Briton, 2,850,0001.-For the like for Ireland, 500,000L-For repairing the chapel of Henry VII. 1,000L. On the question for the Honse going into a committee to consider of the propriety of preventing distillation except from sugar or molasses, a long debate again ensued, in which the arguments on both sides were renewed and enforced. On a division, the numbers were-For the Speaker's leaving the chair. 163; against it, 197; majority, 36. The House having then gone into a committee, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved three resolutions conformable to the report of the private committee. The necessity of postponing the debate on these at that advanced hour (two o'clock in the morning) was strongly insisted on; and, on a suggestion of the Speaker, the resolutions were proforma agreed to, on an understanding that the two first should be recommitted. 25. Sir S. Romilly brought in a bill for mitigating the criminal law in certain cases. Sir F. Burdett informed the House, that the practical consequence, in the event of which he had been directed by the chair again to apply to them, on the breach of their privileges in his person, had now oc curred. A conversation then ensued, in which Sir A. Piggott, and Messrs. Perceval, Leicester, and Bathurst, declared their opinion, that the House could not interfere, there being nothing on the record, as to the direction given by the judge, on which to ground any pro ceeding. Mr. Tierney, on the other hand, thought it a question well worthy of the most serious consideration. The Speaker stated the modes of proceeding; two instances of which had occurred the reign of Charles the Second; in the one of which, the proceeding was by impeachment against the judge; and in the other, the discussien was allowed to drop. It was for the House to say, whether the more or less serious mode ought here to be adopted. -The matter dropped. CATHOLIC CLAIMS. Mr. Grattan, in a speech equally distinguished for its eloquence and moderation, brought forward the claims of the catholics of Ireland to a community of rights with their fellow-subjects. He shewed, that the catholics of Ireland did not acknowledge the supremacy of the pope in civil matters, his right to depose kings, or to absolve subjects from their allegiance. We confided so tar in catholic powers as to form alliances with them. We even planted catholic states in different quarters of the world. We bad formed a catholic establishment in Canada, and had assisted in planting that religion, along with the Portuguese who professed it, in South America! And were we to have less confidence in the catholics of Ireland? We sdavied, them, into our army and navy; why then, by continuing the disabilities under which they laboured, remind them daily that we viewed them with distrust? We had no protestant ally but Sweden. We saw protestant and catholic confederacies against us; and were we to suffer ourselves to become the victims of bigotry and superstition? To suppose that there was any thing in the catholic religion which forbade attachment to the House of Hanover, or that the catholics of Ireland alone were incapable of feeling this attachment, seemed to him as great a mystery as that of transubstantiation itselt. He shewed, from a publication by authority, that the catholics did not claim any of the privileges of the established church. As to excommunications, only four had taken place while Dr. Troy and his predecessor had been catholic bishops of Dublin. He had a proposition, however, to make, which must remove every objection on this head, and every doubt as to the influence of the pope or any foreign prince on the catholic clergy, and through them on the catholic laity of Ireland. This he was authorised to offer, that no cathic bishop should be entitled to officiate in Ireland, till he had been approved of by his majesty. He asked, "Is there more danger in extending to the catholics of Ireland the full enjoyment of the blessings of the constitution; or in leaving an opportu nity to a foreign enemy to avail himself of your bigotry and illiberality towards them, to irritate their prejudices against you, and convert them into an instrument in his own favour? Will the constitution be endangered by procuring for it the cordial and steady support of four millions of people? Will the church be endangered by the exercise of charity, moderation, and all those virtues which command the respect, and conciliate the affections, of mankind? Is the tree in danger of falling because it has a root? or, is the capital less secure because it rests upon a base? I hope that you will guard with vigilance the constitution both of church and state; but in order to do this with effect, you must make them the objects of venera tion and love." He asked, "Supposing that at this moment you saw all the navies of Europe going to invade Ireland, would you send over instructions to require all the catholics to take the oath of supremacyor would you adopt some measure more likely to animate then for the struggle on which they were about to enter? And will you not now prepare them for the great battle which you have to fight? How would you blush to tell your ancestors that you had lost the sacred inheritance of freedom which they bequeathed to you, because you were afraid of the canon of Trent, the Lateran decree, or the council of Constance ? To sve you from this disgrace, the catholics of Ire land apply to you with the boldness of free. men, now that you are deserted by the Austrian, the Russian, and the Prussian, to be admitted to lend you their support and essistance in the struggle in which you are engaged; and, if the enemy prevail, to go to the grave along with you. I have only two wishes to express before I sit down; that you may long preserve your liberty, and that you may never survive it." He coneluded by moving, that the House do go into a committee for the purpose of taking the petitions into consideration. After a considerable interval, Mr. Canning rose. He complimented highly the eloquence and moderation of Mr. Grattan. He, however, did not think the present a fit season for presenting the catholic claims; though he was far, very far, from countenancing any system of indefinite exclusion. He objected merely to the season, and not to the principle on which that great question was founded. Messrs. Windham, M. Fitzgerald, Elliot, R. Martin, Ponsonby, Whitbread, Hutchinson, and Mathew, Lords Milton and H. Petty, supported the motion; which was opposed by Lords Pollington and Castlereagh, Messrs. Wilberforce, Archdale, and Perceval. Colonel Martin moved an adjournment; on which a division took place-For it, 118; against it, 298; majority, 180.-On the main question, the numbers were-For going into the committee, 128; against it, 281; majority against the catholic claims, 153.—Adjourned at half past six o'clock. 26. Mr. Huskisson obtained leave to bring in bulls for the more speedy and effectual auditing of the public accounts for the West Indies; and also of the barrack accounts. Mr. Bankes proposed to refer to a commitree up stairs the account of the nett proceeds of the Post-office revenue, which had been laid before the House. His motive for proposing this reference was, that he suspected ihat a great part of the surplus revenne since 1793 arose from causes totally distinct from Mr. Palmer's plan: such, for instance, as limiting the privilege of franking, increasing the postage of letters, &c. It was right, that in doing strict justice to Mr. Palmer, strict justice should also be done to the public. After a few words from Messrs Long and Rose, the motion was agreed to, and a committee nominated. 27. Dr. Lawrence obtained leave to bring in a bill to protect merchants, &c. against frauds arising from the carrying off of anchors, cables, &c. within the liberty of the cinque ports, and to regulate the salvage. In a committee, the resolutions allowing the holders of 3 per cent. stock to convert the same into annuities, were agreed to, after a pretty long conversation. In a committee of ways and means, resolutions were agreed to, continuing the Bank of Ireland till 1st January, 1837; authorising them to add 1,000,000. Irish cu rency to their capital stock; to advance 1,250,0001, to the government of Ireland, at 3 per cent. interest; and to manage and pay all divi 1 dends on government securities, &c. without any charge being made for the same. The House went into a committee on che sugar distillation; when the resolutions were opposed by Mr. Coke and others.---On a division, the numbers were-For the resolution, Ayes, 89; noes, 71; majority, 18. 30. Mr. Croker was declared duly elected for Downpatrick. Leave was given to bring in the Three per Cents. Annuity bill. Mr. Fuller obtained leave to bring in a bill to prevent the spreading of the Small Pox. -To be printed, and to lie over till next ses Sir J. Newport brought forward a resolution declaring catholics eligible to fill the offices of directors of the Bank of Ireland.—On this a discussion ensued; and, on a dirision, the numbers were-For the motion, 61; for going to the other orders of the day, 64. The House then went into a committes on the Local Militia bill. On an amendment proposed by Lord Milton, requiring qualifications from the officers of this force as well as of the regular militia, it was negatived. Another amendment was proposed by Lord Temple, preventing the infliction of corporal punishment, till the same should have been approved of by his majesty.-Negatived also. 31. In a committer, a resolution was passed, permitting the exportation of sugar and coffee from his majesty's colonies to any part of Exrope south of Cape Finisterre, in exchange for corn for those colonies. Lord Binning presented the second report of the West India committee.-Ordered to be printed. Bills to regulate the White Herring Fishery; to prevent frauds and impositions on masters and vessels within the jurisdiction of the cinque ports; and to authorise holders of 3 per cent. stock to convert the same into annuities; were severally brought in and read a first time; as was also the Irish Bank Charter Renewal bill. Mr. Lushington brought forward his mo tion on the subject of the grant to Sir H. Popham out of the droits of the Admiralty, in the affair of the ship Etrusco. The ille gality of the trade, and the fact of several chests of tea having been smuggled from on board, off Dungeness, were particularly insisted on; also the contradictory nature of the statements and explanations at different times made by Ser Home; all of which were unbecoming in a British officer, and for which, at all events, he could not be entitled to a reward. The hon. member concluded by moving, "That it appeared to the House,' that by a Treasury warrant, 25,9001. and upwards, had been given out of the droits of the crown to Sir II. Popham, who had knowin ly carried on an illegal traffic, in contempt of the laws of his country, and to his disgrace as an officer; that such grants tended' to the discouragement of the naval service, by depriving captors of their accustomed rewird, and to the excitement of a general disregard the laws " SiH. Popham entered into an explanation and vindication of his couduct; and after be had withdrawn, a pretty long discussion en. Sud, in which Messrs. Perceval and Long and Sir J. Nicholls argued, that the gallant e-ptain had been guilty of an ofence, at the very most, of a venial nature, in carrying on a trade which was tolerted to foreigners. For this he had been sufficiently punished by the loss of upwards of 10,000l. that there was any smuggling carried on was by no means clear; but, at all events, the attention of the Treasury of that day not being called to it, their making the grant in question was 10 to be censured on that ground This, Lowever, was not properly a grant, but a ression of a forfeiture only in part, and that to a person who had done signal services to his country. Messrs. Windham and Whitbread supported the motion, and reprobated in strong terms the conduct of Sir H. in disgracing the profession to which he belonged by carrying on amilient traffic. Supposing, however, that he had done services to the country for which be was entitled to be rewarded, this ought rat to be done by a grant out of the pocket of Captain Robinson, by whom the capture had been made, and who was entitled to a share of it. He had done nothing but his duty; bot supposing his merits to be as trilling as possible, they could never, in the transaction in question, be reduced to a level with the demerits of Sir H. P. There was, here, however, in fact, a double entry; for our turning to the pension-list it would be found, that the name of Sir H. Popham stood there for 600l. a-year; a sum which every naval ocer would agree was an adequate recompense for greater services than any Sir H. lad rendered. 09. On a division, the numbers were-For the solution, 57; against it, 126; majority, JUNE 1. A committee was appointed, on a memorial relative to the improvements lately fade in the vicinity of Westminster Hall. Air. Chaplin obtained leave to bring in a bill to repeal the act of James I. relative to the shooting of bares, and also to regulate the appointment of game-keepers. Sir J Newport moved for a memorial on bet.alf of Messrs. Mahony, stud-manufaciurers of Cork, to the commissioners of customs, reactive to the detention by the Custom-house others of some goods belonging to them. Tos transaction, the hon. baronet stated, was an infraction of the Union; and in consequence of the frequency of such acts, he chose to make it a subject of inquiry in that House. In a committee to consider of the means of promoting commercial intercourse with Amic rica, Mr. Rose moved resolutions allowing the importation into this country of all gooris wares, and merchandize the growth or produce of America (or captured by Americans, in British vessels, or American vessels navigated by Americans, at the duties paid by the most favoured nations; the importation of tobacco from America in British or Alierican ships, on payment of the same duties as if froia Bettish plantations, and of suutis on the same canes as it from any port in Erope.-Agreed to WAYS AND MEANS. In a committee of ways and means, the Chancellor of the Exchequer recapitulated the mode in which the sums necessary to defray the interest of the loan of the year had been already provided for. He next stated the terms on which he had bargained for that loan; and concluded by shewing the superior advantages arising to the public, from the loan having been negociated in the four rather than in the three per cents. The mediate advantage was, a saving of from two to three thousand pounds a-year; and in prospect, the certainty of being able to redeem, even in the most disadvantageons circumstances, at 15 instead of 32 and a half per cent. He then moved, that the sum of 10,500,0001. be raised for the supply of the year by annuities in the way of loan. After some observations from Mr. Terney, who congratulated the right hon. gentleman on the advantageous bargain he had been enabled to conclude, and from other mem bers, the resolutions were agreed to. The adjourned debate on the Carnatie question was resumed. On a division on the first resolution, the numbers were 18 to 102; majority in favour of the Marquis of Wellesley, 84--On the second, 21 to 199; majority, 88.-On the third, 15 to 128; majority. 101 --And on the fourth, 15 to 124; Inajority, 99. 2. In a committee on the bill for granting salaries to the judges of the supreme commis in Scotland, on their retiring from office, it was proposed that the words "barons of Exchequer be omitted, on the ground that they did not exercise judicial functions, bot were purely a revenue board. On this a da vision took place, when the amendment was negatived. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, that in consequence of some mistake, the Military Commissioner. Coutance bill had been omitted among the bills which last received the royal assent, and that the preceding act had expired yesterday. In respect, therefore, of these peculiar circumstances, he obtamed leave 10 bring in a hull to revive that act; which was read a first and second time, commuted, and reported. Sir T. Turton presented a petition from the proprietors of the London Vaccine Institu tion, detailing their services in the cause of vaccination, and praying support. After some altercation between the worthy baronet and Mr. Fuller, the petition was ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Western obtained leave to bring in a bill for the protection of the Oyster Fisheries. Previous to the House going into a committee on the Irish Bank bill, Lord H. Petty moved, that it be an instruction to the committee to introduce a clause enabling Roman catholics to he directors of the Bank. This was opposed by Messrs. Foster and Perceval, as being an unnecessary innovation. Mr. Grattan conceived it to be one of those things which it seemed but little to grant; but the refusal of which was felt as a severe mortification. On a division, the numbers were-For the motion, 83; against it, 96; majority, 13. 3. The Hare Shooting Repeal bill, and the Loan bill, were brought in, and read a first time. Mr. Huskisson obtained leave to bring in a bill to prevent the circulation of promissory notes for sums under 20s.-Also a bill for the relief of the proprietors of hackney coaches. The Sugar Distillery Bill was read a second time. On a division, the numbers were→→ For the second reading, 90; against it, 39; majority, 41. The House went into a committee on the Local Militia bil-On the clause prohibiting insurance, a division took place-For the clause, 106; against it, 16; majority, 90.A second division took place on the question for the third reading on Wednesday--Ayes, 56; nocs, 7; majority, 49.-Adjourned till Wednesday. 8. The Inland Coal-carriage bill, and American Trade bill, were brought in, and read a first time. In a committee of supply, the following sums were voted :-Foreign and secret serVices for 1808, 68,7871. 10s.-Expence of. buildings on Tower-hill, 54,000.-Salaries of officers in Houses of Lords and Commons, 1,915. 12ś. 4d.-Bounties on fish for supply of London and Westminster markets, 6,000l. -Caledonian Canal, 51,2501.-Works about both Houses of Parliament, 12,100.-French emigrant clergy and laity, 20,0001.- For our. settlements on the coast of Africa, 23,0001. Mr. Curwen thought this a proper opportunity to mention the valuable discovery of Captain Manly, for saving the lives of seamen in shipwrecks on the coast, by throwing a rope over the vessel from a mortar on shore. Admiral Harvey, Mr. Yorke, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, agreed in thinking that the invention would answer. Its efficacy, however, had not yet been ascer tained by areference to the Admiralty Board. Mr. Curwen hoped, that though the gallant officer asked nothing, his merit would not be overlooked. Mr. Tyrwhit obtained leave to bring in a bill to establish a police for Plymouth dockyard. IRISH BUDGET. In a committee of ways and means, Mr. Foster stated the various items required for the service of the year in Ireland, amounting to 9,767,000l. and to meet this, enumerated the ordinary revenue, 4,800,000l. The loan for Ireland negotiated in this country, 2,780,000l. Irish currency; the loan from the Bank of Ireland, 14th million; and the loan to be raised in Ireland, 750,0001. making together, 9,768,000.-The interest of these three loans was 280,4621. which he proposed to provide for by extending the malt duties to raw corn used in distilling, which would produce 333,000l. a duty on foreign spirits, 22,5001. and by an improvement in the management of the public debt, he calculated on a saving of 7,5001. making together 363,000l. and thus exceeding the interest required by 82,5381. The Irish loau, he stated, had been concluded in the three and a half per cents. on terms equally advantageous with the loan concluded in England; namely, at an interest of 41. 14s. 6d. per cent. He then put his several resolutions, which were agreed to. He also obtained leave to bring in bills for the better regulating and collecting different branches of the Irish revenue. On the question for the Speaker's leaving the chair, for the purpose of going into a committee on the Curates' bill, a long discussion took place; and, on a division, the numbers were-. -Ayes, 131; noes, 17; majo rity, 114. In the committee, the proposition of Mr, Perceval for extending the operation of the bill to Ireland was warmly opposed. On this point also a division took place--Ayes, 55; noes, 18; majority, 37.--Committee to sit agam. 9. Mr. Rose submitted to the House a rcsolution expressive of the advantages resulting from vaccination, and of the necessity of a central institution being torined in London, under the authority of government, the heads of which to be chosen from the College of Physicians and Surgeons; to whom all cases of failure should be submitted, and who should be empowered to grant certificates to proper persons, to enable them to propagate vaccination according to the most approved method. Mr. D. Giddy thought the discovery should be allowed to take its course, without any legislative interference. Sir T. Tarton and Sir F. Burdett thought, at all events, that a committee should first be appointed. The House divided--Ayes, 60; noes, 5; majority, 55. 10. Mr. Canning presented a message from his majesty, stating that he had entered into a treaty of alliance and subsidy with the King of Sicily. Referred to a committee of supply. Sir J. Newport gave notice, that he should, early in the next session, move for a more equal distribution between landlord and tesant, in Ireland, of the assessed taxes, to which the tenant was, at present, entirely subjected. Mr. Sheridan applied for leave to bring in a bill to amend the act for licensing alehousekeepers, &c.-Negatived. The Local Militia bill was read a third time, and finally passed, after an additional discussion on the principle, and a division101 to 26. INTELLIGENCE FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE. TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1808. THIS Gazette contains an account of the capture, and subsequent destruction, of the Danish ship of war, Prince Christian, of 74 guns, by his majesty's ships Stately and Nassan, on the shore of Zealand, the 22d March. The enemy had 55 killed, and 88 wounded. Our loss amounts to five seamen and marines killed, and 45 wounded. Offcers wounded-Stately, Lieutenant Cole, and Mr. Davis, master's mate, slightly; Mr. Lemon, boatswain, severely.-Nassau, Mr. E. J. Johnson, volunteer, 1st class, slightly. It also contains a letter to Sir E. Pellew, commander on the Bombay station, from Captain Pellew, of the Psyche, dated off Java, September 3, announcing the capture, by the boats of his ship, of a large schooner of ciglit guns, and a large merchant brig, from under a heavy fire from the batteries at the port of Samarang. Both of these vessels Captain Pellew was obliged afterwards to destroy, to enable him to give chase to three others, which had put to sea, and which he also succeeded in capturing. They proved to be the Resolution armed merchant ship, of 700 tons, with a valuable cargo, having on board the colours and staff of the 23d European battalion in the Dutch service; the Ceres, a remarkably fine brig, in the same service, of 12 guns and 70 men, a month from Batavia; and the Scipio corvette, of 24 guns and 150 men. The prisoners were allowed to go on shore, the officers signing their parole, and proper receipts being given for the soldiers and seamen. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, APRIL 26. A letter from Captain P. Rainier, of the Caroline, states the capture and running on shore of the following Dutch vessels, after a starp action, in which Lieutenant Williams, of the royal marines, eight seamen and marimes, and four Dutch prisoners who were in the bold, were killed, and twelve seamen wounded. List of Dutch ships tuken and run on shore at Batacia, on the 18th October, 1806, by the Caroline:--Zertop, 14 guns, Captain Groot, taken.-Maria Reygersbergen, Commodore Jager, taken.-Phoenix, 36 guns, Captain Vanderzader, run on shore.-Maria Whilbelme, 6 guns, ditto.-William, 20 guns, Capfain Fitters, ditto.--Patriot, 18 guns, ditto. Europ. Mag. Vol. LIV. July, 1808. Zeeplong, 14 guns, ditto-and seven mer. chant ships. A letter transmitted by Lord Collingwood, from Captain Searle, of the Grasshopper, dated off Carthagena, 12th December, 1807, states the capture of his Catholic majesty's brig of war, St. Joseph, of 12 24-pounders, manned with 99 meu, and commanded by Don A. de T. T. de Naviro. A letter from Rear-admiral Purvis to Lord Collingwood, and by kim transmitted, encloses the following letter:-- SIR, H. M. ship, Alceste, in shore, off Cudis, April 4, 1808. I have the honour to inform you, that when at anchor to-day, with his majesty's ship Mercury, and Grasshopper brig, Saint Sebastian's hght-house S. E. distance three miles, wind W.S.W. a large convoy of the eeny was discovered coming close along shore from the northward, under the protect tion of about twenty gun-boats and a numerous train of flying-artillery on the beach. At three P.M. I made the signal to weigh and attack the convoy, and stood directly in for the body of them, then off the town of Rota. At four, the enemy's shot and shells from the gun-boats and batteries going far over us, his majesty's ships opened their fire, which was kept up with great vivacity until half past six, when we had taken seven of the convoy, and drove a great many others on shore on the surf, compelled the gunboats to retreat, which they did very reluct antly, and not until two of them were des stroyed; and actually silenced the batteries at Rota, which latter service was performed by the extraordinary gallantry and good conduct of Captain Searle, in the Grasshopper, who kept in upon the shoal to the southward of the town so near as to drive the enemy from the guns with grape from his thirty two pound carron ides, and at the same timme kept in check a division of gun-boats that had come out from Cadiz to assist the others engaged by the Alceste and Mercury. It was a general cry in both ships, "Only look how nobly the brig behaves!" The situation of our little squadron was rather a critical one, tacking every fifteen minutes close on the edge of the shoal, with the wind in, an. frequently engaged both sides; in the heat of the action, the first lieutenant, Allen Stewart, volunteered to board the convoy, |