quence. Eulogium, my lords, when not chastened by the powers of eloquence and the judiciousness of taste, becomes unseemly and inflated, and induces a degrading representation of that character which it was intended to praise and recommend." The noble earl concluded by moving, That the Thanks of this House be given to Arthur, marquis of Wellington, K. B. for the great and unparalleled skill, gallantry, and conduct displayed by him in the command of the allied troops in Spain, during the whole of the late campaign. But more especially for the achievement of the signal and brilliant Victory over the French army under marshal Marmont at Salamanca, on the 22d of July last, thereby reflecting additional lustre on the British military character." ing for an opportunity of advantage, | longs to those who are possessed of elowhence the retreat he had hitherto conducted might suddenly be changed into a contest for victory. Consider, my lords, what must have been the sensations and anxious reflections of this general at the time; these must have been moments of rack to his deliberative genius, when deciding upon the mode of action which" should best tend to the success of his country's cause. Marmont, after gaining the heights opposite to those maintained by the marquis, suddenly weakened his left by the extension of his line, and no sooner was the error perceived by the brave and gallant general, than he exclaimed, "Now I have you." The felicitous, the long sought moment where a fair prospect of success presented itself, was instantaneously seized by the illustrious chief, and improved and followed up to a brilliant result of victory almost unprecedented in the annals of the country. The onset was made, the left of Marmont's army was completely turned, and the victory became decisive. Nothing shewed more the vast extent and range of his mind, or its scientific adroitness, than the ability which appeared at the time of seizing a favourable moment for disposing an army for immediate and decisive action, which but a few minutes before was prepared for retreat!-The noble earl proceeded to pass high encomiums upon general Le Marchant, who, very unfortunately for the service, fell in the battle, and also upon general Cotton, who distinguished himself on that occasion. "Not only," said earl Bathurst, "had the noble marquis immortalized himself in an action like this, so transcendent and brilliant, but under all circumstances his mind has ever discovered itself capable of executing every project suitably to the reverses and the changes of affairs. The events which have now come to our knowledge, will, I am persuaded, afford equal proofs of his military foresight and conception.My lords, I am not disposed to trespass longer upon your attention; there is nothing I can say will sufficiently speak the praises due to the marquis of Wellington, whose fame in all those accomplishments which constitute a consummate commander was established long before the brilliant achievement of Salamanca : and if I offer no panegyric in commendation of this hero, attribute it not to a want of anxious zeal, but to a conviction of my inability to perform the task, which be The Marquis of Lansdowne said, it was with great and sincere satisfaction he had listened to the just, glowing, and eloquent eulogium which the noble earl had, from his heart, pronounced upon the illustrious subject of the present motion. No person who had the honour to be connected with the family of that illustrious individual who was at the head of our army on the peninsula, could be more anxious to support the proposition now submitted to their lordships than he was. That anxiety was not diminished by the recent unfavourable events which had taken place; for he perfectly agreed with the noble earl, that those circumstances in no degree tarnished or diminished the splendid military fame and character of the noble and gallant marquis, and ought to make no alteration as far as regarded the present proposition. The question was not now, as it was on a former night, and might be at a future period, whether the general had been supplied by the government with proper means and resources? the question now was, whether the means with which the general had been entrusted, had been wisely, skilfully, and successfully, as far as circumstances would permit, applied for the public service? Though unwilling to mix these topics with the present subject, yet this much he might be permitted to say, that if there were any persons who had seen the difficulties of the war in the peninsula in a stronger light than others, who thought the means of carrying it on were very imperfect,-and who, though admiring the patriotism of the Spanish people, yet feared that the organization, civil and military, in that country, was not such as afforded security for effectual | co-operation, the greater they felt these difficulties to be, in that proportion must be their admiration of the talents of the general who had met, and, in many instances, gloriously surmounted them. The campaign, indeed, must be characterized as one of various fortune: yet out of this very circumstance, there arose a display of military talents in the commander which would not otherwise have appeared. It was rendered evident that, whether the general pursued the triumphs gained by himself, or experienced disappointment from extraneous circumstances, he was no less capable, by his rare talents, of alleviating misfortune, than of improving success. In reviewing the military transactions on the peninsula for the last three years, if he were qualified to decide at all on the subject, those which he would rest upon with the highest admiration, would be such as occurred under the circumstances when lord Wellington was forced to retreat before a superior force of the enemy. However unfavourable the circumstances, he had always, on these occasions, preserved his army and its resources entire, and fit for attack when the proper moment for attack should arrive. In these circumstances, his great mind shone more eminently conspicuous in availing himself of the difficult circumstances of the country for the protection of a retreating army, and, for maintaining his communications with his resources. Such was the retreat of the marquis of Wellington to his lines at Torres Vedras, such was his retreat before the battle of Salamanca,-a retreat converted in a moment into a brilliant victory, where a superior enemy was checked, and forced to retrace his steps. Such, too, was the present retreat to the frontiers of Portugal,—all of them evincing the greatest military genius in the commander. Having said thus much as to the merits of the marquis of Wellington, there was another subject of congratulation to their lordships and the country, which he wished to touch upon, although it could not well be embodied in any resolution of that House. No man who had attentively watched the conduct of the marquis of Wellington and the officers under his command, could fail to have observed, that a military school existed in the peninsula, in which a race of officers were forming, on whom the country might rely with confidence in the future military career, which in all probability it had yet to run. Such a school could not, indeed, be formed without great sacrifices; such, for instance, as those which were made in the siege of Burgos, where, besides regret for the failure of the object, one could not help feeling an additional pang at the fall of so many brave officers, and especially of colonel Somers, who, if he had lived, promised to have added to the other glories of that illustrious name, that of the highest military fame and glory. Notwithstanding such losses, many officers must be formed by the marquis of Wellington, who, having the advantage not only of his instructions, but of his example before them, must be capable of rendering the highest services to their country. He thought it right to advert to this circumstance, as it appeared to be a favourite object with the marquis of Wellington, who, in the intervals of war, kept several of the officers about him, who had thus an opportunity of improving themselves by his instruction and example, in military science.-There was still another point connected with this, to which he was desirous of calling their lordships' attention. No person who heard him would think that he was disposed to censure the advice given to his royal highness the Prince Regent, to advance the marquis of Wellington in the peerage after the battle of Salamanca: but he did think that there then existed an opportunity of granting to the marquis of Wellington promotion of a different nature, more appropriate and congenial with the service to which he was devoted; and, therefore, likely to be more useful to his country. If that promotion had been conferred, it would no doubt have met with the applause of the country and of the army; and it would have been approved by none, more than by the many gallant generals, who, by such a measure, would have been enabled to share his glory. While we were urging the Spaniards to give way in every punctilio, and to think only of the best means of promoting the great cause in which they were engaged, it would have been wise in us to have shewn them the example. Such was the feeling which he had at the time, and which he still had; and therefore he thought it right to state it: but in doing so, it was not his intention to object to any other honours which were conferred on the marquis of Wellington. If any doubt could have existed as to the propriety of conferring such honours, that doubt must have been removed by the review taken by the noble earl opposite, of the great talents displayed by the marquis, in every situation where the exertion of great talents was required. The marquis of Wellington had, in reality, distinguished himself for the judgment and temper with which he conducted himself in regard to the government of Spain, no less than by his military genius and valour. Lord Somers cordially agreed with the motion then before their lordships, and was most anxious to add his tribute of applause to the merits of the great officer in question, which were so ably and justly eulogized by the noble earl who opened the discussion. He gave his testimony to the transcendent abilities of lord Wellington, not only from a sense of public duty, but he was influenced in doing it by his own particular obligation to that excellent general. He could tell their lordships, that while his great mind seemed to be wholly taken up with the important cares of his situation, be bestowed an attention almost inconceivable, upon the comforts and conveniencies of those under his command. Whether they were suffering from fatigue, from sickness, or from privations, they were equally the objects of his solicitude. For himself, he knew that to a dear relative of his (major Somers) whose constitution was fast sinking under the severe duties of his station, his parental kindness was such, that it preserved a life which else had been yielded soon after the battle of Salamanca, nor prolonged till that period when he laid it down for his country in a manner which gave him a melancholy pride in saying his son had so died. In alluding thus particularly to his own relation, he was far from meaning to insinuate that his was a single case; lord Wellington's kindness extended to all alike; but he thought it his duty thus to express his peculiar obligation to him. There never was, indeed, a general, as had been justly mentioned by the noble lord opposite, who was less disposed to sacrifice the lives of his men for the acquisition of mere personal glory; but when the services of his king and country required it, never did any one display more ardour, intrepidity, and gallantry. His soldiers knew this, and combining that knowledge with his resplendent talents, what a confidence, he maintained, must it tend to excite throughout the whole army; a confidence highly advantageous to the cause in which we were engaged. He therefore cordially approved of the motion. His Royal Highness the Duke of CLARENCE, seeing only one man belonging to his Majesty's navy in the House, except himself, thought himself called upon, under these circumstances, to offer his tribute of applause to the marquis of Wellington, and the brave army under his command. He had always wished that our men should have an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by land as well as by sea, in order to shew the world that they were the same on both elements. From the moment that lord Wellington went to Spain they had had that opportunity, and the result was, that they surpassed all the actions recorded in the military annals of this, or any other country, within the memory of man. The difficulties which the duke of Marlborough had to contend with, were nothing compared with those against which the marquis of Wellington had to struggle. The duke of Marlborough was then the favourite of the court, and had means amply supplied him, and great diversions made in his favour. The marquis of Wellington, except during the short stand made by Austria, and the present effort by Russia, had always had almost the whole of the enormous power of France to oppose in the field. It must afford the highest satisfaction to the country that the army had such a commander as the marquis of Wel, lington, both on account of his own great talents, and the example which he furnished to others. He had done what had never been equalled, except, perhaps, in the Roman History. After so much had been said on this subject by others, he did not feel himself called upon to say any thing farther, than that he fully acknowledged the merits of the marquis of Wellington, and gave his hearty assent to the proposition submitted to their lordships. Marquis Wellesley felt proud and gratified by all that occurred in the course of the present debate. He should not now intrude on their lordships at any length,he should not have intruded on them at all, but from the natural wish to give the tribute of a brother's feelings to a brother's praise. The noble earl had said, that only the highest powers of eloquence, chastened by the purest taste, could aspire to an adequate eulogy of his great talents; but he could assure the noble earl, that at the very moment when he disclaimed his own power to pronounce such an eulogy, he had, in fact, discharged it in a manner honourable to himself, honourable to the coun The Lord Chancellor then proposed the motion from the woolsack, which was agreed to nem. diss. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Thursday, December 3. Gentlemen; "I thank you for this loyal Address. Your warm and affectionate expressions respecting his Majesty are peculiarly grateful to my feelings. "It affords me the utmost satisfaction to find that you concur with me in the representation I have laid before you respecting the state of the contest in which we are engaged, and that you cordially rejoice with me in the improved prospects which have resulted to this country and to Europe, as well from the brilliant achievements of his Majesty's forces and those of his allies in the peninsula as from the heroic exertions of Russia in the north. try, and in the highest degree just to the exalted object of it. He would offer no apology to their lordships for presenting himself to them on the present occasion; he was satisfied they all felt nearly the same sentiments as himself; for, (if he might use so bold an expression) they were all attached to the noble general by THE PRINCE REGENT'S ANSWER TO THE blood; they all, perhaps, had relations ADDRESS.] The Speaker reported to the under his command, and they had heard House, that the House attended his royal the testimony of a father's heart as to the highness the Prince Regent yesterday parental tenderness shewn by lord Wel-with their Address; to which his Royal lington to the flower of the British army. Highness was pleased to give this most If the merits of the great general could gracious Answer : have a higher and more eloquent eulogium than that pronounced by the noble Secretary of State, it would be that bestowed by the noble peer (lord Somers) near him. There could have been but one feeling in the House, when that noble person spoke. His praise of the British general was most valuable. He spoke like a patriot. He had sustained a deep and bitter loss, but he had sustained it with the honourable and manly feeling of one who had given up a dear son for his country. That noble lord had praised the humanity and almost parental kindness of lord Wellington to his officers :-he bestowed a panegyric above all other. On the general subject of the motion, it could scarcely be supposed, that he (lord Wellesley) should offer any objections. One thing only he had to observe: the noble Secretary had alluded to the display of the British general's talents in the pressure of retreat. For my part, said marquis Wellesley, if I were called on to give my impartial testimony of the merits of your great general, I confess, before Heaven, I would not select his victories, brilliant as they have been; I should mention the very circumstances (though unfortunate in some particulars) which your lordships have seen recorded this day-I would go to the moments when difficulties pressed and crowded upon him,-when he had but the choice of extremities,-when he was overhung by superior strength. It is to his retreats that I would go for the proudest and most undoubted evidence of his ability. It is not my intention to dilate upon these matters,-there is but one feeling with respect to them among us. The speech of the noble mover was sufficient; but, if its chasteness, tastefulness, and truth could have a want, it was more than compensated by the admirable speech of the noble marquis who had followed him in the debate. (VOL. XXIV.) "From your determination to give a firm and generous support to the great cause in which his Majesty and his allies are engaged, I derive a confident hope that all the efforts of our enemies will be finally frustrated, and the security of the British dominions established by a solid and honourable peace." WEYMOUTH AND MELCOMBE REGIS ELECTION-PETITION OF VOTERS.] A Petition of John Herbert Browne, of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, in the county of Dorset, esq.; Edward Balston, of Winterborne St. Martin, in the said county of Dorset, esq., and Robert Penny the younger, of Warwick Court, in the city of Westminster, gentleman, who claimed a right to vote, and did vote at the last election for the borough and town of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, was delivered in and read; setting forth, "That, at the last election for members to serve for the said borough and town, sir John Murray, bart., the right hon. Thomas Wallace, John Broadhurst, Henry Trail, William Williams, and Richard Augustus Tucker Steward, esquires, were candidates, when the said sir J. Murray, T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, (L) H. Trail, contrary to the resolution of this House, and in direct violation of the laws and constitution of the realm; and that, before and at the said election, divers persons, holding offices under the crown, did, by themselves and their agents, interfere in the said election, in order to procure the return of the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, contrary to the established law of the land, and in direct violation of the privileges of this House; and that the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, by themselves and himself, their and his agents, did, after the teste and issuing out of the writ of elec were returned as members to serve in parliament for the borough and town; that the poll upon the said election commenced upon the 10th of October, 1812, and ended on the 27th of the said month; that William Weston esq., the mayor and returning officer for the same, received divers illegal votes in favour of the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, and refused divers legal votes tendered in favour of the said W. Williams and K. A. T. Steward; and that, at the said election, the said W. Weston did, during the first twelve days of the poll, indifferently receive the different voters for the several candidates as they presented themselves at the poll;tion, and before and at the said election, that at the close of the poll, on the said twelfth day, there was an illegal majority of votes in favour of the members returned to serve in parliament; that many voters during the poll on the thirteenth day attended for the purpose of giving their votes in behalf of the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward; and the said W. Weston, contrary to his duty as returning officer, and in defiance of the rights of the electors of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis aforesaid, would not permit them to give their votes as they presented themselves to him for that purpose, but insisted that a voter should be permitted to vote for the said sir J. Murray, T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, and that a voter should be permitted to vote for the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward in regular order and successively, thereby preventing many persons, who had a right to vote, from giving their votes to the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward, which they would otherwise have done; that the said W. Weston did, on the said thirteenth and following days, refuse to receive several votes for the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward, the same being tendered after a former vote for them, and waited for long spaces of time until the agents for the said sir J. Murray, T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail procured votes for them; that, in consequence of such conduct, large numbers of votes were wholly lost to the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward, and the voters were prevented from exercising their elective franchise; that the conduct of the returning officer was, in many other respects, partial and illegal; and that, before and at the last election, several peers of parliament illegally interfered in the said election, in order to procure the return of the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and give to persons claiming a right to vote, and voting at the said election, meat and drink, and also make other presents, gifts and rewards to such persons, in order that the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, might be returned to serve in parliament for the said borough and town, contrary to and in defiance of the standing order of this House, and contrary to the statute in that case made and provided; and that the said T. Wallace, J. Broadhurst, and H. Trail, by themselves and himself, their and his agents, did, after the teste and issuing out of the said writ of election, give and advance to persons having vote in such election, divers sums of money, in order to be returned as aforesaid, contrary to law and the constitution of the realm; and that certain persons, not being qualified to vote at the said election, claimed to vote, and were permitted to vote at the said election by the said W. Weston, in prejudice of the legal voters of the said borough and town, and con trary to the rights of the said borough and town; and that, at the said election, the said W. Williams and R. A. T. Steward had a majority of legal votes on the poll, and ought to have been returned; and praying, that the House will take the premises into their consideration, and grant the petitioners such relief as to the House shall seem meet." Ordered to be taken into consideration upon the 9th of February next. BATH ELECTION-PETITION OF MR. ALLEN AND MR. COLLETON.] A Petition of John Allen, of the city of Bath, and of Samuel Colleton Graves, of Hembury Fort, in the county of Devon, esquires, was delivered in and read; setting forth, "That at the last election of two citizens to represent the city of Bath in this |