The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-01-11 00:00:00

THE STATESIMN.

•
—On that day of glorious achievemeut, the gallant
Colonel laboured under great bodily indisposition :
he was unhorsed, and expressing his regret that he
could not join in the pursuit of the enemy ; and,
when at length a horse was brought, he fainted
through exceeding weakness and fatigue. He next,
in terms of high praise, extolled the valour and ex-
perience of Colonel Macleod, who, after gallantly
carrying a redoubt, fell in the moment of victory.—
,
' But, above all, he wished to call the attention of the
. House to the exalted merits of Sir Samuel Auchmity,
whose modest silence respecting himself, rendered It
, necessary to have recourse to other quarters for his
praise. Mr. Perceval then read an extract from the
London Grwifte, dated the 26th of August, is
which Lord Minto extols, in the most glowing terms,
the valour and ability of the gallant General.--
He then proceeded to observe, that wherever the
navy had an opportunity of co-operation with the
army, they had exerted themselves to afford
every possible assistance ; and that the conduct
of the marines had been particularly praiseworthy ;
nor could he fail to mention with the highest
approba:ion the discipline and subordination of
the army : it had not only been commended by
their General, but private anecdotes concurred
in stating, that greater regularity and correctness
never prevailed in an army, and that, too, in a coun-
t try where the opportunities of plunder were so ac-
cessible. He concluded by saying, that he did not
wish to bring into present discussion the importance
land essential induce( the East India possessions, lest
1 this might produce a division ; but was content to
state, that they were highly useful, inasmuch as they
dispossessed the enemy of all the means which they
possessed of annoying our commerce in the Indian
seas. He thee moved, first, that Thanks be voted to"
I Lord Tinto, for the wisdom and ability with which
he had applied the resources entrusted to him to the
destruction of the French power in the East Indies;
stating farther, that the brilliant successes which had
attended our arms were owing to that vigorous sy;.
ten; of operations which he had so wisely adopted and
pursued.
On the question being put,
r. SII ER DA N rose, and observed, that there
could be but one opinion respecting the officers
employed in this expedition; but he was com-
pelled to say, that the merits of Lord Minto
had by no means been made out. It should, in
the first place, be made clear, what was the com-
mending necessity which required the absence of

the Gov. General of Bengal for six weeks, from the
seat of Government,—what were the circumstances

vour of the Motion, he could not refrain from saying
a few words as to the policy of the capture ; and
here, he was afraid, it might be justly said, that if
we were to send British troops to keep it, we had
gained a loss. We had not the means of sending
out troops to garrison the country ; and ought rather
to communicate freedom and commerce to the na-
tives, for the purpose of rendering them independent
of every European power.
Mr. WHITBREAD declared, that he had atten-
tively listened to all that had passed during the pre-
sent discussion ; the effect of which upon his mind
was, that he regretted that Ministers had thought
proper to propose the present vote at all, because
he was very sorry to oppose it, and yet could not
give it his support. The real question was, whether
what Lord Minto did, was a service of such a dis-
tinguished nature, that the House of Commons
should travel out of their usual road, to confer
their thanks for a mere civil service, while those
thanks were generally confined to naval or mi-
litary achievements. It had been often remark-
ed of late years, that Parliament was become so
lavish of its thanks, that their value had very
much diminished ; and this observation would ac-
quire still greater force, should the present vote
pass; and their value would be still more diminished
' than it had been supposed to have been heretofore.—
When even the late Chairman of the India Direc-
tion (Mr. Grant) spoke in a hesitating, doubting
manner, as to the value of the service, he (Mr.
Whitbread) might surely be allowed to suspend his
judgment as to its importance. In order to lay sat&
cient ground for this Vote of Thanks, it ought to
I have been shewn, that the acquisition itself was of
the utmost importance; and also that the conquest
could not have been achieved without the presence
of the Noble Lord. There was also this remarkable
circumstance, that Lord Minto had left the pos-
-1 sessions of the Company in India, of which he
was Governor, not for the purpose of acquir-
ing new possessions to the Company, but to the
Crown. Was it not likely also, that the same thing
would have been done, even had Lord Minto not been
there ? Where, besides, was the House to stop after
such a precedent? Might they not, precisely on the
same grounds, be called upon for votes of thanks to
the Ministers who planned any successful naval or
I military Expedition ? Had this ever been the prac-
tice of the House ? and was not the present motion
therefore a most mischievous precedent? It was even
an act of injustice to Lord Minto himself, for Minis-
ters to propose this motion. Should he get the thanks,
what value could he set upon them, when he knew
that they were conferred not without opposition, tad
without being accompanied with any gratitude from
the India Company ? On all these grounds he must
oppose the motion, which he regretted had ever been
made.

Mr. Secretary RYDER began by disclaiming any
motives which might arise out of political pr private
acquaintance with the Noble Lord who was the object
of the motion, in advocating the present vote of thanks.
He would not go into any detail of the circumstances
of the achievement so ably narrated by his Right
Hon. Friend, but would coofine himself to the simple
question ; which was, whether the result of this most
important campaign did not deserve the thanks of the
House. The conquest of the Mauritius and the is-
laud of Java was by far the most important colonial
conquest made in our East India history; not, per.
haps, so much on account of the territorial acquisition
thereby gained, but for the protection which our
commerce in the Eastern seas will receive from this
station. It was also important, because it struck
the last blow at the power of France in the Indies,
and because it deprived France of an island which
was the depot of all her annoyances to us there, and
the rendezvous of all her privateers. It was not, in
his mind,—whatever the Right Hen. Gentleman
(Mr. Sheridan) on the other side might imagine,—the
least important feature in the merits of Lord Minto,
that he went out of his way to collect information
for the purposes of this conquest, and that he super.
intended the arrangements immediately preparatory
to it. Neither did he think that the praise of having
laid such an admirable plan for so successful a con-
quest, could be done away by any extract of a pri-
vate letter which the Hon. Baronet o.ir H. Montgo-
mery) thought proper to produce. To say that the
information of that private letter was falsex_ was an
awkward expression; but what guarantee had he for
its accuracy ? He thought Lord Minto eminently en-
titled to the distinguished honour of the thanks of
that House.

Sir HENRY MONTGOMERY explained.
Mr. ELLIOT could not give a silent vote on this
occasion, when he heard a Right Hon. Gentleman
near him compare the conduct of his Noble Friend.
Lord Woe*, its accompanying the Eapedi►ion to
Java, to the exercise of civil controul, which the De-
puties of the French ConventioN exercised over the
French Generals in the ea, ly period of the Revolu-
tion. He thought his Noble 'Friend most eminently
merited the Vote of Thanks proposed, as it was evi-
-1 dent that his ably-conceived and well-digested plan
had wrested from France her last and best possession
in India.

The question was then put and carried, but with a
number of dissentient voices. No division was called
for. ~

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
moved Votes of Thanks,
To the Hon. John Abercrombie, for his conduct ,
at the conquest of Mauritius.
To Sir Samuel Auchmuty, for the decision, skill,
and energy, with which he conducted the operations'
against Java, and by which he sustained the honour of
the British nation, and added another glory to the
lustre of her military reputation.
To Admirals Bertie, and Stopferd, for their cor-
dial co-operation with the military in the Eastern
Seas.
To Generals Ward and Wetherell, and the sere-
consideraties of the House, whether the conquest of
Java was an object in itself wise and important; but,
into that inquiry be would not enter at any length at
present. He would only observe, that, no doubt,
from the nature of our extensive commerce in the
Chinese Seas, it was thought of importance by the
Government of India, to wrest the island of
Java out of the lands of its sew 'widen, as there
was every probability that the French would en-
endeavour to *oake it a neutral station for
aneoynaes of Indian commerce. indeed, it was

well understood, that since the annexation of 110,.
land to France, the Island of Java had become a
possession of great interest to the French Govern.
ment ; that they were preparing to call forth ail its
resources : and had they been able finally to estab-
lish themselves there, our commerce in the Chinese
Seas would have been greatly endangered. So much
for the importance of the acquisition ; and he per.
fectly agreed with his Right Hon. Friend, as to the
merit of Lord Miuto in his plans for the capture both
of the Mauritius and of Java. The plan adopted by
his Lordship for the capture of the former, was al.
ready in progress, when a plan for the same ob.
jest was sent out from this country; and it was
a singular circumstance that the two were exactly
similar.
,He agreed with his Honourable Friend
opposite, that the conduct of Captain Rowley, hi
regaining our naval superiority in those seas, was
such as could not be sufficiently extolled; and the
specimen which be then gave of courage and capaci-
ty, shelved that the country bad every thing to
hope from him in future. Among the numerous
excellent naval and military officers which we had,
it might be safely said, that we had none who
were likely to surpass him. Yet, unless reinforce,
Went had been sent to that Officer, it might be safely
said that the naval superiority which he replant!
would not have enabled him to wrest the Maurine,
from the hands of the French. The merit of the
t plan, therefore by which that was actmuipllshed,
ins due to Lord ?dints, who hedwaticipollvd the plso
that was sent out from this country; and had made the
necessary preparations when that plan arrived. The
same observations were applicable to Java. The In.
dian force was ready to sail, even at the moment %hen
instructions to that efect arrlied fiotn fhis count..
But the Right Hon. Gentleman had asked, why did
the Governor-General leave his duties in Bengal, and
go in person with the Expedition? To this it might
be replied, that our Indian possessions were so per.
fectly tranquil, that there was not the least probabi.
lity of danger Rom his absence. But, besides, it
was evident, from the nature of foreign posses.
lions, that a great deal would depend upon tho
ocular inspection of the Goveinor.General, awl
the local information he might obtain, to enal
him to judge what arrangements might be ne.
cessary for rendering the acquisition of the great.
est possible utility, and for adjusting all the de-
tails of the civil and military departments. There
was also this to be mentioned with regard to the
sailing of the expedition, that it was in consequence
of the information which Lord Minto was able to
collect, that it sailed at all in the last season. It
was assembled so late, that Admiral Drury, a very
meritorious Officer, entertained considerable doubts
whether it could sail at all during that Monsoon. In
consequence, however, of the information which
Lord Miuto obtained from a Mr. Greig, an cape,
rienced navigator in those seas, the fleet was enabled
to sail by a new passage to the south-west of tee
island of Borneo, and arrive at its destination in the
proper season for action. On all these grounds, he
was induced, without any feelings of party whatever,
to support the present motifs..
Str- it MONTGOMERY opposed it. He added,
that he had received private information from Java,
imputing great blame to Lord Mint() for setting free
the Malay slaves belonging to the butch in that set-
tlement, who were the most blood-thirsty fellows to
the world ; and it was feared that the scenes of St.
Domingo would be renewed there. The Hon. Mem.
ben declared, he had this information front the best
authority.
General TARLETON contended, that no civil
officer should ever accompany a military Commander,
to superintend and thwart his proceedings. General
Auchmuty was not a man who had any occasion for
, a nurse; and he did net believe that even the famous
Walchereu Expedition derived any benett from the
presence of a worthy City Baronet.
Mr. GRANT observed, that as the question had
been agitated, he had no hesitation in giving his vote
for the motion. As to the distance of Java from the
seat of Government, he would only say, that it was
the constant practice of the Governors General of
India to be going from one place to another of out
extensive possessions in the East; and by his pie.
I 'enc... undoubtedly, the civil affairs of Java were
likely to be better arranged. For his part, ho had
net heard any thing of what the Hon. Baronet as.
sorted with regard to the manumission of the Maher
slaves; and would only observe, that first reports of
that sort were generally very inaccurate and impel..
feet, and the repetition of them should net be lightly
hazarded.

Mr. PETER MOORE shortly opposed the mo.
tion, ;which was supported by Mr. ROSE.
Mr. FE.ERMA contendedo lint Lord Writ°
did not accompany the army to Java for the p_irpose
of giving military advice, but merely to superintend
the civil arrangements. Neither cnu!d he nave any
motive of private interest in the step which lie took :
but must have been merely actuated by a sense of
duty. As to the statements of the Hoe. Baronet, lw
timself had se2n private communicaiions of a ver)
ditforent tendc.icy. While, however, he vi as in tu-
ra! Officers, whether European or native, who h.-
longed to the expedition against Java ; and
To Ccmmodores Broughton and Rowley. All
these votes were carried nem. disc.

Sir lIENRY MONTGOMERY here remarks*
that while the House was thus lavish of its thanks, it
was very extraordinary that the battle of Busaco
never was mentioned in .Parliament. He had re-
ceived many private letters from Portugal, compinia-
ing of that neglect. [The Honourable Baronet 4% -I^
here called to order by the Speaker, who bogged of
the Honourable Baronet to matter his obsorvatio is
mere according to Parliamentary tteag ..) The 11.00.
Baronet then sat doun.

A vote of approbation of their conclact was then
voted to the non-commissioned officers at.d privates
of the army, and to the seamen and marines enga4ed
in the Expedition.
Mr. FREENIANTLE moved for the papers con-
taining the annual receipts into the Exchequer, Vl-
eluding the vrar.taxes, for the years 1811 and 181'2.
The CHANCELLOR of ti e EXCHEQUER
said, that as the object of moving for those papers
was to disprove a statement which- he made fl .e other
night, he begged to lire en explanation of what be
then said. When he described the receipts of this
'eat; as ist a progressively improved state, as com-
}aced with do time post, Me did eot OHNIII to contit

----- No4*l •

LONDON:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1812.

The Cork ifercantik Ohronicic, of the 6th inst.
which we received this morning, gives the following
account of the proceedings of the Catholic Aggre-
gate Meeting held there on that day :—At about
eleven o'clock, numbers of people began to crowtl
about the Theatre, in St. Patrick-street, in order to
gain admittance ; at tear twelve, the doors were
opened, and, when we entered, we found numbers
of our most respectable Citizens, of all persuasions,
already on the Stage, which, as was notified by pla-
cards upoa the doors of the Theatre, was principally,
reserved for Protestant Gentlemen.—Numbers im-
mediately began to throng in at all the doors, and the
house was soon filled.—Where we could at all distin-
gu6h faces among the crowd, we know not whether
Catholics or Protestants were most numerous. Be-
fore the Chair was taken, the avenues to the house
a ere throned beyond conception.

Jut RocnE, Esq. proposed, that Sir FRANCIS
GOOLD should take the Chair,. which was approved
of by the Meeting—for some minutes after the Chair
was taken, Sir FILANciII stood bowing to an ap-
plauding Assembly; ;and then addressed them in-
energetic speech at tensiderable length, which" 1M
:occluded by expressing his sincere satisfaction, at
)eholding the respectability of the Meeting of this
great City and County, the first in the kingdom,
Ind second in the Empire at large ; and ty stating
his sense of the greathenenr conferred upon !dolt)
his being called to the Chair.

Counsellor CALLANAN followed, in a very able
snd argumentative address, and ended by reading
the Resolutions and the Petition, which he proposed
to be adopted.

Re was seconded by Counsellor O'REGAN, in a
brilliant and animated speech, which as very much

app;auded.

Dr. BAY.DWIN entered into a very able and diffuse
irsal argument, in which he proved the Subject's right
to Petition, and controverted the arguments of the
Crown Lawyers.

Mr. O'LLEIN rose under a sense of the indignity
which heal been cast upon the Catholics, and address-
ed the meeting at some length.
He was followed by Colonel Srawm.s., of Kilbrit-
tain, who proposed that the Protestants !should Pe-
tition in favournf Catholic Emancipation, and de-
clared that be would, if necessary, be the first to
sign it.

Mr. BrAwns delivered a most able and liberal
'eeth, replete w:tis argument and sentiment, in
which he declared, that even when a very young man,
and before any of the Penal Laws had been abro-
gated, he warily felt the oecoolity of Colloli•Xowie•

4.4

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