The National Register. — London, England, 1809-01-15 00:00:00

.. .. ----353111111 111111P 44111 42 1.. .1, 1. .; '. f 77!' i • • ' i . 1 .1 1; 0 i I • ' I ..i ' i ? ••• ' , i ; t i. S I i 1 11 • I r ' I 1 , ! i . 1 I '4 A i ! 41 tl ! !II I I . . JAN. 1.5 THE NATIONAL REc;IST in the contest. Just Heavens ! .Was there a man among us, intrusted with power only for the short space of three :fears, who had talents and energy to wield to the full ex tent the resources of the country ! The moment is so anspicious for an enterprising people, if we neglect it, if we lose it through the impotence of a few public cha r.rcters.—The idea is distracting. It was generally supposed that Madrid had surrendered at discretion. There was a capitulation signed by MOHLA and two others, which appeared in the Madrid Gazette of the Ith ult. We have inserted the articles of this Capitula tion ; and they furnish too much cause to suspect Motu.% and his associates of treachery. How afflicting it is to ac cuse a General, once so high in our estimation of so dis graceful a crime. He enjoyed the same esteem among his countrymen ; and his decisive conduct: at Cadiz was consi dered by the Supreme Junta as a sufficient guarantee or his future loyalty. Lnder this impression they entrusted to his talents, fidelity, and courage, the important defense of the capital. We feel au unusual reluctance to accuse a Span nigh nobleman of treachery ; for we find few examples in their history, of a Spaniard being a traitor to his country. This capitulation was drawn up with a great deal of art, and was probably dictated by 'Boys eAr,T e himself, without even deigning to consult the Spanish Generals. He acted no doubt in concert with them. Every article is calculated to flatter the prejudices, and appease the ani mosity of the inhabitants. But the most curious circum stance is, that the mune of his brother is not once mentioned in the whole transaction ; nor has he figured as yet in any of the Bulletins dated from Madrid. For merly every thing was done in the name of King JosEpu ; and now he is as.little adverted to as if he had never ex isted. The small star is quite absorbed in the bright glare of the Imperial sun. It will be a fortunate circum stance for JOSEPH, if he recovers the throne of Naples; for NAPOLEON seems to have a strong desire to appropriate to his own use the throne of Spain. A RepoFt was,prevalent in the course of the week that an Engagement had taken place between the rear of the British army and the advanced guard of the enemy. Our troops are said to have been completely victorious. In the last dispatches from Sir J. MooaE, we have remarked no thing which could induce us to believe that an occurrence of that kind was so very near at hand ; but we do not deny the possibility of it, because we know the French are in the habit of transporting a body of infantry behind an equal number of horsemen. However, this we can boldly assert, that if such an event has occurred, and there has been anything like a parity of numbers, the efforts of our soldiers have been equally glorious and successful. We can no longer be accused of fostering extravagant prejudices, by antici cipating the most splendid result from the exertions of our army;--the late official account from Sir JOHN MoORE justify an anticipation of every thing great and noble, that undaunted bravery, or distinguished discipline are ca pable of performing. What rapturous sensations must this consciousness of the superiority of our troops afford every individual, who is interested in the honour and prosperity of his country. Our naval pre-eminence over the enemy, the vainest and most arrogant nation existing, did not dare to dispute; and the superiority of our land forces is now ually,.-coaspicuous. We have fre4iiently recommended the necessity of a floating army, whose operations should extend frnin the Mediterranean to the Channel. It appears to be now the intention of government to resort to this kind of warfare. We sincerely exult in thisdetermination, for there is no one mode of annoyance inure calculated to distract tbe atten tion of the enemy. Ile is assailable on every side; and when he collects a sufficient force to repel ours, we ernly:rlz again, and in 48 hours a lauding is made 200 miles riii.ther oil: The whole regular army of the French is not sufficient to protect their coasts, as long as we are masters of :he Ocean; and it would be necessary to draw an iron barrier of awned men round their extended shores, to prevent our landing. As this of warfare is now in contempla tion, it is of the hi, - :iest importance we should make a dilference between the l'renl,h and the nations they subju gated, and to subject fo'iner exclusively to its pres sure. This will be attended with several advantages, ex clusive of the justice of the mea.:are. The enemy in ordf.r to protect their own coasts,' will be obliged to withdraw rile greater part of their troops Italy and the North of Germany ; and a chance , will be Las given to the natives toassert their independence. Th... 1 r ill be obli c .,;eil a the. same time to call out on permanent duty the National Guards, who together with the regulars, ordered from the conquered provinces, will occasion a vast accumulation of expense to the French Government. The exct!ssive duties ofsuch a service, the contributions raise :1 on the towns and open country, the losses sustained by the peasantry, will occasion such loud discontent, that the tyrant will be forced to detach a part of the farce he has now in Spain in order to check the murmurs of the French, and to defend their Shores. This system of retaliation should be immediately carried into execution, and extend from Dunkirk to Nice; and no further either to the North or South. It should be carried on with extreme vigour, and with as much indifference for the feelings of the enemy, as they have uniformly manifested towards others,. They should be taught, by experience, to feel the disasters of the Spaniards; and after having sustained as a conse quence of legitimate retaliation a part of the calamities. they have so wantonly brought on other nations, they may grow more averse, for the future, to second the destruc tive projects of their savage chieftain. Let them feel• keenly the chastisement ; for a people dead to all moral sense, and totally callous to every thing that does not affect themselves individually, must smart severely under the lash, before they are roused from their torpid in difference. According to the latest accounts from America, the Embargo Act not only continues in force, but there is every probability that a Non-Intercourse Bill will be passed against Great Britain and France. This I:,st mea sure, it is not expected, will take place under the presi dency of JEFFERSON ; but as soon as MA DDESON succeeds him in office, there is no doubt entertained but it is one of the first he intends proposing. How this new measure of rigour, in addition to the grievances of the Embargo, will please the Americans, it is not difficult to conjecture; but to judge from the private and public communications received from that country, we are strongly inclined to believe that the violence of the Antifederalisis is preparing some dreadful explosion in the United States. • A dissolution of the present Union is more than probable, should the . . 1 CT:S) I ~ ~ 4 W If •