" ་་ 66 " of the restrictions.-On this ground, there- "His Royal Highness is a person not "fore, the Ministers went immediately easily to be deceived long. His youth "and diligently to work. The agents of" has been a youth of adversity; and "these intrigues, however, were neither "from the lessons of that severe but faith"so clumsy in their natures, nor so new "ful monitor, he has learned a quickness " in their business, as to expect to ensnare "of penetration, as well as a rectitude of his Royal Highness, by presenting to "judgment, which have borne him safe "him at once all the bitter ingredients of the "through all the wiles by which he is en"cup he was to swallow. They went on "compassed. On the same qualities we "mote leisurely, as well as more safely, rely for his future conduct; but in the "in their operations. The grand object "mean time the scheme is in progress, al"was, first, to induce suspicion in the Royal" though, as yet, it has not reached its pro"mind, that all was not quite right among per degree of maturity."-Now, reader, is "his Catholic friends; and then to per- not this a droll sort of story? Are you to "suade the Catholics, that his Royal High- be made believe such a story as this? "ness had cooled on the subject of religious What! is it to be believed, then, that Mr. "toleration, and was by no means so Perceval has the power "to weaken the "friendly to the repeal of the penal laws "confidence of His Royal Highness in as they had supposed him to be. To do "those Whig principles which he had "this effectually, the Irish Government" imbibed"? What! is it to be believed, "was to engage itself in a series of mea"sures sufficiently within the compass of "that system, which his Royal Highness had " consented for a time to endure, to prevent "his coming to an open rupture with Mr. "Perceval, and, at the same time, suffi"ciently bostile to the Catholics to awaken their doubts, and to goad and worry them, if possible, into some indiscreet "application for the redress of their "grievances. It was hoped that the more "violent party among them might thus "be tempted to come to some demonstra❝tion of ill humour serious enough to enable "Ministers to sound the alarm of a plot, and "upon this plot to present to his Royal Highness, for his approbation, a set of "measures with which he must either "comply, and thus embark himself in the "same bottom with them; or which he must "reject, AND THUS TAKE UPON HIMSELF THE ENTIRE RESPON"SIBILITY, with but half the powers of "the State. Thus they were to go on "step by step, until, by entangling his "Royal Highness in their snares, they "had made it impossible for him to carry "on the Government without them, while, " BY SEPARATING HIM FROM HIS "OLD AND TRIED FRIENDS, and "by destroying the foundation on which "his high public character is fixed, they would render him dependant upon their "will and pleasure during his future reign "and life.—Such, in part, was the honour"able scheme projected by the Ministers "as soon as his Royal Highness had noti"fied to them his intention of retaining "them in the King's service! Hitherto "their success has not been very brilliant. " then, that Mr. Perceval, or any body else, by the means of any contrivance whatever, would be able to persuade His Royal Highness to persevere in the present system even after the restrictions had expired? Is it to be believed, I say, that the Prince of Wales was to be intrigued, coaxed, wheedled, cajoled, humbugged, out of "his recorded principles.' And at what age was he to be thus wheedled and cajoled? why, verily, at the age of only half a century; and, observe, half a century, too, spent in the court of George the Third! For my part, if such a thing as this was said of me, I should think it tantamount to calling me an idiot; or, at least, to an accusation of being so unsettled and so fickle that no man upon earth ought ever to place any reliance upon my word, however solemnly given, and for whatever purpose.This writer tells us, that the minister proceeded by slow degrees; for that His Royal Highness was not to be induced to swallow the bitter cup all at once. Bitter cup! What bitter cup? What cup was there for him to swallow; or, at least, what cup, that would do him any harm! And, will this writer make us believe, that his Royal Highness does not know how to distinguish one cup from another? This is all a farce: a very wretched attempt to disguise the fact that the Whigs have been supplanted in the favour of his Royal Highness; for is it not a shocking absurdity to suppose, that the ministers could make the Prince swallow any thing against his will? It is an old saying that one man can take a horse to the water, but that twenty cannot make him drink. A man may be drenched, to be sure, but as to wheedling a "bitter cup" down his throat, | the absurdity is too great to be endured for a moment.We are told that the ministers excited suspicion in the Royal mind, that all was not quite right amongst | his Catholic friends; that then they persuaded the Catholics to suspect the sincerity of the Royal mind; that then the Irish government was so to contrive it, as to worry and goad the Catholics into some act of violence, and yet the said government was to keep within the compass of the system which the Prince had consented for a time to endure; that out of this was to grow the accusation against the Catholics of a plot; that his Royal Highness was then to be inveigled into an approbation of a set of measures, which would embark him in the same bottom with the ministers; that he was thus to be entangled by them until it was impossible for him to carry on the government without them; that having him thus separated from his "old tried friends," the ministers would destroy the foundation of his character, and render him dependant upon their will and pleasure, during his future reign and life. Now, in answer to this pretty story, we may first observe, that it necessarily (and most unjustly) supposes a total want of discernment, a total want of the ordinary capacities of man, a total absence of common sense, a blindness, a fatuity rarely to be met with even amongst the most feeble, the most enervated of the most enervated of men; all these does this story suppose to meet in the Prince of Wales. If he was told that all was not right amongst his Catholic friends, what prevented him from enquiring into the fact? Or would this writer have us believe, that the Prince, all at once, placed implicit reliance upon every thing that the ministers said? If he did; if he was to be persuaded by them, in the manner here described, that is enough, at once, for it is pretty clear they were become his friends, and that the Whigs had lost his friendship. Bút, during all this time; during the time that all these shocking in trigues were going on, where were all those old tried friends" of the Prince? Where were they? Had none of them the loyalty and public spirit to tell him to what degree he was deceived, and what danger be was in? He never asked them, perchance: Well, then, it is clear that he looked upon them as being no longer his friends.Aye, and this, I am convinced is the light in which all the world will see the matter, before it be long. This writer himself cannot refrain, at the close of his article, from discovering that he perceives this as clearly as I do. He tells us, that, hitherto, the ministers have not succeeded very brilliantly in their scheme of entrapping His Royal Highness; that the Prince is not a person to be deceived long; that the writer relies on the Prince's good qualities for his future conduct; but (and mark the but) in the mean time, the scheme is in progress, although, as yet, it has not reached its proper degree of maturity. This is just the language of a man who is clearing the way for cutting an old acquaintance; and I cannot help thinking, on what foundation I must leave the reader to judge, that a cutting between the Prince and the Whig party is at no great distance, if it has not already actually taken place. Now, then, reader, look at the motto, and say whether I was not right in my conjectures, as to the consequences of the present ministers being kept in power by the Prince. What has now taken place it was easy to foresee. It was manifest, that the minister who could keep his place, under the Prince, whom he had so restricted in point of power, would not fail to secure the possession of it. What was the real cause of Mr. Perceval's being kept in place, after the establishment of the Regency, no one has yet fully explained to the public. Some of the reasons for his being so kept have been stated; others might be stated; but it is useless to waste time in mere conjecture. It is a well known fact, that, after his resolute opposition to the Prince, the Prince has kept him in place. All that we can, at present, say of the matter is, that the Prince has discovered that Mr. Perceval is the best man to be minister; or we must conclude that Mr. Perceval is a most winning little man. The Morning Chronicle may talk of intrigues and plots as long as it pleases; but, what has Mr. Perceval done more than any other Courtier would do if he could? The Whigs may be sorry for it; but they cannot justly blame their more happy rival. It is, besides, quite useless for them to rail: if they are wise they will keep their temper: instead of revilers of Mr. Perceval, they will become his imitators, or, to use the emphatical old proverb, “take a leaf out of his book.” WM. COBBETT. State Prison, Newgate, Friday, 16th August, 1811. PAPER MONEY. From the Kentish Gazette. As so much has been said and written upon the subject of the depreciation of our Paper Currency, I am aware that any farther remarks can have but little claim to novelty.-As the Bank of England has, however, by the Three Shilling Tokens, furnished us with complete data, whereby to estimate the value of their Notes, it may not be uninteresting to many of your readers, to see ascertained, in a clear and concise manner, the value of Bank Notes in Statute Currency, and of Guineas in Bank Currency. No person can attempt to deny that the Tokens are Measures of Bank Notes, as Shillings are of Guineas. Now a Bank Token weighs 9 dwts. 11 grs, or 227 grs. and the weight of three Shillings is 11 dwts. 15 grs. or 279 grs. Therefore 7 Tokens are to 1589 grains of Silver, and 21 Shillings = 1953 ditto ditto. Therefore a Guinea 7 Tokens: 1953 1589. Therefore a Guinea 7X 1953 1589 is to Tokens = Tokens. 8 To. 1s. 94d. ; 13671 under top sails, and repair what little injury we had sustained in our rigging,which was accordingly executed, and we continued lying-to on different tacks with a number of lights displayed, in order that our adversary might the better discern our position, and command our assistance, in case he found it necessary during the night.-At day-light on the 17th, he was discovered several miles to leeward, when I gave orders to bear up and run down to him under easy sail; after hailing him ; I sent a boat on board with Lieutenant Creighton, to learn the names of the ship and her Commander, with directions to ascertain the damage she had sustained, and inform her Commander, how much I regretted the necessity on my part, which had led to such an unhappy result; and at the same time to offer all the assistance that the ship under my command afforded, in repairing the damages his had sustained. At nine A. M. Lieutenant Creighton returned with information, that it was his Britannic Majesty's ship Little Belt, commanded by Captain Bingham, who, in a polite manner, declined the acceptance of any assistance; saying, at the same time, that he had on board all the necessary re or a Guinea is = to 25s. 93d. Bank Currency.quisites to repair the damages, sufficiently Now by deducting 93 grs (the weight of a Shilling) from 1953, and 76 (the weight of Token) from 1589, we shall have a £.1 Note: 20s.:: 1513 1860. to enable him to return to Halifax.-This, however, was not the most unpleasant part of Captain Bingham's communication to Lieutenant Creighton, as he informed him, that in addition to the injury his ship had sustained, between 20 and 30 of his crew had been killed and wounded.-The re or a £. Note is about equal to 16s. 44d. gret that this information caused me was Statute Currency. Φιλοχρυσος. OFFICIAL PAPERS. AMERICAN STATES and ENGLAND.- Letter of Commodore JOHN ROGERS to the Secretary of the Navy of the United States, relative to a rencontre with the English Ship, LITTLE BELT.-Dated, on board the United States Frigate, the PRESIDENT, off Sandy Hook, 23rd May, 1811. (Concluded from p. 192.) I learned, for the first time, that it was a ship of his Britannic Majesty's; but, owing to its blowing rather fresher than it had done, I was unable to learn her name. After having informed her Commander of the name of this ship, I gave orders to wear, run under his lee and haul by the wind on the starboard tack, and heave to such, you may be sure, as a man might be expected to feel, whose greatest pride is to prove, without ostentation, by every public as well as private act, that he possesses a humane and generous heart; and with these sentiments, believe me, Sir, that such a communication would cause me the most acute pain during the remainder of my life, had I not the consolation to know that there was no alternative left me between such a sacrifice, and one which would have been still greater, namely, to have remained a passive spectator of insult to the flag of my country, while it was confined to my protectionand I would have you to be convinced, Sir, that however much individually I may previously have had reason to feel incensed, at the repeated outrages committed on our flag by British ships of war, neither my passions nor prejudices had any agency in this affair. To my coun try, I am well convinced of the import ance of the transaction which has imposed upon me the necessity of making you this communication; I must, therefore, from motives of delicacy, connected with personal consideration, solicit that you will be pleased to request the President to authorise a formal inquiry to be instituted into all the circumstances, as well as into every part of my conduct connected with the same. The injury sustained by the ship under my command is very trifling, except to the fore and main masts, which I before mentioned; no person killed, and but one (a boy) wounded.-For further particulars I refer you to Captain Caldwell, who is charged with the delivery of this communication. Capt. A. B. BINGHAM's Letter to Admiral Sawyer, dated on board the Little Belt, 21st May, 1811. Sir; I beg leave to acquaint you, that in pursuance of your orders to join his Majesty's ship Guerriere, and being on my return from the Northward, not having fallen in with her, that at about eleven A. M. May 16th, saw a strange sail, to which I immediately gave chace; at one P. M. discovered her to be a man of war, apparently a frigate, standing to Eastward, who, when he made us out, edged away for us, and set his royals; made the signal 275, and finding it not answered, concluded she was an American frigate, as he had a Commodore's blue pendant flying at the main; hoisted the colours and made all sail South, the course I intended steering round Cape Hatteras, the stranger edging away, but not making any more sail. At half past three he made sail in chace, when I made the private signal, which was not answered. Letter of Rear Admiral H. SAWYER, Com- half past six, finding he gained so consimander in Chief on the North American derably on us as not to be able to elude station, to the Admiralty, dated Ber-him during the night, being within gunmuda, June 11, 1811. ENGLAND AND AMERICAN STATES.-Publication by the English Government, July 16, 1811, relating to the Rencontre of the LITTLE BELT with the American frigate, PRESIDENT. Inclosed I transmit to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter from Captain Arthur Batt Bingham, Commander of his Majesty's sloop Little Belt, received this day from Lord James Townshend, Captain of his Majesty's ship Eolus, and senior officer at Halifax: by which their Lordships will perceive he was attacked on the evening of the 16th May last, when cruizing between Cape Henry and Cape Hatteras, by the United States frigate the President, of 44 guns, commanded by Commodore Rodgers; and that after a close action of three quarters of an hour the American ship made sail from him.-Captain Bingham's modest, -but full and clear statement, renders any comment from me unnecessary; and I have only to admire the extraordinary bravery and firmness, with which himself, his officers, and ship's company supported the honour of the British flag, when opposed to such an immense superiority of force. I have, however, deeply to lament the number of valuable British Seamen and Royal Marines who have been either killed or wounded on this unexpected occasion; a list of whose names is also inclosed, together with a copy of my order, under which Captain Bingham was eruizing. At shot, and clearly discerning the star in his broad pendant, I imagined the more prudent method was to bring to, and hoist the colours, that no mistake might arise, and that he might see what we were; the ship was therefore brought to, colours hoisted, guns double shotted, and every preparation made in case of a surprize. By his manner of steering down, he evidently wished to lay his ship in a position for raking, which I frustrated by wearing three times. About a quarter past eight he came within hail. I hailed, and asked what ship it was? He repeated my question. I again hailed, and asked what ship it was? He again repeated my words, and fired a broadside, which I immediately returned. The action then became general, and continued so for three quarters of an hour, when he ceased firing, and appeared to be on fire about the main hatchway. He then filled. I was obliged to desist from firing, as the ship falling off, no gun would bear, and had no after-sail to keep her to. All the rigging and sails cut to pieces, not a brace or bowline left, he hailed, and asked what ship this was; I told him; he then asked me if 1 had struck my colours? My answer was, no, and asked what ship it was? As plainly as I could understand (he having shot some distance at this time,) he answered, the United States frigate. He fired no more It would be the greatest injustice, was I not also to speak most highly of Lieutenant Lovell, second Lieutenant, of Mr. M'Queen, master, who, as I have before stated, was wounded in the right arm in nearly the middle of the action, and Mr. Wilson, master's mate. Indeed, the conduct of every officer and man was so good, it is impossible for me to discriminate. I beg leave to enclose a list of the thirty-two men killed and wounded, most of them mortally, I fear.-1 hope, Sir, in this affair I shall appear to have done my duty, and conducted myself as I ought to have done against so superior a force, and that the honour of the British colours was well supported. Return of Officers, Petty Officers, Seamen, and Marines, killed and wounded on board his Majesty's Sloop Little Beit, Arthur Batt Bingham, Esq. Commander, in action with the American frigate President, the 16th May, 1811. Killed. Mr. Samuel Woodward, midshipman; Christ. Bennett, captain of the foretop; Jacob Greaves, carpenter's crew; Thomas Shippard, gunner's mate; George Wilson, able seaman; Robert Liversage, able seaman; James Grey, ordinary seaman; Robert Howard, ordinary seaman; John Pardoe, private marine.-Wounded. -Daniel Kilham, landman, dangerously; died ten hours after the action; Richard Coody, ordinary seaman, ditto, died twenty hours after the action; John Randal, able seaman, dangerously; Nicholas Manager, gunner's crew, ditto; Mr. James M'Queen, acting master, severely; James Dunn (2), captain of the maintop, ditto; James Lawrence, able seaman, ditto; John Richards, able seaman, ditto; Thomas Ives, able seaman, ditto; Michael Skinners, landman, ditto; William Fern, boy, ditto; David Dowd, marine, ditto; William Harrold, marine, ditto; Mr. James Franklin, boatswain, slightly; Mr. Benjamin Angel, carpenter, ditto; Peter M'Caskell, captain of the mast, ditto; William Andrews, ordinary seaman, ditto; William Weston, ditto; Edward Graham, able seaman, ditto; George Dalany, able seaman, ditto; George Roberts, boy, ditto; George Shoard, marine, ditto; Daniel Long, marine, ditto. Admiral Sawyer's Orders to the Cruisers on the Station. By Herbert Sawyer, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief |