The Sun.
London, England, 1823-08-05 00:00:00

THE SPANISH'COMMITTEE.

We have heard of complsitits having been
urged against the Members of the Spanish Com-
mittee for inertness in that department Of their
duty which related to occasional cad *militat-
ing appeals to the public in favour of the
cause they are otherwise assiduously promoting;
and struck with the apparent justice of such
cusation, we thought it our duty to satisfy our-
selves respecting it from the best authority With-
in our reach, and it is with real pleasure we find
that too much prudence, rather than any de-
ficiency of zeal, has hitherto occasioned their
silence.
The Spanish Committee, it appears, have long
entertained an earnes‘ desire to make a further
appeal to the public in favour, of the Spanish
Cause ; but however unshaken and undiminished
has uniformly been the confidence of the Mem-
hers composing it, in the character, courage, and
constancy of Spaniards,' they could not but per,:.
ceive the unfortunate impression made upon the
public mind, arising more probably from a too
great reliance on the Bulletins and degrading
falsehoods exclusively published and conveyed
through the heyer•ted medium of the French
Press, than from a just view of. the 'actual state
of things in the Peninsula, and a fair calculation
of the inferences to be deduced from it. As long
as such a prejudice existed, they considered any
efforts on their part to remove it would be inef-
fectual, and therefore they determined to wait
for that re-action which they confidently antici-
pated, and which should speak for itself.
Acknowledging the justice of their sentiments,
still we are of opinion .that the very anticipations
of the Committee are already sufficiently realized
to admit the expectation that hopelessness, des.
pair,
,or even economical prudence, will no
longer impede the natural dictates of just and
generous hearts, and for:these reasons :
It is notorious that the Ministry of San Mi-
guel placed such reliance on the result of British
mediation as to have been completely deceived
(until a late period in the negociation) re-
specting the probable occurrence of any war at
all between France and Spain. However inex-
cusable may have been such an impression or
delusion, the unfortunate result was want of ,
time, as well as means, for due preparation to
meet the enemy on the -opening of the campaign.
The few troops actually in arms were, therefore,
placed as garrisons in the most important of the
fortresses, upon the security of which evidently
depended almost every hope of a. protracted, and
finally succesful struggle. This precaution ab-
sorbed nearly the whole of their regular effective
force, .and left nothing in• the field capable of.
contending with the armies of France, either in
discipline or numbers. The result, as Might have
been expected, has been (with the exception,
indeed, of their fourth corps d'artnele), a military
parade rather than a warlike movement on the
part of the enemy froth the Pyrenees to the walls
of Cadiz and Corunna.

Neverthess, the Spat/ash army, although in two
notorious instances the devoted victims of trea-
chery, has faithfully and nobly discharged its
duty whenever circumstances have permitted : it
has steadily adhered to honour, its country, and
its coustitution. Catalonia, Pampeluna, St. Se..
bastian, Santona, St. Andero, Logrono, Cadiz,
and Corutma, bear witness to all Europe of its
courage and patriotic devotion ! What, then, is
wanting to its final triumph but time to levy and
organize men, and means to clothe, arm, and
equip them for operations in the field? The main-
tenance of their fortified towns insures the first,
and British sympathy has the power (if gene-
rously exerted) of promoting the attainment of
the last.
If, as has been insidiously proclaimed, the ma-
jority of Spaniards are in favour of French
aggression, why has it net appeared when the
extension of the French army over the whole
surface of the country has afforded ample scope
for the developement of the national opinion, by
removing every barrier to its manifestation? If,
on the contrary (and as facts now indisputably
announce), the authors of this unnatural and
atrocious conflict shall appear to be a con-
temptible minority of unprincipled fanatics,
urged on by the French Government to the parri-
cidal act forks own interests ; upheld by a French
artny,and supported by French funds; those funds
(with shame be it spoken !) partly derived horn
British sources. If such be the real ruse, shall
it be said that Britons, the friends of humanity,
justice, and liberty—the advocates of the rights
and of the law of nations, unfeelingly and pas-
sively contemplated this scene ,of iniquity, and
refused, in the critical hour of unmerited dis-
tress, that succour which might now citable the
oppressed portions of the Peninsula to vindicate
their wrongs, and secure themselves, at least,
from a direful persecution already commenced,
from a malignant and cold-blooded despotism
already officially announced as their future doom,
and from a Holy Office (the Infernal Inquisition!)
already re-establisbed,and preparing itsstakes for
their further pu:ification by fire and faggot ?
Will Englishmen, Scotsmen, or Irishmen, will the
Ancient Britons in the west, after the undisputed
proofs now given of firmness, fidelity, and self-de.,
votion to their country and its free institutions by;
those already in arms (whose numbers are hourly
increasing), yield any longer to an ungenetous
and unmanly apprehension of the issue, and thus
invoke, perhaps, a calamity they would affect to
'deplore, by withholding a relief which, in this
hour of Spanish peril and depression, would go
far to insure her deliverance from the degrading
tiondage of French doininion. We may J!onti-
&nay assure ourselves that the Spanish Cum.

mittee, under all and ever] variation, of fortune
in the Peninsula, will continue zealously to dis.;
charge the grateful duty entrusted. to its manage-
mentias long as public spirit here shall provide the
meansi and unrelaxing perseverance in Spain shall
warrant the application of them in its favour: Uappy
are we to learn that the moral,effect already pro-
duced by England's bounty (though hitherto, lio
limited) has been sensibly felt and•acknowledged
by the Spaniards themselves. Let true British
feeling but folloti up with energy and diapatch
the impulse thus given to the national spirit of
Spain, and every thing that can be.expected froan
renovated hope, front increased -and daily in-
creasing confidence, and froth men resolved on
death, rather than concession to atrocious inju.
riesand insults, may, with confidence' be pre-
dicted.

ATTEMPT TO AS&ASSINATE SAM. UDR ROCKS,

FuitTUEll ACCOUNT.
[Peron the Preston Chronicle.].
The assassin proved to be a spinner out of work, nettled
Andrew llydinp„ a young unmarried man, aged about
whose pa'r'ents and family reside in this town. He was take'
into Mr. Miller's house until the arrival of Mr. Walton the
constable ; and Mr. Miller coming home in the meantime; he
began to tell, with a hardihood which it makes one shudder to
think of, that it Wailds intention to have shot both Mr. lfor-
rocks and Mr. Miller; and that for this purpose he had tense
time ago wished to purchase two pistols, but could not raise the
money to pay for them.
On being 'conveyed to the lock-up, he continued to evince
the same diabolical feeling, regretting more that lie had not sue;
ceeded in his object,. than betraying any symptorni of an
awakened conscience. He there stated, with the utmost cool-;
ness and deliberation, that when lie left home in the morning,
it was his purpose to have made the attack upon Mr. Miller.
He had no expectation of meeting with Mr. Horrocks, for he
had imagined thathe was confined to the house by sickness
but knowing that Mr. Miller was very regular in his attendance
at church with the Corporation, he made sure of an opportunity
to effect his purpose against him. Fortunately, however, for
Mr. Miller, he received a message, intimating that, owing to
indisposition, the Mayor would not attend. church that morn.:
ing; lie therefore went with his family to St. George's chapel,
and.thus escaped the vengeance of the assassin. This circum-
stance was of course uhknoWn to Ryding, who kept a strict
100k-out for, a full half hour before service was over. Instead
of Mr. Miller, he at length saw Mr. Horrocks upon the church
terrace, proceeding down the street, on which he followed him,
at a few yards' distance, until Mr. llorrocks had entered the
gates, when he made a sudden run toperpetmte his wicked
purpose.
Witenquestioned upon hit moral sense of the crime, 'he at..'
tempted to justify the deed, and said that lie had prayed to God
from his heart. as he followed Mr. 'knocks, for direction and
assistance in what he was going to do. lle held the same lag.:
guage every time he was brought up for examination, and
seemed to regret only that he had ritit dose the act two years
before: It appears, from his" repeated declaration, that he
formed the horrid idea immediately after the last turn-out of
the spinners, in Mach and April, 1821. He hat never been
in the'employ of Messrs. Horrocks and Co. since he was six or
seven years of age, when he worked as a piecer in one of their
factories for a short time: it was not, therefore, from any per-.
sonal quarrel that he fixed upon Messrs. Horrocks and Miller is
but considering them, to use his own expressions, as the ring.'
leaders of the other masters, he was determined to make them
answer for all. Shortly after he was taken into ctiatisdy, he
said he had written an anonymous letter to Mr. Horrocks„ four
months ago, warning him of his fate, unless he put on the 10
per cent. which wait taken from the wages of the spinners at
the time • referred to. This .letter, we believe, is still is
existence. • -
When brought out for examination on Monday morning, he
passed through the streets with a smile, approaching a laugh,.
upon his countenance ; and when he catne before the Magi..
:orates, he declared that he had pot been so easy and happy in
his mind for two years as he then felt himself. Mr. Iforrocksts
hut, shirt, and coati all hestnesTed. with hlood, being opened
out by the constables, the prisoner regarded them wittututthe
least .token of remorse ; on the contrary, he, took up the hat,
and in the coolest manner examined the cut occasioned by his
murderous blow. On being asked if he was sober and in ,his'
senses the day before, he appeared indignant at both queiticins.
Ile Said he had not tasted ale or any other intoxicating liquor
for a fortnight, and that lie was as much in his senses at any
body. The prisoner said that since the turn-out, he had worked
at Manchester, Bolton, anti last at Mr. Vote's, in this town.
He, however, felt so unsettled and uneasy in hie mind, that he
could never stick to any thing,. but spoiled and neglected his
work, and .was always turned off on that account in a tew weeks:
Ile was always, he said, against fighting, and was never accus-
tomed to bloody deeds or any thing of that kind, otherwise be'
should have done the business more effectually. - •
Mr. Horrocks not being well enough to attend the Magi,
strates, the prisoner was taken to his house in the afternoon to
be identified. So far from being affected at the sight of Mr.
'knocks, the prisoner told him he would rather have seen
him a corpse than in the state he saw him. And when Mr.
Ilorroas, with that benevolent and, forgivingtlisposition which
forms ito prominent and so bright a trait in his character, gave
the wretched eulpriti to understand, that, notwithstanding his
foul attenmt, he entertained no feeling of animosity against
him, it did not soften his nature in the least degree.
On Tuesday 'morning the final examination of witnesses
in this atrocious case took place in the Governor's . parlour at
the House of Correction, on which occasion the prisoner beu
hayed in the same manner as before,. anti .talketl with ap-
palling familiarity and unconcern of the fate which he knew.
awaited him. During this examination an incident OCCUId
red which shewed the determined spirit by which he wiurattttat-
ed, Mr. Miller was present on the occasion, and the prisoner
being questioned as to the pistols he had before spoken, of, .he
said that if he could have bought them, he would have taken
the opportunity, as the corporation came &Om church, when
Mr. "knocks and Mr. Miller were there, to *hoot them, both if
" and," continued he, looking at Mr. Miller, "if I had the
means I would kill you now." Mr. Miller seeing the prisoner's
eye turned towards a weight with a long handle to it, used for
keeping doors open, he desired the Governor. to remove it;
upon which Ryding observed it was well for Mr. Miller that
that they had taken it away, for he had been on the watch,to
seize it for some time ; anti if it had been as near to his right
hand as it was to the left he should, before then, have tried to
knock out the brains of Mr. Miller with it.
The , wretched man was of course fully committed, on the
capital charge of cutting and maiming, with intent to kill ; and
on Wednesday morning was conveyed in a chaise to Lancaster,
to be tried at the ensuing assikes. ,
The instrument usid on this occasion was a common kitchen
cletiver,.matle throughout of iron, but having, most fortunately,
a very. blunt edge; the assassin, according to lais own account,
,having been amid to sharpen it, for fear otitis being suspeeted
'that he was going to use it for some evil purpose. '-
It will give pleasure tUMr. Harrocks's personal filenda, and
indeed, to every one,:tolearn that the wounds inflicted hove not
proved of, a very serious nature. .The cut at the tmehof .the
head was the only one from which 'any fears were ever enter-
tained, and all apprehensions on - account of this are, now re-
moved. Ilesitles this, he has a slight cur on the inside of the
left hand, and four cuts on the left arm ; but these are_tneridy
flesh wounds, which will probably WWI heal. ftirtir n
sieTornett
by singular good fortune, that .244, tiorrocbi,nt , tl.l.1e
4t sa
it was
ow
nig* Pitt On Mew hat, and Fuss since Wise r ed, that
Of the strongest he ever wore.

body of a rook child,
CHILI) unDER.--Ttle
apparently it, week 01d, depnait—s-a ltt a C4)0111+ WAI butt Wednes-
day discovered in the Fleet-sewer, near llagnigge.wella. It
wits taken to 81. Pancras workhouse„ where on manination a
deeplndution on .the bark of the head, and (Aber mwks
knee,
there tfhteintered: inyteal hat been taken vh Shim
boo; ond 4vcriliet returned of Wilful Mauler against soma
person unknown."