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NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

HISTORICAL REGISTER.

POLITICAL EVENTS.--JAN. 1, 1824.

GREAT BRITAIN.

FOR a long series of years, not one has commenced with less matter of immediate political interest at home than the present. The deep-read politician may see, in the calm that sleeps over our domestic affairs, results that mere vulgar eyes have not optics of sufficient power to discern; but, as far as can be judged by appearance, from the present state of the Revenue, of the Agricultural interest, and of the country in general, the season has commenced under highly gratifying auspices. Political turmoils have been hushed in a great degree by the liberal policy which has of late guided the Cabinet; and, excepting those burdens which the war entailed upon us in the shape of taxation, the home effects of that long conflict are beginning to disappear rapidly. News at home is become a drug. Murders and robberies, that would have occasioned but little sensation during the excitement produced by the conflict of navies and armies, and that have at all times been happening under nearly similar circumstances, attract the public attention, even to their minuter details, and feed that curiosity-that insatiate desire of novelty-which distinguishes so remarkably the present generation, in lieu of more extended slaughters and wider-spread devastation. To Ireland alone must we look for any thing like feverishness of feeling. The unhappy differences of party, which the royal wishes, and the no doubt sincere desire of all parties in the Cabinet, as well as among the English people, united in hoping to see subdued, lose none of their force. For ever occupied with themselves and the preservation of their "ascendancy," as they style it; unable to identify the interest of their fellow-citizens with their own; bearding to its face the Government which they affect to support,-one party (minute in numbers, but strong in position) occupies itself with its own selfish objects; while another body, numerous in a proportion of

VOL. XII. NO. XXXVII.

more than twenty to one of the first, is excluded from rights to which it has a just claim; inhabits a soil, the very productive character of which (a novelty in the history of nations) is said to be an evil; and is for ever an object of dislike and jealousy, if not of hostility, to the favoured few, who arrogate every thing to themselves. Thus the lower classes are neglected, their situation disregarded, the spread of knowledge prevented, the intentions of the Government frustrated, and the interests of Ireland betrayed. Until Ministers shall in real earnest treat the people of Ireland as one great family, and destroy the violence of party spirit, by countenancing no exclusive interests, and allowing all to partake alike of the things in which they have an equal right to participate, the peace of the country will continue to be broken, the education of the lower classes to be lost sight of, superstition to triumph, and orangeism to insult even the representative of the Monarch himself. The disturbances of the peace, since our last, have not been nume

rous.

The Cork mail was, however, attacked last month, mid-way between Littleton and Cashel, and several shots were fired at it from behind the edges. With some difficulty, fortunately, the coach escaped the danger, and reached its destination in safety. Two shots struck the body of the vehicle. A farmer has been murdered near Tipperary, and a policeman has shared a like fate at Ballyheen. Two persons, named M'Donough and Forbes, the first a constable, the latter a half-pay officer, having shot a dog that rushed out and attacked them, belonging to a farm near which they were taking their sport, the owner of the dog, together with a relative, interfered, and demanding the reason of their conduct, a dispute ensued, and the latter threatening to disarm M'Donough, and advancing, it is said, for that purpose, he fired and the man fell. The second, not intimi

B

dated, attempting to seize him, he fired a second time, and with too fatal an effect. Both persons were with difficulty rescued from the mob and lodged in Maryborough gaol.

A loan has been contracted by Austria with the houses of Rothschild and Co. and Baring, the principal part of which is to be applied to the payment of the debt of Austria to this country.

Sir R. Wilson has been deprived of the order of the Red Eagle, conferred upon him by Frederick of Prussia as an acknowledgment, to use his own words, " for the intrepidity and firmness he had shewn in the great struggle for the independence and tranquillity of Europe."

The trials of Thurtell and Hunt for the murder of Mr. Wear (See page 573, vol. ix.) was postponed until the 6th instant, in consequence of the disadvantages which the prisoners laboured under in respect to their defence, and the prejudice which it was alleged had been raised against them. Orders have been issued for recruiting the army, and adding to it the effective force of two regiments. The recruiting departments have received commands to employ their staff in raising recruits; and instructions have been given to receive men as old as thirty, instead of twentyfive years, as before.

Sir W. Ingilby has been elected member of parliament for Lincolnshire after a severe contest with Sir J. H. Thorold, who had been put in nomination by the freeholders without his own consent. Sir W. Ingilby was returned by a large majority.

A Court-martial having assembled at Plymouth, proceeded to try Capt. Harris of the Hussar frigate, on charges produced against him by the Lords of the Admiralty for delay in not equipping his vessel for the reception of Sir E Thornton, appointed Ambassador at the court of Lisbon; but Capt. M'Kenzie, one of the members of the Court-martial, dying while it was sitting, the Court was dissolved. Capt. Harris, however, refusing to take back his sword, the Court re-assembled at Portsmouth on board the Queen Charlotte, when, after a trial of two days, during which the right hon. George Canning, W. Turner, esq., of the Lisbon Embassy, J. W. Croker, esq. and others were examined as witnesses, after Captain Harris had read a clear, candid, and manly defence, the Court pronounced that the charges were without any foundation, and that Captain Harris should be most honourably acquitted.

On the 30th of November the heroic Spaniard Mina landed at Plymouth from a French vessel of war, which was em

On

ployed to convey him to this country. His reception was such as his gallantry entitles him to at the hands of the subjects of a constitutional government. Persons of all political parties received him in the most hospitable manner. landing, the populace bore him on their shoulders to a carriage, which they drew to the inn. Mina declared it one of the happiest moments of his life, and that his welcome overpowered his feelings. At the theatre, by the gallant officers of the navy and army, and by the inhabitants of Plymouth, he was treated with an hospitality worthy his talents and bravery. On the 17th of December, he arrived at Taunton on his way to the seat of Mr. Clifton, at Hatch Court. He was drawn into Taunton, as at Plymouth, by the people, the bells ringing; and an invitation to a public dinner was given him, which he declined in the following communication.

"General Mina has had the honour of receiv

ing a letter from the members of the municipality of Taunton, inviting him in their own names, and in that of all the inhabitants, to a public feast, on Thursday, the 18th instant, or any other day he may appoint. The mental and bodily state of General Mina suit little with arrangements of this nature. The ill state of his health obliges him to observe a very strict diet; and from the unfortunate circumstances which have brought him to England, and seeing the present lamentable and degraded state of his unhappy country-having left his wife, parents, brother, and friends, still there-being, as he now is, on the soil of constitutional liberty, and considering how many Spaniards have just lost it-the most appropriate sentiments in which he can indulge are those of grief and mourning. These reasons have decided him to refuse any public demonstrations of kindness of which he scarcely dares to flatter himself worthy. Thus impressed, General Mina hopes the above gentlemen will have the invitation, which he appreciates as though he goodness to dispense with his acceptance of their had been enabled to accept it; and assures them that the honour they have done him, the satisfactory expression of their kindness, and the distinction shewn him to-day by the inhabitants of Taunton, will always be regarded with gratitude, and live eternally in his memory.

(Signed) "ESPOZ Y MINA. "Hatch Court, Dec. 16."

The late events in Spain having compelled a number of foreigners to seek an asylum in this country, many of whom were of the highest rank in their own, but are now reduced to very great difficulties: a number of noblemen and gentlemen have commenced a subscription to alleviate, as much as possible, the necessities of these unhappy strangers without any reference to party politics.

A meeting of the legal profession has been held to consider of the propriety of

erecting a monument to the memory of the late Lord Erskine, as a mark of respect to his memory. Mr. Scarlett was in the chair, and the chief counsel at the bar have supported the measure.

A new loan has been contracted for the new government of Brazil by some English merchants. The amount is 2,500,000l. to bear an interest of six per cent. The whole loan to be redeemed in thirty-five years.

The ship owners have had an interview with his Majesty's ministers for the purpose of ascertaining whether it was the intention of the French government to assist Spain in attempting the recapture of her colonies. They were informed that there was no reason, that government was acquainted with, why the commercial intercourse of Great Britain should be apprehensive of such a measure. Assurances were also given that there was not the slightest pretence for imputing any

THE

such design to the French government; that the French frigate Jean Bart, which had sailed some time since from France to the West Indies, was on her return to France; and that no force was going out from France to the West Indies, excepting 500 men for relieving the garrisons of Martinique and Guadaloupe.

His Majesty arrived in town from Windsor, and transacted public business during the last week in November. On the 6th ult. he again left London for Brighton in his travelling carriage in the most private manner, and took up his residence at the Pavilion. He continues to enjoy the best state of health.

The Indian army has been newly organized, and colonels have been appointed to every battalion and regiment of horse, whereas until now there was but one colonel to every two regiments of cavalry and two battalions of infantry; and a general advance will thus take place in rank.

COLONIES.

The discontent of the West India planters at what they consider the interference of government in their concerns still continues. They are highly discontented and dissatisfied at the bare idea of any steps being taken towards the ultimate emancipation of the slaves under any circumstances. Their determination to resist any encroachment on what they deem their property as much as their horses, is unrelenting. Strong resolutions continue to be entered into by the inhabitants of different parishes of Jamaica on the subject of the slaves. At Antigua they are resolved to establish a militia to guard against "any evil attempts on the peace of the country from the measures pursuing at home:" thus by the old trick of apprehended mutiny and bloodshed, endeavouring to stifle the question in Great Britain. At no time, we venture to pronounce, will the subject of slave-emancipation be listened to by the colonists. The slaves, they contend, are as much their property as their cattle, and they have the same right of disposing of that mass of muscle and blood and its progeny, existing or to exist, in the one case as the other. The supporters of emancipation never contemplated doing them injustice, but they felt that, because the government had once permitted a wrong, it was and is in duty bound to repair it-that right ought to be done ultimately. If this is prevented by the colonists themselves, and the latter will not themselves even listen to the subject and arrange it amicably with the government at home, as a measure of common fairness to Great

Britain, let the protecting duties on West India produce be taken off, the existence of which is an injustice, and let those who will not suffer the legislature to vindicate its own honour be no longer shielded at the expense of the rest of the community. The reasons urged against the measure are baseless, and it is sufficient to examine the bitterness displayed by the slave owners against all supposed to hold opinions favourable to emancipation to discover that the true ground of opposition is not fear of rebellion, a principle of selfpreservation, or a regard, as some of these planters have pretended, for the slaves themselves; but an obstinate resistance to allowing interference with that which they insist is their property, without regard to the nature of that property or the mode of its acquirement. In Barbadoes a missionary was suspected of having sent home to the Society by which he was employed, statements injurious to the moral character of the lower classes of the white population of Barbadoes, whom he represented as bred up without any knowledge of Christianity, and of depraved habits. They repaired to his chapel, endeavoured to force him to leave the pulpit, and had the audacity to invite, by placards, an assembling of the populace, when they proceeded to demolish the meeting house, leaving not a brick standing. A reward of 1007. has been offered for the discovery of the offenders. The Missionary has fled the island. At Demerara the trial of Smith, the missionary, had commenced before a court-martial of officers of the army only.

The House of Assembly of Dominica has had a disagreement with the governor, the Earl of Huntingdon, who, they contend, had assumed powers which were not within his province.

The horde of savages which was represented at the Cape of Good Hope as consisting partly of white persons, a report without foundation, had advanced to the southward, until they were met by the Commando of the Griquas, and about ninety men, with musquets and horses, and accompanied by Messrs. Melville and Moffatt. They lelt Griqua town on the 21st of June. On arriving at Kuruman, they were joined by a party of Bechuanas; they then proceeded to within six miles of Old Lattakoo, where they found the enemy established, having defeated the Bechuanas under the Chief Mahomapecle. After having in vain endeavoured to establish a friendly communication with FOREIGN

The Duke of Angoulême arrived in Paris on the 2d ult. after his Spanish campaign. Prior to his departure, he issued the following order to the army from Oyarzum:

"The campaign being happily terminated by the deliverance of the King of Spain, and by the capture or submission of the fortresses of his kingdom, I express to the Army of the Pyrenees on quitting it, my lively satisfaction at the zeal, the ardour, and the devotedness which it has displayed on all occasions, as well as the perfect discipline which it has constantly observed. I am happy at having been placed by the King at the head of an Army which is the glory of France.

"LOUIS ANTOINE. "Head-quarters at Oyarzum, Nov. 22, 1823." The rejoicings usually got up on such occasions were not spared on the event of the Duke's arrival. A fête was given in honour of the Duke, and of the arduous and brilliant triumph of the French arms! The Hotel de Ville was splendidly fitted up, and all the Royal Family, the King excepted, were present. The fête went off with great eclat, amidst shouts of Vive le Roi-Vive le Duc d'Angouleme. In the preceding part of the day the good people of Paris were, as usual on fete occasions, amused with scrambling for bread, sausages, and wine, distributed in the Champs Elysées by the Government.

On the 7th ult. the King issued an Ordinance, the substance of which is as follows:

"The benefits which Divine Providence has showered down on us and our arms during the glorious campaign which our beloved nephew the Duke of Angoulême has just terminated, have made us resolve to shew indulgence to those Foldiers of our armies who have gone aside from their duties; and by these means to make their families take part in the public joy. In conse.

the invaders, an engagement was commenced by the Mantatees. After several hours fighting, the invaders were defeated, leaving about 400 men killed. Many women and children were left behind, who, we are concerned to state, were inhumanly and indiscriminately massacred or mutilated by the Bechuanas (who joined in the pursuit), notwithstanding the utmost exertions on the part of Messrs. Moffatt and Melville to prevent them.-A subsequent letter from Mr. Melville, of the 31st of July, states, that he has received a report of hundreds being at Old Lattakoo, and on the road to New Lattakoo;' and that, from want of food, they were living upon one another! Nearly 100 were rescued after the battle, and distributed among the Griquas, with the exception of thirteen sent to GraaffReynet.

STATES.

quence, in the Report of our Secretary of State Minister of War, and with the advice of our Council of State, we have ordained and ordain as follows: (here follows the Ordinance in nine articles, giving a free pardon, and full and entire amnesty, to all subalterns and soldiers of the land forces, and all young soldiers bound to serve, who at the moment of the publication of this Ordinance are in a state of desertion, either by having abandoned the corps to which they belonged, or by not having joined those to which they were destined.) Also, an Ordinance relative to the distribution of certain recompenses to the Mili tary, according to the Budget of 1823, which orders, that the amount of the expired annuities paid to Officers and Soldiers of the Royal Armies of the West, shall be employed in new favours of the same nature."

General Guilleminot was left at Ma

drid to form a treaty with the Spanish Government for the military occupation of Spain by French troops. Forty thousand men are to occupy Spain, and not only the line of fortresses along the Pyrenees, if the rumours which have transpired be correct, but the most important commercial towns along both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast. St. Sebastian, Pampeluna, Santona, Figueras, Barcelona, Tarragona, will all be garrisoned by Frenchmen; and the ports of Ferrol, Corunna, Cadiz, Malaga, Carthagena, Alicant, and Valencia, will likewise have French garrisons.

The King of Spain has changed his ministry, and compensated the monk Saez with a bishoprick. He has ap pointed, principally in consequence of foreign remonstrances, as First Minister of State, the Marquis of Casa Irujo; as Minister of Grace and Justice for Spain and the Indies, Don Narciso de Heredia ; as Minister of War, Major-General Don Josef de la Cruz; and as Minister of Fi

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