Star.
London, England, 1812-01-08 00:00:00

SPANtsli AFFAIRS.,

Lord HOLLAND rose, and said that he did not
wish to detain the House, but he was deslrons to ask
a question of a Noble Marquis (Welle.li). It had
been observed, that in a debate on an Address. at the
c.pening of a Session, Foreign Affairs wore most ge-
nerally introduced as akading topic. Vi hat he than
wished to know from the Noble Marquis was, lel*.
Cher any, and what progress had been made its our
mediation between the mother country of epain, and
the colonies of Spain now in a state of disiinsi.n with
the mother country ? He was also desirous of know-
ing Whether it was the intention of the Noble Mar-
quis to give the House any particular documents of
information on this subect soon, or during the c'euse
of the present Session ? As far as he could et Pea,
the views.of the Noble Marquis on this imporotax
subject, from what he had seen and read, be con-
curred with him in most respects; but he had ,
no knowledge of the matter as a Member of Parlia-
ment ; but oily in the same way as the pubic at
Lirge might have, by what was matter of notoliety.
He might supprs: his views to be such as !:e had
gathered, and that, of consequence, be had takers
certain steps ; but it •:liould be recollected, that tit
disturbance& in the Caraccas had existed and

I

I

a half. He naturally, therei
what progress had been made
tion. Toe prejudiced policy
vernrnent, combined with the

have Liken place, and prod
perhaps, it was not too mach
not less than two hundred thousan

the view of the subject t.ikrn
w.is correct, it fullow•cJ that

m!asure of mediation should

reedy ; for its justice greatly
tion. in ineventing the evils
dissention ; and he must it

and the tinnarrantable pretensions,
them, of the tnother country.
thought it expedient to Wing
sion last Se:eina, as it mit
premature ; but the length
elapsed rendered the circumct:anct►s
different, and when the cons

may have been the cause of
rica into confusion.

Marais WELLESLEY
cue, which involved narrow

&ions, and conflicting interest,
sary to watch every step with
the greatest attenticu. Too
patch in the outset, might ha,
hopes of success. Ht could
whose sentiments on there sub'
that his own opinion—he bei
transactions, and those of ail
—had been such as would stand
country, Spain, and the world.
that it was of much greater
entinaalLthe interests and

ito yield to the narrow, selfish, .
commercial advantages, particularl7

I seen and read, Le cos-
t respects; but he had
era:. a Member of Parlia-
ne way as the public at
it was matter of nt.tutiety.
as to br such as he had
msequence, he had takes
'ld be recollected, that the
.eas had existed a year and
erefore, wanted to know
lade is the work of media-
'Bey of the Spanish Go-
he delay that appeared to
reduced very bid effects;
tell to say, that it had cow
thousand human lives ! if
ken by the Noble Marquis
at it w ts necessary that tIo
Lid h tve been executed di•
dy depended on its expedi-
la th.►t have recurred MA
sty, ftem the piejuarirWit.
recensions, as he motif*
-y. His Lordship had net
ng the subject into diteus-
ipt have been coasiclawl
th of time that bad soW
innvosees of the caw qsiw
:onsequences of the dell
throwing ail Sc uth ciao
EY stid, that this Writ
ow prejudices, jealous par
its, in which it was betty
rith the utmost cAucon and
30 great endeavours at dis►
have destroyed .all altilaake
Id assure the Noble Lards
I übj:cts he highly atlmirede
being the Agent is these
all his Majesty's Miniskirt
I stand the test b• Coe this
I rld. They had conceived*
er importance to presefre
connections of Spaying!"
isb, Noisy sensidalitieet!,
parucularly ',Lea bra

less so nobly employed in resisting the Usurper and and declarations of the Prince Regent, he was pea'-
enemy of all nations. They had also agreed upon snarled he warnot one of those Princes who wished to
wailer important principle. They thought that it hear nothing but what was sweet, pleasing, and
would be idle to expect the attachment of the Spanish 1 agreeable. The conduct and declarations of his Royal
colonies to the mother-country, if the principles of Highness were of a very different kind, and he (Sir
their Governments should be opposite to those of the ; Francis Burdett) felt that he should not do his duty
Government of Spain. The colonies were to be con- ;to his constituents, to the country, or to the Prince
licked as forming a component part of the Spanish Regent himself, if he let go the present opportunity of
iripire, and represented as such in the getter al,meet- addressing his Royal Highness, and expressing to him
jag of the Cortes or States. Ministers, he waver, never ; what were the real feelings of the country at the pre-
conceived that the mother-country should press upon ' sent moment, and what were the grievances of which
the colonies more strictly titan the practice was even we had to complain. The exertions of the Spanish
tiring the existence of the monarchy before the trou- people against our common enemy, were, no doubt, to,
bles commenced. A great mass of prejudice and be regarded by us as of consequence, nor were their
jealousy. had, in fact, existed, which was to be en- losses to be attributed to any failure on our part; and
countered. There was.. however, every hope, that it must afford us pleasure and gratification to know
sleuld our intervention prove unsuccessful, we should that we had a brave army, who did not disgrace the
still have taken our measures with that degree of spirit of their fathers. But, in the course of the
-caution and prudence, that would not be likely to ex- compliments so largely and justly bestowed on our
the jealousies. When this affair proceeded to a more army, we never once heard mention of that word, as
elviuiced state, he should have no objection to sub- the spring of our exertions, the word FREEDOM—to
;nit to the Noble Lord, or to the House, the whole the love of which, in old times, we were so much
cowse of the conduct which had been pursued. At accustomed to attribute the bravery and courage of
present, he wished to say no more upon the subject; our armies. It could not be contradicted, that for
perhaps, he had gone already beyond the line which the last eighteen years, every succeeding year in which
strict prudence pointed out; but be did wish to sa- , the Members of that House met each other in their
tisfy the Noble Lord. ' places, was more calamitous than that which had pre-
Lord HOLLAND said, that the Noble Marquis ceded it. He was afraid he might even go farther
had really given him wo answer to his question. back, and declare that this had been the case even from
From public report, he (Lord H.) most erobably the very beginning of the present reigna-that our ca-
urred with the Noble Marquis's views ; but he 'amities had been begun from the commencement of I
still wished to know what steps had been taken. The the American war, and had been going on in a progres- '
Noble Marquis had detailed his general views, using sive encrease for nearly half a century. And, if for the
general words respecting necessary caution and cir- last 50 years, the situation of this country had always
camspection ; and had named a commission for me- teen growing worse and worse—was it not now time
diating : but it was the nomination, and not the exe- to reflect? Must we not, at length, be convinced that
cation of the commission, that would create the jea- there was something in our system that is radically
lanes. What progress had been made since the strong ? It should be his (Sir Francis Burden's) en-
commission was named, or what prevented that being deavour, this being the case, to endeavour to point
done earlier ? If two friends quarrel, it would be out to the attention of his Royal Highness in what
odd to say, wait patiently till they come to extremi- this fundamental error consisted. The effects of the
ties, and give one anothcf black eyes and bloody • American war, he contended, were felt, at this d ,y,
noses. The evil of the differences between Spain and in the war in which we were now engaged. It was
the Colonies must have been perceptible to the saga- a war commenced on the very principles of the Arne-
city of t:w Noble Marquis, from the very commence- rican war. A detestation of the principles of liberty
sent of the reverses in Spain, yet a year and a half which had broken out in France, first involved us in
ot civil war had ensued, in which both parties were a war with that country ; and on the same system, he
in the wrong. A commission had' been named, but was afraid, we were proceeding at the present mo-
delayed : a just view of the subject taken, but not I stunt. The former war was undertaken, as it was al-
the consequent steps. lodged, for the protection of the navigation of the
Marquis WELLESLEY said, he had not stated ! Scheldt, which the Dutch themselves admitted to be
that' we had had se intercourse with both parties a miserable pretext. After that crusade was finished,
'early; fur, in fact; ism bad: but that vse had met we now found ourselves engaged in another seem-
with great obstacles. It was necessary to be tads- ingly endless contest ; and he did not believe that any
fed that both parties were likely to agree, and that one of the persons who defended it, Could say what
there was a hope of a settlement. There was,, there- 'we were fighting for. Not for Liberty—That was a
fore, such progress in the transaction as the nature tvoil which never once escaped their lips. Was it for
of it admitted ; and had we pushed it on at an early the independence of Spain ? No. They talked, indeed,
period, we should have raised prejudices, excited of the enemy of the Sovereign of 01 country ;—but
animosities, inflamed jealousies, and shut up:every.: the rights of the people Of Spain was a thing they
avenue to conciliation. never thaught of. Those rights of the Sovereign of
Lord HOLLAND mentioned his intention to I Spain, however, which Gentlemenuright say we were
move, at an early day, for those papers on the sub- : no,.v contending for, had been, by that SovereigU
ject which' were notorious, in order to put the House ! himself, resigned into the hands of Bonaparte, and
and the public in possession of the dates. were now completely frittered away. speech,
UM MAJESTY. on the prisinit occasion, the Hon. Baronet must, in a
The Earl of LIVERPOOL gave notice of a Motion for Thurs- peculiar degree, consider the speech of the Minister.
*by nat, respecting the Report of his Majesty's Physicians.
I Su long as there was any hope of a successful issue

posed he plight, ee the present oeces'inn, to observe,
would not have been insisted on, and that the House
would not have been offended, though he did not re.
gard them as to all intents and purposes the pure se-
presentatives of the nation at large. This defect in
the representatve system was one great object to
which he (Sir Francis Burdett) was anxious to call
the attention of the Prince Regent, after he should be
free from the shackles with which he was at present
loaded, and which, as an encroachment on the just pre-
rogative of the Throne, he (Sir Francis Burdett)
was of opinion ought never to have been imposcd.—
The Hon. Baronet looked forward with corldenee
to the period when his Royal Highnoss should be
freed from the fetters with which he was at presznti
bound, assured from the plinciplesofhis Royal High-,
ness, and from those declarations to which he had,
pledged himself, that he would redress the complaints
of the people in this important point, on which the
salvation of the country in a great measure depended.
The Worthy Baronet is td seen persons who stood
up in defence of an Absolute Government ; he had_
seen others who preferred an Aristocracy ; and a
third party who would rather chose a Democracy;
and he had perused well-written articles is defence cf
each of these systems. But a man who would re-
commend an Oligarchy—and that too not of great
men, but of rotten borough-mongers—persons not
to be found in any other country but our own—
was one whom he had never yet met wi h.--
That was the root of all the evils under which the
country now groaned; ai.d to this grand and Inisda-
mental grievance he (Sir Francis Burdett) Lad felt it
his duty thus early to call the attention of the House,
and of the Prince Regent. But what had been the
effects produced by.the system under which we now
acted ? Those Kings who had been persuaded to be-.
come our Allies, had been compelled either to abdi-
cate their Thrones, or to content themselves with
scanty pittances of the dominions they had once pos-
sessed, and to hold even these at the will of their
Conqueror. This had not beiallen one, but all of
our Allies ; yet we calmly looked on, calling our-
selves wise and free, and did not think of changing a.
system from which such evils resulted. If we tut Led
our eyes from the Continent of Europe to the state of
our country at home, we would there see nothing con-
solatory, mil which could relieve the gloom of the.
other part of the picture. We should there see taxa-
tion carried almost to an impracticable height ; we
should see oppression on every hand, ai,.;;;Tavated to
the unfortunate sufferers by peculation, waste, and
profusion without bounds, and unrepressed. We had
heard, in former times, of the extol ions of Empsou
and Dudley; but these were now hardly worth think-
ing of. Formerly it had betn thought, that even the
enactments of an Act of Parliament were ineffectual
to justify extortion. Now, we had only to tok to our
surveyors and our turchargers, and we would see that
even to pay our taxes, burdensome as they must be
felt, was not sufficient. We had now Empsons and
Dudley: in every district, and not only were we de—
prived of the right of trial by Jury, but it was even
provided, by special Act of Parliament, that when a
person came before one of those physical tribunals,
he was denied the benefit of Counsel or Attorney, so
that it became more advisable to acquiesce in an un-
just surcharge, than to seek redress by complaint.—

I^LPEDITWM TO JAVA.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL save notice of a Motion for Friday
next of a Vote of Thanks to the Governor-General of Inaa, Lord
tlinto, and General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, for the late expedi-
tion to Java.

to the strugeda.b.e.the people eof Spain, he (sir Fran. Chen came another subject of complaint in the mill-
cis Burdett) had no objectien that every assistance in tary force of the country ' • and as if it was not suffi-
our power sheuld be rendered them. The language dent that the military should be in possession of the
held in- the speech, however, on this subject, he did country, to our own soldiers were added a great n)tm-
not believe ; nor was he by any means convinced that bee of foreign mercenaries, Germans and where, as
Gentlemen entertained those hopes which they ex. if England was incapable of her own defence. If
pressed. The laurels earned by our gallant soldiers, there was any thing more than another requiring irn.
he sincerely rejoiced in. Their bravery had been mediate redress, this was a thing highly deserving of
great, and the honour they had thereby purchased teas the attention of his Royal Highness. If we reverted I
prop rtionate ; but, after all, the victories they had to the time of Charles I. we should find, (so jealous
achieved were barren, and were followed by some- were our ancestors on this important point) that an
thing very like defeats. The French, notwithstand- address WAS presented to that Sovereign on the tub-
ing, were still mak.ing progress, and though occa- jest,, in consequence of his having IWO foreign col-
sionally repulsed by the bravery of our troops, were diers in the kingdom, and in his pay. Realty, the '
still successful in getting fortress after fortress, into feelings of Gentlemen were so altered, that one
their possession. The original object of the present rDUSe almost be inclined to doubt whether it Was the
contest, on the part of this country, the Honourable same country. Bot even our own soldiers, it would
Baronet conceived to be to support the principles of seem, e ere not thought efficient, unless they were
NEW warts. la wild doitpotism. He *light be asked, did the transformed into toreigners in appearance. Had the
On his return. the SPEAKER informed the House, that since , French proclaim Liberty ? Certainly not. But every French taught the people of this country, or the Go-
ssiper Session he had ordered writs to be issued for the clef.- thing which ought to have been d ne to reconcile the vernment at leas; to believe that German or other
ion Si new Monithers for the followin laces v z —For the people to the support of the cause for which tlit:y !oreign soldiers were more efficient than British sol.
____ urg .o, conthivng of kortrose, Elgin, &c.tn the room
Wrier 11a;Ure, jun. Esq. deceased • for the City of York, in the were called on to fight, had been•omitied on our diers, that we found it necessary to disguise our own
soldiers, and to adopt the rough chin of the German
_seentheor se W. M. Milner, Bait deceased ; for East Grinstead, part— and we contested ourselves with leaving the
instead of the smeoth chin of an Englishman. Such
111 room of Sir N. Holland, deceased; for Toti%u, in the old system to prevail, held out no inducement to the
tbm of W. Adams, Etq deceased; and for Shrew sbury in tare toily he was almost ashamed to think of, and was se-
am of Sor T. T. Jones Bart. deceased, s le people, nor attempted to shevi them that they had
New writs were ordeetu tube • ed for the Borough of Lewes, any thing for which to contend. It struck the Hon. tistied more real advantage arose from the plain dress
Mite.roons of Henry show, Esq. deceased; for Barnstaple, in Beronet that our conduct, in regard to the Spaiiiih of the English cavalry, than from the cumbersome
and useless accoutrements with which, in imitation of
!artily::
jof G. W.>mh •rd rheuessOn, Esq. deceased ; and fur Ald- nation, afforded a wonderful contrast to our conduct
See , I ulk,iii the room of John M`Malion, Esq. appoin- ,in another respect. In regard to the Spaniards, who the dress of the Germans, they had been invested.—
ed eaymaster of Widows' PeEsiens. I were of the Roman Catholic religion, it was to be ob. There was another topic, however, connected with
BATTLE We ALBUERA.
ne Srzniteit acquainted the House, that he had received a le- {served, that we scrupled not to regard them as va- the military, to which he was also happy to have
hss from Lord Wellint,ton, inctosing a leutr from General Brake, ' luahle allies, in whose* behalf, not even excepting this early opportunity of alluding ; and that was—
the punishment of the lash—a subject which he ho-
tetsruohing darks tor the honour done to General Blake and the their religion, we ought to exert ourselves to the sit.
ped to see discussed at length in an early period of
, ....Anew y under his coinmatid, in the unanimous vote of termost, even'at the expence of our,best blood and tree-
ratruslo, , approving of their courage ar,Al bravery in the b.:rtle sure. While we thus acted towards the Spaniards, the Session. This was at all times a question of the
The two Letters were read, and ordered to be entered onra'
the .. W./E it not extraordinary that we should omit to re- highest importance ; but it was rendered so now, in
Jostle,. ' I ebncile to ourselves those most valuable of all allies ;an infinitely greater degree, in consequence of almost
___ SPEECH OF TUE LOnDS COMMIS/110)MS. the Catholics of Ireland ? 'Was it not now highly ne- even' man in England being forced to become in some
. The sZert then informed the House, that the House bad eessary, that by admitting them to a participation in respects a suldier. He had, on a former occasion, re.
ne to ouse of Lords, and had heard
.a Speech read by marked, and must now, with much additional cause,
the rights of citizenship, we should do what in us lay
repeat, if such a punishment was suffered to exist, we
'cease Chancellor, one of the Lords Commissioners, to both
of Parlhimnt, of which he had, for the•greater converd- ' to reconciletheir irritated feelings, and to render them
could not complain of being called a flogged nation!
Ilice4"ctik'"l a copy, and which, %seal the leave of the House, truly our allies, in 'feeling and in interest ? In the
111..skonid.. then read to Mem. i Sl;;!ech, which he must again consider as the Speech No exertions of his, the Honourable Baronet pledged
aslie. beech was accordiavy read, (for which see the Lords). I of. the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, there were himself, should be wanting to wipe off this
'stigma
from the country. Some people were pleased to say,
_lr FRANCIS BURDETT immediate( rose,. several ot.ner omissions, and there were observations
that this was a punishment which could not be en-
le, d addressed the Cheir, observing that he felt it his ' which would receive the sanction of that House, if, as
dispensed with, and that it was only inflicted
*lutTeee take the earliest possible opportunity ef ad- * they were supposed to be, they were really the repre- timely ,
-- - Royal Bighneis the Prince sentatives of the people. in a few instances. Let the offences, however, for
i seemed to him to be of : The SI'EAKER here called the Hon. Baronet to which it was to be inflicted, be defined, so that it
: country. ; order, this not being language in which the House might not be an arbitrary punishment ; or let a sub-
the same time with the aught to be addressed. stitute, whatever it might be, be found for it: Officers
;CIS BURDETT having first i Sir FRANCIS 'BURDETT declared, that no. were exempt from such a punishment ; and why
- should the soldier be exposed to it. 1 his was ano-
-ecen, he decided that the ' thing could give him greater pleasure than to be call
possession of the House, it he ' ed to order on such a subject ; because he was now i ther complaint under the head of grievances to which
from theiese to understand that it was to insult the he wished to call the Prince Regent's attention.—
House to say, that they were not the representatives i Amongst other grievances, to wich he felt it obe
his duty now to call the attention of the House,t and
of the people. If this doctrine had been held previous
of the Prince Regent, was one which operated both
to the year 1808,.1re (Sir Francis Burdett) should not
in the nature of a tax, and of a grievance and impo-
have been so much surprised ; but really, after what
he had then heard within the walls of that House; 1 sition on the liberty of the subject. A power had
after it was not Only boldly asserted, and offered to be j been lodged of late years in the Attorney-General,
proved; that seats were publicly bought and sold in 1 by which the law of the land was set :side; and he
open day ; when this was not only not denied, but Mi- I was invested with an authority of filing criminal in-
ntsters even admitted the fact and justified the traffic, formations, as they are technically called. This was
on the ground of its notoriety, and being of every a power of a novel and most dangerous kind--
day's practice, he should have expected that such de- one which could not safely be for a moment en-
licacy of egpression as that Whichitscemed to be sup..trusted to neap-tan. The exercise of such a power,

COMMITTEES.

Lord WALSINGHAM was re-elected Chairman of the Com-
mittees. Thanks were voted to his Lordship for his conduct hi
tkat situation last Ses.ion. HiS Lordship returned his thanks.
Adjourned till Thursday morning next at eleven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Mr. Quarme, the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod, appeared
lithe Lif, and desired the attendance of the House in the House
el Lords , to bear the Commission read; whereupon the :peaker,
*tended by the Members present, gave their attendtuice accor-
dingly.

Hie new Members, among whom were the Hon. Mr. Dun-
iss, the Hou. Mr. Bennett, Mr. Courtnay, and Mr. Graham,
Vok the oad.s and their seats.

The ball to prevent clandestine ondawries was, as usual, read
stint time.

TT said, he could not
, afforded him of offering
atteLtioa of the House, and

ion, such an Address, as,
the country was placed,
)usly and peculiarly called i
Jyal Highness the Prince
truth, and telling him what i
'pie of these kingdoms at
conscious of discharging
It kind, both to the Prince
.t he know of the feelings •

**H sitti—th-e-H-o—useattan"dcahLisPlU
'nen_ t, on a subject which
The utntost importance to the
Lord JOCELYN rose at tl
turn. Baronet, but Sir FRANC
), gin the eye of the SPEAKI
non. Baronet was in possess
tlaimed his right.
Sir FRANCIS BURDE'
go the opportunity now
amself tbus early to the atte
of Proposing, for their adoptit
ia situation in which th
seemed to him to be imperiou
iir• In addressing his Ro)
"Agent in,thetanguage of tru
the feelings of the Peop
Present -moment, he was
duty of the most important
the From what