Star.
London, England, 1813-12-21 00:00:00

THE FIFTH 0/ ELIZABETH.

Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW prtscnest! a Petition from certain
Traders resident in London and its envit on; against the Filth of
Elizabeth, praying, that a se' n years apprenticeship may nut 'e
made a prev:ols requisite to the exercise of a trade or profess
• a on. Among the s;guatures attached to this Petition, he ob-
served the names of persons distinguished for their theoretic
krowledie and practical science. They described the operations
a the Act as vexatious, ilelusive, and oppressive. They did not
with the statute of apprenticeship to be abolished ;• all they asked
was, !hat a seven years apprenticeship miz;ht not be made a pre-
vious requisite to any trade. They described these persons who
were commonly called iregal men to be the most skiltul work--
men, anti set forth the propriety of allowing persons of mature
years, who from a change in their prospects were obliged to de-
pend on their industry for support, to enter into any busine-!.
they had talent to conluct, though they had not served an ap-
prenticeship to it. The Petition was ordered to lie on the table.
DECLARATION OF THE ALLIES.

M. HORNER wished to ask the Noble Lord
(Lord Castlereagh) a question resp:cting the docu-
ment which had lately appeared in the forcign papers
as having been issued by the Allied Sovereigns. He
only sought such infOrmation as the gbhle Lord
might no. think inconsistent with the public service.
He put the question now, as the answer to it might
materially atfe,:t that question on 'which they were
that tiglit to docide. From the expressions contained
in that -document, it shi uld -seem that the Allies
rt. de overctlrt:s of peace to France after they had
reached the mks oi the Rhine, and it might be in-
ferred, that the proposal made had been rejected,
this was not sated. in the declaration, and
certainly it was susceptible of a very different con-
struction. He wished to ask first if that document
was authentic, and if it was, whether his Majesty's
Ministers had coilcurred in it, and whether the offers
made had been tijectert ?
Lord CASTLEREAGH, in-answer, stated the
document which had appeared to be authentic, and
he had the satisfaction to inform the Honourable
Gentleman and the House, that the most perfect
concert prevailed in the measures and views of the
Allies, and all the steps taken in consequence of those
views had been,taken with the full approbation and
concurrence of this country. What answer had been
returned, and what resulted from the pacific over-
tures which had been made, the Honourable Gentle-
man would n t press him to lay before the House,
as he tntit feel any further disclosure might be
premature.
Mr. HORNER said, the first part of the reply of
the Noble Lord had. convinced hint of the propriety
of putting the questions he felt it his duty to ask.
THE ADJOURNMENT.

Lord CASTLEREAGH, in .rising to move that
the licuse at its ri ing should adjourn to the Ist of
Match, did not feel it necessary to enter into any
lengthened explanation of the reasons which influenced
his Majesty's Ministers in proposing such an adjourn-
ment. He should at present offer very few words on
the subject, reserving himself to offer such explana-
tions .as might be necessary after be had beard what
were the• objections made to the motion he should
submit to the House. The grounds on which the
motion was founded, were these--The House had
had the advantage of meeting for the dispatch of '
public business at an unusually early period ; they
bad Fot through more of the public business than was
Usually dispersed of in so short a time : it was there-
fore thought no inconvenience could result from the ;
adjournment, and he was not aware of any .partieu-
fal jealousy ca the part of Parliament that was likely .
to cause the'rnotion to be opposed. On the contrary,
they had conceded more than usual support to the
measures _of G. vernment ; and looking at the state
of the public and private business bel•ire them, he
could not see that the House would in any degree
abdicate its functions by q-;reeing, at a time like the
present, to the proposed adjournment. Should cir-
cumstances arise to reoder an appeal to Parliament
eicessary before the period fixed for their meeting,
tfiere was an Act passed same years ago which would
serve to obviate any inconvenience that might arise
from the duration of the recess. By the Act to which
be referred, the Crown, in cases where Parliament
was in-orogutd or acrelirried, v.-as empowered to c;411
them trwrther in 1.4 days. He though the House,
the Crown had this power, was safe in adjourn.
lag, with an understanding, that if ciecumstances
make their services necessary, they would be
re-assembled before the period for Which they a&
jourried should expire. These were the grounds on
which be recommended it to them to adjourn as a
;natter of discretion. lie then moved that the House
shoaid adjourn to Tuesday the IA of March.
:1,-V ME'S MACKINTOSH.—" I coniess, Sir,
Ilea when 1 came down to the Hols:•, I did expect
• tint Ni•ible Lord would exhibit such solid grounds
1,4 the protracted adjournment he meant to propose
. 1 • .

•
as would have saved me the pain of now for the first trofternttr,himfelf from all that was invidious or
time interrupting that unanimity by which the pre- suspicious, as attaching to himself, in the affair to
sent Session has been so remarkably distinguished., which my question related. If the suspicion that
The Noble Lord, Sir, has contented himself with was entertained with respect to him had originated
urging such reasons as appear to me quite insufficient with me, I should be most certainly obnoxious to a
to justify the adjournment ; and I 'therefore feel my- charge of great presumption ; but I must now de-
self called upon to explain the grounds upon which I dare that it was entertained by persons.of high rank;
deem it inexpedient.--I am certainly in a situation persons who warmly wished to support and promote
little fitted to address the House, just escaping, as I the dignity and interests of the House of Orange.—
am, from the effects of a long and, severe indisposi. The surprise was certainly natural enough. An in-
tion, and should remain silent under the apprehension , surrection took place in Holland on the 15th of No-
of failing to promote the object I have in view, were vember; on the 16th, a ;lumber of respectable persons
not their good humour and indulgent spirit well I formed themselves into a Provisional Government,
known to me. The Noble Lord having proposed I and on their invitation the Prince of Orange went
a deviation from an ordinary practice, it became him over; it was reasonable to suppose that-he would
to shew that such a deviation was expedient, that no- y not leave this country without a communication witlr
thing could arise which could render it unsafg ;—but Ministers, and in consequence it was reasonable to
has he done so? He has contented himself with ob- suppose that his acts would be in some measure the
serving, that the public business is in such a state as result of their counsel. He arrives in Holland, and
to free the adjournment from any embarrassment or the day after his arrival issues a proclamation accept-
inconvenience to the Government. Now this might i, ing the sovereignty conferred on him, and at the
be a sufficient ground for immediate adjournment, but same time staring, that he does so against his better
in my apprehension it has no bearing whatever on : judgment. Under circumstances such as these, I
the duration of that adjournment. It is not possible felt, as no doubt every Englisman would feel, on
for the Noble Lord to say that no emergency shall beholding on the tumultuary subversion of an an-
arise between this and the Ist of March which may dent and venerable Republic by a set of private
render the deliberations of Parliament expedient or Gentlemen, whose only support and authority was
necessary, and therefore I wou'td wish him not. to the clamour of the populace, raised while the arms
mistake the nature of the question before the House.. of the enemy still rung around them. What, I
The state of its business does not affect the duration would ask, would the people of Holland think, if
of the adjournment, unless he can show that there is we should appear in this country utterly indifferent
nothing contingent, that as no subject now appears to so extraordinary a change in their polity as
calling for their deliberations, so none can apiear.— this ? The Noble Lord, 1 repeat, has freed him-
The Noble Lord his left•us to conjecture by what self from the imputation of being accessary to
reasons he would combat the real objections that lie it ; he has declared in the face of this country and
against so protracted an adjournment, and some of of Europe, that his Majesty's Government knew
them, considering them as yet unimpugned, I shall nothing of the intention that it appears subsisted to
now state. It is a printiple of the Constittnion* that change the form of government and the title of the
one of the functions of Parliament is to act as Conn. Supreme Magistrate, and to the declaration of the j
sel to the Crown. Those who imagine that the Noble Lord we are bound to give cte.lit. I admit,
functions of that Body are confined to the enactment that the case, so far as it regards the Government of
of laws and the imposition of taxes, if ,here should this country, is relieved front all the ochora connected
occur any emergency in which their wisdom should with it. They, it appears, have not been instrumen-
he necessary to the Government, the Constitution tal in bringing .ihout the' evolation, andif they wished
directs that their counsel should be interposed. The to prevent it, they were certainly precluded by all
Noble Lord says, that inasmuch as the Crown can principles of intetnatioeal law from interference.—
assemble the Parliament in fourteen days, a pro- E (Hear, fret th! Treasury E.:10;m) They cot.ld not
tracted adjournment may tale place without clan- with any degree et preptiety attempt to controul a
ger or inconvenience ; but I see, that Parliainent spontaneous nu/trion ot the people— (1/..ar, hear !)
is to be considered as counsel assigned to the Crown? —of a neighbouring and frioidly state. (Hear, h:ar.)
and that the aid of their wisdom should not be I Acce.s. ding to Ole teceived principles of international
declined precisely at a period when the arduous and law, if a nation arise tree tram a yoke beneath which
`difficult nature of the business which they have to they have for a time bent, their
.ticatt.:: and relations
transact renders such assistance of peculiar value.—, with another nation revive with the icvival of their in.
It is not at such a juncture, that Parliament should dependence. If the people choose to change their
abdicate their functions, should abandon their station, form of Covernmeet, those tremors and relations
It is impossible to say what may occur to call for the ate t affected thereby, they are binding as against
exercise of those functions. A great crisis is now a fiction, Lut not as age: lust the pi ople, when their
taking place in the aff tirs of Europe. - Intelligence i will is impl chly unfolded. Igo e Ministers full
of events of the last importance is every day reaching credit for their scruples in interfering with the na-
ils, and will, in all probability, continue in retch us tional economy of-another State, fur the delicacy
every day between this and the Ist March ; between they have exhibited in what regards national hide-
this time and that, the affairs of Europe may be ar- pendence, and I am willing to ceesi.fer the proceede
rang( d upon new principles, her states may have been i ings which called for the question I put to the
formed into a new system. In all negotiations, in all INoble Lord, as the acts of the Dutch themselves,
deliberations which may erecede such a state of af- I as acts done in a foreign country by a foreign corn-
lairs, Great Brietilt necessarily teke that leading munity, and which could not with propriety have
station, that commanding attitude to which her been interfered with. (Hear, hear) 'l'lle sound-
power and her exeri ions so justly entitle her : and ness of the principles upon which his Maj. sty's Mini-
udder such circernstences I would ask, is it right that sters have acted, 1 am willing to admit, and I am
the Ministers of the Clown should be deprived of the : pleased to find them adopted ; but I cannot there-
Aid of Parliament—of the contrail of Parliament, if , line suppress the eitreme regret and sorrow feel at
its controld be necessary ? if that eid, if that controul I seeing the constitution of an ancient and venerable
he refused at sucit a time, I do ;ay that the refusal commonwealth subverted by a popular clamour, and
amount: to a direct attack upon the Constitution. It in the face of the enemy's troops. I ant not less a
is tacitly spurned as an inconvenient form of Govern- friend to the constitution of England because I am. a
stunt, or if the necessity for the exercise of the consti- friend to the ancient constitution of Holland. I can-
tutional functions of Parliament be admitted, at least Inot see without infinite pain that constitution fall by
they are rejected in all those great questions of war the energies of which those who enjoyed its blessings
and peace with which they have heretofore been opposed a successful resistance to Phillip 11. a suc-
thought to have much to do. The Noble Lord woule' cessful resistance to Louis XIV. and beat back Louis
never have Parliament meet hut to trans:tct ordi- XV. from the gates of Amsterdam. I cannot sup
nary business, their advice on all such important pose that the abuses of such a constitution could not
business as is now before the Government, he would be easily removed, and the venerable structure which
reject, as calculated to impede and embarrass their had so long afforded shelter and protection spared. In
exertions and frustrate their views. lamof a diffe- the year 1675, according to the authority of Sir W.
rent opinion, The Ni,b!e Lord thinks that the state Temple, it was proposed to King William by Louis
of Europe is such as to justify a protracted adjourn- XIV. that he should be invested with the sovereignty
ment : in my opinion, it calls for a more contracted of the United Provinces, and bear the title of Duke of
period of adjournment ; it calls upon us to watch Gueldres. The younggiddypartof that Prince'sCoun-
with peculiar vigilance over every circumstance con- cillors were decidedly of opinion that he should ern-.
nected with the Continent. The argument of the brace the proposal, but there was one person who was
Noble Lord I cannot consider of any weight ; and I neither young nor giddy, who gave him the same
really did expect, that when a violation of constitu- advice, I mean the pensionary De Witt ; never:he-
tional practices was to be proposed, that more plausi- less William resisted the advice ; by many his re-
bility,
if not sound reason, would have been employed fusel of the dignity and power placed within his
to recommend ii. Never was there a Session of Par- grasp was attributed to affectation or to fear. But
liament, in the course of which Ministers had received Sir William Temple, who knew his motives well,
more unanimous and zealous support than in the pre- allegh that his wish was to grow great by the ter-
sent ; never was there a Session in which a more cont. vice of the States he governed, bet not by their
plete confidence has been reposed in his Majesty's Mi- servitude. He did not wish to be thee. Sovereign of
nisters.—(Hear, hear, from the Treasury Benches.) a mean and petty State, but chose rather to be the
twill not hesitate to admit, that in reposing such Stadtholder of a reunwned and powerful Common-i
confidence they acted according to the will of the wealth—in that capacity he had long ranked among
country—(Hear, hear,)—according tothewill of every the first Princes of Europe, in the other he lelt his
man in the country.—(Hear, Hear, hear.) The Mi- dignity and consequence would be greatly abridged.
litia Act was passed without opposition, many other Consistent with these sentiments was the doctrine
Acts of great importance were passed without oppo- ; which this Prince held with respect to the power of
sition; and cordially as the support of Parliament England. It was contended that her Constitution
was administered, it would have been still more ex- I was of too popular a nature to admit of her making
tensive had circumstances called for its extension.— a successful struggle against the other Powers of Eu-
The people wished that their country should come rope, whose resources, placed in the hands of absolute
forward with ardour to aid the nations which were in- Princes, were more easily wielded. This he asserted
dependent, or those who wished fo be so—they wished ' to be erroneous doctrine, the energies of a free State
that as soon as a struggle commenced on the Conti.. were always the most powerful where private feeling
nent that England should be at her post—that ohe I was blended with public enthusiasm. In a Bulletin of
should be foremost in the ranks. I respect the man the Crown Prince of Sweden's, which bears date eie
who first introduced into the political system of 11th November, he declares that nothing ca old more
this country the term g; balance of power." England tend to curb the power of France than the vicinage of
•
must always strive to establish, or maintain such the Stadtholderiau dignity. On the 30th November
a balance. Her affairs are necessarily blended with another declaration is made by this Mitsui:Ac indi-
those of the Continent, and it is most absurd to valual, who is now serving the country over which
object to her interference wall the political system he is appointed to rule, with all the zeal and ability
of the Continent. Feeling how much a crisis like which lie formerly exercised to the service of the
the present demanded that Ministers should .not country to which he owes his birth ; he assumes, that
be impeded by opposition, I base on almost all oc- the act by which the Prince of Orange is invested
casions given them my support. I have abstained with the supreme sovereignty, does not affect all
horn every discussion and every inquiry which I the Provinces. His Royal .Highness the Prince of
thought might embarrass them,—[Here the Hon. Orange has declared, that in accepting the
tiered
to
him,
he has no other vizw or wish,
sove-
Member paused, appearing to labour under the pies- reignty o
sure of ill health, and then added]—l feel how unable i but to promote and confirm the liberties f his
I arn'to do justice to the notions which Icame to the, people. This declaration cannot be' too much ap-
plauded,
HOuse wishing to develope. (Cheering.) I am nut •
liiittin. en B t
co it is worthy the descendant of Wil!iain tee
prepared to den"-, that the Noble Lend answered the coentryman of De \'
dirt. which I had the honour of putting to him scure lvlentber of Par
on a former evening, in a manner to completely ton et it if eitexppetrlnss hised permitted
• no such exoressizn be heard in this

House, justly May our ancient friends and Alles
assume, that under an effected regard for their inde-
pendence we are eyeless of their best interests—wsll
may they suspect .eur friendship if no remarks be
uttered, no protest entered against the abolition ofe
that popular Government beneath the influei.ce ef
which they were a great, a happy, and a flaurisi ing
people ! Gen forbid that I should utter any tithe,'
that might have the effect of repressing the dal el
the people of Holland against the enemy, or abating
the friendly feelings cherished in this cotintry te.
wards their ancient Allies ! Nothing in my mind
can justify lukewarmness in the defence of our c aio
try against the aggression of a foreign foe. He wl.
is lukewarm in its defence is a bad-citizen. Jt w
with pleasure I heard an Honourable Friend, who!,
promotion to a high office under Government, I %VAS
gratified to !earn, assert nn a former occasion, that.
there was an instinctive feeling pervaded society whici.
armed the kan6 of every man against the invader cr
his-country, nVltilol:t a reference to what Governmert
he defends?, along with it, aaci that such a feeling wa
the rash% of a beauttfel and most beneficial dispensa
tion of Pitovioexce—si mighty alleviation of the evil.:
to sallich human nature was subject—the firmest bond
,ht human society. If there be any philosophy which
would daunt this feeling, let it be abandoned to the
I contempt it merits. But let us recollect, that there is
' besides this instinctive patriotism, a moral patriotism
—a pate iottsm grounded on the just titles which our
country possesses to our esteem, on her worthiness.
of being loved. on the security and happiness wr
derive from her liberty and her laws. If there b:
any one who disavows this patriotism. be is as woi -
thy of contempt as he who disavows thte other ; as:
surely the most natural place in which such a disc-
vowel con be made. is within the walls o f this House- '
What 1 have said relates to the Government; I have '
now to observe with respect to the people, that 1
could wish any changes they might adeat were th
be elrected by their legal representatives, or by the
representatives of the whole people, or by the whole
people acting under their natural leaders. I should
be pleased to see more gravity and seriousness than
characterised the late change. I hope that his Royal
Highness the Prince of Orange will adhere to hi,
declaration, and secure the liberties of his people ;
I hope that he will disregard the sophistical distinc-
tion which it is the Lillian to make between civil
and political liberty, and admit the best security for
the freedom he has promised, a repreaeptative Le-
gislature. There is another subject on which I wish
to say a few words, though it is not properly be-
fore the House. lam compelled to reason °a what
is as yet but public rumour, but we have a right to
canvas the measures of a confederacy of whial we
form a part. It is said that the Allies mean to con-
sider the territory of the Helvetic Confe racy
as
hostile, and enforce a passage through it. cannot
ask ask such a question, as, being answered, mi t make
more of this than hypothesis, but I feel that I am at
liberty to deny the case as one of much proltability,
It we act as it is supposed we mean to do, we• shall be
guilty of a violation of the law °Mations. The Hel-
vetic Body have had no other relation with France
than a Convention, by which they permitted her to
lery a certain number of troops within their territer7-
Now this is a convention which has stibsiieei tietwoku
them and France for more than two centuries. 2,
the year 1809 they took measures to protect. thus UM.
trality, arid Aultrian Ministers have to this hour been
resident iu the country. I would ask if the Chan-
vention be in itself considered. as an act of hos•ility t
[The Honourable Member then referred to the cause
of Spain in 1805, and instanced the Swiss having
themselves at a former period refused troops to
Austria when they permitted France to levy them
without their refusal being held to be a departure
from their neutrality.] The question of public law
was perhaps, without a reference to other authorities,
sufficiently decided by the examples, which he had
mentioned. The importance of Helvetic it depen-
dence was another question, but one that was inti-
mately connected with the general independence and
equilibrium of power in Europe. It was withal
the recollection of the House, that in the year 1796,
a noble spirit of resistance arose in Switzerland,
which for some time bid defiance to the aggressions
and tyranny of France. The plains of Montgar-
ten formed the scene of a conflict, in which the
most atrocious usurpation was successfully oppoaed
by the energy of patriotic valour, and the cause of
freedom triumphantly asserted by the heroism it had '
inspired. There was no spectacle which his irrtaei-
nation could conceive that would be more gratit;eng
to the friends of liberty than to see the Allied ;Sove-
reigns employing the illustrious patriot who command-
ed on that occasion restore to his country the inde-
pendence and the ancient Constitution which he had
vainly struggled to preserve. He trusted that the '
obvrvations which he had noersubmitted would pros
useless.—(Hear, hear.)—Those who joined in this
cry were mistaken if they supposed they could indece
him to retract this expression by that species of voci.
fershion. Nothing could more fully satisfy his can
mind of the truth and propriety of those observa-
tions than by their proving ultimately usele-s, tad
by the voluntary adopt on of those neteims of pultcii
which he had deemed it his duty to explain and te
enforce. He not only hoped, but believed that the/
Allied Powers were disposed to adhere to ilose pain
ci pies and to forego the advantage cf invading Franc
through the side of Switzerland, rather than coma:
can invasion of public justice by violating the trona
! lity of the Helvetic Government. He could not ilecf
himself in the situation of that Government ; he co,ad
ii..t invest himself with all those feelings that mita
sea ing from the actual circumstances in wt..' a the,
Government might find itself, but if there was end
measure to which it ought to Manifest a strong rept*
nance, it was in his estimation the aseertior. Cut p.•is
claim on the part of the Allier, as a right.—(//,lh
The declaration cf such a right amoueted to notesa
less than an avowal that the Allied Sovereigns wh
pretended to fight for the independence of EeirePei
were resolved to sacrifice the independence of Swiic
zerland. He had very little further to submit to tilt
House, but lie bad heard with unqii ilitied sejtistac:
tion the Noble Lord ado:4 and recognise that enro-
t int document %stitch had lately been published as tl .
' • •sed
Manifesto of the allies. To eveey
in that wise, disinterested and magnanimous c,ecl!,,ilratt
syliii Me: co i.t4l • .
tion lie cordially assented, he adopted horn h ;s .--,111
every prinhiple which it laid down, and was sthet.or,t,
no good Englishman would reftsse his zealous ejiril
to a war prosecuted on the conditions stated. ia " 1

e-

~:mirable pipei...4kelii-.) It was otve firft duty atter
having solemnly joined in the assertion Of 'itch a
cause—a cause of which none could forget the obli-
gation, and in which none could have a separate in.
terest to divest ourselves of every feeling of selfish.
ness, and ear/1y idea of exclusive advantage. A se-
paration of interest, or a separate peace, in a confe-
deracy formed for this object, and maintained upon
these principles, were alike detestable. To accom-
plish so sacred a purpose, no effort in war and no
sacrifice in negotiation ought to be spared. It was
our duty to use our acquisitions, not as the means of
obtaining separate advantages for ourselves, but as
acquisitions subservient to the great and common
cause, even though made before the formation of the
confederacy. Our first duty was to Spain, to Portu-
gal, above all to Holland, and to the other States of
the Continent, as they had successively proclaimed
their independence, and united mailer one standard.
Independence not merely nominal, but practical and
substantial, ought to be secured to all, on terms, into c
the detail of which it was obviously impossible for
him to enter, but which ought undoubtedly to be of
that nature Which should take from any par ticular 1
state the power of successfully encroaching on the
territories of its neighbours. This was in other words
to restore a balance of power in Europe, that balance
which had perhaps most nearly attained perfection in
the year before the partition of Poland, and but for
the weak and criminal connivance of France and 1
Great Britain at that unprincipled spoliation, all the :
calamities which have since afflicted them might
have been avoided. Amnng the eminent Statesmen
of this country there was but one who at that pes int'
raised his voice against the acquiescence of the Bri-
tish Government in that transaction—this was the
late Marquis of Lansdowne, wee resigned his office 1
in consequence of his expostulation with the French
Government upon their seizure of Corsica, the
smallest ,if the independent Powers in the Euro-
pean system. He pretended not, therefore, to say, I
what was the precise or lowest point of security with i
which the British Government ought to be satisfied ;
this was a
_definition which it required more informa-
tion of actual and present circumstances than he was
in pousession of to prescribe. This it was the pro.
vince of his Majesty's Ministers to determine. The 1
few hasty ideas which he had submitted were de-
listtred under the preisure of indisposition, and per-
haps he would have acted more prudently in remain.,
ing silent on this occasion. He trusted, however,
that the expression of his zeal for the maintenahce of
the civil liberty and ancient Government of Holland
would not he considered as indicative of any luke-
warmness towards the cause of its dependence. Hei
trusted, that in enforcing the dictates of justice_ and
the rights of neutrality in favour of the only Repub-
lic now surviving in Europe, he should not be sus-,
petted of entertaining an indifference towards the in-
tegrity of independent States. In whatever else re-
mained connected with the discussion, he had been
anticipated by the excellent State paper to whiCh he
had always alluded. He should conclude, therefore,
by moving, that the words Ist of March be omitted,
and the S.:4th of January insetted.
Coronet ST. PAUL, in a maiden speech, observed,
that what had fallen from the Hon. and Learned
geilttvievatt might Apply to any thing in the world
escaffixt the Amendment he had proposed. Had
ante a notice entered in the hooks of the House,
for A. &Minh m enquire into the state of the British
Constitution, or into that of the Constitution of almost
any State in Europe, his speech Might have applied ;
but; to the present circumstances, it was totally fo-
reign to the question. The fact was, however, that the
Hon. and Learned Gentleman had been deprieted of
an opportnnity of making a speech on the East-India
Question, and a speech he must have, which had pro-
euced the present effusion. He was glad, however,
that the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had, in his ob-
servations, given him an opportunity of doing justice
to the conduct of Ministers, into whose hands he felt
not the smallest hesitation of trusting the management
of public business Miring the proposed adjournment.
—He could hardly express the warmth of feeling
their conduct had excited in his breast ; and he con-
siuered the attack made upon the Hon. ;rad Learned
I Gentleman, as one of the most juiced he had ever
heard of. r.f laugh.) He had expected that the
House should meet on that day, merely to congratu.
late one another on the unanimity which had hitherto
prevailed in Parliament. He had heard with the ut-
most satisfaction on former occasions the candid ex-
pianetions of the Noble Lord (Castlereagh,) the manly
declaration of the Member for Bedford (Mr. Whit.
b.ead), and the eloquent speech of the Member for
Liverpool (Mr. Canning), all coinciding together to-
wards one great object. He had expected something
similar on the present occasion, instead of which, he
had been compelled to listen to the speech of the Ho-
nourable and Learned Gentleman, which he could
nut sufficiently reprobate, as destroying all hopes of
unanimity in Parliament.
Mr. WHITBREAD.--" I heard with pleasure,
front the Hon. Member who has just spoken, who,
from his manner of expressing his feelings, must have
felt very strongly when silent [a laugh] his satisfac-
tion at my conduct ; but' when I afterwards heard
also Iris approbation of the conduct of the Member
for Liverpool, 1 felt rather surprised that the Hon.
Gentleman was able to chime in with both of as, as
there are no two men whose views of political subjects
cari be more discordant. As to the speech of my
Hon. and Learned Friend (sir J. Mackintosh) who
ts opposed the adjournment, on the accession of
hose talents I congratulate the House and tie cowl-
y, and than whom, on questions of public law,
'ere is no one more competent to instruct the House,
wonder at the application made of it to any party,
J still more at the epithet finical, which the Ho-
irelile Gentleman who spoke last, was pleased
bestow on it.—(el laugh.)—Though I agree with-
r Hon. and Learned friend iii all his geeeral pt in-
les, and concur completely in his wish pa oppose
lung adjournments, I should contradict the opi.
,ns which I have declared respecting his blapsty's
eistets, if I concurred in opposing this mooon of
;ournment. If any thing had erccutred to diminish
confidence in them, 1 might be justified in my
position to the present motion ; but instead of any
rig having occurred to diminish it, the adoption
s night by the Noble Lord (Castlereagh) of the
Lenalid Declaration, dated at Frankfort, December
: Ist, increased that confidence.—(Hear, hear.)—
acing this Session I have not only withheld my op-
sitions but even given my support to measures
.in

thv
?or!
baf

THE EVENING STAR.

LON DON.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1813.
ST. TII6IAAS.II Day.--Holiday at the Bank.
This day being a Holiday at the Bank, no business was doue
there ; but, the Stock Exchange being open, there wore many
bargains there ; Omnium opened at 11 and afterwards rose as
hi.,h as 12, for money ; and, though much business was doue in
the Consols, very little Omnium appeared in the market.

Yesterday, in a Second Edition, we gave a short
account of the recent successes of the British arms in
Canada. To-day, by being put in possession of Que-
bec and Montreal Gazettes to the 12th, we are en.
abled to give more ample details. The check given
to the American General HAMPTON, by the Canadian
militia, was more severe than we at first imagined—
three hundred British frightened out of the field $OOO
American troops ! Several reinforcements had
reached our little army in Canada, and more were
daily expected. On the Lakes, Sir Isfats Yza has
not yet gained the superiority ; but he is not idle,
and great exertions are making to add to his liale
squadron, by building additional ships of war.

Paris Papers to the 18th instant have arrived.—
They contain some interesting information. The
success of the Marquis of WELLINGTON on the 9th
instant, in driving the enemy under the. guns of
Bayonne is confirmed, but the French .claim advan-
tage on the 10th and Ilth. These seem to have
been confined to driving the Allies from two emi-
nences. As to the nonsense about pushing two divi-
sions into the Nive, and taking 1200 prisoners, these
are items which we are so accustomed to see
counterbalanced by the statement* of the Generals

0

bpObled ta them, that tee net►er hie them into the
account,

The ptiblic attentit* is next called to Switzerland :
there the Allies are titid to have met with a check, in
being informed thet the Swiss were determined to
maintain their neuttality. Prince SCHE/ARTIENBARG'S
head:quarters were previously removed to Freiberg
(not Friedberg, as stated by mistake in the Bulletin
issued by Clorrernmeut on Saturday), for the express
purpose of tiling the temper of this neutrality. Frei-
berg is in the direct road to Basle, and the Prince's
march in this direction lays France open to him at
her most vulnerable points. It is not without reason,
therefore, that such pains are taken by BONAPARTE
to attach Switzerland to his interests. The Swiss
Envoys arrived at Paris on the 12th.

On the side of the Rhine, the greatest alarm still
prevails, notwithstanding the studied efforts of the
Ranch Government to conceal it. " Every thing
is in a good state"—" all is tranquil"—and " rein-
forcements daily arrive" to the French armies now
in the field. These are so many lullabies to that part
of the population of Frince which is removed from
the seat of war. It is, of course, the interest and the
wish of BONAPARTE'S Government, that neither the
flame of insurrection, nor the chilling damps of ter-
ror, should extend.
BEnt2HARNois, the Viceroy of Italy, claims farther
victories in Italy : the last he gained were detailed
by Admiral FREMANTLE, and the Austrian General,
NUGENT. We, expect their confirmation of these
claimecrat present before we can believe them.

The French Editors s4y, that their troops still oi-
top,' all the strong places in Holland ! After this,
who can believe a word contained in their journals?

Letters have been received this morning from the
French coast, by one of the first American Houses in
the City, stating, that an embargo had taken place in
all the seaport towns in the French Empire, and that
it was expected that for some time no vessel would
be permitted to sail from that country.
We have also received the following letter from the
Coast. We cannot learn, however, that any person
of the description to which our Correspondent alludes,
has arrived in Town :
46 DOVER, DECEMBER 20.

g, We have a report here to day that a French Offi-I
cer passed through Canterbury, early this mornings
for London, having landed at Margate from the
Coast of France. I cannot, however, pledge myself
for the accuracy of the report, but you will be Able to
ascertain the truth of it. Passed by this day the ship
General Miranda from the Cape of Good Hope."

Dispatches were this day received by Govern-
ment from Sir GEORGE PREVOST, confirming the in-
telligence of the Defeat of the Americans in Canada.
These deAt.ils add nothing to our own statements on
the subject : they w ill be published in the Gazette
of this evening.

A Mail from Malta and Gibraltar, and Lisbon
Papers to the sth December, arrived this day. The
latter contain no news. By the former we learn that
the ravages of the plague at Malta, and the fever at
Gibraltar, have nearly ceased. A small English
squadron (consisting of two frigates and two brigs)
has captured, and carried into Ponca, Forty-four
sail of richly laden Metchant Vessels, and Twelve
armed Ships, their escort :

" GIBRALTAR, NOV. 26.

44 The Malta packet has brought accounts from
that Island to the 2d, and from Palermo to the 4th.
The number of deaths in Malta was reduced to three
per day ; and from Sicily, we hear, that the Parlia-
ment had been dissolved.
lIRAD•QUARTERS, GIBRALTAR, NOV. 26,
14 The Inspectors of Districts are requested to corn.
ply with the following suggestions from the Board of
Heath :

" Recommended, that the Inspectors of Districts
be requested to report all cases of sickness, previously
to the removal of the patients to the Lazaretto, that
the sick persons may be visited by a medical officer
before they are taken from their habitations.
It is further recommended, that the Inspectors
be requested to report to the Board. by Saturday next,
the %th December, if all the houses and dwellings
within their districts have been cleansed and fumigat-
ed, agreeably to the Proclamation of the 9th inst.

N- Should there be any houses still shut up, the In-
spectors to be requested to notice the same in their
report, that some steps may be taken to prevent their
being occupied till the orders in question have been
duly complied with. . (signed)
" F. STOKES.

" A. LUTZ."

" GIBRALTAR CHRONICLE, NON'. 27.

" By the weekly return cont.,incd in this Paper,
it appears that the number of new cases at Gibraltar
for the •%\-ek ending Nov. 26, is 16' ; anJ deaths 3."
" LISBON, DECEMBER 4.

" The Yellow Fever at Gibraltar, the Plague at
Malta, and the Black Vomit at Cadiz, have all ceased,
or so nearly ceased, as to cause no further alarm
to the inhabitants of those places. This may be con-
fidently relied on."

Mr. WHARTON, we understand, has resigned the
office of Secretary to the Treasury, on account of ill
health. It is said that he will be succeeded by Mr. S.
LeSHINOTON, and that Mr. BROGDkN will succeed
the latter as Ci'jrman tif the Committee of Ways and

BREAD.—No alteration in the rice this week—the,
Quattern Lo4f, Wheaten, 111.1.; Househo:d 9t•

NaP4L INTPLLICBNCE.

EAST INDIA SHIPPING.

The following accounts have been received at the
fast-India House tl.k morning, via.
The Cambrian, country ship, ft-cm Bengal and Ma-
de; s, arrived off the Isle of Wight the 19th inst nt I
sailed from Bengal the 15th July, and Madras the
4th August. Arrived at St. Helena the 10th October
and sailed from St. Helena the 24th October.

The Sir Godfrey Webster arrived at Bombay in
May last, with the loss of her masts.

The Diana left Bengal the Ist of July, and was
passed by the Cambrian on the 21st of September, to
the eastward of the Cape i• 1 Gold Hope.
It is stated that his Majesty's ship DAEDALUS was
lon off Ceylon, on the 4th. of July-..a1l the crew and
packets saved—the ships for China that had been un-
der her convoy sailed fr.= Madras the 4th August.
The Earl Howe had gone into deck on the sth
July ; and the North imptnn, which was to have sailed
in company with the Cambrian, put back, leaky.