The National Register.
London, England, 1812-11-29 00:00:00

738

avenge. He abandons near duce hundred miles of conquer-
ed territory in the hope of finding a refuge in the midst of his
other armies ; which, though ordered to march, the one to
St. Petersburgh and the other to l low, have been compelled
to stand on the defensive and even to fall back, by the skill
and bravery of WITTGENSTEIN and Toast A sow, instead of
following his hazardous progress to cover his flanks. Had
they been able to effect that purpose, his communications
with Poland would have been secure, his occupation of
Moscow throughout the winter certain, and a second cam-
paign begun eight hundred miles deep in the heart of Rus-
sia, must have led him triumphant to the farthest boundaries
of that vast empire. By the noble resistance and indefatiga-
ble activity of the Russians, and above all the heroic sacrifice
of Moscow, both time and territory have at least been
gained ; and should he succeed in maintaining himself on
the Dwina until the return of spring, he will have to encoun-
ter a force refreshed and encreased, both in numbers and in
experience, encouraged by past success and inflamed with an
ardent thirst for vengeance. In his first attempt he has been
repelled: in his second he may then be totally ruined.
Whilst the most cheering prospects break in the north,
has the storm long collecting in the American sky, burst
upon us with all its predicted overwhelming fury ?
Have the " doves in war" tied before Yankee heroism )
.
Even there the British sword has reaped nothing but glory.
We were unprepared to meet the enemy in that quarter, we
were told; our force was unequal to the struggle, and Canada
and the rest of our Trans-Atlantic continental possessions
must fall, as soon as Mr. MA DISON'S warriors should pass their
frontiers. Those dreaded heroes have twice attempted to
cross the Rubicon, and twice have whole armies surren-
4ercd to a handful of Britons, Militia, and Indians ! The
late glorious victory, though clouded by the death of General
Bitocx, has probably closed the campaign. In all qua, tens
of the world, therefore, do we and our allies repose with
confidence on laurels gained, until Spring shall bid the
sword revel in slaughter again, and fresh victories shall
dash in pieces the rod of iron uow stretched over the
world.

Such is the time at which the representatives r.f the nation
assemble to discuss the policy of her administration and its
consequences abroad and at home. They may be traced in
the picture which we have drawn. But we have only shown
the grand outward effect of the machinery ; its secret sin ings
and complicated motions can only be explained by those
whose ingenuity formed, and whose skill directed them.
This information it will be the end of the various parties at
St. Stephen's to obtain, and of Ministers to give. Towards
that important branch of the legislature, every eye
throughout the land is therefute now turned with eager
anxiety. The Representative of the loyal Power will
himself open the Sittings, and the first and chief subjects
which will be discussed, may be classed in the following
manner:—

I. The conduct of the Spanish war,—not only in relation
to its external management upon the Peninsula, but with
iefereocc to our domestic councils.

The conduct of our foreign relations, as affecting the
war in the North of Europe.
The primary caused and subsequent management of
that with America.

IV. The Catholic Question : and
V. The East India Company's Charter. These are sub.
jects of British or home policy.
The attention of Lord BUCS:INGH MSHIRE has, we are
informed, been directed, during. the recess, to the collection
%ad arrangement of a vast mass tit materials, relating to the