The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-06-04 00:00:00

rionticiliatrl in Split! eel other countries, having
twee driven out of three by the cruel ',obey we Theis
observed tetrarch the Catholics. It mooned to he
moo on retreat, proposition that a man could lay
down in. litir'leliCe whenever he chose, by enternig
into the service of • foreign power at his own ili4-
creirm.—f Cries 4 Hear, hear," from: the Op-
position Bessehes.)--10 to the Swim, they certainly
moved the liberty of hiring themselves to any
state, nsy, tos two Matte at War with each other.
BM he did not think that a At-topic to• Ire boob.
*Sliced iiito the debate. Wes it to be held mit to
ihr people of Engiatid that they might sell their
~.tercel' se isohltere in whomeover they plenseel—
thin the agents of both the belligerent parties
"night do whatever They them to obi recroota—
end that they might engage to point the bayonet
at
one Rimester breast? What was the fact of the
rase ? Folistment for the South American Colonies
1,4. carried on with a rapidity which he thought
frilly thaerediteble to his Majesty's Mmisters not
to have checked before. Only the other day, au
oplirrr aiteil, that on .the dtrobasiding of • battalion
or which he had the comnomd. at Chatham. no less
th,„ 300 of them immediately celistell with the
seems of the Colonies. But the practice had been
yong on to a notch greater extent in Ireland. Be-
woo the two Arts which had been mentaime4 in the
enura of the &Kite, there were three similar Irish
ems, which perhaps ought to be looked at before
the present Bill was carried through all its stages.
To slim that it was the custom of neutrals to grant
licenses to enable the subject to enter into the ser-
vice of foreign states, he might refer to the case of
Adm. Knowles. And had this country bees, siegli-
gent i.e 'misting on her right that no armament should
be ',emoted molest her in the dominions of neutral
onto? Nn; the memorials eonstantly presented to
the French Court against buffering ...Os to he raised
in its dominions, for the cause of the Pretender, suf-
ficiently proved it, and the justice of the principle
led hem lov it always admitted. He thought it
nglit the Buhl should go to a Committee, though
th. clause respecting the detention of vessels might
there require further consideration. The necessity
of the principle that the subjects of • neutral could
not enter into the service of a belligerent state
without licence previously obtained from their own
Government was obvious ; becsuise otherwise they
might cuter iota such service immediately on the
eve of a war with their own country, or might be
found successively lighting on opposite sides. The
ilen. Gentleman limn argued that the predatory
and sledge nature of the contest in South America
would (rive a very injurious eff-ct on the character
an:l halals of the person* who should take part in it.
Sir R. Witsote mobilised.
Mr. F. Dovaloas said, beat at any other time be
r.•:orici have wasted till others of his Hon. Friends
around hint had expressed that sentiments, but on
the present occasion he felt hitasel called on to rise,
lie differed so entirely from all C•e principles end
opinions laid down by the last speaker. He thought
that views of ',fairy atone might have prevented
hliaisters front I/V/3;1010ing a measure like the pre-
brut; not only good policy, but a regard to the
feelings of the country, siLal.! have (hewed another
line of echo's. for he would venture to say, that
swore of English feelings and exertions were vested
to the cause of the Smith Americans than in any
other. distinct from its own. that ever awakened all
"interest in the coutary.—/ Hear.) —The people were
interested in the success of the Colonies, not only from
hopes of increased commescial advantages. but from
nobler motives. Therrecollected that these very
Saatsislt Americans had been first roused into action
—had been first animated into their present oppo-
'Minn to the oppression of Spain, and the gloriosa,
struggle for freedom they were now carrying on. by
the Government of this country.—(!leer. hear.)—
They called to mind that the buds of independence
now expanded and flourishing in those regions,
were first called forth by ourselves.—(ileor.)—
Bet it unfortunately happened too often that foreign
oations were spirited into an assertion of their rights
by this country, and afterwerils deserted when ttlie
Notile Lord ooposite lied changed his views of
our loreign policy. According to the general law of
sietiam, the subjects of a stristr•il state might give
their assistance to either of two belligerent., :is they
thought -'roper. He thereftwe contended, that all
any belligerent power could require of a neutral
was a return to ancient laws ; lent it was absurd
A leo one of time parties to the contest should require
to have new lows vended for its own peculiar bent-
ht, and to the prejudice of the other party.—
The Treaty with Spain in 1814 could not be a
foundation for the Bell, as it had never been dis-
cussed or approved of by the House. The policy
a other states should not lee proposed as en exam-
ple for ours, inasmuch as our policy hail always beets
to ourselves. which was a principal ground
of our hitiosial greatness. He considered it must
unwise to 'hut up the only vent thateeemed to have
here providentially opened for the disposal of Bri-
tish merchendise, sod thought the habits of oar
countrymen would be improved by learning tosytn-
p•othiae with the aspieatious of brave wen after
liherty.
Mr. AlAate at? rose to support the amendment.
It had happened to him to be a witness of the mode
of government pursued by Spain towards her
latlnnies, and he did not think she bad any sort of
claim on tither states to enable her to perpetuate
Mich 3 system. The Finn. Member these described.
at 'engin, the spirit of rapacity. exclusion, cor-
Talan4ii, and oppression. which had characterised
ilir gt)n riialellt of the South American Provinces.
Artl traced the different steps by which the Colonies
'r •1 liten led to the assertion of their independence.
)1• tlitiught the Colonies must ultimately be sue.
'"lttl, as the treasures of the mother country
*rte derived from their territories. and would at
fill distant time be cut off. while they would
every day be gaining strength ; and because the
siatural desire of the United States of North Ame-
rica to relive the New to an equality with the Old
Would, could not but be expected shortly to
break .tut to the advantage of the Southern States.
the principle of neutrality was so much in.
"1"1") on. did we, he asked, act up to that princi-
? We certainly did nut. A vessel, he recol-
lected, was Moored with himself, which vessel carried
out arms and military stores to South America,
• under cunvoy of one of his Majesty's ships, fur the
service of the cause there. He would nest
state a case of s most melancholy nature, which
hoppened, he niggle say, in consequence of our io-
40c-fetter. A number of inhabitants, men, Ivo.

- w toPk• • V Allworialri"._t

men, and cisilaren,reere driven from a town of the ; tiady to tiller the nature ttml Character of the me.-
Cureeetia he Genre' Morino. *lel fled fur shelter ; sure, and to render it oppressive, maim's, and inhu-
to Trinidad; but though no the most &wide . inset. Ile agreed with MS lion. Friend below him
and mite able situation. they were not • suffered in thinking that the Bill proceeded from a foreign
lii laud—they were obliged to go hack from suggestion, end from a quarter, of all others, the
whence theY'cante, where they were most Mho . bast entitled to expect or to receive it mark of
moody mislacreil, without distinction of sex, of special grace or favour f the British Govern.
situation. or of age, and their botlien were left I meat. Could it be forgotten that no measure of
without interment. a prey to the fowls .4* the air. j the kind was proposed at the isoinmencement of this
The Hon. Gentleman contended that if we altered coeteto ? Perhaps, indeed, it del not occur to the
our policy with respect to one country. we were Noble Lnrill that his ceuritrYineu would feel so deep
hound to alter it with regard to all countries, as and so ;intent tin interest in the cause of illegieimatee
to the law prohibiting our subjects from enlisting as to induce them to transport themselves to the
in foreign service ; and at the present mowed. beetle of action, to throw themselves on the shorts
when en ardent military spirit was in the country. of a distant land, with tin other ohj-et than that of
it must of erveece somewhere. and it were better glory, tent no ether hope than that of fighting and
let it do so *broad than at home. We have. triumphing in the cause of liberty. The struggle
he said. a number of officers attempting to live m had existed for the lust eight or nine years., anti no
on half-pay, which was ton scanty for their sup. such measure was thought of. The Noble Lord
port ; we have a number of officers and floe- had said that the Government did not wish to in-
commissioned officers who receive no pay at all. terfere whilst any hope of reconciliation remained
Was it, he asked. wise or just to prevent those between Spain and her Colonies; but the Noble
brave men from earning their bread in a foreign Lord knew that ever since the Impanel of Lord
country ? Was it worthy of this boasted land of Wellesley to Cntliz, all hope of recoticiliatioti was
freedom thus to effidislC the heroes who fought for chimerical—the sword was drawn, sod was nut to
its existence, and to deny them the fair and honour- be sheathed—
able opportunity of drawing their swords us a noble " Helium, bellum ad internecionern!'
cause. ? Much had been said of the Treaty between But when biave men hail conintitted themselves
this country and Spain—such *Treaty he recollected against the Spanish Government—when they were
hid been laid on the table of the House in 1814, fighting fur all that was sacred and dear to man--
but hail never been acted on. Ile considered the when the prospect of their glorious deliverance was
words of that 'Treaty as mere diplomatic courtesy— at baud—and when they were about to strike a
mw he believed it was considered generally ; tin one death blow against the power that had long op-
dreamed that on that Treaty an excuse would be pressed them, then it was that Ministers held out
found for introducing isito the House an Act such a saving hand to the last efforts of expiring tyranny.
as the present—au Act which was really intended To the measure. or principle of the measure. he
to give advantage to a Government whose founds- strongly objected, and his objection was the more
tious were those of tyranny. It never should be strong, when he considered the molter' of intro.
forgotten by ibis country, by every civilized and (toning it ; lie looked upon it that the Hellish Par.
liberal country in the world, that one of the first fitment were now called on to enact laws under
acts of the ungrateful and besotted Ferdinand the dicta, ttttt of a foreign potentate. It had
wises' he regained the throne, and after our troops, been said. that the present caste had nut been
who hail restored him to that throne, had retired, foreseen iu fortner times. No; it was not fore-
sees to offer up public thankegiving that the coup. seen tint in the course of our hundred years.
try was do longer polluted by heretics.--(Hear. f— that proud mei haughty Spain would to he called
His next step was to testore the Inquisition—to its. on to war, tioe wall the powers of Europe. but
troduce the horrible system of torture-1n a word, no with her violins—with the persecuted and en•
act that could smirk the wanton features of tyranny. slaved subjects. upon whose twat* she had placed
cruelty. and injustice. was omitted by his odious her foot rem all the insolent cruelty of power—it
Government. Was it then, he asked, to assist such a was not foreseen that the proud spirit of man
Government that tins country should interfere ? i would rise up in virtuous rebellion against the acts
No; all that could be expected (rota us was a cold of his eppreesors, and would shake in hits mighty
and strict neutrality. struggle the enervated and emasculated Monarchy
Sir C. Rout Moe supported the Bill at colon- of Custile. He, for one, hail too much faith in the
derable length. Ile contended, that having on a;1 virtue of the British Parliament to thick that it
occasions, especially fluting a war of unprecedented could lend itself to the views of Spain, and he trust-
exertion. observed a strict neutrality. we were ea that, however well.. led her hopes may be on
bound to act on the same principle now—it was a other quarters. that the vote of this night would
paramount principle which could not he abandonsal. convince her that she grossly miscalculated the cha-
He had read, he said, in a paper lately circulated meter and the feelings of u British douse of Com-
bs this City, and which had been inlet rte.' to by an mouse if she ever hoped for their comitenenCe in a con.
Ilan. Gentleman opposite, much of the policy test against the dearest liberties of human nature.
practised by this conntry, at the time of Jams a Flow, lie asked, did it happen, that the character of
time First ; but it should hot be forgotten that the this country had been so much misrepresented ?
present situation of this country was trey different How did it happen that a nation glowing with the
from the situation of the country at s oat day. Ile purest virtues, blessed with liberty. and ever
contended, that since the Treaty of 1630, up to the anxious and happy to impart to others time blessings
Treaty of 1814, that the principle of iientrality was m she possessed, was still held up to the world in a
always acted on, and there were precedents in our different light? He imputed the loss of the na.
Courts which went fool/ to establish it. In the tional character to foreign diplomacy, which encou-
erinainul side of die Court of Admiralty, au in- I raged principles at war with human happitiess, and
dsctmeist was foiled in the aBth of Car. 11. against Great Britain, after a struggle remarkable for virtue,
a subject in this country, for cruising in a French valour, and good fortune. that yet in the proud mo-
vesast in the service of Spain, being then in 'unity meat of her glory, her character was compromised
with this country. The Act then, he contended, but by act* that excited nothing but disgust. The Hon.
explained the kw as it stood. In time Treaty between Gentleman next alluded to the cession of Florida.
England and America, in 1784, there was an ex- which he described as highly injurious to British
press stipulation, that the citizens of either come. I interests.. The nation, he said, revolts at the re-
try should not act in hostility against the oilier; sent measure—the moral feelings of a high-minded
that they should accept of no commissious. or fit people could not he stifled, end were not to be op-
out ally vessel fur the purpose of assisting the rue. posed. The Government of this country rests, as
mien of such country ; awl that, in ease of any ci- its surest foundation, upon public opinion ; and
itztel doing so, he should he punished as a pirate. whatever might he the extent of popular errors,
lie confessed he read this Treaty with astonishment. good sense will he always found to rally round a
He never would agree in the doctrine, that, though good Government. The expression of public feel.
guilty of such an act, any of the subjects of this ing will prevail, in despite of the arts of the Noble
Government could be legally punished as pirates. Lord, fur these feelings were stronger than power
But 'there lie saw able statesmeis acting thus. in itself.
igoorance of the fair p elide, it was the more tie- Lord CASTLEREAGH contended, that the Bill
cessary to introduce the preseist Hill, to clear away was merely intruded prospectively. Ile said, that
all doubt', upon the subject. All that the Bill went levies were publicly made, and military force orga-
to establish was to enforce the principle which. with weed, and vessels fitted out in our harbours der.
regard to the nations of Europe, had been universally titled for the easistance of the insurgents. As the
eviction. Ile knew that the cause of the South Attie- law stood, the Government could not prevent these
beans was a popular one; but lie was at a loss to I proceedings; but he submitted to the good reuse
comprehend ou what ground they could he fairly of the House, whether Great Britain could, con-
exempted from that law by which all the stater I eistently with the principles of policy end good faith,
of Europe were regulated. l'he principles of the countenance those measures. He begged of Gentle.
Bill were those which influenced our ancestors to- men to suppose, fur a moment. that this country was
visuals belligerent powers ; and as this was the first situated as Spain W. If our Colonies rebelled against
itistairce since the establishment of peace, where it our authority, mid if military preparations were
clime snider consideratitm. it should be acted on made, and expeditions sent out by Swainish subjects
with firmness, cleanses., and impartiality. to their aasistence, would we not have great court to
Mr. JAMES MACDONALD amid. lie would not stop remonstrate? He could not but consider such con-
to examine the force or application of ilia Doctors' duct shameful in the last degree,and lie should hope
Coinutour logic. which had been exerted in de- that the House would not act oil die suggestion of
leaser of this measure; but this he would say, that merchants, who, I very contracted and inietakesi
the measure stself„ should it unfortunately succeed, view*, would encourage those injurious and improper
would go to time destruction of the Smith American sets. Here the Noble Lord proceeded to observe
cease. He hail heard much from Hun. Gentle- with sonic severity on the meeting lately held at the
men on the abstract right of this country. Upon City of London Tavern on this subject. He then
that he would say little. Undoubtedly the House proceeded to argue that it was a mere delusion of
had the power, if it had the heart. to liana the Bill. Hon. Gentlemen to say. let the law remount, as it
But when he heard it %warned that the Bill was i viands, because the law as it stands would not MP.
only reviving the law as it already stood, he would i ply, and could not prevent those proceeding* which
say, that if the principles of the common law were l it was the object of time Bill to restrain, It was, lie
those which the Bill embraced. the country would said, remarkable, that in the early part of the de-
have never heard of the present measure. The bate the Hon. Members opposite were unable to
Hon. Gentlemen at the opposite side. though they press their argumeets on this subject with a grave
did not reply to the arguments urged with so much countenance, so well aware were they of the weak.
furce and ability against the 11111, had certainly ness of the cause they were edvocatiog. He trust.
succeeded in disfiguring and distorting them. He led lie had sufficiently shewn, that the present nice.
would endeavour to bring back the recollection of bun was supported by the laws of nations; and
the House to the coneidenstion of the question, as l that if this country were reetolvert to be honest. the
stated by the llou. Member who spoke lest but prevent stitoject called especially fur legislative inter-
one, and his Hon. Friend the Meniber for Sand- Terence. The Hon. Member who spoke fast seemed
wide They never pretended that it was the duty to thick that this country was not qualified to main-
of Government openly to employ the military re. tail a system of neutrality. in cousequeoce or some
sources of this country in the South American excitement formerly given by this country to the
cause. still leis; that they should do so covertly. inlitroitents of South America to throw off time
His Hon. Friends felt that the, first proceeding power of Spent; but he protested against binding
would have been foolish, and the second would this country to a course of section which she might
have been unworthy and undignified. What they have adopted when she was at war wish Spain
coi.trodell for asap that the Government of this Hear, kearl—a:stl was thereforepietified its taking,
country should act upon a strict principle of 110 a: . very advantage of every circumstance that might
interference—that they theutil stand in a calm and occur to weuken the curing.—(Dear, Itear.e—lt
digniti•A attitude, *oboist evinceig interest or par. was a monstrous doctrine that soy act of this country
tidily for one party or the other. It should be re. in 1797, should he pleaded in liar of Treaties sub.
collected, that time and circumstance* teud mate• sequently concluded with Spans, and fur which the

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