BRITISH AND FOREIGN HISTORY For the Year 1812, CHAPTER I. Introduction-Reasons for assembling Parliament-Abstract of the Prince Regent's Speech-The Earl of Shaftesbury's Motion for an Address in the House of Lords-Lord Holland's Inquiries respecting the Caraccas-Debate on the Address in the House of Commons, proposed by Sir F. Burdett, and amended by Lord Jocelyn-Debate on the Report of the Address-Report on His Majesty's Health-Mr. Creevey's Motion on Pensions, Sinecures, &c.— Motions of Thanks to Lord Minto, &c., for the Successes in Java-Mr. Perceval's Motion on Distillery from Grain-Debate on Mr. Perceval's Motion respecting the Royal Household. THE parliament was convened sent year, as well on account of the important business which concerned the country in general, as for the purpose of delegating to his royal highness the prince regent the full powers of government unfettered by those restrictions which had, during the preceding year, limited him in the exercise of the royal prerogatives. Although it did not appear that there had occurred any practical ill consequences resulting from the limitations imposed upon the regent; yet, as almost all hopes of his majesty's recovery had vanished, it was ne cessary, as the period of the regen that parliament should make such arrangements as were deemed proper for the occasion, previously to the expiration of this act. Both houses met accordingly on the seventh of January, when the lord chancellor delivered a speech on the part of his royal highness the prince regent. This speech, which will be found among the public papers, after referring to his majesty's indisposition, and the disappointment of the hopes of his majesty's early recovery, spoke of the necessity of adopting such measures as the melancholy exigency might ap A 2 pear pear to require, in securing a suitable and ample provision for the support of his majesty's dignity; and in continuing to preserve for his majesty the facility of resuming the personal exercise of his royal authority, in the happy event of his recovery. The speech next directed the attention of parliament to the measures that had been pursued in Portugal; to the valour of the allied troops; to the successes of lieute nant-general Hill; and to the consummate judgement and skill displayed by lord viscount Wellington in the direction of the campaign; at the same time expressing the most confident hopes of the prince that the parliament would enable him, in behalf of his majesty, to continue to afford the most effectual aid and assistance in support of the contest. From the peninsula, the senate was led to the successes of the British arms in the island of Java, and to the capture of the islands of Bourbon and Mauritius, by which important blow the colonial power of France had been entirely extinguished; recommending to their earnest attention the providing such measures for the future government of the British possessions in India, as should appear best calculated to secure their internal prosperity, and to derive from those dominions the utmost degree of advantage to the commerce of the united kingdom, With respect to America, it was said that his royal highness the prince regent would continue to employ such means of conciliation as might be consistent with the honour and dignity of his majesty's crown, in adjusting the existing differences between the two go vernments. Such were the main features of the speech, which were sufficiently interesting and important to engage a large portion of discussion in both houses, when the various subjects were brought before them in their individual capacities. In the house of lords, an address, the echo of the speech, as is usual on these cases, was moved by the earl of Shaftesbury, who said, in reference to his majesty's unhappy indisposition, he was convinced that with respect to this they would all be actuated by those sentiments of gratitude, affection, and reverence, which the recollection of the blessings of his majesty's go vernment naturally inspired. They were all impressed with the conviction, that provision should be made not only suitable, but ample, for the support of the due dignity and splendour of his royal highness's government, and for the necessary dignity of that of our afflicted monarch, keeping in view a due facility for the resumption of his royal authority, in case of the event of his recovery. The thanks and gratitude of the country were due, most justly due, to his royal highness the prince regent, for his wise and prudent administration of the government of the country, since the period of his being called to the exercise of the royal functions. The noble lord then adverted to those parts of the speech which referred to the belligerent interests, and the foreign relations of the country. In Portugal, he observed, every thing wore the most satisfactory aspect, let its present situation be compared with that which it exhibited towards the close of last session. The army under Massena, from a menacing position in the heart of the country, had been driven beyond the frontiers. Our triumph triumph did not end there; the result proved to Europe and to the world, that even upon that element which the enemy seemed to consider as his own, he had been frequently and effectually conquered by British armies conducted by. British commanders. It was with pleasure he observed it announced that the system was to be persevered in, which facts and experience had shown to be the best adapted to the situation and circumstances of that country, and through which, he trusted, its deliverance would be effectuated. If they turned their eyes to the more distant parts of the world, they would find nought but grounds for satisfaction and triumph. In consequence of the system of operations which has been adopted, conquests of the utmost importance had been achieved, and the colonial power of the enemy was finally extinguished, by a most brilliant achievement, and at one blow, through a felicitous union of disci pline and valour. With respect to the pending discussions with Ame rica, they were not yet brought to a conclusion; but he was confident that all means of conciliation would be resorted to, consistent with the honour and interests of the country. After slightly glancing at the remaining topics in the royal communication, and expressing his confidence, that the parliament, in its wisdom and loyalty, would zealously support his royal highness in the arduous contest in which he was engaged, and in the various measures adverted to in the speech, he moved the address. Lord Brownlow rose to second the address. He fully coincaded with the expressions of sorrow for the king's illness which the address contained. It became us to bow to the visitations of Providence; but when we considered the long period and the happiness of his majesty's reign over us, it could not be unsuitable to hope for his speedy restoration to the prayers of his people. Yet the house had a right, in this calamity, to feel great consolation from the tried virtues of the prince regent, who, when summoned to take the reins of government under such peculiarly afflicting circumstances, proved himself so worthy of the reliance placed on him. The affairs of the peninsula were cheering, in spite of some successes which had been obtained by the enemy; the ardour of the people was more vigorous and apparent, their spirit burned more bright, and their re sistance was stronger than ever. The consummate ability displayed by lord Wellington in the conduct of the campaign in Portugal could not be too highly praised; and the affairs of the peninsula gave good hope that Spain would yet shake off her invaders, and become a firm and powerful ally. By the same judicious system, Portugal had been saved, and her armies had now risen into a formidable barrier against the enemy. It might not be too much to hope, that the example set by the brave nations of the peninsula would produce its effect on more distant nations. He would not suppose that the house would not give all assistance that was necessary for the propagation of this powerful and noble spirit in the peninsula. There were other great sources of congratulation in the conquest of the East. These extinguished the last of the colonial power of France: and he could not refrain from offering the humble tribute of his applause, to the wisdom, both abroad and at home, |