The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-29

OuCan, don Joseph tgnatl0 yovcn de- SaiaS
count de Casa Valencia, count de Melito
count de St. Anastasio, don Manuel Sisto
Espinosa, don. Santiago Romero, and don
Bias de Amanda the other members of the
old and of the new council, who were not pre-
sent at the sitting, we're on various missions
by his majesty's orders.
The first act Of the council was an oath
taken by all the members, before his majesty,
to fulfil their duties as counsellors of the
state solely for the honor of the nation and
the glory of the king, according to the injunc-
tions OF the constitution. His majesty then
pronounced discourse to the following ef-
feet -
GENTLEMEN: In convoking, in this as
sembly, those ministers who exhibited ener-
gy in trying circumstances. and made sacri-
fees for their country and for me, because
they knew the wishes of my heart in calling
together councillors of state chosen by the
public opinion from all classes Of society !;
and in assembling around me the former
counsellors Of state to compose a part of a
constitutional senate, which shall have spi-
Fit superior to past errors, and have no other
object but the happiness of the country 81
have been anxious to have near me the most
illustrious personages, that might learn from
them the wishes of the whole nation, that
might thereby more safely direct the public
affairs, and establish by the readiest means a
durable constitution At the present crisis,
the sel6shness of a few. individuals will not be
able to counterfeit or impede measures cal
culated to promote the welfare of the people
at large: the nation acquainted with its true
Interests, will find in the constitution all the
benefits that result from an acknowledgment
Of the rights Of the people, from civil liberty
and form union of all the provinces of Spain
in single political body.
Il,
terests and privileges shall give way to the
public prosperity, and be merged in the free
dom and we'll being of the whole people: 1t
will be invincible and independent, when the
Castilians, Arragonese, Biscayans, and { alta
lonians, shall forget their old differences &
distinctions. and bury them all in the com
mon feeling and rame of Spaniards.
IS Indeed, the internal prosperity and ex-
ternal independence of the nation, can alone
give value to the throne. which occupy; &
unless should be able toperiorm the duties
Ola king and ola good man, that throne will
become source of regret, and an object of
Devastation.
"Such are my wishes and my sentiments,
such will be the constant objects of my soil
citude. But before the changes have meh-
toned can be effected, we shall find many OBJ
stacies opposed to the reformation yet we
shall be able to Surmount, since nothing can
resist a sincere desire to promote the public
welfare. sustained & assisted by experience
and interchangeable industry.
f" This, gentlemen, is the difficult, but at
the same time glorious, undertakings which
you are called"
His majesty having terminated his dis
course, and nominated several commissions,
for the transaction of the most urgent affairs,
retired when the council resolved to wait
upon him in body, and offer the homage of
their respect. They were received in the
hall of audience, when his cxcellency don Jo-
seph Michael de AyauZa, in the name of the
ministry, spoke as follows -
sire,
Your ministers have heard with
emotion the discourse which you have. just
addressed to the council of state, and recog-
nized in it those principles by which your
conduct has uniformly been governed. They
are persuaded anew of The beneficial objects
of all your majesty's wishes, and hear with
enthusiasm, that the Spanish monarchy is
10 enjoy the blessings of civil liberty and in
dependence, and to assume among tho ma
tions of Europe, that rank which it former
ly held. Your wisdom and energetic mea-
sures, not only exalt your own character,
but destroy all the perfdious hopes of the e.
nemies of the public welfare. The mem-
bers of your council wiil unite and redouble
their zeal to promote the paternal wishes
of your majcsty-they swear to regard as
their greatest duties, the promotion of the
public good, and the glory of your majesty
According to the dispositions of the consti-
tuition"
His excellency don Thomas de Morla, in
the name of the ancient council, then address
sed his majesty He recalled the painful re-
collection, and retraced the causes of the
Commissions which had destroyed the poiti-
cal body of the ancient monarchy of Spain, the
anarchy and disorders that ensued, the in
ability of the magistraCy to correct the e
vii, and the intestine wars and connections
OF which the people had been the victims
He congratulated his majesty on his good
fortune, on being called to remove those af
hictions by the wisdom Of the admnistrati-
on ; and concluded by pronouncing the wish
es of the ancient council of State, and the
promises which all its members made, to
second the views and exertions of his males
ty.
His eXcelency, don Joseph Ignacio de Sa-
las, in the name of the members OF the coun
Gil of state, rendered his majesty the assn
rance of their high respect. He declared
that the adoption of then constitution ter
minated the evils with which Spain had so
long been afflicted, and consecrated to DOS.
terity the epoch, when his majesty, placed
on the Spanish throne, opened under the au-
spices of his august authority, the book of
the new constitution, and said "this is the
guarantee of your happiness; by this will be
repaired those evils, with which Spain has