The National Register.
London, England, 1818-04-27 00:00:00

ation-kt toitittr•

Our Itinal Congtitution anb laim6.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1818.

in for a moment the right on the part of Anie-
rica, to march her troops into the Floridas on the
plea of self defence, awl on the assumption that
Spain could not or would not cause the neutrality 6f
her territory to be respected (a case exactly in
point with the occupation of Copenhagen, with which
the English Government has been so often reproached
by these conscientious Republicans), on what plea do
they now persist in retaining possession of the territory,
now that the enemy is withdrawn, and that a war with
England seems, unless sought f6r Ity'lfictnselves, no
longer probable ? I low will they reconcile the con
tmrieties of the doctrine that Spain has last her claims
to the Floridas, whilst she continues to preserve her
claims to Amelia island ?—Because an Act ofCongress
has alroady decided that she shall lose the one, and
it is not yet resolved whether or not she shall lose the
other ! An Act of Congress ! Such i, unquestiona-
bly law for the people of America ; but to insist on its
application in the case between themselves and Spain,
is adding insult to injury. We may indeed perceive
on which side is the balance of power ! Fortunately
for ourselves the day is not yet arrived fur America to
amuse us with such logic in answer to our claims to
our West Indi- Islands !—bat that day may be ap-
proaching. Her rapidly increasing population, the
energy cf her governtnent, her unexhaus•A soil, the
rapid diffusion of useful knowledge, cannot fail to place.
her, in a few years, amongst the most powerful of na-
tions. Still in her infancy, she has appropriated to
herself all throe. advantages, which the most refined
nations in Europe have been centuries in accumulat-
ing, and like fortune and knowledge, in the
life of man, are seldom attained until those who do
attain them are on the decline. With such advantages,
direeted by dna ambition which so evidently begins to
manifest itself in the conduct of the United States,
what is the result, it would be extravagant to anti-
cipate.

The same mail which brings the correspondence be-
tween America and Spain, brings also that between the
fcrmcr power and the Government of Naples, by which
it appears, that America urgently insists on remunera-
tion front the present Neapolitan Government, fa. the
confiscation of American property under that of Murat.
Vi'e cannot see, with some of the daily journals, any
thing so exorbitant in this demuu(l. ; neither can we
dissever why a Paper, which has ever so strenuously •
supported the cf:ainis of the Allies against. the existing
Government of France for loss sustained under that of
Napoleon. shoald flail it unreasonable in A merica to
hold the present Government of Napl.'s responsible fur
the madam of the one preceding.
With respect to the relations between the baited
States and the Independent Provinces ct Smith Ame-
rica, the former Government takes credit to itself for
the observance of perfect neutrality, although it is very
evidmit that the pains it takes to prevent the suiVy of
warlike ammunition, &c. to either of the Beligeren:s can
operate only against one of the parties. In short, it is
easily perceived, that the Government of the United
States already appreciate the formidable rival it has to
• expect in South America; but like the fox in the fa-
ble, anticipating that the resalt of this sanguinary strtig-
plc bAween Spain and her colonies wiil be the mutilation
of both, stands aloof, ready in sneh an event to take
advantage of it at their entree. Was there no other
motive fur wishing success to the mime of South Ame-
rican Independence, we could find one in the conviction
we feel of the benefit we should ourselves derive from
it, were it only in the eghttary check it might. hereafter
prove on the growing ambition of the United States of
whom (as compared with the Neapolitan, or any other
power that has threatened to prove a dangerous rival
to this country) r. e might say with Sylla, in his
prophecy concur); lg Julius Cesar " Sc maim in
Cu arc, multo,s vidcre Marius."

PRICE 94J•

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

MnNOAY, APRIL 20.
A convenatton took place between Lords Liverrool
Holland rettneetung the Alien Act. I.otal Liverpool •aid it
win i❑t-:,Aed to renew is a hut not in eonscquecco of any eu•
sagenient with continental pow tn.
CURRENtAr.

The Earl If List'IMIDA LE tote to move for a Committee to
empire into 'lto slate of the Lurreucy. His Lordship was
fully aware of the difficulties he had to encounter, but he
hoped he shank& lie able to prove that the rontionaner et• do
Bank restriction was nnntmessacy. The only reason assigned
for it was the probable effect of fitreien Aar', lint bo would
not admit that coy clanger was to be apprehended from them,
and he broadly denied that any cointorreial contitry could be
drained of its specie. The trite reason for the restriction
was the undiminished issue from the Rank, wbiclr rendered
cash payments impossible, and Ire sincerely believed they
were as distant as ever. Hr objected to the proposed plan
respecting country notes. Every writer on political econo-
my agreed, that as much of the circulation of a country as
possible ought to be conducted in paper, that paper being
li sited by the demand tOr payment at will. The Sox ereigo
passed for Lill less than it was really worth, bow then could
any one expect that gold should remain in the country? or
how could :mreennient pledge itself for the restriction of
cash payments without enquiry ? The Noble Lord concluded
by making his motion.
Lord Livkinroot. agrom: with mc-..it of the general prinri..
pies laid down by the Noble Earl and seas equally anxious
fur the resumption of rash payments, bust contended that in
present state of the country did not warrant the measure.--•
His Lordship repiied at considerable length to the objections
respecting the Ciimitry Banks and main:airier, that so murk
distress had at isen from the failure oldie Cuiintry Banks, that
it was incumbent on the Legislature to prevent the evil. and
Ite tied no doubt of his producing the most b.:17016a; effects.
lie should negative the Motkm. at he was convinced enquiry
would only elicit time opinions of souse speculative individuate
without rendering any real benefit.
The Marquis of LANIDOWNE supported the views of flip
Noble Mover, routentlitig that at lent the subject ought stet
to be dismissed with less royal-y.llmo a 't urnpike or a canal
Bill. lie reprobated the pi eseut criminal laws with respect
to forgeries, and pledged himself to bring the subject before
the House.
Lord Ifaalowny opposed the Motion.
Lord Slnalol4ll trade some statements in reply to Lord
Lansdowne's observations on forge r:e4.

Lola LAUDP:RDALE then replied, insisting that nll which
bud been advanced showed still more strongly the necessity
I.tr enquiry.
The rpiesticn was then put and negatived without a divi.
stun,

TV/NUM,
Nothing of public interest occured this day.
IIVEDN MAY.

Nothing particular trauspired—the accounts of the Incomes
of the Ho; al Dukes were ordered to be printed.

A person from the kndla-house presented copielof the regulations
entered into by the different governments of India.
Sir J. artAat brought several private Bills from the Commons,
which were read a first time.
The Earl of ORFORD presented a Petition from King's Lynn,
Norfolk, against the Eau-Brink Drainage Bill, in which the petition-
ers prayed to be permitted to offir evidence, and to be heard by
erninsel on the third reading.
The L nu CHAN cEt.l.oa. observed, that it was unusual to hear
counsel on the third reading.
Lora (.sown.s E thought, it would he better to re.commk the
Bill, and refer the Petiti-sns against it to the Committee. lie then
made a Motion to this effect, which was agreed to.
OFFICER' WIDOWS' PENSIONS.
The Marquis of I .assnow r then TOW to move that there be laid
before the I louse a copy ut the regulation of the War-office. of tee
17th February, fur taking the usual pension from such widows of
officers o! the army as have an income equal to double the itinotint of
tl.c allowance to which they would be entitled by their husbands'
rank. Ile made this motion ti r the purpose of bringing tinder con-
sideraf on a regulation whieli appeared to him exceedingly objee-
tionalile. The reduction contentolated by the itguhation anplied to a
description of persons, and a scale of pcntions. which ought in flat-
ness. as well as in liberahte, to remain untouched. The fund from
whielt these pensions was de.ived was founded and supported by the
at toy itself. It eintinienced in the ?den ci Queen Anne and in the
year the fund had so far Iwo 11111 l latest, that etio/001. was tak,n
hoot it, and applied to other purposes. In justice. Mt refine, this
sum ought to he repaid before any deduction Iva, made from the
pentiOns. lie condoled by moving for a copy of the regulation, and
else for an account of the nuiolter of officers' widows whose pensions
would be fedora( by enforcing it.
The Ear/ of Li vr tiro° t. did not mean to ohjeet to the produrtien
of the papers, but wished to eeplain what hail been the view or his
Majesty's gm:venni:mt. It was perfectly clear that these pensions,
from. whatever source they originated, were never considered as a
matter of right. It had been the practiet.. Nub with regard to the
army end the navy, to make pnwhion by pensions for the widows
of ()Meets ; but these pensions were always granted nn a no mortal
being pratented, stating th.• intlisi bud to he in necessitous cir-
cumstances. It had, however. n represented to him, that
many individuals, conceiving that their widows were of right en-
tided to the pension of their rank, haul ensured flair lutes to en.
able them to make a further provision for their families, and
had. perhap, unclog-me can: it privations in order to at
eompluh that object. Ile was thetifore of ep,nion, that the regula•
tisut ought to he modified cusf as to prevent it from having any re-
treopective effect with regard to eases of tilt. tl....eription. At the same
time it hail been thougtetadtisable ta make Rooth. r alter,tion. lean-
ing is the w Wales both of naval and military officer, the. power of
receiving the pension if they Lave not an income trinel to four times
its artniait.
. _ _

The Marquis of Laeanow-vs! preF7-rd 1:1!: Slit'fflitit," at thw
explanation which the Coble Seeretare of !•tatt had guts. he 510-
%jou was agreed tu.-..Adjuurhed to .N:cialay.

1:0

OP'
lb:

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

hinstmv, Arm!. 20.

Petitions were presented front Bishopsgase and Shoreditch
sga.ust the Poor Rates and Parkh Vestries Bal.

CONlNliri'LE OF WAYS AND ML NS.

'Elie Speaker Navin_ left the Chair. the elmocellor of the
Exchequer tittered into a long detuU nu nu:social tuatteri,
stating' the various %nine that could be required for the stir-
vire ohtlie ye:ir, and lite re4ource. iron Melt he propuiPed
to d, ate his 9111,1040. lite particulars of which are al follows,
Tie complete servwe of-the year required t1,t11,0001. thus
••• -• ••• ••, ••• ••. 1 attu.ooo
Interest ter ..„ tmx),,,xlo
.'and 50.000
Spania.
•laelitat:.•••: mid Moms lart year-. ... say.6B6

S;rd

VATS AYP NEANC

Annul Taxes 3,000.000
Er!.:?. Dude. 3.504),(xv
5t.50.(4/0
Sale Stures ...
Arream of Prup:!rty 25.1,(.(5u
Vtozit of lizciLequa 13111►.i:Nued fur public winks 21,44

fiotal ... 7.271.448
The deficiency of 11,030,0001. he proposed to provide for by
'the new stock, the details of which he gave at length. -With'
.this %wild be joired the plan of funding so many Focchequer.
This %so-- warranted by the great reduction that had
taken place in the National Debt 50,000,0001. having been
reduced Mare Itlo. Shoeld any deficiency of al:, phut after-
wards appeal, he should hike it from the Sinking Frond. These
'were the outline of his plan, sad he congratulated the House
un the improving conelitinn of the Finances. He concluded
by moving his-Jst tesehlion.
Mr. Banttuttaat thought the plan calculated to conceal the
Right Hon. Gents. operations. He reprobated the borrowing
system and the Lottery.
Mr. GltEarELt. tiaought the plan•an • extravagant one for
'lke public.
/dr. NIABERIJYthatet opposite.
Mr. F. Lassa considered the plan a delusion.
'Ste. Humissoa made some observntions in defence aft.
After some rest:arks from Mr. J. I'. Grant, and Mr. C.
Grant, and from Mr. Lyttleteis in reprobation of Lotteries,
TLe retoluitiona were agreed to and the house resumed.

The Parish Vestry Bilt.passed *rough a Committee with
a clause introduced by Alderman Wood preventing it from
erteudiug to the City of Londou.

POOR LAWS AMF.NI)MENT

A very lung discussion took place in Coimuittee respecting
t' .e variors clauses of this Bill. The dense providing that
children of paupers may be taken and provided for by the
parishes, was warmly contested, and after much conversation
between Mr. Donglas, Mr. Browne, Mr. °rasa. Mr. Lyttle-
fon, ate. the s!ebate4vas -adjourned ti!l the neat day.—Ad-
journee..