The Statesman. — 1824-02-06 (London, England)

MERCANTILE ADVERTISER.)  A rumour has reached us from Washington, not unworthy of notice. The rumour is, that several intervieus between Mr. C..nning and Mr. Rush has taken place, on the subject of an offensive and defensive alliance ; but nothing htd passed in the shape of formal and specific propositions. It is said, Mr. Canning wished to sound Mr. Rush, to ascertain what were the precise sentiments of the American Liovernment, and that the answer of our minister was, that he could not speak decidedly, hot be was ready to transmit any proposal made by the English Ministry to his Government.Thinzs remained in this state to the last advices. —(liallinsorc Morning Chronicle.)  The doubts we have always entertained of the sincerity of that Ministerial neutrality, now so much the boast of th• thy, are far, it seems, from being conned to ourselves.—  In the debaie of Wednesday, Colonel Palmer delivered an opinion in the House of Commons, directly accusing the Ministers of insincerity in their professions of neutrality. " What," said the Hon. Member, " had been the measures " of the Right Honourable Gentleman to oppose France " and the holy Alliance, up to the total destruction of " Spanish Liberty, by the fell of Cadiz? Nothing what• 1" ever bat intemperve abuse of their conduct, and a posi " tive declaration of strict neutrality. This was cot a 4; lanixotistn most certainly, nor did he (Colonel Palmer) " know a parallel to such conduct in history or romance; the only resemblance he could find to it was in " the case of the bite atrocious murder, wherein " the Holy Alliance was the bald villain who went " straight to his purpose, s bilst the Right lion. Gent. was " the humane and consistent accomplice, who, after " furnishing the rope and sick, resolved, come what may, " to have no share in the transaction ; for precisely with 44 the same feelings that this miscreant had hung hack, " whilst the deed was prrpetr sting, so the Ministers of Eng" land who had gone hand in hand with their accomplices " in their plot against liberty for the last thirty years, now "stood aloof, while their victim was expiring under the "blows of his assassins," Such are the views of Colonel Palmer on the suhject of Slinisterial neutrality, and we believe of a vast majority of the people of these kingdoms. Nor, indeed, can it be otherwise ; for what despot for the last thirty years, whose insolence and power have been in the least jeopardy from the awakened spirit of liberty in Europe, who has not been succoured and subsidised by the •English Government ?  On the other hand, what people, during the same period, have made any attempt to reduce the despotic power of their op. pressive rulers, that ever once received the least countenance or support from the English Ministry ? The case of Spain is exactly in point, and may be taken as a fair specimen of Ministerial neutrality. When Buonaparte attempted the subjugation of that country to his power, England appeared in the van to oppose his career, and by an immense expenditure of blood and treasure, saved the Spaniards from his yoke.— Here was active, spirited, acd resolute assistance rendered to .Spill  In, which terminated in placing the Beloved•Ferdinatiel  in the possession of absolute power. This non-deseript being, who seems to be in himself a singular epitome of all that is weak, worthless awl base, soon set up a tyranny, compared with which, the sway of Napoleon was n ad, free, and rational. The Cortes were at last obliged to clip their beloved's wings, and establish a free constitution. To this settlement England assented, and was therefore, bound in honour to prevent its violation. What was the result? A  new struggle arose, to restore once more the legitimate Ferdinand todespotic power, and in this, the day of their trial, the Spaniards appealed to England, expecting her aid in the sacred cause of freedom and justice. What was the answer of the English Cabinet to the urgent supplications of Spain ? Why, though we think tl:e armed interference of France, a most unjustifiable aggression—though our revenue is flourishing and our wealth overflowing, we are determined for the first time these thirty years, to remain neutral, and leave you to fight it out yourselves. This