The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-08-09 00:00:00

pied in part by the enemy, the ardour is greater
than in the more distant provinces ; as if the spirit
of the people ruse in proportion to the vicinity of
the enemy. Even in Barcelona ! a fortress
wholly possissed by French troops ! the execti-
tions for plots and resistance have been numerous
—I saw to-day, a well authenticated case of seve-
ral judged and executed on a taw passed in France,
for the punishment of resistance iu the conquered
countries. In the valley of Roncevellas, near
Panipeluna, on the frontiers of France, there has
been a considerable slaughter. In fine, they pos-
sess nut, nor will they ever pesetas, a foot of land,
which is not girrisoned by an overwhelming force.
In Catalonia, the late reverses have served only to
stimulate new exertions ; the army of Blake is
undoubtedly becoming again respectable in num-
bers. Ammunition is now shipping here for Tar-
ragona, for the use of this army. The officer who
commands the escort came in the Algestras from
England.
It is a fact, which speaks more than volumes
of the disposition of the people towards France,
that not a Frenchman is permitted to exist in Ca-
diz—the most wealthy merchants are on board the
hulks in the harbour. It is even dangerous to
speak the language in public.
Mr. Ciachraue Johnstwie left this place on
Whit-Monday, in a frigate for Barbadocs, from
whence lie goes to Vera Cruz, having made a con.
tract with the Junta for the delivery of six mil-
lions of dollars, at three shillings and eleven-
pence halfpenny per dollar. This sum is to be
fushished un account of the Government—he has,
besides, permission to purchase from individuals
at the same price, to any amount which may
be practicable in Mexico, payable by bills on
the Treasury of England. Thus the specie of
Spanish America will find a secure passage to En-
rope ; and if Spain repays to Great Britain the
I advances made by the latter, much of that fur-
nished by the Government of Spain will remain
in England. If, on the contrary, the whole is
paid for in bills upon theTreasuiy, of course those
bills (if the amount be wanted for service in Spain)
must be discharged in dollars, or a coin current
there. It is, however, very probable, that if
purchases are made from individuals, the payment
of the bills to them may be made in Bank-notes ;
so as to occasion some of the specie to remain.
—At all events, the operation appears to lie use-
ful, as it secures the passage of the speck, and
brings the Spanish American merchant into con-
tact with British commerce ; and further, as the
price fixed for the duller seems to leave a consi.
derable advantage fur the payment of freight and
expences. The dollar is worth here fifty.three
pence and one-third ; I believe it is not worth
much less in England. There is a great difference
between this and forty-seven-pence halfpenny,
the price to be paid by England. The commer-
cial people here have got some intimation of this
measure, and are jealous of it : they say that in-
dividuals in Mexico will not sell their (loners' at
that price ; but when the difficulty of conveyance,
in any other manner to Europe, is considered,
there is little doubt that they will readily make
some sacrifice.