Star.
London, England, 1810-04-04 00:00:00

I.

most minute search should be made M ascertain whether my
traces of Robert Jeffery, a sailor, late of the Recruit sloop of
war (and who had been landed by the Hon. Captain Warwick
Lake, Imre commanding that ship, on the Island of Sombrero in
the W,,t Indies, contrary to every principle of duty, and in
vio-
lation of every dictate of humanity), had been discovered, and
that hi.; Majesty would be pleased to order a Special Commission
to hP arFoitited fur that purpose, and that the Commissioners
should r,pnr- J this House the result of their search."

Mr. STEPHEN defended himself from the obser-
vation of the Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Sheridan)
who had expressed himself shocked that he (Mr.
Stephen) should declare he would find, if on the Jury,
Captain Lake guilty of murder. Mr. Stephen had
again to state, that he made that declaration under
the disadvantage of not having read the evidence.
He had formeu his opinion from the fact, and must
express his sorrow that any man should have been so
harsh. The idea which he had, from knowing the
island was, that a man set on shore there must have
perished—there was not any probability of escaping
with hip life, and he would, as a lawyer, maintain
that under those circumstances he should be justified
in coming to such a conclusion. It was not necessary in
the eye of the law to have positive proof of the death
of the man. It was a low sandy island, not above
forty feet of the level of the sea. All the islands in
that quarter were of the same description, but he did
not mean to say there were no rocks about it.—
When a young man, he, in company with several
others, in his passage from Tortola to St. Kitt's;
wished to go on shore on Sombrero, but the Pilot,
An old coaster, refused to accede to their desire, be-
itwas dangerous to land on account of the surf.

Mr. WHITBREAD and Mr. STEPHLN made a few
observations in the way of explanation.
Sir CHARLES • HAMILTON recollected the
island perfectly well. He observed, that it would
strike any person passing at a distance as a low island
and sandy : the shore, as the Honottrable Gentleman
had stated, was low and sandy. With respect to the
conduct of Captain Lake, he was satisfied that every
officer in the service was ashamed of his conduct ;
but at the same time he must say that there were birds
And shell-fish on the island by which the man might
subsist himself.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
could not agree to the solemnity which the Honour-
able Gendeman (Mr. Whitbread) thought existed for
appointing two Commissioners to go out to the West
Irdics, to stalk ov.et an island about one mile and a
half in crcurncc7ence. He thought the Admiralty
might direct the inquiry, and would move an amend-
ment to that effect.
Sir .JO:-i;.1 SINCLAIR stated that he had infor-
trar:or. on which he could rely that the man had been
taken off the island by an American vessel, and is
ne,kv alive in New-York. He thought it better to
adapt the amendment of the Right Hon. Gentleman
rather than the motion of the Hon. Gentleman.
Mr. W. POLE thought further inquiry necessary
wit}, respect to the assertion of the Right Honourable
Gentleman (Mr. Sheridan), that it was no uncom.
'non thing fca. Captains to send men on shore and,
leave them; he must express his reprobation of such
a practice. The navy was not in such a state to re-
quire any such expedients, and such assertions going
abroad might prove injurious to the service. Mr.
Pc,le suggested that if instructions were sent to the
A:nerican Minister to make the inquiry, the object
would be obtained without the address.

Mr. SHERIDAN, in explanation, declared that
he kad stated it was not unusual to land men on in-
habited island.,:, but he had never said men had been
left on uninhabited islands.

Mn BOURNE suggested that, it would be as well
to lea'•e the discretion in his Majesty's Councils, to
make such inquiries as they thought necessary after
the nun, both at the island and in America.

Mr. WHITBREAD, with every respect to the,
opinion of the Honourable Gentleman who moved
the amendment, thought that solemnity was not due
in respect to the extent of the Island, but to the enor-
mity of the offence. If any Officers were going to
the West-Indies, they might be appointed. With
respect to what had fallen trom the Honourable Gen-
tleman (Mr. Stephen), it was not a little strange that
he should come to such a conclusion if on the Jury,
when lie confessed he had not even heard the evidence.

After some further conversation between Mr. Cno-
KER, Mr. RYDER, and some other Members, the mo-
tion of Mr. Whitbread was agreed to ntm. con.
Mr. WHITBREAD then moved another address
to his Majesty, that he would be pleased to give di-
rections for searching his dominions, the Royal Navy,
the commercial shipping, and foreign countries, &c.
to ascertain whether Jefferies was alive subsequent to
the I`,;th December, 1807.
Mr. C ROK ER observed, that the Admiralty had
called npen Sir A. Cochrane to explain respecting
.the conduct of Captain Lake, as to the man Jeffery,
Which the gallant Admiral had done, and the expla-
nation was perfectly satisfactcry.
It was asked by another Member, whether the
broad R. had been taken off the !lams. of Jeffery,
hecau ,e, if it had not, his friends or relations would
be exclud‘A front receiving his pay.
Amth.fr lion. Member replied, that it had been
taken off by Captain Lake's order. Same further con-
/ersati arose on this motion, which at length was
agreed to.
Mr. WHITBREAD then prepared to move a
third 4diress for the pnrpose of ascertaining whethei
Sir A. Cochrane was to blame or not in the transac-
tion. It was of importance not only to the service,
but to the gallant .Admiral. He moved,
" An Address for an Inquiry into the conduct of Vice-Admiral
S Alaander Cochrane, respecting the repreaentations which bad
i'Een stacie by Ca•tain Lake to him, on the subject of setting
:efPry ashore," E.;:c.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
?/'ped the Hen. Gentleman would not think it ne-
'ess3ry to press this motion. It would be carrying
the feelings of the House a little too far to order a
Curt Martial upon Sir A. Cochrane, who had nothing
to do with the transact:on. He hoped, therefore, the
Hon. Gentleman would withdraw his motion.
Admiral HARVEY thought the Hon. Gentleman
't'as rot aware of the inconvenience which would re-
a 1t to the service by this motion. He could obtain
object by the Admiralty instituting further inquiry.
Mr. R. WARD wished to state, most distinctly,
that the Admiralty was satisfied with the conduct of
; A. Cochrane on the subject, who had, upon inves-
t:gating the conduct of Capt. Lake, thought proper
to admonish that officer, which, in the naval service,
►as considered next to a reprimand.
Lord COCHRANE defended the conduct of his

gallant relation, and stated that he had sent Captain
Lake home, but the Admiralty had ordered him out
agim, and appointed him to command another ship.
Mr. CROKER stated, that it was in consequence
of the letter of Mr. Thomas, that the Admiralty
judged it proper to bring Captain Lake to a Court
Martial.
Mr. W. POLE infortned the House, that Sir
Alex. Cochrane did not send Captain Lake home, for
he returned home on account of ill health ; that
on his recovery he was appointed to the Ulysses, the
Admiralty not being apprised at the time of his of-
fence. The Right Hon: Gentleman spoke in high
terms of the humanity and gallantry of Sir Alexander
Cochrane, and was of opinion the gallant Admiral,
when he instituted the inquiry, thought Jeffery was
really alive. He was against a Court Martial, as
tending to create disgust in the Navy; when held over
officers of high rank. With respect to Captain Lake,
there was no epithet too •strong which he could use in
disapproval of his conduct, though from family
friendship he lamented the pang which bib relatives
must feel on the occasion.
Mr. WHITBREAD would agree to withdraw his
motion provided the Admiralty would take up the
matter.
Mr. R. WARD observed, that the Admiralty had
not the information on which to judge properly of the
conduct of the gallant officer ; and therefore, though
he admitted they were satisfied, he did not mean to
say they approved of his conduct.
Mr. WHITBREAD, after that assertion, was not
satisfied, and should substitute, instead of the Address,
a motion for 4‘ the production of the copies or ex-
tracts from the Correspondence between the Admiralty
Board and Sir Alexander Cochrane, touching the re-
presentations made by Captain Lake," &c.
On this motion the House was occupied some time
in conversation, in the course of which, Mr. W.
POLE, Capt. BEREAFORD, Mr. C ROK ER. C.lpt. PARKER,
Lord COCHRAINE, Admiral MARKHANI, &c. took a
part ; and then the motion was agreed to, the Address
having been Withdrawn previously.

ItEVE:iSION BILL.
On the motion of Mr.BANICEi, the House resolved itself into
a Committee on the Reversion Bill.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the
operation of the Bill should be limited.to six weeks after the com-
mencement of the next Session.

Mr. BANKES opposed tile motion, which was negatived with-
out a division ; and the blanks of tht.• Bill having bf.-en filled up,
the House was resumed; anti the report was ordered to be re-
ceived to-morrow.

PUBLIC EXPENT)ITURE.
On the niction of Mr. MARTIN, the House resolved itself
into a Committee on the third report on th.f Expenditure.
Mr. NIARFIN withdrew his second Resolution, for the pur-
pose of allowing an Honourable Gentleman (Mr. !ankes) to sub-
stitute his.

Mr. BANKES accordingly proposed his A esolution, which was,
" That offices of emolument without employment ought to be
abolished, and that those offices, the emoitanent of which was
more than commensurate to the employment, •ugbt to be regu-
lated, after the expiration of the present interest in those offices."
A very long discussion ensued, in which all the former argil--
merits on this subject were repeated.
It was contended 00 the one hand by M-. Giles, Sir J. New-
port, Mr. Wilberforce, I.4prd A. Hamilton, Mr. H. Thornton,
and Mr. Ponsonby, that as at the present moment the public ne-
cessity and the public voice loudly demanded the strictest econo-
my, an end ought to be put to a practice which tended to increase
the burdens of the State, without contributing in any degree to
its benefit.

On the other hand, it was asserted by Mr. LONG, Mr. DENIS
BROWNE, Mr. H. ADDINGTON, Mr. MATTHEW MONTAGU,
Mr. Home SUMNER, and the CHANCELLOR of the Excueguer.,
that, nlthough strict economy was highly desirable, yet as it was
indispensable that the Crown should possess the power of rewar-
ding long public services, the Honourable Mover of the Resolu-
tion ought first to explain the means of such reward which he in-
tended to snbstitute for those of which the Resolution went to
deprive the Crown.
A motion was made that the House should be resumed, and
the Chairman ordered to report progress. On this the House di-
vided, when the numbers were—
For the motion, 37 ; against it, 68.
On re-entering the Gallery, we found Mr. CANNING on his
legs, expressing his readiness to assent to the adoption of a better
system, if his Honourable Friend bad such a one to propose ; in
which case, if he wished time to mature his plan, he (Mr. Can-
ning) would vote for an adjournment.
Mr. BANKES would be happy to comply with the wishes of
the Committee, if he knew what they were. If any Gentleman
would suggest a plan more efficient and less objectionable, he
should, be happy to give it his support.—(Loud ci les of Adjourn.]
Mr. P. MOORE hoped that they would adjourn the farther
discussion of (he .object till their minds were fitter for debate.
Mr. WHITBREAD moved an adjournment.

Ihe Gallery was then cleared fora division. We understood,
however, the House did not divide, hut that it was agreed to ad-
journ the farther discussion till Friday.
'The House adjourned at Three o'clock this mornirg.

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
3 per Cent. Cons. for money, 05111—aec. 631.
S per Cent. Navy 981—Excliquer sills is. to 4s. pre.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.

3 per Cent. Cons. sin

S per Cent.

4 per Cent. shut
IS per Cell,. Navy 991 981
xndia Bonds 11s. 9L pre.

Exc. Bills, 2s. ss. pr.
Lottery Tickets £24. is
Consols for Acc. ‘Sii

Last night we received French papers to the 28th,
and Dutch to the 30th ult. They are principally oc-
cupied with details respecting the marriage of NA-
rouoN and MARIA LOUISA. The new Empress ar-
rived at Strasburgh on the 23d, and proceeded on her
journey on the following day. Their Majesties were
to reach St. Cloud from Compeigne on the 30th, and
we think it extremely probable that the firing which
was heard from the French coast on the 31st, was in
consequence of that event.
The Imperial Nuptials at Paris are to be witnessed
by almost all the Crowned Heads in Europe imme-
diately under the influence of NAPOLEON.
These papers present some accounts from Bayonne,
confirming what was before reported, that large bodies
of French Gendarmerie have been marched into Spain.
The seamen who were last Summer employed by
NAPOLEON on the Danube, have been sent to Spain—
probably to assist in the operations against Cadiz, for
the siege of which every thing is said to be prepared.
These papers present accounts from Hamburgh to
the 23d ult. which is considerably later than any that
have been received via Heligoland.
The Prussian Decree, adopting the French Prohi-
bitory system, is not to be put in force until the ltt
of July.