ther unprecedented in the history of to be permitted to do with impunity, commerce. Some years ago a com- what sinners would seldom attempt to pany was formed under the name of perpetrate; or, if they did, would not the Sierra Leone Company, which had attempt to justify. Half a million of a grant from the crown of a certain money cannot be expended without a territorial possession in Africa, with gain in some quarter; and it is various rights and privileges under a shrewdly suspected, that, if a fair inpeculiar charter, sanctioned by par- vestigation were entered into, as proliament. The funds of the company posed by the proprietors, some notable amounted to nearly a quarter of a mii- discoveries would be made. lion, subscribed in shares by proprietors, and the government was vested in a chairman and twelve directors. The same gentlemen nearly have been in possession of the government from its origin to the present time; and in this period of about fifteen years they have contrived to dissipate the funds of the company, principal and interest, with various grants from the treasury, to the amount of nearly half a million of money. Not being able to go on any longer, the directors proposed to surrender the charter; and in a meeting called for that purpose, the measure was agreed upon. Certain proprietors, however, were not perfectly well satisfied with this easy commissioners mentions the name of mode of emptying their pockets, and the gentleman who, under General sending them about their business. Delancey, supplied the barracks with Forty-two of them, among whom were coals to a very large amount, and we three aldermen of London and several need not be surprised at the nature of merchants of consequence, signed a some transactions, when we find that requisition to the directors, to recon- of the persons, whose certificates were sider their surrender of their charter, to be produced, and who were to be and to appoint a committee of pro- of the most respectable description, prietors to audit the accounts of the and whose characters would bear the company, to examine into the causes strictest investigation, one was conof the failure of the company, and to victed of forgery and executed. The enquire into the possibility of obtain- report does not in the least surprise ing by a farther subscription some of us, as it is only another proof of the the ends, at least, for which it was disregard of all attention to ecooriginally established. The idea of nomy in the expenditure of the any persons, but themselves, examin- public money, which subsisted during the accounts, did not please the ing the administration of Mr. directors; they resisted the proposed Pitt, and which attached so many measures to the utmost of their power, persons so strongly to his ruinous and by the exertion of all their in- system of politics.

If the conduct of the Sierra Leonists should be followed up with spirit, adieu to the reports of commissioners, which have brought to light so many abuses in the management of the public money. Instead of commissioners to examine the accounts of a department, that business should be left to the department itself. The third report on the office of the barrack master general is just published, and it shews how excessively defective it was in its guards against imposition of every kind. Perhaps, if commissioners were appointed for the Sierra Leone Company, the same language would be used. The report of the

fluence outvoted the proprietors who Some French have landed on one were for enquiry, and secured to of the Orkney islands, whether shipthemselves the right of doing what wrecked or driven in by stress of weathey pleased with the company, giving ther, or by design, it is not known; what account they pleased to them, but it has excited an alarm in the and when and where they pleased. north of Scotland. The volunteers Such a transaction will naturally ex- in the neighbourhood of Caithness cite surprise; but it is to be observed, have sailed out against them, but with that these directors are reputed to be men of a very pious and religious character, and as the integrity of their motives is not to be doubted, they are

what success at this time of writing is not known. There cannot be a doubt of the French being soon brought into order, but if the detachment is too

small to effect the purpose immedi- House would concur with him, that ately, there will be an effusion of this country was bound to see that the blood, which ought to have been interests of the elector of Hanover spared. We had scarcely finished the last sentence, when news was brought that it was a false alarm, but the zeal and alacrity of the volunteers is not the less worthy of commendation.

were not neglected. The negotiation was not, however, broken off on account of Hanover: the great point of the French, it was evident from the papers, was to separate us from our allies. Large offers were made in the first instance to separate us from Russia; when these were rejected, the attempt was made to separate Russia from England. During this attempt the terms of the French rose, yet we were to hold Maita, next the Cape of Good Hope, then India, afterwards Hanover, the three first places in our power, and which, whilst our naval superiority remained, could not be taken from us. For these we were to give up all our conquests made upon the enemy and his allies; to cede Sicily and confirm the French in the possession of Dalmatia. The plenipotentiaries acted right in waiting for other terms, yet it was evident that the fate of the negotiation was dreaded when the emperor left Paris.

In the debates of the Houses of Parliament, the public seem to have been but little interested: the chief debate was on the negotiation, which was introduced into the House of Lords by Lord Grenville, who rose to move an address to the king for his communication upon this subject. He convinced himself that the House would be of the same opinion with him, that the peace was prevented entirely by the disposition of the enemy, and that every assistance ought to be given to the king to prosecute the war with vigour and effect. The negotiation related first to the interest of this country; secondly, to that of our allies. On the former head no other terms could be offered than those that were offered, namely, the terms of actual possession; and this was Lord Hawkesbury concurred in to be made the basis of a principal of many parts of the address of thanks, restitution for fair equivalents. In but on one part of the conduct of go. treating also with Fiance it was laid vernment he could not speak so fadown, and properly laid down, that vourably. The declaration of his war is equally disadvantageous, and peace equally desireable to both countries. As to foreign countries it was evident, that we could not look with indifference on the affairs of the continent. An alliance had been formed with Russia, and by an article in the treaty, we were bound not to make peace with France without her consent. This article he thought to have been wisely made, and of course the line of negotiation was marked out to

us.

majesty made actual possession the basis of the treaty; but the papers proved that, in the negotiation, this was never in the contemplation of the French government. This his lordship proved by reference to the papers; and he entered into a long irrelavent tale on the state of the enemy, the present flourishing state of our finances, and the increase of our commercial advantages. He agreed with the noble mover on various points, and rejoiced upon a variety of other points; and he thought that the basis of the nego tiation ought to have been set down in writing.

We had other allies, Sweden and Portugal, for them we had nothing to ask, but that they should retain their possessions. We were under no such engagements with Naples and Hano- Lord Sidmouth called the attention ver; but in his opinion a considerable of the House to the terms of actual portion of British strength, of British possession, or uti possidetis, as the commerce, and of British interests, pedants of the two houses choose ought to be sacrificed for the recon- to call it; and he endeavoured to quest and acquisition of the kingdom prove from the papers, that this was of Naples for its former master. As substantially, though not in So to Hanover, though the king might not wish his faithful subjects here to sacrifice their interests for his sovereignty in that electorate, yet the

many words, allowed by the French. He then made a long tirade upon Hanover, the usurpation of Bonaparte, a probable reverse of his for

tune, and flourishing state of our friendly discussion; and this gentlefinances.-Lord Grosvenor believed, man avowed the basis of actual posthat there could be only one opinion session in these words-The Emperor on one point; that the negotiation had desires nothing which England posbeen conducted with perfect honour sesses, You are great at sea: France and sincerity by his majesty's ministers. is powerful by land; and France is From this topic he digressed to the willing to make great concessions for slave trade, the building of churches, the sake of peace.--A discussion the neglect of the sabbath, the increase took place, and the letters between of Sunday newspapers, promotion of Mr. Fox and Mr. Talleyrand sufchristian knowledge, and moral im- ficiently shew on what terms it was on provement; and ended with a quota- both sides conducted. The Speaker tion from Virgil, on the happiness of then detailed the history of Lord Yara country life. Lord Eldon considered mouth's mission, and laboured to prove the material error of the negotiation that the French expression, nous ne to have been its procrastination, and vous demandons rien, was confirmation dwelt much upon the uti possidetis. of the basis of actual possession. The change of ground was imputed to the French, and it was concluded as un-questionable, that the honour and cause of the country remained unsullied.

Lord Grenville now made a general reply, in which he stated the authority of Lord Yarmouth as a proof, that actual possession was allowed by the French to be the basis of the treaty. Lord Yarmouth was enjoined not to The delay in the negotiation was negotiate unless this basis was admit- declared to be unavoidable; and it ted; and although in an unforeseen was peremptorily asserted, that it did case, and from the best motives, he not prevent an arrangement with had produced his full powers, yet it Prussia. Our good faith towards our was the wish of administration that he allies cannot be impeached, which was should not have produced them, un- proved in our conduct towards Russia, less there was a direct and written re- and stipulations for Portugal, Sweden, cognition of the basis of treaty, which and Turkey. Lord H. then endeathey had before proposed. On no voured to shew, that there never was other basis could ministers have wished an opportunity of procuring such to continue the negotiation. Lord terms as would have been adequate to Lauderdale regretted, that so much the just pretensions, and consistent extraneous matter had entered into with the honour and interests of the the debate. He justified the opinion, country. This arose from the conthat actual possession was the basis on ditions which France exacted from us, which he negotiated; and denied that which would have left our allies at its any incivility had been offered to mercy, and rendered the possessions him at Paris. The address was then conceded to us insecure. An odd voted unanimously. sort of pathetic was introduced into This subject was introduced three this part of the speech-no less than days after, on January the 6th, into the breaking of the heart of the brave the House of Commons, by Lord Ho- man who fought for Sicily on the wick, who made a very long speech plains of Maida; if that country had upon the occasion. He lamented the been given up without an equivalent. death of Mr. Fox in very pathetic Dalmatia was made also a considerable terms; after which he proceeded to topic; and it was at length asserted, prove, that, however the termination that every advantage, which the na of the negotiation might be estimated, ture of the case admitted, resulted no means were left unemployed to obtain such a peace as might be consistent with the honour, the interests, and the prosperity of the nation. On entering upon the negotiation, the basis laid was, that we were to negotiate in conjunction with Russia, and also on the basis of actual possession. The first overture came from France, in a letter from M. Talleyrand, inviting a

from the part which we had acted. Very sanguine expectations for the future could not be entertained-the event is in the hands of Him who giveth the victory. But it is certain that Bonaparte has never been stopped, by submission; and his ambitious projects must be stopped only by bold and strenuous resistance.

Lord Yarmouth rose to 'refute a

Lord Howick stated, that no written instruction had been given to the noble lord. He had carried a verbal answer to a verbal message; he went back on the faith of the basis of actual possession. If that basis was not allowed, it was his business in civil

charge gone forth among the public, could not put it off. I wish I had against him, under the sanction of a had instru tions how to act in the great name. He then stated some facts event of a treaty being concluded previous to the negotiation, which with D'Oubri; but I had none.—I owed its origin, he believed, to the wish I had been in utrumque paratus; letter of Mr. Fox, relative to the as- but I had no instructions to come sassin. At the commencement of it away at that time. The arrival of were some points which could not be I ord Lauderdale did not give me the committed to paper: on this account smallest pain; and I should have been Talleyrand looked out for a safe per- glad to retire; but I was fearful that son, and fixed upon him, with a stipu- the French would then say, that a lation, that there should be no writing change was proposed in the adminiupon the subject, that the bond be- station by the appointment of a new tween France and Russia might not be minister. Terms of a glorious peace dissolved, in case the negotiation fai!- were then proposed, but they were ed. As he had been chosen by Tal- refused, and the negotiation was leyrand to bring a verbal message to broken off, not for India, or any other England, that choice led to his return British object, but on account of Siwith the answer. I wish, Sir, said cily and Dalmatia, and ministers Lord Yarmouth, that a person better turned away on their account with qualified had gone; but if he had, he as little ceremony as they used in say would not have been allowed to re- ing, that they had given instructions main twelve hours in Paris, without which were never received. producing his full powers. On his arrival, he communicated his message, stating actual possession as the basis of the negotiation; and this basis is actually allowed in the second note to LordLauderdale. It is not easy to make a private man eat his own words; much less one who has five hundred thousand terms to demand his passport and men at his back. When D'Oubril leave France. Mr. Montague lacame to Paris, said his Lordship, the mented, in this business, the success difficulties of my situation were in- of French policy. The first overture creased; yet I find the observations of a he considered to have come from Mr. certain nobleman high in office stated Fox, and Talleyrand knew how to in a morning paper in these words ·- make the most of the disposition ma"So precise were ministers upon this nifested by him for peace. The nepoint, that Lord Yarmouth was in- gotiation was merely a blind, whilst structed not to produce his full powers Bonaparte was carrying on his deto the French ministers, until the pro- signs more securely against Prussia, positions, verbally made to him, with which power it was obviously should be formally confirmed by be- our interest to have firmly united, ing committed to writing." The best Talleyrand chose Lord Yarmouth, answer I can make to this is the because he was a prisoner, and natushortest. I never did receive such rally desirous to return home; yet the instructions; and it was impossible country ought to have sent back a for me to demand a written acknow- person better acquainted with diploledgement until I had produced my macy, and able to encounter the best full powers to treat as a minister. I statesman in France. As to the basis carried a paper to the French minister, of actual possession, the whole lay but he refused to accept it. If go- between the assertions of his Lordvernment wished for a written document, they ought to have sent me as a minister, not as a post-boy. For the interest of my country I would go in any capacity. Mr. Fox's letter conveys a censure on me, for pro- nurses tell their children- the king ducing my full powers, by observing, is gone a hunting; and in fact they that government would have been completely bamboozled his Lordbetter pleased if I had put it off. I ship.

ship and Talleyrand. As to the other noble Lord, he had done his duty, in obeving orders. He had borne every indignity that could be heaped upon him. They told him stories as

Sir T. Turton thought that the pro- the door to farther negotiation. Mr. ceedings of our ambassadors might be W. vindicated Lord Yarmouth for concisely summed up: they were in shewing his full powers; by producing this country when they should have them he did no injury; by refusing been in France, and they remained in to do so he might have produced France long after the time when they much mischief. He then entered into ought to have dated their departure an historical view of the war with from it. He endeavoured to shew, France, and expressed his hope that that France was not sincere in her ministers would be ready to renew the professed wishes for peace; and that negotiation whenever a prospect openEngland had been the dupe of cre- ed of producing a peace honourable dulity, acted upon by intrigue from to this country. To this latter purthe commencement.-Mr. Whitbread pose he moved an amendment to the felt deep regret in differing so totally address, which was rejected without as he did from ministers. He divided any comments upon it, and without the history of the negotiation into two a division. parts: 1st, that which comprehended The silence of the ministers roused the concern which Mr. Fox took in the the anger of Mr. Canning, who for the transaction; 2d, that which followed space of an hour repeated what had his death. The difference in these been said before him, and declared, periods was striking. In the first that a common jury could not from was all the frankness and simplicity the documents before the house lay which formed so eminent a feature in the failure of the negotiation to the Mr. Fox's character. Not a word of fault of the French. He was not, the unfortunate phrase uti possidetis however, sorry for the rupture of the there occurs; and the papers on the negotiation, as he confessed, that, table do not justify the assertion that when he looked at it, he wished for the ministers used it at that time. If war, as when he looked at war, he unimportant forms had not been in- wished for peace. Lord Henry Petty sisted upon, the negotiation might and Mr. Perceval now took part in the have proceeded, and prevented not debate, without introducing any admerely the fate but the commence- ditional matter; and Lord Howick ment of the Prussian war. On Lord concluded it by a reply to the main Yarmouth's return to Paris, there is arguments brought against the negono ground to charge the French mi- tiation, finishing his speech with the nister with duplicity. He told his presumption, that the ministers had Lordship that circumstances had oc- acted right, when one class blamed curred to prevent France from ac- them for not making peace, another ceding to the terms originally pro- for being too eager to make it. The posed. If it is argued, that the ex- address was carried nem. con. and that pressions of Lord Yarmouth were matter is at rest. It must be confessed uttered merely in conversation - so however, that it is but an unfortunate were those of Talleyrand. For my- business. The ministers have not acself, said Mr. W., I do not like to hear complished the wish of Mr. Fox,—to so much special pleading as to the obtain a peace: we shall see whether conduct of the enemy, and so much they will be more successful in his laxity as to ourselves. He did not see next wish,-the abolition of the slaveso much blame attributable to the trade. The next grand point is ecoFrench, as the address stated; nor did nomy in the finances, the punishment he approve of those terms in it, which of defaulters, and disgorging of the must inflame the animosity between sums which have been obtained illethe two governments, and preclude gally; and this is the wish of the nation.

HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES.

London.

INTELLIGENCE has been re-
ceived at the Admiralty that two
Dutch Indiamen, and a Dutch frigate,
UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VII.

have been captured on their return' from Batavia, richly laden.

The value of British produce and manufactures exported from the port of London alone, to all countries, ex

K