The National Register.
London, England, 1815-09-24 00:00:00

610

which -sails of the line are now built and equipped
by each state of the Union, she will still preserve a nume-
rical superiority in vessels ; but experienced seamen and
not ships alone form a navy, and she would have only raw
hands to manreuvre her squadrons and light her battles. In
such a situation could she hope to preserve the sovereignty
of the sea? Could she even long maintain an equipoise of
maritime power, and hers once lost, although she might
retain her territorial independence, could she keep a frag-
ment of that trade which she now almost singly engrosses,
of that prosperity which Tyre in her days of pride and of
fortune pever equalled, and of that influence which now
wields nations as the instruments of her will, and seems to
mould the destinies of the world ?
These are not imaginary or distant perils. Even
whilst we write, the substance of our maritime Empire is
passing away, and unless measures are adopted to stop the
easy but rapid downfall of our grandeur, by preserving in
peace the elements of our triumphs in war, the awful
voice that sighs over the ruins of • Tyre and of Carthage,
will soon have to proclaim—that Britain has bcen.

THE LAST REGAL MOMENTS OF MURAT AND
HIS WIFE.

When Murat after his total defeat, returned to Naples, on
the 19th of May, of the whole of his army only four of his offi-
cers accompanied him.—He presented himself to his wife
with a pale and downcast countenance, saying, " Madame,
why could I not die?" This was the last phrase he uttered in
play ing his part of King of Naples. Terror had taken pos-
session of the palace, and the city was in. a state of tumult.
The conquerors refused to include the fugitive King in the
capitulation, by which the kingdom was delivered up to them.
Next day (the 20th) Murat cut his hair, which he used to
wear long and in curls, and dressed himself in a grey coat,
without any decorations. Thus disguised he secretly reached
the shore, whence a small boat conveyed hint to the Isle of
Ischia, and thence on board a merchant vessel, which waited
far him a few leagues off: Ilis wife, who appears to possess
snore vigour of mind, made her retreat more majestically.
She first retired with her children to the castle of Ova, and
afterwards to Gaeta, still maintaining communication with,
and some authority over, the fleet and the arsenal. She
sent Prince Cariati to propose to Commodore Campbell, that
he should receive her, under the protection of Great Britain,
on board his squadron, and that, to ensure her embarkation,
500 soldiers.sbould be sent to meet her. All this was granted
cn condition that she should immediately deliver up to his
Britannic Majesty and to Ferdinand IV. the arsenal, and the
little Neapolitan fleet. Thus Caroline Buonaparte obtained
time and facilities for embarking her plate, jewels, ready mo-
riey, all that vias valuable of her property, and about 500 of
her partisans. Her departure was a singal for the populace
of Naples to ►edouble their outrages; but the arrival of the
conquerors soon re-established order. The Heir of the
Throne made his entrance, and the Queen could see from the
Bay of Naples the illuminations which celebrated the over-
throw of her tyranny. She was about to sail for Antibes, but
her departure was suddenly suspended by the Austrian Ge-
neral, wh,o reclaimed her. It was necessary to make a new
capitu'ation, and to sail for Trieste, whence site was conduct-
ed with her children to Fratz, in Sty ria —The valuable gold
and diamonds, the possession of which was left to her in vir
tue of the capitu'ation with Commodore Campbell, is esti-
elated at t 8 millions of francs ; but the diamonds and other
riropet ty are claimed by the Courts of Naples and Spain, as
imlonaing to these bwo Clowns.

trap
.11-Ill•

• •
•

SEPT. 24.

DESTRUCTION OF PD!?' RDYAL, JAMAICA.-

It is with much sorrow we atiw'u re a drea,ltol event. wls'ch has
laid almost all the town Of Port It I. Jamaica in NO es The tot.
lowing account is extracted from ti t Jamaica Rorial Gazette.:—

Jansaics,July 15.

gi We have this day the melancholy and ektru.•litv task of recording
the effects of a fatal and destructive fire, svi ich broke our it. the town
of Port R.,yal about helipast oar o'clock tots noon It
began in a negroeyard in Cannon-street, and was occasioned by a negro
woman's making a fire in an intro!). r Wei e It qui kI c comd,utticated
to the adjoining buildings, and anion the fir', to Miss Fiteuiii's fine
lodging-house ; from thence it spread its ravuges to q.e hic and
opposite houses, and froni the very .tents hreer 'ha iir• eiiiled,
burning shingles, &C. were soon viafte'd to others, whit hty leg rtniark-
ably dry, quickly burst tint itt d blaze, so that by tea+ o'clock three as
four parts of the town were burning in a must horrid ni un r.—The
Ci usternation that now prevailed ii the town, as we air ihttamed,
surpasses description ; every minute fresh flames tt ere .• forth ;
the principal street in which the Court-house, Tarrant'' Tlyet it, Mr.
Bassan's and Mr. Jackson's stores, are situ •ted, becietwe •• eeltime of
fire and smoke, and from thence it spread to the whole of the streets
and lanes towards the harbour, the wharfs, and the Naval Hospital,
Mr. R. M Kowan's house and whsrt, and all adjiiiiiii.g, to ,‘ithin a
few houses of the Officer's quarters on the Pa t dde. The fire Laving com-
municated to Mrs. Whittaker's house towards the west corner of the
Parade, it was suggested to pull down the houses opposite. so as to open
a passage between those on fire to those uhieli ii had net yet reached.
which. being effected by very great exeiriohs. was the means of pre-
venting the flames from continuing their feta+ off ern Owe' tie row of
houses on the Parade leading to the Artillery Hospital %hick were
thus fortunately preserved from the dreadful element. The D •ck-yard
has been miraculously saved nothing but the extratirdiears exertions
and skill displayed on this unhappy occasion could have •• cured it ;
as it is, some of the buildings near the wall, close to Mr. Jackson's
tire, have been demolished, partly by the fire, and partly hs pulling
them down, to prevent the flames from communicating to those of
more value, situated further in the yard. To attempt to esiiiiitae the
loss sustained by, or particularise individuals u lio have suffered on this
Me! ncholy occasion, would be absurd. Suffice it to say, that, of
all classes, some have lost much, and some their little all I The fire
was not completely got under until early yesterday morning, and of ill-
fated Port Royal all that now temains, besides the Dockyard, is Fort
Charles, the Artillery Bar-acks and Hospital, the Church, the street
in which Mr. Peter Doffilits house is situated, the street at the
back of it, in which Mr. Henry Beer's liquor-story is, and also from
about fourteen to sixteen houses on the Parade, commencing from Mrs.
Clarke's old lodging house, and running each-way to about six or seven
houses.
" We regret to state. that several lives were lost on this unfortunate
occasion.
"Au alarm of fire was also given in this city yesterday, *bleb,
however, was soon extinguished : it proceeded from a small house in
Matthews's-lane, and it was discovered that a parcel of rags had bees
stuffed under the shineks, which had taken fire. Indeed, from
ap-
pearances, it seemed as if they had been wilfully set on fire by some
incendiary."

[FURTHER PARTICULARS.)
Kingston, Jamaica, JCIly 15.
Two seamen, belonging to the Carnation brig, of 18 guns, were killed;
a seamen belonging to La Deeouverte brigantine, had his skull spit
open by the tailing of a beam, and dropped dead on the spot, Rear
Admiral Douglas standing near him at the moment ; a negro man was
killed by the falling of a wall, and two children are stated to hare beeu
burnt. Several individuals are wounded---among them, a seaman oF
La Deeouverte, and one of the Royal Artillery dreadfully, besides many
negtoes. A vast number of unfortunate individuals walked from
Royal along the palisadoes for this city, about fifty of whom reached
Fart Nugent yesterday in a most deplorable state ; while many, com-
pletely etch iusted, were compelled to lie down on the road, without a
drop of water to allay their thirst, and we fear some may perish, if
veldt'', are not sent to convey them to town ; imdeed, the scene of
desolation and misery, that this dreadful fire has occasioned, is truly
m”laticholy, and can only be imagined by those who have witnessed it.
Shocking to relate, during this horrible scene of desolation, and bile
the unfortunate sufferers were in the utmost despair, a 'umber of
ruffians ((we must call them sa), destitute of all feeling and principle,
proceeded to plunder the trifling property that individuals were enabled
to snatch from the conflagration: a few of these depredators have been
taken and lodged in the Guard-house of this city, and some of the
goods ikszorcred : several bare esoped, but siuctmly bore due

~ •.:. w'7

§EPT. 24.

. trik

sew, . t. 'mole for hem, and, if apprehended that they, and those
. in cu it their barb:it...us crime can be brought home to them, may
ram- a •.11111 totient suit,ble to their merciless conduct.
We understand that two engines; which were dispatched from this
city with great promptitude, mie from the Ordnance wharf, the other
from the C.turt•liouse, were tri great' service ; several other enttitei
were forwarded to the where% -wharf, but 'rota the want of boats to—
con, ty them, could not be sent off. •
We rej kr to observe that measures are in progress fir affording
goint• relief to the unfortunate sufferers. A meeting of the inhabitants
of city, milled by hii'Hunotir the Mayor, took place at the Cowl-
house of ten o'clock this forenoon, when a subscription list waif opened,
and we ',Agri. 41.. flouts!, that the amount of it, when closed, will be
ht that I.betality ..filch so distressing an appeal to cur feelings
requiies.. The Harasonv, Independant, and Uoion Iklasonic Lodges
buys advertised tor lull meetings of their members, the first for to=
morrow evening. and the two latter on Monday, for the smite purpose ;
and an mopesl to the people of colour, noticing that 'subscription list
is ope cif at Mr. Join Lodge's warehouse, in Harbour-street, is also
wade public. We are likewise iiituroued that an attracting perfor.
mince, fOr the sole benefit of the unfortunate people who have suffered,
i: to be got up at the Theatre in rhi, city.

Jut Y 12.
A very excellent and affee:ing discourse was delivered by the Rev
Mr Maim in 0 e Church of this city tin Sunday forenoon, from the Id
chapter Job, and 10'Ii yt•r-t. ;•• ? shall we receive good at the
Gini, and shall we not receiv- evil ?" in which he ,trentriihdy
estate teil the u fortunate sufferers by the late dreadful conflagration to
be.tr tneir c ditty with resignation, and drew a touching picsure of
their siiihitio s hich excited strong sympathy, whilst he culled on the
humanist of his congregation to alb viate their distress, by contributing
each fio, 111111 e ii) s charity' so bt't 011/111g 4 dandier'.
A fire tsrukc Out at Port Royal 011 Monday night, occasioned
by tile -tirelessness u a negro with a lighted candle, in the ant offices of
one ,tt the 'lunges %side') fortunately escaped the late conflagration, but
being early discovered, it was soon 'sappily extinguished by the exer-
tions of the neighb Ors
0. Tuesday, George Brown, a free black man, was brought up and
under,yent a lung ex iiiiination before the Sitting agistrates, on a charge
of being concerned in plundering at Port Royal, during the fire in that
town, on Tilursday se'nnight. Sereral witnesses were exantined, whose
deposirions were taken, and. alter an investigation„ which lasted till
about two o'clock, he was remanded to the guard house. There are
sever.il where; in custody, charged with the same offence; who are to
undergo examination,

In c•in•equence of a number of improper characters appearing in
Pert Wiyal mince the late conflagration, for the purpose, it is suppoed,
of plunderilig, application •sac made on Tuesday, by the Magistrates,
to the Commanding Officer of the R yal Artillery, for assistance in
apprehending them, when Capt. Petley, in the absence of Col. Smith, im-
mediately ordered out a body of th,it corps tur the purpose. A 'range
of sniall buildnigs,near the Artillery Hospital, were afterwards searched,
when several articles were hound, and carriod to the guard-house, to
remain until the', can be identified by the owners. Notice was also
given that .ill .lave•, ithold iii time town without tickets, would be appre-
hended and sent to Kingston for confinement. Patroles paraded The
street during Vie greater part of the day to preserve order, and, we
are hal►ps rii say in consequence of the above measures, a horde of
•agab n•►• • v." tied that ill-fated town, who had gone thither.
no d • t, to rob the tnitortiiiiitte initutillants of what little they had
aavrd OM the flames.

We bre happy to observe that the subscription for the sufferers by
the fire at I' u di promises to be of such an amount as to afford
them considersble relief

ON GROWN BUILDING LEASES.

TO VI lUS.

SlR,—Your address to the Right Iron. Wm. Huskisson,
in last w 'ek's National Register, caused me to deliberate
en th,, subject, and I am in•consequence free to say, that
&Mono you may be a good constructor of buildings, as
implied by the name you have taken, I very widely differ
with yoo upon the principle you recommend the Commis-
Sinners of the Land Revenue to act upon. Many men
become builder‘, even upon cheap Ground Rents, but they
forget the means, in tho first instance, requisite for the
progress of the works ; on the other handl the financier_
ing arrangement of every branch of Government does no

.

4.

Y

'AL RFCTfTER.

611

appear to. be Clearly comprehended. by Ton; the primary
object being Revenue, 611 stitch a Principal may always
be borrowed from the people at huge ; :tliel•efdre. I should
advise' instead of reducing the first rent,' te mainta:n the
,
same, upoirti :fair value, discouraging thereby, in part,
a Bankruptcy, by unnecessary buildings, while the trade
of the country is at so low an ebb ; and to offer a bonus
to builders (as is about to he exercised in some way by
Government at the Regent Circus, under Trustees, upon
the present failure) towards the completion of the build-
ings. Now, Sir, with a view to embrace all the points
enumerated by you, I should propose, with the concur-
rence of Mr. \ash, and subject to Mr. Burton's appro-
bation for one (who • would no doubt be glad to meet add
adopt the measure, as a fondling child) for the COmmis-
sioners under the " New-street Act" to make their usual
terms for Ground Rent subject to a Loan of ten times the
Annual Rent, being advanced when the building becomes
an adequate security, at and under a moderate and !fiat
interest, to be sunk. as additional or improved (round
Rent (i. e. upon every 101. original Ground Rent, to ad-
vance 1001. bearing 51. per cent. per annum is such im-
proved rent). This mode would stir up speculators, if
the scheme was properly arranged for their progressive
supply, which I venture to say I could manage and effect
in all ways, abiding the event for my own remuneration :
and was this plan now set on foot, the Builders would
have increased employ, and tenants would `soon be found
to occupy as readily upon adequate terms, as well as
where you seem to intimate on the Duke of Portland's
property; inasmuch as Goiernment have so many more
different sites to offer for .the various trades or occupa-
tions, as well as for people of fashion ; whereas the few
shops you argue upon, in Piccadilly, are more applicable
for toys and other light articles of manufacture, but not
for general purposes.—Perhaps you and I, if known to
each other, might improve ideas on this subject ; or,
while this channel is open to us, your further obser% a-
tions will be occasionally attended to by
ARCHITECTUS.,
London, Sept. 18, 1315.

DUELPIEVENTED.

•
A stop has been pnt to the projected duel between Mr.
Peel and Sir Charles Saxton, on the one hand, and Coun-
sellor O'Connell and Mr. Lidwell on the other. The
two latter gentlemen had arrived in town from Ireland on
their way to the Continent, when on Monday morning Mr.
Lidwell was taken into custody by two peace officers,
under the authority-of, Sir N. Conant, and conveyed to
Lord Ellenborough's Chambers, -where, he was boud►d
over to keep the peace, here and elsewhere, with his Ma-
jcsty's subjects. Mr. Ponsonby and Mr. Butler appeared
as Mr. Lidwell's bail. Mr. Lidwell was bound in 1()01.
• and the other two gentlemen in 5001. each. The next day
Counsellor O'Connell was secured, and on Wednesday
conducted to Mr. Justice Le liianc's chambers, where he
entered into recognizances to keep the peat:P., himself in
10001. and hie two surities, Messrs. Paterson and O'Neill,
in 5001. each. It is said that the parties, whose progress
to the Continent has been intercepted, have sent forward
to th Gentlemen expecting their arrival at Calais, a state-
ment of what has occurred. The Gentlemen who bear
this communication are understood to be furnished with a
carte blanche for the definitive arangement of this pro-
tracted affair.