The National Register.
London, England, 1809-01-15 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REc;IST

in the contest. Just Heavens !
.Was there a man among
us, intrusted with power only for the short space of three
:fears, who had talents and energy to wield to the full ex-
tent the resources of the country ! The moment is so
anspicious for an enterprising people, if we neglect it, if
we lose it through the impotence of a few public cha-
r.rcters.—The idea is distracting.

It was generally supposed that Madrid had surrendered
at discretion. There was a capitulation signed by MOHLA
and two others, which appeared in the Madrid Gazette of
the Ith ult. We have inserted the articles of this Capitula-
tion ; and they furnish too much cause to suspect Motu.%
and his associates of treachery. How afflicting it is to ac-
cuse a General, once so high in our estimation of so dis-
graceful a crime. He enjoyed the same esteem among his
countrymen ; and his decisive conduct: at Cadiz was consi-
dered by the Supreme Junta as a sufficient guarantee or his
future loyalty. Lnder this impression they entrusted to his
talents, fidelity, and courage, the important defense of the
capital. We feel au unusual reluctance to accuse a Span-
nigh nobleman of treachery ; for we find few examples in
their history, of a Spaniard being a traitor to his country.
This capitulation was drawn up with a great deal of
art, and was probably dictated by 'Boys eAr,T e himself,
without even deigning to consult the Spanish Generals.
He acted no doubt in concert with them. Every article is
calculated to flatter the prejudices, and appease the ani-
mosity of the inhabitants. But the most curious circum-
stance is, that the mune of his brother is not once
mentioned in the whole transaction ; nor has he figured
as yet in any of the Bulletins dated from Madrid. For-
merly every thing was done in the name of King JosEpu ;
and now he is as.little adverted to as if he had never ex-
isted. The small star is quite absorbed in the bright
glare of the Imperial sun. It will be a fortunate circum-
stance for JOSEPH, if he recovers the throne of Naples;
for NAPOLEON seems to have a strong desire to appropriate
to his own use the throne of Spain.

A RepoFt was,prevalent in the course of the week that
an Engagement had taken place between the rear of the
British army and the advanced guard of the enemy. Our
troops are said to have been completely victorious. In the
last dispatches from Sir J. MooaE, we have remarked no-
thing which could induce us to believe that an occurrence of
that kind was so very near at hand ; but we do not deny the
possibility of it, because we know the French are in the habit
of transporting a body of infantry behind an equal number
of horsemen. However, this we can boldly assert, that if
such an event has occurred, and there has been anything
like a parity of numbers, the efforts of our soldiers have
been equally glorious and successful. We can no longer
be accused of fostering extravagant prejudices, by antici-
cipating the most splendid result from the exertions of our
army;--the late official account from Sir JOHN MoORE
justify an anticipation of every thing great and noble,
that undaunted bravery, or distinguished discipline are ca-
pable of performing. What rapturous sensations must this
consciousness of the superiority of our troops afford every
individual, who is interested in the honour and prosperity
of his country. Our naval pre-eminence over the enemy,
the vainest and most arrogant nation existing, did not dare
to dispute; and the superiority of our land forces is now
ually,.-coaspicuous.

We have fre4iiently recommended the necessity of a
floating army, whose operations should extend frnin the
Mediterranean to the Channel. It appears to be now the
intention of government to resort to this kind of warfare.
We sincerely exult in thisdetermination, for there is no one
mode of annoyance inure calculated to distract tbe atten-
tion of the enemy. Ile is assailable on every side; and
when he collects a sufficient force to repel ours, we ernly:rlz
again, and in 48 hours a lauding is made 200 miles riii.ther
oil: The whole regular army of the French is not sufficient
to protect their coasts, as long as we are masters of :he
Ocean; and it would be necessary to draw an iron barrier
of awned men round their extended shores, to prevent our
landing. As this of warfare is now in contempla-
tion, it is of the hi,-:iest importance we should make a
dilference between the l'renl,h and the nations they subju-
gated, and to subject fo'iner exclusively to its pres-
sure. This will be attended with several advantages, ex-
clusive of the justice of the mea.:are. The enemy in ordf.r
to protect their own coasts,' will be obliged to withdraw rile
greater part of their troops Italy and the North of
Germany ; and a chance, will be Las given to the natives
toassert their independence. Th... 1 r ill be oblic.,;eil a the.
same time to call out on permanent duty the National
Guards, who together with the regulars, ordered from the
conquered provinces, will occasion a vast accumulation of
expense to the French Government. The exct!ssive duties
ofsuch a service, the contributions raise :1 on the towns and
open country, the losses sustained by the peasantry, will
occasion such loud discontent, that the tyrant will be
forced to detach a part of the farce he has now in
Spain in order to check the murmurs of the French,
and to defend their Shores. This system of retaliation
should be immediately carried into execution, and extend
from Dunkirk to Nice; and no further either to the North
or South. It should be carried on with extreme vigour,
and with as much indifference for the feelings of the
enemy, as they have uniformly manifested towards others,.
They should be taught, by experience, to feel the disasters
of the Spaniards; and after having sustained as a conse-
quence of legitimate retaliation a part of the calamities.
they have so wantonly brought on other nations, they may
grow more averse, for the future, to second the destruc-
tive projects of their savage chieftain. Let them feel•
keenly the chastisement ; for a people dead to all moral
sense, and totally callous to every thing that does not
affect themselves individually, must smart severely under
the lash, before they are roused from their torpid in-
difference.

According to the latest accounts from America, the
Embargo Act not only continues in force, but there is
every probability that a Non-Intercourse Bill will be
passed against Great Britain and France. This I:,st mea-
sure, it is not expected, will take place under the presi-
dency of JEFFERSON ; but as soon as MA DDESON succeeds
him in office, there is no doubt entertained but it is one of
the first he intends proposing. How this new measure of
rigour, in addition to the grievances of the Embargo,
will please the Americans, it is not difficult to conjecture;
but to judge from the private and public communications
received from that country, we are strongly inclined to
believe that the violence of the Antifederalisis is preparing
some dreadful explosion in the United States. • A dissolution
of the present Union is more than probable, should the

. .

1 CT:S)