The National Register.
London, England, 1817-10-20 00:00:00

br Altoona 3!‘ to

No. 506.—Y0L. X.

POLITICAL DISQUISITION.

THE RUSSIAN EXPEDITION.

THE intelligence that a fleet of six sail of the line is
about to leave a Russian port, without its destination •
being made known, has thrown sonic of the Journalists
of this country into a state of extreme alarm, and, dur-
ing the past week, they have been most industrious in
attempting to instil their fears into their readers.
It is not a little singular that the writers who, at
the commencement, and during the progress, of the
late war, affected to despise all the apprehensions which
the Government entertained of the naval power of our
enemies, when that power was really to be dreaded,
should now be inspired with such unusual sensibility,
that not a vessel can put out from the ports of our al-
lies, but they apprehend the destruction of our naval
superiority. Those same men who, at a period of ex-
treme danger, could see nothing to fear from the Da-
nish fleet, on the point of falling into the hands of Buo-
naparte, can now discover in the sailing of six ships
of war front a Russian port in a time of profound
peace, every thing to be feared.
If the people of this conntry would reflect what has
been the condition of the Russian marine, from its first
creation to the present hour, they would cease to be-
tray such childish apprehensions as they every day do,
no doubt t- the infinite amusement of that power of
whom they are so greatly 'frail.
The deplorable condition of those Russian fleets
which, at different periods during the last twenty years,
lasve come into our porta, may serve to give us some
idea of the neceslity which exists of the gevernment
;ending its ships to sea, if for no other purpose than
that of exercise. Who does not remember the wretched
condition of that fleet which fell into our hands at the
commencement of the Peninsular war. Difective in
.every species of equipment, it exhibited a spectacle
well calculatol to excite feelings of contempt, rather
than of alarm, for a marine which appeared to be at
least a century behind our own. Such, indeed, was
the general defectiveness of their sys'em, that, in 1803,
when the Emperor had determined upon sending an
"Embassy to Japan, the whole Russian navy could not
famish two ships, of 400 tons burden fit for the voy-
age, nor could they be procured until the officer ap-
pointed second in command proceeded from Petcrsburgh
to London, where he bought not only the ships, but
almost every article of equipment—instruments, charts,
and books, things not to be procured in the ports of
Russia.

During a period of twenty-five years, when Russia
was always at war with one or other of the Furopean
powerv, she had but few opportunities of improving
her system by practice ; is it surprising, therefore, that
now she has obtained a peace, the fruits of her own va-
lour, she should endeavour to improve the discipline of
her marine, by sending it into those seas from which
she has been hitherto excluded by the hostility of her
neighbours ?
We do not pretend to say that this is actually the
object of Russia, in sending thrth a fleet nt the present
moment, fi)r there are other causes which may have in-
duced such a measure, but we suggest it as one by no
means unlikely, indeed, infinitely more likely than any
of those projects which the fertile brains of our diurnal
writers are creating without col.
After all that has been grid about negotiations be-
tween Russia and Spain, it is no wonder that there
are many who look to South America as the place of
this fleet's destination ; and supposing this to be the
ease, why should we interest ourselves so deeply
about it. We may all enter.aia our opinioas respect-
ing the wisdom of such a proceeding, and as to the pro-
bability of its suce,:ess, but Le the event what it may,

Our to eoncititution an ab 36.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1817.

it surely ought not to furnish subject of alarm to us•
Algiers has by others been pointed out as the object in
view ; if this be the point of destination, we certainly
ought to wish them the most triumphant success. We
hope England has not become so selfish, that she will
admit no rival in acts of justice and mercy; on the
contrary, we arc convinced that whatever power comes
forth to save the defenceless merchant from all the hor-
rors of an African enemy, must 4 and will command
our gratitude—not our hate.
By some it is imagined that this expedition is intend-
ed to overawe Turkey, and compel the Porte to avenge
the death of ('ferny Georges upon his murderers; and
in this guess we think they are just as near to the troth
as in the others the Dardanelles, we know by sad
experience, is no place to play with. Nor will we be-
lieve that Alexander is so void of understanding, as to
anticipate success to his fleet in an enterprise wherein
that of Great Britain failed. But allowing any of
these guesses to be right, why should they create alarm
here ? It we are thus to sound the alanim upon every
vessel putting forth from a friendly port, our allies have
fought for little purpose, they have only changed the
tyranny of Buonaparte for that of the English Press,
and though the former was doubtless the most galling,
yet the latter, by its pertinacity, cannot fail to become
offensive. We would, therefore, KTiously advise our
brother Journalists to consult the honour of their coun-
try a little more than they do by this unceasing jea-
lousy of our neighbours, and let them see, that, con-
scious of our own strength, we are superior to the
narrow prejudices which would restrain every attempt
at a fair and liberal rivalry.

Since the above-was written, inteili•ence received
from different quarters, seems to fix the destination of
this fleet, which has exeitedso much curiosity and alarm.
Advices from Cadiz, state, that an order had been
issued to ,told 3000 men in readiness for embarkation at
that port, and to prepare an adequate number of trans.
ports for their conveyance, that a foreign armament
expected there might experience no delay on its arrival.
This are the fears of the alarmists quieted, unless, in-
deed, they apprehend the subjugation of South America
to the power of Russia, by the resistless minks of
half a dozen ships of war !

Palcz g4d.

reserve which Spain has always ready. Still, however, we
doubt the truth of this report. Our discussion- with Portu-
gal cannot require a measure 60 serious, and which would
at once derange all our financial plans ; and in the present
state of Europe, just escaped from the evils of an unexam-
pled war, what Power would wish to fire the first gun
That precedency, we trust, is not reserved for us.
Most of our readers will probably recollect the fate or
the Marquis of Solana, gem nor of Cadiz, who fell by the
hands of the populace of that place. in N( , in consequence
of his supposed adherence to the French. Ferdinand the
VII. has been pleased to cause the following decree to be
issued in favour of his family, and of his memory :
•` CIRCULAR OF THE MIAIITCR or WAR.—The King, is
enniphanee with the earnest solicitations ot the Marchioness
Of Solana, Craton as del Carpio, and ot the Marchioness of
Socorro, the former the w.le, and the latter the mother. of
the Lieutenant General, I). Francisco Solano, formerly cap.
tain General of Andalusia, and Governorof the fortress and
city of Cadiz; was pleased, ou the t7th of July. 1516, to
order an examination Into the real conduct observed by the
said General, in the ntovententa arid occurrences ot the month
of May, NOS, and the said examination having taken place,
in the said fortress of Cadiz, and being reported to the Su-
preme Conned of War, his Niajesty, coinciding in the opinion
of that tribunal, has been pleased to command, that the inno-
cence of the Lieutenant General, D. Fraticir.co Solano, be
published and made known to the army, iu general orders,
and Also cireniated by means of the public papers, that he
is well satisfied with his good services ; and that so tar front
the unhappy death which lie suffered on the 29th May, ISOU,
in Cadiz. being in any way injurious or prejudicial to the me-
mory of so worthy a chief, or to his family, he has, on the
contrary declared, that the fate of this unhappy general, his
!ter rieelver!ii Fined during his distinguished career, hi■ fidt,
lity towards his ltosoi Perm's, aad Ids innocence, are so many
v unions reasons whirl, ought to weigh in favonr and to the
advantage ot his young sons, in order that, deprived as they
were, of a father, worthy a hitter fate, in the said t 1111 l lath-
on. orcurrence, they may fine} another in his Majesty, Mho
never forgets the nicrits of those who have served him with
honour and purity, which roy I orthnitaince I communicate
to yon, for your intOrmation, and fulfilment, as far its
.41.1/11'.
Wills to you. Aladi id, Aug. 13 tr."

GERMANY.
FRANKFORT, OCT. 4.—The English inartafactared goods,
which %vele squandered away far a trifill ill tile last autumnal
fair, have novs risen very considerably, since we have i ceetved
news that they have advanced 20 per ceht. in ilin• • •titly
The same may be 6aid of goods almost or. ••• kind,
Fite. NOM is in guest demand, as well MS woollen • 'ills arid
cu; ton goods. Under these rirc 1111 l stances, the Leipsic fair
must tarn out very se ell—uartiotlary sitter, as letters front
that place state, a great ueauy Pules and Greeks are arrive.)
the re, who arc expected to make large purchases. Golimml
foods maintain their prier, am' are exoected to reite
the saute is tlie case with all the neees.taries of ha, without
exception. Mandy is not to be had at less than .`rt or 03
florins; rum, cieznac, and all descriptions of spiri mons liquors,
iu propoi thin. Since the fair, discount has fallen from 3/ to
1 per cod.
Sll.
111:11LIN, OCT. consequence of a circular letter
from the Minister of the Police, ail police officers are ordered
to take the strictest care that iitruLing players, puppet
showmen, and the like, shall nottpublicly represent any
scenes limn the. Bible or the Passion of our Saviour. In
England nu subject from the Bible can be brought upon the
stage. His Majesty has for the present assigned the sans of
10,000 dollars to purchase the neeirssary decorations and
wardrobe rue the Berlin Theatre. Count Bi old has ordered
the dream s for Schiller's Moja/ Orleans to be first made. As
this piece is got up with extratirdittaryspleielosir on our stage,
and a great variety of costume is required, this was a very
rood idea, because many other piece 4 may be got up with
little additional expense.
It is said that some rich Jews as Berlin have offered to re-
hada the Theatre at their own expense, bat st ith the express
condition, that Itencethrth no piece shall be exreated which
is directed against the Jew.. If the reported offer should be
mainlined, we ate impatient to sec n {tether the condition will
be accepted.
DENMAttK.
COPENHAGEN, Orr. 4.—ln the third quarter 2,614 ships
passed the Sunnd from the North Sea, and 2,549 from the
Baltic r among the fatter were • hoB Loutish, 352 Swedish,
2sl Prussian, 271 Dutch, Fib Norwegian, 121 Daitisli, 321
American, 36 Mennen, Ist Hanoverian, and 16 Ilaruourgh
vessels.