Great Britain and Ireland irresistibly called ment of Ireland, under an independent for by the following amongst other consi- Parliament, together with the annexed derations: Because, from the earliest statement, must demonstrate that the inestablishment of English dominion in this terests of the country were much better country, to the year 1782, a resident Par- understood, and its resources better maliament was by the British Kings deemed naged by an Irish than an Imperial Parnecessary, and alone competent to under- liament.-During the seven years war stand its wan's, to encourage its resources, from 1793 to 1800, the National Debt, and promote its interest.-Because the under an Irish Parliament, increased but Government of England while it could Twenty Millions.-During seven years control the proceedings of the Irish Legis- war from 1803 to 1810, the National lature, never proposed or recommended to Debt, under an Imperial Parliament, has the consideration of either a Legislative increased Forty Millions.-During the Union between the two countries; but year 1795, a year of foreign invasion and that when compelled to renounce that domestic rebellion, the expenditure of control, and, finally, to declare the Par- Ireland, under an Irish Parliament, was liament of Ireland independent, the Mi- but Four Millions.-During the year nister of England never ceased to plot its 1809, a year in which the army were so extinction; and consequently that the real employed as to leave Ireland under no motive for a union was not the mutual be-apprehension of either invasion or rebelnefits of the countries, but the trouble and difficulty of managing an independent Parliament, and the desire of procuring an increase of influence in that of Great Britain. Because the moment seized on by the British Minister for the accomplishment of his views was that least fitted for a calm discussion and fair investigation of the merits of any serious and impartial political question; and because, even under such unfavourable circumstances, the means employed to effect it were most corrupt and iniquitous.-Because the Parliament of Ireland "being delegated to make laws, not Legislators,' could not transfer their legislative authority without the express sanction and approbation of their constituents; and that a decided majority of the constitutional body was hostile to the measure, is evident from their petitions against it, and from the fact that the Minister, even after his defeat, feared to appeal to the sense of the People, by a dissolution of the then refractory Parliament.And your Petitioners submit, that so decided was the opinion of the Irish people respecting the incompetency of the Irish Parliament to enact the measure of Union, and so strong their abhorrence of that measure, and their conviction that they could not, in the language of the immortal and constitutional Locke, be bound by any laws but such as are enacted by those whom they have chosen and authorised to make them" that an appeal to Heaven must in all probability have been the inevitable consequence, but for the preconcerted horrors of the preceding rebellion."-Because the rapid improve lion, her expenditure by an imperial Parliament was Ten Millions Five Hundred Thousand Pounds.-The debt of Ireland, in 1793, was to the debt of Great Britain as one to one hundred, and is now as one to seven, and since the Union has increased in proportion to the debt of Great Britain as one to two; whereas had the relative resources of the two countries been justly estimated at the enactment of that measure, the proportion should have been as two to seventeen.-And your Petitioners cannot but conceive this statement the more irresistibly conclusive in favour of a repeal of the Union, inasmuch as the warmest advocates of that measure ever maintained the avowed and notorious corruption of the Irish Parliament as the strongest argument against its enactment. Your Petitioners therefore submit to the good sense of this Honourable House, whether a still more economical management of Irish resources, and a still more enlarged understanding of Irish interests, are not to be expected from a reformed Legislature, such as must exist in Ireland on a repeal of the Union, all the Irish objectionable boroughs being now extinct by purchase.-Because the Imperial Parliament is composed of Members, fivesixths of whom have never visited Ireland or acquired any personal knowledge of the genius and character of its inhabitants of their wants and grievances; because one-sixth of even the Irish Representatives are neither natives of that country, nor have ever set foot on Irish ground; and because, by consequence, the affairs of Ireland are neglected and mismanaged, or her interests disregarded.-Because the promises officially announced to this coun- [ try by the British Minister, as the grounds upon which he ventured to propose the Union, and which, though not inserted among its articles, were considered by the Irish people as equally binding, were forgotten by him, disowned by his successors, and disregarded by the Imperial Parliament. Because the dangers and distresses of Ireland have ever taken their chief rise from the following, among other evils; from the inattention of its landlords to the welfare and comforts of their tenantry from the foreign expenditure of the country, caused by its absentees, and its foreign national debt; from its consequent want of capital, trade, and tranquillity-because all these sources of poverty and discontent have been and ever must be increased and multiplied by a Legislative Union between the two countries--and because upon a removal or an alleviation of these evils, and upon a fulfilment of the promises made to the nation, depend the safety of Ireland-its future attachment to the Crown of Great Britain, and the ultimate security of the empire. That your Petitioners, in conclusion, beg to state to this Honourable House, that having from 1782 to 1800 experienced the beneficial effects resulting from a resident and independent Parliament, and having now for ten years felt the operative influence of British Legislation, are impelled, from the recollection of the past, and sad experience of the present, to express their conviction to this Honourable House, that the very serious distresses of the Irish people, and the dangers to which the country is consequently exposed, are principally to be attributed to the want of a resident Legislature, as your Petitioners, in expressing this conviction, are confident, that if admitted to the bar of the House of Commons, they shall be able to prove, to its full satisfaction, that such is the real source of the national distress, and that to the repeal of the Legislative Union can the people of this country look as the only efficient means of obtaining it present relief, of procuring it future prosperity, and securing its permanent connection with Great Britain. IV. The military stores and artillery shall remain at the disposal of the French army, and shall be given up to the Commandant of artillery. V. The magazines, chests, &c. shall be given up to French Commissaries appointed for that effect. VI. The plans and memorials of the fortress shall be given up to the Commandant of Engineers of the French army. VII. The sick of the English and Por tuguese army shall be taken care of and maintained at the expence of the French army, and on their recovery shall follow the destination of the garrison. (Signed) MASSENA, Prince of Essling, &c. WM. COX, Governor of Almeida. Camp before Almeida, Aug. 27. List of Stores found in the Fortress of Almeida:-20 bushels of flour, 300,000 rations of biscuits, 600 fanegas of corn, 700 of rye, 2,000 of Turkey corn, 500 quintals of rice, 400 arrobas of salt provisions, 12 quintals of salt provisions in barrels, 34 tons of wine, at 700 bottles each, 2 pipes of brandy, about 700 bottles, 20 pipes of vinegar, 50 fanegas of beans, 2,000 fanegas of barley, 300 fane gas of bran, 3,000 quintals of straw, 5,000 quintals of wood, and about 1,000 coverlids. PORTUGAL-Siege of Almeida.—Prince of ESSLING'S Report of it, dated Fort Conception, Aug. 30, 1810, also his Letter to the Prince of Neufchatel and Wagram. The fortress of Almeida is very strong, and in part founded on a rock; it has a very good wall with bastions and casemates; built of granite, covered by balfmoons, with very large trenches, and a counterscarp; preceded, in short, by a very good covered way. In general the fortifications are well adapted to the site of the place, and it commands the environs. It had in the centre an ancient and large square castle, flanked by towers of very strong masonry, and bomb proof. The enemy kept his powder there, with part of his magazines. After the fortress had been minutely reconnoitred, the point of attack was fixed on to be the bastion of San Pedro, which was flanked by rather small half-moons, and which was most inPORTUGAL Capitulation of Almeida.-sides, it was not half lined with artillery, sulated from the general defence. Be (Concluded from p. 448.) III. The inhabitants shall enjoy their property, and shall not be disturbed for their opinions. and the ground was the most favourable for our approaches, and also for the erection of batteries.-On the 15th, in the evening, the trenches were opened. From this first night, the greater part of our communications was established, and also the whole line of the first parallel. By day, we were covered almost through the whole line, or at least masked by gabions; but in many places we found rock, which it became necessary to blow up by mines, and thus to dig the trenches in the very granite. From the fourth night the artillery was able to commence its labours, in advance of the first parallel, and at once establish its eleven batteries, where it found the same difficulties. Every where these obstacles were overcome by great efforts, by a continual devotion, and by an activity without example. At the same time we were employed in the rear in digging new communications, which, combined with the natural covered ways, stretched beyond 500 toises of the parallel: This work was nearly completed; nevertheless the artillery were obliged to conduct across the fields the pieces of cannon, with their ammunition. All these operations were executed within a very short distance of the place, without much loss on our side, the angle within reach of a large line of fortification.-On the 26th, in the morning, our fire commenced from eleven batteries. They had for the most part the object of enfilading and battering the ramparts, while three of them were to batter in breach and destroy the bastion of San Pedro with its collateral half-moon, to an extent of from 150 to 180 toises. Our fire by its converging direction, acquired some superiority over that of the enemy, who, however, opposed to us a considerable number of pieces. During the day, our batteries en ricochet had already dismounted a number of cannon, and injured the traverses and the parapets, while our direct fire destroyed the embrasures, and our bombs injured the interior of the works. Some powder depots exploded in Almeida, and several houses were burnt. Towards the even ing the fortress ceased its fire, our bombs were then more particularly directed against the town. About eight in the evening one of our bombs fell into the castle upon a caisson which they were filling before the gates of the general magazine, set it on fire, and the fire was communicated to 150,000 lb. weight of gunpowder. It was the eruption of a volcano. It was believed that the whole place had exploded; it was followed by a violent fire, which extended itself and lasted during the night. A great quantity of rubbish fell upon our trenches, which already reached to the foot of the glacis, and terminated the second parallel.At break of day, on the 27th, I repaired to the trenches, and the ravage caused by the explosion might then be judged of. The castle, the cathedral, and all the neighbouring habitations had disappeared. I immediately ordered the firing to cease, and summoned the English Governor, Mr. William Cox, sending to him the annexed capitulation by my first Aide-de-camp. During the parlies, which lasted a considerable time, the Marquis of Alorna approached the ramparts. As soon as the soldiers recognized that former commander in chief of the Portuguese troops, and one of the most estimable men in their country, they testified the enthusiasm which his presence inspired by the loudest acclamations. The Governor, notwithstanding, prolonged the negociation with a view to gain time; and in the end refused to sign the capitulation, the terms of which I refused to alter. I then ordered the fire to be resumed with more vigour than ever; and a few hours after, in the middle of the night, a copy of the capitu. lation which had been left with the English General was brought to me, with his signature.-The garrison, consisting of 5,000 Portuguese troops, went out with the honours of war, and after depositing their arms on the glacis remained prisoners of war, as well as the English General whom Lord Wellington had sent to them, along with only two other officers of his nation. We have found in the place a great quantity of provisions, 6 stand of colours, and 115 pieces of cannon, among which is a small train of mountain artillery, which will be very useful to us in our expedition. The corps of engineers and the artillery have made a happy application of the most scientific principles of war and siege, and of all the means of attack, to supply our want of necessary articles, and to concentrate our efforts upon one single point which must necessarily be destroyed. Generals Lazowski and Eblé, Commanders of the Engineers and the Artillery, distinguished themselves by their great talents: they were well seconded by their officers and soldiers. I have no less occasion to praise the courage, the perseverance, and indefatigable activity of the troops of the line. rals, officers, and soldiers, all have deserved the greatest commendation, all have displayed the same devotion of which Gene they had given proofs in the stege of Ciu- continent to perceive that the Bank of dad Rodrigo. To his Highness the Prince of Neufchatel and London could indulge an erroneous opinion on a question of such an elementary nature. England has a paper-money; for a Bank-note, which cannot be exchanged at reality paper-money. It is sufficient to cast one's eyes over the different States of Europe, to be able to judge of the effects of paper-money. The effect of it is, to cause gold to be sought after, and wholly to disappear.-Money is only the representative sign of a certain portion of income; no state requires more than a certain quantity; and when that quantity is exceeded, the sign is depreciated in proportion to its issue.-In France, we had My Lord,-By the terms of capitulation for the surrender of Almeida, the Por-pleasure, and at all times, for gold, is in tuguese Militia were to return to their homes. However, I caused it to be made known to them, that we would retain those who chose to enter the service of his Majesty the Emperor and King. Twelve hundred men offered themselves of their own accord, and I have formed them into a corps of pioneers, of which one half will be employed in filing up the trenches, and dismantling the town, and the other half in repairing the road from Almeida to Pinhel. With regard to the 24th Por-assignats. These were for some time at tuguese regiment of the line, I have adopt- par, because they were receivable in payed a measure, which appears to me calcu- ment for the purchase of national domains, lated to promote the good of his Majesty's the sales of which were carried on with service. I have kept it here instead of great activity. During the time that the sending it to France, and I mean to assign assignats supported their value they did it officers from those of their nation who not obtain this credit, because the pledge are attached to the army of Portugal. I was solid, and equal to the quantity of asshall thus turn to good account the good signats issued; but because the sale of nadispositions recognized in this regiment, tional domains was organised, and a great its hatred of the English, and the zeal of deal of them were sold, which gave prothe Portuguese officers who have been portionate employment to the assignats: sent to me. I have placed, at the disposal but when the issues were augmented, the of the Commandant of Artillery, 112 Por- depreciation became progressive. Their tuguese cannoneers who have offered their depreciation did not arise from this, that services; and I have also retained 60 the pledge was no longer equal in value horsemen who have testified the same to the quantity of assignats issued; but wish. I shall always, however, take care simply to the rapidity of the sales, which to keep an eye on these troops, and not to bore no longer a proportion to the quanplace them in posts which are at all im- tity issued. The assignat was then depreportant. It will be very agreeable for me ciated in proportion to the augmentation to learn, from your highness, that these of the numerical quantity, in such a way, different arrangements meet his Majesty's that when several thousand millions were approbation. have the honour to be, issued, they no longer had a greater value &c.-MASSENA. Fort of Conception, Aug. than as many hundreds of millions which represented the income of France for one year. In Austria, it has been observed, that the value of their paper money was exactly in proportion to the quantity is 30, 1810. BULLION REPORT. Extracted from a French Paper published in sued; so that when they had exceeded THE TIMES of 21st Sept. 1810. "A general rise of all prices, a rise in the market price of gold and a fall of "the foreign Exchanges, will be the ef"fect of an excessive quantity of circulat"ing medium in a country which has "adopted a currency not exportable to "other countries, or not convertible at will "into a coin which is exportable."-Report of Bullion Committee, page 8. Note.-It will excite laughter on the 300 millions of florins, which were the amount necessary for the circulation, of Austria, what was issued beyond that sum suffered a proportionate loss. Thus, when they had 600 millions of paper in circu lation, the paper was at a discount of 50 per cent. When there were 900 millions, it was at a discount of 100 per cent., and successively in the same progression. The value of the objects which it represented remained still the same.--The same observation may be made as to Russia.— England is at the commencement of the depreciation of her paper currency. The observation applies also to her. In proportion as her paper money is augmented, its value decreases; it now loses 15 and 20 per cent. of its value; and if the Bank continue to issue paper money, that is, if it continue its discounts, it is evident that the paper must soon be at a loss of 100 per cent. "According to the best judgment your "Committee has been enabled to form, no "sufficient remedy for the present, or se"curity for the future, can be pointed "out, except the repeal of the law, which suspends the cash payments of the Bank * of England."-Report of Bullion Committee, p. 31. but the Bank discounts, the very day when the Bank shall be obliged to pay in specie, the pressure of the Berlin and Milan Decrees will be felt in all its force. EXTRACT Fom a French paper, entitled The JOURNAL DE L'EMPIRE; translated for, and, in London, first published in, the TIMES of the 25th September. To which is subjoined the Commentary, or ANSWER of the Courier Newspaper of the 25th of Sept. ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION ENGLAND-England cannot have more than 300 millions of revenue: she has, however, 1500 millions; but 300 millions represent her actual wealth, and 1,200 millions the revenue of her monopoly ; whence it results, that when England is ever so little cramped in her commerce, the exchange becomes unfavourable to her; she can no longer support herself, and she requires a paper money. Paper money is a natural and indispensible consequence of the situation of a nation, which, like England, has created a factitious revenue. England pays 600 millions of interest for debt; that is twice her real and reasonable revenue. Note. The Committee reasons justly. All men who have reflected on the subject think, with it, that a Bank-note ought never to be paper-money, that is, paper which you are obliged to take; that it ought not to remain a Bank-note, but when it can be exchanged at pleasure for money; that the act of parliament which made it unnecessary for the Bank to pay in specie, created a paper-money; and that the remedy is to render it convertible for cash. But has this Committee well reflected on what will happen when Banknotes are exchanged, at sight, for money? The notes which are depreciating will come to be exchanged. They have not FRANCE-France has 800 millions of recalculated, that the mass of notes being venue in time of peace. This is only two diminished by a third, which will go to thirds of what she can raise in time of be exchanged for money, supposing the war. By adding 30 centimes to her rates treasure of the Bank sufficient to pay this of imports, her revenue is raised to 1200 third, the Bank itself will be paralized, millions. This revenue is wholly deand unable to discount for a long time.rived from her own territory. She has But what will be the fate of the commerce of England, if it ceases to enjoy the assistance of Bank discounts? The Bank, even at present, discounts more than it wishes, because it is pressed by the wants of commerce; because commerce has an immense quantity of goods, for which it has no market. The encumbered state of the English warehouses obliges the merchant to apply to the Bank for discounts. If the Bank continues to give discounts on Bills of Exchange for this property, instead of diminishing its paper in circulation, it must augment it. If it does not augment it, one half of the merchants must stop pay-lions of notes in circulation. These are ment, and will only be able to pay their creditors with hogsheads of sugar, with coffee, India goods, &c. In the embarrassed state of her commerce with the Continent, England having no other relief 50 millions of debt, that is to say, onesixteenth of her ordinary income. It is obvious from this, that France has not, and ought not to have a paper money. France may be considered as a rich farmer, who finds every thing on his farm. She has no need of commerce, but as an agent for selling her productions. Germany, Italy, are open to her speculations; and even England is happy to receive, when she chooses to send, the surplus of her produce. The Bank discounts twice as much as the Caisse d'escomte discounted in 1780. It has 120 mil true bank notes, convertible into specie at pleasure, and not forced. The coinage of France is the best in Europe. Money is there abundant, and the rate of interest is from 4 to 5 per cent. Her manufactures |