The National Register.
London, England, 1809-12-10 00:00:00

ft

785

at our late unwise, ill-digested, ill-conducted, and calamitous
Expeditions, by which the blood and treasure of the realm have
been scandalously wasted, the character of nnr gallant army ex-
posed, and its numbers reduced by pestilence, fainii;e, and dis-
ease, more than by the sword, without accomplishing
any 11111.•
tional object.
" That while the people have been suffering under the pressure •
of accummulated evils, bis Majesty's 'confidential advisers. re-
gardless alike of the sufferings of the people and of the uonour
of their Sovereign,- and insensible or indifferent to the dangers
and impending fate of the country, haNe been ei..aged in the
most contemptible squabbles, intrigues, and cabals,' that ever
disgraced the Councils of any nation; and as iiisreputable to his
Majesty's Government, as ruinous :tad dishonourable to the
country.

" That while we forbear to enumerate a long tr►inof internal
grievances, we cannot but attribute to such a series of failures
and calamities to the corrnptions and abuses of the State, and
the consequent want of a constitutional Parliamentary comma(
over the Public Expenditure and the Ministers of the Crown,
whereby the responsibility of Ministers appears to exist may
in name.

" Humbly praying, that his Majesty will be graciously pleased
to assure his loyal and affectionate people, that the object to
which their wishes are so anxiously directed, is neither to be
abandoned or eluded; and that his Majesty will be pleased to
institute a rigid, impartial, and general inquiry into these great
national misfortunes, into the plans arid instructions upon which
those Expeditions were undertaken, and into toe conduct and ca-
pacity of the Commanders to whom they were entrusted. Aad
in order the more effectually to prosecute these inquiries, to be-
seech his Majesty, without delay, to convene the Parliament."
The question being put, Sir William Curtis entered into au in-
genious defence of the Expedition to the Scheldt. lie contend.
ed, that great wisdom had been sheen in the plan, and could
not see that any disgrace had been reflected on this country by
its failure. With respect to the Noble Lord ss ho co,nmanded the
Expedition, he was convinced of his honour, and felt assured
that his Lordship would be the first to court enquiry, if there
was any just or feasible ground of complaint against him. As
to the final issue of the Expedition, it is as clear that Hu blame
could be attached to the -Noble Lord. A Council eas railed,
who were unanimous in their °pillion, that nothing further cou!Li
be done.—The worthy Baronet paid just compliments to the
army and navy, but dwelt much on the strength of Flushiliz, anti
he int prudence of attempting any thing ulterior till it was re.
doted. He considered Walcneren more important than Gibri.l-
- or Malta, and conceived his Majesty's Ministers ought to be
called to account if it should he evacuated.— )—The
Hon. Baronet concluded by moving the previous question.
Mr. S. Dixon seconded the previous question, and supported
the propriety of postponing any measures of the nature propured
in the Address till the meeting of Parliament.
The Question vsas then loudly called fur, and the' ourt divi-
ded.—On the previous Question.
For the Question, Aldermen 9, Tellers 2, Commoners 56-67.
Against it, Lord Mayor 1, Alden:leo 4, Commoners 63-6 S.
Majority 1.
A. division then took place on the Address,

In favour of it, Lord Mayor), Aldermen 4, Commoners 61
--;-66. Against it, Aldermen 94/ Continoners 54-63. Majority
iu favour of the Address 6.

.
EAST INDIA INTELLIGENCE.

Advice, were on. Thursday received at the India House, of the
arrival in the Dowas of the Lions of 64 guns, with the Bombay
East-huliaman, and tl.e Upton Cattle and Lord Castlrreagh,
country ships. The Warley, another of the convoy, parted cute.
pany on Monday last, in a gale of wind, and then very leaky.
The whole sailed from St, Helena on the 11th October.
We are sorry to learn, by this opportunity, that the French
cruisers continue as successful in the Indian Sea, as if there were
not a single British pendant in that quarter. Out of four extra
ships that sailed from 184ngal, two, the Europe and Streatham,
were captured by the French frigate Caroline. in the Bay.—
The Ocean, which was in company, escaped, and proceeded to
Prince of Wales' Island with the inteiligeuce. The Carpline,
instead of uthoriag her pri Zeit under the batteries at t tie Isle of
Bourbon, is said to have been compelled to run ashore there, by
some, of the squadron that is employed in the blockade of O.
Mauritius. The i•bip reported to Ititve keen lost iu the flepgoi