Star.
London, England, 1815-03-03 00:00:00

WINDOW DUTIES.

Lord MILTON had been directed by his Consti.
went' to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with
respect to his new Window.duties, whether factories
for the cotton trade, and large buildings known by the
denomination of cloth.halls, would be subject to them ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
observed, that if the Noble Lord had attended to the
order of the day, he would have seen, that the sub-
ject to which he bad alluded would have come on
more regularly at c later part of the evening. He
should then aster into a greater explanation respect.
ing the factories, which he, however, was inciituid to
think would be subject to the payment of a guinea.
As to clash-halls, he would make some inquiry.
Lord LASCELLES stated, that clotb.halls were
large buildings, almost all windows, but only used as
warehouses when the goods which they contained
could not be disposed of in the course of the day.
They would therefore come more regularly under
the denomination of markets.

THE SANK RESTRICTION ACT.

Lord A. HAMILTON then rose to bring for-
ward his Motion for the appointment of a Select
Committee, to take into consideration the subject of
the Bank Restrictions. The Act under which these
restrictions existed, would expire in a very short time
if not renewed ; and the object of his motion would
be, to inquire whether it was necessary to re-enactl
these restrictions or not At the time the restrictions
were first imposed, the amount of Bank-paper in
circulation was about £10,000,000. The last return
made the amount upwards of 30 millions, and, in,
fact, now there was no standard value of paper at'
all. He would ask whether, under these circum.
stances, it was not become necessary that the House
should inquire into the situation of the Bank ? It had
been said that the solvency of the Bank was not to
be doubted. He did not mean to express any doubts
of it ; but still he wished for some inquiry. A con-
nection 11
had always existed between the Government,
and the Bank, both before and since this measure of
restriction had been adopted--a connection which
had always excited jealousy in the minds of-the
House, and was, in his opinion, another reason why
inquiry should takel place. 'the capital of the Bank,
the Noble Lord observed, was only 411.600,000,
and previous to the restriction taking place, the - di-
vidend made by them to the Proprietors was seven
per cent. ; but in 1797 they had a bonus also to di-
vide; and from the best information he could obtain
it appeared that the whole bonus divided since 1797
was 5 per cent. or a sum of i 17,000,000. .This,
since 1797 gave the Proprietors a dividend of 10 per
cent. He did not regret that the profits of the Bank
were great, but he did regret that they should be so
at the expence of the public. The Noble Lord then
alluded to the advance in the price of the necessaries
'of life since 1797 ; and contended that it was greatly
owing to the suspension of cash payments by the
Bank, and the increased issue of paper. And he
wished now to know'how far the Bank were to be
liable, at the expence of their profits, or otherwise,
to restore the currency of the country to the same
state as it was previous to 1797 ? It had been said
by some persons, that the Bank•paper was not :creed
into circulation, and that no one need take it but by
choice. He contended it was otherwise. Since
Bank-notes were made a legal tender, they were
forced into circulation, whether the public wished to
take Mem or net. The increase of paper was not
an evil which would cease of itself, or that would
even stop where. it was; if not stoptby tha interfe-
rence of the Legislature, it would increase. The:

occuped the attention of. the House foe several
Noble Lora said, a question of great ittpertsnee had
i
e
cash
ahs ofh priceei
yr every of
nn co: ns
wieNho awdnisttiguadhiedPes leed"t°abn subject,t tett oafiptlinnifa
re-
stored, corn would soon be reduced to 60s. When
the cash payments of the Bank were suspended, sold
was at re 3 17s. per ounce, he wished now to know
at what price the Bank would feel themselves autho-
rized to resume their payments ? The Noble Lord
then proceeded to comment at length on the incon-
venience and evil consequences resulting to the public
from the continuation of the present system, and con-
cluded by moving, 4g That a Committee be appointed
to inquire into the amount of outstanding demands on
the Bank of England, and their funds for the dis-
charge of the same ; and also to inquire at what
time, and under what circumstances, it would be
convenient to resume the cash payments by the Bank?"
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
after complimenting the Noble Lord on the manner
in which he had brought forward this subject, ob.
served, that though he was not now in a situation to
propose the immediate resumption of cash payments
by the Bank, yet he should have to propose a time
at which the Bank should do so. The Restrictions
had never been imposed on the Bank from any choice
of its own, but as a measure of Government ; and,
therefore, it was with Goverrment alone that
the time for resuming their payments rested. He
should, therefore, now name a time for resuming
those payments under the sancticn of Government.
The time he should name would be the sth of July,
1816; at the same time he should propose the new
Bill to continue in force till near the conclusion of the
next Session of Parliament, and he had no doubt but
the Bank would be prepared to resume their pay-
iments by that period. He would now proceed to
examine the Noble Lord's proposition, which was,
that a Committee should be appointed, to enquire
into the power of the Bank to resume its cash pay-
ments at this time ; next, into the nature of the pro-
fits of the Bank ; next, into its connection with Go-
vernment ; and lastly, at what period of time, and at
what price, the Bank should proceed to purchase bul.
lion for the purpose of resuming its cash payments.
The first measure of enquiry suggested by the Noble
Lord, if adopted, would prove extremely mischievous,
as it would give to the speculators in bullion, precise
and accurate information as to the state of the bullion
in the Bank, and would open the door for evils
greater than the Noble Lord seemed aware of; ill
was an enquiry, which even the Select Committee
formerly appointed, had never thought of going into.
The next subject proposed for the consideration of
the Committee, was the profits made by the Bank.
If it could be prove;!, that improper profits had been
made, that would furnish a ground for enquiry. Bat
he denied the fact. It would be recollected, that the
Restriction was a matter of State policy ; therefore,
to enquire into those circumstances, would be a mat-
ter of delicacy, which the House would not desire.
Another Member, whose loss was a matter of regret,
(Mr. H. Thornton) had stated, that previous to the
restriction, any person might have made 18 per cent.
by dealing in those securities which were considered
marketable. The subject was one which a Commit-
tee could nut examine with safety to the public ; anti
tie must thercfote object to the motion.—[Lord A.
Hamilton and the Chancellor of the Exchequer mu-
, tuany explained in respect to the object of the Com-
m.tte...:ll—The Right Honourable Gentleman then
proceeded : With respect to the'issne of silver
tokens, he conceived, that at all times the Bank
would be prepared to replace them with silver or
gold currency ; but that must occur subsequent to the
time when the gold currency should be restored.
The Honourable Gentleman had insisted, that the
evil complained of would continue, and grow worse
and worse. But he must reply to that, the evil
would,cease to exist when the Cash Payments should
be resumed. He contended, that the difference be-
tween Bank-paper and Bullion was greatly dimi-
nished. In July 1811 the'amount of Bank-paper in
circulation was something less than twenty-lour mil-
lions and a half. The exchange with Hsniburgh
was, at that time, twenty-four, and it is now thirty.
twc. The Right Hon. Gentleman contended, that
the depreciation in the price of gold and silver was a
very satisfactory ground for believing, that payment
in specie would be resorted to much earlier than might
be expected. In respect to the issue of specie, our
foreign payments in 1811, amounted to £15,182,000
—in 1812 to re18,533,000—in 1813 to £22,931,000
—in 1814 to £30,284,000. This large expenditure
arose and increased, from the circumstances and
nature of the glorious struggle which had terminated
so happily. He put it to Gentlemen, with such an
expenditure to say, whether, if the war could have
been closed, there would not have been reason to
suppose that the cash payments must be resumed.—
Indeed, he expected, with the exchanges in our fa-
vour, that by a little perseverance in the presses
course, the Bank would be enibled to resume their
payments at a much earlier period than could be ex-
pected from the labours of a Committee of Enquiry.
Mr. F. LEWIS drew a comparative view of the
state of the country during the latter part of Out war,
and its situation now in time of peace. He presumed
there was nothing to stew that the necessity for keep-
ing up the restriction does actually exist, because all
the circumstances which tended to make the measure
of restriction a necessary expedient were now done
away. He entered into an examination of the report
of the Bullion Committee, which he denominated a
plurnomenon, so far as it respected the exchanges,
and 'maintained that no increase having taken place
in the price of French currency, it was at: anonialy in
currencies to say, that any great exchanze hod oc-
curred in the prices of gold and silver ia Europe.—
With respect to the resumption of cast payments, he
was inclined to submit to the pleasure of the House
in fixing the time for so doing. He was convinced
that whenever the time came the Bank would be in a
situation to satisfy the public of their capability and
power to fulfil aU their engagements. The Right
Honourable Gentleman had stated July, 1816, as the
probable time for the resumption ; lie was anxious to
know by a Committee, what was intended. it at the
end of a year and a half it shoold not take place.—
For this reason he was friendly to the motion.
Mr. ROSE differed entirely from the Honourable
Gentleman in his view of the question. He was at
a loss to conceive the ground upon which the Noble
Lord made his motion. At the time of the original
restrictions it was proved, to •the satistactioa of the

Goverment. that-the Bank had a =nine 6T s'ateir.
millions over and above their issues in notes, and dor
other demands that thight be made upon them. He
'maintained, that k was impossible the Bank, in the
event of taking off the restriction, could snake good
their payments, because the price of bolliqm was
set. 9s.—the Bank only paid £3. 17s. Md. The
temptation, therefore, to melt down, w.uil be sc
great, that it would be dangerous, at present, to per.
mit them to pay in gold. He stated many cite=
stances to :hew, that it was extraordinary the ex•
changes were against us. One million of dollars po
month were regularly sent from Portugal, to pay tilt
army in Belgium. His Right Hon. Friend (thi
Chancellor of the Exchequer) had stated; that
within
the last tour years, the money sent out of the countr,
increased from fifteen to thirty millions, and,
the stoppages could be effected, and the exchang,
were at par, it was impossible to resume cash i. •
rants.
Mr. HORNER observed, that the motion was 1.(,

for resuming payments. but for a Committee to 0-ri
quire when it will be possible to resume such pa.;
ments. The arguments of the Right lionourabi,
Gentleman and his Colleague had proceeded up :
the former snpposition : but, however, k was Ira
them to institute an enquiry, or, at least, to state the
grounds for refusing to allow the Bank to ray I:
specie. A promise had been held out that the perioc
would arrive in July twelvemonth. It must be
collected these promises had been held out ever tin,:
1797. He had confidently the same promise ti4:l
the Right Hon. Gentleman (if he continued in office
gin the Spring of 1816, for he could very sa!e:, pre
dict the same causes for objecting to the resuinptiot
would exist then. I-k contended, that it was
expedient, ripen principle, that Parliament sl.ould
immediately take measures fur providi.g that th.
Bank should, whenever it could be done with safety
be in a situation to resume their paymenust, Th-a
being done, he had no objection to allow them (if i:
was merely a matter of security) to cone: sue d:e pro.
hibition for one, two, three, or lour years. All tha
he would desire was, the assurance that, at thu pope
time, the Public were safe, and would receive cash
for their notes and securities. The Hon. Gentlemin
contended it WAS not a qucstic.. how the money canie:
but whether it remained France, in a state of war,
still preserved a large, sound, and abundant metals;,:
currency ; and, therefore, the People of that countr!.
had security for their demands. It was a matter o
State policy, of public convenience, and of pubic,
security, to have at all times a convertible currency
With respect to the information to be derived on du
subject of currency, the Right Hon. Gentleman hat
thrown out a sort of sneer against Jew Brokers
When Sir Isaac Newton, the Master of the Mint.
drew up his admirable work upon this subject, he
rather thought he had recourse to the assistance of
Jew Brokers. The Committee would not, perhaps, is
it was appointed, be the worse for the assistance an:.
information which they would gain from this descrcp.
don of persons. The Honourable Gentleman wa
inclined to place every reliance upon the honour oi
the Bank Directors, in respect to their profits, but h,
wished the House to understand that the Restriction
placed wkhin their power the means of making large
profits. The vast fluctuations in the price of the pre
cious metals, occasioned by the movements of larg,
armies on the Continent, and the consequent larF
remittances, had ceased ; yet the price or gold in
country was £4 10s. ; and in 1810 it fluctuated from
£4 Bs. 6d. to about se4 10s. But he appiehendei.
that any one conversant with this subject would hay
been of opinion, that the price of gold mast rise
consequence of several trading countries, such a
Saxony, having been made the seat cf war. Besides
that might have been occasioned by the intetroptita,
of the supply of silver from the mines of Mexico.
The effect of all these circumstances had been to con
firm his former opinion; and the effect then was, te
convince him that we were in a state of cleprecietc
currency. The consequences of the evil of the ex-
cessive issues of the Bank of England, over which th:-
Government did not hold a hand stnlici::Ttly strong.
was such, that no one could contemplate Wialta

apprehension.
Mr. MA RRYATT agreed that t,,c Bank Restrk
Lion Act was not an act of the Bank, but of the Le
gislature. It certainly was made at the representa
tion of the Directors, because they could nit conti
nue their payments. At the same time the Ban!:
should not have been allowed to receive the scle be
nefit of this restriction, without the Public receisin;,
any advantage from their profits consequent on tin;
Act. The Bank was in the habit of purchasing with
their notes large quantities of Exchequer Bills, by
which their profits were very great. Another sourcc
of advantage to the Bank was its mercantile dis
counts. He could not conceive that this immense issu.,
of Bank notes was necessary for the public benefit.—
They had produced great mercantile speculations.
and had enhanced the value of most commodities
This then was a case that required some serious en.
quiries. In proof of this the real exchange was i:t
favour of this country, though the nominal exckang,
was against us. He did not blame the Bank Direc
tors for making all the profits they could under th
Act ; but now that they called for a renewal of tha
Act, he thought it a very fit subject for a Committee
He, therefore, thought that a Committee should 11
appointed to inquire into the profits of the Bank
which, he thought, would soon terminate its labour:
Mr. TIERNEY said, his object was not that o
the last speaker, but to find out at what time th.
Bank would be able to renew its payments; anJ
he thought that in July, 11116, the Bank would r:
sume its cash payments, for his own part he wood'.
be satisfied. But he did not think that he should
live to see cash payments from the Bank again. Ger.
tlemen more willing ip be in a state of restraint thw
the Bank Directors lie had never known. He want
to know if the Chancellor of the Exchequer, wk.r
he asked the Bank to renew the loan of three IOU
lions without interest, promised to propose toC.
House to renew the flank Restriction Act? V.. 111
out a Committee of the House, and embodyi,lg
set of Resolutions into a Bill, he was cOilviluxd
House and the country could have no dependent.
on the time that the Bank would resume its
to cash. Exchequer Bills he know were purchasm
by the Bank for the accommodation of Government
and it was evident they obtained from that large ad
vantages. He believed that without it the Chancellor
of the Exchequer would come down to the Housewitl
one of the most frightful -*tails of finance that ever wax

ade. The effect of theta tirclittstaneee emit(' he to'
tike Government subservient to the lank in finance.
, hurt was a partnership *tweet them that neither
„old ~vow. But he believed that the facilities given
the Bank in finance matters had made the Go.
Iturient more extravagant in its expenditure than it
ouu have been. The only way for the Chancellor
the Exc'ieqiier to get rid of his dependence on the,
ok, would be to sweep off the arrears of the war,
ith whatever inconvenience- it might be attended.
Jinn the Directors of the Bank refused to conduct
iemselees according to the rules laid for them, he
wended that was sufficient to justify an inquiry
they did nut do so. He therefore wished to
now what had been their conduct during the restric-
t on, and what had been the effect of its issues in pa-
, er during that period? He did not mean to inter-
re the profits of the Bank; but all he meant to
ly wits, that the Bank should afford assistance to
public at a cheaper and easier rate than they now
.0. He affirmed, without the fear of contradiction,
at no Chancellor of the Exchequer could go on for
fortnight without the assistance of the 'Bank. For
3ese reasons, he would vote for the Committee.
Mr. HUSKISSON assured the House that his Dpi.
-kin, as delivered on the subject of the Bullion Coin-
itiee, remained unchanged. He contended, that
or the last nine months, our foreign expenditure had',
een the same as when we were in a state of war.—
't WAS, therefore, unfair to argue this question as if j
re were in a state of peace. If the Bank were in al
itu.cinn to resume its cash payments, he would not
e willing that the restriction should continue ano.l
ter week. How soon the Bank could return to
:s cash payments he could not tell ; but he trusted
hat they would hear from the Gentlemen in the,
irection of the Bank, that they would be able,
a resume their payments, in cash, within the'
_me stated. (July, 1816). Considering the advan-
,Nes the Bank had received from the restriction, he
tl.oue.lit it ought to make considerable sacrifices,
,s order to resume its cash payments, and restore
•ts cuirency to its sound state as soon as possible.—
ie that no alteration bad been made in the
_lank payments in 1811, although contrary to the
•:,,te he then gave ; because nothing but that suspen-
ion could have brought the late struggle in which
ee were engaged to a favcurable issue. He conceived,
that the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Tierney) had
::!together faded in shewing, that the Bank, in the
lean of three millions without interest, was actuated
by political motives. He thought, that nothing but
each a sat. as that in which we had lately been en.
.:agd, would *arrant the Bank in applying for any
protection against paying their notes in cash pn de-
niand. But he was of opinion, that no benefit could
vie from the sinotion of the Noble Lord being car.
-ied into effect ; for if any inquiry were instituted, it
would tend to prevent the Bank from being able to
-tor to the former state of its payment.
Mr. BARING defended the Bank against any im-
putation of partiality towards Any Administration '
whatever. Besides, the object of the Bank was not
o obtain mercantile discounts; for the contrary was
.he tact, as on all occasions it tried to discourage
them. The concession of the loan of three millions
was one which the Bank might fairly have resisted ;
..nd it ( ..ght only to be considered as a liberal accom-
modation to the country. To think that the:Bank
'wird to the largest possible issue of its notes foe its
.11 interest, like everrpetty country Bank, was a
mistake, which was known to be so by every Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer. It was a mistaken notion
ilso to suppose that the Bank Directors sat for any
her purpose than to protect the currency on which
*heir fortunes depended. He considered that the
?roperty.Tax and the Bank Restriction had ennui-
Jilted very largely to the liberation of Europe ; and
he feared that, if we should be again engaged in a
rumpery war for German independence, those two
Imes (the Property-Tax and the Bank Restriction)
would be very soon put forth. It was certainly true
that the Government was, to a specific degree, de-
;:.ndent on the Barak; but no more than the Govern-
ment of any other country was dependent on the
means of raising its supplies. He had no hesitation
0 saying (guarding it as his own opinion only)
that these Was no more chance of the Bank pay.
In 3 in specie in July twelvemonth, than it had
ct paying in specie to...norrow.—(Hear, hear).—
Ric great doubt was, whether we were not still in
such an artificial state, that we Must still continue to
have an artificial currency ? for he believed, when
they came to settle it, we would be found to have
suit fifty millions of taxes. His opinion was, that
eve should gradually allow ourselves to sink into a
vimd state; but the judgment of the House, as ex-
pressed he Corn Laws, seemed to be very diffe-
rent. He would vote against the motion, because
there could be no doubt as to the general stability of
the II the charge against it was, that it was too
rich. Nevertheless, be would do every thing in his
power to bring about, as soon as possible, a speciif
payment, without which there was no security pert,
tnanen:if for the property of the country.
rONSONBY wished to know the opinion of
the Pmilk on this important subject. For, as the
Bank had been always in the habit of obtaining specie
fur tile wants of Government, it must have the best
rnta,:s of i:lformation as to the period when it would
be likely to resume its cash payments. The Honour.
,
Gentleman who spoke last (a Bank Director)
hdLaitl, he did not see any probability of the Bank
paying in specie in July twelvemonth ; and surely an
ssertian of that kind deserved the enquiry moved for.
Pe, therefore, heartily supported the motion of his
Friend ; as he believed it would induce the,
Lank sooner to resume its cash payments.
Mr. W. SMITH took a similar line of argument,
;adrelated an anecdote of Mr. Fox, as a proof of
t,le superior foresight of that distinguished man.—
very day after the Bank ceased paying jn specie,
lie happened to call upon Mr. Fox, and mentioning
ICto him the circumstance, added, 44 but it can't last
°'."—" Can't last long !" replied blr. Fax : 1
41,1 et know what you may do, but 1 think I shall
1e
ver live to see it opened again."
Mr. B. SHAW said, as there was some probability
of the Bank resuming their payments in specie in July
twelvemonths he should vote against a Committee.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
e_tillained, after which Lord A. HAMILTON replied;
wnen the House divided—For the motion 38
Against it 134.
tee House then went into a Committee on the Bill ;

iv hen kr. ailatnix Otaiisied aaa ale wads,
48 gust 1 fie Zinser " after the sth of July! 1816.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
objected to it, not because his opinion was at all
shaken) but because he thoosht it his duty to oppose
the introduction of wads winch were unnecessary.
Mr. HORNER gave it as his opinion, that the
Governor of the Banks (Mr. Mellish) if he thought
it could take place, would contemplate a return to
cash payment with great uneasiness. If he was wrong
in this, of course the Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Mellish) would set him right. If he continued silent,
the House wbuld put the nine construction on his
conduct, that be ( Mr. Homer) did.—(4 laugh, and
loud calk of " Mel irh, Mellish.")
Mr. TIERNEY understood the words 44 and no
longer," were meant to express the positive determi-
nation of Parliament that cash payments should be
resumed at the Bank in July, 1816.
Mr. PONSONBY called upon the House to notice
the coincidence, in the silence of the Governor of the
Bank ( Mr. Mellish), and the refusal of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer to agree to the introduction of the
words proposed as an amendment.
Mr. BARING thought, no Gentleman who was
not disposed to address the House ought to suffer
himself to be forced up by any clamour that might
be raised for that purpose. He could not support
the amendment.

Mr. TIERNEY was of opinion, the insertion of
the words proposed in the amendment, would make
the Bank Directors and Parliament in earnest. With-
out them the Bill would be disregarded. He consi-
dered the Chancellor of the Exchequer bound to
agree to the amendment, or to recall the speeches he
had made.

Mr. DOUGLAS, convinced by the reasons urged
by the last speaker, was determined to move for the
amendment.
The House divided—For the Amendment 55
Against it 92—Majority in favour of the Original
Motion .57.

The Bill then passed through the Committee, and
the Report was ordered to be received on Monday.
Ths other Orders were disposed of, and the House
adjourned at ONE o'CLomt this morning.
LIST OF THE MINORITY

ON LORD ARCUIDALD UAMILTON'S MOTION FOR A COMMITTER
TO RIAMINE INTO TUIL CAPACITY OF TUR RANK Of ILNO.
LAND TO RILSILIMIL TURIR CASU PAYMENTS.
Atherley, A. Halsey, J. North, D.
Bernard, Scrope Harcourt, J. Fruby, Lord
Bennet, lion. H. C. Heron, Sir R. Philips, George
Campbell, Hon. J. Haworth, H. • Ponsonby, Rt. Hon
Carew, it S. Lambton, J. G. George
Daly, 1) B. Lewis, F. Ponfonby, Hon.?.
Dundas, Hon. L. Lyttletin, Hon. W. Prick, Hon. F.
Duncannun Lord Martin, J. Russell, Lord G. W.
Dickenson:W. Marryat, J. Smyth, J.
Elliott, Rt. Hon. W. Monck, Sir C. Smith, W.

Fitaroi, Lord J.
Graut, J. P.

Moore, P.
Milton, Lord

Tierney, Rt. Hai. O.
Whitbread, S.

Greatell, Pascoe Newpo-rt, Sir J. Wynne, Si' W. W.
Tsi.t.ra—Lord A. Hamilton; F. Horner.
Sir R.. Ferguson, Mr. C. Wynne, and Mt. RamalNN abut out.

THE EVENING STAR.

LON DON.

Eiteartne.—To the Resolodise of the Pariah-of St. Luke, Midi
dine:, against the Corn NW, the population of that Palish
was stated, by mlbtake, at NI" instead of 53,000 luhabitants.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1815.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE O'CLOCE.
Reduced 691 64-4 per Ct. 1111F1-5 per Ct. Navy 1131}
Consols 631f1—for account, 6411—Omnium 31 dia.
Bank Long Anna. 161—Bonds sa. 6s. pro.
Exchequer Bills 2s. du. Is. prem.

We have received Paris Papers of Monday and
Tuesday last. All the great points are now defini-
tively settled by Congress, and the Members are now
occupied with minor arrangements, such as the navi-
gation of the Rhine, and the future organization of
Germany. The Krors of SAXoNY has not yet ac-
cepted of the boon which his conquerors have gene.
rously offered him : it is, neve+theless, Hobson's
choice" with him ; and there is no chance of the peace
of Europe being disturbed on his account. He has,
in (act, no popularity whatever to boast of.
In Spain, the mysterious conduct of England is
said to be alarming—mil well it may. But we have
reason to believe that our ?Moisten will throw off this
veil of mystery, and make known to the world, that
the insidious designs of the Spanish Government
against our prosperity and commerce, will 'be met
with a becoming spirit.
We rejoice to learn that the Expedition from Cadiz
to the Colonies has been obliged to put back, owing
to the supposed views of our Government. These
views, we believe, (and to the credit of our Ministers
we say it), are nothing else than to prevent the exe-
cution of the unjust pl.►ns of an ungrateful Monarch,
to exclude us from all commercial intercourse with
the Colonies of Spain, and to effect which perfidious
purpose, we have no doubt, is the immediate object
of the expedition alluded to. Until, therefore, a due
and formal recognition of our rights in this respect
shall have been obtained, our Ministers wisely deter-
mine to prevent Spin from having the means of
carrying into execution her treacherous designs; and
if she persist in her unnatural project, we trust our
opposition to it will be of a nature so vigorous and
decisive as to be every way'becoming the high cha-
racter and station which we maintain among the na-
tions of the Universe.—We make the following ex-
tracts, as the most interesting: