The National Register.
London, England, 1809-04-02 00:00:00

'VIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

and integrity he evinced in detecting the most in-
famous abuses, in trying to bring the shameless authors
of them to condign punishment. Selfishness and fac-
tion may strive to calumniate the intentions, and to
detract from the merits of Mr. WARDLE; but we will
neither insult the feelings, nor good sense of our Readers,
by asking them, if a line of conduct, which • immortalised
HAMDEN, RUSSELL, and SYDNEY; which made Englishmen
what they are,—a nation of freemen,—does not deserve their
highest gratitude and applause? The public voice, as far as
it has been consulted, has expressed itself distinctly on this
subject; and, it is to be hoped, that the enlightened exam-
ple, set by Canterbury, Rochester, Westminster, and Lon-
don, will excite a worthy spirit of emulation in every part
of the United Kingdom.

We have received intelligence From Spain and Tortugal.
These accounts confirm the insurrection in the province of
GaMelo, which is already become so formidable to the in-
vaders, that an entire corps is constantly occupied without
effect in repressing it. The MARQUIS of RomANA has col-
lected a considerable force, amounting it is said, to 30,000
znen, on the frontiers of that province, where he is enthu-
s:astically loved, and his family possess great influence.
A Spanish schooner, the Constancia, which arrived at
Falmouth from Gijon reports, that the Marquis DE HirSIANA
has had an action with the French, and taken 1500 pri-
soners.

The accounts from Asturias are still more favourable.
These loyal and intrepid Mountaineers, into whose province
the enemy never dared to penetrate, have organised a force
of near 40,000 men, with which, accordi►►g to the last
accounts, they are preparing to act offensively against the
enemy in Callicia.
Vie last arrivals from Portugal, speak in the highest
praise ofkthe resolution, and enthusiasm prevalent in every
part of that kingdom.

APRIL P.

ever forced• to yield to superiority of numbers and
pressure of circumstances, they have signalised their
embarkation by an action, which reflects immortal ho-
nour on their bravery, patience, and discipline. Their
conduct, on that memorable oecasion, justifies the
most ardent hopes we may eutertaiu'of their future exer-
tions. They arc going to re-appear on the Continent in
support of their country's reputation, in defence of in-
' jured humanity, under auspices the most encouraging,
with inducements to action the most binding, that es er
nerved the arm, or raised the confidence of, a soldier.
Exclusive of national injuries, they have individual wrongs
to revenge;—the base calumnies which the enemy circu-
lated after their departure, must be washed away with the
blood of their calumniators. Their prowess is now known
to, and acknowledged by, foes and allies; it will raise
the courage and ardour of the one, as it will panic strike
the former. These observations are as little the ell'ect
of enthusiasm as of declamation ; their justice must
be acknowledged by every impartial and intelligent
observer of the - British character. The people of
the United Kingdom are supremely qualified for war,
and for the execution of enterprises on a large scale.
Our late reverses, the effects of inexperience and of over
cautious policy, rather than a deficiency of judgment, have
had the advantage, that we arc now acquainted with the
cause, why our exertions, as a military state, leave been
so ineffitclual for sonic! years. They are to lie traced alone
to want of confidence and promptitude, and, by no means
to a want of sufficient resources. These exit, to the ful-
lest extent, which a community animated with Nlews even
of the most towering ambition, could wish for towards the
executierl of the most gigantic projects.—A pdpulation
po;scsael of robuster bodies and more capabic of endur-
ing hardships, than any other now existing es-a superfluity
of all the implements of war;—an almost inexheustible sys-
tem of finance;—a greater vigour of mind, and a stronger
attachment to the soil and its institutions,—these arc ad-
vantages we possoes in a higher degree, than any other peo-
ple upon earth.
Any man who is in the habit of reflecting on this sub-
ject, must be convinced that if this country play a subor-
einate part in the affairs of the world, this weakness is
snot a consequence of the insui;iciency of our means, hut
of the unskilfulness with which they are wielded and em-
ployed. We love the interests of our country too ar-
dently, to intermingle in any observations tending to
promote that object, remarks breathing a party spi-
rit. It is perfectly indifferent to us what men admi-
nister its affairs—Foxites or Pittites—Whigs or Tories
—they will have our must unlimited confidence, and
humble support, if they administer them to its honour and
advantage. The Ministers, whoever they be, that adopt
measures consistent with our best and most permanent in-
terests, have, from that moment, a r sierht to the gratitude
lid support of their countrymen. Pusillanimous, arid
avers too cautions policy never procured, as far as we cam.
recollect, ad vantaea! to any country. In a daneerous crisis,
it may have deferred the catastrophe, but rendered it,
‘vhen it. approached, ne* unavoidable, and its conse-
quences more irretrievahk ; whereas a full display of vi-
gour, bordering on temerity, has saved individuals, as well
as nations, from situations apparently desperate. In a
prosperous moment it hiasts every advantage of the favour-
able junctere ; and, in ordinary times iL confines a nation
within a narrow eirde, which contracte, every year, closer
and closer ;—for, in our world, nothing is stationary ; po-
litical, as well us natural philosophy, teaches us the laws
of motion ;—the State which does not advance, must fall
hack.

If this princip!e I►e just, the urgency of more vigorous
exertions will be immediately recognised. Al 4 auxiliary
force 430,000 melt, we hope, is no more than the advanced
guard of a formidnble arms ; whose presence in any part
of the Continent, the Tagus, or the Erns,—would justify
.he opiniou we entertain of the great advantages of ener•