The Sun.
London, England, 1806-04-05 00:00:00

nicafion fron Flatlet' d:d or d:d not .contain an
Overtniefor a Negociation, we do not know with
-any degree of certakty; hut if it did, it a obvious,
faun what fell froth Adr. Fokon Tkursday in the
House of Commons, t at it was not of such a na-
tare as to afford any prospect of a speedy termina-
tion-of-the War. _

A Letter from Kinsale, dated March 9.9, says—
Arrived the Hamburgh Ship John Parish, —,
from the river Plata ; she was boarded on the 7tli
ult. by the Mcirengo Man .of War, Adm. LINOIS, in
company with a Frigate, and suffered to proceed
immediately ; the Captain of the, John Parish kept
sight of them till the I.lth—the-Marengo was in a
very shattered condition. Also'arrived the. Favourite,
Capt. FRAZER, from the South Seas; she parted from
the following Ships on the 16th ult. in lat. 30. long..
32. all well, viz. the Retreat, 'Wilford, and Union,
from Bengal ; Perseverance, Seringapatam, Ferret,
and Adventure, from the South Seas."

THE Plan which Mr. WINDHAM has been so long_
preparing for the Defence of the Country and , the
Improvement of our Military Systetn, is at length
before the Public. The importance of the subject
demanded deep: reflection, extensive inqUiry, and
mature deliberation. The result does credit to the
abilities of the Honourable Member, and shews that
he is well qualified for the departMent that is con;
tided to him. It will not be expeaed of us to enter
into a hasty examination of a System which' has em-
ployed the collective wisdoin of the Cabinet, still less
that we should presume to decide on its merits.—
It will,
,of course, undergo a rigid- investigation
by those. whoSe professional talents, knowledge,
and experience, will give full weight to such opinions
and.arguments as they may think proper to give on.
a subjea of "Such vast importance to the 4mpire,7---
Me great point that will furnish a subje& for dis-
ussion is, the proposal .of limited service instead
of enlistment for life. If this alteration could be
efleaed without endangering the permanent strength
of our Military System,' it would be one of the
most desirable iMprovements ever suggested, as
it would be more congenial with the free spirit
of Englishmen and the - principles of our Con-
stitution. For our own part, we do not see so mud'.
reason for. alarm: on this • proposed alteratione as
a
some persons do, Whose charaaer we respe, and
to who•k sentiments. we shall always attend. The
period liniited for, our Infantry is seven years, and
doling that period men contraa such military habits;
that they would perhaps be unwilling to relinquish
ksittiation that not only affords them -a sure support,
but which is to be rendered, still more comfortable
if they- renew,their engagement. = The same argu.
t•rient applies, with_still greater force, to the oppor-
tunity presented to them, of entering into- a third
engage rent, for they will be more •corifirrned
in their habits,. while their new engagement pre-
sents- increased adi,uotages. Besides,, granting that
many persons, at the terminatidu of the first period,
may be disposed to retire into the Mass of private
Citizens, they will carry with them, a martial spirit
and military habits which, •in case of emergency,
will alWays• be oki use to the State. It should be
remembered, that the Army will be in a constant
state of enrollment, and that as the• men enter at
• -
various periods, the probability is, that if many should
avail themselves of the opportunity of being re-
leased, the general Military Force will be the 54.6-w•
It is evident that the system for limited military
•
service has been tried in our East India PossessionS
withoot any. disadvantages ; and as it is intended
that those Troops who are- to be. employed in de-
fence of our Colonial Territories shall not return' till
six months after the, expiration of their engagement
at home,. there will be hill time fora supply of men,
in case those employed in that service should wish
But it is not, indeed, probable that Go-
vernment will be disposed .to let out Troops re-
main even for so • long a period as the first engage-
gr.-Alt:on Colonial Service ; 'therefore- nri weighty
objection can arise on that ground. As to the pro-
posed improvement in the general condition of our
Soldiers, it is needless-to advance any argument, in
support of such a measure, as, it must be received
with the highest pleasure by all ranks of people who
know how to value oar National Defenders, and the
Supporters of British Glory. The other great point
of Mr. WtNDHAM'S new Plan, which relates to the
intended substitute for,such parts of •the Volunteer
Service as. will in a considerable degree sUpersede
that Service, may, perhaps, excite some objeaions,
but we confess it appears to us to be pregnant
with much practical advantage.. It should be ob-
served, that such of the Volunteers as choose to
re-
main in that kind of service, at their own expence,
will still be able to strengthen the National Defence

to return.

and to secure the esteem, admiratidn, and; grati-
tude, of their fellow Citizens. Hence we may ex-
pea, that there win never be wanting a large body
of men, posseSsed of property that gives them a
tron,g interest in the national utit-are, and that we
shall have a voluntary Yeomanry, who, in aid of Le
regular Force, will enable to look with contempt on