The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-07-16 00:00:00

ITN SOUTH AMERICA.

The Marquess of LANSDOWNE said, that about
ten days ago he had intimated his intention of potting
a question to the Noble Earl at the head of the Admi•
situation, relative to the commercial relations between
this country and the Independent States of South Ame-
rica. He had hitherto declined putting this question in
consequence of the absence of the Noble Earl. It must
be known to the Noble Earl that a British vessel, car-
rying on trade with South America—a trade which had
been legalized by • recent Act of the Width Legisla-
ture—had been captured by • Spanish ship of war, car-
ried into • Spanish port, and condemned by a Court act-
ing under the authority of the Government of Spain.
It was of the highest importance to the mercantile in-
terest of this country to be informed what was the na-
ture of the understanding which existed between it, the
tio►ernment of Spain. sod that of South America, re-
'pedant the trade to be carried en with the latter coun-
try. He wished to know whether it was the intention
of his Majesty's 0 area to recognise the indepeo-
deuce of the South American States, and whether any
understanding existed between our Government and that
of Old Spain, as to the protection tlist was to be given
to British vessels carrying on a home fide trade with the
South American Colonies. And he wished to know
whether our Government Intended to fake measures
that should convince the Government of Spain of their
intention to hold out effectual protection to British ships
engaged in the trade to South America.
Earl LIVERPOOL stated, that when it hid been
heard that the British ship, the Lord tiollingwood, had
been captured by a Spanish vessel, under the pretence
of ito having violated the blockade, no time had been
lost in demanding informa,ioo from the Spanish tio-
►ernment on the subject. Undoubtedly had a blockade
been declared. it ought to have been observed. btu in
the present case no notification whatever of the exit-
trace of a blockade bad been received. The answer
given was, that the Spanish Government had received no
infmmation whatever on the subject from South Ame-
rica, or from any part of its own colonies, but that in-
quiry should be made. Matters re-ted there till a copy
of the Decree, ordering the condenniation of the vessel
arrived. Then first step then to he taken was to weer-
taio the gro•nd on which the condeninatioo was founded,
and this appeared to be. not a charge of violated block-
ade. or any informality in its papers, but an assumption
of piratical conduct on the part of the Captain of the
ship. No time was then lost in seneliog positive in-
structions to the British Minister in Spain, to demand.
that justice should be done, cud that reparation should

Earl BATHUK.ST objected to that clause which pro-
vided that no Publican should be deprived of his license
until a regular complaint for misconduct was made against
him, sod the same tried before a Jury at the Quarter
Sessions. He objected to it on the ground that it worthd
cause en extraordinary degree of trouble to the Justices
at Qa Sessions ; and make it a very difficult thing
for the informer to substantiate his complaint. Ile
thought it better to leave this clause out of the Hill, and
if it should be fnuad necessary hereafter, a new Bill
might be brought in next Session for the purpose of re-
medying any grievance which the Publicans might sow
complain of.
Lord AUCKLAND conceived this to be the only part
df the Bill that went to give a substantial relief to Pub-
licans. Their constant complaint was, that the Beach
Lad been filled by Magistrates who were brewers sod
distillers; and that they bad always abused their power
in granting Licenses, witb a view to Fromote their own
private interest. He was confident that the law respect-
ing the granting of licenses was the worst administered
of env io the kingdom.
Their Lordships divided nn the cause.
Contents, 7—Non•tontents,l6—Majority against the
clause, 9.
__ .

The other Orders of the Day being gone through the
!louse adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

At tea minutes before four the SPIVOCER took the
Chair, upon the house being summoned by the Black
Roil to the House of Lords, to hear the Royal Assent,
given by Commission, to ♦arious Public and Private
Hills.—[[For which, see Lords.]