The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-09-05

lin which, as If we Spaniartls did not belong 70
civilized people, no rule abiished by the law
ct nations, among those which are SO, is observ-
cd In order to point out to the world the jus.
tee OF our cause, we have no necessity to recur
to the subtleties of public law, nor to diplomat
&c cavils about articles of treaties. The peacea
BILE traveller, who is treacherously attacked by
his companion, converted into an assassin, needs
but few words to Justify his defence the law
OF nature prcscribes it, instinct advises it. fury &
vengeance administer it. We saw ourselves rob
bed OF our Princes, attacked within our houses
our laws and institutions threatened we saw
those very persons, who were received and en-
tertained like guests and friends, within our hos
pitable walls, stain them with the blood of the
inhabitant and profane them with the violation of
the mothers and daughters, who suffered all the
excesses OF the brutality within sight of their
half murdered fathers and husbands (; children
nailed to the bayonets, and carried in triumph
ike military trophies the sanctuary of the tenn
pies sacrlegiously plundered, and bathed with
the blood OF their defenceless priests, murdered
within them. Thus injured, thus attacked in
mis unheard OF, this cruel manner, what other
alternative remained to us, but to defend our
selves, and by death to triumph We must have
peen still more base than what the tyrant can
wish us, to forget what were our ancestors, what
we were ourselves: we were unwilling to APP
pear unworthy of them, to be the contempt of
Europe, or the minions of Napoleon.
After having trampled, under foot, every prin-
ciPie OF equity and justice, he wishes. also, to
change at his caprice, the meaning OF the words
ne calls us insurgents and traitors and, as
such, excludes us from the conferences of peace.
which he has so insidiously proposed to England
But under what preteNt, or with what right does
ne DEPRIVE the Spanish nation of its character of
Fotentate Is it, forsootll, by that which is o.;
ven to him by the renunciations of Bayonne. Ia
Ken by force and evidently null But the de-
sign OF scizing and usurping tie throne of Spain,
was irreVocaoty determined and commenced in
It's execution before these renunciations wor.
made, and even before the memorable event of
MARCH The documents which accompany this
Manifesto, the originals of which the supreme
Junta Keep IN their possession evidently prove it,
ana deprive our enemies OF that miserable subter
tuse, Invented to fascinate the unwary Iuso.
lence and eftlontery, created by power and for
tune, IN HIM, who recognizes no other law than
iofce' could alone call nsurrectior, q resistance
against SO unjust aggressons, and give the N m,
OF rebellion To an obedience to the laws and am
,horiues OF the country But no one in Europs
oeiieves 1t, and no one butte madman can dew
.iat TINS universal and magnanimous oppositiol
Is tne WIN OF an entire nation, which aspires 70
ueiena It's honor and Independence How else
eA,i.ih TINS political phenomenon, as astonishia,,
asi is singular, that almost in one day, with the
same spirit, in the same manner, and under the
same form OF government, so many different pro
vmces should rise, without previous preparation,
Without any communication whatever amonr
themselves How explain the establishment OF
.he central government, to which they all SO anx-
iously contributed which TRANQUILITY EXERCISES
| its authority, IN the name of the detained Mon
arch, and is equally respected and obeved. in
umes OF trouble and affection and in those of pio
ny and success!
In vain do the French, in their seryile Gazettes
ana contradictory accounts, describe us as deli.
'ereu up 10 the horrors of anarchy, and agitated
lap t,pa f,~ O.
e ee ra"atic Commissions OF AN exaggerated Ii
herty They looked upon us as vile and abiec,
slaves, they found us to be men, and they cali us
rebels But let the Imposthrs know, that Spani.
ards only hive for their king and country that
their sole ambitonis to effect the liberty of the
one and the independence of the other; that
their only intention is to maintain the fIndamen-
! tai laws OF their kingdom, which Napoleon wish.
es insolently to overthrow Let them know. that
we are neither fanatics nor madmen; & that II,
the same manner as we have resisted the shameful
servtude, which they wished to impose uoon us.
we will be able to appreciate the political in.
trigues winch step by step, have led France to
the feet OF the execrable despo,, who now on.
presses her. "
But this dreadful contest, in which Spain has
by herself engaged, does not interest her alone
SoVereIgns OF Europe, insuited and derided M
tons, oppressed and tyrannized over bv the
French, will you look with Indifference upon the
only opportunity which is offered to Won, of reco.
'eriilg your power, OF revenglng your INJURIES.
OF establishing the equilibrium which has cost
you so many combinations, such torrents of bIood
The power and ambitious designs of Charlie. v.
and lbs son made you unite to restrain them. and
you were at length enabled to preserve the poli.
teal liberty OF Europe, which was threatened by
them.
The pompous ambition of Louis XIV. called
forth the same exertions and Notwithstanding
halt century of triumphs and victories. he was
at length obliged to yield to the nations united a.
ganst him. Another tyrant, still more terrible.
has oppressed some, subiugated others, and in.
suited all OF you. And will You not renew those
very
(1o be continued