The Sun. — 1824-12-21 (London, England)

MORNING,. POST.] Communications were received from Spain yesterday, which contradict the report propagated by ,the Ultra Journals that the French had suddenly halted in their retreat, and that the evacuation of that country, partial as it is, was suspended. it continued on all points where it was to take place, and excited the gr eatest alarm through all the peaceful classes. For 'unjust as had liken the aggression of France, its consequences fatal as consequences are still likely-tOProVe, the conduct of her army, both during the war and the nun^ pation, has been so exemplary as to fling a redeeming lustre over the enterprise, and to gain the confidence of the nation which it was, sent to disarm. It is as curious fact rthat those soldiers who ,had been for years the terror and the'plunderers of Europe, became 'in 1824 the supporters of order and the Protectors of the Conquered in the Peninsula. Their departure is felt as the loss of friends, and while the [ Satellites of Despotism view it with joy as.annoiinCing the lunged-for hour of unshackled persecution and blood, it is lamented by the rest of the country as the completion of its misery. Accordirig to these advises, the Goverment•had de=, dared open war 'against all persons who were sospected'of a desire that a.systein approaching -to moderation . should be adopted, rrhe Police being entirely occupied in the Pursuit Of political offenders, that is to say, .of all who were not persecutors themselves, opposed no cheek to the practices and atrocities Of conunon roblit.ts,:ind. [sassins, and whilst it was impossible to appear in the_ streets of Madrid after dad( without the ri‘li of property ;-tiod Abe environs of that city were infested watt banditti, who Piontiered and murdered in the face of ow doy. the neighbouring.Provili('us those .excessei I sullied something inure Of at aatlbtaackl-, ▪ The [banditti rose into and 411,4114 their victims illllollo 1.1)(' Claih from whonilhe bitterest hostility to the Cons'OctiStilin, y,-‘vbose had'ilkiM'd; whose erg that is to say, frOnt amongst the .ef r houses they pillaged, and persons they ▪ treated with great indignity. The Prietts, on  the other hand, whose distinguishing characte•l ristic in Spain is not patient endurance of injuries, had raised a force among the peasantry which they paid liberally, and which, under the guidance of Its Militant Pastors, had in some instances succeeded in driving away the ravaging bands. At the head of this clerical army the Curate Merino is said to have been placed, or to have placed himself, and a sort of partisan warfare to be carried on with great spirit on both sides, and with Much general suffering to the bulk of the people. It continued to be asserted by the friends of the Government, and to be disbelieved by the nation at large, that the projected expedition had been completed, and had actually sailed from Ferrol for Cuba. Even had a sufficient number of regiments been retained from the ancient army, or created after its dissolution, to compose a respectable body, the want of money would have thrown obstacles in the way of this expedition, which must occasion long delays, if not ultimate failure. Much uneasiness is said to have been expressed by Ferdinand and his Ministers at the orders given for increasing the.military force of Bayonne, as they apprehended that it indicated an intention on the part of France, to leave Spain altogether in the Spring, with the exception of Barcelona and Cadiz, which were to be holden as security for the repayment of the expences of the war, until the whole debt, which is of great magnitude, should be liquidated.