Star.
London, England, 1813-05-28 00:00:00

CIVIL LIST._

- The CHANCELLOR of' the EXCHEQUER
rose, to make the motion of which he had given no.
lice, respecting,the Civil List. He said, he was aware
that considerable prejudice lad none abroad respect-
ing the expenditure of the Civil List :—however, he
felt confident that a due consideration of the papers
on that subject before the House, would entirely re-
move that prejudice. There never bad been a year
since 1804, in which the expenditure of the Civil List
bad not exceeded the estimates. He divided the
subject into eight different classes t—lst, Pensions
and allOwances to the Royal Family-2d, the Lord
Chaecellor and Judges of the several Courts-3d,
Foreign Ministers-4th, Bills of his Majes• ty'sTrades-
men-sth, Pensions-6th, Small Fees—and 7th,
Treasury ; and to those were to be added, occasional
payment', He stated the several instances in which
the expenditure in each class had exceeded the esti-
pnstes ; and accounted for it by the difference of cir-
cumstances, and by the increase in prices of almost
every thing in use, since the year 1804 to the present
time. This, he said, was particularly observable in
the articles cf the bills of his Majesty's tradesmen,
and the allowances to Foreign Ministers, which had
lately been, increased in a very great degree. He
enumerated the several excesses which had taken
Otte in each year above the estimates ; and said,
that the increase of charge remained to be accounted
114 by a comparison of the expenditure between 1804
and the present time ; that the political charges on
the Civil List amounted last year to £365,000 and
upwards, out of an expenditure of £1,306,022; and
that the deficiency in the Civil List department was
ti'203,200. He concluded by moving that the papers
In referred to a Select Committee.
Mr. WHITBREAD made a.variety of observa-
tions on the state of the Civil List. Parliament had
not provided a permanent provision ; but the framers
of the first Act certainly meant that an excess of even
10,C00 should be made known, whereas now the
excess was to twelve times that amount—it was
£122,000, over and above the .024,000 incurred
from 1004 to 1811. The Right Hon. Gentleman
made it 403,200; but the undertaking must be con-
sidered along with the figures. It was undertaken
that the Regent's Civil List expense should be less
by £40,600 than his Royal Father's; so that pro-
posed diminution was to be taken into the account.
Though it was said, that at the cutlet of the Re-
gency, it was not possible to calculate with precision,
yet nice calculations were attempted when the mat-
ter was proposed, and particular items stated. As
to expense of outfit in furniture, fee. was there not a
short Act by which the Regent received £lOO,OOO ?
Did the Right Hon. Gentleman forget that, and the
Prince Regent's controul over a sum larger by far
than ever was possessed by any of our Sovereigns?
The sum of 4100,000 was voted upon the statement
of Mr. Adam of its necessity, for the providing a
fund to discharge obligations which it was for the
honour of the Prince to discharge : some of it was
therefore to be put in trust, of which he had not
heard any thing. The House, however, ought to be
informed of it. The Civil List had been frequently
embarrassed ever since the liing's accession. Appli-
cation was made to Parliament in the war of 1778.
In 1782, it was thought a final arrangement might
be made by providing necessary ci.ecks and regula-
tions. Again application was made, in 1804, at a
lime of great financial distress ; but Parliament al-
ways thewed a disposition to provide effectually for
the splendour of the Throne and the civil interests of
the State. Lest year, more than twice the amount
than was ever given to a Sovereign was given to the
Regent, without any account of the matter, to which
he (Mr. Whitbread) could find access. With re-
spect to the situation of the Prince Regent, it must
be recollected, that-the embarrassments of the Prince
of Wales came before Parliament in 1787, and in
1795. mmissioners, on the last occasion, were
appointed for the payment of the debts, and allowing
00,000 a-year for that purpose, they were to be ex,
anguished in twelve years. In 1804, the Minister
proposed a giant of £60,t.00 a-year for three years ;
stating again, that then the Prince's debts would be
all discharged, and that there would be no further
reason' for she annuity. It was stated fertile Prince,
that even then he could not resume his splendour,
and that in 1806 there would still remain obligations
xpon him, Oich would reader a liquidating lund
pecessary. Provision had been made in the Act of
1725, for making communications respecting tht
progress of liqiiii.o:Ation ; but such commuoicakions
were, after ie timel discontinued, and no ("penmen.
•trot. 9 be tonnd upon this subject. Were those debts

now discharged ?—ln looting to former periods, it was mentioned;
_ but what great sum could that surprized that his Noble Friend (Lord Yarmouth)
was material to recollect something about certain amount to? None of these expences came out of had felt called on to do away with any misconcep.
obligations understood to be incurred with foreign the £lOO,OOO, for they were all charged now under tion on this subject, as he was personally responsible.
1 Powers, which, though they gave no legal right their respective departments. The outfit was given, If an Address were voted to the Prince Regent, the
against the Prince of Wales, yet he deemed himself without any account whatever. There was an item subject would come under the cognizance of the Mi.
bound to make good. Before his Royal Highness of £7,550, for snuff-boxes. He hoped they were all nisters, but otherwise there was no occasion for them
became Prince Regent, it was not of so great impor- fairly delivered; but he remembered an account be- to interfere at all on the subject. It was natural and
tance to inquire into these circumstances ; but new fore Parliament, in which £745 was charged for the becoming in his Noble Friend, therefore, to offer any
thft he was invested with the Sovereign power, it King's picture, given to General Paoli ; but the Ge- explanation on the subject, which he was able to give.
was fitting, as was mentioned last year, that the pub- neral declared afterwards, that he never got any such The reasons for dissenting from the motion of hi;
lic should know, if such were the case, that he was picture—(a laugh.) The provisions for our Foreign Right Honourable Friend were extraordinary. a
under no obligations of that nature to such persons. Ministers were under the control of an Act. Dip o- Select Committee was, in such cases as the present,
With a strange complication of figures, the plan pro- MAC men were entitled certainly to reward, after the most applicable. It was proposed, however, to
posed at the outset of the unlimited Regency— employing their time and talents in the public ser- offer some Resolutions to a Committee of the whole
£60,000 a-year were provided for the Prince's Privy vice. According to their condition in life, they were House ; but the House must perceive that it would be
Purse—Rl2s,ooo a-year he received as Prince of justified in taking or decliningthe remuneration ; but much more competent to the consideration of ai:v
' Wales, of which £5OOO a-year was understood to be that they did not always take it he knew, because he Resolutions when the subject had been satisfactorily
for the Princess of Wales's Privy Purse. Of the was acquainted with one case to the contrary. This explained by a Select Committee,
who might Report
£120,000 remaining, the Prince was to give £50,000 4 was a melancholy subject; tor, although the Right whether the excess were occasioned by necessity or
to the Civil List—thus leaving him in fact a Privy Hon. Gentleman seemed to rejoice in the increase oft by abuse. Such a Committee would, with more pro.
Purse of £130,000. To this was to be added the our diplomatic relations, it was to be feared that they Ipriety, suggest any general principle which might
Duchy of Cornwall, which was taken by the Public had been so managed in the North, that it would be ;be applicable to this subject. To refer the subject
in 1795, on an average value, at £13,000 a-year. In impossible to make two of the Powers who were ne- to a Committee of the whole House, would there
1804, the Duchy was entirely released ; since then it cessary to the public cause of Europe of any use to- fore be a subversion of the principles of their pro.
had increased exceedingly, by the falling in of leases wards that great object—(Hear.) The excess of ceedings, and a waste ot time, without e chance
and other contingencie s. The management of the this branch appeared enormous. he head of Tree- of a satisfactory conclusion. (Cries of Hear, Ater.)
Duchy rents had, he was sure, been vigilant ; no sury Incidents was one in which expence, by remu- He denied that the Reports of the Select Committee
rights had been suffered to sleep. An excellent offi- nerating the Clerks, might be very proper; but he of former years were unsatisfactory—they had shears
ter had been appointed for this purpose. He (Mr. observed an increase of five thousand pounds for Mes- that the House was not chargeable with the excess of
W.) had been told that the income hat increased, sengers' fees. He thought it material for the House expenditure. Such a Committee, by making known
on on average of years, to £30,000; but he would at to consider all these things in a Committee, as in to the House the departments in which the excess had
present take it at .820,000—that would leave at the 1782: but his great jealousy was, concerning that prevailed, could point out to the House the case
Prince Regent's disposal a Privy Purse of £150,000 great fund (of which they could obtain no account where investigation or controul might be necessary.
per annum. Mr. Adam had formerly stated, that as to its dispositionhwhich was a privy purse to the It had been proposed to arm the Committee with the
the Prince would set apart £53,000 per annum for Prince Regent. e must repeat, there was first power of sending for persons, papers, and records;
liquidation : what the amount of the debts was could £60,000, then there would be £70,000; thee, by but this was, he contended, an unnecessary pnwer—
not be learned ; but it might be assumed, that if the relief from the Income-tax, re 12,000; and lastly, by because he did not think that the Committee would
existence of such debts had not been declared, the pub- the Duchy of Cornwall, £2OOO ; making £162,000 be good judges of the expenditure of the Lord Chain.
lic would have been relieved from £53,000 a-year. It per annum, independent of contingencies of Droits, beelain or Steward, and because there were no seri.
could not be deemed unreasonable now to expect and It per cents. and the hereditary revenue of Scot- cious circumstances to warrant such an exercise of
some sort of gross account of the amount of these ,land. As Mr. Adam said £53,000 were to he under authority. It was said, that a liberal provision het
debts ;or that some authorized person would state at trust for a time, and £17,000 a-year given to the been settled on the Prince Reg:nt : but it should he
what time they would be extinguished. The House Princess of Wales. Considering the large allowances recollected, that in the first year of his Regency no
had never made such allowances to the King, though to the Royal Family, he did not perceive equal jus- additional provisions at all had been grantees to him.
every body thought he ought to have all proper splen- tice to all, and thought that a larger allowance ought (Hear.)—The three great branches of Household ca.
dour, and though no Sovereign had been more be- to be granted to the Princess of %Vales, for the very penditure—the departments of Steward, Chamber-
loved. The Privy Purse, at his Majesty's accession, reasons on which excess was justified; namely, thegreat lain, and Master of the Horse—had been untairly
was raised from £36,000 to £48,000. In 1778, augmentation in the cost of articles required in various coupled with the personal expenditure of the Monarch.
when £lOO,OOO were granted to make good arrears, departments. If that statement were true, surely These three departments had increased in a much
it was raised to 0,000, and so it had remained.— it could not be quite right that her Royal High. smaller degree than might have been expected ; for
Even in the arrangement concerning the Regency, ness should be kept upon her present moderate, limit. the expence of the last year had only exceeded, on an
the Privy Purse had never been stated higher, though ted, restrained, and improperly low allowance of average, the seven preceding years by £17,000. The
there was since the sum of £1 0,000 appeared to be £17,000 a year.—(Hear, hear.)—The Queen, for smallness of this excess was more to be wondered at
advanced to Colonel *Mahon on account of the maintaining her separate state, even while the King than its existence. On the expenditure in his depart.
Privy Purse. That possibly was added to the forty- was in health, had first £50,000 a year ; to which ment he should, in the Committee, be willing to give
three thousand pounds, in order to make up the fund £BOOO were added, and recently £lo,ooo;—thus the most satisfactory explanation. It consisted of the
for the extinction of the honourable engagements.— making £68,000. The Princesses had £13,000 a expence of all Foreign Missions, excepting merely
The intricacy of the figures in all this business was year each. Parliament had a view in the settlement the salaries on the establishment. The sum at which
such, that it seemed done for some express purpose. on the Princess of Wales, of what, under circum. this was estimated in 1804 (8 or 4E10,000) was so
It the House retained any of its old Constitutional stances, ought to be her allowance. .1 he' Queen's small, that the amount of the extraordinaries of one
jealousies, let it reflect upon the influence in which mission only exceeded the whole estimate. This
jointure was £lOO,OOO a year, with the palace of
so vast a Privy Purse might be employed; let it think Somerset-house, afterwards exchanged for Bucking- branch of service was so inadequately paid, that it
of the possibility of a Sovereign having some interests ham, now the Queen's house, and a house at Rich- was found impossible that on their salaries Ambassa.
separate from, those of Parliament and the public; mond, and apartments at Kew or Windsor. The dors could live abroad at all in the style of Gentle-
let it recollect what was said of that which he (Mr. Princess of Wales, in the event of the Prince Regent's men. It had therefore been determined that they
W.) thought ought not to be, that Boroughs were death, which GOD avert ! was entitled to £50,000 a should give an account, on their honour, of the sums
bought and sold ! It was frightful to leave this fund year, by the direction of Parliament, which had en- expended by them, of whch, as much as exceeded
without asking at what period the £53,000 would be ablest his Majesty to make that settlement, in such their salaries was to be made up by presents. This,
released, which were to be employed as Mr. Adam event, on her Royal Highness. How different was however, was a branch which, he thought, should
had stated. U such a sum were applied to influence her present state, even in these dear times, ..when hereafter be annually submitted to Parliament by
majorities in Parliament, and purchase seats there, people calculated the expences of the Prince Regent's estimates. The sum for snuff-boxes, alluded to by
it would be too powerful for the independent elected establishment minutely, from plate and wine down the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Whitbread), arose from
Representation of the People, and might, under skil- to eggs.—(A laugh.)—Was it meet and fitting that : the immemorial practice of a snuffbox, of a certain
tul management, subvert the public liberties. With- the Princess should continue as she is ? Would Mi. : value, to the Secretary of State, and the Foreign hii•
out tracing farther this picture, which was no phan- nisters do their duty, if they did not advise their : nister, on the signing of any treaty. The Noble Lord
tom, he must desire to know, when the £53,000 Royal Master to make some addition to her scanty ' then proceeded to say, that it wits not a wise course
would be released, in order that it might be fairly provision ?—for such it really was when compared of proceeding, to bring into discussion the relative
applied to the general purposes of the Civil List ? . with others, and when her rank and station in life provisions of the different branches of the Royal Fa-
Instead, therefOre, of agreeing to a Select Commit- were considered justly. He felt that it was difficult mily : the effect of such a measure, both within and
tee in the first instance, he should propose a Commit- to bring the question forward in a precise way. The without doors, must be, to defeat the professed object
tee of the whole House, in order to move an instruc- Member for Liverpool (Mr. Canning) thought, last of those who brought it forward. He could not ad.
tion to the Select Committee, to bring all necessary year, that there was an omission in not providing mit the situation ot the Princess of Wales to bear any
information before them; and that with that view, something on this subject. He hoped justice would resemblance to that of the Queen ; nor did he admit
persons should be examined by the latter Committee. be done to her, and to the feelings of the country.— ' that any Public character devolved on her Royal
The Committee last year was nugatory, from the He could not vote for the motion satisfactorily till Highness, by the high office with which the Prince of
want of examining witnesses—it did nothing but information was granted. He found an account re- i Wales was invested. It was not fair to take the in.
make comparative estimates of expenditure. The cently up to the sth of April, which stated, that come of the Princess only at £17,000; there was a
language of the most eminent and illustrious men in £263,000 had been taken from the Droits to the use ! privy purse of #5OOO per annum, and a large mass
that House, was very different from what he now of the Civil List. He could not avoid noticing, that' of debt had been discharged by the Prince.—(Hear,
heard. Mr. Burke, Mr. Pitt, and Mr. Fox, I
a-ways .in the year 1811 such restraints had been put upon ' from the Opposition Benches.)—Those concerned LI
agreed and maintained, that the Cimil List should be the Prince Regent, in the exercise of the Royal au-' these discussions had given rise to all the difficelties
made to fit its revenue—not that the revenue was to thority, as had appeared to him to be improper, and on the subject. The Noble Lord concluded by op•
be made to fit the Civil List. It seemed, there- such as every Member of the Royal Family also . posing the Amendment, because the prima facie ap•
fore, that there should be some diminution in those considered improper. It appeared, however, that ' peat once of the papers invited approbation rather than
articles which were most expensive. As for the •from the time the restrictions had expired, there had censure.
Prince's first expenditure on assuming the Regency, been a laxity, at least equal to the rigour which had Mr. WHITBREAD, in explanation, said that
there had been £lOO,OOO specifically voted for it; been displayed at that time. He concluded by mov- the information which he had feceived of the inciene
but he thought of the expenditure of that sum, a spe- ing, as an amendment, o That the several Accounts of the Princess, was not derived from any private
cific statement ought to be laid on the table. Great of the Civil List should be referred to a Committee channel, but from the statement of Mr. Perceral in
additional sums had been voted last year for the rest of the whole House." that House. The House, being apprised of her in.
of the Royal Family. The expence altogether of the Lord YARMOUTH said, that if the Honourable come, could judge whether or not it was iufficient fur
Royal Family amounted to £334,000. He did not Gentleman had applied to him for information on the her situation.
wish to diminish their allowances, but he did wish subject of the liquidation of the Prince's debts, he ' Sir C. BURRELL made some observations on the
to see justice, and an equitable distribution. There would, if authorised, have been ready to afford it.— ' state of the menial domestics of the Prince. He
were also large sums charged *on the Consolidated He was not then prepared on the subject, but lie could thought it quite disgraceful that when any one called
' Fund, for the Queen and Princesses, and for the affirm that the money vested in the trust alluded to, upon the Prince Regent on public business, a book
Royal Dukes. The whole, he believed, was more had been properly applied. , should be immediately put into his hand by the set.
than half a million. Looking over the List, it would Mr. WHITBREAD said, that he did not know vants, to subscribe for those who were not sflicientlf
be seen how little, comparatively, was given to the that he had any need to appeal to that Noble Lord ' provided for. The Marshalmen, he understood, hail
Princess Charlotte of Waless—she bad only six thou- (Lord Yarmouth) while the Prince Regent had re- but a salary of £2O a-year, and gave £BOO for their
sand pounds a year from the Civil List ; but she had sponsible Ministers in that House. (Hear, hear. ) . places. Their incomes were, in a great measum
seven thousand pounds a year from the Consolidated While the Prince of Wales was not Sovereign, it obtained by begging about from door to door, ia,st
Fund. He wanted to know whether that was the might be proper for him to give the House inlorma- manner that made it doubtful whether they were ri;e
whole of her establishment. If not, thus money came Lion through his own officers • that was not the case liable to be committed on the Vagrant Act. h
from other sources—but there must soon be an in- at present. (Hear, hear.) Whether the Noble Liad thought that proper salaries should be given them
!
crease of her Royal Highness's establishment. In was one of the Trustees he did not know ; hut the in, and that it was quite s!isgraceful that the servants i;
the Lord Steward's department, he was glad to find formation he proposed to obtain, he wished to obi sin the Crown should be obilLed to resort to such means
a considerable diminution. In that of the Lord in an authorised and constitutional form—by moviii t. to obtain a livelihood.
Chamberlain, there was a very great excess, which an instruction to the Chairman of the Committee, tor Elh
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQU
was not accounted for-,-it was #48,000 more than an Address to the Prince Regent. (Hear. Imar.)— on a question from Mr. Whitbread, explained, 07
in lull, and on average of three years, it was an ex- He hoped, by this explanation, he should be absolved the sum of £lO,OOO paid to Colonel ‘,'Mahon on. a
cess of £26,000. Up to the present time, this de- from blame in not applying to the Noble Leed. count of the Privy Purse, was that paTt of rile idiia;e
y, and was Lord YARMOUTH, in explanation, said. that as of Wales's Civil List of £GO,OOO :;'Rich had not ot 10
partmern had been managed economical)
even held out as a pattern to others. So it had been to the fund alluded to, it had been voted by the House given up to time public "'rvice.
always said of the department of the Master of die in confidence, to be applied to particular purposes, •Ilei ^lll,
Mr. WHITBREAD'S Amendment wis • i
Horse: bat here, too, there was now an excess, art- which were well understood. It was a private trust, : and negatived %%submit a (I:visl,,n. --2
sing, it was said, from the purchase of a numbee of ' and he thought it necessary to make the observations ! The •elieQL.e-
CHANCELLOR of the EN,- a- 0
new horses. What number std been bought ? Were that he had done, for fear improper impressions might then proceeded to name his Committee. Amoilg
I Fret Tata-
the stables of the King and the Prince of Wales ca- have gone abroad respecting it. names tt eri.. Mi. M•Donald, Mr. Lung, Mr.
pable ot containing many more horses than they had Mr. WHITBR EAD repeated, that any question ! tie, Sir T. Coto tenay, Mr. W. Elliot, Mr. •
'A' hut''}'
held ? As to expence in the. Lord Chamberlain's he had to put upon the subject, Le wished to propose and Mr. Tierney. :5:
branch, for purchasing plate, was there not all the in a regular constitutional way : 111; Alio* wish that Mr.TI ERon hi
N Y,
- - --s name being called 0 r efi
7
Crown plate, as well as all the plate of Carlton-house? the Right Honourable Gentleman would state when to beg to be excused from being put on the
C"lidenl'i'n"i.„
Was it not sufficient for the splendour of the Crown, this annual sum of £53,000 was likely to discharge as hr did
not wish to? be a party to a W.OllOll
when the c rown's and the Prince of Wales's plate , those
debts, which it was voted for the purpose ef dis. on the public. lir wishet
were unlteP Was any great quantity of plate charging ? Mr. • l'l Elt NEY said, that if it we7e mil •
ids that be was not :a hiv
wanted ? The fittintue of the Council Chamber Lord CASTLEREAGH to silt the matter, he should be e thing to employ
. —..iii

I

;R,
ho
ac•

self all the Section in sifting it to the bottom ; but he
was convinced tharthe result of this Committee would
not be worth sixpence. In 1804, a Committee gave
an estimate, which was in the next year exceeded by
one hundred thousand pounds, and after the next Com.
ynittee the something took place. The excess of the
Civil List was made good by contingencies, and when
those sources of supply ceased, the Parliament having
sanctioned the expenditure, was bound to supply the
means of continuing it.
Mr. BATHURST spoke against the proposition
for examining witnesses, on the ground that the civil
list was granted in lieu of hereditary revenue.
Mr. BANKES was of opinion, that without the
power of examining witnesses the Committee could do
no more good than former ones had done, and if they
should make a Report, it would be exactly similar
to their's, and equally useless.
Lord CASTLEREAGH apprehended, that the
House could not give to a Committee the power of
calling before them and examining any of the Offi-
cers of the Crown. He thought the customary mode
of doing this was by an Address of the House to the
Crown, praying it to order their attendance. The
sum this year was but little above what it had been
in former years, as the extraordinaries of the Foreign
Office in the year 1790 were within a few hundreds
of the estimates this year.
Lord MILTON could not think it at all disrespect-
ful to the Crown, as had been said, to give the Com-
mittee the power in question ; but he was sure it
would be highly disrespectful, and insulting to the
people of this country, to appoint a Committee with-
out it ; for it would not be a Committee, but in that
case a mere mockery.
Mr. COURTENAY maintained, that according
to the principles of the Constitution, even if the
House went up with an Address to the Crown for
the attendance of its Officers, it was still competent
to the Ministry to advise the Crown not to comply.
Mr. BARHAM was for granting full powers to
the Committee.

Mr. PONSONBY was not at all surprised that his
Honourable Friend should decline being a Member
of such a Committee. Who could wish to be a
Member of a Committee, which they had in the very
outset so aspersed, by refusing it every power that
could make it at all useful, and by suspecting that it
would abuse its own discretion ? They had been en-
lightened to night with some new principles of the
Constitution. But, in spite of the Honoursble Gen-
tleman's (Mr. Courtenay's) declaration on the sub-
ject, it was not a principle of the Constitution, that
the Minister had any right to advise the Crown
against complying with the request contained in
an Address from the House of Commons ; and, if
ever a Minister should dare to give such an advice,
he hoped that House, should it condescend to take
any notice of the matter, would do it in no other
way than by an Address to the Crown for the re.
moval of that Minister.—(Hear, hear, ham).—
No good reason had been stated for withholding
these powers from the Committee. He would con-
fess, it was necessary that such inquiries should be
conducted with delicacy and decorum. Something
more was necessary with regard to the Civil List
than could even be effected by this Committee with
full powers; some mode—namely, for reducing the
expenditure. It would not be very delicate to send up
an Address to the Prince requesting to be informed
in what kind of debts of honour the money had been
expended ? but surely they might ask, without any
indecorum, what was the amount of the engage-
ments ? and for how many years it would be neces-
sary to continue the payment of these £53,000 ? It
had been said, that the Crown had as good a right,
without any controul, to have its revenues increased,
as any country gentleman or public functionary--
This, like the former new principle of the Constitu-
tion, was a wrong one; for the Crown, in this coun-
try, could have no revenue but through Parliament ;
and as the Hon. Gentleman was a dealer in prin-
ciples and reasons, he would tell him why—it was,
because it would not be easy, were the Crown pos-
sessed of an independent revenue, to prevent it from
employing it as an engine for the destruction of the
public liberty—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. PETER MOORE, in opposition to the opi-
nion of the Noble Lord (Castlereagh), said, so far
Was it from being necessary to send op an Address to
tht Crown, to permit its o.licers to attend a Com-
mittee, that, in the case of the Inquiry into the unfor-
tunate Expedition to Walcheren, when his being a.
Privy Cnuitselior was pleaded in excuse, or as an oh-
ie:ion against Lord Chatham's being called upon to
gve evidence, that it was over-ruled. Comraittees,
turf ire, had the power of calling upon such wit-
asses without the necessity of addressing the Crown.
The ost of names was then read.
PONSONBY begged to decline being on the
,ominatee.
Mr. WHITBREAD wished to explain why he
declined being upon it. He conceived it would be
itogether nugatory. If the Committee should not
five power to send for persons and papers, they would
le prevented from going into such examinations as
'would enable them to discharge their duty with effect.
1: was said that this could only be done by an Ad.
dress of the House, and that a Committee could t of
11,1clress the Prince Regent. But why should ^^t a
Cunraittee have power to send for and examine supe-
Inr Officers of the Household? Members of the
Royal Family hi ve even been sent for, under the au-
thority of the Mir. If the Duke of Kent was sent
for and examined by the Finance Committee, he could
not see that it would be at all derogatory to the Stew-
ard of the Household to be so sent for.
Mr. BRAGGE BATHURST said, he believed
Hon. Ger:tienian was the first person who ever
totertailied a ecul)t that the Parliamentary Commis-
sioners had paid the debts entrusted to then:.
Mr. WHITBREAD asked if the Right Hon.
Gentleman meant to say that a Committee appointed
examine the Civil List was not competent to in-
nhether the public were relieved from a burden
"hie,:: arose specifically from that source?
BATHURST said as Parliament bad tied up
T.e bands of the Commissioners, unless specific powers
ere given to the Committee, this would not be
.eithin their compass.
Mr. WHITBREAD said that what the Right
11,11011. Gentleman called being tied up he called letting
and abandoning of all power.
Ihe Committee was then appointed, among whom
'•ere the following names :
311M' r. Wellesley' Lord Desart, Mr. Long, Sir Thomas Courte-
Mr. Freenhin tle, Mr. Brogden, Mr. W. Elliot, Mr. Whar-

n:e
ten

?tit;

Ea
the
ow

tell/

rise

,UTO
SiOn

'.1)(6
lull'

ton, Mr. Macdonald, Mr. Irenrick, Mr. Lasedles, Mr. Rose,
Mr. Bathurst, Mr. Awakes. and Mr. Osborn.
Lord MILTON insisted on taking the sense of the
House, that the Committee have power to send for
persons and papers.
The House then dividesi—For the question 29
Against it 108—Majority 79.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr. CREEVEY postponed his motion as to the Paymaster-
ship of the Forces, till Tuesday.
Mr. BARHAM hoped the Noble Lord would nor press the.
East India question on Monday, as the evidence had not been
given to the Members till this day.
Lord CASTLEREAGH stated, that it could be read in the
course of three hours, and did not see any reason for deferring
the question.
Mr. TIERNEY hoped that the Noble Lord would not press
the question.

'file other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
Mdse adjourned.

THE EVENING STAR

LONDON.

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1813.

PRICE OP STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK:

Red. 57{ 5057—Cons. 58j 57f I—for acc.sBl-1 58
4 per Ct. 711i-5 per Cent. $74 —Bonds Is. 2s. dis.
Exch. Bills Ss. 511 pre.—Bank Long Annuities 14 9-16 tbs

The Funds experienced this forenoon a declension of f per cent.
The cause is ascribed, by some political speculators, to the criti-
cal state of affairs in the North of Europe, and by others
who take a greater interest in domestic events, to the shock
which the magnitude of the approaching Loan cannot fall to
give the monied market. Our opinion is, that the fall is occa-
sioned by the joint operation of these causes.
STOCK•EXCHANGE, f: PAST ON HASZ hat Intimated
to the Gentlemen who intend to bid for the ensuing Loan, that
the CnArrceta.oa of the Exc u Ego tit would be ready to see them
on Thursday next—then would inform them the sum required,
and appoint the day for bidding.

Mr. Rosnzsow, the Messenger, arrived in town last
night from Sicily with dispatches; and having come
through Spain, he has also brought dispatches from
Lord WELLINGTON, but they do not contain much
intelligence of interest. The Allied Army in the
Peninsula is now advancing against the enemy in
fine condition, and we may reasonably expect a suc-
cession of events of importance. We 'refer our
Readers to our extracts from the Lisbon and Co-
runna Papers, for such intelligence as we deem most
interesting.

" LTSBON, MAY 11.
EXTRACT OF AN OFFICIAL DISPTATCH FROM GENERAL
THE MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY
DON M. PEREIRA FOR.TAZ, DATED HEAD-QUARTERS,
THEYNEDA t STH MAY.

66 Since I have transmitted your Excellency my
anterior dispatch of the 28th ult. I have received ac-
counts which, although they are not official,l believe
them, inform me, that Marshal Suchet, on the 1 Ith
A pril, attacked the left of the position which the
allied Anglo Sicilian army occupied under the corn_
mand of General Elio, and that in the beginning
Suchet obtained some advantages in Yecla and Vil-
hena over a division of the 2d army, commanded by
Brigadier Meyares. It nevertheless appears that Sir
J. Murray united all the corps under his command,
on the evening of the 12th, which operation was co-
vered by an advanced guard, placed in Biar, which
retired upon the main army ; and that General Elio,
with the 2d army, covered the left of the allied Anglo
Sicilian Army in its new position ; the Spanish divi-
sions of Generals Whittingham and Reelie, being on
the right.

It seems General Suchet marched on the 13th
towards Castella, attacked the left of the position oc-
cupied by the. allied Anglo Sicilian army, and was
driven back with considerable loss; the enemy, in
consequence retired, and according to what I learn,
Sir John Murray was still pursuing him on the 16th,
which I suppose is the reason of my not having hi-
therto received any official information of those events.
The enemy has made no more movements of import-
ance on this side.
On the 27th ult. he sent a small detachment to-
wards Toledo, nevertheless there is no appear ance of
any movement in that direction."

" ALICANT, APRIL 29.

We are assured that our troops are already in St.
Felippe, in consequence of the last bloody action.
The French lost many men ; several Colonels and
Adjutants were killed; Harispe wounded.

" OPORTO, MAY 16.

" All our cavalry will be in Braganza by the 22d,
so will three divisions of British infantry ; Generals
Paell'sand Bradford's Portuguese brigades of infantry,
and d'Urban's cavalry, under General Graham.—
The French are said to be assembling in Tamora.
Our Cavalry are in high condition."

" CORUNI4A, MAY Is.

66 By the post of yesterday letters were received
from Ciudad Rodrigo, of the 10th instant : they state
the march of the Lord and all the troops towards
Salamanca, and promise us the most happy resulks
from an army so well disciplined. Senor Castanos
has altered his plans, and accompanies the Lord."

" CIUDAD RODRIGO, MAY 10.

gg The movement of the Army has already com-
menced ; to-morrow we expect here Castanos and
Wellington, from whence each will take his route.—
The third army, Freere and Morilla's horse, &c. &c.
are in motion."

4g CIUDAD RODRIGO, MAY 14.

~ The plan of operations is varied; in consequence
of which, a great force of English infantry is passing
the Douro by a magnificent bridge of boats, placed
at Torremoncorvo. The object is to attack on the
enemy's left flank, and oblige him' to abandon the
Douro.

66 Silveira arrived yesterday with his division of

6000 men at Sierra de Gate, and has his head-quar-
ters in Trevegos."

a OVIEDO, MAY S.
II By a vessel which has just arrived from Gijon,
we are assured that several English brigantines had ,
arrived to succour Castro."

" LUGO, MAY 16.
" The head-quarters of the fourth army were on
the 13th removed to•Ponferrada."

" CIUDAD RODRIGO, MAY 12.
66 On the 2d, Gazan's head-quarters arrived in
Arevalo, from whence, it is supposed, they will im-
mediately proceed to the right of the Douro."

Various reports of an unpleasant nature are in cir-
culation respecting Hamburgh. There has been no
regular intelligence from that city since the arrival of
the last Mail ; but a vessel is said to have landed a
Gentleman at Yarmouth, who states, that after some
fruitless negociations to secure the continued protec-
tion of the Danes, the detachment of Danish troops
left that place on the 17th; and the French, it was
said, were to enter it on the following day. It has
also been reported that Hamburgh was burned.
That there is reason to entertain apprehensions re.
specting Hamburgh, is but too trues but we have no
reason to believe that the preceding rumours deserve
any credit. A Gentleman who left that place on the
16th, and who is now in London,states, that at that time
the Danes were as active as ever in the protection of
the Hamburghers ; that parties were working on the
ramparts day and night ; and that every person,
without distinction, was put in requisition to assist at
preparing the means of defence. Great fears were
however entertained that their inveterate enemy
would eventually prevail ; as they were led, from the
acrimony with which he has spoken of the city in his
public documents, to expect every effurt to be made
against them.

As might be expected, from the part known to
have been adopted by the King of SAXONY, reports of
a similar complexion have been put in circulation re-
specting Austria. Letters, it is said, have been re-
ceived from Paris of the 22d inst. stating that Aus-
tria is to support France in the present contest ; and,
as a reward for this service, is to have restored to her
not only Triest and Fiume, but her former Venetian
territories. Whatever line of conduct Austria may
hereafter adopt, we have no belief that such accounts
have been received from Paris.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

TORBAY, MAY 2.5.

Arrived his Majesty's ship PHEASANT, from Ply-
mouth, to take charge of the Trade to Newfound-
land. Wind W.S.W.
MILFORD, MAY 45.

Arrived the Rosa tender, from Greenock for Ply-
mouth, with impressed men ; Sarah, PHILLIPS, from
Dublin for Bristol ; Britannia, DA va, for Yarmouth;
and Betsey, HALL, for Cork, both from Liverpool ;
the Royal Recovery, DAVIES, and Princess Royal,
JAMES, from Chester for Cork; and Camden Packet,
Captain NUTTALL, from Waterford, with Colonel
BURTON and family, and Mr. PIERCE. Sailed Heart
of Oak, DAVIES, from hence for London.