Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-08-23

a Portuguese Captain IS come 10 inform
! the Board, that Algarva and the. whole
Kingdom wish to he under its protection.
In the nane Of Err DINAND We
IN detailing the intelligence ne have re-
ceiyed, we must give precedence in point of
! time tothe following letter, whichw was hand
{ ed to US TOR publication by valuable mer-
camille friend, to whom it was written by an
American gentleman In Cadiz, his cores
y,ondent. It condenses the causes which
led to, and the events which have followed
the Spanish revolution.
lHsr. Aduertiser.
Extract Of a letter from Gadsz, dated jun
II.
6 There is not, perhaps, upon record, in
the history Of any Of the revolutions of an
cient time, or the subversions of govern
nnents of the mere enlightened nations of
modern origin, che more remarkable than
that which has taken place in Spain. It is
astonishing that a nation, who once took so
distinguished q part in the empires of Eu-
rope, and who spread the terror OF It's arms,
the influence OF Its religion, and the power
Of It's laws, over the distant provinces of A
merica, and whose immense dominion have
always been the cause Of jealousy to the
neighboring potentates, should have been,
as it were, Paralized by the sudden entrance
of foreign troops, and lose in moment that
ancisnt bravery and heroism which had SIP
ralizeei the national character.
The causes which led to this primitive
prostration of their government, before the
ambition of their all-powerful neighbor, is
not easily developed or explained. A To-
reignsr IN the country, ignorant of the Ian.
ggaage, and not possessed of authentic
sources of information, is unable to state
more than what passes immediately under
his own observation, and to detail according
": BIZ it's easy to see the relaxed state of
the government, the ease with which almost
allthe public officers are corrupted, and the
total wait OF ifmness and energy in the les
serohcers OF government, which would not
be the case if the head of the Spanish empire
possessed any Of the qualities requisite Cor
the head OF great and powerful nation.
1t was about the month of October, eo7
that the French emperor made known lis
intention Of passing troops into Spain, for
the ossensible purpose of protecting it from
Its enemies, and to form the siege ofGibral-
tar. THIS, though calculated TO excite alarm
in the Spaniai'ds, they submitted to and
thepolilie emperor having previously drawn
out the best troops of Spain to assist him in
the conquest Of the north of Europe, had no
fear Of any obstacle to the accomplishment
of his wishes, and (Ioubtless with view Of
having troops. in the heart of the kinedont)
marched an army into Spain, which was re-
ceived by the Spaniards PER force) with
the: utmost friendship. Another avowcd
object was the union OF his niece with the
prince of Asturias, But, Notwithstanding
these demonstrations of friendship, it was
not difficult to foresee the fate of the mo-
aarchy IN the ennlity of Napoleon to the
house Of Bourbon.
!" The abdication of the throne by Charles,
and It's assumption by Ferdinand, were the
effect OF the intrigues Of Napoleon's mini
sters. This revolution took place in March
1903, and is said to have been occasioned
BY an attempt of the Prince of Peace to Sc
cure the retreat of the royal family to their
South American doininions and the fear
of their escape was SO great, that7ooo French
troops were transported in post ohaises to
Madrid to prevent it.
The mine, SO long laid, was at last
sprung the combination against the Prince
Of Peace openly inAalned the populace Of
Madrid against him, and he was taken pri-
soner, put in chains, and his house and fur
niture given up to their fury they evenre-
venged themselves upon his pictures and
statues.
6 Ia this state of things Charles ". a!o-