The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-18
TUESDAY, JAN. 81.
ERFURTH PAPERS.


thanks for the gracious communication he
was pleased to make to Parliament, with res
pect 10 the proposition made for peace from
Erfurth. The principle on which his ma
jesty acted, in tho transaction submitted to
the consideration of the House, he had no
doubt would induce the House to resolve to
support his Majesty in continuing the war, as
it was impossible he could hearken to pro-
position in which Spain was at the time to
be abandoned to the enemy. He did not con-
ceive that there could be any opposition OF
diversity'of opinion on the subject, and what
ever might be said on the occasion, or what
ever there might be of doubt or hesitation,
as to the approval of the steps taken on the
occasion, yet he was convinced that not an
individual iii the House would stand up and
say, that there was any probability Of the
result of the negotiation ending in peace.
In the overture from Erfurth the enemy
could have no serious idea of peace, and vet
though this was the case, he challenged any
man tosay that any fair object was omitted
OH the part OF his majesty's ministers to pro-
duce tranquility, or that any matter was
Wantonly introduced to render the chance of
peace impossible. On the fair grounds of
criticism, il they were denied applause, they
certainly did not incur either censure or
blame. Every person must recollect, he OBJ
served, the feeling of the public with res
poet to the struggle of Spain at the time the
overture was made for peace from Erfurth.
II any blame was to be attached to ministers,
so far from their being reprehensible for not
protracting the negotiation, it was probable
that they were not sufficiently quick in put
ting an end TO it in the first instance, as there
was no question but the object of the enemy
was delay and deluson. 1t, however, be-
hoved ministers, without the probability of
,t~,A
had in view therefore it was equally i'm
portant to examine into his object, as it was
robring the overture to a speedy decision.
After the unexampled delinquency and de-
testable atrocities of Bonaparte. on cnnsult-
ing political expedienCy, or high moral
principle, it might have been Just to have
rejected at once all ovcrtures, unles he made
some atonement for his RIGHTEOUSNESS and
outrage, and that ministers would not treat
with him until he had abandoned Spain, and
restored the Spanish family to the throne,
whom he had seized, as a prelude to ge-
neral pacitication. Having however no pre-
ocdcnt for such proceeding, and ministers
conceivng that if they acted on such prn-
c'Pie rs atonement, they must also say, there
must be sponge to wipe out all his former
transactions, they required no such atone
ment, but received the overture from Err
furth, and their conduct was now before the
House. After entering into an elaborate de-
fence OF government, he concluded by NOV
ing an humble address to his Majesty, for
his gracious communication respecting the
proposition made for peace from Erfurth, and
the result thereof.
Sir Francis Burdett said, having differ
ent view OF the present question from any of
the gentlemen who had that night delivered
their opinions, and not having previously at
tended ANY Of the meetings connected with
the cause of the Spanish people, nor express
scd what were his notions on that subject, he
could not allow the question to go to a vote
without shortly delivering his sentiments on
the occasion.-On addresses proposed to be
devoted to his majesty, he understood it to
be as a matter of right in any member to en-
ter into any discussion of the general inter
ests OF the country. 1t might he dsagreable
to the ears of Englishmen, to hear the
perilous situation of their country described,
to have enumerated train of occurrences
more ealamitous and improvident probably
than had ever disgraced any nation on the
face of the globe; but still, had he not been
instructed by the superior judgement of the
speaker, he should have been Of opinion that
the honorable member who spoke last, had
he not waved the right, was entitled To have
proceeded, and might fairly haze introduced
any parallel instances OF atrocity, when told
Oil the other side, that the act of the Empe~
ror of the French, by which this country was
Precuded from listening to his overtures for
peace, was an instance OF the most unparal- :
leiled atrocity which had ever disgraced any
country He felt no pleasure in recalling TO
the recollection of the house the calamitiss
md burdens under which the people of this
country groaned. He did not wish them to
look back on what was past, but with the re-
collection OF past occurrences in their minds
to look forward to what vet remained, and to
consider well that continuance in similar
courses might ultimately prove fatal to this
land Whatever were the merits Of Bona
parte, which unquestionably would not be
fairly discussed in that house, it would, at
least, be allowed, that he knew the best
means otsaccUmplishing the objects ne had
III yiew.---Having then received from him a
taunt as to an unprotected part of our domi :
mons, Jet US take the hint, and by an act of
our own render a repetition of the taunt un-
necessary. lthad been said, that beat fool
IN mortar with pestle, he would never
quit his folly; we had been beat in a mortarfor
lnHny years,but what had we got but disgrace /.
III wc were 70 assist the Spaniards it was the
GUY Of ministers to see that there was a ra-
tionai hope OF attaining our end In his opinion
there as not any such rational expectation.
ne aos-rdity of ACTING on the divine right
OF sIDgs had been the mifortune of this reign.
In support { it, we had made an unavailine