Star.
London, England, 1823-03-27 00:00:00

~~ . .

94:

PARLIAMENTARY ,PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 26.
The Loan CHASCCLUM, the Earl of Sitarrassurr, and the
Duke of MONTIIOIII4 w Ida Mill!qty.. Commissioners, brought ,
down the Royal Assent to the National Debt Reduction, the
King's Property Regulation, and the Marriage Act Repeal Bills.
Lord N GSTON presented a Petition from the Inhabitants
of the Borough 6f Sligo, complaining that excessive tolls were
exacted in violation of their Charter.--Laid on the table.
Mr. t ottaxsaav, and others, brought the Prisons' Regtda-
tion Bill, and several Private Bills, from the Commons, Read

a first time.
the LORD CHANCELLOR reminded their Lordships
that he had brought in a Ballast Session to amend the Bankrupt
Laws, which tad net been passed through the House at the
timtN in order that the subject should receive ample considera-
tion. it had since appeared that it would be better to under-
take the toneolidation of those laws, and lie wished to inform
their lordships-that a measure to that effect would shortly after
the recess be originated in that or the other house ; he was not
yet prepared tirsay whicb.
The Earl of LINEIWOOL presented Copies of the Corres-
pondence whit Lad taken place between his Majeity's Govern-
anent and,the Leril 'Lieutenant of Ireland, respecting the state of
that cosintry.--,Laid on the table.
Lord-iattifi.gresented a Petition from the Inhabitants of
Reading, against the InsOlvent Debtors' Act. Laid on the table.
SPAIN AND FRANCE.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL rose to give notice, that'
unless a circumstance should happen, of which he
now saw little probability, it was his intention, on
Monday, the Ilth of April, to lay before their Lord-
shipS.ail the documents relative to the negotiations
which had taken place with Foreign Powers, on the
subject 0C the differences between France and Spain.
He should feel it his duty at the same time to give a
general outlaw of the policy by which his Majesty's.
Government had been guided throughout those ne-
gociations; but he should call for no opinion from the
House. He should state what the papers which he
should have to present were, and it would remain for
Noble Lords to adopt the course which they might

think proper.
Earl GREY had heard with great pain the intim&
tiou_given by the Noble Earl, that all hope of a paci-
fic arrangement between France and Spain was at an
end. The Noble Earl stated that it was his intention,
when be lay the papers relative to the negocia-
tions before the House, to explain the policy pursued,
by his Majesty's Government, but without'calling for'
any Opinion from their Lordships. He owned that
be was actuated by feelings of more than ordinary I
interest on that subject, and could not help thinking'
that if a more proper course had been adopted by hisi
Majesty's Ministers—if they had assumed a more de-,
cided tone and language, and shewn a determination!
to support it, neither this country nor Europe would !
be in the ntelanchbly and alarming situation in which'
they now 'were. He also feared, if the Noble Earl
should proceed, as he bad announced, that he and the!
Noble Lords who might differ in opinion. with respect'
to the conduct of Government during the negticia-
tions,.wOuld find themselves in this dilemma—either
to allow the Noble Earl'lstatement tq go forth un.,
contradicted to the world, and thus prodrice an effect,
which 1t would not otherwise have done, on :the pub-
lic mind ; or else toater prematurely into the ques-
tion without the possibility of deriving any benefit
from the papers produced. He therefore hoped that
the Noble Eat' would alter his course, and after lay-
ing the documents before the House, would adjourn
his statement to a time when it may be made more
conveniently, in a manner more consistent with fair-
ness, and when those who might be opposed to Dim
should be in possession of all the necessary papers.
In the state of things which was now evidently ap-
proaching, it was also of great importance to know
the exact nature of our engagements with the Govern-
ment of France. Ile hoped that' none existed of which
the public was not completely in possession ; and that
if they did, this country was not so far fettered by them
as to consider them binding, if the French Govern-
ment, by its own imprudence, folly, and he would
say, iniquitous conduct, should alienate the feelings
of its own people, and create a new Revolution. He
also hoped that if such engagements did really_ exist,
his Majesty's Ministers had not neglected toupprise
that Government that under such circumstances they
cuuld.not be carried into. effect.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL observed, that when
the Papers should be laid on the table, the Nowa
would be best able to judge whether his Majesty's
Ministers had assumed a proper tone or not at Verona,
respecting the unfortunate differences which had
takepe place. lle only wished that the Noble Earl
would .not prejudge them as to what they had done..
As to the course which be proposed to follow, he
could not conceive. that when important information
was laid before the House, there could be anything
unfair 'or improper in accompanying it by a statement
•deteribing its nature. It must be recollected, that if
'the country were now entering into a state of hostili-
tiea, a Declaration would have been issued by Go-
vernment, to shew its case to the People .aud the
work!, and Papers would have then been called for to
prove the solidity of that case. But in the present
situation of the country, and' when it professed neu-
trality, such a course could not he adopted. As the
informaticaa which would be produced came from
different qulrrters and at different periods, the nego-
ciat ions having been carried on at one time at Verona,
at another at Paris, it could not be understood with-
out an explanatory statement. If it did not give sa-
tisfaction, it would at any 'time be in the power of
'any Noble Lord to make a motion en the subject.—
No pos'sible inconvenience could accrue from such a
course, neither could it tend tocreate any unfair pre-
possession or prejudice in the public mind. It would
on the contrary, it appeare4-tc him, afford assistance
for hostile -motions to any Noble Lord, if such mo-
tions were intended. As td the relations.existing be-
tween this country and.
.the Gavel/nine:it Of ,Prance,
he could assuste the Noble 'Earl that there were no
secret engageinents whatever to eiYntravene berpnb-
lic engagennents, such as they Were in the Treaties
.they
tang since laid before the Howse, and sanctioned by
Parliament. And as to the Government of France,
they were 'entirely of a negative nature, and com•
pletely ;trailed to *the individual who had rultl/41
-matte as Eisweini, and to his family. There was,ho
obligation on the part of this Country beyond Mu(
-Was* contained in those !Amities. He .concluded -by
tisdiring, Thai the tl.ouve 'do now adjourn to Thin's-
-44,* 14th day of ApriL
,hari -DAaNtsit wished that -a clear statement'
goetilt‘i given Of-ihe itugnientation.which had taken
place in our naval force, and of its distribution.
Viscount MELVILLE said, that the amount of
the augmentation could be ascertained by the vote of