Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-29
.salrIsH HOUSE OF COMMONS
Papers ,e.peeans the lale nesoe.a,i 10 a. cAa,il

4 n
/ The Chance Tor offhs Esches. sr tho't il pro
per to, Cali the attention Of the house 10 sub.
lject OF great interest Before The recess, i,.
had stated it to BE- the mention OF mris,ers to
submit to them certain PAGERS Respecting the
late negotiations al ChatilIon, and the rapture
ofthose negotiations. At that tins, and IN th,,
then situation Of things, it appeared to be the
duty OF government to take the earliest oppor
tuniiy Of showing the house what were, the
grounds on which the negotiations were bro~
ken off. Circumstances, however, were now so
changed, that the course which it was the du-
| ty OF government 10 pursue in this respect, was
| no longer the same. The parties with whom
we had to treatwere changed. The events
which had caused that to which he referred.
were too notorious to make it necessary for him
TO dilate on them, though at the same time the,
were so gratifying. that every one could dwell
| on them with delight. A new negotiation had
commenced, which as far as ministers could at
present judge, was likely to produce the happi.
est results. In this state ofthings, and with
such prospects as they now had, he thought it
would be felt, that to produce the papers in
question, might be inexpedient, and productive
Of public inconveni, nee.
Mr. Whitbresd said, when the house last Sc
parated, they were in daily expectation of hear
ing great events. and greater had never occur-
red an the history OF any nation than those
which had since taken place. 10 man could
contemplate these with greater deIight--no
man could participate more largely in the gene
raj Joy than ha did but he could not help feel
ing, nevertheless, that tic house wonid be gull
ty Of derelic,iop of It's duty, if they neglected
to call for the papers respecting the negcciati-
ons at Clatillon. They (the house of commons)
were not absolyed from their duty by the pros
perity which had opened upon Europe and the
world. they ought at such time to be more
vigilant than ever. it was tI,eir duty carefully
to trace what had bef the conduct of minis
tiers before the rupture of the negociations----
When he said this, it was not because he tho'l
there was any reason 10 arraign the conduct of
ministers on the contrary, he tho't he should
be one 10 applaud their conduct throughout,
and that the rupture of the negotiations would
have has unqualified sanction. He, however.
thought, after the confluence that house had re
posed in them, by adjourning Itself from time
to time, in order to give them every opportuni
sty of prosecuting the negotiations without in
terruption, it was too much to say TO them,
those papers ought not to be produced which
they had promised should be laid before them
When that house was the only body in England
unofficially acquainted with what had taken
place, he could not help thinkiag they ought
not 10 suffer themselves to be treated thus, at
time when they stood SO high in the eyes OF
the world, rs they did at present.
If the right honorable gentleman thought It
was inexpedient to produce them nosr, he would
concur with him, and be content TO wait that
prosperous which all fondly anticipated; but
IL he meant, that it was noS1, and would be ever
inexpedientt to lay them before the house, he for
one would enter his protest against this doc.
trine. He would call for them, and he thought
discredit would be thrown on the house if they
were not obtained. He thought, as neSocia-
tions were at present going on, that it might be
improper reproduce them now--( Hear, hear
A member opposite said " hear, bear !" Did
that hon. member hear the right hon. gentleman
chancellor Of the exchequer) say he would be
willing to give the papers al any future time
IL the hon. member heard him say so. he heard
what had escaped him (Mr. wIitbread.) If he
had 20, he (Sir. Wbitbresd) was content to
wait, but il he had not said so, he was not con
tent to agree that it would be for ever inexpo-
dent TO produce them. Though from the in
formation he had received as private individu.
al, he thought the negotiations had broken of
on just grounds-stili, rs member Of Parlia-
ment, be must call for the papers which had
been promised, that they might know what had
caused the rupture.
The chancellor OF the excbequer had not
meant by any thing that he had said to pre-
clude tho house from calling for the papers
it their production should be thought necessary
at any future time. lie wished At present 10
give no opinion AS TO whether or not ministers
might hereafter think Il desirable ,hst they
should DC produced. Whether or MOI !, would
be exyedient at future day, be was MT now
disposed to inquire The hon. gentleman had
said the house had reposed great confidence
~ ministers by sdjourning from time 10 time
to enable them TO prosecute the negociatioss
without interruption lie admitted the house
had rcposed great confidence IN them ; lie trust
ed that confidence had not been abused, and
had only to express a hope, that the house
would continue TO have confidence in them for |
some time longer.
Mr.. Whab,ead remarked, tie right hon gen. !
teman had said he did not mean 70 preclude !