The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-10-16 00:00:00

TO MR. SUERIFF WOOD.

DEA w Sl R-1 am not much afraid of your mis.
taking either my views or motives in ramming to
join in celebrating, in any way whatever, the en.
suing anniversary of the King's Accession. How-
ever, I beg leave to say, that personal disrespect
for the King I have 1101113, but much the contrary.
There can he no question whether it is not
praise-worthy to feed and clothe the pour and
naked, and to set the prisoner iris: ! It is also
equally sell-evident, that the mode of celebrating
it which you propose is both more rational, be.
coming, and benevolent, thaw what was first pro-
posed, and for which you have deserved well of
mankind.
But you see my objection is to the principle of
the act. It is impossible to deny, that the relief
intended for the pour, springs from this source
only, namely, the desire to celebrate the Acces.
sion. Were it not so, its partisans would be
to do it either before or after the time, but
which it is quite certain they will not agrie to, fur
it is that and nothing else that has set the =Leisure
afloat.
Ever since this calamitous war began, I have
beets uniform in abstaining from joining in any
pubiic deMonstration of joy, at any event spring-
ing from the measures which have unquestionably
brought the country into its present perilous state,
and which, it is gruffly to be feared, sill be the
!final ruin of it.
I hope I shall not be told that I have deviated,
or tacitly given my approbation upon certain il.
lamination occasions, because I did it only to save
my windows from being broken; and if I ant again
called upon to do so, I shall again comply, upon
the same ground.
The celebration of a day, in any way what.
'ever, implies a rejoicing at the events of it. But
the observation of a day may be very different,
and I should have no objection to the observation
of the day in question. We should then see
the propriety of clothing ourselves in sack-
cloth, and literally sitting in ash's, at the
lamentable state into which the measures of this
long reign have brought our country. This
might lead to such -a change in public opinion
as would infallibly bring on a total change of
measures and principles, the only hope now re.
maining of salvation for the country.
When you retire from your present high and
honourable situation, you will well deserve the
applause and esteem of your felluvr-citizeos, for
the manly and truly patriotic mode in which yon
are discharging its important duties.
I ant, dear Sir,
Yours, most
Ilighbary, Oct. M. J. B.

-
The appointment of Mr. Caostrt to be Secre-
tary to the Admiralty, must be very consolatory
to the merchants of Groat Britain. This Gentle-
man's talent at blockading, was sufficiently proved
during the memorable examination of Mrs.
CLAucc. This must also prove an alarming cir-
cumstance to Freuch privateers.

The resignation of the Archduke CIT ARLES has
occasioued much distention among the Officers of
the Austrian army. Many duels have been fought,
and several of the noblest families in Vienua have.
to lament the loss of their relatives, who yielded
to a false punctilio of honour.
It is remarkable, that although the French
have been so long in complete possession of the
road from the foot of these mountains to Madrid,
they have not yet conquered the inhabitants of the
Pyrenees. The enemy is exposed to continual
molestation from the desperate mountaineers of
those wild and inhospitable regions.
llis Majesty's ship Apdks has captnred and
sent into Dover, a small French ship tailed the
Pail, laden with coals, whirl: she brought out
from under the batteries of litaples.
It Is said the Lords of the Privy Council have
arranged the following as the districts from which
they permit grain of all sorts, and burr-stones,
to be imported from France to this country, viz :
From any of the ports in the North-east extremity of France
to Dunkirk, both Secretive.
From Calais to Mortals, ditto.
Front Brest to the straits Mouth, &inn.
From the 'grails' Month to any port of France within the
Mediterranean.
We are assured, from respectable authority, that
the few Friends (Qnakers) who felt disposed to
follow the noble example of the Corporation of
Loudon, in the liberation of prisoners for small
debts, have succeeded ill raising thu sum of 5001.
among them, and intetul placing the same at the
disposal of the Corporation of that society, as
having ample experience of the best mode of fel-
filling their intentions; not confining their tape.
rations to the prisons of the metropolis, but
wherever their discretion may lead. They have
thus happily united with what we believe the true
feelings of the, paternal heart of his Majesty, with
their characteristic of a religions society. One
condition they were desirous to annex, via. that
of liberating the objects of their humanity on the
25th, so as to make it a day of real thankseiving,
and more heartily united in the general setstiment.
HOW admirable an addition would it be, were it
practicable to supply every liberated person with
five shillings, or thereabeub, that thuy might not
'less.

be discharged peony__
The Jubilee is to lie a day of forgiveness and of
harmony ; suppose, to preserve that harmony, the
Covent Garden Proprietors were to open on the
evening at the old price', would It not be highly
sdraalsgc4•s I. themselves