Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-06
SPAIN.

Fragment ETA letter 7yrit5en to his majesty
GdG1iea ~. At, Stain, by tie Bisbop 49,
rcaeee, on tie 75h 2t0eto5er, 1906.
This fragment hes recently been pub
lislied at ST. yago. ttis an interesting me-
mortal OF the counsel which was rejected
by me late unhappy government Of Spain.
The venerable Frglate's letter to the coun-
Gil of .Casril@, On the Cd OF last July, is well
known. An additional importance is at
tached to the bishop from the high rank Of
inGuisitor general, which has been confer
red upon him by the Central Junta at Ma
drid.
SIRE,
Though convinced of nv inability,
and without those lights which arise from
practical knowledge OF The state of your ma
jesty's dominons, and Of the circumstances
which might require the resolution your
majesty in,imat@s, in the note with which
your majesty has been pleased to honor me
yet cannot fail to obey your majesty, and
state what think on SO Important a sub
Jet, after imploring the Lord TO grant your
majesty light and wisdom, and me ali that is
requisite to discharge the trust which your
majesty's extreme goodness imposes upon
me.
g Your majesty has seen by experience
that the Americans are much exposed, and
There is no
doubt, sire, OF the difficulty and almost i'm
possibility Of defending all the donninions of
your majesty in America.--Ihc United
States Of America, that powerwhich France
and Spain protected and strengthened. can
nor fail to be animated By the spirit Of cona-
merce, which will raise that Of war and con-
quest. ought, therefore, to awaken no
Slight approximations aud fears. The power,
The riches and the dominion OF the seas,
possessed by England, viii facilitate all her
undertakings and what onght not to be
thought and feared Of the terrestial comet
Of our days, notwithstanding the repeated
dec'aration that no conquests of states on
the continent are desired, but only COM
merce and colonies But does he fatter
himself to take these colonies from Eng
land /? Can he content himself with those
of Portugal? And will he fail to turn his
eyes towards those of Spain?
:" Your majesty will pardon me SO violent
a DEPRESSION forced from me by my love and
fidelity, and my many obligations towards
Your n,ajesty's royal and august family
Your majesty has reflected on the difficulty
and almost imposs;bility Of defending your
American dominions. Are those Of Spain
herself secure? What shall withhold him
who's his admirers cell Emperor of the
West, if his imperial and acquired domin-
ions should be confirmed by a peace, or
fortunate issue OF the war? Having no
thing to apprehend from the North and !
South, will he not turn his eyes towards the |
columns Of Hercules and CadIz And will |
he not see that in canquering Spain, that |
tits ultra
Can your majesty without peril confdein
the security Of his friendship, treaties and
words? VIII he not require that Spain, I
Portugal, and their American dominions, /
form confederation like that Of the Rhine, T
and become the feudal vassals OF his empire!
And will he stop heree The august family |
of the Bourbons ought to fear him, On ac-
count of their rights to the throne of France. !
What does his having seized pretence for
driving from the throne of Naples the au
gust brother Of your Majesty, and all his de-
scendgnts, imply? The crown Of Esruria is
always in his power; decree suttlces to
sake it away. Spain alone can preserve
her existence by the energies OF vlgilant
government, attentive to her policy, her
strength and the necessary preparations, and
solicitous to gain the love of the people,
and above all things, to aid the pious istsn-
tions OF your asajssty, your zeal for the true
religion, the correction Of vice, aad the pre-