Lords Sitting of 3 December 1812

PETITION AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CLAIMS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
The Bishop of Bristolrequested the indulgence of the House whilst he said a few words relative to what had fallen from a noble earl (Hardwicke) on a former day, relative to the Petition from the University of Cambridge against the Catholic Claims, he (the bishop of Bristol) not having been in the House on the day alluded to. The right reverend prelate proceeded to state, that it was not usual in the University to give more than three days' notice of any measure intended to be brought forward; but in this instance, it being a measure of importance, six days' notice was given, a longer notice than he ever remembered in the University. He stated this to prove that the proceeding was not unfairly carried through, as alleged by the noble earl; the fact being, that the greater number of those who voted in the minority came from London in consequence of the notice that had been given. With respect to the insinuation as to the motives of those who formed the majority, that they were looking either to preferment or translation, he must leave it to the noble earl himself to consider, whether a mere difference of opinion called for such a charge.
The Earl of Hardwicketrusted, though he was aware it was irregular, that after what had fallen from the right rev. prelate, he should be permitted to trouble their lordships with a few words. He regretted that the learned prelate was not in the House, when the Petition from Cambridge against the Roman Catholic Claims was prepared by the illustrious person who was chancellor of the University, when he had felt it his duty to offer some observations to their lordships, which he was as ready to repeat in the presence of the right rev. prelate, as in his absence. In the first place, it was impossible for him to avoid stating, that considering the great public importance of the subject of the Petition, sufficient notice had not been given to admit of the attendance of any considerable number of the non-resident members. For all questions of a local nature, on which the resident members were certainly well qualified to decide, the notice described by the right rev. prelate as the usual notice, and which had probably been given upon this occasion, was perfectly sufficient; but whenever a question relating to matters of state policy was brought forward, it would be more consistent with fairness and candour to give that degree of notice which would admit of the attendance of the non-resident members of the senate, if they should think fit to give their opinions upon the subject; but he could not help saying, that the seldomer political questions were brought before the senate of the University, the better. With respect to what the right rev. prelate had said on the subject of motives, the noble earl observed, that what he had said was entirely of a general nature, and not applied to the conduct of any individual. The usage of the place did not admit of questions being discussed, or debated, before they were put to the vote; and, therefore, he could not help feeling that many persons might give their votes upon general grounds, without that knowledge and understanding of the question, which must in all cases render the decision more satisfactory to themselves as conscientious individuals, and at the same time give more weight to the opinions of a great public body.
The Bishop of Bristolrepeated, that the notice given was unusually long.
The Marquis of Lansdownecontended that the notice was not sufficient, and observed that he himself, although only a day's journey from London, had not notice

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of the intended proceeding in time to be present at the University on the day appointed for its consideration.
Lord Hollandobserved, that the Petition did not express the sense of the University; the non-resident members not having had sufficient notice.

VOTE OF THANKS TO THE MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON—VICTORY OF SALAMANCA.
Earl Bathurstrose, and addressed the House to the following purport: My lords, in rising to address this House upon a subject of Thanks to our gallant and distinguished general who gained the victory of Salamanca, I am confident there can be no no difference of opinion amongst your lordships with respect to the motion I mean to propose. But before I submit this proposition, your lordships will, I trust, permit me to make a few observations upon the principles of military policy and motives which induced the marquis of Wellington to pursue those measures which eventually brought forth a victory, not only productive of fame to the commander, but of additional glory to the national character. In doing this I shall advance nothing of speculation, but confine myself to facts contained in documents already before your lordships and the public. When lord Wellington had planned the siege and reduction of Badajoz, his great mind suggested ulterior objects, which would ultimately affect the success of our cause in the peninsula. My lords, lam not disposed, at this time, to allude in any manner to the mode of conducting the campaign, further than to the ability with which the noble marquis has, at all times, and in all situations, employed the resources committed to his care. No general, my lords, was ever more careful of the troops entrusted to his command—no general ever more cautiously avoided the sacrifice of lives, when the object to be attained was not equal to the expenditure of so much blood. This disposition marks the career of his military success, and has been particularly manifested in the course of this campaign. From the documents I possess, and not those only which were transmitted after the effect was produced, but those which were written when the plan was conceived, the extent of his genius, and the wisdom of his undertakings are most strongly designated and incontrovertibly proved. They likewise shew how much superior he was to those able generals against whom he had to contend,
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and that his conceptions were equally well calculated for the success of his own en-prizes, as they were adapted to circumvent the enterprizes of the enemy. When his plan was formed for the reduction of Badajoz, of Ciudad Rodrigo, and Almeida, he had then determined upon raising the siege of Cadiz, and thereby compelling the French to evacuate Andalusia. My lords, these objects were the first in lord Wellington's consideration, and for important reasons which pressed themselves most forcibly upon his mind. From the very beginning of the campaign his operations pointed to the situation of the enemy in the south, and particularly to the principal army under Soult, as the capture of the invader's battering artillery at Ciudad Rodrigo rendered it impracticable to undertake any siege of consequence; or, at that season of the year, to advance into Portugal with any considerable force. In carrying on the siege of Cadiz, the government of Spain had long been confined within its walls, its power was become considerably restricted, its reputation among the people had been somewhat degraded, and its influence upon the Spanish dependencies materially lessened. To free the government from this confinement, and thereby to give new life to the energies of the Spanish nation, was one object of our general's forecast, and led to the measures which he afterwards pursued. For this purpose, after he had most ably contrived the mode of assault, which succeeded even beyond his own expectations, whereby Badajoz was taken, he had in the first instance determined upon marching into the province of Andalusia, and oblige the evacuation of that province by the French, which was another object for which he concerted his plans. At this period it occurred to him, that the possession of Andalusia was more important than that of the other provinces. The people had been for some time subject to the power of the enemy, and had gradually become less hostile to their presence, and some danger existed of their forgetting their connection with their legitimate government. To drive the French from the possession of such a province, would be more conducive to the promotion of the Spanish cause than to enter Castile. In Castile the enemy's army were differently situated: if they had troops stationed in a village, that village was obliged to be strongly fortified: and if the distance from one village to another was five or

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six miles, such was the disposition of the Spanish people in that province, that the French were under the necessity of forming redoubts, for the purpose of preventing their communication being intercepted. These were lord Wellington's first intentions, and these were the measures he purposed to pursue; and although circumstances occurred which led him to change his plans, yet the object of them continued the same. General Marmont having come with an army from the north, and advanced upon the Agueda, soon called forth the attention of our general, and other circumstances having intervened, he was at length determined to change his intended course, and march into Castile. Marmont, in the mean time, used every endeavour, but in vain, to relieve the fortress of Almeida, and at length posted himself strongly upon the bridge of Alniarez, by which means he endeavoured, not only to act in opposition to lord Wellington, but to effect a communication with the army of Soult. To your lordships is well known the promptitude and intrepidity with which the French were removed from that position, and the communications cut off between the army of Portugal and the army under Soult in the southern provinces. Indeed, my lords, such were the skill and management of the noble marquis during this period of the campaign, that no words which I can use would be adequate to represent their value. It afterwards happened that a correspondence between the French generals was intercepted, and the papers fell into our hands. From these letters we were made acquainted with their sentiments on this subject; and perhaps no greater eulogium could possibly be bestowed upon lord Wellington than was contained in their observations. From these it appeared that no movement of the enemy could disappoint his plans or controvert his projects; while on their part no movement was concerted but it was anticipated—no expectation was raised but it ended in disappointment—no fear was entertained but it became realized. In one of these intercepted letters it is said, "he must read our correspondence, or he must dive into our hearts, for no sooner do we form a design than he knows it, and forms measures to defeat it." Nothing, my lords, could equal the wisdom which marked all lord Wellington's movements previous to the battle of Salamanca. If we turn our attention to his manœuvres after Marmont
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approached the Douro, and the English were advanced to the Guerena, I cannot at this time refrain from noticing that disposition which has peculiarly distinguished the character of lord Wellington. Lord Wellington had a favourable opportunity of giving battle to Marmont, and he was confident the issue would have been successful; but he declined that opportunity, because he knew however brilliant the achievement, it would cost more lives than would be compensated by the object of victory. Let any one reflect on the different means which he used for two days, to circumvent all the schemes of the French general. The policy that each was pursuing became distinctly different, on account of the effect they endeavoured to produce. Marmont was anxious to bring the English to a general engagement, upon ground not actually unfavourable. Lord Wellington, on the other hand, wished to avoid an engagement, unless he could commence it under favourable circumstances.—The noble earl then took a view of the operations of the contending armies immediately previous to the battle of Salamanca, and particularly adverted to the skill and gallantry displayed by sir Thomas Graham in executing one of the orders of his illustrious chief—an achievement which was performed within sight of the hostile armies. The object of gaining that post furnished another striking proof of the uniform unwillingness of our illustrious commander to commit the general safety of his armies, or unnecessarily to risque the lives of his soldiers. His lordship then noticed the circumstances of Marmont's receiving reinforcements from the northern army, and panegyrised the able retreat of the British commander, in consequence, without loss, and in such a way, as enabled the allied force in that quarter to form a junction. The manner in which lord Wellington passed the Tormes, and afterwards drew up in front of Marmont, who was extending his left to cut off his opponent from communicating with Salamanca and Ciudad Rodrigo, was a brilliant and admirable military manœuvre. In this situation it was not lord Wellington's intention to engage; and it was Marmont's policy to drive him to that measure. Lord Wellington cautiously watched the operations which were attempted to intercept him on one side, and force him to battle on the other, and at the same time he was not remiss in waiting

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for an opportunity of advantage, whence the retreat he had hitherto conducted might suddenly be changed into a contest for victory. Consider, my lords, what must have been the sensations and anxious reflections of this general at the time; these must have been moments of rack to his deliberative genius, when deciding upon the mode of action which should best tend to the success of his country's cause. Marmont, after gaining the heights opposite to those maintained by the marquis, suddenly weakened his left by the extension of his line, and no sooner was the error perceived by the brave and gallant general, than he exclaimed, "Now I have you." The felicitous, the long sought moment where a fair prospect of success presented itself, was instantaneously seized by the illustrious chief, and improved and followed up to a brilliant result of victory almost unprecedented in the annals of the country. The onset was made, the left of Marmont's army was completely turned, and the victory became decisive. Nothing shewed more the vast extent and range of his mind, or its scientific adroitness, than the ability which appeared at the time of seizing a favourable moment for disposing an army for immediate and decisive action, which but a few minutes before was prepared for retreat!—The noble earl proceeded to pass high encomiums upon general Le Marchant, who, very unfortunately for the service, fell in the battle, and also upon general Cotton, who distinguished himself on that occasion. "Not only," said earl Bathurst, "had the noble marquis immortalized himself in an action like this, so transcendent and brilliant, but under all circumstances his mind has ever discovered itself capable of executing every project suitably to the reverses and the changes of affairs. The events which have now come to our knowledge, Will I am persuaded, afford equal proofs of his military foresight and conception.—My lords, I am not disposed to trespass longer upon your attention; there is nothing I can say will sufficiently speak the praises due to the marquis of Wellington, whose fame in all those accomplishments which constitute a consummate commander was established long before the brilliant achievement of Salamanca: and if I offer no panegyric in commendation of this hero, attribute it not to a want of anxious zeal, but to a conviction of my inability to perform the task, which belongs
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to those who are possessed of eloquence. Eulogium, my lords, when not chastened by the powers of eloquence and the judiciousness of taste, becomes unseemly and inflated, and induces a degrading representation of that character which it was intended to praise and recommend."—The noble earl concluded by moving, "That the Thanks of this House be given to Arthur, marquis of Wellington, K. B. for the great and unparalleled skill, gallantry, and conduct displayed by him in the command of the allied troops in Spain, during the whole of the late campaign. But more especially for the achievement of the signal and brilliant Victory over the French army under marshal Marmont at Salamanca, on the 22d of July last, thereby reflecting additional lustre on the British military character."
The Marquis of Lansdownesaid, it was with great and sincere satisfaction he had listened to the just, glowing, and eloquent eulogium which the noble earl had, from his heart, pronounced upon the illustrious subject of the present motion. No person who had the honour to be connected with the family of that illustrious individual who was at the head of our army on the peninsula, could be more anxious to support the proposition now submitted to their lordships than he was. That anxiety was not diminished by the recent unfavourable events which had taken place; for he perfectly agreed with the noble earl, that those circumstances in no degree tarnished or diminished the splendid military fame and character of the noble and gallant marquis, and ought to make no alteration as far as regarded the present proposition. The question was not now, as it was on a former night, and might be at a future period, whether the general had been supplied by the government with proper means and resources? the question now was, whether the means with which the general had been entrusted, had been wisely, skilfully, and successfully, as far as circumstances would permit, applied for the public service? Though unwilling to mix these topics with the present subject, yet this much he might be permitted to say, that if there were any persons who had seen the difficulties of the war in the peninsula in a stronger light than others,—who thought the means of carrying it on were very imperfect,—and who, though admiring the patriotism of the Spanish people, yet feared that the organization, civil and military, in that country, was

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not such as afforded security for effectual co-operation,—the greater they felt these difficulties to be, in that proportion must be their admiration of the talents of the general who had met, and, in many instances, gloriously surmounted them. The campaign, indeed, must be characterized as one of various fortune: yet out of this very circumstance, there arose a display of military talents in the commander which would not otherwise have appeared. It was rendered evident that, whether the general pursued the triumphs gained by himself, or experienced disappointment from extraneous circumstances, he was no less capable, by his rare talents, of alleviating misfortune, than of improving success. In reviewing the military transactions on the peninsula for the last three years, if he were qualified to decide at all on the subject, those which he would rest upon with the highest admiration, would be such as occurred under the circumstances when lord Wellington was forced to retreat before a superior force of the enemy. However unfavourable the circumstances, he had always, on these occasions, preserved his army and its resources entire, and fit for attack when the proper moment for attack should arrive. In these circumstances, his great mind shone more eminently conspicuous in availing himself of the difficult circumstances of the country for the protection of a retreating army, and for maintaining his communications with his resources. Such was the retreat of the marquis of Wellington to his lines at Torres Vedras,—such was his retreat before the battle of Salamanca,—a retreat converted in a moment into a brilliant victory, where a superior enemy was checked, and forced to retrace his steps. Such, too, was the present retreat to the frontiers of Portugal,—all of them evincing the greatest military genius in the commander.—Having said thus much as to the merits of the marquis of Wellington, there was another subject of congratulation to their lordships and the country, which he wished to touch upon, although it could not well be embodied in any resolution of that House. No man who had attentively watched the conduct of the marquis of Wellington and the officers under his command, could fail to have observed, that a military school existed in the peninsula, in which a race of officers were forming, on whom the country might rely with confidence in the future military career, which in all probability it had yet to run.
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Such a school could not, indeed, be formed without great sacrifices; such, for instance, as those which were made in the siege of Burgos, where, besides regret for the failure of the object, one could not help feeling an additional pang at the fall of so many brave officers, and especially of colonel Somers, who, if he had lived, promised to have added to the other glories of that illustrious name, that of the highest military fame and glory. Notwithstanding such losses, many officers must be formed by the marquis of Wellington, who, having the advantage not only of his instructions, but of his example before them, must be capable of rendering the highest services to their country. He thought it right to advert to this circumstance, as it appeared to be a favourite object with the marquis of Wellington, who, in the intervals of war, kept several of the officers about him, who had thus an opportunity of improving themselves by his instruction and example, in military science.—There was still another point connected with this, to which he was desirous of calling their lordships' attention. No person who heard him would think that he was disposed to censure the advice given to his royal highness the Prince Regent, to advance the marquis of Wellington in the peerage after the battle of Salamanca: but he did think that there then existed an opportunity of granting to the marquis of Wellington promotion of a different nature, more appropriate and congenial with the service to which he was devoted; and, therefore, likely to be more useful to his country. If that promotion had been conferred, it would no doubt have met with the applause of the country and of the army; and it would have been approved by none, more than by the many gallant generals, who, by such a measure, would have been enabled to share his glory. While we were urging the Spaniards to give way in every punctilio, and to think only of the best means of promoting the great cause in which they were engaged, it would have been wise in us to have shewn them the example. Such was the feeling which he had at the time, and which he still had; and therefore he thought it right to state it: but in doing so, it was not his intention to object to any other honours which were conferred on the marquis of Wellington. If any doubt could have existed as to the propriety of conferring such honours, that doubt must have been removed by the review taken

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by the noble earl opposite, of the great talents displayed by the marquis, in every situation where the exertion of great talents was required. The marquis of Wellington had, in reality, distinguished himself for the judgment and temper with which he conducted himself in regard to the government of Spain, no less than by his military genius and valour.
Lord Somerscordially agreed with the motion then before their lordships, and was most anxious to add his tribute of applause to the merits of the great officer in question, which were so ably and justly eulogized by the noble earl who opened the discussion. He gave his testimony to the transcendent abilities of lord Wellington, not only from a sense of public duty, but he was influenced in doing it by his own particular obligation to that excellent general. He could tell their lordships, that while his great mind seemed to be wholly taken up with the important cares of his situation, he bestowed an attention almost inconceivable, upon the comforts and conveniencies of those under his command. Whether they were suffering from fatigue, from sickness, or from privations, they were equally the objects of his solicitude. For himself, he knew that to a dear relative of his (major Somers) whose constitution was fast sinking under the severe duties of his station, his parental kindness was such, that it preserved a life which else had been yielded soon after the battle of Salamanca, nor prolonged till that period when he laid it down for his country in a manner which gave him a melancholy pride in saying his son had so died. In alluding thus particularly to his own relation, he was far from meaning to insinuate that his was a single case; lord Wellington's kindness extended to all alike; but he thought it his duty thus to express his peculiar obligation to him. There never was, indeed, a general, as had been justly mentioned by the noble lord opposite, who was less disposed to sacrifice the lives of his men for the acquisition of mere personal glory; but when the services of his king and country required it, never did any one display more ardour, intrepidity, and gallantry. His soldiers knew this, and combining that knowledge with his resplendent talents, what a confidence, he maintained, must it tend to excite throughout the whole army; a confidence highly advantageous to the cause in which we were engaged. He therefore cordially approved of the motion.
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His Royal Highness the Duke of CLARENCE, seeing only one man belonging to his Majesty's navy in the House, except himself, thought himself called upon, under these circumstances, to offer his tribute of applause to the marquis of Wellington, and the brave army under his command. He had always wished that our men should have an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by land as well as by sea, in order to shew the world that they were the same on both elements. From the moment that lord Wellington went to Spain they had had that opportunity,—and the result was, that they surpassed all the actions recorded in the military annals of this, or any other country, within the memory of man. The difficulties which the duke of Marlborough had to contend with, were nothing compared with those against which the marquis of Wellington had to struggle. The duke of Marlborough was then the favourite of the court, and had means amply supplied him, and great diversions made in his favour. The marquis of Wellington, except during the short stand made by Austria, and the present effort by Russia, had always had almost the whole of the enormous power of France to oppose in the field. It must afford the highest satisfaction to the country that the army had such a commander as the marquis of Wellington, both on account of his own great talents, and the example which he furnished to others. He had done what had never been equalled, except, perhaps, in the Roman History. After so much had been said on this subject by others, he did not feel himself called upon to say any thing farther, than that he fully acknowledged the merits of the marquis of Wellington, and gave his hearty assent to the proposition submitted to their lordships.
Marquis Wellesleyfelt proud and gratified by all that occurred in the course of the present debate. He should not now intrude on their lordships at any length,—he should not have intruded on them at all, but from the natural wish to give the tribute of a brother's feelings to a brother's praise. The noble earl had said, that only the highest powers of eloquence, chastened by the purest taste, could aspire to an adequate eulogy of his great talents; but he could assure the noble earl, that at the very moment when he disclaimed his own power to pronounce such an eulogy, he had, in fact, discharged it in a manner honourable to himself, honourable to the country,

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and in the highest degree just to the exalted object of it. He would offer no apology to their lordships for presenting himself to them on the present occasion; he was satisfied they all felt nearly the same sentiments as himself; for, (if he might use so bold an expression) they were all attached to the noble general by blood; they all, perhaps, had relations under his command, and they had heard the testimony of a father's heart as to the parental tenderness shewn by lord Wellington to the flower of the British army. If the merits of the great general could have a higher and more eloquent enlogium than that pronounced by the noble Secretary of State, it would be that bestowed by the noble peer (lord Somers) near him. There could have been but one feeling in the House, when that noble person spoke. His praise of the British general was most valuable. He spoke like a patriot. He had sustained a deep and bitter loss,—but he had sustained it with the honourable and manly feeling of one who had given up a dear son for his country. That noble lord had praised the humanity and almost parental kindness of lord Wellington to his officers:—he bestowed a panegyric above all other. On the general subject of the motion, it could scarcely be supposed, that he (lord Wellesley) should offer any objections. One thing only he had to observe: the noble Secretary had alluded to the display of the British general's talents in the pressure of retreat. For my part, said marquis Wellesley, if I were called on to give my impartial testimony of the merits of your great general, I confess, before Heaven, I would not select his victories, brilliant as they have been; I should mention the very circumstances (though unfortunate in some particulars) which your lordships have seen recorded this day—I would go to the moments when difficulties pressed and crowded upon him,—when he had but the choice of extremities,—when he was overhung by superior strength. It is to his retreats that I would go for the proudest and most undoubted evidence of his ability. It is not my intention to dilate upon these matters,—there is but one feeling with respect to them among us. The speech of the noble mover was sufficient; but, if its chasteness, tastefulness, and truth could have a want, it was more than compensated by the admirable speech of the noble marquis who had followed him in the debate.
The Lord Chancellorthen proposed the motion from the woolsack, which was agreed to nam. diss.