Star.
London, England, 1809-05-31 00:00:00

INNKEEPERS.

Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE pre,ented a Petition from certain inn-
keepers, publicans, and licensed victuallers, resident in Gilling-
ham, Chatham, and other places in the county of Sussex, praying
for an increase of the rates of allowances for soldiers billeted
upon them.
Mr. FULLER stated that the grievance complained of in the
petition called loutly for a remedy throughout the country, and
particularly in the county of Sussex.
The SECRETARY at WAR admitted the tubject was worthy
the attention of Government, and said that measures had been
under the consideration of Government, for giving such relief as
might be declared necessary.
Sir E. KNAf CHBULL bore testimony to the sufferings expe-
rienced by the inn-keepers in Kent, 'on account of the excessive
demands upon them by the quartering on them soldiers.
Mr. CHARLES I)UNDAS adverted to the late extraordinary
increase of the military, by the addition of the Local Militia, and
thought that the pressure upon the Innkeepers must be severe in
tl.e same proportion.
After a few words from Sir T. TURTON, Mr. G. Rost, Mr.
SUMNER, and Mr. SOAR Lerevat, the Petition was ordered to
lie on the table.

Mr. S 4V11.1.E presented a Petit'or. from the Innkeepers and
Publicans of Oakhamptcn to the like purport.—Ordered to lie on
the table.

P.SOLVENC't BILL.

Sir T HOMAS TURTON rose to move the Order
of the Day for the seccnd reading of the Insolvency
Bill, and he felt it necessary, at the same time, to
submit to the House the case of some persons con-
fined for debt, but the amount of the demand against
whom, had excluded them from the benefit of every
Insolvent Bill which had passed during the long pe-
riod of their imprisonment, and left them no prospect
but that of a severity which the law of this country
could never have contemplated, namely, incarcera-
tion for life ; a...d such must be, in effect, their pu-
ni,hrnent for the erime of debt and insolvency, unless
the Legislature, in its mercy and benevolence, should
interfeee for their relief, and allow their names to be
specially inserted in the. Bill. One of those unfortu-
nate persons had actually suffered already fourteen
years impeLonment, and another fifteen years. There
was nothing in their crime that must not have been
folly expi.ited by so long and severe a confinement
and exclusion from society. No possible or good
pnrpose could be answered to their creditors by the
connnuance of their miseries, as they were totally in-
solvent, and n-eist ever ccaninue so while in prison.—
Incarceration for life never could have been contem-
plated l:y legal justice against any man for not pay-
ing a deot beca...ise utterly incapable of so doing.—
lie should therefore take the liberty, in the Commit-
tee upon the ?;ill, to propose a Clause fur the libera-
tion cf all Insol,:e.:t Debtors, actcr five years impri-
soluncr., for any
_stun nct exceeding 50001. and all
debtors ci-ntined h:r any sant who shall have suffered
in succinsion ten ye.trs imprisoement. he had some
thev,:.ts of extending the operation of these Clauses
to Lyland, bet found, on ei,quiry, they were unne-
cessary, as e.xs, or none woeld require them. He also
hinted to Majesty's Chencellor of the Exchequer
the (ere i.fdebtoes tl'e Crown, who were expressly
precitided from the beneS: of every InFoivent
expatiated on the severity of inflicting imprisen-

ment for life upon men fro fines or penalties on evo..;
sions or frauds upon the Revenue, a species of frauds I
certainly not less crimi.lal than any otber, akboisb
mr.ch more venial in popular.estimation; and, to
which the temptations were 'many and strong, 'and
he trusted the Chancellor of the Exchequer would
have no strong objections to the Clause for their relief.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE.::
assured the Hon. Baronet that no six months ever
elapsed without a revision of the cases of such men.
and relief to such as. appeared to deserve it. He did
not therefore conceive any enactment on the occasion

r.c:essary.
The Bill was read the second time, and ordered to
be committed.

SURR P.PTITIOUS PROMOTIONS IN INDIA.
TURTON rose to enquire, Ns-he-
eler wits, intended,: try
the Court Of ..Directorsoz.ior the recal of, those unfor-
tunate persons Who had been:vent-out to India under
ofilcial appointments,' Valtich,-.withouf'ank thing lihc,
criminality or malconduct -oti"their parts, had been
improperly obtained ? -
Mr. MILLS said, that the Directors, however
hurtful to their own feelings towards the persons in'
questku, had felt it their indispensable duty to make:
an order for their recal, with a view, by this exam.,
pie, to deer for the future all similar transactions.

SALT.

General GASCOIGNE, after some observations
upon the great loss sustained by the British Salt Ma.'
nufacturers, through the preference given in the Irish
market to Foreign Salt, owing to the mode of impo-.J
sing the Duties and a difference in the quantities be-
tween the Irish and English bushel, which gave a
decided advantage of 30 per- cent. against English
Salt in the Irish market, moved that a Committee be
appointed to-morrow, to take the subject into coasit.
deration.
Mr. FOSTER. sai(l, that the foreign Bay Salt was
made in the Bays in Portugal, from the action of the
sun only, whereas the British White Salt was pro-
duced by fire. The reason that the higher duty was-
laid on British Salt was, because the Salt made by
the natural process hail more impurities, and it was
supposed that SO pounds weight of Bay Salt was no
more than equal to 56 pounds weight of the British
Salt. The foreign Bay Salt was, however, infinitely
better for packing provisions than the British Salt,
which much sooner melted. He confessed, any thing
which was sought for by so respectable a trading
town as Liverpool, deserved the attention of Parlia-
ment ; but when it was recollected of what import-
ance the provision trade of Ireland was, and when -it
was stated that a great part of the superior excellence
of the Irish salted provisions depended upon the use
of this foreign Salt, it would be but fair to give the
persons concerned in the provision trade of Ireland
time to state their opinion upon the object of the pre-
sent Motion. He should have no objection to a full
enquiry before a Committee, early in the next Session.
- Mr. C. HUTCHINSON agreed with the Right
Honourable Gentleman who had just spoken, on the
propriety of postponing to the beginning of next Ses-
sion a question of such importance.
Mr. JACOB entered into a chemical analysis upon
the nature of salt, and shewed, that the slower the
process of drying the salt the slower the evaporation,
the stronger the salt, and, that of course, if the pro-
cess by fire was continued to be as gradual as that by
the sun, -he did not see the salt made by the fire might
not be as serviceable as the foreign Bay Salt. •
Mr. FOSTER said, in explanation, that he was
aware that an attempt had been made in Lymington
to make Bay Salt, and that it had failed. He said,
that it was called Bay Salt, because made by being
expi,sed to the sun in inlets or bays in Portugal.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, that he trusted his Honourable Friend who
brought forward this motion would now be satisfied
that it had not met with as favourable a reception
from his Right Honourable Friend near him as cir-
cumstances could pos,ibly admit of. He hoped,
therefore, that the motion would not at present be
pressed any further, with an understanding that the
question would meet with every attention from that
House early in the next Session.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, that the evidence at
present was but ex parte evidence, and that they ought
to wait until they heard the sentiments of those in
Ireland interested in the subject, before they would
decide either upon lowering the duties on British salt
or augmenting those upon foreign salt.
General TARLETON said, that England had
been on all occasions bounteous and indulgent towards
Ireland, in giving her every fair advantage in her
trade ; and that if it was made out that the British
Salt was as effectual in curing provisions as the Fo-
reign Salt, he thought Ireland should not object to
the equalization of the two dut. es. The Bay Salt was
the cargo under which brandy in general was smug.
gled ; and perhaps it might be owing to this method
of disguising smuggling that the Gentlemen in Ire-
land were able to drink such good wines. He had
often been indebte I to them for a very hospitable
portion of their excellent wines ; and he knew them
to be very select in their wines in general, indeed
thq drank it much cheaper and better than Gentle-
men in this country were able to do ; and that they
did so, might be owing to the Irish market being
pretty abundanCy supplied in this way.
General GASCOIGNE then consented to with.
draw his motion.
FRAUDS IN THE IRISH REVENUE.

Sir JOHN NEWPORT rose to call the attention
of the House to an appointment which had been made
in defiance of the express words of the Act of the 46th
year of the King, and of every principle upon which
promotions and rewards should be conferred. By the
Act to which he had alluded, any officer of the Cus-
toms or Excise, who should, after the passing of that
Act, take or accept of any fee, gratuity, or presents,
from the Distillers whom they visited in the course of
their duty, should be thereby incapacitated from hold-
ing any office, civil or military. Notwithstanding the
express words of this Act, a Mr. Beauchamp Hill,
who had confessed before Commissioners of Enquiry,
that he had regularly received £2O per week from two
Distillers who were in his district, was not only not
dismissed, but was prcmoted from the situation of
Surveyor to be an Inspector-General, which was a
promotion in that very department in which the frauds
had been committed. It was in September 1306,
that he had confessed himself guilty of the fraud, as d
nn the Bth of March 1808, he received his- promotion.
He titoiltilt it would be useless to endeavour to guess

•

at what sort of defence could be set up, and concluded
by nut= a resolution, stating the words Sf the Act
of the of his Majesty, the confession of Mr. Hill,
that heitad acted contrary to it, and his subseqttent
promotion.
Mr. FOSTER said, that certainly, owing to the
adequacy of their salaries, an universal system of cor-
ruption had formerly existed among the revenue of-
ficers of Ireland, and that out of 32 excise officers
examined by the. Commissioners of Enquiry, 30 of
them had confessed that they had received similar
presents. They justified it from its being a constatt
practice, and known to be so by the Board who empl< y-
ed them, and who yet took no measuresici stop it. The
practice of receiving thesoß•atnit4i was so universal,
and so long in
jaqp.,aottar Connived at, that it would
have hgeßptuaTair to select-one or two individuals for
'punishment, as almost every other officer in the reve-
nue equally deserved to be dismissed. Mr. Hill; ho*-,
ever, was very ready to give every informations
power to the Commissieueraaof -.Enquitaciand was in
every other respect a very good officer. He was there-
fore promoted for his merit, although he had in coms
mon with all other excisemen done a thing ifiegal and
improper. He therefore moved the previous question.
Mr. HUTCHINSON thought nothing could bring
the House into greater contempt than passing over so
lightly such a flagrant case as had been now stated.
Who, could believe that it was utterly impossible to find
a single honest man to fill any office in the Irish rev,.
nue ? If the revenue officers were so corrupt from
bottOm to top, they should be all removed, and honest
men sought for. If men in high situations had known
of their frauds, and connived at them, they should
also be dismissed. He had heard with infinite plea-
sure, that his Majesty had been advised to annul a
Commission granted to a Noble Lord (Lord Burg-
hersh). He hoped he would also be advised to an-
nul this appointment.
Mr. CROAKER said, that it was sufficient proof of
the corruption of sortie of the revenue officers that
they were alive ; for if they had trusted to their sala-
ries, they must have starved. The salaries were set-
tled in the reign of Charles 11. and were but 401.
a-year to the gauger, and 6,:i. a-year to the surveyor.
It therefore became necessary for them to get by
some other means those necessaries of meat, drink,.
and cloathing, for themselves and their families, which
the pure abstract patriots of the present day might
not think they had any right to think of. L. was
Lord Annesley who had recommended this particular
promotion, on no other ground but that Mr. Hill was
an active and good officer.
Mr. PFTER. MOORE said, that without pre-
tending to those abstract ideas of perfection, he would
sill say, that although he had before heard a system
of bribery and corruption avowed, he never did sup-
pose that such a scene of bribery and corruption as
this could ever have been justified or excused. It
appeared from the Report of the Commissioners of
Enquiry, that the frauds committed on the Irish re-
venue by the licensel distillers, amounted in a year
to £856,000, and that the principal cause of these
enormous frauds was, that those officers were bribed
to connive at them. These Distillers notv deprecated
all manner of enquiry into those transactions.
Mr. DUNDAS SAUNDERS defended the pro-
motion, on the ground of its being necessary to select
for promotion persons in the service of the revenue ;
and that it mould have been absolutely impossible to
have dismissed them all.
, SiT,SAMUEL ROMILLY said, that he had never
in his life heard such doctrines gravely stated, as
might be deduced from what had fallen from an
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Croaker). If a man's salary
was not sufficient, was that an excuse for his taking
bribes, and conniving at all manner of frauds against
the Government which employed him ? As to the
ridicule which the Hon. Gentleman appeared to throw
out against those pure and abstract patriots, who
would not consider the necessity of providinoneat,
drink, or cloathing for themselves and families a suf-
ficient excuse, he would say that it never was allowed
as an excuse for dishonest actions. If it were, any
person indicted at the Old Bailey fur a robbery,
would say it was only for the purpose of getting meat,
drink, and cloathing fur himself and family. Such
an excuse would not be admitted at that place. If
the salaries of their places were not sufficient, did any
body oblige these men to become excisemen? He must
therefore support the original motion, as he conceived
the promotion of such a person highly improper.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
did not think his Honourable Friend (Mr. Croaker)
had maintained the general proposition that the Right
Honourable Gentleman imputed to him. It was to
be considered that in this particular case, when all
the excise-officers in Ireland had been in the habit of
taking certain regular presents from the Distillers, it
would havebeen impossible to dismiss them all at once,
as although that might be good in the way of exam-
ple, yet it would be a sacrifice of the revenues of Ire-
land for two years. If it were not contended that all
the revenue officers of Ireland should be dismissed,
there was no reason why the best of them should not be
promoted. This man, although he had taken money,
as others did, yet in other respects he did his duty.
The cause, however, of this great corruption had now
been removed by the increase of the Officers' salaries,
and the Act might in future be strictly enforced.—
The Act was of a prospective and not a retrospective
nature ; and as to the case of Mr. Hill, there had been
no legal conviction against him, nor any thing but his
own confession before the Commissioners, which was
not asked for the view of turning him out of his place.
It did not appear to him that it was desired to select
this man or any other for punishment, and therefore
if he were allowed to stay in the revenue, he saw no
reason why he should not be promoted, if he was di-
ligent and useful.
Mr. HORNER spoke shortly in favour of the mo-
tion. He expressed his surprize at what had fallen
from the Chancellor of the Exchequer—that a man
should be continued in office who had been found
guilty of corruption. He, for his own part, thought
that a more flagrant abuse of power was.never heard
of; a more unblushing breach of purity, he was cer-
tain, never, till then, appeared before that House,
and as such, he thought it his duty to give it his de-
cided reprobation.
Sir J. NEWPORT replied generally to the several
I arguments urged against his motion. Ho thought
the defence set up so extremely weak and defective,
that it was only necessary to make a few observa-
tions. He insisted, that the, charge of Mr. Beau-
' thamp Hill had been made out as strongly as the

ease would permit. The malt books of Ross Cr—,
Walk had not.been returned. It was said some of
them had been carried away ; but what rernairtf:d
:Droved that Mr. B. Hill was the Surveyor then, th.it
1.5,0(X) gallons of pot ale had been found there sup.
pressed ; so that if you could not positively say a
charge was found, it was very reasonable to suppose
i:. He declared, he did not personally know Mr. B.
his connexions, nor any of those per.
' sons in whose room he had 'been promoted, so that
he.could not be actuated by the slightest bias or mo-
' tive of favour or partiality. The first he knew r;
Mr. Hill was seeing his name in the Report of the
Commissioners of Enquiry. He censured the ground
of argument that men known to be corrupt should be
employed, on account of:their ability to fill a parti-
cular station. On thecontratt, he thought that, in a
public officer,
ilictriettl and character could not be
tala4gerty, nor ought they, io be put in ccmpetition
with any ability, "ho-smvir great it might he. He
should therefore take the sense of the house on his

motion.. -- • -
Mr.'. BARHAM said there was one argument
which ought to make the House cautious in what
way they dealt with this motion. It had been plb-
licly and generally asserted, that many persons sat in
that House by impropzr means. The public had
taken, the alarm ; and it had been found in support
of that, alarm, and those-assertions, that a Cabinet 11-
!lister had actually been concerned in bartering for a
seat in that House, and was defended for such an act.
It was by the motion that moment under cons;d?ra-
tion, and the arguments urged in support of it, further
asserted that corruptions prevailed in a most extensive
degree over the whole revenue of Ireland. If some-
thing were not done to rectify these corruptions and
abuses--if no step were taken towards removing them,
he dreaded to think what the public opinion of that
House must very soon be.
A division then tools place—ln favour of the mo.
tion 50—Against it 77.
TYTIIES IN IRELAND.

Mr. PARNELL brought forward a motion, pur-
suant to notice, " That an humble Address be pre.
sensed to his Majesty, that he would order a Special
Commission to be appointed, to inquire into the state
and ratage of Tythes in Ireland, and to such other
matters relating to the levying and collecting of
Tythes as they may think proper to direct their atten-
tion to, and to report the same, with their opinion to
the Home."
Mr. R. DUNDAS, the Chief Secretary for Ire-
land, objected to the motion, on the ground that such
a Commission might raise hopes and expectations in
the people of Ireland, which that House might never
be able to realize. It might create divisions and dis-
sensions which the House could not remedy, and
though an inquiry into the subject mightbe necessary
land.proper, he did not think this was a proper me-
thod of entering upon the subject,
Mr. F. FITZGERALD, ( Knight of Kerry), and
Mr. PONSONBY, supported the :notion at consider-
able length.
Mr. GRATTAN expressed himself glad to find
that though Mr. Dundas objected to the Motion, he
did not do the same to Inquiry.- If therefore soy
Inquiry should be likely to take place next Seskim,
he thought it would be more effectually done by a
Committee, and was of opinion tha' the Commis.
sioners moved for would be more likely to embarrass
the proceedings of any Committeetrf that House than
to be of the least service.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
opposed the motion. on the same grounds as his Right
Hon. Friend the Secretary of Ireland, and of the dd.
ficulty of substitutint'any other species of Property
in lieu of Tythes.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT spoke in favour of the
motion.
Le•rd CASTLEREAGH opposed it.
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON defended the motion, and
commented on the little regard -which the Noble
Lord paid to the pledges he had made at,the Union
to the people of Ireland.
Mr. PARNEI.L replied, and the House divided on
the motion, which was negatived by-147 against 76.
MEDICAL BOARD.

Mr. WARDLE rose to make his promised motion
relative to appointments in the Medical Board. He
stated the mortality in the East Indies to be such, that
out of 30,000 men who were sent there, 13,000 died,
and at least one-third of those were lost on account
of the incapacity of the medical men who were allot.
ted to superintend them. He also stated an over•
charge of 100 per cent. taking place upon Medicines,
which amounted to £15,000 on an average. He
concluded by moving,
" That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, pray-
ing, that there should be laid before the House a return of all the
Medical Persons employed in the Army, all the Inspectors of
Hospitals, Deputy Inspectors Mates, &c."
The SECRETARY AT WAR did not oppose the
Motion, which was carried, after a few words from
Mr. Rose, Mr. Perceval, and Mr. Whitbread.
AMSRICA.
Mr. MARRYATT said, as he had heard with
great satisfaction that Ministers did not'intend making
any opposition to his Motion, he should not trouble
the House with any observation upon it—he moved,
' " That an humble Address be presences to his Majesty, pray-
ing, that there be laid before the House Copies of all Notes be-
tween his Majesty's Minister and the Government of the United
States, between the years 1807 and 1808, as to the repeal of the
Orders in Council ; and also Copies or the Instructions from 11,e
Secretary of State to his Majesty's Minister in America, sat! a-
rising him to enter into any negociatioo."
Mr. CANNING said, he was very desirous to cont•
ply with the motion which had been just made. With
respect to the production of the notes, he had no ob-
jection whatever. As to the instructions, in any other
case he would feel delicate on the subject, because the
publication of such documents was not very usual.—
As, however, with respect to the particular instruc-
tions how required, his Majesty's Minister in. Ame-
rica had powers to communicate them in extent° to the
American Government if he thought proper ; and as
they were by this time, perhaps, public in the United
States, he felt his objection in some degree removed.
Having said so much, lie did not think it necessary
to dwell on the substance of those papers at present,
but should reserve himself to another epportunity.—
He could not help saying, however, that his Majesty's
Minister in the United States had not only not acted
according to his instructions, but had acted in direct
contradiction to them. He gave every concession
without insisting on any of the conditions of which
such concessions were to be the consequence.
• Mr. PONSONBY wished tie know whether the Mi-

LONDON.

WEDNEDAY, MAY 31.

PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK:
Consols, for money, 631--Ditto for July opg. 681-3-
omnium pre,m,—Exchenuer Bills. 1418. to 128. pi-e.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.

Bank Stock 247+ 249 2423 i
S per Cent. Rid. 67fif
3 per Cent. Cons. 68-i 68+
4 pa Cent. 84 83
5 per Ce::t. Navy 99ff
I.2ng Ann. 18 5-18 7-16
Lnp. J per Cent. 66

Irish 5 per Cent. 933
Oninium prem.
India Bonds t!Os. 19s prem.
India Stock 185i1 IS7 1t7.51
Excheq. Bilis, ms. lss. pr.
Consols, for acc. 681

A Gentleman who came passenger by the Provi.
dentin, arrived at Portsmouth, and which left Gijon
on the 20th inst. rep, its that the French entered As-
turias on or about the 17th, were in possession of
Oviedo on the iSt.h inst. and hourly expected to be at
ev •

.2'n the confidence of security, the defiles on the
frontiors cf this province had been abandoned, both
by the army of the Commander-in-Chief, the Marquis
de la. ROM ANA, and by the forces under the General
of the District, D. FRANCISCO VALLESTEROS. The
Marquis was at Oviedo organizing the civil Magistracy
when he received a dispatch acquainting.him with the
approach of the enemy. The only troops at that time
in the neighbourhood of the city were, the regiment
of the Princessa, with which a skew of resistance was
made, but the bridge of the Nora was soon carried,
and the place was immediately afterwards occupied
by the enemy. At what period General ROMANA
W;thdrew from the scene of action is not known ; but
it is ascertained, that from thence he proceeded to
Gijon, white he embarked with four Aides-dc-Camp,
in the Palamo sloop of war, and set sail for the west.
ern coast of Gallicia. The spot where he will land
So cliect his junction with his army in that province,
is uncertain, and must depend upon the progress and
operations of the Dukes of ELCIIINGEN and Atom.-
TIA. In ..e mean time, the state of General VAL-
LLSTEROS is very critical. He is a brave and enter-
prising OfFicer, but without, we fear, sufficient expe-
rience to have prepared him for the difficulties of his
present situation. The last accounts from this Com-
mander are introduced into the Oviedo Gazette of
the (Ith inst. he was then in the eastern extremity of
Asturias, and we fear that he, and his whole force-
must be cut off by the enemy.
The Bishop of Santander and several other Eccle-
siastics, have arrived in the Providentia.—Another,
Churchman, the Bishop of Oviedo, had gone over to
the enemy, and had, it. is believed, in conjunction with
some • traiterous Members of the Junta of Oviedo,
(1-aely dismissed by Itomataa) facilitated the entrance
of the enemy into that place.
Sash was the confusion that prevailed, and the
precipitation with which this vessel came away, that
it was nu inquired to what division of the French
army the invaders belonged, and the Prelate and his
Suite had not prcvided themselves even with a change
of apparel. It is not therefore in oar power to will
any thing to the foregoing particulars, excepting the
additional facts stated in the subjoined letters :

" PORTSMOUTH, MAY 29.
" I have to inform Toe, that while loading the ship Paovi-
r 7NTIA, ayemour Wag spread in Gijon, that the French were
advancieg upon Oviedo with a strong column, and to avoid a
.r;.risr, we were induced to unmoor the ship, and place her at
?bout chile miles off the port, which'.was effected on the morning
et the Itch. I then Wet on shore to collect some provisions.
On my landing, I szw the Martinis DE Lk ROMANA corking in
, :th his Aids-de-Camp. !learned frum the latter that they had
doubt °lC:French being in possession of Oviedo; that they had
there •o defend the bridge the regiment de la Princessa, which
wnuld doubtless be compelled to fall back. 'This did actually take
place, as I saw the greater part a than arrive at Gijon shortly

after, and no doubt retrained of the French being then in ton
possession of Oviedo, and that they would shortly be here.
" We, in consequence, made ail the haste we could to be offs
and set sail on the 19th in the morning. The rest of your pro-
perty was left to the care of our friends, who will watch for the
first favourable opportunity of shipping."
_ _

ANOTHER LETTER, SAME DATE.
" Last night arrived the Spanish ship Providentia, from Gijon
which she left on the 20th inst. The Bishop of Sr. AND Rao and
several other Ecclesiastics are on board, having embarked at Gi-
jon with the greatest precipitation, in consequence of the ap-
proach of the French army, of which a division had taken pos-
session of Oviedo on the 18th inst.

" The whole of the shipping at Gijon effected their escape ex-
cept the British transports F U and G U, which could not get out
of the harbour, and it is feared must have been taken. The 0 W
came off with the Spanish and other ships. The M arquis of Ro-
/LANA got off IN the Palamo Spanish sloop of war, with several
persons of distinction, and was supposed to have sailed for Vigo.
The approach of the French was quite in the nature of a surprise
for neither the Bishop nor any of the other persons in the Provi-
dentia know what division of the French army it is that so unex-
pectedly entered the place. The confusion in Gijon was ex-
treme, and the Bishop and his attendants came off without more
apparel than what they had on their backe."

The PILCHARD, which arrived at Plymouth on Mon-
day, reports that Rear-Admiral SOTHERY in the DE-
FLAIKE, with another ship of the line, was within sight
and in chase of, to the northward of?L'Orient, of the
two French line of battle ships which lately escaped
from the Saints ; aud strong hopes were entertained
that he would come up with them.—Should he be so
fortunate, there can be no doubt respecting the result
that may be expected.
By the Princess Augusta packet, we have received
Jamaica Papers to the 15th ult. from which we have.
Given extracts in another part of this Paper. ' The
nisurrection, formerly mentioned, has been success-
fully quelled. The disputes between the Civil and
Military Authorities of the Island have also been ad-
justed. The House of Assembly has triumphed, and
General CARMICHAEL. will be recalled. A Procla-
mation of the Duke of MANCHESTER, dated March 29,
prohibits the exportation of corn for three weeks.
Private letters from Gottenhurgh, Of the 20th in-
stant state, that the Russian fleet has put to sea ; and
this. intelligence is corroborated by a letter from an
Officer on hoard his Majesty's ship VlcToav (the flag-
ship of Admiral Sir JAMES SAUMAREZ), which, after
mentioning the safe arrival of the Alonzo's convoy
from the Nor e, says—., We are to sail in a few hours,
I suppose for the Baltic, in consequence of intelligence
that the Russian fleet is at sea." A postscript to a
letter of the same date, contains the following laconic
passage The Austrians are doing great things."
We wish we could credit the latter statement, but we
consider it merely as a repetition of the unfounded ru-
mour brought by the last mail.
The public will see, from last night's Gazette, that,
as we suspected, there was some mistake in the rapid
promrtion of Lord BURCHERSIL Tl.at Nobleman's
commissions as Major and Lieutenant Coloriel, have
been annulled, and he is now Cal:tails Lord BURG• ,
HERSH of the Sd Dragoon Guards.
A Return has been made to an Order of the House
of Commons, for a Copy of certain Treasury Minutes.
relating to the -purchase of a House ,in Downing-
street, as a residence for the President of the Board
of Contrrul. Front this return it appears, that the
pricer f the house and fixtures jointly was £9,433, for
the. payment of which suns a warrant was ordered to
be made out by the Lords of the Treasury ! Was
the salary, allowed to the President of the Board of
Controul, by Act of Parliament, insufficient, without
the public being at the same time saddled with pay-
ment of his house-rent, and that too at a period when
tha people are paying a tenth of their income to the
exkencies of the State ?
N.'e are astonished to see the public Press of
Great Britain, which ought to be the guardian of
public morals, contaminated, by giving currency
to mawkish and tawdry statements in vindication
of persons in high life, who have already violated
the most sacral moral, and religious obligations,
and are now seeking to offend the feelings of com-
mon decency by daily presenting their adulterous
intercourse iu some new shape before the world.—
Are the parties not aware that they are instilling
poison into the minds of the rising generation, by the
flimsy decorations with which they embellish an in-
trigue so loathsome to every feeling and virtuous
mind, that we pity the degradation of those who can
lend their columns to its publication !
-:s-esterday the remains of Mr. and Mrs. SMEETON,
who fell victims to the late fire in St. Martin's-

were interred in St. Mary-k-Strand church yard.
An immense crowd witnessed the melancholy ce-
remony.

Yesterday a Court of Aldermen was held at Guild-
hall,, at which the price of Bread was order-A to be
reduced an assize, the Quartern Loaf will therefore
to-morrow sell for laid.
' The LORD MAYOR Lid before the Court a letter
from Mr. Alderman BOYDELL, requesting to surren-
der h:s office, as Alderman of Cheap Ward ; which
was accepted, and his Lordship was desired to issue
his precept for a wardmote to fill up the vacancy.
His Lordship then nominated the following Gen-
tlemen, for the Livery to make choice of two, on
Midsummer-day, to serve the office of Sheriff for the
year ensuing :
Griffith Jones, Esq.
George Bridges, Esq.
Richard Sanderson, Esq Ditto and Cooper.
Samuel Baker, Esq.
William Case, Esq.
George Wood, Esq.
John Gray, Esq.
Harvey Walklate Mortimer, Esq. Ditto and Far:.kr.
William Lambert, Esq.
H. PARKER, Esq. Clerk of the Chamber, surren-
dered that office, and Mr. J. BOWDEN W,.S 'admitted
in his place.
CORN-MARKET, MARK-LANE, MAT 31.—The fresh arrivals
of Wheat to-day are few, but olerable remaining supplies, but
little fine, and sales fully support last prices—Barley likewise—
In Malt little variation—White Pees scarce and dearer—Beans
of the two kinds this week are rather lower—There are also to-
lerable supplies of Oats, and sales thereof are named rather dearer
—Rape Seed higher—Oour at our fast currency.
05WZRAL CURRENCY AS UNDIR :
Wheat, 58s. 70s. 82i. Beans 535. 595.0.1
Fine ditto, 86s. 893. Tick ditto 40s. 465.
Rye, 48s. 525. Oats, 255. 2.85. Ils.
Barley, 325. 40s. od. Poland ditto, 335. 371. cd.
Malt 705.785. Potatoe ditto to stki
White Peas (boners), 821 92s Rape Seed, 541. to 581.
Gray slitto, 455. foOs.
Floc /liar, 70s. 7 kir-644064,665. 70e.

•

•

THE ARMY.

Orders arrived at Ramsgate, on Saturday last, to
delay the embarkation oft& Ist battalion of the 50th
Regiment, for about ten days. Some horse transports
are expected is that harbour, for artillery, under or-
ders to embark. The 52d Regiment, Ist battalion,
and the 95th Rife Corps, embarked •at • Deal, re-
main in the Downs, waiting, it is said, to be joined
by the other regiments.
The Royal Anglesea Regiment of Militia marched
from Ramsgate to Marg,tte, yesterday morning,
where they are at present to remain.
Yesterday two fleets of transports sailed from Ports-
mouth for Cork and Guernsey, the former under con-
voy of the. HARDY gun brig, and the latter under that
of the ANT schooner. Both fleets are destined to take
troops on board for foreign service.
The Ist battalion of the 6th Regiment of infantry
at Ospringe, is ordered to be completed from the 2d
battalion, to 1200 men, preparatory to its embarka-
tion on foreign service.
"Wednesday last the Lamerton and Tavistock Local
Militia, consisting of MO, under the command of
Colonel BRAY, marched into Plymouth Dock, where
they will remain on permanent duty for 28 days.

NAViIL INTELLIGENCE.

FALMOUTH, MAY 28.

Arrived the Queen, PALMER, from London, for
Hayti, with loss of main-yard, &c.—Sailed the
Silonia, ANDREWS, for London.—Wind S.W.
PLYMOUTH, AND PLYMOUTH-DOCK, MAY 29.

Came in the Sir William Scott, Capt. BALL, from
Teneriffe, with wine and barilla, for this port ; RE-
SISTANCE, of 36 guns, and PLoyza, of 18, from a
cruize. The Busy letter of marque, of this port,
Capt. BELL, bound to Madeira, with various goods,
has been captured by the Mouche French privateer,
and retaken by the RAVEN, of 18 guns. Came in
the Ventura French brig privateer, pierced for 18
guns, captured the 16th of Mara; last, off Madeira,
by the FORTUNEE, of 40 guns: she is a very fine brig,
of a large class, and heavily mounted, that is, she has
but nine guns, eight of which are 18-pounders, and
one 24-pounder, the latter fixed in the midships of
the vessel : she is from Bourdeaux, bound to Guade-
loupe, with prov:sions, and an assorted cargo, and
had dispatches, which were thrown overboard. The
FORTUNEE was left cruizing off Scilly, being last from
Cork, and is hourly expected here.—Arrived the
LYRA brig, of 10 guns, Capt. BEvEAxs, from off
Rochefc.;rt ; and PILCHARD schooner, from a cruize.
Sailed, the LoNnc.)E, of 98 guns, for Chatham.—Went
ont of harbour, after a complete refit, the ACHILLE,
of 80 guns, Hon Capt. Sir RICHARD Kix