The Sun.
London, England, 1838-11-19 00:00:00

or such sacrifices ; and there would not be wanting some
fwho, in order to escape from an immediate danger, or from
some other more ignoble cause, would seek opportunities
of obtaining a change of 'destination, and would point out
in public writings the personal advantages of quitting the
theatre of war.

" The 15th article of the Royal Order concedes to Ge-
neral Narvaez universal powers, since it authorises him
to adopt whatever measures he may conceive to be expe-
dient, it being understood that they will be approved by
your Majesty. This article, Madam, would be sufficient
to prove the want of foresight, the levity, and the ab-
surdity which has been practised. In investing a General
with such extended powers it is essential to have securi-
ties for his judgment, prudence, and circumspection, as well
as that he will never abuse these powers. Commendable
titles are necessary to justly set him above the other gene-
rals in command of armies. It is indispensable that those
claims should not clash with the general interests, or con-
spire towards the dissolution of the armed force, which is
the support of the Constitution, of the throne, and of your
Majesty's regency.
" When I observe, Madam, such marked deviations
from rationality and public expediency, I fear—and 1 be-
lieve with reasonable foundation—that it is endeavoured by
a party to find a man whose known tendency leads him
towards their views, and renders him susceptible of aspiring
to a dictatorship. Want of experience ; self-love long
unsatisfied ; heated passions; ani a thousand springs set
in motion, are capable, Madam, of hadine- so much
into error, that, with the best iatention4, the personL-
the most eligible or determined person—may take a
false step. I concede all these qualities to General Nar-
vaez : and I have no doubt as to his attachment to legal
liberty, inasmuch as he has acquired a good reputation as
a chief in the field ; but his domineering character wiil not
admit of a superior. When he was a brigadier, he refused
to be dependent upon generals ; he made efforts to com-
mand in chief ; and he managed so, that his opinion should
prevail in a conference. When be was a brigadier, he
shunned serving under my orders. When he was in cuartel
(a sort of honourable arrest), I was desirous of proving to
him my sentiments, by soliciting that he might be sent to
me ; my object being to give him the command of a divi-
sion. He still found means of avoiding it. Without
knowing why, he was promoted to the rank of genera
and obtained an independent command. The events of the
war rendered it necessary that troops should be marched
upon Burgos. Your Majesty determined that this should
take place ; General Narvaez marched with this obj,,ct ;
but, instead of continuing his route, your Majesty is aware
of what he demanded. Having given proof of this dis-
position, nothing would be more easy, if he were to find
himself at the bead of an•army of forty thousand men,
created by the ruin of the armies of operations, and when
the enemy, consequently, would have obtained the supe-
riority, than to accept the suffrage, and the investiture to
which at this moment a party, or a set of petty intriguers,
are predisposed.
" The urgent necessity for averting the tremenuous
evils which would be brought on by the project con- ;
tained in the aforesaid royal order of the 23d instant,
which I received by the last courier, in case it should have
been or be intended to be put in practice, does not allow
me time to further pulverize it of the anomalies, vices, and
absurdities with which it abounds. I have, notwithstand-
ing, proved that the cause of liberty and of the throne of
your Majesty's august daughter would receive a mortal
blow, the immediate result of which would be the triumph
of the rebel prince. As a citizen and a general I have
considered it a duty, a sacred obligation, to make this re-
presentation to your Majesty, in virtue of the right con-
ceded to me by the Constitution. Ido it with the frank-
ness which is seldom put in practice by puerile fears.
My conviction forces me to do so. The country and
the Queen require strong and well-tempered shields to
resist and overturn rash machinations. The country
and the Queen have armies faithful to their oaths ; as
brave in combating the common enemy, as to bring
into subjection those who are labouring to retard our
triumph. This, Madam, cannot be doubtful if your
Majesty acts as Queen Regent. Let those timid beings
disappear who subscribe from debility to the designs of low
intrigue ; let all be proscribed who have not for their banner,
'The Constitution of the year 1837, Isabel 11., and the
Regency of your Majesty.' By following solely the im-
pulses of your heart it is impossible for your Majesty to fail
in finding, out of twelve mi!lions of inhabitants, six pure,
firm, wise, and just councillors to steer the vessel of the
State, who, free from all party spirit, will make it known
that the above is the only and exclusive banner that ought
to be faithfully followed by all those who do not wish to
undergo public execration, and the punishment pointed
out by the laws to those who have been guilty of perjury
to the common cause. Thus confidence will be renewed ;
thus suppressed patriotism will revive ; thus we shall ob-
tain order and union, which are the necessary elements for
arriving at that conclusion, which is the object of so many
sacrifices, and of so much bloodshed—for arriving at