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

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. 1, I 2 0 . s rans-atlautic possessions. This extensive and deeply projected plan of commercial and political interdiction was only the fore-runner of still more alarming menaces s and the dock-yards of Europe and America were to be employed in constructing fleets to transport immense armies for the invasion of our islands. This was no idle threat used to terrify us into a renunciation of our maritime preponderance; it was the favorite and maturely weighed object of an individual, whose means and perseverance arc as treat, as his ambition is insatiable ; and who, in addition to the resentment he bears us, had a new incite ment to carry it into execution, from the conviction he felt, that as long as this country retained its independence, his vast projects could never be realised, and his authority was precarious. A man, animated with such views, and acting on such principles, whose moral and physical resources are so ex tensive, is capable of pertimning things, which to the generality of men appear incredible. Ordinary resistance, at least, could oppose no hindrance to his profound schemes; nothing but the most strenuous exertions and watchful vigilance, on the part of the community, were sufficient to frustrate them. A single oversight, or relax ation on our part, might give him advantages, which all the combinations of genius, and the efforts of patriotism might not enable us to wrest from him ; and disasters ensue which we feel a horror to reflect on. Such was the situation we stood in at the commence ment of last year. We have given a faithful description of the dangers we were exposed to, and the difficulties we had to surmount. After having stated them candidly, we now investigate if the precautionary measures on our side were proportionate to their alarming extent. It is by frequent and impartial examination of the question that we shall be able to meet with fortitude any occurrences that may await us, and prepare the means of rendering them harmless. An affected delicacy and mysterions silence on such subjects is highly reprehensible, and frequently attended by the most dangerous consequences ; for what interests all must be subject to public and unrestrained investigation. The principal object that engaged, and ought to engage, the attention of Government at that time, was the orga nization of an adequate military force. This was the subject of long parliamentary discussion ; and the public coincided in the necessity of increasing our army, so as to meet the exigency of the moment. However, in this aug mentation, we were more attentive to defensive than offen sive warfare; and were not sensible of the insufficiency of such a measure, until the unexpected occurrences in Spain convinced us of the error we had committed. In politics, nothing is more dangerous than half mea sures ; and, when a plan is adopted, it should be executed to the fullest extent the resources of a country admit of. The very moment BONAPARTE denounced ruin to this country, had we immediately embraced the resolution of retorting on France the vengeance she threatened to inflict on us, instead of a local militia, or our volunteer system, we would have converted the whole armed force of the fe- le regular army, ready for offensive opportunity, similar to that which offered itself to display the vast mistake we bad been guilty of.— JAN. 1. Another, far more fatal in its tendency and consequences, though rejected in theory, had .been invariably adhered to in practice, since the beginning of the revolutionary war. This cousieed in the pusiilauimous policy of dis claiming the practability of combating the enemy, with any prospect of success, on his own territory. The mo ment this idea became prevalent, ras long as it continued to regulate our conduct, we gave up every pretension to equality ; and progressive improvement, or political ag grandizement, was voluntarily renounced. It is a truism, in political science, that nothing is stationary; and the community which cherishes .the idea, that it has arrived at the zenith of its power, and displayed the full extent of its resources, inevitably begins to decline, and will do so sensibly, till it has discarded this dangerous opinion. The energies of a country possessed of our opulence, popu lation, and institutions are incalculable ; and, the states man who does not think so, and does not act in conformity to that idea, is perfectly incompetent to the management of its affairs. What has been observed of extraordinary men, is perfectly applicable to a state like ours : that nothing is impossible to them, as soon as they form the determination of performing it. We are so thoroughly convinced of the truth of this observation, that we feel not the slightest reluctance in ascribing the insufficient part we acted, for the last fourteen years, solely to the weakness of the several administrations. We recal with pleasure, in confirmation of what we have asserted, the expression of a much-lamented Statesman The . time will speedily come, or I am mistaken in the character of my countrymen, when, instead of confining. our exertions to the defence of our own shores, we shall fling a consider able part of our population on the enemy's coast, and retaliate on them some of the injuries they so wantonly inflicted on others !" But fortunately for us (and, Heaven knows, FORTUNE has been particularly propitious to this country ! though we cannot boast of having made the best use of her favours,) the error is not irretrievable; and an opportunity has lately offered itself, favourable beyond the wishes of the most ardent friend to his country, of recovering that pre ponderance we had so unwarrantably resigned. It is superfluous to mention what we are adverting to ; and, if Ministers possess only a particle of genius; with sufficient knowledge of the British character, an army of 150,000 Englishmen will exhibit, before the month of April next, what Great Britain is capable of performing. Reader, before you hazard an objection, we insist on your con sidering, first, the glorious result of such an undertaking ! With British feelings, your heart must throb with extatic anticipation of the immortal honour the exploits of these heroes will confer on this country. With what enthusiastic rapture shall we celebrate their victories! With inexpressible pleasure we will congra tulate one another on this commencement of a brighter era! Surely none of us is so faiLt-hearted as to foresee dan ger, or uncertainty of success, were they at this moment at the foot of the Pyrcnnees. After having shut for ever the asses of these mountains, an inveterate, an abomi nable' enemy would be placed in the same situation to which our immortal ABERCROMBY had reduced them in Egypt 1 Is any of us so lust, so callous, as to be indiffe- I rent to such au event. Had we an eternity of existence country into a formidable operations, at soon as an c •Stielfin Spain, • .fr,O•oe ; ;Am, ople, h•ps.-• • , • 17,- . Okfluly • . . 1 ,