The Statesman.
London, England, 1814-07-20 00:00:00

HON? OF COMMONS.

ileveral Petitions were prittented noinst the Stare Trad,
which were ordered to lie on the table.
The Clergy Residence Bill was read the third time, and
posed.
'she Thames Pollee Bill was committed.--fteport to-ntor ow.
The East India Shipping Cont Situation Bill was read the third
time, artd p,tssed.
Oo the anotio,t of the C I IA NOEL !Ant of the CNC /1 EQU r It,
the-Neuse.went into a Committee on the Duke of Wellington's

A Risolatioo was proposed and agreed to, that in ease of the
tailore of heirs mate. the las& of the Noble Vukefhould descend
to his next female helm

LADY Nth** PELHAM AND MONTAGYE
__ PACKETS.
surd_ in bringing forward hi,: motion
fur. Papers ,connected with the late action between
his
,Majesty's packets Montague and Lady Mary
Pelham and so American Privateer, was fully aware
of the necessity of abstaining from all interference
with the Executive Government, but on the most
weighty moods. He thanked a Right Hon. Gen-
tleman opposite for the communication of the state.
&wit, .on which it was meant to rest the justitica.
tiop of the conduct adopted by the Post-office on the
occasion, and which, he was prepared to say, on the,
authority of the depositions which he held in bis
hand, of upwards of thirty persons, as well as from
thq information he was in possession of as to the
Papers themselves, contained the most palpable sup-
pressions anti gross misrepresentations of the real
facts of the case. On the 3d of November last, the
Pelham, of which Mr. Perring was acting -Com-
mander, ..and Montagu, had au action off Ma-
deira with the Globe American privateer, which
terminated in the escape of the enemy, with
the loss of nearly 60 men killed and wounded. The
account pf the action transmitted to the Posf-offiee
by Mr. Perring and by Mr. Watkins, on whom the
command of the blontago devolved by the death of
her Commander, were of the most opposite nature ;
it being stated by Mr. Perring, that the Montagu'had
struck her colours, and beet) prevented brthe
Ael-
ham from falling into the hands of the enemy; whilst,
according to Mr. Watkins, the Montagu bad re.-
ceived no support from the Pelham, and, though she
had been under the necessity of sinking her mail,
had herself beaten the enemy, and he, so far from
confirnting the account of his baring struck, that he
expressly calls the attention to the position. of her
11.18, as dying at the gaff, and to 'his determination
that it should never be disgraced. Mr. Perring's
brother having requested that a strict investigation
might take place, is informed by Mr. Freeliug that
nothing could be more fair and proper than the re-
quest ; a different opinion, however, seemed subse-
quently to prevail, Mr. Watkins being promoted
to, the command of a packet, which was accom-
panied by a commission entitling him to the rank
of a commander in the navy, without even the
ordinary enquiry on the loss of a mail. This want
of investigation was sought to be supplied by an
enquiry in the absence of the Pelham, which pro-
ceeding on ex.parte evidence, was of course favoura-
ble to Capt. Watkins. On Mr. Perring's return, every
impediment was thrown in the way to his obtaiuingl
a fair investigation. Heis denied mom to the proceed-
ings which took place in his absence; on his applying?
to Mr. Saverland, the Agent at.Falmeuth, to know'
when his letters were forearded to the Board, harem
obtain no information, Mr. S. " not keeping copies of
his own letters or Mr. Perring's." An enquiry, hobt-
ever, takes place on evidence of the two ships' com-
panies, and the report states Captain Watkins to
have falsified his Journal. His statement to the
Office, and his evidence on the former enquiry, une-
quivocally declares that the Montagu was rescued
from the.enemy by the Pelham ; the fact of her strik-
ing colours,being proved by the very man who stated
that be. did so. by ovder. of Mr. Watkins. Captain
WaatiftsOlsough so -disgraced, is notwithstanding
maintained in his appointment, and the brave crew
of the Pelham are deprived of that reward, which It
is the usage of the serviee'to bestow on occasions of
this nature. His Lordship feisaesvinced that on prov-
ing thesase,which. he profeasetiblinself fully prepared
to do, the House must Bic convinced that the conduct
of the Post-office had been equally injurious to the
individua and24ptrimeittPl: tti".the public serviceg
He moved, thattimro be laid before the House "The.
Proceidings of the two Coasts of Entoiry,andCorressr
pontlence relative to the action which was WO
on tie 3d . nf-blovember last, by his Majesty's
Packets, Lady Mary. Pelhassotal Mester, with
the Globe American Friesian• • IJu ~s -
Mr. PENAINGTON
the Papers wore produced, SO wet

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