The National Register.
London, England, 1809-02-12 00:00:00

108

foundation of the Spanish ►nonarchy, your religion your
" Sovereign andyour laws. By your valour you have asserted
44 your independence, crossed the sea•, conquered the coast
•• of Africa, vanquished the nations of the East, and form-
" ed a vast Empire in the finest part of the new World.
•• We, we alone have performed such prodigies of valour.
hDo we not still possess the same religion ? De we not
j• still breath the same air? Are svc not the same Portu-
-44. guese ? A valorous nation is not made to be the slaves of
s• a tyra►►`."

These papers also contain some particulars from Spaiw.
An article from liadajoz states that the Duke of INpAN-
drauo is posted at Cuenca with his army, which already
exceeds 40,000 men ; that of Arrogan is estimated in the
same article at 30,000, and that of Estremadura, at 20,000.
Those of Andalusia wid Catalonia are said to have en-
creased; but their number is not ascertained.

An account, dated Saragossa sOth Dec. mentions some
amccess obtained over the blockading army by a part of
the garrison, consisting of 4000 men, who were s nt to
make a reconnoitering party. The object of the opera-
tion was to ascertain the position of the enemy, and the
nature of the works which had been erected on the banks
of the Ebro. It was attended with the most complete suc-
cess ; and the French were dislodged with coasiderabie loss.
Though no direct accounts have been received for Rome
'time from Spain, the intelligence we receive by the way of
Portugal, confirms the private and public accounts we
have previously communicated of the patriotic exertions,
which the Southern and Eastern Provinces of the Peninsula
continue to make in support of their independence. The
Supreme Junta are indefatigable in their efforts ; and their
actions and their words evince a strong determination to
employ, to the utmost extent of their powers, the resources
which the country possesses. It is a mortifying- reflection
for self-love, that experience is to be acquired by most men
only from misfortunes and reverses ; had it been instinctive,
the principal efforts of the Spanish and British Governmetts
had bees directed in the commencement of the contest, to or-
ganise in the Southern Provinces those great means of resist-
ance, which the nature of the country, and the enthusiasm
of the natives so amply offered. No contest ever began under
such favourable auspices, and never were hopes so cruelly
slisappointed. A dreadful responsibility attaches some-
where. We acquit the majority of the two countries,
without any hesitation, of having frustrated, by their
stpathy, the noblest prospect of safety to Europe, and
freedom to mankind, that has presented itself for a series
a years. But the vast advantages of the auspicious mo-
went were mrred by '(dial ignorance and presumption.
Thig is the fatal secret of the reverses of Europe. There is
no master-hand to direct the concerns of any of its states ;
end whilst an active and intelligent ruffian is conspiring
daily, with greater success, against the happiness and in-
dependance of all, the individuals who arc entrusted with
the arduous task of providing aga.nit the accumulating
danger, betray more ahrin'ng sip-.s of incapacity and want
of foresight. What a dreadful presentiment forces itself
on our minds, at the contemplation of these glaring
tenths. Distant danger may render us inirros Went, and

The Parliamentary business of this week was almost ex-
clusively confined to the investigation of witnesses on Mr.
WA ttni.F.'s motion. We intend deferring our comments on
this extraordinary business until it be finally terminated.
We feel however, au uncommon satisfactigu that the sub-

ing frustrated, by their , and Denmark. The hatred which the Swedes entertain
r
f safety to Europe, and for the Russians, is inveterate; and their animosity against
givp
'ciente(' itself for a series 11 the Danes is equally rooted, but with this distinguishing
es of the auspicious nio. : character, that it is blended with the most supreme con-
loratice and presumption. I tempt. The people, who are, comparatively speaking,
mses of Europe. ►There is I the poorest in Europe, may, perhaps, express some discon- -,...
cerlis of any of its states ; I
tent in consequence of the burtheas occasioned by the pre-
•
. ,
gent ruffian is conspiring i sent war ; but their national antipathies will render them ~
!Ist the happiness and in- ! insensible to its pressure, and they will contribute with
Is who arc entrusted with alacrity to any measure which favours this passion.
figa.nit the accumulating —ow—
:.•
The Parliamentary business of this week was almost ex- ,L
;rs of incapacity and want :
1 elusively confined to the investigation of witnesses on Mr.
presentiment forces itself 1 wAnnut:
s motion. We intend deferring our comments on
[dation of these glaring this extraordinary business until it be finally terminated.
dcr us 'will ruN Went, and
1 We feel howcycr, au uncommon satisfactigu that the sub-
• .
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