The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-07 00:00:00

AUSTRIAN LOAN.

Mr. JASIES said, that be was desirous of eng 'ging the
attention of the Right Hon. Secretary, upon a subject of
mooch importance, and be hope) that 110.41 e satisfactory re-
ply might he afforded. When the Right Hon. Gentleman
laid on the table copies of a Convention between the Em-
peror of Austria and his Britannic Majesty, upon the sob-
ject of the debt to this country, he (Sir. James) really
concloded, that it was the instruction of .the Right lion.
Gentleman to subunit that document for the sanction and
approbation of the House. Ile found, however, that the
document Ind been actually ratified by this Government.
To him it appeared the moi.e proper and decorous method
of asking first for the sanction of Parliament. lie would
ask the Right Hon Gentleman, whether be did not think
that he had been guilty of a most illegal and unconstitu-
tional act, in advising his Majesty to agree to such a Con-
vention without the previous assent of that Iloose ?—(a
laugh.) This might appear a very radical view of the
question, but he felt it his duty to state that even Mr. l'itt,
in the plenitude of his power, had never ventured to—
Mr. Secretary CANNING said, he was sure that the
lion. Member must see, that he was entering into a ques-
tion, which might much better he discussed at another
time. As to the illegality and unconstitutionality of his
conduct, according to his experience and his view of the
question, be should say decidedly, No. Ile was perfec.ly
ready to meet the Hon. Member on the subject, and give
him all the explanation in his power. He hoped, how
ever, that the Hon. Gentleman would not ascribe his in—
terruption to any unwillingness on his part to give an an-
swer, but to the conviction of the uselessness of any pre-
mature discussion.
Mr. JAMES said that it would have been more conve-
nient if he had been suffered to proceed, as he sho mitt not
detain the house many minutes. He would still repeat
that the act of the Right Hon. Gentleman was most illegal
and unconstitutional. He did not mean to ascribe any im-
proper motives, for of them he was completely ignorant.
He bad always considered that it was the duty of that
house tp take care of all matters relating to the public
money. if Ministers could then give up the just claims
of the people of England without the interference of that
Honse, they might just as well impose taxes without the
authority of that House. He saw by the Convention of
1795, that his Britannic Majesty had a right to sue the
Emperor of Austria in his own Courts for a recovery of
this debt. Wby had not the Bight Hon. Gent. instituted
some process of this sort? Little hope now remained
that the debt ever would be paid. In justice, therefore,
to all other bankrupts, he hoped that the name of the
Emperor of Austria would appear in the next GaZette.—
(A laugh.)
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Lord NUGENT wished to learn. from the Right Hon.
Secretary whether he had any objection to produce certain
papers which would tend to enlighten the House on the
subject of our relations with Spain. He wished to know
if it were his intention to lay before the House (or if he
would assent to a motion for the purpose), copies of the
instructions given to Sir W. A'Conrt between the period of
the French troops entering Spain, and the evacuation of
Cadiz; and likewise copies of all communications during
the same period,
from the Spanish Government and Sir
W. A'Court. If the Right HOD. Secretary would produce,
or consent to the production of these paper!, he (Lord
Now i
Nowt), would postpone his intention of moving for them.
Mr. Secretary CANNING.—.1 have no intention to lay