The National Register.
London, England, 1812-05-10 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL BECISTFII.

MAY i(s

important that it would exceed our limits to go through
the gratifyirg detail. The subject, however, is of tr.c.
much interest to be dropped. An early opportunity xvili
occur fin- resuming it ; but we cannot bring this article
to a close without deprecating any charge of indiffeierwe
to the sufferings of the manufacturers, which :re-deplete
with as much feeling and sincerity as the loudest peti-
tioners to Parliament, though we cannot suffer our syrl
pathy in their distresses to close our eyes against tic
favourable features presented by the present a,,rect
affairs.

p.MN=I•I

MAY 10.

whom he loads with honours and riches. • It 'provei that
his most obsequious partizans secretly detest him ; and
such seems to he the'intolerable character of his rule, that
no tie or obligation, the voice of brother or benefactor,
will secure to the tyrant a single heart. His brcther's; his
most favoured Generals fly from him, when a safe oppor-
tunity presents itself.; and to remove every doubt of the
opinion they entertain of him, they throw themselves into
a!te arms of his greatest adversary. First, the resistance of
Louis BUONAPARTE, then the flight of LuctEN, and now
the iipen hostility of BERNADOTTE, enable us to form a
pretty correct opinion of the feelings and views ot.MAs-
sEN A, AUCEREAU, MACDONALD, SOULT, DAVOUST, ,d of
others. Examples of hatred alrea ly accumulate; and
nothing is so dangerous to the authority of an Usurper, as
a few instances of defection on the part of his.mnst trusted
adherents. Those who continue faithfill remain in a con-
stant state of alarm, and their fears, or a miscari iage, ren-
der them at last open enemies. Whom can BUONAPARTE
confide in at present when his brothers and one of his most
favoured generals have deserted him ? He will suspect
all indiscriminately ; and his jealousy will convert many
into traitors, who have no such intention at present.
It is difficult to enumerate all the beneficial effects
which the policy of the Swedish-Governmak may pro-
duce towards the emancipation of Europe. Exclusive of
the force of example in exciting others to imitation, k will
lame the energy and confidence of BUONA PA RTE, and greatly
distract his councils. He full well knows 'he dangerous
sort of adversary he has to deal with—a man who has
studied his character, is master of his most important se-
crets, who is acquainted with the most obnoxious trans-
actions of his life, and is able to turn against himself his
own arts and machinations. Of all the documents which
this age has produced, the War Manifesto of BERNADOTTE,
in the event of a rupture between him and his late Master,
Will be the most curious and interesting. What acts of
perfidy, which are now concealed, will then come to light !
The CIiOWN PRINCE of SWEDEN is not deficient in mili-
tary talents ; he has, on the contrary, displayed consider-
able activity, courage, and skill. He was next to Mo-
REAU, the great favourite of the French army, and he•
seems to have acquired a great ascendancy over the
Swedes. This is certainly a proof of great versatility of
talents and commanding powers of mind, as well as of
fascinating manner. He excelled all his countrymen in
his humanity towards the conqnered Sta•es, and always
endeavoured to alleviate as much as possible, the miseries
of war. He was also, as may he expected, an object of
their esteem and attachment. He evinced, what will
appear more surprizing, an early admiration of the
English character ; and l is thought to be a sincere
friend to the freedom of mankind. A character of this
desci iption must be an important accession to the great
cause we are engaged in ; and we consider him, directing
the energies of a warlike people,
.as a main stay of the
surviving independence of the Continent.
If BERNADeTTE adhere faithfully to the policy he now
seems to embrace, BL;ONAPARTE will not be very anxious
to involve himself in a contest with Russia The latter is
perhaps sfatsible of tt.is repugnance; and it will encourage
her, we confidently hope, not to yield to his menaces.
Whilst an army or sixty thousand Swedes, which may be
conveyed to S.ratsund in twemy-four h :ars, and an En-
glish force ready to make a descent near the mluths of
the Elbe, Weser, tr Ems, menace his rear, he will not,
,'N'tbnnt loeing gu;•ty of the greatest temerity, advance far 1
Auto Rvissia. Ii would leave behind him an immense

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2.8

tract of country, where the. minds of the people are moss
iufl ,med, and who have been the greatest sufferers in con-
sequence of the recent changes which have occurred in
Europe. An army coming to their aid would probably
rouse them to-general resistance. It would require not
less than a f ate of 100,000 men to kei p (:pen the com-
munication between the Rhine and Vistula, controul the
natives, and meet an invasion of the Swedes and English.
A few British ships, stationed near Copenhagen, and a
small Swedish forcer opposite Zealand would keep the
Danes in check ; and they would not send a regiment into
Germany, whilst their capital should be threatened with
a bombardment and siege.,
The season for military operations has scarcely. begun
in the-N. rth of Europe. A few weeks will, however,
decide if BUONAPARTE be serious in his demonstratiims
against Russia. We think he is ; and these are our rea-
sons for thinking so. Every month will render his influ-
ence in that quarter more precarious, and his hopes •of
success more doubtful.. The example of the Swedish
government, and the hostile attitude of Russia might im-
pel others to a spirit of imitation ; and he cannot give
way now, without farseeing the certainty of a more for-
midahle coalition than' the present organised• against him.
He will strike the blow now ; or the- promptitude, vigi-
lance, and foresight, which so strongly marked his politi-
cal and military character, have lately suffered a mareiial
decrease. It he has made overtures, as is reported, to Otis-
government fir a relaxation, or total abolition of the
11rlin and Alan Decrees, we may tr:tce this unexpected
spirit of moderation to the embarrassments in whicli he
has involved himself with the Northern States. Ile is
anxious to hove it supposed- that •he concedes to a fair
compromise with us, wilat he really abandons frOm a sense
of the. difficulty and danger of his.new situati..n. His
overtures should be met, on our side, with gteat 'firmness
and. caution ; and we should strongly deprecate any tem-
porary difficulties at.home, which might prevent us from
taking advantage of his urgent embarrassments. The
conduct of our Cabinet will determine his;' and if we are
deaf to the plausibility of his offers, he must fling himself
intsi a contest, in he' Has little to gain, and every
thing to lose. All peat and sudden extensions of empire
arearnpolitic: The conqueror has not time to mould tips
manners and Conquer the affections of the subdued.
Every new accession of territory which BUONAPARTE may
acquire, will render his empire more unwieldy, more veil.
unable, and more subject to. convulsions, without render.
ing himself more secure, or More powerful.

IM FERIA L PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

MONDAY, MAY 4.
The Trish Tobacco Duty, Gold Coin, and .Pensions Duty Bill; were
read a third time and passed —Adjourned..

TIMIDAY, MAY 5.
AMERICAN MESSAGE.

Lord HOLLAND rose to call the atte don of the House to the Corres-
pondence whico hid been so much talked of, aid to c upon Aiinisters
to vindicate the honour of the country in the tra!oitiction. He dis.:l Tinily
all considirati•in of the question of American policy, :ind grounded his
motion on the general relutiou of civiiized State, . Some enquiry was
absolutely necessary and for the purpose he would shape his rrdion in
any way their Lordships pieas-d ; it should be for ..n *.ddrefte or for a
Select Cnnimitt-e; that nbvtating 01.. mention of names, or in any
mode that might vindicate the goi.il ft:ith of the country. He then
ved," t'ia: an Aldress be presenied to the Prince Regent, praying
that the co: c. spot) • -nce and papers connected with Captain Henry's
mission, sliould h. ht fore the H.,use."

The itaxl of Livititroot then rote. before he ►hould enter into the