which had been fortunately established the same precedents be observed on the with two great Northern powers, he meant Russia and Sweeden. To the firmness and sincerity of these powers, he was persuaded we might look with confidence and satisfaction, as more than a counterpoise to the defection of Prussia. trial of lord Melville. Ordered. It was also ordered, that no member do cross, pass through, or remain, in the passage to the hall, during the procession to and from the trial: Also, that a note, with the name of the right hon. C. Bathurst, be given to the serjeant at arms, and that he do order him to attend at said trial. Lord Mulgrave thought it impossible that any of their lordships could feel more strongly than he did every word of the [CONDUCT OF EARL ST. VINCENT.] address; it had his entire approbation. Mr. Jeffery said he did not wish to advert After the complete vassalage of Prussia, he to the long procrastination which had tawas convinced, that it was impossible to ken place, by means of the printing of pabe at war with France, without, at the pers that had been moved for, in order to same time, being engaged in hostility with repel the charge which it was his intention her. The measures which had been taken, to bring forward against lord St. Vincent, had also his approbation; they were mar-nor, at this time, to say a word more on ked with energy and promptitude, and the subject. He thought it necessary that were such as became a great and a just na- a day should now be named for bringing tion. He doubted not the readiness of a forward the same, and he was desirous of government to renew the customary relations with Prussia, as soon as she should evince that she was alive to her own bonour and interest. His lordship concluded with expressing his concurrence in the address, and of the measures which had been adopted towards Prussia, from which he saw reason to augur well of the future conduct of government.-The question was then put and carried nem. diss. HOUSE OF COMMONS. fixing that day, as nearly as possible, according to the wish of the house; and as he would not desire to name an earlier day than it might be supposed a sufficient time would be given for printing the papers already moved for, therefore he, if it would be agreeable to the house, would name the 6th of May, on which day it was his determination positively to bring it forward. Lord Howick was as anxious to avoid delay in this business as any man in the house. No rational motive could be assigned for delay on his part, or on the part of the noble lord's friends in question, but the necessary time that might be required for the production of such papers as were judged necessary for the defence of the noble lord, and the elucidation of such points as the hon. gent. had already thought proper to specify. It was to be wished that such papers should be printed, Wednesday, April 23. [MINUTES.] A new writ was ordered to be issued for Wexford, in the room of lord Loftus, called up to the house of peers as marquis of Ely.-Mr. Giles reported, from the committee of impeachment, that they had inspected the place in the court prepared for the accommodation of the house, and found that there would be sufficient space for the accommodation and put into the hands of members before of 500 members, besides the managers of the discussion should take place. Some the impeachment. He then moved a string of those papers were not yet produced, of resolutions, being those usual in such and a considerable time would be necessary cases: That the managers do first go out for their printing. If there should be suf of the house before the other members; ficient time for this purpose, before the day that after the Speaker has left the house, fixed on by the hon. gent., he certainly the members be called by the clerk, ac- could have no objection that the matter cording to their counties: That no mem-should be finally taken up on that day. ber do go out till his county be called: But should it appear in the mean time that That no person but members do presume all the documents could not be before the to sit in the places appointed for members house previously to that day, he thought it in Westminster hall: That the serjeant do only reasonable that a farther delay should take all such into custody: For the more con- take place. At present he had no objection venient passage to the hall, that the consta-to the day nominated by the hon. gent. bles do attend and keep the same clear. Ordered. The form of procedure in the cases of dr. Sacheverill and Mr. Hastings, being entered as read, Mr. Giles moved, that [KING'S MESSAGE RELATIVE TO PRUSSIA.] Mr. Secretary For moved the order of the day, for taking into consideration bis majesty's message, relative to Prussia, rank and situation which enabled him to conclude his treaty. After this treaty was signed, a considerable difficulty remained in the execution of it; this difficulty proceeded, in a great measure, from the just scruples of the king of Prussia, who per which being read from the chair, the right but when it is considered what was the hon. secretary rose, and spoke as follows: situation of Prussia, at the time that its I am sure, sir, that it is impossible that the sovereign concluded that treaty with message we have now heard read, can fail to France, it must be recollected, that its excite the strongest sensation in every tem- means of negotiation were still greater per and disposition of mind which can ex-than what it derived from its own sources, ist in this house. In the first place, when or its own armies. The armies of Prussia we hear it stated that his majesty has ab- were undoubtedly numerous and respectstained from appealing to his British sub-able; but was it on them alone that the jects, on account of the violence and injus-king of Prussia relied, when he was negotitice which had been done to him in the sei-ating with France? Certainly it was not. zure of his electoral dominions, it is impos- He had a strong additional support, which sible not to feel grateful for that kindness gave weight to his negotiations. The emand mildness which his majesty has always peror of Russia, after he had left Austershewn to the subjects of this realm. It was litz, gave the whole direction of the Ruswith the most extreme reluctance that he sian troops, that remained in Germany, to could consent to involve them in war upon the command of the king of Prussia. This any ground that was not immediately and country, too, had promised him a powerfu! directly connected with British interests. assistance by pecuniary supplies, if he After the sentiment of gratitude to his ma- should be driven to a war with France. jesty for this tender consideration of his These were the means he possessed of giving subjects of this kingdom, the next feeling weight to his negotiations! and how did which must be strongly excited by the mes he apply those means? Why, to seize a sage, is a feeling of just indignation at the part of the territories of one of those powconduct of the court of Prussia. I hope thaters which had been supporting him in that every member, while he feels this just indignation, will, at the same time perceive the propriety of uniting the most vigorous measures, with a language temperate and moderate, and which does not violate that respect which has been always considered as due to crowned heads, and ought not inceived that it would be very hard to prethe present times to be departed from. In- vail upon his Britannic Majesty to ratify deed, to describe justly the measures which such a treaty, and who, therefore, felt have been adopted by the court of Prussia that his title would be so bad as to make against this country, they cannot be called the acquisition of Hanover, under these the measures of the king of Prussia; for circumstances, a poor equivalent for those that sovereign is known to be of a mild and provinces that he was obliged to give up pacific disposition. The measures must be to France. He felt, besides, that, upon no considered such as his Prussian majesty has principles of justice, could he pretend to been induced to adopt from the pernicious take it on other terms than those which councils of the enemies of this country. France herself had held it on, and thereHad it been my object to condemn, in the fore, at first, he did not pretend to take strongest terms, the decision of the Prus- Hanover absolutely, but with the power of sian cabinet, I might have thought it neces-restoring it. France, in the mean time, sary to lay some additional papers on the pressed for the cession of Anspach and table, but that not being my object, I have Bayreuth. What then did the king of Prusmoved but for. few. More would have been sia do? Certainly he did not expect that unnecessary, as it was not my wish to give the French government would be able to the strongest possible colouring to the ac-negotiate between him and his Britannic cusation that the message contains. In or- Majesty,that he should be allowed to retain der to understand those proceedings which Hanover; and therefore he finally resol have terminated in an outrage, unprece-ved to seize it without the consent of his dented in the history of the worst proceed- majesty, and under the pretence of an ings of the worst times of Europe, it will equivalent for Anspach, Bayreuth, and be necessary to view the transaction a little those provinces which were ceded to earlier. The origin of this proceeding is to France. It cannot then be said, that this be traced to the convention concluded at treaty, and the proceedings which followed Vienna, on the 15th of Dec., between it, were altogether the effect of fear; for Count Haugwitz and the French emperor; what was the necessity under which his Prussian majesty was placed? Was it held to Russia, and to every other court merely the necessity of ceding Anspach with which she was connected by the reand Bayreuth? This might have been a lations of friendship. Soon after this, the considerable misfortune, yet it was one convention with France appeared, and then which might be justified by necessity. But the court of Prussia wished to represent the sort of necessity claimed by the king of the measures taken with regard to Hano Prussia, is different; he says, "Because ver, as in a manner dictated by France; I have lost Anspach and Bayreuth, I there- they would have it supposed, that it was före feel myself under the necessity of rather an object of French than of Prusseizing the dominions of some third pow-sian ambition, that they should be pos→ er; not only of a third power, but of one sessed of Hanover. At first, they endea that, from all times, and by every circum-voured to represent to the government of stance, I am bound to respect." This is this country, that it was more for our inthe sort of necessity claimed by the Prus-terest that Hanover should be occupied by sian court, and it is this which makes the Prussian than by French troops; and their case of Prussia much worse than that of argument was this: "If we have it, the any other nation in Europe. As for Spain ports may be still open to your commerce, (I do not wish to revive the differences of or at least your manufactures may have a opinion with respect to the Spanish war) passage through our territory." This hope but Spain, I say, would comply no farther was, however, now entirely cut off, and with the wishes of our enemies, than by M. de Schulenburgh, in his manifesto, giving a sum of money. Holland, and professes to take the country as a present other powers, have been, from terror, from France, which she had won and held obliged to make cessions of territory to by the right of conquest. No example France; but no other power has been com- could be found in all the histories of war, pelled, by terror, to commit robberies or and no mention had ever been made by the spoliations on its neighbours. It is in this writers on the law of nations, of any power that the case of Prussia stands distinguish- having a right to receive as a present, a ed from that of all other nations. We can- country occupied during a war by one of not help looking, with some degree of pity the belligerent powers, but not ceded by and contempt, on a power that can allege the other.-The house must therefore see that it is reduced to such a necessity. It to what extremity we are now reduced. It' would be, in itself, a considerable humili- would be idle to say that a war with Prusation or degradation to Prussia, to be sia would not be a calamity. It is imposobliged to give up those provinces to which sible but that it must be a calamity to this it was so much attached, and which had country, to have the number of its enemies been called, “The cradle of the house of increased. It is also a painful consideraof Brandenburgh." The degradation of tion to think that there is no mode of rethis cession was still much increased by turning this calamity on the aggressors the conduct of the people of Anspach, who which will not, in some degree, fall also on entreated their sovereign not to abandon neutrel and friendly nations, and even on them. Instead of lessening the ignominy of ourselves. The house will, however, feel the cession, it was a.great increase of dis- that there are occasions in which a manihonour, to sell a brave and loyal people for festation of our principles and of our rewhat was called an equivalent: it was an sentment become necessary, although atunion ofevery thing that was contemptible in tended with the calamities inseparable servility, with every thing that was odious from war. If such an outrage as this were in rapacity. On the 26th of Jan., an offi-passed over, might not every other nation cial letter was written from baron Harden-in Europe, and particularly those who have berg to Mr. Jackson, expressly stating it less power to resist than Prussia, say to us, to be the intention of his Prussian majesty" we wish as much as you that the power to take possession of Hanover only until of France could be restrained, but you see the conclusion of peace between England our situation, and the great power of and France. In the answer to that letter, France, to which we are exposed? What his majesty expresses his firm reliance on are we to do ?" If this question were put the declaration of his Prussian majesty, to me, I should answer, that powers in but wishes the terms to be more explicit. that situation must save themselves as The language that Prussia held at that well as they can, and even make cessions time to our court, was the same she then if they are insisted upon. If Prussia should he has sent general Barb et country, as a military that every thing be rling to the pleasure of F many other instances o ch Prussia is now trea several transactions, respe en of Essen and Werden,a Mlages almost too inconsid Prussia is treated with as 1 e she deserves. The French a sy to treat Prussia as a cou -impossible to make a treat gi, with; and, in this respect, yla-that they are in the right. WIN which being read from the chair, the rigs, which must b sage, is a conduct of every mon dignatic the p mens moc res 287 thus upon this occasion, we sha as some a great evil, and done so pon the shall avoid the giving the s sigual country to the spoliations w and what-committed on the Contin lay down avoid the imputation of Europe, Irent to the fate of his ma Zestore the possession, which would b set ought to putation, even if it were wing the world, in their security was not imme any will not aban-ted with the interests of this Consent that they above all, we shall avoid by other nations in sanction to that principle v I consider that lately adopted, of transferri y consists, in a of one prince to another, va justice of its equivalents, and under the on and forbear-venience and mutual accom Berlin chooses to wildest schemes that ever es of justice, and broached would not go so is country, it must the foundations of all esta I believe it has,ments as this new practic by its injustice. to make exchanges, let us e It was first by French (things which are the proper ds, in a still greater change; let us give a field mies, can add little let us exchange its stock, i evecues of Prussia, nei-sheep; but let us not consi resent situation, increase of a country, or the subject The king of Prussia matter for exchange or barte dece nominal possession be, in every nation, a certa So far from being of the people to its form was present from France, without which no nation can e completely vanquished principle, then, of transfe Ana was forced, by the jects of one prince to a to cede many of her at the foundation of eve nations have been obli-and the existence of every i a cessions; but none of therefore, great pleasure in ke Pravda, been reduced to note, delivered by me to M e degradation, to con-expressed, that no conside Demisters of the injustice venience or mutual accom master. By the com-less an equivalent, should Prussia was obliged to majesty to forget the exe of Hanover against our and attachment of his H was the possession which jects, or consent to the al d to keep of Hanover electorate. I do not know to make any further observations; but ! sit down, I must state, that there oubt but that the shutting the a Passia to British vessels is alone learly and unquestionably an act of y against this country.-Mr. Fox a concluded, by moving an address of s to his majesty, which, as usual, was cho of the message. dertook to transfer it to Prussia, they did not hold it at all, for they were not in possession of that country, having evacuated the whole of it, with the exception of a single point. And unless the retention of that point (the fortress of Hameln) could be argued to imply a possession of the whole country, it would be absurd to attempt the maintaining, upon any principle of Lord Castlereagh rose to express his en- public justice, that the French held Hanotue and unqualified concurrence in the ad- ver as a conquest at the time of the transdress moved by the right hon. gent., and fer so justly complained of. Therefore, his cordial approbation of the sentiments the main ground of justification upon which with which it was introduced. From the Prussia seemed to rely for the validity of manly manner in which the government this transfer, must fall to the ground. Inhad acted upon this occasion, it was impos- deed the declaration of Prussia herself, in sible that any candid man could refuse January, when she occupied Hanover, prothem his praise. They had conducted them- fessedly, until the conclusion of peace, disselves with a firmness so judicially temper- tinctly supported this argument, and reed with conciliation, as to maintain the cognized the principle she had asserted. dignity and resolution which pressingly be- And, upon no pretence whatever, could the came them in such a case; and, at the same unqualified way in which she afterwards time, not to shut the door against an op-acted towards that ill-fated country, be warportunity of an amicable adjustment, if ranted. As to the probable result to Prusthe Prussian cabinet were so disposed. sia herself of these events, and of the line The right hon. gent. who opened the mo- of policy which she had so long thought tion, had put the argument in favour of this proper to pursue, he firmly believed she country upon such broad grounds, and would very soon find that she was miserably sustained the proceeding of his majesty's mistaken, that she would much better have ministers by reasoning so irresistible, that consulted her own political security; and he felt it unnecessary to add much to what sure he was, that she would have better the house had already heard. Indeed, un-maintained her importance and character, der all the circumstances, he could not see had she acted quite differently-had she how it was possible for government to have given her aid, when that aid might have taken a different course. Prussia, in be-been effectual, towards restoring the safety coming the instrument of France to take of Europe. Still, however, if by any course hostile measures against this country, to of conduct Prussia could be released from adopt the course of annoying us that her present situation, if she could be exciFrance had previously pursued, left to us ted justly to appreciate her own interest, no other alternative than that which had and to feel for her own safety, and if any been taken. The noble lord vindicated the alliance could be contrived which should resolution to resent the invasion of Hano-induce her to act upon that feeling, it was ver, and expressed his confidence that mi- important that this country should maninisters, in evincing such a solicitude for fest a disposition to afford every possible his majesty's Hanoverian territories, but assistance. Such was the policy which, he acted in unison with the feelings of the trusted, would be pursued; for such, he British people, who must ever participate was convinced, would be for the common in the feelings and wishes of their sove-interest. In every view of the subject, he reign. As to the arguments used by Prus- was persuaded that the war, to which the sia, after taking possession of Hanover as address referred, was one of complete jusa permanent dominion, they appeared to tice and absolute necessity; and on these him to be obviously untenable upon any grounds he felt great satisfaction in supprinciple of justice. Prussia stated, that porting the motion. The address was then France held Hanover by right of conquest, carried nem. con. and was ordered to be preand under that right assumed to dispose of sented to his majesty by such members of it. But, without any reference to the for- that house as were of his majesty's privy cible and outrageous manner in which council. France originally took possession of Hano- [AFFAIRS OF INDIA.] Mr. Sheridan ver, it was clear that, at the time they un-rose, pursuant to notice, to move that the |