The National Register.
London, England, 1808-10-16 00:00:00

OCT. -1-6.

after taking this vie* of the principal actors; and pereeio. •
ing that nut the slightest relaxation is isible is their exc.-
flops ; that their councils are agitated by no dissensions,
and their leaders by no other rivality, than that of honour
and glory ; after remarking likewise that the Provinces
remotest from the danger are as strenuous and ardent in
their efforts, as those who are immediately exposed to it;
and weighing the influence which the Ministers of Religion
exercise, and the incalculable effects the effusions of the
press will have ou a regenerated people i—lt is after such
considerations that we have it iu our power to pronounce
decidedly, and without any apprehension of unforeseen in-
cidents, that the fortunes of that distinguished community
are already placed beyond the power of external contin-
4eocies. So much arc our minds made up to the truth of
this assertion, that were the result of the meeting at Er-
furt!' cvcr so consonant to the wishes and deisigns of the
Usurper; and were he in consequence, at liberty to march
all his armies from Germany and Italy to the Pyrenees, we
would not abandou the sanguine expectations we in this
moment entertain. We are not in the habit of being bias-
ed in our judgments on so momentous a subject, by the
fears or the doubts of others ; nor are we to be terrified by
what the Tyrant has done, nor by his ostentatious indiffer-
ence to the storm which is collecting round the summit of
the Pyrenees, nor by his blustering menaces of punish-
ment ;—we draw our conclusions in favour of a virtuous
cause, from theirnowledge we have what wonders every
nation has performed, when acting under similar circum-
stances, and animated by motives equally forcible.
Portugal necessarily engages our attention, as often as we
reflect on the events which are taking place in Spain. The
public must feel a more than usual interest in every thing
that relates to that country, the most autient and the must
faithful of our allies. For some time it has unfortunately
aflOrded us very little room for triumphant speculation,
but it is to be hoped, that the wisdom of our subsequent
conduct, and other measures and other men, will teo4 to
obliterate every impression of the past. The enemy has
now quitted the shores of our plundered friends; and we
look with anxious curiosity to the arraugemeuts which are
making in order to restore them to their former tranquil-
lity. The first question which presents itself on this occa-
sion naturally is, how long our army is to remain there,
after the evacuation on the part of the French, and if the
presence of a part be necessary, in u der to insure respect
to, and to support the measures of, the Provisional Go-
vernment. When we reflect how essential the co-operation
of Our whole force with that of the Spaniards is become,
the imperious necessity of any measure tending to that
purpose, will be immediately acknowledged. It would,
therefore, be unaccountable if no steps had been already
taken to induce the Parsee REOZIT to return and resume
Vie reins of government. His presence, and the enthusias-
tic joy his return will occasion among his subjects, will con-
tribute so much to the tranquillity, and have so great an
influence on the exertions of the Portuguese, that we sin-
cerely hope to bear of his speedy arrival.
The next object of public curiosity is the negotiation
carrying on at Port Baltic. From the early dispatibes
which were received, the public were inclined to believe
that the surrender of the Russian fleet waseertaia. How-
ever, weeks ha 4 clap.s erf,sineetit*i time ;--4he wilder is fast
MVroaehiog, which. • renders- the navigation of the Baltic
Impracticable, lad nothing has tiasspired tendiip; to cor-