The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-06

subsequently occurred in the successive sit
tings up to the memorable congress OF the
9Th. When thencw sovereign arrived here.
he was received at a league distant from
Rayonne. by the prince of Neufchatel. the
principal major domo Duroc, and other per-
sonages of the first consequence, general
aid.de-camp, and "a brilliant assembly, who
accompanied the king of Spain to the apart
ments designed for him, leaving at the resi-
dence of his majesty an imperial guard of
honor. Half anhour after the emperor Ma
poleon arrived from his palace of Murac, &C
Companied by a numerous suite ofpersonagcs
to visit Ferdinand VII. who immediately re-
paired to the gate to receivehis imperial visi-
tor. Napoleon alghted from his horse, threw
his arms round his august guest. salutcd him,
shook him by the hand, and assured him of
his sincere friendship. After this 1st meeting
Napoleon invited Ferdinand TO dine with
him at FIVE O'clock, but previously sending
TO him state carriage, drawn by most beau
tiful horses, showing to him then, and after
wards every possible attention. So that the
3 LIST days ofhis arrival at Bayohne were days
of rejoicing aud the people really believed
that it was intended in good earnest to honor
and repect the royal visitor.
After this there were number ofprivate
interviews between Ferdinand and Napoleon,
in the first of which Napoleon offered to him
the crown of Etruria, and his niece in mar
riage. Some conferences were held in the
presence of the first minister, M. Zeyallos,
who distinguished himself upon the occasi-
on, as will be remarked in the junta of the
5th May, and at these conferences there was
much alteration. Subsequently to them,
however, Ferdinand was deprived Of his car
riage and of his guard of honor, remaining on
ly with the cemmandant of hisprivate guard,
a Jewish officer of the national guard of Bay
onne.
From this moment the state OF things be
came changed, and Napoleon now assumed
towards the prince different and an angry
aspect; intimating to the noblemen who ac-
companied Ferdinand, that they should an
swer with Their heads for the security of his
person, which produced among them sud
den detection. The object of these conferen-
ees seem to be that of gaining time for the
arrival of Godoy, and of The king and queen.
But in the mean while Napoleon intimate6
to Ferdinand that the reign of the Bourbons,
was ut an end adding, that his and their in
terests were ct variance, and the continu-
ance of the sceptre in their hands could no
longer conduce to the developemcnt of his
plans and the vast political object? he had
in view. Notwithstanding this, however, he
pressed Ferdinand to accept the kingdom of
Erturia, and directed the grandees to counsel
their prince to accede to his proposals.
Ferdinand answered boldly, &c viii! not ac-
cept the crown of Etruria, nor any crown in
the world whilst nature gives a rightful claim
TO that of Spain. My only ambition is to rem
der my people happy and would choose to
die in the midst of my faithful Spaniartls.
though it were my fate to wear the Chains of
servitude, and to resign whatever would m st
attach me tolife "-Reproaching afterwards
Napoleon with having deceived him, in thus
inviting him to visit Fropce, he answered, if
he had not come voluntarily, he should have
made him by force.
On the arrival of Godoy, and the king and
Queen, who we're received and entertained
with the greatest magnihcence, the sitting,
or congress OF the 5tii May, was held, at
which Napoleon /. and Charles ~ presided !:
present, the queen Maria Louisa, the infan-
ia. don Carlos Godoy, the grandees of Spain,
and the first minister Zevallos. The queen,
transported withrage addressed her son Fer
dinand, 'ttraitor and wretch, for years Won
have been imagining and contriving the death
of the king your father, bat by the vigilance
of the prince of Peace, by zeal and LOYALTY.
YOU have not attained your object, neither
YOU nor those traitors who have served or
co-opcrated with you in your base designs.
tell you to your face. that you are my Son.
and not the son of the king Yes, without
having other right to the crown than that
which you derive from your mother. YOU
have sought to wrest il from us by force
leon shall be the arbiter between US. in
favour of whom, we renounce and cede our
right to the exclusion Of orr family. call
upon him to punish you and your associates
as traitors, and commit the whole nation to
Napoleon" Napoleon put an end to this
rage by saying" No! / give to Ferdinand
the crown of Naples, and to Carlos, that Of
Etruria, toyether with two of my nieces 10
marriage. Let them say, if they viii accede
to this proposal" To this the Infanta don
Carlos boldly answered, emperor. was
not born to be king, but lnfanta of Spain -
And addressing his brother, :" ana YOU nv
brother and king, speak, do not be alarmed,
defend your right, you are Spaniard your.
country will be ready to sacrifice its blood for
YOU and its independence Be nor alarmed.
but let us so hence, though it were to the
Sc fold or perpetual imprisonment. For
that providence which directs faithful ma
tion, shall in due time visit his vengeance
upon faithless emperor, who can thus dis
regard his own promise, and lay aside eve
ry semblance of right and reason, An
Fernando, who robs you of the crown of
Spains An ignorant father, and Infamous
mother, and her flvoritc Godoy. He in
truth, is the traitor, the plotter of the death
Of your father, the usurDer of the Ieo.it; =,