from the spirit of philanthropy in which | the Slave Trade had been regarded. Whatever differences of opinion might arise on the other points, all would rejoice in the great recognition of African freedom. But the Prince Regent's ministers had not only discharged their duty in prosecuting the war with vigour, and to a successful issue, but they had, by the providing for the maintenance of a large army in France, contributed in the most effectual way, to the permanence of tranquillity. The concurrence too, of the French government in those measures afforded an expectation that the good understanding between both countries was likely to last; at least so far as was connected with the disposition of the reigning family. The noble lord said he could not sit down without expressing the joy and satisfaction which he felt in contemplating the situation and prospect now held out to this country. There were, indeed, parts of our domestic system that had suffered considerably from the long continuance and demands of the war; but he trusted that that consideration would rather unite all in the feeling of happiness with which they should hail the return of peace. When they reflected that those difficulties had grown out of the unexampled exertions that were made by this country, they would probably, instead of being discouraged in their hopes, be led to enhance their estimate of the blessings of tranquillity. This, combined with the assurance that such measures as were calculated to afford relief would be adopted to every practicable extent, would leave them every thing to rejoice in at the happy issue with which their efforts were at length crowned. Upon these grounds, he should second the address which had been moved by the noble marquis. Lord Grenville said:-It gives me sincere pleasure, my lords, to find, that there is not a single word in the Speech from the throne which does not meet with my most hearty concurrence; and I trust that the Address which has been moved in consequence of it, will meet the unanimous approbation of this House. Under such circumstances, I should think it scarcely necessary to trouble your lordships, did I not feel that it was a duty incumbent upon us all to express our joy and gratitude to Providence, that the new war, in which we were so unexpectedly and so unwillingly involved, and the result of which for some time, and to some minds, appeared so doubtful, has terminated in a success unexampled in the annals of the world. Such a triumph cannot fail to excite the most vivid emotions of joy and gratitude in my breast;-joy, that the calamities of war, at which we all shuddered, have been concluded-gratitude, that the blessings of peace, for which we all panted, have been secured. Those blessings, I trust, we shall continue to enjoy; and, in the hope that every measure will be adopted to procure their continuance, it is my ardent wish that this Address should meet with the undivided assent of your lordships. I can no less refrain from the expression of my satisfaction at the great leading feature of the situation of our country; I allude to the means by which the peace, at which I rejoice, has been obtained: it has been restored to us by what, I confess, always appeared to me the most probable mode, both of its restoration and continuance the re-establishment of that government in France which by commotion had been overthrown, and by violence was excluded. These are the two main points upon which we are called upon this night to come to a vote; and I should have been wanting in justice to my own feelings, if I had not so far obtruded myself upon the notice of the House (however unnecessarily with reference to the decision), as to request its attention to the sentiments I have just expressed. The Speech with great propriety refers to future communications to be made from the throne; and the Address moved by the noble marquis is carefully and wisely reserved in the expressions it employs respecting the contents of papers not yet upon our table. The noble lord who seconded the Address, with equal propriety, has stated (as I was glad to hear a distinct statement, though if he had been silent the fact would have been implied) that when the documents are submitted to its consideration, it will be the duty of the House to consider with attention the nature of their contents, and the terms of the arrangements that have been completed, and then to offer to the sovereign the result of their deliberations. When the noble earl opposite, shall by direction of the Crown, submit them to our consideration, I cannot but hope that their contents will be as satisfactory as the vote with which we shall conclude the business of this evening, in favour of the Address. The Marquis of Lansdowne said:-My lords, I feel it my duty to offer a few words, because I find it impossible for me to concur in the Address proposed for your adoption, as I most anxiously wish, without previously stating, more with a view to future discussions than to the present question, the limits within which I must confine my approbation. With respect to the Address itself, I admit with my noble friend, that it is most temperately and judiciously worded, and that the speeches delivered, both by the noble marquis and by the noble baron, have been strictly confined within limits calculated to ensure the general acquiescence of the House; and, within certain bounds, I can have no hesitation in expressing my approbation both of the one and of the other. To the extent of the warmest congratulations on the splendid success with which our arms have been crowned-to the extent of the expression of sincere joy at the overthrow of that dominion established by military power, and which sought to spread itself over surrounding nations by the terror of its arms, the Speech and the Address meet with my sincere and unqualified approbation; because I feel that no subsequent events that have occurred, or which could have occurred, would have power to shake that opinion, which on other occasions I have taken the liberty of expressing, and which I have always been prepared to support. As to the objects or advantages since obtained-as to the prospects to which we are now enabled to look forward-as to the probability of future tranquillity in Europe, and the final attainment of those great objects for which the war was originally undertaken; I think the House is not at present in a state of information mature enough for the expression of an opinion. Whether it be in the power of ministers to lay upon our table such documents as will enable us to form a sound judgment, I am not able to decide; but I am glad to find that it is the intention of the noble earl at least to supply that information of which he is possessed, and which is capable of production, to put your lordships in a situation to deliberate upon topics of such magnitude; and until I have an opportunity of duly weighing them, I beg leave to refrain from delivering any opinion as to the objects which they may purport to have attained. Having said this much regarding the Address, with the necessary reserve upon great political questions on which we are not yet sufficiently informed, I cannot sit down without at the same time stating, that I concur with the most cordial satisfaction in that part of the Address which refers more particularly to the present state of our country, and to the imperious necessity which exists of making sacrifices for the attainment of great ulterior objects-which sacrifices we are all called upon proportionably to make. I beg, therefore, to accept (and I trust I may so accept it) what is said upon this subject as a distinct pledge, on the part of his Majesty's government, that there is every disposition to concur with the other branches of the Legislature in all practicable retrenchments of public expenditure; retrenchments that the condition of the country at the present moment renders immediately necessary. I hope that all pub lic establishments that can possibly admit of reduction, will be restricted to limits consistent with necessary economy; and the expression of the decided sentiment of this House on this important subject will have the effect, no doubt, of directing the attention of the country to it; if indeed, its attention has not already been fixed upon it, and if, at the present moment, on the meeting of parliament, it does not impatiently look towards parliament, for a remedy of the alarming distresses prevailing among all classes of the community. I trust we shall soon witness the restoration of comfort and happiness among the people, by the adoption of the only solid remedy for the evils of which they now complain-the restoration of that relation and proportion between the burthens and resources of the country which some years ago existed, and which has of late been destroyed, partly by the course of political events, and partly by the introduction of an artificial currency. This subject, your lordships must be well aware, imperiously calls for the immediate, anxious, and patient investigation of the legislature. I trust, therefore, no unnecessary delay will take place, and that his Majesty's ministers will give their cordial aid in a complete review of all the establishments of the country, with a steady determination to shun no inquiry, and to avoid all expenses not positively necessary for the activity of the functions of govern ment. In this view of that portion of the Address, I do consider it as a pledge on the part of those who have the best means of redeeming it; and it has therefore not only my sincere concurrence, but my 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 to lay upon the table copies of the different treaties that have been concluded; and it will then be proposed that that day fortnight shall be fixed for taking into consideration the definitive treaty with France, [and the other arrangements dependent upon it. That interval, I apprehend, will afford ample time for the perusal of the papers, more especially as the general nature and object of them are known to most noble lords through other channels, As other matters of great importance remain to be discussed as early as convenient, I apprehend it will not be expedient to delay, beyond the day I have stated, the consideration of the treaty with France. I cannot conclude without congratulating the House on the general concurrence that is likely to attend the Address: it was certainly drawn up with a view as far as possible, to obviate a difference of opinion using only general terms, and leaving it open to all who voted in its favour to exercise a judgment, and to form an opinion more deliberately upon the details, when they are supplied from the offices of government. All that is now asked of the House is a general congratulation on the restoration of peace, and we shall afterwards apply ourselves diligently, steadily, and soberly, to the important questions relating to the present state of the country with a view to form some regular system of economy, without being led astray by wild and visionary schemes for inapplicable and injudicious remedies. subject will be fairly entertained, I trust, in all its extended bearings; and the result, duly attending to great and important interests, will, I have no doubt, meet with the concurrence of the House, and with the approbation of the country. The Earl of Liverpool said :-My lords, I am desirous of saying a few words, more to accommodate myself to the convenience of the House, than to advert to the immediate question before it, especially when I am given to understand, with much pleasure, that the Address is not likely to meet with any discordance of opinion. That Address I consider exactly in the light in which it is viewed by the two noble lords who spoke last: it pledges your lordships to no opinion with respect to the arrangements consequent upon the re-establishment of tranquillity, until the papers shall have been regularly brought under your consideration: it only speaks in terms of general congratulation on the restoration of peace, and on the present prospects of the country, leaving the House entirely at liberty to form hereafter a free and unbiassed judgment, when it shall be in possession of the details. As to some of the topics upon which the noble lords have touched, and particularly the noble marquis, towards the conclusion of what fell from him, I should not perhaps, under any circumstances, feel it necessary, in the present stage, to go at large into them; but, considering the turn the discussion has taken, more than a cursory notice would not, in my judgment, be warranted. I have no difficulty, however, in stating, with reference to the existing establishments, and to the future expenditure of the country, that the servants of the Prince Regent will be ready to enter upon the discussion of the question whenever it shall regularly be brought before the House, not in generals only, by stating what are the leading principles that will guide them, and by assertions of their anxiety to adopt a system of 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 form. I concur in most of the The topics to which it adverts, and I am also ready to acknowledge, with my noble friends, that both the Speech and the Address seem to have been carefully and properly framed, to avoid dissentient opinions. It would be idle for me to dwell upon those points on which we are all agreed; but I feel that there would be a want of sincerity on my part, a disingenuousness of which I should be sorry to be guilty, if I did not say, that when I reserve to myself the right of correcting my judgment, and of forming different opinions upon subjects necessarily glanced at in the Address, I mean to apply that reserve, not merely to matters of detail, on which we are at present comparatively in ignorance, but even to some of the matters stated and admitted, in the course of the debate, to be subjects of congratulation. Having myself from the first entertained a decided opinion upon the original impolicy, I may say upon the original wickedness and unjustifiableness of the principles on which the war was commenced, now it has been terminated, if the object ought not to have been pursued, I can scarcely even pledge myself to a congratulation upon the attainment of an object by means that I think ought never to have been employed. No man can refuse to rejoice that the blessings of peace have returned to a country from which they had so long been absent; but I cannot but lament that they were ever so unnecessarily and unjustifiably expelled. Nor upon another point, called the second feature of our situation, can I pledge myself to congratulate the Prince Regent upon the restoration of his Most Christian Majesty to the throne of France, until I am put in possession of the terms and conditions under which that object has been accomplished. Furthermore, as to the prospects which are held out to this country and to Europe for the future, I should be playing an insincere and a culpable part, if I could give my vote, unexplained, in favour of this Address, implying a persuasion on my mind that there was a reasonable and fair hope of protracted tranquillity to this country, and permanent peace to the continent. On the re-establishment of peace, as peace, undoubtedly I concur with my noble friend who spoke first from this side of the House. There is nothing that could give me more pleasure and heartfelt satisfaction than the conclusion of peace, and much more so, if there be a prospect of lasting harmony and repose; but yet I have not sufficient information to enable me to form a judgment upon the subject. I must first be made acquainted with facts. Let me know what are the precautionary measures that have been adopted and that are referred to in the Address, what is the object of them, and what price has been paid for the peace on which we are to offer congratulations. I must first receive answers upon these points, before I am able to give a definitive and satisfactory decision. As sincerely and warmly as any man will I congratulate his Royal Highness on the brilliant and most effectual display of discipline and courage by British soldiers. Who is there that is not astonished at their achievements, and proportionably proud of their constancy and bravery against a nation that has more particularly and assiduously cultivated those virtues ? But I cannot blindly undertake to approve of all that has been done to attain peace, which, as peace, is undoubtedly desirable. I may congratulate the Sovereign and the country on the peace with America, and on the reasonable prospect there may be of its continuance; but I must reserve to myself the decision, how far that object has been accomplished. I have heard, I think I have seen in the public papers, that it was said, at the opening of the war, that it was better to engage even in an arduous and dangerous contest, than to observe, under the mere name of peace, what, in fact, was merely an armed truce. I must know, before I decide, whether, after passing through all the miseries of a long war, we have not at last arrived precisely at the point from which we started; I must know, before I rejoice at peace, whether it will be better than an armed truce. I forget whether it was sir Andrew Mitchell, or sir Charles Hanbury Williams, who having journeyed to Petersburgh, and being asked by the Empress how he liked the Russian roads and Russian travelling, replied, that he had travelled two hundred miles upon a bridge, which had only conducted him to the water at last. Before I congratulate the Prince Regent on a peace, let me know what it is in fact we have obtained, and what we have paid for it. The wording of the Address is cautious I admit; but it requires equal caution to take care that the House is not too far pledged to be able to retract. With regard to the time to be allowed for the perusal of the treaties, I would suggest be|peared, and desired the immediate attendance of the House in the House of Peers to hear the commission read. Accordingly the House with the Speaker, went up to the House of Peers. that the delay of another week might advisable, if it did not inconveniently postpone matters of much consequence. Earl Grosvenor.-I wish, my lords, to say a few words, for the purpose of subjoining my congratulations to those of my noble friends, and of the nation at large. I give them the more willingly, as I learn from the noble earl opposite, that, early in the present session, the strictest attention will be paid to the various departments of the public expenditure. I am quite sure, if his Majesty's ministers act up to the sentiments expressed by their noble colleague, that a great deal may be accomplished for the relief of the country; and that the success of our arms abroad will be most materially seconded by scarcely less important, though less splendid exertions at home. Many abuses have crept into the system of government for which a remedy must be speedily and effectually provided. I am convinced that nothing that has passed this night will give so much satisfaction out of doors as the declaration of the noble earl, in the hope that it will be sincerely adhered to; and I trust, that, having given this pledge, the noble earl will lose no time, and postpone no exertion for the accomplishment of his purpose. The Address was then agreed to, and ordered to be presented to his royal highness the Prince Regent by the Lords with white staves. The earl of Liverpool after expressing his regret at the continued illness of lord Walsingham, and his high sense of the ability and attention manifested by the earl of Shaftsbury, as chairman of the Committees during the last session, moved that the earl of Shaftsbury be appointed Chairman of the Committees. The Lord Chancellor declared a similar opinion of the ability with which the earl of Shaftsbury had filled the chair of the Committees. The motion was agreed to nem. dis. Upon which the earl of Shaftsbury returned thanks for the honour thus conferred upon him, and trusted his future conduct in that situation would meet with the approbation of their lordships. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Thursday, February 1.. This being the day appointed for the meeting of parliament, the Speaker took the chair a little before two o'clock, when the gentleman usher of the Black Rod ap. ANSWERS OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AND PRINCE BLUCHER TO THE VOTE OF THANKS.] Being returned from the House of Peers, Mr. Speaker acquainted the House, that he had received from field marshal the duke of Wellington the following Letters, in return to the thanks of this House, signified by Mr. Speaker, in obedience to their commands of the 23rd day of June last. Paris, July 9th, 1815. "Sir;-I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 23rd June, with which you have enclosed the unanimous resolutions of the House of Commons of the same day, by which the House have expressed their approbation of the conduct of the general officers, officers, and troops, composing the army under my command, and of myself and of field-marshal Prince Blucher, and of the Prussian army, in the battle of the 18th June. "I beg that you will assure the House that I entertain a high and just sense of the honour which they have conferred upon me, and that I beg them to accept my best thanks for this fresh mark of the favour with which they receive my services and those of the troops under my command. "According to the orders of the House, I communicated to field-marshal Prince Blucher the Resolution of the House regarding his conduct, and that of the Prussian army; and I have the honour to enclose the copy of his letter to me upon this occasion, which will best explain his highness's sentiments. "I cannot conclude without requesting you, Sir, to accept my thanks for the handsome terms in which you have conveyed me the sense of the House. I have the honour to be, with the highest repect, your most obedient and faithful humble servant, WELLINGTON.' "The right hon. Charles Abbot, Speaker of the House of Commons, &c. &c. &c." "Les deux chambres du parlement Britannique ayant données leurs remerciments à moi, et à l'àrmée sous mes ordres, pour notre assistance à la bataillo |