Star.
London, England, 1806-12-20 00:00:00

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SATURDAY, MCEMBER so, 1806
. .
[MCI MX-MA: et
,
- ',cool. could not approve ; he meant the Declaration which
' • '---..n ifitul pending the fufpention of Parliament.
—"r in a condition to judge cf th tc
-.,nanied by the do•
onre
I
, .

in the power of char Lordfhipe Mjodge of the efforts
his hfajeity'had Made to reftrire that bleffing to the
country. He Should refrain from Paying any thing
on the Cubic& at prefent ; bat he trolled that, when
all the eireomflanees of the Negotiation fhould be
fully before Parliament, it would be found that no-
thing was wanting on their part te bring it to a hap-
py emaciation. The great man, whole death as
fubjed of univerfa' regret, within whole demise:sent
the talk of endeavouring to offal a reconciliation fell,
was particularly fitted, by his npennefs and mollifies.
to condua it to a happy conclulion, provided there
had been a correfpondent dilpolition on the part of the
enemy. (An univerfal cry of Hear 1 Hear !) But DE•
fortunately it was loon difeovered, that a peace of
independence and equality was not fuch a peace as
France was difpofed to grant. Nothing abject or
degrading would be expelled from the Goverment
of Frame, nor was it required; but then, m the
other hand, this country was in too proud a &ass-
I Lion so fttbesit to loch terms as that Government war
inclined to int& epos. He would fa, nothing more
at prefent upon the fobjeft of the Negotiation, as
that was a fubjed which would come under the con-
Sderation of Parliament at no very diflant day. He
would now, with the indulgence of their Lordlhips,
briefly call their attention to lonic of the principal to-
pics in his Majefty's Speech. That a nation poffsff
ing loch refasten as Praia, with a numerous and
unbroken army—whole finer:wee were in the belt or-
der, and equal to the expenditure of feveral cam
paigns--whole population was animated by the high-
eft and molt enthufiaffic loyalty, lhoula have been
erufbed, nay, almott annihilated in a moment, was
one of thofe intlances in the fall and revolution of
empires, to which pofterity would find Come difficulty
in giving credit. Nothing like it was to be found in
the records of hiOary. This calamity, particularly
when inflided by France, mint at all times be a fob-
jed of feriJus regret to their Lordlhips ; but it
would be an aggravation of furrow, it fuch a ca-
r lamity had been the relult of any precipitation of
the Councils of that kingdom by the Government of
this c. entry. He was happy in the opportunity
of laying, that loch was not the cafe. The war
on the part of Proffia was of her clew Ceding:
the was neither incited nor encouraged to it by
his Majefty's Government. Prnffia temporized
with France ; by facrifices, the hoped to obtain
(ecurity ; but the was too late convinced that fe•
curity was not to be obtained from fuch an ene-
my. Her narrow and felfifh policy had operated
her ruin. With refped to his Swedilh Majelty, he
. was perfuaded the whole Houk would cordially agree
in the tribute which was paid in the fpeech to the
firmnefs and Ipirit of that brave and magnanimous
Prince. At a time when the whole frame of the Con-
tinent was in danger of being Ibaken to pieces by the
enormous power of France, that Monarch, notwith
1 (landing the dangers with which he was threatened,
continued to maintain his faith inviolate to this coun-
try. Of the condo& of the Emperor of Rullia it was
impollible for him to fpeak in appropriate terms.
Notwithftanding the raft, hefty, and unauthorized
proceeding of one of his Minifters, his Majefty's Go-
vernment never entertained the teal! diftruft of the
difpnlition of that Monarch to co-operate, with all
his means, towards refilling the power of the enemy.
It was impoffible the great events which lately took
place on the Continent, could have occurred without
materially affeding the interefts of this country. We
had, however, this great confolation left us—a eonfo.
lation of which we fortunately could not be deprived
by any efforts of the enemy—lf we had a powerful
enemy to contend with, we had powerful tefources to
maintain the conteft. The valour, fkill, and adivity
of our fleets and armies, were unimpaired. The cha-
railer of the latter was even improved, if the reputa-
tion of a Britifh army could be heightened. The
achievement of our little army in Calabria was not
inferior to the prondeft of the many initances of Bri-
tifts bravery and energy. It was one of the inevitable
confewiences of war, that it could not be carried on
without expence and inconvenience: but who was
there among their Lordthips, or in the country, who
a °old hefitate to make any facrifice, when he confi-
dered for what he was called upon to make it ; when
he confidered that he was parting with a Idler objed
to fecure a greater—that he was contending for the
maintenance of that Conftitution, of thole laws, lied
of that inexhaaftible trealure of mdalic virtue, immix,
liberty, happinefs, and glary, which made this greet
country the envy and admiration of the world ? Mat.
ever the peril and magnitude of the dills might be, he
' felt. con tinned that there was a fpirit meta detail:riot
tion in the country fully equal to both. It was wee
that in the courfe of left year, we had loft Come of
the greeted talents that bad ever graced this or any
, other country ; but ha trolled there were Itill taleot,
fpitit, and unanimity enough among OF, to Wag
i the arduous cotton ID which we were eagagtelvect
i termination worthy of the honour, interettr, and dig-
niiy cf the nation. He would not trouble their Lord-
, I (hips any longer, but proceed to read the Addrefs
which be intended to coopole, and to which lie flat-
' tared hirnfelf he thould obtain their Lordfhips'
una-
' nimous concurrence. . .

Upon this he did not think that any difference of oh.
Mon could prevail among their Lordfhips. It was
not to be expelled that this country would make any
compromik of its honour or its interefl. for the fake
of conciliating Fratice, much as peace was clearable.
With raped to Prullia, it was impollible to feel un-
concerned at the mikrable Iltoation to which the was
reduced by her cold and felfifh policy. She exhibited,
at this moment, a picture in Tome degree fimilar to
that which Austria prefented at .the dole of the -left
unfortunate campaign ; but with this difference, that
the fall of Pt uffia was abfolute, and that there was
hope that Auftria Would rife foperior to the ca
Woks by which the had bees nearly overwhelmed.
We had, flowerer, this crinfolatioa, that, whatever
rafbnefs Prttlkaffed with, was in. no way to be
attriheted tit councils or encouragement of this
country. We' neither participated in any of her
meaktes, sfir precipitated her refolves. Though
Pre ice son predntninant on th:e Continent, thanes
mod of die armies of Europe had been forced to yield
before her, we had the fatisfaftion of knowing that
the had not yet triumphed over Britifh (kill and gal-
lantry. She had conquered the Continent—the
threatened us : and yet, whenever her armies met
ours upon any thiffg like equal tertels, they had the
wadi of the contest. It was certainly to be lament-
ed, that the fyitem of the brtance of Europe, which
our aneellors had fo long and fo litenuonfly labour.
ed to uphold, fltonld be dearoyed; but we had the
confolation of knowing, that, whatever the power of
France may be able to effect on the Continent, it was
net equal to the talk of fubduing thiscountry. France,
it was true, was aggrandized. best when had this
country loch fertile refoorces at command, or forth
powerful fleets and armies in motion ? Next to the•
fafety of our colonies, the attention of Government
had hem direded to provide for our home defence.—
The meafures which they bad purfued for that per.
pore were as efficient as they were economical. The
regulations for the volunteer force had been produc-
tive of a confsderable Caving, and yet he was happy
in the opportunity of Rating, that the diminution of
that force was very (mall indeed. How few were
there of that glorious body, who had deferted their
Raudards, in confeqnence of the retrenchments which
Government found themfelves under the neceffity of
introducing ? His Lordthip concluded with expreC
ling hi. molt cordial affene to the addrefs.
Lord HAWKESBURY Paid, he ()mold not think
he had dikharged his duty, if he allowed the Ad-
drtfs to pals without offering Come obfervations on
the Speech which occafioned it. He would firft em-
brace the opportunity of expreffing his fatisfaCtion at
the manner in which the Addrefs was moved by the
Noble Earl, of whofe friendfhip he was happy to
boalt. He agreed with his Noble Friend in every
general fenurnent which fell from him. They, as wall
as the manner in which they were delivered, called
for the approbation of both fides of the Houk. No
party-fpitit fhould ever induce him to withhold his
concurrence and applaufe from fentiments befitting
the great crifis in which we were placed, and parti-
cularly when they were expreffed by a Nobleman, for
whom he had the greateß perfonal regard. Them
were, however, eircumßanees conneeted with the
Speech from the Throne, to which he could nest
avoid calling the attention of their Lordthips. The
first point upon which he fhould obferve, was one
not-
openly mentioned in the Speech, but indirettlyallude
ed to ;he meant the Dilklution of Parliament. It
was not his intention to queßion the King's etched
to diffolve Parliament • that part of the prerogative
he-allowed in its foiled extent and plentitnde. He
admitted that it was a prerogative which was inherent
in him in its flrongett fenfe. If it were poßible that
Parliament could acquire legal permanence, for ever
fo (hurt a time, independent of the Crown,there would
be no fecurity for the Monarchy. But this, like
eve, y part of the prerogative, mould be esercifed I
with a vsholefome and found difcretion. If it Mould
be found to have been exercifed with levity, or with-
out a due neceffity, it was a meafure for which Mi-
oilier' would incur a very weighty refponfibilit7.—o
What was there in the Rare of the country to Uwe
jußified the late unexpefted and premature cliffi* I
lion of Parliament—of a Parliament which bad mil
fat four Seffions, and which had nearly three
years to run ? Flom the puffing of the Septennial
Ad, almost ninety years ago, except in the precedent
of 1784. upon which he fhould fay a few words be-
fore he fat down, there was on inllance of a Parkr
ment being diffolved under fix Sellions. There was
no inßance, he would repeat his affertion, except a
Emile of the Crown, and the one be had mentioned.
The diffolution of 1784 was one to which there could
be no objection : it was unavoidable. At that time
a mifunderdanding fubfifted between the Crown and
the Commons, wi.b refpeft to the Government.—
Whenever filch an unhappy difference may arik,
there is but one way of computing it ; either the
Crown mull yield, or diffolve the Parliament. Bet
had any circomftance recurred to jollity the late dal--
fulutiou ? Far from it ; and yet Minitlere, without a
caufe atligned, or indeed affignable, took upon them
to advice a ditflution, for no other ()Nett that he
could dikuver, than that, to them, no doubt, a molt
ingest one, of a little convenience. lie could fled
no c.tufe, except that which he had jolt Rated, to war-
rant loch a meafure. The molt probable was, thee '
of the rupture of the negotiation with France ; but I
let their Lordthips fee how that queltion Rood. What-
ever difference of opinion might have exilled with re-
IpeEt to many of the meatuses pnrfued by Minifter•,
on no fubjeft wl,,ch ever engaged the attention of the
country, had here been loch a onplete unanimity. as in
rept d of fupporting his Malay in the profecnoon of
the war. Upon other queflions there might have been
a difference of opinicn, but upon this vital fubjeft
there was none. Whatever 'glade of difference there
was, was on the part of who difapprove of the
other meafui es of Miniffers. "their opponents were
foppofed to be more garnet for the profeetttion of'
the war, than his Majelly'tOlvertiment war. There
was alio anvil% Mentrate of Prfiulacts, ^f itich

could not approve ; he meant the Declaration which
had been iffued pending the fafpenfion of Parliament.
The Country was not in a condition to judge cf that
declaration, except It were accompanied by the do.
curnents upon which it was founded. If the rupture
of the negociation overwhelmed Miniders with any
apprehenfinn or difficulty, the fair m de would have
been, not to have difrolved Parliament, but to have
tailed the eliding Parliament together, and fobmit-
tad the whole grounds of the negociation to it. He
would nor accufe hdinifters of any intention to de. '
ceive the country, but the difrolution certainly had •
the effed of forprifing it. In corroboration of what
he had advanced, he would only call-to their Lord. 7,
(hips' recolleetion, an addrefs which had been pub.
lifhed in the Cndnty of Norfolk. Io that addicts
Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Windham) who waft
the la* perfon in the world he Ikould rapport capabted
of deceit, had told the county that, as far at he '
knew, there was no intention to diffolve the terrine°
went. The confeqnenoe was, that the whole tFngg
dom was led to believe, that all reports to that el-
Rd were unfounded and premature. Sobrequent •
to this a Proclamation appeared, in which a day
was fixed for calling Parliament together for dirpatch
of billings : and yet notwithftanding there repeated
elfin-nice', a difrolution was announced, to the fur•
prize and alloniffiment of the whole kingdom. The
perfons who advifed this meafure had much to anrwet
fur. Notwithflanding the ['knee of the fpeech, he
could not avoid laying a few words upon the mili-
tary meafures to which the Noble Baron who pre-
ceded him, alluded with fo much fatisfietion. When
the perfons compofing the prelim Adminiltration
IMuented the inadequacy of the meafures of their
predeceffors, it was naturally to be expected that they
had a Tyfiern of more energy and efficiency to pro.
pofe. But what did they do? They began with
overturning the whole of the ancient fyllem, for
keeping up the army ; they propofed meafures, the
inflantaneous effeft of which was to diffolve the Vo-
lunteers—they propofed meafuree which were pro-
dative of an enormous expenee, and which, he
would venture ro alert, had entirely eltrappointed
even the expectation of thofe from whom they were
fuppofed to originate. One of their overarm the
Training Ad, was never carriedinto execution...not
lan attempt was made to put it in force. He was
glad there had not ; for of that meafure. which had
been brought forward with fo much parade, and
upon which fuch reliance appeared to be placed.
he bad but one opinion—namely, that it was either
impracticable, or that it would only be carried iota
elect with a degree of vexation and iocoaveniened
totally repugnant to the natural feelings of the peo-
ple. With refped to the regular recruiting, he
withed to know how far the new fyllem had been
more produSive than that which was fo improvident.
ly fuperfeded by it? What theft, he would alb. lsai
thole new military meafures produced ? It was po.
furious that the military defence of the conaier was
not now near foconfiderable as it was twelve memallth
ago. But all there, notwithaanding tftr aboodeof
the Speech, mug be the fubjedt of future defeedlimill
is Parliament. There was alto fame oche_ r.
not alluded to in the Speech, to which
the attention of their Lordhips.
thing at prefent of the expeditions
die enemy's portr, two of which .
devaltation in the Weft Indies ; tantilitiSelestion
fitent on the fabjed of the expeditious:. which had
been fitted oat from this country.—One of Sea re.
soloed three months in the Downs--a delay per.
Italy inexplicable to him, but for which, however, it
was poffible, Minifters, when the fnbjeitcame to be
lircufred. might be able to adduce fnfficient rations.
He Ihould prefs the queflion no Gather at prefent ;
but there was ene point comic/led with it, upon
which he molt trouble their Lordthips with a few
words—he meant the command of that expedition.
He did not mean to difparage the talents of the officer
whom Government had related for that purpoie.—.
He might amply deferve the confidence which was
placed in him ; but they mud have a Ilrong cafe to
loftily the palling over (orb men as General Spencer
and Sir Arthur Wellefley, and wounding not
only their feelings, but the feelings of the whole
army through them. He would next come to
the molt material point alluded to in the Speech
from the Thr ma. With rerpea to the ditellera
which hod fallen uppn ProlLa, he agreed with
his Noble Friend, that these could be but one feeling
in the Hlufe. With rcfpcd to the tank of .thefe
alters, it was impoffibre that any two men could differ.
It arore from the narrow policy in which Pruffia had
encircled herfelf. Had his "'ruffian Majeily, or thole
who advired him, confulted biltcry, they would have
clircovered that they who lent their aid to have others
devoured, would be at Led devoured themfelves
He approved as much as any of his Majelty's Mini-
Acts id the proceedings which hod been adopted to-
wards Pruffi t on account of her unjult agireffioa of
!Hanover, and the meafures which -the submitted to
again ft the commerce of this country. lie approved
alto of the manner in which we Itifpended our par-
ticular quarrel, when Ibe was on the point of being
involved with France, though he could not account
for the delfty which took place in contnsunicaong with
her. No direCt communication with Proffitt appears
to have taken place until hoditides were on the eve
of commencing. This was to him a rubjeil of great
regret. He lamented that a communication with her
had not been opened looser, that no difpcfition bad
beet manifeded to affil or encourage her with oar
cot:meth. when it was evident that a war between her
and France vas not to be avoided. It was not until
October, that Minified; had thought proper to en.
deavour to open a communication with Pruffie,
aod she patron to whom they confided this important
Milton, than whom they could not have feledled one
mete proper, was, from the unhappy events which
occurred, unable to fulfil it. They afterwards thought
proper to fend out a military miffioo, at the bead of
which was a Noble Lord, a Member of that }loafs.
This, however, was not suit three weeks afar the

The addrefs having been read by his Loufillip, and
afterwards at the table,
Lord SOMERS prefented himfelf to their Lnrd
(hips. He role, he Paid, to fecond the addreti which
had been propofed by the Noble Earl, who moved it
in a manner that gained him great credit. With
refpal to the obfervations made by the Noble Earl,
he was perfuaded there would not be a difference of
tenliment in that hoofs, for every one who heard
them mil agree in their propriety. He was aware
that he laboured under confiderable difadvantage in
following his Lordfhip, for there was not a point in
his Majelty's fpeech which 644 not been mod ably
and eloquently touched upon by him. He would
however trefpafs upon their Lordfhips' patience but
for a very fhort time, while he called their attention
to forme of the principal topics. The fire in point
of ordu related to the negociation with

r'