The National Register.
London, England, 1812-02-23 00:00:00


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elards in their endeavour to obtain liberty ; but to show with what sin-
cerity we pursued that object, he would mention but one decisive fact
—.wherever the English were there was the Inquisition, but the contrary
was the case in every place over which the French had any control.—
Was that supporting a good cause—was that supporting the cause of Li.
herty ? But he bad another objection to the present motion, and that
was an insuperable one, namely, the present state of the People of Eng-
land. What was the state of the People? But the fact of their being
now engaged in legislating to make it a capital offence in any of those
who may be driven by despair to break a stocking-frame, gave.the re-
ply in language that at once came home to the business and bosoms of
all men. Instead of going into an inquiry, for the purpose of ascertain-
ing whether any relief could be extended to these wretched manufac-
turers, the People of England were called upon to add to their burdens,
by making such grants. lithe reverse of this plcttire could be drawn—
if our affairs were as flattering as they are desponding—if our " victories"
were great instead of being trifling—if the country were in a prosperous
condition, instead of being depressed and broken down,then they might
with justice call upon the People to make such additional sacrifices,—
But such a picture could not be drawn; besides, while he saw such im-
mense funds in the hands of the Ministers, arising out of Droits of Ad-
miralty, &c. &c. ; and while the Sinecure Offices were suffered to con
tiuue in existence, because forsooth they enabled the Crown to reward
meritorious services and servants. lie would maintain, that Ministers
ought not to revert, upon au occasion /Ike the present, to the exhausted
pocket of the People, till all those funds and all those offices had been
properly applied. He disapproved the vote, as well as the manner in
which it was to be granted. In conclusion, he would observe on the
alleged " splendour" of the uehievettient and of the successes in Spain,
that if they were transparent as well as splendid, .then they would be-
hold the misery oftee people at whose expense such" splendour" had
been purchased.
Mr. CAN Ntsa wished that unanimity of sentiment should have
marked the proceedings on the proposition before the House. He cone
tessed that he was ill prepared to hear the speech that had been made
by the Hun. Baronet, and the reasons that had been assigned by him
fcr not assenting to the proposition. lie (Mr. Canning) was not ablel
to examine the career of my Lord Wellington with all the niceteeeifeia!
military tactician ; but Has there any man so wholly ignorant as, rot tin
t‘e able to fern a correct general opinion of the merit of Lord. W;e4-
lington's suceesses ? He deanen it impossible for any man to look at
what was the state of Portugal, and to remember what were the feelings
of the country towards Lord Wellington on his going to the Penincuja,
end to contrast three facts with the homage that was now paid by that
suffering people for the exertions of Lord Wellington, without feelieg
it impossible for the English nation not to repay such signal services—
services that bad called forth such extensive homage front the pis pie
wire Ilene betel se loaur.tan. .tee. there...es\:Loo t cries 'fear,
' ‘•
hear ! )—Witia respect to the Hun. Baronet's allusions to the distresses;
good God ! had the period arrived when they were unable, he would
say, to purchase, but to pay for such services as those performed by
Lord Wellington ?—(Hear, heir !)—From his sold he believed he should
aggravate those " distresses," and if he were to make them a ground
for not paying for such services.—(Hear, hear !)—As to the " immense
funds," out of which the Hon. Baronet thought my lord Wellington
ought to be rewarded, if they really were so " debased" and soy" de-
grading" as some would persuade that House, .he for one wousi ?lot
censent that any remuneration should come from such funds. No ! he
would never consent that they should he so tar ennobled by being so
improperly applied.— (Hear, hear, hear !)-Ile Honourable Ba•
ronet had dwelt much on the great merits of the French Generals, and
he was of opinion. that Suchet was as great as Wellington. 'Fhe merits
of Suchet doubtless were great ; but as no proposition had been made
to insert his name instead of Wellington, he did not think he was
justified in dwelling on them. lint in the estimation of the Worthy
Baronet, the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo was not •so eminent a
military success as to merit so much exultation, suet' honours, and such
a grant ! lit (Mr. C.) however, when dwelling on the merits of Lord
Wellington, could not forget, that when he was sent out to Portugal,
that colliery was in the most imminent danger, and that there was little
or no hope of his extending into Spain. Nor could he forget that Lord
Wellington had done much for Portugal, and had extended himself into
Spain ; that he had given salvation to the one, and hope to the other.—
(Hear, hear!)—When such homage, too, was paid to him by these
wham he went to assist and protect ;by those who beheld his brilliant
echievements, was England to regard them with coldness and without
acknowledgement ? If there were any one effort of that prerogative of
the Crown, which had so long lain dormant, whether properly or nut
%%les not now the uestion, which could be endeared by England, it was
that which markeqd that eminent man with honour immediately upon
the
ll"Piration of the restrictions. In the conferring of this honour, its
we
•as the previous one, there was a singular coincidence--te confer
Irenour upon Lord Wellington was the last act of the prerogative pre-
viously to its being restricted ;s
and after those restrictions had exofrede
it was the first act of that prerogative to confer honour on the same ob-
jen:s.l haldjolougal had given him a title (that of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo)
appointed him Marshal of Portugal, with a salary of Wool.
leraslain had not been unmindful of his services, for she had appointed
clinlln-Geuvr4k, with erxiol. per annum, and another. situation of.
F,°(/01.0 Thui the had granted him to the amount of 15,0001. per ann
A Duch wipet estim • .
ate ;het our elliee lortnesi of the services of Lord

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Wellington ; but he, with an 'almost unexampled gonerosit,, had de-
clined accepting those liberal sums ; yet with these c::amples In fore him,
the Hon. Baronet grudged '20001.; anti when that bum was proposed, he
opened his eyes and his hands, and exclaimed that it was a violation of
economy ! He would have Spain believe that she was pur-hAsio.,4 Lord
Wellington's services at too dear a rate. It was not for Lord N4' eoing-
ton to decide on the policy of the Spanish war. He bad only to execute
the commission given him by his Government. He (Mr. C.) however,
could not but observe on the importance of the last military icllieve-
relent of Lord Wellington. Even were it not so in a military point of
view, in a moral point orview he deemed it of the utmost importance.
It took place at a most critical juncture—at a moment wlion :di was
anxiety, when the glories of his illustrious rival (Suchet) hard blazoned
and might have ultimate ly so dazzled the people of Spain n: to make
them forego their own interests. Indeed It would be difficult to find in
history a More fortunate, or a more illustrious conquest—one that so
much out run the sober expectations of those who were friends to the
cause of Spain, and the fears of its avowed enemies. But there was no
good reason to induce the fyiend of tha• cause to r. lax. The re-invigo-
rating of the Executive of Spain held out to them such a hope, as, in his
mind, to call on this country not to contract, but to extend the assist-
ance which it had rendered to the Peninsula. The policy of the Spanish
war was not before the I louse ; but others had introduced it, there:4lre
he was nut responsible for replying to what he could not suffer to pass
unanswered. With respect- to the grant, he thought ft too stnal! a one."
Lord Wellington had refused all pecuniary remuneration, either fr nn-
Spain or Portugal, relying nn the generosity of his own country ; !it
when they did think of remunerating that great General, he thougot it .
should be done in such away as to give a model to the present age, and
an example to posterity.
Sir Faartets Bu Dr: A. r spoke in exploration. He admired the humi-
lity
shepherd Norval. The Riett Hon. Gentleman had, however, totally
misrepresented him, by calling hini the blazoner of the merits of Sucher.
He had only put it to the common sense of any man in that i loose,
whether, as a matter of fact, our army had done any thing to balance
• against the successes of Suche t.
After a few observations from Mr. CANNING, the motion was
.ried unanimously, the exception of Sir Francis Burdett, who dia.
thicly negatived it.
MONUMENT TO Gri.•TER AL CR AUIIIRD.
Upon the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, an Address
was ordered to the Pi ice Regent, for the etee tiutl ut a montnnent to.
the memory of C;etic!ral Craufird, in St. Paul's.
The Navy and Army. Estimates were then voted, and the House ad-
journed. -.• •

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