The National Register.
London, England, 1811-09-29 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL RT'aGISTER.

with England altogether, and to be able to carry
that determination into effect, had secretly orga-
nized an army of. 20,000 men, trained and com=
manded by German Officers. Whether such plans
were really formed, is not yet officially ascertained,
but although -1...11.d WILLIAM was allowed to land,
be rema;ned but a few days on shore, reimbarked
and sailed back to this country, where he tuost
unexpectedly arrived on Thursday last. The true
causes of his sudden return have not hitherto
publicly transpired. It is, however, asserted
on good authority, that having required certain
fortresses to be garrisoned by British troop, as
pledges of the good faith of the Sicilian Govern-
ment, as well as the removal of those Counsellors,
who are known to have contributed to alienate the
mind of the King from us, the manner in which
these proposals were received, and the language
used to rebut our remonstrances, appeared so offen-
sive and affronting to Lord Bea IINCK, as to induce
him immediately to withdraw, as the only means of
supporting the dignity of the Government which he
had the honour to represent. Should this, as there
is butlittle doubt it will, prove to have been really '
the case—should the Sicilian Court, in direct oppo-
sition to the feelings and wishes of its subjects, con-
tinue to hasten by its imprudence the fateful hour of
ruin, we think, with an eminent daily paper of yes-
tetday, " that it would r.4,t be an impolitic scheme
to bald the King and. Oueen of the two Sieilies on
the Continental part of their Majesties' dominions,
in order that they, and particularly the latter of
them, might head the,partizans which they possess
there, and rescue.Napits from the grasp of Muna•r.
A Regency could govern the island intheir al)sence."

The Black Kinn- of HAYTI has not only made

many of his blacTic guards Nobles, but has also
instituted a black-lettered Court Gazette, in which
many official instruments have already 'appeared ;
among them is the law of the State, under the fol-
lowing titles
I. The Soverciqbn ; 2,. The Royal Family; 3. Thr• ReSreney ;
The (.7uhinet aid Privy Council; 5. The Great Officars of the
Kingdom; ti. 'II!! Ministers of State ; 7. The Oaths required ;
P. The Form of promulgating the Laws."
All the letters from the head-quarters of the
army on the frontiers of Portugal represent the
approach of some decisive movunents.. The pre.
parations are general and extensive, and the result
is expected to be brilliant and glorious. All Officers
were ordered to join their respeetivo. carps—the
troops were in high spirits, manifesting the most
Impatient ardour for another.brush with the enemy,
and the. whole army was in readiness to Sl2ll at a
moment's notice. 'l'he reinforcements had all joined,
in the • ighest order and discipline ;• the cavalry, in
particular, was in excellent condition ;aud, from
tbetircumstance of there not beiug .more than a
few day's consumption of forage with the army,.
it was naturally concluded aiat a total change of
ition and. scene was in the contemplation pf
Lprd WELLINGTON.

VS

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

SPANISH CONSTITU !'ION.

We have already stated, that the Cortes have bad under ton
sideration a Constitution f,,r Spa n. and we now lay before our
Readers some of the inbrmation which has reached us on that
subject.
he 19th of last tm•ntli was appointed for the reading of the
two Sections of the Constitution wluch have been finished by
the Committee appointed to draw it up, and the occasion at•
tracted a great nuni'oer of auditors. Senior Arguelles th livered
a most eloquent a.vci erudite discourse, explanatory of the object
of the Constuu►ion, its principal basis, and the documents which
had been coi.sulted in preparing it. Senor Perez de Castro rt
ad
in soccesnion the two Sections, consisting of 242, articles, and in-
cludil:g the followlit :
PRELIMINARY AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
Spain belongs to the Spanish people, and is not the Patrimony
of any Family.
The Nation only can make Fundamental Laws.
The Roman Catholic and Apostolic Religion, unMixed With
any other, is the only religion which the Nation professes, or will
profess.
The Government of Spain is an Hereditary Monarchy.
The Cortes shall make the Laws, and the King shall execute
thou.

SPANISH CITIZENS.
The Children of Spaniards, and of Foreigners married to Spa-
nish women, or who bring a capital in order to naturaiize them-
selves to the soil, or establish themselves in trade, or who teach
any useful art, are Citizerv, of Spain.
None hut Ci:izens can fill municipal offices.
The rights of C►tizensh""l may b.: lost by Icing absence from
the country, or by conden!ation to corporeal or infamous pu•
nishunients,

THE KING.
The person of the King is inviolable and sacred.
He shall smiction the Lades enacted by Ole Cortes.
Ile may declare War and make Peace.
He shall appoint to Civil and Military Employments on the
proposal of Council of State.
Ile shall direct all diploni.itie Negociations.
He shall superintend the Application of the Public Reve-
nue, &c.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE KINGLY AUTHORITY.
The King shall not obstruct the Meeting of the Cortes in the
cases and at the periods
_pointed out by the Constitution,• nor
embarrass or suspend the Sittings, &c.
All wlio may advise him to any such proceedings shall be
hoiden and dealt with as traitors.
He must not travel, marry, alienate any thing, abdicate the
crown, raiv taxes, nor exchange any town, city, &c. without
having first-obtained the permission of the Cortes.
Don Ferdinand VII. is declared by the Cortes, King of Spain,
and after his decease, his legitimate descendants shall succeed to
the throne. .
The King shall be a minor until he has completed the age of
18 year.
The eldest son of the King shall be called Prince of the As.
turi.:s, and, as such, shall, at the age of 14, take an oatlitt:fore
the-Cortest to maintain the Commission, and to be faithful to
the King.
During, a Minority, a- Regency shall be formed, which shall
superintendsthe education of the young Prince, according to.the
Orders of the C: rtes. The Regency shall be presided by the
c2;teen Mother, if she be in life, and shall be composed of -two
of the eldest Deputies of the Cortes, who shall be replaced from
year to year, and of two Counsellors of the Council of :Rate,
clisesen.ln'the order of their seniority.
The Cortes shall fix the salary proper for the support of the
King and his fa ~ily, .and-shall point out the places destined for
his recreation, &c.
The Infante% may be appointed to all employments, but can-
not be Magistrates, nor• Members-of-the Cortes, and must-not
' leave the kingdom without permission of the said Cortes.
There shall be eight Secretaries of State, including two' for
South and North America; they shall be responsible for the
affairs of their respective departments, and the' remuneration
which they shall receive, shah be determined by the Cortes.
A Council of State shall be formed, consisting of 40 members,
four of this number are to be Grandees of Spain, of acknow-
ledged merit and Virtue ; four Ecclesiastics, of which two shall -
be Bishops; 12 Americans ; the remaining 20 members to be
chosen from among the most respectable Citizens of the other
classes of the community. This Council shall meet every year
bn the ISt of 'March, and shall sit during three months.--
'nits periud-ean only be extended ou-the request
.of the King) °v