The National Register. — London, England, 1809-12-03 00:00:00

VIE NATIONAL itEdISTFR, 770 avowing an error, it boldly adheres to its first sentiments; and was , predetermined to blame; whether the object was right or wrong. The *titer, it must be confessed, displayed a great deal of . bfirlosque pathos, and affected to have shed a torrent of tears---it was so distressed, poor, tender-hearted thing, at the disclosure of the circumstances, which inthbeticed Mr. CANNING'S con- duct. With ail this parade of sensibility, his mode of attack was jesuitical in the extreme; and if he did net display the antplieity be charges Mr: Cmonirto•with, he was not' defi cient in the. intahliou4nettiaiut corruptness of heart he alludes to on the same occasion. His mode of criminating, Mr. irmixo,and the reasons he afterwards puts into the mouth of Lord CAMDEN:, to jelltify his Lordship's concealment, and prove the simplicity of the former, would do honour to the most distinguished disciple of Loyola. What ! does this man dare advance, that the most unbounded delicacy, a reluctance to credit the duplicity of others, an anxiety tb give pain, a certain yieldiUgness, even simplicity of heart, may ndt be united in the same individual, with the most brilliant talents, extensive knowledge of men, and an invincible pertinacity in the - pursuit and execution of a useful naeasure. He does not seem to comprehend the alliance of these apparent extremes, iu characters of the greatest, when they are, at the same time, gond men. This writer has a curious method of judging : he looks into his own heart, and draws from that source his conclusions in favour of unalloyed +depravity. We will tell him what he seems un sible to comprehend, That this very union of the most tender and delicate qualities, with the greatest expansion of mind and integrity r f principles, strongly marked the otharacter of one of the greatest men that modern Europe produced—the great Marshal TVRENNE. In one thing, however, we coincide with this writer,that we sincerely regret that Mr. CANNING did net display more of the fortiter than of the suaviler, in enforcing the re moval of Lord CASTLEREAGH ; and we deplore, with great er sincerity, the circumstance of his having ever acted with his late colleag-ucs. He was the sole support of that crazy, despicable Junto; and well, and with flagrant con sistency, have they rewarded him for the existence and currency he gave them. That Mr. CANNNLNG has been completely duped, we can not deny ; and we find some difficulty in•reconciling, with his acknowledged penetration the confidence he has unfor tunately reposed in his late colleagues. Men hacknied in intrigue, and bankrupts in reputation. But, upon a little reflection, we find it leps unaccountable ; for persons of a generous, upwright, and ardent temper are most liable to iinposition ; and, without the least detraction on the score Qt intellectual merit, may be easily overreached by beings of very limitted, but very invidious minds. This is, no doubt, the true state of the case, and - a more than satisfac tory solution of the difficulties which offer, upon a slight view, of the several circumstances. Mr. CANNING has raised himself solely by the force of merit. Talents, like .his, seldom run into the obliquity, or stoop to the baseness, which too often insure success to candidates for political emolument. His impetuous spirit spurned at such means : and this the ,ila3sa seems.ot►able, or unwilling to comprehend. Does this DEC. S. snit/Understanding arise from principle, or passion I if it ori ginates in the former, bow despicable must the individual be, who traces all human actions to base and insidious motives ; and if it arise from prejudice, bow deplorable is it, that the character of men and things should depend upon the humour of a capricious or irritated partizan. It is easy to trace the violence of the writer to the rancour of poli tical opposition, or to perversion of moral feeling ; but the rage of party hostility, and the venom of moral de• pravity, though they may affect for a time, can make no permanent bad impression upon a character, which com biaes genius with integrity. Mr. CANNING, through the means resorted to by his adversaries, may be misunder stood, and even suspected : but we form a very erroneous opinion of the judgment and equity of a British Public,. if they will remain long a party oa the side of intrigue and envy, against merit and innocence. Let us examine Mr. CANNI N G'S conduct since his first entrance into public life. Let us observe Lim in the character of husband, friend, and subject. Let us analyse his speeches ; peruse his writings, and examine his public acts, and do we find a single trait to justify the malice and imputations of his opponents? Not one! But if a s;tnilar analysis were to be made of the latter ; their actions, and their speeches, what a decompositiooof folly, meanness, intrigue, and pro. fligacy should we discover ! It is impossible to deny, that Mr. CANNING is not the momentary yid:J:l of this cabal,. and of his own independence, delicacy, and candour. Bu t the persecution he is now exposed to, cannot fail to excite in has favour, the well known sympathy of a British public. The following Circular Letter has been sent to the Mein. hers of the House of Commons supL;osed to be in the in. tersst of Ministers : _______ Downing-street, gov. 28. " Sta.—The meeting of Parliament having been fixed for Thursday, the 23d of January, and the present situation of aN fairs rendering a full attendance desirable, I take the liberty of earnestly requesting your presence on that day. " I (rust you will excuse my expressinga wish that you would . let me know whether it will be consistent with your convenience . to attend at the opening of the Session. 6 I have' tilt honour to be, Sir, • " Your most faithful and obedient Servant, " SPENCER P,ERCEVAL," In observing upon the above letter, we must take the, liberty of saying, that we can easily excuse Mr. Perceval's, expressing a great many " wishes ," and feeling a great deal of anxiety respecting the number of Members who' may be disposed to afford him their support at the com mencement of the Session. The conclusion of the epistle is a very singular one ; but so are the circumstances under, which the present Administration„ if it may yet be called one, is to meet Parliament. _ _ Letters from Walchereu speak of nothing. else but the approacliing evacuation of that Island. Tie following is an extract of a letiCe, dated— " MIDDLEBURGH, Nov. 17.—" I hale been informed from* persons coming from the opposite coast that the French troops have been accumulating in Smith Lieveland since the 20th,, and are now in very considerable force at Tergoes. It is reported here that General Don has sent a message to the Commander - of the French on the opposite side, informing him that he intendr to evacuate the island; at the same time acquainting him, that if any attempt is made-to oppose the embarkation of the troops; he will open the sluices and inundate the whole island, which he has the means of accomplishing in the small space of an hoar. The answer of the French General has not as yet arrived nor have the fear Magistnites'retarhetl-who waited upoti Gen.., Don." ••••wiiiMM 4. I