116 TII E NATIONAL 111WISTER. LONDON : MONDAY, .fPRIL 14., 1817. French Papers, which the boisterous state of the wr•al.cr had fir some days prevented, arrived yester day, but aro barren of intelligence. The French funds continue to rise ; and, it is said, the King's health is greatly improved. In the Act:ice of real intelligence, invention has been at work. It sends Admiral Sir George Cockburn to the coast of South America, to mediate between Spain and the Insurgents, with a squadron to blockade the ports, should his mediation be unsuccessful. It may send the Admiral, if he chuses to go. The parties may make their own arrangements : but hitherto the Admiralty has not heard a word upon the subject. Advi es have, however, been received in the course of the xv , 'ek indirectly from the River Plate, to the latter end of last December. The affairs there are in an indecisive and very perplexed state. There never were such a complication of interests, and such a diversity of news, as in this South American contest. Of parties, there is, first, the Spanish Government ; then that of the Insurgents; next that of Artegas of Monte Video, who is an Insurgent against the Insur gents on the South Bank of the Pla;a ; afterwards, the Portuguese, who are attacking Monte Video and Arti gas, but are not (ostensibly at least) on that account, either in unison with the Spaniards, or in unity with Buenos Ayres ; and we now find, that the Government of this latter principality, Buenos Ayres, is in a state of high dissatisfaction with its Admiral, Brown, for car rying off the squadron entrusted to him ; and who may therefore be considered as a Naval Insurgent against those by land. Such are the tidings brought by the last advices. The fleet now under the command of Admiral Brown is much wanted near home, to protect the Government which supplied it from insults. A Portuguese squadron, consisting of a 74, two brigs, and a schooner, had, as was before known, though with less accuracy, entered the River Plate, in order to co-ope rate with the invading army, and instantly commenced the blockade of Monte Video. As the direct effect of a blockade is to intercept commercial intercourse, it was feared that the trade to that place, as well as to Buenos Ayres, would be intercepted. With respect to the mi litary operations, we learn, that the Portuguese army, 'under Gen. Lecor, was nearly 100 miles distant from Monte Video; and whenever it advanced to give Arti gas battle, the latter avoided any regular action ; and, by a quick movement, made incursions into the Portu guese territory, in order to draw the Portuguese Gene ral after him. The invading army had, in consequence, made little or no impression on its enemy. Now, how ever, that the squadron is arrived, more decisive and successful operations are expected. Some Agents of the Patriots of South America are, we understand, engaged in an active ncgnciation with the unemployed Officers of our Army and Militia, to induce them to accept of rank in the Republican Army. A considerable quantity of stores and equipments has been purchased here by the Patriots ; anti every exer tion is making to put themselves in the best possible state of defence against the Mother Country. Letters from Cadiz, dated the 19th and 20th ult. mention, that two frigates, with transports, were about to sail 14 the revolted colonies, with 6000 troops on board. Their destination was stated to be the Caraccas. A letter from Cadiz states, that a very richly-laden Spanish ,galleon, from South America, has been taken, in sight of the Canaries, by two independent privateers, after a desperate battle. The celebrated Marshal Massena died at his estate, near Paris, on the 4th inst. He was esteemed a good general until he met the Duke of Wellington in Por tugal, before whom he shuffled off in (pick time into France, with the loss of his wh-•le at.ny. lie died enormously rich ; his private fortune has been estimated at a million of English money. Thursday bein„; what is called settling day at the Stock Exchange, there was, as is unfimluratcly usual on B uell occasions, several A ihrations in the Funds ; and, what is worse, ions evidently occasioned by fabri cated news. We shall not disgrace our columns by publishing the atrwious mischief which was stated to have occurred at Paris, farther than by noticing the eff_ets which were produced by the rumour. The 3 per cent. citssol.:, which had risen, for money, from 71 g to 731" and in the same proportion for account, sud denly fell back to the limner price; AA hen, it being ob served that many of the sellers at high price b ecame .vr , .113:;..: - .1 at the low, it was naturally concluded that THE NATIONAL REGISTER. the whole was a fraud. We cannot sufficiently express our disapprobation of practices of this kind. We are surprised that the persons of real integtity, who frequent the money market, do not adopt some plan, or devise sonic regulations, for the government of it, which may banish gamblers and fabricators of false news. We all recollect the wrath that was felt and expressed when the affair fir which Lord Cochrane suffered so deeply took place ; and yet what was done then more than is now so frequently done by others towards settling day? Lord Cochrane's imposition was more operative in its et - recta, hut the criminality, as to purpose and intention, is exactly the same. There is no question, that if the lie were properly investigated, the authors and propa gators of it might be detected. Who was heard to re peat it? and from wham at he receive the intelli gence ? Inquiries of this kind would lead to the foun tain head. We are sure, that if the Stock Exchange is not purged by the Members themselves, Parliament must take the matter in hand, and enact some law for the protection of the fair dealers, or bona fide purchasers. and sellers. The market for 3 rcr cent. consols closed at 72/ fir money, and 731 for the May account. The differences paid at the Stock Exchange on Friday ' and Saturday morning are stated to be to an immense amount, on account of the great fluctuation of the Funds. Only one considerable defaulter has been an nounced. Settling day being over, Stocks arc again rising. Consols fir May at 12 o'clock were 734. A rumour had been prevalent during Saturday and yesterday, that the Speaker of' the House of Commons still eontinued so much indisposed that he would be unable to take the Chair on this day. It was even reported, that Ministers had written to some of their friends, stating this unpleasant circumstance; and inti mating, that the course usually adopted on such cm sions would be now pursued, and that an adjournment would in consequence tele place: but at a late hour last night we had not been able to trace out the rumour to any certain origin; and we sincerely hope that Mr. Speaker will this day be able to resume the discharge of his high duties in the full possession of health. The rumour of a dissolution of Parliament, after the present Session, is renewed. The Easter recess termi nates with this week's holidays ; after which, Parlia ment will only meet fur about six weeks, when the dis solution, according to every indication, will take place. It is said, that soon after the recess the Police Com mittee will make a special Report on the abuses which grow out of the present system of public-house licens ing. It is said, that the Committee of the Commons, now investigating the Poor Laws, have adirpted a resolution for extending the term of residence to three years, be fore a person can elnisn a parish settlement. The Prince Regent is expected in town this day ; and it is said that the Recorder will to-morrow make his report of the convicts under sentence of death in Newgate, previous to the Sessions beginning on NVed nesday at the Old Bailey. We now hear that four Noblemen will be advanced to the dignity of Dukedom. Two are, the Marquisses of Stafford and Hertford ; the first will be the Duke of Cleveland, the last Duke of Hertford, or Duke of Sey mour. The other two are said to be the Marquisses of Buckingham and Cornwallis. The Dukedom of Bolton will it is reported, be restored. Two families lay claim to the title.—Evening paper. The Duke and Duchess of Orleans left Twickenham on Wednesday, to proceed on their way to France.— They were to sleep at the Crown Inn at Rochester, where 45 beds were engaged, besides others out of the Inn. There were to be ten carriages, one of them larger than a stage c ouc h. w hi c h th e Duke had built sonic time since for the convenience of travelling. It carries eight in the inside, and sixteen out. The Duke travels in a curricle, drives himself, and is accompanied by his principal Steward. The Duchess travels in a landau, accompanied by Mademoiselle. There are twelve out riders, one to each carriage, and two as couriers : it being the intention of the Duke to enter Paris in the same style as his late father was in the habit of doing. The circumstance fur which we had been long prepar ed by the French journals is now asserted with more confidence, and with greater appearance of truth: it is, that the Duke of Wellington is on the point of return ' ing to England ; and 'me of his more amiable offices here is stated to be, the bestowing the hand of a Miss Caton on Colonel Harvey. one of his Grace's Aides-de- Camp : the lady is said to be from Baltimore. We are extremely happy to hear, that it has at length been determined upon to propose a tax of .20 per cent. upon the property of all absentees.—Morning paper. We learn with satisfitction that tie state of the Re venue improves, so that it is expected this quarter to exceed the amount of the corresponding quarter last year by .200,0001. The deficiencies in the Excise have been compensated by an increase in the Customs. The duties paid by the East India Company have been very considerable. Government have been strict in prevent ing the Collectors of Taxes from retaining balances in their hands. The rate of discounts is improving. The CalerimPan Me err, !ays—" We understand that the shawl trade in Glasgow has so much improved as to enable the manufacturer s to advance, their journey mens' wages 45. per wcek." APRIL 14. An article from Vienna states, that several couriers had lately passed througli that city from Constantinople, directing-their course for almost every Court in Eu rope. We shall' not be surprised to find this notifica tion followed up by inteiF•gence that the 01.1 Govern ment of Turkey is Ittaelsell on all sides by its former vassals; for an article front Trieste informs us, that the. rebel Pasliaws arc following up their advantages. Prince Henry of Prussia, it is said, is about to visit the lonian Lies, accompanied by several men of science and artists. The University Debating Club, held at the Red' Lion Inn, in Cambridge, having been dissolved by the personal interference of the Proctors, by command of the Vice-Chancellor, a petition against this interfer ence, signed by several 'Masters of Arts and Noblemm. as Nletabers of the Club,. has been presented to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, as Chancellor of that Universi.y. A Moniing Paper says, " A letter has been received from young Watson, who has arrived in America, to. ;,;ether with a shoe-maler, in whose apartments he was secreted in the neighbotirhood of St. Paul's, at the timt. the Bow-street Officers, and others sent in search of him, were pursuiN, phantoms. lie declares that he had no previous acquaintance with the person who ef forded him an asylum, but claimed his protection, de pending entirely upon his honour, humanity, and kind ness. lie laments the injury sustained by Mr. Platt, and gives the particulars of the resistance of that gen tlemen, and other facts connected with the outrages commit.ed on the 2d of December." COnHrTT.—The effects advertised fir sale in the Hanic Chronicle and Courier which we alluded to on Monday were seized for rent, by order of Gen. Sir. J. Kempt, on a farm which Cobbett rented of him, consist ing of an excellent mansion and 106 statute acres of good lard Cobbett had resided in the mansion until lately, when he removed his family to a house standing en his own estate, and with them all the furniture ; and a ten• days before he left the country, removed Lis wagy;ors and other implements cf husbandry, and also his wire::, the latter on a Sunday morning : no dculot all this was to prevent Sir James distraining. them for rent. The fine estate, which formerly bore great crops, had not an acre of it sown with nny kind cf grain, nor was there a pennyworth of any thing left but what was contained in the advertisement, and greatest part of that actually removing when the distress was made. The sale was postponed because the Sheriff, who has taken possession of all his property on his different firms under executions, has, as is usual in such enses, given an un dertaking to pay the Value of such effects as were dim. trained, in part of payment of the rent due. There is very little property, however, on any of his premises, and all his farms are said to be heavily mortgaged." —St.,, A Morning Paper persists in believing►that the son's name standing at the Stamp Office, Cobbett could not be responsible for the Stamp duties, consequently could not have fled on that account. But the son's name stood only for the Register, but not for the pamphlet, which, though the same thing, was contended to be a different one. No bond of any kind was given for the pamphlet. And the Government which has been so much calum niated, on account of extents in aid, the oppression in extorting the property tax, the general rigour in col lecting the revenue, could not have allowed Cobbett to keep thousands of the public money in his pocket, off'e•nding, as he had done, under a long warning, with all the evil consequences before his eyes. It would have been proved that the money went into Cob bett's pocket, and as the Government filllows the pub. lie money, seizes it wherever it goes, it would have been taken from his pocket had he not run away with it to America. After fighting all Cobbett's quibbles for a longtime, at lust the Solicitor-General gave a final opini on, process in the Exchequer was ordered, in a few days Cobbett would have been arrested for 18,0001. penal ties, a letter was sent to him calling on him peremptorily to came and make oath to the numbers printed, and to pay the stamp duties thereon, in which case the penal ties would have been abandoned. His person would have been arrested in a short time. immediately on receiving the letter, Cobbett gave out he was going to the country on an election scheme, and he drew consider able sums of money, under that pretence. Within a week after the letter had issued Cobbett disappeared. DON Qt•lXoTTU.—Among the curios fitets connected with the Spanish Inquisition, and of which knowledge has been obtained through the late events and revolu ' tion in the Peninsula, particularly through the French • opening the archives of the Holy Office, it has proved, that the immortal Cervantes was bitterly persecuted by this Trilmnal ; as well because of the rival ship of a certain conteniiswary Author cloathed in an Inquisitor's gown, as owing to the very strong satires played off in his novel of Don anixolle. The story of the Enchanted Head (part Y, chap. lxii.) ridicules the ignerunm of the Inquisitors; the arrest of Don Quixote and Sanchp (chap. lxviii.) describes the mode of seizing culprits by the Inquisition ; while tine beautiful allegory of Altisi dora (chap. lxix. is the picture et' an "lido da Fe.— Numerous other passages relate to the same subject.