4 THE EXAMINER.

E9

1814

No. 314. SUNDAY, JAN. 2, 1814.

THE POLITICAL EXAMINER.

pendent spirit, would make them a more congenial, consis derate, and patriotic Prince, than twenty viceroys and

Party is the inadoess of many for the gain of a few. SwIFT. governors from France or Austria. The idea of putting,

No. 305.

BONAPARTE AND THE BOURBONS.

an end to the old grievances of Italy by erecting this throne for a native Italian like Lucres BONAPARTE, strikes us as an eminently happy one; and we shall delight in having opportunities of returning to the subject.

When we said therefore, that upon a consideration of circumstances, we were for suffering BONAPARTE and his connexions to enjoy their share of domimon, we were the farthest in the world from insinuating, that the dominion oug f to be suffered, merely because he had conquered it, or because he chanced to get possession of it, or because he had seized it, or because he had in any way deserved it, considered alone. The continuation of his family, and the

Is throwing out some hasty observations last week upon We forgot however last week to make ore observation, the arrangements which the Allied Monarchs might be which though unnecessary, we hope, to our readers in willing to make with BONAPARTE, we gave it as our opi-general, might as well have been made, in order to preserve, nion, that supposing the existence of his dynasty and the the integrity of our opinions on this subject, in the literal establishment of his relatives affected by the present state as well as ordinary sense of the term. Some of the readers. of Europe, it was advisable to let them continue, in pre- best acquainted with what we have already said about ference to a restoration of the BOURBONS and other weak BONAPARTE, will probably smile at our thinking proper to Princes. The reasons we assigned were of a general na-employ another article is supplying the omission; but a ture, and regarded what are more directly called politics. writer on the side of Reform has a very delicate task befo: 9 We suggested, that France, in the first place, had no liking | him in times like the present; and we chuse to take every for the BOURBONs as individuals; we said, that the mani- opportunity of evincing what is really at the bottom of our festation of a willingness to treat with BONAPARTE would hearts,-that it is the good of the community alone for .` deprive him of all pretence for afflicting the world with his which we care, and not for any man or set of men, pubdesperate extremities; we were of opinion, that more licly speaking, except as far as some are, intrinsically more formidable barriers were likely to be raised against him, worthy than others, and some only preferable under a choice even by allowing his own connexions to be seated on other of circumstances. thrones, than by restoring weak men, Lere and there, who, if he still reigned in France, would probably be his dunes by next year; and finally, we were of opinion, that if such men were restored, and if he did not reign in France, they would most likely return to their old practices, and reduce Europe to the necessity of another conyulsion, whereas new men, by having to recommend them selves to their new subjects, would bring with them some freshness of spirit and alacrity of endeavour, and set theat-restoration of the BourBoss, we consider as nothing but a selves about the encouragement of knowledge. JEROME, to be sure, is said to be a debauched fellow, as well as to be exceedingly given to fine coats and whiskers, so that liftle could be made of him; and perhaps his brother, upon a proper representation, and for a small equivalent, might consent to suppress him- altogether. also, according to the accounts from Spain, is a sus picious character, inordinately fond of his bottle, and absolutely keeps a seraglio; but then accounts from Spain are themselves a little suspicious, and Joseru has at least had the reputation of being a clever diplomatist, which cannot be said for every Prince fond of his bottle. MORAT however is an active fellow, not to be lowered to a comparison with the late King of NAPLES :—— nobody will deny that BERNADOTTE makes a better antago nist of his old acquaintances, than many a legitimate monarch; and if the Italians could enjoy the natural wish which they are said to feel, of seeing their country under one dominion, nobody doubts, we believe, that Lucres Lunaparte, with his taste, his philosophy, and his inde

1

JOSEPH

choice of evils, the latter of which is the greater; and it is
for this reason, and for this only, that we would have the
former preferred. We would not only, if possible, have
the BONAPARTES, as well as the Bourgons put down, but
would gladly see the English constitution prevailing all
over Europe, and an end put at once to those absurd and
pernicious systems of government, which lead princes to
imagine that the many are made for the few, instead of
the few for the many,
But as the world is still very young
in these matters, and a great deal of time and education
will be necessary to make them wiser, we must content
ourselves with doing our best in general to recommend the
cultivation of reason and common scase, and with settling,
as well as we can, the occasional disputes which may arise
in those noisy play-grounds, cailed theatres of war.
are no believers in the perfectibility of our present state of
being; but we much suspect, that a time will come, when
some of our gravest absurdities will be regarded in a very
ludicrous light by those who read of them, and a tyrant of
a great battle be accounted about as mad a piece of nor

We

may

sense, as it would be to keep a pet hyæna, or to chuck teacups in one another's faces by way of settling the merits of a neighbour's wife. When that time arrives, a person who might now make a noise as a weak or profligate prince, be quietly dismissed to the bottom of society, and a man, who betrayed the propensities of a conqueror, be sent to the gallies; but, in the mean time, we must put up a little longer with both, and endeavour to make our best of the necessity. Pet hyænas, upon the whole, are not in such fashion as they used to be; and if we still throw the tea-cups in one another's faces, it must be 'confessed we do it with a great deal of good breeding, and are are very much shocked at those who break our teeth illegitimately.

which had enjoyed prosperity without being intoxicated hy it,
has supported misfortune without dejection, and after having
generously in the preceding was defended the territories of
we are prepared courage.
our Allies from the evils of war,
Called round the
ously to preserve our own from them.'
throne under weighty circumstances, the Emperor has yet as-
sociated you, Gentlemen, in the views of his policy as in the
efforts of his administration. I have said the views, and mat.
the secrets of his policy; and 'in short this policy has always
But
heen the defence and independence, of the honour, of the in-
dustry, and of the commerce of France and her Allies.
nations, like governments, deeply impressed, strongly pre-occu-
pied by the more recent events, forget those more distant, keep
faintly in their memory the first causes, and lose sight of the
links of that historic chain which connects the past with the
God forbid, Gemilemen, that I should now descrikė
present.
here any pást grievances, calculated to vitiate any minds, to re-
kindle any reséutinents; I do not call back my thoughts, I da
not call yours on the past; but because that, in each of the
pages in which the remembrance of it is preserved, one can
discover' with 'certainty who have been the provokers of the
war. War has existed in Esrope for twenty years; the last is
connected with the first, and is the consequence of its origin..
To see to whom must be imputed the misfortunes and the dura-
on of this war, it will be sufficient to refer to its cause, and
to recollect that the intervals of peace, or rather the short
truces during which nations have breathed, have been owing to
this France. The aggression did not proceed from France;
neither in 1792, when she was invaded; neither in the year
seven, when the treaty of Campo Formio was broken; neither
in the year eight, when the Russians came across Germany and
Italy to menace or frontier; neither in the year ten, when

To the reasous already given for preferring the continuation of the BONAPARTES to the restoration of the BounRONS, we have another and very important one to add, which is this,—that if the latter be again put in possession of what they lost by their own follies and vices (we speak of the race at large, and not of individuals) the whole of their moral will he lost to the world; and all that the French have suffered, have been suffered for nothing. It is true, they have suffered enough as it is, to little purpose; but at least, `royal families have had a severe lesson how they indulge themselves in a long course of pro-iffe treaty of Amiens was violated; neither at the epoch of the fligacy and contempt of the people and it is desirable, invasion of Bavaria, when the peace of Luneville was disa vowed; neither at the epoch when the treaty of Presbourg was that the lesson should not be lost. That it would be so, placed in oblivion; neither when the engagements of Tilsit were if a race of Princes after a long course of evil are to be abandoned; dether when the treaties of Vienna and of Paris dethroned only to be set up again, is clear from history were tarn in pieces.—Aod was it not, on the contrary, France, who, victorious aud conquering, consented to the armistice of and from human nature. Even now, there are not want- Lroven, and the peace which followed it: who vanquished at ing a few corners in Europe', 'where attempts are made o Marengo but 'to treat at Luneville; at Austerlitz, but to rebring back the jargon of non-resistance; articles appear store the greater part of her conquests, or in endow thrones with them; who has not refused an armistice during the war, in Petersburgh Gazettes admonishing the world to held peace during negociations, neither before the treaty of Pres fnonarchs" doubly sacred, and to seek refuge again underbourg, nor before that of Vienna, the wings of the vicegerents' of heaven; and though hobody pays attention to this nonsense at present, and the monarchs themselves are exhibiting a more than ordihary sense of their popular duties, yet it is as well to provide strenuously against the recurrence of absurdities, which involve the host fatal consequences both to monarchs and communities. Europe has paid a large price for a hitle "lift "in "political experience, and for heaven's sake, Jet it retain one advantage, at least, from all it has undergone.'

A this moment have ant

These truths, Gentlemen, ad

the preliminary bases, proposed by the coaleseed powers, been
adopted by his Majesty, who declares to his people, to his
allies, to his enemies, that on his side there are no obstacles to
the re-establishment of Peace.
far as relates to preceding wars, are consecrated by mouuz
ments already become the invariable patrimony of history: iq
what relates to the more recent events, they will be proved by
the documents contained in the portefuille of the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, of which his Majesty calls a Commission;
Whilst negocia
named from among you, to take çuguizançe.
ions are going on, the coalesced powers have insisted on the
continuation of hostilities. By 'that they have shewn as the
measures which are prescribed for the safety of the State, and
the honour of the Empire. His Majesty has said to you, Gen
tlemen, Nations cannot treat with security except by dis-
playing their whole strength.' But already the energy which
manifests itself in all parts--the numerous tevies which are in
mation-suffic.ently make known the resolution of the French
Nation to maintain the safety of its territory, and the honour
of its Inws. Thirst of glory, love for the country, the wi-h
for its prosperity, are passions which never become extinct ra.
generous bearts. They are a guarantee of the zeal with which,
you will associate yourselves, Gentlemen, in the efforts of the
administration, ito support, by powerful means of defence, the
negociations which are going to be opened. Less powerful;
less strong, less rich, less fimuful in resources was France in the
year eight, when threatened on the north, javaded on the south,
torn ia pieces in her interior, exhausted in her fiances, disor
ganized in her adopīnistrativos, discouraged in heç armies. The

7126133

seas brought her hope-the victory of Marengo iestored her her honour the treaty of, Luneville brought her back peace. I describe this picture, Gentlemen, but for the purpose of again calling back, within and without, the energetic sentimept of our dignity and of our power, only that our friends and our enemies may at the same time understand the thoughts of the Monarch, and the force of the nation; the moderation of his wishes, the ardour for an honourable peace; his horror for a shameful peace."

After the departure of the orators, the Assembly adjourned.

BAYONNE, DEC. 19.-No military event has taken place for some days in our neighbourhood. Yesterday only the enemy made two reconnoissances from the side of Saint Martin d'Arberone; they were repulsed. Two squadrons of the 21st Chasseurs charged and overthrew two squadrons of the 18th English Dragoons. The Duke of Dalmatia has caused the right bank of the Adour, and both banks of the Bidassoa, to be inundated.

GERMANY.

BULLETINS OF THE CROWN PRINCE.

They

those battalions. As the enemy had in the village of Bornhoft
a considerable corps of reserve, only the battery, and about
300 prisoners, could be taken. Their loss in killed and wounded
is very heavy our's amounts to about 200 men, and as many
horses. It is painful to be obliged to mention combats which
have taken place Between the children of the North.
ought only to produce mourning and silence. The Sovereign
whose policy has provoked them can alone desire that they
should be prolonged. Let us hope, that the King of Denmark
will put an end to this war of brethren; and that his kingdom,
and that of Sweden, will present the image of one family
united, tranquil, and happy.-The enemy, cut off from Rends
herg by General Walmoden, retired upou Kiel, pursued by
General Skioldebrand. He proceeded by the opposite bank,
upon the fortress, after having destroyed the bridges. It re-
quired twenty-four hours to repair them. General Walmoden
threw others across; and detached General Dornberg upon
Eckernforhdre. Some battalions, and a regiment of Hussars,
which should have guarded the bridge, and kept up the com-
munications with General Dornberg, were attacked at Osten-
rode by the enemy's army; which, fearing no doubt that it
should be destroyed in its march upon Colding, took the sudden
resolution of piercing to Rensdberg. The corps of General
Walmoden being separated could not arrive in time to take part

lour having horne bim into the midst of the enemy, he fell into their hands; but he was afterwards exchanged for an officer of the same rank. It is hoped that his wounds will permit him to continue the war. His conduct has been above all prabe.

in the action. Head quarters, Neumunster, Dec. 12, 1813. This General sustained, with one regiment of Hussars, four battalions, and four pieces of casnon, a long and His Royal Highness removed his head quarters to Neumunter on the 11th inst. Major Kuoblock surprised the town of obstinate combat, against a force of 10,000 men at least, Neus, opposite Dusseldorf. An eagle, a Colonel, 18 officers, with a numerous artillery. Success was a long time balanced; but at last the enemy were enabled to gain possession of the and some hundred soldiers, were there taken. Possession was also obtained of a magazine of forage, and regimental clothing, road to Rendsberg. The soldiers were often, mixed with each Colonel Hole, who commanded the expedition, pursued the other; and although the number of Danes was in the propor enemy as far as the road to Juliers. Thus the troops of the tion of three to one, the field of battle remained with Count Walmoden. The foot and horse chasseurs of Mecklenberg, army of the North of Germany find themselves on the French which formed the advanced guard of Gen. Vegesack, arrived territory. It is still hoped, however, that the grand confedein time to take part in the engagement, and so decide it. ration, armed for the liberty and independence of the Coati Dent, will not be forced to pass on, and seek in ancient France cavalry made a brilliant charge, under the cross-fire of several that peace, of which all the inhabitants of the earth have such battalions, which were placed behind the hedges. Prince His great vaneed. After a short bombardment, the corps of Gen. Winzin-Gustavus of Mecklenberg has been wounded. gerode has possessed itself of the fort of Rotheuburg. The garrison have been taken prisoners of war. The Prince of Eckmuhl, with a view of obtaining intelligence, and to make prisoners, has made a sortie from Hamburgh with all his cavalry; he had supported them with a reserve of several batta-Count Walmoden has lost in this affair one cannon, and from' 5 lions. This corps, under the orders of the General of Division to 600 men, killed, wounded, or missing. The loss of the In this enemy, by his own confession, is more than 1000 meu. Vichery, attacked an advanced post of the Cossacks placed at Toodarf, and pursued its march with so much impetuosity, engagement, which does great honour to Count Walmøden, and that it entered Rahlstedt along with the picket. The Cossacks in the preceding skirmishes, that General has taken eight pieces retired upon Seik, where Gen. Pahlen was, with six squadrons of cannon and 400 prisoners. The Prince of Hesse has deof regular cavalry, Gen. Pablen immediately led them to themanded an armistice. It is probable that the differences between Sweden and Denmark will soon be settled, and that Dencharge. A squadron of the regiment of Izoum began the at tack with so much vigour, that it immediately overthrew the mark will at last join herself to the Allies. Head-quarters, Kiel, Dec. 16. enemy, who was from thenceforth in complete rout. They were The armistice demanded by the Prince of Hesse has been pureaed to Wandsbeck. The road was strewed with dead; more than 200 were counted, and above 150 prisoners were taken.granted. It began on the 15th instant, at midnight, and will General Tettenhorn has occupied Frederickstadt, Tonningen, and Iusum, and has sent detachments towards Flensbourgh, and Sleswick. He has surprised, at Harnau, 120 carriages, conveying the sick of the hospital of Altona. The Swedish army has advanced upon the Eyder, between Rendsburgh and Kiel. General Skioldebrand, who was engaged in the pursuit of the enemy, came up with them in front of Bornhoft. He found that their force, consisting of three battalions of infantry, and two regiments of cavalry, was drawn up in battle, and had a battery of six pieces upon their left flank. The fire of their grape shot became lively and destructive; but General Skioldebrand himself, at the head of his troops, charged with so much ▾ gour, that the battery was carried, the battalions broken, and forced to lay down their arms. The enemy's cavalry took tght: all that of General Skioldebrand pursued it, leaving only a squadron to receive the bastalions which had surrendered. By treachery, or at the instigation of some of their officers, these troops took up their arms, fired upon our cavalry, and did great mischief. Some squadrons of hussars which pursued the elemy, immediately returned to the charge, and sabred

We shall profit by this finish on the 29th, at the same hour. interval to push the operations against Hamburgh. The Danish army has been able to enter Rendsberg as it were by a miracle. Two hours later, and it would have been forced to lay down its arine, or to disperse. The fort of Vollerwyk has surrendered to the corps of General Tettenborn, after having been cannonaded for some days. The garrison are prisoners of war, and are not to serve again till they are exchanged.The fort of Frederiksort, and Gluckstadt, are not included in the armistice. If the Danish goverament wishes for peace, these places will not experience the horrors of a hombardment. The army has halted in the midst of its successes; the time which it loses by waiting for the conclusion of a peace is of incalculable importance. Thus have the Allies given to Denmark, and to Europe, an evident proof of their moderation. tilities re-commence, it will doubless be a great misfortune; but no one can reproach the Allies with those consequences. Two regiments of Cossacks, of the corps of General BenkerThe garrison has evacuated dorf, have advanced upon Breda. that place, and retired upon Autwerp, pursued by the Cossacks

If hos

The town of Breda, wherein 600 prisoners have been made, | blesome an opponent, and advanced with was immediately occupied by the allied troops.-Thas the army lumns of infantry, supported by artillery, his front cover. his heavy coof the North of Germany occupies, at this moment, a line fromed by a numerous body of cavalry and riflemen. Breda to Dusseldorf. In consequence of the armistice, it has Morrison fell back gradually, and took up a judicious position, Lieut. Col. recalled all the parties in Schleswig; and its troops hold in (which he had previously made choice of) with his little band; this Duchy, the line from Eckernforde to Husum. The dispositions have been so taken, that upon the extremity of each | 49th regiment, and a detachment of the Canadian Fencibles, his right on the river, consisting of the flank companies of the of its wings, it can asserable an army of 35,000 men in three | under Lieut.-Colonel Pearson, with a six pounder a little admarches.-This exposition ought to be sufficient to convince | vanced, supported by three companies of the 89th regiment, Denmark of the wrong which she has done to the Allies, and under Captain Barns; the 49th and 89th regiments förmed the main body of reserve, extending across the road to a pine wood, occupying a space of 700 yards.-Major Heriot, with a detachment of the Canadian Voltigeurs, and a small band of Indian Warriors, under Lieut. Anderson, secured the left flank. The action commenced about two o'clock in the afternoon, and

10 the good cause. that government.

Every day is an age lost to the interests of

ITALY. FLORENCE, DEC. 14.-On the 10th, advice was received here, that an English squadron, consisting of four ships of the line, five frigates, and a corvette, had disembarked troops near Viareggio. . Those troops were a collection of from 800 to 1000 men, of different nations, | commanded by a Sicilian, having the title of Colonel, and a Major named Dilloste. Their expedition had for object to create troubles in the country: it has entirely failed, the inhabitants of the country have every where evinced the best spirit. A part of those troops, who were Italians, deserted, and gave up their arms and ammunition fo the authorities of the country. The remainder did not hazard remaining any length of time in the country; they only advanced to Lucca, and returned upon Viareggio. The enemy was, on the 12th, attacked there by General Pauchin, commanding a detachment of troops of the department of the Arno, and re-embarked, after having lust several hundred men.

Dec. 13. The day before yesterday, the English division of Commodore Rowley cast anchor a league and a half to the north-cast of Leghorn, and disembarked about 1500 men, who immediately marched upon the town, and occupied its suburbs. Yesterday, at half past seven o'clock A. M. the enemy began the attack. He was vigorously received. At eleven o'clock we had silenced the enemy's fire. He sent a flag of truce, which was not admitted. About four o'clock he recommenced; firing upon the town, but was answered so well, that an hour afterwards he abandoned the enterprize. The enemy took advantage of the night to re-embark, and this morning we found 300 killed, and several wounded, which he left upon the shore. Several deserters presented themselves at the gates of the town. The population has evinced that it was French, and given unequivocal proofs of its fidelity.

AMERICA.

CANADA-GENERAL ORDER.

Head-quarters, La Chine, Nov. 15, 1813. His Excellency the Governor-General and Commander of the Forces, has received from Lieut.-Colonel Morrison, 89th regiment, the official report of the action which took place on the 11th inst. at Crystler's Farm, twenty miles above Cornwall, between the corps of Observation, consisting of the 49th and 89th regiments, and a detachment from the garrison of Prescott, under Lieut.-Colone! Pearson, the whole amounting to about eight hundred men, and the principal division of the enemy's army commanded by Major-Gen. Boyd: on the day preceding the action, an affair took place in consequence of the corps of observation pressing on the enemy, which, after a short conflict, terminated in his defeat, the British division occupying that night the ground on which the affair had taken place. On the 11th, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison continued his pursuit, when the enemy concentrating his ce, made a grand effort to relieve himself from so trou

in half an hour became general, the enemy attempting to turn the left of the British, but were repulsed by the 49th and 89th. regiments, which advanced firing by wings and platoons. The in an attack on the right, supported by four pieces of artillery' enemy having failed in this attempt, united their utmost efforts and their cavalry, which was in like manner repolsed; the 49th and 89th regiments having moved up in echellons, and formed in line, a charge commenced by the 49th regiment was not persevered in, in consequence of the enemy having charged cavalry were so gallantly received by the three companies of upon the right, and threatened to gain the rear, but their the 89th regiment, under Captain Barns, and the well-directed stantly repulsed and by the rapid pursuit of Captain Barns'. fire of the artillery under Captain Jackson, that they were inparty, a 6-pounder was captured from the enemy, whose attention was now solely directed to covering the retreat of his beaten forces. In this last effort he was foiled by a judicious continued to pursue the enemy in his flight.-Lieut.-Colonel movement of the corps under Lieut.-Colonel Pearson, wha operation be experienced from Lieut.-Colonel Pearson, Lieut.Morrison reports in the strongest terms the cordial and able coColonel Plenderleath, 49th regiment; Major Clifford, 891h regiment; Majur Heriot, Canadian Voltigeurs; and Captain. Jackson, royal artillery; to whose able exertions, with the combined gallantry of the troops, where every man did his duty, this great success is to be attributed.-The Lieut.-Col. reports the benefit the service has received from the active exertions of Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, Deputy Adjutant General ; Captains Skinner and Davis, Quarter Master General's Department; Lieutenant Anderson, of the Indian Department; and Lieut. Hagerman, of the Militia, who acted as his Aid-decamp. It is with deep regret that Lieut.-Colonel Morrison soldiers; but when the unequal contests and the quadruple loss transmits a list of casualties, containing the loss of several brave of the enemy, and the importance of this splendid victory are considered, the comparative British loss will appear less than might reasonably be expected.

Total

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing.

Captain, 2 drummers, 19 rank and file killed; l Captain, 9 subalterns, 6 serjeants, 181 rank and file, wounded; 12 rank and file missing.

Officers Killed and Wounded.

40th Regiment-Capt. Nairne, killed; Lieut. Jones, wounded
dangerously; Lieut. Bartley, wounded severely, not dan-
gerously; Lieut. Claus, wounded, left leg amputated ; Lieut."
Morton, wounded severely, uot dangerously; Lieut. Rich-
mond, wounded slightly,

39th Regiment-Capt, Browne, wounded severely, not danger-
49th Flank Company-Lieut. Holland, wounded severely.
ously; Eesign Leaden, wounded slightly,
Canadian Fencibles-Licut. Delorimere, wounded dangerous
ly, since dead; Ensign Armstrong, wounded dangerously,
By his Excellency's Command,

EDWARD BAYNES, Adj.-Gen. A. N.

г

the present, it was at all events proper that he himself should be free from stain: was this the case? the petitioner was present and could answer-but had not he been seen to behave with the grossest indecorum ? had he not appeared even in that As

The Petition was read. After the usual preamble, the
Petition proceeded as follows:-" That said Samuel Ste-sembly in a state of intoxication?” (Order, order.)
phens, in the year 4802, caused to be printed and published in
the City nu Address to the People called Quakers, wherein he
has, amongst other things, asserted that our Saviour Jesus
Christ was not the power of God unto salvation, and has used
several other disrespectful terms in allusion to our Saviour; and
said Samuel Stephens has distributed same very extensively in
this City, and upon being several times charged publicly in the
Common Council as the author of the said Address, he did not
disavow the same:—and your Petitioner is prepared with evi-
dence to shew, that said Samuel Stephens is really the author
and publisher of said Address.-That your Petitioner humbly
trusts your Lordship and Honours, who are deeply interested in
the support of the Christian Religion, upon which the main-
tenance of our glorions Constitution and the welfare of society
so materially depends, will consider the said work of the said
Samuel Stephens to be blasphemous and highly derogatory to
the power and divine character of our blessed Saviour, and
that the person who was capable of writing and publishing said
dangerous doctrine is totally unfit to have a seat amongst your
Lordship and Honours," &c. &c.

Mr. GIFFARD must remind the Hon. Member, that this was not the place for recrimination; nor did the questiog regard the moral character of any one: he should be very sorry if it did for he was sure there was not one there whose character would hear probing to the bottom.

Mr. SEMPLE thought that the matters contained in the Petition were purely of an ecciesiastical nature, and as such did Dot come under the cognizance of laymen. He himself had been educated in the doctrines of Athanasius, and continued still to profess and admire thèm; but he did not the less think It right that others should adopt different opinions, or that every one should have liberty to profess that which he believed to be The truth; nor was he ignorant that many persons of very great distinction in the country were tinged with the doctrines at present in question. He besought the Assembly to recollect in what a situation they would place themselves, should they accede to a Petition founded on such grounds as this: every li beral mind would be shocked, and the enemies of the Corporation would seize the opportunity to expose it to the scorn and contempt of the whole world. He should therefore move that the Petition be returned by the proper officer to James Shaw, from whom it had been presented.

Mr. GIFFARD hegged to remind Gentlemen of what was really the matter before them; it was not whether men were to be allowed to have peculiar opinions in religion,-whether they were to enjoy the right of thinking for themselves-but it was "whether they were to dare to give these thoughts utlerance" ;-whether, in short, a person who had been guilty of *pen blasphemy should be permitted to sit in that Assembly. The question, in his opinion, resolved itself into the bare matter of fact, "Did the Member whose election is 'objected to, or did he not, publish a book denying the Divinity of our Saviour?" If any man in the vanity of his heart should send forth into the world a book affronting the faith of Christendom, wresting from us our dearest hopes, and outraging all the feelings of piety, all the doctrines of revelation; is that man to remain unnoticed? is he to hold the same honourable rank in society which is due to the followers of pure religion. Several gentlemea seem to believe that the whole is an affair of very trivial importance; I would beg of them to reflect on the miseries which have desolated Europe, for the last twenty years, and then to call to their mind, that from a source like this-small as it may appear-the whole of that series of calamities drew their origin: they began by attacks on religion-they ended in the overthrow of social order, in anarchy and blood. Let the Petition be investigated; let the Assembly be satisfied whether this book was published by its member; and whether these be the doctrines ke professes; if they are, he ought no longer to remain among us; or let him renunce them. But no man with my consent shall sit down with me, who continues to hold sach opinions,

Counsellor CAMPBELL, rose for Mr. Stephens.-He contended that the Assembly had no 'right to entertain the questions arising on this petition; it did not complain of a deficiency in any of the qualifications usually required in a Member, and for investigating which there was a proper legal authority; but it went into an inquiry concerning the truth or falsehood of a certain Member's opinions on Theology, and called him to the bar of the Corporation to answer for his creed. If the Assembly should allow a discussion so entirely ecclesiastical, the Bench of Bishops wight, on the same ground, proceed to discuss the qualifications of a Commou Councillor. (Hear.) Should the Assembly entertain it, there was no saying to what extent they might go; for having once assumed a power beyand their proper jurisdiction, the next step might be to institute inquiries into the private characters of members, and to expel them because their morals might happen not to suit the taste of certain of their fastidious colleagues. He was sure that the gentleman (Mr. Giffard) who took so much interest in this question, would as little choose to sit with a bad father, or a bad husband, (hear,) as with one whose religious opinions he disapproved-and, therefore, the next step, were the present to succeed, might be to expel these; but, in truth, the Assembly had nothing to do with either.

Mr. GIFFARD was not surprised at the eagerness of certain Gentlemen to get quit of this matter: they were afraid to meet it; they knew the weakness of their cause. It was said the Assembly could not entertain it; but did not Gentlemen recollect that a Member had been once expelled because addicted to the use of wicked and profane words, and for no other reason whatever?-(Some person, we believe, whispered that the Member so expelled was an Athiest).—Mr. Goffard did not understand the difference between Atheist and Deist and Un believer, or any other title which the enemies of Christianity might assume-they were practically the same thing. He entreated Gentlemen to recollect in what circumstances this book appeared: not in private-or obscurely-it was circulated with triumph, and exhibited at feasts and entertainments. Let thein recollect, that the book went forth to tell the world that

the Saviour of Mankind was an imposter.

Mr. HUTTON requested the Gentlemen not to quote falsely; the book contained no such thing as that the Saviour of the world was an impostor *. But it were much to be wished tit

* As our readers may be curious to know something of the book in question, we subjoin that passage in it which has at the same time given the most offence to restain individuals, and is the clearest exposition of Mr. Stephens's general opinton -"I believe it necessary for me to preface by some observations what I may have to communicate, in order to put to silence a vain and delasive spirit that has gone forth into the world, saying, that I and some others deay Je us Christ and his coming, and that we rank him as an impostor--a thing which is utterly false : for I know not one within the circle of my acquaintnice that locks on him in any such light; on the contrary, I believe him to have been the most perfect character that ever yet made his appearance amongst the children of men. But all this is unt sufficient to satisfy them, because I cannot swallow down the absurd doctrine that he was Gid-¿ doctrine that they themselves acknowledge they tarnot cumprehend or understand—a doctrine they are, as it were, obligeď to believe, because their church, sect, or party, requires them Mr. E. STEVENS thought it altogether beyond the com- to do so; and on what ground? A few vague scripture ex•petency of the Assembly to go at all into the question. But if | pressions, backed by the writings of men as igaornot as theruany person should choose to bring forward such a petition as selves. For we must acknowledge that the world has been'