The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-08 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN:,

of which, as well as of Spain, the people had become
proverbial for integrity and honour in iheir mer-
cantile dealings. He was rejoiced to see on this oc-
casion, o:at not only were all the most respectable
mercantile interests of the city collected, but there
were also present persons of exalted rank and noble birth,
and an illustrious person nearly related to the throne. It
was gratifying to observe how harmoniously all these vier=
sons agreed, end found that their interests and those of the
civilized world were to be preserved by the union of their
several powers. These different elaeses were here united to
express those opinions on the principles of national liberty,
by which they conceived their own were mainly supported.
He thwight he did Lot arrogate too much for the profession
of which he was a member when he said, that it was by
means of the opportunity which commerce afforded for the
promulgation of their doctrines, that chilisation and liberty
had been spread over the earth. In the two countries which
had been mentioned, the seeds of liberty had been first sown
by the same means; and be trusted that it would continue
to flourish, notwithstanding the opposition which was now
made to it, and that In the end it would become still more
great and glorious. Ile concluded by proposing as a toast.
"'The extension of commerce and civilization to all ',l'd, of
the globe," which was drank.
Song—" Ye Gentlemen of England."
The CHAIRMAN then gave —" The Cortes of -Spain
and Portugal." Three times three, with loud and conti-
nued applause.—Tune, " itiego's Hymn."'
Sir J. MACKINTOSH said it was very agreeable for him
—and not a little fortunate for the Meeting, that the
toast which he had to propose, was recommended by so
much intrinsic importance, that few words were necessa-
ry from him in introducing it.—Had it been otherwise,
he confessed be knew not What be could hare *tided with
advantage to the generous reasoning and powerful elo-
quence of his Noble Friend. What he had imagined,
the Noble Marquis had uttered, and he could desire no
greater advantage than that his ideas should be clothed
in his Noble Friend's laegnage. But a great part of
all that nas necessary to be done on this occasion had
been done in the very first address that was made to the
Assembly that evening: The Noble Chairman, in &short
but manly and energetic address, worthy of a man who
bad fought the battles of his country in all parts of the
world, had advocated the cause of liberty ire language
becoming the descendant of William the Third. (Ap-
plause.) it was remarkable that the name of Bentinck
hactappeared on the side of liberty in a fortnerage, when
it was assailed by a Bourbon ;—but it was perfectly
natural that the Noble Lord should act as he now did.

It was not to be expected that he would call that revolu-
tion an act of usurpation which had established
at the same time the family
,of the Noble Lord and the
rights and liberties ef the country. The toastwhich he had
to give. recommended the p etion of the peace of Eu-
rope. This was perfectly consistent with the principles
which-brought them together. Their object was to express
reprobation of au attempt to disturb that peace by acting on
principles which struck directly at the independence of na-
tions. The two gallant and renowned nations, whose repro-
sentatives were then present, were necessarily united, even
without the aid of treaties. One of these was our most an-
cient klly. When she had been threatened by France, she
was succoured by us. end British valour had peeved the cra-
dle of her liberty. The Spanish nation was connected with
this country by similar ties. It was the only monarchy
which had twice, within a short period, excited universal
interest front the danger to which she was exposed, from
unprincipled aggressioss. In 1808 she had craved assist-
ance in her greatest need by her Deputies, who were seqt to
this country. The appeal was not made in vale. The Bri-
tish nation dew to arms, and had the honour of participating
In those combats which had saved the intlepeodenceofSpaio.
A similar appeal was now made, for again her independence
was menaced by violence, as unprincipled as that of which
she had complained before, and already the appeal was an-
swered by the British Nation. The people had pronounced
their judgment on the great impending contest. The voice
of all parties, both in and out of Parliament, had declared
in favour of Spain. The Government by its silence and
forbearance, gave all the effect they could to the efforts of
those who wished to preserve the peace of sarope and
the independence of Actions. The judgmeat 'to which
he had allude) was every where pronounced with a few
suspicious exceptions in favour of Spaht nitre prioci-i
pie on wide!' site was threatened with attack were aeted
upon without opposition, there would not long remain
any Law of Nations in the world. Independence wonid
cease, and so, in fact, would nations; for, in his judg-
ment, a nation could not with propriety be said.to exist,
which was not independent. He pointed out the hallo,
reasoning urged by the French Minister in defence of
the meditated war. One ground of complaint was,
that the independence of Spain would have a tendency
to diminish the sale of French Mules.—(A laugh.)—This
was urged as a cause of war, though every one knew
that Spain bad an undoubted right to prohibit, If she
pleased, every article that could be furnished h France
from coining Into her territory. Spain haddone nothing
against the independence of other nations—she had not in-
vited the subjects of other states to rebel against their So-
vereigns nor had she in any case considered other Govern-
ment* to be less lawful than their own. There were, there-
fore, less grounds for making war on her, than the Allies
had In 1793 (though it was not him to defend them) for
making war against France. He considered that the
partition of Poland had, in point of fact, led to the at-
tack now to be made on Spain. The principles con-
tended for by France, would lead to an interminable war.
They would justify the Emperor of Russia, if be had the
power, which thank God be had not, in overrunning
America—they would also authorise him CO establish an
"Wiley of Cossacks in London, and to demand that one
affairs should be submitted to the united wisdom of 'Si-
beria and Kamtscheka.—(A laugh.) In June last,
when the French King closed the Session of the Cham-
bers, he declared that nothing but the blackest malevo-
lence, wishing to rekindle the brands of discord and war,
could have so misrepresented his intentions as to de-
scribe the sanitary cordon to have been established for
any purpose but to guard against the progress of the
yellow fever. It was now seen who were the parties
that were anxious to rekindle the brands of war and dis-.
cord, the baleful flame of which it was extremely possible
might shortly extend through Europe. M. de Oleic*.
briand had objected to the Spanish Constitution that it
would enable that nation to form independent treaties
with friendly states. It might enable her to form a
friendly treaty with England, which perhaps was the
power which M. de Chateattbriand had princiially in his
eye. lle hoped it would not he forgotten by this country,
by Spain, or by Europe, that if France considered it her
interest to m .Ile Spain dependant, it had always been the
policy of- England to sec that she was independent.—
(Applause.) •Ile exulted as his hen. friend had done in
the happy illustration furnished by that meeting of our
political liberty,where men of all persuasions could meet
without acrimony, where men of all ran krWere blended
without confusion, and is here men of all parties mingled
without involving a sacrifice of principle. He rose to give
a toast favourable to the preservation of peace, but those
Who heart km knew that wive was not to be preserved
by mean soil) onisbion, but by active coura4e and wise fore-
sight He concluded. by giving as a toast, " The preser-
vation of the Peace of Lorope."
The toast was drank with three times three.
The Duke of Sussex, after an animated eulogy on the
merits of their Noble Chairman, gave the" health of Lord
W. Benthrek," with three throes three.
The toast was drank with shouts of approbation.
The Noble CHAIRMAN, as no words could do justice to
his feelings, begged simply to re:urn Ills sincere thanks
for the honour he itnd received.
The next toast was. " The fluke of Wellington and the
brave men, of whatever country, who fought for Spanish
freedom on Spanish ground."
Air—" Britons striae home."
The lion. Mr. Littleton, M.P., for the county ettsteora,
being called upon for a tent,

Mr. Lerma-row expressed the high satisfaction which he
derived fens meeting so numerous a Company, and witnevs-
lag snob Infante ardour in the eases of Spanish liberty. lie
spoke with much animation on the haportatteeef this coat-
flog' now at issue ; condemned the principles upheld by the
Holy Alliance, abd concluded by giving as a toast " The
cause of civil and religions liberty all over the world."
The toast was drank with three times three.
The next touts were, " The Governor and Deputy-Go-
vernor of the Bank of England."
" The Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, dad Directors of the
East India Company.'
These toasts were Break with unusual honours; and Mr.
BULLICR and Me, WIFORAIII returned thanks.
The CHAINNAN next gave the health of the Stewards.
The Duet of Boileau+ returned thanks fur the Stew-
ord.%
The Noble CnAIIIIIAN and the Duke of Sussex left the
room et about eleven o'clock, and the company wholly se-
parated shortly after ; the harmony of the day having been
preserved with unfailing spirit till the last.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, MARCH 7.

RIX V. CHARLIS TRUST.

This was an information tiled by the ATTORYaT•Qa-
NaRAL, charging the defendant alai vending a bias.
phemous publicat►on, entitled Palmer'. Principle, of
Nature. _ _ .

The SOLICITOR-OZNERAL shortly stated the case to the
Jury.
By the evidence it appeared that the publication in
question was sold by means of an inlet in • screen,
through which the money was put, and immediately the
work was delivered through an aperture by an invisible
hand.
The defendant appeared to be an illiterate youth of
about ld years of age, rather smartly dressed ; he was at-
tended by a man, who suggested several questions by way
of cross examination.
Several pongee of the work were read by tbe Asso-
ciate containing very coarse and irreverent expressions
applied to the Christian Religion and its protestors.
The defendant being called on fur his defence, stated,
that hlr. Prendergast was retained as his Counsel, who
was not present.—He then read a short defence from a
paper which was handed to him by die man who sat next
him. It was pregnant with scurrilous epithets directed
towards the two witnesses who had been celled to prove
the publication, and denied•the fact of publication.
The SOLICITORAIENERAL, in reply, observed that he
could not help lamenting to 3.e the defendant surrounded
by those, who were endeavouring to snake him the tool
of their base and mischievous designs.
The Loan CHIEF JUSTICE summed up, and the Jury
immediately found the defendant guilty. •

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, bliacu 7.
JoN::s V. BRIGHAM.
_ _ _ _ _

Mr. Serjeantma stated, that tnis was an action of
assault and imprisonment, brought hy the plaintiff, a sur-
geon, against the defendant, who was a Captain of an
East India vessel, the Arab, and who had imprisoned
him on his passage, and treated hint In a very improper
winner. Disputes had arisen at the very commence-
ment of the voyage, but the assault and imprisonment of
which the plaintiff complained did not take place until
after the vessel had reached St. Helens. At that time
the defendant's conduct became very violent, and he im-
prisoned the plaintiff in his cabin, and never suffered him
to go on deck but for the purposes of nature. Ile had
planed the plaintiff in his cabin, and strictly guarded
him by placing a-sentry at his door. These assaults were
justified, and the defendant affected on the record to say
that be had been obliged to imprison the plaintiff in or-
der to secure peace on board, and prevent the crew from
mutiny. He believed that no foundation could be shown
to-exist file. spat a gement. It appeared by the evi-
dence, for the plaintiff, that the imprisoment continued
till the vessel got into the channel.
Mr. Serjeant Pew., for the defendant, maintained that
the tuition had arisen in ingratitude. The peseengers
N the ship had declined to continue their intercourse
with the plaintiff, and had signed a requisition •to the
captain to exclude him from the cabin table. The capt.
sent him a letter, containing this requisition, and de-
siring him to consider himself excluded, at the same
time saying that his dint4r sbonld be sent him from the
cabin mess, and that he should himself select the dishes.
To this letter the p!aintiff bad replied in a Eyle of un-
bearable insolence.
••Witnesses were called to prove the violent conduct of
the plaintiff; and a strong manifestation of opinion hav-
ing been observed among the jury, the evidence was
stopped, and the plaintiff nonsuited.