The National Register.
London, England, 1809-01-22 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

deuce.in the present Administration. Ministers, he trusted, would
satisfy-the House that they did not expect the disisters which
have happened in Spain, and that these disasters did tot happen
from want of foresight.
Lord GRENVILLE rose and stated, that there were Man\
things in the Address which he never could consent to. He
thought nothing could now justify the sending any more British
troops into the interior of Spain. There was a paper pub-
'shed In Spain. which in the beginning, signified both well and
wisely the species of warfare that ought to be carried on there
as most effective against French usurpation. They should
reflect, that they are about to send 40,000 to contend with
'600,000. If they intend to give important aid to the Spnniards,
it- must be by other expeditions. We should have applied the
aid of this Country, when the enemy, in a state of sullen inert-
ness, was encamped on the banks of the Ebro. Two months
elapsed after the victory of Vimiera, before a single soldier
Leaves
•Portugal for Spain ; and two months more pass awe\
before a single British musket is fired at the enemy. They ar-
rive as the armies of Spain are overthrown, her provinces over-
run,ther Nobles murdered, and the tyrant triumphs. As to the
Armistice and Convention, the sense of the country was so round-
ly expressed upon these topics, that all he could say respecting
them,. would be but echoing the indignant sentiment of the
whole nation ; all he would add to these expressions was, that ir
Ministersintended to meet the enemy in the plains of Portugal
they should. have sent out cavalry ; and if they intended that we
should attack them in theirfortifications' they should have sent
out artillery. „But they did neither; nor had our troops a Com-
missariat even to support them on the sea coast. The decision,
therefore, 'of the Board of Enquiry was right. But hew, 11,•
would ask,: does that correspond with the sentiments of disap-
probation-expressed in•the Speech, of the terms of part of that
Convention? How does the blame cast there accord with the
answerfsoin the Throne, that 'sit is not according to the spirit
of Britistjustice to condemn withoutsa bearing!" Yet the very
termsof the Speech condemned, and no hearing, tto trial of the
parties was had.. Therefore, it was not the Generals, but Minis-
ters dust Were to he blamed. His Lordship then adverted to
Ametioa. s-He signified in strong terms his astonishment that
Ministers pursued such crooked policy towards that country;
His Lordship noticed a difference between the language of
Ministers in the Declaration, and that used in the Speech,
respecting the. proposals from Brfurth; and concluded with
observing, that• if we-seam best officers and our best troops
to. Spain; the country would be lost. We could not recruit
from consertption ; and, like Austria and Prussia, this Empire
would be untioneby such dangerous and hazardous enterprises.
The .Earl of Memo° 1, then rose and followed the Noble
Baron thiti.ogh the•whole of his exposition. He observed that
if .it was wise and politic- io.enter into the glorious cause of
bpanistudelivereece,,it would bennwise and impolitic to feel
appalled at the particular disasters that had befallen that cause.
It•- was the last hope. the Continent could cherish for re-
'establishing its independence, and if viewed through a more sel-
fish medium, and the geographical posit* of the Peninsula of
tipain.iwainttended to, it would be found that the possession of
its anti* Franceinvolved not only our dearest interests, but
the inure:Mate safety of a part of his Majesty's dominions. With
regard•to site result of the Pottage' Expedition, and its opera-
tions, he. was prepared to say, that no neglect ons attributable
to -Ministers. But of the Convention itself, whether it was
wise or expedient to afford that ca-operation in the interior of
Spain, be would admit, a question might hereafter arise, which
he and his colleagues were ready to meet. His Lordship next
combated the arguments respecting America, and said it was
clear the American Government bad not poised the scales of
justice equally between England and. France. To the latter
they had said, if yon rescind your decree, we shall consider our-.
selves at. war with the other Belligerent; but to England, they
had said, if. you repeal your 'Orders in Council, we will continue.
our li.mbargo only as to France. It was the obvious policy that'
England should be at peace with America, provided she could
maintain it consistently with' the honour and welfare of the na-
iiotr at large. His Lordship concluded by pressing upon the
Haase the propriety of an unanimous vote.
His „Lordship was followed by the Earl of Buckinghamshire,
Lord .Sidmouth, Lord Moira, Lord Erskine, the • Clesucellor,
Lord hinlgrave, and Lord. Auckland; when the Address wee
carried. unanimously.
The Earl of Ltvea.POOL gave notice that he should move, a
Note _of thanks, os • Moseley nest to General Wellesley and
the British Ai its Portugal ; andd on the Tharsda y folleteting
lay the enerespoodeace of Estorth bdora that 140141b106 •
Adjoussed at twelve o'clock.

'AIDA YI JANUARY
Colonel Drinkwater presented tke 7th apd Sth Report of the
board of Military Enquiry. The 7th Report related to the inr
vestigation of foreign accounts, and to those af the Chaplain Ge-
neral of the Army 4 and the Bth Report to varioub miscellaneous
matter!. They were orderedlo by printed.
Lord Liv RR POOl. laid Copies of the. Correspondence between
the* Emperors of Russia and of France, and their secretarlys,
with Mr. Canning, respecting the. proposals for a negociatioa,
as submitted from Erfurth and from Paris: which also were OF*
tiered, on the motion of his Lordship, to the petuted.rAdjuutwed.