The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-13


haps. hardly possible so to commit ourselves.
that in no case we could separate ourselves
frsm those we wished to serve, and provide
for our own safety. 1t would therefore be
cruel to excite an insurrection, unless we
had the most ample mears of insuring sue
cess to those who entered into our views
but when insurrection and discomfort had
already made their appearance, and the
struggle was about to be made without your
aid, then to assist and enable the Cypress
ed more cfectually to struggle against ty
ranny was worthy nation like Britain
This was done in Spain. In the north OF
Germany, it was true, that there were some
instructions, Bat they were bur partial
To send An army would have been most I'm
justifable, unless such force could be sent
as we furnished in the so years war, which
was almost nation living within a nation.
But had we been able to do so, that force
must have been entirely detached from our
service for so considerable period, that it
would almost have been entirely alieuated
from US. And if we had been resolved on
sending an army there, we must have done
so, or alter stimulating them to useless ex-
ertions, abandon them to agony and des-
pair.
1t appeared his majesty's ministers to- be
a better &c more generous line of conduct, to
take such part as would probably divert
the attention of Bonaparte i'm some degree
from our allies, while we only committed
ourselves. This was the line of conduct
England ever had pursued since the revo.
luton broke out, and we began to take so
great an interest in the affairs of the cont :
ncn:. Where a nation has been anxious to
burst the chains oftyranny, England has ten
dered her assistance but where it was OBJ
vious every exertion must prove worse than
nugatory, she has conscientiously avoided lur.
ing feeble power to provoke the anger of a
stronger. and an unavailing struggle for Ii
berty. Austria determined on making ano
Their effort for her independence without the
advice of this government; insead of being
advised to enter the lists with France, the
Counsel given was rather of a contrary nature,
as 1t suggested the propriety of reconsidering
the subject. When war was declared we
rushed to assist her in the struggle, and
when vanquished, she was compelled to make
peace she withdrew from the contest un-
reproached by England. He did no. think
Austria thought England had done nothing
for her. He believed her grateful fer the sup
port she had received. The honorable gen
tieman who had made so promising speech,
indeed had drawn, partly from local know
ledge, sort of picture of Spain. from which
1T appeared that an indisposition existed on
the part of the constituted authorities in
Spain to give the people an interes. in the
struggle. 1t had been said why not endea l.
vor to effect a change internally Any con-
dition almost might be coupled with assis
lance, almost with less danger than an at
tempt at internal amelioration. Before YOU
confer benefit, you cannot go with the Ko-
ran In one hand and sword in the other,
to change the habits and religion of those
you would aid. SUCH attempt never fails to
excite Jealousy not easily ailayed. He was
not nice in the means he made use of to
thwart the views of Bonaparte. He would
gladly press combination of all nations,
and OF all religions into phalanx to oppose
him. He would unite with the Turk with
out requiring him to lay aside his turban,
and he would march to the field with the
poor bigotted Spaniard, without first insis-
ting on his divesting himself of superstition
He would let every man fight his own way.
Some were of opinion that no aid should be
granted till the Cortes were convoked -
But he shoald be very sorry to have to ar
swer tor such conduct, as it would have been
a sure way of creating intestine divisions,
as the clashing interests of the several pro.
vinces might have produced the most fatal
consequences. Thus at the Castilian Cortes
being assembled. Bonaparte, by calling the
Arrasonese against them, might have di-
vided Spain within herself more completely
than she j. divided 10y tue Ebro. Spain,
with all her faults, deserved assistance of
England, as it was not for us to be particu-
lar about the weapons with which our enc
my was to be assaulted. He could give no
opinion for or against an enquiry inta the
affairs of Spain. IF miHisters thought il
would be proper, he had no objection. He
did not speak against lord Wellington when
he said the march to Talavera was his ewn
act. He approved of it, and of the honors
bestowed on that gallant officer. We cugh,
not to undervalue the hero's laurels even
though they we're barren. Had JaIor Sc
long been admired and at last lost its va
lue Had we on sudden become so en-
lightened tha. we could contemplate il
with philosophical apathy? He knew the
moralist might shudder at the shedding o.
human blood he knew
'' That reason fro7vns al war's unequa
game,
Where Thousands bleed to raise a single
name"
Yet still was lord Wellington entitled to the
gratitude OF his country, and the g!ories n
IaiaYera he could not think purchased SC
dearly as TO be for ever deplored. Before
he sat down he would Just say, that he tho
it Inconsistent with the digBity of that house
| to speak of a circumstance connected with
the late differences in the cabinet, What
ever might be said by others, nothing should
induce him to break the resolution he had
| formed Of never speaking on the subject.
| Mr.. Hhitbredd expressed the disappoint
ment which he felt, that the right honora
Pile gentleman had not more fully explained