leled" in the history of the world, as right hon. secretary had affirmed. What had been the conduct of Austria, Russia, and Prussia towards Poland ?—of Britain towards India? Atrocities were commited in the east and the west was Buonaparte implicated in these?

House of Commons, Feb. 1.-Mr. H Wellesley presented an account of the money issued by the colonial agent of Ceylon, and its application.

Mr. Huskisson moved for an account of the £10,500,000 exchequer bills, also of the £1,500,000 exchequer bills voted for 1808.

The usual annual estimates were ordered to be laid before the house.

The letter of the emperors was composed in a style studiously respectful, or at most with Sir George Warrender renewed a motion the exception of a single paragraph. It was of his during the last session for a return of therefore certainly unnecessary for the rt. hon. the number of men volunteered from the secretary to go out of his way to insult the militia into the line, from August 1807 to emperor of Russia: the gentleman had bet-the latest period. Also for a return of the ter abstain from such sarcasms. Mr. W. ask-commissioned officers serving in the militia, ed why Portugal was not made a party, since and the number wanting to complete the the Prince Regent had left a government establishment, on Jan. 1809. when he sailed for the Brazils? Thought Spain could not resist the power of France. Wished ministers would take a hint from the enemy, and extend the benefits of the constitution to the catholics of Ireland. After many other remarks, moved an amendment, censuring ministry for their answer to the Overture, as unwise, impolitic, intemperate, &c. Mr. Ponsonby differed completely from his friend Mr. Whitbread: saw no chance whatever for an honourable peace in the over

ture.

Mr. Mathew Montague thought Buonaparte's cruelties, usurpations, &c. &c. might be "paralleled" in many instances. There was Ireland. [Repeated calls to order induced Mr. M. to desist, without concluding his speech.]

Sir Francis Burdett foresaw no possibility of the success of Spain against France. The Spaniards had been sunk in ignorance for centuries; subject to the most despotic gopernment; their minds and habits bowed down to slavery: they endured the most dreadful of all human institutions-the Inquisition. Was astonished at the symptoms of patriotism displayed by such a nation, and by that nation only; but foresaw entire disappointment. Would have been better pleased had the address been amended by a request to his Majesty to turn out his present incapable and foolish ministers, &e.

Lord Henry Petty declared his concurrence in the general sentiments of Sir Francis Bur

dett.

The Speaker addressed the thanks of the house to brig.-gen. Fane: lieut.-gen. M'Kenzie; and admiral sir Samuel Hood:-took occasion to allude to the loss of gen. Anstruther, and sir John Moore;--the manner and delivery of his speech was sensibly felt by the whole house.

Mr. Wardle entered on his charges against the Duke of York, by avowing the candour of his intentions, and the correctness of his conduct. The accusations were open: no man less deserved the character of jacobinism. The duke of York had pecuniary transactions to great extent, unknown to an hon. gent. (Mr. Adam). He was aware of the difficulties he had to encounter; but would do his duty, and the house could not but support him.

Mr. Yorke declared that his remarks about jacobinism had no reference to the hon.

member.

Mr. Wardle first examined Dr. Thynne, who having attended Mrs. Clarke several years in his professional capacity, desired her to use her influence with the duke of York whose mistress she then was, to accelerate an ex change between lieut.-col. Knight and major Brooke. [Effected July 30, 1805.] Offered her £200, on the part of Mr. R. Knight, lieut.-col. Knight's brother. Mr. R. Knight, acknowledged that he had commissioned Dr. Thnnye, as the Dr. had stated; and that be sent £200 to Mrs. Clarke; who enjoined secrecy. Mrs. Mary Ann Clarke admitted, that at the time referred to "she was underthe duke of York's protection,"-recollected the promise of £200.-the effectuation of the excllange--the receipt of the money--the stating of the result to the duke of York, to whom she shewed the money, and who sent one of his servants to get one of the notes changed. Col Wardle came to the knowledge of the facts, as facts, by his intimacy Mr. Perceval gave notice of his intention with witness; and by having made free with to renew the bill prohibiting distillation from a parcel of letters to her. Wi-ness had quarCorn in Great Britain, and to prohibit impor-relled with the duke for not paying her allow tation of spirits from Ireland, where the former bill had been found ineffectual.

Mr. Canning was astonished, that a nobleman, who might rationally expect to assist in his Majesty's councils, could concur in opinion with a gentleman who thought the country not worth saving. Wished Sir F. B. would turn his great talents to the welfare, not the degradation of his country.

Motion for address carried without a division.

ance. Had threatened to expose him: but denied that she was a willing witness. The

exchange was effected instantly, as witness wanted the money to go out of town with.

Col. Gordon proved that exchanges between officers were always laid before his majesty: the exchange in question, had been so. Ón | the 23d he took orders for it from the commander-in-chief, who submitted it to his majesty on the 24th: it was gazetted 30th. House of Commons, Feb. 2.-Read a letter from adm.De Courcy, in return for thanks, &c. Mr. Wardle moved for production of the books containing applications made by subaltern officers for promotion.

Mr. Whitbread desired to know from sir Arthur Wellesley, whether he received the salary of secretary of state for Ireland, while he was in Portugal ? answered affirmatively. Mr. Mitford, from the Custom-house, produced accounts of the bounties on fish for supplying the London market; of the number of ships employed in the Greenland whale fishery, also, an abstract of the accounts of the northern lighthouses, for the last year. Sir A. Wellesley gave notice that he should move for increase of ordnance in Ireland.

Mr. Whitbread wished to know from the hon. baronet opposite (sir A. Wellesley) on what footing he held his incompatible civil and military commands at the same moment? Sir A. Wellesley explained that from July to October he did receive his salary from Ireland, but during the greater part of that time he derived no emolument from his military command. The great expence attending a military command of the kind, and his not being in a situation to defray such expence out of his private fortune, were his reasons for accepting of the emoluments of his civil office during that period.

:

Lord Castlereagh, anticipating no opposition, moved the second reading of Militia Bill. Mr. Elliot objected to the principle and detail of the bill. The system on which we now acted he thought radically bad coming year after year to propose the same plans, was ruinous. If he were rightly informed, 30 guineas was now the current price for a militia-man; it would soon be 50. How then could the noble Lord expect to raise men at 10 guineas? The noble Lord, if he failed, had the ballot in reserve: but, whatever effect the ballot might have had in England (which he did not profess to know), in Scotland it had almost swept the country of men. This ballot was but a tax-a tax by chance: it was throwing lots in a crowd, to tax those on whom the lot fell twenty, thirty, or forty pounds. The returns from the recruiting parties were in England extremely favourable to the system of limited service; (of 27,505 men raised, 19,448 were for limited service :) in Ireland they were not so. He supposed the Irish could spend their whole lives in fighting.

Col. Wood defended the measure: asserted that the discipline of the regulars was not injured by admission of the militia: witness the conduct of our troops on the continent, two-thirds of which had been drafted from the militia. He had, within a month, received twenty-two men, who had not cost him ten pounds per man. A serjeant had lately enlisted, at Birmingham, 38 men; of whom 36 were for unlimited service.

Sir T. Turton disapproved the plan; nor would he raise any more men. Wished to know the extent of our losses in men and money: ridiculed the idea of Buonaparte invading us, while we commanded the sea. The militia was the constitutional defence of the country, and should not be dismantled.

Col. Bastard described volunteering into the line as producing drunkenness and dissipation: the principle was radically bad.

The Secretary at War thought, in the present state of the continent, a great army was indispensable.

Lord Castlereagh defended the bill: descanted on the expediency, if not the necessity, of augmenting the army: did not think himself at liberty to explain what was intended to be done with the army: he begged leave to direct the attention of gentlemen to the details of the army on the table, which would fully justify the measure.

House of Commons, Feb. 3—Mr. Ward moved in committee of supply, 130,000 seamen for 1809, including 31,400 marines. Wages for 130,000 men, at

£1. 17s. per man per month £3,126,000 Wear and tear of ships dur

ing saine period at £1. 19s. per man per month Victuals for ditto, at £2. 19s.

3,295,500

per man per month .......... 4,985,500 Two several sums of £10,500,000 and 1,500,000 voted to be raised by exchequer bills to replace others.

Mr. Wardle continued the course of his charges against the Duke of York: explained part of his evidence on former sitting, as to his having seen Mrs. Clarke on Tuesday before.-Long conversation of the members on the subject. Examination of Duke of York's servant, (who, only, had orders to attend on Mrs. Clarke) as to his having procured change for her £100 bank note, which he denied. Explanation of Mr. Adamı, M. P. as to the rapid promotion of his son in the army;-attributed to his merit. Anonymous fetter to that gentleman, read by him.-Inquiry proceeded on. Charge of undue promotion of Capt. Maling; who had been clerk to Mr. Greenwood, Army Agent.-Col. Gordon examined at the bar, on this subject: accounted for the promotions of Capt. Maling. Long conversation among the members, repeated.

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Official Gazette Information.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE INFORMATION,

CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, From July 1, to December 31, 1808, inclusive.

JULY.

2. Captured: the Dutch privateer brig Amstellan, of 12 guns, and 60 men, by the Rosamond, Capt. Walker, June 26; Braganza, Spanish privateer, of 1 gun, and 54 men, by the Wolf, Lieut. Waller, commander, on the Jamaica station, May 1.

5. An Order in Council, by which the relations of peace and amity are completely re-established between this country and Spain.

9. Dispatches from General Spencer, dated off Cadiz, June 12, stating, that the French squadron, consisting of five sail of the line and a frigate, having placed themselves in a defensive position in the Channel leading to the Caraccas, or Dock-yard, out of the reach of the guns of the fortresses, and having refused to submit, were attacked by the Spanish gun and mortar-boats, and by batteries on the side of the Leon. The firing lasted the whole of June 9th, and was resumed by the Spaniards on the morning of the 10th, when a flag of truce was hoisted by the French admiral. This fleet surrendered on the 14th, after the erection of additional batteries.

His Majesty's permission to Lord Erskine to wear the Royal Order of Vasa, conferred upon him by his Swedish Majesty.

12. Dispatches from General Spencer and Admiral Lord Collingwood, announcing the surrender of the French squadron in Cadiz, and that the French troops were retiring in every direction towards Lisbon, except some very insignificant parties left to occupy the different small forts and posts on the Spanish side of Portugal; that the Portuguese people are rising in all parts, encouraged greatly by the presence of the English, and that the Spanish frontier on the Guadiana is thus effectually secured from any attack of the French.

Also, the sailing of Spanish commissioners to England, in the Revenge, for the purpose of treating with the British Government on subjects interesting to the two countries.

General Spencer says: The Council of Seville, one of the principal provincial jurisdictions in Spain, have laid hold of some statutes in their constitution, which authorise their rejecting the Supreme Council of Madrid, when that capital shall be in the power of foreign troops. They have therefore assumed an independent authority in the name of Ferdinand VII, whom they have proclaimed King; they have formally declared war against France; have appealed to the VoL. V. [Lit. Pan. March 1809]

1218

Spanish nation to support them; and their
supremacy has been acknowledged by the
Councils of several other provinces. In Au
dalusia they collected from fifteen to twenty
thousand regular troops, and have put arms
in the hands of upwards of sixty thousand
peasants. General Castanos is appointed
commander-in-chief. Provincial Assemblies
are forming in most of the large towns; they.
have near four thousand cavalry, and a large
quantity of artillery, as Seville is a foundery,
Ap-
June 15 :-"
Lord Collingwood says,
and one of the largest depots in Spain."
plication has been made to me this evening
by the Supreme Council at Seville and the
Governor of Cadiz, to give a passport to a
Spanish frigate and four dispatch vessels, to
carry to the several governments and presi
dencies in the West-Indies information of the
events which have happened in Spain, and
their instructions to the governors; and also
that a sloop of war may take out officers to
that country, whose presence there is im-
portant; this they urge in preference to their
going in a Spanish vessel, as it will convey a
proof of their connection with Great Bri-
lain.”

Capt. G. A. Creyke, of the Eclipse, off
the Bar of Oporto (June 20), announces two
revolutions having taken place at Oporto,
since June 10. After the Spaniards had de-
livered the forts into the custody of the Por-
tuguese, and the national colours were every-
to establish their authority in consequence of
where hoisted, the French were again able
the weak and undetermined measures of the
Governor, Louis d'Oliveira; they maintained
it till the 16th, the day of Corpus Christi, a
great national festival, when it had been
usual for the Portuguese regiments to attend
with colours flying. The Governor, d'Oli-
veira, in consequence of orders from Junot,
attempted to establish the French flag instead
of the Portuguese at the procession. This
the populace so greatly, that an attempt to
violent attack on the national custom offended
no effect; and on the 18th, in the evening,
compromise on the part of the governor had
they were excited to such a degree of fury,
that, countenanced by the priests, the people
themselves with 25,000 stand of arms From
rose, broke open the arsenals, and supplied
this moment all French authority ceased
and every man, either French, or suspected
of being inclined to the French interest, was
arrested. The Bishop of Oporto was elected
governor, and an army of 20,000 men sent
to meet the French, who had advanced to the
amount of 300 within six leagues of Oporto.

A letter from Capt. Digby, of the Cossack, dated off St. Andero, June 25, states, that with Capt. Daly, of the Comet, he had been employed in assisting the inhabitants of St. 2 T Andero, against an expected attack from the

6. Capt. Dix, of the Cygnet sloop, July 27, announces the capture of the Danish brig privateer, Christina, of 14 guns and 60 men, formerly an English merchantman.

9. Capt. Rood, of the Indefatigable, off Ushant the 2d inst. announces the capture of la Diane letter of marque, of 74 guns and 68 men. A letter from Capt. Inglefield, of the Bacchante, states the capture of the French brig Grafton, of 14 guns and 105 men, off Jamaica.

13. An Order for the Prorogation of Parliament, from the 20th inst. to the 1st of November.

Freuch, and in bringing off such English, | Capture of the Danish privateer Aristides, of and others, as might wish to come away. 6 guns and 41 men, by the Royalist, Capt. The French having advanced to within a few Maxwell. miles of the town, Capt. Daly, on the night of the 21st, spiked the guns in two forts, near the town. At day-light, on the moruing of the 22d, he says, "we stood into the bay, and manned and armed two boats from each ship, under Capt. Daly, accompanied by Lient. H. M. Herbert, of the Cossack, and Lieut. Read, of the Marines, with volunteers. They left the Cossack soon after six o'clock, landed about eight, spiked all the guns in fort St. Salvador de Ano, and fort Sedra, and wedged shot in the chambers of them, which renders them quite useless. The magazine was at some little distance, and had five hundred whole barrels of powder in it, besides other stores; part was thrown over the cliffs into the sea; the magazine was blown up about ten o'clock; also, Fort Sedra. The two other forts, on the west side of the bay, they could not attempt, as the surf was too high. Before they set fire to the first train, the French had entered the town, and a strong guard was expected at the forts; the boats left the shore by eleven o'clock, and had just got round the point of De Ano, when a considerable body of French dragoons appeared on the hill, and took post near the smoking ruins of the magazine.”

A letter from Capt. G. H. L. Dundas, dated Euryalus, in the Great Belt, June 12, announces the burning of two large Danish vessels, fitted for the reception of troops; also, the capture of a Danish gun-brig, of the largest dimensions, with 64 men, by the boats of the Euryalus and Cruiser, June 11.

16. The capture of La Vengeance, French privateer, of 9 guns and 86 men, by the Auzora, Capt. Duer, in the West-Indies, May

16. Dispatches from Sir Hugh Dalrymple, Lord Collingwood, &c. announcing the surrender of the French General, Dupont, to the Spaniards, after the battle of Baylen. Capt. Whittingham, in his letter to Sír H. Dalrymple, dated Andujar, July 21, states in substance as follows:-It having been resolved, that the division of the Marquis de Coupigny should join that of Major-Gen. Reding, in order to attack Baylen with the united force of the two divisions, while the third division and the reserve should occupy the attention of the enemy by a feigned attack upon Andujar, Maj.-Gen. Reding entered Baylen July 18, at nine o'clock, with little opposition. The enemy retreated towards La Carolina. The maj.-gen. wrote to the commander-in-chief for orders, whether to advance against Andujar, or to pursue the column which was retiring on La Carolina. Gen. Castanos ordered him to advance upon Andujar without delay. On the 19th, at two o'clock in the morning, the general received information of the retreat of the French from Andujar. Lieut.-Gen. Pena, with the reserve, was ordered to advance immediately towards Baylen. The French began their retreat at nine o'clock, P. M. 18th July. Gen. Reding informed the commander-inchief, that he intended to march from Baylen towards Andujar at three o'clock, A. M. 19th July. At two o'clock, P. M. Gen. Pena's advanced guard came up with the enemy. At this moment an express arrived from Maj. Gen. Reding, to inform the lieutgen. that he had been engaged with the di vision of Gen. Dupont from three o'clock in the morning till eleven; that he had repulsed the French, and remained master of the field of battle. The guns of the advanced guard of Lieut.-Gen. Pena's division had scarcely 2. A letter from Capt. Bathurst, of the begun to fire when a flag of truce arrived to Salsette, off Norgen Island, announces the treat of a capitulation. Lieut.-Gen. Penà capture of the Russian cutter Apith, of 14 halted and formed his division upon the guns and 61 men, four of whom were killed. heights of Umbla, three miles from Baylen; Ou our side one nan was killed. The prize, between four and five o'clock Gen: Casterick, an excellent vessel, only two years old.-aid-de-camp to Buonaparte, was sent by Gen.

29.

19. Accounts of the capture of the Italian brig II Ronco, of 16 brass guns and 100 men, by the Unite, Capt. Campbell; also Le Grand Napoleon, French privateer, of 4 guns and 38 men, by the Pylades, Capt. Bligh; also a French tartan, bound for Tripoli, with 760 musket-barrels on board.

Members returned to Parliament :-Borough of Richmond, the Hon. Laurence Dundas, in the room of Arthur Shakespeare, Esq. accepted the Chiltern Hundreds Town and Port of Rye, William Jacob, of Dartmouth-street, Westminster, Esq. in the room of Sir William Elford, Bart. accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.

AUGUST.

|

French Force.-Division of Dupont, 8000 rank and file; division of Wedel, 6000.-Total, 14,000. Spanish Force. - Reding, 9000; Coupigny, 5000; Pena, 6000; Jopes, 5000.-Total, 25,000.-One half peasantry. Nearly 3000 of the French killed and 20. Capt. Skeene, of the Guerrière, anwounded-From 1000 to 1200 of the Spa-nounces the capture, July 17, of a French niards killed and wounded.