Star.
London, England, 1808-04-05 00:00:00

BRITISH MUSEUM.

On the Motion of Mr. ROSE, leave was given to present a
Petition praying public aid ; whieb Petition was 'aid on the fable.
Mr. HUSKISSON presented an estimate of the sums neces-
sary to defray the expence of employing the convicts. Laid op
the table. •

surrLY.
The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up, and
the various resolutions read and agreed to.
The report of the Combnittee of WAy; and Means was brought
up, and after a few observations from the Chancellor of the Yx-
chequer and Mr. Calcraft, the resolutions were agreed to, and

bills nrdere I thereon.
Sir A. WELLESLEY moved for leave to bring in a bill for
amending the laws relating to persons entering into recognizance,
in criminal cases, &c.—btave given.
The Right Honourable Gentleman afterwards brought in tl g
bill, which was read a first time. Ard
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR, Sir J. NEWPORT, and Mr. PAR-
NELI., made a few observations ; and then the bill was ordered
to be read a second time on Thunday.

SUSSEX ELECTION.

Mr. C. WYNNE rose to move for the Minutes of
the Committee appointed to try the merits of the Sus-
sex Election, so far as the same relate to the Petition
of Warden Sergison, Esq. The Honourable Gen.
Itleman observed, that he had given notice of his in-
tention to move for leave to bring in a Bill respecting
the exchange of Lists in County contested Elections.
The motives therefore which , induced him to move
for the production of the above Minutes were in order
to ground this Bill. He had understood that the
,Committee had come to a resolution, in which they
declined to enter into the merits of Mr. Sergison's
'Petition. In moving for the Minutes, he was far
(from meaning to throw any reflection on the Com-
mittee ; but their proceedings, which were grounded
upon a Resolution of the House, had the effect of
virtually repealing Mr. Grenville's Bill. He then
moved, Ste.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
thought it was necessary, before a motion of the kind
should be acceded to, to have some facts brought for.
ward. He was not aware of any instance iii which
such motion had been granted, and therefore was
against making a precedent.
Sir A. PIGOTT justified the motion, on the
ground of its furnishing information on an important
subject, if acceded to.
-Mr. TIERNEY having been on the Committee,
and consequently fully impressed with the inconve-
nience under which they laboured in coming to a de-
cision, wa.-; not so anxious to look for precedents. The
majority of the Gentlemen composing the Committee
certainly had felt themselves in a very awkward situa-
tion, and he would state the. proceedings which hadl
taken place in the Committee. It would be recol-
lected, that at the commencement of the Session, an
order had been made toexchange Lists. Subsequent
to that, Mr. Fuller delivered in a declaration, declin-
ing to defend his r:turn, and then certain Freeholders,
petitioned, and were allowed to defend the return fix
him. Mr. Sergison, the petitioner, afterwards ap-
plied to the House to order an exchange of Lists. A
very long discussion emitted upon the motion of his
Honourable Friend (Sir A. nom.) for that pur-
pose; and as he (Mr.-T.) understood the Right
Honounible Gentleman (Mr. Perceval), the Corn-'
mittee was.not to consider themselves bound by the
decision of this House, with respect to the refusal of
the motion for the exchange. Though the Commit-
tee were bound by their oaths to hear and determines
the merits of the whole of the case on both sides, yet
the majority, in consequence of the decision of thel
House, felt themselves called upon to abide by that
decision; and though Mr. Sergison alleged that Mr.
Fuller bad obtained a colourable majority, yet they
considered themselves precluded, and came to the'
following Resolution That the Committee hay..
ing, in consequence of a Resolution of the House
the 22d Jan. (the Standing Order), and a subsequent
decision of the ISth March, with respect to the ex-
change of Lists, found themselves under the neces-
sity of excluding .all evidence, feel themselves obliged
to declare Mr. Fuller duly elected." These were
the proceedings of the Committee, and it was in con-
sequence of this, that his Honourable Friend intended
to move for a Bill enacting that in all cases Lists
should be exchanged. It certainly had become the
fashion of late to pass Bills, and then hear reasons
against them afterwards. He trusted that this prac-
tice Would not prevail, and that Mr. Grenville's Bill
Would not be rendered a nullity.
'-; Sir THOMAS TURTON had no hesitation in
Stating, that the Committee had been placed in a
very awkward situation: but he must object to the
motion, as going to establish a bad precedent.
Earl TEMPLE was in favour of the motion. The
.proceedings which had just been referred to would tend
to render his Honourable Relation's Bill, which was
for the.most salutary and 'constitutional pur-
poses, a mere nullity..
Mr. GRAHAM 'considered the measure proposed
a slur upon the'Committee.
Mr. PONSONBY did not at all agree with the
doctrine of tbe' Honourable Gentleman who spoke
last. 'lt was proposed to take the business out of the
hands of the Committee, and to bring it before the
House. Oh but, says Ile Honourable Gentleman,
if yqu attempt to. temeily the evil, you will -throw a
slur upon the Committee. .The intention is to alter,
by. Act of Parliament,.t.n existing law; to remedy a
defect. Bow can thii be a slur upon the Committee ?
The House then divided on the Motion, when there
appeared.-..-For it 29--Against it 56—Majority 27.
COMNITTICE OF- FINANCE.

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otherwise be supposed that it was brought forward on
account of some abuse or neglect of his duty—unless
that were the case, he did not think that they were
called upon to dismiss from that Committee so useful
and so upright a member. It could not fairly be
urged ab,,ainst him that he was appointed by the Mi-
nister—he was nominated merely at his side, and ap-
proved by both sides of the House ; and the objec-
tions urged to. ls/fr. Wharton might, with equal jus-
tice, be applied to any Gentleman whatsoever in the
House. As to the probability of all the members of
the Committee becoming placemen, he would remind
the Honourable Gentleman of the immutable rule of
Parliament, that whenever a member accepts a
place, he vacats his seat, and thereby vacates his seat
at the Committee, where it is not probable he will be
appointed again. He was concerned to hear from a
man so liberal as the Honourable Mover, that wjien
a person becomes a placemen, he is from Tao-
ment disqualified to be trusted by the Peol,le--there
never was a greater anomaly, that because a person,
-I
who by his wisdom or his talents, was found to be be-
neficial to the State, he from that moment ceased to
be useful to the People ! Surely so monstrous a doc-
trine would not be held forth. To endeavour to re-
move it from the mind of that Honourable Gentle-,
man, he begged to call to his recollection, that the
late Chancellor of the Exchequer, whilst holding that
• office, was one of the Members of the Committee of
Finance. If the Eonourable Gentleman himself
were appointed to a situation in the Government,
would he feel himself in any way deteriorated by it ?
Would; he by an honourable situation, wherein he
might beneficially serve his country, and gain glory !
and frme, feel himself debased by holding such a
situation in the Government ? Certainly not.—'
Then. he should judge of the elevated minds of others,
and allow other men to have elevated minds as well
as himself.
Mr. WHITBREAD agreed with the Right Ho-
nourable Gentleman who !poke lac:, that distin-
i
guished character and fame may be acquired by
vated situations in the state, but at the same time he re-
gretted that there were some individuals who were so'
debased as to convert those situations to the meanest
and the most sinister purposes. This observation did
pot certainly apply to the Honourable Gentleman
who was the Lubjeet of this motion, .but was an obser-
vation, not coming from him, but from the eipe-
rience of the many, who had but too much and too
often witnessed it. Lord Hossick, it was•tnie, had a '
seat in the Committee of Finance, but he knew too
well both his duty and the constitution of that Corn-
mittee ever to attend it—and, in point of fact, he ne-
ver did from the moment he was called to the high
office by his Majesty, which he recently filled ; and
while he was attending that Committee, no man did-
his duty more uprightly • and the country were in-1
debted to the Right Honourable • Gentleman who
now fills, in so eminent, impartial, and distinguished
a manner, the Chair of that House. The Honourable
Gentleman then assigned his reasons why he thought
Mr. Wharton should be excused from further attend-
ance en the Committee of Finance, and concluded
with saying, that he felt it his duty to support the mo-•
tion, divested of all personality to that Gentleman.
Mr. H. BROWNE condemned the prejudice and
,vulgar ideas that prevailed in supposing that, because-
a man was a Placeman, he was therefore rendered un-
qualified to serve his country.
Mr. WARD urged his Honourable Friend to with-
dray: his motion. •

MT. BIDDUCP.ii flefwed his motion concerning
the Cpmrpiii.ee of Finance, bprnaintaining, that the
appointment of the Finance Committee should .he
pure from altsuspicion. No person, he thought, who
held any office, could consistently fulfil the duties of a

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Committee of Retrenchment. He had heard of an
old Spartan institution, phich made theboys pay for
the rods by which they were chastised—in like man-
ner we were to remunerate the Chairman, by whom
we were taxed. The Hon. Chairman was to assist
in the formation of that report by which he was
himself to be judged. 'lt was inconsistent with every
principle of the English law and common sense, that
a man's own cause s ould be committed to his own de-
cision. It was a common and just rule that interest-
ed jurors could be challenged. Before he concluded,
the Honourable Gentleman disclaimed any personal
impUtation on the worthy Chairman. Adverting to
the objection that the Committee is not the appoint-
ment of the Crown or Ministers, he said, that though
the House might have the original formation of the
Committee, yet still Ministers might appoint men,ffi I
when on that Committee, to public offices ; and so Dispatches were last night received at the Ackti,
men not in place in the beginning of Parliament, might 'rally from Admiral Sir ALEX. COCHRANE. The di,.
not possibly be so at its conclusion. Heconcluded by patches, we are happy to hoar, contain an account
moving—
i
v
' of several of the enemy's privateers ha
vi
" That Richard Wharton, F.sq, be excused from any further
ng been
attendance on the Committee of Finance, and that the name of the 1
Hon. John William Moore be substituted tured by the ships under his .orders. The Pn cap.
in his place." letters contain, however, information of a less ee
agle
The SPEAKER remarked, that the motion was I able kind. They speak of the arrival of four frigates
we
of a duplex nature, and recommended that it should '
zexpectationsbe
undertaken
der
t a
k are
e n
fromentertained
the
French
thatn
be simplified, as in fact it comprised two distinct mo-
and two brigs, at Martinique, with troops, a
tions. . I announced a fortnight ago, on the authority of Aise.
To this suggestion Mr. Biddulph agreed, vtd the icic:
' Speaker put the question on the former part tf it, ' s papers;.eterp
rie and
am y
omitting all that appertained to Mr. Moore. ch
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER Islands.
had flattered himself that the Honourable Gentleman 1 The following iotter has been transmitted to us ; the
would not have pressed this motion to a discussion.— contents of which we shall he glad to End contra.
But since he has done it, he could not help smiling at dieted by official statements :
the curious reason which seemed to be the cause why ; •
he submitted it to the House, because forsooth, Mr.
. Wharton happened to be in the Committee when they
divided on a question, and the numbers on both sides
being equal, he happened to join one of them, as one
of them he ought. Now it would appear, that were
it not for that circumstance, probably the House
' would never have heard of this motion. It would

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

Btlimeys will find his Fourth Number in the last page of 6,
day's STAR. It was not in our power to give
section.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT.ONE O'CLOCK
Consols, for money, 641—for account, 641--Ornnlum 3$ pl.
Exchequer Bills, 4s. to Ss. pre.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.
3 per Cent. Red. Ann. shut India Bonds, par 24. its
3 per Cent. Cons. Ann. 64ti Excheq Bills, 3s. a 41. pet.
4 per Cent. shut English Tickets, 211, 6s.
6 per Cent. Navy, 961 971 Cuns. for act. /Ai

DOMIN!CA Y 13.9,

$4 A Bag of truce arrived here last night from Basseterre, Gm.
daloupe ; she left that place un Sunday night, and one of die Ns,
sellers informs me, that last Friday a schooner arrived there
from Martinique, bringing an account of the arrival thereof fan
frigates and two brigs, with troops from I ranee, and that slur
armament is expected. We have no late arrivals here from Mar-
tinique, and therefore conjecture, an embargo may have beta
laid till they have got away again; and I have no doubt but they
have sailed for France, and yet we have an Admiral who has de-
clared the French Islands in a state of blockade.

" Another instance of the activity of the enemy is, that a ship.
privateer, and a schooner fully manned, sailed last Thursday from
Guadaloupe to cruise to windward of Barbadoes, and I fear they
will pick up some of the Astrea's convoy, as several are reiAing.
Three of Sir Samy Et HOOD'S squadron are arrived at Barbadoes;
I wish Sir Sasso/I. had also arrived, as he would won take sacs-
sures to destroy the enemy's privateers."

A letter has been received from Demarara, dated
the 20th c•.f January, in which it is said, that an em-
bargo had been laid upon all the shipping there, in
order to prevent the sailing of the American met-
chantraen till the measures of the Government should
be ascertained.

fl

No farther accounts have been received of the re.
ported victory in the Mediterranean; and the rumours
that have been circulated on that subject are sinking
into discredit. Had any real accounts been received,
the names of the parties, the mode of communication,'
every circumstance, would have transpired before this
time—by no possibility could they have been con.
cealed ; but, on •the contrary, every thing like audio.
rity that has yet been quoted, has vanished, when itt•
tempted to be ascertained.—As we have repeatedly
observed—from the known situation of affairs in the
Mediterranean, it is more than probable that an as
tion has taken place in that quarter before this time.
On this probability, we doubt not, the rumour has
been fabricated, for it rests on no authority.

The following article, copied from the Cori Mer•
amide Chronicle on Tuesday last, while it excites feats
for the safety of the homeward-bound Mediterranean
convoy, furnishes a strong presumption that no action,
of which we can yet have received the accounts, had
taken place :

" CORK, MARCH 29.

" The arrival of the ship Caledonia of Liverpool,
from Gibraltar, with barilla, almonds, &c. bound to
Londonderry, in this harbour, has furnished us with
information which excites considerable apprehension
for the safety of the homeward Mediterranean convoy.
The Caledonia sailed from Malta on the 11th Jou.
lary, and on th'e 11th February she fell in with an
English squadron of seven sail of the line, which she
supposes to have been Sir RICHARD STRACHANS,
in
chace of the French squadron.
" She sailed from Gibraltar on the 29th of Febru.
ary, having in company the Diligence store ship, and
thirty sail of merchantmen, all under convoy of the
Sirius frigate. 4t 4 P. M. on the 16th of March.
they fell in with two French line of battle ships asther
conceived. On the 17th they bore down upon the
convoy. The Sirius and Diligence then made the
signal to disperse, and about 3 P. M. one of the line
of battle ships came up with a brig bound to Exmouth,
and captured her. In a short time afterwards they
came up with four more of the fleet, which from the
same indication of changing their course, it was COn.
sidered they had also captured. They were then in
lat. 47..5. long 11. 20. W. with the wind at S. S. E.
When the Caledonia left Gibraltar, Sir WIT
SMITII'S flag ship was there refitting."

•
Mr. PONSONBY supported it, as the Chairman
of Ways and Means had already enough to occupy
him.
Mr. BIDDULPH denied that it was in conse-
quence of the vote which Mr. Wharton 'gave in the
Committee, that he brought forward the motion ; and
.he assured the Right Honourable Gentleman oppo- Monday se'nnight arrived at Southampton a de'
called to were any appointment 11th Regiment, and embarked for the Isle of Wight.
in the State, he would perform its functions faithfully
tachment of volunteers from the Irish Militia, for the
site to him, that if he
Thursday arrived from Woolwich a detachment ad*
without fee or reward.
; The House divided—For the motion, 21 ; against Royal Artillery Drivers, to embark for Jersey. SI.
it Afar
Majority, 49.* Gravesend, tP
1 turday arrived from the Isle of Wight a detachment
of the 71st Regiment, on their route to Gm
After a short conventation betwixt Mg., Tierney, Sir John New.
embark for Scotland.
port, and Mr. Foster, the Committee op the Irish Supply Bill wai
postponed till Wedrulciay next.
.1 The North Devon Militia, quartered a
Some papers relative to the Danish Navy were presented, and .order relieve Bristol,
ehe o is
or'der'ed to proceed to Weymouth, to r
et
srdared to lie upon the table. . . I Battalion of the 53d Regiment, who have received
The House then res.dved Itself into a Committee to bear evl4 their route for Blatchington Barracks.
denc2 in support of the Petition of the American Merchants' .
!tigain'it the Orders In Council Bill, and several witnesses were ex- ,
moved from Poi hester to Petworth, Midhurst, and
unlined by Mr. Alexander Baring, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Rose,
Three troops of the Queen's Bays have bees re•
Mr. Tierney, the Chancellor of the Excheluer,and Mr. Stevens. atljacents, in order to relieve '1.4.4 publicans from the
Adjourned at half past twelve. . • severe hardships they have so long laboured %Isar.
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