Star.
London, England, 1809-09-26 00:00:00

SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE PAPERS.

SEVILLE, SEPT. 1.-ROYAL DECREE.
His Majesty would neither fulfil his own wishes,
nor the hopes of his people, if, at the same time,
when he labours to free the country from the oppres-
sion of its tyrant, he did not make every exertion to
correct the vices which exist in the interior Adminis-
tration, and to raise this magnanimous and generous
nation to the high degree of splendour and power to
which it is entitled by the fruitfulness of its soil, the
benignity of its climate, the extension of its coasts,
and the possession of its rich colonies. Among the
obstacles which have constantly opposed the progress
of our agricultural industry and commerce, the first
place is hell by the contributions, called Alcabalas,
Cientas, and Milones, imposts, which obstructing
the interior circulation, and pressing unequally on the
productions of the land, on manufactures, and, in
general, on all objects of commerce, not only have
banished from our unfortunate country that liberty,
without which, there can be neither arts, cultivation,
nor commerce ; not only have rendered odious the
fiscal Admin;stration, and even industry itself ; but,
which -is zoom inflicting on it incurable wounds,
brave ever iiitly a feeble resource for supplying
the necessitieal* the State. Obseriations and eapc-
• rienee have shewn their prejudicial effects ; the peo-
ple have cried out for a remedy; .the decline of our
manufactures, and the mercantile system unanimous.

ly embraced by all the nations in Europe. But though
the Government knew these defects, and reformed
them partially, these reforms were a new vice, which
only stall more embroiled the system. At length the
time is arrived when good principles shall triumph
over ignorance, and the nation which has appeared
great and majestic in the eyes of all Europe by its
valour and its virtue, shall be so also by the liberality
of its principles and the goodness of its interior ad-
ministration. The Supreme Junta of Government
of the kingdom is well convinced, that the riches of
individuals are the riches of the State, and that no
nation can be rich without encouraging its agricul-
ture, commerce, and industry, and that industry in
general does not increase but remove the ob'tacles
which may ob..truct both the fiscal and civil laws.—
From these considerations the Supreme Junta cannot
omit occupying itself with this great work, beginning
with the most urgent reform, which is, that of:the
contribution, and providing in the place of those abo-
lished, others upon such things as can more properly
be required to contribute, distributing them equally
among the contributors, exacting them in the time
and manner least offensive, and collecting them with
the least expence possible. Thus the contributions,
which are always an evil, shall fall only on those who
can contribute, shall be applied to their true objects,
and not to the maintenance of an innumerable multi-
tude of tax-gatherers, who are unproductive consu-
mers, and so many hands lost to industry. In con•
sequence therefore of these principles, the King our
Lord Don Ferdinand VII. and in his royal name the
Supreme Junta of the Government of the kingdom,
decrees as follows :

Art. I. The contributions known by the name of Alcabalas,
Cientas, and Millones, shall be abolished, as soon as those which
are appointed to supply their place shall be appropriated and
established.

Art. 11. The Department of Finance is charted to propose to
his Majesty the contributions which shall supply the place of tbose
abolished.

Art. In. The present Decree shall be printed, published and
circulated, in the usual form.

From the Royal. Palace of Seville, August 7, 1609.
, (Signed) Marquis of Arrows*, Proldent.
DOD MARTIN Ds OAxmr.

(Government Gazette, Sept. 2.)
REUS, AUGUST 11.
The regiment of Almoria has just marched in here,
that of Ferdinand is on the other side of Martorell.
From the movement of these and otbertorps, it is
supposed that Blake intends to attack the French art
my besieging Gerona. Blake's hiradivarters have
been transferred to this place, and Configny's are to
be moved to Villa Fromea.

It is positively ascertained that the French have
disarmed All the Swiss troops in Barcelona; in Tonse-
quence of some disturbance, or probably beciuse they
were suspected. A cordon of troops from Mongat to
Mans del Rei prevents all access to Barcelona.—
Those who are apprehended in attempting to pass the
line are instantly hung.

. A French division of cavalry and infintry were
lately attacked and routed near Jonquiera, by our
brave warriors, who captured their guns, set fire to
their tents, and took a number of prisoners. They
have also intercepted arconvoy which was proceeding
to Figueiras.