The National Register.
London, England, 1818-03-09 00:00:00

ITARCH 9

OCONAPARTE'S REPLY TO LORD BA-
THURSTS SPEECH.

It was to be expected that when the report of the de-
bate on Lord Holland's motion iu March last should
come to the knowledge of Buonaparte, he would either
be ashamed or angry at finding his veracityso pointedly
impugned by a British minister. Ho has undertaken
to. vindicate himself, and to retort the charge of misre-
presentation on those who alledged it against him. A
manuscript has found its way to this country front St.
Helena, entitled " Observations on Lord Bathurst!'
speech in the House of Peers on the 18th of March,
1817." These observations are stated to have been
written in the early part of last June ; and they are
preceded by a sort of ierprimahir, dated Longwood,
9th October, 1817, and signed " Napoleon," in which
he approves of them, and desires that they may be seen
by the Sovereign and ,the people of England. There
is a memorandum prefixed in the hand-writing of Ber-
trand, purporting that they (the original of this dupli-
cate, it may be inferred) were sent sealed to Sir ilud-
son Lowe, to tip address of Lord Liverpool,. on the
7th of that mon-Th. A large appendix of officiaL papers
is subjoincal, containing copies of the restrictions made
by the present Governor of St. Helena, Sir Budges
Lowe, and some letters of a correspondence b;:tween
that officer and the persons acting as Secretariea to
Ikons':arta:
As he appeals to the Sovereign and people of Eng-
land through the medium of the press, it is consistent
v.ith English fair-dealing, particularly toward a- man in
captivity, that he should have the advantage to such
an appeal. The manuscript is now published
in English ; and the following is ar short account
of it :
The observations are written in the manner of those
comments on the speeches from the British Throne,
which occasionally appeared in the Moniteur, while
. Buonaparte was ruler of France. They are desultory
• • and• abrupt, like most of his proclamations and ha-
rangues. Ho takes occasion in the outset to protest
, :guest the Bill in Parliament of the 11th April, 181 6,
whi.:ll be calls an act of prescription similar to those of
He denies the authority of the British Parlia-
ieat to place him at the disposal of ministers, antl. to
iwest them with the right of placing him under re-.
strletions. Ire deeioa their power of delegating that
sig.:3, and then proceeds to uri;tie agaiii.at the restrictions
•iheinselves—nuately, the tletentiun at St. Helena ;
the name imposed of (general Buonaparte ; the prohi-
.t.:!ion of going ahroad on the island unless accompa-
nied by h 'officer and lastly, the obligation of
having all letters which he may write or re:eive opened
end examined by the British authorities. lie quotes
in succession the principal statements in Lord Ba-
themes apoech respecting the treatment to which hu is
subjected at St. Helena, and severally contradicts them
in very rottad terms, entering much into detail occa,
eionally, and execrating the conduct of Sir Hudson
Lowe, as capricious and cruel in the extreme degree.
These arguments anti declamations are strangely
raised up with certain at:manic disclosures respecting
his personal condition, from which it appears that he
finds himself very ill accommodated at Lengivood,
house, which he describes as having bean originally a
ball; and as situated on the most unhealthy and ex-
posed spot on the ialitn:l„ destitute of water, trees,
rhaile and verdure. The Governor, whom he coati-
n aally styles the commandant,having reilueel the range
criginally allowed him ;. having tiAbitiden him to hold
elnyersations with the inhabitants, or gu into any house;
and having also insisted that an English officer must ac-
co:upany him when he rides out ; he was discontinued
his favourite exercise, not having been on horselxick for
eighteen months. Under the conditions prescribed for
his correspentlence, he will not write or receive any
!Etter. Sach is the dearness of living at. St. Helena,
I.t the stipulated allowance of it,oool. a year, divided
hy. the ...limber of individuals in his establishment, will
!rarnly amount to 10d. per head per diem, which, be
.soldier's pay." The flour was an bad latterly,
that he did not taste bread for three months. Lie has
ectalsen himself to a sedentary life ; his legs begin to
s••:cll, and th.ii scurvy has attacked his gums. He de-
dc ::!::acs that There exists an intention to terminate his
ca'...cat•e. by' agonics so protracted, as to make it appear
that he died a natural death.

DRURY LANZ TIIEATRE.—A comedy in five acts,
ralicd the Cust:e of Gkodower, was performed, or ra-
ther attempted to be performed, at this theatre on Mon-
day evening:, fbr the first thaw ; but so wretched and
contemptible was the plot a,:al language, that the pa-
t: mice ,)1 the audience was. e‘hausted batbre the third
Ind the two lust were performed in dumb show.
h 4 cu.rtain tdil amidst a Ili...it:Jos uproar. The piece is
A most superb claa.r.,l,•iior I.>r
thaatr..!, ...vhic!, is t.:, !..rillianzly ill endowed with
ras. sa;s, it light will
r tart) t::o ry.t•10i:1:,.." of tlic rival I:bascs.
S:Teral Ole Olt-ports have iietitionetl Parliament
r H.cmal I) atr co,lm wise, 87,4. we
• .. .. 1:t1/4' i.a the
' •'s