The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-23
EUROPE.
BRITISH P.1RLLf.i2EN7.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, JUNE is.
SPdIN
Debate on Mr.. Meidan's liotisr.
(CeNcLUpED.)


Mr.. SECRETARY CANNING supposed.
from what had fallen from the right honora-
Ole gentleman, he had meant to convey an
idea that the government were pledged to
support the motion he had Just made. This
was altogether impossible; some of the pa
pers had not even been officially communica-
ted to government yet, and some of those ser
| sons also alluded to, were not as vet known
10 DC authorised. tie feared not SO much
| good was to be derived from the enquiry
which had been set on foot, although he (Mr.
80 seemed to promise himself so much adj
vantage to the cause of this country and Eu-
rope collectively. He approved Of the con-
duct pursued by him, in not chalking any di-
rect line of conduct for his majesty's minis
| tcrs to act upon. 1t would have been a rash
and thankless Office. The discussion he had
perhaps created solely to draw forth the SEN
ailments of Ministry. They could not, he
avowed, behold without anxiety and hose,
the noble struggle in which Spain would per-
h2fs BE engaged. However, the issue was
altogether uncertain They wished to sup
port and maintain the integrity of Spain, to
lsive her aid and supplies; nor should it be
l.ound that at any period G.. Britain would e.
yer, while re partook of any share of power,
consider Spain or any other country conten-
ding'with France for its dependence, as our
enemy. There were three duties laid ON
ministers. LIST. to direct our efforts to make
head against the common enemy; ID. to con-
suit on the best means of effcctng this i'm the
present instance on the part and for the in
terest OF Spain; and lastly, to ensure the pro-
lection and security of the British interests
These had been the points judiciously mar
ked out for observation by his right honorable
friend with so much ability and candor; but
as their conduct must inevitably be regula-
ted by circumstances, councils and the natl
onal feeling, he thought it only judicious in
Ministers not to bind themselves to anv par
iticular species of policy, by that which all
must, under tie present circumstances, con-
clude to be most imprudeHt and rash a
vowal
Mr.. PoNsoNBr, professed his disinclina-
ton to discuss the motion of his right homo
rable friend (Mr. Sherdan) He could not
see the good which could result from it, un-
less in the qualification which his right no.
norable friend must feel in the avowal ofthose
patriotic sentiments, that every man who
knew him, must acknowledge to have mark
ed his political life. (Hear Hear J What
was to be expected to fellow from the decla-
ration OF that house on the subject! Was it
| the application Of the force of the country ,
| That was in the power fully of the Execu-
tive Government. 1t was for them who were
| III possession ofthe actual relations in which
Spain with respect to France, in consequence
| OF the recent circumstances, to engage III
such measures as the nature of thei, inform
| alton proved advisabic.--To the vote of Gre
itit desired by his Majesty s government, tti,-
der the present appearances, ne accedcd
with plcasure.--Nothing further than that
he should give them. Ut was the total of his
confidence. HC did not feel actuated by those
motives TO which this honorable friend allud-
ed--fle did not think of lodging an admins
tration but he still reserved to himself the
power of Withholding the delivery of his o.
pinion, until he had before him the means of
| Information, with which he could deliver it
with effect.
Mr.. WHITEsREAD considered himself
called upon, by the notice which his Right
! Honorable Friend mir. Sheridan) had be-
slowed ON him III the exordium, to state his
reasons for regretting that the present mott
on had been at all brought forward.-He
must in the first instance say, that his Ho-
noraDle Friend had not dealt here with his
wonted justice, when he charged him with a
lpertinacIOus attachment to his own opinions
and want of tolerance to those from whom
he differed. It was true, and surely it was
not reprehensible that he always felt it his
duty to act upon those opinions which he con
| scientlously entertained. At least his Right
Honorable Friend could not find fault with
him, III the circumstances to which he allud-
ed, inasmuch as he had given him his vote on
the one measure, and declared his acuuies-
cence in the other. But of this he was A.
ware, that the present was not the period
after what he had already heard discussed
IN that house, to assert, that he had conf
dence in his Fajesty's ministers. Confidence
ne could not then give to men, the whole ol
whose political conduct, since their access.
on to Office, he had felt it his duty 90 oppose
Cpon the present motion, he had ns ground