Star.
London, England, 1805-04-02 00:00:00

11ILITIA RIDUCTION.

On the motion of the CHANCSLLOIt of the Emit-
tuna the Englifh Militia Bill was read a third time.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
brought up a claofe relative to the allowances made
to the wives and families of the Militia, which was
read a firil time ; but on the queftion for the fecond
reading, Lord DOUGLAS and Sir W. Yooso Rafted
(rime obje6ions, which led the Chancellor of the Ex.
eaequer to explain. The objed of his claufe was to
prevent allowances being made by their refpedive pa-
riles after a certain time, to the wives or families of
Inch of the Militia as may volunteer, according to
the provilions of the Bill. The claufe was then read
a fecond and third time, and agreed to.
Upon the quellion being put that this Bill do paff,
The Marquis of DOUGLAS obferved, that the
relent mealute was nothing lets than a repeal of the
Additional Force Ad, which the Right Honourable
mend of his had been blamed for comparing to a
;attic maid, of which the Miniller was enamoured.
Perhaps, on the other fide of the liJufe. it might be
called by a much loftier name ; it might there be
CAW to be a fecond Minerva, not extradcd from the
head of Jove alone, but far furpalfing th tt, as being
the produce if the united genius of all Olympus
Notwithlianding the high opinion which might be
fiere entertained as to the merits of both thefe
he contended that the former had fallen fhott confi•
derably of its objelt, and that the latter was calcu•
lazed to ruin the by taking the Gentlemen of
landed property away fruit it, and dettroying the
confidence which the men now had in their officers;
it was alto unjolt in in operation on the public, as it
occafioned an inequality of taxation on different
chiles of the people.
Mr. SHERIDAN agreed with the Noble Lord,
that the meafore now prop:did had a tendency to de•
Bray the Militia fyitem, however, he did not think
that it did fo in the moll fair and manly way, but,
on the contrary, he thought it did fo by the moil in-
!ldiom means. The Honourable Member, after
forne other obfervations, remarked, that there was
one point which hid not yet been touched upon, that
was the wording of the preamble of the VII, which
appeared to be fornewhat extraordinary to him. The
Bill began with a very figacious remark, that,
as whereas it is neceirrry to augment his Majefiy's
forces." This was, truly, a mod notable difcovcry,
and he would be glad to hear it mentioned when it
Islas that the Right Honourable Gentleman was Cu
very fortunate as to hit upon it. He fhould have
thought that the Houle was acquainted with that
circumilance when they paired the Additional Force
Bill—it would be very fingular, indeed, if they
paired a Bill to add to the forces without knowing
that it wis neeary that they &mid be augmented.—
Being convinced, therefore, of the fuptrfiuity of
making fuch a remark appear to be the bafis of an
An of Parliament, he thought it would be more
proper that the preamble &odd run thus: " Where-
as an Ad has been palled lag Seffion of Parliament,
for railing an Addition to his Majefiy's Forces, and
it has been found out that, from the time of the
palling of that An to the prefent period, not a Jin-
gle man has been added to his Majelly's Infantry ;
it is therefore expedient, &c." This would at lean
be truth, and that is a very good thing in an An of
Patliament.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
Paid, that a Ratement of the fad would be the re.

yet& of what had been fuggelled.
Mr. FOX remarked, that it was not likely that the
Right Honourable Gentleman would choofe to con.
fefs that his own meafure had failed. But the Houfe
would recoiled with what contempt he treated the
late Adminitlration. Then when he came into power,
he mull, of cnurfe, produce fomething rew, and the
Parilh Bill was accordingly brought forward. If that
had not failed, where was the necellity of refining
to the prefent unconllitur ;mai meafure of transferring
men r ailed for home defence, into fervice of a general
nature, both as to its extent and its duration. I fix
olijedion to the prefent Bill, however, was, that
•t was formed upon that fyllem to which the Right
denourab'e Gentleman was fo partial, namely, that
it was only a temporary expedient.
The SECRETARY at WAR Rated, that the for-
mer Ad had, for the laR fifteen weeks, railed in
Great Britain, from rBo to zoo men per week, and
that was upwards of what would be nceeffary to corn-
plete a force of ro,oco men within the year. That
he conceived to be a material addition to the military
firength of the nation. He therefore infißed that the
meafure could not fairly be Paid to have failed.
Mr. FOX, in explanation, (laid, that be had fpoken
of England only, and not of the Empire.
Mr. SHERIDAN °braved that, by the accounts
upon the table of the Houle it appeared that the pre-
fent total of his Majefly's Infantry, inllead of being
confiderably more than it was at the palling of that
AO, was fomething left.
Mr. WINDHAM reminded the Houfe that they
Dad paired an Ad for the gradual reduaion of the
Militia. Now it lensed to be found necellary that
the Militia fhould not only be reduced, bdt that they

' fhould be immediately reduced, and further, that
they fhould be tranfmuted into regulars. Why did
not Gentlemen call things by their proper names, and
fay that this was a Bill for transforming Militiamen
into Regular foldiers ? Was their fyllem fo very
changeable that the recolleaion of their former mea-
lures palled away like their vifions ; or did they think
' that they had performed fomething like a military
manoeuvre, that they had marched away in filence
without the beat of drum, and left only their tents
(landing that we might not be aware that the main
body had (lotto awitY under cover of the night.—
hirhey had Paid, however, that their former meafure
had not hada fair trial,and accordingly they had more
time given for tsc accomplifhing of their objea. But
now it feemol that it was put off ad Greta: Calendar
in order to make way for this new plan.
Mr. CANNING infifted that it was impoffible
that any Gentleman could have a with to accompliffi
an objeet, and not at the faine time agree to any
mode that was offered for carrying it into execution.
If perfons approved of the abolition of the Slave
Trade, for indance, they might be divided in their
opinions as to the propriety of immediate or gradual
abolition ; but it was impoffible that they could dif-
approve of botn thefe modes. One plan had been
brought forward to recruit the army, and though it
had added confiderably to the number of our forces,
yet it had fo far failed that it had not railed the men
within the time expeCted. Here was another fcheme
offered by which the army would be immediately re-
cruited, and yet it was objedted to as much as the for-
mer. As to the idea of an inroad being made upon
the conflitutional fyftem of the Militia, he oblereed
that it had but little weight with him, as in a free
Rate the very exiftence of a (landing army was a fort
of compromife, and that compromtfe was effential to
the fafety of the nation.
Mr. GILES obferved, that the Additional Force
Bill bore three Ratements upon the face of it—firtl,
that it fhould rani a permanent Additional Foi ce
for the Defence of the Empire : 2,11 y, That it fhould
raife that Force immediately : and 3dly, That it
fhould gradually reduce the Militia. lint that Ad,
he contended for it, was to be repealed by the pre-
fent Bill.

TheCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rofe
to reply, but Mr. Windham ipoke to ordct, in which
he was fupported by the authority of the Speaker.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEZJER
then Paid that he would dare to-fay that the Honour-
able Gentleman (Mr. Windham), or fame of his
fricnd4, would give him frequent opportunities of
('peaking in the courfe of the night.
The (Z2eflion was then put from the Chair, and
the Bill palfcd.—Adjourned.

LONDON.

TUESDAY, APRIL s.

PRICE OF STOCKS THB DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK
Conks, for :wary. 58i—for ace. 58W—Onmium 311.

PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.

3 per Cent. Red. that
3 per Cent. Conf. 381
4 per Cent thus
S Per cam 14arT•_89ii

i per Cent. :79j Anita
Lang Ann. glut

Short Arm. (hut
India Bond. is. a as. diC
Excheq Bills, is. as. prem.
3.5 prem.
Engisib Tickets 181.
Conf. for atc. 58t

The 1-lamburgh Mail, due on Sunday, arrived this
day. The only articles it brings worthy of any no-
tice, will be found in the preceding page.

It is currently reported in the City, that intelligence
has been received by a mercantile houfe, of the
French fquadron which failed fome time ago from
Rochefort, having taken the ifland of Dominica. We
hope this intelligence will prove unfounded, bin we
have our fears, as the channel through which it comes
is highly refpedable.

No further accounts have been rec eived refpcn:ng
the Brea fleet, but the following men of war failed
yefterday from Portfmouth in confequence of the
news of its having quitted the harbour of Breit, viz.
the PLANTAGAWET, of 74 guns, the Q.Easis, of 98
guns, the Daacom, of 74, and the Diansm of 64
guns. It is reported at Porfmouth that the (Zings
and DRAGGY have fine been recalled, but whether
in confequence of later intelligence having been re-
ceived of the Brea fleet, is nut known.

A refolution was paired on Friday lair by the Court
of Diretors, that all the Company's officers on fur-
lough, under the rank of Major General, who have
been one year in England, Shall return to thcir duty
in India by the flips of the prefent feafon.
Ey a letter from an Officer of rank, from Co.
lumbo, dated 9th Augua laft, we are glad to find
that tranquillity is at length reflored in the 'nand of
Ceylon. The troops are now enjoying repofe after
the long fatiguing and very dearative warfare en-
tered into with the King of Candy.

We have fcen a letter from a Gentleman of high
political confideragion, employed in an important
fituation in the Decan, which mentions Col. SlON-
som's dcfeat as an affiitling event, productive of con-
fiderable lots on our part in men, guns, and Rores ;
but he does not cape& that any further difAgreeable
confequences will refult from it. Houtaa's army,
be fays., is compofed of 70,000 troops of different
defcriptions, with about 70 pieces of cannon, which,
he has no doubt, from the difficulty of fubfiftence in
a country entangled by years of internal dillurbance,
mull difperfe when the Britifh army is collated and
brought to ait againfl them. SCINDIA is Rated as
having no inclination to join Houcaa, that chieftain
being himfelf in a very reduced Rate, from the effects
of the late war ; and the &Tar Rajah is Rill leis ca-
pable of exerting any effeCtual vigour againft us, from
the diftralted Rate of his own territory, in which he
finds himfelf incapable of fubduing the refraftory Ze-
minclars, now in open rebellion againit his authority.

A converfation in the Houfe of Commons yeller-
day, is particularly worthy of the attention of the
public. Mr. PITT communicated to the Houfe, that
Lord Macmce had, on the 28th ult. written an
explanatory letter to the Commit loners of Naval
Enquiry, upon the fubjeft of the Tenth Report ;
which letter the Right Hon. Gentleman thought it
Would be proper to lay before the Houfe. After
Tome converfation, it was agreed, upon the motion
of. Mr. Geer, that the difcuffion fhonld be de in;
lively fixed for Monday, by which time the Letter of
the Noble Lord, together with any comment upon it
by the Commiffioners (if they fhould have thought
proper to make any) would be completely in poffef
Pion of every Member.
We underQood the CHANCELLOR of the Excu B-
olan to fay, that Lord MBLVILLE intended, and was
determined to verify the particulars of this letter upon
oath ; and we apprehend that Marrs. TR °TT Ee, WI c-
ame, Sir Aerie sw HAMMOND, and all the Gentlemen
who have hitherto availed themfelves of the protraion
of the sth claufe, will now tender explanations in the
fame manner.

His Royal Highners the PRINCE of Watts made
a few obfervations in the Houk of Lords lag night,
being the full time for fifteen years that he has had
occafion to addrefs their Lordthips. His Royal High.
ncfs expreffed his fentiments with a f.:ci!ity and dig-
nity that leave us to regret that he does not oftener
exert this conftitutional privilege.

COVINT-GARDEN —The Public are already ac•
quainted with the interrap:ion which took place in
the performance at this Theatre on Thurfday even-
ing, in confequence of Mr. BRA HAM having refuted
to perform his part in the Cabinet.

Mr. HARRIS with much liberality declined to en-
force the penalty Ripulated in BRAHAM's articles,
and fent them to him, but that the public, who had
taken tickets of Signora STORACE, to the Opera of the
Siege of Belgrade, for the benefit of that Lady, might
experience no freffi difappointment, he contented to
BRAHAM'S appearance laft night, and to the intredoc•
tion of thofe longs which had occationed the difpute.
On his entrance be was received with the Rrongeß
marks of difapprobafion ; for half an hour nothing
could be heard but " Off! Off!" " Hear him !"
" An apology !" During all this time BRAHMA Rood
clofe to the lamps in the front of the ttage, and at
length addreffed the audience, but the noife was fo
loud and incetfanr, that even thofe who Rood on the
Rage could not cone& a fentence.
An attempt was then made to proceed with the
performance, but after going through one fcene the
performers were obliged to retire. After a confulta-
lion among BRAH AWS and Signora STORA COs friends,
in which the latter was prof ed to folicit a hearing for
&AMA M, but which her fears induced her to decline,
the reqtreited Mr. Fawcurr to Rate to the audience,
that if they would (offer the performance to go on, a
full explanation of BaAHAM's condat thould appear
in the public prints on the following morning. Mr.
FAVCITT with much difficulty obtained a hearing;
but was pretend), interrupted by an unanimous call
for Mr. Kim ate. The audience being informed that
he was fent for, order teemed to be rellored, and
Mr,. SECOND came on the Rage ; but, on being hiffed,
the refired. S-roaac a then appeared, and was heard
with fume patience through one air ; but on •Mrs.
MARTY/ appealing, the clamour became as violent
35 ever, and though the performers lung the finale to
Ithe 6111 aft, it was wholly unintelligible to the au-
dience.

At half raft eight Mr. Ktmatt arrived, and, of
ter ftve, al :attempts to obtain a hearing, during which
a cen'tant cry was kept up of " BRAM m, Apology,"
Mr. K. applies! to Mr. BRAMAN to come forward,
wh'en he did, but was obliged to go off again. Mr.
K. was given to underhand, that it was defired that
he and Mr. DRAtIAn lhould come forward together;
chi. way cornped with, and Mr. K. read BRAMAN'S
letter, in wi;cn he &elated he had " difcharged him-
fell." Mr. K. hated, that on the receipt of this let-
ter, every poffible her was taken to make it known,
and to fupply fins Ham's place.
BRAHAM was now 'called on to explain, and Mr.
K. retired a few paces, and hood behind him.-
I,Baltmem lad!, as nearly as we could collee, " that
it had been fur four years his ambition to merit the
favour of the public ; that it had been cultomary,
from time immemorial, to introduce Tongs on benefit
nights, that thofe referred to had been advertifed for
feveral days without oblation by the Manager, and
that it was not till Thurfday he was informed the
printer of the bills had been ordered by Mr. K. net
to announce the tongs any more ; and that he felt
fo indignant at this treatment, that he determined to
difcharue himfell from the Theatre, and forego the
advantages of his benefit, and his falary for the re-
mainder of the feafon, which would be a las to him
of feveral hundred pounds. He concluded with dc
daring, that it would ever be the fit ft ambition of
his heart to contribute to die arnuftment, and to ob
tain the favour of the public." This addrefs was
received amitift applaufe, hiffes, and groans, together
with a call for an apology.
Mr. KIMBLE and BEANAM then retire.l, and Mrs.
SECOND again came forward, but was obliged to with-
draw, in confequence of a renewed cry for Mr. KSM.
ate, who advanced, and arazd if any gtntlem in was
defirous of putting any further quelii:ns ? After a
fhort pante, a gentleman afked why M-. B:tatlabl
was refufed the longs? Mr. Kk MOLE laid, he hoped
the liberality arid candour of the audience would di&
criminate between the cuftom of introducing favourite
longs from old operas, and thofe ailing pieces on
which the profits of the houfe in a great meafure de-
pended ; that he hoped they would believe he had
every difpofition to promote Mr. &AKA res intereft ;
a proof of which appeared in their getting up an opera
belonging to the other houfe; hut that the Proprietors
found the more they conceded to Mr. B. the more he
demanded. This fpeech, which was delivered with
great animation, was received with rapturous ap-
plaufe. Mr. KEMBLE then retired, and at about so
minntes before nine the performance recommenced.
On Mr. BRAHMA'S entrance the hitting was revived,
but was quickly difcontinued. The performance then
proceeded. The houfe was crowded in every part,
and tome hundreds returned without obtainin; ad-
mace.