Star.
London, England, 1808-03-15 00:00:00

HOUSE 0:7 CONTMON4.

The I'ow-co-ripe Clay Colonial Export Bill, and the Irish Su-
gar Drawbaek Duties BM were reported-3d reading to-morrow.
Leav, wos given for the introduction of the Annual Qualifica-
doe Indtsnrity EilL
Mr.-SHAWE brought up the ,St. Pancras Paving Bill, which
wis read a first aad ordered to be re.id a second time.
Sir IL MILDMAY presented a Peisition from the Mechanics
of Portsmouth Dock-yard, agahtst the In.-come Tax.—Ordered to
lie on the table.
Mr. JOH,NSTONE, from the Office of Chief Secretary in Ire-
land, presented an Account of the Tiede and kiavigation of that
Country Air duet yeas*, ending January, 1,803.--Ordeeed to lie
on the table.
A Copy of the Greenwich Hospital Charter was presented, and
ordered to he on the table.
en the motion of Sir C. POLE, it was Ordered to be printed.
The Hon. Baronet gave notice for to-morrow le'unight of a mo-
tion on the subject.

HOCH F.FORT SQUADRON.
Mr. WEI.I.ESLEY POl.E,after *toting his desire that the
140V112 should be in possession of the e•tiole case respecting the
supplies of the Rozn. fort Squadron, moved, that there be laid be-
fore the House, Copies of all such Orders as had been given by
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, relative to the reliev-
ing of the Ships employed i.t the blockade of Rochefort, and sup-
plying the squadron with provisions ; as also the Orders of the
Victualling Board in November, December, and January last ; to-
gether with those of Admirals Young, Sec. on the same.subject.
Mr. CALCItAFT had no objection whatever to the motion.
On the contrary, i: was his wish that every thing which could
throw any light on the subject should be produced—he was glad
to ut:th:rstand that both these papers and those formerly moved
for, w..re to be presented to-morrow. Tile motion was then
agreed ta.
Mr. HUSKISSON moved, that an bumble Address be pre.
tented to his Majesty, that he would be pleased to order, that
the: ehe laid before the House, Copies of certain Orders in Un-
cil of the 12th, the 15th, the 18th and 20th of January, 1808 ;•of
the i 2th of February, 1808; and the 29th of December, 1807,
relative to the measures taken with respect to certain American
ships---he also moved an Address for a Copy of the Warrant of
Oct. 1307, relative to the intercourse with Portugal.—Ordered.
EXPORTS TO COPENHAGIDI.
Mr WHITBREAD moved for an Account of the Value of all
Exports front Great Britain to Denmark, in 1805, 8,
till the Ist of January in each 'tzar, distinguishing British Maas-
factures from Foreign Produce,--Ordered.

DIALHUNKIRY =ACTION.
Mr. LASCELLES reported bean the Committee on the
Maime;bury Election, that the Committee had determined that
the sitting Members were duly elected, and that the petition was
not frivolous or vexatious.
00TroN WOOL EXPORT PROHIBITION BILL.
On the gut...ion fdr the third reading of the Cotton Wool En.
Port Prohibition Bill, Mr. WHITBREAD wished it to be defter
red, toe* Bill had not been printed,
Mr.:rFERNEY said, there were petitions ready to be presents
led against k but they had been deferred, owing to an idea on the
par% of the petitioners, that they were safe until the Bill should be
printed.
Aftcr a few words from Mr. PERCEVAL, the third reading
of the Hll, and the third reading of the Cotton Wool Duty Bill,
were deterred until Wednesday.
DARDANELLES.

Mr. CAI99NG presented, pursuant to Address, a Copy of a
'Treaty between his Majesty and the Ottoman Porte,--Ordered
to lie on the tahle„—He stated, that other Papers from the Ad-
miralty on the subject of the Dardanelles would be presented to-
morrow..

COLD BATH FIELDS PRISON.
Mr. SUMNER called the attention of the House
to the Petition respecting Cold Bath Fields Prison.—
Not having seen the Right Honourable Gentleman
who presented it in his place, he was obliged to ask
some of his friends op the other side, whether he in-
tended to bring forward any motion on that Petition
on an early day ?—lf he did not, then he himself gave
notice of a mot on on the subject on Thursday.
Mr. WHITBREAD said, that his Right Hon.
Friend was in theHoue at an early hour on Saturday.
Losux)N PETITION:
Mr. Alderman COMBE moved that the. Petition
of the American merchants aretinst the Orders in
Council Bill should be taken into consideration, as:d
Counsel heard on Th,ursday.—Ordered.
Sir C. PRICE presented a petition from the Mer-
chants of London trading to the Continent, expressive
of their support to the late Orders in Council.

Mr. TIEItNEY asked of what description the pe-
titioners were ?
Sir C. PRICE replied, that they were a Society
long established, and composed of men of the highest
respectability, who had been for a length of time in
the habit of supplying all the wants of the people on
the Continent.
Mr.WHITBREAD thonght such a petition ought
not to be received. It was ridiculous to 'imagine
there could be any such society.
Mr. SHARPE said he had never heard of such a
Society.
Lord TEMPLE objected to the petition, as it
stood precisely in the same predicament with Mr.
Sheridan's late petition from the Grand Jury of Mid-
dlesex, respecting the abuses in Cold-bath-fields Pri-
son, which was not a petition from a Jury, but from
a part of one.
Sir J. NEWPORT entertained the same opinion.
Sir C. PRICE explained.
Mr. HIBBERT said the petition bore to be one
from the Society of Merchants trading to the Conti/
nent. He had never heard of such a Society, and such
was utterly unknown. They were, he believed, a Club,
and in that light the petition surely ought not to be
received. He ought also to state, that there were
many foreigners belonging to that Club.
Mr. PONSONBY remarked, that there must be
many foreigners concerned in the petition, as there
were parts of it written in bad English.
Mr. BARING spoke against receiving the petition.
Mr. CANNING said there were several errors of a
clerical nature in the petition, but it ought to be re-
ceived as the petition of those individuals by whom it
had been signed, as the Hous.r could not be responsi-
ble for the style in. which the petition might be
couched.
Mr. TIERNEY conceived the Petition could not I
be received. It was from a Society called the Society I
of Merchants trading with the Continent; but suppose
a general meeting of the Merchants of London, and
that they should agree to a Petition directly the re-
verse, the consequence would be, that these Mer-
chants would be properl.: designated, and their peti-
tion of course would be received. This petition, it
would appear, had come from a Club of Odd Soul:,
who met occasionally for purposes of a convivial na-
ture, and whose first toast always is, The Minister,
for the time being." He objected to the petition,
therefore, as it stated a thing not true, that there was
such a Society as the Merchants trading to the,Con-
tinent. Besides, he had a curiosity to see the names
of those men who declared they had felt the scourge
of the Orders in Council.
Mr. CANNING thought the objections to the pe-
tition were not so serious as some Gentlemen would
represent, nor was the title which the petitioners as-
sumed so arrogant as some Gentlemen represented.—
He recollected to have belonged to a Society with the
Right Honourable Gentleman, called The Likrary
Club, the title of which, through a motive of pure
modesty, was changed to that of The Club. (A loud
lavh.)
The SPEAKER said, that the entry of the peii-
don on the votes would describe the petitioners pre-
cisely as they had designated themselves.
Mr. SHERIDAN and Lord FOLKESTONE
spoke against the reception of the petition, and, after
a short conversation, Sir C. Pare t consented to with-
draw it.

THE ARMY.
The SECRETARY at WAR moved the Order
of the Day, for the third reading of the Mutiny Bill.
Lord CASTLEREAGH, that it be now read
a third time."
Mr. CALC RAFT having amendments to propose
for the purpose of doing away that part of the Bill
which allowed enlistment for life and the oath, wished
to know which was the proper time to offer them to
the House.
The SPEAKER informed him that any amend-
ment to a clause would be proper ar the time that
clause was read ; and that any gecieral objection to
the Bill or Cl.luse to be introduced, would come with
propriety as soon as theiorder was read. This being done, •
Sir FRANCIS BURDET'T rose. The House,
he said, could not be taken by surprize with the mo-
tion he intended to propose, as a Noble Friend of his
(Lord Folkestone) had apprised them on a former
night, of his intention to insert a clause, that no Offi-
cer should be cashiered or dismissed the service with-
out being tried and sentenced by a Court Martial.—
This regulation appeared to him to be of much
portance to the service, to the interest of the Crown,
and the welfare of the country. What he had to pro-
pose would be so moderate and unexceptionable, that
be trusted the House would at once agree with him, 1
and that no objection would be made from any quar-
ter.
As yet he had heard of none, but only a loose
rumour of its being an encroachment on the Royal
Prerogative. He would endeavour to shew that it
was not so, but even were that the case, he trusted in
that House it would be uo insurmountable obstacle,
if at tle same time it could be made out that the Pre-
rogative was mischievous and dangerous in its ten-
dency ; if it could be shewn that the army was, as it
hid often been considered, an encroachment on the
public rights, dangerous to the liberties, and adding
greatly to the• burdens of the people. if this could be
shewn, he hoped the Prerogative would never be put
in competition with such Constitutional principles ;
but it was not necessary to shew it ; for he held that
the Prerogative never could be at variance with the
good of the People. His purpose was to procure for
Officers that right which was allowed to all but them,
and that they might also feel the beneficial effects of
the Constitution. That they ought not to stand na-
ked and defenceless, liable to misrepresentations and
slanders, and in every. respect in a worse condition
than the rest of the subjects. It would not be thought
1
unreasonable in him to demand, neither would it be
difficult for him to shew that no man ought to be pu-
nished, without the possibility of being heard in his
own defence. Yet such was the situation of the Offi-
cers of the British army. They were liable to suffer
in character and in fortune, without knowing either
their accuser or the accusation against them. By
guarding them against this in future, discipline would
in his opinion, be essentially promoted, and the
clause he had in contemplation would effect this,
for it would create the distinction necessary to be
made between those who were dismissed in con-
sequence of conduct that called for such punish-
ment, and those who fell sacrifices to malice and
influence exerted falsely against them. In this
pbint of view, it would have a doubly good effect, by

tion
preventing the guilty from asreptstunseinigua
the guiltless, and ascribing is other causes
own demerits, the disgrace of their own .•
ipte
rwhoauplsd
ws aavnetefdr o
omn
liyn jau
frlt h 0 e
irons to his Majesty, to entitle them
ation. As Ise did not wish to make
CMbut only to amend the future, he
recurring to particular cases.
saiily that this clause would bear hard
ving to be dismissed, and anxious to
grace, and were inclined to retire volt,.
service ; but he was not aware that such
could for a moment be sustained.
still further beneficial effect than he had ,
it would assimilate the army to the other
constitution of the country, which had v
all appearance of hardship or sev.erit)
son of the Sovereign, and wisely clothed
with all these amiable prerogatives
justice to the worthy, and mercy even
This his motion did not trench upon,
the prerogative ; and he only desired '
the offiter, the same enjoyment of the
beneficial acts of the Crown, with
class 'of the community were bleseed.
effects might it not be expected to prods
vice, if officers felt themselves under
stitutional protection the meanest of
ed ; it must implant in their minds
I wish to support the constitutionl It
those officers who were Members of ,
the suspicion, that the rewards they
more the result of Parliamentary, ti
merit. In former times, every thing ;
army was looked at with the utmost
Wa, now tenfold more necessary to
to be left naked to the dark assassir,
malice--to be whispered out of character, honour,
and life—to worse than what the most atrocious en.
minal was exposed to ?—For it was worse to any inn
of honourable feelings to have a slur thrown tipaailis
character, than to endure any punishment that cede
be devised. In order to give them a security waut
these evils—in order to protect the highest authority
from doing that from designing and false insinuation.,
which it would never wish to do but on the best of in.
formation, it was that he ventured to propose this
clause. It would not be contended that there ins
not a sufficient power in Courts Martial to prestrve
discipline, and to punish offenders ; their patient.=
fiorn the highest offence down to what was tardy&
I gentlemanly conduct, so that they were fully
tent to every purpose. Having thus shoray soma
the, objects of his clause, and the good of
thought it calculated to produce, he trusted it woad
meet the approbation of the House. The Honourable
Baronet concluded by moving the insertion of& dada
to the effect before stated.
The SECRETARY at WAR was sntry he could
not comply with the proposition of the Honourable
Baronet, who had not made out any fair ground for
so material an alteration in the. military system. The
Honourable Baronet had dweh upon the hardships of
Officers being deprived of their rank and commis.
sions. It was but too true that there were MAIN
hardships attending a military life ; and if some a.
curity could not be given to the Country, with the
dispensing power, it would be impossible for the
Army to exist. Were the Army rendered ietlea •
pendent of the Sovereign, the most dangerous cone,
quenes would result.
Lord FOLKESTONE supported the clause; Mt'
' insisted, that the Honourable Baronet had stated ami
pie grounds for its introduction. It was well homy
that great abuses prevailed,. in many instances, ail
that such -oppressions had been resorted to as never
had been heard of before. The arguments of his
Honourable Friend were, in his mind, irresivible, and
'by no means did the clause go against the Pune
five of the Crown, but when it might be
a partial and cruel manner. His Lordship thrifme
recommended the Honourable Baronet to wails
the clause, and introduce it in a separate Bill.
Colonel DUCKETT opposed the clause, 01 Se`
count that it would be making the army judges ia its
own cause ; and also, as it proppsed to refuse, fordo
first time, the placing confidence in the Crown, When
we had a Sovereign who of all others had best do
served it.
General FITZPATRICK said, that when he bed
proposed any change in the constitution of the armY,
he had always stated reasons which appeared to hi
to make it n:thatter of necessity. The military laws
were naturally regarded in that House with a meet
prejudice ; and those who were particularly attached
tathe principles of the Constitution, applied arguments
to these laws which were not at all suited to the as.
tune of the case. They were a necessary evil, 04
ought not to be interfered with. The Honourable
Baronet had been complimented for his mosieratios,:
in not going into past abuses ; but he was bound *
make out the strongest case before a change of thir
kind could be for a moment contemplated. 'The pre- .1
position, therefore, had his decided negative.
. Sir F. BURDETT was proceeding to reel'', "1112
he was called to order by General Tarleton ; mod*
Speaker declared the right of reply, ere* 'I
avowed at the time of making die motion, was NSW
of mere indulgence, and therefore the H
aeeane
Baronet could not proceed, if objected to.
General FITZPATRICK was anxious that in
Honourable Baronet should be heard ; and
General TARLETON said, that in calling MI
Honourable Baronet to order, he assured him he was
not influenced by any other motive than a wish 54
support the Orders of the House. He professedererl
respect for the Honourable Member.
Sir F. BURDETT said, that the interruptionwel.
scarcely necessary, as he had determined, in come.
ance with the suggestion of his Noble Fiend b#na
him (Lord Folkestone) to withdraw his motion for the
present, and submit it at a future period in a ,
form to the House The motion was accordel.
withdrawn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer wisi
it to tie distinctly understood that though he aspate*
tome motion being withdrawn, he did not at
pof it as a proper subject of discussion at 1
future period.
LIMITED SERVICES.
Mr. CALCRAFT next rose, and enlarged. o:6'uo.
siderably upon the impropriety of the clause M
duced into this Bill by a Noble Lord opposite (I'_
Castlereagh), for the purpose of doingaway the nr
sures of the former Government, by giving an. °P.DT
to the men to enlist for life, instead of a limited nog'

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