The Sun.
London, England, 1812-03-17 00:00:00

STATE OF THE NATION.

Earl GRosvENon-acquainted their Lordships, that
it was• his iwention ere long to move for a Com-
rilitfee on the State of the Nation. As there was

ti motion, however, of great importance fixed for
Thursday, and another for a future day relative to
the petitioos !ruin Ireland, he should not bring for-
Ward his proposition before that time, but would
Wait until those motions should. be disposed of.
Im in the present unsettled and distracted state of
the country, he should feel it his duty, at no dis-
tant period, to submit a motion to their Lordships
on the subjea.
PORTUGUESE ARMIES.

The Order of the Day upon which their Lord-
WO were suralmoned, viz :—for taking the Re.,
gent's message-on the above subje& into considera-
tion. 'being read ;
The-Eati of LIVERPOOL rose, and said, fc I cer,
tainly, my Lords,, feel it unnecessary to take up you!'
time, under the circumstances in which the present
lubjea coma before at any length in discussing
i!s merits. What the Ales Sage of his Royal High-
ness the Prince Regent refers to, is a proposed con-
tinuance of that support and assistance, that was
af-
forded by Parliament and the Prince Regent fo
Por-
tugal in the last year.- On such an occasion, my
-Lords, I think there can, be but "one feeling in this
Mouse, which is, that what has been so given to
tour'faithful Allies,- who have stood so honourably
and steadily by us, under the most-arduous and dif-
ficult circunistluces,. was; an aid not given in vain,
A") on the contrary, that it has answered every
Purpose that was—expeard from it. On former oc-
casions, your I.ol,Wps may recoiled, that the dis-
cussions of this subjea principally turned on one
P9int, namely, the pra(.ticabiliiy of the object for
• kliich the aid, was aff,irded. No man, however,
P*llo 10,1 s at the history of the country, in the
sta'e of its engagements, as exibting for centuries,
"11 be but aware, that nothing was of more ina-
-I°ltance, or more affecting (save the iaimediate de-
tittee of this country itself) to the vital interests of
Biitish empire, than the defence of Portugal; I
meant, n m
more iinpoant for coutentalbobjetts, pro-
vided it were ptacticable to at upon it. The
question always must conic, as to the practicability,
or chance of the prat'ticabilily of the object which
Ave contend for. We now, my Lortls, have ample
xperience on this subjeti, and that experience
leads to this conclusion—th.t the defence of Poi tu-
gal under Lord Wellington, and acting upon the

Principles of that great and distinguished officer; ,
and supporting him in his great and various exer-
tions, is an object practicable- to_ the arms of this
country. The next qu.estion refers td that of sub-
3idtes, or support given that way for the mainte-
tauce of her forces, and improvement of her mili-
tary system, and Low far that object has been ob-
tained, in rendering the military aasistance to be af-
forded by Portugal Independeut of the British ara
lilies'. And, upon thin second object ,I likewise
3aY there can be no difference of opinion. About
two years ago, opinions were entertained by some
Inert in Parliament, and even of 'Officers_ who had
served in that country, that it was, impracticable to
Produce a Portuguese force capable of co-operating
With a British power in the way we see it was done.
To their own honour, some of the Officers to whom
I allude, have allowed their mistakes in that respect.
Int what, my Lords, - I ,ask, has been the re
? With a view either to Portugal, to ourselves,
or to the ultimate delivcraiice of Continental Eu- -
tope, could her nations awake from their stupor ?
We have seen a Portuguese force established under
the general direcliOn of British Officers ; but I must
accompany this by remarking, that' much may be
attributed in thia respeel- to The exertions of Portua
guese Officers. , We have thus seen a Portuguese
force arise capable -of meeting in aEtion the most
diStinguished battalions of 'the French army,. under
its most able and veteran Commanders, and under
the most critical and trying circuinstances. I speak
upon the authority of the most able and intelligent
°dicers. We have seed them Barossa intrepidly
tscking a formidab!eforce of the enenty,advamage-
eusly posted, and attacking the flanks of that enemy.
Upon that occasion, and upon every other, the Poi-
tugueae military proved itself equal to combating
the Fondest battalions of France. I refer, my
Lords,. to these leading considerations generally,
feeling it would be a waste of your time to enter
upon any particular details. These results, how-
ever, are established, that the defence of the king-
dom of Portugal is practicable, and that the Portu-
guese Government has aided most essentially in
that defence. Under these circumstances, I can,
not believe there exists a doubt in the minds of
many men, that we are doing too much for an an-
cient ally—an ally always remarkable for the fidelity
of her adherence to her engagements, and who, by
her conduct under the pa, ticular circumstances of
the case, presents an additional claim to. our assist-
ance and consideration.. Your Lordships are aware,
that soon alter the necessary retirement of the Prince
of that country, it was occupied by the French ar-
mies, and of the conseqmences of that occupation,
the great difficulties which every where obtained ;
and it cannot be a 'matter of surprise that under
such circumstances, the objeals,. since obtained,
could not be'aellieved at once, but by a system of
pvrheverance and attention to the most minute de-
through which; the exertions made have been

eiteolual for their vbjetls. tut, your Lordships
would be much mistaken Wert you to suppose that
the grants made last year, and now proposed to be
continued, are alone sufficient. The Govertim,nt
of that country applied, in addition to our grants,
no less a sum than 1-,800;0001. for the suppoit and
maintenance of its military system.—l think it right
to state, my Lords, that we are not giving money
for those who are doing nothing for themselves:—
I shall trouble your Lordships with no remarks in
addition upon the snbjeti, but to move the Address
to his Royal Highness tbe Prince Regent, which I
deem proper and-suitabfe for the occasion."
The Noble Secretary of Slate then moved an Ad.
dress,-corresponding with the tenor and ohjed of his
Royal Highness's Message, and assuring him of the
cheerful concurrence of the Huuse.

On the question being put,
Earl GROSVENOR, after protesting against his pre-
sent vote being regarded as any token of his appro-
bation of the condutt of Mioisters, even with re-
speta•to Portugal itself, observed, he could not but
join in the universal praise so well bestowed on
those dttinguished:cbaraders who were the obje6.l. s
of the Noble Earl's eulogy. But considerations of
duty would lead him to inquire in what situation
the affairs of the Peninsula stood now, after ail the
hopes- that had-been held out, however wise the
system may be or not 1
,We were in possession of
Portugal four yeats ago, and at that time when that
gallant and lamented Otlicer Sir .Jola Moore was
direeled to proceed beyond the frontiers, almost into
the heart of Spain, the consequence had been so ca-
lamitous ;, and now, though we were in possession
of that part of the country, yet there was scarcely
an important part of Spain that was riot subjed to
the French arms. He adverted to the numerous
forces of the Allies in .t he Peninsula, and expressed
his opinion, that when such a force was contem-
plated, neither the country nor the people Would
look with favourable eyes upon the result of the
cause, unless i,,ore were done than has.been. Some
great and combined efl'ort shon:d be, made that may
terminate at once the fate of Spain and Buotiaparte.
Let the vast expence of blood and treasure already
incurred, be consideted. Not a man fell in the
struggle whose fa:e did not vibrate in every heart of
feeling. The Noble Earl referred to the relief which
had been afforded to the Pottuguese in a former
year, arid regarded the case as very different' since
they were relieved from the, pressure of the
Freack arms, and seemed to think that a portion
of, the extiaordinary sum furnished by its govern-
ment, might have been applied to the relief of
those persens who were reduced to a state of dis-
tress.

Earl DAR LEY said 'a few .words respeAing his
vote on the present occasion, which he seemed de-
sirous of not being construed into an approbation
of the conduct of Ministeis ; but, upon the whole,
circumstanced as we weie with recded to Portugal,
he thought the assistance propw.ed ,should not be
withheld.

Eirl GROSVENOR briefly expktined.
The question was tne.ll put and carried nem. dis.
and the Address ordered to be presented -to the
Prince Regent in the usual ct ay.
Adjourned tnl to;rnorrow. •

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MONDAY, MARCH 16 •

Lord CASTLERRAGH took the oaths and his seat
for the Borough of Plyropion.
Mr. W. POLE gave notice that he would tomor-
row move for leave to bring in a Bill to empower
the Coadjutors of Bishops and Archbishops in Ire-
land, to perioim certain duties ; and also a Bill to
amend the Act of last Session, respecting- the Fa-
milies of the Irish Militia, and a Bill to provide
for the Wives and Families of Soldiers volunteering
for Foreign Service. - •
The Dublin Coal Bill:arid the Indemnity all were
read a third time, and passed. •
The further consideration of the Report of the
Irish Still Bill was postponed to,the IGth of April.
Mr. WELLESLEY POLE moved for various Papers
relating to the appropriation of -Monits by the Board
of First Fruits, for the erection' of Glebe Houses in
Ireland for the year.—Ordered. -
The Offices 'in Reversion Bill and the Legal
Quays Bill, went through CAnmiltees, the .lie_
ports of which were ordered to LK: received to.;
morrow.

•Tl►e Als relating to Pilchards, and the ALAS re-
lating to Glass, were severally taken into considera-
tion by a Committee of the whole House. The
Reports to be received to-morrow;
Mr. ABERCROMBIE brol4it up the Report of the
Infant Suitors' Bid, which -was agreed to. The Bill
was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.