decision against inquiry, and, in order to console them, I beg leave just to remind them of their vote against inquiry, in the case of MR. MADOCKS'S MOTION, relative to the seat of MR. QUINTIN DICK, and the censure, which some of them then bestowed, with no sparing hand, upon all those, who were anxious for inquiry upon that subject, a subject of ten thousand times greater importance to the people of England, than the subjects, as to which they now voted for inquiry.As to the present case, however, I can discover no argument at all against the Amendment, and, if objectionable, it was so only upon the ground of its leaving in existence any part of the original motion, every word of which, except the first word "that," I would have swept away.. -It was said, by some, that the censure, contained in the amendment was premature; that it condemned the ministers unheurd. Why, there they were to be heard; there they were to speak for themselves; there they were to defend themselves. And, besides, is not what is stated in the Amendment notoriously true? Is there any one of its assertions, of the truth of which any man in this kingdom has the smallest doubt? And, if this was the case, what occasion was there for any previous steps? What had the Houses to do but to come to a vote upon the subject at once.I have not time to enter into remarks, at any length, upon the Debate; but, I cannot help taking an extract or two from the speech of the HON. MR. WARD, who seconded the motion for the Amendment, and from the speech of MR. WHITBREAD.- -MR. WARD said: "If the Parliament was ever to act, "it should act at the present moment : " and if it should not act now, he was sure "it would not act at all. If that House "were to resign its inquisitorial power as "to the acts of any set of men, and to re"nounce the salutary controul which it "used to exercise over the Servants of the "its sanction to such measures, nothing "could more clearly evince that silent but ac"tual and alarming change, which was said to have taken place in the British constitution: "nothing could more indisputably shew "the resemblance between the govern"ment of this country and those old go"vernments of Europe, which, weighed "down by the influence of corruption and im "becility, fell successively a certain and easy prey, to the superior wisdom and "energies of the power which has enslaved "them.". Well, then, Sir, we take you at your word. Parliament has, in its vote of that night, given its support to "such rulers; nay, it has, by a decided majo, rity, given all the proofs, of which you spoke. Well, will you join us, then, St? Will you ask for a reform of that parliament? I do not recollect having seen your name amongst those of the few members, who, in the last session, voted for a resolution upon that subject. What is to be done then? You say, Sir:-" At this mo"ment the whole power of France, which "engrossed the whole means and resources of Europe, was at the command of that they must be sensible of the infatua"tion of trusting to any thing but the "combination of all the ability and "wisdom in the nation for a successful "resistance to the great and extraordinary power against which we were opposed. "In his heart, and without the slightest party feeling or partiality, he looked to "the gentlemen below him-(on the Op"position Benches) for that combination "of wisdom and experience, which alone could be effectual for the salvation of the country in its present critical cir "eumstances. He was convinced that, "in coming into office, they would be in"fluenced by no unworthy motives. They "would succeed to shattered means, to "exhausted resources, and to unsuccess"ful armies. They would succeed to "dangers and difficulties, which would Crown, it would, he was convinced, be "a proof of the decay of purliamentary virtue," " and an unerring symptom of the decline "of the true spirit of the constitution. It "was matter of astonishment, that after "such a series of unexampled calamities, "his Majesty's Ministers, over the greater "number of whom the terrors of impeach"ment were impending, should dare to "remain in office (Hear! Hear!). But if Parliament should, without any regard to their past conduct, think proper "to give its support to such rulers, or lend appal the firmest hearts-dangers and difficulties, which no emoluments of "office, or pride of party-victory, could. 66 and power." this country after his appointment to the Spanish embassy. He was particularly "anxious to know this, on account of a "paragraph which had appeared in a well "known publication, stating that "had it ""not been for a fit of illness, the noble "Marquis would have been long since in adequately or at all compensate. The conclusion of it, as reported in The Times time was not distant when the last trial news-paper.--He said, "He could not help "would be to be essayed; and he con- "now alluding to the very extraordinary jured the House not to spurn at its own "transactions which had taken place in our "safety, by omitting to make provision" Cabinet; but before he did so he must "for it in time. Sure, however, he was, "notice some expressions of the right hon. "that it could never be preserved by a "gent. (Mr. Canning) which had much "continuance in the same system: that delighted him. He had said that in a "it could not be maintained by a system "good cause he would seek the assistance which was something weaker than im- "of men of all religions: the Turk and "becility-by men who offered them no- "the Christian, the Jew and the Pagan, "thing but their ignorance and intolerance. "were to him, politically considered, "That House, he was confident, would equal. No doubt then, now that he and "never suffer the State to be ruined in such "the noble Lord were emancipated from "hands; and if it should be the will of "the shackles of bigotry, they would unite Providence that this empire should fall, "with the friends of toleration in support "he trusted that it would not be left to "of unlimited religious freedom (hear, "sink under its own weight, but fall in a "hear!) He wished particularly to know, "manner worthy of its ancient character" why Lord Wellesley delayed so long in -What is to be done," then? The House do like these same ministers. They have voted them to remain in place. What are we to do, then? This is what I want to know from all you, who, at one and the same time, tell us, that the country must be ruined if it remains in the hands of the present ministers, and that a reform of the House of Commons would also ruin the nation. Pray do tell me, then, what we are to do? This is what you say: if the House support the present ministers, the nation must be ruined; the House do most decidedly give its support to the present ministers; and, yet you will not join us in asking for a reform of the House. To be sure, such a series of acts never was before a subject of discussion, in any assembly upon earth. Faults and follies of all sorts and sizes, and, arising directly out of these calamities, so extensive, and of so distressing and disgrace. ful a nature, and foreboding consequences, enough to appal the stoutest heart. Well," here are all these acts, and this state of things, well understood long before the House meets; it is proposed in the House, to censure the persons, who have been guilty of the acts; and the House, by a decided mojerty, say NO to that proposition. But, sir, if you tell us, that that House stawis in no need of reform; if you tell us, that that House is an adequate representative of the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland; if you tell us that that House speaks the voice of the nation, then, Sir, you have no reason to complain, but ought, in silence, to acquiesce in the decision of the nation.Of Mr. WHITBREAD's speech I should like to insert the whole; but must content myself with the Spain."-Now it was well known, that "the right hon. gent. wished to incorpo"rate Lord Wellesley in the government at "home, and he had only to hope that this "interested feeling did not occasion his "Lordship's protracted delay in England, "when he should have been fulfilling the "functions of his important mission. On "this subject he should hereafter demand "an explanation from the right hon. gentleman. To Spain, however, at "last, the noble Marquis went, and there "what were his services? Why, he went "through the mummery of dancing on the "French flag! He did more; he visited "the Junta, went through all the routine of etiquette and politics, made a speech "about reform, took his glass, after dinner, "and religiously toasted the Pope! (Hear, "hear!) It was surprising indeed, to see "him so soon returning after his flirtation "with the "Whore of Babylon," at Cadiz! "On his return, of course, when the places "were going, he came in for his share, and "made one of the Administration; an Ad"ministration the Members of which could not have been distinguished, had it not "been for the motions that day, for the issuing of writs. It was made up indeed, by " a kind of political ballot-one gentleman (Mr. Dundas) had gone the entire ci"cumnavigation of office, from the Board "of Controul to the Irish Secretaryship! "On that day a writ had been moved 66 "tendering his seat-vacant, in consequence " rather the chicane of smugglers and pi-. "of his receiving a situation which he be- "rates, than the fair, liberal commerce "lieved was not yet in his possession!" of merchants? (Hear, Hear!) But our "The Right Hon. Gentleman had, how- ""Treasury was full." Aye, by the rigo"ever, at length compiled an adminis- "rous severity with which the taxes were "tration: and, indeed he had fully shewn "collected. Under the system pursued, "that, supported by the favour of the "the collection of the Property-tax would "Court, he felt little fear in stemming the "soon be in the hands of Government colauthority of the people, (Hear!) But "lectors. Indeed the liberty of the sub-, "bow did the Right Hon. Gent. proceed "ject was directly struck at by the me"to form even this Administration? Why, "thod by which the taxes were collected. "the very first application he made was "He gave it as his sincere advice, let an "to a dear friend of his, and a Noble Lord "economical reform be instituted before with whose principles he had been at "the" last ounce," was exacted, and the war all his political life. This tender country reduced to despair. Let a Go"was rejected by them in a manner wor- vernment be removed to which the peothy of their dignity, and the rebuff "ple have refused their confidence. Let "which they gave the Right Hon. Gen- "our relative situation with the enemy be <<tleman would have daunted any man of well considered. Let the policy of "less temerity than himself. There wa "succouring Spain be also weighed un"not a man in the country, from the "der the existing circumstances: AusOrkneys to the Land's End, who did "tria gone-the French force concen"not pronounce him and his Administra- "trated, and that country their only "tion weak, incapable, and inefficient. "object. It was said that we might de"Even with the addition of the two col- "fend Portugal with 30,000 men: but leagues who had deserted them, they "would not Buonaparté know our force "were feeble, but they then stood on a "even to a drummer, and where we had “principle, or rather in opposition to a 30,000 he would have 60,000. Who "principle; (hear, hear) but now rejected "would struggle against such fearful odds ? "by all who were worthy, the weak and "Our remaining some time unmo! sted in old, and infirm, were collected from the" that country should be no argument for hedges and high-roads, and consorted "with for want of better. (Hear, hear!) "The motly combination was duly appreciated by the people-no one respected "them-they might now exclaim The «« Church is in danger," but every one "would know they meant My Place is "" in danger." (Hear, hear!) Now the a time was come when it would be mani"fested that the people had a voice as well "as the Crown, and would not be imposed "on by a set of adventurers who had "usurped the Government, supported by "nothing but the favour of the Crown."(Hear!) Threats had been held out by "the runners of the Government that, as " on a former occasion, a dissolution of "Parliament would be now resorted to. "He believed in his soul Government " dared not realize the threat; but if they "did, it would only leave them ten times "as bad as they were before.—(Hear, "Hear!) Pompous language as to the flourishing state of our revenue was however "held out. But was it sound at bottom? "Was there a legitimate trade? Was it not a system, placing (by the requisition" "of licences) the merchants under the "controul of Government? Was it not 66 " 66 66 "our continuance there. We remained just 66 scarcely escaped the censure of that "House for his cruel tyranny!-the man "who had assailed the press, the sacred "palladium of the people! the friend of Despotism-the foe to Liberty. Good "God! could this man say to Buonaparté, "in the noble indignation of insulted vir tue, "I have not done as you have." "(Hear, hear, hear!) Alas, if such a man had strength, he would indeed be a fear-, "ful acquisition to such a government; but "he was known, and therefore weak and harmless (Hear!). Peace should be the I cry of the nation. Peace-particularly because the thraldom of millions of our "fellow-subjects, was the tenure by which "this incapable Junta held their offices. It has been said by our enemy, (said Mr. W.) "that the genius of France guided our ar"mies. Alas! it now presides in our Cabinet; "for surely, whether we consider their ig "norance, their imbecility, their bigotry, "or the fate with which Providence visits "all their measures, our enemy, had he "the nomination, could not select men "more suitable to his ends, or more per"nicious to our interests.". -Where is the independent and honest man, who does not applaud this speech? This is a speaker for ine; one who never minces the matter; but, who, indignant at his country's wrongs, freely expresses his indignation.The House, however, you see, did not partake in the sentiments of Mr. Whitbread; and, the House, as it now is, never will partake in such sentiments. WM. COBBETT. Botley, Jan. 25th, 1810. COBBETT'S Parliamentary Debates: The Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Volumes of the above Work, comprising the Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament during the last Session, are ready for delivery. Complete sets from the Commencement in the Year 1803, may still be had of the Publishers. **All Communications for the Parliamentary Debates will be carefully attended to; but it is particularly requested that they may be transmitted to the Publishers with the least possible delay. COBBETT'S COMPLETE COLLECTION OF State Trials: The FOURTEENTH PART of the above Work will be published on the 1st of February. One Part will appear, with the greatest regularity, on the first of each succeeding month. Subscribers who purchase the Work in Quarterly Volumes are respectfully informed that the Fifth Volume will be ready for delivery on the first of March. Of the Two HUNDRED and EIGHT Trials or Proceedings, of which the first five Volumes consist, 189. The Trial of Mr. Christopher Love, before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, A. D. 1651. 189. The Trial of Mr. John Gibbons, before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, a. d. 1651. 190. Proceedings against James Stanley, Earl of 191. The Trial of Major Richard Faulconer, at The Case of Captain John Streater, on an Habeas Corpus, at the Upper Bench in Westminster-hall, A. D. 1653. 192. The Trial of Mr. John Lilburne, at the Sessions of the Peace held for the City of London, at Justice-Hall in the Old Bailey, for returning into England, being banished by Act of Parlia ment, A. D. 1653. 194. Case of the Privileges of Embassadors, being the Proceedings against Don Pantaleon Sa, Brother of the Embassador from the King of Portugal to England, for Murder in a Riot in the New Exchange, A. D. 1654 [N.] 195. The Trial of John Gerhard, Peter Vowell, and Somerset Fox, before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, in conspiring to Murder the Lord Protector, A. D. 1654. 196. Proceedings of the Commissioners, appointed by Oliver Cromwell, for ejecting Scandalous and Insufficient Ministers, against John Pordage, of Bradfield, in the County of Berks, A. D. 1654. 197. Proceedings of the Commissioners, appointed by Oliver Cromwell, for ejecting Scandalous and Ignorant Ministers. In the Case of Walter Bushnell, Clerk, Vicar of Box, in the County of Wilts, A. D. 1656 [N.] 198. The Trial of the Hon. Colonel John Penruddock, at Exon, for High Treason, A. d. 1655. 199. Proceedings of the Lord Protector and his Council against Sir Henry Vane, knt. for the publication of a Book, intitled, "A Healing "Question, propounded and resolved, upon oc"casion of the late public and seasonable Call to "Humiliation, in order to Love and Union amongst the honest Party," A. D. 1656 [N.] 200. Proceedings in the House of Cornmons against James Nayler, for Blasphemy, and other Misdemeanors, A. d. 1656. 201. The Trial of Miles Sindercome, alias Fish, before the Lord Chief Justice Glynn, and Mr. Justice Warburton, at the Upper-Bench, Westminster, for High Treason, A. d. 1657. 202. The Trial of Sir Henry Slingsby, knt. before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, A. D. 1658. 203. The Trial of Dr. John Hewet, before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, A. D. 1658. 204. The Trial of John Mordant, esq. before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason, A. D. 205. The Trials of TWENTY-NINE REGICIDES, KING'S SPEECH. —On Tuesday, the 23d of January 1810, the two Houses of Parby Commission, when the following Speech liament having met, the Session was opened was read by the Lord Chancellor : " afford satisfactory information upon the subject of this expedition.-We have it in command to state to you, that his Majesty had uniformly notified to Sweden his Majesty's decided wish, that in determining upon the question of peace or war with France, and other Continental Powers, she should be guided by considerations resulting from her own situation and interests: while his Majesty therefore laments that Sweden should have found it necessary to purchase peace by considerable sacrifices, his Majesty cannot complain that she has concluded it without his Majesty's participation. It is his Majesty's earnest wish which it is the desire of his Majesty and that no event may occur to occasion the interruption of those relations of amity the interest of both countries to preserve. My Lords and Gentlemen, -We have it further in command to com"His Majesty commands us to express municate to you, that the efforts of his to you his deep regret, that the exertions Majesty for the protection of Portugal of the Emperor of Austria against the am- have been powerfully aided by the confibition and violence of France, have proved dence which the Prince Regent has reunavailing, and that his Imperial Majesty posed in his Majesty, and by the co-opehas been compelled to abandon the con- ration of the Local Government, and of test, and to conclude a disadvantageous the people of that country. The expulpeace. Although the war was undertaken sion of the French from Portugal, by his by that monarch without encouragement Majesty's forces under lieut.-gen. lord on the part of his Majesty, every effort viscount Wellington, and the glorious vicwas made for the assistance of Austria tory obtained by him at Talavera, contriwhich his Majesty deemed consistent with buted to check the progress of the French the due support of his allies, and with the arms in the Peninsula during the late camwelfare and interest of his own dominions.paign.-His Majesty directs us to state -An attack upon the naval armaments that the Spanish Government, in the and establishments in the Scheldt, afforded name and by the authority of king Ferdiat once the prospect of destroying a grow-nand the Seventh, has determined to asing force, which was daily becoming more semble the general and extraordinary formidable to the security of this country, Cortes of the nation: his Majesty trusts and of diverting the exertions of France that this measure will give fresh animation from the important objects of reinforcing and vigour to the councils and the arms of her armies on the Danube, and of con- Spain, and successfully direct the enertrouling the spirit of resistance in the gies and spirit of the Spanish people to the North of Germany. These considerations maintenance of their legitimate monardetermined his Majesty to employ his chy, and to the ultimate deliverance of forces in an expedition to the Scheldt. their country.-The most important conAlthough the principal ends of this expe- siderations of policy and of good faith redition have not been attained, his Majesty quire that, as long as this great cause can confidently hopes that advantages, mate- be maintained with a prospect of success, rially affecting the security of his Majes- it should be supported, according to the ty's dominions in the further prosecution nature and circumstances of the contest, of the war, will be found to result from the by the strenuous and continued assistance demolition of the docks and arsenals at of the power and resources of his Majes Flushing. This important object his Ma- ty's dominions; and his Majesty relies on jesty was enabled to accomplish, in conse- the aid of his Parliament in his anxious quence of the reduction of the Island of endeavours to frustrate the attempts of Walcheren, by the valour of his fleets and France against the happiness and freedom, armies. His Majesty has given direc- of those loyal and resolute nations. His tions that such documents and papers Majesty commands us to acquaint you, should be laid before you as he trusts will that the intercourse between his Majesty's |