The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-10-27 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN,

THE ARNISTON TYLINSPORT.

RESOLUTIONS

A narrative taken from the surviving crew relative
to the loss of the Arnislon transport, wrecked near
tape ',agollas, on the evening of the 30tlt of May,
1815:

OF TIIF.
EDINBURGH MEETING For PARLIANIENTARY
REFoRm.

-
nesoLvOn, ------
1. That as every reasonahle creature has a de-vo-
(ianal duty to perform, and may thereby 11,•pe to
meet a "rations est., when he prays fur various tile:.
sings, at the hands .af his Alni:glity Creator, 110 Live
Christian can consi,tewly deny to a Constitoe .t
body, a similar obligat• and privilege to petition
fur a legitimate hoots from ii 4 own Representatives, as
the third state of one ontnipoteat Parliament.
2. Thal all unnecessary obstructions to the sacred
right of preparing and presenting Petitions to the
King, Peer.,, or (louse of Commons, wherever they
occur, rather hetray a wi,li to stifle the voi,e of
Truth, than evince the desire of calmly hearing rea-
son for granting the people's just rights, or tor re-
dressing those wrongs which often oblige them
to complain with too much cause, and hitherto with
so little effect in Parliament.
3. That no nation can, ill any proper sense of the
word, be called fire, when individual happiness,
property, liberty, and life, are not protected by
known laws, emanating from, founded upon, and
modified by the general will of the people. express-
ed either personally, or by commensurate Represen.
Winn.
4. That wherever Representation is notco-exten-
sive with Taxation, personal properly, and every
other fruit of real liberty, are too much exposed to
the mercy of landholders, or mere superiors, who
simply, as qualified electors, hare florally any com-
mon interest or fellow-feeling with their unre-
presented countrymen ; cons9riently these last are
so far mere vassals or slaves, with scarcely one
enviable stake left them to defeird".iii their native
land. -
5. That, from a firm conviction of annual Portia-
ments, and a general elective franchise, being the
sacred birth-rights of Englishmen, we believe the late
Duke of Richmond, in concert, 30 years ago, with
(he immortal Reformer, William Pitt, declared, in
print, that every individual Briton, hut the Prince,
the Peer, and the Pauper, possessed an inherent
right to vote at annual elections for his Parliamen-
tary Representative. Those radical principles admit
of no relaxation or innovation whatever, because
these aberrations render the sheet anchor of corrup.
titan in Parliament still mire immoveable, by imply.
ing the unconstitutionnl extension of its duration to
any given 'period. Under this conviction, every
sound heart and clean hand should rally rcuod the
national capstan, to pro; that the good ship Consti-
tution, of Old England, may be safely removed by a
lung pull, a strong pull, and a pr:II altogether, to
her ancient moorings, lest she founder at anchor in
Rotten Borough Bay, or get foully adrift amidst the
war of elements, the crash of fallen liberty, and the
wreck of surrounding nations, while the planet-
struck crew seem afraid to present either a roond
robin, or a more manly petition to secure even their
own salvation from the yawning gulph of rrdi-
lion.

Charles Stewart Scott, late carpenter's mete of the
Arniston transport, end others, assert to the best of
their knowledge, that she sailed ft orn Point de Gall,
on or about the 4th of April, under convoy of his
Majesty ship Afticaine, and Victor brig, with six
Indiamen: about the 26th of May parted company
from the convoy, owing to stress of weather, haring
blown away most of her sails, others were then bent ;
but the weather continued very squally with a heavy
sea. On the 2905, about 7A. M. the land was dis-
covered right a-heed, bearing altaut N. by W . a long
distance off, the wind then ; about Ralf-peat
4 I'. Al. still blowing wry strong, hauled to the wind
on the larboard tack, wider, a close-reefed main-top
sail, and stood on till half-past 2A.M. on the 30th;
then %opposing the land was near Table Bay, the
hands were /tamed up, bore up, steering N. W. and
set the foresail, intending to run for St. Helena ;
continued on till 10 A. M. when the land was dis-
covered nearly a-hear! ; turned the hands spy end ;
hauled the ship close to the wind on the larboard
tack, still blowing very hard, made all sail, having
topsails and courses set, stood on till near noon,
when breakers were discovered on the lee bow;
. were ship, and hauled to the wind on the other tack,
, stood on till 2 P. M. then wore and hauled •to the
wind on the larboard tack, continuing on till near)
four o'clock, when breakers were seen, which prow-;
ed lagallas Reef, which we could not weather on
. either tack, being completely embayed ; clewed up
the sails, and cut away three anchors ; the two bower;
cables parted shortly after, when Lieut. Brice, agent
for transports, recommended the Captain to cut the
sheet cable, and run the ship ashore, the only chance
of sasiog the people's lives ; the cable was then cut, ;
and the ship put before the wind, and in about eight
minutes after, she struck forward, .he ship heeling to
windward ; cut away the guns in order to heel her
the other way, which could not be effected, cense-
quenlly she soon began to break op ; abofit eight
o'clock the masts went ; and theship, in every short
time was quite in pieces. Many people were drowned
below, in consequence of her heeling to windward ;
and others clung to the wreck,endeavouring to reach
the shore, about a mile and half distant. Out of the
whole crew, consisting of near 350 persons, only
six men reached the shore with great difficulty
upon planks, being much bruised by the surf and'.
wreck, which was very high. At day-light the neat
morning the stern post was the ouly part of the ship
to be seen ; the beach wettrovered with wreck, stores,
ikc. and a number of dead bodies (which were buried
by the survivors), and among whom were Lord and
Lady Molesworth, the Agent, and Captain, with
rome children. On the neat day, the Ist of June,:
considering ourselves to the Westward of Cape Point,
it was agreed to coast the beach to the eastward, •
nide!) we continued to do for fear days and a half,
subsisting on shell-fish from off the rocks; but fear.;
ieg we had taken a wrong direction, it was agreed!
to return to the wreck; and we accomplished it in i
three day's tied a half, where we remained six days,
subsisting chiefly on a cask of oatmeal which had •
been driven on shore ; by drying it in the sun we-.
experienced great relief from it. The pinnate had
bcen ;Liven on sitere.hilged, w hich we proposed to ,
r. pair in the bet !neither circumstances would allow;
and endeavour to coast along shore; at that time, the I
14•11 of Juile, being at work on the boar, we were •
fortunately discovered by a farmer's eon, John
Swarts, w hn 'sacs out shooting, and humanely carried
by him to his father'e house, were we remained with '
every comfwt he could afford us, for a week ' • and
then set off for Cape Town, where we arrived on
Monday evening, the 26th of June. •
Before sse left the country we were informed that
331 bodies, throw o on shore, had been interred near
the beach.

(save J) C. STEWART SCOTT, and Party.
This dFclaralion was made before me at Cepe
Town, the 27th day of Jone, 1815, of which this is
a true ropy._

A Li.t of Oglcerß mid Passenecti, as far m r:,n hp collected
from the Surv. •v. rs, w•ho perioicd INt board the A ruistan 'tans-
por , on Cie ;ioih of :

J. MER ES; Lieut. R. N. and A. T.

~~~:...

11. That aithoults Burke complaioel, many
years ago, of the influence of the Cretin 644 so
irresistible, as to demand inn/010e reduction, it
has netertht loss arquird since a tenfold force from
the corrupt Borough faction, and other innumerable
sources, whi..h, lie who tuns may read, in every
Inge of oar domestic history, connected with those
appaliug evens on the bratilieitt, whirli altiMatele
can haie no other tendency than to confirm the pas-
sive obedience of the people, and the irresistlidy (N-
-ettie lights of their K;i.gs ter eser, untesc ar.
rested speedily by the iutur posing Pa et ideate of aq
omuipnteut :sr...
l'2. That Ministerial rettlionsibility bit tin* be:
come a perfect mockery, sitars indemnity for4ans:
crime most be readily obtained, (torn adds 'subset.
Cent majorities in Parliament as latiqy pa‘sod their
blood-stained Corn Bin, in spite of innumerable pe.
titiolis from their own constituents; thus leaving
them no other alternative than mute anba.ission; to•
Mit
.tsji:cli absolute Monarchs, as they can do
Ito wrong, liits'e a sight to employ, for convincing
rich other, or their own vassals, that 'might it* ail
Such syllogisms is the major proposition, add ought
to be victorious.
13. That a Coverntisent, howeier tiompcsed;
which, witii6t any constitulional cootialtil, wields
the swold of U great aid victorious outlets, is not
less the !lb-solute master of the people's property, li-
berties, and lives, than the ditieg rolther4, when to
in the faith of escapiog %%kit impunity, de-
mands money from peaceable subjects, will, a nitook
at their breasts, tot the Riese; Fikhoay, in delionce
of Law, Justice, and Doa th, in this world, and of
the more an ful tespolitibili!y to the Ghat !Judge of
all men, in that which is to come.
14. 'rim an impelicl and regal colospirricY of all.:
solute Monarchs against the liberties of their aeverat
sanjects, is a (hop r ,Us phenomenon in the modern
history of Europe, where not dine of the ancient
Republics still rears itt solitary ilea(' on the Conti-
nent, as the expiring image of tiationalfeeellenn
blank so expressive. of itself, can roils no VerY'pers:..
miming sign for us islanders, a het Still fondly chit
to a stoks*, while the substance, even among opr.
rehire% is visibly consuming in so sleep a decline, as
to esilibit nothing to us now, but a faint hope Of re.
covery.
15. That on a recent memorable riccasion, though
a Reverend Preacher of the Gospel of. Poore, took
the opportunity of hallowing a large stantliag
as the only palladium of national liberty and hole-
pendenre, we (rankly declare our opinion .to be rim
ve y reverse, and defy him In' prove the sound :est
or consi,tency i,f his belligerent doc:rines, by a re.
ferettce to the history of any free people in the
world, or to applicable test in those scriptures of
truth, that proclaim good will on earth to all man-
kiwi. These divine volumes indeed breathe bettevo.
lent sentiments, which an orator should, with tho
becoming charity of a true believing Priest, both
practise. and preach among his fallow-cititena ; Cot
they may thence learn to prize the magnanimous ex-
ample of forgiting, especially a falleo enemy, abase
the fruitless precept, which'merely inculcates such a

. _ . .
6. That we consider the sacred privilege of annual rare virtue, or the vile mercenary spirit, that puts
and popular elections of Members of Parliament, was, both at defiance, by preferring, like Cardiatai %Vid-
or ought to have been, conceded, with other value- sey, the fleeting layette of an earthly Prince to the
ble rights, to the Scottish nation, at its union e ith saving grate of the King of Kings.
I England, and therefore we, the Loyal Inhabitants 16. That however high the martial prowess, and .
of the Scottish Nletrepolis, in common with all 111,11. fel- , military glory of a regular army, may *deservedly
low subjects, possess, fur ourselves and posterity, exalt the Prince; Government, and Officers of a nti-
as freemen, an hereditary claim for the restoration litant Sate or Chinch, these alone can never cons:,.
of the English Constitution, to its original purity, ildate the religious freedom,. real isWepesidence,
which can be effected by no other process than what commercial prosperity, or geneine liberties of a free
is generally denominated radical Reform. • . people, whose invincible navy is as mutes. the natural
7. That of three millions which compose the ;an. bulwark of an islead, against every
its otery.frety safeguard
-i.ifnruaelgfrunaardd,
pulation of Scotland, the whole number who possess as a national militia will prove
the elective franchise does not exceed 10,000, leaving at home, against those obsequious• ft lends, who,
.2,900,000 free 'souls, as little qualified as the most under the hely mask of exclusive ,loyalty, are ',Sive
abject slaves of the Grand Turk or the Great Mo. ing, with impunity, on the vital liberties of their
gut, by any token which can shield them effectually country.
from the intolerable lash and imposition of incessant ' 17. That though the bright deeds of many brave,
collections, royal subscriptions, compulsive contri- able, and upright Britons, shine clearly through their
butious, fiscal extortions, mortuary duties, grinding honours, nobly won, the free spirit and generous as-
exactions, enormous fees and legal expellees, ill- racterof the British nation seems eclipSed, benighted,
grant abuses, Corn Bills, and various other ingnisi. and debased, by innumerable crosses, ti' lea, and badges;
totiat Taxes : burdens alone galling enough to in- of a different line, white the splendid processions,
spire even the Spanish mules, the most patient asses the musical festivals, the gay feasts, the sprightly
,of any country, to make persevering and audible al)_ dances, and the triumphant songs, of the times,
peals to the self-interest of their imperious masters, rather betray the hectic flush of a wasting consurep.
'before their backs are irrecoverably broken, during lion, than* that natural glow of health and content
the prugresrof a long journey. which beams with !pediment serenity on the facile of
8. That the patrons, projectors, admirers, and a pious and thriving retitle.
friends of Saving Banks, are bound in honour aced le. That the 111;,,,;1fie of French Protestants, the
.justice to Petition Parliament for extending the elec. PRPt:tfli4lll HMI buntings of Spanish Patriots, the re-
live suffrage to every class in society, that all It.lnds surrecene of the I!•quisitioll, and its worthy assn.
may secure the adequate protection of their own ac- slates the Jesuits, the suppression of free Masons,
cumulating deposits. This object can only be ob., anti free schools, the lt, yet liveries of the People's
tained through the medium of direct Representa--., Representatives in France, and the shameful transfer
lion, before the necessities of the State, at no dis- • of Christian betas by millions, like so many count!, ,d
taut pealed, may require 10 per cent. upon capital, : droves of black sheep on the Continent, from one
besides the existing Tax on Income,st tech, then cons- , Despot to anotie r, all portend an endless and sane
hissed, would totally exhaust 1001. in five years, that &easy contest between Ty rants and Frepeten, for
the brooding economist had probably sated by long the ritinclinn or pre:serration of manly religions nee
fasting anti the most penurious expenditure in 50 ; . civil lights, w Inch, during the lost , four centuries,
little dreaming, good easy man, the whole time, that lease been gradeelly &wren,: over Enrope, from
his oats goose egg might ultimately have the hohour ! those ages of night and darkness, to teat perr ct
of being hatched as a goldfinch, by an urban cuckno, due, which every sincere Christian should hope will
a resat swan, or a king's fisher: ' I bee/weal:
9. That ee may boldly retort the reproach of inee 19. That seeing the Abolition of the Sieve 'Trade
novation upon Jacobite Royalists, and their fat een itee has, after a persevering struggle, become alnenst
Borough-mongers, who have dared to justify the'; universal abroed, sorely reseal pains eel some be
treasonable practices of seat-selling, because the fre-'j Silken 141 eradicate entry degrading Vestige of slat/err
quest commission of such crimes, against the pope- it home ; 'for he must he little better than a merls r
lar branch of the State, was as notorious as the sun vassal who has neither a eersenol lint repress ittatiee
at neon day, in that very House of Commons, where voice, in the intermediate means for ten-state( self-
the the Speaker declared that such unpriecipled innora- , I reservation or defence, as the matey inhabitant of
tors on the Constitution would have been itelignalit- a free country ; who, disregarding alike a title, or a
ly spurned by our ancestors, yet, rairalide diarr I • wart', rats writ ntrord to keep n g•wt consrience,
these very suspicious characters stand high in °eke, ' and thence, will both 1„'I for the Christian captives
i favour, genuine, and power, at'this day. , wi:h our pettsioned Aity at Algiers, and for all
I- 10. That since the. ascendancy of the Borough those who otriseet in heed: ere at n much shorter nese
Faction, and the increased duration of Pedestaled's, Lance from our oK n doors than the Coast of Guinea
the National Debt, a standing army, and foreign or Negnitand.
mercenaries, have all been augmenting in.that ;effete- ! . 20. 'That some of the most despotic Monarchs on
i
trical ratio, which has lately alarmed Political Eco. th' Continent, leave In far Wise's followed teen:sae&
nomists, on applying the same scale to the.progres. of the hermits mind, a 4 to grant their- sweets .. set-
tees. population of free and pacific States ; not per.. asked, an essential Reforfn ice their several Govern:
haps being aware, that the externiitiatisig wars metes, we therefor, Owled tint despair of tee retro.
which have desolated the world fur half a century,. vAtine required in nate, provided we continuo at
and way continue' for an age or two longer, are Christian sieiehbours, to ask stud pray in brotherl4l
alone the most radical cures for a disorder, iufsnitely harmony and concert, for a restoration of eveew
more alarming than the Kinggli Evil;..til ponstrunf i white man's rights, its this kingdom, with the ehae
'kora/440A i of human fecunditye, , i inimitii confidence) aud seal, of those numerous res,