The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-10-20 00:00:00

GIBRALTAR MAIL.

The most important article received by this con-
veyance, relates to the present •tote of

THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT.

Some time ago the Supreme Council of Spain
and the Indies presented au address to the Supreme
Junta, on the subject of a Regency, and of which
we have received a copy from Gibraltar. This im-
portant document has not been suffered to be pub-
lished in Spain ; and we think its suppression ac-
counts in some measure fur the new restraints
imposed upon the public press.
Our Correspondent at Gibraltar informs us, that
the utmost discontent aguitut the present wretched
and imbecile C9Verrniellt of the Supreme Junta
pervades the whole of the Spanish Provinces. He
adds, that the people seem ripe for a new insur-
rection, not in favour of the French, hut against
their present Rulers, who have shears a torpor. im-
becility, and indecision. but little adapted to the
present crisis, and to the ruin with which Spain
has been 60 long threateued.—A ruin which has
only been averted by the temporary employment
which has been given to the arias of Napoleon in
Germany, by a set of men as ill qualified to oppose
him with effect, as even the Supreme Junta itself
appears to be.
The following is the Address alluded to. •Of the
introductory part we have only teceived an abridg-
ment. We give it as we have received it:—
....

The Sup-reme COMlleil of Spoils and the fm
its which are. 110% united threat of Castile, the Indies,
Orders, and Finances, has addressed a most encr-
getic representation to the Supreme Junta, upon
the expediency, nay, the absolute ssecetasity, of es-
tablishing a Regency, composed of dove or live
Mcmhers. is.,oseal:ly to the laws of the kingdom.-,-
The C it begins by reminding the Board of
the Order issued by Ferdinand, at Bayonne, for
the immediate convocation of the Cortes.

' 'nits order was unfortunately kept secret from
the Council, which would certasuly have eufteced
it. execution, in spite of every obstacle ;add in this
ciremnstunce nri:tinited theaaarchy which folluwrd,
on the assumption of the supre:ne power by the
particular Jumbos of the different provinces; su
autarchy which paved the, way for the progress of
the French arniirs and would probably have ended
in the complete subjugation of the kingdom, if the
remnants of the Spatted' troops, collected in the
moat *lntent provimus, the toitleken loyalty of the
natives, acid the enemy's wo't of confidence in the
dispositions of the capital end of the provinces
which they occupied, had not checked their impe-
tuous career, and prevented the full attainment of
their guilty :•tids. Thu., unacquainted with the
Sovereign's sill, but strongly impre,sed with the
cal•urnitur, with which the kiisgdoitit WWI afflicted,
YUd tlir still greater ottre with which it was threat-
ened, the emoted repeate:lly addressed the Pro-
vincial Juntas, and rowed upon them the urg.ticy
of establishing a legal Government. Ja represent-
ation*, hoc ever, were disregarded ; and the Coun-
cil, sensible, that, noisier such extraordinary cir-
cumstances, prudence recommended. and the ne-
cessity of providing for the safety of the country,
justified, a deviation from the rule proposed, that
the Juntas should exercise a power which the law
had not given them, and themselves appoint •
Government, ad interim, this proposal was ac-
quiesced in, and the Central Junta met at Aran-
jues. This* far slid the wish of preventing still
greater evils carry the Council ; but, ever mindful
of its duties. as the guardian and depository of the
laws of the Itlonarchy, scarcely was the new Go-
vernment organised, when it called the attention of
ies members to the necessity of speedily subetitut-
lug, to forms unknown to the institutions of the
country, and diametrically opposite to those of the
monerchical.government, a-Regency. composed of
the number of individuals prescribed by the law de
pegrida, in cases of minority, or of the Sovereign'.
inability to discharge the highs ditties of his dig-
nity:"
[To these observations no answer was returned ;
and the Council could not but see, in the silence of
the Central Junta, a fresh proof of its wisdom. as
their adoption, at that time, would probably hare
been attended with great inconveniences, and it
was, in some manner, necessary to conform to the
opinions of the provinces—In the mean time, ex-
perience has evinced. that the apprehensions of the.
Council were well founded; that its sucgestions
were proper and correct ; and that, whatever Go-
yerumeist had been established, it ought not to Isere
deviated from the letter of the law.)
The Address continues :

•' It is hut a short time since we obtained victo-
ries which held out the prospect of a speedy deli-
verance, and of the restoration of happiness to our
Capital and to the Monarchy; but, today. we are
covered with mourning and have to lament the
loss of soapy of the gallant sous and defender's of
the country.
'• Oar tunnel were at the este. of the capital ;
and. to-day, we see them beaten, mostly dispersed,
and compelled to fall back nearly upon the sane
point's whence the enemy tlitesitentel us about the
latter and of Mareh.

" Supported by, the seal of the nation, and at the
eapenqe of the ingst painful uteri& es of our youth
to the lave of oar reut.try, or had saceteded iu

•
organising, training, and increasing our army, con-
siderably reduced by former losses; and, to-thy,
we see the hopes of that country disappointed, and
the skill, merit. and untini,ity of its most %orthy
Commanders, exposed to obloquy and wounded.
" Two large national armies iiiw;ored us with the
must Bettering hopes; and ‘re expected, that,
united with the numerous and brilliant army of
("heat Britain, they would soon accomplish
enemy's destruction, and drive them beyond thoi
lolly Pyrenees; and, to-day, we are ow the point.. 4
beinu abendoned by our generous benefactors, our
warlike aline.

" Such was the faithful picture of our situation
a short time ago; and what is it at present f Alt !
the armies which defend us, and the people who
are fully acquainted with it, conkd describe it for
better than the Council ; and, it' possible, a still
more correct represeutation might be given by the
wretched inhabitants of Estretnadura, la Man-
cha, and Madrid, who are already made to pay
for their premature exultation, by a fresh plunder
of their property, and the ignominious kind of
death they suffer on ivrafhilds.
" This cruel change we see, wonder at, and mourn
fur ; but we do not feel the effects of it at permit,
and, from our contemplating it at a distance, arises
our incredulity. These unexpected strokes not
only depress the minds of the people, but damp
their patriotic zeal, which, if once extinguished,
woe to us, to our religion, and to our existence !
"The People are iudulgiag ia unrestrained cum-
plainte, and make them known by libellous mud in-
flammatory placards. Their daily conversaiiwei,
in places of the greatest sesort, suiSposie different
parties, views and Interest* among their Governors,
and threaten some, whilst they insult others. for-
getful of the respect mute to the supreme authority,
and regardless of the consequences to the public
peace end union. •

" The Council shudders upon contemplating the
danger iu which it sees the country, because it can.
sot foresee the possible results of this ferinini,
which, while it meets with its utmost disapprobation,
as contrary to the law, at the same time excites
its apprehensions on account of the opposite ante•
rests of the Juntas, and of the variety it observes
in their opi,tions ; and also because it is generally
known, that the law, in cases like this, directs
thit the Covernment be entrusted to one, three,
or tire individuals. The Supreme Junta is, there-
fore, bound by the most sacred duty to lay these
truths before your Majesty, in order to ward off
the dangers by which we ere threatened, syd to
present the excesses of a people, who think their
defence and protection nuatteaded to.

I! to sour Majesty resides the Sovereign power—
the remedy is iu your own hands. A genernut
self-denial will perpetuate the raemorv•of the 4. 1.-
rivet' of the Supreme • Junta, and ininioralize its
Members. May it please your Majesty to restore
to the law its authonty ; and there will be au
end of the uneasiness to which we are a prev,
mid which will be succeeded by trunquillity and
applause.
" The imintalinte appointment of a provisional
Government will pacify the people; the nation
will indulge iii the mutt (Littering hopes; and thr
supreme will of Ferdinand Seventh, who requires it,
cud who sutlers most, will he fully complied with.
" The whole nation will applaud the measure ;
and it is the opinion of the Council, that, in order
to rouse its spirit, depressed by the present load
of evils, it would be proper to establish a legal
Government. with a Bourbon at its bead. Aud,
the perfidy of our infamous enemy having left in
Spain none but the most Reverend Cardinal Arch-
bishop of Toledo and Seville, it seems as if Hea-
ven hint preserved him to support the nation under
her calamities. and Optionally to call to our missile
the beloved Sovereign for whom we are fighting.
" Policy points out the urgent► of inmiediately
filling lip that seat, until the wished-fur return of
our Monarch.

" lln Eminence's elevated character leaves no
room for competition, andvilences all possible pre-
tensioni of either natives orioreipers. Spain and
the Indies will obey him with enthusiastic devo-
tion ; all rivalry will be at au end ; and the Spa-
niards will see in his ExCellvuey a branch of the
family of the King, whom they so passionately lore.
" The better to insure the success of his admi-
nistration, and also to ease him of part of the bur-
den, four adjuncts ought to be given him, of dif-
ferent ranks and profeseions, provisionally to com-
pose the (lover sssss ent. astil the next Ult etiou of the
Cortes. Whatever matter comes under discussion.
every question should he decided by a majority of
votes ; and they should swear to observe our laws,
which are not to be altered without the concur=
retire of the Cortes, which the Government should
convene. as anon as circumstances permit.
" Upon this subject, the Supreme Council of
Spain and the Indies will prepare its observations,
and lay them before the Government as usual. It
is just and requisite that our American settlements
should have a principal share in this national body.
as they derive such strong titles to our regard.
from their fidelity. loyal services. donations, at.
tachment to the King, patriotic arid, and great im-
portance. This Styrifine Trammel reserves to itself
to give its opinion upon the justice of their inter-
veution, which it will du after the most mature de-
liberation.

" It is supposed, that the four individuals he be
appointed by the Supreme Junta, until the tweeting
of die National Congress, will bear a high charac-
ter fur probity, religion, loyalty, skill in their re-
spective professions, impartiality, end di:intervened-
nese. The Supreme Junta itself, which they ate to
succeed in the exercise of the Sovereignty, will se•
cure the opinion of the public. and provide for its
own safety, by appointing individuals endued with
these qualities ; fur, if the persons elected should
not rank high in the public opinion. G"vernment
would scarcely succeed in suppressing the present
popular complimits and suspicions. By so doing,
no doubt will remain is the minds of the people
about the upright intentions of the Supreme Junta;
the superior ones will cease to exercise their powers
—they will obtain the applanse of the whole Mo-
narchy--and posterity will ever be grateful for
their services.

May it plen•e your Majesty to lenal a gracious
hearing to this Representation, which ha.; no other
°hie& than your Majesty's glory, and the'exter-
untiation of it... T 3 rant by whoa we ars oppressed."
"' Ursine, August itn, lu."

THE BRITISH PRESS.

LONLA,N, •
FRIO %V, 0, ro3ra 2'.

The, nib of Decen46er. we tinti. 'is the diy to
which Parii.urreitt. is to be pr,krogued. We are
hence the more inch-PHA to in. t.mrs that it wiil
not meet u:itil after Christui..s.

We noticed, in a fernier paper, theta seinadroi,
is fitting oat, for the- Steditermaeaa, at Ports-
mouth. It is understood to be -destined for tile
Mick Sea, to en-opi rate with the Turks agsittst
the Hilssimis.—The folluw•iug MCC stuoug the An;
mentioned to proceed on this m•rvicr:-
96; I►eat, 73; Repulic,74; Iran:pile. i;
ire, Victorious, Danmark, Affivd, um,
frigate.

By the Cyane stoop of war, arrired wt Mob,.
mouth, from the Mediternmeal, ; La Agog'lt,
and Defender, arrived at the sant:: port,. from
Lisbon ; we have received Gibraltar Chronicles to
the 30th of Septetnbcr, and Spanish and Portu-
guese-Papers to the let of October.—Barcehma
is said to be greatly distressed by want of pro-
visions, and hopes are entertained, that if the
French squadron from Toulon should proceed to re-
lieve it, the attempt would lead to au action with
Lord Cows GIVOOD. His Lordship had made the
necessary dispositions, in contemplation of that
event. Lord IVCI.I.IatiTON, whose illness we tam-
tioued sometime ago, was expected lit Lisbon. The
pause in the.military operations. Once the retreat of
the. British army across the Tagus, still combine,.
The Freach will probably remain upon the dekie.o e
until BON APATITE returns with en overwhelm...,
force to the Pyrenees. Under the head of Sreil;.,
gist September, will be Nand a list of Hecteos
issued by King Jostrn, retqwctia,n; the en!!
economy of the kingdom.—Pritate account) titter,
that the Angina W1.1.1.141.1a has presented
strong remoustra:tce to the Supreme Junta,
the inefficient state of the Spanish Armies, and tile
general want of due exertion fur the deliverance of
the country.

111r.'IC y„ the fueasenKer, has arrived with
itn-
portant dispatehea frinn ?dr. ADAI R, I s :$1 GsT
Anthsssistder at the Snhlitne Porte. !le came 1.,
1118,/tnauth as the Intelligent gun-b ig, kit front
klist!.o anti Gitstaltar. 111 r. DIELLIaH, Ilia 51A-
s r v's late C:liarge des Affairs/ et I'41( two,. vestige
house io the omit vva-ri•

The disp itches from the Mediterranean bring in-
telligence • that the British Expedition,' under Sir
JOHN STUART. is returned to Sicily.
Letters horn the Co"viers,. schooner, Of Mr-
mouth, dieted Ceiba, the 7th lust. state, that she
was arrived.there with a cargo of fish; this contra-
dicts a rumour that she had been taken bya Fri t(rh
privateer.. and carried into Bayonne, which report
occasioned great distress 'mon; the friends sod re-
lations of the of and ship's company.
The charge made by theist Battalion 48th Re-
giment, on the right of the bill, in the battle of
Talavera, drove the enemy's advancing column with
Brent alaughter into their own lines—this closed the
• business of the iatfs. On returning from the charge,
the Commander-in-Chief sent a Staff Officer to de-
sire that Major MIDDLEIIOIIII (Colonel DOari.AN
*itki previously wounded) Would return his thanks to
the regiment for their steudv and gallant conduct,
The Men received the thanks of their Commander
with three cheers, and exclaimed, that, on .the
strength of it, they would give them another charge,
but norm t unately they had not another opportunity,
the French having retreated.
After the meniorrilde hattk of Talavera, the
French standard, taken by the epth regiment din-
ing the heat of action, was presented to Sir At:-
Trine WILLESI.6Ir. Next day it was returned.
with the following handsome letter front the Atli,-
tant-General, addressed to the Commanding Ori:•
cer :

Talmera,July 10. 171.9
"St R—l bare prevented the French standard taken by the
tgtkregimeid, oft the !nth just. to the Commuider id the
F. tees, and I am directed by hie Excellency to return it to
you, that it may reptant au posseraiou of the 99th reiimeet,
a teetimosial albeit gallant conduct.
" I have the honour to be,Sir,
" Your obedient wryest,

" CHARLES STEWART, AA.) -Gra

The Parliament is prorogued from the *I day of
November to the Mb of December. The Prod a•
motion for this purpose is expected to appear ill to-
morrow night's Gazette.
All the siva! stations and martello towers oa
the bash cries% from Wexfort to Addeo, have: I), 0.. i
dismantled, and the hturem, instrusuenth, &c. laws-
taining thereto, have been receutly bald, by order ~/
Uoverisnient.

We understand, that there is no truth in thr ri -
port, that Mr. Youn has enrsented to accept ti,,
Seals of the Tar Deptirtincit.
The Reverend Dr. Jactsutt, Dean of Clir..i
Church, ha. sent in hie resignation, and is suci.et
is) thu Rev. Dr. HA Lt.
The. Reverend Dr. Pansuris, Vint -I .11 of
College, Oxford, It is said, is to be tt.:
of Bristol.

On Thursday, Colonel ALLAN, in”rnber for Ber-
wick, arrived there from London. and began a can-
vass, io expectation of a dissolution of parliami.m.
In consequence of the unfortunate differeilv.÷
subsisting between the army on the Metdras e=ta-
tilishrnent and the Civil Government of that Pi esi.•
dency, it has been determined, we understand, P.
remove all the refractory regiments, and to
tote others. The regiments of the line will t‘t
brought to Europe.
The vestrymen of St. James's parish delerm tits'
yesterday that no Miniver-lotions %hull be it, !heir
parish on the tub inst.; but that the money neces-
sary for that puriwsse shall he distributed to the de-
serving poor, who are likewise to be supplied, ..pt
of the fund to be collected ter that purpose. r
coals, at a cheep rate, during the ensuing