The Sun.
London, England, 1806-12-22 00:00:00

IMPERJA.L PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

SA.TURDAY, DEC. 20.
The SPEAKEr..took the Chair before four o'clock,
when several Members were sworn in.
Mr. JOHNSTONE, from the Commissioners of In-
quiry in Ireland, presented the Third and Fourth
Reports of those Commissioners, relating to Fees of
Offices.—Ordered to be printed.
On the Motion of Mr. HOBHOUSE, the usual Corn
mittee to inquire into Expiring Laws was appointed.
On the suggestion of leord flowtcx, it was re-
solved that no Petitions for Private Bills should be
received after Friday, the 27th day of February next.
Mr. FELLOWES expressed his hope that a term
would be fixed for the reception of the_ Reports of
Private Bills.
It was also understood, on the intimation of Lord
How 10K, and with the acquiescence of the SPEAKER,
that public business should commence every day at
•
half-past tour o'clock.
A short conversation arose between Lord HOWICK.
and Lord FOLKSTONE, respeaing the days . for bal-
loting the Eleaion Committees. It was decided
that two ballots should take place in the week (both
on the same day), until the Queen's Birth-day ;
after which, as the attendance of Members would
be More numerous, all possible dispatch to be used.
UNDUE RETURNS.
The SPEAKER having inquired whether or not
there were any Eleaion Petitions to be presented,
and having stated the order by which, according to
the rules of the House, the several classes of these
Petitions ought to be arranged, the following wore
presented and read, and ordered to be taken into
consideration on the days attached to them, viz.
From Horsham - - Thursday, lan.
8.
Penrhyn - Thursday,. Jan. S.
Saltash - Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Westminster - Tuesday., [an. 13.
Tregony - Tuesday, [an. 20.
Malden - - Tuesday, fan. 20.
Aberdeen - - Thursday, [an. 22.
The Westminster Petition (presented by Lord
FOLKSTOtk7O was from JAMES PAULL, Esq. com-
plaining of the undue return of R. B. SHERIDAN,
Esq. The _Petition stated, that, regardless of the
laws against bribery and corruption, Mr. SHERIDAN
had been guilty of those offences, by giving re-
wards, in various ways, to many of the Electors who
toted for. him ; that he had used threats to in-
duce those who would otherwise have voted for
Mr. Paull to vote for him : that he had procured a
considerable number of illegal. votes, and that by
such means he had obtained a colourable majority,
and was returned, with Sir Samuel Hood, as a Mem-
ber in the present Parliament for the City of West-
minster. The Petitioner concluded by praying re-
lief.

HIS NAIESTY's SPEECH.
Mr. LA msy.: brought up the Report of the Address
to His Majesty, in answer to His Majesty's most
gracious Speech.
On the mete.: esr ,to being read,
Lord HOWICK, unwilling that any thing which
he might have said should mislead the House or the
Country, rose to explain two circumstances in the
debate of the preceding evening. It was certainly
not extraordinary, in the new and important situa-
tion in which he found himself placed, that his em-
barrassment should be produCtive of some error,
however unintentional. He certainly had last night
conceived and stated, that Mr,yox's last letter re-
speaing any. negotiation with. Nance in which Rus-
sia should not he included, was dated as far back as
the 26th of March ; but having since referred to
the official documents, he found that the date of the
letter to which he had alluded was the 2oth of
April and therefore so far the argument of the
Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Canning) car-
ried with it more weight than in the other case it
would he entitled to. Having said thus much in
correetion of his statement, he should proceed to
the explanation of another point in dispute. Very
.heavy censure had been passed by the Noble Lord
and the Right Hon., Gentleman (Lord Castlereagh
and Mr. Canning), against his late Right Hon.
:Friend, for not having repelled the accusation against
- preceding Administrations contained in M. Talley-
rand's rem to his first letter. To prevent any mis-
apprehension that might go forth before the Papers
should be laid on the Table of the House, he would
distinEtly declare, that' his Right Hon. Friend had
repelled, that accusation, though the French Govetorbe
n-
ment, in the publication which they caused
made of the Correspondence, had thought proper to
suppress that part of it.
Mr. CANNING felt that lie was under the ut-
most obligation to the Noble Lord for the ex.-
-treme candour which prompted him to come for-
.' rd and make the statements which he had done.
With respell to the date of Mr. Fox's lettcy,
certainly had surprised him very much yesterday
evcoing, when the Noble Lord declared the date
which he had just corrected; but he did not see
that the alteration Of date made such a difference
in the state of the argument as the Noble Lord
seemed willing to allow. He had cnntended, that
vet on pne particular day alone, but that on every day
the situation of this country, with respe& to Russia,
• ought to have been present to the minds of his
Majesty's • Ministers, and to have influenced their
pondua. With reapeCt to the suppression by the
French Government of the defence, which it now
appeared by the Noble Lord's statement had been
made by Mr.
.Fox, of the coiidu& of antecedent
Administrations against the foul charges preferred
against them; it gave hint great satisfaCtion to find
that such a defence had been made. The House
would recoiled, however, that he had last night
only reasoned hypothetically on this subject—de-
airing, that if the chasms n the Correspondence
which he had described should not be properly
supplied, such and such knust be the conic-
gucuces necessarily to be deduced from that omis-
sion. In pointing out these chasms, he conceived
that he had done a service ,to ~ibis Majesty's Mi-

Lord, Howtcx added to his fqrmer statement,
that `lr. Fox, in his letter, declaro, that what he
did 'gas with the dired approbation iof all his col-

tengles.
Yr. PERCIZII; said, he did not :T to oppose
•The chdress, but inerely,to notice one or two points
,A•111c1,. had lawn omiltvd.in hiss Wl.ajesticZpeech to

the aouse. There were a few topics also to which I and topolucied with observinge respecting the West-
he shed .to advert on the present. occasion, just to • minster EleCtion, thet he did not think there West-
let the Noble Lord who introduced them see that ariy thinincHon s iple or opinions of
ou Mld Paul!
his triumph was not as complete as he had induced on whicri the e in the
pr
Right . Gentleman ce
himself to imagine. The Noble Lord had, in the
himself.
course of his speech last night, drawn a-comparison Mr. CANNING called to order, not conceiving it
between the fifteen years Opposition of which the right to mention, in teSins of indirect censure, the
Noble Lord had been a distinguished Member, and name of a petitioning Candidate.
the present Opposition, which he characterized as The SFEAKEE said he did not know of any Order
faEtious and harrassing, while he complimented his prohibiting the mention of any name but that of a
own, as one which had been uniformly a&uated Member of the House.
by principle: Allowing the Noble Lord all the en- Lord H. PETTY vias glad to find he had not
joyment which he could derive from his retrospea, transgressed the rules of order in mentioning the
he should tell him, that however he may please to de- name of Mr. Paull, by doing which he did not mean
nominate the present Opposition, he would find the slightest disrespea to thet Gentleman. He
them at their post, attending to the progress of begged to assure the Gentlemen on
tollte other side of
public business, and paying particular..atteation to thebHouse, that he did not intend urt their feel-
the conduit and measures of Ministers. If the ings hy statin,,,,,in the Most mdirea manner, that there'
Noble Lord thought that this kind of opposition, was any similarity between their principles or their
founded on public duty, was harassing, he frankly popularity ; he knew they werenuite opposite e lie
inforneed the Noble Lord in time, that he could begged pardon for having occupied the time of the
indulgence or sound repose during House with this explanation, but seeing that the
not expect much indul
the Session—(ef great laugh). The Noble Lord Right Hon. Gentlemen mere sore upon this.
It thought it right to give them the full `enefit of
had laid great stress on the term popularity, which
he emphatically declared the present Opposition did his testimony,. and to exculpate them front any'such
not possess. This was a point, however, on which political connexion.
be did not see that the Noble Lord kad great reason Mr. PERCIVAL explained, and stated, that in
to exult. A reference to the contests in those alluding to the popularity of Mr. Paull at Westmin-
places where the largest share of popularity might 1 ster, be only meant to shew,
Pau that comp
hadaringten tithep
have been been manifested, would !Soon shew of whet larity with popularity, Mr. ll bea
ty and description the popularity of the Ministerial Treasurer of the Navy until the Government cours-
Candidates was composed. Look to Norfolk and Sat- Rightre harnessed to the car, by which means the
folk, come then to Hampshire; but of the election Hon. Gentleman got a-head of his rival.—
, for that place he should not now take any other (Cry of " Order ! Order !")
notice than just mentioning that his Lordship would Sir JAS. PULTENF.Y and Mr. J. JOHNSTONE were
hear more respeeting it, before the end of the Ses- also of opinion that the Viaory of Maida and the
sion, than might be palatable. The Noble Lord state of Ireland should have been mentioned in his
could not be ignorant of the sort of populaiity Majesty's Speech.
which distinguished the Treasurer of the Navy from The Address was then read, and such Members as
• the other Candidetes, at the eleaion for Westmin- were of the Privy Council were ordered to wait on
ster. Observing that the Right Honourable Gen- i His Majesty, to know when he would be graciously
tlentan was not in his place, he shoUld abstain, pleased tosty, receive the Address. •
at present, from taking a view of the Ministerial On thes motion of Mr. VANSITTARTi his Mie-
popularity in that City. He would take the
able fu iffier co jesty's Speec
deration onh was also
Mon ordday next.ered to be
Adjourned•
taken into'
berry, however, of asking a Right Honournsi
Gentleman (Mr. Tierney), whom he was glad to- . ,
see in the House, what he thought of the point
at issue ?—Why was he unsuccessful at Southwark,
if the friends of Ministers had been as popular as
the Noble Lord would infer foam comparison ?
The fact was, that as soon as the Right Honourable
Gentleman conneaed himself with the negative
quality of the popularity which belongs to the pre-
sent Ministers, he found that he could not be re-
turned. As to the Correspondence, he should only
observe, that from what appeared, there was enough
to shew that it was artifice on the one side imposing
on the credulity of the other. He trusted, as well
as his Right Hon. Friend, (Mr. Canning) that the
whole of the Correspondence, when given, would be
so conneEted as to remove the inconsistencies which
existed at present : he particularly alluded to the
letters of the 1-Ith of June, which could not be re-
conciled to each other in their present shape. He
was also astonished that no mention was made in
the Speech of the Duke of Brunswick, or of the
Battle of Maida. He thought it very strange, like-
wise, that the state of our fu antes had been omitted.
He had expelled that some allusion would have
been made -to the state of the Neeotietion with
America ; but in this, as well as in other points, tie
was much disappointed : indeed, when one fairly
ii
estimated the character of the Negotiators, sanguine/
hopes could not be entertained for a favourable re-
sult. There was another topic of the most serious
importance, which he was greatly surprised to find
omitted, namely, the state of Ireland. He hoped,
however, that the omission of the state of tines;
in that Country arose from the, circumstance et
the tranquillity of • thet Country : if this was the
case, he congratulated .Ministers. •Repot is of a dif
ferent nature were. pretty generally circulated, and
even believed by a great many to be true he was
happy, however, to find, from the sane:: of Go-
vernment on the subject, that the report of disturb-
ances in Ireland was false. But if, unexpectedly,
it should turn out that a spirit of insurre4ton had
unfortunately manifested itself in that Country—it
disturbances had really broken out there, he re-
minded Ministers that lenity might be the worst
policy. He did not mean to enter into the ques-
tion respe&ing the power of the Crown in such
circumstances ; but should again tell Ministers,
that forbearance was, in a certain state of things,
a crime, and that the vigorous exercise of power,
in time, might be mercy to the deluded them-
selves. It' Ministers found it necessary to resort to
strong measures respecting Ireland, he assured them
that they should find him, and those with whom be
had the honour of aCting, ready to afford them every
assistance.
Lord H. PETTY observed, that, from the thin-
ness of the House, he should best consult the feel-
ing of the Members present by not entering into any
detail °lithe topics introduced by the Right HOD. and
Learned Gentleman, nor indeed should he have
thought it at all necessary to rise, had not the Learned
Gentleman made a personal allusion to him, in ad-
verting to the Finances. On that suhje& he should
content himself at present with observing, that when
he should have the.honour of opening the Budget, it
would undoubtedly be his duty to state to the House his
view of the resources of the country. It was said
in His Majesty's Speech, that they remained unim-
paired, which general statement be considered fully
sufficient, until the time should arrive for entering
into a detail, which, he had the setisfaaion of say-
ing, would prove to the House that our finances
were as prosperous and flourishing as could be expect-
ed, under existing circumstances, and fully adequate
to our exigencies. The Right Hon. and Learned
Gentleman seemed also surprised that the state of
Ireland had not been mentioned in -His Majesty's
Speech ; but it was omitted for the best of reasons,
namely, because the mention of it could do no
good and be thought that a.similer reason should
halve induced the Right Hon. Gentleman to ab-
stain from noticing the subject in the House of
Commons. He assured the Right lion. Gentle-
men', that Ministers felt the importance and responsi-
bility of their situation, and should act accordingly.
Whenever Ministers should think any extraordinary
exertion of Government necessary for proteaing the
10) al, and putting down the disatThaed, in Ireland,
the Right -Hon. Gentleman may be satisfied that
they would not shrink from the di'charge of their
duty. The Noble Lord then cursorily adverted to the
other topics introduced by the Right Hou,Ger2.tiernan,

70 CORRESPONDENTS.

We thank our Correspondent, A DUTCM MERCHANT, for hio
iuggfstiors. lie will see that we endeavoured to obviate the
danger be points out a day or two ago 34 and we assure bins eke
it was previously our intention to observe the AgUibll be to re.
peqy in-am:ends.

MAILS.
ARR IV ED-2 Dublin. Du E—s Gottenburgb, t Dublin,
Watertord.

PRICE O 1 STOCKS
THIS DAY AT TWLLVE O'CLOCK.
Consols - - 6o If Red. Ann. •

THE SUN.

SOLZM QUIS DIOERZ VALSUM AUDEAT ?

LONDON,
MONDAY, DECUMBER 22, 1806.

IT is with much surprise and concern that we ob-
servo the condu6,l of the opponents of Government
at the present awful period. Never was Europe in
so disastrous and melancholy a state as at this mo-
ment, and never before was danger so near our
doors. Nor is the danger of the ordinary kind, but
one that threatens a total destru&ion to that system
of Government under which the people of this
Country have so long been independent, happy, and
secure. Is this then a time for the petty warfare of
political r►valry, when every man should join hand
and heart to resist an Enemy that menaces utter
ruin to us as a Nation ?

be inferred, that an undue exercise of that prorog-a--
tive had taken place. It should be observed, that
a great and essential change had taken place in the
Administration of the Country, and in such a si-
tuatioiL • Ministers aced with a wise and man-
ly policy in throwing themselves upon the Peo-
ple at large, and giving, them a full opportu-
nity of asserting their freedom in the choice
of the Representative Body. Besides, the Rupture
of the Negotiation with France was another and a
strong ground for Ministers to recommend this
measure to His Majesty. The restless and insatia-
ble ambition of the Enemy having rendered the re,
storation of Peace, at least for the present, imprac-
ticable, and the continuation of the War having
become a• matter, not of choice but of necessity,
Ministers 'were certainly justified in making this'
general appeal to the Nation. As to the other
points urged against Ministers, they are of
minor importance, and wero so ably., answered
by Lord GRENVILLE and Lord floicic, that
it would be only weakening their arguments is
•
dilate upon a subjea in which the condu& of Ad--
. ministration was vindicated upon such clear and
satisfaaory grounds. We shall tomorrow resume
this subjea, and make some observations upon the
Amendment which was proposed.

WE announced on Saturday the arrival of Duki
Papers, containing the Thirty-sixth Bulletin of the
operations of the French Army, from which it ap-
pears that the French have entered Warsaw, and the
Russians retired to the other side of the Vistula.—
We rejoice to find that the Russians did not risk a
battle on this• side of the Vistula, because they must
have engaged with a .great inferiority of numbers,
and the consequences of a defeat would have been
most disastrous. They will now have an opportunityof
canceling the whole of their force, and of forming
'a junetion with the remnant of the Prussian Army
under General KALKREUTH ; for we do not think
that BONAPARTE Will at present attempt to pass the
Vistula; the bridges have all been destroyed, and all
the small craft secured, so that we doubt whether he.
bias: the means, even if he bad the inclination, to
make the attempt. The Bulletin boosts of the
enthusiasm with which the French have been
every where received by the Poles ; but, we are
inclined, to believe that this statement is colt-
siderably exaggerated, because it will be recol
leaed, that in one of his former Proclamations, he-
declared that, as soon as 30 or 40,000 Poles were-
embodied, the independence of Poland as a Nation-
should be
,recognized yet we now find him ex-
pressing considerable doubts upon the subject. It.
appears that BONAPARTE IS still endeavouring- to,
threaten or to cajole the KING of PRUSSIA into a
Peace, and for that purpose DUROC has been sent to
His PRUSSIAN MAJESTY (who is atoesent at O.
terode) with fresh propositions.

A report was circulated on. Saturday, that Go-
vernment had it in contemplation to place all the
Ports of France, and her Allies,, in a state of block-
ade. We are authorized to say that there is no
foundation whatever for this report.

---
His Majesty's Speech, it might be conceived, was
construaed in such a manner as to demand a cordial
unanimity ; and the objeaions that have been made
against it savour much more of the zeal of Party
than of true political sagacity, or the feelings of ge-
nuine patriotism. The grand point at present is the se- Yesterday the ROYAL FAMILY, attended. by Lady
eurity of the Country from the attacks of an Enemy • CRANLEY, General SPENCER, and others, went to St.
George's Chapel, Windsor, and heard a Sermen by
who possesses the most formidable powers, and who .
Dr. HEATH.
will employ all possible means to dire& those powers The apartments in, Hampton Court Palace which
against us; and the Opponents of Ministers will as were occupied by the Prince of ORANGE, have, we
little consider their own credit, as the safety and understand, been prepared for the reception of tho
Duchess of BRUNSWICK, as. soon as the state of her
honour of the Empire, if they throw obstacles in the Royal Highness's health will admit of her removal
way of those who are endeavouring to avert the to this country.
storm that threatens us. This is not the language of The account in the Morning P
sank apers of the Aven.
Pof War having been in an Engage-
despeodency. We confidently rely on the re- -ger Sloo
m ent is unfounded, as she has arrived safe in Port.
sources of the Country; and the spirit of the Our information is derived from a person who \ll3
People ; but it is impossible to foresee -what on board that vessel.
misfortunes may arise if we should be divided American Papers to the 20th ult. have been re-
ceived in town. They state, that DESSALINES, Em-
among ourselves. The two principal grounds of peror or Hayti, had been put to death in the course
charge which have been brought forward against of an insurrection excited by
erial his tyDiademrannical
wad an
ex-
ca-
Ministers are the recent Negotiation with France, pricious
ea conduct. The Imps
Ded to be assumed by CHRISTOPHE, a person, by
and the Dissolution of Parliament.—As .to the Ne-
all accounts, of much superior talents to his prede-
gotiation, it would have been more discreet and cessor. .
liberal, as well as just, in the Opposition Members, The Madrid Gazette of the 28th alt. received by
the Lisbon Mail, mentions, that MIRANDA'S loss in
to have waited till Ministers had submitted all the
his late enterprizes against the Caraccas comprised
Documents to Parliament, rather than to have 120 persons killed or made prisoners.
reasoned upon those garbled and imperfea Papers It has been erroously reported that the Defiance
had been run down by the Spencer, in consequence
which the French Government have thought proper
of the body of a Lieutenant having been washed
to promulgate for their own ends.—When these
ashore on the Coast of Cornwall.' The Lieutenant,
Documents are before the Public, we have no doubt ! we understand, had quitted the former Ship, and
; had embarked on board a Merchantman ; but we
that they will fully vindicate the condua of Admi- have nut heard by what accident his death was oc-
nistration, and manifest the artifices as well as injus- !
casioned.
tice of our Enemy. Upon this point, then, it appears The letter from Cowes, stating the loss of Mr.
to us the Opposition have been much too precipitate STRATFORD'S Company of Comedians, in the Sloop
Ann, proves to be an unfounded fabrication. The
and rash. The Dissolution of Parliament is another
Company was performing at Poole a week after this
measure for which Ministers have been censured. accident was said to have taken place.
That it is the undoubted prerogative-of His, MAJES-. The Querqueis, or Esquerques, on which the
Athenienn.e was lost, are rocks scarcely percep-
Ty to dissolve Parliament cannot for a moment be
tible above water, and in a ew:ranee like a lire
questioned; yet, by the asperity with which the
boat. They lie abwit 18 lea ,eue, N. N. E. by cum%
•
late Dissylutiva has beenattached, it might Alr4Qst i pass, from, Cape Bona, near l'unise.

TIIE rumour that his Grace the Duke of BED..
FOND has tendered his Resignation of the Govern-
ment of Ireland, and that it had been accepted by
Ministers, as stated in a Morning Paper of this day,
we have authority to say, is wholly unfounded.