The Sun.
London, England, 1836-11-09 00:00:00

~.

e fo cc of the factious amounts to 13,000 infantry, and
1,300 cavalry, 5,000 of the former good troops, and of the
latter 800."

" Six O'CLOCK, EVENING.—The advanced guard of Go-
mez has this moment attacked my advanced post. I can
only say that, if I am vanquished, it will be owing,- to the
number of the enemy, and this will be the last line and the
last farewell of

" GEORGE D. FLINTER."

From the tenor of this extract, it is evident that the
"orders" mentioned in FLIN TETI'S letter emanated
directly from the Minister of War, and that Rom',
was perfectly aware of the state of the garrison at Al-
maden before G OMEZ approached the town. The
following are the significant observations which ap-
peared in the Liberal—a staunch Government Jour-
nal—of the 30th, respecting the blame attached to
ROD IL with regard to the capture of Almaden by the

" Yesterday it was believed that Gomez had entered into
the town of Almaden ; notwithstanding, neither the news
received by the Government nor private ones confirm such
an unfortunate event. What is too true is, that on the
22d that valiant garrison, headed by the valiant English
Brigadier Flinter, was defending itself, disputing the
ground by inches—that the faction had already pene-
trated into one part of the town, and that they had burnt
some houses, our troops having retired to the edifices that
they had fortified, besides the fortress, which would be
she last point of defence. The 21st, General Rodil was
.A Cruz de Modela. If we attend to the short dis-
in Sat.
-an this and Almaden—if, as it cannot be doubted,
tance betwt., -ew already of the attack of Gomez—if it
General Radii k
+be dates of the news of yesterday,
be defended itself thirty hours
that true, according to
that Almaden had alreat.., '-qwn ought to have been im-
against the rebels—either this t ;nto the enemy's power :
mediately succoured, or it has fallen . ”sible with his head
in this case the Minister of War is respo,. ',filch the occu-
fin• the blood spilt, and for the enormous loss z,
eying of Almaden by the rebels will occasion to .flie üblic
Pu
on
treasure. Resolved not to imitate risked judgments pup
on
proceedings upon the doubtful operations of we.,
notwithstanding we cannot find anythinc, to excuse the mili-
tary conduct of the Minister of War, if Almaden be an im-
portant point, an open town with a small garrison has fallen
beneath the attack of the enemy's forces at the distance
of seven leagues from our head-quarters of a brilliant
division of from 9,000 to 10,000 men—of a division, which,
in case of a quick march, had at its disposal 500 carts to
convey the soldiers. On the 22d, in sight of the guerillas
of Gomez, the valiant Brigadier Flinter said to the Com-
mandant-General of Estremadura, The most excellent
Minister of War orders me to detain the enemy ; and only
by passing over my body shall they enter.' The immense
responsibility which involves this order, lies entirely upon Ge-
neral Radii. If the brave Flinter—if the garrison which
he commanded, have been sacrificed by the barbarous rage
of the rebels, who answers for this barren sacrifice? Who
answers for the immense resources of which the enemy de-
prives us by occupying Almaden, and the destruction of the
works of its rich mines ? Who ?—The military chief who
orders a small garrison to defend itself, under the impres-
sion that it would be succoured ; he does not succour it,
and it perishes."
The purport of this language cannot be mistaken. To
some extent it breathes the very spirit of the Govern-
ment ; for both CAL A T RAVA and MENDIZABAL
hare more than once expressed themselves averse to
the system which prevails in Spain, of inflicting no

other punishment on a General suspected of treachery
than the mere deprivation of his command in the army,
without even a nominal deprivation of rank. The Re-
vista, another liberal journal, is not less severe upon
RODIL

" The news yesterday that the garrison of Almaden had
surrendered, to-day has increased. Notwithstanding its
being received by ofeio, the smallest idea does not offer
itself to the imagination upon which we can found a hope
of its not being true. If it be true unfortunately, we are
inclined to believe the blood of the chiefs of the columns
situated in the immediate neighbourhood of this unfortu-
nate and heroic town ought to run upon the smoking re-
mains, and the in fanzous heads of those that have looked
with criminal indifference upon this disaster, without lending
that succour which they ought to their companions in arms,
should be without the least delay separated fronz their shoul-
ders by the sword of the law. It is impossible for this
magnanimous nation to suffer any longer the effects of per-
fidy and treason. It cannot permit with decency and dig-
nity that contemptible hordes of assassins may organize and
extend themselves, and take a respectable and threatening
attitude ; rob her of her riches, and assassinate a multitude
of her bravest sons, in the sight of chiefs whom she herself
maintains with great difficulty and sacrifices, to obtain the
extermination of the factious, and to restore the peace that
is so necessary for its prosperity and happiness. Fathers
of the country! Do not forget that you are its only stay.
Vr'e expect that, in union with the Constitutional Govern-
ment, you will show yourselves deserving of such an exalted
mission, taking care that the perfidy and treason may be
quickly and exemplarily chastised."

This appeal to the patriotism of the Cortes will not

fail to make a deep and salutary impression upon that
assembly. The injury done to the quicksilver mines
in the vicinity of Almaden will necessarily compel the
Government to institute the most rigid inquiry respect-
ing the conduct of the War Minister. These mines
produced a revenue to the crown of from 30,000,000,
to 60,000,000 of reals annually—a source of wealth

which is reported to be now entirely destroyed, the
Carlists having filled the mines with water, which will

prevent the possibility of working them. The Eco del
Commercio, remarkable for its moderation upon every
subject, after dwelling upon the gallant conduct of
General FLINTER, and summing up the plans so
pompously put forth by General RODIL7 thus con-
cludes its account of the Carlist victory :

This, then, is the result of all those grand plans which
were to embrace everything, and to provide for everything.
We will not deny them whatever merit justly belongs to
them ; but, judging from what we have seen, we must say
that their effect has hitherto been to allow a rebel band,
sufficiently insignificant after its defeat in La Mancha, time
to recruit its strength, to sack the great towns, to occupy
a populous and rich capital, and to create the grectest con-
sternation throughout all the provinces of Andalusia. If
to these unfortunate events be added the pernicious moryl
effect, which they cannot fail to produce both within and
without Spain, sonic idea may be formed of the fatal result

of such operations. This state of things cannot be suffered
to exist much longer. If tho Government tolerates these
things much longer, it will subject itself to a very heavy
responsibility, and the Cortes, we are sure, will not fail to
adopt the necessary remedy. Unless exemplary punishment,
or just reward, immediately follow on operations upon which
the salvation or ruin of the country depends, we cannot
hope to see henceforward more favourable results than those
which we have already so much cause to deplore."

Thus among the whole Liberal Press there exists
but one impression as regards the recent conduct of

RODIL. On the 23th, GOMEZ left Almaden and
marched in the direction of Guadalupe, whence it was
supposed he would proceed to Toledo, if not inter-

cepted by the QUEEN'S troops.
We repeat, that Spain cannot be saved, unless her
Generals are made to answer with their lives for their
treachery in the field. Generals RODIL and ALAIX
ought to be brought to trial instantly. Whatever may
be urged in favour of their plans, their conduct, since
the former took the field, is more than suspicious.
They combine their movements so as to drive GOMEZ
upon the capital, and yet they leave it without a garri-
son sufficient to protect the QUEEN and Cortes !
Why not at once hand them over, bound neck and

heels, to Don CARLOS ? At best it looks as if the
crime was one of omission only.

Letters and Papers from Madrid to the 31st ult.

have been received. The Address of the Cortes in
answer to the Royal Speech from the Throne was
agreed to, and sixteen members appointed to present
it to her MAJESTY. It is merely an echo of the
Royal Speech, and therefore requires no further notice.
The Cortes are resolved to support the present Cabi-
net. The Regency question has not vet been finally
adjusted.

The following intelligence from San Sebastian, con-
firming the accounts published in The Sun of yester-
day, relative to the raising of the siege of Bilboa, is
copied from a third edition of the Times of this morn-
ing. With regard to Lord PALMERSTON'S dispatches
it is not in our power to offer any comment. General
EvAtis is well aware that he•has now nothing to de-
pend upon but the good faith of the British Govern-
ment. The withdrawal of the 2,300 Spanish troops
from San Sebastian, with the avowed purpose of in-