Rhode Island American

LATE FOREIGN NEWS.
FROM THE COLUMBIAN CENTINEL OF WEDNESDAY LAST.
VERY LATE FROM ENGLAND.
By the packet ship Emerald, Captain Fox, from Liverpool, in the remarkably short passage of 15 days and 14 hours, we have London papers to the 18th ultimo.
The British Parliament met the 3d of February, and the King's Speech was delivered by commission, he being confined with gout at Brighton. It will be seen to be decidedly pacific, and appeared to be highly satisfactory to the nation. We need not analyze it. It contains no allusion to the United States distinct from other friendly nations. From the debates on it, in the Commons, we have extracted some points from the Speeches of Mr. Canning, which are important. He holds out an intimation of the willingness of Ferdinand VII. to acknowledge the independence of the Spanish American States. Mr. C.'s good feelings towards the United States continued paramount. The Ministerial majority in the British Parliament was overwhelming.
The Paris Moniteur had officially announced that the King of Spain had issued a decree, granting a FREE TRADE with Spanish America, to all nations. France claims the credit of having solicited this wise measure which was negotiated by Viscount Marcellus.
The affairs of the Greeks were still reported as being successful, and that the Turks had evacuated Patras.
In Spain a General Amnesty Law was spoken of, as nearly ready for publication.
Austria has paid Great-Britain 2,500,000, in full of all former loans to her.
A Convention has been signed, regulating the temporary occupation of Spain, by 30,000 French troops.
MEETING OF PARLIAMENT
House of Lords, February 3.--Parliament was opened this day. The Lord Chancellor and four others appeared as Commissioners. The Commons having assembled, the Lord Chancellor proceeded to read his Majesty's Speech, as follows:--
" My Lords, and Gentlemen,
" We are commanded by his Majesty to express to you his Majesty's deep regret, that in consequence of indisposition he is prevented from meeting you in Parliament upon the present occasion.
" It would have been a peculiar satisfaction to his Majesty to be enabled in person to congratulate you on the prosperous condition of the country.
"Trade and Commerce are extending themselves both at home and abroad.
" An increasing activity pervades almost every branch of manufacture.
" The growth of the Revenue is such as not only to sustain publick credit, and to prove the unimpaired productiveness of our resources, but (what is yet more gratifying to his Majesty's feelings) to evince a diffusion of comfort among the great body of his people. :
" Agriculture is recovering from the depression under which it laboured; and, by the steady operation of natural causes, is gradually reassuming the station to which its importance entitles it among the great interests of the nation.
"At no former period has there prevailed throughout all classes of the community in this island a more cheerful spirit of order, or a more just sense of the advantages which, under the blessing of Providence, they enjoy.
In Ireland, which has for some time past been the subject of his Majesty's particular solicitude, there are many indications of amendment; and his Majesty, relies upon your continued endeavours to secure the welfare and happiness of that part of the United Kingdom.
" His Majesty has commanded us further to inform you, that he has every reason to believe that the progress of our internal prosperity and improvement will not be disturbed by any interruption of tranquillity abroad.
" His Majesty continues to receive from the Powers, his Allies, and generally from all Princes and States. assurances of their earnest desire to maintain and cultivate the relations of friendship with his Majesty; and nothing is omitted on his Majesty's part, as well to preserve general peace, as to remove any causes of disagreement, and to draw closer the bonds of amity between other nations and Great-Britain.
" The negotiations which have been so long carried on through his Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, for the arrangement of differences between Russia and the Ottoman Porte, are, as his Majesty flatters himself, drawing near to a favourable termination.
"A Convention has been concluded between his Majesty and the Emperor of Austria, for the settlement of the pecuniary claims of this country upon the Court of Vienna.
"Anxiously as his Majesty deprecated the commencement of the war in Spain, he is every day more satisfied that, in the strict neutrality which he determined to observe in that contest (and which you so cordially approved) he best consulted the true interests of his people.
" With respect to the provinces of America which have declared their separation from Spain, his Majesty's conduct has been open and consistent, and his opinions have been at all times frankly avowed to Spain and to other Powers.
" His Majesty has appointed Consuls to reside at the principal ports and places of those provinces, for the protection of the trade of his subjects.
" As to any further measures, his Majesty has reserved to himself an unfettered discretion, to be exercised as the circumstances of these countries, and the interests of his own people, may appear to his Majesty to require.
" The numerous points at which, under present circumstances, his Majesty's naval force is necessarily distributed, and the occasion which has arisen for strengthening his garrisons in the West-Indies, have rendered unavoidable some augmentation of his establishment by sea and land.
"His Majesty has commanded us to acquaint you that he has not been inattentive to the desire expressed by the House of Commons in the last Session of Parliament, that means should be devised for ameliorating the condition of the negro slaves in the West-Indies."
[We have omitted several paragraphs of the Speech, which are wholly unimportant.]
The Address in answer was moved by Earl Somers, and seconded by Lord Lorton.
The Marquis of Lansdown approved the general tenour of the Speech, but thought it ought to have been more explicit on our foreign policy.
Lord Liverpool defended the Speech, and answered the Noble Marquis.
Lord Holland replied to Lord Liverpool ; when the Address was unanimously agreed to
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
After the Speech had been read, Mr. HiLL moved, and Mr. J. DaLy seconded an Address in answer.
After the Address was read, Mr. BrouGhAM, in answer to Mr. J. DALY, observed, that he had not any objection to the first part of the Address, but protested against the concluding part. He highly applauded the Message of President Monroe.
Mr. Canning answered Mr. B. at considerable length, and defended the policy and conduct of the Ministers. Alluding to the President's Message, he said, the House would recollect, that its doctrines and principles were to be found in the State Papers of England. He went the whole way with the United States, that no foreign power had a right to interfere and assist Spain, in the recovery of her colonies. But he was not prepared to admit, that the Mother Country had waived the right of reconquering those provinces, although upon the physical capability of her being able to succeed in so doing, he had great misgivings. It would, however, be unfair and ungenerous not to allow to Spain some breathing time, to test her power of regaining her possessions; and that to step in and seize upon her colonial territories while she was in trouble, however it might redound to our political wisdom, would confer no credit upon our national generosity. He therefore felt no regret that we had lost perhaps a precious opportunity upon the subject; for whatever step was to be taken, would be more effective when Spain was restored to the full possession of herself, and be more justifiable in the eyes of God and man. He said, no recognition of the Independence of South-America was contained in any proceeding of the government. He hinted also, that the delay, which had taken place, might possibly result in the recognition of the colonies by the Mother Country, and that Spain might have the grace to set an example to all Europe, which probably all would follow. He added, that such an overture had been made to his Majesty, the answer to which was now on its way to Madrid. On this subject he should add no more: but the time would come when the House might require on him more explicitness.
In answer to another remark, Mr. C. said. Great-Britain was never more courted by other Powers than at the present time. And it was, he said, a novel and strange doctrine, that because a Monarch was despotick, that, when our interests required it, we should not receive him on terms of an ally and a friend. We could not make worlds, but must take the world as it is; and if we must confine ourselves to none but free States, we must confine ourselves to very narrow limits. The map of Europe, he said, will be a blank; and if we would look for the face of a friend, it must be when we stretch our eyes across the Atlantic.
In answer to the suggestion of Mr. B. that England ought to make confederacy against all the Monarchical Governments in Europe, Mr. C: after describing the consequences of such a " war of opinion, the worst of all wars," inquired, "But were these objects to be desired by this country? Was it not the interest, as it ought to be the wish of England to maintain itself in peace; to move calmly like one of the heavenly bodies, within its own orbit, tracing its path, not of obedience but of independence; not to look too nicely at the courses of other bodies which moved in the same system, only that they did not strike against us, or break into our path but that receiving light from our own centre, and heat from our fire, we should enjoy the good which we possessed, and not go about crusading against other States, inflicting upon them our lights, and converting that which was a blessing to us into a curse upon them-(Hear, hear hear.) That was the true policy of England; but let not her enemies think, that because she has not been forward to provoke, or anxious to dispute, she was therefore indisposed to the conflict. Let them not presume upon that, for when the occasion arises that the slumbering lion will be awakened, they may be taught to feel that the strength which was dormant had not lost its effectiveness when called into action:"
After alluding to other topicks, he concluded, by saying, that the Speech was on account of the stewardship of his Majesty's advisers, and if for it they did not challenge approbation, they defied criticism, and did not fear censure.
[The debate occupies nearly 15 close columns of the Morning Herald, of the 3d February.—The above therefore can only be considered a mere sketch of it.]
House of Commons, February 4.-The Address in answer to his Majesty's Speech, was reported, agreed to; and ordered to be presented to his Majesty to-morrow.
ANSWER TO KING'S SPEECH
On the report of the Answer, Mr. Hobhouse said, he entered his protest against being supposed to concur in the sentiments it contained. so far as regarded the foreign policy of the Government; and called on the Right Honourable Secretary [Mr, Canning] to explain himself more particularly respecting the South-American States. He wished to know, whether, while 70,000 French troops were in possession of Spain, the Government would allow any attempt to be made on the part of a merely nominal King to recover possession of the South-American States? Mr. H. then stated what he understood the Right Honourable Secretary to have said on the subject.
Mr. Canning, in answer, said, that the Honourable mover had seemed to have compounded his statement of principles, with his statement of facts. What he had said last night respecting the relative international situation of a mother country and her colonies was this--that in principle, a mother country had a right, if she thought she had the power, to endeavour to recover possession of any colonies which had by any effort of their own thrown off her dominion; and that no other country in amity with her, would, upon the naked principle, be justified in intercepting her efforts, or interfering in the first instance to endeavour to prevent them. She had a right bona fide to a resumption of her colonial possessions, if she were in a condition to reclaim them, and it would not be correct in a friendly Power to prevent her. When he said correct, he meant upon the strict principle of the law of nations, for circumstances might render it correct to go to war, and the interference in the first instance might be deemed a declaration of war. This was the abstract principle he had stated, and which he maintained: otherwise they would be avowedly interfering with a legitimate right not abjured by the mother country, and would be aiding the governed against the governor.-
The Honourable gentleman had gone on to put certain possible violations of neutrality: now, he would not follow him by arguing upon assumed probabilities, or possibilities, which might demand a departure from the abstract principle he had laid down; but he (Mr. Canning) would most distinctly state, that Spain, that Europe, knew most unequivocally, that whilst England admitted the right of Spain to recover her late American possessions, she denied the right of any foreign Power to interfere in aid of the mother country in the attempt. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the ultimate intentions of France upon Spain, he felt a difficulty in satisfying the Honourable Gentleman in consequence of his observation that the British Government ought not to give credence to the declarations of the French King or his Ministers: for he knew not how to satisfy the Honourable Gentleman if he refused him access to the official channels of communication which the Government had always maintained with the other Powers in amity with them. But if the Honourable Gentleman would permit him to resort to the regular information of his office, he could assure him in reply, that the Government had the most positive assurances from the Court of France, that they did not contemplate the permanent occupation of Spain. He gave credit to those assurances, and would believe them still, notwithstanding the doubt which the Honourable Gentleman had cast upon them. When he stated this, he begged also to say, that he retained all the sentiments he had last year expressed respecting the French aggression upon Spain; but whilst he retained those sentiments, he must be permitted to add, that the vice of the aggression apart (hear) the conduct of the French armies (always separating their conduct from the principle of their entrance) was as unexceptionable as it could possibly have been under any circumstances of military conflict. He doubted whether history furnished a similar example of the discipline of a foreign army engaged in the invasion of another State; or rather, as in this instance, called in by invitation to assist a predominating party in putting down a rival faction. He hoped he had said enough to explain the principle he had laid down respecting Spain and her colonies; he denied the right of England to interfere; he equally denied the right of any other Power to interfere in the contest. How far a species of connivance to blind the plain meaning of his principle might hereafter be set up by one Power or another, he could not say, and he would not now argue. He wished to be judged solely by his principle according to its plain and fair construction, and that he thought enough to argue on the present occasion; He had only to repeat, with the same confidence he had stated it last year that he apprehended there was no danger of the permanent occupation of Spain by France. If a question were put to him how long the duration of that occupancy should continue, he should reply, that that was an event so entirely dependent upon circumstances, as to render it impossible for him to give an immediate reply; but there was one question to which he was ready at the moment to give an explicit answer. If he were asked ought the French army to evacuate Spain to-morrow, as a friend to humanity, he must say no.
House of Commons, February 17.-The navy estimates were voted for 29,000 seamen and marines, being an increase of 4000 on last year's estimate.
In the debate on the subject, Mr. Canning said, there never was a period in which the country might, with greater certainty, expect the continuance of peace; but added," it must be clearly seen that there never was a period in which there was so much agitation, and it was necessary, not only that we should be ourselves satisfied, but that the conviction should prevail in all parts of the world, that the nation was prepared to maintain its rights."-The additional force required, was necessary to raise the important stations in the Mediterranean, West-Indies, and South-America, to a respectable Peace Establishment.
Lord Nugent, from the Opposition Benches, moved for the production of the instructions, &c. given to Sir W. A'Court, the British Minister to Spain, relative to the mediation of Great-Britain. Mr. Canning opposed the motion. Sir William, he said, was forbidden to put himself into a blockaded port. An amendment to the motion, highly complimentary of the conduct of Ministers, was made, put, and carried, 171 to 30.
LONDON, February 18.
The total force of the army provided for by Parliament, is 73,041, making an increase of 3250 men.
LOUIS XVIII. OF FRANCE.
Paris letters of the 17th inform, that a consultation of Physicians had declared the state of the health of the King of France, to be dangerous, and that it was impossible he could outlive the month of March.
[It is known that Louis is seriously affected with dropsy, and has lost much of the use of his lower extremities; but at the last prior dates. he was able to attend to publick business several hours every day, and to take frequent airings, in his carriage. Six months ago these letter-writers asserted he could not live a month. His death will be a serious loss to France, as his successor, Count D'Artois (Monsieur) is said to be extremely morose and unpopular.]
FOREIGN ITEMS.
The Algerine squadron cruising off Missolonghi has been destroyed by a division of the Greek Fleet.--The Greeks have made a successful descent on the Island of Mytilene, where 7500 of them had hoisted the Cross ; and it was expected the Turks would be compelled to abandon this extensive Island.--Lord Byron had proffered his services to the Greeks, and money and arms. The two latter they accepted with gratitude, but declined his personal services.-A loan has been undertaken in London, for the Greek Government for £1,000,000 of stock at 5 per cent.--Many of the Sciotes, who were sold into slavery, have been restored from their captivity, but a large number still remain in servitude. Twenty-five thousand persons were made slaves at Scio, half of whom have been restored to liberty.
Notices had been given in the British Parliament by Opposition Members, of intended motions for the recognition of South American Independence. The movers--the Marquis of Lansdown, and Sir James Mackintosh.
FROM THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER.
The Journal des Debats, in answer to the paragraph of the London Courier, which has been published in this country, relative to the embarkation of troops at the French ports, asserts that the measures represented to be hostile are the most pacifick; that the embarkation of 1200 troops at Brest, for the West-India colonies, was in pursuance of an ordinance previously published, to provide for the security of the colonies and maintenance of order, by substituting troops of the line for the colonial troops. The equipment at Toulon was only a frigate to carry Gen. Guilleminot to Constantinople, and another frigate to carry the French Consul to Tunis, where he is ordered to demand reparation for the violation of treaties which took place during the war in Spain.