The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-12
N o T II.

he term 7nnta, which they have assum-
ed, is already familiar one in the govern
ment of Spain. In our language, unto
means cabal, a conspiracy, "a secret associ-
alton OF men, for the attainment of some
mischievous or illicit purposes. But in Spain,
a Jnnta, is an assembly of men, recognised or
created by government. Thus, the Junta
de cemmcrcfo is a sovereign court, which re-
gulates and decides affairs relative to com
merce. Junfa del Tobacco, is particular tri-
| bunal, which determines all causes relative
to the duty uponthat article ya...n sGc-:
is meeting OF delegates from several CT
| ties
| 1t is said in the English prints, that both
the Junta and Bonaparte have designed to
convene the cortes: The first no doubt wish
ing to unite the force of Spain in common
cause, and the latter to conquer them by f.
nesse.-A few remarks on this national as
sembly may not be undressing:
| The Cortes furnish decisive proof of the
silent and certain encroachments of EXecu-
tive power. Should 'we turn cur attention
from view of obscure antiquity to modern
Europe" says Mr.. Gallatin, in bis celebra-
ted speech the Foreign Intercourse Bill.
how shall the assertion be supported, that
| IN representative governments the legislature
| usually swallows up the executive History
| tells us that three Centuries ago, representa-
tive forms OF government existed throughout
Europe, in which the Representatives of the
people, or of part of the people, had more
or less power or influence. according to the
| various circumstances under which they res
pectvely arose. But if we look at the pre-
sent situation of that country, such at least
as it was before the French revolution, where
can we discover traces of those institutions !?
! what has become of the Cortes of Spain OF
the states general of France OF the diets
OF Denmark T? Every where we find the ex-
ecutive in possession of legislative powers. -
! The catastrophe of the French revolution. if
( 1T has really reached that stage, certain
ly forms no exception to this principle
The Cortes OF Spain had once a most i'm
| portant influence in the affairs Of government
IN war, IN peace, and the levying of taxes.
/ But they have not been assembled for a con-
siderable time, except for the sake of form.
The severeigns have found means TO elude
their authority. "They promulgate their
ordinances under the name of hrGgn,afiques,
the preambles of which give us to understand,
that they claim the same authority as if thew
hadbeen published in the assembly of the Cor
| tes.-IheSe are never Convoked in the present
time, except on the accession of a new sove-
reign to the throne, to administer to him an
oath, in the name of the nation, and to swear to
| Bourgoanne in his Travels through Spain.
letters OF convocatiOn are sent to all the
grandees, to al persons bearing titles of Cas-
| tile, to all the prclates, and to every CITY
! which has right to send deputies to the
Coftcs. The two first classes represent the
! nobility, the priests sit iii the name of the
lCiergy, and the cities which deputs one of
thelr magistrate represent the people. Ey<-
Fccpt on these occasions, of which there have
] Isskst t,t,f 1T.
ry, the cortes of the whole Kingdom have
! not been assembled since I71S, when phi6p
! V. convoked them TO give their appreciation
TO the Pragmatic Sanction, which changed
the order VI succession to the throne''
| On Tuesday evening last, we had one Of
Che most powerful foods OF rain ever witness
ed by the inhabitants of this city. About 4
/ O'Clock 7. N. 4" the windows of heaven
were opened" and the torrent DISCHARGED
itself, for during an hour and half. or two
hours. An intelligent gentleman informs rs
mat there fell during the day, 4 inches and
tenths of rain the greatest quantity that he
has measured, read or heard of, since the CO.
| LIBERATED gust in Sept co. in the morning. only
lO-45tlfs OF an Inch: Above Inches and one
lOth feli during the squall.- effects were
correspondent to this impetuosity Of water
| Our streets were almost deluecd. Small
runs, that were in the least confined by their
banks, rose in some places 16 or 20 perpcn-
dicular feet.
But the most singular and unfortunate ac-
cident, that took place iuthe vicinity Of this
city, was the injury sustained by the James
RIVER Canal and basin. SO sudden was the
rise of the water, that for some distance il
overlooked the canal, and run overthe banks.
on the sides of which, in several places. IL
washed away considerable portion of the
dirt. This rise and its consequent Effects
would have been much greater, if the arch
over which the canal passes, about half a
mile from the basin, had not given way. The
ruin OF this arch is not SO much attributed to