The National Register.
London, England, 1816-03-03 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

deseendant of Alaria Theresa, that princess worthy of the son
of St. Lipids, worthy to share his (-town and his inarly
God alone had heard the %Give of the dying queen: her almost
ilLii2liter did not collect the expression or her Lt•t wishes.
Tivi my-three years have passed aoav rititig was
traced at the last hour of the most beloved, as well meths) most
unfortunate of sovereigns. Hatt Providence bog at length per-
mitted that it should be presented to the angina daughter of
our kings. :toil bring . ronsolatiun to sorrows, arch
While it renews them, This letter is recognizable by the hand-
writing of the queen, the characters of which were never more
firmly and correctly formed, it to she w the calmness of her
soul at that awful nioniimt. It is not signed, but its :milieu.
ticity is guaranteed by a testimony which inspires horror. The
testament lit the victim is sighed by her inurilerci s.
" This test: •nt bre.itlies the ti itilereess of a mother, the
dignity of a towels, the firmness lira philosopher. It is worthy
of being heard, along with that august and sailed testament,
%%hick merited the being read in the pulpit of• truth after the
word of God."
Count Cases bore read the following:—
LETTER 1110 M THE ot Flt.VNirc, M %Rif? 4NTOHILTIV,
TO MEN sISTER, MAL/Alit. IMIZABFTH.

" ()et. lii. Half-plot Four.
" I write to you, sister, for the last time; I have just been
condemned, not to a shamehil death, it is only so to the I:lliitY ;
but to eo and rejoin your brother, innocent as he wits. I hope
to show the same tortituile as he did in these last moments,
" I am calm as our is when one's ciaiscii pier does not re-
proach its. I feel iliwp sorrow at aluinilinung my poor children
—good and tender %js.lcr, situ know I lived hot for them and
you—by your afiectimi sun have sacrificed every thing to 1w
with us. •In what a situation do I leave you! I learnt, by the
pleadings in my east, that nay daughter was separated from
you. Alas! poor child, I dare not write to her—she would not

receive my letter. I knua lint %%hither this even will reach
you. Receive for them both my blessing.
I hope one day-, Wi11•11 they %sill be older, they will be able
to rejoin yon and enjoy all your tender care. Let them both
reflect upon what I hive never ceased to instil into them, that
the principles and exact execution of their duties arc the tint
oases of life, and that affection and mutual confidence will eon-
! stitute the happiness of it. Let toy daughter feel that at the
Age she is, she ought always to assist her brother with the coun-
sels tv hich the greater experience •he will have and her affec-
tion mm suggest to her : let my son, in his turn. :administer to
his sister all the solicitude and sere ices which affection can in-
spire: filially, let them feel that in whatever position they may
be, they cannot be truly happy but by their union. Let them
take example by us --how often in our has our infection
affivrded us consolation—in happiness we have a doable enjoy-
ment when we can share it with a friend. And %%Vie eon any
be timed more dear and lender than in one's own 1
" Let my son never forget the last words of his 'killer, which
I repeat expressly. Let him never seek to revenge our death?
" I have to speak to von of something very painful to my
heart. I know how much pain this child has given you. For-
give him, my dear sister; think of his age, how easy it is to
make a child say what one pleases, and even vs hat lie does not
understand. A day will come, I hope, when he only will feel
more deeply the value of your goodness and tenderness for
both.
" It remains for me to confide to you my fast thoughts. I
would have ts ritten them at the commencement of the process;
but, besides that they ivoidd not suffer me to write, the march
of events has been so rapid, that I have not had in reality the
time.

" I die in the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion—in
that of my father's, in which I was brought up. sod which I
have always professed, having no spiritual consolation to ex.
pect—not k -lug if there still existing priests of our religion;
and ascii the plate where I am would expose them too much,
if they once entered it.
" I sincerely ask pardon of God for all the faults I may have
committed ',lifer I was born. I hope that in his Routines* he
will receive my last wishes, as well as those I have long' put up,
that he will receive my soul in his mercy and goodness. I ask
pardon of all I know, and of you, sister, in particular, for all
the riin 1 may, without meaning it, have caused you.
" I forgive all illy enemies the ill they have done me : I bid
adieu here to my aunts, and all my brothers and sisters.
" I had tlieads; the idea of being separated from them for
ever and their troubles, are one of the greatest griefs I have in
dying. Let them know, at least, that, to my last moment, 1
thought of them.
" Good and tender siger, farewell! May this letter reach
you! Always think of me ! I embrace you with all ray heart,
as well as my poor dear children. Oh, my God! what agony
It is to quit them for ever. Adieu! Adieu!
" And now I will resign myself wholly to my spiritual duties.
As I am not free in my actions, they will bring inc perhaps a
priest; but I protest hese I will not say a word to him, 411 d
that I will treat him us a perfect stranger."
Conformable to the original wriiiint, entirely in the hand-
riting of the Queen, blink Antoinette. The Minister of Po-
lice (Signed) Conte tic CUES.

After the letter had been read, it wac long liti.ore the Minister
was able to proceed. His own emotion as well us that or the
itsetuhly prevented him. A long silence intervened before be
was able to resume his disci urse.

" Gentlemen," said Count Ctzes, " the King, in directing us
to make this communication, IlBYLiitliuiised us to state, that In

making choice of us foe that purpose, it wits his dc,,ire to lion
tile Deputy aslilliCh it, the Minister. His Majesty wiidies that
you should ace, on thii communication, 0 IffOUl.4ll' hii 4,443 to.
mix all his ferhugs with those of his ilroidc, and to wake you.
participate in the consolations he receives as he ►hares your
hopes and your carer.
I deposit on the Bureau a certified copy of the Queen's
Testament. His Majesty has directed nie to state, that he has
ordered a jar-siniih: to be taken, a copy of %%hick will be deli-
vered to each oldie Members of the Chamber."

At these words the whole assembly rose up, amidst cries of
Fire le

Laine, " Gentlemen, what an affecting interruption has
tbe communication. which has just agitated our heat ts made in
0111.1101iticed and how much Cant' have ace to put
a vein on those passions which subvert statt v. anti which plunged
France into all the calamities of which the reading of this royal
letter meals the reno iniwance! The emotion I feel k too
powerful to allow me to pursue this idea. However, the ex.
pressiun of the List sentiments of out Queen raises us to ideas
much hit:her than than alts eminected with polities; it elevates
our souls towards religion, awl reminds us that religion is alone
capable of being ihr most poworful support or government,
What a security for nations, when it tills the hearts of kino !
What peace, what happiness for sovereigns, it it penetrate into
the hearts of the people as wed as into royal hearts! But I
perceive I anticipate the expression of your sentiments : we
ought to be less moved, and to have inure time to e stir( ss them
worthily. I propo,e, Gentlemen, that an bumble Adamss he
presehted to the which, if it be his pleasure, sisal' citr.

MARCH S.

lied it!) to him by .1 lie ;.iititikm of 2; members. Did the mini-
Iwo. of your hearts reqpiire wt e‘isalp!e, I shenld tell you, wialt
I have joist been informed, that theClantiber .I.Peeis ha. cored
an address tu the king, which is tu he prt!sented by n grand de.
potation.

A erneral rry of-. To rote !to the rote I- :rite whale assem.
blyquickly •,))))d sir!).

.
The Prehident I eileated the motion of M. Laine, %%hi( II was
onattimme•ly adopted, with tries 'if Fire le
The President theta gave the Milah•ters an acknowledgment
of the rllllll4 having been made w thc chamber : and
a err:died copy or the letter wa, ordered to be deposited in the
archie% • or the chamber.

The Prevld.uft.—ltetnes net appear to he the ish of the
chamber in confirms the vh.cussiun with which it was previ-
ously occupied.

A ery ti•nni atl%ides—Nn no!

be l're•itletit then anatantred that the interrupted discos_
shun should 1,4- trattoull tiontoieovr, at noun; and proposed that
the ettamhet should now resolve itself biro 4 secret co 11111 l ittet,
in order to ri% e effect to M. Laine's twaton.

The elizm her writ into a secret committee accordingly.
CMAMiIF.R OF PEERS.
tit t•Lariti rtlr 'lll 611'14 %I. OF O• EON Fsomr, gen.
The Nliiiister for Foreivu Atfaini, Pre.dilent of the Council of
Ministers, and the Al inister for General Pollee, were introduced.
The first of these intiiistrrs couunimieated to the chamber,
on thepoi t ot' the King, a letter written to Madame Elizabeth
b) (lie imfortionite Queen 3larle Antoinette five hours before
her 'knob. This letter, entirely written in the queen's hand,
oas f. d among fire papers of the ex-rousentionalist Cuiirtois.
Illajeqy Fishes that the chamber of Peers should receive
the first iminimmication of this interusting *lmminent (liar which
see the chamber of deptutit sj. A foi.: of it 'bile been en-
eraved, copies of which will tomwriow be delivered to the
peers and (11.putirs..

•i . -
A seount Chateatthriand expreasml with equal animation and
dignity the sentiment., which this melancholy co ttttt tunication
e‘eitt•il in the te.svitibly. He proposed to it.immit to the king,
by a grand tleputati tttt , the homage of the sentiments of the
chamber.

'flat- Utilise of Chokt ul, in seeoudiug this motion, paid a jll.ll
tribute of respell and admiration to the august companion of
Limis XVI.

The motion Wa s tittanimmedy agreed to, and the npeeeltos of
Viwoont Chateaubriitad and the Duke of Caltoikeul wcre orttotati
to be printed.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORlti, Alot4D.ts,Fiii. 26.

The nfl, al Assent was given by Commission to the C00411(111
still Indigo Importation MO, and Lord Goo er's Indemnity
The C 11111 l nev.ioner. were, the Doke of 31ontrost, the Lore
Chancellor, and the Earl of Shaftesbury.

After a ti•vr remarks from Earl,Stanhope. Lord I lolland, and
the Eat I uf Liverpool, the House Adjourned.

- -
IL F5l) FED. 27.
The House confirmed the claims of Ms Grace the Doh. rW
IA iliStl r to vote in the election of trish Rept eseutative Neer..
—Adjourned till Thursday.
Tnuusius., FEN. 20.
INCOME TAX.
Earl ST iN HOPE presented a Petition fl-ero the Ward of Al..
derogate, against the renewal of the Income Tax. The Peti-
tMo, he said, complained of the tax as most l'exatioui and op-
pressive, and also objected very much to a large military esta-
blishment in time of peace; and proved their Lordships not to
agree to the renewal of theineonie Tax under an; modification
whatever.

The klai I Of SHAFTESTIVItt presented a Petition against the
Income Tax from Lintehonsc.

Lord NAPIER presented a Petition from the Farmers of the
county of Kirkcudbright. (as we understood) praying relief,
and complaining of the pressure of the Income Tax. Tax on
Horses, &c.

The Archbishop of CA NTER BURY moved the second readier
of the Clergy Forms Mil. The objeot of it he stated to be to
continue a temporary Art on this subject, in order to rive time
to bring in and pas+a general A et, relative to the Discipline of
the Chin eh, in which the mutters of this Bill would be included.
—Read a second time.—Adjourned.

MARCH 1.
The Malt Duty, and the 11 :gallops txchripit r.bills
were read a third time and passed.
Lerd King presented a Petition from the Wanl of Altb;ate
against the lncume•tax. Ordered to lie on the table.
Earl Furtescue presented a similar Petition from the Land.
holders and Farmers of the parish of Tiverton, in the totality
of Devon. Ordered to lie on the table.
Lord KING moved for a copy oflrty representation made by
our Ministers at Fienna, at Faris, or elsewhere, for the reco-
very of the Loans made to Austria in 1795 and 1797.
'llic Earl of Li v xsteum, slated, that after the Treaty of
Campo Formio some representations was made t•a Austria for
payment of this loan 1 but it was foupd impossible to trigago
Austria again in the contest with France if they exacted this
pay Intent 60111 bor. war began in !mint, anti there was n
intention on the part of Mr. Pitt to enforce this claim, tOr
otherwise Austria could not have come into the field. After
Austria made a st pirate peace with France, the Right Hon.
Gentlemaa (Fox) then at the head of affairs, granted true milling
to Austria as a port of her expenees during the campaign ;
hut he took not the least notice of any claim nun the part at'
this country against Austria, for the riNpayment of this loan,
In 11409 Austria was again allowed to join the coalition, lint Lint
4 wind was ►aid about the loan. Russia dosed fi.p a loan at
that time, which was refosed on the ground of the t sample of
Austria. Would the Wase or the country have pardoned any
Minister, who at Um tune of forming a
would have thrown impediments in its way to tlic ruin of En.
rope, by asking for the payment of this loan ? He bad no die:.
cull, in saying, that as this dem mil was not made at the time,
of entering into the last utlianee, a would he unjust to mat•
it now.

motion was negatived sNitt.oo a nil ision.—Adjou ructi
till Monday.

HOUSE OF COMNIONs, hroaavr, Fes. 20.
Sir F. I presented a Petition from the Eleet6m of
IVt•st ' ster, against the renewal of the Property Tax; which
was read, anti ordered tu Ur on the table.
Sir J. SHAW presented a sinlilar one from Broad-street
Ward; Mr. W. Smith one, from Norwich t Mr. Mellish ono,
from Limehouse; Lord NI atm, one. from Doncaster; one, fruin
NortliAllertou; and one, from North and South Kay..
Sir T. ACkLAN 0 presented twenty-seven Petitions from dif.
ii;rent parts of North l)t mi.
The l'etitiene were read by the Clerk, auJ or& red to lie ea
the table,

MARCH

r. Po s,i)P.. u Y observed, that out of these 27 Petitions there
'were 24 of them against the Property Tax.
Sir J. SHAW presented a Petition from F.rringdon Within;
ag did blr. 'taring one tiara Dorking, in Surrey.
The Petitions were then read and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. VAIISITTARTIotted the Oilier of the Day for the Huu,e
going into& Committee of Supply.
Lord J. Russri.i. opposed the going into a Committee; he
came down fur that purpose ; but if his ttnrpo•e had not been
on, he should, from lb.: great number of Petitions presented
against the Tax on Property, have Mt it his deity to object to
the vote. The time might come when it would be necessary,
in opposition to the principles of the Constitution, to keep nil
a large standing army, and an extetsded navy. but then the
liberties of the country would be gone; he titerebire should op-
pose the estimates. It formerly had been said by Ministers,
that it was requisite to keep a large estsbG•hatent to carry on
the war; now, they pretended a large military establishment
was necessary, not to carry on the war. but by preserve the
peace.— (Hear, Dear.)—What must then have been the glorious
result of so long a war, which produced in Ministers a convic-
tion that they could not secure a state of tranquillity. The
Noble Lord concluded by opposing the estimates being referr-
ed to a Committee. meaning ttr follow it np, if laucee,still, by
an Address for a more reduced establishment.

Mr. LEWIS considered the question as one affecting the
the country gentlemen, who, on all occasions, had rallied round
the Throne. He called on them, therefore, to think for them.
selves, and decide fairly on what are the means of the country
to sup tort the present proposed enlarged establishment. He
wished them to recur to the time of King William, when the
.Country Gentlemen tore from that Monarch (who was, as it
were, the seal of the Constituent%) his Dutch Guards, who
were his hest friends ie the war. lie cared not who %sere
Ministers, but thought that the present Ministers had taken a
false view of the means and danger of the country. Iti Gentle-
men would look at the permanent taxes, now 4u minions, why
tte increased militat% esiaolishinent would betel ',Billions more,
making a permanent Peace Revenue 01(10 millions. C,onld the
country bear it? He was afraid that we were at the end of tax-
ation.—The distresses of the country, he believed, were of a
nature of which Ministers were nut aware. In respect to the
danger to be apprehended, there could be no danger frein
France; her army was disbanded. Nor could lie see the ne-
cessity of keeping so largo an arniyatt home, when we had one
in France to so large an amount. He conteuded, that the
Islands did net require garrisons to the extent which Ministers
proposed to sautes in them; and expressed an "minim), that
the lonian Islands would be kept in perfect security with I eOO
men, instead of WOO, as now proposed. Hut a ith respect to
the West India Islands, the amount of 14,000 men was infinitely
beyond the member necessary. He uotiewl the situation of Ire-
laud, which he regretted much, and lamented the unhappy
course pursued towards that country. He hoped that some
alteration would be made in the system of administering the
Government there. He understood that it was proposed to
vote 100,000 men fur the laical Militia. This lie thought a vote
bigley objectionable.
Mr. Voaxe observed, that the most convenient mode of dis-
cussing the subject would has e been iii the Committee. He
was glad, however, it had been brought under discussion in any
way; for it was right that the comitiy should know that the
Government were pursuing a proper course; and. before the
debate was concluded, Gentlemen would be convinced of the
fact.—He apprehended that at this time of day there was no
dispute about having a standing army. The vast surface we
cover over the 4101 e required a large one. At the same time,
lie would al: tit the propriety of a legal and constitutional
jealousy of a standing army iii the heads of the Crown; but
that jealousy must depend oil circumstances, as ai ising from
the sense of danger, or apprehension of it. He was deposed
to allow that it anise be tinder civil controul—thei of the Par-
liament. It was so—and that cornett'', extended to the tbreign
army. With respect to the army in general, it was well known
that the Crown at any Rine might receive a check from Parlia-
ment, by the refusal of a Supply. But looking ti the increased
population and wealth of the country—.(l/car.)--Gentlemen
might object to the wore, 'jut, titotieti there were distresses,
there was wealth enough in the country. As to the jealousy,
was it tinder these cireenistaiwee a cause for jealousy, that
there should be an establishment of if or 900;) men more thee
there were 26 years ago? Oid Gentlemen to disband taa
whole army, and turn the grenadiers into seuvengers and dust-
men? It was useless to make compatisons with ancient es-
tablishments. All former peace establislimente Welty badly
eonsiracted; and lie believed that we owed some of the wars
to such calculations ;a-at least some of the reverses of theta.
He instaner d the ease of the French fleet of 20 sail, in 1741,
anchoring under I/Hugeness; at which time we had only 18,000
men in arms, and eau militia. He contended, that it was out
prudent to rely on the appearame 01' security, but to be pre-
pared fur great events; so that what is at stake may not be lost.
The Right Hon. Gentle man denied 'hat the present estimates
were for a permanent peace establish me; they were wily for
sue year, in consequence of existing circa 'Became,. lea re-
spect to the :limy in France, he justified the policy of that part
of the cstablialmsent being ; besides, theywerekept
there at the expense of the French. This surely would not he
an object of disapprobation to any gentleman, because if they
were not there, dm country would be obliged to continue the
30,000 men on half-pay and other ulnas:owes. The establish-
ment of 2i,000 own in Ireland wool not, it WAS hoped, but long,
but that the dieturbinices would soon cease. The object of
his Majesty's Government is, to take nth meld motions of taxes,
including the a per vent. on the Property-tax; so that, taking
every thing into consideratioii, the intention was to redeye the
b urtheiss eithe people. Tiie Right Hon. Gentleman went over
tae items in the estimates, and said, that not one of the ex-
penses which he enumerated was it possible for the country to
do without. The total amount was 1,900,0001. and this not for
a standing army. Utit he looked forward to a reduction, when
the danger, or ruthei the military spirit haul subsided. Our
possessions beiog so v ere extended, we might to be the better
prepared for attack. The maintaining of 30 or 40,000 men,
mote or l(s•, was of little coasequeliee to a state like eds.—
( How, :ear, from both sidrs.)—Could Members believe that it
v. as any pleasure to Ministers to keep up a large Race, if it
were not nectesary to perform the misted duty of the country.
Mu-, BRIM:MAM could nut eullee.li his indignation at the
calm way in which :he Han. Genllrman hod expressed such
dangerous doetrinea. It was no; amended by his propagating
these to be his own opinions as a Member of the House, aed
wd as one Wiles idajesty's slieisters. BM he (Mr. II.) did con-
eider the Hutu. Gentleneues spuerh as edllSe,,illg the IVIIIiIntS
of Mii,istu rs. lie %wild out follow !UPI iu detal, but content
hini,elf with sayile; that he writiciaa to the Speaker's leaving
the Chair, beeaure the result of that 14.0%enwat must be the de-
uetimi of the Constitution. Was it any realoo for our lay-
leg aide oat' peace able :hits, and eetaaiiseing standing
armies, because the siatious eau toe continent had become great
lei•itary 'Whims? He viewed with jealousy the establishment
of ililigtry litiii,htituoth, which mutat AIWA' our untional chase

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

t ell , and he viewed also with jealousy the establishment of a
Military Association, under the harmless name of a club, which
au illustrious Naval Commander (Earl of St. Vincent,) held in
such abhorrence that he would not join it, considering it as a
111111011 t not British. He was willing to give the army its
due praise and reward for its glorious deeds; but he would
have it disbanded, in order that it might not overturn England
as well as Boonaparte. An Hon. Gentleman had said—`• Was
it to be believed, that the gentlemen of England, officers (tithe
army, would turn against the Liberties of their Country?"--
How would such an appeal have been received in former times,
even if Lord Cailogan, or Lord Peterborough (the very Bower
e•l' Whiggism), had been proposed to command a standing
army? It was the yirit of the Bill of Rights, that not a soldier
more than was necessary should be kept up in time of peace.
The Hou. Genntleinan had said, that our population had great-
ly increased; but was that then an argument, that we required
the assistance of more soldiers? He, for one, could not consent
to separate the three great questions—the Treaties—the Peace
Establishment and the Property-tax. They were all parts of
one system to destroy the liberties of the people, or, at least,
to make this country a complete military nation. This country
was never in a sitnation less to dread the aggressions of her
enemies; and yet this was the period when Ministers chose to
propose a military establishment never kept up in any former
war. For in the seven years war, when we had defeat.
France on every side, our military establishment was one halt
than now. The increase of patronage in the army was
also dangerous to the Constitution, g.vmg a great increase
of power to the Crown. He hoped the House would take care
not to suffer this large addition to the power of the Crown ;
and guard the people from ally innovation 011 the Constitution ;
and not consider the question of money and finance witting, in
comparison with first stripping the people of theirrights, and then
grinding them in their property. He implored the Noble Lord
and Right Hon. Gentleman opposite not to be led away by
majorities in that 11011 SC often on their side, when the tea. in
and talent were against them. But now the people were re-
solved not to suffer any more encroachinents on their rights
and property. Out of doors a cry had beeu raised; and if
they diii not hurry this subject through the House, they %Could
have it brought to that House in so firm, and he trusted, so
respectful language, that even the cool courage of the Noble
Lord would nut be able to resist it. And it there were an
honest counsellor about the Prince, that man would tell him
this is England, and not Germany; and that if ally one wished
to have whiskered hussars and Polish lancers, at an expense of
six or eight miltions more a year, it mustmot be done in Eng.
tau :l,—( Hear, hear.)
LORD PALMEIiSTONE said, the Hon. Gent. had dealt largely
in dechunadon and general attack. He had called on the
House to refuse going into a Committee. where alone it could
be proved that it was nevessary to keep up the large standing
force which was pro,..sed. The question 110 W was, not one of
danger to the Constitution, but one of finance altogether—a
question whether, for the purpose of getting rid of the Income
Tar a year or two, the Crown should now be compelled to give
up our colooies, those sources of our wealth, to wiuidraw our-
selves from the Coutineut, to coatioe ourselves to our own is-
land, to sacrifice our present high rand commanding situation
in Enrope, and to become a second-rate power. The Noble
Lord obser‘ ed, that the clei:ve of the Army was b,1100,0001.;
of this st,ooo,oodl. was expended an pensions, ave. and could
scarcely be said to he considered its belonging to the army. A
further reduction of 1,0000001. might be looked to in the course
of the present year. This would reduce the estimute to some-
thing less than 0000,0001.; and, when it was considered that
the pay of the soldier was nearly double since Mg, he thought
Gentlemen could not contend That the proposed establishaant
very fur exceeded former peace establi diluents.
The furdicr consideration of the subject was (lien adjourned
till the next day.—Adjourned at hall-past one.