Star.
London, England, 1813-12-01 00:00:00

DUTIRS ON BRANDY.

The House went into a Committee to take into
consideration the act of 49 of the King, relative to
the duties on brandy.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, that, from the state of warfare in which. we had
so long been engaged, it had been found necessary
not to allow the importation of brandy, except for
exportation, and liberty was given to our merchants
to bond and warehouse these brandies till such time
as they could in that way be disposed of. This was
principally done for the purpose of encouraging our
own colonial produce, particularly rum. The course
of the war had, however, of late, taken a turn much
more favourable to this country than it had ever before
been ; a market for our colonial produce was now
opened ; and there was no necessity to keep the bran-
dies that had been imported for exportation, expressly
tied up as they now were by the said act. By suf-
fering the brandies imported for exportation, and now
bonded and warehoused, to be used for home con-
sumption, on the payment of 2s. a gallon additional
duty, great conveniences would accrue to the mer-
chants, and a very considerable advantage to the re-
venue. He wished, therefore, to propose a regulation
to enable those who had imported brandy for expor-
tation, to dispose of the same for home consumption,
on the payment of 2s. a gallon additional duty ; and
he concluded by moving a resolution to that effect
Mr. BROWN said, he had long understood it to
be a leading principle of policy in the Government
of this country, to give every degree of encourage-
ment to the produce of our own colonies, by exclud-
ing, as far as possible, the produce of the enemy. By
laying heavy duties, which amounted almost to a
prohibition, on brandies, we encouraged rum, the
produce of our West India planters and merchants,
who had sffered very severely for many years past.—
For his own part, his individual objection might not
have impelled him to say a word on the subject; but
he could not so easily pass over the reading interests
of such a body of men as the West India merchants.
This was the foundation of his bjection to the pro-
position, and he must protest against any deviation
from the principle of the policy he had alluded to.
Mr. ROSE said, he never understood there was
any such principle of policy laid down or adopted by
this Government as that mentioned by the Honour.
able Gentleman who had just sat down. During the
time these brandies were imported, the West India
planters were unquestionably labouring► under great
distress ; and, therefore, the brandies were only al-
lowed to be imported for exportation : but now, when
.circumstances were so much changed for the better,
and when the markets were opening every day for
the disposal of every species of our colonial produce,
he could not conceive that the West India merchants
had any claim or right to prevent Government from
obtaining a large addition to the revenue by the ad-
ditional duties proposed.
Mr. PROTHEROE was in favour of the measure.

•
Mr. MA RRYAT said, that if he thought the
measure would be an injury to the West India mer-
chants, he would certainly oppose it ; but the quan-
tity of brandies in-the countcy did not amount to
more than 6000 puncheons ; and in the course of last
year Government had purchased 22,000 puncheons
of rum. He thought it therefore a fair me..sure.
The Resolution was then agreed to, and a Bill or-
dered to be brought in thereon.—Adjourned.

ST. ANDREW'S DAT.

Yesterday being St. Andrew's Day, the Scottish
Corporation held a General Court of the Governors,
at their Hall, in Crane-court, Fleet-street, as usual,
for the election of their annual Officers, to serve for
the year ensuing, agreeably to their Charter ;—when
his Royal Highness the Duke of CLARENCE was
chosen President ;—the Earl of Aberdeen, Earl of
Rothes, Lord Dundas, Admiral Lord Keith, and Sir
James Sha we, M. P. were elected Vice Presidents ;
and Alexander Gordon, Esq. re-elected Treasurer.
The Court afterwards adjourned to the City of Lo
don Tavern, for the purpose of dining, where the
friends of the Institution began to assemble before five
o'clock,-and before six more than six hundred N oble-
men and Gentlemen had arrived. Dinner was served
up, and shortly after six o'clock the Duke of Clarence
and St. Andrews entered the great room, and was re-
ceived with repeated bursts of applause. His Royal
Highness was accompanied by his Royal Highness
the Duke of Kent, the Spanish Ambassador, the Lord
Bishop of Chester, Lord Melville, the Honourable
W. Dundas, Honourable Captain Lindsay, Lieute-
nant General Sir James Leith, the Sherif% Captain
Carter, Captain Kinlock, &c. &c.
A Scotch Highland Piper preceded the procession, -
playing the national air of O'er the hills and farawa'—
it was rapturously applauded by the company—Du-
ring the repast the company were cheered from the
orchestra by the tune of Kale brose of "bid Scotland.—
After dinner the Bishop of Chester pronounced a brief
and appropriate blessing ;—and the cloth being re-
moved,
The Duke of CLARENCE rose, and after a short and
prefatory eulogium on the benefits resulting front the
reign of his Majesty, now unfortunately obliged to
resign the regal power into the hands of his Son, pro-
posed the health of " The King." He begged it
might be drank in respectful silence, with which re-
quest the company willingly complied.
The next toast was that of 44 The Prince Regent."
The Duke of Clarence remarked, that be felt it neces-
sary to say little in its recommendation. In the pre-
sent situation, this country, while its armies were
every where triumphantb had set a glorious example,
hot less gloriously followed by the sett of Europes

those 1113 W assembled could not refuse to receive she
toast with great satisfaction. He therefore proposed.
that it be drank with three time, three.

The toast Was received and drank amid loud ant
enthusiastic acclamation, and several favomite thea..
trical singers electrified the comps), with the song
of," The Prince and Old England," and the band
in the orchestra played " Oh lend Leuie Gordcx hawse,"
in a manner that deserved peat commendation.
" The Queen and Royal Family" followed, the ban,
playing " The flowers of the forest."
The Duke of CLARENCE again rose And observe 4
that he should now suggest a toast that he knew
would need no introduction, but he cook! not avt.:,i
calling the attention of the assembly to the preset:;
situation of Europe. Four years ago he had tlf4
pleasure of attending the Anniversary of St. An-
drew ; at that time Great Britain was struggling al.
most single-handed against the enemy of liberty :
what was now the happy result ?-1)14.1 sfie now eta:.
tend alone, unaided ?--No : all Europe. by the co!
Ifession of our foe, was now fighting on the same sidl.
and for the same end. Even last year, promising its
was the termination of the catnimign, still Russia ha
.1
to mourn over a confl.tgrated capital whine at
' triumphed over a defeated euvmy. But within the
last two months the power of BoHap:trie had receis
a fatal blow ; the death stroke had hem inti:cted 01
his tyrannyeat Lf!ipsic .);ri troops had heel:: scatterel,
and their leader, their Emperor, had been compelle,l
to fly even to his capital. By whose exertions next
to those of this country, these events had !:en az.
complished, it was needless to inform the meetinr,
and if he had not mentioned the name of the ithvi•
dual sooner, it was because he feared that the rap.
turous bursts of contiautd applause that would suc
ceed, would prevent him fram being heard•itt
finally announcing as a toast the " Emperor
der of Russia."

The apartment shook with the enthusiastic upro:it
for some minwes, and the shouts of three times three
were not distinguished amid the general acclamatior,
which, reviving with every recollection ef the past,
was long in subsiding.
66 The Emperor of Austria," was received with
nearly equal. pleasure, after a very short address ; as
well as 64 The Crown Prince of Sweden," and 46 The
King of Prussia," who was described by the Duke of
Clarence as ever the firm friend of Great Britain,
bowing to unavoidable necessity under the yoke of
BOnaparte.
The Royal President apologised for having hitherto
postponed a toast which had been often drank during
the last five years with high applause, nor would the
proportion be less on the present occasion ; it was
64 The Health of Ferdinand VII. and success to the
cause of liberty in Spain." Although, by the wile:
of our enemy, that unfortunate Prince had been torii
from the arms of his people, that people had, during
a long contest, in itself arduous, but more distress.
ing because it devastated their native soil and de-
stroyed the very homes they were defending, main-
tained themselves with a fortitude which could tnly
be supported by the justice of their cause.
It was received with three times three, as well as
the toast of 66 the Prince Regent of Portugal, and Its
loyal subjects in Europe and America."
The Duke of CLARENCE, in the nun* of the
Spanish Ambassador, returned thanks to the corns
pang. His Excellency, in a peculiarly expressive
manner; drank the health of the company for his
Royal Master.
The Duke of KIM, in a short and neat speech,
proposed 4, the health of the Royal President," who
had shewn himself, on all occasions, anxious to pr,;►
mote the happiness of all classes, and not less of those
who were on this joyful an..iversary convened.'
The Duke of CLAKENCE expressed his acknowledg.
ments, and assured the company, that the approba-
tion of honest men was the object of his ambition,
and he was the more happy to receive it to-day, be-
cause,. by retrospection, it applauded his former ef-
forts. He then entered into the nature of this chi.
city for the relief of those deserving objects whe, far
from their native homes, were in distress, not aris-
ing from idleness, but from inability or misfortune.
He boasted himself a Scottish Prince, and was happy
that he had had an opportunity of seeing the Land of
Cilia, and of tasting the 44 Bannocks 9' Barley-meal,'
on which it mainly subsisted. If any thing were
wanting to increase his pride at bearing a Scottish
title, it would be supplied by witnessing the conduct
of those natives of North Britain then assembled. _

His Royal Highness again rose, and observed, that
he was likewise a Prince of Hanover, and rejoicing in
the liberation of the ancient dominions of his vener-
able Father, he could not avoid giving " The loyal
Hanoverians, and success to their struggle against
tyranny," coupling with it the name of the Duke et
Cambridge, who was immediately to proceed thither.
The toast was received with reiterated shouts.

" The Duke of KENT, Colonel of the Royal Scots,"
was the next toast proposed from the Chair, and after
the•applauses had ceased, his Royal Highness re-
newed them by the unaffected modesty of his demea-
nour, in lamenting that he had not been able to com-
mand that portion of his gallant regiment which had
fought at Vittoria and St. Sebastian's. He would
willingly have joined the ranks to have partaken of
the danger and of the glory of those splendid achieve-
menu.
The next toast was the health of Sir James Leith,
who had been thrice wounded in storming Sr. Sebas-
tian's. The General expressed his gratitude very
warmly, but shortly : he was a soldier, not an orator;
.his countrymen had flattered him by saying that he
could fight, he would not deceive them by pretend-
ing that he could speak.
" Lord Melville and the Navy" followed, which.
was succeeded by " the Lord Mayor and the Com.
merce of the City of London."
Mr. Sheriff MARSH returned thanks is the absence
of the Chief Magistrate.
The health of the Bishop of Chester, and thanks to
him for his admirable Sermon at Bow Church oa
Thursday last, was then proposed, and received with
acclamation. The Right Rev. Prelate very briefly
assured the assembly of his anxiety to contribute as
much as possible to the objects of the charity.

The memory of the late Chaplain to the Corpora,
tiop was also given, and after a few other toasts of
little importance, his Royal Highness left the CiiAir
at about eleven o'clock, and was succeeded by Sir 3.
SHAWaq The company did not separate until a late
hour. The subscriptions collected at the door were'
numerous and considerable.

. PRlticit-PAPERI •

ISARIS, NOVEMBEIt 24.. • •
' TVS' Majesty the Emperor and King WO ths day
tefore yesterday 3t the Opera, and was present at the
entire representation of the neve Ballet.

•
- .1* NAPLES, NOVEMBER 7.
.The Magistracy, of Health has been informed that
'symptoms of the plague have appeared in the Ba-
learic Islands, particularly at Majorca and Minorca.'
This intelligence ought to cause our cordon esta-
blished on all the points of the coast to redouble its
zeal and vigilance.
NOVEMBER 10.—Yesterday his Majesty held an ex-
traordinary Council of Ministers.
Letters from Messina, of the 3d of this month,
bring the following intelligence.
• The last Parliament met only for one sitting. The
deliberations were very tumultuous, and promise but
little good from the pretended regeneration of Sicily.
Lieutenant-General Lord Bentinck, on his return
to Sicily, caused the following Proclamation to be
published :
tt Lieutenant-General Lord Bentinck haling con-
tracted towards his Majesty the King and his High-
ness the Hereditary Prince, the obligation of pre-
venting that the Royal assent given to the free Con-
stitution should produce consequences which would
compromise the safety of the crown and the public
tranquillity, and from other considerations which
must be evident to all, makes known, that so long
as the Parliament shall not have provided for the
good order and well-being of this island—so long as
the present confusion, which menaces with a fatal
catastrophe, not only the liberty of the subjects, but
the very existence of the state, shall continue, and so
long as the glorious work of the constitution, so hap-
pily begun in the Parliament of 1812, shall not have
been regularly consolidated, the Lieutenant-General
feels himself obliged to maintain the public tranquil-
lity by the military force confided to his command.
" He declares, in consequence, that he will cause
to be punished with death, after a summary military
trial, the disturbers of the public order, assassins, and
all other enemies of the constitution, who in any
manner whatever shall thwart and obstruct the mea-
sures of Government.

(Signed) 44 W. C. BENTINCK.
Palermo, umbel SI."
In these circumstances there has been a fourth
change of Ministers. —A reformation of Parliament
is expected.
The situation of the English in• Sicily prevents
their undertaking any thing against the Kingdom of
Naples.