Star.
London, England, 1803-03-12 00:00:00

when the French fent an armament to Saint Do-
mingo this Government was jealous of the con-
-1,,a of the Firft Conful, and she Mini(ler did not
.it that time think it improper to inform the Houfe
'f every particular conflated with his precaution
at that period, for the public lakty. If he could
tplain his reafon for the caution he ufed at that
tine, he thoto-,,ht the Miniffer ought to give the
Houle more information than he hitherto has done
on a qucilion nt lb much moment. However, Come
Gentlemen may vote for an additional armament
on our part to prevent an invation, but he fhould ‘
give his vote to enable Minillers to bring the quef-
Lion hetv.een the two Countries to an iffue, whe.
ther Peace or War. We may continue longer in a
flats of fulpenfe—niir peace had been Come time
dellifive and toicersain—it was therefore time we
thoold underhand in what fituation we were placed.
In the bider y of the world thcie was nothing of a
fimilar nature ; and in the whole vocabulary of
politics there was no phrale togire a clear meaning
to our Peace. He therefore thould vote for the
quell ion, for the reafons he had jolt given.
Sir WILLIAM Pu LTENEY ()Mitred, that one Ge-
ntleman had faid he was for war ; another exprcired
his with for peace; but he Gould endeavour to ffeer
the middle courfe. He believed the people of this
country would, if there was neceflity, defend their
rights, and oppole cn enemy, with as much zeal
as ever they had done ; but it did not follow, that
we mull go to war, from what we are now about to
do by the voice of the Houfe. This meafure went
to thew that we were able to (land againff a French
attack, if there was an occafion for it. He could
not but exprefs his furprife, that any Gentleman
thonld with that the Minitter would difclofe at
prefent every circumitance connected with the
1 affairs of the two countries—affairs of the utmoft
magnitude, which ought to be condufled with
great caution and ability ; and he was fure no
man was better able to conduit Inch an arduous
undertaking than the for.. Gentleman who had
now the honour to Rand at the helm of public
affairs. The French had arrived at a very alarm-
ing height of ambition, and had become a formi-
dable Power, yet, he thought if the wound could
not be healed between the two countries, it would
be better to encounter a war now, than at a future
period.
Mr. Fox and Mr. CANNING feverally explained.
Mr. TRENCH faid, he thought proper to make
two obfervations to the Committee, the one re-
fpefling a remark made by an Hon. Gentleman,
(Mr. Canning,) as to the words of his Majefty's
Meffage—,. avowedly for Colonial purpofes."—
That Hon. Gentleman has faid, that fuch words'
being put into that molt gracious communication,
indicated a doubt of Bonaparte's good intention,
which, perhaps, in all the circumftances, Miniffers
were not warranted in doing. The Hon. Gentle-
man ( Mr. Trench) obferved on this, that an enemy
or perfon having hoftile intentions againft the
country, molt certainly would not acquaint us
with what was the nature of his defigns; therefore,
as we at prefent could have only their declaration
upon the falt of the armament, of which, no doubt
his Majefty's Minifters have certain information,
we could confider this as no other than the avowed

purpofe. The other was, with refped to a point in
the fpeech of an Hon. Gentleman oppofite (Mr.
Fox) ; he had declared, that he fhould not think
himfclf nor the Houfe committed, as to the war,
by the vote which he or they might give to the
meafure now fubmitted to their eonfideration ; he

(Mr. Trench) fhould go farther than him, he fhould
by he did not confider himfelf pledged even to the
armament, by voting as he now did for the fupply,
which was the objeet .of the prefent Committee;
he confidcred himfelf as only pledged to a mea-
lure of precaution.
Mr. ATKINS Paid, this motion had his molt de-
cided fupport ; and he 'tithed, that not only ten
thoufand men fhould be voted to Government, but

that they thould be fupplied alfo, which he was
convinced might be done, by a judicious plan of
inrolment.

MI. CANNING fugge(led to the Han. Gentleman
who had moved the amendment, that, under the

prefent circuuttiances, it would be better to with-
draw it. _ _ _

Mr. DENT confented to withdraw his amend-
ment, and the Refolution was agreed to.
The following films were alto voted:
633,5001. for Wages fur the raid Seamen.
asiopect. for Vittuals.
330,0001. for Wear and Tear of Ship".
37,c0c1. for Ordnance for the laid Ships.
The Report of the Commiuee was ordered to
be received on Monday.