Star.
London, England, 1808-04-15 00:00:00

TV THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sto—On the transactions, which have lately in-
terested the attention of the Public, I mean to offer
a few considerations. As they will not be dictated,
by a spirit of party, I address them to you,• of whose
impartiality I think I have observed many. instances.
Party is often defined to be the madness of the
many for the benefit of the few." On the present
occasion, I wish to reverse that distinctian if what
I write should be thought the result of madnas, it is
faithfully intended for the benefit of the Public.
The first subject of my lucubrations shall be
THE CAPTURE OF COPENHAGEN.

It is natural on this point to take' my stand on the
debate in the House of Commons of the 3d of Fe-
bruary.

From some expressions of a distinguished Member
of the late Administration, I have strong reasons to
believe that, had the Treaty of Tilsit occurred during
that Ministry, the seizure of the Danish Fleet would
have been proposed and enforced by at least one
Member of the Cabinet. I mean not to accuse his
late Colleagues of wanton, unprincipled opposition
to the measures of Government; I know that many
of them are perfectly sincere in their professions.. But
sincerity is all which I can grant them. Prudence, po-
licy, necessity justified the transfer of the Danish fleet
from the possession of France to that of England. It
was, I know, the policy of the French Ruler to propose
the cession of Swedish Pomerania to Denmark for
that of Zealand to France. The Danish Government
would not have immediately complied ; but when
Bonaparte had once threatened to seize the Continen-
tal possessions of Denmark,—and of his power no
doubts can he entertained—compliance must follow.
Zealand once in his occupation, an army would be em-
barked in the Danish fleet to carry the thunder of his
arms, and the insinuation of his professions to Ireland.
If any one is inclined to doubt the probability of this
statement, let him say whether it was probable, or
eve's possible, that the French Ruler, after having
subdued the whole of Germany and Poland border.
ing on the Baltic, would suffer that little corner of
Denmark to remain accessible to the navy or com-
merce of Great Britain ? I want the disclosure of no
papers from the Ministry. Common sense and con-
stant analogy point out the immediate necessity of
possessing the key and the command of the Baltic.
We a-e now to inquire whether the measures lately
pursued have• been adequate to that end. Mortified I
am • acknowledge that my exportations have been
far from fulfilled. The equipment of such a fleet
and army, with promptitude and secrecy; and their
unexpected arrival at the scene of action ought to
have been followed by the most beneficial conse-
quences. An hour's notice only should have been
given to the ruling powers of Copenhagen. No time
of preparation being thus allowed, the city and har-
bour would have fallen without resistance; the lives
of hundreds would have been saved, and the flames
of the most beautiful and valuable edifices of the
Metropolis would not have produced irreconcileable
hatred against this country. If, as has been asserted,
one of the reasons for dreading the hostility of Den-
mark was the obligation imposed upon that country
by Russia, after her ignominious treaty with Bova-
pawn, there were still stronger reasons for offensive
measures against the Russian fleet. Cronstadt should
have been immediately attacked, and would infallibly
have shared the fate of Zealand. However this mea-
sure might have been necessary, the most obvious
policy was to conciliate the inhabitants of Zealand
and of Norway. Their property, their commerce
should have been secured and guaratiteed. Their
colonies should have been solemnly preserved to them,
and their merchant ships protected by our power,
and encouraged by the most solid advantages. Bo-
naparte would have swaggered on the Continent, and
probably would have seized, as he will now do, di-
rectly or indirectly, the provinces of Holstein and
;•aland. But the maritime parts of Denmark would
have been safe from his devouring grasp, and our
navy would have found in a short time a seasonable
supply of hardy and experienced. sailors.
You easily conclude, Mr. Editor, that I condemn
the restitution of Zealand. The assurances, which I
have received from professional men of the first expe-
rience and local knowledge, leave me not a doubt
that the Island was easily tenable against the whole
army of France. It is a century, since the passage
from the Continent was frozen over *so as to admit a
passage for troops ; and we know that in the event of.
a very hard winter the ice is easily broken, arid the
insularity of Zealand preserved. The Continental
boats would not, without certain destruction, be fer-
ried over from one Island of ice to another, floating
among the rapid tides of the Belt. Nor i, it to be
supposed that our troops, assisted by those of Sweden,
would have been inactive on the opposite shore.—
And could every difficulty have been at last sur.
mounted, and a French force landed. the forts and
batteries, supplied as they would have been, with
ammunition and provisions from the:fleet, would have i
stood a siege of some length. And the greater the
number of the French invaders, the more certain
would have been their fate, when the thaw once re-
stored the command of the channel to our shipping.
Lord Castlereagh observed that 60,000 men could
be collected in the forts on the Jutland side. Granted.
Twill treble that number. Craft m:lot he collected
before the frost, in defiance of our fleets, and even if
collected in sufficient number, they svoild be subject
to the insurmountable difficulties I have mentioned.
But his Lordship believes it possible that the invasion
might take place even in summer. He quotes Lord ,
Keith's authority, that if our ninety ships of war off
Zealand were to occupy the Belt, they must be five
miles distant from each other, or, in other wnds, that
the Belt is 450 miles in length ! Really I fear that
the gallant Admiral ilea keen misunderstood by the
Noble Secretary.
But the latter winds up his argument, by stating
that when some of our ships were driven from their
siations, the sniall craft would bring over the forces
of *the enemy. It will require great poWers of ora-
*4 to persuade us that when frigates and other ships
of leir are driven from their stations, small craft can
safely gl4 /mly ride over that channel. Surely the
Newspaper Reporters must have distorted the mean-
ipg of the Noble LOrd •
'His Lordship is reported tp have adverted to the
vpilitary poyeFth late Administration
4ve left us. am tEe Cliaiiipion of up party • the

late Administration will answer that,
.had knot bees
for the Noble Lord and his friends, they emloi have
by the conciliation of Ireland, added 100,0000 niert to
our force ; Mr. Parnell says 120,000. Rotifer* that
bey I believe that half the force which took; might
have retained Zealand ; and indeed I have not heard
that the troops, which returned, have been very ac-
tively employed during the winter. ~
With the possession of Zealand, we should have
preserved the command of the Baltic, effectually
checked the cooperation of Russia against us, given
protection to Sweden, and baffled all the designs of
our archenemy.,
I forbear to enter into the consequences of the
half-measure, which has been adopted. In 41*.
sition to the orators of both parties, I venture to as-
sert that the expedition ought not to have taken place,
or that it ought to have been complete and effectual.
It is said that orders and counter-orders were issued
Ito our Commanders repeatedly for the cession and
for the retention of the Island. Of the truth of these
reports I cannot form a judgment ; but we have the
fatal certainty that the key of the Baltic is in the
hands of our implacable enemies.—l am, Sir, &c.
FABEtlego&

r:c IiaLLIMENT.dar PROCEED: MS.
- •

übusr OF LORDS, APRIL 14.
Mew* o'clock their Lordships met, when the following hail
*rated the Royal Assent, by Commission :
..** The Exchequer Bills Funding Bill, the Cotton-wool Doty kill,'
Abe Irish Duties Bill, the Cotton-wool Exportation Prohibition
Dill, the Malt Duty Bill, the Irish Bank Token Bill, the Annual
Indemnity Bill, the Irish East India Trade Bill, the Irish Ware-
housing Bill, the Jesuits' Bark Exportation Prohibition Bill, the
lrisf Birk and Wood Exportation Prohibition Bill, the Orders in
Council Indemnity Bill, the innkeepers' Rate of Subsisteore Bin;
the Croydon Canal Bill, Lord Grenville's Estates Rill, Lord Cas-
sate Estate Bill, a Naturalization Bill, 1! Inclestre, and several
Read Bills; making in all 47.
Upon the motion cif the LORD CHANCELLOR,Iho
.!tearing of the apppal Cause of, WeXityss v. Carr, was fixed fee Ike'
• Sot day of hearing Appeal Causes after the recess; and the Climb
.of Ricken v. Train was.appointed for judgment en the same
Pursuant to the order of the day, the consideration of Ski NM
to diasotve the Marriage of Humphrey Dalrymple Blond,eur4
.with Mary Graham his now wife, was resuncd; and C
(Mr. Harrison) and evidence were called to the Bar. The ter;
vice of notice on Mrs. Bland was at length regularly proved j
• was served upon the Lady, in Dublin, en the Slst of March.—
Further proceedings were postponed, in consequence of the lady's
Agent stating that she had a strong case to-submit to their Loa.
ships against the Bill; and praying.for an adjournment of the pro- •
ceedings for one month, for the purpose of enabling her to bring
forward the necessary evidence. This was deemed• too long an
interval by ,their Lordships, and the Lord Chancellor acquainted
. the Agent that the House would consent to an adjournment of.tho '
proceedings till that day three weeks only ; and An order was tpotie
accordingly; - "
. .
The Irish Wool Exportation Prihibition Bill 'reel* &rough
Soarnmittite, and was reported.
-After some routine business, when several Bills.of.a local and
:private nature were forwarded ttirnugh their various stage6,.the
House adjourned until this day fortnight. .7

• . .