Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-01
LONDON MEETING.

don nn the 18Th June, " to consider of the best
means UI aiiording assistance to the Spaniards."
II WAS attended by great numbers of the prin
cipdi noblemen and gentlemen of the Wing
party, chiefly members OF Parliament Lord
Erskne first took the chair,-the intended
Chairman, Lord William Bentinck, not having
arrlved-aud delivered energetic speech, in
which be observed that the Constitutional
government oil Spain had spirit enough to
defend itself, and too much courage to weld
singh p~int 10 lis unprnciped assaants."
Lord William Bvntinck soon appeared s re-
lieypd Lord Ersltine in the chair. He pro-
uOunced a warm discourse in favour OF the
Spaulards, OF which the following is an ex
tract -
he should cnnine himself TO the military
part OF the question, as that was more pccu-
arly his province, ami as he was exceedingly
anxious 10 do away certain impressions which
many of the friends Of Spain felt, and which
her enemies We're most DESTROYS 10 encour-
age ANA To propagate still furher-namely,
that the cause ut SPAN was entirely hopeless.
(dcar. hear.) He was far, very far, from that
cpinion. (Cherrs.) Ii they would give him
leave 10 mention circumstance which in some
degree was personal 10 himself, he would in
form them of the reasons which lie rested
his own opinion. Ii was necessary for him
first of all To state, that he was at Madrid in
the year 1905, " hen the Emperor Napoleon
was about To invade Spain in person. He bad
been sent there by the commander of the
British forces in the Peninsula of Spain and
Portugal to offer their cooperation To the
government OF Spain, and to arrange in what
manner HAT c0-Opera,iun could he given most
tilectually.-" wish TO God" exclaimed
Lord " b., " could he employed again now
upon The very same mission" Loud and re-
peated chreIs.l 1t was almost Impossible for
the mind %! man To conceive two cases more
tls.,.t lasa. =
1905 the sanle abomlnable and unIusiabe
aggression as now was made upon the indie
pendencr of > pain. (Hear.) On the side of
France there was then, as now. great superb
oriiy of military force led on by great cap
t;tin--hr did not mention the latter crcum-
stance aa parallel which existed at present Ia
laugh directed by an efficient Government,
aud backed by the Continental Powers of Eu-
rope, at least by the German Considerations
macy of whose troops were then employed in
the unh"ly purpose of France Hear. On
the side of Spain there was then, as he was
afraid there WAS now, an Inefficient Govern
ment her armies were then, as they are now,
without much discipline, and in state of dis
organization; and yet, Notwithstanding the
dinculues which then threatened it, he pre-
uicted, as he did now, that the cause of Spain
would come out of the conflict victorious and
triumphant. (Cheers.l He had stated that
10 be- his opinion in 1909 ; and in letter ad
dressed to Lord CastlPreagh, dated Madrid,
Nuv Ii, 1908, and subsequently, laid on the
table Of the House of Commons, he had
explained the grounds upon which it was
founded 81 that time he had written as fol-
lows =" must nat disguise from YOUR Lord
ship, that think very unfavoiaby OF the at
fairs of Spain. | presume nobody doubt that
Bonaparte win make "A great push that he
WIN act with his accustomed vigor, in the
rope of being able, by series of victories, to
suodue the Spanish spirit. Ii cannot be doubt
ed that he has come with very large army.
! should think il would be low calculation to
estimate his force ut 100000, of " hich at least
10000 are cavalry. Blakc's army is, for the
present. hors de combat" These, continued
Lord w. Brntnck, were very unfayourable
circumstances in the view which the state of
Spain presented to me. But even with that
knowledge never considered, as | do not
now consider the fate of Spain hopeless
That opinion placed on record in the con
GLIDING part of my despatch. My words
were these =" Notwithstanding think i'll of
The present moment, and that the Spaniards
bave not the means at present TO repel the
danger that threatens, still have confidence
IN the unconqnerab!e spirit of the nation
Cheering They want time, which, unfor
tunately, the activity of Bonaparte's move
mems will not allow them. But great as the
success of the French may be, tlie Spaniards
will be able again tn assemble at the south of
Madrld in every province, (cheers,) and in
their mountains, (hear hear j they will be
able 10 carry on The same destructive warfare
which has once cleared Spain much more I'M
provided with the means of annoyance than
she is AT present" That opinion had been
subsequently completely verified by events
aud he thought it would he again verified in
the present instance" (Cheers.)
After various other speeches, about E 5000
were subscribed fnr The Spamiards, and a
committee, with Mr.. Alexander Barring as
Chairman was appointed to receive further
subscriptions 1t Is to he noted that notwth-
standing the unanimous expression of sympa-
Thy for the Spaniards, in the Parliament no
ministerial names are found in the list of the
politicians who attended the meeting. The
most remarkable and important occurrence
on the occasion was this. The editor nf the
san after stating that French money had
not only been employed 10 Spain, but also
in England To pervert public opinion against
the Constitutional government of the former
country" read the following letter, being the
first of series which had been addressed To
him.
Paris, Iiay II.
My dear Sir send yom the first Of Il Sc
ries of articles which conceive well adarted
for TIE Sun, which has always stood firm
against anarchy. What hint as doubtful ON
~, will be verified. | am behind the scene
for news. l am offered 500 francs per article
for writing articles and as I know the pro-
pcrty of Tie Sun does not p1y loo lceii-.
Here the writer is grossly mistaken, said
the Editor permit me &c offer YOU cnc lfnfl
i! 60 buy snuiT for yourself This Of course j.