The Sun.
London, England, 1822-10-31 00:00:00

SPAIN.

INIADRID, OCT. 18.—News has just been re-
ceived from Catalonia by an extraordinary courier.
The Chief of the Staff of the Army of the Faith,
Military Governor of Urgel, presented himself
at our posts, and demanded pardon and an asylum.
Ile is the bearer of a voluminous correspondence,
which discovers the participation of several per-
Sons residing in the country occupied by our
troops. In cobsequence of his defection some of
the principal persons who were about the soi
disant Regency have re-entered France ; and
General Mina has given orders to arrest some
Monks and Priests of Barcelona, Gitionne, Reus,
and. "Tarragona.

CORTES, SATURDAY, OCT. 12.
:TATS OF THE NATION.

While the Cortes were proceeding with the
discussion of the mititary code, the Secretaries
of State arrived. The debate being immediately
suspended, the Minister for the Interior.addressed
the Cortes in the following terms :
The Government is now about to explain to you the causes
which have produced the present state of the nation, together
with the remedies which are, in its opinion, calculated to di-
minish the evils which are felt. The individual who now has
the honour to address the Congress, will, with their permission,
read a brief exposition of what he has here indicated.
He then ascended the tribune, and read a succinct memoir,
n which he took a review, first, of the causes which have pro-
duced the present state of nation, and next, of the remedies
which, in the opinion of the Government, would be sufficient to
lessen the evil. With respect to the first object, he began by
saying, that though in all political changes some shocks are in-
evitable, they are only momemtary ; and as the wise provisions
of the Cortes had removed many of thcobstacles which were op-
posed to the public felicity, that consequently other causes more
remote must have influenced the state of the nation. Among
these may be reckoned the ignorance and wretchedness of a great
part of the Spanish population—the excessive influence of the
Clergy in many parts—the indifference with which some of the
magistrates and authorities, civil and municipal, have regarded
the public cause—the bad example of some of the Chiefs of the
Royal Guard—and the machinations of some foreign agents.
Ignorance is one of the greatest evils which afflict the Spanish
nation ; the education of the labouring classes-being intrusted
to persons and corporations whose interests were in direct oppo-
sition to the progress of knowledge—they either neglected to
instruct them, or attended to them only to imbue the minds of
their pupils with absurd and erroneous principles. In this par..
ticular the Cortes have furnished a remedy by the dispositions
adopted in the general plan : but as the progress of instruction
is so slow, the good effects of their provisions cannot be felt so
soon as might be wished.
The greater part of the inhabitants of various provinces have
no other patrimony than their implements of agriculture and
the vigour of their arms. This, in conjunction with the disas-
ters occasioned by the late war of independence, the devouring
rapacity of the Go4ernments of six years, the insurrection of
the provinces beyond the seas, to the great ruin of trade -and
industry, and the scarcity experienced in several provinces, has
occasioned the misery of many citizens, which those wretches
who sought to recover the importance which the old abuses
heve them, and which they lost by the dominion of the law,
ave taken advantage of, by misleading many unhappy crea.
tures who have been forced by necessity to enlist themselves in
the ranks of treason, in order to obtain at their own hazard
nourishment for their families. If the measures destined for
the internal protection of the nation, and for the useful worki,
such as canals, roads, &c., had been rendered effective, those
deluded wretches would have found a subsistence without any
risk, and would not have swelled the bands of the infamous
Eroles, and other defenders of abuses and prejudices.
The Cortes are not ignorant of the existence of a class of per-
sons who, rendered invulnerable by particular laws, formed
an independent state in the midst of the state itself. The im-
mense riches, to the enjoyment of which they had arrived, the
eminent posts they obtained, and the favour and protection
which the Government afforded them, joined to the enormous
privileges which they enjoyed,. for the space of many centuries,
place d thein for a long time in the situation of acting as the
regulators of the nation and the arbiters of families.
The Cortes, by their decrees of reform, and others which
have forlheir object the legal equality of citizens, santloned by
,the general wish of enlightened persons, and approved by the
irresistible torrent of public opinion, have excited the indigna..

4

%lion of many ecdegasties, Who regarded the system with hatred
because they saw that their enjoyments must cease ; and, by
abusing their office, formed a plan for destruction, pretending
to serve the interests of Heaven in enjoying, without deduction,
those of the earth. Assisted by foreigners, known to be impla--
cable enemies to every thing that tends towards the liberty and
equality of citizens, they recommended rebellion as a merito-;
TIMM act, and asa `duty prescribed by that religion which ad-"
- vises nothing more earnestly than obedience tcrthe laws. They,
availed themselves of artful means-for the attainment of their'
wicked end, and being, by a generous prcriision of the Con-;
gross, still possessed of the revenues of the clergy, they left the;
most laborious of its classes iai.ndigenec : it is thus that, when
some enlightened and virtuous ecclesiastics endeavoured to di;
rcinish the evils of discord, others were incessantly.oceupied in'
fomenting it. It is therefore necessary that the Cortes should
occupy themselves in fixing the destiny of virtuous curates, and
depriving the evil-disposed ecclesiastics of the means of doing
injury by their machinations.
Sirith respect to the Magistrates, it-is certain thatthere are
many respectable individuals among them, while it, is no less
certain that others have regarded with indifference the public
cause, which has been considerably injured by the delays which
have arisen in the trials for conspiracy; and as this may in
part proceed from the defect of the laws for regulating thesub-
stantiation of crime, the Government has submitted to the
examination of the Extraordinary Cortes the code of-criminal

process. '
The apathy of many civil and municipal authorities is also one
of the most powerful causes which have contributed towards
the evils which are experienced, as they'have rendered nu-
gatory many beneficent dispositions of the Cortes, -s.nd have not
checked, as they should have done, the • progress of the ene-
mies of the system. The same neglect is manifested by-many
other officers.
The mutiny . of the Royal Guard, fomented by some of its
chiefs, but arising from the same causes-as that of the other re-
volts, though-it-was-repressed and chastised at the moment by
the opportune bravery of the garrison and volunteer militia of
.the capital, and the other patriots -who took up arms on the 7th
of July, in defence of the liberties-of their country, was not-
withstanding of considerable advantage to the disaffected party.
Lastly, the influence of foreigners ,is Ivelllnown, who have
not ceased to sow disunion, and promote discord even among
•the lovers of liberty themselves, producing all the evils which
are now felt, and which cannot but fill every Spanish heart
with grief.
The Memoir next proceeded to describe -the -state-of the na-
•tion, representing that the frontier provinces are afflicted by nu-
merous hordes of fanatics, who, styling themielves defenders of
Ai faith and of the throne, cause the people to suffer every
kind of insult and vexation. In other provinces there exist
some small bands which are incessantly pursued by the na-
tional troops; and lastly, in some of them is enjoyed the most
complete tranquillity, the Government attending to their pro-
tection and prosperity in every possible respect, as far as the
existing circumstances permit.
The Government; before proceeding to indicate the mea-
sures it would propose in order to remedy the evils, insists on
-the necessity of granting the-supplies of troops and money for
which it had applied in its previous memoirs ; and afterwards
presents to the Cortes various propositions, which may • be re-
•-cluced to the following :
That the Cortes occupy themselves in fixing the destiny of
the clergy.
That the salaries of those ecclesiastics who are deprived of
• their appointments for disaffection to the system -remain at the
disposal of the Government, except what is absolutely neces-
sary for their subsistence.
That the Government be authorized to remove ;from their
-situations to others; those ecclesiastics mentioned in the law of
the 29th of June.
That the. Government be enabled to remove to other points
the unemployed' and the superannuated, who shall not have the
power to excuse themselves by renouncing the salary.
That every person who may receive a salary from the Govern-
ment, who does not present himself against the rebels, when the
town in which he residesis occupied in defending itself against
them, shall forfeit- two-thirds-of the same. •
That those towns which neglect to defend themselves when
the rebel troops by which they are attacked amount only to a third
•part of their population, shall provide subsistence for the troops
• •destined ro occupy them._,
That the Government be enabled to suspend the authorities
• whose movements have been tardy, and to replace them'by the
former officers who may deserve the confidence.
That, as it is not just that the conspirators against the system
should enjoy its advantages, the Cortes should declare that the
ease foreseen by the article 308 of the Constitution, on the ar-
rest of the•insurgents, has occurred.
That the losses sustained by the friends of the system in con-
sequence of the acts of the insurgents be indemnified at the ex-
pence of the latter, by means of pecuniary fines.
--That the Government be authorized to remove the military
chiefs.
That the proposals respecting the magistracy, made by the
• Council of State, be examined.
That the persons appointed by, the Government to any office
be obliged to accept it, underpain,of being disqualified for the
obtaining of anyother,.of being deprived of their commissions
..if they are military persons, -
.That the, establishment of patriotic societies be encouraged,
.and that they be regulated for the prevention of abuses.
That those representations be provided in the theatres, which
are calculated to excite a lore of morality and of liberty.
That a public testimon' of national gratitude be presented
to the magistracy and national militia of this heroic city, to its
gallant gartison,.and to the Generals, and the rest of the -pa-
triots, who defended thelberties of their country on the 7th of
July, extending the same to all the corps of the army, and of
the active and local militia, which have given proofs of their at-
tachment to the national cause.
After a brief discussion, the report was ordered to be printed
and referred to the consideration of a Special Committee.
PROJECT OF A' DECREE.

•
OCT. I3.—The Cortes availing themselves of the powers con-
ceded to them by the Constitution, have decreed-
-Ist, It grants to the Government for. the permanent army an
. augmentation of 29,769 men, and a remount of 7,983 horse.
A discussion took 'place on the report. Senores Oliver,
Adan, Romero, and others mace objections to it, and it was
approved by Senores Saavedra, Alonso, Soria, Recerra, Ye.
• lase°, and others.
Senor Oliver.—l speak against the report, because the order
.e( our proceeding: prohibits me from adopting any other mode
•of expressing my sentiments except speaking either for or
against a measure. He did not, however, object to the report
in its principle, though he wished to make a few observations
upon it. It was very proper to grant the Government 29,000
infantry and 7,000 cavalry ' • and he was inclined to believe that
.when no more .was asked by the. Government', that that force
would .be found sufficient for the publieservice. But he per-
ceived a blau:t in the repOrt. It said nothing of the active mi-
litia, which had been put under arias by the Government
• without Ministers Laving received the regular authority for that
purpose. He did not blame that measure, but he thought that
-.the Committee ought to have taken it into consideration. He
wished aLso that sonic explanation had been given respecting
the mode in which the recruiting of the militia was to be carried
,into effect along with the other levy. '
The Secretary at 'War replied, that though the Government
----was not authorized to. put more than 20,000 of the active militia
under arms out of their provinces, the whole would nevertheless
x'.lse employed within their respective provinces. The 20,000
men were not'all called out, and the Government therefore had
not exceeded its powers.
Senor Septiem objected to the report of the committee solely
• -on the ground that an augmentation 0f29,000 men was not
• Sufficient. In the circumstances in which -Spain was 'placed,
;the question was one -of political independence, and it wes ab-
.surd to call any efforts made for that object sacrifices. Besides
-the force proposed to be' raised, there ought •• to 'be an army of
übsereation of at least 60,000 men. 'lt might be said that the
,Committee could not exceed the demand made by the Govern-
ment. He did not blame the Committee ; but nothing could
• ...prevent the Cortes.from voting more men• than were asked, if
they thought more necessary. To secure the political inde-
pendence of the country, a permanent army of 100,000 men was
,necessary, besides completing the active militia and the com-
panies which provincial capitals and chief towns of districts
might furnish.
The Ultra-marine Minister entered into a detailed argument
to show that the augmentation required was all•that was neccs-
.
sary under the present circumstances. •
.The subject was now declared sufficiently discussed, and the
..report of the Committee was unanimously approved.
Senor Salva moved, that to convince foreigners of the heroic
patriotism of the .Spanish people, it should be expressed in the
act that the:augmentation of the army had been unanimously:
.decreed.
This proposition, which was applauded by the galleries, was
• ordered to be read a first time.
MADAID, OCT. 16.—0 n eof those transactions which the most
frantic audacity could alone dictate has lately occurred at Thin.
The Governor and 25 soldiers of a regiment of the line dissolv-,
ed the Ayuntamiento, and shut the gates of the city. -But the
loyal men belonging to the naval corps obtained information,
'.flew to arms, :forced the gates, obtained possession of the city,'
and completely intimidated the Smiles, who relied 'on support
.which they found wanting. A Number of persons•were arrest-
. ed ; but the Governor eluded the vigilance-of•the Liberals.
• General Velasco arrived yesterday in' the capital.
It is whispered;
,'we know not with what truth, that
.General
.Igtirillo is not to be fieuirl.
The Political Chief of 'Cadiz, in a circular dated the 11th,
•••states, that on the defeat of Zaldivar the fugitive's threw away a
number of sacred vessels, of which these pretended defenders of
,--teligion had plundered the churches.

MEETING OF THE SUBSCRIBERS TO LLOYD'S.

A very numerous Meeting of the Subscribers
to LLOYD'S was held yesterday morning, pur-
suant to public,notice, for the purpose of taking
into consideration the correspondence between
the Admiralty anti the Committee, from the 9th
to the 19th instant.

Ata few minutes past twelve o'clock JosEPH MAanNATT,:"
Esq., M.P., took the Chair. The object for which the meet-
ing was convened was then stated by the Secretary. After
which, Mr..Marayatt said, -that .as many of the individuals
present had not read the correspondence which had taken place
between the Committee. and the. Secretary of the Admiralty,
their own .Secretary should read it to them. After that was
done, he should feel it his duty to make a few observations to
them on the part of their Committee. Uentlemen could after-
wards take what.part they pleased, and make such observations ,
upon it as seemed expedient to them.
The Secretary then read the following correspondence
Admiralty-office, 9th October, 1822.
Szn,—Having laid before my Lords ommissioners of the
Admiralty your letter of the 7th instant, respecting the capture
of the'British vessels the Vittoria and Industry, by a piratical
schooner, near the island of Cuba, I am commanded by their,
Lordships to acquaint you, for the information of the Commit-
tee for managing the Affairs of Lloyd's, (hat their Lordihips
had already received an account of that transaction from Capt.
Walcot, of his Majesty's sloop Carnation, who bad been di-
rected by Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Rowley to take up a sta-
tion in that neighbourhood for the protection of the trade, and
who writes, under date of the 12th August, that on that day
seventeen sail of the Jamaica ships had passed safely round
Cape Antonio, and that he was waiting in that quarter to see
' the remaining vessels also safe. His Majesty's sloop Dotterel
was also in the neighbourhood, and Sir Charles Rowley reports
that hid attention had been directed to this quarter. In addi-
tion to which, my Lords have taken further measures for the
suppression of these piracies. I am, &c. '
(Signed) J. W. CROKER.
Mr. John Bennett, jun., Lloyd's. •

Lloyd's, 1.41 th October, 1822.
have the honottrw acknowledge the receipt of your
favour of yesterday's date, stating, in reply to my letter of the
7th instant, advising the capture of the British vessels Vittoria
and Industry, by a piratical schooner near Cuba that Captain
Walcot, of his Majesty's sloop Carnation, had been directed
by Rear-Admiral Sir Charles, Rowley to take up a station in
the neighbourhood for the-protection of the trade; and that by
a letter from Captain Waleot, .fif.the 42th August, 17 sail of
Jamaica ships had passed safely round Cape Antonio, and he
was waiting in that quarter to see the remaining vessels also
safe ; that his Majesty's sloop Doterel was in that vicinity ;
that Sir Charles Rowley's.attention was directed to that quar-
ter, and that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had
taken further measures fur the suppression of these piracies.
I beg to acquaint you, that your letter-has been laid before
the Committee for managing the affairs of Lloyd's, and a copy
of it made public for the information of the underwriters and
others concerned ; and I am directed by the Committee to re-
quest, that you will return their thanks to their Lordships for
the communication. „
I ant also desired to send to you, for the information of their
Lordthips, the enclosed extract of a letter from Mr. Barclay,
.Master of the Belina,. arrived from Jamaica, by which it ap-
pears that the Carnation sloop of war was, on-the 13th of Au-
gust, off the Colorados, on her way to Jamaica, and not
stationed of Cuba for the protection of the trade ; and by ad-
vices from New York, the Dotterel arrived there on the 20th
of August from Jamaica and Hava.nntih with specie.
It further appears, by the accompanying extract of a letter
front Bristol, that piratical depredations still continued; the
ship Edward Protheroe, from Jamaica to that port, having
been run on shore and plundered on the 19th of August, off
Saddle Hill, but fortunately escaped, by the privateer going in
chase of another vessel.-1 am, &c.
(Signed) JOHN BEN NETT, jun.
J. W. Croker, Esq., &c., Admiralty.