The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-06-08

mons spirits agitated with terror, began to
influence the public mind, to weaken its ar
dor; 20 foment wickedness, and to give
scope to RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The Iunta already accom- plished the plan
which 1t had premeditated of removing to
the Island of Leon. where the Cortes were
convoked; but in the way thither, the dig
unity OF its members, and the respect due to
their character, were more than once exposed
to insults and to peril. Although they even.
tually assembled at the Island, and continu
ed their sessions, yettheir authority, alrea-
dy become feeble in their hands, could not
produce tranquility amongst the people, nor
revive their courage, nor assa.l the imminent
and impetuous danger. The Junta then
terminated the exercise of its power by the
only act which could prevent the ruin and
dissolution of the state. 1t established, by
its royal decree of the 29th of January, Of
this present year, the Council of Regency,
and committed to it the deposit of sove-
reignty, which it lawfully held, and in the
actual circumstances, could lawfully trans
fer.
Such are the causes of the revolution that
has just taken place in the Spanish govern.
ment-a revolution effected without blood
shed, without violence, without con piracies,
without mtrigues; produced by the very
exigeace of the affairs themselves, sought
for by the good, and capable of regenerating
the country, fall Spaniards of both hemis
pheres hasten with energy to the generous
enterprise.
The result of the operations within these
few first days, is a presage of future success.
The enemy, confiding i'll the state of inacii
witty and neglectin which they expected to
find both the Island and City of Cadiz, and
fascinated with the iuXurianCy of the prey,
few with rapidity to devourit fhe march
or the army OF Estremadura, undo. the cuEl
mand of the general Duke de Alberqueroue,
has disconnected their designs; aud in snite
OF their diligence and perseverance, cur VA
liant warriors now cover these important
positions, which are secure against every
attack. Confidence is restored in the pro.
vinces, new armies are forming, and are led
by the best generals Thus the French, who
thought to paralize the nerve of war. by oc
cupying Andalusia, see their hopes fIustra-
ted, and In their rear, in their front, in their
Hanks, nay under their very feet, they find
the martial spirit revive, and extend itself
with more ardor and enthusiasm than ever
Hspano- Americans Your brethren of
Europe possess too much magnanimity and
fortitude to faint under the weight of the re-
verses sent them by Providence. When,
without army, without stoIV.s, without re-
sources, we waged war, we we'll knew to
what we exposed ourselves-we clearly be-.
held the prospect before us it did not ter.
rify then /; neither does it now terrify us:
and if at that day, duty, honor and venge-
ance left US no other alternative than war.
neither does there now remain any other al
Tentative than war, for all those Spaniards
who hearken to the voice of vengeance, ho-
nor and obligation.
Our nation depended on the means Of de-
fence afforded by the geographical position
of the Peninsula-it depended or the mex
haustible. resources of the virtue ard con-
stancy of its children it depended on the
mistaken loyalty of the Spaniards for their
King, on the intermiuable rancour kindled
by the French, on the sentiments of Anne.
rican fraternity ard patriotism, equal to our
own in zeal and loyalty. In none of tilese
hopes have we been disappointed with
them, we shall be tortihsd during the con.
tinuance of the tempest. Oh Americans.
our victory is certain To the despot OF
France it is not given, however he may
presume on the immenseness of his power,
to extirpate nation which, from the west
cru boundaries of Europe, extends ACROSS
the ocean, over the new continent. even To
the very confines of Asia .--Degradeti
and dishonored, bound hands and feet, she
was sold and delivered up at discretion by
perfidious men. But thanks to our own
magnanimous and sublime resolution thanks
to your loyal and generous attachment, he
could not conquer us'at first, nor shall he
ever conquer US. His armed satellites may
enter city, may occupy province, may
lay waste Z territory; but our hearts are
81. Spanish, and in spite Of his arms, his
victories, insoieuce and his rage, the pane
and authority OF Ferdinand the VII. will
be respected and obeyed throughout the
most opuient and remote regions of the
woild. 1t will likewise be blessed, because
with this name, the epoch ,of the regenera.
ton and felicity of the empire, will be re-
corded for future generations, in both he.
mispheres.
Among the first cares of the regency,
principal place is occupied for the celebra
ton of the extraordinary Cortes announced
to the Spaniards, and to be assembled on
the first day of March next. On this con
vention, the good citizens have founded their
hopes of redemption and future happiness
and if the. events of war shculd cause the
protraction of this measure till more con
vsnient and seurc period, this very delay
will afford TO the new government an oppors
tunity of placing, at the next national Con
gress, the complete representation Of the
vast empire, with whose destiny it is en-
trusted.
From the commencement Of the revolt
ton, the country has declared those distant
regions as All integral and essential part Of
the Spanish monarchy. AS such, they are
entitled 20 all the rights and immunties of
the mother country. According to this prin
ciple OF eternal justice and equity, the ma