Gazette Of The United States

From the DUBLIN CHRONICLE, of the 5th APRIL.

Mr. Burke's speech on the Minister's proposition to increase the naval armament.

MR. Burke rose, as he said, to make a few observations upon what he considered the most extraordinary event that had passed in that House since he had the honor of it in it. He observed, that he could not account for the measure when he considered the talents of the right hon. gentlemen, which for one he had been ready often to acknowledge. In the part he should take, or in the opposition he should give to this uncommon step of Ministers, he disclaimed all party considerations whatever. If any acrimony against any one person at any time found its way into him, he declared that whenever he discussed any public or constitutional question it was neutralized and even dulcified. This was exactly the case at present; he said that he had never heard of such moderation as the right hon. gentleman had set up; it was in his opinion a cruelty—it was telling the Russians that they might have continued the war, and though aggressed, and of course entitled to revenge themselves on the aggressors, yet that they must relinquish the conquests they should make, and be content to be put on their former footing. Thus the uti possidetis was to be held before them.—But the uncommon part in what he beheld of Ministers, was the including Turkey in the balance of Europe. It had been considered an Asiatic country, and ought so to be held without in any degree striking the eye in its attention to the European balance of power. Had it any Ambassador at our Court, at Berlin, or at Copenhagen, &c.? Did it pay any regard to us, or consider us in any other light than as heretics? Was not our Ambassador there treated like a dog? "For my part (says Mr. Burke) my way of reasoning may be considered as upon the old principle; but I very much dislike this anti-crusade. I am not for favoring such barbarians, and oppressing Christians, to the detriment of civilization and hindrance of human refinement."

"Why (said he) are we to be alarmed at the Russians' capture of a town?—the empire of Turkey is not dismembered by that. We are in possession of Gibraltar. and yet Spain is not dismembered." In respect to confidence, it was not capable of definition—much of it must be left to discretion. He was ready to allow that "a Minister without any confidence would be no better than a slave; and if too much confidence were implicitly reposed in him," said he "we should be slaves ourselves." He could not see the smallest reason for our alarms at the aggrandizement of Russia, or fears for the depression of Turkey. The right hon. gentleman might call this by the name of Moderation: but would it be deemed so by the world? Was it not an insult to every other power? Was it necessary, in order to preserve the balance, that every State or Power should continue exactly in the same state? or could that balance be affected by the loss of Oczakow to the Turks? It was fine talking of what we are to do with Russia by a naval armament. "We were to conquer America," said Mr. Burke, "and I gave my opinion what would be the fruits of the attempt." Mr. Burke concluded a most eloquent speech, by observing, that if these interferences are to take place at any time by the haughty and assuming Ministers of any State, they ought to be in favor of freedom and the cultivation of Christian fellowship, and not in espousing the cause of Barbarians who have not the smallest regard for us in return.

Sir James Murray said a few words after Mr. Burke upon the same side, when the question was loudly called for, and the gallery ordered to be cleared. The House now divided—

For the Amendment 135

Against it 228

Majority 93