The National Register.
London, England, 1819-05-30 00:00:00

MAY 30.

FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BAL.

We have received a Letter from the Committee
appointed at a public meeting recently held at the
George and Vulture Tavern, fur the purpose of op-
posing the Attorney General's " Foreign Enlist-
ment Bill." Our decided opposition to the principles
on which the Bill is introduced has been repeatedly
declared, and to the Bill itself we have pointed out
several insuperable objections. The statement sent
to us by tbisCommittee contains, however, so much
valuable idea, and is expressca with much perspi-
cuity, that we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of
renewing the subject by the following extracts from
it:—

This measure, it is submitted, is quite uncalled for by
the existing stale of circtimNiaitces; mid not only in its
i (mediate operation, but hi its ultimate consequences,
may prove highly detrimental to that mole enlarged coma
pierces' intercourse, which, Gum past experience, may be
reasonably looked for with Spanish Ames ica, to an extent
perhaps uot easy to be calculated; and capable, probably,
of beneficially occupying that large capital, now driven
by the rotate of political events, from other
The first consideration that appears to present it.elf is,
whether the state or political relations beta ern Great 811.
lain and npain, impersiti kr-1y calls for snail a sacrifice nn
the part of this country, In the apprehencian of the ;.:om.
Injure, no inch demand can justly be made upon the Bri-
tish dovernment ; and they trust to be able to chew to
conviction, that the preservation of the good faith and
integrity oldie country is perfectly compatible with the
utaintenanc r of the valuable inlet ests which they consider
to heat stake in this question,'
It is highly important, iu order to obtain a tight view of
the quest • ,to trace, from the commencement, the line of
conduct altichGreat &titian has adopted towards Spanish
America.

Whilst the inhabitants of these countries were still sub-
Jewell to the yoke of Spain, and she hers( If, under the
control of France, was 'envied against England, every
cruet was made, under the authot illy of the British Govern-
ment; to foster the discontents which prevailed,anti to call
forth, into open resistance against the mother country, all
the energies of that people. To encourage them to attain
their independence, by the most vigorous exertions, anti
by the endurance of the greatest sufferings and privations,
the Governors of the West India Islands issued Proclama-
tions, assuring them of support and protection ; and all
the British authorities in that quarter of the globe, whe-
ther civil or military, openly espoused the cause of resist.
one. to Spain, as the following Proclamation, issued by
the Governor of Trinidad, and addressed to the other Go-
vet nors of the West India Islands, will ihnnolantly testify.
s• By virtue of an official paper, which 1, the Governor
of thoi Island of Ttinidad, have received from the Bight
Honourable Henry Gonda', Minister of his Britannic M 4•
jemiy fur Foreign affairs, dated 7.11 April, 1797, which I
het e publish in obedience to orders, anti fur the use which
3 oar Excellencies may draw from its publication, in order
that yen may communicate its tenor, whirls is literally as
follows : The object which at present 1 desire most
particularly to recointneud to your attention, is the means
that might be best adapted to liberate the people of the
continent near to the bland of 'Trinidad, front the op.
preasive and tyrannic system which supports, with so
much rigour, the monopoly of commerce, miller the title
of exclusive registers, which their government licences
demand ; also to draw the greatest advantages
and which the local sitnaticn of the Island presents. by
opening a direct and free communication with the oilier
parts of the world, withont prejudice to the commerce of
the British station. In order to fulfil this Intention with
greater facility, it will be prudent for your Excellency to
animate the inhabitants of Trinidad in keeping tip the
consmoutication which they hid with those of Terra Fir-
ma, previous to the reduction of thatlsland ; tinder the
assnrance, that they w ill find there an mfrepnt, or general
magaziue of every sort of goods whatever. To this end,
his Britannic Majesty has determined in council to grant
freedom to the ports of Trinidad, with a direct trade to
Great Britain.

" With regard to the hopes yon entertain of raising the•
spirits of those persons, with whom you aie in eorrespon-
dence, towards encouraging the inhabitauts to resist the
oppressive authority of their government, I have little'
more to say, than tlist they may be certain, that whenever
they are in dirt disposition, they may receive at yonr
hands all the snecours to be expected from his Britannic
Majesty, be it with forces, or with arms and ammuni•ion,
to any extent; with the asstirtmee. that the views of his
Britannic Majesty go so further than to secure to them
their independenceos idiom pretentliag to any sovereignty
over their country, nor even to interfere hi the privileges
of the people, cur in their political, civil, or reltions
rights, Titoism PICTON, &C. Oir."
" Puerto (It pram?, 26th June', OW.
Nor did the revo'ut Matt of Old Spain, cause a change in a
policy so congenial to the feelings of the ItritliA public. mid
so beneficial to the interests of a great commercial nation.
It does rot appear, that up to the year laid, the procla-
mations before issued were revoled by any lawful authority
emanating from the British Gucentimnt, or the promises of
support p-evicusly a,.d solemnly made, publicly and legi-
timately retracted.

Upon the restoration of Ferdinand to the thrnre of Spain.
a Treaty wits made with that Kingdom ; and by the addi •
moral Article, bearing dale %Sib of Aui,tbt, it was
stipulated at 1.111.1 a
" His Britannic :Slnjesty. being anxious that the troubles
and diatuthances • loch uhfintunat. ly ',Kaki' in the (rum'.
stuns Of his Catholic 3110jty, in Amen' a. should entirely
retw, had the subjects of thaw. IN i si. ces should Worn to
the r oltedieore to their lass ful Sioree6ov engages to like
the most ; llectunl ifleastlVll far preventing his sultje; is from
furnishing at nv, asunntition, or uuy rah, r oar .le article,
to the revolted ht America."

Hue suels a Trtr.ty was reconcilable !o the prey lops
enuagemeons tit Urea. Britain towards the South Arne, icon
Colonies; how car it w.oi compatible with good faith to
abandon W. cause of a people eucculsgkd iu resistance