Star.
London, England, 1810-02-15 00:00:00

and imports, ls
existing Companies in _
circumstances of the individuals
writing, the Honourable Member argued,
Ilneasure he proposed was obviously necessary. In
fict the London Assurance, and the Royal Exchange
CbMpanies, did not within the last year insure more
than one-fourth of the sum insured by individuals
from Scotland alone. And as to the security which
individual Underwriters afforded, he quoted the in-
stance of one merchant, who upon the peace of
Amiens had to submit to the loss of no less than one-
third of £16,000, which he had so insured, in conse-
quence of the insolvency of such individuals. But as
to the fair claim of these individuals, his proposed
plan would not interrupt them. The amount of an-
nual insurances being about 120 millions, there would
notwithstanding the establishment of the new Com-
pany, be quite sufficient business, not only for the
existing Companies, but for the body of individual
Underwriters. After expressing the desire of the pe-
titioners for fair open competition alone, the Hon.
Member dilated upon the amount of their capital,
their general respectability, and the natural tendency
which an Institution composed of iuch men, and pro-
curing such security, must naturally have to induce
the return to those insurances to England,which were
now executed in the East Indies, in America, and
even in Barbadoes, the Companies which owed their
being to the want of that which the Petitioners pro-
posed to establish. The Honourable Member also
observed upon the advantage that would result to the
revenue, calculated to produce that return, and con-
cluded with moving for the appointment of a Select
Committee to consider the Acts which had been read,
and also to inquire into the state of the means for ef-
fecting Marine Insurances in Great Britain.
After a few words from Mr. GRENFELL, who
was inaudible in the gallery,
Mr. MARRYAT expressed his disapprobation not
only of the object of the Honourable mover, but of
the course which he proposed to pursue. The case,
from its peculiar nature, ought, in his judgment tote
referred rather to an open than to a Select Commit-
tee, as was the case with regard to an application
from the Globe Insurance Company, in 1806. That
Company required a similar indulgence to that re.
quired by the present petitioners, but the result fof
the inquiries before the Committee was the refusal of!
their request, because, from the evidence examined!
before the Committee, it appeared that no additional i
facilities of Marine Insurance were necessary, and
surely that House never would, without the strongest'
proof of necessity, consent to the establishment of any ,
monopoly. But the failure he had referred to; seem-
ed to have no effect upon the present petitioners, for
whom the Honourable Member came forward;cer-
tainly with a bad grace. For it ill became the Di-,
rector of a chartered company to become an advo-
cate for those who proposed the violation of chartered •
rights. The Honourable mover could not by such
a proceeding, hope to entitle himself to the thanks of
the Bank of England, For in this instance it was
proposed to invade the charters of the established in-
surance companies. If, however, that alone were his
object, if he desired to abolish those charters altoge-
ther, he (Mr. Marryat) would be ready to support
him ; but the measure proposed was calculated to
produce infinite evil—to damp the spirit,—to inter-
fere with the exertion of individual industry, and this
was the more to be deprecated, as the progress of that!
industry rendered such a proposition wholly unnecea-1
sary. It was a fact, that although in. the year 1771
there were only 79 Underwriters, the subscribers to
that room were now no less than 1500. , Thus the
means of effecting insurances had increased in fully
adequate proportion to the increase of our trade, and
he ridiculed the idea, that in Lloyd's Coffee House
the most ample security for any amount of property:
was not to be found. But there was also among is-j
dividuals a spirit of enterprize favourable to the in-
terests of the trade. Individual Underwriters were
ready to insure that with which companies would
have no connection, because the former were more'
enterprizing, and also better informed. No company
could be enabled to inquire so minutely into the na-
ture of risks as 1500 individuals. If it were not for
individuals, what would have become of the increase
of our shipping in the Baltic some time since, when
the companies refused to insure against capture in the
enemy'i ports—what indeed must become of our
shipping in various cases, which may be easily ima-
gined in the present perilous state of Europe ? As to
the. companies established in the East Indies, in Bar-
- badoes, and America— the insurances effected by
such companies could not by any expedient be
brought to England. For in point of fact, the pro-
perty insured in the East and West Indies being for
the most part to be conveyed by mere coasting, orl
from island to island, the voyages would have con-
cluded before instructions for insurance could have
retched England. And as to America; it was known
that the Americans were engaged in a traffic invol-
ving enemy's property, with which out Underwriters
could not legally meddle. Therefore the notion of
augmenting the quantity of insurance in this country
from the sources alluded to, was quite chimerical.—
As to the amount of the capital of which the peti-
tioners boasted, namely five millions, he felt confident
that he could find fifty men at Lloyd's to advance the
same sum with promptitude and ease, leaving the.
other 1450 untouched. The idea,Aterefore, that
these petitioners could afford additional means of ze..l
curity was quite preposterous. He wan. aware that
they consisted of, perhaps, three-fourths of the mer-
cantile body of London ; but that in his mind, for-
med a strong objection to their demand. For if the
merchants were the insurers at the trying periods of
1794, 97, and 99, when our trade-suffered so much
by war and capture, what_ would have .become of

'TiIE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.


, by
conshinatiOns
.chants wished to bewail/ their OWII. underwriters
—to become principal where they were only autho-
rised to be agents, and to do that as a 'body which the
law would not allow them to do as individuals.—
The Honourable Membersreeapitulated his objections
to the proposed plan, and repeating the. words of
Lord Coke, that no monopoly ought to be allowed.
but where the necessity was argent and the utility
evident. He animadierted in strong terms upon die
proposers of this monopoly, whom it dl became to
terfere ,with the industry of individuals, having all of
them accumulated, their fortunes by individual indus-
try. He concluded with expressing a wish for full
inquiry, persuaded that it must serve to produce st
result favourable to his opinion, but he was decidedly
adverse to the mode of inquiry proposed by &hut
Committee, which he felt to be so objectionable that
he was- determined to take the sense of the Hottiit
upon the motioq. 1
Mr. BARING contrasted the assertion of the gut
Speaker, that the capital of the petitioners Wks com-
paratively insignificant, with the approhersics that
the employment,of that capital would nun' the trade
of underwriting. As to the necessity Which nulled
for the proposed installment* he tbaragbt drat wow
sky sufficiently proved .by chi 'lathiest itself, whirls
was from three-fourths of the merclinuns of London;
which was, in fact, approved .1 by every. -nseretable
house of which he bad any biros/ledge. With regard
to monopolies; he was no advocate for thernoior was
the petition. For himself, he would not, that be
would rather that the business of underwriting should
be thrown completely open—that any "Tracy of
men, should be at liberty to engage in ite4ts to bank-
ing, or any other speculating wooers. Rut the ab-
surdity of the lawiar it stoodorardisrOurwernsen
could combine to subscribe the samtperScf• Thu 4
that security was reduced, which it W 24 the object of,
commerce to seek by insurance. It was to obtain that
security the petition before the House was presented.
The observation of the last Speaker was fd csobtectly
correct, that there was no scarcity of un
at Lloyd's, that in fact they were sufficiently nume-
rous. But the complaint of merchants was, that
they too often got a number of names with little or
no security; and besides, several of these underwri-
ters were followed
.by a certain class -of lawyer%
eagerly looking for flaws in Policies, or materials ice
litigation, and too often more teasing to the =robin
than even a total loss.. On these grounds the Hon.
Member felt himself urged to. vote for the motion s
and from the course of precedents he would rathef
refer the subject of it to the consideration tif a Select
Committee.
Mr. ADAM said, that the question before the
House was whether the petition in consideration
should be referred to an open Committee 0r,,10,4 sgt.
lect one ? He was of opinion, that the most jos&
cial mode of proceeding would bell* refer it in the
first instance to a Select C.ommittee. He was ;forti-
fied in that opinion by the analogous proceeding in
the case of private bills, which were generally referred
to the consideration of Select Committees. He thought
roe, that a Select Committee was better calculated to
consult the interest of all the parties concerned,
whether the Gentlemen at Lloyd's, the two insurinee,,
companies, or the publicat large. Besides, hesenlinvl
1 ded Gentlemen, that the adoption of the SeleetCom-
mittee in the first instance did not necessarily pre-
clude them from subsequent proceedings in the open
Committee, and that they might afterwards enter,
into the most enlarged and public discussion upon the
merits of the question. Under these circumstances
he expressed a hope that there would be no opposition
to going into the Committee.
The gallery was then cleated for a division, when
there appeared on the question for going into a Select
Committee—Ayes 20—Noes 7.
The above numbers not being sufficient to constitute
a House, it of course adjourned.

A .
-BATED
" Viseu, )angry 14,181 Q
" The bead-quarters of the British Army in this enrol-
lengthestatdished at this pbce. Lord Wstramorom hasjud.4
it most expedient for the protection of Portugal to provide ati:2,k
blow from the Freokb in-the Northern part of Spain, as not
appeared to him to be the most vulnerable point, at least nig
point most likely to be iusaikd. The army has sacrificed
mush to its rad and inactivity since active operations have ce4
Nexini has ustrend more from sickness, in consequence of 0e;
long stay in the quarters we have occupied. Wherever wc, lave
baked there we remained on the spot to vegitate as it were. Iv,
commenced olt entriemants fecinsate‘louth-eastern froorfers'oft
Portugal, about six weeks ago, marching towards Coimbra sad
this porsisee, and we did not. I assure you, march a day too sock
WI scarcely left a Use sheep or fowl liehind us. In short, ke,
SIX and sickness compelled us to change our position, for this
united efforts proved irresistible.
Tho advance of the British army has pushed forward as
as Satsuma. It consists of a force scarcely amounting to gm
elective uses.
Ths mom occupies the district of Thomar, under Linter
siskossital Rik, who has taken post at Abrantd, along di
bob of the Tagus.

far *36.1

°Per&
matT3
11110111010* bottle Port t ewer wee
deli lON 010 at BctsiA PAR T Gqlerah tlig
411/1‘ sliiff. St PS ere presume to WA del
etee litEaisissh, bawl 0 hskiimiradrawn across an imam
If* fiqoaanny, abed' ise^danwellsted, and as!nacty pei4
neat* **1414. e airto bedie!! giatil
• morelt•OasiVeigial,WlP-PiltileliPirM the froldiess of saliki
Mar. tiny alrelk,begisawappeadis • • •
si Postopessetterna- Wee nade pretty pod proileib
7 dioditilpit Mite they wilt staid Shea ft eases to the iseioij
that ail the ti!Ole antieseene, the British have bees *
tin& then, le net thrown- 'ant augeolltably: P
army is diaptised in two' isas:olll6 first is drawn oat f 4 des
orlatittjudif,•Wbbe use 041;e:!"*tbste aim the sea coast is
; rear Hitherto the • thingiine have had nothirg to do,
I, we bate beet:without a ensfert. We have last more ollensal

D t theis yeti nre aver of. We exiledt dteinforeement ofle,lll
meg, tart 'Oewhom to land at Figner!, for the facfillyifje*
lag. kle visa:wood datg4s-esea ettitiers tem* * snob
tiait4rinfa, at transmits k to &Agit is'aiiiegi
tout,':ur a the British tbe peeitala:m*
all the Pateguestittoosii 4he are in the: ify, of
"
lan
• . . c6.114AR, JANUARAC ph
es The following it >< atatemast of the English creeps that he
lifo.l)Wrota.eleife. . Two or three-cif *regiments lOW tin
4i Oct* Only ow day. A parq of artillery sderibli4-10
Wheteeitivesi IS the .25sh. o December two 11411=1011
°Vieth! ads 11100 suoig, with ilium of fin guns, ad a b
Saes; on * *oth two registent4.o4 700 strong, of the C
tans Legion I on the *7th wes/ other minuets of the 14
es the SS* Owswal CSIMMUIrIi belkade; consisting of throe s
meats of Highlands,* each 1000 wrong, Came in; a did
natal descAtrd's division on the *following day, consisting d
Sid regiment, of 900 men, ansl Arstbs-ct the essee foes.
the 90tly

All the Ibo►e regiments had thi
them. Oa the St st, came in 120 Hanowil
itolll2ll. On the lit of January, the sth regiment of 650 nu
48th of SOO men, and 120 Hanoverian hussars. On the 21, 2
Hanoverian hussars. On the Sd, the 40th regiment of 650 m
and 97th of 400 men.

N The same day, arrived Lord Wellington and an immense to
gage train. On the 4th, arrived Marshal Beresford akh I
Staff, and a/so the miltary chest of the English. On the sth, t
5.1 d regiment, of 400 men,lltb and 7th of the same force.
the Bth Lord Wellington and Marshal Beresford went to exafl
the position of the bridge of MOrceDa, four leagues boxes el
the Alva. On the 10th arrived the 27th regiment of sfom
The same day Lord Wellington net oil for Viten, ands* the 11
Marshal Beresford for Oporto. The bead quarters of the Si
lieh army are at Vines and the bulk of the troops are quutel
in and about that place. The light troops under General Ca
furd are at Nebel and Cebria, and the sgeralrf at Agar' 3
she environs.
" The regiment of cavalry which was at Lisbon, has come
Tomes Novas; and, it is said, there are sir English regbDecti
fortifying; and 10

~ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15. warsotsiand rots at SaroaL Abrantas is .
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. peasants are emPliged in digging ream/ the works'
. - 6715. a lord Wellington and Marshal lie:atoll are highly
9 per Cent. Cons for sods
Reduced 6711-omnium i pre money, 671 m
I—act.
.—Excheci. Ms Ss. •dia. tis. pm, with the Porenguete troops ; and have complimmted thou, ill'
most flattering terms, on their military appearance and dbolllB
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.
sank Stock India Stock 185 i -. 'These troops remain in their fanner position; and all et them
3 per Cent. Red. 68 673 . i India leads 10e. 61. Ts prim
--..—..—....
bid& 8111111 e
3 per Cent. Cons. 675fff , Imp. 3 per Got. 46i
.. _ . ........ . . _
4 per Cent. 8944 Imp. Ann. 7 3.lBths A report prevailed yesterday afternoon, that Seig
5 per C. Navy 99.1 94 Fassiteq. El% ask pre. is. ells..
Long Ann. 18 7-16th S-16tbst coon. for ace. 87t4t • was in .the ion of the French, and that the hs
government of Spain had fallen to pieces ; the Mel
We stated yesterday the arrival of the CAROLINE i 'bers of the Junta having made preparations to
al lee
frigate at Plymouth, in nine weeks from the Cape of i the country. We regret to find, front Spanish
Good Hope. The arrival of this vessel has given i 'Portuguese Papers received this morning, to the 41
rise to rumours of another insurrection in the East, and 1 inst. that there is but too
_much reason to believe the
Ceylon has been named as the place. We believe there ; reports to be well-founded. The French have at 12
is no truth in this report, but we are apprehensive there ; penetrated through the Sierra Morena, and theSpaei
has been some alarm of the kind in another quarter. ; armies are represented asconcentrating to coverSerl
We understand that the CAROLINE has brought hone,, It requires but little foresight to anticipate thereat'
is iratu,aMr. MICHAEL KELLY, who held a situation i the military operations which have by this time tab
in the Victualling Department at the .Cape, and who ' place. The Spanish and Portuguese Papers P
is implicated with other persons, two of whom were i us, as usual, with flattering pictures of the prep"'
,
executed at the Cape, for raising troops, and other' Lions made to repel the enemy, but the farce is ode!
high crimes against the Government. Mr. KILLT, i the hopes of the Patriots are extinguished, an_
~.cl ti
having some impartant information to communicate curtain drops with the following article from Sevus
Government, Mahan sent horse
reme Central Junta has informed due Pd
for that purpose, SEVILLE, 'AMA° ti
_:expects to obtain his pardon. He is at present • The Sup
. confined in a strong cell, in Plymouth Clink, double- Be, that the enemy has forced the Pass of Magid;
ironed, and strongly gUarded. He is a native of Dub. ' and that the division charged with the defence old
IbUdyert resPectable ennseetiene, and endowed with ' point, finding itself too weak to withstand the vi
rat pentghil accoMplishalentf, 1 tow attack of aa stow ready suptriee ia for*

PORTUGAL.
ex.'s Otf 31:0ettlitO th-1
.
interest of comnrecCitiarls( the country eallht4 Ot'llheWkiffriWte ; and he put tl :.., .....,
The fol‘1" w from Portugal afoul
the measure to wilicittheir Petition appliet , -TheptteVlWW that solidithich ~. .. jug
eumen—........unicatices
were ntatif Objebtioni urged agaiist that m `,l' sad al ete.on. But i face ** 'that '.lthaipiplas
'With he thought it would bed waste of thteu *of , ordieriiicmers were acceded_ tove . • .. WWI& some particulars respecting the British Army
the House to make any reply. the argumeW iiid , *drab would suffer for their b4mtiA sic • without tiny
bedet dountry, wihneicdh
taorederaieuthder
the
eterfesrontint in that
precedents for such a measure wetc numerous 81""and advantage to the commerce of dettonarry, bot:the
'to illustrate this assertion, the Hon. .. . .. • contrary. He would, however, put it seriously to the . tga
several extracts from Anderson's H ••• -- • - House, whether considering the gretxtanee of our '•• - •' •': ''' .''- ' ' - ' " ' 42it'ett, th
. merce. From the increased amount of , • : • .:4 ideal piosposity—whether retoltecting that it light brigade under General CRAUFURD is pasted in
and imports, from the very limited insurances • ibet.lvalliag from the activity and enterprise of individual Aabetirikiht egvitost=l332:froemet_oildloticia,
existing Companies in London, and from the known
_ eite/tlon, they would now allow' that mdividiiil exit: and Ciudad Rodrigo ate protected this th's neovemelt
circumstances of the individuals concerned in uncler- Lion to be seiper- ceded by nionopobling combination, . „ .
writing. the Honeurable Member argued, that the The view of these combinations was obvious. The =lsm'? 01 A LETTER FROM A /Miami orrecEit a.
prtivrrr: a r..--h a •rpn

sit book of tie Tras. - •
Tilos Too see we bays MMWeI oor means as far
wears oiroarootabiod acme **permit, You, in Ea
worst opeoselswoolosir ,ins notions of our plans and
dons In *hi iosentry, tryinunael mid measures without
sodtstollit ours Moho ore! O bottle of Port than eve

them ? Yet at these periods It appeared, from the to Coverm
evidence of two of the principal -brokers, Ware !the and expect
Committee, upon the petition of the Globe Insurance ,confint.d
Company, that neither bad
.a single insolvent Under. ironed, and
writer upon his list. Here then were oesi.trfiliSth
would have torn np these chartered companAilly dte lin, of very
roots, although they took not a leaf fro, tbt MO of great rtrX