The National Register.
London, England, 1809-10-01 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Lord GREN VILLE has declined accepting the offer made
'Dim, of taking office in the present Administration.
His Lordship arrived in town late on Thursday night. A
letter, of which the following has been given as the sub-
stance, had been received by Mr. Peacevst from Lord
GRENVILLE, in the course of the day :
His Lordslbip acknowledged (he receipt of Mr. Pesez-
VAL'S letter, and understanding it to be an official commu-
nication of his MAJESTT)I. COIIIMMIdS declared his readi-
ness, as in duty bound, immediately to attend in London.
But his Lor.!sbip desired to defer all discussion of the
Subjects noticed until after his arrival in town.

Earl OREIr has declined coming to town, in a letter
which entered more into detail than Lord GRENVILLE'S,
and .w.laich considered Mr. PERLLVAL'S letter as not contain-
ing a message coming direct from his MAJESTY; but as
merely inviting his Lordship to join the present Adminis-
tration. In this view of the subject, Earl GREY declared
to Mr. PERCEY L, that he did not consider his presence in
town could he at all necessary. his sentiments and political
,principles, nut allowing him to believe it possible that any
arrangement could be entered into which could induce him
to co-operate with the present Ministers. His Lordship
peretore remained in Northumberland. Lord GRENVILLE,
supposing, as we have already said, the letter from Mr.
Fikcxv,AL to convey 9 message from his MAJESTY, and we
,do not see how any person could entertain a different sup-
position, came to town immediately, and early en Friday
morning notified his arrival t? Mr. PERCEY AL, in a letter.
of %bleb *following has been published by a cotempo •
car; .print as the substance ;
" That his Lordship took the earliest opportunity of ac-
quainting Mr. P ERCEVAL with his arrival, and of commu-
D4ating his sentiments on the subject of the intimation
which he received in the country, and which lie begged
slight be laid, in the most dutiful manner on his part, be-
fore his MAJESTY.
46 That in declining to unite with his Majesty's present
Maisters, he was not actuated by any motives of personal
hostility, but he felt convinced, that in joiniur, his Majesty's
Councils in the present crisis, he could be of no real service
to his country.
That with him it had uniformly been a chief object to
!ninth, rather than foment political animosities, which sys-
tem he thou ht, at this moment, more particularly expe-
dient than ever.

" He therefore begged that his sentiments might be du-
tifully communicated to his MAJESTY, with a hrm assur-
ance-that his zeal should be unremitingly, when titere ap-
peared a prospect of its being successfully, exerted in his
csr r's ser v ice.
Whether the above be a correct sketch of his Lordship's
letter we know not.—An interview, we believe, took place
After the receipt of it, between his Lordship and Mr. PER•
OZ,AI. and the Earl of LIVERPOOL, the result of which
*as, a decisive REJECTION IN THE PiRT OP LORD GREN-
rILLE TO THE OVERTURE DADE HIM.
jp the course of the morning his Lordship had an midi-
lance of the Prince of WALEq, of Lord HOLLAND, Mr.
trizaNcy, and most of the Members of the late Admi-
iiistration who are in town. To them he communicated
the offer made him, and his rejection.
We understand that the vacant Offices may be expected'to
be filled before the next Levee.

We are in a critical situation, but it is the crisis of a
great and powerful, of a yet strong and mighty nation.
Has selfishness obliterated all %elm of public virtue
in public men ? Are there no apprehensions, entertained
for our eventual satety ? Is ail zeal for our honour
goat'? Is the love of our country become as ob-
solete term, and is the attention to SELF, SELF, szi,F,
become so general (and so contracted too), as to make
every public man the centre and almost the circuinferenci•
of every Ojai( that is dear to him ? What is become of
that aoble, dignified, and true sullishness, which derives its

OCT. 1,

highest gratification from the visible happiness of most
enlarged connections ? Is love of our country no louger
an argument, .or principle yf action ? Not not even with
.men whose family and relations have so long subsisted
upon its bounty. Is the character of the nation so lower-
ed, so debased, that the slow approaching fame which re-
wards us at present by the .conscionsness of deserving, is
this become too remote a principle of action ? If it be so, we
are gone as a nation indeed. In private life, which is the
nursery of public men, there is a strong disposition to vir-
tue, and the people at large want neither generosity or
spirit. My Lords GRENVILLE and GREY, be assured you
mistake the character and the feelings of your country-
men—,-be assured, my Lords, that this condibct will not
restore confidence to profession, nor will it fix the respect
due to. ability upon esteem,. The discharge of your public
duty is imperiously called for by the situation of your
country, and it is treason against er safety to refuse.. A
conduct of this sort at.such a moment is a direliction of a
duty. which may perhaps entail a continuance of its pre!.
sent distractions and makes you guilty of the future ruin
which it may bring upon the country."
Rumours of a very contradictory nature prevail respect-
ing the situation of France and dustria. By some it has
been affirmed that rejoicings have been heard upon the
French coast, which indicate, that some reliance is to be
placed upon the reports of Peace having been concluded
between the two countries. On the other hand, it has
been stated, but upon what authority does not appear, that
the Emperor FRANcis has actually refused to comply with
the ultimatum of they French Expect .a. To -this it has
been added, that the Emperor ALEXANDER has encouraged
the Austrian MONARCH to refuse the terms offered, and
that he is prepared to support him in the event of Buo
NAPARTZ not acceding to more moderate terms. When
rumours so various and contradictory are afloat, and the
preponderance of evidence or authority does not incline to
either, we can only offer our opinion. We do not believe
that the Emperor AI.EXA NP ER'S eyes are open to the danger
of his situation, and we do not believe that BuONAPA RTR
will suffer himself to be baffled by the counsellors and ad.
visers of the Austrian EMPEROR. The fate of Austria
is written, as far ag the Coßsiclor can write it, in the book
of fate; and BDONAPARTE wilt not leave him the power of
escaping. That some difficulties have and may still occur,.
is evident from the length of the negociatien ; bat the state
of suspense in which we have so long been kept, and the
total privation of all information upon the subject for so
extended a period, may afford us some data &Om which
to estimate the power which he has over the Continent.
Whatever may be the ultimate determination of Ministers
as to the war in Spain, or whatever may be the fate of
that injured and oppressed country, we cannot but be
pleased at the intelligence which i 3 given in the Spanish
Papers that were received in town on Friday. The brave
and loyal defence of Gerona has at length met with the
reward it merited. A division of BLAKE'S army command-
ed by DON JAwe G-AR4 has succeeded in breaking the
enemy's line and entered Gerona with a supply of provi-
sions and warlike ctores. The brave insurgents of Arragen
are likewise finding employ meut for their merciless in-
vaders, and if they were as unassailable by the treachery
of their friends, as by the powers of their enemy, the Penin-
sula might be again indebted to them for its liberty. it is
added that the important fortress of Java has fallen
through cowardice into the hands of the French.

The following particulars have transpired respecting
Lord Wellington's army :—The army are hutted; head-
quarters at Badajos. General Sherhrook's division extends
from Lol4n to Merida ; a brigade of German artillery is
at Lohan ; a troop of horse artillery at Merida, and also
some cavalry ; General Crawlerd's light brigade of infan-
try is at Ncrsa and Portalrgre ; another division of the
army is near Campo Mayor and. Albuquerque; the 401 h,
garrisua 31, Badajoss pAd the 27W is at Liken j a park of