The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-10-22 00:00:00

Miguel was captured, io his attempt to relieve Fignieras

At that date, the result of the intelligence of the libera-
tion of the King ought to have been known : bat no ale -
doe is made in the despstch of any thing that has transpir-
ed with reference to the surrender of the fortresses. The
&elk, of the 19th instant, indeed, says that &lag of tenon
had been sent into Barcelona; and that Rotten had ast
swered be would obey the orders which should be amidst
direst by the King of Spain ; but we can hardly suppose
Me would be silly enough to place himself at Ferdisiors
disposal. He is too mach implicated in the treason of time
Constitutional System, to venture to hope for impunity. In
addition to the crime of having defended the Constita
tion be has been guilty of time more flagrant enormity of
defending it successfully, against native traitors, and fa
reign enemies. The joy of the wretched Monarch of Spain,
that the French had every where been the conquerors sal
butchers of hie people, has been alloyed by the
brilliant defecce of Catalonia, where the French have lest
more than the total of their loss in all the
other provinces of Spain. This calls for his vengeance;
and the Governor of Barcelona would not wait long for a
proof of the tender mercies of this royal fury. He has
begun at Madrid to show his regard for the welfare of all
his subjects. Those that are good enough for heaven, be
is about to " kill .off" and dispatch, to find their way
thither; while those who are so bad as to have no hope is
the neat world, are to be indulged in this ! With the I.les-
die of their betters. The Etoile of Monday evening con.
tains a latter from Madrid; dated the 10th of October; in
which various measures of proscriptive vengeance are
announced. The fully of this conduct, at such a moment,
is equal to its atrocity; and will have a direct tendency to
produce the' mischief it is put in practice to prevent. An
amnesty might have conciliated matters ; bat a perseca-
lion can only makethem worse. When the moderate party
find that no moderation is secure, they will lee driven is
take measares for their owu defence ; and, although it may
be admitted that Spain was not enthusiastically partial to
the Constitution, it is quite certain that none hat fools or
knaves ever desired the restoration' of an absolute Kieg.
The fanatics of Spain, prompted by the emissaries of
Russia, will be contented with nothing less, and all who
could limit despotic authority, are as mortal
enemies to them, as if they wished to destroy
it altogether. Titus Ballasteros, although he has
wickedly given a mortal stab to the constitutional cause, is
not at all in favour of the royal fanatics, because he de-
cks* a moderate reform! He has betrayed his own canoe,
as much as that of the constitution; for both are equally
hateful to the partisans of bigotry and superstition. is
this dilemma, he must earnestly wish that he had the
power of recalling the period when the destiny of Cadis
was in his hands. His treachery has been duly rewarded by
the contempt of those to whose bad projects he had lent
Himself; and his life may probably be the consequence
of an attempt to retrieve kis reputation. His soldiers
are indignant at the base deception of them. A.
letter from the commandant of Caine, dated the

1411. instant, complains that these imps hare been tearing

down the placards of the occupation of Cadiz ; and states
c',at Ballaateros himself bad been actively distributing
among them the proclamation signed by the King, before
be left that city. Orders have in consequence been given
for the prompt dissolution of the corps; but,if the msa ars
really determined, this measure will not destroy, but rather
invigorate the resistance they may oiler to the restoralita.

Watched aad surrounded by the French troops, tbey migit

be kept fromany serious movement: but dispersed through.
out the country, and compelled to keep togs tber in
small companies, to prevent their been hunted doves by
the Men of the Faith, they will be driven into an invete.
rate hostility to the new system, which may be formidable•
The fire which is smothered, net quenched. will then burst
forth again; and both Ferdinand and his deliverer, the sou
of St. Louis, may find an elevation upon which they do
not at present calculate.

A very sagacious writer in a Morning Paper, which ad-
vocates the cause of liberty every where but is the British
dominions, (the inhabitants of which it deems unfit fee
freedom) had yesterday • jesuitical article against the
seditious publications which continue occasionally to dm-
web the repose of evil Ministers, sod corrupt Monsen.
The writer recommended the imposition of a Stamp Duty
upon the publications be alluded to; and the institution of
Loyal Societies,to counteract the effect of the dissemination
of disloyal works. Now it struck us that the writer would
have done his side of the question mere justice if be bad
confined himself to the proposal for answering the seditious
railer., who hays no fear of the six acts isefore Their eyes, and
who care foe King Liverpool no snore Blau the frogs cared
for King Log ! Whin he proposed the Stamp clay, it
seemed to indicate a fear that his lopsl societies would not
prove more effective than the pumpkin beaded eon:tits.
tional Society, which wee propped up a few weeks by the
wooden leg of Mr. Murray:—and he probably thought that
to prevent them from being read, was the best way of
answering them. in the same paper of to-day, this mods
of argument is carried further. Another writer on the same
subject objects to a stamp duty, as that might seem to !split
the publications; and proposes to transport all the writer.
and publishers, as an infallible aod loyal method of proving
they are in the wrong! When Parlismetat meets, we are threat.
ened with the discussion of this subject; and we should
tremble, indeed, for the result, only we happen to remember
that it is now transportation by law for the same pen*.
to be found guilty of speaking truth twice; and it would
be bat a slight improvement of the law, to apply the
penalty to the first offence ; since we never heard of a
bas nuder the law, as it now stands, though there
as been some truth freely spoken, since the law was geed.
as it now stands. Another Loyal and Patriotic Corm'
pointing Society," we are informed,
is struegliog into
existence. It is to be called the English Army of the
W
Faith, and • certain Bishop is to be recalled from e, to
take the command !