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sawed in various parts, and suffered to fall over. On a review of the whole, I think it may be asserted, without derogating from the merit of any former service, that the characteristic activity, of British officers, seamen, and marines, was never more zealously exerted than on this occasion; but I must not omit, at the same time, to inform their lordships, that a very considerable proportion of the labour of the arsenal has been performed, with equal zeal and energy, by large working parties from the army, whose exertions entitle them to the same praiseI beg leave to express the great satisfaction I have felt from the zealous and attentive services of Rear Admiral Essington, to whom the general superintendance of the numerous transports, and the re-embarkation of the army, with all its artillery and stores, has been committed.-I embrace this opportunity to make a particular acknowledgment of the very able and judicious dispositions which Rear Admiral Keats has made, from time to time, of the force under his command, for guarding the Belt; and the vigilant attention which his whole squadron have paid to this important branch of the service. -Sir Home Popham has uot ceased to manifest his usual zeal and ability in the assistance he has rendered me in the various ser vices of the fleet; and I should not do justice to the diligent attention and arduous endeavours of Captain Mackenzie, to fulfil the civil duties of the arsenal, which were committed to his management and superintendance, if I did not, on this occasion, express my warm approbation of his exertions, and I beg leave to recommend him to their lordships' favourable notice.-I have the honour to transmit herewith a list of the Danish ships and vessels which have been brought away, and of those destroyed. The account of the stores shipped from the arsenal shall also be sent, as soon as the several returns can be collected and arranged.-I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) J. GAMBIER. -[The list of the Danish ships will be found at p. 480.]

ITALIAN STATES.-Order for issuing Letters of Marque against the Italian States under the influence of France. Given at the Court at the Queen's Palace, the 4th Nov. 1807; present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas France has taken forcible possession of certain territories and ports in Italy, and in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, and has subverted their ancient governments, and erected, in the room thereof, new governments, which, under her influence,

are aiding in the execution of her hostile designs against the property, commerce, and navigation of his Majesty's subjects; and whereas divers acts, injurious to the just rights of his Majesty, and to the interests of his kingdom, have in consequence been committed; his Majesty is pleased, by and with the advice of his privy council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that general reprisals be granted against the ships, goods, and inhabitants, of the territories and ports of Tuscany, the kingdom of Naples, the port and territory of Ragusa, and those of the Islands lately composing the Republic of the Seven Islands, and all other ports and places in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, which are occupied by the arms of France or her allies, so that as well his Majesty's fleets and ships, as also all other ships and vessels that shall be commissionated by letters of marque or general reprisals, or otherwise, by his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all ships, vessels, and goods, belonging to the said territories, ports, and places, or to any persons being subjects or inhabitants thereof, and bring the same to judgment in such Courts' of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions, as shall be duly commissionated to take cognizance thereof; and, to that end, his Majesty's Advocate General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this Board, authorising the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, or any person or persons by them empowered and appointed, to issue forth and grant letters of marque and reprisals to any of his Majesty's subjects, or others whom the said commissioners shall deem fitly qualified in that behalf, for the apprehending, seizing, and taking, the ships, vessels, and goods, belonging to the said territories, ports, and places, or to any persons being subjects or inhabitants thereof; and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; and his Majesty's Advocate General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are also forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this Board, authorising the said commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, to will and require the High Court of Admiralty of Great Britain, and the lieutenant and judge of the said cou t, his surrogate or surrogates, as als› the several Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon,

all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals, of all ships and goods that are or shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same, and, according to the course of Admiralty, and the Laws of Nations, to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels, and goods, as shall belong to the said territo. ries, ports, and places, or to any persons being subjects or inhabitants thereof; and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; and they are likewise to prepare, and lay before his Majesty at this Board, a draft of such instructions as may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admiralty in his Majesty's foreign governments and plantations, for their guidnce herein; as also another draft of instructions for such ships as shall be commissionated for the purpose abovementioned.Eldon, C. Camden, P. Westmorland, C. P. S. Winchelsea. Cathcart. Hawkesbury. Mulgrave. Sp. Perceval. Nat.

Bond.

DENMARK. -Order for issuing Letters of Marque against Denmark. Given at the Court at the Queen's Palace, the 4th Nov. 1807; Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas the King of Denmark bas issued a Declaration of War against his Majesty, his subjects and people; and his Majesty's anxious and repeated endeavour to obtain the revocation of such declaration, and to procure the restoration of peace, have proved ineffectual; his Majesty therefore is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that general reprisals be granted against the ships, goods, and subjects of the King of Denmark, (save and except any vessels to which his Majesty's license has been granted, or which have been directed to be released from the embargo, and have not since arrived at any foreign port,) so that as well his Majesty's fleets and ships, as also al other ships and vessels that shall be commissionated by letters of marque or general reprisals, or otherwise, by his Majesty's com missioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all ships, vessels, and goods, belonging to the King of Denmark, or his subjects, or others inhabiting within the territories of the King of Denmark, and bring the same to judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions; and, to that end, his Majesty's

Advocate-General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this board, authoris ing the commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, or any person or persons of them empowered and appointed, to issue forth and grant letters of marque and reprisals to any of his Majesty's subjects, or others whom the said commissioners shall deem fitly qualified in that behalf, for the apprehending, seizing, and taking the ships, vessels, and goods belonging to Denmark, and the vassals and subjects of the King of Denmark, or any inhabiting within' his countries, territories, or dominions, (ex. cept as aforesaid,) and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; and his Majesty's Advocate General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are also forthwith to prepare the draft of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this board, authorising the said commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, to will and require the High Court of Admiralty of Great-Britain, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the: said Court, his Surrogate or Surrogates, as also the several Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon, all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals of all ships and goods that are or shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same, and, according to the course of Admiralty, and the Laws of Nations, to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels, and goods, as shall belong to Denmark, or the vassals and subjects of the King of Denmark, or to any others inhabiting within any of his countries, territories, and dominions, (except as aforesaid ;) and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission as have been usual, and ara according to former precedents; and they are likewise to prepare, and lay before his Majesty at this board, a draft of such instructions as may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admiralty in his Majesty's foreign governments and plantations, for their gui dance herein; as also another draft of instructions for such ships as shall be commis sionated for the purpose abovementioned.C. ELDON, P. CAMDEN, C. P. S. WESTMORLAND, WINCHELSEA, CATHCART, HAWKESBURY, MULGRAVE, Spen. Perceval, NAT. BOND.

Printed by Cox and Baylis, No. 75, Great Queen Street, and published by R. Bagshaw, Brydges Street, Co.ca Carden, where former Numbers may be had; sold also by J. Budd, Crown and Mine, Pall-Mall,

VOL. XII. No. 21.] LONDON, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1807. [PRICE 10D.

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SUMMARY OF POLITICS. The niotto, which I have chosen for this sheet, will supply the place of a title to the article, upon which I am now entering, and which, I foresee, will be the only one, that I shall find room for in the present number.

-The event, just happened in Portugal, has completed Napoleon's round of coast, and our set of enemies. I always thought what the expatriation project would come to; and I am very far from pitying any of those who have been deceived by it; for, none but sheer fools ever gave credit to it, and none but sheer knaves ever pretended to give credit to it. The Prince Regent has out-witted the wiseacres. He has given proof that all the cunning is not possessed by either the English or the Hanoverians. He has played a clever trick; and, I dare say, he will obtain a comfortable settlement for it, which is, probably, all that he desires. The cares of government will be taken off his hands; he will have as much to eat and drink as he had before; he will have as good a bed to sleep upon; as good, or at least, very good, horses to draw him about; he will, in short, have all the enjoyments that he had before, without any of their concomitant vexations. Really a very happy change; a change to which many other persons, would, in all probability, have very little objection, except, perhaps, as it might deprive them of the privilege of being dishonest, profligate, insolent, and tyrannical with impunity. The Prince Regent has seen what befell other sovereigns, who fled from their dominions; and, from their example, he wisely concluded, that it was impossible for him to be worse off at home than abroad. He did not determine, indeed, precisely as we could have wished; but, we are always falling into the error, that what is for our interest ought to be adopted by every power in the world.It is, however, useless to waste our time in reflections of this sort. The thing is done; our ancient ally, her most faithful Majesty, is become our enemy; and all the coast of Europe, from Petersburgh to Constantinople, both inclusive, contains not one port friendly to English commerce.It is to me evident enough, that, in spite of all

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Napoleon's decrees, we shall still find an outlet for more of our manufactures than I think it good to export; but, there can be no doubt, that the affairs of commerce will experience great annoyance; `that, in fact, there will be a great diminution in those gains, to which commercial men, generally speaking, have long been accustomed; and that, as a natural consequence, the profession of the merchant and manufacturer will become of less importance than, for many years heretofore, it has been. We may, indeed, now say, that commerce will " perish; so that, what was regarded as a most impious wish in Mr. Windham is about to be realized; and, the good of it is, that we find those who abused him most (and that, too, for a wish that he did not utter) are now beginning to tell us, that we may see the wish accomplished without much dread.

-The public will remember how often I have been reproached for speaking irreverently of Sir Baalam; and what curses the sons of Baalam bestowed upon me, when I told him that "the soldier was abroad," and would, before he returned home and laid up his sword, have his share of the good things of the world. Baalam was in a rage at the prediction; but, he will see it verified; and, what is more, he will find nobody to pity him. Pitt is gone, commerce, as the foundation of a system of politics, will soon follow him, and, let us hope that Englishmen will once more see their country something like what it formerly was.--I know, that there are many persons, very worthy persous too, who are somewhat shocked at this satisfaction, which I express at the prospect of a diminished commerce, which satisfaetion they attribute to some spite that £ entertain against commercial men. But, so far from entertaining any such spite. I owe great goodwill to all the commercial men that I am personally acquainted with; and, though I am convinced, that commerce has been the great cause of our national decline, I attribute no blame to those engaged in commerce, the carrying on of whichris, as to the persons concerned in it, just as laudable as the sowing of corn or the lanting of trees. It is the thing that ! dislike, and, if it has gained an undue pre eminence,

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the fault has been solely with the government. There is one light, indeed, in which I have viewed commercial men with an evil eye; and that is, as the constant supporters and applauders of Pitt, whom I regard as the author of all the evils that we suffer and that we dread, and whose supporters, there--My 1ore, it is impossible for me to like.satisfaction at the prospect of a great diminution in our commerce arises from a conviction, long entertained, that such a diminution would be a great benefit to the country. This appears to be the time to obtain a patient hearing upon this important subiect; and, therefore, I shall resume my extracts from MR. SPENCE'S pamphlet, accompanied by such remarks as appear to me likely to be of use in producing a general conviction of the soundness of our doctrine. Before I proceed any further, however, I must beseech the reader to bestow a patient perusal upon these interesting extracts, and not hurry them over in a superficial way, which can be attended with no benefit whatever. This is a subject that requires thinking. Mr. Spence's pamphlet is the result of long and profound thinking, and it is not to be read like one of Pitt's speeches or Lord Wellesley's letters, that is to say, with a continual anxiety to come at the end."In this country, where commerce has "been carried to a greater extent than in "any other country of the same size, it is "the opinion of almost all its inhabitants, "that its wealth, its greatness, and its pros

perity, have been chiefly derived from its "commerce; and, that these advantages " can be continued, and increased, only by That "its continuance and extension. "these opinions, as far as they respect this "country, are founded in truth, I cannot "bring myself to believe, and I proceed

"to state the grounds of my conviction of "their fallacy. As all commerce naturally "divides itself into commerce of import "and export, I shall in the first place, en"deavour to prove, that no riches, no increase of national wealth, can in any case be derived from commerce of import; and, in the next place, that although national wealth may, in some "cases, be derived from commerce of "export, yet, that Britain, in

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even, though her trade should be an"nihilated. These positions, untenable as at first glance they may seem, I do not "fear being able to establish to the satisfac"tion of those, who will dismiss from their "mind the deep-rooted prejudices with "which, on this subject, they are warped; "and who, no longer contented with exa"mining the mere surface of things, shall "determine to penetrate through every "stratum of the mine which conceals the grand truths of political economy.

<i quence of particular circumstances, "has not derived, nor does derive, from "this branch of commerce, any portion "of her national wealth; and, consequent"ly, that her riches, her prosperity, and "her power are intrinsic, derived from her

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own resources, independent of com66 merce, and might, and will, exist,

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Every one must allow, that for whatever a nation purchases in a foreign market, it gives an adequate value, either in money or in other goods; so far, then, certainly, "it gains no profit nor addition to its wealth. "It has changed one sort of wealth for "another, but it has not increased the

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amount it was before possessed of. Thus, when the East India Company has exchanged a quantity of bul"lion with the Chinese for tea, no one "will say, that this mere exchange is any "increase of national wealth. We have gained a quantity of tea, but we have

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parted with an equal value of gold and "silver; and if this tea were sold at home "for exactly the same sum as had been given "for it, it would be allowed, on all hands, "that no wealth had accrued to the nation "from this transfer. But, because goods,

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bought at a foreign market, and sold at "home, have their value considerably aug "mented by the charge of transporting "them, the duty paid to government, the

profit of the merchant, importer, &c., "it is contended, by the disciples of the

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mercantile system, that this increased va"lue is so much profit to the nation; so "much addition to the amount of national "wealth. Thus, a quantity of tea, say they, which has cost in China 1000l. will,

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by the charges and profits which have oc"curred upon it, previous to its exposur "for sale in England, have its value aug"mented to 15001. and will be sold for "that sum at home. Since, then, the "tea cost but 1000l., and it has been "sold for 1500l., is not this 5001. an ad"dition to national wealth? To this ques❝tion, I answer, no; certainly not. There "is no doubt, but the persons concerned in "this transaction have gained a profit, and "have added to their individual wealth. "The ship-owner has added to his wealth,

by the freight of the tea; the under-wri"ter by his premiums of insurance upon "it; the government has increased the revenue by the duties of customs and ex"cise; and the East India Company has

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augmented its dividend by the profit gained upon this article. But, the question "is, from whence have these profits of the ship-owner, the underwriter, the government, and the East-India Company been "derived? Have they not been drawn "from the consumers of this tea; and is it "not as clear as noonday, that whatever the "former have gained, the latter have lost : "that the latter are exactly poorer in pro

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portion as the former are richer; and, "in short, that a transfer, not a creation, "of wealth has taken place. If this tea "had been sold for 1000l., the bare sum "which it cost, would the nation have been poorer, than if it were sold for 15001, ? Certainly not. In this case, the consumers of the tea would have kept in their pockets the 5001., which, on the other supposition, they transferred to the pockets of the ship owner, the insurer, &c.; "but the national wealth would be neither "increased nor diminished. The same

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reasoning is applicable to all commerce of import. In every case, the value of an 66 article is what it has cost in the foreign "market, and whatever it is sold for, more "than this, is a transfer of wealth from the "consumers of the article to those who gain a profit by it, but in no instance is there any addition to national wealth created by this branch of commerce. gamester, who is not, worth sixpence toΑ night, may, by to-morrow, be possessed "of 30,000l. which he has won from the

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dupes of his knavery; but who would not laugh at him, that should imagine "this transfer of individual fortune an ac"cession of national wealth? Yet this

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opinion might, with every whit as much justice, be maintained, as that the ho"6 nourable profit of those concerned in importing articles of merchandize is a crea"tion of national riches.-The arguments "made use of to shew, that no national "wealth is derived from commerce of in

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port, will serve also to shew the absurdity "of their notions who talk of the impor << tance of such and such branches of commerce, because of the great duties which are levied on them at the custom-house or excise office. Such reasoners will insist upon the vast value of our East India trade, because of the three or four mil"hions which the public revenue derives "from the duties imposed on the articles "imported from thence. They do not con"sider, that all such duties are finally paid "by the consumers of the artteles on which they are laid, and that these consumers are equally able to pay the sums they ad

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[806 vance, whether or not they consume "the articles on which they are levied. Thus, an individual who annual. "ly consumes 101. worth of tea, "tributes to the revenue 41. ;—but, surely, "it is not essential to his capacity of contributing this sum, that he should consume a certain quantity of tea yearly. Since "he possesses funds adequate to the ment of 101. for tea, if no duty were paycharged on this tea, and he could pur "chase it for 61., he would still be able to "advance the additional 41. as a direct tax. "Indeed, if he were entirely to cease con

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suming tea, (though I do not advise that "he should do so), and were to substitute in "its place the equally nourishing, and far more wholesome beverage water, which he might have without cost, he would have "the power of much more considerably contributing to the public revenue; for "in that case, he might afford to pay, as a "direct tax, the whole 101. which he had "been accustomed to spend in this luxury, "and of which, before, 41. only went to "the Exchequer, the remainder being di"vided between the Chinese, the ship

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raising a revenue, to tax consumable arti"cles at the custom house, or the excise "office; but, if the consumers of the arti"cles can afford to consume them loaded "with taxes, they certainly can afford to "advance these taxes, even though they did "not consume the articles upon which they are levied; and hence there is no neces sily whatever, that the articles in ques"tion should be imported for the mere purpose of aiding the revenue of the country."-This is so clear, that no remark of mine would be necessary; but, justice to myself urges me to show, that this reasoning is not new, and that it was made use of by me long ago. I do not pretend to call Mr. Spence a plagiarist; but, I must show, that, contrary to his supposition, this doctrine has been, amongst many persons, pretty familiar for some time past; and, if he has read the Political Register, I have, I think, some litthe reason to complain of his want of due acknowledgement, as will, I am convinced, appear from a comparison of the extract just given with the following extract, taken from the Political Register of March 1st, 1906, Vol. IX. page 308. There had been a de

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