The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-12
EUROPE.
Pan

y TtlSt.
Fr=Sni-nt If a letter ~soritten to Charles w. 81
Spats, ~ che Bishop IF Ornse, on the 7th Of
Oca6e,, 1903.
erhis fragment has recently been published at
St JaSo. 1t is an Interesting memorial of the
counsel which was. rejected by the late unhappy
government. of Spain. The venerable ~prelate's
letter to the Councilat CASTLE, on the second OF
last July, is we'll known. An additional impor-
lance is attached to the bishop, from the high
rank OF inqnis.ior general, which has been CON
ferrcd Upon him by the central junta at Madrid. ]
:" SIZE,
Though convinced Of my inability, and
without those lights that arise from a practical
FhowledSe of the state of your Kaaies,y's domi-
mons, and ofthe circumstances which might re-
quire the rcsolutiorwhich your majesty imtinates,
mti'e note with which yoer majesty has been
pleased to honor me, yet l caanot faiito obey your
majesty, and state what l think, on so importai,y
9 s.n;ect. after imploring the Lord to grant YOUR
majesty light and wisdom, and me all that is re-
quisite to discharge the trust which your myies.
tvs extreme goodness imposes upon me.
Your majesty has seen by experience, that
the Americans are much exposed, ani
There is no doubt, Sire, of
the difficulty, and almost impossibilitv of defend
ing althc dorninions OF your majesty in America
IheUnited States of america, that power which
France and Spain protected and strengthened,
cannot tail to be animated by the spirit of com
merce, which will raise that OF war and conquest
1t ought, therefore, to awaken no slight appce.
tensions and fears. The power, the riches, and
the dominions of the seas, possessed by England,
wall facilitate her undertaking and what ought
not to'be thought and feared of the terrestrial
comet OF our days, notwithstanding the repeated
declaration, that nc conquests OF states on the
continent are desired, but only commerce and CO.
lonies ! But does he Gatter himself to take these
colonies from England? Willie attack those OF
Holland ? Can he content himself with those OF
Portugal! And will he fail 10 turn his ewes to.
wards those ofSpain /? y
" Your majesty will pardon me so violent a di
gress:on forced OH me by my love and fidelity, s
my many obligations towards your majesty's roy
al and august family. Your majesty has reflect
ed on the difficulty and almost impossibility OF
defending your American dominions Are those
of Spain herself secure What shall vif.ol,
him whom hrs admirers call emperor of Ia,
west. if his imperial and acquired dominion,
Should be confirmed by a peace, ora forturat,
ISSUE OF the wtr? Having nothing 10 apprehcns
from-thc north and south, will he not turn his ey,
towards the columns of HercGies and Cadizi-
ana VIII he not see that in conQuering Spain tina
PLUS ULTRA.
Can your majesty without peril confdc in the
security OF his friendship, treaties and words
Wla ne not require that Spain, Portugal ant
their American dorninions, form a conecderaticI
ike that ot tic Rhine, anG become the feudal vas
sails OF his empire ! And will he step here -
- 'ehSbSS "iaiti Va tuC bpuTDt'lS pCyht 10 leu
him, on account OF their rights to the throne o
Frarce. What does his havitg seized a prctenc,
ton driving rom the throne of Naples the Argus
brother OF your majesty, and all lis descendant
imply Tie crown OF Etruria is ways in MI
pcweT; adecree suiiices to take il away. SpaiI
alone can preserve her existence, by the energie!
OF a viSilant government, attentive TO her policy
her strength and the necessary preparations, ant
SOLICITORS To gain the love of the people, and, a
bove all things, TO aid thepious intentions of you
majesty, your zeal for the true religion, the cor
Tection OF VICE, and he protection which you,
majesty is DESTROYS, and ought to grant to Tn,
church and her ministers.
1.-THE fragment then proceeds to observe O,
the necessity of reforming the manners of tn.
pec,h', and also to introduce AN economical I'd
mrnistration ofths revenue, and Il correction of a
buses in the stated
Cannot means be found to diminish the con
t1ouuons OF the state, without prejudice to til,
royal treasnry-to abolish the new taxes, and b
altering the laws respecting contrabsnd, removI
a snare rom the consciences Of your subjects
who are compelled to get smuggled goods, ant
practice a variety OF frauds AID impositions p
The wise and just ministers OF your majesty vii
no doubt find then-at least / think it will be les
difficult than is Imagined. But is necessary t
return to the principal object