Star.
London, England, 1805-05-07 00:00:00

PAIII:IAMEIvriiRr PROCEEDIAGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY, MAY 6.
The Committee of4oftrileges fat, at half tuft two o'clock. for
detiheratton on the fubjedß of e he menage from the Houle of Com-
mons requefting their lawdfhips' pcnnilion for Lord Wank to
attend the &Ica Committee.
Strange rs were excluded during the fitting of the Committee ;
which aii4,urned 6Y Thurfday next, without baying come to any
&Tifton.

On re.admitEots below the Bar, we found
Lord GRENVILLE on his Ire% giving notice that be mould,
en Friday next, bring forward his motion upon the Petition of the
Irith Catholics; and his Lordibip moved, that the Lords be (un-
mated for that day—Ordered
Several private Bills were brought up front the Commons, and
ordered to lie on the table.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
The Order of the Day being read, for the feeond reading of the
Untverfity Advowfnn Bill,
Lord MULGRAYE hoped their Loathing would have no oh-
jation to poftponc the feeond reading until Wesinefday, as a No-
ble Friend of his (Lord Sidmouth) bad a clank of amendment to
propofe.
After a few words from the Biihops a Oxford and St. Afaph,
and the Lord Chancellor, it was agreed to defer the keond reading
till Wednefday.
Lord MIILGRAVE reminded the Houle that he fbould, to.
morrow,bring forward his intended motion refpating the expung-
ing of the Standing Orders relative to Committees.
Their LordMips heard Counfei, in final reply, on the Scots Ap-
peal Caufe of CafElis and Blayne.
The LORD CHANCELLOR Melte at tome length upon the
general merit of the eaufe, but deferred final judgment till this day
tortnight.....Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAK F.lit having taken the Chair, acquainted the Houk
that he had received a letter from the Comrniflioners of Naval En-

quirt', In anfwer to his

of the Vote of Thanks

paned on Friday laft.
The SPEAKER then read the anfiver. expreflive of the grati-
tude of the Commiffioners for the high honour conferred upon
them by a Vote of Thanks from the Houle of Commons, and
thanking the Speaker for the handfome manner in which he had
communicated it.
The Hon. Mr. JOHN PANE prefented a Petition from the
County of Oxford againft the Roman Catholic Petition..—Ordcr-
cd to lic on the Table.

The frith Firtt Fruits Bill was read a flrft time, and ordered to
be read a fecond time on Wednefday.
On the motion of Mr. WESTERN, it was agreed that an ac-
count of all Corn, Grain, and Flour, imported from Scotland Into
London, and the other ports of England, from the tBth of OCto-
ber, t Bor, to the fault time to which fuck accounts can be made
up. be laid upon the table of the Notate.

The Military Expenditure, and Naval Commidloners Conti-
nuance Bills, wereread a fccond time, and ordered to be com-
mitted ou Friday next.

MIDDLESEX ELECTION.

Mr. CALCRAFT prefented to the Houle the Declaration of
Sir Francis Burdett, as amended from that which had been pre-
fented on the asth of April, by the °ninon of all the parts which
were deemed informal, and which we Owl' of courfe omit alfo.—
The following are the words of the Declaration :
" Whereas, oo Wednefday, the 13th day of March Taft, a Ped-
tints fubfcribed with the names of George Boulton Mainwaring,
Efq. therein dated to have been, at the left Bolton for the County
of hfiddlekx, a Candidate to reprefent the Paid County in this pre.
feat Parliament; Sir William Gibbons, Baronet; Sir William
Curds, Baronet; Henry Thornton, Efq. WiWant IViellith. EN.
and Samuel Pepys Cockerel', Efq. was prefented to this Houk,
complaining of my ekdion and return to ferve in this pretax
Parliament. as a Knight of the Shire for the County of Middle-rex,
which Petition this Houfe has ordered to be taken into confider*.
lion on Fuefday, the 7th May next.
" And whereas, on Wednefday, the roth day of April left, this
Houk ordered, That the kid Petitioners fhould, upon the aoth,
day of this inftant April, by thenefelves or their Agents, deliver to
me or my agents, lifts of the perfons intended by the laid Peti-
tioners to be objected to, who voted for me, giving in the Paid
the feveral heads of oblation, and dillinguifiting the fame againft
the names of the voters excepted to. And that I Gould by myfeif
or my agents, at the [ante time, deliver like lilts on my part, to the
Paid Petitioners or their agents.
And whereas it appears upon the fax of the Sheriff 's Pod,
taken at the Paid Eledtion, that at the fald Seddon 5833 perfons
voted for me, and 283 a for the Paid George BoUlton Mainwaring,
anicunting in the whole to s66s perfons actually polled, and that
103 perfons tendered their votes for me, and 99 for the raid George
Boulton Mainwaring, making %CZ tendered votes. la the whole
586- "rates polled and tendered.
" And whereas, between the ''aid thirteenth day of March Wt,
when the raid Petithm was prefented to this Houle, and the aoth
of this inftant April, on which day this Houk ordered the fad
Lifts to be exchanged, there was not fufficient time for me by my-
fed or by my agents to examine into the rights ot 5867 Voters. fo
as to enable me to make out with fulEcient certainty a Lift of the
objedionable Voters received en the Poll for the Paid George'
Boulton Ma:nwaring, with the revere' heads of objedtion in the
manner ordered by this Houle. And therefore no fuch Lift, nor
any Lift bas been made out ur delivered by me to the Laid Peti-
tioners or their Agents.
" And whereas the laid Petitioners hare delivered to me a Lift
of the perfons who voted for me, objected to by them, with the
kural heads of objedion, amounting to 1944 perfons. But be-
tween the loth day of this inftant April, the day on which, purfu-
ant to the above-mentioned Order of this Houk, they delivered
the laid Lift to me, and the 7th day of May next, an interval of
only fixteen days, on which day the Paid Petition is ordered to be
taken into confideration, there is not fufficient time to examine
into and afeatain the rights and titles of 1944 perfects therein oh•
jcdted to, fo as to enable me to maintain and defend the (ante.
" Now, by virtue of the proviGons and enadtments contained in
the fecond fedion of a certain Aft of Parliament, paged in the
68th year of the reign of his prefent Majelty, chap. s 2,
Intituled—
s An Aft for the further Regulation of the Trials of Controverted
6 Eledions, or Returns ei Members to ferve in Parliament Ido
inform this Houk by this my Deelaradon in writing fubferibed by
me and delivered in at the Table of this Houk, that It is not my
intention to defend my Paid Eledion or Return."

The Claufe of the diCllTille Ad. to which the above refers, was
read at the Table, and the Speaker explained to the Hook what
was the regular order of proceeding according to the terms of the
AEI, and added, that a notification of this Rep &add be publiawd
in the Gazette of Tuefday evening.
After a few obfervations from the Secretary at Wir and Mr.
'Henry Thornton, as to the wording of the firit part of the Declara•
tion, which they conceived to be unneceffary ; it was ordered that
the Petition be taken into confideration on Friday the 7th of June.

LORD MELVILLE.

Mr. WHITBREAD rote, and fpOke to the fol
lowing effat Whatever motives may be attri-
buted to my conduct, during the courfe of the hufi-
nefs which I have undertaken, there are none, I troll,
who will not fuppofe that I have been imprelTed with
feelings of anxiety ; but thofe feelings were not to be
itompared with what I now experience. There are
two points open before us; the one leads US to immor-
tal honour, and the other, if we are guided by mit-
take, will lead to the diflionour of the Houfe, and
the defliment of the public ioterell. If it had been
propofed that the Refulutions of the Bth of April
jhoold have been immediately followed up by an Ad-
dref, to his Welly, to difmifs Lord Melville from
the places he holds, and from his councils and pre-
tence for ever, I apprehend there would Got have been
a digenticnt voice." _ _ _

71'he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
• called Mr. Whitbread to order, and Paid, that lie uti-
derdond the order which flood fo> that day was to
take into eonfideration hi, Majekv's sawer. He
had a communication to make t« the Houfe, which
would anticipate what the Honourable Gentleman
might have to propofe, and he put it . his candour
whether it would not have been proper 'to have given
him an opportunityto date briefly what . be had to lay.
iL.whlris RE A D.7.4oWhatereretn, suntiicationi

the Right Hon. Gentleman may. have to mate, will
come with more proeriety after the motion which I
thall fubriiit to the haute. Ido perfitt that if Mr.
Dundas had been a member of the Houfe of Com-
mons, and there had been a motion made for his ex-
pulfion, there would not have been a dafentient
voice. During the Wines which had been before
the Houfe, I have been atuated by no party mo-
tives—my °Nal has been to obtain not a (tray vote,
but the independent fuffrage and votes of the Mem-
bers of this Houfe. The fecond day after the Refo-
lutions palled, I moved the Hotifeetbat an Addrefs
be prefented to his Majesty, praying that Lord Mel-
ville flumld be difmiffed from his councils and pre-
tence for ever. It appeared to be the. fenfe of the
Houle that the Refolutions fhould be carried up to
the throne. Lord Melville, it is true, refigned his
place, but he was not difmiffed. The Right Hon.
Gentleman told us that his name was not aruck off
the lift of privy councillors, and he faw no reafon
why it lhould but the public felt differently upon
this fubjeCt. Under thefe circumftances a Commit-
tee has been appointed, but Lord Melville has been
excluded from enquiry. A civil profecution has been
commenced against him, and a Right Hon. Gentle.
man propofed that it should be turned into a crimi-
nal one. It is recorded upon the Journals of the
Houfe, that Lord Melville has been guilty of a vio-
lation of the law, and a high breach of duty. I
know it has been contended, that Lord Melville has
been fufficiently punned. I (hail not eafily forget
the impreffive words of the Right Hon. Gentleman
Oppolite (Mr. Pin), when he aced, if Lord Melville
had riot been punned ? If I poffefs accuracy fuffi-
cient to dillinguali between the refolutions that have
paffed, and the meafure I now propofe, if the latter
Una carried, I contend he is not punithed at all.—
If he is fenfible of remorfe, and poffeffes a broken
heart and a contrite fpirit, be is punithed, in one
fenfe, fuperior to any puni(bment that can be intliS-
ed by this Houfe, inafmuch as it is intlifted by a
higher hand : but it behoves us to inflict force punifh-
ment, to serve as an example to others. We mutt
take care that no man in his fitnation treads in his
Reps. And let us take care that we do equal joßice,
that we 2tis not (offer delinquents of a greater magni-
tude to elbstPe. Senfations of honour are not con-
fined to noble hearts, but a common clerk feels as
acutely as any body,if his feelings are accompanied by
lofs of charafter and lofs of bread. And tho' it is highly
probable that his family would be reduced to a Rate
of starvation, Rill the law mutt have its viaim • it
does not feek oppreffion, but justice and exampl.—
In the name of wino, dersisprente. in the name of the
Reprefentative Body of England, and in the name
of the Refolutions of the Bth of April, I call upon
the Houfe to-execute that which is butbare fimple
justice upon Lord Melville. If we lived in a time of
contention between the King and Parliament, wissn
it was neceflary to hedge ourselves about with lops
and abaraS propofitions ; if then a grant ptigic Of-
ficer was proved of having been guilkt br a grofs
violation of the law, and a high breach of duty; if
that delinquent was brought forward for puniffiment,
he could not efcape. If it becomes the duty of the
Houfe of Columns to punish in fuck cafes, there is
no time when it is not proper to pronounce fentence.
It should be recorded tb poßerity, as it mull be, that
Lori Melville has been detested in
.grofs malverfa-
lions in his office, by peifons appointed by Parlia-
ment; and if he has been proved guilty of a grofs
violation of the law, will it not be matter of alto-
nifbment
pofterity, if we only leek to recover the
money, and tali& no punishment to deter others from
the like praCtices ? If it thould be found, after a
certain period, that the Houfe of Commons have
not punned him farther ; that he was fupported by
his colleagues in office, and a month paffed without
any penal proceeding:, would it not be proper then
to revile the matter, and record, that the Houfe
of Commons had been guilty of a grof: eltreliaion of
chit? What would then be thought of the vote of
thanks to thofe perfons who investigated the burr.
nets, and of their being re-appointed to their office?
—lf, after it was found that the Refolutions were
not carried by a faction, but were folemnly decided
by a perfon who could not be Wailed by partia-
lity ; if, in a cafe where there is no defect in the
proofs, which Rand upon the evidence of the perfon
convicted, and who never denied the charge, it mutt
be matter of furprife if it should be found that the
Houfe of Commons have not done their duty, and
followed up guilt with punilhment. I do not ref the
cafe on any clamour out of doors ; petitions lie upon
the table from different parts of the country, pro.
nouncing Lord Melville guilty, and there is a general
cry to execute jultice. What next ? Why Minifters
proteet him from punifhment ; perfons pluming
themfelves upon their political purity, and upon the
impoffibility of finding a flaw in their conduft, have
turned the public opinion into contempt. On the
R of May, the Sheriffs of London prefented an ad-
drefs to his Majeßy, expreffing a (hong prefumption
that Lord Melville's name had been (truck off the lift
of Privy Councillors ; but what anfwer did his Majef-
ty return ? Why Minifters advifed him to return an
equivocal anfwer, but not a word pofitive on the fob.
jet of complaint. I do hope that, after having taken
the King's anfwer into confideration, the Houle will
think it right to addrefs his Majefly farther on the
fubjett. lam anxious that no tardy Reps should in-
terfere between the dignity of the Houfe and that
opinion which the people entertain of their reprefen-
tatives. I hope lam not fpeaking improperly of the
public opinion : but when there remains no doubt
upon a fubjed, and a perfon is felt convicted, it is fit
the Houle thould concur with popular opinion, where
it is conformable to ftriEt justice. There is no reafon
why we thould aop short in our proceedings, not-
withstanding any communication from the Right
Honourable Gentleman. Let us fee what puni(hment
the Houfe can Mid ; there is impeachment ; there
is proceeding by a bill of pains and penalties ; there
kdifmilhion from all places of emolument and trua
under the Crown. What I propofe is lighter than
there. After the order of the day for taking into
confederation his Majelly's anfwer is difpofed of, I
(hall move 44 that an humble addrefs be prefented to
his Majeßy, praying that Lord Viscount" Melville
may be removed from all offices of truft and emo-
lument which he holds during the pkafure of the
Crown, and from his Majeay's prefence and Cotincile
for ever."

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER--
" As the order of the day, Sir, was for the confiders-
sign of bis Maleßy's anfwcr to the adolotions of this

Honk. patted en the Eth and foal ultimo ; and as I
in common form and moil (dual praßice, the order
of the day is, with reference to fuch matters, firß
moved before any debate is gone into, I own I did
expea the Hon. Gentleman would have taken a
courfe different from what he has purfued on the
prefect occafion, and hate contented himfelf with
limply moving the confederation of his Majefly's an-
fwer. The reason of my not rifing in the first inftance,
and previoufly to the Hon. Member's offering 'him-
felf to your notice, Sir, was that erpeitation, which,
fence ufual praßiee taught me fo to view the matter, I
had formed to .nyfelf of the line of procedure which
the Hon. Gentleman would adopt. What, in the fiat
inflance, I should have Rated, could I have imagined
that the cuftomary ufage of Parliament would Be
departed from this night, I am now, Sir, to commu-
nicate to you and to the Houle. In confequence, Sir,
of occurrencks which have recently taken plate, his
Majefty has been advifed to direct, that the name of
Lord Vilcount Melville Mould be Rruck out of the
lift of Piivy Councillors ; and his Majefty has gi►en
dire ions accordingly, for the erafure of the name
of the Noble Lord, which will take place the first day
the Council fits to tranfa& bufinefsc

66 I will explain to you, and the Houfe, Sir, the
circumftances under which f have thought it my
duty to advice his Majefty to the proceeding now an-
nounced, and likewife thole circuit:fiances, under
which I did not at one tittle think it my duty fo to
advife, or that I ought fo to advife my Sovereign.
The Hon. Gentleman has alluded to the &cum-
(lances of the debate which occurred jut} previous to
the recefs ; and ft:notes me to have on that occafion
not attended, in the degree I was bound to do, to
the fuggellions and voice of. Parliament. lam in
the recolleaion of the Houfe, if the charge thus in-
timated be or be not wellfounded ? I fay it is un.
founded. The circumtlances of the debate, previous
to the recd., were, that a motion was made exprefsly
with a view to this Rep of addreffing his Majefty, but
it was relinquifhed, and a fubllitute motion intro-
duced, quite, altering the terms, if not the whole pur-
port of the queßion. What did I ? I did not fay
that the motion for the Addrefs was not a confe-
quence deducible from your vote, but I did refrain
from lending the fanaion of my approbation in any
way to a motion, the (Ned and purport of which
molt of thofe Hon. Members who had voted for the
Refolutions of the r oth, appeared to me not tis coun-
tenance. As to the Addrefs in itfelf, lam farther
in the recolleition of the Houfe, if I raid that, in
drift reafoning, the Addrefs was not a deduftion
from the centime the Houfe had thought proper to
pats on Lord Melville. I did not fay that it was not
a confequenee, but I dtd fay that Lord Melville
would not return to office unlefs circumftances should
tranfpire, in the progrefs of the examinations into his
cafe. which thould induce the Houk to vary its con-
and reverie its proceedings. Many Gentlemen
wgit ;thwilling, from the unequivocal natute of the
refoliitions of the Bth, to vote for the addrefs, think-
ing thole refolutions coupled with my declaration on
the tubjea of Lord Melville's return to office, :lA-
cient both as punithment to the Noble Lord, and as
guarantee for the maintenance of the dignity of
the Houfe thole Gentlemen wifhing not to give an
additional wound to the feelings of individuals by a
meafure not indifpenfible to carry into effea the real
objeB of the vote of the Bth.
66 Again, Sir, I underfkood from the other fide of
the Honfe, that the Gentlemen did not with to prefs
the Addrefs, but limply to lay the Refolutions be-
fore his Majefty, in the fuppofition that his Majetty
might not know otherwife that the Houk had paired
fuch refolutions. Now, under thole circututtances,
not underftanding that it was the with of the Houfe
for me to advife the proceeding which I have an-
nounced to-night ; but, indeed, underßanding that
the Gentlemen over againft me were unanimous in
regarding the Addrefs as not material, as what they
would willingly forego, I did not think it my duty
to be the perfon to move his Majtfly to a Rep fo
painful as that of the erafure of the name of Lord
Melville from the lift of the Royal Councillors. If,
on the other hand I had underliood by a fentiment
even far short of a vote, that it was the with of the
Houle that I should advice the Crown as now I have,
I would have done fo ; but not underfianding it fo,
1 did not recommend the meafure.
6' Since then notice has been given of the prefent
motion, I have not failed to avail myfelf of every
means to learn the fentiments of Gentlemen ; and I
am free to confers that the fentiments of many re-
fpeitable Members, even who did not vote for the
Refolutions of the Bth, are in favour of the advice
which I have humbly fubmitted to the throne, and
I do not doubt that if the motion of the Honourable
Member is pretted, it will be carried.
ai Now, Sir, the motive which firft of all induced
me to with to have fpared the Honourable Gentleman
the trouble of making his motion was, that I did be-
lieve the communication I hid to announce would
obviate debate ; having rnyfelf come down refolved
that if it tbould be the prevailing fenfe of the Houfe
that the motion of the Honourable Gentleman should
he adopted, I thould not give the Houfe the trouble
of going into an unnecellity difcnffion, with which
view it was that I was defirons to have caught your
eye previous to the Honourable Member's entering
*pan his fpeech.
16 With regard to the line of eondua I have pm%
• fued, I have only to add that, under a change of cit.-
cumnances, I have formed a judgmentdifferent from
what I entertained in the other cafe ; and under fuch
change of circumflances, I have recommended to his
Majefty to crate the name of Lord Melville from
the Council-book.

" I may be allowed to feel much, and peculiarly
on this occafion I certainly do feel a deep and bitter
pang at having to difcharge this my duty to the
Houfe and the public. Any canfe of forrow to Lord
Melville will raife in my mind emotions of anguifh
The blow to Lord Melville, whether one of degra-
dation real or nominal, whether an injury light or
fubftantial, whether the refult of popular (Inquietude
or of the popular fenfe of jullice milled, from what-
ever fourco the degradation of Lord Melville, how-
ever tranfient, is an event to occaGon me the utmoit
pain. This is a feeling of which Tam not afhamed.
It is a feeling I cannot feparate from my bofom. It
is a feeling which I could not feparate from my con-
du & but from refpea to the opinion of this Hotife,
to the fentiments of Parliaments and to regard for
my public duty.
I will add no pore. I own I think the precut

dircudion was nnnecefrary ; and if rrst onneceffary,
I can believe that it is not more gottif,ing to others
—to thole over againft me—than it is me."
Mr. FOX.-66 Sir, I do not tile to prefs the mo-
tion of my Hon. Friend. The commithication an-
nounced to the Houfe may be quite fofficient. But
I cannot avoid remarking, that the Houfe and the
country, as well as my Hon. Friend who moved, anti
-me who fnppcirted the kelolutions of the Bth of April
have gained a moll honourable, if not a complete
triumph. The Eionourable Gentleman, Sir, has told
us -that he has advifed his Majelty to difmifs Lord
Melville from his councils. When we confider who
has done fo; when we retie& on the compofition of
the Miniftry from whom this adeice ;trued ; when %V
bear in mind that one of thole is a Minifler who ex-
tolled the Noble Lord as' an old andfdiryid fervant
of the public,' and another (the Honourable Gen-
deman), one who thought that where Parliament
faw a profs violation of law,' and, high breach
of duty,' he would have amended our refolutions by
fubftituting Contrary to the kreatioit of the legifia-
tore ; when I retie& on tittle things, Sir, I may truly
fay that the advice fo reluctantly, fo tardily, given
to his Majelty, has made the cattle of juflice triumph.
" It is the triumph of juflice. The Hon. Gentle-
maiohas not conceded to us or to Parlittment, but
to his neceffity. Thus, when I hear the Hon. Gen-
tleman talk of his profound reverence for public
opinion, and deference to the fentiments of this
Houfe, I think myfelf called up ,n to iiiew the cafe;
and to with that what we have had announced to us
this night had taken place on the toth. With relped
to the proceedings, however, of that night, I cannot
help noticing fotne of the obfervations which have
fallen from the Honourable Gentleman. The Hon.
Gentleman lays, that the Houfe, at leatt a majority,
exprelfed themfelves content on the toth, if the Re!
folutions were laid at the foot of the Throne, only in
order that his Majefty might know what the Houfe
had done. Now, Sir, I mull think that the Houfe
went beyond this in their expeClations. Undoubtedly
the Houfe were defirous that the kefolutions fhould
be laid befbre his &Nay ; but all exile ltd that his
Majefty would have taken steps to mark his fenfe of
the purpofe with which the Houfe of Commons
came to the vote of the Bth.
66 But Waters tell us that they have changed their
opinions. I with, Sir, that what induced Minifters
to change their opinions had been a fubmiflion to the
opinions of the Public, and of the majority of this
Houfe; but I fear their ffibmillion, and the advice
they have at laft given their Sovereign, it is confe.
pence of as exterior intrigue and compromife. (Mr. Pitt,
No 1)—Mr. Fox. "It may be fo, Sir—l know no
more of the matter than other Gentlemen ; but how
far it will be honourable to the parties the public
will judge. One circumflance we d 3 find worthy of
remark. The Hon. Gentleman takes a long time to
collect the opinion of the Houfe, and takes the very
laft moment to declare his opinion to fatisfy the juft
exPeetations of that public which he profeffes fo
greatly to retpeet, and of this Houle, to whofe
he affects fo implicitly to bend. When did the Hon.
Gentleman fairly know that the advice he has given
was in unifon with the opinion of the Houle ? But
now having dircovered this opinion, is it the fame as
if the Hon. Gentleman had advifed his Majefty be-
fore ? I wilt not fay whether the circumllance is a
difference enough to render the motion of my Hon.
Friend neeeffary. Indeed lam willing to allow that I
think the difference between the Mirtifter advifing and
this Houle addreffing his Majetty, is not enough to
render the motion neceffary. The delay in advifing,
his Majefty is, however, not a little (hiking. The
motion for laying the itefolutions of the Bth before
his Majesty palled on the loth. Several weeks have
thus elapfed of fufpenflon of Lord Melville from of-
fice, but no act of degradation or erafure takes place.
Still the difference is not very material, whether
now the name of Lord lvielrille be (truck oat by the
King, or by a vote of this Houle: Why I notice
the cercumaance is to mark the perfeverance of the
Minister. Lord Melville is defended to the laft
The Hon. Gentleman has fought the battle of the
N,,ble Lord till the tall Tilt the laft jullice is re-
fuled by the Minifter to the demands of the people of
England and the world joltice is to be done.
—1 hope it will be fpeedily done, though it has been
tardily done, and that the erafure of the name of
Lord Melville will be followed by fleps to thew that
the Houfe is determined to follow up its opinion oa
this fubjeCt. I hope the Houle will take every mea-
Cure for accomplitbing thole great obje6ls of public
economy which it avowedly polieffes ; and that in
profecuting a fubllantial reform of abules, it will
take a fair review, and make a full inveltigation of
all malverfatione in Government. With refpeel to the
immediate cafe of Lord Melville, whether there are
grounds for going into other queltions, fuch as that
of his difmiffal from all offices held under the Crown
during pleafure, I am not prepared to fay; but the
Houle has not a pledge for enquiries by the Minister;
for the triumph of to-night is not granted, but extorted.
Lord Melville is given up, becaute the Minister finds
that he would be beaten on a divifion, and becaufe
he has found, in the progrels of Nit; privii;e tailsl2s,
that the majority of that on whom he relied, have,
on this quettion, unexpeetedly turned their backs urn
him, and call for farther, but yet not vindictive punifa•
ment. Let •not the Hon. Gentleman deceive hita•
fell. Canvas, intrigue, or compromife, will not now
avail. The eyes of the world are fixed on the Britifh
Houle of Commons. I can tell him, the public is
agitated, and cape& wher mediates befides that ;1
e
1!1! :iatohhneechTlTwitha
Hon.fatr
mornGtho
enf t
viarei
cemaa: front
rl°:pniledht:n CouncilF
iif rfie mni
08Entleeffirictiietnittikcnnamt!]la.i.
Thcfe, he will And, are not times for ft ifiing."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—
" The Hon. Gentleman teems defirous to know ?te-
ther my opinion is in conformity to the opinion of the
Houfe ; and infinuates, that the advice I have
thought it my duty to give to he. Majelty, ; th: re•
full of exterior intrigue and compromife. Now,
I anfwer, that I do adt on the opinion of the Float.:
but give a molt peremptory and pofitive denial to
the latter affertions of the Honourable Gentienon.
Have I then offended againft the propriety of
proceedings ? I did fay, that other debates had taica
place, in which different opinions from thole avowed'
on the loth, had been Rated ; and, in addition, that
I had collected the fenfe of leveral Men.;or; of
Parliament, refpeeting the object of tht tn,linn of
this night. Was there, in my doing in, at:y the..;

F

criminal ? Was there in it any thing unparliamen-
tary ? Sir, I did take the fenfe of fevaral Gentlemen,
and at a moment when the fettle of the public was fo
leading, I thought mylelf called upon fo to do ; but
however peculiar my fituation as Minifter, I do not
feel myfelf difarmed from forming an opinion whe-
ther the fink of the Houle be for or againft a dircitf-
lion, previous to its being brought forward. Nothing
is more common than Gentlemen forbearing from
bringing on dircuffion if they find that the fenfe of
the Houle is againft it; and in what I confers myfelf
to have done, I do no tfeel that there is any thing
inconfifteni with my official duty, with my duty to
Parliament, or to the public."
Mr. FOX —" I find no fault with the Hon. Gen-
tleman's taking the fenfe of the Houle ; it is prudent
and very fit that he fhould do fo; but I complain of
-.he Hon. Gentleman's not afting on the lenfe of the
llnufe till now."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQyER—
" I did not, becaufe the Houle did not exprefs its
rtnfe of the expediency of crating the name of Lord
Melville, by the Refolntions of the Bth, and becaufe
the Refolution was withdrawn that did exprefs it."
The SECRE .'ARY at WAR obferved, that the
fenfe of the Houle on the loth was, that the name of
Lord Melville fhould not be erafed. The ha was,
thus &ally cerium)* to the ftatement of the Hon.
Gentleman, who had hiturelf marked the truth of
this inference, by telling the Houle, on the loth, that
71e did not want, and could not with, to fee Lord
Melville in fuch company as that of the Duke of
Norfolk, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Grattan. The pledge
of the Minifter, on the Loth,_ that Lord Melville could
not return to office, was accepted by the other fide.
The coPrfeft things are laid againft Lord Melville,"
continued the Secretary at War. " The Houle
is told that Lord Melville mutt be torn to pieces by
compunctious feelings, and the flings and arrows of
a reproving confcience. Ido not know, Sir, why.
Lord Melville !horrid be agitated by compunainus
. feelini,- Has any man proved him morally guilty,-
that hei 'has corruptly participated in the gains of any
man charged with having made ufe of the public
money ? If there be on the oppofite fide any man
who thinks he can prove there, or either of there ac-
-vitiations, let him come forward, and I am piepared
so meet hi:n with finch a refutation as (hall for ever
put the accufation at raft. But the Honourable
Gentleman has charged Lord Melville with corrupt
pat ticipation." •
(From this Mr. Whitbread difented acrofs the
table). " Sir, I fo underftand the Hon. Gentleman.
I grant, Sir, that connivance at the condo& of Mr.
Trotter has been found againft Lord Melville by this
Houle ; yet moral guilt the Houle neither has found
nor could find... . .
" Now, Sir, on this topic of compunelious feelings,
and connivance, obferve how well it becomes the
Honourable Gentleman oppofite to me, (Mr. Fox)
to talk as he does. Let us look into his faults. In
the year 1765, Lord Holland retired from office, and
till t 732, a period of feventeen years, derived 15,0001.
per aiinato.from the interea of public money in his
hands, as Paymafter of the Army, and that not
one farthing of this money had ever fince been
paid (a buz of order). The Honourable Gentle-
man may call to order. There are truths. He who
talks of his fpeculations—things which plainer men
would call gambling—does he (land up in his place"
—(Order I carder I) " If there remarks, Sir, avail to
no other end, they will at leall anfwer one of the pur.
poles I have in view, they will tend to, thew that the
'Houle has not at all times been as reverely jutt as the
Honourable dentleman willies us to be towards
Lord Melville:" . •
Mr. FOX —" In the Era place, Sir, I. cannot
conceive bow the defence of Lord Melville is to be
fortified, or in any Way made out by the introduaion
uf the foppofed cafe of my father, fine, if ufing the
Money of the public before the palling of a law againft
it was criminal, it mull be much more fince the
fang of Inch a law—a circumtlance not a little aggra-
vated by this of Lord Melville being the father of the
law he has himfelf violated. But, Sir, the reafon on
which the cafe of Lord Holland (lands, is as clear as
light. When the tranfaaions fpoken of took place,
there was no law againit making ufe of public ba-
lances ; and although fome of the lawyers of the day
were of opinion that the praftice was unlawful, yet
a majority of lawyers held the praaice to be juftifia-
ble. The principle of the ufage was repeatedly can-
- Tailed during the adminiftration of Lord North, an
adminiftration from which I had no right to expea
favour, and by the Reports of the Commillions of
the time of the father of the Honourable Gentleman
(Mr. Pitt) over againit me, the praftice was de-
clared to be univerfal. If it was criminal, notwith-
Banding, it ought to have been profecuted. But,
Sir, I mutt be of opinion, that the praaice was uni.
venal in this country in thofe days. Nay, the in-
creafe of falary was given in confederation of loch
praetices,which was a legiffative recognition of them.
" The Hon Gentleman reminds me of the confer-
red errors of my youth. Certainly, Sir, I have to
charge myfelf with gaming in my earlier life, and
poflibly I continued it longer than I ought. But
what has that to do with the cafe of Lord Melville,
unlers he too was a gambler ? ( Hear I Near!) I ki;
iI ;; Paid that Lord Melville won.
" As to connivance, I know of no connivance with
which the Honourable Gentleman can accufe me,
unlefs he will fay that I have been guilty of perfonal
connivance, becaufe my father left me a large for-
tune derived from intcreft of the public money.—
(4 laugh.) No, Sir, if the Hon. Gentleman meant
te wound and irritate my feelings, and thinks he has
fo, I can attune him he is miflaken. Ido Injt
c\ blame the Hon. Gentleman, only that I think
filch fee.t;ngi 4S fate Wile UM:len:tan ha; rtanifefted,
vi,ul:l be better expretTed out of the Houle than in.
1 well believe that the Hon. Gentleman fpoke front
feelings that undoubtedly entitle him, and all the int.
mediate and near relations of the unfortunate Noble-
man in queftion, to compaffion ; but yet the Hon.
Gentleman alts indifcreetly, to aggravate the guilt of
hi; own relation by referring to the guilt of mine."
Mr. WHITBREAD laid, that he never had
charged Lord Melville with the participation of the
plunder of the public, but only with having connived
• at Mr. Trotter making intenell of the public money.
Mr. Whitbread next obferved, that he would not
pref.: his motion, though he knew the public would
have been more completely fatisfied with a vote of
the Houle, than with the courfe the Minifter purfued.
die now withdrew his motion.

Mr. FOX aped, ;f Lord Melville mu held any,
place or office, during pleafore, under the Crown ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQIIER--
II knew." •

Mr. FOX remarted, that light would be thrown'
on this matter by the motions of a Noble Lord
(Henry Petty) then abfent, from a caufe which he
had no doubt the Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Pitt)
over againft him lamented as much as he did.—(lt
was underßood that Mr. Fox here alluded to the in-
ners of the Marquis of Lanfdowne).
Mr. GREY moved for pollponing the notice of
the Noble Lord. which was poßponed accordingly
to the middle of next week. The motion relates to
any places which Lord Melville may happen at pre.
fent to enjoy under the Crown in Scotland.

CURATES.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Order of the Day
for the Stipendliry Curates Bill. On the motion that It be read
a fecond time now,

Mr. WESTERN role to oppok it, and to Ilibmit, that it ought
to be printed and circulated before reading it a fecond time. He
was decidedly hoftile to the principle of the Bill. It was fubver-
five of the Conftitution of the Church. Full time Could be given
to the sountry the members of the church, the patro,s of church
livings, to know what was intended to be made law by the Bill.
He ftrongly objeeted to the claufe conferring the glebe of the par-
fonage houfc on the Curate; and intimated, that one-fifth of the
property of the Church, under four hundred pounds a year, would j
be placed by the BiU at the difpofal of the !Whops, for the ufe of
the Curates. For there and other rearons, he moved, " That tho
Bill be read a fecond time this day fortnight."
Mr. CREEVEY reconded the motion.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL defended the prinelpk of the
Bill. The principle was the fame with that of feveral laws as the
itatute -book. A fimilar Bill had naffed the Houle of Commons
twice lately; from which the prefent differed only in :afar as it
was framed to obviate the objedions of the Upper Hoofe of Par-
liament. The grants to the Curates were in confideration of re-
lidence ; and both by the Common Law and Canon Law the in-
cumbein was obliged to do the duty of the Church, or forfeit by
non.refidence. There was nothing in the Bill fubverfive of the
principles in the Constitution of the Church of England, whore
property and rights no man living would be more ready to uphold
and airert than Mink& Now as there were feveral claufes in the
Bill unfilled up, if Gentlemen would content to its going into a
Committee, to fill up the churn, be mould propofe that the Re-
port 'Mould be received on Wedncfday fennight. a period of delay
which he hoped Gentlemen would allow to be quite fufficicnt.
Sir JOHN WROT I'ESLEY did not objed to the principle of
the Bill ; his objedion was to the Curates having the glebes. He
law no objeftion to their having the houfe and garden.
Sir WILLIAM scorr followed on the fame fide with the
ATTORNEY GENERAL.defending the mature on like grounds.
Lord PORCHESTER did not like the principle on which the
emolument of the Curates was apportioned, the compenfation not
being regulated by the reward the fulfilment of the duties deceiv-
ed, but by a rule wholly unconnetitul, which was in the nature of
a maximum. He thought tome provillons, in addition to the 36th
Geo.lll. would be more eligible than ,the prefent Bill, if it were
thought that Aa had not fufficiently provided for the neieffities of
the inferior clergy.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL, Lord PORCHESTER, and
Mr. WESTERN feverally explained; andt after a few words
from Mr. FELLOWS, the Bill was read a recond time, and or-
' dered to be committed to- morrow.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

;~.

Mr. FITZGERALD moved the Order of the Day fr.r the fe-
cond reading of the frith Partition Bill,which was read accordlog-
ly, and ordered to be committed to-morrow.
Mr PONSON BY gave notice of a motion to-morrow, to amend
the frith County Road Bill.
Mr. LEE moved the Order of the Day for the feeond reading
of the Bill for fupplying the Irith County towns with water.
Mr. ALEXANDER thought that full time mould be given foe'.
the tonaderation of this Bill, as a large extent of property would
be deeply affedted by it.
Mr. LEE laid, the objedt of the BM was to amend two Adts
already paired, for fupplying the multi of Ireland with water, and
that the Commilfioners under thole Itatutes no longer poffeffed
the powers with which they had been invdted, in confequence of
the Union The irefent Bill cot:miffed every potable precaution
to prevent the infringement of private rights. The matter was
first to be fubmitted to the Grand Jury, then to the Judge, and
afterwards (if required) to the verdid of a fecond Jury. He
hoped there means of review would remove the objeCtions of the
Honourable Gentleman.
. After (me explanation from Mr. ALIXAMDER, the queftion
' was put and carded, sod it was agreed the Bill fhoold be commit-
ted ttn Monday next.
Mr. FITZGERALD moved, that there be laid before the Hook
accounts of the falarics payable to the CommiMoners of the Tree-
fury in Ireland, and the warrants and authorities for the fame,
which was agreed to.
Mr. FITZGERALD then °Menet!, that It was determined by
the Act bf Union, that. a fixed portion of the ten itorial revenues
Mould be afigned to Ireland ; he therefore wiihed to know what
had been the produce.
Mr. HUSKISSON fad, if the Hon. Gentleman meant the Re-
venue from the Territory of India, be could inform him nothing
had been reeeiied.
45n the motion of Mr. FITZGER ALD it was agreed, that there
be laid before the Hoofe an Account of all the Territorial Reve-
nues fence the period of the Union, fo far as the fame can be afcer-
taMed.

Mr ALEXANDER brought up the Report of the kith Loan
Bill, with the amendments, which was ordered to be enigrofed.....
Alla the Report of the Coin and Token Bills.

COMMITTIM OF SUPPLY.

The Reports from the Committee of Supply *ere then read,
and on the turns required under the head of Army Forage being
Rated,

Mr. FRANKLIN rote to make foam obfervatlons on the dif.
tin .ions in the diltribution of Corn to Officers, ferving in what
were called the wooden and canvas encampments. He highly
commended the former, where the foldiery had every opportunity
of improving in the difciplioe they formerly only obtained in the
latter ; but he regretted that when the officers brigaded the troops
twice a week, and were required to exereife them as a colleetive
army until the canvas encampments commenced they were not
allowed corn far a Engle bode applied to that duty. He hed
fame regulation would be adopted to provide sgatnft this difad-
vantage, and that military mcn, who were too high fpirited to
complain, would not have their reafonable expedations dap-
pointed.
General NORTON coincided with the fentiments of the Him.
Gentleman. and hoped the Secretary at War would pay due atten-
tion to the fubjet.
The SECRETARY at WAR thought it right to draw the line
foinewitere. Field Officers were allowed to receive corn for [even
bodes during the canvas encampment ; perhaps fome dedutition
might he properly made at that period. and the fum l'o faved might
be beneficially applied, fo as to remove the Honourable Gentleman's
olio:lion& The remaining Reports were then read and agreed to

WAYS •ND ISSANS.

On the motion of Mr. HUSKISSON, the Hanle went into a
Committee of Ways and Means, when he propefed that a fum
net as 1045 SI. b. granted to his Majefty for the arrears of
debts of tbe Civil Lift.
Mr. JOHNSTONE (aid, he had apeeted that the expedients
adopted would have been fufacient to Num prevented any defalca-
tion.
Mr. HUSKISSON rePied, that there bad been actraordinart
menet; which had not been predict'', anticipated.
On the Houfe being recanted, Mr. ALEXANDER moved,
" That the Report be received to-morrow."
The SECRETARY at WAR roared, " That a committee be
appointed to prepare an Ehimate q f the Sum required for the Pay
and Clothing of the Militia, and fur the Allowances to be made to
certain Subaltern Olken; and farther, for the Adjutants sod
Scrjeant-Majors, purfuant to tha Batiste wand ets bee. DV He
alto moved, " Tbat the Clinc means might be adopted for afeatain-
ing the Amount of the Payandplothing of the Militia of Ireland,"
AU which motions were agtmd to.
The reading cethe Bill for regulating the OBlee of Paymafter-
Geveral, Was poltponed'until to-morrow.
Ms. ALEXANDER brought up the Report on the Bill for re.

---
pealing fo lunch of the Ad olja.oett. 111, :ta rdates to the clamp.
titans on the Duty on Slate.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQ7ER brought up vari-
ous fmall accounts relative to the charges of-Ratianary, of printing
the Journals of the Houk, and for fame other purpoka. 'riga "cm
ordcralw lie upon the tAlliter449§ll.2die

[VEST INDIES.

TNT tOLLOWINO ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS Or THE
RECENT PROCEEDING* IN THE WEST INDIES WE HAVE
RECEIVED FROM OUR PRIVATE SOURCES :

The following account is received from the Mate
of the Vsexamizs On Wednefday, February
20, 1805, a French fquadron arrived at Fort Royal,
Martinique, from Rochefort in 42 days, with their
prize in company, the Prince Aufturias, No. 29,
trinfprirt, which the fquadron captured in fight of
Martinique. This fquadrou was fuppofed to have
on board to.ooo troops, under the command of Ge-
neral La Gitawne. On Thurfday, the 2111, the ene
my failed to pat their orders into execution, which
were to burn, fink, and deftroy. They arrived off
ROfeau, Dominica, on Friday, the 22d ; they went
into Rofeau Bay 'with Engin colours flying, and
which were kept flying until the troops were put into
the boats for difembarkation, when the colours were
changed, the boats left the (hips for the fhore, and
the line of battle (hips commenced a heavy cannonade
on the town ; about Imo troops effeeted a landing
at Point Machell, and were oppofed by 200 men, in-
cluding a company of the Town Militia, who were
obliged to retire. The enemy having cif:fled a land-
ing at Morne Daniel, advanced againft this handful
of brave men, who, according to the enemy's return,
killed 373 men, and wounded about 600. The lof:
on our tide was to killed and about 5o wounded;
the remaining few, of courfe, furrendered at difcre-
don, when the town burlt into a dreadful conflagra.
Lion, occafioned by the wadding of our guns from
Morne Bruce, which dettroyed two-thirds of the town.
The inhabitants were laid under a contribution of
about 70001. Several merchants had their (tore-houfes
plundered by French foldiere ; but every exertion was
made by the French officers to prevent fuch depreda-
tions. General Pa MIST, the Governor, retired to the
principal fortrefs, Prince Rupert's. On the 26th, the
enemy's troops re.embarked, and quitted Rofeau Bay
on the 27th, and arrived at Point Petre, Guadeloupe,
on the tit of March, with the following veffels, their
prizes, captured at Dominica: the Atice, Wizsow ;
Alexander, DICKSON ; Apollo, Custstracs ; Staple.
ton, NICHOLSON, of Liverpool; Marquis of Lanf-
down, ATKINSON ; Hawkefbury, Kew ; Progrefs,
FaosT ; Mars, MITCHELL, of London; Richmond,
WATSON, of Whitehaven ; with feveral fmall craft.
I, The Aurora, PHILLIPS, of London, was burnt
by the enemy at Rofeau. After the enemy had wa.
tered, they weighed from Point-a-Petre on the 3d,
and arrived off Ba(feterre Roads, St. Kitt's, on the
sth. On the fleet anchoring, a Committee was im
mediately appointed, and fent on board the Admiral's
fhip, to treat for the ranfom of the town and thipping.
The French Commander demanded 240,000 dollars,
and threatened to reduce the town to antes if this
turn was not immediately furnifhed ; 600 troops were
landed from the fquadroti, who took polfeffion of the
town and forts; the fum of t 6,0001. was railed in the
town in calla, and a bill of exchange of to,oool. ;
which turns were fent on board the French Admiral's
fltip as a ranfom for the town. On the evening of
the sth the troops embarked, and carried with them
two (hips, and burnt ToUr, namely, the Caroline, of
London, with 300 hogfheads of fugar on board,
carried away, and the Thomas, Guineaman, laden
with coffee and cotton, alto carried away; the Mat-
thew, You Nat Lady Nelfon, and the Thetis,
SMITH, of London, burnt; and the Afipee, of St.
Kitt's burnt.
Barimancs, March

it We have been from the loth ult. expetting an
invafion from the French fquadron, which arrived at
Martinique. Nothing doing here but foldiering, and
every perfon prepared for them whenever they may
pink to year us; I truft, from the fpirited manner
our Militia has come forward, together with the re-
mainder of the inhabitants, that we fhould be able to
give them a dretEng. On Thurfday laft, we had the
fecond alarm, and the iflind thrown under martial
law; I never flw men attire willing to come forward
in the defence of their country than they were; our
mutter is very great indeed."
'4 Matto' 22.—The French have made heavy de-
ftrudion in form: of the Leeward Iflands, and intend
vifiting tu. next; as they think of coming, I hope they
will be loon about it; being already prepared we will
give them what they defervei No burin& whatever
doing."

Bith, Barbadoes, March sa.
gl I eafily pielure to myftlf the number of long
faces you will fee in the City and at Lloyd's, on the
arrival of this veffel, (the Venerable), on finding the
French (hips that flipped the vigilance of our fleet
froM off Rochefort, have arrived in thefe fees. Af-
ter a paffage of forty days, they reached Martinique,
where they only remained two days to land their
lick. They then failed for Dominica, and attacked
the town, which was unfortunately fet on fire by our
own wadding, and burnt down. The French loft be-
tween 300 and 400 men killed, and near tOOO wound-
ed; they then fummoned the town to pay to' 0001.
in three hours, 7,5001. of which they received. They
took every (hip at anchor, and made the belt of their
way to Guadaloupe, where, after landing their woun-
ded, and getting fome refrefhments, they failed for
Montferrat, Nevis, and St. Kitt's ; at each ifland
they levied large fums of money, and took every
!hip and veffel that could fwim, and are again re-
turned to Martinique. Their next object, we under-
(land, is Antigua' for the fame purpofes no doubt.
" I forgot to fay, that at St. Kitt's they burnt
down the fine town, called Baffeterre. We hear they
are much blamed by the Governor of Martinique,
for not having made their firft attack on Barbadoes,
g for there,' fays he, they would have made their
fortune,' both in (hipping and produce, or rather
money. Indeed, had they come lag week, they
would have found full 100 chips at anchor in oar
bay. I find we are Rill to expel them hire: they
will fuller feverely, if they make the attempt. We
have been under arms twice (ince their arrival, and
twice have I marched at the head of 700 men to
meet them. There will be very few left to tell their
Rory, if they come here ; for we have upwards of
4000 regular troops, and as many militia. Of aril-
-101, and artillery men well appointed, we have tut
ficient to repel the attack of 30,000 French. Our
forts are put in a proper Rate of defence. It is our
determination to fcuttle cvery.lhip, and every thing
afloat, rather than they (hall fall into the hands of
the enemy, whofc whole fyltem kerne to be detaftA.

'tion and pillaze at every illand they have been at.
(without a wills either to take or keep polfellion of
one : this is certainly the kind of warfare that will
diltrefs us melt, as it will effeaually prevent the
iflands they have already vilited, or intend to
from fending any of their produce home."

From the New York papers which me have reedy.
ed to the 4th ult. inclulive, we have alfo made the
following interelling extracts :

" Bairererre, March r.
t‘ The fcene we have been fo long ufed to has at
length varied, and the theatre of war is fuddenly
tranfported from the great Continent of Europe to
where our fancied fecurity would never have placed
it—the Well India Iflands. On Tuefday evening the
floop Endeavour (a dragger), Captain PALUIT, ar-
rived exprefs from Dominica, with notice from his
Excellency General Pervosv, ofthe invafion of that
ifland by a French force, that the town of Rofeau
was captured, and that his Excellency had effedled
his retreat to the garrifon, at Prince Rupert's, which
he was refolved to defend to the laft extremity. The
next morning the mail boat (by which the first mail
for January was received at the poll office) corrobo-
rated the above intelligence; the having had a nar-
row efcape from falling into the hands of the enemy,
as the Captain had nearly got into !Wean, when he
diccovertd the French flag flying at the fort. This
morning a Gentleman arrrived frem that ifland who
was in the engagement, and obliged as with the fol.
lowing particulars, on the veracity of which our
readers may rely :
" On Friday Lift, about five o'clock in the morn-
ing, an alarm WIS fired from Fort Young, on the ap-
pearance of feveral heavy (hips, which, at that time,
were fuppofed to be Brian; men of war, with force
merchantmen under convoy. About two hours after
day light. a flint having been fired from the Fort.
they Wiled the French Imperial Colours, and proved
to be five fail of French line of battle chips (one of
which was called the fdagnanime, of zo guns), three
frigatec, two brigs, and a fchooner under the corn-
Imand of Admiral Mt ssassst.

44 They immediately began to dirembark, and a
number of boats, filled with troops, preffing forward
to effect a landing at Point Michelle, the militia gre-
nadier company were ordered to march thither, to
join a party of militija and regulars already itationed
there, for the purpofe of oppofing them ; but, on
attempting to form a joneion, found they were too
late,the enemy having already effeeed a landing to the
amount of about z goo men, under cover of an armed
fchooner, which foon received the farther affillance
of the Magnanime and a brig, all of which fired fuc-
ceffive broadfides at the point, but without doing
much damage.
" The enemy advanced, and about to o'clock
were oppofed by about zoo of the militia and regu-
lars with great firmnefs, until about half paR three
in the afternoon, when the firing ceded a little ; a
fmall party of regulars, with the affifiance of one
fix-pounder, fucceeded in forcing this body to re-
embark. But about the time this divifion landed at
Point Michelle, a divifion of about equal force fuc-
ceeded in effeling a landing at the lower end of the
town, near Mount Daniel, under cover of a frigate
and a brig. The enemy at this point were warmly
received by a party of about too militia, who re-
pulled them revere' times ; but continual reinforce-
meats coming from the (hips, they were overpowered,
and forced to retreat into the adjacent cane pieces,
when the French were in complete poffeffinn of the
town, which had been bombarded during the whole
tranraeion by two (hips and a brig. General Pita-
vorr, having obferved from the Government Houle,
the ineffeetual refinance that could be made by his
fmall party again ft fuch numbers as were continually
pouring in from the fhips, effected his retreat to Prince
Rupert's, whither he was followed by all the military
that furvived the action.

" Previous to his Excellency's departure for the
Garrifon, he left the town to the care of Gio. Mrr-
caLre' Efq. Prefident of the ifland, who loon after
fent a flag on board the Magnanime, to propofe to
M. Ls Gamoce, the Military Commander, a capi-
tulation for the town; but lie refukd to accede to any
other terms than an unconditional furrender, by lay-
in; down their arms. On the return of the flag with
this anfwer, the Militia were marched to Morne
Bruce, and forming a line, by order of Col. BEACH,
their arms were piled, fide belts delivered, and being
I marched to Rofeau, were confined as prifoners of war
in the Court-honfe, until ten o'clock in the enfuing
morning, when they were releafed, and defired to
change their dreffes. During the engagement, unfors
tunately, the wadding from the guns at Fort Young
let fire to feveral of the houfes under it, which fpread
Co rapidly, that, alEfted by the confufion ever atten-
dant on the bombardment of a place, every exertion
the inhabitants could make ufe of was found ineffec-
tual to prevent the molt valuable part of the town of
Rofeau being reduced to allies, to the utter ruin of
its inhabitants

" After the town was taken, a fcene of riot and
plunder cnnfequcntly enfued, and two or three of the
inhabitants were wantonly (hot by the French fol.
diers ; which condufl induced thofe that could do fo
to make their efcape into the country. As loon,
however, as order was in foam meafure re&ored, fen-
tine's were placed at different parts of the town, for
the protection of its remaining inhabitants. The
day following they demanded a contribution of 60001.
(telling, threatening, if not paid by the next day, to
enforce it by a general plunder. The Prefident and
Council accordingly met, to take the demand into
confideration' and corn itromifed with the French
Commander for the fom of 5,5001. Reeling, which
was paid them the morning following, after which
tranquillity teemed to he Again reilored. - The fame
evening they began to (pike up the cannon, and throw
all the ammuniti-in into the lea preparatory to their
evacuation of Ratan the next morning ; about ten
o'clock of which day all the out polls and troops
were called in, affembled on the beach, and re-em-
barked ; and at twelve o'clock General Ls Ga twos
left the Government Mule with his fuite, defired
the French Flag to be (buck, and re-embarked elf,.
In jtalice to this General ( ilthough an enemy) we
add, that the Lady of General Pa tvour was
treated with every tettim, ny of refpett ; and that, oa
hearing the brutal conduk obferved by his &Idlers
in their rapacity, he Wiled fuch orders, that two ..et ti
three welt thot in the eit of plattdering."