all employed under him, and I hope you Letter to Sir C. Cotton. Milford, Cadiz Bay, Nov. 24. Sir, Having observed the Enemy to have collected several gun-boats in the River of Santa Maria in a situation subject to bombardment, at a proper time of tide yesterday, I placed the mortar and howitzer boats under the able direction of Capt. Hall, which (whilst the Devastation, Thunder, and Etna, with one division of Spanish and two divisions of English gun boats, under the zealous command of Capt. T. Fellowes and Lieut. W. F. Carroll, successfully drew the attention and fire of Fort Catilina,) threw, seemingly with considerable effect, some hundred of shells amongst the gun-boats and about the place of construction, until the wind coming in from the Westward, made it necessary to move them out. We have not yet ascertained what has been the damage or loss on the part of the Enemy; but we have unfortunately on this occasion to lament the death of two highly esteemed and respectable young officers, Lieut. T. Worth and Lieut. John Buckland, of the Royal Marine Artillery, whose loss is the theme of universal regret. Mr Samuel Hawkins, Midshipman of the Norge, also fell gallantly, which, with four Spanish and four English seamen wounded, constitutes our loss in killed and wounded, on a service, the execution of which merits my warmest praise. I have, &c. R. G. KEATS. Rear-Adm. Otway has transmitted to J. W. Croker, Esq. a letter he had received from Capt. Monk, of His Majesty's ship the Pallas, giving an account of the boats of that ship having, on the 13th inst. under the directions of Lieutenant M'Curdy, captured, in the Cove of Siveraag, on the coast of Norway, two Danish cutter privateers, one of four guns, and the other of two. PROCEEDINGS IN THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, Dec. 27. The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the Nation, the Earl of Liverpool rose, and after exculpating himself and his colleagues from all blame for delay, or for any proposals they made to Parliament, declared it was impossible to avoid great difficulties with He had respect to any arrangements. were ke he was not delivering a new opinion, but an opinion which was avowed by Lord Camden, and all the eminent Lawyers and Statesmen who had graced our history. His Lordship afterwards detailed the proceedings in 1788; and having expatiated upon the importance of the question, observed it was the duty of their Lordships to make effectual provision for the maintenance of the Constitution; to assert and defend the privileges of both Houses; and to preserve the political capacity of the Monarch entire, whether in the weakness of infancy, or in the infirmity of old age. Upon these principles he would move, that their Lordships do agree to the Resolutions communicated by the other House. The first Resolution was then put and carried. On the second being proposed, Earl Stanhope remarked, that the noble Lord put great stress upon the arbitrary acts of James II, and attached too much importance to the Great Seal. If the possession of the latter could legalize every thing, he would, merely for the sake of argument, and without any doubt of the noble Lord's integrity, suppose he had stolen it from the noble Lord on the Woolsack-what was to hinder him from creating himself Duke of Flushing, then giving himself as great a pension as he chose, and lastly make an impression on the green wax to get himself a pardon? His Lordship then quoted a clause in the 6th of Anne, cap. 7, directing the appointment of justices, as a refutation of part of the noble Lord's argument; and after dwelling upon the difficulty of stating the precise period when the Regency should terminate which reminded him of the answer made by Judge Burnet to a Country Squire, who, remarking that there could be little merit in filling the judicial character, as it was only to distinguish between black and white, was answered, that "the Judges never felt any difficulties in the blacks and the whites, but that all the difficulties lay in the greys"eluded by moving an Amendment to the second Resolution, to the effect, that the powers of the Regent should not cease until the Lords and Commons had ascertained his Majesty's recovery; which was negatived without a division. -con The second Resolution being then carried, the third was put; on which Lord Holland rose, and, in a long argument, pointed out the absurdity of proceeding by Bill, which, to be complete, must reeive the assent of the King, to remedy whose very incapacity to give such a sanction, it had been introduced. He perfectly agreed in the paramount power of Parliament, and even thought it able to bestow the Regency upon any indivi dual. It was this principle which was acted upon at the Revolution, and seated the present Royal Family upon the Throne. His Lordship then noticed the gross contradiction between the second and third Resolutions. The second admitted that the two Houses alone were competent to supply the defect in the Executive Government; and yet the third asserted, that it became necessary to call in other assistance. After dwelling upon this and other topics connected with the subject under discussion, and incidentally noticing the ascendancy obtained by certain persons over his Majesty's mind, and which had, at former periods, been made instrumental in giving the Royal Assent by Commission to various acts of Government, his Lordship concluded by exhorting the House to banish all unseemly delicacies, and adopt an amendment, which he proposed, for proceeding by Address. The Duke of Norfolk observed, that the virtues of the Great Seal did not consist in the metal or the wax, but in its legal application, which, as matters now stood, could not be rendered available. The Duke of Sussex said, that as it was evident, from the distressing details of his Majesty's illness already made public, that his Majesty had no communication with any of his Ministers, nor with any of the Royal Family, for several weeks, he would ask, what right had the former to talk of the King's approval of their acts? In the natural conduct of things, the Ministers reported to the King, the King issued his orders to the Ministers- he commanded them to act, and they were responsible for their acting. But Ministers had not seen the King for three weeks, and yet they dared to talk of the King's approval of their measures.[Here his Royal Highness was so agitated by his feelings as to be unable to proceed directly-If the Ministers assuined to themselves a power, as of right, to act as they had hitherto done, it was the most serious blow which the Constitution had suffered since the Revolution. The King was a Corporation; he never died;. he enjoyed a sort of political immortality. The act of Ministers in usurping his power was a kind of political regicide. He could not separate the rights of the King from those of the People. In defending the Royal authority, he only defended the principles of the Constitution. It was expedient to defend the rights of the throne, if the Constitution was to be preserved. If the proceeding by Bill was adopted, and the House took upon itself to select a temporary Governor, it might go the length of interfering with the future and rightful Possessor. The principle of succession was the the principle of the Common Law; the right of the modern succession, or that of the House of Brunswick, was to be found is the Statute Law, grounded upon the antient principle of the Common Law. If a Regent were to be chosen, he must be made an effective Magistrate, with the power of performing the duties of Royalty. He must not be the mere muminery and mockery of Royalty. His Royal Highness next made a warm eulogium upon the British Constitution, and observed, that the surest way to overthrow the Monarchy was, to degrade the King and his Heirapparent in the public estimation. With respect to his feelings for his Royal Father, he could, with the utmost sincerity, quote the remarkable expression of Lord Thurlow, "When I forget my King, may God forget me!" But feeling, as he did most sincerely, those wishes with respect to his Father, he would also add, with equal sincerity and devotion to the Constitution of this Country, "May God forget me when 1 forget the Constitution which raised my Family to the Throne!" (Hear, hear!) It was this Constitution which, amidst the ruin and desolation that emanated from the French Revolution, preserved this Country, free and invincible, like a mighty rock in the sea, which defies the fury of the storm. To this Constitution every subject in the realm should cling for the protection of their rights and liberties; and to the support of this Constitution, none were more deeply pledged than his Family, whom it had called to the Throne, for the purpose of protecting it. He felt himself pledged by every tie to support the Constitution in all its parts; and it was from this feeling that he had conceived it his duty to state his sentiments to the House. Lord Mulgrave stated some historical facts-denied that the precedent at the Revolution applied to the present case, and concluded by expressing his opinion that the only just, constitutional, and loyal course, was the proceeding by Bill. The Duke of York, in a neat speech, declared, that the opinions he now held were the same as he formerly maintained, and which he had publicly stated. He was led by every feeling of duty and attachment to his beloved Father, of solicitude to preserve the rights of the Crown, and cf regard for the Constitution, to deprecate the adoption of a course, which appeared to him highly detrimental to all those valuable interests. No individual could feel more for the critical situation in which the Country was placed by a calamity, which none could more seriously deplore. Great as the difficulties had been on the former occasion, they were now much increased by the pressure of the times, and by the arduous but proud struggle which this Country is supporting, not only for its own honour and independence, but for that of the only people on the Continent which scorns to submit to tyranny and oppression. He would have supported an adjournment, and gave Ministers full credit for not wishing to hazard any danger or inconvenience to the State, by postponing too long the measures which the existing circumstances required. He must object to the mode and the principle upon which it was proposed to carry into effect that which is now indispensably necessary, as being, in his opinion, unconstitutional, derogatory to the dig nity of the Crown, and subversive of those rights which cannot safely be attacked in the person of the King's Substitute. He must deny the right of the two Estates of the Realm to substitute a phantom in the place of the King, and to pass an Act for which by the Constitution the Royal sanction was necessary. He therefore much preferred proceeding by Address, which was free from those objections. Earl Moira, alluding to the speeches of the Royal Dukes, congratulated the House on having heard the true principles of the Monarchy so well and so constitutionally declared by two of his Majesty's Sons. The Earl of Buckinghamshire was authorized in the absence of a Noble Friend (Lord Sidmouth), to declare his acquiescence in the Resolutions proposed by the Noble Secretary. The Marquis of Lansdowne supported the Amendment at great length, and stated, that the motion would have been opposed by a noble Earl (Grey), had he been present.-Lord Erskine was prevented by a sudden bleeding at the nose, from supporting the proceeding by Address. Lord Grenville, in an eloquent speech, supported the original motion, and urged his opinions with many powerful argu ments. The Lord Chancellor followed on the same side, and remarked, that under the present circumstances, conscientious motives alone could induce his retention of the Great Seal. The House then divided-Contents for the Amendment 74; Non-Contents 100 Majority for Ministers 26. Dec. 28.-On the Report of the Committee of the whole House on the State of the Nation being received, and the question being put on the third Resolution, Lord Holland opposed it, and moved an Amendment, which was supported by Lords Erskine and Darnley; and and combated by Lord Kenyon; after which the Amendment was negatived without a division. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Dec. 31. A conference took place with the Lords, who notified their agreement to the Resolutions which were communicated in a conference on the 22d. The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the State of the Nation, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that it was the intention of his Majesty's servants to propose the transferrence of the Executive Authority to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, accompanied with certain specified exceptions, which are, however, only to be operative for a limited time. These exceptions extend to the granting of Peerages, Pensions, and Places for Life, for the period of twelve months. The care of his Majesty's person to be entrusted to the Queer, assisted by a Council; and that her Majesty have power to remove from, or nominate persons, to his Majesty's Household. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by proposing Resolutions embodying the above state ment. The Hon. Mr. Lambe disapproved of the restrictions with which it was intended to fetter the Regent, and which, be conceived, went to fix an unnecessary stigma on him, He pointed out the necessity of vesting him with the full powers of Royalty. He concluded by moving, that the Resolutions be amended, and that all the part after they begin to state the limitations and restrictions on the Prince Regent should be omitted, with exception of the provisions for entrusting the care of his Majesty to the Queen, and respecting the disposal of his Majesty's private property. Mr. Canning spoke against the Resolutions. He thought that the patronage in appointing Officers of his Majesty's Household might not be lodged any where, and wished that his Majesty should retain the splendour of his rank, but that the Executive Government should not be deprived of its imposing magnificence. He disapproved therefore of the restrictions as to creation of Peers, and with respect to patronage, with the exception of the Household. He concurred in the Amendment. Lord Castlereagh, and Messrs. Montague and B. Bathurst, combated the Hon. Gentleman's arguments; Lord Kensington and Mr. W. Smith supported them.-The Committee divided on the Amendment, Ayes 200, Noes 224. The second Resolution was carried by 226 to 210; and the third by 233 to 214. COUNTRY NEWS. Dec. 16. A poor unfortunate creature of the name of Margaret Sawyer, whọ was walking behind the West walls opposite the Gaol in Carlisle, was, without any previous intimation, seized by two ruffians, and in a moment precipitated over the wall. Her skul! was dreadfully fractured she lingered until the 19th, but was unable to describe the villains. Dec. 18. This morning, a violent whirlwind came on at Diss, from the S. W. which unroofed houses, blew down stacks, snapped trees, and tore others up by the roots. A post-chaise going over Diss Common was upset and dashed to pieces; a gentleman and his wife, who were inside, had their collar bones broken, and were otherwise much bruised; but their child and female servant remained unhurt. DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES. This morning the sacrist of St. Paul's cathedral, on approaching the repository where the sacramental plate is kept, in order to take it to the altar, found the iron door had been double-locked; as his key could only open it if singly locked, he concluded the officer who kept the master-key had done it; he accordingly went to him, and they both repaired to the spot; when, on opening the door, a most affecting scene presented itself: the two large chests had been forced open and rifled of their valuable contents; a magnificent edition of the Bible and Common Prayer, in two volumes, the covers of which were of solid silver, most beautifully chased with Scripture History, was deprived of its ornaments; and the whole of the immense booty, amounting to 1761 ounces, was carried off. The villains seem to have acted with the most cool deliberation : to effect their purpose, they had to pass eight doors before they reached the repository; each of these doors they opened, and on their return carefully re-locked, excepting the iron door, which they double-locked. The large chests were each secured with two immense padlocks, besides the principal chest locks; the padlocks they opened, but the locks baffling their exertions, they contrived to force the chests open. The robbery must certainly have been committed on the night of Friday or Saturday, as on the former day the plate was used at an Ordination. The intrinsic value of the plunder is not the only thing to be lamented; as a great part of it was of the most curious antique workmanship, being presents from different Deans and other pious persons, and might be con sidered sidered as exquisite specimens of the workmanship of the different ages in which they lived, and could not now be executed at so low a sum as 20007. Every precaution and means have been taken to discover the depredators, but hitherto without effect. Thursday, Dec. 27. Mr. Milton's engagement to ride 100 miles in five hours was performed this day. He started from Piccadilly at eight in the morning, and at the end of the first hour he had gone over 23 miles. When about 40 miles from the place of starting, he was disappointed in not finding a horse, and was obliged to continue for some miles on that which he rode. He arrived at Stamford at 25 minutes past 12thus winning the wager by 35 mi nútes. He rode 13 different horses. SHIPWRECKS. Dec. 18. The Nymphe frigate, of 36 guns, Hon. Capt. Clay, and the Pallas, of 32, Capt.Monke, were coming up the Frith this night, at half past ten, and were going at the rate of ten knots an hour, when the pilot mistook a lime-kiln, burning at Broxmouth, for the Isle of May light, and the May for the Bell rock; and both vessels consequently ran aground. In a quarter of an hour afterwards the ships' bottoms were broken out, and the water above the batchways. Signals of distress were made during the night, and answered from the shore, from whence the vessels were not distant more than a cable's length. By means of a life-boat the crews were all preserved, by the afternoon of the 19th, with the exception of about twelve men belonging to the Pallas, and one of the life-boat inen, who were unfortunately drowned. The vessels have since gone entirely to pieces, and various parts of the wreck floated on shore. Intelligence has reached the Admiralty that the Minotaur, of 74 guns, Capt. Barrett, has been wrecked on the Dutch coast, off the Haak Sands, close in with the Texel. She was coming from the Baltic, with the Plantagenet as her consort, and a fleet of 100 merchantmen. This ship carried 600 men: 110 men, among whom are a Lieutenant, the head Surgeon, and 8 Midshipmen, saved themselves on the isle of the Texel; the rest perished. His Majesty's sloop Satellite, of 16 guns, commanded by the Hon. Willougby Bertie, is also lost, with all the crew. She sailed from Spithead on Dec. 17, to join the ships that were cruising off La Hogue. On Wednesday the 19th at six in the evening, she was in company with the Vautour, Capt. Lawless. It was then blowing very hard; and, in the course of the night, the gale increased excessively, blowing in most tempestuous squalls. In one of these sudden gusts (which have been experienced both at sea and on shore, in a most extraordinary degree this winter) she is supposed to have upset, and every soul on board perished. The next morning her boats, some spars, &c. which were upon her deck, were picked up by the Vautour, but no other vestige of her has ever been seen. The following officers were on board on the 30th of November, when she was last mustered: - Captain W. Bertie, Lieutenants R. S. Farquharson and T. Nicholar; R. Cornby, surgeon; J. Sampson, purser; J., Pearse, master; R. S. Kempster, master's mate; J. Henderson, carpenter; B. Brown, gunner; G. Prout, boatswain; G. Campbell, clerk; A. G. Babington and W. Brooke, midshipmen. - Capt. Bertie was the son of the late and brother of the present Earl of Abingdon. His Lady (formerly Miss Fisher, of the Plymouth Theatre) who is in daily expectation of her accouchement, was waiting his return at one of the sea-ports. To the numerous losses of India ships we have to add that of the Elizabeth, extra ship, Capt. Jackson, off Dunkirk. It appears by the information of a gentleman who arrived at Deal on the 30th from Dunkirk that the Elizabeth was anchored off the South Foreland on Thursday preceding (Dec. 27) but drifted from thence into Calais Roads, where she knocked off her rudder, and cut away the mainmast. No assistance coming after her repeated signals, the Captain put off to obtain it; but, when about half way between the wreck and Dunkirk, his vessel drove on the outer edge of Dunkirk brake, Dunkirk steeple bearing S by W. and instantly went to pieces, when all on board perished, except 22, who landed at Dunkirk, and were instantly conducted to prison, with a promise that letters to their friends in this country should be forwarded in a few days. The names of those preserved are as follows: Capt. Jackson, Capt. Eastwich, Mr. Baker, 2d officer; Mr. Laird, 3d ditto; Mr. Edis, free mariner; Mr. Haywood, and 16 Lascars. The following are the names of the persons lost: Capt. Hutton, Commander of the ship, and Mrs. Hutton his wife.Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Midwinter, Miss Moore, and Miss Stewart, Mr. Ambrose, and Lieutenant Finch; Captain Fooley, Mr. Keys, Mr. M'Gulleway, and Mr. Tullock; passengers - Mr. Williamson, 1st officer, and Mr. Forbes, 4th Officer.Mr. Riddle, Surgeon.-John Calder; John Ashkettle, Captain's Steward; eight black women servants, and about 347 Lascars. THEA |