adjustment of claims in the beginning of doubt of its existence, he should vote for the year, the declarations of the 13th and the motion of his hon. and learned friend. 25th of March were sufficient to show Mr. Tierney maintained, that the noble that for all great purposes the spirit of lord had no foundation for charging his strict alliance still pervaded the great hon. and learned friend, and those who powers of Europe. The hon. gentlemen supported him, with wishing to show that might therefore quiet their alarms, and there had been a dissention among the console themselves with the assurance, allied powers. But if such a want of conthat if

, as they maintained, there existed fidence in each other had actually existed, disunion at one time, all obstacles to cor- he was perfectly ready to admit that he dial reconciliation and reciprocal confi- was one of those who wished that the nadence had been subsequently removed. ture of it should be exhibited. The noble The spirit which was supposed to dictate lord contended that no differences existed the treaty now moved for, had produced among the allied powers in January ;no injurious effects; it had never in- “ For see" he exclaimed, “ how they Buenced the conduct of the allies for a united in the subsequent March!” No moment. That treaty, therefore, as it did doubt they did all unite against their comnot appear to have been acted upon at mon enemy, Buonaparté. But, what he all, could have no effect on the ensuing wanted to know was, how the allies felt in discussion. It was merely an historical relation to each other, when their comfact, and the noble lord said, gentlemen mon enemy was supposed to be no more. might as well come to his office, and de- In January 1815, Buonaparte was supmand every paper and document that it posed to be safely disposed of. What contained, as require the production of were then their mutual feelings? They the treaty in question. There could be were now again in the same situation. no parliamentary proceeding established Peace was restored, and Buonaparte was upon it, and no parliamentary ground had secured. What he wanted to know was, been laid for asking it.

whether jealousies did or did not exist Mr. Horner said, there could now be no among them? If by the production of the doubt of the “ historical fact,” as the no- treaty for which his hon. and learned ble lord called it, that the noble lord had friend had moved, it could be proved that signed with the ministers of France and a few months after the first overthrow of Austria, in the month of January 1815, a the common enemy, the allied powers treaty, certainly defensive against Russia, were at variance, was it unnatural to infer if not in some points offensive against that that similar jealousies might exist at prepower. It might be, and no doubt it was, sent, and would not that inference have a proper foresight on the part of the noble an effect on the opinion of parliament as lord, to take on that occasion precau- to the permanency of the tranquillity of tionary measures with France and Austria Europe? The noble lord did not deny against Russia. But what reason could that a treaty was actually signed by France now operate to induce the noble lord to and Austria, without the participation of withhold the knowledge of that treaty Russia, and he believed of Prussia. The from the House, except the effect which noble lord did not deny, that to this it might have on the argument in favour treaty he was himself a contracting party, of the late arrangements, which would, Under these circumstances, the House no doubt, be grounded on their supposed ought, without delay, to be put in possesstability? Doubtless, one of the main sion of the document. But, said the nogrounds on which the noble lord would ble lord, it is merely a matter of history, call for the approbation of parliament, Yes, and like other matter of history, it would be confidence in the cordiality of was necessary that it should be known, Russia. Now, in order to prove whether because the knowledge of it bore on other or not Russia was entitled to this confi- times. If the noble lord could show that dence; whether or not she cherished in the causes which gave birth to the treaty tentions dangerous to the repose of Eu- of January 1815 no longer existed, it rope; it would be very material to prove, would be well. Otherwise it would be if the fact was so, that so lately as Ja- impossible for him to believe, that there nuary, 1815, the noble lord had thought was a cordial community of feeling among it necessary to adopt measures of precau- the allies. When he saw that the noble tion against her. Seeing no reason for lord was unwilling to produce the docukeeping back this treaty, for he had no ment, he became morally certain that the

a

production of it would disclose something it would not be deemed improper to excalculated to shake the opinion of parlia- tend the same indulgence to the concerns ment as to the probable durability of a of other noble lords who had not a seat in union of sentiment among the 'allied that House, and could not therefore state powers. The noble lord had censured his their case there, though it might be well hon, and learned friend for suspecting deserving of being publicly noticed. It treaties to exist, and then making motions was notorious that a noble friend of his, with respect to them. If all his hon, and lord Kinnaird, had been ordered to quit learned 'friend's suspicions were as well France by the French government; and if founded as the present had shown itself to his noble friend had had the advantage of be, his conjeciures would prove to be a seat in that House, he himself would no tolerably accurate. At a time when par. doubt have stated all the circumstances of liament was about to enter into a discus. his case, and no one could make a more sion of the greatest importance-a discus. clear and able statement than his noble sion of all the political transactions of the friend. But as his noble friend could not last two years, the noble lord excluded appear there to speak for himself, he them from a document which would throw thought that none could more properly the greatest light on the subject. There undertake to set the matter in its true was not a dispassionate man in the coun- light, and state the whole circumstances try who must not believe that something of the transaction, than some one of those was kept back which if it were brought noble lords who were members of admią forward would materially affect the public nistration. He would therefore ask the opinion.

noble earl opposite, whether any commuThe House then divided :

nications on this subject had passed be. For the motion............ 25 tween our government or our ministers at Against it ..... ..92

Paris and the French government? In Majority

-67 deed, he rather believed that some com, List of the Minority.

munications on the subject had passed ;

and if they had, he wished to ask whether Brougham, H North, D.

the noble earl had any objection to proBennet, hon. H. Ossulston, lord duce those communications, and to lay Baring, Alex.

Ponsonby, rt. hon. G. them on their lordships table ? If the Brand, hon, T. Powlett, hon. W. V.

noble earl did not think it proper to do Calvert, C.

Preston, R. Horner, F. Phillips, Geo.

that, then he wished to know, whether he Heron, sir R. Russell, Greenhill

had any objection to give a general stateHeathcote, sir G. Rickards, R.

ment of the circumstances? If he could Lambton, J. G. Tierney, rt. hon. G. do this, his noble friend's object would be Monck, sir C.

Smith, William answered, without calling for the docuMartin, John

Western, C. C. ments, or going into any particular inves Mathew, Montague

TELLERS.

tigation. Markham, admiral Sir M. W. Ridley. The Earl of Liverpool said, he should Nugent, lord R. Gordon.

be extremely glad to give the noble lord

any satisfaction in his power on the topic HOUSE OF LORDS.

to which he had adverted; but, sitting Monday, February 12.

there, he could only look at the matter as

a public question. And the view he had LORD KINNAIRD.] Lord Holland, be of the matter was this that the British fore the House proceeded to any other government could not, with any propriety, business, was anxious to call their lord- insist upon any explanation from the ships attention to a point which, though French government of a transaction which, he did not mean to make it the founda- if it had happened in their own case, the, tion of any parliamentary proceeding, he British government would not have thought thought it not improper to state in his itself bound to explain to any foreign goplace. Their lordships had been in the vernment. It was quite clear, that every habit, from courtesy to each other, some government had a right to send out of its times to allow statements to be made re- territory any person who was not a born or specting matters concerning themselves, naturalized subject of that country, withthough not strictly of that description out being accountable to any foreign which could form proper subjects for par- | power, or bound to give any explanations, liamentary investigation; and he trusted except in as far as they might be ob(VOL. XXXII.)

(2 B)

liged to account or explain to their own it would be extremely inconvenient to subjects. He felt this the more strongly subject the government to those interroon account of the policy with respect to gatories, the answering of which would, alien's which had been adopted by this in effect, lead to the same result as a parcountry for the last twenty years; for his liamentary investigation. He wished it, Jordship was aware that, by act of parlia- however, to be clearly understood, that he ment, for these last twenty years, the did not mean, in the least degree, to insiCrown was empowered to send any alien nuate that there existed any ground of out of the country at its own discretion. charge against the noble lord in question. Our rule, therefore, must be, to suffer In refusing to enter into any explanation others to act as we ourselves would have on the subject, he was actuated solely by insisted on acting, if the case had been bis sense of public duty. our own. Now, if the British government Lord Holland said, he was satisfied with had thought it right, in the exercise of its the statement of the noble earl, since he discretion, to send a subject of the king understood him distinctly to say, that • of France out of this country, he did not there was no charge whatever affecting feel that he would be in the least degree the honour of his noble friend. By that bound to give any account or explanation declaration, the object of his noble friend of the matter, or of the reasons and mo- was in a great measure answered ; and he tives of the conduct of the British govern- agreed in the general doctrine stated by ment, to the French ambassador, or the the noble earl, on the point of interference French government. Indeed, if it were in such cases as between one government fitting that such a power should exist at and another, saving always any particular all, it was necessary that the government stipulations on the subject between difshould be exempt from the obligation to ferent governments, and saving also the give any such explanation; for the whole peculiar situation in which this country object of it might be defeated, if the go- stood at the present moment with respect vernment were bound to state the grounds to France-a situation in which any act and causes of the measures of that descrip- of the French government might be contion which they might think proper to sidered as an act of the British. He adopt. He did not, therefore, see any agreed also, that we were the less entitled ground for the interference of our govern- to be jealous of the conduct of foreign goment in this matter. And as he saw no vernments in this particular, after the inground for any such interference, on the novation which had been made in our same principle he could not see upon what constitution with respect to strangers, by ground parliament could interfere, or enter the act which formed the ground-work of at all into any consideration of the subject. our policy with respect to aliens for the Noproceeding, therefore, could be founded last twenty years; an act which he had on these documents, if they were pro- always regarded as one of the most unforduced ; and therefore he saw no ground tunate innovations on our constitution that upon which they ought to be produced. had taken place since the memory of man. Under these circumstances, he thought But he was sensible that this was not the himself fully warranted, and indeed called time to argue that question. Feeling that upon in duty, to refuse the production of his noble friend was as much entitled to

There was no doubt as to the courtesy of the House as if he had the fact, that a man of high rank in this had a seat there, he had thought it right country, a nobleman, had been sent out of to call their lordships' attention to the France by the French government; and subject, for the purpose of obtaining, what it was true, that some communication on he had now succeeded in procuring-a the subject had taken place between our distinct and public disclaimer of any imambassador at Paris and the French go- putation on the honour of his noble friend. ment, prompted merely, on the part of our minister, by private feelings, and his TREATIES, CONVENTIONS, &c.] Lord individual opinion that the noble lord al- King expressed a wish to have some inluded tó had done nothing to call for such formation respecting the pecuniary transa proceeding on the part of the French actions with foreign powers, without which government. But it was impossible that the treaties before their lordships could these could be the ground of any parlia. not be fairly and fully discussed.

Rementary proceeding; and their lordships specting the Austrian Loan, he wished to would sce that, in such a state of matters, know whether the poble earl had any ob

these papers.

jection to lay before the House the amount it was the regular practice of Parliament now due to this country, for interest paid to call for returns, although it was known upon the loan. On another topic, the beforehand that there must be a return of sums due by the French government for nil ; because it was only in that way they prisoners of war, he asked, whether there could have the fact officially before them. was any objection to lay before the House He, however, thought that the noble earl the amount of the balances ? There were was mistaken, and that some part of the also sums due in honour by France, for interest had been paid by Austria. the money advanced to the royal family The Earl of Liverpool expressed his of that country whilst residing here, and readiness to agree to an account, if that the sums paid to the French emigrants. were the case; and be could not undertake Respecting the former, there was some to say it was not so. time since a proceeding indicative of an An account was then moved by lord intention of repaying those advances, but King, and ordered, of any sums paid by nothing further had lately been said about Austria on account of the principal, inteit. With respect to the emigrants, no- rest, or sinking fund of the loan to that thing whatever had transpired of any in- power. tention to repay the sums advanced to Lord Holland observing, with respect them. Upon another subject, the fourth to the great mass of treaties laid upon the part of the Russian loan in Holland, which table, that the treaty of 1814 was, it we had undertaken to liquidate, he wished seemed, to be considered as the new basis for information as to the amount of the of the arrangement of Europe, and that charge upon this country. We had also, the treaty of Utrecht and the subsequent it appeared, with regard to Portugal, ex- treaties were functi officio, and absolutely tinguished a balance of 600,0001. due by gone, wished to know whether any stiputhat power, and agreed to make an ad-lation had been made to prevent the vance of 300,000l. more, upon which topic branch of the Bourbons on the throne of there was likewise a want of information. France or Spain from succeeding to the

The Earl of Liverpool, with regard to throne of the other branch, on the failure the Austrian loan, said, that the noble lord of direct heirs; as object which had could, as well as any one in the treasury, formerly cost this country an immense calculate the amount of interest upon the expenditure of blood and treasure. capital of 7,000,0001. advanced in 1796, The Earl of Liverpool said, that there the documents relating to it having been was no treaty, at least no political one, long since laid before parliament. With which had not been laid before parliarespect to prisoners of war, the motion of ment. a noble marquis the other night for the Lord Holland asked, was he then to balances due on this head by the French understand that in the event of the death government had been agreed to. As to of the four princes now in succession to what had been stated by the noble lord the throne of France, there was no stipurespecting the sums advanced to the royal lation whatever to prevent Ferdinand of family of France, and to the emigrants, Spain from claiming that throne as the during the period of their distress and next heir ? emigration, he could not agree that there The Earl of Liverpool repeated, that was any claim on that ground upon the there was no treaty but what had been French government. With the feelings laid before parliament. of that government upon the subject, he had nothing to do; he merely contended HOUSE OF COMMONS. that he had no claim. Lord King said, he could not calculate

Monday, February 12. the amount of interest on the Austrian

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BANK ON LORD loan, because he was not aware what sums

LIVERPOOL'S AND MR. VANSITTART's had been paid by Austria.

Letter.] Mr. Lushington presented to The Earl of Liverpool replied, none the House the following

Copy of ResoLUTIONS of the Court of Lord King wished for a return, stating Directors, on the First Lord of the that fact.

Treasury and the Chancellor of the The Earl of Liverpool did not see the Exchequer's Letter, of the 16th Jan. necessity of it.

1816;-and, recommendation thereof The Earl of Lauderdale contended, that to the General Court.

at all,

a

At a Court of Directors at the Bank, mend to the court, that the proposals

on Thursday the 8th Feb. 1816: contained therein be complied with. The The following Letter from the First Lord court agreed thereto. of the Treasury and the Chancellor of the

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY-FINANCIAL Exchequer, being read; viz.

EXPOSITION.] The House having re“ Downing-Street, 16th Jan. 1816. solved itself into a committee of supply, “ Gentlemen ;-The consideration it has and the several accounts relating to out, been our duty to give to the representa- standing exchequer bills, and showing tions, which have reached us from various the amount of monies in the exchequer, quarters, respecting the internal state of and remaining to be received on the 5th the country, has led us to conclude that of February 1816, to complete the aids it will be of the greatest importance to the granted in the last session for the service public interest, to provide for the ex-of the year 1815, being referred to the penses of the present year with as little said committee, pressure as possible upon the money mar- The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose. ket; we think it particularly desirable to He said, that before he entered into any keep this object in view, in the arrange- general observations, he should, in a few ments which must take place between the words, explain the vote with which he inpublic and the bank, upon the expiration tended to conclude. He was, in the first of the engagements now subsisting be- place, ta provide for the payment of different tween them, under several acts of parlia-exchequer bills outstanding, and which, ment now approaching to their termina- in the ordinary course, should now be tion; and it appears to us probable, that provided for. The first was a sum of 11 the great reduction which has taken place millions of exchequer bills, which remained in the amount of outstanding exchequer of a sum of 12 millions and a half, voted bills in the course of the year past, may in November 1814; also another of 4 enable the bank, without inconvenience, millions and a half of exchequer bills which to afford an important accommodation to were now become due, and lastly, a sum the public service, by consenting to a of a million and a half which had usually temporary advance the following been carried on from year to year. He conditions :-Ist: That the advance of should also propose to make provision for 3,000,0001., made without interest by vir, the exchequer bills outstanding on the tue of the act 55th Geo. 3, c. 16; be fur-aids of the year 1815, and amounting to ther continued, without interest, for two 18,600,0001.; carrying to the amount of years, from the 5th April 1816. 2ndly: the ways and means of 1816, an equal sum That the advance of 1,500,0001. upon ex. from those of 1815, which still remained chequer bills at 5 per cent. by virtue of to be received. The object of this arthe act 55th Geo. 3, c. 149, shall be repaid. rangement, which was similar to the prac3dly: That the bank shall advance the tice of several years past, was to make all sum of 6,000,0001. for the service of the sums received into the exchequer appliyear 1816, on exchequer bills at 4 per cable to the service of either year, as occent. for two years certain, from the pass- casion might require. sing of the act which shall authorize such If he were to confine himself to the oban advance, and shall continue the same ject of the vote which he had to propose, for three years longer from such period, it would be unnecessary for him to say subject to repayment upon six months more: but a wish had been expressed by notice to be given at any time between many gentlemen, that on the first occathe 10th October in any year, and the 5th /sion on which a vote of supply was pro-. April following, either by the lords of the posed to the House, he should make some treasury to the bank, or by the bank to general observations as to the probable their lordships. We have the honour to extent of the supply, and the ways and remain, &c.

means to meet that supply. Although the To the Governor and LIVERPOOL, practice was unusual, it was not unreasonaDeputy Governor of N. VANSITTART,” ble or inconvenient that the House, by some the Bank of Eng

general statement, should be enabled to land,

form an opinion, by which it might reguThe governor acquainted the court, late its judgment on the specific votes which That the committee of Treasury had ma- were successively presented to it. Such turely considered the same ;' and recom. a statement as he should make was, in its

on