Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-04-20
[i2 f-2 Gents Singiel

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Perceval, on the contrary, has, ipde-
pendently ofincidental points. been in
| minority on at least FIVE grrat ques-
tons. Lord Chatham, whose conduit
has been pronounced by the House cf
Commons to have been of a tendency
injurious to his majesty's service, aud
to the principles of the constitution,
still continues to be member of the
cabinet,
Can It be supposed, that the conduct
flord Chatham, in carving on such
communications with his sovereign.
and which were withheld, by desire,
from his colleagues, was acceptable to
the other ministers. Hiust they not
have felt that their own influence, and
their own measures, might be supplan-
ted or thwarted by such privatr 10
rlgues, and yet they continue to ar
with this dangerous aud degraded col.
league. Such conduct can only be ac-
counted for by believing that the Sc.
lcret adviser has more influence than
Jail the other members of the cabinet,
and that unless they retain him, they
cannot retain their places. 1t becomes
then the duty of Parliament and of the
country, to consider how far they
think that our affairs can be well ma.
naged, or the constitution can be sup.
lported by an administration who has
lost the confidence of the House of
Commons, we can never be certain cf
carrying any of the measures which
they consider as the most essential to
the prosperity of the empire, and who,
by retaining lord Chatham. subject
themselves to the censure which has
been pronounced upon him.
The, vefy able financial statement Of
tMr Heskisson has made deep i'm
Ipresslon On the publir, it has convin-
ced them that cur greatest danger a
rises from lavish expenditure, ard from
want OF general contr ul over the
different departments of the govern
ment, who are all struggling for an in.
creased share OF the annual suppl s.
1t will be remembered too, thas Mr.
Percival, on various occasions, and in
particular, with regard to the Staff,
has declared that he adopted the rex
COMMUNICATION Of the Commander in
Chief, without exercising his own
Judgment as to the necessity Of CONT
nuing so large Staff, Thus the Mi
mister, whose especial duty it is to con-
trout the expenditure of the different
departments, has become mere agens
for the purpose of obtaining from Par
Lament the means to enable the diff
ferent departments to continue ur,ne-
cessary expenses, and to support un-
necessary and Injurious patronage.
Surely, neither Parliament nor the
country can longer continue in a sys-
tenn so dangerous to the safety of the
state, 1t Is unconstitutional and degra.
ding.
We trust that decided expression
OF the continents of Parliament and
OF the People, will be speedily, but
lconsttuticnally, consigned TO the So
vereign, who will, by dismissing our
present incapable and ignorant rulers,
crafty the wishes OF the people. and
promote the interests and safety of the
Empire.
BY the Monticello, which has ART
we'd from CadiZ, after the short vcy-
age OF ten days, we have letters to the
23d ult.---The force of Victor. Co
whom the siege of that fortress wss
committed, amounted to 10000 me,,.
Some distant fighting had taken place,
but attended with no important conse-
quences; 1T was apprehended that there
would not be that perfect harmony be-
tween the Portuguese ard Spanish
troops in Cadiz which WAS so desira-
bic under the present circumstances,
when the common safety requir,d
that, as friends and allies, they should
suppress all their reciprocal antipa.
thies. The Myrtle sloop OF war.
with $4,000 dollars, had set sail for
Lisbon.
1t was reported yesterday that Al
geziras had surrendered TO the enc nv
under very singular and dIsgracei,Ii
circumstances. 1t was said that -
TROOPERS had entered that place, where
were landed 1900 Spaniards, who,
without firing a shot submitted TO the
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