Star.
London, England, 1809-12-06 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 6. 1809

w►as allotted to him, or to which his strength was
competent; to do it sufficient justice. He should,
therefore, only take a slight view of the leading ob.
jects, and had no doubt that every reflecting. Mind
would be able to draw the necessary consequences.—
The last two twelvemonths had been distinguished by
four great calamities to the country. The convention
of Cintra had been hefore submitted to their conside-

ration; and it would be in the recollection of all pre-
sent what sort of reception their Address had then ex-
perienced.
Taking a comprehensive view of the affairs
of this country since 1793, it would appear that four.
teen.expeditions had been undertaken ; but, for his

own part, he reckoned twenty, all of which had failed,
with the single exception of Copenhagen ; and the suc-
cess attending that !solitary exception, he was afraid,•
reflected dishonour and disgrace, rather than glory on
the country, as it was oh:wiled in some measure by
infidelity to our engagements, and a breach of faith
towards our allies. Notwithstanding, however, the
many disasters that had taken place during the period
to which he alluded, the City of London had not gone
up with a single Address, except in the case of the
Convention of Cintra, which 11.-4 d met, he had stated,
with so ungracious a reception in the case of the
Fielder, he had submitted to the Court an Address to

his Majesty, praying for an inquii y into that unfortu.
nate business, which the Coma had negatived, as of-
fering an insult to the Government. He trusted that
experience had now taught them to think otherwise,
and that the Address on this occasion would meet
a very different fate. When he looked hack to the year
56, in the case of Minorca, and recollected how gra-
cious a reception the Address of the City of London
had experienced from the Throne on that occasion,
and compared it with that experienced by their Ad-
dress with respect to the Convention of Cintra, he
could not help drawing a conclusion by no means fa-
vourable to their rights and liberties. The Address
he had moved with respect to the Helder, he had
expressed in nearly the same terms, and that had
been rejected. The Address with respect to the
Convention of Cintra was couched in sfrnilar phrase-
ology, and as nearly verbatim as possible, but had
met with an ungracious reception at Court. The Ad-
dress of the year 1756 was graciously received by
George 11. who said in answer to it, that the concern
of the City of London for the unprosperous and unfor-
tunate events in the Mediterranean gave a signal proof
of the attachment of tha good City of London to his
person and Government, which would not fail to meet
a justseturn. Thelanguage he now proposed to address
to the Throne was of the same nature, and never did
a moment exist when it was more nereasar, Car the
City of London to interfere than in the present in-
stance. In directing the attention of the Court to the
Convention of Cintra, he had supposed them to be
competent to form an opinion for themselves on that
subject, and to draw such conclusions as the circum-
stances and result warranted, and if they were not
competent to do as the answer to that Address would
seem to prove, they were certainly equally ill quali-
:ied to return thanks to any General or Naval Com-
:minder for services rendered to his country, or to
the Executive Government for any successes it had
expetienced, which had been uniformly well received. i
Alluding to the army sent to Spain under Sir John'
Moore, he argued that that gallant Officer was misled
by his Malcstft, Ministers, who, after the greatest
hardships and disasters, could only gave a remnant of
his army, by sacrificing his own life ; and yet they
quietly and patiently suffered the loss of that distin-
giii,hed Officer, and all the disasters that attended that
unfortunate event, without calling for any enquiry.
In such cases enquiry was alviolutAy necessary. In
cases of failure, it ought to be known where the
blame is to be imputed. Before they could cease to
call for enquiry in such instances, the country must
lose all sense of national honour, :tild every particle of
public spirit that yet happily remains to it. He also
adverted to the last expedition to Spain, of which. Lord
Wellintston was invested with the command, and at-
tributed to that Officer greater zeal for his personal
honour than for the glory of the country, the safety of
the aims., or the ultimate success of the cause. On
viewing the various events connected with the unfor-
tunate and disastrous expedition to Walcheren, he
could not but execrate that want of conduct and down-
rie,ht folly that had marked the whole of the tram-
action. On the 21st of July the armament arrived in
the Scheldt—an armament, when they considered the
naval and military force that was employed, the great-
est ever sent from this country. Had it even had any
rational object in view, the delays that took place in
its equipment,must have prevented its success. The
opportunity of successful effort was lost before it was
put in motion. It was meant as a diversion in favour
of our allies, and that is the most rational light it could
be viewed in; but it was toolate to have any such effect,
and our Allies were subdued before it arrived to their
assistance. Thus were the fruits of an armament, con-
sisting of 100,000 men, entirely thrown away, after an
expence of above eight millons of money and the
loss of 8,000 lives, besides the innumerable list of sick
and wounded, who have, many of diem, either pe-
rished since in this country, or must drag out the re-
mainder of their days in sickness and disease. But
what could have been expected from that expedition,
however wisely planned, or however judicously ar-
ranged, as it certainly was not, when commanded by
such a leader as LordChatham, of whose military ex-
perience nobody had before heard, and of whose
military skill nobody had ever even dreamed of ?
pLoard Chatham had the command of fifty thousand ,
men, the enemy were ill prepared, and, at first, con-
sternation appeared to hive seized the people of Hot-
land, yet nothing was done, nothing but loss and dis-
aster has been eifected. Will any man say that such
eircumstancesdo not require investigation? The enemy
at Antwerp were said to be 35,000, but of these only-
-Icl,ooo were ellicient: The worthy. Member then
concluded by itoving, That an Address be presented
to his Majesty, playing his Majesty to institute an in-
quiry iato the Fate unwise, ill-digested, and calami-

•
tour expedition. by Which the blood and treasure of '
the realm had been wasted, the character of our gal-.
lant army exposed, and its numbers reduced by pes-
tilence, privations, and disease, more than by the
sword ; and also tn inquire into the planf and in-
atructions upon which these etpeditinns. were itrldet
taken, and into the conduct and capacity of the coni-
manders to whom they were entrusted ; And in order
more effectually to presccute these inquiries., to be•:
witch his Majesty forthwith to assemtile the Parliament.
Mr. Alderman Cuttris said, ghat he ....
(circumstances of the expedition to Wakheren
enquired into as much as any Member of
but as they were not at present in possession
itentic documents. 1K could .unt go the .
the Hnn. Mover had done, Tie was as

the right of the subject to petition as any
he would always support the right of thr
of London to do so ; but he did not like
become a debating society, wherein all subjects should
be discu ;sed and decided. With respect to the assist-
ance granted by this country to Spain, he approved
of it the moment it was proposed, and he still con-
tinued of the same opinion, beau* it was his firm
belief, that with oar assistance the natives would ulti-

mately succeed in driving the French nut of that
country. He also approved of the project of the Ex-
pedition to Walcheren ; but he lamented the manner
in which it was executed, from the want of mutual

cordiality among tlie pmjecters At home, who, instead
'of devoting their utmost attention to it success, were
squabbling about their own places. He admired the
ge-
nius of Lord Castlereagh, who he presu med had the p. 0-
viding of the expedition, and he was sorry to see that
that Noble Lord had.been so unhandsomely treated, as
was reported. That observation he made from his
Lordship's public character, for he had never met hint
in private society, notwithstanding the scenes which'
were exhibited in the print shops in the Metropolis.
(it laugh.) He was certain that blame attached to
some quarter, and he would support a most rigid en-
quiry, whenever he should have a proper opportu- '
nity ; and he thought something else, which he should
then decline telling. (if laugh.) In justice to the
Noble Commander who had been entrusted with the
Expedition, he believed him as anxious for an enquiry.
as any man in *the country could be. As to the sup:
posed misunderstanding which was stated to have
taken place between teat officer and the Naval Com-
mander; he did not believe it. They were unani-
mous in their opinion that nothing more could be at-
tempted against the enemy after the capture of Wal-
clieren, as information • had been received of their
having been reinforced by 30,000 men. It was in-
tended to pursue their advantages, but a respectable
General Officer told him that he did not think they
could succeed ; he was sorry that he himself could
not wait the result ot it, but being indisposed, he was
very reluctantly compelled to return home. (el laugh.)
As to the Motion before the Court, he was confident
lit would be agitated in Parliament early in the Ses-
sion, and he thought that was the most proper place
to have it discussed, where every document wnnld he
produced. For that reason, he should move the pre-
! vious question. _

Mr. S um. Dixox said, that he should support
the previous qiiestion, and not trouble the Court with
many observations. The Motion made by the Hon.
Mover was very different from what the summons
sent to the different Members purported, and he
thought that alone a sufficient reason for not entering
.into any extraneous matter. What mention did the
summons make of the expeditions to Portugal and
Spain. on which much weight had been laid by the
Mover. He even defied him to produce the three re-
spectable military authorities against the gallantry and
judicious conduct of the Noble Lord who command-
ed them.

!RICH SIX!

1

subject was try , admitted, __;houghs
present a much better than any future time. Ever
since the breaking out of the French Revolution, there
wir a sort of Ministerial mania which • affected the
brains of certain Members of that Court, and which
made them cordial admirers of the politics and wishes
of the Cabinet. If the Court reasoned from their ex=
perience of the past, they could not have the lease
prospect of any public investigation' being instituted
by. Ministers or the Parliament into the &savers
Which had lately befallen the country. It theretbre
became the particular duty of
.the people t 6 insist
upon their undoubted right, and it was a paramount
duty with that Court, %rho ought to set a noble ex-
ample to the rest of the country. Last Session all
inquiry -WAS stifled as linnet as possible, even when
evidence was offered to the House, in the case of Lord
Clancarty, and the same Was attempted in the case of
the Duke of York. In the first, a dead decision was
given swainst the motion for an inquiry.
Mr. Aldertnan Husrait said, that there was no
doubt of the subject being discussed In Parliament
and he was sorry that the proper sense of the Court,
could not then be taker, as many Members had gone
away who were likely to vote against the proposed
Address, while the opposite party,remained.
Mr. JACKS stated, that he would vote for the pre-
vious queston.
Mr. Alderman ATEINR *as averse to the Court in-
terfering with the province of Parliament, in the ab-
sence of all authentic Information,
Mr. Alderman Costes 'heartily concurred in the •
motion.. There vies 3 great national failure, and this
authors of it ought go beewosed and punished. He
saWlittrrettle hope of the Parliament promoting an
enquiry, as they always were averse to investigations
of similar misfortunes, as was well known to those
who had lately attended to their proceedings.
Sir CHARLES PRICE briefly stated, that the subject
required investigation, but that the House of Com-
mons would certainly enter into on an early day.—
(Here there was a great noise below the Bar.)
Mr. KEMBLE addressed-the L9rd Mayor, and said,
that strangers had taken very unbecoming liberties,
in hissing and callisg for the question, whereby the
deliberations of the Cotirt were interrupted, and its
dignity insulted. If there should be a repetition of
it, ,he said he should icel it his duty to turn strangers
out.
The question being called for loudly in the body
of the court, several speakers who offered themselves
were not suffered to proceed.
Mr. WAITIINIAx replied. He contended, that every
speaker who opposed the motion,- had admitted the..
necessity of an investigation, and if they did not,
press for it, there were little hopes of its succeeding
in Parliament. As th.: King could do no wrong, the
Court could not be considered as orering him any in-
dignity; but his Ministers had ill advised him, and they
were responsible to the people for the advice they gave.
Lords Castlereagh and Chatham were undoubtedly
the worst that could be intrusted with the planning
and execution of an expedition. At the time it sailed
Holland was in a state of insurrection, and King
Louis had sent his family plate, and other property, for
security, to the houses of different Merchants, and
" A house to let" was written on the walls of his Pa-
lace ; but when it was known that Lord Chatham
had the command of our expedition, the Dutchmen
began to smoke the tobacco again, to wait a more
promising opportunity. If the Address should not be
carried, 31:er all that had been stated, Ministers would
again tell the Opposition that the people wanted no
investigati:m, and that the motion for it was nega-
tived by the City of London.
The motion was then put, and the show of hands
appearing equal, a division took place at half past
tiveo'clock, when the previous question was negatived
by a majority of one.
Lord Mayor
4 Aldermen
61 Commouers
2 'fellers

9 Aldermen
Sri Commoncrs
2 Tellers

GB Avt. die previous questku. G 7 Fcr the previous question.
A second divivion then took place on the original
motion, on which the numbers were-
-1 Lord Mayor
4 Aldermen
ii4l Commoners
2 Tellers

9 Aldermen
52 Commoners
Tellers
63 Agct. the origind Ananias..

66 Fr r the original gnes•icn.

All the Aldermen present, and a number of Com-
mon-Council Men, were ordered to prepare the draft
of an Address acccordingly ; and having returned
with it, the same was read and approved, and or: eyed
to be fairly transcribed, signed by the Town Clerk,
and presented to his Majesty ; and the Sheriffs, at•
tended by the Remembrance r, were directed to wait
upon his 1114jesty, to know his Royal will and
sure when the Court should attend him with tDe
same.
The Hall and Lobbies weir crowded the whole day,
and the pressure and noise below the B.tr, rendered it
sorntimes impussibie fair the people collected there to
hear it.

d treasure of ginal motion, because he would tut belittled by -the
er of our gal- expectation held out from the interference of rexlia-
bleed by pes- ntent. *null. bovreSer, make some obiteteatione
than hi the upon some things
.whith. bad been stated by Ito Hon.
dans awl in. rfartmet who spoke second .its the debate, whet.* be
;vorit tcodoethi:
.stproatietetd belts
llPlitnwi°4:lkl.4prlatettythegeenget:ftlali;innknobilawrfthbeleitisew:ell-
and in Ctrder r 4 Gealei4 Officer:: were consulted upon the precti-
airies, to be-d.Cability of the ept...§iitton, and that they gave as their
le Parliament. l'elithsies, that of all the troops which should land, three
e wislse the out tifotir would be in the course of five or six
'Waren to he dlrf, -
A. that Court; bar. Aldertnan 841#41.g1i supported tbit previous
;session of xts-;
length whic.h:l 14_e,'A)41118PRI! Cr**oool.6 OW« !migitzrozst
▪ tenacious getdise the Dortmany 4t name'!
knv ;stns, and !-hottlia-Altivev short. 'Or printipaf 1 jecticn to the
te Corporatioa motion was, that it would he inexpedient to concur
to the Court to in it at the present time.but as the iMportance of the
sobject was every where admitted, he thought the