The Sun.
London, England, 1826-12-15 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

Those of our readers who have an appetite for city in-
telligence, and with whom it is a sort of prescriptive nes
cessity to return homewards rumour-crammed from the
purlieus of 'Change-alley, may consult the article
headed " Money-market,' for the " lie of the day."
There are few things more laughable than the com-
mentaries of brokers, who dabble in the finesses of
tolitics,
and speculate on possibilities nine or ten times
removed beyond the ken of ordinary observers. Thus
notice merely expressive of the desire to know where
steamsboats might be had when wanted, was construed
into, " an extraordinary anxiety" to hasten the despatch
of the troops to Portugal; it being at the same time
well understood, that several men of War at Ports-
mouth are actually in readiness to receive those troops,
the
positively destined.to convey them. So, likewise,
the sending the Guards, mid other regiments, by men
of War instead of regular transports, ought to-pass with
the same ingenious gentlemen for a proof that Go-
vernment apprehended an attack upon them by priva-
teers in the chops of the Channel. Consols exhibited
the usual illustration of Swift's old song for children,
which is often apparent when the nerves of the citizens
have displaced for a time their understanding :
• " Here we go up, up, up,
" And here we go down, down, down-y"-
774, 781, 78, 7n, &c. The premiums on India
Bonds and Exchequer-bills all disappeared ;• bills, not
to be "discounted ; " proiperity" 4 per Cents. down
to 924; with other marks and symptoms of some dire
commotion in the paper world. To us, this com-
plexity of potpie seems wondrous odd at such a mo-
Ment, inasmuch" as we are sincerely of opinion that
British securities of all kinds are intrinsically better
than thy were a week ago, in exact proportion to
tne efficacy.of those means for protecting
u r allies and vindicating ourselves, which were at
that time equally required, without being adopted, but
of which the subsequent adoption has in no degree
increased the necessity—as it has, beyond all question,
'rather confirmed than impaired the general advantage
of our condition. The French 3 per Cents. having
fallen to 62 in this market, looks very unfavourable to
M. Villele's plan of a conversion of his 5 per cent.
stock. The impression among sober-minded persons
teenia to be, that as England and France are of one
'Mind upon the inestimable value of that state of peace
'and happy intercourse which has now so long reigned
between' the respective Governments and their sub-
jects, and as, moreover, they have both concurred in
'holding the same language
,of remonstrance and ad-
MOll4lOll to Ferdinand upon, his unprincipled conduct,
there is no good ground for supposing that, from the
actual posture of affairs, any thing like a rupture of
their tranquillity, or even a suspension of their confi-
denCe and harmOnV, will; follow. If Portugal be put
completely out of "danger by the well-timed succour et
this countrysand if Irerdinand's advisers be convinced
that any further efforts to disturb her independence
would be vain, it appears very feasible for France and
England to, congratulate each other cordially on the
accomplishment of an object so essential to the com-
mon interests ofnationa.—Times4
The*debates in both *Houses of Parliament on the
*King of England's message, have sanctioned, in their
progress and their issue,those statements and opinions
which we had before presented to she nation on the
affairs of the Peninsula, and our duties consequent
upon them. And here, at an impoitatit crisis, we may
be allowed to say a few words on oni'own conduct.—
We know that envy of our success has induced sonic
to say that we study popular feeling, and cater for it
s--that we follow the multitude. Let us take our pre-
sent proceedings as a proof: No sooner had we read
his Majesty!s unmeaning speech on the 'commence-
ment of the present Session, with Mr. Canning's preg-
nant comment on it, than we :said that the state of
affairs on the Peninsula of Spain and Portugal was
one that might lead to a positive war at any lime,—
that it was already rather 'an armed neutrality than a
peace. Did we follow the public opinion in this, we
ask, or did we lead it ? Did we speak agreeable
truths, or painful ones? Yet the result has 'been
such as predicted. We ask for no more re-
spectin us than a reputation, be it good or found-
ed on facts.. The verification of our opinions on the
past, may give us some additional claim to attention
when describing the present—May inspire some confi-
dence, if we attempt to open the future. We are, then,
at war; but let it be observed, that we are, as yet, at
war. only with Spain—not with France. Yet France,
or the French Government, will excuse us if we say,
that-the observation of their past conduct must nas
turally, up to the present time, have inspired its with
just 'suspicion of the sincerity of all then professions
with respect to the Peninsula. Under what various
pretences 'was the French army assembled on the Py-
. renees ? What various characters did it bear ? was
a "c,ordon sankaire ;" it was " an army of observa-
tion ;', it was, in short, called every thing but what it
really was. Buonaparte himself hardly showed more
duplicity, or put forth more perfidious explanations,
when he obtained possession of the Spanish fortresses ;1
after obtaining possession of which fortresses, the it
well.,remembered, he invaded Portugal also, and is:
sued the insolent declaration that " the House of
Braganza had ceased to reign." How could we,then, '
give - faith td any assurance that the present French
army was to retire e Are we blameable for our distrust?
Yet it does not appear (far be it from us to conceal
any thing, though it may seem to make against our
argument) that his Most Christian Majesty had re-
called his Ambassador from Madrid before our hos-
tile armament was begun; and that he had, by letters
to , the King of Spain, threatened the immediate
recall of his troops, if the nefarious proceedings on
the Portuguese frontiers. were not discontinued.-
- In defiance, however, of this threat, the nefarious
proceedings have been consummated in the invasion
•of Portugal. Why, then, dues the French army
linger in the Peninsula ? Why does it not repass
the. Pyrenees ? Dumoustier is recalled now let
the army retire. The latter measure cannot be
pitted, by the enemies of France, to liar fear of.
England ; because it is the result of a declaration
—it is • the execution of a threat which was uttered
before we took up, or contemplated faking up, arena.
However, there is, iv homage which the great pay
to .thregreat, without timidity on either side : there 14,1
and-should be, some difference between our manner of
treating the French,—a breVe and Military people like
ourselves, however .erring,—and that of treating the,
adherents of Ferdinand. There is no reason why
France and .England should not agree as to the future
lot, of Spain. It would be misery, and even a dis-
grace, for two.such nations to go to war for such a
• cause. We have both of us many wounds to heal yet.
We were reposing almost in the lap of each other ;
well were the amicable personal relations that had taken
Pliee.hetween the families of the two kingdoms. Our
request_ for ourselves, we should think, would' not be
extravagant or offensive. We are obliged to defend
our allies ~we are bound in honour and duty to place