The Sun.
London, England, 1823-11-06 00:00:00

PRICE SEVENPEN'CI.

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seriously ill : thus the number of those who did
not fail in their duty amounts to 116.
The second observation that suggests itself is.,
that the Cortes neither prostituted themselves,
restored absolute power, nor authorized tin; late
absurd measures of the Government. We' are
persuaded that no o*e can blame the conduct Of
the thirty-four, because they wished to support
the vote in No. 17 ; and besides, if the vote op.
proved by the seventy.three be impartially -exa.
mined, no just ground of censure will lie found,
nor will it serve to excuse the Ministers or Go.
vernment for so inconsiderately and rashly
adopting the resolution of delivering up the King.
It is true that the Government spoke of that, as
may be seen in the Exposition No. 12 ; but it is
equally true that the allusion indicated some remote, and an extreme CAW still very dis.
tam. The following expressions, employed by
the Government, are remarkable iVithout
prejudice to continue to make the efforts which
are within its power ;"----" may be able to adopt
in its case;".--and " previously delis hig the
greatest possiblead vantage in favour of the nation
and the inhabitants and defenders of this island."
By these professions, the Government imposed
on itself obligations which have not been fulfilled,
and Hines and circumstances are referred to,
which did not arrive, since, on the Ist of Oc_
tober, they were the same as on the 27th of Sep.
timber. Thus the Cortex could not be accused
if they had concurred in the measures of the
Government. If, after this observation, the re.
solution of the majority be examined, it will be
found that it does not extend to what the Govern-
ment required, r.or to any thing except to charge
the Government to do every thing possible for
the benefit of the nation, when nothing more
could really be done but giving this recommen-
dation.

It cannot be necessary to enter upon a formal
refutation of those who blame the Cortes for not
dismissing or punishing the Generals and Mini.
stern for not managing the defence, &c. The
Spanish Constitution did not authorise the Cortes
to, extend its power to such objects; and the
powers of the Extraordinary Cortes were reduced
merely to pronouncing 64 yes," or" no," on the
propositions submitted by the Ministry in the
King's name. It has, however, been asked, why
they did not assume the power which they did
not possess, in order to WO the country ? To
this it may be answered, that to enable the
Cortes to exeeed their powers, a new revolution
would have been necessary ; that their character
and representation would have possessed no
weight ; that with any authority they migla
have possessed, they ctrdd not have relied on
success ; and that then they might with justice
have been severely blamed for having overstepped
their powers.
Let us hope that impartial men, on a perusal
of this clear and correct account, will acknow.
ledge the Spanish Cortes to have possessed ho.-
nour, firmness, and virtue, worthy of u better
fate ; while they must detest the calumniators,
whose perfidy might heve led thorn to conceive
a different opinion.
DOCUMENTS REFERRED To ist—rstE PRECEEDING
STATEMENT.
No. 1.
On the meeting of the Junta of Generals and Chiefs, as is
expressed on the margin, in virtue of the Royal Order of this
21st day of August, 1033, they examined with the greatest
care and minuteness the reflections which were made with re.
ference to the interesting object of their convocation ; and
after having taken into consideration the means on which we,
may rely for the defence and preservation of thelsle of
Cadiz, together with those which the enemy possessed, and
might posses, they decided unanimously, that the situation was a difficult and hazardous one, but that it was indispensable
to make every possible effort to preserve the national! honour
and liberty.
Cadiz, August 31, 1823.
Cayetano Valdez ; Gabriel Cheer ; (Jasper Vigodet ;
Miguel de Alava ; Pedro de la Barcena ; Francisco
Ferrer; Manuel de Imre; Francisco de Copeno y
Navin; Juan Jose Martinez; Antonio Burriel; Juan
Moscoso.
Don Dionisio Cape; Major-General of the squadron, was
summoned, but could not attend the Junta.
Certified by JUAN MOSCOSO.