The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that after the discussion 884 which had just taken place, when the House was animated with those feelings which the eminent services of the noble earl had aroused, it would be a pleasing, though melancholy task to do justice to the character of major-general Robert Craufurd, who, at the head of the storming party which he most gallantly led to the attack of Ciudad Rodrigo, received a severe wound, which ultimately deprived him of life, and left the country to lament the loss of a most able, skilful, and gallant officer. The only means of recognizing the merit of his services, would be by the erection of a monument to his memory, and therefore moved, "That an humble Address be presented to his royal highness the Prince Regent, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that a Monument be erected in the cathedral church of St. Paul, London, to the memory of major-general Robert Craufurd, who died in consequence of a wound he received on the 19th day of January 1812, while he was gloriously leading on the light division to the storm of Ciudad Rodrigo, by which that fortress was wrested from the possession of the enemy; and to assure his Royal Highness that this House will make good the expense attending the same."
Lord Castlereaghregretted his absence during the discussion on the late vote, which precluded him from adding his tribute of applause to the character of the earl of Wellington—an applause which, with the exception of the hon. baronet, and, perhaps, of a very few persons out of doors, would be found general. The character of the lamented major-general Robert Craufurd rested on his own merits, and was but to be appreciated by the testimonies of the gallant army in which he bore command; that army, on his return from abroad, had recorded his merits, by an involuntary burst of applause, when he first appeared on parade. The noble lord could not avoid partaking of the feelings which his brother officers evinced when recollecting his merits; his character had been observed by another officer nearly allied to the noble lord. After he had received his death wound, to the moment of his death, he was at the foot of that breach which had been effected by his determined gallantry: the testimony and admiration of his conduct which the illustrious army had shewn would serve as a remembrance of his departed worth.
§ The motion was then agreed to, nem. con.