Star.
London, England, 1803-05-07 00:00:00

ST•TE OF THE NATION.

The CHANCELLOR of the EICHICLUEIt role, and
addreffed the Chair to the following effelt:—" Sir,
before I move that this Hon& do, at its riling, ad-
journ to Monday, I think it proper to fay, that I
expelt to be authorifed to make a communication
to the Houfe en that day, on matters that are moil
materially interelling to every Member of this
Houle, as well as to the public at large. Not.
withflanding I have fuch a well-founded expeEta-
tion, I think it proper to acquaint the Houk, that
General Andreoffi, the French Ambaffador at our
Court, has applied at the Foreign Office,in order
to obtain the neceffary palrports, for the purpofe
of availing himfelf of them as loon as he hears that
Lord Whitworth, our Ambaffador in France, is
arrived in England. Lord Whitworth had it in
command from his Majelly to leave Paris on a
certain day, if matters were not adjußed according
to the terms of the lull difpatches that were fent
out to him. No account has as yet been received
that his departure has aftually taken place ; but
I do think, that by this time it is probable his
Lordfhip has quitted Paris. I am of opinion that
the Houfe will, no doubt, think it proper that I
(bould embrace this early opportunity to acquaint
them with this circumaance, previous to its ad-
journment to Monday next. I am lure the Houk
will fee the propriety of toy abffaining from any
further remark at the prefent moment; and I (ball
not, therefore, trefpafs farther on the time of the
Houfe, but move, " That this Houfe do, on its
riling, adjourn to Monday."
Kr. Fox.—" I think, Sir, that on the prefent
awful occafion, and in the critical lituation in
which the country is at this moment placed, it
would be more proper that this Houfe fhould, if
poffible, have the communications to which the
Right Hon. Gentleman has alluded, on an earlier
day; and, on that account, I beg leave to propofe
that the Houle (hall fit to-morrow. When we
confider that this is a moll awful and important
moment, and, in fome degree, decilive of the
fate of this country, it is one in which the early
diauffions of fuch momentous fubjeds as are likely
to occur will be ,f the higheft and molt ferious
confequence. There can be no poffible apology
for the fmallefi delay ; for, in my opinion, the
circumliance of the event to which the Right
Hon. Gentleman has alluded, as probable loon to
take place, is amply (ufficient to authorize our
early and molt anxious confideration. It may
happen that his Lordfleip may arrive to-morrow ;
and, if that (bould be the cafe, I can hardly con-
ceive that the Houfe will patiently fit Rill under
the idea of two whole days delay, when every mo-
ment is precionstand in which time meafures may
be propofed and entered into, the value and im-
portance of which are not to be calculated. From
the certainty his Majelly's Miniaers have had, that
the various papers on this fuhjea mutt be laid be-
fore the Houle, they mull be in a (late of forward-
nefs. I hope, therefore, the Houle will fee the
abfolute neceffity of being at its poll, and will not
agree to fo long an adjournment in the hour of fo
much deli jer to the country."
Lord kIAWRISBURY." I think it noceffary to
fay a very few words on what has jug fallen horn
the Hon. Gentleman who (poke laft. Io my opi-
nion, the Ibort adjournment which he teemed to
propofe would be highly improper in many points
of view. I do not conceive it poffible that any of-
ficial information can be laid before this Houk
till after Lord Whitworth's arrival in this country,
a circumflance which, I think, cannot be known
in the courfe of tomorrow; and, therefore, as to
any inconvenience that may arife from the delay
in queßion, I am at a lots to guefs what the Hon.
Gentleman can allude to. In all probability his
Lordlhip may arrive on Sunday, and as boon as
that (hall take place, his Majelly may, perhaps,
think it proper to fend a Meffage to this Houle,
and to order the different communications and
papers betwixt the two countries to be laid before
the Houle, in order to enable them to decide on
the psopriety or impropriety of the conduit of his
Majefty's Minifiers, relative to what has paled on
the different points which have been the lubjeft of
difcuflion and negotiation between the two Go
vernments. The neccffity them commuttica-
I dons, previous to the dicuthuna that mutt owl-

rattily take place on this queßion, obviate the dan
gerous confequences to which the Hon. Gentleman
has alluded, as arifing' from delay ; for until that
information be laid before the Houle, they could
not be fully in poffeffion of the queftion, or of the
various circumflances attending it, fo as to render
it poilible for them to come to any fixed determi-
nation. I think it proper, therefore, to fay, that
under all thefe circumftanees, the delay to which
the Hon. Gentleman has objeged, will not be at-
tended with any bad confequences whatever ; and,
in my opinion, it is fully fufficicnt that his Majefty's
Minillers can affure every Member of this Houfe,
they are anxious and ready to lay the whole of the
bufinefs before them, by producing every docu-
ment that can ferve to throw the fmallea light on
the fubjed. For thefe reafons, I hope the Hoare
will not hefitate to agree to the adjournment pro-
poled by my Right Hon. Friend."
Mr. Gary—" I rife, Sir, to take this opportu-
nity of obferving, that this is an occafion on which
it would not be altogether proper to troll entirely
to his Majefly's Minillers. The Members of this
Houfe muftludge for themfelves.. It is neceffary
that thefe important points fhould be taken into
confideration, if poffible, on the very moment of
Lord Whitworth's arrival in this country. I think
therefore, with my Hon. Friend, that it would be
highly proper this Houk Ihould meet to-morrow;
for it is at moft but then adjourning till Monday,
if nothing material or important fhould occur.—
The Noble Lord has laid, that he thinks it proba-
ble Lord Whitworth will arrive in time for his
Majefty's Miniflers to be prepared with a meffitge
on this foible& by Monday. The Right Hon. Gen-
tleman has given us realms to believe, that it will
be loon. Soon I am afraid it will be : unfortu-
nately, too loon, indeed, for this country. We
have been told, that Lord Whitworth had orders
to quit Paris. I do not know on what day he re-
ceived thofe orders ; but if any of thofe rumours
now in circulation are to be depended on, there is
Come reafon to believe Lord Whitworth may even
arrive in England this very day. If fo, that event
will furely enable his Majefty's Minifters to com-
ply with the requeft of this Houfe—a requeft
which every Member owes to his country, and
which is confillent with the duty he has here to
perffirm, that Minifters fhould not delay a fingle
day or hour, in laying before the Houfe every
matter fo materially conflated with the dcareft
and moft efrential interefts of this country: matters
too, for the difclofure of which, under the pecu-
liar circumflances of the prefent day, the Houfe
has often feemed to exprefs much anxiety and im-
patience. The Noble Lord lays, no difadvantage
can poffibly ante from this delay ; but I infia on
the contrary, that every moment is of fuch conic-
quence, that no time whatever fhould be loft; and
I further fay, that under all the circumftances of
the prefent moment, the Houfe are detained from
giving that advice to his Majefty, which may per-1
haps be the means of refcuing this country from
ruin. When the communication comes, lays the
Noble Lord, a day muff be appointed for the con-
fideration of his Majefty's Mdfage. A day mull
undoubtedly be appointed for that confideration,
but let his Lordlhip confider, that if Lord Whit-
worth mould arrive this very day, certainly fome
means may be fallen on, in order to inform the
Houfe, and the country at large, of all the cir-
cumftances attending the negotiation, Comer than
what the noble Lord feemed by bit fpeech to in.
tend. I am of opinion, that if his Majefty's Mi-
nifters have not been remits in their duty, they
cannot poffibly have any oblation to this Hook
meeting to-morrow, in cafe Lord Whitworth
fhould, previous to the hour of meeting, have an
rived in this country. When that communication.
is laid on the table of this Houk, tome time met
no doubt, elapfe, before we can maturely delibe-
rate on it. As is ufual in every fimilar cafe, the
papers mull be printed, and read by every Mem-
ber of the Houk, before he can with propriety
judge, or give his opinion with accuracy on fuch
important matter. I hope, therefore, the Houfe
will not agree to fo long a delay, and move, as
an amendment to the motion, that initead of
" Monday" the word" To-morrow" be inferted."
. The Sr WEI then read the original motion.
Mr. CAN N li 13.04 I with, Sir, to diftinguifh very
(hortly, why, if the prefent queftion be put, I
(hall vote for the earlier period. I do not entirely
agree with Come of the arguments ufed by the
Hon. Gentleman who has jua fat down. I do net
taped that his Majefty's Minifters can be prepared
againft to morrow, to lay before the Houle the in-
formation neceffary to inveffigate fo momentous
and intricate a fubjeet. I cannot entertain any
fuch expedations, but I have no objection to this
Houfe meeting to-morrow on this plain ground,
that in this moment of anxiety it does not become
this Hoofe to delay a tingle inaant the taking into
their mature deliberation, matters Co intimately
connected with the duty they owe to their country,
and therefore the Houfe ought to be at its poll, as
they may, by that time, receive fome more infor-
thation than they now polfefs. It does not appear
1 certain, from the Raiment of his Majefty's Mi-
nillers, that they may not have fome communica-
tion to make in addition to what they have men-
tioned this day. The Right Hon. Gentleman has
informed us, that Lord Whitworth has not yet
actually quitted Paris; but what does this prove ?
It certainly proves, that fomething very material
may occur, which may make the prefent intelli-
gence more certain and conclufive. Will any man
fay, that witneffing what he has witneffed there laa
two days, the earlieft munication flionld not
be given, and that th 4 (pace of 48 hours is not to
be reckoned gain in fuch a critical juncture as this
country keens at prefent to be placed in ? It may
be Paid, that there are other and various ways of
giving information to the Public, but if there be
any Member prefent, who thinks the Houle of
Commons not the moft coned and proper medium
by which intelligence of fuch high moment can be
given to the Public, he will certainly vote for the
longer period. I cannot ooderftand how any
Gentleman can, confiftently with his confcience,
take away from the Houk ofCorornons the chance
they may hare on this occafion, of conveying that
intelligence to the country. This does not proceed I
from any dean, oa my part, to so wore Wily

into the tare, or to precipitate the information r,
anxinufly looked for by every one ; but it is from
a feeling of that fenfe of duty which I enlertrin
as a Member of this Houle, that the Houfe of
Commons ought to fympathife with the country,
and that it ought to feel on this,and every firnilar
occafion, the fame anxiety which is felt by the
People, and on no account. to take their ufual
advantage of enjoying a holiday, when the molt
important interefls of our fellow fubjefts are fo
materially concerned. I !hall for thefe reaf,,n,
give my vote, Sir, in favour of the Amendment."'
The SITI/TART at Walt,.-.-" Sir, I would wit);
to fay a very few words on what has fallen fr:.rn
the Hon. Gentleman who fpoke NIL He has Rat-
ed, that the reafon for his wilbing that no delay
fhould take place in the difc-uffion of the prefectqueltion, is from the chance that his Majeßy's Mi.
ni Ras may receive tome informationon there points,
fomewhat fooner than the day fixed by my Right
Hon. Friend, for the longell period of adjourn..
ment ; but, Sir, I would beg leave to bring 'alder
the notice of the Houfe, that this Houfe ought to
confider their own dignity, and not to do what is not
gifual, and what, I believe,has never been done in
Parliament, to fit on a day which they have hither.
to confidered as a vacant day in their delibera-
tions, merely becaufe the French Ambatiador
has thought proper to demand paports. lam very
ready to admit, that if any apparent good could
be fuppofed to arife from the Amendment, I
'would willingly agree to it. Suppofing that L ,rd
Whitworth quitted Paris on Tuefday, or I may
fay, Wednefday lag, it is well known that he has
to travel with a large tulle, and it is, therefore, very
probable, that he cannot arrive boner than to-
morrow afternoon, or evening. Does any Gentle-
man fuppofe, that it is polEble for this Houfe to
enter into any difcuffion, with propriety, till we
are furnithed with the Papers and informatiop
which are neceffary for a deliberation fo highly im.
portant and interelling to the feelings and deareft
interefts of the whole Country, as thole which are
now fo near approaching mull be allowed to be t
That information, I have no hefitation in faying,
' will be furnifhed as loon as pollible. Then will be
the time for fuch an important quellion to be de.
bated, with all that coolnefs, folemnity, and calm
confederation which is undoubtedly fo highly due
to it. The inveßigation of fuch a queftion in any
other manner may, I will venture to fay, even be
attended with dangerous confequenees, and do
confiderable inifehief in this Country, both in a po.
Neal view, with regard to its own interells, as 4
alto in the elation in which it now Rands with re.
flied to France. On thefe grounds, therefore, I
am decidedly of opinion, that the propofed amend.
ment ought not to be lifiened to."
Mr. CawaiNo, in explanation.--" I did not,Sir,
expo", that the papers and information fo often
alluded to were at all to be precipitated, in cafe of
Lord Whitworth's arrival to-morrow. I dißinely
Paid, that as an Hon. Gentleman had only Rated
probability with refpett to Lord Whitworth's ar-
rival as the caufe of delay, I thought that fines
fad alone might ferve as an inducement for our
only adjourning till to-morrow.
Mr. WHITIIIMID, and Mr. H. Lateens', rap
at the fame time ; the former caught the Speaker's
eye, and was called on by him • feveral Members
vociferated " Mr. Lakelles, Mr. Lai-cents I" and
confiderible oppofition appeared likely to take
place • the majority of the Houk, however,calling
Chair-LC/pair I order was rellored; and the Speaker
called on

Mr. WIIITIlltalf; who (poke to the following
effea: Sir, with regard to what has fallen from
the Secretary at War, I beg leave to differ from
him moll materially in refped to the particular
mode of proceeding which this Houfe ought to
adopt in this moll critical jundure of affairs. In
my apprehenfion, we, as Members of the Hoes
of Commons, could not ad a more dignified part
than to be found waiting here at our flations for
any communication we at prefent have reafon to
cape& He has chofen to hate that it would be a
flight reafon indeed, for this Houle altering its
ufual mode of procedure, in meeting on a day on
which they have not been in the praCtice of doing
fo, becaufe Andreoffi the French Ansbaffador, has
Tome ideas of leaving this country lam far from
being of that opinion, and think that even that
circumllance cannot be reckoned a flight caufe foe
fuch a meeting. Sir, it was with extreme furrow
that I heard the Right Honourable Gentleman
atk, if it fuited the dignity of this Houfe, to have
it Paid in Paris, that the Englifh
Here the Hon. Member was interrupted by
Mr. P. Cataw.-" I rife, Sir, to (peak to order
I cannot think that this difctafion thould be Coffer-
ed to proceed, as I think it may lead to the molt
mifchievous confequences.—(4 :aural cry 1f Garr,
Order ! Char. Char !)
The Sesame's. I mull inform the Honour,
able Member, that when any Hon. Gentleman rites
to (peak to order, it is neeeffary to point out the
exam point of order to which he means to (peak.
The Hon. Member will therefore be pleated to
mention what point of order it is he intends to
(peak to on the prelent occation."
Mr. P. Csaaw.—., Sir, I mean to move, that
the Speaker do enforce the Standing Order of the
Houle, that no Strangers may be prefent during
the Debate."—On which the Gallery was cleared.
The 'imagers remained to be excluded, and the
Houfe continued in arduous debate until a quarter
pall eight. when the Houfe divided upon the yid-
lion of Mr. Grey's Amendment. The numbers
were—Ayes 95.—Noes iss.—Majority for the ad.
Ointment to Monday—no.
When (*rankers were re-admitted to the Gallery.
we found the Houle in difeutlion on the petition
of John Trotter, a prifoner in Newgate, by order
of the Houle. for a Breach of Privilege in difobey-
ing the Summons for attending the Committee on
the Dunfermline Eledion Petition.

Mr. HIMT, whom we his legs, was
fpeaking againil calling the prifoner to the ear io
order for has difcharge, conceiving. as he did, thAt
a month's insprifonment was by no means adequate
to the enormity of his crime. nor an example fut.
ticiently Striking to doter others from like o&Oces•
Pittr. j C. But ssroeo, as a Member of that Cont
aims, (poke favoast of bib difcbargc.mmeoftlag