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