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NEW TREATY OF ALLIED SOVEREIGNS -- HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 21, 1815
Mr. Whitbread could not but suppose that
the treaty, put forth, as having been signed at Vienna on the 25th
March, was a forgery -- for if not it must have been actually
signed at the time when noble Lord (Castlereagh) declared in that
house, that the question of peace or war, was wholly undecided.
Lord Castlereagh admitted, that a treaty had been signed at
Vienna, on the day mentioned, and that the one published, some
inaccuracies excepted, contained its substance. It had not,
however, been ratified by all the allied powers, and therefore
could not be submitted to the house. Mr. Whitbread wished those
who opposed all argument on such documents, to read the one in
question.
Lord Castlereagh could not perceive upon what principle the
honorable gentleman could imagine himself entitled to enter on a
premature discussion, or to endeavor to throw out calumnies, in
violation of the orders of the house. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Whitbread
maintained his right to approve or disapprove of such a treaty;
and declared that it was quite impossible to speak of the
proceedings of Congress in terms of calumny. (Hear, hear.) Had
the treaty been ratified by England, and what were the alleged
inaccuracies?
Lord Castlereagh said that the inaccuracies alluded to were
substantial ones, and that the Prince Regent had ratified the
treaty with an explanation of one of the articles.
Mr. Whitbread asked whether the noble lord intended to involve
the country in the war, and then ask the House to strengthen the
hands of government? He was sure the House would not consent to
vote supplies on the principles of the treaty; but he was not
sure, that when once engaged in the war, even under the foolish
treaty, that supplies could be refused.
Lord Castlereagh observed, that parliament had sanctioned
precautionary measures, and for any others, ministers rested on
their own responsibility. Ministers were already competent to
advise the crown to war, if they thought it proper, subject to
their responsibility.
Lord Milton asked, whether this treaty was in the hands of
ministers before the 7th of April, the day on which the noble
lord obtained the address?
Lord Castlereagh replied in the affirmative, and added, that he
was prepared to contend that there was nothing at all
inconsistent between the terms of the address and of the treaty.
Mr. Whitbread -- Does the noble lord mean to say, that if a
motion be now made he will produce the treaty?
Lord Castlereagh answered that he would be prepared on Monday to
give the honorable gentleman a distinct answer.
Mr. Whitbread observed, that on Monday he should make the motion.
Lord Castlereagh -- The honorable member does not quite approve
of my conduct, and I am not sorry for it, because there is
nothing that I am so much afraid of as his praise.
Mr. Whitbread -- The fear expressed by the noble lord is quite as
unfounded as my praise would have been, if I had ever bestowed it;
for the fact is, that he never received a scintilla of applause
from me during the whole course of his political life.
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