Star.
London, England, 1827-06-09 00:00:00

T-Te must contend that the Secretary of State af,er this
had the right of calling upon him to make direc•
charges. This was in fact a charge according to the
obvious meaning of the English language. He had
afterwards declared that he did not mean to bring for.
ward any charges, and he was then told-that all the'
disclosures he bad yet made were already in possession
of Parliament.

Mr. MABERLY vindicated the character of Sir R.
Donkin, who hod left the Cape with ample testimonie.
to his merit from all classes of the inhabitants. He said
that the Cape was suffering under misgovernment, and
this he was now ready to support; but he was not
disposed to put himself for ward as a public' accuser.
He would- not arcade to the conduct of the Noble Lord
who had been Governor of the Cape, as the crestions
relating to him were about to be regularly discussed.
Sir R. Donkin had the merit of redeeming the finances
of_ the colony from a state of the gieate.t confusion. it
was, be admitted, an indiscretion on the part of Sir
R. Donkin to publish, but the Noble Lord had amply
opportunity of vindicating himself, and it was the fault
of,his friends that the subject had not been earlier
brought before Parliament.

• rcidausea, whose name we could not learn, ex-
pressed his opinion that the conduct of Lord Bathurst
towards Sir R. Dunkin hai been marked by extreme
delicacy. General Velasquez and other Officers had
been dismis>ed the service for similar conduct.
Mr. HUME protested avian this comparison. These
charges related to civil government; those of General
Velasquez to military matters. The Colonial Depait-
ment ought to have instituted the inquiry.
Mr. W. HORTON said that the Coloni rl Department
had never called upon Sir R. Dookin to be a public ac-
cuser. He stated that he had disclosures to make, which
would cover Lord G. Somerset with ruin: He (Mr. W.
Horton) then, by order of Lord Bathurst, wrote to say,
prefer distinct charges. On his expressing a disinclina-
tion to this, he again wrote to him to say, that Lord
Bathurst could not permit him to flinch, and he
then avowed that he never intended to bring for-
ward charges. What ! was he not to be bound by
his assertions? Was his declaration that he bad
disclosures to make which would cover Lord C.
Somerset with ruin to go for nothing? The Hon.
Member had said he had read his pamphlet.„ . Was this
pamphlet, then, to be taken for Gospel? He had read
it, and he would mention one instance as a proof of the
'credit it deserved. It contained a direct charge of cor-
ruption, and referred to the information which was to
be afforded by Mr. Brink. It was fortunate that the
pamphlet was published before Mr. Brink's arrival, for
it bore, in a no.e, an attestation to his character as an
honest man, which would preclude the author from now
saying, if Mr. Brink should tail lo confirm his assertions,
that he had been corrupted. Mr. Brink, he believed,
would break down, or would refuse at least to carry the
load which Sir IL Donkin had intended to lay upon
him. When Mr. Brink was applied to, and the charge
investigated, it turned out to 'be perfectly unfounded.
Lord C. Somerset had refused a personal interview to Sir
R. Donkin. This wastrpe, and it was equally true that the
object of that interview was to solicit Lord C. S. to pro-
cute from his Majesty a personal honour for Sir R. DJN-
kin, although he afterwards attempted to make it appear
that it was for affairs of State. When pressed to pro-
ceed with his charges, he referred to information which
was coming, from the Cape. This information had
arrived and been laid before the House, and he (Mr.
W. Horton) was now ready to proceed in the investi-
gation of the whole matter. But for a man to talk of
covering another with ruin by his disclosures, and then
to refuse to make any charge whatever, was certainly
what he could not understand.

Mr. MABERLY explained.—Sir R. Donkin was
ready at any time to come forward as a witness but
not as a public accuser.

Mr. CANNING would only offer an observation or
two in defence of the conduct of the Noble Lord fa-
merly at the head of the Colonial Department. Was it pos-
sible, he would ask, for the head of any department to
act more fairly, or more with a view to promote the
ends of justice than Lord Bathurst bad done? A'Gentle•
man came home and said that be had disclosures to
make which would involve a high Officer under that
Department in ruin, and was then properly called upon
to make formal charges. If he had been in the situation
of Lord Bathurst, he would have insisted on having the
charges in writing, and on no account would he have
granted an interview to such a person without somebody
to take down in writing all that passed, in order to avoid
any subsequent disputes as to veracity. He thought that
if Lord Bathurst had committed any error, it was rather
on the side of facility. As the head of a public Depart-
ment, e had a right to adopt the precaution he did, in
order that his veracity should not afterwards be disputed.
But did Lord Bathurst stop here ? No such thing ; he
entered upon an investigation, the results of which were
now before the Howe. Whatever motives might have
produced the very extraordinary conduct of Sir R. Don-
kin, that pursued by the Colonial Department in the very
difficult and delicate situation in which it was placed,
was perfectly unassailable.
After a few words from Mr. H. GURNEY, and Mr.
BARING in reply,
Mr. W. HORTON said, the gallant General, when
hardly pressed, availed himself of the txcitse, that he
had been anticipated by information received from the
Cape through other channels. He wrote to him to say
that Lord Bathurst would excuse him. Asa notice
stood on the paper for an early dal on the conduct of
Lord C. Somerset, he trusted the Hon. Member would
inform him before he brought it on, what were the
charges upon which he meant to insist. It would obvi-
ously be impossible to meet charges picked out without
notice From a period of fifteen years.
The Petition was ordered to he on the table and to be printed.

AOROUGH 07 PVIIIIII.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL gm notice, that he would move for
leave to bring In a •Bill to transfer the elective franchise, lately vested
in Penryn, to Manchester—(Hear, hear).

COMMITTEZ O► .

Mr. CANNING then moved the Order of the Day for going
into a Committee of Supply. . . _

On the question that ih; 'Speaker do leave the Chair being put,
Mr. M A BER LY rose, and was about to make some observation,
when, owing, as we believe, to some suggestioo front an Hano-urable
Member near him, he sat down. The House then went into a
Committee.

HU INA/MeII WEISAGI.

Mr. CANNING then moped that his Majesty's Message be
read, which was accordingly done, by Sir A. Gamer, the Chairman.
Mr. CANNING-4, On a former evening, when I
brought forward, in the Committee, the statement res-
pecting the grants for the year, I took the liberty of
stating, that I should ask an additional vote of credit
to the amount of 500;0001. for the purpose of meeting
any additional expenses which might accrue from the
stay of our troops in Portugal, for whatever time they
may remain. The grounds upon which his Majesty's
forces were originally sent, were, at the petiod they

'embarked, so fully expllid, sinf so, I may say, un a
niniously appreciated b e House, as to render it quite
unnecessary for me now to expatiate upon the subject. I
shall, therefore, merely add, that the same causes which
rendered the sending them of importance, although very
considerably diminished, nevertheless still exist in suffici-
cot force to make a continuance of the sa me coarse neces-
sary. At that time I stated, that it was not possible to make
a disclosure of the full grounds which justified the adop.
Lion of that course, without putting by erery hope of
an adjustuant of those differences which led to it. If
that course were wise at the moment when the difficul-
ties to be overcome were great, it must be much more
prudent tb per s in it now, when well•founded hopes
are entertained that the desires adjustment is approxi-
mating, and that the time is not far distant when all
necessity for further interference on our part will be at
an end. That the course we pursued was necessary,
will not, I think, be denied, when the dangers which
menaced Portugal are considered, and it is a source of
satisfaction to know that those dangers were dispelled by
the mere presence of the British troops, without any ob-
ligation to make active use of them. I have also great
pleasure in stating, that although many disagreeable
changes and variations have taken place, and some which
bete a threatening aspect, yet the councils of Spain, I am
happy to say, are now of a tendency much more fa-
vourable, and that they are inclined to forward the ad-
justment and the removal of all difficulties. But,'al-
though I say, that I entertain most favourablehopes, yet
I am not able to point out the precise time at which this
favourable terimination is to be expected. It is sufficient,
For the present, to know, that the same state of things
which existed when our troops were sent out, does, in
some respects, still continue, and the House will,
think, be of opinion with me, that since they are once
there, it is better they should remain until every resist-
ance be suppressed, and all danger be at an end. This,
however, I think it necessary to say, that the stay of
our troops in Portugal is only referable to the same
causes which were the origin of their being sent, and
not to any new changes or intentions whatever. Hav-
ing stated this, I shall content myself with moving,
" That the suns of 500,0001. be granted for the support
of his Majesty's forces in Portugal."
Mr. BANKES said, that he bad originally differed from the
opinion entertained by the House upon this subject, and he still
adhered to the sentiments he then expressed. He should trouble
the House with but a very few words. They must now begin to
see that it was not likely to be a very easy thing to get out of the
course upon which they had then entered. He had not been con.
Tweed by the speech delivered by his Right Hun. Friend upon that
occasion, splendid as it was. It was, indeed, a memorable speech,
and it would not soon be forgotten either in the Old World or the
New. In consequence of this speech they bad taken the precipitate
steps to send troops to Portugal, although not a single Spanish soldier
bad crossed the frontier, and now they found that they bad not
the power, or at least that it was not competent for them to bring
them back. By their precipitation they had exposed the coun-
try to the danger of eventual war. They were now in ibis
peculiar situation that their troops now in Portugal could neither
be kept there with justice, nor withdrawn with safety. The Right
Hoo. Gentleman said, that this state of things would soon, be hoped,
be at an end. He hoped it might be so. But at the same time he
could not refrain from the remark, that the present proposal a( the
Right Hun. Gentleman did sot appear to coincide exactly with such
hope." After all the ordinary expenses of the Army had been pro-
vided for in the Estimates of the year, they were now called upon to
vete a sum equal to one hundred pounds per man, for the wire!,
number of our Army in Portugal was, he believed, only about 5,000.
This grant was, he supprerd, only 'welded to maintain them
till the next meeting of Parliament, and it was impossible that so
large a sum could be required, unless it was intended to double or
triple the amount of the force. It appeared to him that the hopes
atilt Right Hon. Gentleman were fallacioue, or that they were
now called upon for a most extravagant vote. He had no wish to
urge his opinions in opposition to the feeling of the House, but be
thought their interference from the first extravagant and uncalled
for; and be believed that if they were now at peace, it was not to
be ascribed to the moderation of their own conduct, but to the
moderation of France.

Colonel DAVIES defended the policy of our interference, and
insisted that if the same language and attitude had been assumed
in 1822, France would not now.have been in possrs•iun of Spain.
Colonel LINDSAY said, that France must look with the utmost
jealousy at the Portuguese Constitution, as it had ►een stated in
that House that it was a Constitution likely to excite the passions
of all Europe. He disapproved of England's sending troops to
support a Constitution to which the Portuguese were indifferent or
►ostile. Hs trusted that the expedition was meant only to prevent
the invasion of that country by Spain, otherwise England might be
plunged into a war, as every country in Europe was inimical to the
Constitution of Portugal.

Sir J. MACKINTOSH sad he did not rise so much for the
purpose of replying to the observations of the two Hon. Gentle-
men who preceded him, not meaning at the sante time to intimate
the slightest disrespect, as of taking this opportunity, the first which
presented itself, after a long silence, to effh ass his opinion of the
policy pursued with respect to Portugal. be prompt. decisive, and
vigorous succour afforded to Portugal, he looked upon as forming
one of the brightest pages in the history of the country. When be
spoke of the prompt and vigorous succour afforded to that country,
he would nut be understood as meaning that that prompt and
honest compliance with the terms of the treaty was at all a
subject of congratulation, or commendation, because it was
a duty which every country, under similar eircurnvances, was
bound in honour and good faith to discharge. He confined
his praises to the prompt and vigorous manner in which the
terms of the Treaty were acted upon, which reflected honour upon
the Government, and which, at the time, was hailed by the unani-
mous approbation, not merely of the usual supporters of Govtrn-
anent, but of all parties which then divided the House. However
they might have differed on ether points, with respect to this only
tine sentiment pervaded the House—(Hear, hear). With respect
to the arguments and observations of the Member for Dorsetshire
(Mr. Bankes), they did not bear upon the present question. They
were all retrospective, and bad reference to what took place so far
as December last. Unless he could prove by argument that they
were bound to retract the determinations to which they then dame,
that such a change of eitcumatances took place as should induce
Government to recall the force front Portugal, unless he proved
this, his opposition could have no practical effect. It was not easy to
see what the object of the Hein. Gentleman was, for be now declared
that if an Address was proposed to the Crown for recalling the
troops, he would not agree to it. The present proposition, therefore,
had ►is concurrence to all intents and purposes, at least in a Par-
liamentary sense, he might be said to give it his support. He did
not pretend to be so good a calculator as the Hon. Gentleman, or to
be able to say what exactly ought to be the expense of this or any
other expedition—What amount of money would be required for
each individual of the force now in Portugal; but, it was most
absurd to say, that the measure of a vote of credit, suchis that now
proposed, ought to be the actual amount of expense expected to be
incurred, and no more. Wharyer HMI night be voted, it did not
necessarily follow that the whole was to be expended; but an
ample vote, promptly and unanimously given, might eventually
have the effect of lessening, in place of increasing the expenditure
of the country—(hear, hear!)—might have such an effect on
those of whom he wished to speak only in measured and re-
spectful language, those Powers to which allusion had been made
in the course of this debate, as to induce them to persue sock a line
of policy as would render the maintenance of a force in Portugal
any longer unnecessary, and prevent the evik of an esp. usiv: and
protracted war. The Honourable Gentleman did nut seem to
have calculated, neither was he (Sir J. M.) able to cakulate what
the expense might be of transporting the troops back from Portugal
when their further stay should become unnecessary. It would,
however, amount to a considerable sum—not, perhaps, one ball
of that proposed to be voted, but, certainly, a very large propor-
tion of it. The Honourable and Gallant Officer who spoke List,
observed that the house should now revise a decision to which, in
his opinion they bad come its a fit of intoxication, excited by the
circumstances of the moment, and by the powerful and eloquent
appealtben made to the House; He was not in the House at the
time; but, though not present, he bad no hesitation in declaring,
that he partook of the intoxication then excited by such noble—
each generous and prompt interference, to rescue an ancient and
faithful Ally, and in that state of intoxication he still continued...
(Hear, beer.) He rejoiced at so vigorous anti prompt a discharge
of duty, for though duty they were bound to pertness it might
have beat done in a manner less efficacious and ►atercable. It

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Unless ne coma prove by argument that (hey
.ct the determinations to which they then Eanir, ,
of circumstances took place as should induce
all the force front Portugal, unless he proved I It)
ould have no practical effect. It was not easy to
riche HOD. Gentleman was, for be now declared
was proposed to the Crown for recalling the •
: agree to it. The present proposition, therefore,
to all intents and purposes, at least in a Par-
might. be said to give it his support. He did
good a calculator as the Hon. Gentleman, or to
exactly ought to be the expense of this or any
vhat amount of money would be required for 'I
he force now in Portugal; but, It was most
the measure of a vote of credit, suchis that now
be the actual amount of expense expected to be
ore. Whatever HMI might be voted, it did not
that the whole was to be expended; but an
my and unanimously given, might eventually
opening, in place of increasing the expenditure
ear, hear!)—might have such an effect on
wished to speak only in measured and re.
hose Powers to which allusion had been made
debate, as to induce them to persue such a line
render the maintenance of a force in Portugal t
ary, anal prevent the evils of an esp. naive and •
he Honourable Gentleman did nut seem to
thee was he (Sir J. 2d.) able to cakulate what
a of transporting the troops back from Portugal
r stay should become unnecessary. It would,
o a considerable stun—net, perhaps, one half
be voted, but, certainly, a very large propos'.
anourable and Gallant Officer who spoke last,
louse should now revise a decision to which, in
I come Its a fit of intoxication, excited by the
le moment, and by the powerful and eloquent
the House. He was not in the House at the
Let present, he bad no hesitation in declaring,
,1
the intoxication then excited by such noble—
; 2
interference, to rescue an ancient and
a that state of intoxication he still contineed-aa k
earisn,ciiiitealashy
tratteysiessowevidargeorcboliasntdanaopp7mrierumembhupgmt discharge