The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-09-04 00:00:00

111 E STATES:

COMMON COUNCIL, Sipr. 3. this great City, on a aubjedt in which they esteemed
i
-- themselves deeply and essentially interested. He
This day a Court of Common of Council of the could not anticipate any opposition or objection to
the measure contemplated in the present Petition,
rny of London was held within the Council Room
the dispatch of ordinary business, and also for but still he must pray the indulgence of the Court,
~i.
.'le special purpose of voting an Address to the Prince while he said a few words on a subject which he es.'
teemed of such Material importance. The Petitioners
,legent, expressive of the congratulations of the Court '
complained, that they suffered great injury from the
in the occasion of the splendid and important victo.
pre o Lon-br ha:
ies gained by Lord 'Wellington over the French army sent
creased tstate f o such a degrdonee, fromidge, the increasedwhich d stht.ate
year Salamanca. 1
____ ___ of the trade of the Metropolis, that the Petition.

RIGHT OF VII, CITY TO ALL FINES IMPOSED VOL
—.. .---..---- ------ - . ,
thernseites would apply to Parliament for re-
OFEENCLS COGNIZABLE IN THE CITY OF LON.
DON. dress, did they not think that they ought on soch
I
Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Buten ewe to apote• an occasion, to come, in the first instance, to the Cor-
tite for the unavoidable absence of his Brother She. Peration of the City of London, which, as the par-
riff, and to call the attention of the Court to the dian of the trade of the City, ought to be their pecu.
statement of a case In which the privileges of the City liar protection against the injuries brought upon
of London were materially concerned. William them by this bridge. The Petitioners complained,
Porter, the Captain of a vessel named the Tiger, first, of the inconvenient state of the arches, and that,
had been tried at the Admiralty Sessions for a mil_ though there were ten of them, besides seven employ.
demeanour, in seducing men from his Majesty's sea ed in the water-works, the centre arch was the only
service into the private service of Capt. Porter, and one which was passable, at low water, except for the
having been found guilty of this offence, had been very smallest craft. This arch was now quite one.
sentenced to pay a fine of 5001., to be imprisoned qual to the trade, and it come out in a late investi-
for the space of twelve calendar months, and there. Wien, that a loss was thereby sustained of not less
than 40,0001. a-year, and of '2O lives. The incon-
after till such time as the fine should be paid. An
intimation had been made to the Sheriffs that this venience had increased to such an extent that it could
sentence had been remitted, in consequence of not much longer he submitted to ; and the suggestion
n.
which they had applied to the Keeper of the prison, of the Petitioners was, that the arches should be e
to see the nature of the pardon granted. On examining . lagged by throwing two or three into one. His ob-
It, they found it to be conceived in terms remit-'.feet was to have the Petition referred to the Com.
tuittee on the Bridge House Estates. But he did not
ting such part of the sentence, `s as related to the int-
prisonment." The Court would therefore perceive, mean to pledge himself as to any thing which might
this not being a free pardon to the full extent of the be proposed before that Committee.
sentence, that the Sheriffs had it not io their power to The Petition seas then read, and stated, that while
suffer the prisoner to go at large, without subjecting the River was 530 feet in breadth, the centre arch
themselves to be afterwards called on to make good extended only to 46 feet, being the only arch pass.
able by the larger craft at high water, an even it
the fine. Tioure was, besides this, another reason
why the Sheriffs did cot conceive themselves at liberty being impassable at low water by largerbarges, which
to liberate Mr. Porter. A grant of a very old date draw from 8 to 10 feet water, while the river at
that arch only gives from 4 to 5 feet ; the other
had been made to the City, of all fines within the
jurisdiction of the City of London, and the Sheriffs arches being dangerous even for small craft of 35 or I
accordingly thought it their duty to communicate to 40 tons. I
Government that this was a London case, and if the On the motion for referring the Petition to the
Sheriffs were to receive this fine for the King, or for Bridge House Estate Committee,
the Ci•y, they were equally bound tc keep the pri- Mr. Alderman GOODBEUEItE warned the Court
saner in custody till the same was paid : That Mr. against throwing away money on plans and surveys,
ko, ,r, however, might not suffer inconvenience in aware as they must be that there were very contra.
the m an lime, they recommended to him to pay the dictory opinions of men of the first eminence as to the
fine into the hands of the gaoler, and to memorialise state of London Bridge.
both the Crown and the City, to have it repaid to him, The Motion for referring the Petition to the Com-
to whomever it might be found to belong. A letter mittee was then put and carried. I
bad since been received by the Sheriffs from Mr. A1)1)11.148 TO THE PRINCE REGENT ON LORD
Wharton, Secretary to the Treasury, stating, that WELLINGTON'S VICTORY AT SALAMANCA. 1
the Lords of the Treasury were disposed to remit the The Requisition for calling a Special Court on this
fine to Captain Porter, unless the City should satisfy subject being reed,
their Lordships, "by production of the City's grant, I Mr. Deputy Box rose, and regretted that it had .
that they had no authority to do so." Having stated fallen to him to have the honour of moving an Ad-
thus far, he had only to say, as far regarded the case dress of Congratulation to the Prince Regent on this
of Wan. Porter, that he had a petition from him in most splendid victory. After the various demonstra.
his hand, praying that the fine might be remitted.— tions of joy with which the auspicious intelligence
Me had actually pard the fine into the hands of the had been every where hailed, he had expected that it
gaolor, and the effect of the Court's granting the' would have been more promptly taken up by some
prayer of his petition, would be to order the fine to I of the Members of that Court, who had been in the
be repaid to him. Axle ,the letter hoe the sem. i habit of stepping forward on similar occasions.—
tary
to the Treasury, it deemed to involve very se. , Finding, however, on inquiry, that no such thing
rictus questions for farther consideration, namels, the , was on this occasion even in agitation, he had thought
right of the City in all cases hereafter. Me concluded it his duty to step forward, and not to suffer so
by moving that the Petition of Wm. Porter, which splendid an achievement to pass over in total silence,
was read, be, with the other papers, referrod to the little qualified as he felt himself to be for the task. i
Committee of General Putposes. i The loyalty and inclinations of the Court, however,
Mr. Drxote thought it would be better first to or .he was satisfied, would go hand in hand together in
der the line to be returned to Mr. Porter, who, from such a vote, and would amply supply all his w
ants.'
evidence which had since come out, was free from Oa so proud a subject there would be little occsion
blame, and then to refer to the Committee the Call for any observations from him. When we looted to
by the Crown on the City to produce the Grant in the manner of the victory, and to itseonsequenees, '
the City's favour. i immediate and remote, every thing most satisfy us of
Mr. WAITHIIAN thought there could be but one 1 its vast importance, not to this country alone, but
opinion uto Captain Porter—that he was entitled. to our Allies and to civilized Europe.—By it the '
to have the fine returned : as to the other point, it kingdom of Portugal had been completely emanci.
was one of a more serious nature. The proper : paed.—By it Spain had had an opportunity of ex.
course for the Court to pursue would be, first to re- 1 erting her energies in her own defence, by seeing that
mit the fine, and then to refer the other matters to ! her oppressor was not unconquerable:—a stimulus
the Committee. had been given to other nations, if they chose to
Mr. QUIN hoped that this latter point would not I awaken out of their lethargy • and a prospect had
be suffered to remain undecided, but that the Sheriffs, !been opened which might lead to the general repose
who had, on the present occasion, so conspicuously of the world. Circumstances existed in this battle,
manifested their humanity, would be left in posses- 1 which, with former events, marked out Lord Wel-
lion of their full rights, without any precedentp like . lington as the first General in the world. We must
the present, for curtailing them. not forget the battles of Vimiera, Albuera, Barrosa,
Mr. Distort conceived that the prayer of the Pen.! Talavera, &c. and, last of all, this of Salamanca, ,
tion admitted the right of the City ; and the City.; which was one of the most glorious that bad ever I
again, by remitting the fine, asserted its own right. , graced our arms. He concluded by moving, that a I
Mr. GRIFFITIII was of opinion that Mr. Porter 1 loyal and dutiful Address be presented to the Prince i
not being now in prison, his was not a case which • Regent, congratulating him on the glorious victory
pushed for a speedy decision, while the main point obtained bY his Majesty's Army under the command i
was of so much importance to the City,
as to war-' of Lord Wellington, over the French army near Se.
rant its being all sent to the Committee. i lamanca, &c. . .
Mr. WHITE said the prerogative of mercy and of Mr. Qeist rose to second.-the motiou. it was im-
pardon was in the Crown ; and yet, if he understood possible to hear such a motion, without a proud and t
the nature of the argument used by the Sheriff, it grateful recollection of the victory gained by the
amounted to this, that a Ministerial Officer of that i Marquis of Wellington at Salamanca—a victory which
Court had a right to say to the Crown that it had no i bad gained the highest glory and renown to the Bri-
such prerogative in the City Of London. 1 tish arms, and which, he trusted, would have •fhe
I
Mr. Sheriff BU ICK denied this. The terms of the I moat beneficial effects on the world at large. With. •
pardon were, " So far as relates to the twelve mouths' out saying that the Marquis of Wellington was the
imprisonment." . • first Commander in &rope of the present day, he
Mr. VVAITIINAN was of opinion the Sheriffs could thought he might, without odium, and without fear
have acted no otherwise than they had done. They iof contradiction, safely say, that it would he a most
would no more have been warranted in liberating Mr. difficult
recollected
thinto Ind Ms peer in Earepe.--[HeorT)
When the situation of affairs some time
Porter, had the fine alone been remitted, than they !
would have been where, as in the present case, the • ago in the Peninsula—what opinions had been enter. ,
pardon was limited to the imprisonment. 1 tamed by many of the most judicious persons in this
A Gentleman, whose name we could not learn, country on the subject—and that Lord Wellington
been sent out at the heed ,
asked, supposing the original pardon to have been I was considered as having
equally explicit iu regard to the fine as the Letter of ,of the forlorn hope—it was impossible not to feel I
the Secretary of the Treasury afterwards was, would the recent triumph with all that proud exultation,'
the Sheriffs have esteemed that a sufficient warrant whicha victory gained under suelt great dieedwinieSes'
for the liberation of Captain Porter 1 was so easineatly cola**, to excite. HI bed tit
contend with au army *Hied in all the artnsipet few
Mr. Sheriff Bitten said, y
he surel would not. Me
had taken an Oath to uphold the privileges of the tagems of warfare, and thmigh net Sowerior in, va,loger
City of London, end he esteemed the great alluded yet superior le numbers iss, hie ewoo-outi hie conduce
had always bees the wisest which could have been
to as being one of their privileges.
Mr. Sheriff Batas then moved, adapted 41 kis situations, be bed - trisseWited by tom,
"That this Court do mottos far as they have pumas elligi, lay—be bad conquered by, defence•-•44sorl—Ycli
the ent of 5001. paid by Wm. puler; is discharge of hie sus. high-as he prized the wisdom, and, the:velour whit*:
.
trace.' had been &splayed in tha last battle, he could 14
2d. " That the mom) revs eomseeted with Ibissabjeet be ",s., hi
referred to the Committee Of Getieral Purposes, streassaise —”-- -400 to g° so fa.
____r as tfes".
sato the same, and to groom" Country sot meow* Agfa In '
Both of which motion *ere unanirhoudy spied in the reekteOlis elhalle hef;el4l:'
to. , ip a state ssl Jetissrgyoffentyiefel
LONDON eitTorm. illeen were, that dle.gliee"Pl 4! of
Mr. FAYILL said, he held in his hand a Petifien wo#4l/ het re theif ellarneSid
to the Court, Bloat bra large body, to alight hi tkitOkesitiitity. But• 'idlest
almost by the whole of the commercial popelation tif 'intictpationo2f that mlgbt be '.
-

Peninsula, he sew in, this victory a solid and conso
latory fact, which ealled for the grateful admiration
and thanks of the country. He could not see that
the address which it was proposed they should vote
that day, had any thing in the least to do with the
praise or the blame of Ministers; and therefore he
wished to throw some reports of a letter which hod
been talked of on this subject entirely in the back
round. would conclude with an observation
with respect to some of the results which had been
derived froth this great victory. It had clearly proved,
what was problematical before, that,• in a commer:
vial country like oars, however enervated the inha.
bitants might be supposed to be from the corruption
of manners and relaaation which great wealth has a
necessary tendency to produce, we conid still show a
a great and an efficient military force.—[flear !]—lt
had also proved what in his mind was most satisfac•
tory and consoling to know that however low and
abject the state of a nation might be, however much
it might be sunk in lethargy 3 that nation might yet
be restored to a healthful and vigorous state. This'
conviction was forced on him when he looked at the
sluggish, the miserable, and the bigoted state ill
which the people of Portugal were till lately plunged,
and when he contemplated the distinguished gallantry
which their recent conduct had uniformly displayed.
These were two great results derivable from Lord
Wellington's victory, results which it was impossible
for us to contemplate without feelings of satisfaction,'
and which would claim a distinguished notice from
the future historian.
Mr. Box explained.
Mr. BLUNDEL said, that no man could be more de.,
sirous that the unanimity of the Court on the present
occasion should not be disturbed, than he was; but
he could not help thinking, that if an Address were
to be presented to the Prince Regent, it was ad-
dressing his Majesty's Ministers. He was desirous
that Lord Wellington should have the direct thanks
of the Court. The thanks of Psrliament hid been
directly voted on the occasion of the victory of Bar-
rose and the capture of Badajos ; and he could not
see why the Court of Common Council ought not to
adopt a similar conduct. It was a much more con-
genial mode of proceeding than addressing the Prince
Regent.. He therefore meant to move as an amend-
meat, that the thanks of the Court be presented to
Lord Wellington. [Here he was interrupted by a
Member on the opposite side of the Court.] Having
resumed, he observed, that on an understanding that
the Address would be followed up ay a vote of thanks
to the Marquis Wellington, he begged leave to with.
draw his amendment.
Mr. WAITHINIAN should have felt it difficult to
suffer a motion of the nature of the present to pass
without any observation, however reluctant he might
feel on this, as on ail other occasions, to take op the
time of the Court, even if h.. had not taken a part
formerly in discussing the character and exploits of
Lord Wellington. He then proceeded to make some
observations on the amendment which a worthy Mem-
ber had proposed and withdrawn, and the motives
which, in all probability, induced him to conclude
that ao address to the Prince Regent would be an
address to his Ministers; recollecting, no doubt, f
that the Court had formerly degraded itself by in-
troducing into an Address something of such a na-
tore, at a time when it could not be anticipated. lie •
was surprised that the Court should have remained so
long without such a motion having been brought for- '
ward upon an occasion where the greatest skill and
valour had been displayed, a which we had any ex-
ample in history. Had such a motion been brought
forward from his side of the Court, it would have
been said they were endeavouring sn court popula- ;
rity. This motive alone prevented him from coming i
forward to the Court. With regard to the motives
which might have kept other Members from coming
forward, he could hardly entertain an idea that
a difference of opinion could exist on the subject.
What appeared to him most probable, was. the 1
the difficult situation in which these gentlemen
were placed. The Court had on other occa-
sions quite 'exhausted themselves, and done every
thing, in anticipation, which it was possible for them
to do in this case. He had not been a little repro-'
bated for the opinions be had formerly delivered on I
the subject of Lord Wellington. Of these opinions he
could honestly say, they were sincere, and however
much he might wish to set himself right in the good
opinion of the Court, it was still of more importance
that he should merit the approbation of his own con-
science. Whets the Court voted a sword to Lord
Wellington he went as far as any man who consented?
to that vote in his high opinion of that General,
lieving, as he did, that if more was not performed it
was owing to those untoward circumstances in which
he was placed, which made it impossible for him to
do so. He then objected to the sword, because no
battle had been fought; and, in his opinion, ft would
have been more grateful to the army and to the coati- t
try at large if the Court hod reserved all those ho-
nours tea, the present moment. Swords had already
been given, and what could they give slow ? It had
been stated by the Worth Deputy (Box) that it wary,
not his intention to mingle any thing of a party tiS-4
tore in the Address which he should submit to the:
Court. He trusted the Worthy Deputy would abide
by that assurance; hi which case he believed that Ir;
was impossible for any Address to meet with a more
general concurrence. Before concluding he wished
to make one observation. However blameable we
might consider the conduct of our enemy, there was
one point in which he wea deserving of imitation.—
CORN-EXCHANGE, Sam 4.
Whenever we were flushed with victory, we ought This day we have but few arrivals of Wheat, and again not
q• that moment, and not when we were plunged in mach remaining on band, maids" supplies; the fen sales effect-
st gusted prices. Brrley
_gaiter lower. ta man
11,p:448er, toondeavour to obtain the blessiog of aedndfm
ailltieinl'ea3 but little flectuation. Beans of the two sorts
Whet with this victory in the_Peninsuie, and somewhat dearer. Tlsereare tolerable supplies of Oats on hand,
Ise checks which it is said our enemy has recently and. sales thereof are beavy, hardly at the late redaction. Flour
Met 'titbits *North, his mind might not improbably .4ire?...tvariation.
Ibb 116 s 150 " Tick do. 9O 95
am supposed to be inclined to Peace. If the-Court, raseditto is 155 i Do. (Five 061)
therefore, shook' be disposed to go forsaker, it might ve 7O 761 Oats
58 bb' Poland Poland do.
67 70
be proper, perhaps, to-tosbody that ametinseutin the • Mae as Paiatoedo.
Alet .€57
• • ;. ! White Om (boilers)
7755 leso I Rape Seed
weidd OA•mix- the,' do-
ILdaridrrsi Mk* hopod the Ceirt %gm
UO
iogeoy thing with the (wagon before them of a 'la- .• 411
- usundraity, sae his , - SM.IrTotIELD RKrFe.Tn.l—.e 80nri.4.
welailt IMlt#e tiq.l4,lrt Oft ...- 5.. M. CO 111. tier
of Cattle this day *
thia'Addrete;ne +hauls ..b... to V. dd. Roasts 550
1,780
eartsdaaptriaisse"...t T,:ra, ...1".1 Sleeves
• •Me - Lamb Mrs. 611- Pits '• • • 21:‘
forward Ibsi Premontl • •-• 11111YIIARKEr.1
y . 44. Os. Qd. to 51. do. 06.
worthy MeMbor op- . m. 0, ea ik 04.
aitogether4oafetaded... *raw 5.05„ a to as Ole tDi

And with regard to Lord Wellington, in his mind he
had as much merit in not fighting at one moment,
when Massena was so much superior to him in force)
as in any battle be had ever fought. There was al.
ways a greater nitwit in sparing than in exposing an
army.

Mr. BAOWN Wished to clear hitnsel of some im.
putations which he conceived could on
.allude to hit
conduct on a late Address. ,
Mr. WAITHMAN said the *hole cane Was sufficient.
ly In the recollection of the Court.
~,
The Motion was then put and agreed to mint.
mously.
A Committee was appointed to withdraw and pre.
pare the draught of an Address, which, on their re.
turn, was read and agreed to, and ordered to be pre•
salted by the whole Cour.
The Sheriffs, attended by. the Remembrancer)
were requested to wait upon his Royal Highness, to
tnow his pleasure when the Cottrt might attend Mtn.
Adjourned.
...

N4F4L INTE'LLI9II4ITII.
DEAL, Stert.t. •
Arrived his Majesty's ship Plower, train Plithelaiii.
FALMOUTH, ease, 1. '
*rived his Majesty's ship Rapid, ham .be Doves,

•
-
I •
Y-ARM-OUTH, Barri&
Pawed this morning his Majesty's ship Wraairler, with thereat
of the homeward-boaod Baltic Beet.
Sailed yesterday the Hearty gun-brig, for of the Tesel/ ;
Arrived to-day the Beaver, from the Downs.
•

There is no foundation for the fears entertained at
Ceylon, for the safety of the Owen Glendower, which
took out Sir SAMUEL HOOD'S flag to India, but had
not arrived in the beginning of April. Besides that
the Africaine went direct to Ceylon and made a re.
markably quick passage, we are informed, thatTrom
the nature of the winds prevailing at that sta.4on • the
passage could not be made direct ' • but it %td be
necessary to stretch over to Acheen Head, and thence
down to Madras. Sir S. Boon, on leaving the
Cape, did not expect to arrive at Madras before the
es d of March, or Cie beginning of April. The
Glendower was not to touch at the Mauritius. She had
a very long passage from Madeira to the Cal e, and
the ignorance of this circumstance in India, joined
with the very short passage of the 4fricaiose, ma
ha% e excited the apprehensions upon her delay, which,
we are glad to see so satisfactorily accounted for.
The following is an extract of a letter, dated on
board his Majesty's ship the Guerriere, the 29th
July, 1812, in lat. 40. North, long. 65. 30. West:
We were proceeding en our way to Halifax,
to refit, when we were stopped by the North Ame-
rican squadron, which had on board three months
provisions and stores for us. By them, we learn.
ed, that the Americans had declared war against
Great Britain, and that their squadron were at sea,
under the command of Commodore RODGERS, con-
aistiug of three frigates and two sloops. of war.—
We also were told of the attack made by them
upon the 8..,/videra, and her escape from them. Ag
soon as the President's Proclamation arrived at Kali.
fax, the Admiral proceeded to sea h quest of ROD-
GERS, who was supposed to have gone to the Banks
of Newfoundland, with a view of intercepting our
West India convoy, protected by one frigate only.—
His squadron consisted of the Africa and three fri.
gates; on their way we fortunately joined the aqua.
drone the more so, as the Africa had parted corn-
rainy. We have already commenctd operations,
having burnt about twenty 'sail of American
chantmen, and capttirell a sloop jf, war. This will
a
not be cruise of emolunleift sap ire do not like
•
to. Oilman four, 'hips, by On tag prizes in, bee*
big in ‘dally 146 of
.falling in with, and
ing a;good account of , the American squadron.—
On the)letb hest: When we were separated from our
squadron, about, 4 P: M. we gave chaos' to a large
AMelican frigate. • The Guerrierc being end on, and
looking very low, the American molt probably took
us for a sloop of war, and stood towards as ; about
tens she made private signals, which evidently shewed
!what she was ;, we were at Quarters, and were only
waiting to get close alongside of her to commence the
action. At half-past three in 4he morning, being
only half a mile from her, we discovered' two large
' frigates close on our lee-beam, and * three other men
of war astern of them. The private signal was
then made, and kept up for a quarter of an hour .
unanswered ; we then fired two double-shotted
guns over the head-most ship to enfirce atten-
, tion, but still it remained unanswered. As thele
!farce exactly 'greed with the American aqua.
!dron, no doubt remained in the minds of tidy "„
one on board, that it was them we were led::
into. 'We therefore tacked and stood Eras
You may easily conceive tiltat we felt Mosel
rl cannot find language to express it), when day broke
to find them English and the American frigate one
and a half mile from us. A calm took place—we
got our boats out and'endeavoured to tow the ship,:
but although every exertion was made, she got away
after a chace of 65 hours. Thus have the service lost
one of the fittest frigates the Americans have. We
have reason to believe that it was the Constitution,
going out to join the American Commodore. The
Essex has already joined him."
• There wasa very hot press on Tuesday and yes-
terday on theriver, and press warrants were backed
' yesterday in the city by the Loan Kilo&

~.

or. uwweb IRS COOK E uu
ARY) Mat kilos this. .lure. *tasted 4o ,01444r0, tem-
eCae witivata triatopb tbefsfare t;uitritAbOLVW war,
04001010 91141p,0 Vita tikaditousol.• ti•LOPMINget
sot
MAN etPotted /41/a4444.441111* Mai bet ee
anolVlalter-fly It*" MN* W. what
the **ging f•
laoot traymiwpgh ealkOlp 1110•Vairi tbe seeineatioes .of.tire
o the fettro fete et Mae ;posits (Mr. Waithisau) ware all