The National Register.
London, England, 1817-08-04 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

On the important subject of the struggle between
Spain and her Colonies much speculation might be
hazarded; it is but too evident, we think, that unless
she is aided by some of her neighbours, those colonies
will be shortly lost to her for ever. Every friend to
humanity must wish for a speedy termination of the
contest in one way or another ; for it is one of the most
sanguinary that can be imagined, and attended with
atrocities on both sides too dreadful for recital.

In this barrenness however of all foreign intelligence
of interest, it must afford singular satisfaction to our
readers to know that the internal condition of our
own country is rapidly improving. It will be seen in
another part of our Paper, that in the manufacturing
districts there is much demand for labour, and vast
numbers of those mechanics and other persons who
have been living on parochial aid, are again called
upon to assume their former avocations, and thus
enabled to support themselves and their families by the
proceeds of their own own industry.

The acquittal of the seditious proves quite a God-
soul to the Editors of the Morning Chronicle ; their
exultation knows no bounds; they write about, it and
about it ; they bring the subject forward under all
shapes ; and hold it up to their readers in every possible
light. We are disposed to make every allowance for
these little bursts of triumph in the friends of" radical
reform ." for we really think they have need of some
topic of consolation for their disappointments, and the
destruction of the hopes which were so fondly cherish-
ed in the autumn and winter of 1816. But, after all
the luminous remarks of the Morning Chronicle Edi-
tors, upon the recent acquittals, after all the reite-
rated assertions about spies and informers, which have
been again and again substantially ?Vida, we can as-
sure them the voice of the better part of the community
is against them ; and they bite upon a file, if they think,
by advocating the cause of

" Traitors absolved or Libeller's released."
or by their diatribes against the King's Ministers,
to disprove the fact, that the tranquillity of the
state was exposed to that great and imminent danger
which required the strong measure adopted by
the legislature for guarding against it ; a danger not
arising, as is perversely affirmed, out of the instigations
of "spies" or " informers," but from the deep-laid
schemes of dark and systematic revolutionists instilling
their poison, under the cloak of Parliamentary Reform
and Universal Suffrage, into the minds of an ignorant
and distressed population. Of these real incendiaries
somo of the most guilty have had the good fortune to
escape the eye of justice, and are now insulting the
country with barefaced denials of the existence of plots
which they helped themselves to plan, and laboured to
carry into effect. in the temporary suspension of the
Habeas Corpus Act every loyal and peaceful citizen
sees a shield of protection against the machinations of
those who would involve his country in all the horrors
of anarchy ; and it will require other rhetoric than that
of the Editors of the Morning Chronide to convince
him, that kis liberties are either thereby abridged, or the
constitution of the state impaired.
——4lo—

Thursday last a dinner was given at the Crown and
Anchor to celebrate the acquittal of the eiihr Watson
and his coadjutors, at which Mr. Hunt presided. Wat-
son made a long speech, which may be fairly termed
his confessions. Preston and Thistlewood said little,
but in what they did say, they were, like Watson, true
to their principles. We confess we in no way regret
this meeting, because it has displqyed the real character
of these persons. (" out of thy own mouth I will
judge thee,") and must remove all doubts, if any
exist, in those who are open to conviction,
of the sham which they had in fostering and
bringing about the riotous scenes of the 2nd of De-
cember. The Editors of the Morning Chronicle even,
were they made of 4' penetrable stuff," might, we
think, now feel some qualms for much they have lately
advanced respecting the trial of these and other con-
spirators. Indeed we snspect something of the kind
has really happened, from the following observations
made upon Mr. Hunt at the conclusion of their re-
port of this dinner
Mr. Hunt :clamed thanks, and in the coarse of his speech
ran into his asnal int/actives against Opposition inParliainents,
thus !levelling all distinctions, and by exciting distrust and
division undoing all that a just understanding of our rights
and an united exertion to obtain reform, might be expected
in time to obtain. We lament to say that this-is the incessant
practice of this Herm neer liv excellence."
Mr. Hunt will doubtless retort the charge, and al-
ready do we thing we hear "et its luaLe" re-echoed
from the one to the other.

But how admirably may this paragraph be applies,
With a slight alteration or two, to the persons who
wrote it ! We cannot resist adapting dt. The Morning
Chronicle Editors have made numerous remarks on the
trial of persons accused of treasonable practices "in
which they run into their usual invectises against"
his Majesty's Government, thus labouring to weaken
its efti rts, " and by exciting distrust and division, un-

ArGUST 4.

doing all that a just understanding of our rights," and
the most salutary measures for the preservation of the
public tranquillity " may be expected" shortly to accom-
plish. "We lament to say, that this is the incessant
practice of these Reformers by excellence."

By the advices from Ilamburgh we learn, that the
anti-commercial system is prosecuted with great activity
and success in Sweden. The ground assigned for this
forbearance was distinctly stated to be a confident ex-
pectation that the zeal of individuals would outrun the
wishes of Government, and that they would prefer
adopting from choice, that which might otherwise be
probably imposed by force. In this expectation the
Government has not been disappointed. The people
of the province of Sinaeland have adopted a system of
rigid economy and self-denial that would not disgrace
a candidate for the order of La Trapp. All persons
un r the age of twenty are prohibited from the use of
brandy, coffee, and tobacco. No person is allowed to
drink more than two glasses of brandy at table, and
none but a wedding dinner is to consist of so many as
four or five dishes. The Swedes, under their present
system, promise to be the most frugal, and, at the
same, time the poorest people in Europe, the most tem-
perate, and the most healthy ; but those who reckon
the means of extending the sphere of human enjoyment
among the improvements of society, will not recogr ise
much wisdom in this system of abstinence and priva.
tions.

An article from Palermo states some acts of extreme
atrocity perpetrated by Barbary pirates on the crew and
passengers of two Italian feluccas. In one case, six
armed men attacked a vessel having twenty-one persons
on board, of whom every individual was either killed
or so severely wounded, that they were not expected
to strvive such violence. The second case was attended
with circumstances as atrocity:,; but in neither was
there any opposition made to the pirates by the crew or
passengers. Their conduct in this respect merely re-
sembles that of the whole Italian States, which submit
without a struggle to the daring outrages of a few bar-
barians, while the only signs of animation they give are
their cries, which bespeak at the same time their suf-
ferings and their cowardice.
Amounts continue, as usual, to be occasionally re-
ceived from the contending parties in the Spanish Co-
lonies in South America, in which both sides claim the
most decisive victories. The Madrid Papers say, that
the nature of the contest is wholly misunderstood in
Europe, that all the European colonists, and those re-
markable fur talents or wealth, support the cause of
the mother country, while the insurgents are nothing
more than the very dregs of the people, devoid of every
circumstance which could lend importance to them as
individuals, or give weight or interest to their enter-
prize No misinterpretations, however, can now dis-
guise the formidable strength of the independents, nor
the melancholy certainty that both parties are so nearly
balanced in power, as to hold forth the miserable pros-
pect of continued slaughter and devastation in that re-
gion so eminently calculated by the bounties of Provi-
dence to ensure the happiness of its people. But of
whatever materials the contending Powers may be con-
stituted, the war in South America is aestuning too
importaut a diameter to be esteemed matter of indiffer-
ence to other nations, particularly as the posture of
affairs in Europe, and the happy cessation of those mur-
derous conflicts that have shaken the universe, now
permit us to turn our thoughts to more distant sub-
jects. Rumours have been circulated that Russia pur-
poses to assist Spain in the subjugation of the Colonies,
at the high price of some considerable cessions.
The Paris Papers anuounee the execution of the
Spanish General, Lacy, whose fate has excited so
much interest. lie was shot at four o'clock on the
morning of the sth instant, and immediately on his
arrival in the Island of Majorca. Whatever may be
the diversity of public opinion as to the conduct of this
unfortunate person, there can be but one sentiment in
every generous breast, as to the mode in which he was
executed. Until the commencement of the reign of
Napoleon Buonaparte all executions of persons con-
demned by any Assembly, having the name of a Civil
or Military Tribunal, were done in public, and by the
light of day. Consistency in keeping up the sem-
blance of justice, where the substance was wanting,
demanded this awful exhibition. The removal of Lacy,
by midnight, from Barcelona, the place where be
might have bad the consolations (not denied to the
• meanest criminal in civilized countries,) of sliming his
fellow-citizens how firmly and calmly he met death—
his sudden execution at four in the morning, in a dis-
tant island, are circumstances odious to every liberal
mind. If the Spanish Government is so weak and
tottenng, as not to dare to execute a criminal at the
seat of his alleged offences, let it apply in term, of the
Treaty of Puns to the allied Sovereigns for military
aid; but let it beware of imitating, in the face of in.
dignant Europe, .n neighbouring system of .despotistn,
which has fallen, never .to r Lu..! again.
The letters from America speak of the continued
exertions of the Government ,of the United Stites in
• building a formidable navy. Our own Admiralty
Board, we have reason to believe, has not been in-
attentive to the progress of the Americans. It has

AUGUST 4.

ascertained the dimensions of their ships: and with
a view to avoid the evil of inequality of size, so sorely
felt by us in the last short war with America, it has
ordered a considerable number of men of war and
frigates, upon a similar construction, to be laid down
immediately
By accounts received from Montreal it appears that
Lord Selkirk had left Fort William at the beginning
of May and proceeded into the interior, for the pur-
pose of re-establishing his important settlement on
the Bed-river. Many of those settlers, who had been
plundered. and driven away last year, after their houses
had been burnt to the gronnd by people professing to
act under the authority of the North-West Company,
had again returned to settle ; and the Indians had
done every thing in their power to assist the re-esta-
blishment of a colony which was likely to prove so be-
nificial to them. Lord Selkirk meant to return to
Montreal in September: and had fortunately appre-
hended some of the North-West Company's people,
who had committed a barbarous murder.

An Officer of the 531 regiment at St. Helena,
writes word—" Buonaparte allows no person to visit
him but his own retinue, seldom walks, and never
rides out a promenading ; his billiard-room is the only
exercise he enjoys; he is more sallow (his natural
complexion) than when I first saw him, and more
stooped, owing, I suppose, to a want of his usual
exercisc.—Count Las Cases and son were sent off the
Island for endeavouring to ibrward privately some com-
munication to Europe. The attempt was extremely
ingenious, done on satin, in hieroglyphics and other
characters, and could not be decyphered without the
aid of a microscope ; this was made up into a waistcoat,
and given to a boy, a native, lately a servant on his
establishment, with instructions to present it to a
correspondent at home, for which he was to receive a
handsome reward. The lad informed his father of
the secret."

The following are further particulars contained in
the le,ter from an officer of the 53d reg. at St. Helena.
" Longwood, thy residence of litionaparte, is regularly
planted with the gum tree, an evergreen, and grows to the
!height of an elm. it is the most temperate and beautiful
part of the island, except the residence of the Governor,
commanding an extensive view of the ocean, where you may
perceive the arrival of every ship ; the climate is delight tat,
being t. ‘n degrees cooler here than in James Town, or any of
the vrsllie..

" Buonaparte keeps himself much Rerlnded of late t his es-
tablishment was reduced some time since, in consequence of
the great eonsitisiptimi of his numerous followers, and the
scarcity of fres:3 pros isiona, However, the reduction extend.
ed to only Puni itowski, a Pole, and three French domestics.
Marshal and Couute-s Remand, are Buonaparte's greatest
favourites; the former is the most worthy person composing
his suite, a,.d the latt eranelegattt woman, highly accomplished,
and of au amiable dispositiou ; she is nearly related to Lord
Dillou. They have four beautiful children, three boys and a
girl.
" The game here consists of wiNl peal: mg. pheasants, par-
tridges, doves, rabbits, and wild gouts. There is no other
amusement 013 the escept fishing. which is extremely
dmigeriots, the paths leading to the sea, being so steep and
ditficult, that many lives have been lost in attempting to
thweenil. No individual whatever is allowed to keep a boat ;
and there are picquets posted on every spit where it might
be possible to get to the sea, and cruisers in every 'lire( t on
of the island, to ascertain what ships approach—and unless
belonging to the East India Company. or having dispatches,
or under some pecoliar eircimnatices, they are not allowed
to touch, such is the vigilance observed here; thertfiat e you
113 conclude our charge is in perfect security."
A German Paper says, that twenty of the subjects
of the Grand Duke of Hesse Cassel, who had sold their
effects to go and establish themselves in America, were
arrested upon the frontier, and taken to a house of cor-
rection at Cassel!
- -

The President of the United States has issued a pro-
tlamation, directing the sale of no less than 800,000
acres of land, recently acquired by the National Go-
vernment from the Creek Indians._ _ . _

We regret to state that a letter has been received et
Hamburgli, announcing the hots of four Greenland-
men ; the crews however were saved.
Extract from a journal kept on board the Levant, at
Canton:—" Wednesday, February 12,1817—At seven
P. M. the lion. English East India Company's ship
Elphinstone, Capt. llotnain, took fire in her fore kohl,
among the cotton—the alarm was immediately spread
among the fleet, all the boats assembled with men and
buckets, but every effort proved fruitless—the fire in-
creased so rapidly, and in that part of the ship where
they could not get at it, that all efforts to stop it were
in vain—fortunately her powder was thrown overboard,
and finding it impossible to save her, they out her moor-
ings, when she drifted fromamong the shipping without
damaging any af the fleet, where she burnt to the
waters edge. Her crew, consisting of 180 men,
exclusive of Officers; only a few slightly wounded.
Her wreck was sold on the 25th, ihr 19,500 dollars."

I Lord Amherst and suite arrived at seven o'clock ea
Wednesday evening at Spithead, in an extra ship,
taken up far the occasion. His Lordship was saluted
with thirteen guns, from the flag-ship.
NEW Mristrett in CH %1.41.:1CRY. fotlowing is a /miry
.f the letter sent by the Lord Chancellor to Mr. Coarteway,
appo:oting him Mater iu Cli.uicery
" DEAR •Sta.—Ai the Public have already appointed you a
Master in Clancer, , in the room of the late fer-to-bc.litinented
Mr. Stesl,l assure you I have ;treat fJcsmue in confirming it, by
inclosing you your patcntfor the office.
Yours, with regard. ELIION."
There nc .1 tt .t, on Hypo minent which aile more satin.
diction to Lie 8.r,„ or hss dem mote credit talus Lordship.