The National Register. — London, England, 1811-12-22 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REG dezvous, it is clear that his attempts at recapture must be defective in their organization, their unity of action, and their efficiency. Had the expedition which so lately and so gloriously reduoed Batavia, been fitted out in England, and been compelled to repair straight to its destination, for want of a friendly port where to refit, collect, and take in supplies, can it be believed that it would have acted with the effect it has done ? Might not the vessels of war, and transports have been dispersed ? and, supposing the enemy to be master of every harbour, and' of a superior navy like ours, is it not more than probable that the whole expedition would have fallen into his hands before it reached Java ? or if it did, would have arrived at different times, and in separate divisions, so as to lose all its efficiency, and be captured or destroyed in L!etail. This example shows the future incapacity of Nn• POLEON to regain any of his colonies, except by proper concessions at a pace. Beyond the limits of Europe, he does not possess a foot of ground, and unless America should at last throw off the mask, openly join his cause, and harbour his fleets; they Will not find a single spot in the universe where to obtain refreshment and supplies, save on his own coasts, which they must therefore continue to guard, under the protection of his land batteries. In our next we shall inquire whether it be true that we are at this moment exposed to greater dan gers than at the opening of hostilities, and whether the enemy has derived any real advantage from the ,present contest, and the incidental wars on the Continent. PRESIDENT MADISON'S SPEECH. (CONCLUDED FROM OUR LAST.) The next consideration is that of the relations of America with the rest of Foreign Powers. These, we are told, have experienced no unfavourable changes. The friendship of Russia is tried and se cured, the favour of Sweden clearly demonstrated, and the enmity of Denmak disarmed. England and France having been dispatched in a preceding part of the Speech, these three nations are mentioned as the only additional ones with which the United States maintain any foreign relations. Novi it is known who pay the least attention to the transactions of the times, that both with Portugal and Spain the Americans carry on a considerable trade. Neither is it confined in Spain to those ports that are in' the possession of the enemy ; it extends to those still occupied by the Patriots. Cadiz, for instance, purchases their corn and flour in abundance, and according to every account, Lisbon and Oporto are always crowded with their vessels. How does it therefore happen, that neither Portugal nor Spain are noticed by Mr. MADUION Because, adopting the views of his ally, or upste:-, NAPOLEON, who has long since declared that those kingdoms should be his, either to give or to possess, the President comprehends them both under the head of . France. This is another marked display of the unfortunate bias of his politics. He is well acquainted with the protracted resistance of the Patriots; and with the success of our interference in the warfare of the Peninsula. The shout of freedom raised in Spain has re-echoed across the Atlantic ; but the. Chief Magistrate of a Republic that ,pretends to be free, disregat ds the struggles for liberty in others. Be cause the powerful Oppressor of the Continent has said, " they are mine," and has poured foith his myriads againstMlern, the Head of the American Government sanctions his usurpation, acknowledges his right to enslave, and openly cla'sses among the subjects of France, even those who still so bravely resist her yoke. Let America reflect and consider this omen. • The conduct proposed by the PRESIDENT to be held towards the trans-atlantic provinces of Spain, is an additional proof of his servility to the will of another power. He first disguises their nature. He does not represent them as what they still really are—portions. - of the. Spanish mo:?archy ; but con sidering the Spanish empire at an end, he.describes them merely as " great communities" occupy ing the southern parts of the American hemis phere. Uncertain what may be the future views of France on this immense , extent of territory, or her future means of carrying, those views into execution ; he fears to commit himself "by any im prudent expressionond is the! efore naturally guarded. It mighr be extremely expected - that the Americans, having achieved their own independentie at aformer period, should behold the attempts of the Spanish dependencies to imitate their example, with satis. faction, and should entourage and assist their ex. ertions. Mr.. MADISON indeed allows Congress 44 to take a deep interest in'their destinies, m.l to, cherish reciprocal sentiments of good. Will." 1314 even then, how does he r e c ommend that interest and those senti ments to be_ displayed ? Not by actual co-operation in their struggles.. This might he his secret wish, but subserviency to France stifles its. expression. He thinks it probable that at some time, or other tharench Government may Undertake to reduce the le "great communities" under its way, and may even require the assistance of the United. States in an enterprize of such magnitude, and requiring such powerful means. He, perhaps, knows that such a plan is in contemplation, and that such a demand will be made, and as it was impossihe he should . omit to mention occurrences, which Thy their nature and their lo'cality must have attacted the particular notice of every American, he, however, does it in such a manner, as neither to offend the Court of France, nor to render himself liable to.i , fu ture charge of inconsistency, should he,at any period to come, propose or countenance an union of fore* . with the French to subjugate Spanish America. All he therefore recommends Congress to do is, to " regard the progress of events—and not to be un prepared for, whatever order of things may be ulti mately csta bushed. Conscious of the hostile nature of his - policy, it is natural that Mr. MADISON should expect hosti lity in return. We therefore are not astonished at the military and naval preparations, he states to 101