an addition of force not requisite in 1792. present occasion, because they had, in He could never have advanced so extrava- fact, no reference to the peace establishgant a proposition as had been attributed ment: doubtless, upon any resumption of to him--that the amount of force at home hostilities, it would be right to take them must be increased in proportion to the into the calculation ; but at present they number of men employed in garrisons might be withdrawn or reduced, as cir. abroad; but though not a proportionate, cumstances might render necessary. Upon yet some ratio ought to be fixed, unless it the whole, his lordship submitted, that was to be said, that when onee a regiment the troops included in the estimates for was stationed in the West Indies, or in the peace establishment were only equal any distant colony, it was never to be to the guards and garrisons which, under changed, or to be allowed to revisit its the circumstances, it was necessary to native country. It would not be argued, maintain; and upon this ground he was therefore, that a reasonable relief ought now, and should be hereafter, prepared to not to be given, and that that relief would contest with any noble lord, whi, enterrequire a greater or smaller number of taining a different sentiment, should think men, in proportion as our foreign garri- ; fit, to endeavour to maintain it. 8ons were many or few, large or small. The Marquis of Lansdowne said, that Under all the circumstances that had having been one of those who entreated occurred since 1792, his lordship did not the people of this country to bear their think that the addition of 9000 men was great and grievous burthens, on the prinbeyond what the necessities of the state ciple that they would be relieved from demanded, and upon that issue he was those burthens by peace, he could not now ready to meet any noble lord who thought hear, without the deepest regret, that in fit to maintain an opposite opinion. The this just hope they would be deceived, chief ground of complaint, however, even after every object had been accomagainst the proposed peace establishment, plished to the attainment of which they was a jealousy lest the principles of the could look, and that it was nois in con-' constitution should be infringed. Could templation to render our permanent estaany man say, that with a force of 25,000 blishments equally incompatible with the men io this country, such fears were rea. pecuniary means of the country, and with sonable? And the House would besides constitutional principles. Even after the recollect, that they were not 25,000 effec- statement which had been made by the live men; but, in fact, that the general noble earl, he would assert, that great and waste of the whole army must always fall unnecessary burthens were meant to be upon the force retained at home. But imposed, and would shortly advert to the even if the whole 25,000 men were effec- grounds on which such expensive estab. tive, and fit for service, such constitutional lishments were recommended. The noble. jealousy as had been evinced by the noble earl had naturally enough divided the conlord, would be misplaced, and, consider- sideration of the subject into three parts ; ing the fact, was completely groundless. the military force required for the coloIt was not necessary to use any argu- nies, for Ireland, and for the home service. ments to prove that such apprehensions As to the first of these, he had told the ought not to be excited, since the facts House that a large increase of force was spoke for themselves, and were the best necessary to be kept up in Canada ; and refutation of what had been advanced. the reason he assigned was not a little extra-' Having thus gone through the various ordinary, namely, that the population of that items of the estimates for which the mo- colony was doubled since 1792, leaving it to tion had been made, the noble earl again be presumed that that population was a hosasserted, that the peace establishment of tile one, not the bred-up subjects and sup1792 had been reduced too low for the porters of the British government, but its security of the interests of the country, betrayers and opposers. Was it in this and he reminded the House that that view that a large increase upon the estaa: establishment was fixed after the nation blishment of 1792 was required for Cana-' had been ten years at peace, while the da? If increase of population was to be. present arrangement was to be made in deemed a reason for an increase of mili., the first year after a war that had con- tary force, then it might equally apply to tinued for five and twenty years. With the Ionian islands, to Ceylon, and other respect to the 30,000 men to be quartered recent acquisitions. After a few years, in France, he had nothing to say upon the the noble earl might come down to the

House, and say that all these possessions What were the circumstances that should had thriven so much in population under now render it more extensive? Was Buonaour fostering care, that he must propose parté in less security at St. Helena than 40 or 50,000 more men for our colonial he was at Elba, where, by-the-bye, we establishments, in which case it might be were told last year that he had been most said, that the country would actually die wisely placed? Was there any thing in of its own prosperity. Had we not been the state of the French 'military or naval told also, that the very reason why many power to afford ground of uneasiness? of our colonial acquisitions had been re- The military force voted for England, tained was, that they afforded defence and after the peace of Amiens, was indeed protection to the rest; that the Cape of 43,000 men; but at that time Buonaparté Good Hope, for instance, and the Mauri- bad the complete control of Spain and tius, afforded a valuable security to our Portugal, and was master of Italy, though eastern possessions ? If it was not meant even then that vote was proposed for only by this that they gave us the power of six months, and was expressly stated as maintaining our old possessions at less ex- not meant to be the permanent military pense than before, then it was needless to establishment of the country. Yet it was have them at all, and

were a dead

now proposed to vote a larger permanent weight on the finances of this country. establishment, upon the whole, than even The noble earl had also stated, that a at that period of danger. Was it fair, considerable portion of our West India that, when the people of this country had, force consisted of negro corps, which by the lavish expenditure of their blood could not be immediately reduced. Now, and treasure, destroyed the French navy, as these black regiments were chiefly in and succeeded in compelling the reduction our old colonies, what was there in the of the French army, they should be subclimate or constitution of the men to hin- jected to the same burthens as if the power der them from being transferred to our of so systematic an enemy remained ennew colonies, and thus rendering unne- tire ? He could not but give credit to the cessary a part of the 19,000 men destined noble earl for the wise measures he had for our colonial establishments !--He next adopted for raising the financial credit of came to the military establishment for the country: but it was equally important Ireland; and here he would not say that that he should remove from the springs of the situation of that part of the empire internal action that immense pressure did not require such a force as 25,000 which he was preparing to impose upon it. men; but, at the same time, parliament The attention of the people was alive to should have before them the facts which this subject; and he hoped that, by the proved its necessity. He now came to information which his noble friend's moEngland; and here again the noble earl tion would procure, parliament would be resorted to his favourite position, that an enabled to fix a due proportion between increase of population required an increase the means and the establishments of the of military establishment-as if here there country. was reason to dread disaffection and hos- Lord King considered the present at. tility. But, in defending the proposed tempt of bis majesty's ministers as an ex. military establishment for this island, the periment to try how far the country would noble earl had left out of view this most endure an expense of this nature,-an ex. material fact, that we were to have 30,000 periment, if he might say so, how far the men in France on the one side of us, and servility of parliament would be carried 25,000 in Ireland on the other, from either in submitting to an establishment of such a of which government had the power of magnitude. He believed it to be neither drawing supplies at any time it thought more nor less than an attempt to place proper. What sudden emergency was this country on a level with the great mithen to be dreaded, that could make any litary powers of the continent. The noble standing army necessary at all, except earl opposite had been asked, if this was what was absolutely required for our few a fit reward to the country after all the garrisons, and the protection of our dock exertions which it had made? To this yards ? But the noble earl had even for- no answer, however, had been returned gotten, that last year the proposed peace by him. He had been asked in like man. establishment was to be only nineteen per what would have been the establishmillions. Why was it now to receive an ment he would have thought of proposing increase of from three to four millions ? if Buonaparté had remained on the throne of France ? To this also no answer had sters with an argument for the necessity of been returned. In alluding to the esta- maintaining an equally large number of blishment of 1792, it had been said by troops at home. Those persons who rethe noble earl that regret was expressed commended the keeping up of a large miby Mr. Pitt after his having then reduced litary force in this country, showed themit to such a low scale; and the noble earl selves ignorant of the true nature and rehad thought proper to add, as his own sources of this country. This country opinion, that if our establishments had had made such efforts as had never been not been so reduced we should have been heard of; but in proportion as great efenabled to have put an end to the war in forts were made during war we ought in a short time. What, did the noble earl the same proportion to sink into a state of still regret that he was disappointed in his calm at the termination of that war, in march to Paris ? Did he really think order that we might be able to recomthat any military force which could possibly mence the same efforts on the breaking have been kept up in this country would out of a new war. Did not every body have enabled us to carry on a war on the see that the powers of the Continent, who Continent at that time with any effect, or were always at the full stretch with their to baffle the exertions which France made exertions, were not able to make such ef. with such effect in the beginning of the forts as this country in cases of emer. revolutionary war? The noble earl had gency? This was the peculiar advantage said, that as the pay and allowances of our of our situation, and those who recomforces were increased, the expense of our mended that we should equal the contiestablishments must also necessarily be nental powers in our establishments, would auginented. But was this a fair way of have us cast away that peculiar advantage, stating the case ? Was it not contended and prevent us from making in future on this side of the House, and would it those exertions which we had hitherto not be admitted by the noble earl, that made to the astonishment of the world. the increased expense of our establish- The Marquis of Lansdowne shortly exments arose not so much from an increase plained, that the approbation he had exin the rate of that expense as from the pressed of part of the financial system of number of men ? The expense was four measures, did not extend to what was proor five times greater than before, and we posed with respect to the property tax had three times the number of men. The The question was then put, and the mowhole drift of the argument drawn by the tion agreed to. noble earl for an increase of our forces in the colonies, from the increase of the whole number of men in all the colonies

HOUSE OF COMMONS. was, that it furnished his majesty's minis- | Wednesday, February 14.

Account Of The Peace ESTABLISHMENTS FROM 1783 to 1793.] Mr. Lushington presented the following Account, viz. An Account of the Peace Establishments of the Army, Navy, Ordnance, and Mis

cellaneous Services, for each of the Years from 1783 to 1793, both inclusive.

OF

PAPERS RELATING TO MARSHAL | the return of Buonaparté, they concluded Ner.] Lord Castlereagh presented to the solemn compact of that day, 13th the House, by command of the Prince March, with his most Christian Majesty's

Ministers to the Congress. In that compact Regent, the following

the Allied Sovereigns declared, that they PAPERS CONCERNING

THE CASE

were prepared to afford to the King of France, MARSHAL NEY, IN SO FAR AS RE

and to the French nation, all necessary aid SPECts The SecrETARY OF State's for restoring public tranquillity, and for makOFFICE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

ing common cause against those who should

be disposed to disturb it. In the arrangeNo. I.-EXTRACT from the Procès Verbal ment, confirming that of the 25th of the same

of a Conference between the Plenipoten- month of March, the High Powers solemnly tiaries of Great Britain, Austria, Russia, engaged to unite all their forces, for mainand Prussia, held at Paris. the 16th of taining in all their integrity the conditions of

November 1815 : with two enclosures : the Treaty of Paris against Buonaparte's deHis Excellency the Duke of Wellington mon. They regulated the respective contin

signs; they promised euch other to act in comhaving received from Marshal Ney a similar gent which they proposed to march aguinst the Letter to that which the Marshal had addressed to the Ministers of the four Cabinets Majesty was invited to give his consent to the

common enemy. Finally, his most Christian accredited to the Court of France, the Duke above measures, in the event of his standing in coinmunicated at the Conference the answer need of the auriliary troops promised him. he proposed to return, and their Excellencies

It clearly results from these different stipucoinciding entirely in opinion with his Grace lations, that all the European armies, without in respect to this Note, it is agreed to insert distinction, have been the auxiliaries of the in the Protocol, the letter from Marshal Ney, King of France, and that they have fought, as well as Lord Wellington's Reply, &c. &c. in direct furtherance of his interests, for the (First Enclosure in No. I.)-- Marshal Ney to subjugation of all his subjects. Victory dethe Duke of Wellington.(Translation.)

clared speedily in favour of the English and

Prussian arms, united in the plains of WaParis, 15th November 1815. terloo, and brought them under the walls of May it please your Excellency ;- In the Paris. In that post, there was left, to oppose last extremity, and at the moment when the their further progress, a French corps d'armée, critical circumstances to which I am reduced, which had it in their power to sell their lives, leave me but very feeble means to avoid the dear. A negociation commenced, and on notoriety and the terrible dangers of a prose- the 3d July a Convention was signed by botli cution for high treason, I take the resolution Parties, the twelfth Article of which is to the of addressing to you a justifiable application following effect : “ Shall be likewise respectfor redress on the following grounds :-Myed private persons, and private property. cause has been removed to the Chamber of The inhabitants, and, in general, all the indiPeers, pursuant to an ordnance issued by the viduals in the Capital shall continue in the King on the 11th of this month, and subse- enjoyment of their rights, and of their quently to a speech delivered in that Cham- liberty; nor shall it be lawful to disturb or ber by the President of his Majesty's Minis- call them to account, in consequence of any ters. This formal denunciation, and the matter having reference to the employment considerations on which it rests, are of a which they either hold or have held, or to nature to excite in my mind just alarm. their condact and public opinions." Among other motives for commencing a pro- This Convention has since been ratified by secution against me, I have read with asto- each of the Allied Sovereigns, as being the nishment in the speech, “ that, even in the work of the two first Powers delegated by the name of Europe, Ministers came to conjure course of events. It had thus acquired all the Chamber, and require it to try me.. I the force which the sacred law of nations, beg leave to observe, that such a declaration the law of nature and of nations could'imis irreconcileable with the events witnessed print on it. It is become the unalterable safeduring the late agitation of France. I am at guard of all those Frenchmen, whom the a loss to conceive how the august Allies can calamity of disturbed times might perhaps have be made parties to this impeachment, when left exposed to the resentment, however welltheir magnanimity has been generously founded, of their Prince. His Most Christian exerted in preserving me from it, and when Majesty did himself positively accede thereto there exists a formal, sacred, and inviolable in entering his Capital; he has more than Convention on the subject

once appealed to the solemn authority of this Please to call to mind that the High Con- political contract, as an act from which no tracting Powers by the Treaty of Paris, of portion whatever could be separated. May Soth 1814, have formed an alliance with Can it then be doubtful, Sir, whether his Majesty Louis XVIII. On being informed being of the persons that come within the at Vienna, the 13th of March last, that meaning of the above stipulations, I am jusa the cause of legitimacy was threatened by tified in claiming the benefit of the 19th Ar

a

a

ticle, and of the religious performance of the the question, I explained as clearly as the guarantees there specified? I therefore pre- situation of this lady would permit, that it sume expressly to demand of your ministerial was quite impossible to return any answer to office, and of the august Power in whose the Marshal's Letter, unless with the concurname you discharge it, that you will put a rence of my colleagues, the Ministers of period to every criminal proceeding against the other Powers. The conversation which my conduct and my political opinions, on ac- took place in an interview with the count of the functions exercised by me in the Duke of Wellington having induced Mamonth of March 1815. My isolated and for- dame Ney to address me, the further resaken condition is an additional reason to de- marks I have the honour to inclose, the pretermine your Excellency to afford me relief, tensions of her husband to take advantage and, by your powerful mediation, to place me of the Capitulation, were considered in the in the enjoyment of the right which I have conference yesterday morning.--It was deacquired. Had I not implicitly confided in termined that the Duke of Wellington, under the promise of so many Sovereigns, I should whose. authority that act was negociated, by this time be in some unknown land, and should state concisely to Marshal Ney, the should no more be thought of. It was that reasons why the twelfth Article could not be august and sacred promise which produced considered applicable to his case; and that I my security ; is it possible, that it should be should intin.ate to Madame Ney, in the name betrayed ?-I cannot credit it; and I confi- of the Four Powers, that no other answer dently expect from your upright sentiments, would be transmitted to the communication that you will grant me your speedy interven- we had received. His Grace accordingly tion.

wrote the answer to M. Ney, which I have (Signed.)

Ney. the honour to enclose, and a verbal reference (Second Inclosure in No. I.)- The Duke of tion from that officer's lady, which I likewise

to the letter has led to a further communicaWellington to Marshal Ney.

forward. I have the honour to be, &c. Paris, November 15th, 1815.

(Signed.)

Charles Stuart. - Monsieur le Maréchal ;-I have had the hopour of receiving the Note which you ad- (First Enclosure in No. II.) – NOTE from dressed to me on the 13th November, relating Marshal Ncy lo Sir Charles Stuart, dated to the operation of the Capitulation of Paris, Paris, 13th November 1815, similar to on your case. The Capitulation of Paris of that from Marshal Ney to the Duke of the 3d July, was made between the Com- Wellington.-See First Inclosure in No.I. manders in Chief of the Allied Prussian and British Armies on the one part, and the Prince | (Second Enclosure in No. II.) --- Additional d'Eckmuhl, Cominander in Chief of the

NOTE of Madame Ney.-(Translation.) French Army on the other, and related exclu

Paris, 14th November, 1815. sively to the military occupation of Paris. The Duke of Wellington in a private au

The object of the 12th Article was, to pre- dience granted yesterday to Madame Ney, vent the adoption of any measure of severity gave as the grounds for his determination not under the military authority of those who personally to interfere in the process of the made it, towards any persons in Paris, on ac- Marshal; “ That his Majesty the King of count of the offices which they had filled, or France had not ratified the Convention of the their conduct, or their political opinions; but 30 July.” “ That the stipulation written in it was never intended, and could not be in the 12th Article expressed only the renunciatended to prevent either the existing French tion of the High Powers, on their own acGovernment, under whose authority the count, of all proceeding against any individual French Commander in Chief must have acted, in France, for his conduct or political opior any. French Government which should nions." “ That it was not their duty to in-' succeed to it, from acting in this respect, as terfere in any way with the acts of the King's it might deem fit.I have the honour to be, &c. Government.” Madame la Maréchale Ney (Signed.)

Wellington. cannot believe that this first opinion, 'maniNo. II.-DISPATCH from Sir Charles Stuart tion of the 3d July, can be definitively main

fested upon the 12th Article of the Convento Viscount Castlereagh; duted Paris, tained in the conference of the Plenipotentia16th November 1815:—with five Inclo

ries. In effect, in the attacks and invasion

purely forcign of a conqueror, the Paris, 16th November, 1815. penetrates into a country has no necessary My Lord ;–Madame Ney requested to see concern with the troubles which may have me on Monday last, for the purpose of deli- broken out in it, and it does not fall within vering the Letter from the Marshal, of which the character of capitulations that those of a I have the honour to inclose a Copy, and re- certain party shall not be proceeded against. questing my interference with the French It is then, because in the present occurrence Government, to render the twelfth Article of the war was special, and for the pacification the Convention of Paris applicable to the of the interior, that they thought of stipulatcase of that officer. Without entering into ing it in terms of amnesty. The King, say (VOL. XXXII.)

(2 M)

sures,

enemy who