The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-04 00:00:00

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s that
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had reached; this was holoino the balance between the
Powers of Europe. If any man doubted that the
same conspirators who put down the free press of Switzer-
land was pursuing the same course with respect to tier-
many, let him only look at the case of Wattemburg.
('here was not a sing
who would now dare to Irentaeloidoing etroi nßainvye
umbrage, not merely to the Sovereign of the State in
which it was
.published, and who might be supposed to
possess some right of interference, but to the Czar of
Muscovy, the King of France, or the Emperor of Austria.
It was the same with respect to Italy, in the southern
parts of which a force of 30,000 Austrians still remained ;
and in the north, scenes of cruelty atsd oppression were
now going on, that made the blood creep. For very ob-
viols reasons he did not mean to enter deeply into this
subject; but it was impossible not to observe that now,
after undergoing the torture of imprisonment fur three
years, many were lately put to death in that unhappy
country. There was one instance of peculiar atrocity,
and most wanton cruelty. It was that of a remit.. who
had gone a considerable distance to visit a relation in
prison, thinking that he was to suffer death. On her
arrival, though the sentence had been commuted for im-
prisonment, the fact was not coinmnnlcateil to her. She
was allowed to return in a state of painful uncertainty,
and thus to continne unnecessarily in a state o f mental
torture during the whole interval that elapse I till her ar-
rival at home. This was a sample of what was doing in
Italy under the paternal and tender cares of the Hot/
Allies. According to the laws of that country torture haa
heen abolished ; hut the Judge of Police, if the victim re-
fused to answer, had the power of confining him to a dark
dungeon, and ordering that it should be made more dark or
more damp, and therefore mare unwholesome. Thus the
wretched man might he treated until an avowal of guilt
..to,
was extracted from hiin, though not guilty at all. In some ".•
cases, when the health and mind sunk under continued op-
pression and imprison:nenr, it was known that some, to
rescue themselves from their miseries, inculpated even their -
own innocent relations. There was no occasion to say that
a similar state of things existed in Spain, since it was cons-as ip
!flitted to the charge of him who was a worthy representa* .
tier of the Holy Allies—the beloved Ferdinard—(A laugh)
—who, he had no hesitation in saying, was an object of 111
more contempt, abhorrence, and disgust, than any other
man now living. There he was, after breaking through
everyobligation that should bind hini as a Monarch or
private inert, torturing innocent women, with th
blood of the gallant but unfortunate Itiegm's murder
on his head. It was impomihle that there could exist
either in that House or out of it, hut one feeling of hor-
ror and execration for the armed despots. There was not
one who must not detest the whole conduct and principles
of those Royal Conspirators, who were now filling Europe
with blood and misery. Whatever might be the feelings
with respect to 0:d Spain, he found there were many per-
sons, he did not allude to his M ij-.sty's Ministers, extreme-
ly sensitive as to any thing that regarded New Spain, any
interference of the French, or any other Power in that
quarter. Let the whole coast of Spain be under the rule of
a country from which Iretend might be advantageously •
invaded; let that country take rosseesion of her harbours
and her arsenals now in decay, and make preparations for
putting them into a state fit to receive and equip her fleets ;
let all this he done, these persons say we mind it not,
for who is afraid of France ? We beat her before, and
can again. What though we run up 'a hill of 100,000,0001. ?
But let no one coins near the Spanish Colonies.
or attempt to interfere with them, as our trade
and commerce is deeply interested in their independence.
—The instant any attempt of that kind is made, theu.say they,
go to war. flow these persons thought, after permitting the
inva3ion of Spain, that they could make out a case against any
policy France might think fit to pursue with regard to South
America, he knew not.—Ferdinand had just as good a right
now to Mexico, as he had some time back to Madrid. lie was
out of possession of one as well as the other. The Colonies
were his de jure, but it might he said that now de furto they
were separated from the Nlother Country. The Right lion.
Gent. (Ir. Canning) said last year, that time and the course
of events had settled the I pestion with respect to South Arne-
rice ; hut had not time also settled the question with respect to
the Constitution of Spain Two years back there Rai no indi-
cation of disobedience to the now system introduced there. It
was recognised by this country, inasmuch as a Minister
then resident at Siedrid from the Court of London. It
was recognised four or five years previously by the Em-
peror of Russia. These were inconsistencies he co ild not
reconcile. 11- trusted that South America would never
return under the do•ninion of the Mother Country, what-
ever might be ti:e form of Government there, whether
Constitutional, or. as it now was, completely despotic ;
lie trusted those Colonies would retain the freedom they
had purchased with their blood ; and that if the necessity
should arise, this country would d • I er duty. Happily this
important question was now nearly disposed of. lie spoke
it with pride and exultation, that an event had lately oc-
curred which must be a source of pride to every nation
that cherished any idea of freedom, and fill with gratitude'
every bosom that regarded the rights and liberties of man-
kind. He alluded to a declaration in the speech of the
President of the United States. (llear.)--It was open,
manly, and intelligible, site') as beceine a free nation ; and
be trusted they would nut Le deterred by any mean cal-
culations of prudence (ruin any aperehensimi of giving
offence to the Holy Allies, from following the noble ex-
ample. and joining our efforts to those of the free people
of America, to set bounds to the encroachments of a despo-
tic alliance, which, if once it could bring the Old World un-
der subjugation, would no doubt endeavour to extend its
tyranny to the New. That such was their wish he had
nut the least doubt. They had clear proof of it from the
letjer of Ferdinand, in which he expressed a hope that the
Emperor of Russia would assist him in the subjugation
of South America. His Imperial Ally would not perhaps
attempt this openly. But he might send ships to the Spaniels
ports to be afterwards employed in a war against the Colo-
nies—he might transmit treasure, arms, and ammunition.
Titus asssisted, intriguers, armed with money, could
he dispatched into South America, as they had been into
Spain previous to the late contest, to sow dissension, and
to:buy over a party. The Priests would no doubt exert
themselves in the unholy cause, as they were always the
ready Allies of despotic power. With such aids, sooner or
later South America must be reduced, unless she received
the early and decisive support of this country, unless they
carne forward to second the Declaration of the United
States. He regretted that the Hon. Gentleman who se-
conded the Address said any thing in relation to the un-
successful efforts of the unfortunate people of Spain.
Errors no doubt had been committed by their leaders ; a
different policy might have led to very different results.
Mere forms were perhaps too much Mended to when sub-
stance only should have been regarded. But with respect
to the illustrious individuals who forsook their country when
they saw that their presence could no longer be of use, their
highest praise was, that they retired from the contest unsul-
lied by blood and untainted by the breath of sospieion. They
subjected themselves to no charge, except perhaps that of
net having acted with that degree' of vigour the peculiar
nature of the struggle required. He trusted they would
meet with the sympathy, the fellowship, and the assistance
their sufferings and their cause so well merited ; and that
they who bad squandered vast sums Upon objects far less
worthy, would do justice to their merits, and not suffer
them to sink under the pressure of adveisity. He asked
pardon for having delayed the 'muse so long. It was not
n th into g
his intention whim be arose to enter at such le