Star.
London, England, 1809-03-04 00:00:00

TILE CASE OF GENERAL CLAVERING.

Mr. C. W. WYNNE rose, pursuant to notice, to
call the attention of the House to the conduct of Bri-
gadier-General Clavering. But before he did so, he
thought it necessary to state the reasons which induced
his acquiescence in the delay that had already oc.
curred upon this business. At the same time he must
observe, that although he acquiesced in the delay, the
impression upon his mind of General Clavering's pre-
varication, was so strong upon the last night of his
examination, that he thought the Committee ought
not to have separated without coming to a decisive
resolution respecting it. There were many forcible
reasons why such misconduct should have been brought
to an early discussion. For if the prevarication of
a man of the rank and station of General Clavering,
were suffered to escape with impunity—if an example
were not made in his case, the mischievous conse-
quences likely to result must be obvious. But when
he heard it stated by some Gentlemen, that this Offi-
cer's examination upon a former evening, was not
combined with his letters, sufficiently fresh in their
memory to come at once to a decision, the reason for
delay was too strong to be withstood. But there was
a still stronger reason in his mind for consenting to
delay. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated,
that the whole of the papers respecting the evidence
would not be printed before the Monday following
General Clavering's last examination ; while the dis-
cussion of the main question was fixed for three days
afterwards. With this statement in his recollection,
and naturally thinking that no subject of discussion
should interfere in so short an interval, with that at-
tention which every Gentleman must be anxious to
give alone and undivided, to a question of so much
importance, be did not conceive it proper in such a
period to bring this motion forward. But the discus.
sion of the main question being postponed till Wed-
nesday next, and the whole of the evidence having
been before the House since Tuesday last, he hoped
this would not be deemed an improper or unsuitable
opportunity for considering the proposition which he
had to submit. To delay it any longer would indeed,
he should think, 'he a hardship. For any individual
of his rank and connection must naturally be agitated,
while a charge so materially affectirT his character
was suspended over him. Therefore, all who were
disposed to consult the feelings of General Claver-
ing, should concur with those who were desirous
for justice in bringing the question respecting that
Officer to a speedy determination. He was not
aware indeed of any good reason for delay. It had
been suggested to him that this motion ought not to
be proposed until the main question was disposed of;
because there were Gentlemen who might be inclined
to bring forward a similar charge against other wit-
nesses. If this proposition were likely to affect the
main question—if it could be shewn that it was cal-
culated to make either for or against the Duke of
York, then, in that case, there would be a good
ground for postponing it. But the evidence of-Ge-
neral Clavering had no such tendency. Every one
of the witnesses should be considered on its • own
grounds. There might be less or more degrees of
connection between them, but he would protest
against the justice of examining them upon general
grounds, upon impeaching them in a bulk, or upon
a comparison of notes. It might be equitable to send
'other witnesses to New-gate; but let the merit or de-
merit of each be examined upon separate grounds, as
he proposed in this instance with regard to General
Clavering. When the correctness of any other wit-
ness should be submitted to the consideration of the
House, he should feel it his duty to come to the dis-
cussion in the same rule of justice which he called
upon Gentlemen to apply to the subject of his mo-
tion. But he should very ill discharge his duty, or
deserve the reputation of common sense, if he did not
mark the difference which existedlietween the nature
of General Clavering's testimony, and that. of any
other witness. For not only would more mischief
result from the impunity of this Officer's miscon-
duct, but his case was in fact promtnent and single
in its character. In the first place, hii evidence was
quite voluntary; he had no occasion to come for-
ward.—He begged that he might not b.: understood
to
insinuate that any occasion could justify prevari•
cation ; but yet, if a witness
_were caged for ; if
obliged to appear at the bar, it was natural that he
should endeavour to defend himself from any thing
like inculpation. But here the case was different :
General Clavering was a volunteer witness—he came
forward of his own accord, and therefore was liable
to• the suspicion of designing to inipow upon th;
House;

r.

Here the Learned Gentleman drew the. aillantien
of the use to the following questions, upaei which
hefianqrincipally to rest kis resolution, Pnil.which
he tbniended did not Wrest, as any manner, the de-
position of the other witnesses. Those questions were
the last put to this Officer on. the 10th of February,
which was his first day's examination :
" Had, you any corrimunication whatever on the subject of
Army Promotions with Mrs. Clarke never proposed any con
versation of that kind, nor do I recollect any having ever existed,
excepting at the period I before alluded to, when she requested. I
would recommend to the consideration of the Duke of York,

Lieutenant Sumner, of the 20th regiment.
" I understand you then to say, you had never at soy time any
communication or' conversation whatever with Mrs. Clarke
on the subject of Army Promotionsyescept in the case of Lieu.
tenant Sumner'—Certainly not, as beirg the subject of conver-

sation..
" Had you any incidental conversation with Mn. Clarke upon
that subject ?—A period of so many years having elapsed since
that time, it is impossible to speak positively and accurately to a
question so close as that, but to the best of my belief I do not
think 1 had. _ _ .

" Da you of your own knowledge know that Mrs. Clarke
used her influence in favour of any person whatever in the army
with the Commander in Chief?-4 do not.

" Do you of your own knowledge know of any person that
asked her to use her influence with the Commander in Chiet upon
that subject ?—1 am not acquainted with any person that ever
did ; I have heard reports of that nature, but I cannot bring to my
recollection any person positively.
" Then you state positively that you do not know of any tran-
saction of that nature?—None, to my certain knowledge.
" Give a direct and positive answer to that question.—l do not
know of any transaction of that nature."

To my understanding, observed the Learned Gentle-
man, nothing could Be more direct than this disa-
vowal, and notwithstanding what had been said in
every direction on the subject—notwithstanding what
had transpired, and must" have occurred to his me.
mory—notwithstanding the publication of his .own.
letters delivered in by Mrs. Clarke, on the 15th of
February, this ofgcer does not offer to corns forward
until ten days after his first examination, prompted
no doubt by the letters : and what does he do ? He
proposes an explanation of his former testimony ; and
what was that explanation ? Why, truly, that he

•
understood communication and conversation to mean

merely personal, and that it had no reference what-
ever to correspondence. But does it appear that this
Officer had really no personal conversation with Mrs.
Clarke upon the subject of army promotions ? On
the contrary, we find in the letter of the Duke of
York, of the 24th August, a direct allusion to a re-
quest of this Officei, Where he states—" Clavering is
mistaken in thinking that any new regiments are to
be raised—it is not intknded—only second battalions
to the existing corps. You had better therefore tell
him so—and that you were sure that there would be
no use in applying for him."—What is the inference
from this letter, and how is that inference confirmed,
or rather made manifest, by General Clavering's own
letter of the 28th August ? In this letter, the House
will perceive, he enters very fully into the nature of
the proposal, respecting which Mrs. Clarke had ap-
plied to the Duke of York in vain, as his Royal High-
ness's letter of the 24th of August explained. It n ill
also be observed in this letter, that although General
Clavering professed at the Bar, that he should consi.,
der it as a slur upon him if he had been overlooked'
in the promotions which took place in 1804— if he
had not been appointed a .Brigadier-General in the
ordinary routine of merit, yet that he alludes to a =-
cent obligation for his present appointment. Now,
what does this recent obligation refer to but to his
commission of Brigadier General, which he had oh..
tairiecf on the sth of June, as Mrs. Clarke stated...—
But let the House look to this Officer's letters of the
11th November and 12th December, in which be
continued to address Mrs. Clarke upon military sub-
jects—begging her to ascertain whether new regi-
ments were about to be raised, and to acquaint him
of it as soon as possible. With these facts in the re-
collection of the House, Roy Gentleman disposed to
acquit General Clavering of prevarication must be-
lieve three things :—first, that this Officer did not
understand conversation or communication to mean
any thing more than personal, and that neither had
any reference to epistolary correspondence ; and,
secondly, that he considered the raising of a new re-
giment as of so little consequence, that, after the lapse
of five years, it was impossible for him to recollect
such a trivial point. Good GOD ! Sir, is it probable,'
nay possible, that such a person, a General Officer,
too, could obtain belief, when stating at this bar that
the object of raising a regiment, for which he had
offered £lOOO, could, after a period of five—or
any number of years, escape his recollection ? The
idea was quite preposterous. But the third circum-
stance to which I allude seems still more difficult to
believe—namely, that this Officer, when stating in
his answers at the bar, that he knew not of any appli.
cations being made to Mrs. Clarke upon military sub.
jects, of her obtaining any military promotions, or
applying to the Duke of York for any person : he
(Clavering) did not conceive himself, or his concern
in any such transactions, to be at all included. In a
case of this nature I am willing to make every allow.
ance for misconception or inaccuracy, that can reaso-
nably be required—but if there be any Gentleman.
Iwho will lay his hand to 'his heart, and say that he
can believe these with regard to General Clavering,
I shall only say, that I cannot expect that such gen-
tlemen will vote for my motion. Having gone thro'
the several points of the case, the Learned Member
expressed his sense of the painful task he hid to per-
form upon this occasion, to which, however, he was
urged by too powerful an impressiorrof public duty
to shrink from it under any consideration of personal
feeling. There were many aggravating circumstan-
ces connected with this case, which rendered it im-
possible for the House to overlook it. If a man of
high rank, of honourable connection, and honourable
profession, with every motive to impress a just sense
of honour, would not tell the whole truth, from
whom was the whole truth to be expected., The dig-
nity of the House, its character, and its interest, ap-
peared to him to be implicated in the fate of this
question. For if an example was not made upon such
an instance of gross prevarication—if a witness could
save himself from thE consequences of his shuffling,
by such frivolous pretences as the House had heard
from General Clavering, its inquisitorial po xers must
'become nugatory ; for ltow could it be expected that
a witness would be very solicitous about telling truth
at that time, when not-bound by the obligations of
an oath, and reliased from the dread of punishment'
for prevarication ? The Learned Member concluded
with moving, that such of the evidenee of the 10th,
lath, and 20th of February, taken before the Come
mittee of Lnquiry respecting the Duke of York, ac

related to General Clavering, should be read, wl;,,
being read accordingly, the Learned Gent;sn,o.
moved a Resolution, that General Clavering had
guilty of prevarication.
Sir M. RIDLEY admitted, the evidence certenl
appeared contradictory, but could not imagine c,
neral Clavering could so far forget his high rant:, t,
putation, and connections, as to come forward a;.
tell a deliberate untruth. Some allowance; ii j
be made for the embarrassment of a man educated,
he had. been (having served in the army from ti
age of fourteen) on appearing at their liar to col
front all the wisdom of the House. The rnotiv
*which impelled him to come forward to correct the
evidence given on his first examination, appeared •
him those of a man awake to the nicest feelings
honour. ' He (Sir Matthew) had advised- him to
it rest, but the General answered—" his (Sir Mi
thew-'s) advice might be good, but his own idea; t
honour, his feelings as a Gentleman, would not suf'.%
him to be at ease, till he had avowed and correct
his mistake.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE,
had imagined, from the notice given by the Ilona,
able Gentleman, that he did not intend pressing t+,l,
inquiry on the House, till the case with which it w;
connected should be decided, he had therefore hope;
that when that discussion was put off to a dist?
day, this inquiry would have rode over, so as still
have been made subsequent to the grand debate.
appealed to the Honourable Gentleman if it woi
not be consistent with the ends of justice to postp(
any proceedings of thisnature for the present. Thol
Donovan had as yet escaped unpunished, it did
follow that he would not be visited by the resentnii
of the House. He wished it to be understood, that
his opinion this was not a proper.time to make st
an inquiry. He was not prepared to say, on wl
side of the question the evidence of General Cla
lag preponderated ; to him it appeared to hoar p.l
on the one side and partly on the other. He w
not make a motion to postpone it, but he put it u
Honourable Gentleman, whether, considering all
circumstances, it might not be best to withdraw
the present, giving a notice for next. Thursda
Friday. He believed hislionourable Fiiend
him (the Attorney General) could furnish him
no precedent where a person had been indicted
prevaricating before that House ; nor did he bel
one could be preferred in a Court of Justice. He
therefore of opinion, the House should punish c
duct, like that attributed to General Clavering,
the utmost extent of their power. But could not
punishment merited be inflicted as *ell after the
had been brought to an issue ? He did not wi.
throw a shield over General Clavering, but over
whole mass of evidence for the present. Why she
one be so particularly selected from the rest at
crisis ? He was aware that in some instances it ny
be proper to expose and punish a prevaricating
nfss, though others whose prevarications had
greater, were suffered for the time to pass uninoli
but he did not know it to be so in the present ca:
He felt a disinclination to enter on the subjei
' present, -he was not prepared for the discussion,
hcpel the Hon. Gentleman wopld not pe: severe.
Mr. WILBERFORCE felt convinced that
Honourable Friend was actuated by the same
tives as he was, in wishing to preserve the gran(
ject free from all extraneous matter, anxious that
question should stand on its own basis. This wa:
to be a matter of compromise ; it should not
44 You spare one, and I will not proceed against
other." But, if. he stood in General Clavering
ation, he would wish his evidence to be analiz~
dependent of every thing else, if he was innoceni
would not wish to be acquitted because others •
but because he appeared to merit an acquittal. Sl
the inquiry be made after Wednesday, might
be supposed that he had been spared by one ,
(political parties w, re out of the question) and
ceeded against by the oth r ? He was theref(
opinion they ought to make the inquiry now,
they could enter into the whole of the circumst
relating to General Clavering's evidence.
TheCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
igtexplanation,that his Hon. Friend had misunder
him so far was he from meaning to say that tl
dence should' be compared, that I.e had distinct
the reverse, and stated it as his opinion that the
tion upon evidence of this kind ought to rest
own zroun is.
Mr. WILBERFORCE, i explanation, sai
he did not charge his Right H mourable Frier
having made any such start Meat he said mere]
it might be thought so—th. t s ich might be the
of such a proceeding; not that his Right Honot
Friend had said that such ought to be the of
that proceeding.
Mr. MONTAGU did not think it consistent
-the ends of public justice to enter immediate]
the Inquiry.
Mr. J. SMITH thought the punishment ini
~on Captain Sanden, richly merited ; he wool
Compare the case of Sanden to that of Gars.
vering, they differed materially in his opinion.
.were points in Clavering's evidence, from w 1
should seem his testimony went to invalidate
another ; if so, General Clavering drould have
care to Lave entered with clean hands himself.
Mr. WHITBREAD was extremely desirni
there sh uld be no longer delay in adopting the
nal motion of his Hon. Friend. It did not see
him proper, by any means, to withdraw the cot
ration of such a subject. A Right Hon. Gene
opposite had stated, that Captain Sanden's pre
tion came out in the course of one night's er
tion ; and it appeared that General Clavering
prevaricated before the second. The Hon. M
observed, that the operation of this case was it
ble. Sanden's prevarication made an instant
impression on the House, and was more easily gi
against, whereas that of General Clavering •
more dangerous, as in case the letters from
stead had Lean destroyed, it would be impost,
detect it. In all probability he would tiny
effected what is was apparent was his object,
validation of principal testimony on the pendin)
tion. The Hon. Member would openly decla
his opinion, that such was • the express purpo,
which General Clavering appeared at the Bar
House. He was not perhaps aware that an;
meets could be produced against him. He
take it for granted, that if, on the night of G,
Clavering's prevarication, those documents col
Inc', the House would feel no hesitation in adi

these
L to 4!
posite
wbri:
004.
le c,o.
and
re. r,..
tions
rd
should rear)
itt.)
:ated
jectt.On
run the
not to
to cor., friend
motives
rect the
said, dared t.)said,
ling; averse Mr.
:n to le.
the ge
ir Mat-
be bet
,leas of ocquit
)t suffer
ward
prrecte':
perfec
I
id
:QUER cons
Aft
[lonoui- upon
ing this
days
:11 it Wai WAS fi
re hoped
distant On
Is still to resolv
tate. He Miset
it would ' MT
postpone the fi
Tholigh the /
did n 1 amo
sentiment vear,
d, that in '16191
ake such was
on which it be
a Claret-. sal(
ar pardv saver
le would for
t it to the amn"
ig all the to it
raw it for large
trstlay or done
end near cons
him with term
licted for sivel
ie believe alon
Heels • we s
dish con. doss
tering, to dge
Id not the
tr the case For
)t, wish ti 111
over the
by should tie
:st at this vies
es it might mot
ach.; wit- can
had been of I
iniolested; to
snt case.— our
subject at lan
ssion, and arg
evere. ad<
that Ins of
same mc• ini
grand sub. mi
s that each,. to
tic was nrt
not be-- tic
gainst the an
ring's situ. to
Wind, in• lat
nocent ;•he
hers were,
al. Should
gilt it i#.:t to
one party, it
I and pro- ct
terefore cf n;
11l
'ttmst,incei tc
fc.
LIER said, ni
understood V.
met the evi• n,
tinctly
t the qu(s. 0:
rest on its
tl
said ehat
'riend wit's
merely Chat
e the vff •ct 3'
ionourable
e cifcct of
ictent with
liately into
at inflicted
would not
cn:ral Cla-
lion. There
In which tt
late that of 1
have taken
nself.
esirous that
t,cthor,,ettehnc 0
nsee
et
komrsnii
eioni
s prevarica.
:'s examina.
ing had not
in. Member
vas itresisti.
stantaneott!.
;ilv guarded
ing was the
Hamp-
npossible to
I thus have
ject, the in-
:ndinggaes
lea: re it
purpose tor
Bar of the
t any deco-
He would
of Gencril
its could be
in adopting

eioposed by the prefeut-roofen.', gtanswe
tto!'colsl,7rs v.:tiians from the Right Hon. Gentleman op..
•-, he would say, that the general testimony could
/1,4 d- •
,•Focted by this proceeding. It it wite so, be
' I ask, ally was it thought fit to commit Sadden,
• lilt,. him lion• imprisonment to answer clues-
:1:1,1 0 •
Ty, at the liar ? -Upon the whole he considered the
t motion well founded ; and though he felt,
Pll.L'stt.., dismiss it would be improper, he had no ob-
fiat ,
• ~tit' tnat it should be adjourased, provided it were
rat to be a distant day. He trusted his Honourable
Friend would not withdraw his motion.
The CIIANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
sm'l drat he had no objectiOn to this ; what he vas
,
aVer;e tkll
was the present discussion. • -
mr, WILIAM/IS WYNNE observed, if-it was
the goncral sense of the House, that the matter would
be beater discussed on a future day, he was willing to
lceo sce. lie was confident, that in bringing for-
ord the subject he had discharged his duty, and was
perfectly content. He therefore would adjourn its
insideration to this elay. se'nnight.
Aficr a few words from Mr. WILBERFORCE,
~:roo :he propriety of adjourning the debate for some
day; liter the discussion of the general question, it
iinally appointed for Tuesday se'nnight.
oitaNANCE ESTIMATES.
en the /notion of Mr. Asimsi COOPER, the House
resolvel itself into a Committee of Supply, and the
Ihscellaneous Services were referred to it.
• 'kir. ASHLEY COOPER proceeded to state, that
the first sum in order on the. list was, .0200,0(X) for
Debt, which at the close of the- year 1805,
the Nll 1'
amounted to .€700,000 ; and, in the two succeeding
years, £103,000 more. The second sum was
it•-600,000, for salt-petre, more, he would allow, than
was necessary for the actual consumption.—But then,
;: became necessary, in order that we may have a
sn,t.icient quantity of gunpowder lying in store, to an-
we; any emergencies. The next svm was £200,000,
for the purpose of providing a depot of artillery and
ammunition. Peculiar circumstances had contributed
to instify the necessity of keeping in store a. much
!veer proportion of those articles than we had hitherto
done. Such an increase was necessary, not only from
considering that it may be requiredior our own in-
ternal defence, but that our ordnance may not exclu-
sively be employed in the service of Great Britain
a!one ; it may happen, as in many former cases, that
Ire should supply Europe. The Honourable Member
ciosed his statement by the stun of £123,000, for the
&fence of the sea coast of Ireland.
The folowing .sums were then voted :
B7,lcfrz.yirg the expence of the Ordnance of Great
,C4.10,n6a
Gmeral TARLETON rose, and asserting his
tight at that stage of their proceedings, to take a re-
ctos. of the military operations of the last twelve
months, entered into a detailed commentary on the
campaign in Spain and Portugal, recapitulated many
of the arguments of Mr. Ponsonby on a former night,
to chew the injurious consequences that resulted to
ea: operations from the want of cavalry. The Gal-
lint General also repeated many of the remarks and
a-,ttments, which upon a former question he had
a.!daced, in justification of the opinions he had held
of the Convention of Cintra, and of one or two of the
military movements in the battles of Roleia and Vi-'
mien ; as, however, they have already been given
to the public we forbear to report them.
The SECRETARY .at WAR, in answer, said,
that) the embarkation of the 17th Regiment for
and the debarkation of the ?Ist at the Cape, seemed
to him to answer any end required, as well as if the
litter had gone directly forward, and tile former re-
mained behind at the Cape. - •
General TA R LETON replied.
:irARTHUR WELLESLEY, after some prefa-
tory observations, informed the gallant General, that
it was impossible any operations could have been sue.
ce4aily undertaken against the French West Indies,
it to the great rains had ceased, which did not in ge-
n,,ral happen to be the case before the month of Oc-
f-Le., at which time operations weir actually set on
not tor the purpose. With respect to the gallant Ge-
Nial's remarks on the Expedition to Spain and Por-.
t'g•ti, he would vindicate the conduct of Ministers in
rat Laving sent out a larger body of cavalry, as their
oziglnal plan was to carry on a course of operations
on the Tagus. It was he himself who changed that
Plan to Mondego Bay ; and therefore he must assume
tae responsibility on that head. The fact was, that
he expected to be joined by a considerable body of
P••rte:,•atese cavalry. In answer to an assertion of the
I.l,,:aair.ible and gallant General, namely, the impos-
sii?,.ity of the French crossing the Tagus, he would.
Ls; Liv,: to differ. It was apparent to him and most
tie oilkers on the Court of Inquiry, that, subsequent
tl.e battle of the 21st, it could have been with ease
!:,:onipli,,hed. He had delivered his opinion to Sir
wry Narard, and he believed, that if after the de-
;lie enemy on that day, they had been pursued,
have had a different termination to the
•:•.i or. lie acted in this way, from being aware of
hgli situation he had the honour to stand in, so
that he possessed the confidence of the army.—
i'i the Convention he would say, that though he ap-
-1.-.e.1 of the principles on which it was founded, yet
tAallv objected to the low tone in which they were
,aveye,l, and particularly so as lie did not think it
.441-anted by the relative situation of the armies. He
made a few remarks on the Spanish operations,
ind the Rtitish line of retreat; from any imputations
i
!!'c uha:iters of which he acquitted his Majesty's M
.:(Is. Upon the whole-he made a very able reply,
t;cr,er.ll TARLETON, in allusion to the gallant
f-:-:•.er,tl's expectation from the Portuguese cavalry,
that about nine years ago, he was sent over to
to drill their cavalry forces ; but how did
11;in They said their cavalry was a
••' uody, each company was a very good thing, pro-
. SA, a year—and how ?by letting out the
rs to hackney coaches for hire ; and then all their
• ~Intruvres were performed in harness. In Gun's
• •,;110, wht advantage could be derived from the as-
hy sucli cavalry as this?
V,' Tel IT R EAD made some remarks on what
1i horn the gallant General (Sir A. Wellesley).—
_ cmc:ived that Sir H. Burrard was hardly treat-
-1• Though no confidence was reposed in him, yet
!,- is niade respcnsible. The gallant General wished
art c, "pm him what seemed to him to be right.—
:etc!. all, Sir Harry Burrard was onacquainted
cNitidente which Ministers placed in Sir Ar-
; ,•Ir.. lie cinch tied by observing, th:t it was his
;t(i i;allant General did 'not me. n any null-.

Mr. ASHLEY COOPER stated the number of
small arms sent to Spain to be 200,000 stand. For
the explanation of that circurnstance the Honourable
Member had adverted to, he would refer him to the
enemy's 15th Bulletin, wherein it is stated, that at
the capture of Madrid 120,000 stand had been taken.
The increase in the Ordnance estimates, he said, arose
from the enlarged proportion of artillery, and the in-
crease of pensions in that department of 15 or 16,0001.
Lord CASTLERF.AGH thought it necessary to state to the
Committee before they separited, that Government had not only
gone every length they could, in giving to the Spaniards a British
army, but they ilad also supplied them with arms, &c. requisite
to the formation of a complete body of two hundred thousand
men, which was the number Bonaparte had in contemplation to
oppose them with. Madrid was not the only place which was
made a depot for those supplies, they were distributed in every
point over the Peninsula. He insisted that every thing possible
bad been done for that country.
Mr. CALCRAF F replied.
Lord CASTLEWEAGH explained.
Mr. HUSKISSON made.a few observations.
Mr. FREEMANTLE, in the course of his remarks, adverted
to the circumstance of 40,000 stand of British small arms being
found in the fortress of Elves after its surrender by the French to
our forces.
Lord CASTLEREAGH declared the impossiblity of any of
the arms sent from this country having reached Elves, when that
fort was evacuated by the French.
After some further consideration, the Resolution was agreed to.
The follow* sums were then voted, un the motion of Mr.
A. COOPER. :
For the Irish Land-Ordnance for 1809 .C.199,930
For the Trish Laud-Ordnance for 1808, unprovided for 34,532
For the British Land• Ordnance for 1809 4,073,650
For the British Land-Ordnanee for 1808, unprovided for 159,768
The following Sums were voted on the motion of Mr. HUS-
KISSON :
For the French Clergy, the Corsican Emigrants, the
American Loyeist,, &c. 160,382
For Printing and Stationary for the two Houses of Par-
liament 31,700
For the mainterauce of Convict's 55,295
For Criminal Prosecutions 2,000
For Law Charges 20,000
For the Public Office in Bow-street .
For Fees for passing Public Accounts 5,000
For Exchequer Bills issued for 1808, outstanding and '
unprovided for
For the Superintendence of Aliens., 7,009
The House having been resumed, the report was ordered to be
received on Monday.
In a Committee of Ways and Means, the usualltish Malt and.
Spirit Duties were voted. The report on Monday.
The Mutiny Bill went through a Committee, the report svas
received, and ordered to be taken into further consideration on
Tueiday.
The Irish Flax Seed Bill went through a Committee, the re-
port of which was received and agreed to, and the Bill ordered to
be read a third time on Monday.
The CHANCEI.LOR of the EXCHEQUER gave notice, 'that
on Monday he would move fur an issue of Exchequer Bills.
Adjourned at Eleven o'Clock.

TI I EVENING SI'AR.

LONDON.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4.
PRTCF: OF STOCKS THIS DAY. AT Ol4h O'CLOCK.
Comots, tur motley, ace. 6731—Otunitua I pre.

We have this day given a few more extracts from
the Dutch Papers, which are all of a complexion simi-
lar to .the statements we yesterday laid before our
Readers ; but the most important article which they
contain is one under the head of Paris (Feb. 20), re-
specting the relations between France and Austria.
It is a circular letter from the Prince of Nassan-Uin-
gen, and addressed to the Princes of the second class
of the Confederation of the Rhine. It alludes to the
retreat of our army from Spain, promises, in the name
of BONAPARTE:, complete protection to the frontiers
of the Confederacy, requires the several States to have
their contingents ready to take the field, but expresses
a hope 44 that Austria will return to that system on
which the tranquillity and common security of the
Continent depends."—The Palace of Strasburgh is
preparing for BONAPARTE:'S reception, and French
troops arc marching in great numbers to the Rhine.
Ounixor's division is stated to have its head-quarters
at Augsburgh.—Among the news from Spain in the
Dutch Papers, is some account of the siege of Sara-
gossa, which is stated to be prosecuted with great vi-
gour, and we arc sorry to understand, that private let-
ters of good authority state, that the official intelli-
gence-of the reduction of the town was every day ex-
pected in Holland.—The peace between this country
and Turkey was concluded en the 3th of January.
In

No farther accounts have been received respecting
the Brest Fleet, but many of our readers will be gra-
tified by perusing the following extract from the Jour.-
nal of one of the Officers of the. NAIAD :----

EXTRACT FROM JOURNAL.
" Naiad, off Rochefort, Feb. 24, 1809.
44 At day-break saw a . squadron of the enemy's
ships, consisting of eight sail of the line and two fri-
gates, standing into Basque Roads. At half-past
six, A. M. Rear-Admiral SToproun, in the ChISAIt,
made signal for the NAIAD to proceed with all possi-
ble dispatch off Ushant, or wherever there might be
reason to suppose the Channel Fleet was, 'and com-
municate to the Commander in @hid the situation of
Admiral STOPFORD'S squadron, and alma that of the
enemy; its number, force, and. the course it. Was steer-
ing. At seven, A. M. saw 'the enemy's .sqnadron
bring to in Basque Roads. At ei&ht,,sayi.fiie strange
sail, bearing N. N. W. the is:Tate signal to

• !f? ••*I 1:.; ". )•... nv-n -.1'.•c1,,.., :5i11.61...1T WI! 1191 i 1 Vbh."--.110 itc Yr-As is.:ls 12:•.• r.:1•:,..••:7 •• •. •:"..t: •. .:: -_-:
.. 1 • , I,in 1 -C.: t .","•• ,it•i, ••• .7 •. C. '," ',.• • : V".:A '.. • ....". • '
Cm x:
*waist *a& - . -21clas:tart beetri. %Nth: Mit -behr lovettios, *side the lips'
18ir' It &ward ;be eorfeelvit:ll4 'v. '4ll le 'e: t I fro ~.
41
I -- sognafr, .which - wikit:istomerfA:bi thecaciA a ;
Man ialhetitiiverse thaeskiiblifiet io:', .1. . ...'“ . • ,
Mr. cAteRA PT *lilted .te knoV icow''"..itheille:. 4" *ll ilititk' -hi* *ltridf664°ll:ll42t 6.l;AiPik*'s)
crease of itl4l,oo(.Eir'tliii.yearl and Wi2;l)9o;fli.,:aie. bore, ea ebace.,of the...,ships:Liu 'the Ihtl4,'W." At
List, took place m theektliiance estimate's:: tie ViCiUtri" 'll)llfinst eight, Heist,anSsietedllheilit4l94..c.,t4LeCal
also ingeire into the exPenditiire.of theAtiess:fer.uewY..Made by the C.N4A R.. leuledourfseitsdi and-stood to-
works at rlyvnouth,.end.the Woolwich and Chatham vrafd. OittoWn ginia
. Docks ; and of the yams voted for fore; .serVice,-iti- - .droti. ~.At nitie, found the Strange
chiding the small arms sent to Spain. Here he could
vessels to be three French tes, chased by his M-
ai _
not suppress the mention of .a curious circumstance, 0
frigasty's ship Am Etta, and pooir.i,i. brig.. At • On>
that Gentleinen who have been on official business in answered &signal matie-ty the-CESAR, bore up, -and
that country have not observed those arms in the peo- made all sail to the. Northward.. Saw the enemy's
ple's hands. In fact, the general .cry has been all frigates, take shelter tinder the batteries of- Sable
akng, that they wanted arms very much. In his
opinion.it was impossible they had been.delivered.-- d'Olon'ne, Where they were attacked by his Majesty's
He would wish to know the exact amount of what ships Cksaa, 1)421A)1(11, and- DONNEGAL, 4ho were
had been sent. - •_ soon aftervvardi joined by the:AsieritYsr, EMERALD,

and AMELIA. A constant firing was kept up for
nearly two hOurs, after which it ceased ; but from the
great distance the 14.11 AD then was from the squadron,
she could not know the result.
Atlwelve, fell in with the ALCNIENE, and com,,
municated the above intelligence to Captain TEE-1-
LETT, the squadron then in sight. •
aAt half-past three, fell in with the THESEUS, and
the squadron under the orders.of Commodore BERES-
FORD, consisting of four sail of. the line, and the Ix-
DEFATIGABLE frigate ; communicated the intelligence
to him, and he informed us that the enemy's squadron
froM L'Orient were at sea. Captain BERESFORD im-
mediately made all sail, and stood towards Admiral
STOPFORD9S squadron, of which he was in sight.
" FEBRUARY 25, Two P. M.—Fell in with the
Cmcoo schooner, the Commander of which stated
that Sir J. T. Dratwoavu's squadron could not be
at that time any great distance off. The CUCKOO was
ordered to rejoin Admiral DUCKWORTH, if she found
it practicable, and to apprise him of the above infor-
mation ; and if she could not fall in with him, to
proceed directly off Rochefort, and should she not
find the Britisk squadron there, to proceed to Ferrol,
with every information that could be collected for Sir
.1. T. DuCttwonTit, or any other flag or senior Officer
they might meet with.
4, Enemy's Force at.Rochefort.—One three-decker,
ten two-deckers, one 50 gun ship, • and four frigates.
At Sable d'Olorme, three frigates, which there is no.
elonbt:would be either taken or destroyed by our
scluadron. •
4, N. B. The. L'Orient squadron had mot formed
a junction with the Brest Fleet, and consequently are
not included in the above number.
British Force, with Admiral. S.Torionn--7Three
sail of the line, four frigates, one. brig.. With Captain
BERF.SFORD) four of the line and one frigate ; . which,
with Admirals EfuetcwOnfit's squadrim, and the ships
that must since hayojainett rout...! form a. total, more
than snilicient to cope .with, the; &genies. squadrons
united."

Most important discoveries huve been male in the
Select Committee, withrespect to the abuse cf Yist,
India Patronage. The sale of Writeishirs, Cad /ships,
S
and of Voyages to Bombay and China • the last of which
it scems.is an article in greatdemand , hasbecninoved
in the clearest and most unequivocal way; and we trust
the Report will he•made. before the annual ilecti, n of
Directors shall come on. Some very curious anct'otes
haze conic to light. . .

" .7

Tilt ARMY.
• :The friends cif •Offieett in the- West Indian r rill be
naturally very azuions to know, particulars.• et:the
long #rojectal. expedition against the French -islands.
Tea. accounts most tots. valid upon say, that for the
present the attempt. has_ been given' up: So insny
troopiand such 'a store of provisioni have got. into
the Preachistandsof late, that, its is SAM,. to attack
them would be the ertrente of folly, and the certain
aif• ourkeave soldiers.• The complaints are loud
and generaloonaccount Of the bad look-out alledked
to have been kept, and the allowing the Most Pee
ingress and egress to the enemy's 'Cruizert to their
islands. •
While -General Bet;ftwirtr, the Commander in
Chief, with Sir GKONGF:. Pftk:vosr, are decided as to
the impracticability of doing any thing •it the pre-
.sent moment, fully stored and.reinforced as the enemy
is, the Admiral, with Brigadier-General.MaimaND,
think that an attempt should" be. made-oaf Guada-
loupe and Martinique.
• Never did there appear a better army, with abtee
Officers, or better appointed iti ett.ry way, than the
army which was collected at the island of ' Barbadoes
in last December. The whole of the army. was in
readiness early in the month, but the naval prepara-
tions were in a backward state; and in consequence
the army has since mml:fled inactive.
The force consisted of
Royal Artillery and Engineers
th, or Royal !mincers
nth, or King's Regiment
lath Regiment
15th Ditto
1134, or Welch !dancers
46th (flank companies) -
60th Regiment
dad Ditto
90th, or Perthshire Highlanders
West-India Rangers
The Royal York Rangers
. York Light Infantry
Total of European
Besides the Ist, ad,' 4th, 6th, and Bth Black
Regiments, each of a strength 9f 800 . - 4,000
Total • 11,00
Besides these the Admiral added a body of bailors
and a few marines.
By the best accounts the enemy has a force of 4000
regular troops and 8000 militia in excellent order in
Ivlartinique, and in every way prepared for an attack,
which they have daily looked .fir during the hot
quarter of a year.
The Staff of the British army eintsists. of
Lieutenant-General Bectivryn, Commands r in Chief.
Sit GEORGIC PALVOST, Yd In Command.
Major-General MAITLAND.
MgaZAN.
Brigadier-General DAstrat. Hot:foul-On.
- the Hon. C. CoLvaL Le.
- Sir CHARLES Samar (Engineers)
- -
Dr. 131.acasvri.t., Deputy Inspector of Hospitals • and a very
numerous Medical, Commissariat,Tainaaster, and Barrack SW

400 men.
800
800
700
500
800
200
600
• 509
450
250
650
▪ 300
7,060

~j

NAPWL INTELLIGENCE.

_ . .
The Ceclilts,ToinletiU, frouithields, bound to Plythouth, was •
captured cff tke North Fureland..yesterday morning, by two
French lugger privateers, but.dmrted-by tip enemy upon a ves-
sel heaviol insight. a;.1• since brought into Ramsgate by-the •
Master and two of the crew.
A brig, stippe.:ll to be the Concord, Evans, of Sunderlaridovai
captutvd'in the DoWnr by a- Fteech-tuggtr. : •
. FALMOUTH, MARCH I. . • '
Arrived the brig Beresford, STEPHENS,. from Li-
verpool for. Malta. Sailed the Princess Charlotte
packet, Captain KERR, for Lithon.—Wind N.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH Q. • •
Came in the HELENA, of 18. guns, Capt.
from Ireland, with a fleet under convoy ; Blanche
French schooner, of guns and 19 men,. from Ro-
chelle, bound to Martinique, laden with brandy and
wine, captured the 25" th January, by the DECADE, of
3G guns ; General Mathieuy French brig letter of
marque, from Bourdeauz, bound to Martinique, lades
with wine, brandy, and naval stores, captured.by the
HELENA, of 18 guns ; a French cutter privateer, of
2 guns and 20 men, captured off the Lizard, by the
HELENA, of 18 guns—she had previously captured
an English brig .that got off the preceding day, and
made for France : had not the HELENA fortunately
discovered-her she would have taken other vessels ;
she is about 50 tons burthen. The DIANA, 38 guns,
Rear-Admiral DR COURCEY; for the Brazils, is ex-
pected to sail this evening. Came. in the Prinee of
Wales, Capt. WILLIAms, and Voryd, Capt. Gun,-
PITHS, from Dublin ; Lively, Capt. WILLIAMS,; and
Olive Branch, Capt. \Valour, from Cork ; all laden
with provisions, for this port. Came in the French,.
schooner Matilda, from Bayonne, laden with oats,'
bound to Brest : she was captured off L'Orient, by
the STaTutA, of 4.0 guns, in sight of the French fleet.
PLYMOUTH-DOCK, MARCH 2.
Arrived the Elizabeth tender„ with impressed men
from Greenock ; the ENcouNTER gun-brig, from a
cruize ; the CENTAUR, of 74. guns, from Portsmouth.
Sir SAMUEL Hoon is expected here to hoist his flag on
board her ; also arrived the SCORPION, Captain STAN..
y.ELL, with a convoy from Portsmouth ; the ATTACK
gun-brig, Lieutenant SWAIN ; RowENA hired brig ;
and IssoLENT gnn-brig, Lieutenant MORRIS, from`the
eastward.—Sailed the Elizabeth tender ; also be
MINSTREL sloop,, and SPRIGIIrLY cutter, on a cruize
in the Channel.
POR ISMOUTH, MARCH S.
Arrived. the EDGAR, with a convoy from the
Downs.—Sailed his Majesty's ships ALPHEA, on a
cruise ; CASTOR, BitAsZEN, and ECLIPSE, with the
fleet under convoy for the West Indies.—Wind N.E.
DEAL, MARCH E.
Sailed the PRINCESS of ORANGE, of 74 guns, and
Tat.sTy, of 50 guns, for the Nore. Vice Admiral
CAMPBELL shifted his flag this morning from the
PRINCESS of OrtArms to the AGINCOURT. A French
lugger privateer Was 'discovered off the North Fore-
land this morning, with a collier brig, which she.cap-
tured off that place, the crew of which vessel escaped
the boat. Vice Admiral CAMPSELL immediately
dispatched the ROYALIST, a 'very fast sailing sloop,
4ar the) - and the
tot
Th 4

Some persons alledge, as a mitigation of Gene,al
CLavkatiso'sinconsisteney, that some allowance co gilt
to be made for the • embarrassment produced b) an
appearance at the bar of the House of Common
Ought more allowance be made to a General than to
any other many or to . a woman, when placed in si-
rnibir circumstances Was General CL.I VERING. less
a volunteer, or tudzered more than M:s. Ct. MICE,
when before the House ?
The Haymarket Theatre waslast night extremely
crowded to witness a very fine Selection of Sacred
Music, in which a combination of superior talent was
exhibited, highly to the gratific.tion of the auditors.
LORD F I.Kt ND.—This moraing a Coroner's In-
quest was held before GEORGE HODGESON, Esq. one
of the Coroners for the County of Middlesex, at
the house of Mr. POWELL, in Devonshire Placr,
on the body of Lord Viscount PALK!. AND.—There
was no testimony adduced before the Jury, rela-
tive to the quarrel which terminated so fatally,
nor Was there any persons forthcoming, who were
present at the melancholy scene ; consequently, after
nisture deliberation on the scanty evidence before
them, the Jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder
again:: some person or person: unknown.
Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the
East India House, when the under-nientioned Com-
manders took leave, previons to departing for their
respective destinations, viz.':—
Captain 1. A. CUM sneLzver, of the Surrey, and Captain M.
ISAAC KZ, of the Metc.alfe, fur Madras and Bengal.—Captain E.
BA i.sto N, of the Princess Amelia ; Captain J. DA LItC me, of
the Marquis of Ely; Captain M. Iticurs, of the Thatnes ; and
Captain J. Buyer, of the Coutts, for china.—Cntain G. Rica-.
AR DSON , of the Dover Castle, for 13outhav
Yesterday, at a quarter past. two o'clock, the ST.
DOMINGO, a 7t, wits launched at the King's Yard,
Woolwich. She went off the slip in the most ma-
jestic style, and rushed into, the embrace 'of Qld
Thames amidst the shouts of at least ten thousand
persons. Every preparation was made to render the
scene as pleasing as possible ; stages were erected for
the reception of distinguished visitants, covered with
green baize ; the ships in the river displayed their co.
Tours, and the linnch was decorated with British flag
The Sr. Dommoo is a beautiful. ship ;. she has
fourteen months building. The avenues tO the Doci
yard were closely occupied by carriages, and :war
the company we noticed the Princess of Waties,
her Royal Mother, Lord HOOD, Lord Mu LGIC
the PORT ADMIRAL, Sir W. DUDL 617, Sir G. Taxi
and • other distinguished fapkiioniqfs, .
,The Doc
Yard Volunteers did 'duty ; sand bands of music •
termed during the ceremony. We are happy .t(
no accident occurred.

i 1
1
i
. ~:iii,
.
1.
I

-fit.
1 '
t ,
; - i I. ,
• . • t. •
. i .
i... :.'i7
i`.' t;.
t ,I
....: 't

-
he river diTtayea (nem cp. .4.7 r.......- ...- __________,
.._
.4n4 the FOLKITONS lugger• iftet, them, ana al the t
iecorateti with British flags
Lutiful. ship ;. she has been Find at present stands, it will• be impossible for them .
The avenues [6 the Dock- to reach Ony port in France for a coniiderable time. _ 1
dby carriages, and among .The Deal botmen, on Itearing this intellinee.„.iin- •
he Princess of WALKS. and- . inedtately manned and armed two of t[eir largert.
HOOD, Lord MucGitAva, , boats, onA proceeded in quest of them ;ai did also. 1
r. DUDLDV, Sir G. Tiimpgsr, galley belon4ing to the impress service, at thir.
fashiciiiihlfsl The Dock. , place: 'Wind .1— S. E. with a light bitsetzP•
; aid bands of music per... .... :.; HARWIC.I, MARCH & .•- : - 1
>ny. We are happy to say At nine o'clock last night arrived the King George 1
packet, Captain SAUNDERS, with eleven Gottenburii 1
' Mails, and passengers : the first packet since the fro .t.