Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-09

SUMMARY
OF THE LAST SPANISH NEWS.

Mu-at is invested with the supreme com
tnand of the kingdom, and has already erected
the gpillotinc at Madrid to which many of the
grsndees and conspicuous char acters have fall
len victims. a court under the title of the SUI
.Preme council of the nation is established at
Seville, with Saayedra at the head
Ferdinand VII is proclaimed King, and an al
Isnce is formed with Great Britain The Bri-
fish admiral on the Cadiz station has rendered
money, arms, and 500 men from Gibraltar 1t
is also stated in Spain that ne W coalition is
forming OF all the continental powers. The spi-
rit of the provinces has communicated itself to
Cuba, and it was with difficulty that the people
6I Havana could be restrained ftom the des
truction OF The French.
The declaration of war breathes spirit of
intense dgnation, and at the same time de-
notes a digni6ed frmness ofmind which is pre-
pared for sacrifice rather than submission.
What can this i'll fated country do under these
circumstances but immediate herself at the
Shrine functional independence. It's impossi
BIC that her com. ar tive piyn.iaa strength can
resist the scientific discipline and superior for
ces OF France. The mind Of humanity is bow
: ever awakened with the hope of a continental
coalition, whiclifconIrcted with skill and
petition, may vet check the rise of this tower
Ing dcspot The reason why they have been
hitherto 50 shamefiiIly subdued, was Ma they
acted with too little corliali,y and tao much ST.
pneress. The distinguishing trait in B naParte's
military life is to seize with ayidity any advan-
tage which his sagacity SUCCESS. Ifthe rest
ofthe continental powers are determined upon
acoalition, and will not lose too much time in
deiiheration, but viii unite with zeal and acti
witty before the destruction of s5ain, they may
At least paralze his strength, ifnot escape from
his oppression. The various parts that form
this des2otc fabric arc SO forced togeth r. and
7Wcemeated, that The first filling oil would be
very apt to be followed by the rest There is
nothir & wanting to produce this coalition but
brave and popular leader. Every one must be-
lieye that tI,c present continental submission is
entirely TIE effect of fear, and that whenever
they pereeite the least glimpse through the
gloon" they will endeavor to shake OIL their
filters. But such is the panic-strack state OF
Europe at this time, that there can be no cal
culation upon their activity in union and oppo-
sition, without which they had better remain
3niet in tame submission, unless they are de-
terrained to fall martyrs in their cause We
affairs, which when raised to certain height
Ofprosperity, will necessarily sink, and when
;;,.yorcd % certain depth ofadycrsity, will ne
cessariy rise. whether 81aaaarte is in the
situation ofthe first, or his Kingdoms i" the 81
t,iat;on Of the last, is a question which belongs
70 the solution ortmc. The opportunity which
is now presented to the Spanish possessions IS
almost too inviting to pass away without making
some effort to be Independent and free. While
we deplore the present condition Of Spain, and
willie we exeorate the cause, we cannot over
look the advantages resulting TO Great Britain
which we fear VIII make her more obstinate
and powerful in her course orijustice to the
United States. :,
Spain has thrown herself into her arms for
9, projection, and she will no doubt take care e
Squeeze out as much of her wealth as she can.
In refusing TO pass from ono state Of subjec-
ton to another. Spain viii suffer all the ravagc.
of war without perhaps deriving any bcneh
from her ally; for if Great Britain should find
that there is not immediate prospect OF q
strong and general coalition, her attention will
be chiefly turned to the possession Of the Spa
hish tales aud South American provinces,
where we fear there is zoo much degeneracy,
Ignorance and superstition, to entertain any
scheme ofaeifindepcndence and libertys
The question which presents itself 20 the eye
Of philosophy in this posture Of affairs, is vile
Their il would be more beneficial to m g,nd
that France or Great Britain should prevail
In this point Of view philanthropy induces US "a
express an unhesitating wish that not onl,
Spain. but diat all the European powers maJ
rise nad redeem themselves from bondage. W.
feel for them as we have felt for ourselves, and
could hope that