Star.
London, England, 1823-04-23 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, APRIL 22.
The Papers which the Earl of Ltvaitroot. laid before the
House, on the application of several Noble Lords, having been
printed, were this day put on the table.
The Duke of GLOUCESTER presented a Petition from the
University of Cambridge, praying for the more effectual Abo-
lition of the Slave Trade in the West Indies. Hii Royal High-
ness fully concurred in the sentiments expressed by the Peti-
tioners, and said he was happy, in his character of Chancellor,
to present it.
Mr. Buxom, Lord STARLIT, and other Members from the
Commons, brought up the Merchants' Apprentices Rill, the
Army and Navy Pensions Bill, and several private Bills, which
were read a first time.

PORTUGAL.
Lord HOLLAND rose to move for copies of all communi-
cations made by his Majesty's Government to his Most Faith-
ful Majesty, since the Ist of September, 1822, on the subject of
the invasion of Portugal, together with the answers. It was
most important that Parliament should have a clear understand-
ing as to the situation in which this country stood with Portu-
gal after the invasion of Spain, and he expressed a hope that the
Noble Earl would not object to the production of the Papers.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said some of the Papers alluded
to might be produced. There were others that could not come
under the consideration of Parliament. The production of them
was not, however, so necessary, because at the present moment
there really was no doubt as to what really was the understand-
ing between the two countries. He could not he more ample
in his statement respecting that understanding than he had been
on a former occasion. He had already stated there was this
short and complete understanding. This Government stood
with reference to the Government of Portugal on this footing :
if Portugal is attacked without hostility to warrant such attack,
this cotintry is obliged to protect her. If she is attacked in con-
sequence of offensive acts, there was no obligation. In case of 4
invasion by the French, the obligation on this country to protect
Portugal was unavoidable. That was distinctly understood to
be the result of the negotiation.
SLAVE TRADE AND AUSTRIAN LOAN.

The Marquis of LANSDOWN rose to ask for
two descriptions of Papers not connected with those
on the table. The first was the Negotiation for the
Abolition of the Slave Trade. He ‘A idled to move
for the production, and the Noble Lord expressed
;lope that there could be no objection to comply with
his motion, especially as it was a subject which pro-
duced much anxiety in persons who humanely took
an interest in the question. The other subject. to
which he should call the attention of the Noble Earl,
was the negociation relating to the Austrian Loan.
At an early part of the Session he took the liberty of
making some inquiry on the subject, when the Noble
Earl r..presmted that the negociation was in a state
of forwardness. No information had since appeared
on the table. It could not escape the House that a
negociation with Spain, arising out of claims of a
more recent date than the Austrian Loan, had been
brought to a conclusion, and he should be glad to
hear that some arrangement, had been made by
Austria to pay the loan.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, with respect to
the Slave Trade, all the papers relating to the nego-
ciatiori on that subject had been hill on the.table of
the House. He bad nothing to add, nor retract. It
Was true, as the Noble Marquis stated, that he on a
former day mentioned, that the negriciation was con-
siderably advanced for arrangements founded on the
Austrian Loan. Ausuia had intended to follow up
the principle to the full extent, but the present state
of foreign naticns had affected her funds. The me-
nacing position of Europe would not allow her to
divest herself of so much money, but the principle of
adjustment remained the same. His Noble Friend
near him (the Duke of Wellington) was ready to con-
firm his statement. The pi incii.le of compromise had
been negotiated, mid the Noble Earl -had reason to
believe it would have been brought to a conclusion if
the affairs in other countries had not taken an unex-
pected turn. He had no reason to say the terms pro-
posed might not be agreed on by all parties. They
did not, however, expect to recover .the whole debt.
E.trl DARNLEY adverted to the language of Mr.
Pitt, when the loan was advanced. The strongest
assurance was given that the Austrian Government
would rep..y the money._ _ _ _

The Earl of LIVERPOOL observed, that neither
Mr. Pitt nor hii successors had expected the loan
would not be repaid. _ _

Earl GREY recollected the discussion in the House
of Commons. Mr. Pitt, he said, dwelt much on the

accredited securities of the Bank of Vienna.. There
was no doubt, at that time, the whole would be re-
paid. He was glad, however, under a disappoint-
ment, to hesr the Austrian Government were de-
si ou to compound.

Lord HOI:LA SD said, he had never expected to
see the money at all, and he really considered Austria
in a better state to pay it nox than during the last
%var. Ile had not seen the Emperor of Austria's
name in the Gazette—(A laugh)—but he found the
Noble Earl intended to make him a bankrupt. It
might be wise to get as much of the debt as possible.
Lord ELLENHOROUGH expressed a wish to
know the dates of the communications presented to
the Spanish Government, with a view of settling the
differences with France.

The E4rl of LIVERPOOL said, the dates were
recent—various dates.

Lord ELLENBOROUGH asked, Why the nego-
tiations at Madrid were so suddenly broken off?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL replied, that it was not
the Fault of the British Ambassadors at Madrid. Their
duty was discharged in the best manner. The dis-
cussion succeeded the question respecting the pira-
cies in the West Indies.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH wished to know what
alteration was proposed in the Spanish Constitution,
and whether there were not alternatives?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said there were alter-
natives which could not be communicated.
Earl GREY asked, whether the Noble Earl re.
ceived communication on the subject of money sent
by France to Spain?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, his Majesty's Go-
vernment received information which induced a be-
lief that money was sent to Spain.
TIM NAVY.

The Earl of DARNLEY rose.—He had no doubt
we should be soon involved in the war which had
broken out in Spain; and therefore he wished to call
the attention of the House to the state of our Navy.
He had wished that our ships in ordinary had been

kept in a state of complete equipment, both as to
rigging, guns, and men; that they might-be ready in
a case of emergency, such as was, he was sorry to
say it, but too likely to happen soon. At all events,
it was proper to keep this most important force of
the country in a state of perfect readiness. This
might be done by keeping a certain portion of our
ilavitl power fit for immediate service, and this he was

assured had been the policy of France since the
peace. He hoped this matter would not be over-
looked by the Noble Lord at the head of the Admi-
ralty. His Lordship then moved for a Return of the
Naval Force, and its state of equipment, in the ports
of this kingdom. •
Lord MELVILLE opposed the Motion, because it
would not take in the vessels now out cruieing, or
destined for foreign stations. Such a mullion as this
seemed perfectly unprecedented. The Noble-Lord
must be aware that the complement of the guardships
had been diminished, because the men were employed
in preventing smuggling on the coasts of Kent and
Sussex. It had always been the policy of this coun-
try to keep the guard-ships with half complements in
the time of peace; but the men were coming forward
to man them as fast as they were wanted. At no
time during the war was the whole crew of a ship of
the line, or even of a frigate, composed of first-rate
seamen. The guard-ships had always sufficient men
for the purpose of exercising them.
The Earl of DARNLEY shortly replied. The
Noble Lord must agree that it was always the policy
of this country to keep up a naval force sufficient
for any sudden and unexpected emergency.
The motion was negatived without a division.
The Bills brought up from the Commons were read
a first time.— Adjourned.