The National Register. — London, England, 1809-02-19 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. 124 THE NATIONAL REGISTER. Lottbon, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1809. POLITICAL. EVENTS OF THE WEEK. It is with great satisfaction that we are enabled to state, 0:1 the 1111116 s /1011.1 NA has been able to throw himself into a situation from whence it depends only upon our °sin aci:vity to release him ; should our Administration not deom it adviseable to send hint succours, in order to enable him to act offensively. The movement of the Marquis, after the discomfiture of his army in Leon, was, as generally understood at Corun na, towards Portugal. Probably, finding, on his approach to Vigo, that that harbour had been abandoned by our trooi.s, he took possession of the neighbouring town of Bayona, a sea-port near the mouth of the Minho, and of course on the Gallician and Portuguese frontier. M. CEVALLOS has arrived in town. The communications be has made to Government tend to confirm the hopes we still so fondly indulge in, that the Spanish Patriots of the South continue to manifest the strongest determination to resist the progress► of the Enemy. Letters fro►n several British Officers, the statements front several Gentlemen lately arrived from Seville and Cadiz, corroborate the ac counts of M. CcvALLos. Every persom, who has been on the spot, and whose observations are of some authority, acknowledge that no people ever breathed a more ardent love of their country, displayeti-more fervour in the cause, Ulan the inhabitants of Andalusiet. To provide, however, against the possible consequences of defeat, measures have been taken to secure the French and the Spanish fleets at Cadiz, which were to be conveyed to the outer port. We are happy to state, upon undeniable authority, that the inhabitants of that city display the greatest activity in augmenting their measures of defence. The spirit which pervades the great body of the people is excellent ; and the intrigues of Mont,.; produced no other effect than to strengthen their resolution of defending their city to the last extremity. The late supply from Vera-Cr►►z, of 9,200,003 dollars, cannot fail to increase the confidence pf the Patriots. It is one of those unexpected propi- Onus circumstances, which, in a mo►nent of gloom and trouble, raises the spirits of men, from extreme depression to above the ordinary level. Those who have suffered are able to estimate the heart-cheer ing effects of sudden assistance of any discription. The mind, relaxed by a continuation of disappointments, instantly collects itself, and, as if ashamed of its former despondency, displays, and feels a more than usual energy. Previous, however, to the arrival of this pecuniary supply, measures of caution, as well as vigour, were unceasingly resorted to. A number of persons, suspected of favouring the designs of the enemy, and of maintaining a secret cor respondence with MoaLs, were arrested ; and the French prisoners were to be transported to the Balearic Islands. Under tliehe favouruble appearances, it will be a plea- FEB. lg. sure to know, that two Expeditions, consisting of 12 regi ments, are in a great state of forwardness, generally sup posed for that destination. Tbe . British force in Portugal, under Sir JOHN CKADDOCK, if incapable of maintaining a footing in that country, has received orders, it is said, to proceed directly to Cadiz. General SHERBROOKE'S expe dition was destined, we believe, for the same place. The fleet of transports which had been dispersed, during the late violent gales, have all safely arrived at Cork, and other ports in the South of Ireland. . General Samkgßoosc himself arrived at Cove on the 9th, in the Niobe frigate. As soon as the fleet has refitted, it is to sail again imme diately. S I' A I N . AFTER the accounts we continue to receive, through vari ous directions, and from unobjectionable eye-witnesses, of the unabating ardour and spirit of resistance manifested by the great majority of the Spanish nation, it cannot fail to excite astonishment, that the result of their efforts has been hitherto so unpropitious; and that a numerous population, animated with the courage and enthusiasm they unquestionably displa3- ed, was nevertheless incapable of affording a more effectual re sistance. We will attempt to explain this difficulty. As.soOn as Bonaparte had succeeded in disuniting the unfortunate Royal Family of Spain, and in getting afterwards these victims of his treachery and intrigues into his power, his first step was to secure by promises, or intimidation, the persons of the most distinguished characters iu that country. They were, iu like manner, transported, or ordered to repair to Bayonne. In the mean time, the inhabitants of most of the provinces rose, spontaneously and unexpectedly to resent the unparalleled out rage. New men immediately appeared to guide and direct the efforts of the inhabitants and to fill the vacancies, which had been occasioned by the absence of those who had formerly the administration of the provinces, and had filled the principal places under Government. The peTFODS, into *hose hands the direction of affairs thus accidentally fell, had courage, zeal, and enthu siasm ; hut they possessed no experience, and were totally un acquainted with the resources, and ignorant of the administra tive details of their respective provinces. They bad the means of fomenting and keeping the popular indignation alive; but were not vested with sufficient authority to exact and enforce from their fellow-citizens, the performance of those duties, and a submission to those privations, which resistance on a large, habitual, and uniform scale necessarily demanded e—a resist ance sufficient to oppose the undivided strength of the French empire, guided by au active, vigilant, versatile, and intelligent Chieftain, possessing, in the highest degree, the confidence of his troops, enjoying the reputation of uniform success, judici ous, beyond any comparison, in the choice of his expedients, and prompt, to a degree before unparalleled, in their employ ment. The uncontrolled power, he besides exercised over the vast empire he governs, placed means at his discretion, and fur nished him with a facility and celerity of execution, which no modern government does or can possess. . The organization of his military force is such, that the more we observe it, the more reason we have to admire. The same admirable order prevails in the civil administration ; so that a single word, the slightest enunciation of his will, is sufficient to give vigour and rapidity to every wheel, to the most trifling spring of the immense machine which he directs.—To oppose success ful and continued resistance to such a man the new leaders did not possess sufficient talents, experience, authority, or confidence. Fortunately, however, for the Spanish nation, the greater part of the force he could bring to hear on them, was at the distance of 8 and 1200 miles from their frontiers ! and the army, he had in Spain, from a miscalculation easily to be accounted for, and ' • - 1 1 .