The Sun.
London, England, 1823-04-15 00:00:00

the causes of complaint which France might have against Spain.
Nothing has even yet been precisely stated to them on that sub-
ject. General danger from the nature of the present political
institutions of Spain ;—danger to the King and Royal Family
of Spain ; —attempts on the part of the Spanish Government to
corrupt the minds of the French people, and to seduce the sol.
diers of the Army of Observation :—these, coupled with the
undeniable fact; of three or four occasional violations of the
French territory, constituted the sum of grievances which have
been alleged, at different times, against Spain by the French
Government, up to the publication of the speech of the King
of France.
In charges such as these, especially when urged (as some of
these were at Verona) only as the grounds of a a syltem of de.
fens•ive preparation, his Majesty's Government saw nothing
which rendered an accommodation hopeless. Spain on her
side has, or professes to have, grievances to plead against
France, of similar intermeddling with her people and her army.
She alleges that France has encouraged dissaition and disaf-
fection at Madrid; and that she even, by fboney and other
means, fomented and stimulated the tumult of the 7th of July.
Such mutual recriminations appear to the British Govern,
ment to furnish the elements of a discussion, in which some-
thing would be .to be explained on either side; anthill which
reconciliation might at last result from mutualcompromise and
=cession.
In this state of things the mediation of Great Britain was of.
fered; and, under these impressions, her goodofnces have been
employed. The question so far turned, principally if not ex-
elusively, upon facts ; there was no declaration of principle ab-
solutely precluding negotiation. But as the nature of the present
political institutions of Spain was put forward, as being of itself
a source of danger to France, and, at the sante time, as sus.
ceptible of modifications by the voluntary act of Spain herself,
which would remove the apprehension of that danger, and con-
quently open the way to amicable discussion on other points ;
the British Government endeavoured to learn from France what
were the modifications in the Spanish Constitution which would
give to France an assurance of safety and tranquillity ; and they
have not hesitated to advise, *Madrid, an attempt to bring
about sonic such modification.; °rat Least the declaration of *ills-
position to consider of Olean whiu the time should be more pro-
pitious for a change.
There is no conclusive reason to apprehend that,, if the in-
fluence of British Ceunsel had been left to its own operation
(considering the weight of the authority under which it is offer.
ed), it would have been offered in vain. Even after the com-
munication to the Spanish Government of the dispatches of the
continental powers, the Spanish Minister • expressed distinctly
and formally the wish of his Government for the good offices of
Great Britain with France ; and we were not without hope of
a favourable answer to the suggestions proposed through Lord
Fitzroy Somerset, when w e received the Speech of the King of
France.
The principle put forward in that speech, as the basis of the
French demands upon Spain, is liable to a double construction.
If, as we are desirous of believing, the sentiment intended to be
conveyed is no other, than that, in order to give stability to any
modification of the present system in Spain, and to afford suf.
ficient assurance to France to justify her in discontinuing her
warlike preparations, the King of Spain must be party and
freely consenting to any such modification ; and if your Ex-
cellency shall obtain from the French Minister an avowal that
such is the intention of the speech, the British Government will
be moat happy to continue at Madrid their amicable and ear.
nest endeavours to ascertain the means, and to recommend the
policy, of accommodation.
But it would not be right to conceal from the French Minis-
ter, that a different construction is generally put upon the pa.
ragraph to which I refer. It is construed as implying, that the
free institutions of the Spanish people can ONLY be legitimately
held front the the spantaneousgyt lithe Sovereign, first restored
to his absolute power, and then divesting himself of such por.
thin of that power as he may think proper to part with.
The Spanish Nation could not be expected to subscribe to this
principle ; nor could any British Stalermati- uphold or defend it.
We can conscientiously recommend to Spain to modify her
Constitution of 1812. The law of nations warrants the sug.
gestion from one friendly power to another of counsels for the
melioration of internal institutions, provided that suggestion he
made in good faith, and not in a spirit of dictation; and pro-
vided it be not attempted to Le supported by force. But the
British Government could not advise any people, in adopting
changes however beneficial, to admit the principle on which
(according to this latter construction) the speech of the King
of France would be understood to precribe them. It is in.
eked a principle which strati at, the root of the Britisii Con-
ti yut ion.
The British Government .does not presuthe to hold out its
own political' institutions as the only practical system of na-
tional happiness and freedom. It does not presume to question
the freedom and happiness which France enjoys under institu.
dons emanating from the will.of the Sovereign, and described
as ottroyces from the Throne. But it could not countenance a
pretension on the pare of Franca terrnake her example a rule
for other nations ; and still less would it admit a peculiar right
in France, to force that example specifically upon Spain, in
virtue of the consanguinity of 'the reigning dynasties of those
two kingdoms. This latter reason would, on the contrary,
suggest recollections and considerations, which must obviously
make it impossible for Great Britain to be the advocate of pre-
tensions founded upon it.—l am, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE CANNING.
The Right Hon. Sir Charles Stuart.
Memorandum.—A copy of this dispatch was transmitted to
Sir William A'Court on the 4th of February.

I - No. 26.
Sir William A'Court to Mr. Secretary Canning.—Received
February 0.
(Extract.) Madrid, January 21, 1823.
Lord Fitzroy Somerset arrived 14st night. It has given me
the greatest pleasure that a person so much versed in affairs,
and so intimately acquainted with every thing and every body
in this country, should see with his own eyes and report directly
to his Majesty's Government the real state of things here. His
arrival has been a very great relief to me.

No. 27.
Mr. Secretary Canning to Sir 'William A'Court.
(Extract.) . Foreign Office, February 9, 1023.
You will have learnt, by the ordinary modes of intelligence,
the opening of Parliament, and the reception, in both houses,
of that part of the King's speech which relates to the present
position of France and Spain.
What impression may be made on the French Government
by this unequivocal disclosure of public opinion in England I
cannot pretend to forsee; but it can hardly be other than such
as if it were met at the same time with any reasonable facility
on the part of Spain, which would afford to France a retreat
without dishonour,—might lead to a reconsideration of their
plans, and yet arrest the fatal hlow, which is to commence
hostilities.
• 1 trust, however, that the report which the Spanish Govern-
will not lead them into
arnfeanitseinsaecnuyrrietyce,ibvye oinfdthuecisnexprtohceemeditoo
gsp'lace their hoyes of ex-
trication from their difficulties in a war between this country
and France.

Neither the determination nor the means would be wanting to
vindicate, in any case that might arise, either our honour or
our interests. But this consideration does not affect the imme.
diately impending conflict between Prance and Spain. It is to
the prevention of the commencbment of the war that the
anxiety of the British Gcrvernment is at this moment exclu.
sively directed; and that it is desirous of directing the delibe.
rations of the Spanish Government : and the way to defer the
present execution of the project of invasion of Spain is, that
Spain should furnish us with soitie proposition, such as we
could submit to the French Goverstrocnt, with an earnest ap.
peal to its policy, as well as to its justice.

NO. 20.
Lord Fitzroy Somerset to 31r. Secretary Canning.—Received
February 10.
(Extract.) Madrid, January 25, 1823
•
\l'ith the approbation of Six A'Court, I comm.
nicated to ----, on the 22d instant, the nature of the com-
mission with which I was intrusted, expressing to him my
hope that, in a matter so materially affecting the welfare of his country, I should have the benefit of his assistance and co.
operation.

1-informed him that his Majesty's Government continued to
adhere to the determination on which they had hitherto acted,
of not interfering in the internal concerts of Spain: but that, deeply alive to the difficulties of her present situation, and
most anxiously to prevent her rupture with France, they had
thought proper to try the effect of a confidential communication
which should make known to the leading charaeters in this
country the sentiments of the Duke of IV ellington, who, as
the friend and well-wisher of Spain, had consented to state his
opinions on the necessity of some alteration in the existing
Constitution.
I, at the same time, begged him to bear in mind, and to im.
press on those with whom I trusted he would communicate,
that England demanded nothing of Spain t that she suggested
nothing officially, and that her sole object in touching in any
way upon so important a question, was the hope that it might
lead to the adoption of a system which should put an end to
civil dissentiona and lessen the probability of a war with France,
I afterwards read to him the Duke of Wellington's memo.
random. was evidently a good deal startled at my corn.
munication, for which he professed himself to be quite unpre.
pared ;, and he at once declared his conviction, that he could
not be instrumental in the attainment of the objects to which I
had called hh: attention.
He save the British Government firll Credit for the conduct
they had pursued durin the Congress at Verona. Ile was
deeply sensible of the value of the Duke of Wellington's exer.
lions on 114 t occasion, and of his constant solicitude to pro.

. .
bapl mess
imattethpree situation of leCUreof the the
lildntryePen, hdeencoetlf,'SnPaiet.dnis'griste'
from me the difficulty of prevailing upon any party to act upon
the suggestions which were thrown out for their consideration
in the Duke's memorandum.
He acknowledged the defects of the Constitution, and ad.,
'flitted the propriety of taking into consideration the owe-
riliency of modify lug ttlsereafter, when such a proceeding should
not to be illegal. He felt equally with myself the- imminence
of the danger to which the country was exposed, and that war
was the inevitable consequence of a refusal to modify the,Con-
stitution. Such a measure being, however,- out of the ques.
don, the Government had, in his opinion, nothing to do but
to await the evil which they could not avert.
Seeing that my reasoning made no impression upon —,
and that his reluctance to become a party in proposing any.
alteration in the present order of things was not, to be overcome,
I refrained from pressing.him further on the subject: Having
first, however, prevailed upon him, as an act of kindness to
me and of duty to.his country, to mention to some of the Gen.-
tleinen of the Cortes, in whom he could confide, the nature of
the .commission with which 4 via. charged, and the reasons
whichinduced the Duke of Wellington to think that the time
was arrived when Spain should make an effort to effect such an
alteration in her present system of Government as inighttend
to put an end to . the disturbances of .whlclrshe ; the theatre,
and to satisfy her Sovereign and his Attics::
I have found several of my old acquaintances, who are neither
in the Cortes nor in any situation of responsibility, very ready-
to enter into conversation with me on, the difficulties by which
Spain is now surrounded, and on the necessity of some niodifi-
cation .of the Constitution. Some, indeed, are clamorous for
such an amendment, and for the interference of Great Britain ;
but when asked how the first can be effected, or the latter made
available to the exigencies of the mornenteithey ere unable to
furnish any satisfectory-reply.
No. 29.
Sir Chas. Stuart to Mr. Secretary Canning.—Received Feb. 13.
(Extract.) Paris, Feb. 10, 1823.
After receiving. your dispatch of the-3d instant; I called, upon.
3E; de.Chatexubnand; and held a long conversation with that
Minister upon the subject to which it refers. *Without under-
rating the effect of his Majesty's good offices to Preserve peace,
I leund.M. de Chateaubriand still exit-tritely prepassessettwith
the notion, that Tile. TONE assumed in the speechof the King of France is well calculated. to induce the Spaniards -to give
way ; and resolved, in spite of all I could say, to ground hopes
of preventing war upon the result, of that speech.
When 1 questioned his Excellency respecting the interpreta:.
don of which his Aleut Christian Majesty's speech to the Chain-
bers is suscceptible, he admitted that your account of the diffe-
rent constructions; which are put upon that discourse clearly. eit-
poses the doubts which have prevailed in theptiblic Mind upon
that important question. Be said t hat. wlutteVer may be
the interpretation' which is attached. to his s expres-
sions, by those -who are determined to consider all the measures
recommended by this Court, to be proofs of-their desire to re.'
establish an absolute government in Si*in, hie Excellency
?incr can believe that the communications which have taken
.place with the British Cabinet have been misunderstood to a
degree which can authorize suet suppositions. :He does not
hesitate to admit that " in order to give stability to any modifi-
cation of the present system in Spain; and to affind sufficient
assurance to France to justify her discontinuing her warlike
preparations, the King of Spain must be a party, and consent
to such modification." Upon this principle, a change which
shall result front a thoroegh understanding between his Oahe-
lie Majesty and the Cozies will he considered to afford some
prospect of the modifications which are indispensable to the
security of neighbouring states. The French Government
will not only be satisfied with the opening which any act,
(such as the establishment of a second Chamber) may offer, 'to
complete, through the intervention of Great, Britain, the
system which is. necessary fur the Constitutional Government
of Spain; but, without waiting for any further proof, ate
sincerity. of the Spanish Government, they will consider any
such act as'aftbrding reasonable grounds for snspending their
arMements-, and replacing the relations between the two coon_
tries upon the same footing usual in time of peace; though,
since he cannot suppose that we consider mere fair assurances
to be sufficient, we must not be eurprisedif preparatioo for war
are, in-the mean time, carried on without intermissien.
-M. de Chateaubriand.did not enter into any detail respecting
the nature of the acts to which he alluded ; but I understood'
him to refer to the project of allowing the King the nomination
of Counsellors of State, and-giving them a deliberative potter,
upon a similar principle with that of the American Senate ; 'to
which might be added, a regulation fixing the amount of the
qualification required, to render a candidate eligible to the se..
cond, or representative chamber.
With a view to avoid the possibility of any misrepresentation,
I have read to M. de Cliateanbriantt that part of this dispatch
which states the expeCtations entertained by the French Go.
vernment, and have ascertained that his ideas are correetly,re..
ported, The communication of the same extract to enables me to say, that it contains notions which, in the o.pi-
nion of thetgentleman,will be considered admissible In:Spam;
and whiCh May afford sufficient ground's for further communi-
cations on the part of Sir William A'Court to the Spanish Go.
verninent. -

• A. Spanish Fputleman at Paris.
:No. 30.
Sir William A'Court to Mr. Secretary Can:ling.—Receive('
February 13, _

• - Madrid,lB23.
Stn.-=The French Minister received two dispatches from
31. de Chateaubriand by the last courier, the one to.be com-
municated to 31. de San Miguel at the same time that he de-
manded his passports, the other to be read to him, as well to
the King, previous to his departure.
The fret; which has-already been communicated, contains
litt'e more then expressions of regret that theariswer of the-Spa-
nish Goverrntent.should have been so very unsathifitetory, leer-
ing no other alternative to the French Government than of re-
calling its legation. •
The second goes more into detail.' It states that.. after the
fruitless effOrts made by the representatives of the continental
powers, as well as by Sir William. A'Court and 'Lord Fitz-
roy Somerset (the last of wham, it must be observed, had
not left Paris ;even days, and was nor even arrived at Madrid,
Wittig the French dispatch was written), to engage the Spanish
Government to listen to the suggestions of reason and to adopt
a lineof greateemoderation, no other course remains to the Go-
vernment of his Most Christian Majesty than that of recalling
its Minister from Madrid ; that this is the only step left for the
maintenance of peace; that the Dukeof Angouleine.is upon the
point of placing himself at the head of 100,000 men upon the from. tier ; and that it the King of Spain,released from his present thral-
dora, and placed at the head of his armyodiail be allowed
to,advance to durbankaof -the Bidassoa, in order to treat with
him, a firm and and durable peace may be established between
the two countries ; the ancient intimate. eensw.viou between
France. and Spain restored ; and the fleets, armies, and re-
sources of France be placed froth that moment entirely at the
disposal of his Catholic Majesty : that. France does not pretend
to dictate to. Spain the precise modifications she ought to adopt
in her Constitution; but In order.not to expose herself to the
charge of having intentiorially left her wishes unexplained, she
declares that she witl net renew her relations of amity with this
country, until a system be established with the consent of, and
in concert with, the King, assuring alike the liberties of the
nation and .the just privileges of the Monarch; and until a ge-
neral act of amnesty be passed in favour of every-individual
persecuted for political offences from the promulgation of the
Constitution in 1812, down to the present period.
I write this from recollection ; but I am perfectly certain that,
though I may nut have given .in every. instance ;be precise•
words used, I have in no way varried from the Meaning. This
paper has already been read by General La Garde to the, King;
and he will probably communicate its contents to 31. San Ali,.
guel in the course of the morning.. Irtsve the honour to be,&c.
• (Signed) WILLIAM
No. 31. • A
Sir William A.Tourt to Mr. Secretary Canning.—Received
February 17.
, •
(Extract.) Madrid, Feb. 4,1823.
Mr. Jackson arrived this morning, bringing me several dis-
patches from Sir Charles Stuart, and amongst others a
copy of his dispatch to you, Sir, of the 28th Ult., detailing his
conversation with Al. de Chataubriand, after the Communize-
tion of Al. de San Miguel's note to me ofthe Itlth of January.
I immediately proceeded to make known the contents of this
dispatch to M. de San Miguel ; being extremely anxious to
prevent the adoption of any violent measures, inconsequence
of the arrival of King of France's Speech to the Chambers, which reached Madrid last night.
After 'I had read the- whole to M de San -Miguel (atid some
parts of it, by his own desire, a second time,) he broke out into
exclamation, against the general conduct of the French 'Go.
verninent ; expressing.his conviction that a war was inevitable.
Ile said, that Spain would never admit that the Constitution•
emanated from the King, nor recognize any other soYetel.inty
than that of the people; that a manifesto was preparing, in
which his Majesty would speak his sentiments to Europe, apd
that these sentiments would be foond in unison with the ;inns& which he had lately delivered to the Cortes that -Spain was
prepared to repel force by force; and that France would find,
that the war would be a much more serious undertaking than •
she seemed at present to imagine it would be. ,‘
Ile requested me to leave him for an hour the copy of Sir'
Charles Stuart's dispatch. I did not hesitate in complying with this request, upon the condition that it was-to ttotentiered
as a strictly confidential communisetiOn.. t.: -

Sir 'William A'Court to Air. Secretary Canning.._Received
February 22.
(Extract.) Madrid, February 7, 1023.
Sir Charles Stuart has forwarded to me your diapxtch to hhn,