The Statesman.
London, England, 1810-03-07 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

LONDON:
WEDNESDAY, WADED 7, 1810.
CZ Asa WSDNESDAY.—HaIiday at the Public-opm

KING Joszen, whose flight from Madrid was,
but a month or two ago, so confidently and boast.
fully anticipated in the Spanish Journals, is repre-
sented, in letters from Cadiz, to be quite at his
ease in Port St. Mary, alternately tattlisig as air,
ingla hie coch and six, audenjoylng, iq coupqa
with the inhabitants, the national spectacle tel
bull-fight !

The contest in the Peninsula may, in truth, hi
considered to be terminated ; and although we are
amused with a report from Lisbon, which, we trust,
is unfounded, viz. that Lord WELLINozoot is ad-
vancing to attack the French, it is impossible
to doubt that our only remaining hope is that of
bringing off our troops in safety. The conjec.
ture hazarded in a Lisbon letter, that the corps
which have hitherto shown themselves at Ciudad
Rodrigo, and Badajoz, arc but the adoance4
guard of the enemy, we have nu doubt is per.
fcctly correct—fur it is not within possibility that
King Joscrs can have ventured. into the South of
Spain without the certainly of an ample force to
sustain him ih the event of every possible accitletkt.
That Cadiz can be permanently defended, is not'
the opinion of those who are acquainted With the
situation and resources' of the place. The supply
of a population so considerable as that which is
pent up in the place, will be at all times difficult,
and ultimately impracticable—for it will at length
appear, beyond the possibility of doubt, that there
is in Cadiz', as in many other parts of Spain, a
formidable party in the interest of King Joszro,
under whom even the active, enturprising, and
patriotic PORLIER) is said to have actually accept.
ed a command.

The fidelity of Admiral MAYA. tc. whom hin.g
JOSEPH by a flag of truce had sent a message
of invitation, appears to Mee been questionable,
until his spirited rejection of the offer satisfied
the inhabitants of Cadiz on that point—but we
cannot help thinking that if Cadiz be defended
fur any length of time, it will only be in conse-
quence of the presence of the British.
The surrender of Algesiras, which contained
1500 Spanish troops, on the summons of sixtyafive
French horse, is beyond credibility ; yet, such
is the fact reported in letters from Spain !

The reported pillage of 141alaga for two days is
equally improbable and incredible. The disposi.
tion of King JOSEPH is the very reverse of san-
guinary, and such an outrago is obviouely in direct
contradiction, not only of the conduct he has
hitherto pni-sued, but even of ordinary and ob-
vious policy.

The French appear to hays quitted-Valencia,
which has excited much surprise ; but there can
be little doubt that the great weight of the French
force is pressing ou towards Portugal, where Lord
WELLINGTON may, we fear, suddenly find him-
self hemmed in, ou every side, by a decided sape.
riority of force.

The destination of the battalion of the Guards*
of which the first division marched for Portsmouth
yesterday morning,. is yet unknowh—.--that tht
object of their embarkation may be rationally ex.'
pected to be crowned with success, will uut be
isilsrbtrd, wherat is known that this fine-hotly err
1111101 is commanded by Sir IlAglitT BURRARD
SEat.e, of Quires memory ! !.! .
Our troops arc said to hare been received in
Cadii with the greatest cordiality, and amidst the
joyful acclamations of the inhabitants. At this
we truly rejoice, for it was not the reception we'
anticipated. The Commander of Couto appears,
to possess different sentiments, if we arc to be-
lieve the report in our Yarmouth letter--;
" That his Majesty's ship Bulwark has returned
"- to Gibraltar, with the British troops, who were
66 refused admission to the fortress of Ceuta, by
66 the Spanish Governor.'.'—ls he, tool in the in-
•
rest of King Jostru ?
Retaining, now, no footing in Spain, but
at Gibraltar and Cadiz —and with our army on
the ere of evacuating Portugat, it impossible, that
the food hope of saseadpating the Peninsula, u
it has beee absurdly termed, is relinquished. The
inedeion of Span wi not only bare vier held to. be