ry with it the prejudices, paffions, and interefts of mankind, in practice it would ever fail. The trade had been recognized by their ancestors; and fhould they thake off all the refpect for the regulations which they had fanctioned in fupporting it with bounties, and with the profounde ft attention? He denied that the caufe of humanity would be benefited, as the trade, if rejected by this country, would fall into other hands, which would put it out of the power of that Houfe even to affist humanity. A gradual abolition was beft, and this gradation fhould take place by the ages of the negroes. Mr Dundas defcribed the cruel attrocities exercised at Guadaloupe at St Domingo, and other islands, where the negroes were let loofe; and afked, what would be the fituation of thofe if lands, when Victor Hugues, with a decree of the Convention in one hand, and an British Act of Parliament in the other, told the negroes that the French decree had conferred liberty and fupport upon them, when the English had made no provifion for them, but exposed them to want. Mr Fox obferved that the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer had fo amply reviewed the fubject, that little fell to him now in reply. The queftion now was not for emancipation, but abolition leading to emancipation; and a mong other arguments he had heard, it was curious to remark those of the Right Hon. Secretary of State, who told the Houfe the advantages Victor Hugues would take of this act of emancipation. Mr Fox afked the Hon. Secretary what muft be now the argument of Hugues, when he would tell the negroes what the Convention had done for them, and what the British Parliament had refufed? The other argument was, the conduct of their ancestors in fanctioning this trade; he would call upon the manes of thofe ancestors, and invoke their virtues; he would not imitate their vices, but compenfate the want of their excellencies in fhunning thofe very vices which were held up for imitation. Mr Fox preffed ⚫ upon the House the propriety and juf tice of paffing the bill, and tranfmitting it to the other Houfe of Parliament: the world would then judge, that a British House of Commons had done its duty. The House then divided, when there appeared For the motion Against it 22. Mr Grey oppofed the third reading of the Vote of Credit for 2,500,000l. as did alfo Mr Fox, on the grounds of its being unufual to pass it at fo early a period of the Seffion, and its being enormoufly great, beyond all former example. It was alfo ftrongly urged, that it was the intention of the minister not to cover the unforeseen expences of the year 1796 with this vote, but to apply it to the difcharge of expences already incurred. Mr Grey moved, that inftead of the word now, which stood as the original motion, this day three weeks, be fubftituted, in order that the caufe of paffing it fo early might be enquired into. Mr Pitt fupported the propriety of paffing it now; it was true, he faid, that the Vote of Credit had been, in fome instances, paffed at the end of the Seffion of Parliament, but frequently before the committce of fupplies, particularly when the the public fervices are preffing. A divifion took place on Mr Grey's amendment, when there appeared; For it, 25-Againft it, 102-Majority, 77. Mr W. Smith moved the order of the day for taking the report of the loan into confideration. In a fpeech of great length he infifted on the disadvantageous terms procured for the public by the minifter; his departure from the mode by com. petition; the effects of the Kings meffage, which he contended must have been known by the gentlemen who fubfcribed the prefent loan; the evils arifing to the mercantile world from the fyftem of loans; and concluded by moving the reading of the refolutions of the commitee, which was accordingly read: he then moved the Houfe on the firft refolution. Mr Pitt expreffed his aftonifhment to be thus taken, as it were, by furprize, with a charge of fuch a nature as amounted to a high mifdemeanour, and wifhed that the confideration of it fhould be adjourned over to a future day. Mr W. Smith not wishing to prefs it, the Speaker informed him that it would be regular to adjourn the debate on the firft refolution. HIGH PRICE OF CORN. March 1. The Houfe refolved itself into a committee of the whole Houfe on the high price of corn-Mr Hobart in the chair. M Mr Lechmere, agreeably to the notice he gave, rofe to make his motion relative to the more effectual preventing the exportation of corn; two strong reafons, which made him more particularly defirous of bringing it forward this day, were, the dreadful alarm of the increafing price of bread, and the feverity of the weather; he inveighed principally against monopolizers and jobbers of every description, and againft the exportation of corn to Guernsey and Jerfey, thence to France. He concluded by moving, "That the chairman be requetted to move the Houfe for leave to bring in a bill, more effectually to prevent the exportation of corn, and to prevent felling it by the fample." Several gentlemen on both fides of the Houfe fpoke, few of whom feemed to agree that there exifted any real scarcity of corn; they only differed as to the propriety of using compulfatory measures to afcertain the fact. On this fubject, the fervants of the Crown being called upon to explain : Mr Pitt rofe, and began by controvert ing the pofition respecting the exportation of corn either to Jeriey or Guern fey, or elsewhere, which he infifted, fuch were the regulations made, could not be productive of the evil ftated. If any one (continued Mr Pitt) can fuggeft laws more effective, or means of exception more perfect, I for one fhould rejoice, and be among the moft eager to adopt them; but furely, under the prefent circumftances, the public have full and fatisfactory grounds to discharge all fufpicion upon the fubject, and wholly to difbelieve thofe vague and mifchievous reports. Your committee, after every inquiry which they have been able to make, are fully fatfsfied that thefe injurious furmifes are wholly ground lefs and falfe. As to the fcarcity of grain within the kingdom, fome gentlemen have thought proper to call upon government for explanations and proofs, that certainly are not in their power to give. It would indeed be defirable to know exactly the real state of the country, with refpect to grain, if it were poffible to ascertain it; and determine with accuracy and precifion, how far the prefent fcarcity is real, and how far exaggerated and artificial. But this, it must obvious, is impoffible, without very violent and compulfive meafures. Short of fuch steps, every thing that can be done has been fo already. It is not however clear to what exact degree the imagined evil of the moment extends. I am by no means certain, that the prefent high price of Wheat is only equal to the actual deficiency of that article. On the contrary, if every farmer in the kingdom knew how much of that grain there was at this time in the country, I have no doubt whatever, but that the price it bears would be much reduced. I am very far from entertaining the leaft idea that the deficiency of the flock in hand is fuch as to excite any alarm concerning the quantity of fupply, until the enfuing harveft is got in; and I am not without expectation, that those who now withhold their grain from the market will fee the error of their fpeculation, and feel the lofs long before the harvest arrives. On fuch a trying occafion as the prefent, it is indeed important that we should let the country fee, that we are not inattentive to their wants and interefts; but at the fame time we must not spread idle and unfounded apprehenfions, which by exciting defpair, may increafe the evil, and deprive us of the remedy which is now within our reach. I therefore am anxious that the knowledge of this fact fhould be diffeminated, and that the country fhould know, that however great and manifest the evil is at prefent, yet that by a fpirited and manful perseverance on our part, the remedy is near at hand, certainly not further off than the coming harvest, and most probably much nearer. After a defultory debate, the previous queftion was carried. HOUSE OF LORDS. VOTE OF CREDIT BILL. This was ftrongly opposed by the Duke of Grafton, and Lord Lauderdale as a measure unprecedented and dangerous, violating the form and spirit of the conftitution, uniting in minifters the executive and legislative branches of the ftate, and taking the power of the purse from the hands of the people.. It was juftified by Lord Grenville both in point of precedent and propriety. The queftion being put, it paffed without a divifion. IRISH PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Feb. 15. Mr Grattan rose to bring forward his promised motion, for the better regulation of the Channel trade between Great Britain and this country, by admitting the manufactures of each coun try try into the other, upon equal rates of tional duty on bills of exchange, and duty. He faid, this question, which had to include bills for fmall fums. He already been fo repeatedly urged in this then moved, "that a duty of 3d. each Houfe, ftood now upon different grounds be laid on all foreign and in-land from thofe on which it had before been bills of exchange, under the fum of argued. Mr Grattan, after urging at ten pounds: That a duty of 6d. be confiderable length, and much ability, laid on all fuch amounting to ten, and the neceffity of fome declaration from not amounting to fifty pounds: That a the Irish Parliament on this head, as a duty of 9d. be laid on all fuch amountmode of procedure which had been al- ing to fifty, and not amounting to an ready fuccefsful, in obtaining for this hundred: And that a duty of 18. be laid country every political and commercial on all fuch amounting to one hundred advantage he had obtained from Great pounds and upwards:"-Which motions Britain for the laft twenty years, propo- were severally agreed to. kd a refolution, "That it is highly just and equitable, that the manufactures of Ireland be admitted into the ports of Great Britain on terms not lefs favourable than thofe of Great Britain are admitted into Ireland;" which refolution, if carried, he propofed to follow up by another, "That an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, laying before him the faid refolution, and befetching bis Majefty to recommend the fame to the confideration of his Parliament of Great Britain, with the adoption of fuch measures as fhould tend to this effect." The firft refolution being moved by Mr Grattan, and feconded by Mr Vandeleur, was opposed by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who faid, he admitted that the principle was strictly just and equitable, and differed in nothing from the right hon. gentleman but in the inexpediency of the time, when Great Britain was involved in a war, and when her minifter had preju. dices to combat in the manufacturers of Great Britain on this head, which no thing could overcome but a little time and experience, and in a period of peace, but which could not at this moment be attempted, without exciting alarms there. The other ground on which he differed, was the mode propofed of Parliamentary declaration, when he on the contrary thought the right hon. gentlemau well knew, that the end might be attained, perhaps much better, by negociation. He concluded by moving the order of the day. The queftion being put on the Chancelior of the Exchequer's motion, the Houfe divided: Ayes 82. Noes 16. 17. The House refolved into the Committee of Ways and Means, Mr M. Maion in the chair. The Chancellor of the Exchequer faid, that he intended to move for an addiVOL. LVIII. HOUSE OF LORDS. Feb. 12. On the order of the day for the first reading of the indemnity bill being read, Lord Dillon rofe and faid, that from the fyftem of rapine and outrage that pervaded the lower orders in fome parts of the nation, it was now in a very alarming ftate; and the murders that had been recently committed upon perfons who were to give information against the violators of the law, fhewed that it was daily growing worfe or more alarming. He faid, that if fome ftrong measures were not adopted before the rifing of Parliament, he feared that to wait till the next feffion would be too late. As to the adoption of military law in thofe places, he did not conceive it would be effectual; his Lordfhip thought the executive power fhould be invefted with fome new authority, for immediately fuppreffing that fpirit of anarchy and rebellion that degraded the nation. Lord Glentworth iaid, he had been obliged to be in a part of the country. where thofe exceffes were perpetrated, that had been spoken of by the noble Viscount, where a fettled fyftem of murder and rapine feemed to have been formed by infurgents, in violation of every kind of law. Thefe offenders had formed affociations that were indiffoluble; they had taken oaths, and they firmly adhered to them. So many had been put to death by them, who abhored their diabolical proceedings, that the well-affected now become their adherents, to fave their lives. Thefe offenders would fay to the people, " You may efcape the laws, but you cannot escape ou vengence. If you join us, and you fhould happen to be appicheneded, why Gg it it is only fuffering a little confinement, for no one now dare inform against or profecute us. If you go against us, death will be your fate." In this part of the country contributions were raised among the people, for secret purposes, to the amount of a guinea and half each a-year; all which proceedings evinced a fettled fyftem of revolt, that required every exertion to be used now to counteract. They were too weak at prefent to carry any of their diabolical fchemes into execution; we ought therefore, in time, to prevent them from attaining that ftrength they wished for. Measures for MONTHLY FRANCE. Feb. 18. The council of Five Hundred decreed that the fum of ten mil lions of fpecie fhould be at the difpofal of the minifter of the home department. 17. A meffage from the directory was read, informing the council, that the plates, the gravers, and other inftruments, for the fabrication of affig nats, have been burnt and destroyed. this purpose should be adopted before the feffion closed, otherwise the enfuing fummer would be more diftinguished with enormities, by those infatuated people than the last. The Earl of Clare (Lord Chancellor) agreed with the noble Lords who had spoke before him, that the country was in a moft alarming fituation; and faid, that if fome kind of fummary power was not given to magiftrates, by the legiflature, before the feffion of Parliament terminated, the fummer would produce as many crimes as diftinguished the year 1641. REGISTER. HOLLAND. The Hague March 1. This morning, by fetors affembled in the hall to fee the inven o'clock, a great number of spectaftallation of the representatives of the Batavian republic. The deputies made whole garrifon were upon the parade, their appearance about eleven. and the deputies were conducted to the hall by the national guard. About twelve, a commiffion from the States General was read, by which that affembly was declared to exift no longer. In a late proclamation of the direction, all the fhips were decorated with During the inftallation of the conventory it is ftated, that the population of the national flag, each failor had half a Paris is at this time 150,000 greater bottle of wine, a quarter of a pound of than at any former period. Inferted in the Bulletin. 22. The Council adopted the plan of a national bank fimilar to thofe of Amfterdam, Venice, and London. Stofflet, the celebrated Chouan chief, hath been lately feized in one of his retreats, tried for breach of agreement with the republican commanders, and put to death. He was in high esteem among his party. The Executive Directory at Paris have taken the ftep of diffolving all the clubs in that city, in a meflage to the Council of Five Hundred, they detail the evils to which they gave origin, and the danger to the government from allowing them to affemble. They requeft the Council to explain the articles of the conftitution relative to the organization of political affemblies, and to affix the penalty to each particular offence. The prefs is to be laid under confider-, able reftrictions, and its liberty regulated according to a plan of the executive directory. tobacco, and two pipes. The labourand a new tree of liberty is to be planted. ers in the dock-yard had fome gratuity, The confent of Friezland and Zealand to the convocation of a National Convention is at length obtained in due form. The revolution at Lewarden was of fhort duration, as General Dumonceau, with fome troops som Groningen, foon released the imprisoned repre fentatives. GERMANY. Whatever may be the iffue of the armistice between the belligerent forces on the Rhine, the preparations for carrying on the war are going forward on both fides with an unabated, and an almoft unexampled ardour. The Emperor bas appointed the Archduke Charles to the fupreme command of the army, which he hath taken from General Clairfayt, and hath intimated to the diet of Ratif bon bon his wish, that he should be appoint- blood hounds have been procured from ed Generaliffimo over the united forces of the Empire. SWEDEN. The propofed matrimonial alliance of the young King, without the advice or confent of the Emprefs of Ruifia, having been treated with improper refpect by the latter, the former iffued the following fpirited manifefto on the subject: "The King of Sweden thought it his duty, on the occafion of his lately agreed on marriage, to give a Princess (the Emprefs of Ruffia), who is his near relation and ally, the fame proof of his attention as he readily fhewed towards his Danish and Pruffian Majefties, to whom he is likewife attached by the ties of friendfhip and good neighbourhood. It was therefore with the utmost astonishment that his Majefty faw this attention by no means returned by the Emprefs of Ruffia. The King has accordingly resolved for the future, not to receive from the Ruffian Court any of these particular miffions, which concern family events; and which have ever before been in ufe between the two refpective Courts, but which the King has now abolished for ever." WEST INDIES. JAMAICA. The war with the Maroons is not likely to terminate, without the infliction of the utmost severities upon them. They entered into a truce with the Generals who were fent out against them, and promifed, that by a certain day they would deliver themselves up with their whole party. But, from their future faithlefs conduct, it appeared that these overtures were made merely to gain delay, and that they might have an opportunity to procure ammunition and proviñons, of both which they ftood in great need. It is reported, that fome the Spanish Main, of which they have ftrong apprehenfions, and which are ufeful in diflodging them from their faftneffes, which are inacceffible to the European troops. A LONDON GAZZETTES. Admiralty-Office, March 12. difpatch, of which the following is a copy, has been received at this office, from Sir William Sidney Smith. Diamond, off Cage Frebel, March 18. SIR, Having received information that the armed veffels detached by the Prince of Bouillon had chaced a convoy, confifting of a corvette, two luggers, four brigs, and two floops, into Herqui, I proceeded off that port, to reconnoitre their pofition, and found the channel, which I found very narrow and intricate. I fuceeded, however, in gaining a knowledge of these points fufficient to determine me to attack them, in the Diamond, without lofs of time, and without waiting for the junction of any part of the fquadron, left the enemy should fortify themselves ftill further on our appearance. Lieutenant M'Kinley, of the Liberty brig, and Lieutenant Goffet, of the Ariftocrat lugger, joined me off the Cape, handfomely offered their fervices, which and, though not under my orders, very I accepted, as fmall veffels were effentially neceffary in fuch an operation. fence of the bay are two battaries on a The permanent fortification for the dehigh rocky promontory. We obferved the enemy to be very bufily employed in mounting a detached gun on a very commanding point of the entrance. The enemy's guns, three twenty-four pounders, being filenced and rendered ufelefs for the time, we proceeded to attack the corvette and the other armed. veffels, which had by this time opened their fire on us, to cover the operation of hauling themfelves on fhore. The enemy's troops occupied the high projecting rocks all round the veffels, from whence they kept up an inceffant fire of mufquetry; and the utmost that could' be effected at the moment was to fet fire, to the corvette (named L'Etourdie, of 16 guns, twelve pounders, on the maindeck) and one of the merchant brigs, fince as the tide fell the enemy preffed down on the fands, clofe to the veffels; Gg 2 Lieut. |