The National Register.
London, England, 1808-09-19 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

603

his army prisoners in their country, and thus diminished
the numbers of their opponents, But what will now be
the consequence, if Government is guilty of the impardons
able weakness to ratify the impolitic conduct of our Gene•
rals ? The moment they are landed at liourdeaux or Ro-
chelle, they will be sent off in forced marches to swell the
immense mass which is moving towards the Pyrenees.—
They will act on more favourable ground, and under inure
auspicious circumstances, against that very country which
we have enabled them to quit, after having placed in secu-
rity the fruits of their rapacity. Whatever way we view
this transaction, the more cause we feel for regret and
astonishment. We love our Country and Government too
much to repress our feelings. The national honour and
interest outweigh every individual consideration. Were
the majority of our countrymen even of a different opi-
nion from us, were the Ministry to approve of the trans.
action; were the vague assertions of El. DALItYIIPIA
supported even by more cogent reasons, we would not.
cease to raise our voice against a measure, which even the
destrnction of half our army in Portugal would not justify.
This loss, though painful, would have been easily retriev-
ed. A calamity, even of that nature, so far from depres-
sing the courage of the public, would only encourage them
to proportionate efforts. Are there no means of relicuiug
our national character from the disgraceful effects of this
Convention ? Are the public sufficiently apprised of the
fatal consequences it will have on the people of Spain, on
the several nations of Europe ?. What confidence will they
repose in our future exertions ? The more we reflect 41LL
the subject, the more we are confounded and revolted.

Our former conjectures relative to the conduct which
Bosrmeitrurc would observe towards Spain, are confirmed
by the Official Documents communicated to the Senate;
and which are given in another part of our Paper. Thu
Minister of Foreign Affairs. instead of attempting to
palliate or excuse the treachery of his infamous Master
towards the Spanish people and government, discloses
with the most unparalleled effrontery, that motives of con-
venience and rapacity occasioned this unexampled act of
atrocity. The Tyrant affected to speak the language of
moderation and justice, as long as he imagined so despi-
cable an artifice would serve to impose on the people he
had so wantonly outraged. But as soon as lie perceived
that his villainy was unsuccessful, and his discomfiture no-
torious, he hopes by the boldness and inflexibility of his
intentions, relative to the subjugation of that country, to
cover the disgrace he has already suffered. His declara-
tions are perfectly consistent with the whole tenmir of his
imblis conduct. The same disrepect for laws and treaties ;
the same ungovernable arrogance; the same licentious
pretensions to universal empire ; the same tissue of false-
hood and impudence are visible in the present Official Docu-
ments, as have distinguished his preceding ones. We never
doubted that he would abandon his nefarious fuojects on
Spain, but were apprehensive that he would attempt to
conceal them. lie may have made this direct avowal from
policy or front pride, it wilt not be less advantageoes to the
cause of humanity. lie has exaggerated his resources and
announced his intentions. We are consequently prepared
for the conflict. Oh, let us make up by our subsequent.
conduct and activity, for the unpardonable fault we have
committed in Portugal. The means of the man are great ;
we feel the full extent of the danger ; but we arc convinced
we have the means of resisting ; and when we ecnsider
how closely our security is connected with the independ-
ence of Spain, we hope no remissness will be visible in our
'co-operation. These important documents remove at the
same time every doubt about the anxiety and jealousy he
feels relative to Austria. In order to intiroMate that
Power he makes through the organ of his War Minister, a
pompous and extravagar t display of his armies. tint this
vaunting, this irrascibility, and this affected d:.Treciar'on,
would but ill conceal from a judicious observer his pre,wnt
emharrassmonts. Two hundred tbousaud men ar,.: go 'N

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