AMERICA. UNITED STATES.-Norfolk, March 22.-Yesterday morning, between two and three o'clock, our neighbours of the town of Portsmouth were roused from their slumbers by the cry of fire, and, in less than an hour, many of the most worthy and respectable inhabitants, who had rushed into the street to rescue their neighbours' property from the ravages of the devouring element, could see nothing but the smoking ruins of their own late happy habitations. When the fire was first discovered in an untenanted kitchen, a few buckets of water, judiciously applied, would have extinguished it. But the buildings being very combustible, and the wind blowing very heavy from the S. W. it gained in a few minutes such an ascendancy as to baffle every effort to restrain its fury. The boats of the ships Lothian and Georgiana, lying at the end of Myer's Wharf in deep water, were cut before the fire could reach them, and drifting over the entrance of the county dock, they were safely moored; while the ship Hoper, lying at the side of the wharf, and being aground, could not be got off, and was much damaged. She was on fire several times, but was extinguished immediately. Total number of dwellings burnt 25, warehouses 6; and, allowing the usual proportion of out-houses to each residence, it would not be excessive to compute the whole number of houses destroyed at 56 to 60.

BRAZILS.-Revolution at Bahia and Pernambucco. By a vessel arrived at Hamburgh from Bahia, accounts have been received of an important revolution that broke out there on the 10th February, of which the object appears to be the establishment in Bahia of the Constitution adopted by the Cortes in Portugal. This revolution, as in the mother country, was brought about entirely by the troops; some feeble efforts were made to stop its progress by the Commander in Chief, in consequence of which two of his officers, a soldier, and a negro, lost their lives. The measures adopted were also concurred in by the leading inhabitants, and a Provisional Junta has been formed to carry on the administration till the King shall have accepted the Constitution. The troops of the line and militia, in all about 12,000 men, have sworn to the new constitution, and preparations are making to resist any force which may be sent to re-establish the former go

vernment.

This example was followed at Pernambucco on the 6th of March. It appears that, after the revolution at Bahia had been effected, the inhabitants of that place sent three vessels of war to announce the event that had taken place to Pernam

bucco, offering them their assistance, should they require any, and calling on them for their brotherly co-operation. The Governor of Pernambucco immediately convened the ecclesiastical, civil, and military authorities of that city, and having explained to them his object in calling them together, and dwelt on the necessity of following the example set them by Bahia, if they wished to be delivered from those evils of which the people generally complained, all persons present agreed, with one voice, to unite with their brethren at Bahia in proclaiming the constitution of Portugal. The agreeable news was immediately spread through the city, and the most lively expressions of joy were manifested.

Since writing the above, we have received intelligence, that the revolution has extended to Rio Janeiro, the capital of the Brazils, and that, on the 26th February, the King issued a decree, ordering the new Lisbon constitution to be adopted throughout his transatlantic; dominions. change was effected by the troops siding with the people; and no disturbance took place, nor was a drop of blood spilt on the

occasion.

This

WEST INDIES.-St Domingo.-By ac counts from this island, it appears, that since the death of Christophe, it has been disturbed by the contentions of fierce and sanguinary factions. General Richard, Governor of the Cape, who was so active in destroying Christophe's power, has been detected in a conspiracy against the present government, and sent, with several others, prisoners to Port-au-Prince. The Hayti Gazette, of the 11th March, contains the proceedings of a special military commission, appointed to try these conspirators; at which General Jean Pierre Richard, and his accomplices, Colonel Henry Cimetiere, the Commandant Belzunce, and Captain Dominique, were severally convicted of a treasonable conspiracy, and condemned to death; which sentences have been carried into execution. The act of accusation charges them with having endeavoured to corrupt the minds of certain of the military, and instigated them to insubordination and revolt against the Government; and that, with a view of clandestinely arming those whom they thought they had seduced into their designs, they demanded a supply of muskets from a foreigner, residing at Cape Hayti, named Hoffmann; whose refusal, it is added, to deliver to them the arms on the night he was requir ed so to do, alone prevented the spilling of Haytian blood at the Cape. By these prompt measures, it was supposed, that President Boyer had succeeded in putting down resistance to his authority, and in restoring tranquillity to the island.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-April 11.-The Marquis of Lansdown presented a Report from the Committee on Foreign Trade relative to Asiatic Commerce, which was ordered to be printed. On that and the two following evenings various petitions against the Catholic Bill were presented. The Earl of Donoughmore presented three petitions from the Catholic clergy of Dublin, Kerry, and Waterford, against that part of the bill imposing the securities.

16. This evening the Earl of Donoughmore moved the second reading of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill. Lord Mansfield opposed the motion, and moved, as an amendment, that the bill be read a second time that day six months, which was supported by the Bishop of London. Their Lordships were followed by the Duke of Sussex and the Marquis of Buckingham, in favour of the original motion. Several peers and prelates took part in the debate, which, at half-past twelve o'clock, on the motion of the Earl of Liverpool, was adjourned until next day, to prevent (as his Lordship expressed himself) an opinion going abroad that this important question had not received the most ample discussion. Previous to the commencement of the debate, several petitions, for and against the measure, were presented. Of these, the most important was the petition in its favour from the Roman Catholic peers and gentlemen of England, all of whom avowed their willingness to accept of the bounty of the legislature under the conditions prescribed in the bill.

17. The debate on the bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics was resumed, and presented for many hours a remarkable display of reasoning and dignified eloquence. Among the opponents of the second reading of the bill were, his Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Earl of Liverpool, the Lord Chancellor, and Lord Sidmouth; and amongst its supporters, the Marquis of Lansdown, Lord Grenville, and Lord Melville. At three o'clock, on the morning of the 18th, the House divided; when there appeared-for the second reading, 120-Against it, 159-Majority 39.

The speech of the Duke of York, in opposition to the bill, seemed to make a great sensation both in and out of the House; and the circumstance of the heir apparent to the throne having expressed himself so decidedly hostile to the measure, seems to augur ill for the success of any future attempt on the part of the Catholics, to obtain the removal of their present civil dis

abilities. At an early part of the second evening's debate, his Royal Highness delivered his opinion nearly as follows:

"My Lords, it is with the greatest reluctance that I offer myself to the House. I never do so without reluctance; but there are cases where a strong sense of duty compels us to lay aside all personal considerations. The House is called upon at the present moment to sanction a measure that, to say the least of it, will effect a great change, if it do not virtually repeal and abrogate many laws that have the warrant of experience, and that have hitherto been looked upon as the best safeguards of the constitution.(Hear, hear.)—It is with regret I find myself obliged to resist the wishes of so large a body of subjects, as far as those wishes can be ascertained; but the more I have heard and thought upon this question, the more I have been confirmed in my opposition to the bill upon the table.

(Cheers.)—Let it not be thought that I am an enemy to toleration; on the contrary, I would have every man enjoy the free exercise of his religion as long as he continues a faithful subject, and his religion does not become dangerous to the State. There is a great difference between toleration, and actually granting an establishment(Hear, hear.)-I have offered myself thus early to the notice of your Lordships, because I did not wish to occupy more valuable time at a later hour of the debate; but I could not be satisfied with giving merely a silent vote."

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-March 22.Mr Hume and his friends attended in their places at 4 o'clock, and, contrary to expectation, (it being the day appointed for his Majesty's drawing-room,) made a House. The Hon. Gentleman, of course, brought forward his motion on the subject of the Receivers-General of Taxes, and the Distributors of Stamps; and entered at considerable length into a review of the emoluments attached to those offices. He particularly enumerated several individuals by name, holding the offices of Distributors of Stamps, whose profits on the average for the last three years had amounted to from L. 2000 to L. 5000 per annum. He contended that Ministers, at an expence to the public of L. 137,000 a-year, secured 137 sinecure places; and maintained, that on this head of expenditure a saving of L. 100,000 annually might be effected. He concluded by moving certain Resolutions relative to the Office of ReceiversGeneral and of Distributors of Stamps.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, as an amendment, the appointment of a Select Committee, to take into consideration the nature of the Offices, and to report to the House. After a good deal of discussion, as to the composition of the Committee, the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was finally agreed to.

23. Sir J. Newport, acting for Mr Plunkett, (who was absent in consequence of the death of his lady,) proposed the adoption of the first clause of the first of the Catholic relief bills. The clause, which relates solely to the explanation of the oath of supremacy, was opposed by Sir William Scott, Mr Wetherell, Sir John Nicoll, Mr Peel, &c.; and defended by Mr Grant, Sir J. Mackintosh, and Lord Castlereagh, and on a division adopted by a majority of 230 to 216. Mr Croker. withdrew, for the present, his notice of a clause, making a pecuniary provision for the Catholic Clergy.

26. A discussion took place on a petition presented by Mr Hobhouse from a tradesman residing in the Strand, complaining that, in the last week, he had taken no less than twenty-three forged L. I notes, none of which could be detected except by the Bank Inspectors. In the course of the discussion Mr Pearse stated, that the Bank would shortly be prepared to pay all L. 1 notes presented to them in sovereigns. Mr Lambton postponed his motion on Parliamentary Reform, from the 10th to the 17th of April; and Lord Milton gave notice of a motion for the 10th of April, for the repeal of the tax on Foreign Wool.-Sir John Newport having given notice of his intention to propose the consolidation of the two Catholic Bills, Mr, C. Hutchinson acquainted the House that he had received a communication from high authority in Ireland, (a titular Bishop,) declaring the opposition of the Catholic Clergy to the second bill, intended to regulate their intercourse with the See of Rome. The House then went into the Committee on the Catholic Emancipation Bill, and some verbal amendments were made on it, but none affecting the spirit or principle of the measure. Mr Bankes moved the clause of which he had previously given notice, the object of which was, to prevent Catholics from sitting in either House of Parliament. A long discussion took place upon this proposition, and ultimately the Committee divided; when the numbers appeared for Mr Bankes's proposition 211, against it 223,-Majority in favour of the bill 12.

27-Dr Lushington obtained leave to bring in a Bill to disqualify the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, the Judges, and Masters in Chancery in Ireland, from sitting in Parliament. The House went again into a Committee on the

Catholic Bill, when Mr Peel moved, that Roman Catholics should be excluded from seats in the Privy Council, and also from the Judicial Bench. The motion was opposed by Sir J. Newport, and supported by Sir J. Nicholl and others; and, after a discussion of some length, the Committee divided; when the amendment was rejected by a majority of 19, the numbers being, in favour of it, 169 against it, 188. An amendment, proposed by Mr Goulburn, to render Catholics ineligible to hold the office of Governor of a Colony, shared the same fate. It was rejected on a division, the numbers being-For exclusion 120 Against it 163. A clause for excluding Catholics from filling the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was carried without a division.

28. The House proceeded to the consideration of the remaining clauses of the consolidated Catholic Bill. Mr Hutchinson strongly opposed the intercourse clauses, as tending to degrade the Catholic Clergy unnecessarily, but submitted no motion to the House on the subject, which ultimately went into the committee, when the several clauses were agreed to, with some verbal amendments. Mr Ellis proposed a clause for excluding Catholic Ecclesiastics from seats in Parliament, which was adopted.

29. Mr Hume moved for a return of the expences incurred by this government, in consequence of the detention of Napoleon Buonaparte, in the Island of St Helena. The Honourable Member stated, that, on the best information he could obtain, the annual expence entailed on the country, by that measure, exceeded L. 400,000, of which the Continental Powers bore no part. Sir Robert Wilson and Mr Hutchinson took this opportunity of protesting against the detention of the late Emperor of France, as a measure disgraceful to the country, and as a breach of public faith towards the individual concerned. The report of the Roman Catholics Disabilities Removal Bill was then brought up, and the amendments made in the committee were agreed to. Mr Croker then moved a clause, to enable the crown to make a suitable provision for the Catholic Clergy. Lord Castlereagh opposed the measure, as being premature and ill-timed. Mr Croker then withdrew the clause for the present, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Monday. The important question of the timber trade next engaged the attention of the House, which went into a committee on the subject of the duties paid on the Baltic timber. Mr Wallace proposed a resolution, which had for its object to reduce the present duties on foreign timber 10s. per load, and to impose that tax on American colonial timber, which,

at present, is subject to no duty whatever. A considerable discussion took place upon the resolution, which was ultimately adopted, though with a declaration on the part of Mr Marryatt, Lord Althorpe, Mr Baring, and others, of their intention to oppose the proposition, whenever a bill to carry it into effect should come before the House.

30. Mr Martin's bill, proposing to allow counsel to persons charged with felony in England, was thrown out without a division. The House afterwards went into a committee of supply, for the purpose of considering the army estimates; but previous to the Speaker's leaving the chair, Mr Hume proposed certain resolutions, declaratory of the increase which had taken place on the staff of Great Britain and the colonies since 1792; and on the increase of salaries in public offices, and the necessity of reduction. The motion was lost, on a division, by a majority of 50 to 29. The House then went into the Committee of Supply. Upon the first resolution, that the sum of L. 105,000 should be granted for the staff of Great Britain and the colonies, exclusive of the East Indies, for the current year, Mr Hume moved, as an amendment, that the proposed grant should be reduced to L. 80,000. After some discussion, Mr Hume, at the suggestion of Mr J. Smith, agreed to substitute L. 90,000 in room of his original amendment. The amendment was negatived by a majority of 55 in favour of the original resolution. The next resolution was for the sum of L. 25,382, for the staff of Ireland. The motion was opposed by Sir H. Parnell, who argued that the office of commander-in-chief, and part of the staff attached to it, should be abolished, by which a saving of L. 4000 would be effected. He moved an amendment to that effect, which, with several other amendments, proposed by Mr Hume, Sir H. Parnell, &c were lost upon divisions. The resolutions were ordered to be reported on Monday.

April 2. The incorporated bills for granting relief to the Roman Catholics, and for providing such securities as are deemed necessary to protect our Protestant establishment, were read a third time and passed. Upon the question of the third reading there was a division, and the ayes prevailed by a majority of 19.

3. The committee of privileges reported on the petition of the Electors of Carlisle, complaining of the Magistrates for introducing the Military at the late Election and although the committee censured the conduct of the Magistrates they refrained from recommending any proceedings upon the petition. Mr Western then moved the order of the day for the second reading of the Malt

duty repeal Bill. A long debate followed; after which a division took place; when the numbers were, for the second reading, 144; against it 242. The second reading was thus negatived by a majority of

92.

5.-Lord Cranborne moved for a committee to investigate the present state of the Game Laws. After a short discussion, in the course of which several members spoke of the evils and inconveniences resulting from the present system, but scarcely hoped that they could be remedied by the proposed committee, the motion was negatived by a majority of 86 to 52. Mr Curwen then moved for leave to bring in a bill for the repeal of certain acts imposing duties on horses employed for agricultural purposes. After some debate, the motion was withdrawn, in conse quence, it was understood, of a suggestion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that it would be advisable to wait for the Report of the Committee on Agriculture.

6. On the motion being put for the House resolving itself into a Committee of Supply, it was opposed by Mr Creevey, who proposed a very long and sweeping amendment, adverting to the number of petitions that had been presented to the House on the subject of Economy and Retrenchment, and the neglect with which they had been treated; the case of the Earl of Fife, and various other topics; and concluding with stating, that, under such circumstances, it was wholly unnecessary to go into committees of supply. The amendment was opposed by Lord Castlereagh; and Mr Tierney stated, that, though he might not perhaps object to the various parts of the resolution, if given in detail, he was not prepared to support it in the gross, or in the sweeping form in which it had been exhi bited to the House. Upon this resolution a long discussion took place, and ultimately the House divided; when the numbers were For the resolution, 36-Against it, 120. The House then went into a committee on the army estimates, when Lord Palmerston proposed that L. 50,418 should be granted for the allowances of the offices of Secretary at War; Colonel Davies moved as an amendment, that L. 45,000 should be substituted in the room of L. 50,418. Upon this a discussion of some length arose, when the amendment was lost on a division, 67 voting for, and 106 against it.

9.-A conversation took place upon a petition, presented by Mr T. Wilson, from certain woollen manufacturers of London, praying for a repeal of the wool tax. The Hon. Member argued strongly against the tax, as operating to drive the foreign wool and woollen trade from us to America; and Mr Baring declared his opinion, that, unless this tax was repealed, the woollen

trade of this country must be ruined.--In the committee on the bank cash payments bill, Mr Baring moved, as an amendment, for a select committee, with a view, as he avowed, of introducing a measure to raise the nominal value of money

to something like the point at which it stood when the majority of existing debts were contracted. A long debate followed, but without the introduction of much new argument, and on the division the amendment was rejected by a great majority.

38

II. ECCLESIASTICAL.

Mr James Tait, preacher, Glasgow, to be minister of the Associate Congregation of Maybole, Ayrshire.

Mr John Ramsay to be minister of the Associate Congregation in Providence Chapel, Dukinfield, Cheshire.

Mr John M'Gilchrist to be colleague and successor to the Rev. Andrew Dawson, pastor of the second Associate Congregation in Dunse.

April 16.-Mr David Young to be minister of the Associate Congregation of Barrhead.

-Lord Archibald Hamilton has presented the Rev. William Proudfoot to the church and parish of Avondale.

Rev. Mr Limont of Kilmarnock to be minister of the Relief Congregation, College Street, Edinburgh.

19.-Rev. William Burns inducted to the church and parish of Kilsyth.

Rev. John Currie ordained minister of the parish of Murroes.

21.-Colonel Grant of Grant has presented the Rev. F. W. Grant of Dallas to the church and parish of Banff.

23.-The Presbyterian Church, Swallow Street, London, elected Mr John Marshall, preacher, to be their pastor.

27.-The King has appointed the Rev. Mark Aitkins to the church of the united parishes of Dyke and Moy.

do.

N. R. Tomlinson, Ensign by purch. vice Birch, ret. 22d March 1821. Ensign Wood, Lieut. vice Cheek, dead 12th April R. B. Martin, Ensign Lieut. Hilliard, from h. p. 43 F. Paym. vice Tomlinson, dead 22d March Gent. Cadet W. S. Moorsom, from R. Mil. Coll. Ensign by purch. vice Jeffries, ret. do. Qua. Mast. Holmes, from h. p. 20 Dr. Qua. Mast. vice Fox. h. p. 99 F. 12th April Capt. Dely, from 1 Ceylon R. Capt. vice Daniell, 73 F. 5th do. Hosp. Assist. W. H. Burrell, Assist. Surg. vice Thompson, pro. Staff

12th do. Lieut. Garner, Capt by purch. vice Phillips, ret. 1st March Ensign Clarke, Lieut. by purch. do. R. Floyer, Ensign by purch.

do.

Ensign Duke, Lieut. vice Wilson, dead

N. R. Brown

28th July 1820.

22d March 1821.

Assist. Surg. Millar, from 55d F. Surg. vice Ridsdale, dead 12th April Lieut. Atkinson, from h. p. 12 F. Lieut. vice Thompson, 9 Vet. Bn.

22d March Ensign and Adj. Wild, Rank of Lieut. do.

2d Lieut. Fennell, from Rifle Brig. Lt. vice Wilton, dead do. Assist. Surg. Greig, from h. p. 22 Dr Assist. Surg. vice Millar, 47 ̊F.

12th April Capt. White, from. h. p. 14 F. Capt. vice Morris, h. p. 14 F. 8th March Supern. Assist. Surg Sievwright, from Staff Assist. Surg. vice Badenach, 15

F. 29th do. Lieut. Keir, from h. p. 22 Dr. Lieut. vice Elliot, res. 17th July 1820. Bt. Col. Bruce, from h. p. 39 F. Lieut.Col. vice Douespe, dead

29th March 1821.

Capt. Daniell, fm. 38 F. Capt. vice Antell, h. p. New Brunsw. Fene.

69

Miss Erskine of Dun has appointed Mr John Eadie to be minister of Dun.

Mr Scott of Gala has presented Mr Nathaniel Patterson, preacher of the gospel, to the church and parish of Galashiels.

73

76

5th Apr.

Surg. Flanagan, fm. 9 Vet. Bn. Surg. vice Halpin, h. p. 9 Vet. Bn. 12th do. Ensign Munro, Lieut. vice M‘Queen, dead

29th March

do.

Ensign Macbean, Lieut. vice M'Don

5th April

do.

Rifle Brig. H. Clinton, 2d Lieut. vice Fennell, 53 F. 22d March 1 W. I. R. J. H. Pickering, Ens. vice Ford, dead do.

1 Cey. R. Capt. Cooper, fm. h. p. New Bruns. Fenc. Capt. vice Dely, 38 F. 5th Apr. Colonial Comp. at the Mauritius. 2d Lt. Campbell, 1st Lieut. 29th Mar. Garrisons. Lt. Gen. Ja. Hay, Lt. Gov. of Tynemouth and Cliff Fort, vice Sir C. Craufurd, dead 24 April

Royal Military Asylum.

Staff.

Ensign Fair, fm. 7 Vet. Bn. Qua, Mast, vice Hill, h. p. 5th Aprif Bt. Maj. M'Ra, Dep. Qua. Mast. Gen.. in the Fast Indies, with rank of Lt. Col. in the Army, vice Stanhope, res 29th Mar.