The National Register.
London, England, 1813-10-31 00:00:00

of a representative Government, than its being surrounded
with the Agents of the enemy, who shelter their hostility un-
der the cloak of loyalty, and only strive to attain their pur-
pose by side blows and private intrigue ? The influence of
such men is far more dangerous than the alms of open foes.
Like a foul vapour, it penetrates to the most secret re-
cesses, taints the purest views in their source, and makes
them prove abortive when attempted to be unfclded into ac-
tion. Against such a blighting pestilence, absence is the
most effective shield. It is only, therefore, when established
at Madrid, in the centre of the Monarchy, and in the midst of
patriotic trophies, that we shall consider the Cortes as able to
transact with energy and success the important business of
the State.

We shall now give the most remarkable passages of this
accusatory letter. It is introduced by the following obses va•

lions : /- •
" The Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, whose military talents and
laud& ble conduct have acquired him tl:e high distinction of the
respect aiol gratitude of the Spanish people, cannot and ought not
to look with indifference on such atrocity, so far removed from that
tiaternal affection by which the two nations are bound to each other.
The precious blood of Spaniards poured forth with impunity at St.
Sebastian, loudly calls fur the punishment of the aggressors. The
people of Spain expect complete satisfaction for so scandalous an
outrage, %%bleb cannot be concealed from the other Powers of the
Ceotinent. Our intelligent Government cannot fail to demand it ;
the decorum due to the noble character of the nation regOires it,
and prudence dictates it to prevent similar practices, at a future
period, in either situations."
From this exordium, little less than what ()flows could be
expected,:—
t' Do net expect front me that I should record all the sanguinary
deeds pet petrated in these unhappy times. I have not sufficient for-
titude to state them ; hut I will narrate simply and faithfully those
acts of enormity which are most notorious, and "huh ought to be
en ;raven oil brass to pet petuate the ignominy of those by whom they
were committed.
" A four in the evening of the 31st alt. the English and Portuguese
troops took possessieu or the place. They might at the same time
have catered the eae.tle with the enemy. ;silo in mile greateq,disender
fled to this asylum ; but they contented theiwel‘es for the moment
with the cornier acquisition, full of the a xpectation of an
The inhabitants, who at the commeocentent skewed them-
sel.e3 from their winilows and balconies, to compliment amid invite
tlie4e villein) they believed to he their deliverer., we're very soon con-
', Owed of their en or, and had aslighl presage et' the vi they la re
to saffer, when they were obliged to retire to the interier of tle-ir
houses, to escape the vollies of the Allies, which was the ;Timm
made then, for their COUrtfliiy. In qie sequel, the hoops entered
the dwellings, and at that time contented themselves with snippin4
Cie inmate, of every thieg valuable. Ou the Isl of this Is, ;cry
seemed to have itispired the eoldicrs ; •Abil
rape, wet e committed in all parts of (tie city. The 1106,es a coo
• filled with dead bodies. The ‘soman who tL to re.ii!tt, loq ht t'
life in the effort ; neither itifetey nor.agieewere re'l'ic d tau
child of tea years old, and the nwtroui et sixty were eTally
_
After descr7'
gins to think
that purpose
ft:red. That

1 d,

:ri4ing this ,rentr.r/ devastation, the author he-
that proofs may be thctiglq necc,faiy, and fi.r
mentions the names of petsontas having suf..
individual acts of outraae mav have been Qum-
-