Star.
London, England, 1811-03-19 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

compulsion
places of worship different from their own, and their
punishment for refusal, and declared the Commander-
in-Chief's disapprobation of such conduct and its vio-
lation of the general orders of the army. His second
ground of facts was a circumstance that had recently
occurred here in the Royal Artillery, so lately as the
6th of last January, when a man was immured in a
dark room for twelve days for refusing in decent
language to go to the protestant church service, he
being an Irish Catholic. He was at length released
by a non-commissioned officer. His Lordship said
'be had the names ; and would produce them, and his
witnesses, too, if his facts were disputed. If the man
-bad refused in language.not reckoned decent, still he
should have called him innocent, because he had no
right to be so treated.
His third ground was a matter of this sort in Si-
cily, from which country two Irish Catholic Priests
were driven away by what he supposed must be the
act of the government : fir he could not think of ins.
puting it to Sir John Stuart. No ! Cowards were
cruel; but the brave loved mercy, and loved to save.
There were many Irish Catholic soldiers in Sicily :1
there-was the Enniskillen regiment, commanded by
that brave and noble man the Earl of Moira, which
was mostly Catholics. The 58th and the 62d regi-
ments there, were also composed of the same descrip-
tion of our fellow subjects. The Sicilian Priests were,
to be sure, Catholics ; but, then, they did not speak
the same language as our Irish soldiers, and conse-
quently they were not fit for the administering of
I those religious duties which the soldiers conscientious- •
17 considered as necessary. The Noble Earl here
read a letter of considerable length, describing the
whole of the business, and stating how indignant
the Priests and people' of Sicily felt at the strange
and unaccountable order for their departure. When
they remonstrated with the Commander-in-Chief,
they were informed by his Military Secretary, that
there was no particular ground of complaint; but
that the measure had proceeded on principles of a
general nature ! What could those principles be
which were thus to operate against his Majesty's sub-
jects ? Such conduct was an universal wrong. He
called paiticularly the attention of the Most Reve-
rend the Metropolitan to those circumstances of in-
tolerance and oppression. When that odious, infa-
mous, and infernal traffic, the Slave trade, was oppos-
ed, not only the principles of humanity, but also of
policy, were appealed to; and he should say a word
or two on the policy of the conduct he was then dis-
cussing. Recollect, that half the army and navy, or
more than that, was made up of dissenters from dip
established Church. They had grown amazingly ni
numbers of late years; Presbyterians, Catholics, and
other sects. If they looked first at England, they
would find that, in the first 15 years of the present
reign, the number of places, licensed under what was
called the Toleration Act, amounted to 1317. In
the last 15 years, ending 1808, they amounted to
7,629. If they took in the intermediate period, it
would be found, that from the beginning of the reign,
their numbers were 12,161. So very popular, it ap-
peared, did the established Church grow among us !
If they looked at Scotland, they would find almost
every body to be what was called here a dissenter
from the church. In Ireland, see the great number
of Catholic:, and then the number of Presbyte-
rians, and they would find the established Church
outstripped ten to one ! He was glad of the increase
of Dissenters, because it shewed a good deal of ho-
nesty and conscientious integrity in the land ; for
what was the temptation that such men had to leave
the Church ? He would not call, and he never did
call, the Church what some Presbyterians had called
it (a name that had been given to the RomishChurch)
the whore of Babylon 1 Nor would he agree with
some who said, that when a dish of meat was smook-
ed in the cooking, that it had had the bishop's foot
in it I—(A Laez4).—But he was glad of the increase
of Dissenters, for they were always, in all countries,
the best friends of civil liberty. He should say so
of Protestants in a Catholic country, such as France,
tad parts of Germany, &c. and so here too. Now,
where could, be the policy of irritating and offending
such a numerous and important class of persons, by
.Fusing them their just rights ? After various other
observations, the Noble Earl concluded by moving a
proviso, that nothing contained in the Act should be
Construed to extend to the compelling any soldier to
attend a place of worship he did net approve of, nor
so prevent him from attending such divine service aa
was according to-his profession, unless in cases wbeni
his military duty required it.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL declined going into
Ilbe various topics in the Noble Earl's speech; but
=kded, that it contained its own answer, as it
• that the moment the complaint was made to
Lord Harrington, the evil was removed, according
to the girders issued in 1806. As to the case of Sicily,
the letter read by the Noble Earl was formerly put
into the hands of Mr. Grattan, a gentleman who, he
must say, however he differed from him in matters
of great political importance, always conducted him-
self in such questions with the greatest honotir and
liberality. Mr. G. got it, previous to his motion re.
specting the Catholic Claims, and shewed it to Go-
vernment, who made an enquiry into the subject,
which produced an explanation of the transaction.—
Mr.G. himself considered that\the account could only
be viewed as a species of cx /torte evidence.
The Earl of HARDWICKE thought the clause
would be unnecessary. He was five years in Ireland,
and never heard any complaint on this head.
The Earl of CARLISLE thought it would be
more hurtful to reject the clause than to receive it :—,
certainly, grounds had been laid for Government task-
ing it into serious consideration.
The Earl of CLANCARTY spoke against the
Clause.
The Earl of ROSSLYN was in favour of the clause

IMPERIAL DiCREE.
PALACS OF rue TRUILLEMS, MAiell 7.
Napoleon, Emperor of the Freneh, King of Italy, Protector of
the Cenfedetion of the Rhine, du. We have decreed, and do
decree es hallows :
Art. 1. Manufactures of cotton, cloth, stuffs, and other weeks
len merchandise, manufactured in our empire, of which the ahtl.
efts 7 and IS of our Decree of the leth October, 1310, authorises
the introduction into our kingdom of Italy, by the French regw.l
lesions of the customs of Veruil and Casatisma, and by the Italian
regulations of the customs of Borge, Vacelli de Mezzassa Corti,
may also be esported by the regulations of Plaisance, San-Pros-
srat, Pierre, Mala and Folligno—and maybe admitted into Italy
the regulations eirrespendiag to the French customs, under
tke conditions enjoined by the said Decree.
I. Our Ministers of the Interior and of Finance are entrusted
with the execution of the present Decree, which shall be inserted
in the Bulletin of the Laws. (Signed) NAPOLEON.
By the Emperor, The Minister Secretary of State,
(Signed) H. B. Duke of BASSANO.

PALACE or THE TRVILLINITS, MARCIE 7.

Napoleon, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protectoref
the Confederation of the Rhine, &c. With respect to owlet*
seer of the Interior, we have decreed, and do decree as Mows :
Art. I. According to the publication of the presebt Decree, the
duty of 30 franks per metrical quintal, imposed on potashes by
our Decrees of the 12th September and Sth November last, shall
be reduced to IS franks per metrical quintal, for alkaline ashes,
known under the distinctions of potashes, pearlashes, &c. coming
from the ports of the Baltic and from the North.
2. The duty on potashes, pearlasbes, &c. shall not be eftneeted
henceforth, including the tare of 12 per cent. but according to
the net Weight.
3. Our Ministers of the Interior and of Finances are each en-
trusted, according to their different departments, with the execu-
tion of the present Decree. (Signed) , NAPOLEON.
By the Emperor, The Minister Secretary of State.
(Signed) I-I. B. Duke of BASSANO.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH is.

in the Appeal Case of Syme v. Kirkpatrick, Sir SAMUCL
ROMILLT and Mr. A.RIRCROMBY, for the' appellants, were heard
at considerable length, and Sir ARTHUR Pinor T in reply.
MUTINY SILL.
The Order of the Day being moved for the third
reading of the Mutiny Bill,
Earl STANHOPE rose, and observed, that the
tMpoftiince of the present Bill was so great, that it
-ought not to be passed in so thin a House ; particu-
=he Irish Peers, whom it especially concerned,
peculiar reasons, were absent on account of
a chititable celebration. The Secretary of State had
agreed the other day to put off the Prince's Message,
and he thought the same reason applied in the present
instance. He, therefore, moved to adjourn the fur-
:ther consideration of it till Thursday next.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that if any Noble
Lord had, on a former occasion, expressed his wish
to postpone the present business, on the same grounds
on which the present motion was made, he should not
have opposed it ; but at present he saw no good rea-
son for any further delay.
The motion of postponement was negatived,
RELIOIOUS LIBERTY.
Earl STANHOPE said, that he should now move
the same proposition in substance, and nearly the
same in words, which he had before moved. He
Wad brought it forward originally on the grounds of
• humanity, liberality, and equal justice. He had been
told before, that he had laid no grounds for his mo-
tion. At that time he declared that he wished to say
nothing that could exasperate or inflame, and there-
fore he abstained from mentioning any names. But
the Noble Secretary of State having mentioned some
circumstances of the case, he should now come for-
ward*Ad challenge enquiry into what he had stated ;1
for which he could bring persons to their Lordships'
Bar, to prove the facts which Ire was authorised to
state. He should now state three separate grounds !
ins which he might rest his motion. The first was 1
the affair he had already stated in Ireland. A letter
was written frcni Enniskillen to a Gentleman at Dub-
lin (a barrister), giving an account of the transaction.
One man, a gunner, had been confined, on the 30th
of January, in a black-hole, and several others corn.
pelted to wear their coats turned, for refusing to at-
tend the service of the Established Church, they being.
Irish Catholics. It was further added, that Captain
Walsh, the Commanding Officer, had declared, that
if there had been only one offender, he would have
had him tried by a Court-martial, andifoged; but as
there were so many, he should wait orders from head-
quarters. The man who was confined, remained in
his durance at the time the letter was written • on the
receipt of which, the Gentleman who received it did
*Jot do any thing indirectly or privately, but lest it

! as a prospective measure.
Earl STANHOPE replied briefly. He considered
an instance of the sort universally wrong; as he did:,
when John Wilkes was ill-treated, consider it an nig.
I venal wrong to ,all the electors in the kingdom. He
would not divide the House, as the Irish Peers were
absent.
The Bill was then read a third time, and passedl
as was also the Marine Mutiny Bill.—Adjourned.

a

, •


OP commomt. tie wisest that, under all the circumstances, could he
down to the Howse earner than anal.
.:
adopted—who thought the field for our exertions
half put three o'clock, as be had signified
well chosen—who considered the Peninsula as, of all
ackount of the quantity of private business
others, the portion of the Continent where the con.
after issued for theelection of a Mem- test would be conducted with the greatest inconve.
nience to the enemy, and with the least difficulty
us, rust be confirmed in their opini. ns, as their
. it Parliament, for the University a to
Zambridge, . . Easton, now called up to the House
of Pears. f
A Message was received from the Lords, stating that they had . expeetatiLns had in some degree been satisfactorily
agreed to the Mutiny Bill without any amendment. realized ; for it was unfair to say that they cx.
Alio requesting a Copy of the Second Report of the Commit- petted a speedy or an easy victory. What they said
tee on East India Affairs. To this latterMesiage an answer was
was, that in fair probability the scene for the contest
returned, stating that the House would return an answer by a
. was the best that could be chosen, and that there
Messenger of titer own
Mr. DUNDAS postponed the motion for the Committee on the force of the enemy might be resisted, and nothing
East India Affairs till Thursday. had since occurre,d'to make them think they had forts.
Mr. LEECH moved the second reading of the Foreign Mini- ed • ,
a wrong juogment. Had they not on the coatrary
stern' Bill, and contended that the public faith was pledged to al-
low those of the description mentioned in the Bill some cumin- i seen much to justify the iissertion, that their judg.
meat in the intervals of their services. meta had been correct ? What bad they seen of the
Mr. BANKES moved that the debate on this question be ad-
exertions of the Portuguese themselves ? What had
journed till Thursday.—Ordered. the enemy said of them ? Not only was there no of.
The Surrey Canal Bill was committed ; the Great Snoring
Inclosure Bill was also read a third time, and (after some re-
ficial dispatch. but hardly a private communication,
marks by Sir M. Foulkes, Mr. Creevey, Mr. Cartoon, and Sir in which the Portuguese army, disciplined and cons.
lames Graham) passed. mantled by British Officers, was not represented at
The Sheriffs of London appeared at the Bar, where they pre- worthy of being in the British service—worthy the
sented a petition from the Corporation of London, against some
private Bill. I example of British troops ? A most remarkable proof
The Croydon Canal Bill was read a third time and passed. lof this, was the opinion of the French, that by way
CAMBRIDGE CANAL. of a sure de guerre in the battle of Busaco, the veteran
British troops had been dressed up in Portuguese tini-
- -Saone conversation ensued upon moving the second reading of
..tils above bill, in which Mr. Herbert, Colonel Ducker, Mr. , form. This was surely strong testimony in favour of
band, and other Members, took part; after which, strangers
1 the efficiency of the Portuguese troops. With respect
being excluded, the House divided :
Ayes so—Nees 34—Majority for a second reading 56. Ito the state of the campaign, what could be stronger
The Bill was now nada second time, and directed to be corn- than the altered language of the enemy ? What mots
wined. I 1 unequivocal than the different tone in which he spoke
1 .
BRISTOL CANAL. ' of the duration of the contest ? There was now no big
After some observations (thrown out by two or three Mem-
talk of driving the English at once :,fro the sea ; but
ben) iq.on its being moved that the Bristol Canal Bill should be
read a second time, the House again divided, when there appeared, fOrsstoth the war was to be protracted, and the English
Ayes 75—Noes 46—Majority for a second reading 29, were to be ruined by the expellee. Such, by theson.
The Bill was now read a second time, aud then ordered to be fession of the enemy, was the altered character of
committed. I the contest. The enemy themselves had found that
-ould not succeed in the Peninsula, without

NOTICES DEFERRED.

Re.entering the Gallery, we found the Cm.aucextoa of the , they. COL _ _ _ ..... .1.414, ‘...._
EICUZQUIR on bis legs, moving that all Notices standing, that ' driving the British out of Portugal—and they had
day, for the second reading of Public Bills, should, nevertheless, boastingly said that this should be done immediately.
stand over for toirnorrow. i They made the attempt, and now they.had discoyetol
LIVERPOOL DOCKS BILL. ' that this was no such easy task But the conflict
tv."scs be protracted. Was it then come to this ?
Mr. DENT moved for an account of all such monies as had'
been raised as Dock Duties in Liverpool, by virtue of the Act of , "*-""'
After it had been determined that the contest should
his present Majesty for making two Wet Docks at Liverpool. .
Gestalt GASCOIGNE observed, that the Liverpool Docks be finished in such a short time, wits it now confessed
Bill was referred to a Committee, which would sit on Thursday that it must go en from campaign to campaign ?—.
next ; and that the accounts inle
tas well be called for by the After the blood that France had lavidied in this, on
Committee as by the House.
a Committee hating power to her part, most unjust war, did her hopes centre iii
The SPEAKER stated, that
send for persons, papers, and records, was as competent as the , delay instead of rapidity ? Did the Insurgents, who
House itself to order the accounts. In giving such power, the were spokenof with so much contempt, and who were
House conferred every necessary authority upon its Committee, to have been crushed in a moment, still continue to
wed was not in the habit of interfering, unless it could be made
resist ? Had the boasted victories over those Insor-
est that any unnecessary delay, or manifest want of faith, had
Islawaplace in the Committee. If the powers granted were found gents produced none of the fruits of conquest ? Why
less relent, the usual practice was to come back to the House Tor then, France might at last find her protracti
farther powers, which were never refused. ' of as little avail, in this instance, as her rapidity—and
ts system
.
It was then ordered that the Committee on the Bill have power
1 that even her victories would still be attended with
se send for persons, papers and records.
DEFENCE OP PORTUGAL. ; similar results. (Hear, hear, hear.) The spot had
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,', been chosen where we would contend with the great-
in a Committee of Supply, to which the Prince Re-
est advantage. (Hear, Hear, hear, from the opposite
sent's message relative to the Portuguese Grant had ' benches.) When he said so, he wished that those
two mit_
,i who cheered, as if they meant to deny the position,
been referred, rose to propose the sum of
eons for the defence of that kingdom this year. In i would tell where the effort could better have been
rising, he said, to call the attention of the House to . made—where more resistance to the enemy could be
the subject of Portugal, he could not forbear indel-1 expected from the people—where more effectiv,• :b.
ging the hope, that he would experience little or no sistance could be had from our Allies ? The French
v
opposition to the resolution which he intended to sub- victories is other places had been of a different kind,
and attended with far different results. If that was
mit to the Committeer although there had been some
opposition in the coarse of the last Session, and though i the case—and if the contest must be carried on some-
the where, it was surely desirable to carry it on i'l that
sum required for the assistance of the Portuguese
was very materially increased, yet circumstances had 1 place where it could be done with least inconvenience
so much altered,' that it was not likely a similar ob- ,to us, and with most to our enemy. He would tl'en
,The
should be urged, even to the larger sum.— i propose, that this money be granted to be applied nor
The grounds upon which this advance had been de-. the defence of Portugal, in whatever way shootoi be
fended last year, and the motives in which it engine- deemed most adviseable. This he thought wos the
ted, had been so well confirmed and justified by best mode of proceeding, because Government could
events, that they must now come with so much ad- then look to events as they came—and if any thing
ditional weight, as to prevent opposition from any happened to make the cause desperate,- that assistance
quarter. When 741 application was made last year I would be with-held from which no advantage could
for a sum with a view to enable his Majesty to take be derived. He concluded by moving a Resolution,
Portuguese troops into British pay, the idea of such which was in some measure an echo of the concluding
a force, officered and disciplined by the British, was Part of the Regent's Message, " that two millions be
new and untried, and there might fairly, perhaps, be ranted to the Regent acting in the name and on the
some doubts as to the effect of the plan. Some even' behalf of his Majesty, to maintain 30,000 Portuguese
thought the project so extravagant, that they ridi- in British pay, andoo be further applied to the oil
culed those who expressed any confidence in it. It of Portugal in the present contest, in such a manner
was also stated, that in taking so large a body of as circumstances should appear to require."
• Portuguese troops into our pay, we were drawing the Mr. PONSONBY said that it was not so much on
whole burthen of the war upon ourselves, and leav- I the ground of any alterations that had taken place ie
Ing.nothing to call forth the energy of the Portuguese our views or situation in the Peninsula that he felt
nation in its own defence. At that time, those who I himself called to disapprove of the Right Honourable
approved the scheme had only hopes, but those hopes i Gentleman's Motion, as on account of the principle
on the one side were as sanguine as the despair on I on which that motion was-founded, and the system
the other was deep. Now, however, they stood in a which it was intended to support. His greatest aprre.
very altered condition—they had events to appeal to, hensions of the consequences to which a perseverance
and by these their arguments had been confirmed, in the present measures might lead, originated from
aad their expectations rather exceeded than disappoin- that treaty by which we bad blindly and impolitiir
ted. Fortified then by what had already happened,
they now came with the more confidence for this ad. become bound to wage war against France in he
ditional sum. The assertion, that we had taken upon Peninsula, until Ferdinand should be restored totle
ourselves the burthen of defending, to the exclusion I throne of his ancestors. This we had engaged to' ..1)
of her own exertions, was as unfounded as the other ,
without reserve or exception. Could the Right Ho-
'assertions on the same subject, advanced by nourable Gentleman bring forward any argument to
who had formerly opposed a grant of this nature, for
those justify this rash and most improvident engagement?
the amount of the Portuguese troops engaged in the While we were called on to maintain the war on such
contest was vastly beyond the number in our a principle, he was unable to see when there could he
They had not less than 45,000 regular soldiers,
pay.— i a limit to it. The Right Honourable Gentleman hal
sides 49,000 militia, and it was most unreasonable
be- i stated, that the reason for asking a larger sum this
therefore, to say that we bore the whole burthen of year than was voted in the last Session, was, that tke
the defence of that country. We did indeed take contributions of the Portuguese were intercepted he
supon us a large share of the burthen, but that was to the enemy—that the means tell 'into the hands of the
enemy. The French had occupied, it seems, so lame
make the exertions of the natives more effectual, and
a portion of the Portuguese tenitory, that th
not to relax their efforts. But from the nature of the eir li-
nances could not be brought to the support
war, from the extent of the country at present inac- of the
common cause. How was this to be reconciled to
eessible to the agents of Government, and from the ' those numerous statements in which the enemy had
interception of the revenues, it could not be copse- I
been described as occupying no more of the country
ted that they should have the means of commanding
a supply of money at all commensurate with the de-I than was covered by his armies —((leer, hear.)—
He appealed to the recollection of the House how
mends of the occasion. It then it was desirable that frequently this declaration had been repeated ? The
these exertions should be continued, we must contri- 1
House was told too now, that we were contending
buts largely to support them. Even those who dis- •on a chosen theatre of action—that the spot that had
approved of the grant of last year might now, consi- been so chosen was peculiarly advantageous to us.
Bering how far we had one and what had happened, f Did the Right Honourable Gentleman mean to say,
consistently vote for the increased sum of two wile .that selected scene was comprehended within the dis-
lions. From the short view he had taken, he thought ' tance of Lisbon and Cortex° ? Was an army seat
there could be little doubt but we should keep alive
into Spain to rescue it—and did it re-enter Portugal
the exertions in Portugal, such as they had been, for the purpose of defending it, only to concentrate
Those who differed from the Ministers, as to the piss' all its efforts in its present position ? The Right Ho-
licy of this expedition—those wbo imagined that a nourable Gentleman had stated, that our success
different field for our efforts ought to have been ought to encourage us freely to unite in the prosecits
chosen, even they must confess that it would be most tion of the contest. It was far from his wish to un-
unwise to give up now, when so far embarked, either derrate the valour and achievements of ode army ; but
the situation for the struggle, or the plan hitherto he must declare, that he was not aware on what oc-
acted on. They could- not think it politic that
canons this success had been obtained. Was it in
we should now retread our steps, or
.relax our exer- the fall of Rodrigo, or the subsequent reduction of
tions. Those, again, who thought the whole phial Almeida ?—(Her, hear.) Was it to be evidenced by
, .
. .
•

_


.

Ott once to a publie newspaper, addressieet tea.ord HOUSE n
01
the
Hacrington, on the/el a January last. 7hat Noble Spasm came dow
and took theoft
tCohdoeir
oust hatoupw
and gallant Lord, like an honest man,took no of.
fence at the mode of communication, bat immelii- that required dispatch. nt
ately issued his orders, which stated the reports of the A new Writ was shortly aft
ber, to serve in
compulsion of the attendance of Catholic soldiers at the pretest
Cambridge, instead of Lord E

tetneges bad
severing allies:
neat wat
Nance intl.
Stirernnsents
with their weal rance
sented as conciliating the affections of the people-, by
her works of regeneration • if so, what was the return
she had met with from the rugged and ungrateful
people of Portugal ? They had united heart and hand
m resistance to the invader, and were now in arms
against him in greater numbers than had ever before
been witnessed In that country. (Hear, hear.) They
had not waited to stipulate reform, before they took
up arms to resist the aggressor.—(Hear, hear.)—Cri.•
ticisms had once been passed on the impolicy of dis-
persing our force and wasting its strength in a mul-
titude of unconnected operations; now the censure
was, that that force was concentrated. It was well in
his mind that the battle should be fought on other,
shores than our own. —(Hear, hear.)—lt was NOM
thing in his estimation that the fatal hour of that con.
flict had been at least deferred. Let the length of
war in Spain be contrasted with the duration of those
wars in which Bonaparte has strided with such rapi-
dity over the prostrate dynasties of Europe. If indeed
it was to be held that his march was irresistible, and
that the Empire of the West must be finally estabo
lished ' • if it was determined to be right that Europe
should crouch before the Usurper, then the arguments
which had been urged that night must be admitted to
be incontrovertible. But if this doctrine was deserving
only of contempt, then he could venture to say, that the
Continent did not present an arena more fertile of ad-
v an tage than the present sceneof military action (Hear.)
The Honourable Gentleman had argued that the ene-
my could easily repair a defeat, or retrieve any dis-
aster that could befal him. He remembered when
much was said of the moral effect of victory, as de-
scriptive of the anticipated success of Bonaparte ; but
was this moral influence some hidden charm whose
virtue the enemy only could ascertain ; was it some
magic spell ever operating in his exclusive favour ?
The Expose of the French Minister had been referred
to, and he would also beg to direct the attention of
the House to the lately altered tone and commentary
of the foreign Journals. If it did appear, that with
one sixth part of our own military force we employed
in Spain and Portugal, one-half of the enemy's dis-
posable strength, surely he might assume that it was
the interest of the country to persist in the struggle
and trial for an honourable issue. An Hon. General
(Tarieton) had recently censured Lord Wellington
for not attacking Marshal Ney. He must remind the
House, that at the period referred to, Lord W.'s army
was greatly reduced by detachments ; and that the
one-half of it consisted of these untried, calumniated
Portuguese, the objects with many, even now, of con-
tempt and derision. He would say too, that Rodrigo
and Almeida had, even in their fall, exemplified the-
talents of the British General. When future ages
should recur to the history of that campaign, it would
be surveyed with the eye of impartiality and admira-
tion. For three years had the foe been baffled, and
was now left with the solitary consolation of hoping
to effect our expulsion by the exhaustion of our finan-
ces—(Hear, hear, hear.) —He was convinced that the
battles which had taken place would not be ulti-
mately found to have been fought in vain. Cadiz and
Gibraltar were but as dust in a balance when com-
,pared to that state to which France was now com-
mitted. Much, however, had been done by the Spa-
niards in forming a legal Government in this last asy-
lum, and much of the non-performance on their
part might be, perhaps, with toe much justice, im-
puted
to our desponding and disheartening senti-
ments, which magnified their difficulties, and inspired
despair where courage only should have been excited.
He could not help feeling some degree of pain at the
manner in which Lord' Wellington's conduct had
been examined and condemned at home; and was
apprehensive that his ardour might be abated on
hearing of the insidious means employed to tarnish
the lustre of his reputation. He believed that the
'time would yet come, when the proud circle of Lord
Wellington's laurels would receive another wreath of
glory, when a yet more signal atchievement would'
raise him to a still higher pinnacle of fame. (Hear,
hear.) He cherished the most sanguine expectation
that the day would soon arrive, when another and
transcending victory should silence the tongue of
envy, and the cavils of party animosity ; when the
British Commander would be hailed by the unani-i
mous voice of his country, with the sentiment ad-
dressed on a memorable occasion to an illustrious cha-
t a cter, " hyaena glorid supernal." (Hear, hear.)
General TA RLETON. declared that he meant no
attack on Lord Wellington in what he had said on a
former night. He had grounded what fell from him
merely on the information contained in the Papers on
the table relative to Ciudad Rodrigo.
Mr. PEELE explained. •
General TARLETON said, be only wished to vin-
dicate himself against the assertion made by the Ho-
nourable Member, of his having attributed gross ne-
glect to Lord Wellington. He had done no such
thing. He had then adverted to the sacrifices we had
made in the Peniasula. We had sent thither 50,000
men, and we had lost the whole of the Peninsula, ex-
cept that spot which lay between Cartaxo and Lisbon;
in addition to which, we had also sent to Portugal
£2,000,000 sterling in bullion. We had, during the
whole period we were engaged in the contest, been
making retrograde movements, and ruin alone could
be the result. He (General 'l' ) had never

. , •
We?: He hided *tint into the cliiference bettlieen de
present period and 1793.
Mr. HENRY THO RNTON was of epinioti, that
the preatnble of the Bill Might recite what Was the
general intention of Parliament on the suhjecti and
thee serve as a guide to the Commis.,ioliers. He
certainly was desirous that the m .nufazturers should
be the persons chiefly benefited by the proposed mea-
sure, although he was not for limiting the advantages
of the measure so exclusively to the manufacturers
as had been recommended by an Hon. Gentleman.
Mr. HUSKISSON explained.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
thought any recitation in the preanible, of the view
of Parliament, might tend to create difficulties in the
execution of the trust to be reposed in the Commis-
sioners. The Committee would be aware that among
the Commissioners whom he had named were cetera
of those Gentlemen who had been most active as
Commissioners in 1793. On that occasion the Cont-
missioners had proceeded by framing general questions
to which all applicants for relief replied on oath, and
thus underwent such a severe scrutiny, as to repel
many improper applications. He conceived that it
would be proper to compel every applicant to declare
for what purpose he wanted assistance, in order that
the Commissioners might know they granted money
for proper objects; and he was convinced, that the
best security which Parliament .-ould have for the pro-
per distribution of this sum of six millions, was the
wisdom and discretion of the individuals in whom the
power of distributing it was to be vested.
Mr. TIERNEY repeated his anxiety for the little
manufacturer, who, he was persuaded, would not be
paid, or at most, paid but in part by the merchant, '
after the latter had obtained a loan for that purpose.
Great difficulties would take place also in the due
appreciation of the value of the goods, which were to
be pledged for the payment of the money borrowed.
General TARLETON said, he held in his hand
some Resolutions of the Merchants of Liverpool, de-
claratory of their intention to apply to Parliament for
the aid of a million. He wished to know whether it
was intended to grant an additional million for that
purpose, or to allow the Liverpool Merchants to par.
take of the six millions to be advanced by the Bill ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
teplied, that the Merchants of Liverpool would enjoy
the same advantages as any other merchants who ap.
plied for relief.
Mr. W. SMITH was persuaded that many mere
chants who would borrow money under the Act for
an avowed purpose, namely, to pay their debts to the
manufacturers,- would employ but a portion of it in
that manner, and by way of speculation would pur-
chase with the rest goods at their present depreciated
,value. He knew no mode of guarding against this
perversion 'of the intention of Parliament, but by
giving complete publicity to the applications made to
the Commissioners. -
The CHANCELLOR rf the EXCHEQUER
protested against the publicity recommended by the
Honourable Gentleman, and observed that no part of
the conduct of the Commissioners in 1793, deserved,
and obtained greater praise, than their honourable
secrecy. As to the apprehension of the Honourable
Gentleman that the merchant would purchase the
goods of the manufacturer at a depreciated price,
such a sale on the part of the manufacturer would telt
be compulsory, as he might, if he preferred it, obtain
relief from the Commissioners by the deposit of his
goods.
Some explanations took place between Mr. Tierney. '
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. W. Smith, and
Mr. Whitbread.
In answer to a question from Mr. W. SMITH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
stated, that the interest on the Excheepter Bills to be
issued would be Std. a-day en each £lOO.
The motion was then agreed to ; as was also a
clause, by which it was provided, that no person in
the Exchequer Bill Office should receive additional
fees in consequence of the additional issue of Exche.
quer Bills.
The House was then resumed ; the Report was re-
ceived, and ordered to he taken into further consider.
ation to-morrow. The Bill was ordered to be printed.
Mr. TIERNEY moved, that there be laid before
the House the minutes of the evidence taken before
the Committee on Commercial Credit. •
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
observed, that having so recently detailed his objec.
tions to this proposition, he felt it,to be unnecessary
to repept them.
The motion was then negatived without a division.
MILITIA ENLISTMENT BILL. -
Lord PALMERSTON moved the secona reading
of the Militia Enlistment Bill.
Lord MILTON opposed it, on the ground that It
must seriously interfere with the military recruiting
for the line. •
Colonel DUCIEET objected to the ballot, and ap-
proved of the- plan by which it had been proposed to
fill, up the. Militia corps by recruiting. He also pro-
posed that 20 or 4€25 penalty should be taken by Clio.. •
r yernmettt, if the balloted person chose, instead of per.
Isonal service. A great advantage would thus arise,
• from putting an end to the nuisances called Militia In-
surance Offices. He likewise suggested that a sti-.
rnulus should be given to the Militia Officer to raise
men, by allowing leave of absence in proportion to
the number of men he procured.
Lord PALMERSTON stated, that it was the in.
tention to avoid the ballot, if. men could be got in a
reasonable •'-rve le- It was also -

totriA itot staitita4i sititieives le that tatittirh
was not now, how odr attay wits to get
Portugal ; b;rt, when that should cocas'
he was afraid it would be found to be-a,
tatter. Gentlemen opposite agreed that'
must go through the purgatory of inva-
sion; but he was afraid if affairs went on in their pro.
sent state they must also encounter the purgatory of
a revolution. He (General Tarleton) looked to the
matter in a more manly manner than those on the
other side did They viewed it in a dastardly point
of view. He was for fighting with full numbers ;
Gentlemen opposite seemed to wish to wait till the
country had encountered every disaster, and till their
means were diminished, and the spirits of their troops
ken by defeats in other quarters. On these grounds
he was against the grant.
The Resolution was then put, and agreed to with-
out a division. The Report was ordered to be received
to-morrow, and the Committee-to sit again on Friday.
NAVY BSTIMATES.
Mr. YORKE moved that the Resolution for grant-
ing re 71,251 18s. 6d. for the Navy Ordinary, be re-
committed, owing to some error in the statement—.
The Report was then gone through, and received.
SUPPLY.
Mr. LUSHINGTON brought up the Report of
the Committee of Supply of' Friday. The Resolu-
tions relative to the Navy Estimates were agreed to.
On the question of the grant of 81,300 to the Poor
of the Parish of St. Martin's in the Field ,
Mr. WHITBREAD begged some explanation on
the nature of this grant.
Mr. WHARTON repeated what he had stated oa
a former night, that this sum was made up of a Va-
riety of grants, not to the Parish of St. Martin's alone,
but also the Parish of Ely, of St. James's, of St. Mar-
tin's in the West, and to several Schools and Hospi-
tals. The grants were ancient. Some of them he
had traced to Charles 11. some to Henry VIII. and
others he had been unable to trace. These did not
strictly form part of the poors' rate, but went in exo-
neration of it.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, the grant in question had been transferred from
the Civil List to Parliament, and as such had been
ratified by them.
The other Resolutions were agreed to.
COMMERCIAL CREDIT.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
then moved the Order of the Day for the House go-
ing into a Committee on the Bill relating to Com-
mercial Credit.
On the question* being put for the Speaker's leay.
ing the Chair—
Lord FOLKSTONE opposed the Committee on
the grounds of his dislike to the Bill. The original
Committee was one-half commercial men, and the re-
mainder persons connected with office. In 1793 there
[were but four commercial men on the Committee.—
Much of the evidence in the Report was contradic-
' triry. The grant must increase the evil ultimately,
because it would only enable the manufacturers to
work, without enabling them to sell—and their pre.
sent sufferings arose from having too much lying on
their hands already. There was no probability that
the Continent would soon be open. The South Ame.
rican market was most unproductive. He was adverse
to taking goods as security for the loan ; for if the
gsods were of no use to the merchant for sale, they
could be of no value to the Government. The bor-
rowing of six millions would enhance the rate of the
other loans for the year.
Mr. MARRYATT was once adverse to the mea-
sure proposed ; but had, on the most mature conside-
ration, changed his opinion. Much good might be
done by it. All markets were not shut, as the home
market, the West-India market ; and if the North
American market were finally closed, we might im-
port tobacco, indigo, and cotton from the West In-
ffrs instead of America. Those commodities were
solid wealth ; they would be actually consumed in our
manufactures at home. He thought that a clause
should be inserted, prohibiting any of the Commis-
sioners from taking any part of the loan for himself,
or giving security for any person who did.
' Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, that the market of
South America, instead of increasing must diminish,
from the convulsions and agitations now prevailing
In that country. The present Bill, instead of dimi-
nishing the evil, would ultimately augment it ; for it
would give rise to still greater speculations than the
Cast. What was the House about to do ? It was
libout to involve the country in deeper distress, and
visit the faults of those who have indulged in ex-
travagant speculation on those who have not. It was
better at once that the manufacturer should return to
tilling the ground, than continue in so hopeless a
pursuit.
The House then divided—For going into the Corn-
thittee 103—Against it 16—Majority 87.
On the Gallery being opened, we found the CHAN-
CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explaining in the Commit-
tee the system of warehouses to be adopted. They
were to be opened in both parts of the United King-
dom—both Great Britain and Ireland. lie then
proceeded to explain the nature of the terms of pay-
ment, which were to be fifteen days later than the
time at which the dividends should come in. He
then proceeded to read over the names of the Com-
missioners, among whom we collected the following :
the Lord Mayor, the Hon. W. Lambe, Sir James
Shave, Samson Perry, Esq. Mr. Thornton, Sir Chas.
Pole, dr. Pole, Mr. Harris, Mr: Lygon, Mr. Bo-
sancinet, Mr.Halford, Mr. Smith, Mr. Harrison, Mr.

the retreat of the British forces, under circunutalices.
which he would not thendis. Cuss I It ((mid not be'
denied, however,that we hadnowlost the whale of that
country, with the exception of Lisbon and its envi-
rons. The question therefore was, Was there here
sutlicint inducement to lead the House to accede to
a contineance of the present system I Was this coun-
try to exhaust its resources in the hope, the vain hope
of drawing Bonaparte into an equally large expendi-
ture ? The Right Honourable Gentleman could
hardly hive well considered the probable effects of
such aft attempt. Yet he could not, he conceived, be
igiontnt of the expence of sending money to Lisbon
at the present period. He spoke greatly within
hounds, when he asserted that upon every hundred
pounds sent from this country there was an immedi-
ate loss of thirty. In stating this, he defied contra-
diction—(Hear, Azar.) But this was not all, when
the money arrived, it was paid half only in cash, and
half in Portuguese paper, already much depreciated.
How long is it supposed that this country can sus-
tain such a burden ? Had they not already reached
a period when an issue of Exchequer bills was found
necessary to maintain the credit of their merchants ?
The Right Honourable Gentleman had himself told
them, that the Emperor of France was reduced to
the necessity of endeavouring to succeed in his ob-
jects by a protracted contest. He feared the Right
Honourable Gentleman, with all his knowledge,
keew little of the intentions of Bonaparte. He be-
lieved his own information was perfectly aethentic,
which represented the enemy to have a disposable
force of 400,000 men over and above the whole num-
ber in Spain and Portugal. Was it not known to
the Right Honourable Gentleman opposite, that he
was also collecting a great force in the North ; and if
this Was the case, he could not see any subject of
congratulation in the confinement of almost tke
whole of our own troops in a corner of the Peninsula.
It was asserted that the'contest was forced on us, but
it was certain that in this particular spot the 'contest
Ives of our own choosing. Since the battle of Tala-
vera, all our operations, with the exceptions of the-
garrisons of Cadiz and Gibraltar, and a few slight
expeditions, had been confined within the limits of
Portugal. He was satisfied in his own mind, that if
the objects now pursued should be deemed worths, of
the blood and treasure expended, the defence of a 'few
towns in the Peninsula would disable England.—
(Hear, hoer.) He did not wish to divide the Honse,
or to give any sort of angry opposition, but he desired
the House 'to reflect on t few eirnmstances. The ex-
pence of transports chiefly employed between this
country and Lisbon was three millions, of the army
fifteen or sixteen, of the navy four or five. By the
estimates before the House, it appeared that the whole
expenditure was not less than twenty-three millions.
All this for the preservation of a few garrison towns.
Be was not desirous of taking up more of the tittle
of the House than was requisite for the expression of
his opinion, that a perseverance in the present sys.
tem must tend to undermine our own security—to
exhaust our own resources, and to endanger our own
ultimate safety.
Mr. SULLIVAN took a review of the state of Por-
tugal tidtv, and its state in 1809, when the struggle
first commehced, and dwelt on the benefits which our
aid and the Portuguese patriotism had produced. By
unr exertions we had repulsed the troops of France,
compelled their Empernr to call his select General
11 their command, and rendered his vaunt of placing
his Imperial Eagle on the towers of Lisbon, in 1809,
ridiculous. The Portuguese had marshalled 40,000.1
men in the field ; a force, compared with the popu-
lation of Portugal, much greater than any of the v..
teran military nations of Europe had called forth.—
Spain and Portugal bad glade a powerful resistance ;
they had exceeded his most sanguine hopes; and he
looked forward to their final success against the tyrant
of Europe. Under these circumstances he should
concur in the motion.
Mr. FREEMANTLE took a review of the conse-
quences severally following the three last campaigns,
for-the purpose of shewiqg, that notwithstandin the
skill of his Gallant and. Honourable Friend Lord
Wellington, and the firmness and invincible resolu-
tion atom troops, the results of each successive year
yielded decisive evidence of the error of the system
on which our operations had been founded. Every
plan had been frustrated, every unfavourable predic-
tion verified, and every event had teemed with disas-
ter and disappointment. In the first campaign we
generously sent our enemy a reinforcement of 20,000
of his own troops ; and in the second,
,we saved the
wreck of our own army only by the vigour and match-
less skill of the Generale() whom the expedition had
been entrusted, and who fell the lamented victim of
the.impolicy with which it was formed. He appre-
ciated too highly, and felt too warm an admiration
of the.coniluctof that army to throw any blame or,
aspervon upon it., He would trace the evil to its true
source, the weakness and di -action of our Councils
which sacrificed such waluabk bravery in a cause so
unavailing.. The Honountble Gentleman, after-a va-
riety of lurther observations, declared, that such was
the dilemma to which the country was reduced by the
impossibility of immediately tecallmg.our army, that
be would nut vote against the ing4oll.
Mr. PEELE observed, that in die lest Tear when
the House could only proceed nppnconjecture, there
was naturally great variance of opinion. There was
then pletisille„ground for the 4oulies end differences
which agitate‘ the minds of men. The scepticism
iand despondent feelings of the Honourable
,Gentleman
opposite were then in some measuie explained by the

I'

a'arletony
recollection that Franke had just COPCIII44 a peace heard any charge whispered against General Moore. Grant, Mr. Curwen. He had no objection, if it was : that a fourth or fifth of the new levies might consist
with Austria, ant Was prepared to employ its whole He had been sent poi campaign in which no man wished, that a clause should be adopted prohibiting 'of boys, as.in the regular service.
force in the Peninsula. We had now had experience could be successful,- lie had acted like a brave, de- the Commissioners from deriving any benefit to them. I Lord FOLKESTONE objected to the extreme
.of these'additional levies, and could fratne our calcu- termined, and high-minded officer ; and he had sealed selves from the issue. • I pressure of the ballot under the present system. He
lations upon a Ore foondation. The Portuguese had l his character with his blood. Every thing that sur- Mr. TIERNEY wished to favour the manufacturer, highly commended the plan of Mr. Windham, which
shewn themselves to be equal to the cornhdr, and war- rounded him was covered by disVess, and there was because the breaking up of a manufacture destroys . promised to raise 20,000 men annually for the regu.
ranted us in entetfaining a sanguine expectation of its nothing at any time to be expected from the enter- the future wealth of the country. The system of . lar army by recruiting, by its efficacy in this way, as
future exertions. When we had thus is the course prize in which he was engaged. As to the question the Right Honourable Gentleman, however, made ; long as it was allowed to remain. But when the pre.
of the last year exchanged vague'cpnjecture for satis- before the House, he was decidedly of opinion that ,no distinction between themerchant aud manufacturer. I sent men came into office, they destroyed that plan,
factory experience, he must consider the time which' the House should not, in the present state of comma-- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER 1 and consequently, in the last year, not more than nine
had been used that night on the other side as not a cial distress, send two millions more to Portugal. He said, that in giving assistance to the merchant, he ' thousand men had been raised. This led to the itn-
little surprising, (Hear, ka,...) Those hopes of com. could demonstrate that the Portuguese soldiers could was enabled to pay the manufacturer, who in the end I proper means for procuring men now resorted to. But
plete success which had been Ascribed toGoverninent, have been bad for ont-third less than that which was derived all the benefit of it. 1 his great objection was to the overturning of the whole
they had never indulged in. and he believed the Ho- now paid them. He proceeded to shew that the Por- Mr. TIERNEY denied this.
,He also said, that principle of the Militia service.
nourable Gentkman--would hardly challenge him on tuguese troops had never been of any actual service. i a distinction should be .made between the great and Mr. D. GIDDY anxiously recommended to dis.
points of prediction., What had beep the fate of those They had never been what they ought to have been, ! small manufacturer ; and yet he would venture to : pence with the ballot if possible. .
predictions which aaholdly pronounced the unfitness a manoeuvring army, such as our Local Militia would say, that the great manufacturers would absorb all I The House then divided, .
of the Portuguese ? (Hear, hear.) We had been asked have been with the same training. The present war, she six millions. I For the second reading 50—Against it 21—Mst.
,Mr. HUSKISSON said, he could easily conceive jority 29.
what would become of the Portuguese armies in the -if to be carried on in the Peninsula, must be a war-
event of our abandoning that .country I certajoir far. of fiance; could never be attended with any ad. that relief might be given to a great description of i The bill was then committed, reported, and ordered
little,' be conceived,
to unison. with getruine British vantage i and the fatal truth must at.i ength be told, merchauts which would never come to the manufac- to be tur,ther considered un Thursday,—Adjourned.
. .


se had been tavistra od.t eir.taitho44,lo-get,„ %hit eotild
g allies: We had been tauntingly bold gaps hue' The eineition
was unpopittat on the COntinent6 that while away edt of
improved the institutions and reformod the *to be done, he
meats of Spain and Portugal, we made alliance difficult mai
teir weakness and corruptions France was repro, this country r
•••••