most hearty approbation, in the confidence | applied their attention to each particular that it is not merely an empty promise, portion of the mighty whole, and that it but a firm and solid resolution, seconded is their anxious desire to adopt every plan by all the branches of the legislature, and of restriction and economy which can be hailed with gratitude by the expecting introduced into our system, consistently country. With these explanations, I shall with the safety of the country, and with with pleasure add my voice to that of my that station which she now holds, and noble friend in supporting this Address, which she is bound to hold, among the nareserving to myself the liberty of express- tions of Europe. Having stated this much, ing a more qualified or a different opinion with regard to the intermediate matter of upon an inspection of the details, when discussion, it may be convenient for me to the noble earl shall think fit to lay them state (and this was my principal object in upon the table.

rising), that to-morrow I expect to be able The Earl of Liverpool said :~My lords, to lay upon the table copies of the difI am desirous of saying a few words, more ferent treaties that have been concluded ; to accommodate myself to the convenience and it will then be proposed that that day of the House, than to advert to the im- fortnight shall be fixed for taking into mediate question before it, especially when consideration the definitive treaty with I am given to understand, with much France, and the other arrangements depleasure, that the Address is not likely to pendent upon it. That interval, I appremeet with any discordance of opinion. hend, will afford ample time for the peThat Address I consider exactly in the rusal of the papers, more especially as the light in which it is viewed by the two general nature and object of them are noble lords who spoke last: it pledges known to most noble lords through other your lordships to no opinion with respect channels. As other matters of great imto the arrangements consequent upon the portance remain to be discussed as early re-establishment of tranquillity, until the as convenient, I apprehend it will not be papers shall have been regularly brought expedient to delay, beyond the day I have under your consideration : it only speaks stated, the consideration of the treaty with in terms of general congratulation on the France. I cannot conclude without conrestoration of peace, and on the pre- gratulating the House on the general consent prospects of the country, leaving the currence that is likely to attend the Address: House entirely at liberty to form here it was certainly drawn up with a view as far after a free and unbiassed judgment, when as possible, to obviate a difference of opiit shall be in possession of the details. nion using only general terms, and leaving As to some of the topics upon which the it open to all who voted in its favour to exnoble lords have touched, and particu- ercise a judgment, and to form an opinion larly the noble marquis, towards the con- more deliberately upon the details, when clusion of what fell from him, I should they are supplied from the offices of gonot perhaps, under any circumstances, vernment. All that is now asked of the feel it necessary, in the present stage, to House is a general congratulation on the go at large into them; but, considering restoration of peace, and we shall after, the turn the discussion has taken, more wards apply ourselves diligently, steadily, than a cursory notice would not, in my and soberly, to the important questions judgment, be warranted. I have no dif. relating to the present state of the country ficulty, however, in stating, with reference with a view to form some regular system to the existing establishments, and to the of economy, without being led astray by future expenditure of the country, that wild and visionary schemes for inapplithe servants of the Prince Regent will be cable and injudicious remedies. The ready to enter upon the discussion of the subject will be fairly entertained, I trust, question whenever it shall regularly be in all its extended bearings; and the rebrought before the House, not in generals sult, duly attending to great and imporonly, by stating what are the leading prin- tant interests, will, I have no doubt, meet ciples that will guide them, and by asser- with the concurrence of the House, and tions of their anxiety to adopt a system of with the approbation of the country. economy in every branch of the govern- Lord Holland, said:- After what has ment of the country; but they will be passed on both sides of the House, it is, most willing to give all details in their my lords, some satisfaction to me that I power relative to the different depart. am able to give my vote for the Address in ments, in order to show that they have its present forma. I concur in most of the

cula

topics to which it adverts, and I am also harmony and repose; but yet I have not ready to acknowledge, with my noble sufficient information to enable me to form friends, that both the Speech and the a judgment upon the subject. I must Address seem to have been carefully and first be made acquainted with facts. Let properly framed, to avoid dissentient opi- me know what are the precautionary meanions. It would be idle for me to dwell sures that have been adopted and that are upon those points on which we are all referred to in the Address, what is the obagreed; but I feel that there would be a ject of them, and what price has been want of sincerity on my part, a disin- paid for the peace on which we are to genuousness of which I should be sorry to offer congratulations. I must first receive be guilty, if I did not say, that when I answers upon these points, before I am reserve to myself the right of correcting able to give a definitive and satisfactory my judgment, and of forming different decision. As sincerely and warmly as opinions upon subjects necessarily glanced any man will I congratulate his Royal at in the Address, I mean to apply that Highness on the brilliant and most effecreserve, not merely to matters of detail, tual display of discipline and courage by on which we are at present comparatively British soldiers. Who is there that is not in ignorance, but even to some of the astonished at their achievements, and matters stated and admitted, in the course proportionably proud of their constancy of the debate, to be subjects of congratu- and bravery against a nation that has more lation. Having myself from the first en particularly and assiduously cultivated tertained a decided opinion upon the those virtues ? But I cannot blindly unoriginal impolicy, I may say upon the dertake to approve of all that has been original wickedness and unjustifiableness done to attain peace, which, as peace, is of the principles on which the war was undoubtedly desirable. I may congratulate commenced, now it has been terminated, the Sovereign and the country on the if the object ought not to have been pur- peace with America, and on the reasonsued, I can scarcely even pledge myself able prospect there may be of its conto a congratulation upon the attainment tinuance; but I must reserve to myself of an object by means that I think ought the decision, how far that object has been never to have been employed. No man accomplished. I have heard, I think I can refuse to rejoice that the blessings of have seen in the public papers, that it was peace have returned to a country from said, at the opening of the war, that it which they had so long been absent; but was better to engage even in an arduous I cannot but lament that they were ever and dangerous contest, than to observe, so unoecessarily and unjustifiably expelled. under the mere name of peace, what, in Nor upon another point, called the second fact, was merely an armed truce. I must feature of our situation, can I pledge my know, before I decide, whether, after self to congratulate the Prince Regent passing through all the miseries of a long upon the restoration of his Most Christian war, we have not at last arrived precisely Majesty to the throne of France, until I at the point from which we started ; I must am put in possession of the terms and know, before I rejoice at peace, whether conditions under which that object bas it will be better than an armed truce. I been accomplished. Furthermore, as to forget whether it was sir Andrew Mitchell, the prospects which are held out to this or sir. Charles Hanbury Williams, who country and to Europe for the future, I having journeyed to Petersburgh, and should be playing an insincere and a cul- being asked by the Empress how he liked pable part, if I could give my vote, the Russian roads and Russian travelling, unexplained, in favour of this Address, replied, that he had travelled two hundred implying a persuaston on my mind that miles upon a bridge, which bad only conthere was a reasonable and fair hope of ducted him to the water at last. Before protracted tranquillity to this country, I congratulate the Prince Regent on a and permanent peace to the continent. peace, let me know what it is in fact we On the re-establishment of peace, as peace, have obtained, and what we have paid for undoubtedly I concur with my noble it. The wording of the Address is cautious friend who spoke first from this side of the I admit; but it requires equal caution to House. There is nothing that could give take care that the House is not too far me more pleasure and heartfelt satisfaction pledged to be able to retract. With re. than the conclusion of peace, and much gard to the time to be allowed for the more so, if there be a prospect of lasting perusal of the treaties, I would suggest

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that the delay of another week might be peared, and desired the immediate atten. advisable, if it did not inconveniently post- dance of the House in the House of Peers pone matters of much consequence. to hear the commission read. Accordingly

Earl Grosvenor. I wish, my lords, to the House with the Speaker, went up to say a few words, for the purpose of sub- the House of Peers. joining my congratulations to those of my noble friends, and of the nation at large. ANSWERS OF THE DUKE OF WELI give them the more willingly, as I learn LINGTON AND Prince BLUCHER TO THE from the noble earl opposite, that, early in VOTE OF THANKS.] Being returned the present session, the strictest attention from the House of Peers, Mr. Speaker acwill be paid to the various departments of quainted the House, that he had rethe public expenditure. I am quite sure, if ceived from field marshal the duke of Wel. his Majesty's ministers act up to the sen- lington the following Letters, in return timents expressed by their noble col- to the thanks of this House, signified by league, that a great deal may be accom- Mr. Speaker, in obedience to their complished for the relief of the country; and mands of the 23rd day of June last. that the success of our arms abroad will

Paris, July 9th, 1815. be most materially seconded by scarcely

• Sir;-I have had the honour of reless important, though less splendid exer- ceiving your letter of the 23rd June, with tions at home. Many abuses have crept which you have enclosed the unanimous into the system of government for which resolutions of the House of Commons of a remedy must be speedily and effectually the same day, by which the House have provided. I am convinced that nothing expressed their approbation of the con that has passed this night will give so duct of the general officers, officers, and much satisfaction out of doors as the de- troops, composing the army under my claration of the noble earl, in the hope command, and of myself and of field-mar. that it will be sincerely adhered to; and I shal Prince Blucher, and of the Prussian trust, that, having given this pledge, the army, in the battle of the 18th June. noble earl will lose no time, and postpone no exertion for the accomplishment of his that I entertain a high and just sense of the

“I beg that you will assure the House purpose.

honour which they have conferred upon The Address was then agreed to, and me, and that I beg them to accept my ordered to be presented to his royal high- best thanks for this fresh mark of the fa. ness the Prince Regent by the Lords with

vour with which they receive my services white staves.

and those of the troops under my comThe earl of Liverpool after expressing mand. his regret at the continued illness of lord

“ According to the orders of the House, Walsingham, and his high sense of the I communicated to field-marshal Prince ability and attention manifested by the Blucher the Resolution of the House reearl of Shaftsbury, as chairman of the garding his conduct, and that of the Committees during the last session, moved Prussian army; and I have the honour that the earl of Shaftsbury be appointed to enclose the copy of his letter to me upon Chairman of the Committees. The Lord this occasion, which will best explain his Chancellor declared a similar opinion of

highness's sentiments. the ability with which the earl of Shafts

« I cannot conclude without requesting bury had filled the chair of the Com- you, Sir, to accept my thanks for the mittees. The motion was agreed to nem. handsome terms in which you have condis. Upon which the earl of Shaftsbury veyed me the sense of the House. I have returned thanks for the honour thus con- the honour to be, with the highest repect, ferred upon him, and trusted his future

your most obedient and faithful humble conduct in that situation would meet with

servant,

WELLINGTON.” the approbation of their lordships.

“ The right hon. Charles Abbot,

Speaker of the House of
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Commons, &c. &c. &c." Thursday, February 1. This being the day appointed for the « Les deux chambres du parlement meeting of parliament, the Speaker took Britannique ayant données leurs remerthe chair a little before two o'clock, when ciments à moi, et à l'armée sous mes the gentleman usher of the Black Rod ap. ordres, pour notre assistance à la bataille de la Belle Alliance, c'est un honneur dont return from his people those heartfelt con. nous sommes profondément pénétrés, nous gratulations which such tidings would elinous seatons extrêmement recompensés cit from those whose invincible spirit and pour nos efforts par l'approbation d'une perseverance had attained so glorious a renation vaillante et éclairée, et nous espe- sult. It was also a matter of regret, that rons avec confiance que la victoire com- the continuance of his Majesty's indispomune de ces deux nations, contribuera sition rendered it impossible for him to bien puissament de consolider eneore de participate, as he would otherwise deeply plus, d'une manière nullement troublée a have done, in the universal joy of the prel'avenir, les liens entre elles.

sent times. “ Nous n'ignorons pas, mylord, que la But he would pass to the more pleasing relation de votre Altesse, sur notre con. subject of congratulating the House on duite du 18, a été la cause que les deux the blessings of peace. This was a sound chambres du parlement ont pris la résolu- which had long become a stranger to their tion si honorable pour moi et pour l'armée ears, and when the documents connected sous mes ordres, et c'est moi qui vous prie with it were laid before them, if they d'agréer nos remerciments pour cela. were-as he was persuaded they would be

« Ce sont les sentiments du respect le -of a nature to add to the character and plus fondé et d'une fidèle fraternité d'armes, honour of the country, then the terms in que j'ai l'honneur d'être, de votre altesse the Address with which he should conle très-humble ami et serviteur,

clude, would not be found to have over(Signé)

Blucher." rated the great advantages obtained by “ A Saint Cloud, 9 Juilet, 1815."

the nation from this measure. The House

would permit him to call to its recollecThe Prince Regent's SPEECH ON tion, that for the last two years the great Opening The Session). The Speaker object of the councils, not only of this reported, that the House had been at the country, but of Europe, was peace, and House of Peers, at the desire of the Lords peace alone. This was only to be obCommissioners appointed under the Great tained by the renunciation, on the part of Seal for opening and holding this present France, of that unjust frenzy for conquest, parliament; and that the Lord Chancellor, which for the last twenty years had spread being one of the said Commissioners made desolation over Europe. It was in this a Speech to both Houses; of which, he spirit of sincere pacification that the Allies had, to prevent mistakes, obtained a copy, first entered the conquered capital of which he read to the House [See p. 1.] France; their only security for the attain.

Sir Thomas Dyke Acland then rose to ment of this desirable object was, to remove an address in answer to the Speech move from the throne of that empire that from the throne, which the House had just man, who was no less the scourge of his heard read. He began by observing, that own country, than of the rest of Europe. it was not his original intention to apolo- It was true, and also to be regretted, that gise to the House for the duty he had upon the Allies had not then availed themselves this occasion undertaken. It was one con- of the facilities which their means afforded, nected with the most flattering public con- of removing the works of art, which were siderations, and introduced on the proudest the spoils of other countries. But their day that any member of that House had policy was more than liberal upon that had the opportunity of ever witnessing. occasion; they met France on an equality Since, however, he had determined on ac- of terms; they left her a greater extent of cepting the honour of making the present country than she possessed before she sent motion, he was more forcibly struck with from her bosom that fire which had nearly its importance than at first sight he had consumed Europe. Even the national been, and, consequently, more impressed rivalship of this country sought no more with his own inability to do justice to so than what was strictly and honourably glorious a theme. The session now hap- right, and limited its views to the forbearpily opened with the assurance of a lasting ance of the allied powers. peace-a peace not alone for Europe, but Such was the feeling which pervaded for the whole civilised world. He sincerely the Congress assembled at Vienna to heal regretted that his royal highness the Prince those grievances, and to repair that disRegent was prevented, by indisposition, organization which France had wantonly from making this pleasing communication caused, and yet she was herself summoned in person to parliament, and receiving in to take part and to co-operate in those VOL. XXXII.)

(C)

incapacity of entering into the topics af- proud satisfaction, call to his recollection forded by the Prince Regent's most gra- some of the circumstances that marked cious Speech, in a more able or eloquent the humiliation of our bitterest enemy. manner than that in which they had been When he beheld him volunteering his treated by the hon. baronet. But there surrender, and relying on the magnanimity were a few points to which he was desirous of that nation he had most offended--when of calling the attention of the House. In he beheld him approaching, as a prisoner, the first place, he concurred in lamenting that soil he once dreamt of beholding with the continued indisposition of our beloved other hopes, he could not but consider the Sovereign; and though he regretted his contrast gratifying to every English heart; own inability to expatiate on the situation and he felt himself called upon to do jusof this country, with as much eloquence tice to the noble lord opposite (lord as the subject deserved, yet was that situa- Castlereagh), and to the other members tion so proud, as to need little more than of administration. It was to them, to the simple eloquence of unsophisticated their councils and their firmness, that we, truth. If we looked back but a few owed the results that had been obtained ; months, and entered into the situation in and, for his part, he should always conwhich this country was then placed ; if we sider it a matter of exultation and triumph considered the perils we had escaped, and that he had lived at such a period, and had the anxieties from which we had been re- supported such a cause. It was a gratilieved ; and if in considering these things, fying thought that this country had bethe uncertainty of all human affairs-as it come the rallying point of justice and lecould not fail to do-forced itself on our gitimacy. Nor was it to Europe alone imagination, we should say that surely that our successes had been confined, or this was not a time for congratulations of the northern hemisphere the only theatre an ordinary nature, for the common des- of our glory. In Candy a most execrable cant on the valour of troops, the prudence tyrant had been dethroned, and the terof officers, and the steadiness of naval and mination of the war in Nepaul afforded a military discipline; but our congratula- distinct subject of congratulation. These

. tions should turn on the brightened pros. circumstances, though lost in the genpects of the country-on a well-secured eral blaze of splendid success, were not peace, the result, after a long and anxious without their share of importance. Our conflict, of energy and decision in our eastern empire, from which we derived councils and skill in that great commander so many advantages, had thereby been to whom, under Providence, this result placed in a state of security that pro: was more immediately to be attributed. inised the happiest results for the fuHe hoped he should be forgiven for al- ture. He would ask, if any one who reluding to this illustrious individual; but collected the horrors which Europe had when we called to our recollection the suffered during the last twenty years, armies of France dispersed and subdued, the slaughters that had raged, and the Napoleon conquered and humiliated, it millions of victims that had been immowas to him we were indebted for the lated, could consider these things, and not proudest era that this country had ever be thankful for the blessings we enjoyed! known. He should contrast the present Secure in the protection of our immortal peace with that which was concluded in constitution, we had heard the thunder ihe year 1802. Buonaparté was at that rolling at a distance, and had beheld un. time entering into treaties for no other hurt the flash that darted destruction. It purpose than that of violating them; he was true that we had not enjoyed this was forming alliances hostile to Great blessing unalloyed with evil : the privaBritain ; our prospects on every side were tions we had endured were great and magloomy, and the peace in itself precarious nifold. But what Englishman was there, and uncertain. Now we had obtained the who would not consider these sacrifices as reward of our firmness and perseverance; light in comparison of the benefits we had we had reaped the harvest of all our exer- acquired benefits that would be entailed tions. By our example, Europe had re- to his latest posterity? Who would not covered from the slavery and devastation feel proud at our political prospects-whe of which, during the last twenty years, would not exult at the glories we had acshe had been the devoted victims and quired ? Alone and unsupported, in the though he was far from wishing to trample midst of general defeat and consternation, on a fallen foe, yet he could not, without we had stemmed the torrent of despoi

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