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

e must be taken at last ; and if the original plan be led to, the transition from slow deliberation, to in- temperate hurry, is so sudden, that what is material to the success of the execution, is omitted, or delivered in an im r...rfe.et state. 14 proportion as we abhor the vices, let us imitate the meritorious qualities of .the Usurper. The firmness and activity he displays for the worst of purposes, let us prac tise to promote the happicess and liberty of mankind. In his pursuits indefatigable and constant, he never betrays alternate precipitancy, and tardiness; but, firm in his views, he deliberates carefully, and executes rapidly. This - et of government; and unless we adopt it cur political conduct, we may continue to , useless sacrifices of money and men, with single object worth contending for, or se -1 safety. We have immense resources at , re than ever fell to the lot of any other population is adequate for all the pur defence, as well as the most lofty ambi 'c effects of our institutions are capable of Iral character to the sublimest enthusiasm ; ituatiou combines every advantage which philosopher could wish. To • appreciate our means, moral and physical, let us suppose a CHATHAM, with the uncontrouled influence which his genius and virtue should entitle him to, entrust ed with the direction of our affairs. With the army, navy and finances of the country at his disposal, his soarinrand comprehensive mind would erect a stupendous fabric which we grow dizzy► in contemplating. The present situation of the enemy in Spain he would consider as the most auspicious circumstance which fortune has in her power to offer; and we form an erroneous opinion of the extent and power of human abilities, if he would not Cu- deavour, by one of those bold operations which genius • alone can devise, to terminate at once French rivality and opposition. That great Statesman,' prepared for every occurrence, would always have our whole disposable force ready for immediate embarkatiOn, and an adequate num ber of transports to convey them wherever their services might be required. We will not insult the memory of that great man by even asking the question, if he would have issued orders similar to those reported to have been sent by the present Cabinet, on receiving Sir JOHN MoonE'S dispatches. No : his soul was not to be daunted by ditli cultics, or surprised by rumours the moment he received the intelligence, a telegraphic dispatch would have in stantly ordered to repair to their destination the com manders of our fleets and armies. But it is useless as well as impertinent to indulge even in a supposition of the kind ; for, under an administration like his, our arm% would not be reduced to the mortifying predicament of flying before the enemy. Instead of 30 or 35,000 men, a :British force of 130,000, conducted by a MaaLnonosen, (for talents create talents,) would have, a month ago, seized the passes of the Pyrenees, and shut up BONAPARTE and his army foe ever in Spain. This may be termed idle rant and extravagant speculation. To fools and cowards, every thing decisive, and beyond the range of their puny elmprehension, is ridiculed as impracticable. Quitting, however, speculations of this nature, for what it is now in our power to perform, or the Ministers of our time are svilling to hazard, we will take the liberty of suggesting, at least, the necessity of removing the public uneasiness, *- • r row ritt 4b i s ' - • * A- P " TITE . NATIONAL REGISTER.. g r ,t •. JAN. 15. by ordering the Expedition immediately to sail. Whither ? to Vigo undoubtedly, to co-operate with their country men, or cover their embarkation. We absolutely reject the number of Frenchmen, which the Morning Chronicle and other party Papers, opposition as well as ministerial, have detachNl in pursuit of our army ; and are much in clined to believe they do not amount to 50,000 men. The last Bulletin of the enemy seems to corroborate this con jecture ; and if Ministers have any respect for their own reputation, any deference for public opinion, or a wish to perform any thing effective in support of the Spaniards, they will expose themselves no more to the imputation that every trifling dispatch is capable of disconcerting their plans and paralysing their vigour. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FROM THE FRENCH P. 4 PERc. TWENTIETH BULLETIN OF THE ARMY OF SPAIN. MADRID, DEC.l9.—liis Majesty this day reviewed the army which is at Madrid, with all its equipage and appointments. Sixty thousand men, 150 pieces of cannon, more than 1500 carts loaded with biscuit and hrandy, formed an assemblage formid able in every respect. The right of the army was utationed ou Charmart in, and the left stretched beyond Madrid. . . The Duke of Belluna still continues at Toledo with the whole of his corps. The Duke of Dantzic. with the whole of his corps, still con tinues at Talavira de la Reyna. The Bth corps has arrived at Burgos. General St. Cyr is forming his junction at Barcelona with General Duhesme. Our posts of cavalry are clearing the roads to the borders of Andalusia. The Emperor has given the army a few days of repose. Very fine fortifications are carrying on upon the heights o! . Madrid. Six thousand men are employed on these works. The small besieging train, composed of 24-pounders and of small mortars, is arrived. There has been found at Talaverade de la Regna, about 5 men in the hospitals, two or three hundred saddles, and some re mains of magazines belonging to the English troops. Some de tachments of cavalry have made their appearance in the neigh bourhood of Valladolid. This is the first symptom of existence which the English have indicated. Their sick and their de serters arc in great number. On the 13th of December their army was still at Salama:ica. Such distinguished self-denial ; such a singular state of inurnbility for the last six successive weeks, must be acknowledged to hare the appearance of some thing very extraordinary. His Majesty enjoys the most perfect state of health. FROM THE SPANISH PAPERS. CAPITULATION OF MADRID. FROM THE MADRID GAZETTE, DEC. 7, ISOS. CAPITULATION PROPOSED EY THEMILITARY ANDfCIV IL JUNTA OF MADRID, TO lIIS IMPERIAL AND ROYAL MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH. Art. I.—The preservation of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Religion, without any other being legally tolerated. Answer.—Granted. Art. 11.--The liberty and security of the liveinnd properties of the citizens and other persons residing in Madrid, as well as of those in public employments: the preservation of their situa tions, or the option of their retiring from this Court, if they should prefer it.—Likewise the lives, privileges, and properties- of the secular and regular Eccle=iasties of both sexes, together with the respect due to the Churches, all in conformity to our laws and customs. Answer;—Granted. r,ever l adhe, ~.104,1 41, 4 1 4fre ' v p ue secre -;, i sts:l4. asis of of . , r years, --- ,„ ; 440t, 0 ning a i ~, '• , • .r - , Ofigtermaneni f_r4mir disppsal, moi 4, ~. ',.1: - )olli.i f ou A.: t nd our uternal I Ole magic 4-.0 '4' At ', ~,--?',rl .-74:)ur mora e . 4 :0: f':,, , • . .r;i ( .. , . r insular sit - ' the statesman or 1