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

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

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rans-atlautic possessions. This extensive and deeply

projected plan of commercial and political interdiction
was only the fore-runner of still more alarming menaces s
and the dock-yards of Europe and America were to be
employed in constructing fleets to transport immense armies
for the invasion of our islands. This was no idle threat
used to terrify us into a renunciation of our maritime
preponderance; it was the favorite and maturely weighed
object of an individual, whose means and perseverance
arc as treat, as his ambition is insatiable; and who, in
addition to the resentment he bears us, had a new incite-
ment to carry it into execution, from the conviction he
felt, that as long as this country retained its independence,
his vast projects could never be realised, and his authority
was precarious.

A man, animated with such views, and acting on such
principles, whose moral and physical resources are so ex-
tensive, is capable of pertimning things, which to the
generality of men appear incredible. Ordinary resistance,
at least, could oppose no hindrance to his profound
schemes; nothing but the most strenuous exertions and
watchful vigilance, on the part of the community, were
sufficient to frustrate them. A single oversight, or relax-
ation on our part, might give him advantages, which all
the combinations of genius, and the efforts of patriotism
might not enable us to wrest from him ; and disasters
ensue which we feel a horror to reflect on.
Such was the situation we stood in at the commence-
ment of last year. We have given a faithful description
of the dangers we were exposed to, and the difficulties we
had to surmount. After having stated them candidly, we
now investigate if the precautionary measures on our
side were proportionate to their alarming extent. It is by
frequent and impartial examination of the question that
we shall be able to meet with fortitude any occurrences
that may await us, and prepare the means of rendering
them harmless. An affected delicacy and mysterions silence
on such subjects is highly reprehensible, and frequently
attended by the most dangerous consequences ; for what
interests all must be subject to public and unrestrained
investigation.

The principal object that engaged, and ought to engage,
the attention of Government at that time, was the orga-
nization of an adequate military force. This was the
subject of long parliamentary discussion ; and the public
coincided in the necessity of increasing our army, so as to
meet the exigency of the moment. However, in this aug-
mentation, we were more attentive to defensive than offen-
sive warfare; and were not sensible of the insufficiency of
such a measure, until the unexpected occurrences in Spain
convinced us of the error we had committed.

In politics, nothing is more dangerous than half mea-
sures ; and, when a plan is adopted, it should be executed
to the fullest extent the resources of a country admit of.
The very moment BONAPARTE denounced ruin to this
country, had we immediately embraced the resolution of
retorting on France the vengeance she threatened to inflict

on us, instead of a local militia, or our volunteer system,
we would have converted the whole armed force of the
fe- le regular army, ready for offensive
opportunity, similar to that which
offered itself to display the vast

mistake we bad been guilty of.—

JAN. 1.

Another, far more fatal in its tendency and consequences,
though rejected in theory, had .been invariably adhered
to in practice, since the beginning of the revolutionary
war. This cousieed in the pusiilauimous policy of dis-
claiming the practability of combating the enemy, with
any prospect of success, on his own territory. The mo-
ment this idea became prevalent, ras long as it continued
to regulate our conduct, we gave up every pretension to
equality ; and progressive improvement, or political ag-
grandizement, was voluntarily renounced. It is a truism,
in political science, that nothing is stationary; and the
community which cherishes .the idea, that it has arrived at
the zenith of its power, and displayed the full extent of
its resources, inevitably begins to decline, and will do so
sensibly, till it has discarded this dangerous opinion. The
energies of a country possessed of our opulence, popu-
lation, and institutions are incalculable ; and, the states-
man who does not think so, and does not act in conformity
to that idea, is perfectly incompetent to the management
of its affairs. What has been observed of extraordinary
men, is perfectly applicable to a state like ours : that
nothing is impossible to them, as soon as they form the
determination of performing it. We are so thoroughly
convinced of the truth of this observation, that we feel
not the slightest reluctance in ascribing the insufficient
part we acted, for the last fourteen years, solely to the
weakness of the several administrations. We recal with
pleasure, in confirmation of what we have asserted, the
expression of a much-lamented Statesman The. time
will speedily come, or I am mistaken in the character of
my countrymen, when, instead of confining. our exertions
to the defence of our own shores, we shall fling a consider-
able part of our population on the enemy's coast, and
retaliate on them some of the injuries they so wantonly
inflicted on others !"

But fortunately for us (and, Heaven knows, FORTUNE has
been particularly propitious to this country ! though we
cannot boast of having made the best use of her favours,)
the error is not irretrievable; and an opportunity has
lately offered itself, favourable beyond the wishes of the
most ardent friend to his country, of recovering that pre-
ponderance we had so unwarrantably resigned. It is
superfluous to mention what we are adverting to ; and, if
Ministers possess only a particle of genius; with sufficient
knowledge of the British character, an army of 150,000
Englishmen will exhibit, before the month of April next,
what Great Britain is capable of performing. Reader,
before you hazard an objection, we insist on your con-
sidering, first, the glorious result of such an undertaking !
With British feelings, your heart must throb with extatic
anticipation of the immortal honour the exploits of these
heroes will confer on this country.

With what enthusiastic rapture shall we celebrate their
victories! With inexpressible pleasure we will congra-
tulate one another on this commencement of a brighter
era! Surely none of us is so faiLt-hearted as to foresee dan-
ger, or uncertainty of success, were they at this moment
at the foot of the Pyrcnnees. After having shut for ever
the asses of these mountains, an inveterate, an abomi-
nable' enemy would be placed in the same situation to
which our immortal ABERCROMBY had reduced them in
Egypt 1 Is any of us so lust, so callous, as to be indiffe-
I rent to such au event. Had we an eternity of existence

country into a formidable
operations, at soon as an c
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