Star.
London, England, 1824-03-19 00:00:00

question. The "real obstacle with the Noble Lord was,
that he had not had any Parliamentary grounds for his
motion. His Honourable Friend near him had pursued a
course, in opposing the toothan, which was perfectly
just to the Government. Whenever a question of sus-
picion was mooted unjustly; in proportion to the injus-
tice done to the motives of Goverhinent, so much _the
stronger ought to be the declaration of confidence by
the House—(Cheers). If the fears of the Noble Lord
were groundless,—if there was no probability thade out
that the French Government intended to push the mili-
tary occupation of Spain into political possesslon=if
Government had left no steps untried to assure them-
salves of the intentions of the French,and found nogrouhd
whatever. for apprehension—and if the House found all
this upon the papers already before them, they were
bound to vote against the Noble Lord ; and further, if
they found, that being assailed by suspicion, they were
entirely without blame upon the matter in question, he
hoped that they would do the G6vernment the justice
to say openly to the country, that as they had nothing
to allege against their pasnconduct, so they still held un-
diminished confidence in them as to the future (Cheers).
Sir R. WILSON said, in explanation, that he had sent his pa-
pers unsealed through the. office of the Right Ilonourabk Gentle-
man, because, as he was communicating with one who was then a
Minister of the Spanish Court, he thought that it was not only pro-
peT, but highly necessary, that the officers of the British Govern-
ment shouhl be acquaimed with the transaction.
Mr. CANNING, in explanation, said that his remark as to the •
inviolable secrecy observed by his ffice in transmitting the papers
of the Honourak Gentleman, referred chiefly to letters to private
individuals which were also fonvardetaly the Hon. Gentleman.
SirJ. MACKINTOSH did not mean, in rising to ad-
dress the House, to contend in eloquence with his Right
Honourable Friend, but he did sp in the discharge of
what he felt to be his Parliamentary duty. II would
not 'point out the inconsistency in his doctrine and his
dispatch. He (Sir James) was satisfied with the gene.
rous sentiments which his Right Honourable Fr iend and
the Honourable Member for Staffordshire (Mr. Little-
' ton) had expressed towards his gallant Friendrand
the unanimous feeling with which these sentiments %sere
aehoed by the House. His Right Honourable Friend
had amused the House with a facetious history of his
Noble Friend (Lord Nugent), but had passed over the
more serious part of his history, which dill him infinite
honour.—(Hear,hear)—and which was parked through-
out by the most upright, disinterested, and noble con-
auct. His Noble Friend's journey to Cadiz had been
represented as unfortunate and inglorious ; but, on the
contrary, he (Sir James) thought that he was the cause
of rescuing some of the most honourable men from the
dungeon or the gibbet, to which they wouhi have been
consigned by the greatest tyrant in Europe. Even if
that Noble Lord had violated some of the tenets on na-
tional right, which had been quoted by the Right Hon.
Secretary, that violation would be looked upon with io-
dtilgence by the House—(Hear, hear). He (Sir James)
had no doubt that his Right Honourable Friend would,
even if his ingenuity had been less subtle, or his elo.
quence less brilliant, be applauded by the majority for
singing the song of their victory. It was as easy for
him to be prafted, as it was of old with the person to be
celebrated by the Athenians for passing a panegyric
upon Athens. But it happened that such majorities
had been condemned by poster ity ; and those who were
so precipitate as to sing the song of triumph, should
recollect that it would be reviewed by so inflciible a
judge. His Right Honourable Friend had com-
municated the history of an imaginary hostility in-
order to claim an imaginary victory —(Hear).
Last session he (Mr. Canning) had been allowed to swell
the majority, because his opponents were afraid of in-
juring the cause of national independence by voting
against him. This was his first victory ; the next was
the Motion of his (SirJames's) Noble Friend, which was
unanswerable and demanded no reply ; and the present
motion had been converted into an imaginary hostility,
in order that.an imaginary victory might be claimed.—
It was said, 6, Why don't you believe the assurances of
France?" His Noble Friend was charged with having
deep-rooted suspicions of France. He (Sir James) agreed
with him; and where could statesmen be found, who,
after the conduct of that nation, could rely upon its mo-
deration? His Right Honourable Friend said that he
believed France was solicitous to evacuate Spain. But
could he persuade the House of Commons that France
was anxious to make 'Spain independent of her? It was
admitted, that if any considerable bort), of Spanish
troops went to South America, they would be viewed
as French troops ; and, therefore, when Spain issues a
declaration of sovereignty over her Colonies, she must
give to France a power over them. It had been said,
that if this motion were carried, a jealousy must exist in
France with regard to our conduct. France, an old
enemy, must know that this country would look with
jealousy upon her actions, and particularly if she ven-
tured to transport troops to South America. The papers
which were moved for might not contain an express de-
claration of her intentions, but their tone would suffi-
ciently shew whether such a disposition existed.
Lord J. RUSSELL shortly replied. He said the object of his
motion was not to throw blame upon the Ministers. but to ascer-
tain the views of the French Government.—The motion was then
pot from the Chair. and negatived without a division.
Mr. Secretary PEEL moved for the appointment of a Select
Committee to consolidate the Laws relating to Prison Discipline,
and to report theirobservations thereupon to the House.—Agreed.
BANKES moved for the appointment of a Select COMM.
UPC to consider of the plan for building Courts of Justice.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he was
not aware till this morning that such a motion was to be brought
forward. He therefore wicked the Hon. Member to postpone his
motion till another day.
Mr. BA NKES agreed to postpone his motion till Tuesday.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated,. that he
Would, with the permission of the House, without troubling them
with any preliminary remarks, at once move that the House should
resolve itself into a Committee for the purpose of agreeing to a Re-
solution repealing the remainder of the Union Duties. He was
happy to add, that he was urged to do this by person who formerly
opposed such a measure most violently.
Mr. IIUME expressed his happiness at finding that the persons
who so lately as the year JB2l were opposed to the repeal of these
Dities, were now amongst the warmest advocates of that measure.
After a few words from Mr. V. FITZGLIIALD and the CHAN'
CELLWP. of the EXCHILLWZR, the Resolution was agreed to.
Mr. OOULBU RN brought up the Report of the Committee
on the subject of Burials in Ireland.—The Resolutions were agreed
to, and leave given to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Slave Trade Piracy Bill was read a second time, and ordered
to be committed to-morrow (this day).
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve o Clock.

HiLMAJESfY has been pleased to signify his pleasure
that the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from
Shipwreck shall use the title of "Royal."'
COVENT-GARDIN THaArae.—Yesterday evening, just
at the conclusion of the first act -of the new comedy, the whole
house became suddenly agitated by an alarm of fire—smoke was
seen issuing from a private box, and the greatest confusion prevailed
throughout the Theatre, which was fortunately allayed by Mr.
Fasass, who came forward and quieted the conunotion by inform-
ing the audience that the smoke which was then seen issuing from a
private box was caused by a fire which had just been lighted in the
box. and the chimney smoking was the only cause of the alarm.
After this explanation the audience were appeased, sat the play
proceeded.