The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-03-18 00:00:00

SPAIN.
--•11,--

His Majesty the King eat' Spain has addressed the fol-
lowing Urdonnance to the Iliske of San Fernando:—
Since Providence, stiprorting by its special protection
this brave and generous nation which it has confided to
my paternal care, and whose high 'lced, have been the
admiration of the world. restored me to the throne of the
Spins, my heart breathing nought but the happiness of
my people, has ardently desired to discover the means of
restoring order in every branch of the administration,
and of healing the wounds which a disastrous aud unex-
ampled war had indicted upon the hotly politic of the
State. But unhappily the circumstances of Europe, the'
s required by the situat• of our misled colonies,
our rich and immense possessions in the New World, a
beautiful as well as an integral part of the Spanish
Monarchy ; the difficulty of remedying inveterate abuses,
especially on guarding against premature and dangerous
innovations, some of which, although dictated by a lau-
dable zeal, have fomented the spirt of party, the sourer
of the greatest evils in society, and other circumstances,
In fine, necessarily retarded projects most wisely
conceived, hare hitherto prevented my heart from enjoy-
ing this consolation so impatiently desired. Convincid
at the same time that the best dispositions become fruit-
less when adopted separately, I have lung contemplated
the scheme of a general system. uniform and well regu-
lated, whirls rombining every interest and conciliating
every disposition, might realize my own views, and ele-
vate this nation to that high degree of prosperity and
glory which ought to be its portion. And although on
whatever side I cast my eyes I see the restless and tee-
balent genies of evil inspiring every where ideas suhver-
Oft and astrolitioaary, troika/nem/ Mae moot rwltgletearaef
nations, compelling them to adopt vigorous measures to
arrest its progress, I cannot but feel an inespreesible
satisfaction alien I perceive the Spanish people, uni-
formly loyal and constant, nobly repelling its instiga-
tions, and those of a;swall number of men, some seduced,
others unconsciously led away, who have sought in vain
to shake their fidelity.
It is by this fidelity of my virtuous people, by the qaCri•
Area they have made for my person, with a devotion so
rare, and in tinsel so difficult, it is above all by taking
counsel of my own heart, that I feel so tender an affec- •
tion towards thein, that I aut actuated to redouble my
efforts for their happiness. The organisation of the
army, whirls circumstances imperiously require—the re-
establishment of order in the finances, which suffer from
the general disorder that I have in vain attempted to
correct—and front the abuses introduced into the admi-
nistration, silence it happens that the people are over-
loaded with tate,. ; the delays experienced in the admi-
nistration of justice, notwithstanding the wisdom of the
laws, and the virtue of the magistrates—the decline of
agriculture, and the shackles that impede its progress,
and also that of co tttttt erce and industry, the three
sources of public wealth, have finally fixed my attention
and demend my care. But to attain the object which
the happiness of in, people anti my own affection for
them require to remedy evils, sonic of which must Ilef:0••
eerily escape the vigilanceof the Uovernmeist, and others
have been derived frosts previous events, arising either
from the general commotion, or vile passions; this en-
terprise requires tranquillity and repose. that measures
may be dictated by prudence, and that effervescence pre-
vented, which in other countries has beets exhibited by
the enemies of order, under colour of the sacred name of
liberty, and by exalting the imagination with chime-
rical notions, which always close by making nations
their victims.
Taught by such unhappy examples, I have seen with
pleasure that my faithful and tranquil subjects await
with impatience that I should procure fur thesis at
length the advantages and benefits, of which their Yin-
toes resider them st worthy; and wishing to accomplish
my paternal inteatioas in accordance with the advice
dory august brother, the Infant Don Carlos, mid of the
Jailita over which be presides, and Isaviag regard to
what has been 'dread, proposed, I wish that the Council
of State should immediately proceed according to the
object of its iestitation to instruct me in the meats.
which it may think most proper for performing its
m into
sections in future, desiring that it
ay be divided
sections auxiliary to the Ministry, and that it propose to
me all reforms which it may think conducive to the well-
being of the nation. Thew sections shall be in number
seven, viz. of the State, the Clutch, Legislation, Fi-
nances, War, Marine, and Industry.
I also desire that you snake it known to my Royal
Council and the other Tribunals, that they shall, ac-
cording to their respective attributes, propose to me
every thing that they may think conducive to the hap-
piness of my people in either hemisphere, and to the
• dignity of my Crown; taking into consideration the
fundamental laws of the monarchy, and the changes
which time and circumstances may require for the ad-
vantage of the State; that by giving the necessary
sanction to such measures as may be useful, they may
become invincible ramparts against every subversive
Idea, and obtain all the advantages which ought to be
expected from the wisdom of an enlightened- titovern-
meat ; I slot only command all the superior Tribunals
to propose every tiling they might believe useful, het
al,o that all Universities, corporations, and every indi-
vidual whatever shall freely tell Irimely mistress their
ideas anti propositions to the Council of State, that the
concurrence of rascal wisslowr may produce tire de-
sired effect.
Marcie 3. Swims EY, zee Kra o.
Addressed to the Dike de See Ferntieslu.