The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-13 00:00:00

OPENING of the SPANISH CORTES.

MADRID, MARCH 1.--The KING went this
day to the Hall, in which the Ordinary Cortes
were assembled, to open the Session, and de-
livered the following speech :

" GENTLEMEN DEPUTIES,

" The solemn opening of this new legislature is highly sa.
tisfactory to me, and I flatter myself will be equally so to the
whole nation, whom you represent so worthily. It affords a
fresh proof of the stability of the constitutional regime, and
of the security and confidence with which we march in the
path which has been marked out for us. _ _

" The primary steps of every political change are invari-
ably attended by many untoward circumstances, which are
the inevitable result of the alteration which our fortunes, our
hopes, and opinions undergo. In the course of the two
years which have elapsed since the constitutional restoration,
here have not been wanting occasions in which the public
tranquillity and order hare been threatened by the rash
r (forts of a few imprudent men, who forget the change of
times and things; but the Spanish nation, so distinguished
for its sentiments and firmness, may justly glory in having
disconcerted the various attempts that have been made, thus
p,esenting an instance very uncommon in the history of
nations.

" Our relations with other Powers afford the prospect of a
durable peace, without the least fear of interruption; and I
have the satisfaction of declaring to the Cortes, that all the
contradictory reports which have been circulated are wholly
without foundation, and are propagated by the evil disposed,
whose only object is to surprise the imprudent, intimidate
the weak, and thus open the door to jealousies and discord.
" The internal state of the country cannot yet have expe-
rienced any considerable improvement; the period which has
passed since the commencement of our new era is, on the one
hand, too short to effect it ; and, on the other, grave arid no-
torious obstacles hare arisen, which hare greatly retarded
the progress and the advantages which the nation had a right
to expect. Nevertheless, the Government have, as much as
possible, employed the time and means at their disposal in
reviving agriculture, encouraging manufactures, the arts and
sciences, freeing commerce from every restriction, and giving
an easy and prompt course to all the sources of public pros-
perity.

"The Reports, which will be presented to the Cortes by
my Ministers, will give an idea of the present condition of the
different branches of the administration, and exhibit a detail-
ed account of the measures adopted to carry completely into
execution the beneficent laws and decrees passed in preceding
legislatures.

" It now only remains for me to express to the Congress
my firm and confident hope, that their wisdom and zeal will
be exerted in consolidating the work of the public felicity—
in drawing closer together the ties which unite the several
classes of the state—and in establishing, in every possible
mariner, that tranquillity and confidence which are necessa-
ry to obtain such important results. My government shall
contribute, on its part, in effecting so desirable an object, all
the power vested in it by the constitution; and 1 have no
doubt that the efficacious co-operation of the Cortes, and the
energy and courage which characterize the Spanish people,
will ultimately crown our constant efforts with success, by
establishing on a solid and permanent basis the liberty and
glory of the country."
The President RIEGO, who was in the dress of
a Royal aide-de-camp, afterwards rose and re-
plied to the KING in the following terms :
_ .

" On hearing from the lips of your Majesty the present con-
dition of the sources of public wealth—of the internal order
of the state—and its relations with foreign powers, it seems
that we ought to indulge in the most flattering hopes of
prospective happiness.
" Yet the serious d;theulties which press around us—the re.
peated machinations of the enemies of liberty—and the re-
sistance constantly made to the proposed changes, even by
those who arc not hostile to reforms, imperiously demand the
greatest perseverance and energy to accomplish the consoli-
dation of the present political system. To carry into effect
the ameliorations already begun, it is necessary to remove,
with a firm hand, the obstacles which may be opposed to them.
" The Cortes, Sire, without exceeding their powers, will
labour, without ceasing, to overcome these difficulties; and
will, moreover, take into consideration whatever measures
your Majesty shall propose to them.
" co-operation with your Majesty, they look forward to
establish, on a permanent basis, the liberties of the Spanish
people. By thus raising the nation to the degree of prospe-
rity to which it aspires, they will, at the same time, endea.
your to give additional splendour to the Constitutional throne
of your Majesty, and shew to the whole world that the real
power and true grandeur of a Monarchs consist solely in
the strict execution of the laws."

After this Speech, the KING took his depar-
ture with the same ceremonies which accompa-
nied his arrival, amid repeated cries of " Live the
Cortes !"—" Live the Constitutional King, and
the Spanish Nation !"

MONUMENT TO HIS MAJESTY.

FIRST REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE FOR

ERECTING A MONUMENT, BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIP-

TION, TO HIS LATE MAJESTY.

Yesterday a Meeting took place at the Thatched
House Tavern, St. James's-street, of the Noble-
men and Gentlemen, Subscribers to the above
contemplated Public Monument. The Earl of
LIVERPOOL took the Chair soon after two o'clock;
and was supported by the Archbishop of Canter-
bury, the Marquess of Lothian, Lord Kenyon,
the Bishop of Salisbury, Sir James Langham, and
other Noble Personages.
. _

The Earl of BLESINTON, in presenting the Report, al-
luded to the censure bestowed on him for the part he had
taken in promoting the subscription in aid of the intended
Monument, which had been described as a job got up for no
other purpose than to put money into the pocket of Mr. M.
Wyatt. In justice to that Gentleman, he stated that he had
no contronl over, no► had he afall directed, the disbursements
that had been made from the subscription ; that power had
entirely rested with the Sub-Committee. Ills Lordship then
alluded to some misunderstanding with hiißoyal Highness
the Duke of York on the subject of the dinner at Freemasont'
Hall, on the 4th of June last. The accounts were in a printed
form before the Meeting, and he trusted it would be found
that the Sub-Committee had done their duty ; the present
Meeting would determine if any, and what, measures should
he taken to increase the subscriptions to a proper amount.
Mr. GUTHRIE than brought up the Report, by which it
appeared that the sum of 46481. 2s. 2d. had been subscribed;
—2,5901. I Is. 2d. had been paid into Messrs. (Drummonds,
the Treasurers, and 2,0571. I Is. still remained unpaid. Out
of the first named sum, 7541. 7s. 4d. had been expended, as
per Abstract.—ln answer to a question of the Noble Chair.
man's, that Gentleman stated, that the Committee had not
received ally offers or models from any other artist; and that
they felt themselves pledged to employ Mr. Wyatt ;—that
some progress was already made in the work, namely, the
modelling of one of the% horses was nearly finished. He,
however, admitted, that they had not sought competition in
the design. The sun► requisite to finish the one which had
been submitted to them, would be from ten to twenty thou-
sand pounds.

. --
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that he felt the difficulty
the Committee bad experienced arose from their having fixed
upon a design without previous competition. He saw no
hope of carrying into effect their wishes, unless the Com-
mittee came prepared with a statement of what the actual
cost would be; the proposition of the Noble Lord (Kenyon)
for a Meeting on the 6th of May next would be useless, un-
less this was attended to.

Sir .JAMES LANGHAM complained of the proceedings of
.hc•Committee.

. _
The Earl of LIVERPOOL suggested that it would he better
to refer the matter to a Special Committee, who would report
thereon at the next Meeting on the 6th of May.
Sir I. DOLBEN,
a venerable looking old Gentleman, re-
commended that the Lords Lieutenants of Counties and the
Clergy should be written to, inviting them to co-operate
with the Committee in raising subscriptions.

The Earl of BLESINTON then moved, that a Special
Committee of 21 Noblemen and Gentlemen (whose names he
read), should he appointed a Special Committee, to inquire
into and report what difficulties prevented the completion of
the Monument. His Lordship also moved, that a Public
Meeting of the Subscribers should take place on the 6th of
May next, to receive the Report.
Lord KENYON seconded the Resolutions, which were im-
mediately adopted, and alto passing a Vote of Thanks to the
Earl of Liverpool (the Chairman), the Meeting separated.
It was by no means numerous, although many distinguished
persons were present.
Several additions have heen made to the subscriptions al-
ready advertised, amongst which are the Earl of St. Vincent,
1051.; Archbishop of Canterbury, 1001.; &c. &c.