Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-16

The affairs of Spain and the relative Sit
uation of BonaDarte, present themselves in
variety OF aspects: The influence which
turn Of fortune one.way or the other, may
have upon the prosperity of England, the
effects which would result upon the success
of either party to the United States, and
las ly the consequence which the owe, throw
OF Bonaparte or the subjugation of the Span
lsh monarchy would have upon the destinies
OF mankind. These are subjects awful in
themselves and furnish materials for unlim-
lied speculation, we shat therefore touch
them but very lightly. If>Spain succeeds
+ in maintaining her independence and con.
rects her self as she ma ,urally will do, by the
strongest ties, political and commercial with
Great Britain, the prosperity of tn S coun-
try VIII be secured almost beyond the pow
er OF fortune herself. if Spain does nor
succeed in maintaining her independence
and the integrity OF her possessions IN Eu-
rope, II viii not be very important blow
10 England provided she can effect the en-.
: igration ofthe royal family ofSpain to Span
ish America, in ike manner as she has al
! ready effected the emigration of the royal
J family oil Portugal to the Brazils. But IF
BcnaParte which il is most likely he will
do shall IN prison for fe OF destroy by some
more summary method the royal family,
f, there are still left 10 Great Brian me
! powerful INSTRUMENTS to play upon the pas
sion, and work upon the prejudces OF the
spanish population Of South America
! They might be ,old that altho' ycur i'm
mediate sovereign and his children have
! been destroyed by the ruthless hand or the
dsturber of the world, vet his family are
noe completely eytirpated The once tow.
iering House Cfbour6on your legitimate So
versign is not yet extinct; The King of 81
| CITY branch of that llusgriuUs family would
no doubt gladly exchange the precdrIous
| tenure Of CCmparatively inconsIde rablt
Island IN the Mediterranean for he real and
perms lent sovereignty ~ a vast empire
in the new world, bet 4 he shnu,d be ihd 5.
! posed 10 do this and will consent to leave
| me remnant ct hts dominions and 10 give
J. up the empty title of Lewis XVIII, ai
France, for he ample one of the emperor
of Mexico, Peru and Chill, then people az
South America, there is no uece s5ily i.
| you to follow the destiny of the mother
country; declare yourselves Independent, !;
form a commercial treaty, and treaty Or
lllance offensive and defensive with us
| the Engiish) aud we will guaranty to you
the possession OF that independence for G.
ver." IL would seem there fore, IL there be
any piausibility in these speculations that
II Bonaparte should subdue the Spanish
monarchy, the chances are vastly az int
his also acquiring Spanish America Blu
| II BonaParte should by some wonderful con-
ourrence of circumstances nor only conquer
the kingdom of Spain in Europe, but also
| lay his grippe upon her colonies in America.
then indeed il would be an awful stroke
upon the prosperity Of Britain. With res
pect to the effect which the success Of either
party would have upon the United States
a very concise and simple view may be ia
ken! IL Spanish America imports king
from Europe, il must be by means of the
British fleet, of course that king and his
subjects will be as much under the innu..
ence OF Britain rs the prince regent of Por.
tugal and his subjects This would secure
the naval superiority Of Great Britain and
Of course Increase her pride and AFRO.
gance and multiply her aggressions on neu.
tral commerce thus it would seem that by
an event propitlous 10 the general welfare
OF mankind we should be partial sufferers.
| The imagination dwclls with almost too
much horror upon the consequences Of Bo.
naparte gaining pos ession of South Amf ri.
ca TO say one word upon the subicct--st this
eternal blazon must not be " If the pre-.
oediug views be correct, the general con.
clusion is that it will be for the benefit If
humanity that Benaparte should be foil.
cd 10 his designs upon the Spanish colon ;es
IN South America, and that If he IS, Great
Britain of course will be more powerful.
and If possible pay less respect TO neutral
nations and neutral commerce.