Star.
London, England, 1803-03-10 00:00:00

pont unity for the advancement of his favanti'e pro.
jeas. But as there is no ruler, however delpotic,
that nititt not, in fume degree, confult the fenk of
the nation over which he rules ; fo this matt mutt
be ant wet able to the fettle of the FT ench nation.
To that nation then, let our pomptitude, vigi-
lance, and vigour, againtt the dctigns of then
Ruler, afford an ufefol appeal, whether Bier
will again fuftcr themfel %its to be plunged into all
the horrors and calamities of war, by the head-
Wong pailions of one man ? But though, my
a
Lords, I am as fincerely zealous to mains in an
honourable peace as any Noble Lord in this Honfe,
yet fore 1 am, that a ton zealous difplay of antic
ty to maintain it, would be more likely to excite
than to avert hollilities on the part of the Chief
Conful ; and therefore, while we are defirous of
maintaining peace, we ought to mat k ou: decifion
and teadinels to meet the alternative. I would
fay to France, as one honeft and determined Eng-
lifhtnan would fay to another, ' 1 defile to live
with you on toms of amity and mutual kindnefs ;
but do not perfift in a fpecies of conduit that may
provoke me beyond forbearance. I have drawn
a line, beyond which I (hail confider any en-
croachment on my property, or my tit nomn as
an unequivocal declaration of hotlilities, which
I (tall commence without farther altercation.—
The moment, therefore, you let a foot beyond
that line, war will inevitably cultic.' Thus, my
Lords, it is by a firm and determined tone that we
Ihould addreti the Firft Conful, that we fbould de-
mark the line, any tranfgre(on beyond which we 1
fhould confider as the unequivocal declaration of
war ; and he would be anfwerable for the conk
quences. (Hear, hearafrorn all fides of the Houfe.)
Such a tone, my Lords, would be our bell fecurity
for peace. But, my Lords, whatever may be the
immediate caufes that have thus fuddenly aauated
.his Majefty's Minifters, I truft we thall learn at no
very remote day. If the circumftances are fuch
As to call foe ammediate exertion, the Country
.ought to be apprized, unequivocally, of its real
danger, and taught to contemplate ferioufly, in or.
der to meet with vigour any attempt which fuel' an
enemy may contemplate. We are not, my Lords,
to calculate upon what fuch an enemy may at-
:tempt, by the &Acuities which he would have to
encounter. He has already performed things
which appeared impracticable. We mull prepare
,ottr minds for an.attemyt upon the country. That
A landing. is pra&icable at Tome point, to fuch an
enemy, is by no means to be denied ; and that
tacit a landing wouldbe a firft and favourite plan
of the Chief,Conful, is equally probable. Thole
who view his character, malt be convinced he is
she very man that would coolly calculate upon the
:total deftru(ion of any army he arn'ght land, by.
lanced again& the mifchicf that any army could
:fad in the country. We mull, therefore, any
de, contemplate our danger in its full extent;
we muff make up our minds, and be prepared to
pee him on Britith ground. (Hear! hear! hear .9
..—What.! my Lords ; can we have any doubts of
;ate intentions of that man, who tells us, and tells
jhe world, that ' England alone cannot encounter
'ranee I' Where has the Chief Conful borrowed.
lipiiiiformation ? Was it from the victorious cr-
ape* of the gallant Nobleman on my left
.hand ?
pried Nelfon)—Wu it from the example chfplar
pd by Iqy brave and Noble Friend upon my right ?
Lord Hutchinfon)—Voredwrioa at hod deft all"-
re
.I—. From what part of Erin& I.: Hiftory has
trued that Briuth valour, when frogle hand-
ed. has not always (hewn itfelf moft competent to
7liple with France, and mole fuccefsful in the
. ?—Should fuch an enemy, my Lords, be
pored to try the experiment on Eoglills ground,
have no doubts upon the final refult ; for I trnft he
..wonld (till find Britilb bofoms fired with the fame
courage, and Britilh valour nerved with the fame
energies that have at all times diftinguilhed their
iincellors. Therefore, my Lords, as our fureft re.
'lance for our fecurity is centered in ourfelves, my
wall is,.that Engliftunen (could be taught to ca-
pea the danger, and I am confident they will be
prepared to meet it as they ought. The landing
is, no doubt, pratlicable, and, as fuch, llsould be
lonked to as highly probable on the firft commence-
ment of hoftilities ; and there can be little doubt
that if thofe who are entrta fled with the manage-
ment
of public defence, condo& it with common
prudence, defeat would rapidly follow the attack.
The-enemy, in fuch a cafe, would, no doubt, look
to the confufton he would create by his flu It land.
ing, as the furelt road to feccefs in his main pro-
jed to punt forward and attack the capital; but,
my Lords, it is of the Intl confequenee in this cafe,
that the capital ihould he inteilui vocally allured of
its parka defence and teem ity ; and I do not la:-
State to fay, that the Commander, whoever he
may be, that fhonld firtl meet the enemy after his
landing, and that Mould fail inflantly to attack
Ind engage him. would decree to hole his head.
In fuch a cafe, the exideocc of one army mutt be
rifkcd, to enfure the &Citation rat the other ; and
nothing be left to chance or delays. If, my Lords,
there be (till tlititiefied petfons in this country, I
hope the number is rcw and defpicable, and that
they would thriok into contcrop: and &inlay, the
moment they v.icocL,l the tin olimity and deler-
minatinn of the bract, tile loyal, and the patriotic,
tier defending their Katz, Country, a:IJ Con tlitu-
tion, againtt all enemies, foreign, or dometlii..—
And, my Lords. fliould ever IL: dav at rive for Inca
a mania nu ilait::l, ga. 1:11,i, I tstift too confidently
in the native valour, c-ittraze, and p ttriotifen of
Englifhmen, to Ittprole di it the enemy who dared
to land on our coati, would ever retreat with cattle
to hoaft his vitftor'es (1..,: ! liar! hear.' retbundcal
from every part of the Houle). bly Lords, I afk
pardon for ttcfpafting fo much longer on the at-
tention of the Houle than I intended at my fire,
?tang. My recommendation is, that his Majef.
ty', Mina, ers fhould candidly and fairly (peak out,
and apprife die people of their real danger, and
there could be no doubt of tlreir meeting their
fituation with becoming, vigour, and loyalty to
their Sovereign and Bleu-country. We have,. my
Lords, but one common caufe with the people, in
the defence and fecuritv or our common country,
agaodl the common enemy ; the belt tied ~: for
EL:" is the manifell at ion of ollr fpirit and Tel'. 11" N."
"I.lc Eatl of Waal ::41011.AND esprciled high fa-

tisfaftion at the unanimous fentiment of eonenr-
rence manifetted on both fides of the Houle in the
Addiefs moved by his Noble Fiiend ; and exprcf ,
led, in particular, his thanks iirr the very liberal
fupport avowed by the Noble Lords who fpoke
fecynd and third in the debate ( Lords Spencer
And Grenville). AnxiAns as his Majefty's Mini-
tiers were to maintain the Peace they bad made,
yet if any procedure on the part of that power,
with wliom his Majcily's Nleffage told the Houle
An important negociation was now pending, lhould
make it neceffary for the honour and welfare of
the country, to prefer the oppofite alternative, he
would be one of thofe whom no defire of acquir-
ing a temporary popularity with the multitude f
should ditruade from the molt decided fupport of
a vigorous War ; at the fame time, the country !
might reit convinced, that..his Maj,efly's Minifters I
would not niftily, wantonly, or inconfiderately,
throw away the Peace they had obtained for the
country, fu long as it was; found tenable on prin-
civics compatible with Briti(h honour and Britith
I licurity. He trufted, however, that on the prefent
rccafion, and in the prefent (late of the Winds,
that his Majelly's Mini tiers would not be preifed to
a premature explanation, but that the liberal ex- :
ample of the Noble Lnrd who fpoke fecomf in the •
debate (Earl Spencer) would be adopted, until
• tie refult Humid be finally known.
Lord AUCKLAND expreffed, in the was-null
terms, his cordial approbation to the manly, fpi-
I riled, yet moderate fentiments uttered this night
1 by the Noble Lords on the oppofite fide of the
, Houle, and faid, that however fincerely be re-
! joiced in the acquifition of peace—however anxi-
onfly he deprecated the calamities infeparable from '
war, yet he acknowledged, from his own view of
the conduit of France, both pending the negocia-
lion of the Treaty at Amiens, and fince the con-
elution of that treaty, he had entertained no very
fanguine hopes that the peace could be very long
maintained. Indeed, however fincerely his Ma-
, jelly's Minifters entertained the with of permanent
pacification, it met be clearly obvious to every
man, that the ways of France were not the ways
of peace ; for, if we look at her proceedings fince
the peace, in Germany, in Italy, and in Switzer-!
land ; her attempts at what was called the orga- ;
nization of Europe, for the more effeltual aggran- I
diiement of her own power and intereft, coupled
with the official publications and public manifel
toes promulgated under the authority of her Go-
vernment, for the abufe. and vilification of this
country and its Government, and for the unequi-
vocal affertion of that principle, to which he, for
one, never could agree, namely, " that England
halloo right whatever to wry is erferewee in the traire
of the Continent ;" (a right which he could never
confent to relinquith fo long as Britith intereft and
&hill fecurity were liable to be Jelled by the
independence or the fubjugation of Continental
Powers). It was itnpotfible to miftake the real in-
tentions of France. Has her conduit been lefs
equivocal ? It was not impotfible that his Yajef-
ty's Milliners, confcious of their own fincefity in
the with of maintaining Peace. Might have been
lulled into feeurity. Fortunately, however, their
vigdancte to what was going forward, taught
them the neceffity of being guarded again&
any event; and hence the formidable firength
they thought it neceffary to fupport. It was true
the armaments now preparing on the ports of
Holland and France were avowed to be merely
for colonial purpofes ; but it was neither impof-
fible nor improbable they might have real objeds
in view, very different from thofe which were pro-
felled ; and whatever the real intentions of France
were, yet, when it was confidered the now poffeffed
every port on the coafts of Europe, from the Elbe
to Venice, with the tingle exception of Gibraltar;
and poffeffed, at the fame time, of fo very power-
ful an army, rather recruited than reduced, it was
impotlible to contemplate her fituation and her
formidable movements without apprehenfion, or
without feeling the neceffity of being prepared for
any event, as the tura means of formidable
the
continuance of peace. But however formidable the
attitude and pofition of France, he felt, with the
Noble Lord who fpoke lad but one ( Moira ), that this
country, fo far from having any caufe to dread the
final iflue of a new confliCt, (however deprecable,
however contrary to the true difpofitions of the
country and its government fuch a conflict might
be), poffeffed in her own vigour and refources the
ample means of rifingfuperiortoanyattempt to fub-
jirgate her power, or injure her commerce. What-
ever might be laid of the extended dominions and
colonial aequifitions of France, when he looked to
our extenfive and rapidly thriving colonies in the
1 Weft Indies, and to our important dominions in
the Eaft Indies, extenfive, at this moment, beyond
all former example in the history of European na.
tions : when lie looked to our revenues, and found
I not only a permanent, but an increafing furplus of !
I leventeen millions per annum above the charge on :
our public debt ; and that debt, under the opera. ,
! lion of the linking fund, now rapidly decreafing, i
in the prnportion-of 20,0001. per day aeually pay..
in,,° off, which brings the country every hour nearer
I to a clear revenue of thirty-four millions per ann. I
which would enable her to carry on a war of any I
, extent, without laying or. an additional tax ; (for
theft were the incontrovertible proofs arifing from
the papers on their Lordlhips' table, which he had
the honour to move for, lime time fince, to con_ i
vince all England, and all Europe, of the lourifb-
ing !late of our refources) ; and when to there
'circurnitances was fuperadded the confideration,
that we had at this moment within reach, the fame
Commanders, by tea and land, the fame Sailors,
the fame Soldiers, who fa recently carried the tri-
umphs of Britith valour to the remoteft corners of
the world, and added new and luxuriant laurels
to the Britilb Standard ; he trolled, that while we
held the moll earned willies for the continuance of
the peace, yet all Europe would be taught to re-
rrzmber, that Britith power was not torpid in the
midit of dangers, nor Britith vigour and refourees
diminithzd in their means of vindicating 13ritifh
ri,,,,:its, and protediag Britith interefts. His Lord 1
(hip concluded by giving his cordial agent to the
1 tiddrel,.

1 he quehon was thin pat by the LORD CRAa-
ct6LORI ant c a rricd mashy groditais. —Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COM MUM.
The-Rep* of the Committee ida certain expiringlaw, was
agreoho: Sind Bile ordered.
Lord AN DON' ru, one oFtlie Cenimitte; art. anted to try the
merits of the Bridgewater Election, bad leaveofalifence fur a
month.

The frith Tax rills were rev-rally reported, agreed to, and
ordered to be read a third rime to-ititrow.

. -
'Fite Houk went through a Committee on the Marine Mud
ny 8,11, which was ordered to be reported tn-morrow.
Lord CAST LER EAG/1 fixed WI friday next fur brit:ging for•
ward the India Budget.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Mr. ERSKINE rofe and laid, that though there
was no queflion before the Houle, he begged tribe
indulged with Paying a few words, which were
conneßed with his Moiety's menage, about to be
taken into confideration. He Paid, that his Royal
Highnefs the Prince of Wales having learned that
notice had been given by a Noble Lord who fat I
near him, the nature of which might he inferred
from what had lately paired in the Honk, hod, the
moment he was acquainted with the filhjeß of his
Majefty's Menge yeflerday, commanded him to
exprefs his molt cornea with (if loch a with might'
be allowed to have any influence with the Noble
Lord and the generous difpofition of the Houfe),
that no motion whatever, relative to any perfonal
intereft of his Royal Highnefs, might be brought
forward at this important moment of public dif-
ficulty and fill-pence. This noble principle and feel;
ing, fo truly worthy of a Briti(h Prince, was nothing
new in the charaCter and conclua of the Prince of.
Wales. He defired to bring it to the recolleCtion
of the Houfe, that under the fevereft predate of
the AR of 1795, and notwithflanding the irrefifti-
ble claims the Prince bad upon the public, he had
never even entertained an idea, during the conti
nuance of the war, of prefenting them to the pa-
rental attention of the King, or the jolt confide-
ration of this Houle : and even when he did pre•
fent his claims for judicial invelligation, he (Mr.
Erthine) could fay from a higher (mime, if pufli
ble, than from the Prince's authority, he could
fay it from his own certain and perfonal know-
ledge, colleted from many communications, and
from every part of the Prince's conduct, that he
did not urge them at hit, to create a fund for his
comfort, but to thew to the whole world that Lel
had never prated upon the comfort of the people,
nor had been that public burthen which had been
fo frequently and fo invidioufly reprefented. In
that point of view,the claim was molt momentous,
and had only been furrendered from motives which
reflected the higheft honour upon his charader —1
Mr< Et-Woe laid, that the Honk would eafily fee
how unfit it would have been for his Royal High.
Ines to have interpoled any fimilar expreffion of
his willies upon the former motion. Such an in-
terference would have amounted to a declaration,
that, if his comfort were provided for, he was
earelefs of that (late and dignity, which was the
Rate and dignity of the people, reprefented by the
monarchy, and which it was his duty, when con-
fiftent with private lattice, to.affume. This, he
was perfoaded, was the motive of the noble author
of the motion, zealous for the honour of the Royal
Family, and of the nation • and it was impoffible
for any man to put any other conflruCtion on loch
a fpontaneous with of the Hoak, than as a tribute
of affeetion for his Moiety, and of regard for the
dignity of his government. All thefe confiders.
tions, however, had given way, in the Prince's
feelings, to the preffure of the ?relent moment ;
and fo entirely did he (Mr. Erfkine) enter into the
fpirit of them, that if, after the utmoll forbear-
ance a moderation which a great and powerful
country could decently oblerve for the preferva-
tion of peace, we thould Se forced into a war by
the ambition or injuttice of France, he would
cheerfully devote to the fervice of his country the
Taft fhilling which had been derived from a long
life of unremitting labour, and would willingly
find the laft drop of his blood in its defence.
Lord PORTCHESTRR laid, that without having
had the honour of being in the confidence of the
Prince of Wales, or without having bad a com-
munication with any of his friends, he had felt it
his duty to call on the Houk to confider of the belt
means by which his Royal Highnefs could be re-
inflated in his proper rank and dignity. With
that view he had given notice, that he (hould bring
forward a motion to that area on Friday next.
But events had fence taken place which would
make it necelfary for him not to profs the motion
'he intended to make : and indeed it was !lift more
incumbent on him not to do In, after the comtnu-
nication he had juft heard from fuel; high autho-
rity. But, while he was ready to abandon the mo-
tion, he mull declare, that he would never relio-
quill% the principle on which it was intended to be
founded : and although the afped of affairs was
menacing and doubtful at this time, to as to make
it necelfary that the fubjeCt thould for the prefcnt
be laid afide, he hoped and trolled that the Houle
would hereafter find leifurc to confider this quer-
tion more fully ; a quellion of no trivial nature,
ibut of great importance to the country: and when-
, ever that period fhould occur, the people would
retied, with gratitude, on that noble and manly
forbearance, and that public fpirit, which was now
difplayed by his Royal Highnefs. For thefe rea-
-1 lons he would, for the pretent, abandon the mo•
tion he intended to bring forward.

NIS M•JESTY'S MESSAGE.

On the Motion of the CHANCCI.LOt Of the Et-
oisiztyra, the Houfe proceeded to the Orr cl
the Day, for taking his Maicily's moll :7rAcirus-
MeMtge into contideration : and the fame bring
read from the Chair,

The Cita'macula of the EXCHLejna fpoke to
the following effell : " I rife, Sir, to move an Ad•
drefs of thanks to his Majetly, tor his moll graci•
ous communication : and in doing fo, T feel the
fulleti and moll perfed confidence that the appeal
which his Majelly has made to the honour, the
jullice, the fortitude, and liberality of Parliament,
has not been made in vain: and that this Houfc
will moil heartily concur in promoting thole great
objeas alluded to by his hiajeßy. There are
two points in this Meirage to which I (hall refer,
and upon which I mean to ground the motion I
(hall have the honour to make to the Houle. The
fiat of thefe relates to the military preparations
now carrying on in the ports of Francs and Hol-
land: the other to the difcAons fabfillin !law=

his Alajefty atttl the Fretich gorernrrt!'t.
fittl of there would, under any , „.
quire the utmoll vigilance, citcttrofi....it.::, :1:
ptepatation, on the part of his tNl.:,cit‘'s
ment. The Med-age flares, that the.: r•.,
preparations are avowedly dirceed to
vice. That is the avowed pit:pole for wlitk ia
French government is carrying them on. V,.
pollibly, and, I hope probably, that inch is all:,
the real purpofe. But when we confider Eft
timation contained in his Majefty's Nleffage, it miff:
occur to the Houfe, that chore artnaments, v. 1...
are now even really intended for the purpt.f... 1;
avowed, may be applied to objetts of a very dif
ferent kind. With refped to the difettflions
arc now gning forward, the Houk cat.n.,t
that I thould in any manner rekr to them.
even allude to the nature of them. It is, r.

ever, with tome degree of fatisfaCtion, I can
prefer my hopes, that the refult will be perfi..2,!:::,.
amicable. It; however, that fltould tinfottuti4o-
' ly not he the cafe ; if the ifftte of the pr.
bet ations Ihould turn out tinfavourable, I ..t c
conhlation to know, that the,country will ate in.
gaged in a good cattle.; and that we can place
the istmoft reliance on the ftrength and refvuteets
of the country, rn the wiftlom and energy of P,r_
lia latent, and on the =flaunted !pit it, and an:Roam
loyalty of the people. If, unfortunately, :Lc ennu-
i try fhould he again involved in a war, the Hottfe
may be allured, that it (hall he potrelfe.l of evert-
document which can ferve to thins light upon the
condat of his Majeity's government, liont the
moment of the fining of the Tieaty of .?mien.,
to the prefent ; and.l trite, that every part of that
condrift will bear the Ilriftea lertithiy. As to the
meafures that may be proper to be adopted, ir.
the pretent Rage of this butinels, it is unnecelfary,
at this moment, to enter into any fpecific flatements
rat the limiter but it mull occur generally, to every
Gentleman who hears me, that come augmeritta-
thin mull be made to our naval firer, and that
finite additional Reps muff be taken for the in-
tin nal recur itrof the Country. I am, therefore, to
inform the Houfe, that towards promoting the lat..
ter objed, his Majelly has reforted to the eft:-
blifhcolconftitutional force of the country, and has;
accordingly, given direaions for employing the
militia. I am lorry to think, that, after the many
burthens which have already been impofed on the
country, fame further facrißces are to be made.
But I beg to have it clearly underhand, that All taut
augmentation which may be necelltry in our Ili.
1 vat and military force, has only a reference to a
fed em of defence; and are to he confidered a;
' nothing more than thole neceffary meafures of
precaution, which, under the prefent circumftan-
ccs, I hope and trull that it will he the unanimoust;
determination of this Hattie to enable his Majefty
to adopt. In the Adds els which I am ;about to
move, I do not with to convey fentiments which
may pledge any Gentleman to concur in fuch mea-
fures as (hall hereafter be Fopored. I troll, that
whatever the fentiments of Gentlemen' may have
been on the Cubic& of the war, or the peace Way
concluded; that Whatever diverfity of opinion
may have prevailed among the Members of this
Houfe, they will all, on this occafion, be .
mous in fupporting the motion I am about to
fubmit to them. In this confidence, therefore; L
move, Sir—
.. That an humble March be prafented to lib Mali Tres
thanking him foe his molt gracious communication, and 'Out-
ing him thot his faithful Commons are fully knable of ahis
teeth proof which he has afforded of his attention to the welfale
of his people. That under the pretest Cif CUMOIIII6OI of Mil:-
tory Preparations being carried en in the Pols of twice at I
Holland, the Houfe of Conimons remit hefuote tt/7 concur
with his Majefty in the expediency of odupting ad,lititnal Inca-
fuzes of Precaution for the ge:rrity of his Dominions. Aid
although the Preparations to which his Majefty refers are
avowedly dire:Red to Colonial Service; yet as cLresatlitt of
great Importance arc now fubfifting b.-tween his Majeiby: sod
the French Government, the refult of which muft at Wafer:
be %memoirs. his Majcfty's -fisthriti amnions, whilk thcr
partake with him is hit tame* and unvarying folleitude fie
the welfare of his people, arum his 1404, that they vat
with the stetson sheartninefe, enable hi. Majeily to otharefuels
mesfures as eirmunftances may requite, for &paining tie Ho-
nour of isissCrom, and she diamond linerefts ul els Par*.'
Mr. Foe---':sir, it is not my intention its. give
any oppofition to the Addrefs that has heel pa
moved. But I mull remark. that-no vote was
ever given by this Route in filch coMplets and
Inter siarknefs as that which we are now cancans
to give. That we Osould liapport his Majelly is
every meafure need:try for the fceurity ef his do-
minions, it is impotlible for any perfon for one
moment to doubt : and therefore opals that point
there will be no difference of opinion. His Majef-
ty's Meffage has Rated ,two grounds which pe-
culiarly call for the confideration of the Route.
With 3-epeil to the fir; of theft. tbe armaments
now preparing in the ports of France. that is a
firbjetl to which I have very little to fay. Bet with
regard to the difctillions that arc now going for-
ward, although the Addrefs that has been jnA
moved, cannot pledge any Gentleman as to 11-.• -
opinion he may give hereafter. yet I am total!! .
ignorant of the nature of there dilcuilions • I knew
not what. the fubjefts of them are, whether -
relate to things carried on in Europe, Afia, Africa •
or America ; not 'the fmallett hint has been Car n
as to what they are. I cannot, therefore, v..v•
any opinion on the fubjett ; and, therefore. 1 ira
leave to all, if the Houle is not placed in a
of total darknefs as to the nature of the hiefii.^P
and the Addrefs If the Addrefs means nothil...
more than to eeprefs our obligations to his Mate:
ty for his communication, and to declare our
dinefs to fupport him, in adopting meafures 11 •
precaution and defence, in cafe the peace, mt
fiblitling, cannot be honourably preferved. I v I
then give my agent to it. But 1 hope, and tot'',
that his Mail4:s advifers will feel the real t.,
tinn in which the country &lands; and that th-;
• will endeavour, as much as pee-able, to pre
• the blelTusgs of peace ; hut if they involve the
country, unnecelfarily, in a freth war, I will 1.•
helltate to declare, that they will be more crimi..
and guilty than any hfinillers who ever advi.:,!
any Prince."
Lord HaWaisll/11f (poke toile followingcr.

Ell

o, Sir, after the II atensents of my-Right Hon. Friend
near me, in which he has called the attention of the
Houfe to the communication which his Majefit
Las been gracioufly pleated to lay before Parliar,
'meat, I fhould have little to obferve, did I not feel
it smell:try to allude to a part of what has fattest
from the Hon. Gentleman who (poke left. In al.
moll every ohfervation which has been made by
the Hon. Gentleman I perfectly concurs but I beg
leave to fay, that there is one point, and one only,
which appears to me to have been millaken by the
Hon. Gentleman. My Right Hon. Friend, in al-
luding to the caufes of his Majefly's Meffage, the
.very cnnfiderable military preparations carrying
On in the ports of France and Holland, and the
difcuflions of great importance fubfilting between
pis Majefly and the French Government, did not
confider them altogether as barely forming fuffi-
,cient grounds for the concurrence of the Houfe in
the Addrefs of Thanks. My Right Hon. Friend
felt himfelf jußified in thinking, that either of tilde
two grounds was fitfficient to induce the Houle to
".ssOtee to the Addrefs ; but he went further, and
declared his opinion, that both of them combined,
conftituted powerful reafons for proceeding fur
ther, and for adopting meafures of circumfpec.
tion, vigilance, and precaution, adequate to the
fituation of affairs, and fuited to every poflible
exigency. I agree with the Hon. Gentleman op-
pofite to me, that the Addrefs cannot commit
the Houfe, nor any Member who may vote for
it ; and it mull be obvious that it does not go to
reftrie the fentiments of any Gentleman, with re.
(pelt to the confideration of queftions which (hall be
brought forward hereafter. Should, howev.r, the
differences now exilling between this country and
France, in the difthflions mentioned in his Maj e ft y's
Meffage, unfortunately lead to the renewal of war,
I think it incumbent on me, clearly and explicitly
to hate, that it will become the duty of Minifters
to lay before the Houfe all the caufes of theie dif-
ferences, alt the motives by which they have been
actuated in the line of conduct they have purfued,
and all the fatisfaeory information, even in its
molt minute details, which can be obtained. In
bringing forward this information, I with to be
fully underftond that his Majefty's fervants are
not defirous of confining themfelves to the imme
diate caufes of fuch an event; but that they will
eagerly court a complete inveftigation of their
condue from the conclulion of the definitive trea-
ty to thelateft moment Of peace. I am confident
it will appear, after fuch 'an enquiry, that not a
(Ingle all has beet done by' therm of which they
can have conk to repent. But while, Sir, I take
this opportunity of expreffing my fatisfaElimi that
the enquiry fhould lie intlituted, I mull 1 ire my
conviCtion that there is at prefent no caufe for par-
ticular inveftigation, and that no advantage what-
clCT can arifc• from difclofing any circumflanccs
conneEted with, .the important difcuflions which-
fubfifi betwwn his. Majeity and the Government
of France. It is unneeelfary for me, Sir, totrouble
Tons any longer, ead'lttell conclude with obferv-
msg. that tits Adarefi'pledges the Honfe to no-
dung, but to the •refolotion. that they will always
concur with his Majetly in fupporting the honour
of hiscrown and the effential intereftanf his per ple."
Mr. Wiwi:mem allured the Houk he had to: in-
tention to claim its attention long. He agreed
with an Hon. Gentleman who (poke before him,
that the Honfe was put into rather an hard fittia-'
Con, becaufe it wps called upon to aft in the dal k;
he did not think it was fufficient for the Herae to
ire told that hereafter they (hall be in pa-el:lion of
the ground on which the prefent proceeding was
propofed. The Houfe-ought to be in a lituation
where it might have come knowledge of events, in
a crifivfoconfnlerable; the Houfe ought to know
fornething upon this fubiea, inked of proceeding
tpon-aluillityrof-infiumation ; for-upon this mat-
ter which now occupied its molt ferious attention,
the Houfe knew literally nothing; it was told only
in general terms, that exertions are neceffary.—
The Houfe indeed knew that very confiderable ar-
maments had been tfiade,and a great change made
in the fyftem of what was called Peace. He mull
therefore enter a fpecies of Protefl againfi the
Iliac now adopted, the neceffity, being in his
opinion. fuch as to call for it, and requiring exer-
tion : that the force propofed to be' ufed fhould be
Vied merely as defence; now all fpecies of force
might be fo ufed. efpecially in the firft inftance,
bat it-was here bribe IA importance. when great
force waa.necelrary, to know what that force was,
becaufe prudence might-require force of different
forts in different circuntfiances: there was tome'
that was in its nature defenfive. and defenfire
only; that mull be the cafe of the Militia; but
for the interpretation of the prefent vote, nothing
more need be faid. than that the Hook concurred
in it. They pledged themfelves to nothing Itnt
that which had been already Rated. and in that
no man could have any difficulty. Here he fhould
have ended,if it had not been tor tome oblervations
made on the other fide of the Houle. It wai faid,
on a former.ocealion, by an• Hon. Gentleman,
(Mr. Fox) that Peace was his policy and fira
(faid Mr. Windharit) and that War was mine. la I
am, at prefent, in no fiate to fay, I can be in no
'late to fay. whether War would be expedient or
not? if it were necerfary to come to an opinion. no
conclufion could be drawn from the coquet of
thole who were the molt vehement oppofers of the
Peace, what their opinion would be now. That
they flinulcl be luppoled to be glad of what was
now propofcd, that they exulted in it, would catch
with impatience at WIT prof; ea at the reoesval.of
the War, would he a conclufion as fit& in melon-
ing, as unfounded in feet." The very reverie was
the faa ; he who was a vehement oppofer of the
Peace of Amiens, %silo had no reafon now to alter
the opinion be gore then, hpt abotadant realms to,
adhere to it, might neverthtlefs not conclude now'
that war could be made with advantage; be might
think otherwrfes in Pr2PAnirl: in the ""111.1111111
his mind at the time he did oppofe the Peace. He
!night Fe the leis ready to catch at War now than
he was then, beeanfe he might be of opinion that
we had 101 l the opportunity which might have been
then afforded, and therefore Perfects entertaining
the opinions which he did, would coafider this as
a very ferious matter. An Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Fox) had often (aid, that Do evils mold be Rated

which Were Onwal le the evils of War. He be-
lieved that it now began to be futpeaed, perhaps
felt, that there were dangers in Peace as well at
in War, and they might go on as rapidly too in
that date as the evils of War, anti might lead a
Country into that (late in which no War could
flop them. Now he would beg leave to obferve
to the Noble Lord who (poke Taft, that there was
a double refponfibility attached to a Minifter—that
°Croaking an improper Peace, and alto that of
making an improper War ; the danger of the one
might in fome cafes, be equal to the danger of
the other. Configning this, as he did, completely
to his Majefty's Miniffers, he could only remind
them of their refponfibility, and that it applied to
either fide, the alternative of Peace or War.
Mr. Stl ERMAN rote after Mr. Windham, and
raid, that finding the Houfe unanimous in its dif-
pofition to fupport the Addrefs, although trivial
dißinEtions had been taken as to the grounds on
which it ought to be fupported, he thoold have
been well content In have 'given hi, fluent vote of
approbation to it, but for fome fentiments and
exprellions in the fpeech of the Right Honour.
able Gentleman who had jun fat down, which
(truck him as the molt extraordinary and repre-
henfible he had-ever heard in Parliament. The
Right Hun. Gentleman had appeared to day in a
(late of new and tunifual anxiety, to deprecate the
idea that he and thofe who had thought and bed
with him, becaufe they had been avowedly honile
to the peace, and therefore avowedly for the.con•
tinuation of the war, (hould now he other%%ili:
eonfidered than as the men the mon zealoufly dif-1
pored to maintain the peace. Nay, the Hon.
Gentleman had gone farther, for he had main-
tained that thofe who had condemned the peace,
on his principles were peculiarly entitled to the
credit of being the perfons now moil ri.luaant to
the renewal of war. Mr. Sheridan faid he would
not now pante to examine the continency of this
claim, if compared with the Hon. Gentleman's
former declarations on this fubjet ; but he called
on the Houfe to look at the argument fet up this
day. We that oppofed the peace, raid the Ho.
nourable Gentleman, mut} be prefumed to he the
perfons molt relitaant to renew the war, becaufe
our Itrongett motive and argument for condemn.
ing the peace was, that it left us no means of re-
lenting future injuries, or on whatever provoca-
tion, of renewing future hoilility. But he went
11 further hill, tor he declared that even if our ex.
thence as a nation was the qiieftion, the peace had
left us without abilita to meet the conteft. This
pufillanimous doarine Mr. Sheridan reprobated
in terms of animated indignation (aarnapasiied Zy
4plauding cheer: from allparte sfehelioufs.)" What,
air, he laid, is this language to hold at fuch a
moment. as •he prefent I have beard, indeed,
that the FUR Conful of France has modeftly pro-
claimed to the raffia thrones of Europe, that
England is no longer able to contend tingle handed
with France—hut I did not expea to hear this fen-
timent rc and acquiefced in by a Member
of the Britith Parliament."—(Lowf rtad Jaw.,
cry of bear! hear!)—Mr. Sheridan proceeded to
fay, that whateni were the motives of that new
rein lance t, war. othich teemed fo fuddenly to
have teic.d the Right Hon. Gentleman, his reluc-
tance could not he more amen and fincere than
his two was. He deprecated war from every
feeling of h's heart, and every fuggettion of his
realm'. He adjured Minifters to try to their ex-
tent what temper, what conciliation, what even
concelEon, without forfeiture of honour, cpuld do;
but if all there fincerely attempted fhould fail, and
the dire necenity of renewing the war fhould be
forced on us, he would not endure for a moment
to be told, that the energies of the country were fo
eshaufted, that we had no courfe left but fubmif-
lion. No, he trotted that in fpite of the audacious
boaft of the Firft Cantu!, that it would be mani-
felted to him, and even to the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman, that there were ftill left fpirit and refounces
in &kith hearts, not merely to protea thesxy/eare
of their country, but to avenge the flightellinfuk
upon its honour. He trolled that the Marian
example let that day by the fir(l of his Majelly's
fubjeas voSold be eantidered as a fignal to every
other fubjea throughout the Britilh dominions—a
fignal that they limpid feel the importance of the
crdis, that they mould, like him, lay afide all per-
tonal confiderations, and even all public confideta.
thins of Infer intereft, in order to meet with for-
titude auJ unanimity, the peril of that fituation,
whatever it (hall become, which holt ile and inlatiate
ambition may place us in, and which our modera-
tion and forbearance have not been able ro avert.
Mr. Wiegman pbferveyl. in explanation, that.
his natements did not warrant the inferences
drawn from them by the Right Hon. Gentleman.
Mr. Caionrito." Sir, the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman has told as, that in the event of a war, he
will lay before the Houfe the funle(l information
concerning the ccmdua purfued by his Majefty's
Mishkin. But he has not told us, that under any
other eircumftances, fuch a communication will
be made to the Houfe. There appears to be no
intention of communicating the grounds of the pre-
terit alarm, which has Rotten the country to its
very foundation ; and pervaded all ranks of pet:).
ple. Not the lean idea has been given as to the
Naval fituation in which we (land. This, I fay,
is hard dealing with a generous people, who have
a right to know fomething more than has been
cam:mole:tied. The people in genetal have (hewn
a readinefs to adopt the (mignon' of the Govern-
ment f and thole feelings of loyalty and attach-
ment (booth not be met by a greater degree of re-
ferve than the moll defpotic Government ever
maintained. Conlidering the anxiety with which
the event we are now debating upon, is 'oohed up
to by the public ; I contend it isnot a proper mode
of proceeding for Minillers. to avoid all explana-
tion concerning it."
The Cnaticastoa of the Excasemea rote to
explain. The Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Canning) bad affumed, that no communication
was to be made by his Majelly's Milliners, but un-
der the alternative of war; but be bad forgot to
late what was the fa& that no pledge had been
liven to the contrary. For his own part he
thought it due to the fituation which he held. as
well as to his feelings, to fay, that he difdained

the rererve imputed to him ; a refer re witch never
fhould take place when communication prover
continent with his Linty, and the public intereft.
Mr. GRIIIVILLE—It does not appear that any
difference of opinion is likely to take mace arm
the addrefs now before the Houle ; I !hall, these
fore, trouble the Houfe with very-few words. I
apprehend that my Right Hnn. Friend has beer
mifconccived ; he appeared to me to alk, whetli-i
it was in the alternative of a war only, that Mi
nitters meant to make communications to the
Houk concerning their concha ? and the aufwei
he has received, has ferved fill more to judify ltim
in putting that quellion. N.) m Ili has a eleatCl
objeaion than I have, to a difcuffinn that can in
any manner retard the refolinion of this night.—
I confefs, however, that I feel a great degree of
embarraffment, from the (late of ignorance in
which the Honk is placc-: ; and I cannot hell
thinking that the vote now propofed, although it
pledges the Houfe to nothing, mutt tole a great
deal of its effed from that very date of ignorance,
and that the advantage of it is confiderably leifen
ed in confequence of its being f, little c.mnected
with what may te called tangible opinion. No
man can be more eager than myfeif, to carry up
to the foot of the Throne the fentiments contained
in that addref, ; and my mind is Kill more recon-
ciled to it, becauft I Junk the meafures of vigour
now about to be adopted, will be more likely than
any other to produce kiting tranquillity.
The Ai-roamer GENERAL concurred with all
the Hon. Members who had previoufly fpoken,
that the Addrefs did not pledge the Houfe to any
thing beyond a general affurance of a determina.
tion to fupport every meafure, the objed of which
was to flipper? the honour of his Majefly's Go.
vernment, and the fecurity of his dominionr. He
was rather furprited at hearing fume Gentlemen'
inlilling fo much on the neeetlity of explanation
He really did not fee that the Houfe were hardly
dealt with in having no fpecific explanation given
of the grounds of an Addrefs, which, in fall,
pledged them to nothing but what their generalkluty.
to their Sovereign and their country fully war-
ranted His Majelly had informed the Houk that'
very confiderable preparations were going on in I,
the ports of France and Holland, and that addi-
tional preparations were in confequence neceffary.
This general affurance was a fufficient ground of
primary proceeding, and further explanation was
in the firft inftance totally unneceffary. The ex-
i ftente of points of difpute is known, and the ado!).
tion of thefe meafures of preparation might acce•
lerate the adjunment of thole differences, and in
this view explanation was equally unneceffary to
induce Members to agree to the Addrefs. Expla-
nation under the prefent circumftances might pro-
duce confequences much to be deprecated, without
at all affining the Houk, on coming to a decifion
on the motion for the Addrefs. Mininers, in the
event of the termination of the negociation, on a
renewal of hollilities, had pledged themfelves to
give a full explanation, and with this affurance
the Houk ought to remain fatisfied. But an Hon.
Member (Mr. Canning) had accufed Mininers of
refuting to give explanation in cafe the matters
riow in difpute were amicably adjured. Now, it
wag certain that Minifters had made no fuch ar
fertion. Whether it might be politic to afford this
explanation under filch circumftancee. would de.
pend on points with which Minifters could not bit
be the ben acquainted, and, therefore, mon cam,
Me of forming a judgment. But whether they.
afforded the explanation or not, the right of Mem-
bers to move for h was not in the leak degree ag.
fettled. Every Member might move for what ea-
planation he conceived to be requifite ; and if the
Houfe entered into his views, he would have full
fatisfaftion. An Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Wind-
ham had raid a good deal of the calamities refulta
ing the Definitive Treaty of Peace, and par-
ticularly the inability to which it had reduced us of
renewing hoftilities with anyprofpea of advantage.
On this point he-differed radically with the Hon.
Gentleman. He was difpofed to think that the
opiiissadf doe artistry in favour of a war was t
bell pledge of its being carried on with fpirit and
fuccefs. Ifett*tionately the negociations pending
betwixt thetsiq gOvernmentiOtouldbe broken off
without itniabliridjultment. and if Minifters
fhould be tible Kftaaviiencit the Houk antitheCoun-
try that iallead of provoking hollilities, they had
made every faerifice thou of difhosour tsprociire
the continuance of peace, he had neit'aie !linnett
doubt that the country would cordially go along
with them in profecuting the war, and he had ho
difficulty in flating that he entertained no dread of
the remit of fuch a conten. The unanimity and
the energy of the people would fully make up for
the fupenor number and ftrength of the enemies
with whom we might have to contend. He mulled
that the' condo& of Government would be found
diftinguifbed by a proper continuation of tempe-
rance, moderation and firmnefs. To the continu-
ance of peace they would look forward with anxi-
ous defire, and to the unfortunate renewal of hof-
tilities without unmanly dread. The Right Hon.
Gentleman, after infilling at fume length on this
topic, and ftrongly recommending unanimity, fat I
down by giving his cordial vote for the motion. .
Dr. Lawasacs rote *min a general cry of
tetlion, Ouxylion.—As loon as he could obtain a
hearing, he proceeded to notice the obfervations
'which fell from the Right Hon. and Learned
Gentleman who had preceded him in the debate,
particularly thofe which related to the (objets of
it:spoil. now under difcuffion between the two Go-
vernments. 'l'hefe, he contended, although not
publicly announced in that Houle, might be fo
Rated, that no difference of opinion amid stile
as to the propriety of making them the matter of
contention; for. in hh view of the cafe, that was
a preliminary confideration for the public to decide
upon, before it plunged itself, and all Europe, mot
probably, into a war, more ardent, more deftrue-
five, and more mifchievous in its effe&s, than any
that ever defolated the antient or modern world.

He could not certainly call upon Miniiters to diC
dote. at prefent. any matter unfit. in this Rage of
the bufmefs. for the public eye ; but ho waited to
be informed, whether they did intend to difclofe
thefe fubjeas at any time? It was not the habits
of either his Majetly's Minden who are now in '

Weser os thure trtho preecZed tlie*l, to he very
commtinica:ive upon any ftilijeei ; and he
he did not very ardently antici7.itte any (+Wet:ince
of eonchil now. But, wh u.es et rule of prt•cedu:e
they miitrltt adopt, it wai his e twin npinion, that
tie public would not cndir conc.l.).!t
future. Thzy molt ard 1./,ght *nsi fat:
aeon what grounds ur uron a• s
molt go war, noel t;.•% or called tti on.
atter fie% to main•
t tin a cow:ea t;:c i.spetire ref their t-eal;:•e,
'heir happinefs, tnd their Wind. It v.ias very
titre, and he trolled it was an irlerect pi inciple
:T1 Engliflimen, net to he ea; prorntnied to hot:
n tr he eartiy led to forego their quiet.
.\t the fame tim: he was as certaia, thay, when
-ince roofed. they were not to he trampled pn
w•di the vain boasting of any power upon earii,
ti-ir yet to be tertitied with the extent of ft ray
4:mi influence tl..tt power might pallet:; Its Far be
coincided ith an Honourable Gentle-
man ( We-. Sheridan) who had c!..prei:ed the fame
fentiments. But when the duly confide:TO
the contemience of ritifilig thz I,f filch a na-
tion as this, they would agree with him, that no-
thing fhuet of the molt fultilanti.cl reafons Mould
be 0161ted to pitingc it into fl:ch a war as lie dc-
ferihed. There wits no man, in or out of that
Houle, who more ardently &fired peace than he
did ; and, paradoxical as it might appear, there
was no man who calculated lea upon the certainty
of that of Amiens than he did ; and concerned was
he to fay, that the events and the cirettmllances

. -
occurring that very night jultified his anticipations.
His arguments againit that peace were, that it was
not to be depended upon. Peace was his obje#, it
was his molt zealous wills ; and as the motion pi'
this nigbt, by a prompt and vigorous preparation
for war. (and vigorous he hoped it would be) mult
tend more to accomplifh a filed, lasting, and cer-
tain peace, indead of a dubious, furpictous, and
dangerous one, he would rapport it in common
with his friends around him, who were the home
friends of an honourable as well as a permanent
Peace.

The quellion on the Addrefs was then pawned
carried new. ton.

It was agreed to, on the motion of the Coat.
ce LLoa of the Exc H EQoEa, thit the Addrefs (hoed
be prefented to his Majefty by fuch Members As
Were of his Majefty's Privy Council.
'MC CH AtICE LLOII of theEzcHeg,,EL gave Tlo6Cie
that in the Committee, of Supply on Ft idry next,
he thould propofe a vote of ten thoufAnd Seamen?
in addition to the number already voted for I.bc
fervice of the prefent year.
•