Star.
London, England, 1817-08-13 00:00:00

SPAIN.

We have received, via France, Madrid Cafo•tks to
the Stith ultimo, the contents of which are interesting.
It appears certain, that from some cause or causes
the spirits of the Spanish Rulers have risen cunside•
rably. The Plan of Finance proposed by Mr. GA-
RAY meets with general approbation. This state.
ment, however, should be received with some limi•
tation, for the Clergy are as inimical to it as ever;
but its insertion in the Madrid Gazette furnishes some
kind of evidence that the Government is determined
to carry it into execution, in spite of the Priesthood.
This resolution it has probably adopted by escourajs•
meek offered by some other Powers, who, it is possible,
may have made this a preliminary—that the resources
of Spin shall be called into action, in spite -of an)
selfish opposition from privileged bodies of any kind.
for' effecting those objects which are considered of

vital importance for the
Monarchy.
For the better elucidation of the present views of
Spain, we extract a paragraph from the official Pa-
per of the 10th ultimo. Indeed, the bare circum-
stance of any thing being published in Spain, gie s
evidence of authority, for Spain has no free Pres.
The following is the paragraph to which we allude:

of the Spanieh

66 The moment is not fir distant when a more en-
lightened policy will acknowledge, that the cause of
Royalism in America, is nut that of Spain alone,
but wet of Europe, whose ancient supremacy in
respect of the other parts of the globe, will soon be
destroyed, if *lndependence succeeds in making its
banners respected in countries so highly privileged
by nature, as those of South America. Industry and
the arts will hasten to abandon Europe for more
favoured climates, and the superiority of that part of
the globe which has been hitherto regarded with
reason as the centre of human civilization, will ter-,
minate in a servile dependence."

Wi may ask 'here, whether we are warranted to
conclude, from the quarter whence the doctrines
just quoted have emanated, whether this is the species
of reasoning that has been officially addressed to "Mel
States, to England, to Austria, .to Russia,"
as well as to " the Court of the Brazils," to ensure
a continuation of those " amicalk relatiotu" which,
the Official Gazette assures us, prevails at this alp-
inist, between them and the Court of Madrid ?
If such be the arguments employed in favour of
le Me cow,c of Rogaiirm," they ought never to have
been suff.red to reach any human ear but that of
Royalty exclusively. What is the sum of the doc-
trine here maintained ?—Simply this :—that no I
country, highly privileged by Nature, ought .to be)
suffered to enjoy independence ! because Industry
and the Arts may, in cuns:quence, find eocoo-
ragement in these more favoured climates, and
the people rise in the scabs of civilization 1-We
cannot look at such an avowal of Spanish prin-
ciples with common patience. If these be the basis'
upon which " tie' gnaw part of Mar Cotorto have Ora
Mar assistaanfor the pocOcalica of is Spasia Colossite
as stated in the Gazettes before us, let all honest men
pray for the complete destruction of this Utmot.it
Luse; and do every thing in their power to coun-
teract the foul and wicked conspiracy I
Bet this official statement mast he an official false.
hood. Can it be believed that the United states will
lend their ad to support " the superiority of Europa"
or " the cause of Royalism ?' How unhappy the
selection of terms, as applied to a cause in which !hi

European Powers can only hope for success, by

hearty co-operation of their subjects—but which they
will never obtain. Will the Court of the Brazils assist
Spain 3 If so bow came the Brazilian Army to set
out on an expedition of coaqiiest ? What interest can
England have io lending her assistance to enable Fen.
ritnattu to shut out our Merchants from all commerce
with Sooth America !—and Oka too at a time when
Our own circumstances require that every protection
and extension should be given to our commerce...—
As to Austria bcr interests are now identified lid;
those of his Brazilian Majesty; but in point of 12464
relating to America "Austria" is but a word—not
Purser. What is left i—Russia Russia! Russia!
Our Readers hare already been apprised of tll►e

reports that have been in cite olatioa of, the intended
cession of Minorca, and the trio Californias, to Rus-
sia, as a price for her aid to Spain in reducing bet'
Colonies again to subjection. Combining all the cir-
cumstances that have transpired, these reports appear
to rest on some foundation. What ought to be the
policy of Britain at such a crisist—To resist the cos.
lion by every mean in her power—excepting that of
joining FARDINAND in the war carried on against his
roam Colonies. Sound prudence and justice coin-
cide in the line of policy which this country ought to
pursue. If we must take an active part, it should
be for the Independents—even if ALUANDSII should
be found embattled against us.

I '

MADRID, JULY al.
Nothing is spoken of here but the new system -
imposts introduced by M. de Garay, and supported
by the firmness and energy of the King and the W.
nistry. No person, even among those who ate most
affected by it, can refuse it the tribute of admiration.
Without burdening the nation, without creating an
army of new functionaries, it will nearly double the
revenues of the State. Still, however, it has its op-
ponents; but all opposition will be vain, because the
Minister has had the good fortune to begin bis opera-
tions at a time when the nation begins to have the
greatest confidence in the justice of its King; sib. n
it receives daily the most satisfactory news Was
Mexico and Peru ; when in spite of the most infamous
piracies, we every day see ships richly laden, enter our
ports ft ora Lima. Vera Cruz, La Guayra, Carthagena,
Havalmah, and Manilla; when wg are favoured with
4 most abundant harvest, when commerce and ma-
nufactures begin to revive ; when the most amicable
relations have been formed with Brazil, the United
States, England, Austria, and Russia, and when the
greater part of these Courts offer their assistance for
the pacification of our Colonies ; when, in short, all
such as would oppose themselves openly to the wise
measures of Government, draw down upon themselves
the hatred of the public.

JwAr 29.—The 21st instant M. Tatischeff, Sena-
tor, and Minister Plenipotentiary of Russia to this
Court, presented to her Majesty the. Queen the Grand
Decoration of the Order of Saint Catherine, which
the Empress Mother has sent her Majesty, with an
autograph fitter, of which the following is the very
flattering commencement :

s. Madame, my Sister—The sincere-friendship sad
esteem with which his Majesty the King, your hus-
band, has inspired the Emperor, my well beloved
son, has made me take fora long time the liveliest
interest in the prosperity of a Sovereign, who never
ceases to be occupied with that of his people.—
is with true satisfaction that I have received the
happy news of the alliance, which, by uniting you
together, ensures the prosperity of the august House,
,of which his Majesty enhances the splendour by his
uiituesr-The Emperor, desirous of rendering homage
to these virtues, has expressed to me his desire that
..-you should wear the Grand Cordon of the Order of
Saint Cathatine, which I have accordingly the plea.
sure of sending to your Majesty, in the hope that it
will be well accepted," Ittc.
During the last four months there have been dis.
patched from the port of Cadiz, from eight to nine
thousand troops, with a great quantity of artillery
and ammunition, and stores of all kinds, for our pos-
sessions in South America. A new Expedition, com-
posed of about 4000 men, one•fifth cavalry, will set
sad in a few days, and complete the forces destined
to re-establish the Royal authority in these parts.—
Indpendently of these measures, every merchant
ship leaving the ports of Spain for Peru oi Mexico,
is in future to transport a certain number of soldiers
according to its tonnage, by which reinforcements for
any vacancies that may occur in the coarse of the
war, will always be supplied.

Letters from Gibraltar of the 21st nit represent
the garrison as perfectly healthy; but bring accounts
' of the plague raging along. the coast of Barbary,
from Cape Bon to 'Tangiers; on consequence of which
considerable apprehensions are entertained, and the
strictest orders are enforced to prevent the contagion
getting to the Rock. The communication with Spain
is expected tote closed every day; provisions are very
scarce, and no supplies can now be obtained from the
States of Barbary. The strong easterly winds have
set in, which at this season generally cause the place
to be very sickly.
Extract of a letter from a traveller in France, da-
ted St. Maurice, (Savoy,) July 19, 1817:—"" The
expend/ of travelling and living is now more than
doable what it was when I was in France fourteen
years ago ; and 1 am certain that any person possess-
ing from £lOO to £l2OO a year could live in every
respect better in Englind, at present, than in France.
Bread is 7d. per lb. in some places; meat, from SJ.
to 10d. butter, from 6d. to 9J. bacon, from Is. to
LA, 2d. bad cheese, sd. to 7d. sugar, Is. 6d. coffee,
same as in FArgland, but in all the inns intolt-rably
bad. The bread is commonly made of rye, and
blackish; common wine, which is generally sour, is
from Is. to Is. 4d. a bottle, but moderately good
costs from 2s. 6d. to S. a bottle. A breakfast of
ct4fee costs 2 francs, or Is. BJ. and a dinner of ve.
gcubles, 'lags, fish,. or fowl, sometimes with meat,
from 3s. to Ss. 6J. As to travelling, if the slowness'
of the French vehicles is considered, and the conse-
quent expense at inns be estimated, it is about one-
fourth dearer than in England. In short every thing
is.c and greatly worse.s•

A Public Meeting w►ll be held at the City of Lon-
don Tavern to-morrow, ( fliursday) 14th, of August
next, ale.. those interested the subject, will c•.ns►der
a Plan to :elev. the Cuuntry from its present di.uess
to rensuralise the lower orders, reduce the Poor's-rates,
and gradually abolish Pauperism, with all its degrad-
ing and injokrious conseciacaces.—E.s. owLs,