Denmark, so far from being sincere in her cessation of Norway to Sweden, had merely concluded a hallow truce; for, while she was openly pretending to have given up all interference with the internal affairs of the Norwegians, she was privately abetting the cause of Christian I. and his adherents, who had avowed a determination to maintain the independence of Norway. Finding, however, that this general charge was likely to render his motives questionable, the Courier writer proceeds to matter of a more specific nature. A Norwegian by birth, formerly in the Danish service, having been dismissed therefrom, appears to have been engaged in conducting, what was called, a treasonable correspondence between a few private individuals in Denmark, and some of the natives of his own country. He was discovered, and apprehended by the Swedish Government, who, in order to put it in the power of the Danish ministers to punish the alledged measure were attempted to be justified | wards broadly stated in that journal, that upon the common plea, that every thing is fair in a state of war. It is impossible for human nature to look upon that country as its friend who could thus annoy it. On the contrary, such an act of violence must give birth to inimical feelings, and lead the injured party to seek his revenge whenever, and wherever, he can find it.Without, therefore, seeking a cause for the hostile dispositions of Denmark towards this country in what is called State policy, we need only confine ourselves to the vital sufferings which we compelled her to endure, to be convinced that her alliance with France was a natural step, dictated on her part by uncontroulable circumstances, and which, had we been placed in a similar situation, would have been regarded as a proof of the most disgraceful subjugation, had we not, as Denmark did, sought the best and earliest means of rescuing ourselves from it.-But supposing me mistaken in this view of the matter, and that she was the first aggressor, Den-treason, transmitted the letters found upon mark, by the late treaty of amity with this him to Copenhagen, in consequence of country, denominated the Treaty of Kiel, which the parties who wrote these letters had made her peace with us. All cause of were punished. In the whole of this busianimosity was extinguished by this compact. ness, there was not the least ground to supShe, therefore, was entitled to the same pose that Sweden entertained any suspicion respect from us which we professed to shew of the Court of Denmark participating in to other friendly nations, and which we the affair, or even knowing any thing of claimed as a reciprocal return.-Our pub-its existence. It was apparent, indeed, lic press, in particular, ought to have from the whole transaction, that it was the been extremely circumspect in its treat- act of private parties alone. Yet, in the ment of a people with which we were perfect knowledge of this fact, and knowno longer on a hostile footing, and with ing also that the Danish Government had which there were so many powerful rea- punished the treason, thereby completely sons we should continue to cultivate a exonerating themselves from all idea of good understanding. Very different, how- encouraging it, does the Courier accuse ever, has been the way in which we have them of compromising their honour by conducted ourselves towards our new Ally. being a party to it; and upon this disInstead of shewing, by conciliatory lan- graceful and false accusation does this guage, that we were sincere in the alliance same journal found a plea for renewing we had sought for; instead of giving a hostilities with Denmark, and punishing proof that we were desirous to bury the her for what they called in her, instead of past in oblivion, our newspapers, evidently in themselves," a dereliction from all prinfrom the motives which I have stated, have ciple, from all truth, and from all justice." lately carried on a system of hostile ran--Next came the charge of Denmark alcour and perfidious attacks upon the Court lowing Danish officers to volunteer into of Copenhagen, which could scarcely find the service of Norway, and of sending even the semblance of an excuse, had war Norwegians home to their own country to existed in all its vigour between the two be employed against Sweden. As to the countries. The Courier, which pretends former part of this charge, it is well known to speak the language of our Government to every one, that it is beyond the power (whether truly or not is best known to its of any Government to prevent its subjects. conductor), has, as is usual in such cases, from enlisting, if they incline, into the taken the lead in this very creditable busi-service of other States. Are we not every ness.It was first insinuated, and after- day complaining of this in the case of 66 66 America? And are we to be told it is the " The law, called Royal, prohibits the fault of our Ministers that so many of our "Monarch, under pain of dethronement, seamen enter with the American navy "from ceding any portion of the territory. So long as the encouragement held out by But the King has ceded Norway, and so America is so far superior, as it is, to our 'far violated the Constitution. On the own, so long will our seamen prefer that "other hand, the succession to the throne service to ours, notwithstanding all" has been deranged, by the solemn abdithat may be said about "instinctive pa"cation of Prince Christian. It is imatriotism."-Why, then, should not the "gined, that, by the means of a new ConDanes act upon the same feeling?-Their "stitution, the Crown may be given to the case, in fact, is much less culpable (if "Princess Royal, daughter of the reigning there is any culpability in it) than that of "Sovereign. The States of the realm will our seamen; for Denmark is not at war guarantee the public debts, which, for a with Sweden, whereas we are at war with" country like this, are immense."—Now, America. But the truth is, and the though this paragraph is dated Copenhagen, Courier was fully aware of it, the Danish no one can believe that an article so indeGovernment never, in any form, sanctioned cent, and so outrageous against the existthe volunteering complained of. All it did ing Government, would have been inserted was to permit the natives of Norway to into any journal published in the Danish return to their own country; and this was territory. It is not necessary, indeed, to expressly provided for in the late treaty with argue upon this point, for the ready manner this country, which was lying before this in which insertion was given to it in the base writer of the Courier, when he brought Courier, without any expressed disapproforward his impudent accusation. Re-bation of its contents, shews at once its specting the sending of Norwegians home, origin. This is sufficient to identify it for the avowed purpose of fighting against with those who influence that paper. We Sweden, this part of the charge is equally have seen the dethronement of the Emperor falsified by the treaty of Kiel, which ex- Napolcon accomplished: we have heard of pressly stipulates, that no interruption of a design to overthrow the American Prethe commercial intercourse then subsisting sident by similar means. But however between Denmark and Norway should take reprehensible these may be considered, place, until after the lapse of one year they come far short, in my opinion, of the from the day of its signature. This com- villanous attempt which has been made, as munication, therefore, being kept open by appears from the above article, to deprive an express agreement, it required no far- the King of Denmark of his Crown. It is ther interference on the part of Denmark, said, that "the law, called Royal, prohibits to induce the natives of the ceded country "the Monarch, under pain of dethroneto make their election. But how this" ment, from ceding any portion of the tercould be magnified into a crime committed"ritory. But the King has ceded Norby that Government, and urged as a way, and so far violated the Constituground for going to war with it, the more "tion."-Now it will be observed, that especially when it is kept in view that we the laws of Sweden, like the laws of all were parties to the treaty which permitted other European countries, are public laws. the intercourse, is what no man, who is not Consequently the Royal law here spoken of, tainted with the Courier mania, or totally which I understand does exist, and which deprived of his senses, will ever presume to declares it to be a forfeiture of the Crown, assert. But the most daring part of the in any Sovereign of Denmark, to give away conduct of these malignant writers (if any a part of the territory over which his predething can be considered more daring than cessors reigned, must have been sufficientwhat I have already noticed) is what they ly known to all the Allied Powers, when have put forth respecting the part taken they so strenuously urged the cessation of by the King of Denmark in ceding Nor-Norway to Sweden.-Was not this, then, way. The following paragraph appear- in effect requiring of the King of Dened in the Paris papers of the 21st ultime, whence it was copied into the Courier of Saturday last" Copenhagen, "June 3.-It is strongly believed that "this kingdom will receive a new Constitution, or form of Government. 46 66 mark to renounce his Crown?— I know it will be contended, that his Danish Majesty was compelled to relinquish this portion of his kingdom, for which an equivalent was given by this country, in money and otherwise, and also an assurance by 13]. the Allies that they would guarantee his lative to the fate of the country, but the title to the remainder. Such statements King would have thought it derogatory to as these I have frequently read in the his honour and the antient dynasty of his Courier and the Tines, when it served Crown, if, after a treaty had been ratified their purpose to justify the cessation. But by him, he should have permitted himself upon what principle, then, do these jour- to take any step which would render its nals (for both of them have published the fulfilment difficult. The most positive article in an approbatory way) now come orders were therefore issued. The king forward and say, that the King of Den- required and expected obedience; but afmark has forfeited all right to the Danish fairs in Norway took a turn which entireCrown, because he has ceded Norway to ly frustrated the King's sincere endeavour Sweden Either these journalists were right to obtain the peace of the North. The in justifying the measure upon their former people of Norway went to meet their fate ground, or they were wrong in doing this. at their own discretion and their own risk. If right, how can they clear themselves The King had done all that could be justly from inconsistency and barefaced decep- expected from him according to the treaty, tion, in now giving countenance to a propo- and the cause of Norway ought now to sal which completely subverts a'l their for- have been wholly foreign to Denmark. mer reasoning? If wrong, what must Under these circumstances, it could not their present sentiments be of the justice. but appear very strange, that foreign and of the morality of a deed, which the statesmen, in public deliberations, beld a Sovereign of Denmark was imperiously language as if Denmark could be made ancalled upon to perform, though at the swerable for the actions of Norway; as little can it escape attention, that the exrisk of being expelled from his throne ?— The absurd, malignant, and contradic-pressions of the Ministers in the English tory opinions, promulgated by the journa-Parliament respecting Norway are marked lists of this country, some of which I have by a want of perspicuity, and contain connoticed above, having attracted the atten- tradictions which are difficult to be extion of the Danish Government, they have thought fit to publish a Declaration (which I have given below), in which these calumBies are most ably refuted, and the language said to have been publicly made use of by Ministers, respecting Norway, censured in an unqualified manner. This document also complains of the non-fulfilment, on our part, of one of the articles of the Treaty of Kiel, respecting the restoration of the Danish colonies. It appeared in the Copenhagen Gazette on the 11th ult., but no answer has been made to it by our Govern ment. plained.-For this reason the following observations are made :-The Treaty of Peace concluded at Kiel with Great Britain was ratified at Liege. On the 7th April after, the English Government had proposed an addition to the 4th article, relative to the giving back of the Danish Colonies. These additional articles were also signed at Liege by the Plenipotentiries of the two States, and the ratification of them has been given by the King of Denmark, but it is still withheld by Great Britain, for reasons which are not known: the English Government has, however, signified to the Danish GoverDANISH DECLARATION. The progress of military events required nor-General, commissioned to take possesa great and unavoidable sacrifice. The sion of the West India Islands, that he Treaty of Kiel was concluded, and from may execute his commission when the nethat moment the political connection becessary preparations have taken place. tween Denmark and Norway was entirely Misled by somo who are ill disposed toat an end; but the innumerable bands of wards Denmark, people dwell on every affinity and friendship, the particular con- circumstance from which suspicion may be nections of various kinds which existed be-derived, rather than attend to the voice of tween the inhabitants of the two countries truth and justice, which speak lordly in could not be so speedily dissolved, and the favour of the King of Denmark; and treaty itself therefore prescribed the term at a time when, by the exertions of of a year for the continuation of the com-generous Princes, justice, happiness, and mercial connections on the same footing. peace, are restored to Europe, it is forPrivate communications might therefore gotten that Denmark is a part of it; suffer continue for some time, and even opinions and that she, as well as other States, has a be freely expressed between individuals re-right to repose, after many years ings. Less attention is due to the expres- | powered by them for a time, will soon be CORN LAWS.Although the Bill has been thrown out of Parliament, which was intended to regulate the price of corn, the subject is not to be abandoned.—I have given below the Report of the Committee, which was laid before both Houses of Parliament in the course of the week. From this it appears, that the number of petitions presented against the measure did not exceed eighty. The great noise, clamour, and bustle, that was made in all parts of the kingdom, to procure subscriptions, made me think that they would have amounted, to eight hundred, at least. They were represented to be so numerous as abThat the Danish Government allowed solutely to cover the tables of both Houses; Danish officers to go into the service of and the opposition to the Bill was said to Norway,' though only such as are born in resemble that of the Dissenters, when, we Norway could, according to the Treaty of were told, it took several hackney coaches Kiel, demand and obtain leave to go out to hold the petitions that poured in from all of the King's service, and return to Nor-quarters against Lord Sidmouth's Bill. way; just as his Majesty expects, on his The Committee complain, that they have side, that Danish subjects in Norway will "examined several witnesses on the subdemand and obtain leave to return to Den-ject matter referred to them," but that mark. The same is this case with a number of Norwegian seamen,' who, as a London paper says, 6 are sent by sea to Norway, to be employed against Sweden.' That Norwegian seamen returned home by the most convenient way, as long as no prohibition was published, is natural; but that they were sent thither is false and that they were sent to be employed against Sweden, is an addition which has doubtless found a place by accident in an article, the malicious object of which is not to be mistaken. Lastly, it is said, "That a Danish squadron is at sea, cruising on the coast of Norway against Swedish ships. Though it is known that since 1807, Denmark has had no squadron, and that the brigs which have met and stopped English cruisers on the coast of Norway are, indeed, the property of the King of Denmark, but that they have been forcibly detained in Norway against his will, manned with Norwegian officers and sailors, and employed for purposes with which the King of Denmark has no concern. This is a sufficient reply to attacks and accusations which, if even the voice of justice is over - none of the petitioners have hitherto come forward to support any of the allegations therein contained."-Does not this shew, beyond all contradiction, that the cry raised against the proposed measure, proceeded altogether from a quarter where its merits had not been, and probably could not be, examined, from want of capacity in the individuals who made the greatest noise and stir about it; and who, forsooth, notwithstanding their ignorance, pretended to dictate to the Legislature, without, as it now appears, being able to support, by evidence, a single charge which they had, in so bold and so unqualified a manner, brought against the farmer and the land proprietor,-particularly the former. Let it be kept in view, that I have never justified the interference of Parliament on this, or on any former, occasion, as to the corn trade; my decided opinion being that all meddling of this sort is calculated to do harm rather than good, and that corn, like every other commodity, ought to be left to find its own natural level. This would be doing justice to all parties,, to the public as well as to the farmer, and would be the true way of en may have couraging agriculture.-My object has break it, although, if performed, we should always been, to expose the folly and stu- assist in the starvation of a million of our pidity of those who are influenced by a fellow-creatures. Mr. W. has made an hungry belly rather than by the voice of admirable speech, at the Free Mason's reason, and who seek for causes of high Tavern, on the Slave Trade." The prices where they cannot possibly exist, friends of the abolition," (says Mr. W.) while they overlook the true causes, and" had flattered themselves that their cause pass by the men who have occasioned them, being the cause of justice and humanity, to wreck their vengeance on those who would have met the support of all nations;" have been uniform in their opposition to and proceeds to state, that this country war, and to all its ruinous attendants. had in some degree given a sanction to Report of the Committee appointed to enquire robbery and murder; that it was upon into the state of the Corn Laws. the religious and moral feeling of this That the Committee have met, and have country he had planted his foot; and that examined several witnesses on the subject the Slave Trade was contrary to the laws matter referred to them, but that notwith- of God and the dictates of humanity. I standing a great number of Petitions, to agree with Mr. Wilberforce here; but I the extent of from 70 to 80, very nume- wish to know of him why God's laws may rously signed, have been referred to the be broken one day more than another? for, consideration of the Committee, none of the have not the Norwegians any claim on Petitioners have hitherto come forward to justice? Has their cause no claim to support any of the allegations therein con-humanity? Would it not be murder to tained. That starve a nation? Would it not be robbery Committee, anxious to your lay before the House, as full information to deprive them of their independence? as they can obtain upon every branch, and Would to God Mr. W. had, in this cause, under every view of the important subject planted his foot on the religious and moral referred to their consideration, and appre-feeling of this country; for, can he deny, that the oppression of Norway is contrary to the laws of God and the dictates of humanity? I appeal to the public, if Mr. W. has not always supported the party which were unfavourable to the abolition? and has not Mr. W., and does not Mr. W. detest the very party which brought it about? Mr. W. is, of course, much mortified at my Lord Castlereagh not having stipulated with France for the abolition of the Slave Trade; but it serves him right. I cannot pity him; I cannot sympathise with him; but I can with the slaves, for whom bumanity pleads; I can with a Grey, a THE GOOD AND PIOUS MR. WILBER Grenville, and a Whitbread, because I FORCE, THE FATHER OF THE ABO- know them to be consistent. -But, Mr. LITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE. Cobbett, what kind of a father is Mr. W.? MR. COBBETT.It is generally un-has he descrted his child? No: but he has derstood, that to be good, we must be partly destroyed it by encouraging persons consistent; to be pious, we must not act who dislike it, who would murder it, if contrary to the laws of God; but before they could, and who have injured it. If we should allow any person the above title Mr. W. likes such company, he must take we should examine into his claims. The the consequence; he must sacrifice his conduct of Mr. Wilberforce has been most eldest son, Abolition. Mr. W. take warnsingular, unaccountable, and inconsistent; ing; the country will not respect you if you one time pleading the cause of humanity, are inconsistent; the country will not come and calling out for justice; at another to the aid of Abolition at your call, if you shutting his heart; yea, opening his mouth will pull it down when it has almost been against humanity and trampling upon jus- at its height.-I will not trespass on your tice; one time willing to break a treaty Journal this time, but appeal to Mr. Cobfor humanity-sake; at another would not, bett and the most thinking people of Engsould not, for it would be dishonourable to [land, if Mr. Wilberforce ought to be called hensive that the Petitioners pro may examine all evidence the Petitioners |