the exact observance of it, even by the most wanton and irregular of those cruisers, proof of the amicable sentiments which animate the councils of his real highness towards America, may acederate the return of amity and mutual confidence between Great Britain and the United! States. The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to repeat to dress to the predecessor of your lordship, on the 8th of February Mr. Russell the assurances of his high consideration. Forcign Office, 21st April, 1812. [COPY.] CASTLEREAGH. Mr. Russell to lord Castlereagh. My Lord-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note which your lordship addressed to me on the 21st of this month, enclosing, by command of his royal highness the prince regent, a Copy of a declaration accompanying an order in council which had this day been passed. From the first of Noven.ber 1810, to the 29th of January of the present year, as appears in a note which I had the honor to adlast, the Berlin and Milan decrees had not been applied to American property, nor have I heard that such application has since been made. But against the authentic act of the French government of the 5th of Aug. 1810, and the subsequent conduct of the government mutually explaining each other, and conforming the construction adopted by the United States, a report said to be communicated by the French minister of foreign affairs to the conservative senate, is opposed. Without pretending to doubt the genuineness of that report, although it has reached this country only in a newspaper, It work a ford me the highest satisfaction, in communicating yet it is to be lamental that ashatch form and evidence of authenthat declaration and order to my government, to have represented ticity have not been required, in an act considered as furnishing thrin, as conceived in the true spirit of conciliation and with a due cause for the continuance of the orders in commeil, as an act which regard to the honor and interests of the United States. I regret, by the very terms of these orders challenged their revocation.however, that so far from perceiving in them any evidence of the The act of the 5th of August 1312, emanating from the sovereign amicable sentiments which are professed to animate the councils of of France, officially communicated to the British government, and his royal highness, I am compelled to consider them as an unequi- satisfactorily expounded and explained by the practical conuents cal proof of the determination of his Britannic majesty's govern of more than eighteen months, is denied to afford convincing eviment to adhere to a system, which, both as to principle and fact, dence of the repeal of the French decrees, while full proof of their originated, and has been continued in error; and against which, continuance is interved from a report, which, from its very nature, The government of the United States, so long as it respects itself must contain the mere opinious and speculations of a subject which and the essential rights of the nation over which it is placed, is destitute of all authority until acted upon by the body to which it was presentel, which has found its way hither in no more au cannot cease to contend. The United States have never considered it their duty to enquire, thentic shape than the columns of the Moniteur, and for the proFor do they pretend to decide, whether England or France wasper understanding of which not a moment has been allowed.guilty, in relation to the other, of the first violation of the public But even were the cause thus assigned to the report jest, it is still law of cations; but they do consid, rit their most imperious duty difficult to discover what interenee can be fairly dedued from it to protect themselves from the unjust operation of the unprecedent-incompatible with the previous declarations and conduct of the ed measure of retaliation, professed by both powers, to be founded French government exelapting the United States from the opera on such violation. In this operation, by whichever party directed,on of its decrees. The very exception in that report with regard the United States have yer for a lone.it acquiesced, nor by the to uations who do not suffer their flag to be denationalized, was the slightest indication of such acquiescence, allorded a priest undoubtedly made with reference to the United States, and with a for extending to them the evils, by which England and france, view to reconcile the general tenor of that report with the good affect to retaliate on each other. They have in no instance depart faith with which it became France to observe the conventional reed from the observance of that strict impartiality which their peal of those deeres in their favor. However novel may be the peaceful position required, and which ought to have secured to terms employed, of whatever may be their precise meaning, they them the unmolested enjoyment of their neutrality. To theiras ought to be interpreted to accord with the engagements of the torislunent, however, they perceived that both these belligerent French government, and with justice and good faith. powers, under the pretence of annoying each other, adopted and put in practice new principles of retaliation, involving the destruction of those commercial and maritie nights which the United States regard as essential and inseparable attributes of their independence. Although alive to all the injury and injustice of this system,the American government resorted to no measures to oppose it, which were not of the most pacific and impartial character in relation to both the aggressors. Its remonstrances, its restrictions of commercial intercourse, and its overtures for accommodation, were equally addressed to England and France: and if there is now an inequality in the relations of the United States with these countries, it can only be ascribed to England herself, who rejected the terms proffered to both while France accepted them, and who continues to execute her retaliatory edicts on the high seas, while those of France have here ceased to operate. Your fordship will. I doubt not, the more readily acknowledge the propriety of considering the report in this light, by a reference to similar reports made to the same conservative sciat, on the 13th of Dec. 1810, by the duke of Cadore (the predecessor of the present French minister of exterior relations) and by the count de Simonville. In these reports they say to the emperor, (which proves that such reports are not to be considered as dictated by him) “Sire, as long as England shall persist in her orders in council, so long your majesty will persist in your decrees," and “the decrees of Berlin and Milan are an answer to the orders in council. The British cabinet, has, thus to speak, dictated them to France. Europe receives them for her code, and this code shall become the palladium of the liberty of the seas." Surely this language is as strong as that of the report of the 10th of March and still more absotes for there is no qualification in it in favor of any nation; this language has, both by an explanation of the duke of Cadore to me at the same time, and by the uniform conduct of the French government since, been recozciled with the repeal of those decrées, so far as they concerned the United States. If Great Britain could not be persuaded by considerations of universal equality, to refrain from adopting any line of conduct, however unjust, for which she might discover a precedent in the Conduct of her enemy, or to abandon an attempt of remotely and uncertainly annoying that chemy through the jamediate and sure Had the French decrees originally afforded an adequate foundadestruction of the vital interest of a neutral and unoffending tion for the British orders in council, and been continued after state, yet it was confidently expected that she would be willing to these reports, in full force, and extent, surely during a period in follow that enemy also in his return towards justice, and, from a which above a hundred American vessels and their cargoes have respect to her own declarations, to proceed pari pussu with him fallen a prey to these orders, some one solitary instance of capture in the revocation of the offending diets. This just expectation and confiscation must have happened under those decrees. That bas, however, been disappointed, and an exemption of the flag of no such instance has happened incontrovertibly proves either that the United States from the operation of the Berlin and Milan de- those decrees are of themselves harmless, or that they have been crees, has produced no corresponding modification of the British repealed; and in either case they can afford no rightful plea or orders in concil. On the contrary, the fact of such exemption on pretext for Great Britain, for these measures of pretended retaliathe part of France, appears, by the declaration and order in coun- tion, whose sole effect is to lay waste the neutral commerce of cil of the British government on the 21st of this month, to bed America. nied, and the engagements of the latter, to proceed, step by step, With the remnant of those decrees, which is still in force, and with its enemy, in the work of repeal and relaxation, to be disown-which consists of municipal regulations, confined in their operaed or disregarded. tion within the proper and undeniable jurisdiction of the states That France has repealed her decrees so far as they respected where they are executed, the United States have no concern. Nor the United States, has been established by declarationis and facts, do they acknowledge themselves to be under any political obliga satisfactory to them, and which it was presumed should have tion, either to examine into the ends proposed to be attained by this been equally satisfactory to the British government. A formal and surviving portion of the continental system, or to oppose their authentic declaration of the French government, communicated to accomplishment. Whatever may be intended to be done in regard the minister plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris, on the to other nations by this system, cammot be imputed to the United 5th of August, 1810, announced that the decres of Berlin and Mi-States, nor are they to be made responsible, while they religiously lan were revoked, and should cease to operate on the 1st of the observe the obligations of their neutrality for the mole in which succeeding November, provided that a condition presented to Eng-blizerent nations may choose to exercise their power, for the land, or another condition presented to the United States, should be injury of each other. When, however, these nations exceed the performed. The condition presented to the United States was per- just limits of their power by the invasion of the rights of peaceful formed, and their performance rendered absolute the repeal of the states on the ocean which is subject to the common and equal judecrees. So far therefore, from this repeal depending upon a risdiction of all nations, the United States can of renam indifiercondition in which Great Britain could not acquiesce, it became absolute, independent of any act of Great Britain, the inument the act proposed for the performance of the United States was ac complished. Such was the construction given to this measure by the United States from the first; and that it was a correct one has been sufficiently evinced by the subsequent practice. ent, and by quietly consenting to yield up their share of this jurisdiction, abandon their maritime rights.France has respected these rights by the discontinuance of heredicts on the high seas; leaving no part of these edicts in operation to the injury of the U. States; and of course, no part in which they can be supposed to acquiesce or against which they can be required to contend. They ask Several instances of the acquittal of American vessels and car-Great Britain by a like resp ct for their rights, to exempt them goes, to which the decrees would have attached, if still in force from the operation of her orders in council. Should such exp against the United States, bave, from time to time, been presented; tion involve the total practical extinction of these orders, it wil to his Britannic majesty's government. That these cases have only prove that they were exclusively applied to the commerce of been few, is to be ascribed to the few captures, in consequence of the United States, and that they had not a single feature of re this repeal, made by French cruizers; and sitould no other sachsemblance to the decrees, against which they are professed to gase occur, it would be owin to feary of this repeal, and to retaliate. 326. THE WEEKLY REGISTER-N. CAROLINA; BRITISH STATISTICS. It is with patience and confidence that the United States have expected this exemption, and which they believed theniscives entitled by all those considerations of right and promist, which I have freely stated to your lordship. With what disappointment, therefore, inust they learn that Great Britain, in professing to do away their disaffection, explicitly avows her intention to persevere in her orders in comicil, until some authentic act hereafter to be promulgated by the Frenen government, shall declare the Berlin Ai Milan decrees are expressly and unconditionally repeated. To obtain such an act can the United States interfere? Would such an interfi rence be compatible either with a sense of justice or with what is due to their own dignity? Can they be expected to falsify their repeated declarations of their satisfaction with the act of the 5th Ang. 1810, confirmed by abundant evidence of its subse qant observance, and by now affecting to doubt of the suficiency of dat act, to deaiad another which in its form, its mode of pub livation, and its import, shall accord with the requisitions of Great Britain? And can it be supposed that the French government would listen to such a proposal made under such circumstances, and with such a view? While, therefore, I can perceive no reason, in the report of the French minister, of the 10th of March, to believe that the United States erroneously assumed the repeal of the French decrces to be complete in relation to them; while aware that the condition of which the orders in council is now distinctly made to depend, is the total repeal of both the Berlin and Milan decrees, instead as formerly of the Berlin decree only; and while I feel that to ask the performance of this condition from others. inconsistent with the honor of the United States, and to perform it themselves beyond their power; your lordship will permit me frankly to avow that I camot accompany the communication of my government, of the declaration and orders in council of the 21st to this month, with any felicitation on the prospect which this measure presents of au accelerated return of amity and mutual confidence between the two states. It is with real pain that I make to your lordship this avowal, And I will seek still to confide in the spirit which your lordship in your note, and in the conversation of this inorning, has been pleas ed to say actuates the councils of bis royal highness in relation to America, and still to cherish a hope that the spirit will lead, upon a review of the whole ground, to measures of a nature better cal culated to attain this object, and that this object will no longer be made to depend on the conduct of a third power, or contingencies over which the United States have no control, but alone upon the rights of the United States, the justice of Great Britain and the common interests of both. I have the honor to be, &c. JONA RUSSELL. (Signed) North-Carolina. of By his excellency W ́m. Hawkins, esq. governor, captain-general and Is testimony whereof I have caused the great seal of the state to be hereunto affixed, and signed the same at the city (L. s.) of Raleigh, the 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and of the Independence of the U, States the thirty-ixth. WILLIAM HAWKINS. By his excellency's command, W. HILL, Secretary of State. BRITISH STATISTICS. employed in navigating the same, (including their repeated voyages) which entered inwards and elet 1807, 1808, 1309, 1810 and I An account of the number of vessels, with the amount of their tonnage, and the number of men and boys ed outwards, at the several ports of Great Britain, from and to all parts of the world, in the years 1906, 1807, 1808, 1909, 1810 and 1811-distinguishing British from foreign. 1806, 1811, respectively-distinguishing generally the countries to which the goods were exported. AFRICA..States of Other parts of An Account of the real value of Exports from Great Britain in the years 1905, Inwards. pounds. 1,136,955 11,446,939 8,557,186 pounds. 51,109,131 1807, 15,420,514 7,032,272 3,555,392) 1803, 13,983,123 7,971,694 3,718,813 1,555,042 12,865,551 11,837,501 1,022,745) 12,037.942 11,358,796 820.194 5.702.353 18,173,056) 970,872 7,460,708 19,333,605 66,017712 62,702,469 43,939,6.50 Europe. 20,435,940' pounds. Jo YEARS. 5,813,650 669 018 L 1811, nual average of 3 ys. 17,801,232 6,415,428 3,308,991 1,278,248 12,136,811 10,599,514 51,540,224 London, 36th April, 1812. } Custom-House, 725,013 6,464,050 17,133,553 55,657,372 South America. ed to the hopes of the nation, and to the heroic deeds of her loyalty and patriotism; the cortes have The following account of the reception of om resolved that the constitution shall be promulgated consul general to Chili, &c. cannot be but gration the aforesaid day, the 19th March. fying to every one who duly appreciates the value In the public session of the antecedent day, two of a good understanding with nations with whom original manuscript copies of the constitution were our relations are likely to be so interesting as with read by the deputy secretaties of the cortes, and the infant states of South America. It is pleasing to learn that the government of Chili accepts with frankness the hand of fellowship which the govern ment of the U. States has tendered to it. Nat. Int. Translated from the Aurora of Chili of March 2. SANTIAGO, 24th Feb. 1812. This was a day of great gratification to the real friends of the country, from the solemn reception of col. Juel Roberts Poinsett, consul general of the U. States of North America, appointed by James Ma dison, their present president, to the supreme go vernment of Chili All the corporations assisted at this ceremony, their unanimous vote having preceded it. they are signed by the deputies nominally appointed for that object. Afterwards a deputation censisting of twelve deputies went in three coaches with all the royal household to the palace of the regency of the kingdom; the royal Spani h and Walloon guards being drawn up in the palace, did the necessary honors of the deputation; which then presented to the regency of the kingdom, one of the original manuscripts of the constitution which is to be recorded in their archives, as also the decree, ordering it to be published and circulated. On the morning of the 19th all the deputies of the cortes made the profession of faith and took the oath prescribed to them.-At half after ten the re The consul took his seat, and the president, adgency of the kingdom proceeded to the conventiondressing himself to him, said : "Chili, Mr. Consul, by its government and its corporations, recognizes in you the consul general of the United States of North America. That pow er attracts all our attentions and our attachment. You may safely assure it of the sincerity of our friendly sentiments. Its commerce will be attend ed to, and your representations directed to its pros. perity, will not be without effect. Thi. is the uni versal sentiment of this people, in whose name I address you." ANSWER. al hall of the cortes in two coaches and took the oath according to the formula established by the cortes. After this solemn act, the cortes and the regency of the kingdom repaired in a body to the church, the troops being previously drawn up on both sides of the way, and a solemn mass was celebrated as thanksgiving to the Almighty, and divine service was terminated with a Te Deum. In the afternoon the constitution was solemnly promulgated in four different places in this city, being the residence of the court and government; for "The government of the United States has en the accomplishment of this act, the regency had trusted me with its commission to the most excel disposed that the governor, the ministers of the aulent government of Chili, to give an unequivocal dience of the district, and four individuals of the city proof of its friendship and of its desire to establish assembly, four heralds, and other persons whom with this kingdom commercial relations reciprocal the governor might invite, in order to render the ly advantageous. solemn seal more splendid, should assemble at three "The Americans of the North generally take the in the afternoon, at the hall of the city assembly. greatest interest in the success of these countries, This being done, the procession was accompanied and ardently wish for the prosperity and happiness by an escort of cavalry in advance, and by a comof their brothers of the South. I will make known pany of each of the different military corps in the to the government of the United States the friendly rear, and from thence they proceeded to the palace, sentiments of your excellency; and I felicitate mywhere the governor received from the regency the self on having been the first who had the honorable original constitution through the secretary of the charge of establishing relations between two gene department of Gracia y Justicia. rous nations, who ought to consider themselves as friends and natural allies." Spanish Constitution. Having arrived at the first place appointed to promulgate the constitution, where the portrait of our august sovereign, don Ferdinand VII. was placed under a canopy, the governor, ministers of the audience, city assemblymen, secretaries and heralds, ascended the stage, and arranging themselves in Promulgation of the constitution of Spain; from the a file below the canopy, the governor delivered the Gazette of the regency of Spain of the 14th May. constitution to one of the secretaries, who placed it The political constitution of the Spanish monar-immediately in the hands of one of the heralds, who chy, being sanctioned by the general and extraordi read and proclaimed it in an audible voice. nary cortes, they have de creed that its promulgation The solemn act having been performed with the shall be made with modest simplicity, but at the same formalities at the other places appointed for same time with dignity, and that while it is worthy the promulgation, the procession repaired to the of that great object which is to establish the prosper-palace and the governor returned the constitution ity of the nation, so might it be adapted to the cir tothe regency through the minister of the department cumstances in which she is situated. And consider-of Gracia y Justicia, and also the testimony drawn ing that the duty of the promulgation of the con up by the two secretaries, of its having been prostitutional code will be ever memorable in the an claimed and published with the formalities pre-cribnals of our nation, it is proper it should take place led to celebrate with dignity this day of glory for the on the most notable day of the holy insurrection, Spanish nation. the 19th of March, the anniversary of the sponta- A more gratifying spectacle has seldom been preneous abdication of the crown by Charles the IV.sented, than was exhibited on this interesting occa on which day his son, beloved by all Spaniards, sion. The universal demonstration of joy in the King Ferdinand VII. of Bourbon, ascended the sympathising multitude of thousands of citizens, throne, and the arbitrary regimen of the former go gave an interest to the whole scene which words vernment fell forever, and a spacious field was open-would but faintly express. The War in the Peninsula. (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 207.; beheld the force of the enemy, it is said that he was dismayed, and perceived, when too late, that he had committed an error which could not be reThe Spaniards derived great advantages from theived. The French state their force at 24,000; favo able issue of this battle. It opened a road to the Spaniards make it 44,000; the usual number of Salamanca, and at the same time compelled the a corps is 23.000, and the Spanish account is thereFrench to evacuate it. Three days after the battle, fore most probably nearest the truth. The disposi (21st Oct.) the duke del Parque crossed the Tormestion of the Spanish army was not judicious.towards Ledesma, while he pushed on a columu in Areizaga had arrayed it in two equal parts, one a contrary direction, as it he meant to reach Sala on each side of the town, which thus divided his manca, by Muniguela. When he arrived on the line: his second line was so near the first, that if heights to the north of Salamanca he was informed the first were thrown into disorder, there was not that the French had evacuated it, and were retreat room for it to rally. Most of the cavalry were ing towards Toro, laden with plunder from the stationed in four lines upon the right flank, a dischurches. Once more in the possession of Sala position neither imposing in appearance nor strong manca, the Spaniards were enabled to direct their in reality. The artillery was upon the two fanks. attention towards their grand object-the recovery The action began about seven in the morning, and of Madrid. As long as the duke del Parque could general Zayas, a young officer who had often distinretain possession of that city, he could co-operate guished himself, attacked the French cavalry with with the army of La Mancha; and if a junction of the advanced guard and drove them back. Between these armies were effected, the French could scarce-eight and nine the cannonade began. Mortier havly be expected to oppose their march to the capital. ing reconnoitred the ground, resolved to make his It was, therefore, highly important that they should chief attack upon the right wing, and, after having be driven from Salamanca, and for this purpose cannonaded it for a while from a battery in his centhe French gradually accumulated a force of nearly tre, he ordered Leval, with the Polish and German 20,000 men. But what they could not, probably, troops to advance, and turn a ravine which extendhave done, of themselves, the Spaniards incautioused from the town nearly to the end of this wing of ly did for them. The duke del Parque, elated by the Spanish army. Leval formed his line in com the victory he had recently achieved and anxious to pact columns; the Spaniards met them advancing co operate with the other army, in the proposed along the whole of their right wing, and Mortier advance on Madrid-quitted a position where he himself admits that his first line wavered. It was could have defied his enemies and crossed over to speedily reinforced; the Spanish artillery was well the right bank of the Tormes. Here he encoun- served, and four regiments displayed a resolution tered the marshal Kellerman (duke of Dalmatia) which has never been surpassed: 450 men of the who was posted there with a very superior force 5th regiment of Seville were in the field; these were Nevertheless the young duke offered him battle. the men who behaved so nobly with sir Robert The armies met at Alba del Tormes, and the action Wilson at the Puerto de Banis-and only 80 of them terminated in the total defeat and dispersion of the were accounted for when the day was over! The Sp niards. The troops, disdaining all order and first battalions of guards, which was 900 strong, left comproul, fled in every direction, leaving in the upon the field 14 officers and 450 men. But the hands of their enemies 15 pieces of cannon, six right wing was broken, and a charge of cavalry standards, 10,000 muskets, upwards of 2000 pi- completed the confusion on this side. The left wing soners, and about 3000 killed. stood firm and cheered Areizaga as he passed them; The army of L Mincha, was not more fortuan able general might yet have secured a retreat, nate than those of the right and left. The officers but he was confounded at the disaster which he and men were resolved to orce their way to Madrid ought to have foreseen, and quitted the field, orderand never to cross the Sierra Morena, until theying this part of the army to follow him. Lord Machad effected that object. It was commanded by duff, who was with the Spaniards, then requested general Arcizaga, and was connected with the ar the second in command to assume the whole com my of the duke del Parque, by that of Estrama mand; but while he was exerting himself to the nt. duża, under the duke of Albuquerque. The plan most, the French cavahy broke through the centre, was to cross the Tagus at Aranjuez, and to pene- and the route was complete. Never indeed could trate directly to Madrid, leaving one division to the Spaniards have been defeated in a more unfortu watch Toledo. The operations of their chief army nate situation; they were upon an immense plain, engaged the hopes and expectations of all Spain: exposed to the pursuit of cavalry, where they were no expense had been spared to prepare it for the followed and cut down on all sides. Victor, who field and it had been five months under discipline, crossed the Tagus at Villa Mensigar, pursued all The troops were full of ardor and felt the greatest night. So rapid was the flight of the Spaniards, confidence in their leader: and the purpose to be and so great their fear of being overtaken, that they attained was calculated to excite their warmest feel passed the Guidiana and fixed upon Duymiel as a ings. To oppose them Joseph once more quitted place of rendezvous for those who should be so the capital, attended by the duke of Dalmatia, the fortunate as to reach it. The whole of their artilleduke of Treviso, the duke of Belluno, and general ry was abandoned. A great number of prisoners Sebastiani, the commander of the cavalry. The were taken, among whom were three generals, six duke of Belluno was dispatched across the Tagus colonels, and seven hundred inferior officers. Upnear Faente Duanna, to intercept the retreat of the wards of 40,000 muskets were found on the field: Spaniards, if they should take that direction. their loss in killed and wounded, as may readily be supposed in so fleet an army was comparatively small Aware of the inferiority of the Spanish cavalry in skill and discipline, the French endeavored to that ofthe French,according to their own account, entice them into the open plain. For this reason did not amount to 400 men; but the country people they were suffered to pass the Tagus without oppo represent it at 6000. Half that number is probably ition. But fortunately the manoeuvre was perceived near the truth, for Mortier himself admits that the by the Spanish general who recalled them, and Spanish fire both of artillery and musquetry was posted his whole force at Occana. When Areizaga most tremendous. Thus at the close of the year 1809, the armies of Spain were completely dispersed, themselves, would teach them to investigate and and her strongest holds in the possession of her ene direct those resources with prudence and energy. my Some of the causes of these misfortunes are A relaxation of domestic government and indolent obvious. They had too much confidence in their confidence in the aid and activity of strangers, the own strength, they were ignorant of the force and marquis thought, had endangered all the noble and movements of their enemy: they were neglectful of virtuous objects for which Spain had lavished so that particular mode of warfare, which was adapted much blood: and until some change should be to the nature and circumstances of the Spanish effected in the distribution or application of the troops. Add to this, that the supreme and central jun-military resources of Spain, and the state of its La was chiefly composed of weak and feeble characters army, no British force could attempt with safety to who had been chosen, not on account of their personal co-operate with Spanish troops on Spanish ground.* merit, but by the influence of great families. They The greatest aid, the marquis said, to be expected were not qualified to rouse, combine and direct the by Spain from an English army, should be confiaenergies of the country. The abilities of many ed to that kind of occasional concert and co operawere slender,and the patriotism of some was hollow. tion which lately took place between the forces They fought to aggrandize themselves rather than to commanded by sir Arthur Wellesley and those unproinote the weal of the country. So conscious do der the orders of general Cuesta. In case of a Brithey appear to have been of their own infidelity, tish army of 30,000 men being employed in a camthat they were more afraid of domestic disturbances paign in Spain, they should be assured in the first than of external riots. This is evident from the place, of being provided with the means of movejealousy with which they watched the public jourment, and with necessary provisions. Should it be nals of the country-suffering nothing to be pub come necessary for them to retreat, the supreme lished that was calculated to enlighted the minds of command of the Spanish army should be vested in the people. As to the invasion of enemy, they the English general. seemed to have relied almost entirely on their allies The disposition of the people was in general, fafor protection. But even of this, they did not enjoy vorable to the great cause in which the nation was the full advantage for the want of sufficient concert, engaged, and the great mass of the population in as was fatally evinced in the retreat of sir John Spain, certainly presented means for organising a Moore. The British ministry was not insensible of powerful governinent, and elements for the formathe ignorance and imbecility of the junta, and they tion of an excellent army. But in the higher and were aware of the importance of rousing the nation. in the middling classes too many traces were to be The marquis of Wellesley was nominated as ambas found of French intrigue, and of its success. sador extraordinary to the junta in May; though those two classes a disposition was perceived to he did not arrive at Cadiz till the last of July-two watch events, and to keep terms with the party that months after his brother had taken the field,and pre- should ultimately prevail in the struggle. Many cisely at that moment when that general, for whom of this description, if they received no favours from he had come to concert a plan of operations, victo-government, at least were never molested by it.rious in battle, but defeated in the war, began his Thus no pains were taken to form one public opiretreat in Portugal. The delay of this appointment nion, to cultivate and exalt public spirit, and to diis ascribed to some private contentions about the great offices of state, one of which was sought by the marquis, and he subsequently succeeded in obtaining it. In rect its energy to great national objects. The population of the country had not yet furnished the proportion of recruits demanded by the dangers of the country; nor could any accession of numbers The new ambassador was received with every avail without a change in the organization and discimark of kindness and respect. He explained to the pline of the army. Many officers of the army in the junta, the nature of the instructions which he bore, most important station made no secret of their and he offered such advice as seemed proper, in hostility to the cause of Spain and her allies, and such a manner as neither to alarm the jealousy, were not sufficiently washed by government. On Lor offend the pride of the Spaniards. The British a review of the principa events of the last camarmy was in great distress for want of provisions, paign, it appeared to the marquis, impossible to acowing partly to their having been frequently inter count for the conduct of sbine Spanish generals cepted by Cuesta, who, on the arrival of the mar and other officers, on any other hypothesis than quis was recalled--and partly to the exhausted that they had concerted their operations with state of the country and the indolence of the mathe French, instead of coming to an understanding gistrates. That the British should return to Por with the English generals. tugal, excited the utmost terror and alarm, and In order to vindicate the independence of Spain, such was the confidence reposed in them, that even it was necessary,not to depend merely upon that after their retreat to Badajos, the marquis of Welles general spirit of resistance which animated the bulk ley received several notes from the junta, urging the of the people in the provinces, but to concentrate British to advance again against the enemy. The and direct that spirit in such a manner as to call ambassador was well assured that it was a common forth with effect the military resources of the coun thing for whole divisions, and even corps of Span try, and to form an army which might give time iards to run, on the first appearance of danger, to Spain, with the assistance of her allies, to estab without waiting to give or receive a shot. The evils lish the restoration of the government. The nomiwhich were the consequence of such conduct, they nation of a central junta, was no doubt the first were willing to ascribe to the British or to any other step towards the consolidation of public authority; cause than their own want of courage and discipline. but the constitution of the supreme junta was not The apprehensions which arose from the retreat of founded on the basis of union among the provinces, their allies, were somewhat dissipated by the mas and still less on a just and wise distribution of the terly manner with which that retreat had been elements and force of government. There was not conducted: and the intelligence of a renewal of hitherto any confederation among the provinces.-hostilities between France and Austria afforded new gleams of hope. The marquis hoped the retreat of the British army, by compelling them to rely upon Despatch from the marquis of Wellesley to Mr. Canning, Seville, 2d September, 1809. |