The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-13
europe.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS,

TUESDAY, January %.
Lord Bernard rose to move the custom
airy address in answer to his majesty's
speech.
Mr.. Peele seconded the motion.
The Sneaker then put the question.
Lord Cover proposed an amendment.
MIR. Bathurst spoke against it.
MIR. Pom sonby said the last speaker (Mr.
BatbursO had misunderstood the amend :
ment. 1t did not go to criminate any particular
person without due enquiry being previous
iy made, but it expressed the deep concern
and Indignation they felt at the disgrace that
had fallen on his majesty's counsels, and the
disasters to which those counsels had expo
sed our brave armies, and to declare their
resolution of making a rigorous enquiry into
the cause of such unexampled calamities
and disgrace: Would the hon. Gentleman
say those calamties and that disgrace were
not unexampleds Would he deny that they
had caused our country to be e>object of
scorn and derision, Had he read the pa.
pers published on the subject of our enc
mics. and if he had, could he deny that all
Europe, sympathising in that feeling, view
ed them with scorn i-Tf, Notwithstanding
the calamities and disgraces we had suffer
ed, our counseis had been directed by wis
dom, then 1T became necessary to enquire
into the conduct of the officers to whom the
command OF our expeditions had been en-
trusted, for it was scarcely possible to sup
pose that if neither the ministers who plan
ned, nor the officers who had command, were
TO blame, that such evils could fall on US
Justly to appreciate the disappointments that
had betalen us, it would be necessary to take
view of the state in which Europe was pla-
Ced at the commencement of the last cam
paign.
When the gallant but much traduced Of
flcer, Sir John Moore, fell in the battle of
Corunna, which he thought to be full as
glorious as that of Talavera, Austria me
aitated blow against France. On the 9th
OF January Bonaparte left Spain, in conse
qnence OF the wariikc appearance of Aus
tria. Austria's intention must at that time
have been known to ministers. 1t was for
them To consider how best to exert the
strength OF this country in the cause, and
duly to weigh in what manner it should be
applied. When Bonaparte quilted Spain,
1t was plainly his opinion chat war between
France and Austria was inevitable as it has
ever been his practice TO go in person
Sainst the most formidable enemies, and not
20 trust the conduct Of the most important
part ct the campaign to his generals, how
ever able they might be. Government must
therefore have possessed at least an i'm
perfect knowledge Of the blow meditatcd BY
Austria, and, knowing that, the cause Of
Austria and England bacame one and il
then beloved ministers to consider how far
we could aid in the common cause In A.
pril. Lord Wellington WINS sent to Spain with
large expedition. On the 20th Of tina,
month the Austrian army having invaded
bavaria, was defeated by Bonaparte. -
While these important events were passing
what was the situation Of minister's In thai
very month, one Of our cabinet Ministers wa.
endesyoring to get another removed from
the war department, because he was incom
pe'ent to the discharge Of the duties of hi,
situation. Instead Of being united at home
such was the want of union in the British
cabinet, that those who composed IL were
Iaboring to displace each other. This wa
but an unpromising outset From the 20f
OF April, the day ON which the Austrian,
were first defeated, till the 21st Of May
when the battle Of Essling was fought, no
thing was done on cur part to aid our allies
Lord Wellington had in Spain $4,000 men
10000 we're afterwards seat to the Scheldt
and Sir John Stuart, in Italy, was at tho
head ct on army Of 10000 men. and orr re
taurces were sufficiently great to enable u
80 augTent them to 100 600. The Austrian
'rmy, which gave PoDapsrte the only cheoI
81 ccos' q "snCt he has ever experienced, &C