The National Register.
London, England, 1812-05-10 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

86

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particulars of the subject which the Noble Baron had introduced,
would repeat what, he had lately asserted on the same occasion, that
Captain Henry, so far from acting under the sanction and authority
of his elajesty's Government, was unknown, even by name to thems
tele many months after the period at which it was stated that he had
b. en sent on a mission from Canada. True it was, that in the year
eeos, a person, so named, did, of his own accord, propose to be em-
ployed, as one capable of procuring useful and fair information ;
and that, about the close of that year, he returned to Canada,
when a general clamour prevailed against the embargo. Upon the 25th
of November, intelligence was received that the Congress had secretly
ordered 10,000 men, to be kept in readiness to march on the Canadian
frontiers to menace the British possessions. This armament, so mar-
shalled, and with its aspect turned towards the British settlements,
could not for a moment be regarded as designed for the accomplish-
ment of pacific operations. Sir James Craig had at that time, in co-
eperation wide his Officers, planned an expedition to an another quarter,
which he was obliged to recall, and relinquish his designs, because he
dreaded the menacing attitude of the people of the United States ;
and he was well aware that the salvation of the British settlements de-
pended upon the presence of his troops. On the 80th of December
Congress voted .50,006 volunteers, which could be designed for noth-
ing else than an attack• on the British possessions. In a conference
between Mr. Erskine and Mr. Madison, the latter represented that the
conduct of the Belligerent Powers, bad been of such a nature that he
would have felt himself justified in commencing hostilities upon the
British, without giving any notification whatever. It was soon after-
wards discussed in the Congress, whether or not letters of marque
and reprisals should be issued, and they hesitated OR the matter till the
middle of February, when they determined, to preserve their pacific
aspect. At that time the Americans had captured several of the British
trading vessels upon the lakes, all of which was passed over in silence by
the people of Britain. Now at that period the discussions of Congress
were no secret, for long before that peace was finally decided upon,
the Americans had balanced peace or war as a kind of speculative which
measure upon they might calculate their ultimate advantages. At that
warlike appearance Sir James Craig might have been justified had he
displayed himself against them in a warlike posture, but he, desirous to
di.cover the reach of the American aims, and also to inform himself
of the inclinations of the people towards pacific measures with Britain,
believed that to procure information on those beads was highly lawful
and meritorious, and accordingly dispatched Captain Henry, not for the
purpose of exciting the people, as had been represented, to revolt against
their rulers, but upon a mission highly -warrantable by the appearance of
the American people. The instructions to that person were given in
consequence of a contemplated war between the two nations. But upon
the representation that my Lord Erskine had successfully concluded the
negotiations with the Congress, Sir James Craig immediately recalled
Mr. Henry, and so the affair closed. During the Month of April 1809,
a dispatch was sent by the person who held the office, of which he
(Lord Liverpool) was now in posession, desiring the !.ommander in
Canada to use extreme caution in the employment of individuals
throughout. the United States, lest a circumsta ice should happen
that would lead to a misunderstanding between the two countries.
r. Henry had been represented as a person who had furnished Govern-
ment with most, valuable information, and for which he had never re-
ceived any renumeration whatever. Wherever promises had been
held out by Sir James Craig to him, either of a situation under the Go-
vernment of Canada, or Grants of Money, were prevented by the
death of that able Officer from taking effect, and he should believe that
his successor would contemplate it as his duty to fulfil those promises.
He did contend, that Henry was a person placed to procure and avail
himself of whatever intelligence or circumstance might occur in the
bosom of a country which menaced war. Some parts of the proceed-
. ing, he believed, stood plainly forth and explained themselves ; and
others, he was aware, would require explanation, which he stood ready
to bi stow. He would have entertained a much more exalted opinion
of the American Rulers if they had inSde communications with the
British Government and desired explanation, which lie had no doubt
would have been given in a manner highly satisfactory, -and would have
saved the Americans the pains they have taken to colour the transac-
tion in their own favour in the eyes of the world. Under all these cir-
cumstances, therefore, he dissented from the motion.
Earl GREY conceived the question to be of great importance; and was
4
not sewer-rd to find, that it was impossible for the Noble Lord to de-
tend the transaction itself. As the transaction had been made known
to Government, without being formally disapproved of by them, he
thought it was necessary for Parliament now to interiere ; and upon
this ground lie should support the motion.
Lord Sidmouth, Lord Mulgrave, and the Earl of Westmoreland op-
pesed the production of the papers.
The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Lauderdale, and Earl Darn-
ley, supported the motion ; after which Lord Holland replied, and the
House divided. For the motion, 27; against it, 73—Majority O.—Ad-
journed.

weriNesnAv, MAT 6.
At half past two o'clock the House resolved itself into a Committee,
to examine witnesses respecting the state of our manufactures. Mr.
Spo(intr, nailer And bankcr, or —.llll. i 140 am , and Mr. Pots, merchant,

MAY 10

in the same place, were examined.—Further proceedings on Friday, at
two o'clock, and to which day the House adjourned.

FRIDAY, MAT 8.
Earl GROSTRWOR, after a brief prefatory allusion to the prevalent
abuses in the public offices, and to the enormous salaries annexed to those
offices, moved for a copy of the appointment of the Gentleman Usher
of the Black Rod, and of his emoluments during the last ten years.
After a long conversation, in which the Earls Grosvenor, Fitawil-
liam, Harrowby, Buckinghamshire, Grey, and Lord Holland, too►
part, the motion of the Noble Earl was agreed to.—Adjourned.

SATURDAY, MAY 9.
At half past two o'clock their Lordships sat in a Committee of Privi-
leges, on the Bothwick Peerage. Some evidence being adduced, &c.
etc. Vile further proceedings were postponed to Thursday next.
The Birmingham Police, and Paving Bill, was read a third time and
passed.
The several Public and Private Bills on the Table were forwarded
in their respective stages, after which the House adjourned.