Star.
London, England, 1831-06-25 00:00:00

TOREIGX HILATIONII.

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The Earl of ABERDEEN rose and said, that he was
nnwilllng, on the evening of the day on which the Speech
from the Throne was delivered, to protract a long debate
by making a few remarks which occurred to him to be ne.
cessary respecting certain portions of his Majesty's speech
which had reference to the relations of this country with
other parts of Europe. Threatened as England was at pre.
Win with an extensive change in the constitution of Parlia-
ment, it became necessary that the policy which ministers
meant to pursue with foreign powers, thould be thoroughly
understood. With that view be now wished to address the
noble Earl (Grey) opposite. It would be observed, that
ministers in the speech from the Throne had not expressed
themselves in a positive manner on the maintenance of
peace with foreign powers. The agreement entered into be-
tween these Powers, he admitted, was some assurance of a
continuance of peace; and he believed it was the intention
of ministers to adhere to a system of non-interference, of
the principle of which he entirely approved. In alluding
to the affairs of Belgium, the noble earl gave it as his opi-
nion, that France bad prohibited the nomination of Prince
Leopold to the sovereignty of that state. Ile could not help
baying the most serious apprehensions respecting the result
of the conference' in London. It was true that their Lord-
ships were not in possession of the whole facts ; but still he
could not help expressing himself as lie had done respecting
our relations with Holland. The King of the Netherlands,
it would be recollected, accepted unconditionally the resolu-
tions of the Great Powers, but Belgium not only refused
to adhere to them, but absolutely returned them. He now
found that a day had been fixed by the Belgic government
to reconedor the question, but the King of Holland had
protested agniott any alteration in the protocol. If an il-
lustrious Prince connected with this cotentev should be
placed on the throne of Belgium, he apprehended that our
relations with Holland would be much deteriorated, utiles.
the Belgians fully agreed to the terms first proposed by
the Conferences ; whilst this country acknowledged the
rights of the Belgians to choose their own govemn ent,—
he considered that the rights of others should, in like
manner, be consulted. (Hear, hear.) The people of Holland
had stood forward in supporting their Government with a
seal which, in the history of that country was unparalleled.
'lle Noble Earl then briefly adverted to the insults given
to British ships in the Tagus by die authorities of Don
Miguel, observing in was untrue that the last Ministry
was unwilling to pleas for reparation on that subject; some
vexatious delays, he admitted, did take place, but the admi.
aistration of the Noble Duke was not insensible to the nee
cessity of asking and obtaining reparation at the hands of
Don Miguel. It was stated in the speech from the throne
that it was conciliatory to know that the affairs of Portugal
were in a better way of being adjusted now than formerly;
be (the Earl of Aberdeen) would really wish to know upon
what grounds the Noble Earl at the head of the Government
was induced to put forward such a statement. He wished
to know distinctly from that Noble Earl if there really was
war at present between France and Portugal. Ariraments
were fitting out and menaces put forth, which (stilly war.
ranted such a question. The Noble Earl well knew that
Portugal afforded greater facilities to British subjects than
any other Government, and this country was bound by treaty
to protect her. France had no treaty whatever with Eng.
land; there was no law binding the two countries excepting
the common law of nations. The cane was different as n.
spected Portugal : she had a right to expect our friendly of-
fices.—(Heas ) The Noble Earl then glanced at the recent
outrages committed in thewestern Islands and particularly the
case of the island of St. John, in the Azores, where an ab.
solutely piratical war had taken place, and no reparation de-
manded. Such excesses, he was persuaded, would continue
so long as the persons who had committed them in the flit
instance were allowed to r.ntsin on the island.

Earl GREY, atter apologising for his r.bsence last night,
said that he did not End fault with the noble earl for the ob-
servations he had made, but he thought their lordships would
have been better employed on the first night of the Session
ii, instead of discussing illuminations and broken windows,
and toasts after dinner, and the like, they had been led by
the noble earl to the discussion of the foreign policy of the
country, with respect to which the noble lord, entertaining
toe opinions he now professed, might have been expected to
move an amendment to the Address. Ile did not deprecate
dlscussion at a proper period of all the foreign transactions
is which they were engaged, but he deprecated premature
discussion at this period of excitement, when the fate of fo-
reign governments might depend upon their forbearance.
Upon these grounds he claimed the confidence of the
House and of an indulgent country, or, if that confidence
could not be granted, he called upon the noble earl to move
*rector an address to his Majesty to remove his present
Ministers from his Councils. Ile deprecated the practice of
shoOting snows in the dark by persons who could not be
apprised of all the circumstances which had occurred. The
Noble Earl said that the present Government was founded
upon the principle ostentatiously displayed of preserving
peace. The Government was moat anxious to preserve
peace; but he was not aware that this desire had been oa-
tentatlOuely displayed. He had no objection to the compli-
nicht. paid to the services of the Noble Duke. He admitted
the importance of those services. But if the Noble Earl
meant to commend the settlement of Europe, in which the
Noble Duke and the Noble Earl had a large Share, he would
appeal to the present state of Europe as the best commentary
on. the merits of that settlement. The Noble Earl gave his
aftseat to the principle of non-intervention, but immediately
explained it in such a manner as left it in a state of de-
plorable inefficiency. if the Belgians had established a
Republic it would have been right to interfere, according
to.the Noble Earl. Toasty interference upon such grounds he
could never have agreed. Then the Noble Earl said that in-
terferecce had taken place with respect to the choice of a
Sovereign. The right of the people of Belgium to elect
their own Sovereign was indisputable ; but it was subject
to this limitation, that it should be so exercised as not to
endanger the peace and welfare of neighbouring nations.
Upon the whole progress of the negociati'tn with respect to
Belgium he should be ready when the particulars could be
wade public to vindicate the part taken by his Majesty's
Government. He did not mean to advise to the state of
the ftegociations respecting the rights et the King of the
Netherlands, and the European interests connected with
the in. not he might express his confidence that means
vouglel.be found to preserve all those important interests
uttimikalted. As to the election of an Illustrious Person.
age, when be raciolltded the moderation sod wisdom of
\at Iliustriess.Perusasp, he thought Wile election should
etrtgt, it would conduce to his Oman mid the ad.
sausage ut.lais.sollieets. This webs, t‘oultlit take glace,
eauld sot b beea brought Ana b British loft-
- Ve Wooed it .wintlid be seen after his
bans ascended the that be was net
net. aerie, bet. Weir. y. BOON. UN

noble earl here offend an eloquent testimony to the ability
with which the whole negociation respectieg Brie= had j
been conducted by the noble Secretary of State for the Fo-
reign Department. .Etten,,swith.sespect toika heavy
relating to the affairs-Alf ttestogial. He thessitt Ise=
lected dispatches written tby Ike noble sail lalosself, Jn
which the insults and "'Curies coornisitted the. Govern
ment of that country onalritials subjects nweatairmalliiY-con•I
plained of. But, sal& Site noble eat', those Were hot -1:001-•
mined by the Government of Portugal. By whom, then,
were they committed ? The noble earl further said that rasa-
ration had not been refused. But the King's speecinlidoetas-,
sert that reparation had been refused, but that ithad Lien
withheld. Then with respect to the re-establishment of the
relations with Portugal. They came into office with a recent
speech fore the throne before them, in which it was said that
his Majesty had net been able to renew his relations with Por-
tugal. He understood that the question of amnesty was that
which caused the delay, and that cause had nut been removed.
He believed the noble earl would not sanction the mode in
which the Ruler of Portugal had come to the throne. Then,
instead u. granting the amnesty which had been promised,
he contir.ued to practise excessive NYC/it'll. The state of
Lisbon was dreadful, the prlsons were crowded with victims
of every description, and there was such a system of police
as he believed had never been seen in the world before. Then
with respect to the quarrel between France and Portugal—
He admitted the existence of treaties with the State of Portu-
gal, which the cessation of our diplomatic relations with that
country had not annulled. But as the noble earl admitted
we were not hound to protect Portugal against the effects of
her own denial of justice, did the Portuguese Government
offer to the French Consul any txplanztion or any palliation ed
its conduct ? So-far from this, it refused to communicate with
the French Consul. Then what did France do? She proceeded
to demand redress jest as we demanded it. Was it then
fur us to say. we debar you of the rights which wehave just ,
exercised ourselves? As to the question of the noble earl,
whether Portugal and France were in a state of war' It
was a delicate questior. fur him to attempt to answer.
Every hostile armament did not necessarily produce war.
What they had done in the way of mediation or advice it
was not at present consistent with his duty to explain. All
he could say was, that his majesty's government had not I
been indifferent to the state of affairs between France and
Portugal. He believed the only remaining topic to which
the noble earl had adverted was that of the conduct of the
Terceira government. As to the facts stated by the nubk
• earl, the piratical war, the pressing of British vessels, and
the massacre, were news to him. He now heard of them
for the first time. But since the noble lord alluded to the
subject he had sent to the Foreign Office for information,
and he found that complaint had been made by the owners
of one vessel, that many of the facts were denied by the
agents of the regency, and that the whole case was now
undergoing an investigation. He believed be had now re-
plied to the various topics of the noble earl's speech, and
it would be unnecessary for hint to trespass further upon
the attention of their lordships. The British govern-
ment was sincerely anxious for the preservation of the
peace of Europe, and their efforts In pursuance of this ob.
ject were shared with equal zeal and sincerity by the pre-
sent government of France.

The Duke of WELLINGTON said it was not his in.
tention to prolong this discussion. The noble earl had done
justice to the motives which actuated his noble friend (Lord
Aberdeen) upon this °cession. He should not have risen
had he not felt it necessary to say a few words in reference
to himself. His noble friend cast no imputation whatever
en the conferences of the allied powers. He merely did what
he was perfectly justified in doing when he expressed his
opinion on various points in his Majesty's speech. Ile cri-
ticised certain parts of it, as it was his duty to do, corn.
trenting on the course pursued by Government, and warning
them of the difficulties and dangers of the principles they
were actir.g upon. The noble earl spoke of the difficulties
under which the present Ministers entered upon the govern-
ment of the country. He was faf from any wish to dimi-
nish these difficulties, but they were not attributable to
him, or to the late servants of the Crown. (Hear, hear.)
They grew out of the events of July, August, and Sep.
ternber last in Pads, and from subsequent events in
Brussels, which no buman foresight could anticipate.—
Of the former Government of his Majesty it could not
he said that they applauded these events. (Hear, hear.)
They early foresaw the mischief that would arise from them.
They then laid down, and proceeded to net upon, that plan
which was since pursued, and hitherto successfully pursued,
by the present Ministers. It was impossible to advert to
present transactions without considering what had been pre-
viously the policy of this country. That policy had been
to keep Belgium out of the hands of France. This was the
principle acted upon for 150 years, and no one advocated it
more ittongly than the noble earl (Grey) himself. It was
the policy of a noble friend of his (Lord Castlereagh) du-
ring those negoeiations fora peace which took place in 1814,
after one of the most successful wars that Europe bad wit-
nessed. The separation of Belgium from France, and its
application to the security of the North of Europe, was the
policy of his noble friend. It was one great object of the
treaties then entered into, and the result was that it gave
to Europe since 1814 up to the present time, a
peace
r period of tranquillity titan Europe had enjoyed
for a long time. This state of things, which existed for
so many years in Europe, was broke up by the events
of July in Paris, and by subsequent events in Brus-
sells. He must express his deep sorrow for them,
being convinced that the situation in which the countries of
Europe were then placed was the best fur maintaining her
general interests. Unfortunately, after the occurrence of
these events, this state of things could not be restored, and
the Government of this country, In conjunction with the al-
lies, was called upon to set matters right again as regarded
Belgium. An armistice was proposed between Holland and
Belgium. That armistice was agreed upon, and thus the affair
stood when the late ministers left office. The difficulty to
which the present ministry succeeded was this, they found one
of the powers of Europe deprived of half its dominions. In
the arrangement of this difficulty he entirely approved of all
the steps taken hitherto, so far as he understood them, with
a view to give to the other powers of Europe that security
which they had a right to expect. He gave the noble earl
(Grey) full credit for all that was done. He believed the lade
owl acted in full accord with the other allies,, and trusted
that the principle hitherto pursued would not be departed
firom. Let him continue to act in cordial co-operation with
France and the other allies, so as to remove existing diffi.
cubits and secure the peace of Europe, and be would do
himself and his country Immortal honour. Nothing he
said was intended to throw any impediment iq the way .of
the Noble Earl. It was not his wish to do so. He should
before he sat down say a few words with respect to Por-
tugal, a country with which they had treaties of four hun-
dred years' standing. It became lids Majesty's Ministers,
in the situation in which all Europe was placed at present,
to look well to Portugal, and to consider of what gout
consequence it was that all questions of disputa NNW
reignty should be put an end to without loss of time, es
cially that which respected Don Miguel. It was the more Ens.
patient now, when differences had arisen between Portugal and
Fleece, for if France should invade Portugal, the conse.
qoence might be to involve all Europe in a war, and en-
danger the tranquillity of Spain, which was now in a state
of tranquillity, and, as far as he understood, in a state of
prosperity. The Emperor Don Pedro could not assist his
daughter to recover Portugal, for be was himself deprived
of his power. Under all these circumstances, it was more
incumbent on them than ever co endeavour to settle the Por-
tuguese question, to prevail on the Allies to bring Portugal
occe more into the society of nations, and to make bet avail.
able for the general purposes of Europe, by recognising
Don Miguel. At present he should saynotbing upon other
points. If some steps were not taken to put an end to the
present state of things in the Western Islands, the AWNS,
there could be no security for Europe.
Lord Al ELBOUR N E obtained leave to bring -in a Bill
fur continuing the Commission of Magistracy in Ireland.
Adjourned at a quarter•past Eight.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The Gallery was opened at a very early hour, sod was
soon crowded. In the house almost ever place was taken
on both sides, by members having a their names on
the backs of the seats, stating that they would be present at
prayers. Even in the side galleries, places were thus taken.
Several petitions for private bins, and several private
bills were presented.
The Southampton pier MU was brought in and read a
first time.

The Birmingham railway bill was brought in, and read a
drat time.

Mr. Dorman obtained have to bring in • bill for the
Edinburgh improvements.
The Ashton-under-Line tythes bill war brought in, and
reads bat time.

Mr. BZOWNLOW broyht in the Belfast Harbour ha-
provement bilL—Read a rst dme.
Lord firaxasw brought in • bill to enable the Blanches-
rit clad eoespolttheir amaiodestablleha
ant a railway at ar Gear, the Hoe
Mr. Joiturroira bray* to a Nita the asking of

better provision for the writers of the Signet of Scotland.—
Read a first time. _

---871r.11111111. presented petitions for bills for the Irish
gleam Navigation Company and the Dublin Railway Com-
Apany.--Referred to a Committee.
Mr. BURIER moved for various returns respecting laws
passed by the West India Colonies, ft.—Ordered.
Mr..O'CONNICLL presented petitions from Ballymass,
.and another parish in the county of Cork, in favour of the
Reform Bill..—Ordered to be printed. He then presented
a.petition from Tralesagainst the Klidare.street Grant.

POIOUOU Or

Mr. W. BANE .ES a Petition from Marlbo-
rough, praying that their privilege of returning Mtmbers
might be continued.
WELLESLEY mired whether it was the Petition
intended to be permuted to the last Parlisassat
Mr. W. BA NE ES--Precisely 80.
'Mr. WELLESLEY said it was the Corporation -Peti-
don, and to get it up, the Corporation Fund, or Charitable
Fend., in the hands of the Corporation, had been used.—
lie understood that it by no means represented the feelinp
of the ttnantry of a Noble Lord, who was supposed to
influence the Marlborough Election. They were almost
all ie. favour of the Reform Bill.
Mr. W. BAN ICES said the noble lord exercised no such
influence. The story about the Charitable Fund was a
calumny.
Mr. WELLESLEY replied that a gentleman who had
atterded the Meeting which had agreed to this petition
offered to prove the fact. If it were calumny, he was not
the author of it, and it would be calumny to say that be was.
Mr. W. BA NEES knew that the statement had been
sent to the hon. member.—Ordered to be printed.
OXVORD UNIVERSITY SLECTION.

Mr. EASTCOURT presented the petition of the Uni.
remit), of Oxford, against the reform bill. It particularly
complained of the extension of the elective franchise, •
calculated to ',remote much confusion, and to endanger the
best institutions of the country. This petioion merited the
serious aotention of the 'louse, as it came from a body re-
markable for its learning and historical knowledge. They
prayed that the bill might not be allowed to pass without
considerable modification. Ordered to be printed.
Mr. EVANS brought in a bill to prevent the appropria-
tion of Corporation Funds to election purposes.
Read a second time, and ordered to be read a third time
on Monday..
Mr. W YSE presented a petition from Tyrawley (Mayo)
respecting emigration. Ordered to be printed.

lITORri TITITIONS. SCOTLAND.
Mr. HUhIE presented a Petition from the working
classes of Aberdeen In favour of the Reform Bill. They
bad before petitioned for annual parliaments and universal
suffrage; but having seen the Minister's plan, they deemed
it calculated to secure private rights and the public in.
terests. They prayed that the Bill might not be materially
altered. He also presented a similar Petition from the
Royal Borough of Nairn. He was instructed to say in re-
ply to what had been mated at some public meeting in
Scotland, that if all Scotland were polled not b in every 100
persons would be found against the Reform Bill. Whether
that was the proportion he knew not.—Petition from Aber.
deen.--Ordeted to be printed.

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