are
avowed, declared. open
attempted to say that
th England at Cie time the
differed with the Learned
on his construction of the
ed by him in support of our
:vit hating been able to find,
to justify such a measure
tinstLees. his Lordship took •
of notions, as applicable
It was clearly laid down
Belligerent country had a
property of a neutral, except
; extreme necessity. But this
oroperty sa seized was not to be
t of the party occupying it,
preserve it as much as possi-
after the necessity which
reused. Now, supposing
Danish fleet was a justiii-
.. country had been Cohn-
from necessity ; yet it would
to coavert that fleet to our
moment the necessity for tak-
it ceased, it ought to be restored.
then went to hold forth to the
this country. We had long
• the nations of the earth for
of luitiours and of justice.
of sea-mark, to winch the
were in the habit of looking np
weak, and the (left:niter of op-
:4:411111g, then, could save our
• act of the Administration,
such a resclution as was pro-
".iscount. If bonivil.itig of the
• should hare ail the isatioas
und if we sunk ceder this
should nut be able to find
.J .d bless es t" Ile wished
the case of Denmark to this
should ever happen that
ps: should be able to send
ter than ours; and suppose
this country to give up its
to such a demand frr a ino-
im oasripegmis, by sapetior
the demand, might we sot
Jar fleet would be restored
ion of hostilities unglit no
tentioa oevessore ? Then, if
Englishmen, why net act up

•soituaNn contenarAl. that

4os would be coareiing a
Makiesty't NI misters ; and if
opposete auk disapprove:l
:hens ado:: lot ward a tuotioa
put of the iaotiot. %tatted,
emeatial to :he bailout °lda*
Datti,U stUpa, u. wider that
owd," &e. Nem.. kir would
could br aeTceal to by that
a cengurt: oil t!aoe alto Iv!
hat fl. tt ? It imd b. an mid
t a state M. L'er.Lt
iirith wonder e! the world-
6eme—witieh had piuettl it iu
regard to the saizu:e of the
rat perrectb jaatitital by the
Ind by the aubsepteat.
'hat lantility rend-red it itu-

that tiret 1.:44:r. Core it
tircirer for the Howie to Come

,a 2, said. that after !lasing
cou.:l.ler:..cus to the s.ubject
on, it AlpilValreag that Mini-
nad that. frcri all
were fully juatillwd us or-
to be taken posiseosioo o 1

The negassity of rush & Tutosure must be appare::t
ta, those who ;opals:rod the known rOk11:4 lAtt
the inipestalMity of her 114•111 g ItWe' to
prevent Franco boat takii% her fleet, sad the in-
'clinatiou which Frauee must have felt to get pos-
session of it. When a doubt could mot remain
but that France adult' get this fleet, if F.ngland
did not take it, he convened that this autouuted

to a justification. But, however, while he thus
differed in opinion from those Noble lads with
whom he was hi the habit of hotiug on that side of
the linage, he would support the motion stow made,
because Denmark had Malt, s been friendly to-
wards this country, because our object iu taking
possession of the Ihniiisit fleet must have Iseen
solely to prevent it from gettini into the power of
France, and because, in his opinion, ao subsequent
hostility ou the part of die Dane* could take away
their right to a testitutiun, whenever the time
should arrive in which the restitutiou could' be
made with safety.
Lord Rantattata perfectly coincided in opinion
with the Noble Earl near him, that the present mo-
tion went to pass a censure on His Majesty's
tasters ; and as anch he could not trove to it. It
had been said by the Noble Lord, that Dv-month
had heeu friendly towards this country. lie denied
the truth of this assertion. It fell to his lot to know
that Deumark had not been friendly towards us.
He lied it en the authority of persons who resided a
considerable time at the Court of l'openhagen,
that the Danes, so far from being friewily, had
for many years past entertained hostile 114 W
tintents towards this country. 'fhey had uniformly
sul )))) itted to every aggression ou the !tart of France,.
while they never give up any point to Eugland.
%When almost all the other powers of Europe bad
confederated •against France, Denmark unilortisly
resisted every attempt that had been made to in-
duce her to take a part in the eotife,reraey. When an
armed neutrality a as-forined against this country
in the North of Europe, Denmark was almost the.
first to take a part in is. And upon the late occa-
sion, when we called upon her to git'e up the fleet'
as a deposit in our hands, did she not obstinately
resist every overture that might lead to an accom-
modation What other inference could be drawn
from all this, but that Denmark was secretly fa-
voicing the views, stud would not resist any
demand made by France to get possession of
her fleet. Under all these circumstances, the
seizure of that fleet was not only justifiable, but
Ministers would have acted with the Malt criminal
negligence, bud they not sent an annantent to
seize that fleet ? But as to any idea of restoriug
this fleet, bow could it be door with persons who
were in a state of open hostility with us ? Was it
.t to propose such a measure, at a time alien the
Emperor of Russia was arming his fleets ag111111.4
and when the Dimes themselves were leagued.
with France ? To offer such a thing now, would I e
bolding out beforehand those terms of acconinioda-
tiou, which ought only to form the subject of fu-
ture negos iation.
Lord DARN LW! spoke for some time in support
of the measure.
MuIArRAVE justified the expedition to Co-
, penbagen, r' the ground ant only of the imperious
necessity of the clue, but um the ground of the hos-
;tile spirit that had for some years been Olean to-
wards thtt comitri. IWhy did not those, who eon-
devilled the Danish Expedition, condemn also the
Expedition which they had ordered to be sent to
Constantinople ? The only diflerenee between the
•two was, that the one had been completely
successful, and that the other had failed. Now,
with respect to the nintion before the House, he
denied it to he a thing whirl) followed from the de-
claration published by Ilis3Ljestv relative to Den-
mark. His Lordship then moved dos reading allied,
part ofthe l'roclamation, pu shed by tl le command-
tug oflis era nt the time when they came hele..e Co-
penhagen. Pere it was expressly set forth, that if
• the ships were not given up voluntarily, they should
be seized and become the teoperty of the evertors.
How was this l'roclainatiou rervived? Why, L an
open declaration of hostility. Could any tiding,
*then, be more absurd, thou for the ileuss to pass a
vote, offering to give up that which the power from
whom we took it did not ask for or desire? From
the very moment we required the deposit of the
Danish fleet in our hands, Denmark declared her-
self our imeterate entiny. WoUld it not be • dis.
gradation in us to pass such a vote at this titne ?,
Would Noble Lards see the extraordinary pryer;
dent they were about to establish, by passing such
a vote as this? By doing so, they would lay down
this kind of principle, that, in all future negoi ha-
dons for peace, the first thing to be di.;•usefl
should be the prineiple of the war, and restitution
et property taken at t! e esinrueireement tit' the
der would be expected. It load been said, by
some Noble aArds, that we did nut want ship.,
but that it was men we wooled ; eel, there-
' fore, that the acquisition of the Danish ships could
be of no woe to us. Now to this he a nuld answer
directly, that we stood inure in Aced of ships than
of mane°. I+es was confident, that whenever an
occasion should arise of such itreeney as to require,
the greatest possible naval force for the defence of
this kingdrou, et would be possible to procure in •
f^w slays • sufficient iinnilitr of men to man all our
ships. Af.er the noble example of alacrity, lately
*hewn by the protected seamen of this country, in
corning forward at the moment when their services
were required; could arsy man doubt of the fa-
' eddy of gutting enough for any emerge. y in a
few ,ieeks ? But if se wowed more ships., could
we build them in the space of a few seeks, or
in the space of • year ?---If Bonaparte was now
has, had been asserted) building great num-
bers of ships, was it nothing. to take away
. sixteen sail of the line from him, which be
certainly would hare got possession of ? To de-
clare that we should keep these ships in the state
in which we Arend them, without converting them
to the purposes of defence, whenever it slicald Ise
11447e011:Irc to do so, would be defeating the olect
Par which we took possession of them.. woulsl.be
eschew fur any purpose of bringing about ua ami-
cable accounirodation with Denmark, and there-
fore he must oppose the motion.
Lord GREflvttLE tines row, awl began an able
and elepsent speech, by observing, that that House
hail already passed a vote of approbati,es on the
Danish Expe4ition. without any sort of es id. needy
whieli such a vote could be otiyottnt, It wins ex-
pected that His 31ujcsty's 511M.tere would' have

:43 before Parliarotut temp of tliatilSo:tuatiots
which they Mated they were iu I.o:xi:union of, M order
to chow how the Expedition could be justified. bill.:
no such inforusution was productyl„; and v‘itesil
called for, it was refused. lie hail, awing the pre-.
sent debate, heard with some surprise the observes.
tiou of a• Noble Lord, who advanced it by way of
jubtideution of the Expedition to Denmark, that
the Danes had, for several years, harboured a„boo.
tile mind towurtla this country. This was merely
opinion and assertion. How was it to be
proved ? What instances had_ the Danes shown

of such hostile disposition ? • But supposing
that they had such hostile feeling, was that a
justifiable cause of going to war with them ? of at-
tacking their capital, and taking their fleet? it
was no justification. if any such thing was sow
to be found in the world as the laws of nations,
that admirable code of jurisprudence, digested and
systematised from the labours of etuiueut men, and
acknowledged as a rule which govemed the con-
duct of one nation towards another. and which pro-
tected the weak against the oppression of the
powerful !—if such a law is now to be found, he
contended that, according to aucii law, nothing
could be considered as hostility in any nation, ex-
cept some overt net of %endure, or an actual decla-
ration of war. How theta could it be said, that

Deomark had tuty hostility against this couotrv,
and how could our attack be justified ? But It
was 'mitt that the situation of Denmark was so

changed, that the probability_sas her ships could
never be restored. Let the House be cautious be-
fore it proceeds upon u principle so unteitabli us to
the facts, and so mi.:Nikon in its inference. Let it
take care, thut as it was alleged to have seized
them upon a principle of self-preservution, it might
not hereafter be compelled by the force of the same
principleof self-presenratiou to restore them. Let
it look at the state and resource, for maritime great-
ness which the North' of Europe possessed, and let
it aportviate the facility and power Dennuirk now
had to participate in those means, and to pro-
fit of those rooftrees. If she should apply.
as she now most certainly will, her exertious
to the cultivation of those resources within her
power, to little avail have been the efforts of this
count ri to diminish her meaty of reenvery. or to de-
stroy the chiumels to her novitiate import:nice.—
Then, perhaps, the Noble Lords will be at last
convinced, that iustead of disarulug Denmark of
her fleets, they shalt have only culled ber into the
exercise of her energies, and stimulated her people
to make the most of the imam that our unjustifiable
attack has so powei fully furuii bed them with.—
It was nut in ships, or in the facilities of building
there, that the maritime power ufa nation was cen-
tred. It was not in the extent of dock-yards, or
in crowded arsenals. that naval superiority found its
invigorating principle. No ; that powerful engine
of security originated in the moral energy of the
people, in the experience cf it; suitors, in the dispo-
-114-dois to fight, manifested k Ivi ry portion of its
*fiat; and adventrous population. kt ill Denmark
WI in those influences? 11' ill she is ant inducement::
to Call on her population to meet the danger with
which she is menaced, and to avenge the insult
which has been committed on her security and in-
ilependeuee ? Unfortunately Great Britain has fur-
nished her with the incentives, at d has left no
duty more imperative than to avenge the uspro-
coked aggression executed in an I our of mous-
pectii% confidence upon her defeni gess people.—
The \oble Lords on the opposite side ought not to
deceive themselves. They will find the most effect
turd mode of disarming Deninsrk of her naval
means of advancing grentuess, will be, by restoring
the ships of which they have dei'rived her. The
Noble Baron then tolled upon their. Lordships to
, pause, before the - disreguroecl theonly re causing
opportunity of Fluting the numerous evils of the
alma?hire unju '' e attack on the righbt of a neutral
I state. .
Lord Ifewersnumr professed his disinclination
to trespass on the attention of the Haute fur any
length of time. It became, however, a duty for
those responsible for the emit-trot of the State, to,
iieclare their decided opposition to the principle,
the precedeut, and consequences 91' the resolution.then before the Heise. The Noble Secietarys
then took a retrospective view cf the proceedings
'of the gallant Officers who commanded thr expe-
dition agoinst Coperthegen. Every means were
taken by theta to avert the horrors of hostilities,
Before is gook bettolieetwas funded, they proposed
terms of accommodation. 'ln their declarations
they stated the aim illinguess to proceed to extre-
mities,:but the codex% ours were unavailing.—Still
they elid'net atop here, but previous to the actual
commencement of the bouilmAnient. they again
resorted to reinoostrance, ant deprecated that re-
sistuace a hich they knew to I e unavailable. Those
efforts proved also Mellott:id ; livid the Danish
Commauder, in . compliance wi.h the positive in-
vents-tilos of the Croon Prince &tenanted ou
hostilitier, totally inaccessibleto the remonstrances
of the British Generals, or to the calamities which
anti' obduracy mut entail on the inhabitants. Yet,
• even under such circumstances, it was probable
that the generosity of Ilis Majesty might have in-
duced him to extend the origiaal offer, 'although
there remained nothing iu the form of an obligation
to redrict, had not the Crown Prince disclaimed
all wish for amicable ncgoeiatiau, and taken every
means to hicrease the misuses of hostility between
both nations. In such a state of things would Par-
liament sanction a resolution' which went in its ope-
ration to restrict the power of the Executive Govern-
ment, by tying up the hands of the servants of the
Crown ? He trusted they is ould not, on an occasion
where the measure proposed was so little recom-
mended Greened for by any insisting circumstances.
He therefore deemed it his positive doty to give a
direct negative to the motion of the Noble Lord.
The singular escape of the fleet of Portugal con-
vinced the 'reentry of the mighty danger it had
escaped, by the seizure of the Danish navy.
Lord SIDSIOUTIO replied with a good deal of ani-
mation. He felt gratified in the discussion which
the resolution had called forth, although he must
say that it hail experienced. front the Noble Lords
who opposed it, • good ilemul of misrepresentation.
Ile ooritended. that the analogy attempted with
ctiopef t to the Toulon fleets, and the capture of the
Sranish ships, did not at all apply to the case of
Copenhagen. In the former instances, circuit..
seances of hostility had taken place sutfitieft. to
justify a declaration, but the assault of Copeuhagen

had the two characteristics of surprise qp„t
Son cominitted ou a neutral, independent. and
friendly power. Madeira hart also been snorted
to, hnt it was out of all fair and Irgitiinate cut.
.parison to make any such resemblauee. The owl-
duct of Great Britain, on that vet:nylon, ass tl at
of a friendly power extending its puma:lion is
weak but friendly-nation in the hour of inipersirox
distress. hi what fell from the Noble Seen wri.
there war nothing to convince: • His arglityytuts
ilium went to say, that, because this country hut
commenced a career ofinjustice, therefore it 911011
to persevere. He felt the converse of the irrups
sition, as due to the hitherto 'proud character si
Great Britain, and with such as impression he
alone mane forward, unprejudiced lay any pair
hostility to His Majesty's Servants, to porrsti the
duty he owed to himself and Lis country.
The anotiou being then loudly called for, the.
House divided, when there appeared—
Coutents ay, Week's tit 51
Nuu 10111008 (ii, PlOXiell 44 165

Majority against Ilse Resolation..... 54
Adjourn& at HALF-PLST ONE auta to-
stoma (this day).

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

r Trtom•s Ti:SITON moved ft)t the revival of the (lolls
of the 711; of August last for the production of corium,
Pupaerclatlve to Itutht. lie also titovcd for certain Papers
relative to the Pol,vgar War.--Ordered.
Tile SECIVT A lg at W a presented th- Araly Estimate%
shicit*cre hid npon the table, and urdrred to be pi-Intel
Mr. Astivry Coorrn presentvdcertain papers rclatitr to
the Ordnance.

A pecoen from the Commhisioners, under the Act f.r
gulutio; the nflict belonging to the House of Comae

presented certain paper.
There were also presented certain papers relative to
l'hano Navizstion.

Sir JOHN IA nnocx presented a Petltion from the Go-
vernor and Company of MereUnita tradiug to Mr Levant.
Mr. W. TAN LOR gave notice' that he sliuutd, opus ttaa
day sennielit, move fur the produtoon of certain papers re-
lative to the can kips of Spanish Specie from (be *pansy
ColuMea _ _

The Thanks of the Haase were voted to the Dean of Leo
culin,dlar the sermon he prtiched before the House yecteiday.
Mr. IV lit . moved fur the production of all the Its
sish ships captured, and till property belungiug to Danish
aribjects, condetured in the High Court of Admiralty, prg
times to the alb of Nor. 1807. Ordered.
Mr. Gn VI lAA stated to the House, that it was impow
intik forint:it to fores e what might be the amount of infix.
nudism to be derived from the papers Ministers had sar-
ranted to present, relative to the Expedition to the Duda-
neltes, taut he discovered that, inadditlon to those inured for,
then' were some *lnch he thought ought to have been is.
eluded. As he understood there would he no obinction, he
should not enlarge further thsu by observing, that he nil
reserved to himself the power of considering what farther
papers might be dectinsl necessary to elneulate this subjevt,
even after the whole papers already ordered bad beau p...
duced. He then uativetTfor copies or extracts of any imbue.
lions sent to His Majesty's Minister at the Porte, with f
ipeCi to the support to re given to the Court of Russia at tier
time the late Government wcrs first called to His Maajests
Councihs. Agreed to.
Colonel Noon mid, there was also another paper he
wasiM Irish to have before the House smolt the same subies,
be mesat thee instructions sent from the Government of th,s
snaky to the Isaiah gust. Mi Miry Officers, respecting the
&see neeeseury for the Expedition to the Hardened& s.
.Lord C•ari.ent,aeat observed, that the most regular
anode would be to Jive a previous uutice to that effect.
Cutonel WooD then gave his notice (or to-inorrow.
Mr. Or %Tutored, " hat there be laid helms the Howse-
* Copy of the Memorial resented to Ilia Majesty in 130,
by Sir H: Purl arm, piayiug fur the restituaMii of its pm
perty in the El Fomm."--Orilered.
• Mr. LUNG WIVE nethre' that ha shimlil to-morrow ncire
fur the production of a Minute preterite* to the Troaria;,
relative to this subject.
Mr. Dear then moved for several other papers also rels
titre to Sir H. Popham, which he raid be did at the gsllnv
Captain's men Minor, ter i inanimation of his chaster.
Mr. said, it was Mt leis
amused for any papers relative to Sir Ilene Popham, tall !h.!
Milker bad recovered from au erecideitt he had lately asst
wit* had cot the Hoitoorahle Gentleman opposite giver) •
MOW of his inanition to IsIOVe for some thither parrs, far
the pismire of dummying the.statmoi et he (Mr. Lushinelem
bid mode. Iles Wire% was to get the fulivait poseibie aS..teuce
of the Mete.. The Honourabk Gentleman moved tv t opy
oldie Petition of tlw High Court of Admiralty relative to
the 1.1 Etrano, and a the Represeatatims made by Sir Hume
Popham, together with Come* of venous Letters upon that
subvert.
/Wine conversation then took place, in which Mr. Lu aII-
iNCTIM said, that when these Papers were produced, be
Avoid thick it his duty to represent to the House, the Ho
Man sty's Government hod connived at it gross Jaloppies,
tem. u. the Public Money, Mid also to animadvert soinewhe
upon the character of Sir }CAM Popham. 'These Paper
were severally granted.
s 'O% r.v gate notice of a motion to-morrow, foga
Payee which might sheet the intelligence that had been tr.
erived by Goverument, relative to the inert-wed rigour, w,di
which France sod the nations under her contruol add e:i
forced the lkuree of tier 1 tth mat November, t,o,ri.
Yea, he saw:, in movie; fur this information, ass to coo
„upon chat ground it seas contended that the Order of Mc
7th ofJamiary head out answered the seetssary purpose.
The tu,sow,.ituh. Eathemier Bills Bill was brunets' op,
moil a tint, nod ordered to tee read a second time to-morro.
The Cank Loots rill, the Unelainsed Dividends hill,
and the Bill fur abolishing the OSice of Surveyor of the
'Nukiiiim on Petty C.o.toins in the l'ort of London, weer se-
verally committal, and the it:ports orrir.rd to be motOri
tu•morrow.
The Auseriran Treaty Bill was real a thipt rasa, sad
passed

•
it'
A. •
• •.‘•'- •
her means, the n
li..ldirrably enhanced.
actual hostilities,
'keys to tit country a perut
r apicion' hostility, but to
„ft %A cot amity to a secondary
•r,Le k, was only the ()Nimes
'tire strov. The House
6he secret arrenementa of -rail
at topic, once so ittroiegly ass
•.teu shafted, appeased now to be
by Ills Majesty's tiarerument. I
Indian the IriNtse was ialdrL tetl tt
the Manilas', which dared Aliniste
single secret article attached to tl
tanalleat degree hostile or ap pli cubit

inisours; of the most distiug
characters ou the coutineut
discredit to the character 61
to see such infauious Journ:
tiully by the persons costa
:neat or the country. The
supported the maims of his
Lout H RROW V spoke u
• Lord Etusuttis expressed
s argument had taken. Tin
VllCOillit was grounded upo
tifisnition set up by NlMistel
Dullish :Navy, who lied pro
liver it up in the same slat
}Bs Noble Friend ossly ado
originally propo.ed to gran
the sake of arl.minesst, tin
her) on the cross-bench,
Spanieh fleet, andutTer it ts
its surreader, it might b•
Consmaader refused, won
units after he had taken th
He would say certaialy ne
not parallo4. Spain is ass
enemy ; whereas, no ate.
Llenonark was at war with
peopositioa was made. He
Lnirl on the woolsack, on
livr of nation: , as applied
coaduct to Denmars.; tot
ItA that taw., any thing ti
under such cirt•unistauce
rural view of the laws e
to the present restion.
inkiness lass, at no B
right tts seise on the prop
in a cue of the most extr
vies not all :—tlat ,sropert
enavertiid to the use of
whose duty it was to pre
sat to restore it, a
• caused the seizure had r
that the Seithre of the I.
able act, which this c
polled to resort to from
sot be necessary to co
•
own use. The 'Donna.'
ins possession of it cease
present motion then
world the justice of thi
•
been celebrated among th,
the observance of faith, s
England i.us u kind of
•
countries of Europe were
as the protector of weak,
pressed couatries. Noth
4611411lettr &Qv this late a
gat the nolopti -in of such
Ly the Noiole Vises
kind was no.t d wean
• of the earth st„.ral,tat us:
state of dt•grztdtition, we,
a single person to say ••• a
lobsle Lords to apply th
country. Suppose it
sere.-al nations of Fass•rip
cut to sea a fleet
Obey should eckpaioss of t
Beet ; cosold'we listA•ss to
aieut ? Aisd if we welt
• force, to comply with th
suturally expect that co
to us, when the cessatin,
fortgEr renchor the 'Wen
this wiz the feelinn. of Fl
• to it with ot'..er Powers:
The Earl of WEseti
this motion, if agreed to
direct censure nu Ilis
ele Noble Lords ou It,
of their conduct. let tin
for their removal. One
that °• whetess it is rime
country to preserve the I
the same may he resew
telt how such a motion
• blouse, Without passing
advised the seizure of de
that the country was, is
but was it not that sigh
Ilse late. Administrtiou-
that situation ? Wads n
Paaish deer. the act was
net-roars of the comes aso
Clity orllensourk. The
• possihole :sou. to Nitrite t
would he highly Mastro'
to a•sy resolution upon it
The Earl of SCLMIL
girt ii she aunt attentive
of the Danish Expelitio,
lens hap made out a (lea
the circumstances. they o
amiers the l)aotish fleet I
. -