The National Register.
London, England, 1808-08-07 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

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.416mr.'=

Hi much to our security and well-being as to. their own ;
and :his candid avowal of reciprocal services and advan-
tage, northy of two nations who prefer liberty to every
other considerat.on. We have ey cry thing to gain from
their success—periiiiment security ; a vast preponderance
in tliv interests of Europe ; and an immense extension
of our commercial relations, are only a part of the ad-
vantages.

But iet us prove to the Spaniards, to the present genera-
tion, and to posterity, that we arc not unwomthy of this
accidental revolution in our affairs and if we cannot pre-
tend to the merit of having prepared it, let us at least lay
claim to the inferior degree of worth, that we know how
to i ere it to common advantage. The present Ministers,
we feel no reluctance in declaring- it, on thecontrary, we are
emulated with the finest heartiett.satisfaction ie doing them
justice—have acted, since they received the first commu-
nication of this happy event, as honest men, as patriots,
and as consummate statesmen. Let them but continue in
time same distinguished manner, and as long as a single re-
cord of the present time shall suleist, their names
will rank high among the worthiest and most en-
lightened :ititesmen of e-:cry age aad every country.—
Their reputation is strongly establiOtemi ; their claims to
the gratitude ael comaience of their country and of Eu-
rope unquestionable. Is it to he supposed then that men,
with such advantages before them, with such a vast fund
of honoer and fame at their disposal, will sacrifice them all
fram the paltry consideration of not wishing to offend an
iialividual, let his rank and influence be ever so extensive ?
What is this in competition with the permanent advan-
tages of their country, with the freedom of Spain and Por-
tie,al, the independence of Europe, the securing of those
blessim.,s to oar children, and the liberty and prosperity of
mankind They know it, and they will feel grateful to us
for animadverting on a choice they have a reluctance in
making; they know that our immense military preparations
are of no use, unless the operations of this gallant army
are directed by a distinguished commander. Instead of et-
fCcting their great object ; instead of returning to their
relatives, to their grateful country crowned with victory,
foNrwed by the benedictions of the people they went to as-
sist, and animated with the consciousness of having sup-
poried time reputation of British bravery, they will be
slaughtered on the plains of Spain, because our soldiers
c not Bs, and we will have to lament the loss of an army
of fifty thousand men, who will be sacrificed without their
country possessing even the consolation that they effected
the purpoise they were sent out for.
Wir,n these considerations are weighed, the country,
the army loudly declare their opinion, that this is too im-
portant an object to be endangered from any consideration
for i•it individual. Whatever his merit, his zeal, probity,
or mak may be, unless he he the most distinguished among
the distinguished, the destinies of Europe, the fortnnes of
England, and the tate of a gallant army, cannot be con-
fided to him. time more we reflect upon the importance of
the object, the less we can conceive how it is possible,
that a man of Mr. Canning's distinguished abilities and rec-
titude, would ever consent that the nomination of an in-
competent person should even he proposed in the cabinet.
We call on him here publicly and particularly, because we
have the highest enerai ion kr his character and talents,
to employ the influence which his merit and eloquence give
him, to have a General chosen, to whose suggestions the
allies will listen v ith deference; who possesses the confi-
dence of our own soldiers; and for whom the enemy will
entertain some apprehension. Are there any of our princes
who possess these qualities, we call upon him to propose
them? If they have not that reputation among foreigners,
if they cannot pretend to the confidence of the army by
--.tarot inspire respect and awe to
, they should not have the coin-
lot, \siva the real merit of the
merit he established in the opi-
is not a time for experiment ; a

AUGUST 7.

single-defeat may frustruis all our sanguine, expectations.
Was there ever a braver army than that commanded h.
Whitelocke, and through the incompetency of the Cenero
it was beat and taken prisoners by a few thousand~ of
half-armed South American ragamuffins. We hope ihr,u
is no man in this country so void of every particle of 1,4.
tural feeling, as to risk the possibility of having the Ufa-
moue affair of Buenos Ayres, and of the lietder, acid
over again ! Away with the disgraceful idea ! There are
:renerals in this country, who are every way compeklit
tor this distinguished command, and whose former suce,.„,
will be a security of their future victories. W. rolt,l
mention one man, if we dared give our opinion on so im-
portant a subject : a man who possesses equally the coffii.
deuce of the soldier :old the citizen, who has honour:air
distinguished himself in the cabi"et, the s: ,te, am! ti:e
Feld, who unites the accomplished manners nt the Tenth •
man, the frankness of the soldier, the alAities of tt:f.
scholar, the virtues of the patriot, w th the generosity
and good nature of the best' man in private ; who po,
sesses so much of that spirit of chivalry, which vi ill e!!-
dear him to the Spaniards, who knows and sp"nks their
language ; who enicls the esteem and gratitude of fortivi-
ers, on account of his ifistingutshed generosity tovs ant,. ti:c
unfortunate refugees that fled from French persccutiorl—
It is, in a word, the Earl of Moira.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FROM THE SP.ININH AND SWEDISH PAPERS.

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