Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-06

hed tins desire TO the employment Of such " good
Dthces" the part OF Great Britain as would not
he inconsistent with the most strictly sys-
tenn of neutrality" Nor has any ,:ciiod occurred,
throughout the whole of the intercourse Of the Bri
tish government with Spain, at which the Spanish
government has been Tor one moment led, lay that OF
Great Britain, believe, that the policy of his Maes
~, IN contest beween France and Spain, would be |
other than neutral.
declaration at Verona his Majesiys pieuipotentiary
received instructions at Paris make to the French
government the offer Of his MaJes,ys mediation In
making this offer, the British government tenre
from motives OF expediency well us iron, ronside
raions OF justice, the employment towards Spain OF
language oi Ieproacb or Of intimidation. They re-
presented as matter Of no light moment the first
hreacl by whatever power, OF that general pacific
seiilement which had been So recently established,
and at the cost OF many sufferings and sacrifices To
all nations Nor did they disguise from the French
government the anxiety with which they looked for
ward 10 all the possible issues of war III Eu-
rope, if once begun.
In addition TO suggestions such as these the British
government endeavoured TO learn from the Cabinet
OF the luileries the nature and amount of the spe
cihc grievances OF which his most christian Majesty
complained, inst Spain /: and Of such specific
measures OF redress or Cancellation on the part Of
Spain, would the progress of his most chris
tan Majesty's wnrlike preparations
he French Government declined the formal me-
diaton OF his Majesty; alleging in substance, that
me necessity OF It's warlike pi operations found
ed, not so much upon any direct cause of complaint
against Spain which might he susceptible of aCcu-
rate specification aud Of practicable adjustment, AS
upon the general position ia winch the two king
doms found themselves placed towards each other
upon the effect which all that was pas ling and had
been Tor some time passing in Spain produced upon
the peace and tranquility of his Most Christian Ma-
Jesiys dominons upon the bur''ensoniensss of that
defensive armament which France had though, her
self obliged TO establish on her frontier towards Spaip
and which II was alike Inconvenience her 10 main.
tam, or WITHOUT some change of circumstances
which would justify such change OF counsel TO with
I'M ahn ,yt,s -
easier to understand than TO define but which, Ia.
Ken altogether, was so iniolerable TO France ,ha,
open hostility would be far preferable 10 H. War
would, ut least, have tendency some conclusion
whereas the existing state ofthe relations between
France and Spain might continue for nm indefinite
ume, increasing every day the difficulties of Spain
and propagaiing disquietude and alarm throughout
The French army and nation.
But although bis Most Chrsiinn Majesiy's Gov.
ernmeArdeclined on these grounds rurmal media
tion they professed earnest desire for peace and
accepted His Majesiy's" good Offices" with Spain
for that object
Contemplating all the mischirfs which war nigh,
mhct upon France, and through France ultimately
perhaps upon Europe and winch It must inaici
more immediately and inevitably upon Spain, WHOSE
internal anmosites and agiiaons foreign war
co'd mol hat exasperate and proong the British Go
Vernmeht was deeply impressed with the Necessity Of
peace for both kingdoms (; and resolved, therefore
whether invested or not with the formal character
mediator, TO make every effort an, avail it, e.r
VI chance, Tor the prevention oi hostes. The
question was now become question simply aud
entirely between Spain and France I; and the prac-
ucal point OF inquiry was not much.how the ella
.ions oil those two governments had been brought
INTO their present awkward COMPLICATION. as how
tha complication could be solved without recourse
10 arms, and an anicable adjustment produced,
through mutual explanation and concession.
Nothing could have Induced His Majesty 10 sur-
gest 10 The Spanish nation, revision OF us political
institutions, as the price of his Majeslys fientship
But opanards of all parties and dissertations admin,
Ieu some modifcntlons of the Constitution of 1919
na . -.
as that ia which Spain found herself, distracted
NJ once 10y The mseries Of civil war and by the an
prehens'on Of foreign invasou The adoption of niod-
hcaiions so admitted be desirable I'm themselves
might afford "A prospect Of composing her internal
dSsentons, aud might at the same time furnish TO
me rench government a motive for Withdrawing
rom me menacns position which IL had assumed to-
wards Spain, the British government felt t,at no
scrhPie or delcacy, or fear of msconsructon ought
~ resrain Them iiom avowing an earnest wish that
tne opan'a"ds could prevail upon themselves 10 con
suer OF such notifications or, at least, To declare
the'r disposition 10 consider of the m hereafter
II IS uscles, now TO discuss what might have been
me result oil his Mjestys anxious endeavois To bring
hpoui an accommodation between France and Spain
ii.notng had occurred to Interrup their propress-
Whatever might he the ndisposliion Of the Spanish
Cover hneni to lake The first step towards smc an
comnouhuon, u cannot he disguised, thal the prnci-
pes aowed and the preensions put forward by The
rench government, IN the speech from, lie throne
al The opening of the Chamber al Paris created
new obstacles TO the success OF friendly intervention
government was accompanied, indeed, with renew
Ell assurances OF the pacific disposition OF France
ana the IL ench Minister adopted construction of
:ne passage most likely TO create an rolayourable
IMPRESSION IN Spain, which stripped it Of part of
us objectionable character. Bni all the attempts of
the British government 10 give effect nj Madrid TO
s sue assurances and explanations proved unavang
lhe hopes of success became gradually fainter; and
nave now vanished altogether
remains only 10 describe the conduct which
IL Is ms hiaJrsys desire and intention observe IN
H' connct between two nations, TO each OF whom his
M;!esiy Is bound by the ties OF amy and alliance.
ne repeated disavowal by his Most Christian
HlhJesty's Government, of all views of ambition and
announcement, foibids the suspicion Of any de-
sign OIL The part oil France to establish perma nemt
n'',ary occupation IN Spain iorce his CaIIo-
nc Majesty into any measures, derogatory to The
independence Of his Crown or 10 his existing rela-
IONS with other powers.
Inc repeated assurances which his majesty has
received OF the determination 0f France 10 respeci
me domInions Of his most Faithful Majesty relieve
'S rm,yesly ron any apprehension ofbeng caedupon
TO iuIh The obligations OF that intimate defensive con-
neciion which has so long sulisisrrd between the
Crowns oil treat Britain and Portugal.
WIN respect TO ihe1 provinces IN America which
nave n 'hrown off their allegiance 10 the Crown OF
opain, TIME and the Of events appear TO have
substantially decided their separation from the mo-
ner country although The formal recognition Of those
PROVINCES 10 independent states by his Majesty may
ne hastened or retarded by various external circum-
stances, rs well as by the more or less satisfactory
progress, ~ each State towards regular and settled
I9 r OF Government. Spain has long been appraised
D, ms hI'DesNs opinions upon this subject Dis
claiming in The solemn manner any intention of
approp'Hing to himself The smallest portion OF the
ale Spanish possessions 10 America his Majesty is
saiished 'at no attempt will be made 10y Franc g. 10
brng under her dominion any Of those nossessions
enner ny conquest, or by cesson, from Spain
ms frank explanation upon The points on which
perhaps alone The possibility Of any collusion of
rance with Grea, Britdo can be apnrehended in
""r"ei"eeh rance and Spain, your Excelencv will
represent to NJ. de Chateaubrmud, as dctaeN by |