The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-04-15 00:00:00

=EP"— •
terity• speak of the decisions of Sir We.. Scott,W
•
- "IL in protecting our rights at a belligerent, fixed the
duties of a neutral State, and by his decisions we shall
measure our conduct. in coming now to speak of our medi-
ation, I must observe that something had been said against
• us, because we had asked something like what one of the
parties had demanded. But France and Spain stood to-
wards each other in a very particular relation, without any
external cause of quarrel. The complaint of France
against Spain was, that her internal state was one which
caused to France great dia4uietude and alarm, while, on
the other band, Spain complained that the French Army of
Observation produced all the disorders in Spain of which
France complained. Here then were the two point' of
Oispute ; France wanted to insure tranquillity in Spain,
and Spain wanted the Army of Observation withdrawn,
but France could not withdraw this army unless
something were done to promote the tranquillity of
Spain. Between these two parties we were called on to
strike the balance. In doing this we did not act more
against Spain in recommending moderation, than against
France in recommending her to withdraw her army. The
point was to recommend something which should give secu-
ti yto both; and it was impossible to negotiate in such a
state of things, without recommending some regulations,
though that recommendation was unaccompanied by any
thing like a threat or a menace. On this point I may proba-
bly anticipate some little difference'ef opinion ; but I should
have had myself to blame had I not risked that chance for
the preservation of peace. The Spanish Government was
also distinctly told, that our interference was not accompa-
nied with any proooise.of support, and certainly not with a
degree of support extending even to making war. This is
not that we feel indifferent for the fate of Spain ; we hope
Cam she may come tr:oruphant out of her struggle (cheers),
and we have no doubt that the first issue of liar success
would be, to adept that very change we had recommended
as a means of avoiding risk and confusion. Whether Spain
or France shall he successful, I shall alwayt be proud to
recollect, that if Spain had receded what had taken place
would have been avoided, and I should now have had to
congratulate the House on the continuance of peace. (The
Bight Hon. Gent. sat down amidst loud cheers.)
Mr. BROUGHAM rose, and in a speech of which we
regret we cannot give even an outline, stated the rea-
sons why se great an abstinence relative to the enhject
had been observed on his aide the house. With respect
to tl e at itement of the Right Hon. Gentleman, he said
he had listened with all the attention lie was master of,
without having been able to discover what was the course
Government bad pursued. He could see plain enough that
the line of neutrality was that in which it was their in-
tention, to walk for the future; but lie could oot learn what
had been done, or what had been the effect of what was done
at Verona and elsewhere. He had witnessed with surprize the
light and easy manner in which the Right Hon. Gent. had
gone over that part of his case which related to Verona. All
that they heard of it was, that the Duke of Wellington went to
Paris to renew the remonstrances he had made at Verona ; but
what these here, he repeated, was no where to be found
in the speech they had heard—that omission formed •
perfect and vmarkable hiatei in the discourse of that
Hight Hon. Geitleman. He hoped, therefore, that the
papers presented to them could shew something beyond
vague generalities. and expressions of good-will to the
Spanish cause.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that they
would there find the record of some strong remon-
strances against the invasion of Spain. He did not
mean to say, that a menace ought to be held out.—
That had been blown up by the Right Honourable Gen-
tleumn ; 'though he could not admit that any one
on his side of the House had ever in his hearing ad-
vocated bolding out a threat not meaning to fulfil
it. The Learned Gentleman then reviewed the state-
ment of the Right Hon. Secretary, and the conduct of
France ; and in the close of his speech, observed be
had beard the Right Hon. Gentleman say with pleasure
that the war of the Bourbons Vas not only unjust, bat
desperate. He would newer allow himself to despair so'
long as the spirit of freedom circulated amongst them.
Not even though the orator had begged them to yield,
.and that veteran warrior the' Duke d'Angouleme—
(a laugh)—had laid his hand on the hilt 'of Mr sword,
would he despair. Tbeir business was with their'
Constituents, whom be believed to be *Manatee to
a man in the cause of Spain. Having offered up
one vow fur the defeat of the Bourbons, be would pat'
np another for their condign punishment—a consumma-
tion which would be witnessed h all with the greatest
delight.—(Hear, hear, hear.) 'the total destruction of
power would be onregretted by any but those whose
places were concerned, and no hand would be found
again to restore them he might Vnture to predict.
Thee papers would, however, leave the nation either
with feelings of bitter disappointment after their hopes
Lad been raised, or of tore humiliation.—[The Hon
and Learned Gentleman sat down amidst loud and con-
tinued cheering,]
After Mr. Canning had explained that he did not cheese-
terise the war as a desperate enterprlze on the part of
France. as to the chances of success, but only as pregnant
with danger to that and other countries, Mr. Brougham ex-
plainer!, and Mr. Canning shortly replied.
The pa,.ers were then laid on the table.
On the motion that the Report on the Naval and Mi-
litary Pensions' Bill be brought up.
Mr. MIEN PELL moved that it be brought up that
• day six months.
After some discussion a division took place.
. Ayes, 153—Noes, S7—Majority for the Bill, 46.
The Report was then brought up and laid on the table
The House then proceeded to discuss the. Irish Ali s
cellaneous Estimates, and several of the grants were
• , agreed to.—'flie Report ordered to be brought op to-
morrow.
, Adjourned at twelve o'cloek.