Star.
London, England, 1823-07-02 00:00:00

oblivien. All the attempts Made to but
tblie a" angler works had only led watt un.
*ease increase of circulation. That had a_ppeared
clearly in the case of the works of Paine, Southey,
and Lawrence. 'The Law Oflicers of the Ctowti hid
wisely abstained from interfering, and the prosecu-
tions bad arisen (rim private associations, contrary
alike to the precepts of Christianity. and, the practice
of , its most enlightened friends. The }ton. Member
concluded by moving a Resolution that free discussion-
had been attended with more benefit than injury to
the community, and that it was *just and inexpe-
dient to punish men for their religious opinions.
Mr. WILBERFORCE concurred in much of what
had fallen from the Hon. Gentleman, at the same
time, men were nut to be scoffed out of their opinions
by gross and vulgar abuse. The Hon. Member here
cited a passage from Dr. Paley, that the exercise of
ridicule and abuse, and whatever spoke to the pas-
sions was no part of religious toleration, which re-
ferred to argument and calm discussion. Christia-
nity had never insulted the existing religion with ri-
baldry and abuse, but inculcated respect to the
powers that be. He concurred in the propositioil of
the Hon. Gentleman, though he did not see the ne-
cessity of its being affirmed by Parliament. Ilk the
prosecution of such offences as those alluded to; the
conduct of Government was more liable to miscee-
struction than that of individuals, and the Society for
the Suppression of Vice had been warmly eulogized
by the most eminent lawyers in England.
Mr. RICARDO thought that one part of the
speech of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Wilberforce) cob; I
tradicted the other. The law of England was not ad-,
ministered in the way that had been recommended
by the Hon. Gentleman. The expression of a utah'i
religious opinions was no offence whatever. He had
a man in his eye who did not believe in a future state
—he meant Mr. Owen, who had done and was doing
much good'. Was that man to be visited by punish-
ment? The Hon. Member (Mr.W.) was more afraid
of ribaldly than sound argument; which seemed to
him to be the same as to dread the less powerful
weapon, while he contemned the stronger. If our
own opinion was to be the sole test of truth, we
ought to establish the Protestant religion in India—
(Hear, hear). He would make one observation be-
fore be sat down ; be hoped and trusted, that he had
steered clear of expressing any opinion, from which,by
any interpretation whatever, it would be supposed that
because he defended the liberty of religious doctrines,
be himself entertained any obnoxious opinion, and he
begged that none such ' might be fixed upon him—
(Hear, hear). •
Mr. HORACE TWISS had heard many quota-
tions in the course of the evening, and he would add
one other authority, which at least would have the
merit of being applicable to the question under dis-
cussion. He spoke of the Address voted by the
House of Commons in 1697, which prayed, among
other things, that the Judges and Magistrates might
be commanded by Proclamation to prosecute all
works of a licentious and immoral tendency, and to
suppress all books and pamphlets which militated
against religion, and that the authors should be pu-
nished. To this Address King William was advised
to make the following Answer:—"" I shall give im-
mediate directions in the several particulars required,
but I wish more effectdal provisions to be Made for
the suppression of obnoxious, books and pamphlets."
—The Honourable Gentleman thought this autho-
rity ought to be tolerably satisfactory. He made
a wide distinction between religious and politi-
cal opinions. He admitted the evil arising from
the prosecution ; but making this admission, was the
offender, for that reason, to escape altogether? Some
of the Gentlemen who advocated the present motion,
who had talked so loudly about religious liberty on a
recent debate, when the object was to make certain
concessions to the Catholics, bad purposely quitted
their seats, and left the House and the Bill to its fate,
when by their presence they might have sated it from
a defeat—(Hear, hear.) For his own part, he boasted
of the laws under which he lived (ffient,fralathe Op•
petition), and with that feeling he felt himself bound
to vote against a motion which ran directly counter
to them—(hear.)
Mr. W. SMITH, after giving the subject his most
serious consideration, had been most reluctantly
obliged to come to the decision, that religious die-
cession, in all shapes, ought to be tolerated. He con-
sidered that full-toleration must exist in every coon-
try where civil liberty had existence. Without reli-
gious liberty, civil liberty could not be perfect. With
respect to the'Petition now on the table, be had never
seen it till to-day ; but he had seen the printed paper
which accompanied it, and considered it a very ably
written paper, which would not fail to make its way
in the world, and to make converts to the doctrine,
which it contained ; and he could not but believe that
a man suffering imprisonment for using such lan-
guage as this paper contained, would have more effect
in spreading his principles, than althis writings word&
Mr. T. WILSON observed, it bad been said by an
Hon. Member, who supported this motion, that he
believed his sentiments were in unison with those of
a majority of the Home. He trusted the Hon. Mem-
ber was mistaken, and that the vote of to-night would
convince him he was so. As to the publications in
question, he was ready to acknowledge they would
do no harm in thehands of such persons as the Mem-
ber for Norwich, or the Member for Aberdeen. But
the fact was, that they got into the bands of the lower
orders, and then were prode.ctive of the most Mis-
chievous effects; and, persuaded of this, he would al-
ways oppose such a motion as this, as well as the ar-
guments by which it was supported.
Mr. MONEY also opposed the motion of the *Moo
bee for Aberdeen, and defended Mr. Owen from the
hle thrown out against him, who was a strictly
rceligritous and moral man.
Mr. RICARDO said he had intended no offence to
Mr. Owen, and would be most reluctant to say any
thing which would do him injustice : but he did ago
derstand that Mt. Owen did consider men as not fuel
agents, 'and, therefore not liable to future reward pr
punishment for acts over which they had net comma 1.
Mr. PEEL wished to be understood as dissenting
entirely from the Hon. Member for Aherdeets, bdtb
ip his motion and his arguments. First, as to the
form of proceeding, there was a law whiCh subjected
to punishment persons holding raisin doctrine.--
Now, what did the Hon. Member do I Did he/pro-
pose to repeal that law? Ni); but he limped a
Resolution for the House to at. nirnely, that It
was the opinion of the IlOnse of C9stsrunis; that free

SPAIN.

CIRCULAR.
ADDWISSEP EY THE SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
PON FO WON AFFAIRS TO THE DIPLOMATIC AGENTS
OS HIS CATHOLIC MAJESTY AT FOREIGN COURTS.
" The uniformly hostile and perfidious conduct of
the Cabinet of the Tuilleries, with respect to Spain,
since the reestablishment of her Constitutional Go-

vernment, is notorious to all the world. The clumsy
veil with which that Cabinet for some time covered

its numerous perfidies, was at length, to the shame of
morality and public honour, openly torn by the
French Ministers, in the midst of a legiatitive as-
sembly ; and indignant posterity will learn, even
from the confession of the criminals themselves, that
the Government of a Monarch who is called the Most
Christian, cast upon a pacific nation, a neighbour, is
friend, and an ally, the brands of civil discoid;
created internal factions ; and gave protection to as-
sassins and traitors, in violation of the faith of treaties.
" That Cabinet has perveited the most legitimate
and spotless political revolution which the annals of
nations exhibit, from its origioally tranquil course,
by hiring base writers to bring virtue into discredit;
to sow distrust, and to foment anarchy.
" It has calumniated the cause of liberty, by ad-
ducing against that coo& those very elegises and
convolsions which its-own intrigues and corrupting.
gold have excited.
" To make a pretence for an impious war, and the
most atrocious invasion ever witnessed by mankind,
it undermined the basis of universal justice and the
laws of nations, by setting up the iniquitous principle
of interference by one power in the domestic coanqcrna
lof another—a principle destructive of all independ-
ence, all repose, and all stability in political societies.
" But all these aggressions were not suilkient for
the Cabinet of the Tun/airs. To satisfy the frantic
faction of which it is the instrument, it was necessary)
to crown all by one of those revolting acts, which, to
the opprobrium of civilisation and the disgrace of the
nations which tolerate therm; are from tinier to time
recorded in the blood-stained pages of history. It
was necesssary that a Government, which ostenta-
tiously proclaims the dogma of the legitimacy of dy-
nasties, and the sacredness of monarchical Wirer,
• the only security for the tranquillity and happiness
of nations, should give to the world the no less wicked
than dangerous example of creating, recognizing, and
protecting a club of trait Ors totheit King and country,
who have dared to assume the title of 4 Provisional
Junta for the Government of Spain and the Indies:
=—lt was necessary that a Government affecting to
combat in the name of religion, morality, and the
conservative principles of society, should. suborn per-
jury; collude with seditiOn,lear asunder the bonds of
subordination and public order, withdraw from au-
thority the respect which renders it beneficial, under-
mine the foundations of the throne while pretending
to secure it, and raise unworthy suspicions of the
good faith of the august Monarch who occupies it,
and is maintained in it by the loyalty of his subjects.
It vies necessary that the army of a Power which ar-
rogates to itself the being the most advanced in civi-
lisation, should aggravate the cruel practice of war,
in a manner hitherto unheard of, and which increases
a thousand-fold its fatal and desolating effects, by
sending forward as their precursors bands of deluded
and wicked men; taking for their auxiliaries, false-
hood, treason, and fanaticism ; and purposely in#Ani-
ing the fury of the banditti, in order that the French
troops may be welcomed in the harassed towns as
deliverers. .
" Europe, the witness of these horrbrs, is silent and
assenting. The weak Poweri are overawed. and those •
called great either favour the views of the POIAO Cat
binet, because they approve its pernicious doctrines,
or rely on the greatness of their own strepgth for
keeping them out of the reach of dinger. Btif powei
is not eternal; and the nation which at one time dic-
tates laws to others, is at another the object of their
contempt. Perhaps some who now condemn in thebry
the unjust maxims of public law which are pretended
to be introduced, but who abstain from opposing
their dangerous application, will hereafter deafly re-
pent so serious an error. The successful repetition of
such acts of superior force will give them a sanction
ender the name of justice ; the feeble barriers which
have hitherto protected the independence of State**
and defended the balance of power, will be broken
down ; all just notions of public morality will be obli-
terated, and the light of civilization will be extin-
-1 guished by the breath of barbarism.
os The Spanish Government, placed at the head of
a generous nation, though distracted by foreign its-
trigue—in defending not only its own cause, but the
cause of all mankind will either triumph over its
perfidious enemies, or fall with glory and with ho-
nour. This Government would, however, be wanting
io the fulfilment of its most sacted duties. if on so im-
permit an occasion it did not speak with firmness
and courage. It ii bound to emit, and does sco-
- protest in the face of all the ill" 0111
the monstroos claim of Interference on the ,
one Power, in the domestic affairs'or smother,
wit* the ',hose of the laws of war. of which th 4
'Cabinet of the Tuilleries has been guilty. '
4. It also protestor spin* the erection of in Uraißet
and seittious amt s, vrovell as most Ray ORM-
. .

.

discussion war benerscLd; and restraint Winking, to blance of Goernment which usityi4 itstaitztr 441
the-Public ; and, tbereforeohatfror diecession ought ita. etbad; istralltrebtywains omstionti "VON
tp be tolerated : that wrurneither wits not less than Junta, null, Void, and of,nts Value: PritiallYsk
this—let the law remain, but never let it be entire's,. pounces these Iniquitous transaitionsto. the execnstiOn -
Why, if the Hon. Member tints thought of the exist'• of silk Governlients, all- nations, and posterity&
Ifli'Malisty commands me to direct. that
ing law, did he riot propose at once. arepeal.itl•and
yod
make a new law on the or himself, he will comibunicate this Protest to the cove fitment: to
must declare, that he.was one Otiose who wished to' which ou are accredited,- that you will deliver/ors,
see the present system of morality and religion-run- copy tit be wished for, to the-Minister far Porergti •
ported and continued, and would do all in hil power Afiiire, anddtat you will mate it .oubile.4-09is pre.
to support arid uphold them. serve you, ke: (Signed)
Mr. HUM& replied. Het:observed, that even. if he "..1981t M4RIA 1 PitliTtfOs
carried the Resolution, he should have no hope of "
.Seville, Atay et."—i'ree: the Fjpectfigir trhspqr
carrying a Bill through the present Session, and there. SITRACT or A PRIVATE LETTRiaIg
forele would not divide.the House. && Anew, :wilt 14. •
After alew worth; frOm Sir T. ACLA ND, the mo- "„Letters base been received here front Madrid,
tion was negatived without a division. which state that town to be tranquil, and that the
The Lewd Merchants Rlll was t cessitsitted; The lii. FreiKb had received a severe check at Almares, and
port was clothed, au& ordereAto-bc taken into further smack- that a-Gaerilla corps of 5,000, under Luchos had been
ration on Friday.
nearly destroyed by a constitutional Guerilla carps:
Thr.COnibination of Workmen Bill, was ordered to be read a
second rime this day week.l •
also that the head quarters of the Duke (11A Ivo eme
The English CaeholiCe b:lectlye rianekhe MI was read a weie. to be removed to Valladolid.
third time and passed.
." Lopez. de Banos is reported to tale the command
The other Orders of the Day were the* disposed of, and the in (Mikis, and General Zayas to suCeeed him in hit
House adjourned at Half-pait One.
present command,
There. is a report that the Spaniards having ob.
to some important successes in Biscay,where they
haAstaltween four and 6ve thousand men, tinder
some skilful officers.
" Morillo is still-at Villa Franca. The forces the
enemy bad in Astorga a little time back have eva.
cuated that town, and they have collected a force of
about 10,000 men. in ;,.eon, ihict causes some anxiety
in this province. There ad now five different Guerilla
corps forming in Gallicia.
" General ',open de Banos is said to have 10,000,
but not more than half Old'soldiers. General SAW&
teros is reported to haat 12,000 good troops, and is
supposed to be moving from Valencia in the direo
tion of Cuenca. Of Mina little is known in this pro•
vince,but the state of Catalonia is said to be favourable.
" We found, on our at rival here, that the Wench
party, Who had before unites at Betanzas and Logo,
had been here, and already embarked rot England;
this may produce some bad effect on the people of
England, and I make no doubt but that their own
story, accounting for their sudden abandonment of
the cause, will be told in a way to injure the real
feelings f the Spanish people; but the truth should
be known. Ever since their first arrival in Spain
there existed much dissention amongst themselves ;
and it was also well known that they did not mean to
meet the common enemy, but merely tight against
the factious; until the French were either driven out
of Spain, or they, by some lucky chance, could regain
France,with the power of creating a counter-revolution.
,—ln the meantime; they wished to be. under the
command of Genera Lallemand, placed in their se..
'feral rants of Colonels, Mors, Captains, &c. and
receive pay of the. Spanish Government accordingly.
This, it appears, has not met with the approbation of
the Spanish Generals.- Some disputes arose, and
finally they came to this place and embarked. An or•
der came the evening before last from the head.qoar.,
ters, Lugo, to stop Colonel Carron and search his
papers, but too late. While they remained here, and
until the foreign legion could be formed, they received
the same rations as the soldiers of the country, and
one shilling a day each."

SIR ROBERT WILSON:

A letter has been received from Sr Robert Wil•
son; of the 17th ultimo, which states, that on his re-
turn to Vigo he was received With the most cordial
feelings, and that he there found letters to the 4th
June, communicating the generous intentions of the
British people, 'Which communication was received
at a most critical moment, and was ithniediately Mtg.
Warded by hira to all the CoMmanders of the Pro-
virices : that the Political Chief and. General of Vigo
assured him that, notwithstanding the disastrous turn
of affairs in Portugal, the reSplption to defend thim-
selves in ever% estromity was genial, Way '
had been impaired; and -they felt'conSditit, that if
Spain Only held °tit till September, France 'would be
obliged to withdraw from the contest.

ENTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER
VIGO, JUNE IS..
" At Dago Sr Bobeit Wilson received a letter from
in Lillian, saying 40,000 men would be under arms, and ready
to take the Britt by the let of June,. and expreuing some /sine to.
the ahOsy ereet; and that his presetice in Lisbon would be of
great Novice. The same post brought me a letter also from a
Gentleman in some considerable Government employmew, re.
questingane to use my influence to persuading e4r. Robert to go
to Lisbon, that his arrival would place him in that post which he
(SiriCallert) could have no idea of. •
*Om, Audipg the policy of tbq country .so much
changed, determined on returning to Galicia, for which purpose
we kilted ors Friday the 6th, in the morning, and reached
Beegai *et evening, while the Ahnolpte }gag Neas_prorlainie6l,
In that town.; we were detained mine time at the Camara
Town Ilall); the Cemthandang as length raid me, If pris .ro-;
.usghsest ho !bp town that Mghf, he would Am answer ler our
How, but recommended our going to a village a league oil; and
Meted. isn escort of six soldiers. I tommunisated,this•m Sir.
WA CO" whir was leuhtuil in the square: •••', lheittha&
the same danger whir* attended us in Braga, with 4 garrison,
filigrail4o-folTovi, us a league turtle", with oak/ an eaeors,d sip
ePi4 thergene determined an invalid/Ig, gunigninoT a., it
Was then quite light, and the crowd so thick round us, that we
essel&iirMy move. . , •
"The Commandant at length ordered wort to see us ta the
inn; as 111001144 we began to move, the feeling of the mob ahewrtlr
itself, set histigated by three or-bur of 41weschatitahle dis-
=lfhtiethuthYs the Arena, *curet .of them drew their
hisheil at us, with the design of executing the orders
of these wretches; but the escort of militia, airdrome more who
had masa of di* WPM accords with their hquerse kept shell:-
dons ttoob Etotn.reachlog our persona. 1114 cries of the Priests
to kill as seemed to have an extraordinary inipOlebrirrivese wet
the f!thhle• 911-21-naing toe inn Ow crowd. Mame very loud
and trP6ICKWItes wail tainting op having pur lives, and the Com-
' menden could enly 'edify them by assailing them fie mew co
keep us prisoners until he got flanker orders. At eleven o'clock
the temp botanic more quiet, and we were left with a strong
guard. Menem der, rda7. the 7* •wooderr regiment of
aoarelted in at eight e. 34. thnwhole Win Wawa busy in
taking up COnstitutionalists, and the !',eyed, for Ms reason, was
net grim beiere ear windows. •
" On the sth sji was quiet, but mil detained; ths. In the
mid* of the day we were, inforiseil that Geed al bed
semen order for us to be released, and to have an escort to con-
duct us to the.frestistes but W 4 efote.adlyisesl not to start till
mitioistA: AeciffUniki, at that hour, with a geard'o( fifty men,
we marched out of the town, and at Pent. Prole., (me league oa
the road teemed Sowards V441104vW, rimed trona drain, taking
with us a corporal and fora men. Oa readalog another league,
we met an Meer. who deliv.red a letter to ilk Robert from
advising him ley Do means tie enter Thema, foe the
people there were as mai bent an our olintractlie as at Braga ;
and being informed that every other place through which we
Arad& her, to pass was exaa4 the same, we, had iv road kit
.but Peg back ta.Oporto, there to embark for 4ato. Accord-
*ngly we repassed the river Cared°, 'host glade/ above-Bat-
-4, and' readied Oportohetween tire= ant twalve,at.

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