ness in obtaining the consent of the Government of Sweden, and still more that of Holland, to an immediate and unqualified Abolition of the Slave Trade, we are bound in duty to express the deep regret of this House, that the late unanimous Address of this House, praying His Royal Highness to interpose His good offices to obtain a Convention of the Powers of Europe for the immediate and universal Abolition of the African Slave, to which Address His Royal Highness was pleased to return so gracious an Answer, has failed to produce those consequences which this House and the Country had most anxiously and with confidence anticipated:

That the objects to the attainment of which that Address was directe i, do, in the opinion of this House, so deeply af fect the best interests of Europe, and the happiness and civilization of Africa, as to render it our imperious duty again to press them on the attention of His Royal Highness:

That, although the Government of France, whether from the effect of partial and Colonial Interests, or from not being sufficiently aware of the enormities attendant on the Slave Trade, have not agreed to a stipulation for the immediate Abolition of it, yet that the consent of that Government to abolish the Trade in Five Years, and to unite its efforts with those of His Britannic Majesty, at the approaching Congress, to induce all the Powers of Christendom to decree its Abolition, so that it shall cease universally at that time, together with the disposition the French Government is supposed to have manifested, to subject their own Slave Trade to some restrictions during the intervening period; above all, that Government's distinct and unequivocal recognition of the radical injustice of the Traffic in Slaves; induce the House to entertain a confident hope, that farther stipulations, with a view to the Abolition or Limitation of the Slave Trade, may be obtained at the approaching Congress :

That, independently of the unspeakable evils to Africa which must arise from the permission of this nefarious Traffic on the most extended scale for a further term of Five Years, and of the increased inducements for carrying it on which will then exist, it is obvious that new and formidable obstacles to the execution of our own Laws against the Slave Trade must be created, that occasions of differences with those Powers will be multiplied, that the evils and miseries produced in Africa, from the multitudes of human beings obtained by fraud or by violence being forcibly dragged into perpetual Slavery in a foreign land, must be most lamentable and extensive; but they will be particularly afflicting in those parts with which

His Majesty's dominions have of late had the greatest intercourse, because the restoration of the French Settlements and their Dependencies, with the right of an unrestrained Slave Trade, must subject those populous and extensive Districts where, by the laudable exertions of Great Britain, peaceful industry and social hap. piness have been in some measure produced, to a renewal of the miseries inse. parable from this odious Traffic: the Colony of Sierra Leone, also, whence European Knowledge, the Blessings of Order, and the Arts of Peace, have begun to diffuse themselves through the neighbour. ing Country, will be deprived of its beneficial influence, and even be exposed to imminent danger of ruin:

That, with a direct view to the considerations and points above-stated, this House bumbly, but most earnestly, implores His Royal Highness to endeavour to obtain, if possible, from the Govern ment of France some diminution of the term permitted to the Slave Trade; but, in any case, its restriction, at least within certain limits, and its total exclusion from the parts of Africa where the exertions of Great Britain have already succeeded in suppressing the Trade, that the inhabitants of those regions may be left in the enjoyment of that exemption from its ravages, which they have so recently and so happily obtained:

That this House feels most deeply anxious that no exertion should be omitted in the approaching Congress, to procure a final and universal extinction of the Slave Trade, because it conceives that no opportunity can ever again be expected to occur so favourable, for effacing from the character of Europe its most opprobrious stain, or for delivering the unoffending but much-injured inhabitants of Africa from the heaviest of all possible calamities, from intestine War, excited too often by the basest avarice, and the fiercest passions raging without intermission, and productive only of unmixed evil, and of invincible and interminable Barbarism, and from practices which, having been exposed to the public eye, have induced the Legislature to class Slave Traders among the vilest of criminals:

That, to produce a universal condem. nation of this murderous system, displayed as its horrors now are to the view of mankind, it appears to be only necessary to appeal to those feelings which must exist in every mind capable of reflection, and not steeled against the claims of humanity and justice: That, as this system insults and outrages those sacred and fundamental principles which are com mon to every sect and denomination of Christians, it cannot be doubted that every Christian State is required to take part in

its condemnation; those who have participated in its guilt being bound to abandon and to reprobate it; while none who enjoy the privilege of innocence are thereby either deprived of the right, or exempted from the obligation, of joining in the sentence:

That this House, therefore, again expressing its profound regret that more has not been accomplished in this great work, and convinced that by the endea. vours of His Royal Highness, exerted with renewed energy, much may still be effected in the appointed Congress, humbly but most urgently entreats His Royal Highness, that the most strenuous exertions be there made, on the part of this Country, to obtain, as far as may be possible, the objects which have been specified, and that all proper means may be used for urging on the assembled Powers the duty, the expediency, and the lasting glory of promulgating to all the World, as the judgment of the States of Europe, a genera! and solemn engagement, under

the most binding and effectual sanctions, that this traffic, the foul and formidable enemy of the happiness and civilization of Africa, will, at a definite and fixed period, certainly not more distant than five years, be abolished utterly and for ever.

Ordered-That the said Address be presented to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent by such Members of this House as are of His Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.

His Royal Highness's Most Gracious Answer. Monday 11th July 1814.

Lord Viscount Castlereagh reported to the House, That their Address of the 27th day of June last, respecting the African Slave Trade, had been presented to His Royal Highness; and that His Royal Highness had been pleased to receive the same very graciously, and had commanded him to acquaint this House, that He would not omit any favourable occasion for giving effect to the wishes of the House on this important subject.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 27.

Earl Stanhope presented a Petition from Elizabeth Booth, widow of Peter Booth, setting forth, that on the 7th of May her husband was arrested on mesne process, though sick in bed. He was so incapable of moving, that the Sheriff's officer who arrested him, was obliged to carry him down stairs on his back. In consequence he became insane on the 12th of May, and expired on the 27th. The verdict of the Coroner's Jury was, "That he had died of a natural death, but accelerated by his removal to prison." The prayer of the Petition was, that the inhuman practice of imprisonment on mesne process might be abolished, by which the Petitioner had been deprived of her husband. Ordered to be laid on the table.

An Address to the Prince Regent in May last, praying that in any negociation the influence of the British Crown might be exerted for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, having been read, with His Royal Highness's Answer, Lord Grenville noticed that article of the Treaty of Peace which secured the renewal of the trade to France for five years, and descanted at great length on its enormity. He considered the article in question as importing that the detestable traffic in human flesh would or be abolished at the expiration of the term fixed. If there were interests in France that opposed it now, were those interests likely to be diminished after it should have been carried on for five years?

Who could believe that if this could not be done now, it would be done then? France had now no Slave Trade-no capital-no merchants engaged in it. Her habits were not formed to it; and she had nothing but a speculative and prospective interest in it. But when it should be carried on for five years, what new interests would not then exist for its continuation? what new and powerful support would it not receive throughout that country? The Noble Lord concluded by moving an Address to the Prince Regent, for copies of all the representations on the part of this Government during the late negociations between it and France which related to the Abolition of the Slave Trade, together with such part of the dispatches of ministers as relate to the same.

The Earl of Liverpool denied that the Treaty contained a solemn permission to the French Government to carry on the Slave Trade: it did no such thing; it censured that traffic, and stipulated for its abolition at the expiration of a certain period. The Noble Lord mistook, when he imagined that this country had a right to dictate to another on a subject like the present. He would not silently hear it contended that any country was justified in going to or continuing war for the purpose of imposing a moral obligation. To what a state the affairs of the world would arrive, if one nation were to go to war with another for the abolition of the inquisition, or any other moral enormity!

Every nation is bound to do its duty according to the sense it may entertain of ; but has not the other party an independent jurisdiction, founded on the rights of man? If they have, they must exercise their own judgment, as to what are their religious or moral duties; and no independent country would submit to have these dictated to them. He did not think we were justified in making the Abolition of the Slave Trade a sine qua non of either making peace, or ceding colonies. Ministers bad obtained, on the part of Denmark, Sweden, and Holland, an unqualified abolition. He must resist the motion, as the subject was still matter of negotiation, and the production of the papers might be attended with inconvenience.

Lords Grey, Holland, Westmorland, Selkirk, and Bathurst, spoke shortly; after which the motion was negatived by 62 to 27.

In the Commons, the same day, the Thanks of the House were voted to the Duke of Wellington, for his eminent services; and a deputation of five Members was appointed to wait on his Grace.

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Mr. Wilberforce concluded a long Speech on the subject of the Slave Trade, by moving an Address, recapitulating his sentiments - expressing the satisfaction that the House felt at the success of the negociation upon this point with Sweden and Holland, and their sorrow at finding their former Address had not been more effectual.

Lord Castlereagh deeply regretted the continuance of the abominable traffic by France, but was sorry that this question had been brought forward separate from the Treaty; had they been discussed to. gether, he trusted he should have satisfied them, both as to the general arrangement, and the steps taken for the interests of this particular question. He never considered that the Abolition of the Slave Trade ought to have been made the sine qua non of Peace. If we could not persuade other Powers to agree with our benevolent views, we had no means of compelling them to do so. It was not to be supposed that we were bound to give lessons of morality to other nations at the point of the bayonet; nor did he see that it would be serving the cause of Humanity, to continue the shedding of blood in Europe for the purpose of insisting on the immediate abolition of the trade. Russia Prussia, and Austria, were disposed to abolish the traffic; but Spain and Portugal gave no hopes that they were so inclined. The mother country indeed was in both instances so dependent on its coJonies, that it was not master of the subject. Ministers had on the present occa sion, done their best; and if the question

could prudently have been further pushed, he (Lord C.) would have done it. He approved of the Address, and thought Parliainent ought to sound its opinion in the ears of all nations. At the same time he protested against morals being propagated by the sword.

Mr. Barham moved, as an amendment, That the Prince Regent be entreated to demand the Abolition of the Slave Trade, on condition of further concessions on our part. The amendment being withdrawn for the sake of unanimity, the original motion was carried nem. diss..

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 28.

The ceremony of introducing the Duke of Wellington took place. The space before the Throne was filled by Members of the House of Commons, and the space below the Bar was filled with a crowd of strangers. His Grace entered, attended by the Dukes of Norfolk (Earl Marshal), Richmond, and Beaufort, and preceded by Sir Isaac Heard, Lion King at Arms. All his patents of creation were read`seriatim. The Lord Chancellor then delivered to his Grace the unanimous Thanks of the House: he remarked particularly, as a circumstance unprecedented in our history, that, on the first day on which the Duke of Wellington appeared among their Lordships, he had produced titles in regular gradation to the whole of the honours of the Peerage in the power of the Crown to bestow.

The Duke of Wellington replied, he was really so overcome with the honours which had been conferred upon him, and the manner in which he had been received, that he could not give expression to what he felt. Considering the powerful support which he had received from the Prince Regent and the Government,-from the great exertions and abilities of bis gallant friends, the Officers by whom he had been seconded, and the whole Army,and from the repeated unanimous Thanks of both Houses of Parliament, he could not but be sensible that, whatever difficulties he had to encounter, the means were adequate to the end; and he was afraid lest he should not have deserved all the honours that had been conferred on him. He declared, however, that he should always be ready to serve his Sovereign and his Country, to the best of his ability, in any way and in any capacity in which he might be called upon to do so.

Lord Lonsdale closed an appropriate Speech with moving, pro forma, an Address of Thanks to the Prince Regent, for his gracious communication of the Treaty to the House.

Lord De Dunstanville seconded the

Lord Grenville said, that all the articles of the Treaty, with the exception of that respecting the traffic in human flesh, which had been made the subject of a separate discussion, had his warmest approbation; and that Peace, being concluded with the lawful Sovereign of France, appeared to him likely to be durable.

The Earl of Liverpool said, it was de sirable that Peace should be concluded while the Allies were in possession of the Capital, instead of being deferred till a general Congress, as the terms obtained would be preferable, and the troops would be sooner withdrawn from the interior, which was on many accounts extremely important. France had received additions of territory on the side of Germany and the Netherlands, in order to connect her fortresses. These additions pleased that vain and ambitious people, and consoled them for the fortresses they gave up on the Rhine. The amount of additional population did not exceed 700,000 souls. The Address was agreed to without a dissenting voice.

In the Commons, the same day, Mr. Horner said, that France, before the Revolution, imported annually 40,000 slaves, to keep up her slave population of 800,000 souls. She had known nothing of the Colonies for 20 years, except when the flower of a fine army was sent t› St. Domingo, to perish, because it was attached to Gen. Moreau. He concluded by moving for copies of communications with the Allied Powers on the subject. After some discussion, Lord Castlereagh said, the production of these papers would be inconvenient: the motion was negatived without a division.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 29.

Lord Hardwicke presented a Report from the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Corn Laws, complaining that, though 80 Petitions had been presented, no person had come forward to be examined in support of the allegations contained therein against any alteration in the Corn Laws.

The second reading of the Bill for Licensing the Pantheon Theatre was supported by the Duke of Norfolk, and opposed by Lord Holland; and thrown out on a division by 11 to 9.

In the Commons, the same day, a Bill providing that the Surveyor of the Works should not be a professed Architect; that his salary should be large enough to induce him to devote himself exclusively to the performance of his official duties, and that he should have one or two Architects to assist him,-was read a first time.

Lord Lascelles-moved a Congratulatory Address to the Prince Regent, on the subject of the Treaty of Peace.

Mr. Gooch seconded the motion.

Mr. Wilberforce proposed an Amendment, praying that every exertion might be made to extirpate the Slave Trade.

Sir J. Newport condemned the 13th Article of the Treaty, which granted the French the right of fishery on the coasts of Newfoundland, St. Lawrence, and Labrador.

Mr. Peter Grant thought the Treaty with France was premature; and that, having given up our Colonies, our weight and influence would be lessened at the Congress.

Mr. Canning, with much eloquence, defended the Treaty, and expressed his satisfaction at the glorious manner in which the War had terminated.

Messrs. Ponsonby and Whitbread approved of the Treaty; but thought that the assistance of France in subjugating Norway had been purchased by the restoration of Guadaloupe and right of carrying on the Slave Trade.

Messrs. Baring, Stewart Wortley, Rose, and Lord Castlereagh, spoke shortly; after which the Address, as amended, was agreed to.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 30. Petitions against the Slave Trade were presented; also Petitions from the Masters and journeymen letter-press printers, silversmiths, woolstaplers, and painters of London, against the repeal of the 5th Eliz. respecting apprenticeships.

Lord Lansdowne, after a short speech, moved an Address to the Prince Regent, praying that the influence of Government might be employed at the ensuing Congress to obtain the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The Address was agreed to; with an amendment proposed by Lord Liverpool, expressive of satisfaction at the abolition of the trade by Sweden and Holland.

acknowledgments and thanks for the important and satisfactory communication which your Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to make to us of the Definitive Treaty of Peace concluded at Paris, the 30th day of last month, with his Most Christian Majesty the King of France and Navarre.-While laying before Your Royal Highness this early testimony of our utmost gratitude for the re-establishment of Peace upon terms so honourable to His Majesty's Crown, so advantageous to His People, and so wisely considerate for the interests and the hopour of all; we beg leave, also, to express our unbounded joy and satisfaction, that the great objects of the War should have been so fully accomplished; and we cannot but regard the restoration of so many of the ancient and legitimate Authorities upon the Continent as affording the best prospects of that solid peace and permanent tranquillity so essential to the interests and happiness of Europe and of the world. Having, on the 27th instant, humbly conveyed our sentiments to Your Royal Highness on the first additional article, we defer the expression of any further opinion until, that whole matter shall have been discussed and settled at the approaching Congress, to which it is stipulated to be referred under the said artiele, relying on the known justice and humanity of Your Royal Highness, that no effort will be wanting on your part to give the fullest and speediest effect which the circumstances of the negotiation may allow to the wishes so repeatedly declared by this House for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.-We beg leave further to express to your Royal Highness our most grateful sense of the uninterrupted blessings with which this Country bas been so pre-eminently favoured by Divine Providence; and feeling, as we do, that the wisdom and firmness which have been evinced by the United Kingdom, during the whole course of this long and arduous struggle, have ensured to us the objects for which we have so strenuously contended, we cannot but also indulge the well-founded hope that the effects now resulting from our fortitude and persever ance will serve as the most useful and salutary example to our latest posterity."

Upon their return, Lord Castlereagh acquainted the House, that the Duke of Wellington having desired, that he may have the honour to wait upon this House, his Grace was in attendance. And it was Resolved, That the Duke of Wellington be admitted. And a chair being set for his Grace on the left hand of the Bar towards the middle of the House, he came in, making his obeisances, the whole House rising upon his eutrance within the Bar; and Mr. Speaker having informed

him, that there was a chair in which he might repose himself, the Duke sat down covered for some time, the Serjeant standing on his right hand with the Mace grounded; and the House resumed their seats. His Grace then rose, and, uncovered, spoke to the effect following:

"Mr. Speaker-I was anxious to be permitted to attend this House, in order to return my Thanks in Person for the honour they have done me, in deputing Committee of Members of this House to congratulate me on my return to this Country; and this, after the House had animated my exertions by their applause upon every occasion which appeared to merit their approbation, and after they had filled up the measure of their favours by conferring upon me, at the recom mendation of the Prince Regent, the noblest gift that any subject had ever received.

"I hope it will not be deemed presumptuous in me to take this opportunity of expressing my admiration of the great efforts made by this House and the Country, at a moment of unexampled pres sure and difficulty, in order to support the great scale of operation by which the contest was brought to so fortunate a termination.

"By the wise policy of Parliament, the Government were enabled to give the ne cessary support to the operations which were carried on under my direction; and I was encouraged by the confidence reposed in me by His Majesty's Ministers and by the Commander in Chief, by the gracious favour of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and by the reliance which I had on the support of my gal. lant friends, the general officers of the army, and on the bravery of the officers and troops, to carry on the operations in such a manner as to acquire for me those marks of the approbation of this House, for which I have now the honour to make my humble acknowledgments.

"Sir, It is impossible for me to express the gratitude which I feel. I can only assure the House, that I shall always be ready to serve His Majesty in any capacity in which my services can be deemed useful, with the same zeal for my Country, which has already acquired for me the approbation of this House."

Whereupon Mr. Speaker, who during the foregoing speech sat covered, stood up uncovered, aud spoke to his Grace, as follows:

"My Lord,-Since last I had the honour of addressing you from this place, a series of eventful years has elapsed; but none without some mark and note of your rising glory.

"The Military Triumphs which your valour has achieved upon the banks of the Douro and the Tagus, of the Ebro and

the