VOL. XV. No. 4.] LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1809. [Price 10d. "The Right Honble. Secretary then congratulated the House upon the temper with which the Campaign "in that House had cominenced."-Report of Mr. Canning's Speech, 19, Jan 1809. 97] [98 truths! How many bodies are now left to fertilize the soil of Joseph Buonaparte's kingdom, who, if my advice had been taken, would have been living for their SUMMARY OF POLITICS. SPANISH REVOLUTION.-The dismal news is, at last, arrived. The truth of the abused Bulletins is, at last, established to its utmost latitude. The pledge of throw-country's defence!If to the just anger ing the English into the sea is, almost to the literal meaning, fulfilled. All the falshoods of all the hired writers are, at last, completely exposed.My readers, at any rate, have, from the first, been prepared for what has happened. That is now come to pass; all those truths are now apparent, which, if they had been acted upon by our ministers, would have prevented those calamities, which have now plunged the nation, the buoyed up and cheated nation, into mourning; and, for the publishing of which truths, the hirelings of the day charged me with being" instigated by the devil."For my own part, I, who, free from the buz of report and from the influence of other men's opinions, had taken a calm view of the Spanish nation as it was previous to the revolution; who had followed the known events of that revolution with an impartial eye; and who have never suffered myself to be carried away by any statements, not well-authenticated: I could never see the smallest chance of beating Napoleon in Spain, unless the people were let loose; unless the country were thrown into a complete state of revolution; unless all the bands of despotism were burst in sunder. From the moment that the health of His most Catholic Majesty, Ferdinand VII." was toasted, at the London Tavern, by our Secretary of State for foreign affairs; from that moment, I clearly saw, and as clearly said, that the war was to be carried on for the interests of a faction. From that moment, I said, that the people would not stir; that they would be cool and indifferent spectators of the contest, and that our army, if one should be sent thither, would be very lucky not to find enemies in those, in whom they would be taught to expect the warmest of friends. How many men, how many of our unfortunate countrymen, have, since that day, had the woeful conviction of these timely and indignation of the people of this country, who have seen their means so wasted, their character so tarnished, their name become such a reproach amongst nations; if, to this anger and indignation, any addition could be made, it would, assuredly, be found in the flippancy, the jocularity, the gaiety, of the publications, which have been made in the Courier and the Morning Post news-papers, under the title of Speeches made by Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, and of the last of which L have taken the closing sentence, by way of motto to these remarks. The authors of these publications must have known, that, in all human probability, our army, in Spain, was, at that moment, suffering every species of pain of which the mind can form an idea. When making these publications, could they have dismissed from their imaginations, the many and cruel torments into which that army had been plunged? When discussing the war in Spain, and gaily alluding to it in a figure representing the wordy wars of the House of Commons; when jocosely alluding to "the campaign," could they have forgotten that it was the campaign in Leon and Galicia? Would not men, in whose breasts only a scanty portion of mercy or compassion existed, have, upon the bare mention of the word " campaign," been carried, in idea, to the scene of anxiety, danger, fear, confusion, distress and misery, in those provinces? Would they not have seen waggons and magazines a prey to the floods and the flames, destroyed by the hands of those to whom they ought to have been a comfort and a defence? Would they not have had before their eyes, the trooper butchering the faithful sharer of his toils, when no longer able to accelerate his flight; and the poor exhausted wretch, unable to keep pace, no longer to be propped up by the assistance of his comrades, drop by the way, D following those comrades with longing would hardly have talked in this way to a eyes, eyes destined never more to behold ministry, who had given him no authority comrade, kindred, or country? Did the to march into Spain; and this, observe, pa' the woeful, the heart-piercing visage was on the 22nd of August.. But, be this of one of these unfortunate creatures never as it may; whether or not, the ministers come athwart the minds of the authors of knew it to be imprudent to send an army these jocular speeches? Did they never into Spain, until the Central Junta was esthink of the bundred and fifty miles of tablished, their conduct still retains its road strewed with stores. (the fruit of blameable hacter; for, when the delay English labour), with the carcasses of had conti ed so long, they should have English horses, and the bodies of English- known, that it was too late to send an army men, perishing from wounds, fatigue, or into Spain. It was their business to know hunger?- But, while Rome burnt, Nero this. We pay Lord Castlereagh and Mr. fiddled; the bloody head of John the Bap- Canning six thousand pounds a year each, tist was presented to a damsel at a dance; besides numerous thousands to their relaand it is universally true, that the Monkey tions, for attending to such matters; to and the Tyger meet in the same mind, or, obtain and make use of such knowledge; in other words, that the most complete and, for them now to tell us, that they want of feeling is inseparable from levity, fear no censure, that they do not look a maxim more emphatically expressed upon themselves as culprits, because they by our great poet, when he says, that "a have done their best, is something that, in man may smile and smile and be a vil- better times, would not be borne with palain.". -Now, mark me, reader; I do tience. Nations whose affairs are wellnot pretend to ascribe these speeches, managed, do not pay any man 6,000 such as I have found them in the news- pounds a year for doing his best. Where papers above-mentioned, to Lord Castle- they pay such a sum, in the way of salary, reagh and Mr. Canning. All the excep- they expect, and demand, corresponding tionable parts of them may, for aught I services. For persons, in such situations, know, have been foisted in by the re- to commit blunders is to commit crimes. porters. I find them printed and pub- What responsibility is there, or can there lished; and, as printed publications, I ex- be, if the accused is to be acquitted upon press my abhorrence of their unfeeling the plea of having meant well? Sir Robert contents, which, at a moment like that Calder, who, with an inferior force, beat when these publications were made, when, the enemy, and captured two of his ships, besides the general fear and sorrow that was disgraced upon the express ground of prevailed, there must have been two or an error in judgment. And shall no disthree hundred thousand individuals in this grace attend those, who, having all the kingdom half frantic with anxiety for the means of the country, and all the means personal safety of their kindred and of correct information, in their hands, friends, were an insult to public opinion planned the campaign of Leon and Galiand feeling of which, I hope, no one but cia; where an army, one of the largest the authors of these publications could ever sent from England, had no chance of possibly have been guilty.The re- safety but in flight; where, to save a part ported debates in parliament, upon the from being captured, the rest were comsubject of the Spanish Revolution, present pelled to expose themselves to inevitable us with very little that is new. The only destruction? -From what was said, in excuse for not anticipating Napoleon is, the debates, about waiting for the formathat, until October, the Central Junta was tion of a Central Junta, it appears evident not established; and that, before it was enough, I think, that we shall be found to established, it would not have been pru-have been at the bottom of the scheme of dent to send an army into Spain. Now, the public will recollect, that the Convention of Cintra, which took place in August, was justified upon the ground, that any sacrifice ought to be made, in order to hasten the march of our army into Spain; and, Sir Hew Dalrymple says this in his dispatch, where he speaks also of the vast importance of getting possession of the passes of the Pyrenees before the French army should arrive. Sir Hew Dalrymple a war for Ferdinand VII, "His Most Catholic Majesty," who offered to marry one of Buonaparte's relations. Of this bright scheme it will, I am fully persuaded, finally appear, that we were the authors. This is a point of vast importance. Of much more importance than all the rest ; because upon it turns the question, for what we are expending all this blood and treasure. Mr. Robinson (I wonder who he is) that moved the Address, in answer to the Speech from the throne, threw out dismal tale to tell. I shall, probably, see some hints, that there might be certain none of them; but, many of my readers persons, who wished us not to assist the will; and to them I leave the decision Spaniards, unless they first resolved to upon the correctness, or incorrectness of change their government. I was one of my opinions, which, to say the truth, were those persons; and my wish was founded entertained by every politician that I have upon these two reasons; first, because it ever conversed with upon the subject.— was sheer folly to suppose, that those, These opinions I expressed to an officer of who were content with the old order of great merit and sense, just before his dethings, without any reform of corruptions parture; and, if he has lived out the camand abuses, would ever fight manfully paign, he will, I am sure, have had thouagainst Napoleon; would ever succeed in sands of opportunities of witnessing the resisting his dukes and his legions: and, truth of what I said.It was impossible; second, because, for the sake of the Spa- it was not in nature, that such a people niards themselves, and for the sake of should be roused to battle by such means. other nations, and England in particular, Buonaparté now laughs at our folly in supit was not desirable that they should suc- posing the thing possible, in engaging in cecd, if such were their object. I have, all such a wild scheme. Well he may. And along, expressed this opinion; and, if it why did not our ministers know this behad been entertained by the ministers, fore? Why did they not tender to the peowe should not now have to mourn over ple of Spain those things which Buonathe sufferings and death of so many valu- parté has tendered to them? It is false; able men. It was notorious; it was a fact. grossly false, to say that the Spanish naknown to every man, of any information, tion did not wish to be freed from oppresin all Europe, that the Spaniards were so sion. We never made them the offer. We degraded by their government, that they never encouraged them to break their had none of the feelings of a people left chains. We took part with the adherents in them. What was to be expected from of one branch of the late royal family; such a population, unless some grand con- we royalized the cause of Spain; we made vulsion could have been effected? Such a it a contest between king Ferdinand and community, if it be worthy of the name, king Joseph; we fought for a king and an must be turned up-side-down; must be aristocracy, whom the people knew, against shook to pieces and new moulded, before one whom they knew not, and who, at any any thing like military exertion can be rate, promised them better days than they, reasonably expected from it. This work or even their fathers, ever saw.--This of renovation was, by the help of the press, has been our conduct, and this conduct going on, till the Central Junta was form- has led to failure, accompanied with every ed, and began to preach up tranquillity possible circumstance of national mortiand put a stop to "licentious publications.' fication and disgrace. This, therefore, After this we heard no more of "a reform ought to be the first object of inquiry; of abuses," and of " the late infamous go- but, as the public will see, it will never be vernment." Nothing now was to be heard an object of inquiry at all.-Let us now but of our lord and sovereign Don Fer-look, a little, at the dismal close of the dinand the VII." and of sober lectures, campaign. I believe, that our soldiers not unaccompanied with dreadful denun-behaved well before Corunna; I have ciations, issued in his name. These had no effect; or an effect the contrary of what they were intended to produce. Read the proclamations,the terrific menaces of Romana and Palafox, and then believe, if you can, that the people of Spain were enthusiastic in the cause of "His Catholic Majesty Ferdinand VII." Men, whom, to draw out in defence of their country, it is necessary to threaten with the gallows, cannot, I think, be looked upon as very enthusiastic in its cause. The numerous falsehoods of our news-papers, respecting the dispositions of the Spanish people, can no longer be disguised. Every officer, every soldier, who returns, will have his 66 no doubt that they did, and that they beat some times have done, make a disgraceful capitulation, and slink home himself to be the bearer of the news, leaving the wretched companions of his flight exposed to danger and hardship. He, at any rate, saved, by his valour, the remnant of his naked and famishing and lacerated army; to the disgrace of flight, he did not add that of base capitulation. Rather than do this, he bravely met almost certain death; and, therefore, whatever might be the errors of his conduct during the campaign, his fall will be deeply and universally regretted, and his memory held in honour. Great praise is, on this account, due to Generals Baird and Hope; because it is certain, that if any one of them had, as some others have donc, shunned personal danger, the far greater part of the remains of our army would have gone to a French prison, instead of coming to England.-It is impossible to form an idea of a state of existence more painful than that of poor General Moore must have been for the last six weeks. He found himself unsupported by the people of Spain; he found half-enemies where he had been led to expect enthusiastic friends; he saw the Spanish levies, at the approach of the French, melt away like new-fallen snow before an April sun; and, yet, hearing the English news-papers continually vomiting forth the numbers and the enthusiasm of "the noble and valiant" people of Spain; the glorious efforts of the "universal Spanish nation;" hearing this, and knowing well how easily the faults of ministers are thrown upon commanders, he must naturally have dreaded a return to England without doing something. That something he attempted, and hence all his and his army's calamities.But, shall we not be informed of the purport of the orders that were given him from home? Shall we not know, whether he was ordered to advance, when he was about to retreat? I doubt it. The nation seems to be dead. There is no spirit remaining in it. If there had been, indeed, this great calamity never would have happened. The scene exhibited at Portsmouth, this very day, where officers have been carried on shore, one after another, upon hammocks; where the hospitals are crowded with the sick and wounded, and where, such is the condition in which the poor wretches of soldiers are, that it can scarcely be distinguished to what corps they belong; such scenes would, one would think, fill the people with indignation against the authors of all this misery and disgrace. But, no: like Jews, we confine our feelings merely to sorrow; we are become a crying nation. A poor, spiritless, cowed-down, abject race. Cry! The time was when Englishmen would have cursed as well as cried. So do they now, indeed, in secret; but not one man, who has the power to enforce his demands; not one man of this description, will openly call for redress.The public will remember (but will not resent, or profit from) the train of lies, which has been dealt out to them, from time to time, since the commencement of the war in Spain. Forget them, however, they cannot. They cannot have, already at least, forgotten how flatly the statements of the French bulletins were contradicted; and how greedily they gave into the contradiction. From lie to lie we have been led on, until, at last, we see the remnant of our fleeing and perishing army land upon our shores. It is only four days since the Courier news-paper told us, and, apparently, under high authority, that our army had reached Corunna in safety; that the Spaniards had defeated Joseph Buonaparté, killing 15,000 of his men; and that the Duke de l'Infantado was in pursuit of Buonaparté. Now; now, when the halfdead remnant of the army has actually arrived to tell its own tale; now the lie of the day is of a new sort. the day is of a new sort. Now the numbers are nothing like what they were thought to be. Once our army in Spain was 45,000 strong; when the first retreat was sounded, it fell to 35,000; when the dispatches of Sir John Moore came from Benevente, it came down to 28,000; and now (oh, the infamous liars!) they have brought it so low as 24,000, and the Courier, who only backs a brother liar, says, that "it is said our army, in Spain, never "consisted of more than 24 thousand men. "We thought it had been stronger." Aye, or else you deserve to be kicked back all the way to John a Grote's house; for you, scores of times, positively stated it at above 40 thousand. The scheme now is, however, to lessen the numbers as much as possible, and for more than one motive too evident to mention. But, if there were a member of parliament, who would call for the detailed Returns of the corps sent to Portugal and Spain, we should soon sce this scheme blown into the air. In the mean while, we know, that there were 35 thousand men in Portugal, at the time when the Wellesley Armistice was signed; we knew that 10 thousand men went out with Gen. Baird; that makes the amount 45 thousand men, exclusive of those, since time. 66 " Facts speak for themselves, and carry conviction not to be shaken.Amongst other Returns, which this burthened public ought to be made acquaint ed with, is that of the Deserters; especially as we read, in all the news-papers, that the Emperor Napoleon says, that " all the "Germans, in the pay of the English, are deserting.' The cost of the "Foreign Corps," last year, is stated in the public accounts, to be more than one fifth of the cost of the whole of the British regular army; and it, surely, becomes the guardians of the public purse," to ascertain, whether troops, maintained at so enormous an expence, have deserted, as the Emperor of France, in the face of his army and of the world, declares they have. If the fact be true, it is of great importance to us, that some measure should be taken in consequence of it, not only in a pecuniary point of view, but as the example may operate upon our own army; and, if it be false, justice to these foreigners demands an unequivocal and speedy contradiction of the Emperor's assertions. But, it must be observed before hand, that assertion, unsupported by proof, and the very best proof that the case admits of will not satisfy the world, and ought not to satisfy any man. The Emperor's assertion may be false; it may be totally groundless, though it is not very easy to conceive a reason for his publishing such a falsehood; but, at any rate, the assertion has been made, and the truth, or falsehood, should be ascertained by detailed returns and reports. It is quite in vain to abuse Napoleon, to call him a liar and a calumniator. He has made a distinct assertion, of which assertion we have it completely in our power to ascertain the truth, or the falshood; and, if we, or ra. ther, the parliament, decline doing it, the world will be at no loss what to believe upon the subject.There is another assertion in the bulletins well worthy of formal and authentic contradiction. We were informed, that General Stewart, a brother of Lord Castlereagh, when the horse under his command took Gen. Lefebvre, was greatly, nay, four or five to one, inferior to the French in point of amount of force. Now, let us hear what the emperor has said upon this affair. "The English had re"ported throughout the country that they "had defeated, 5000 of the French cavairy on the banks of the Ezela, and that the field of battle was covered with, their dead. The inhabitants of Benavente "were much surprised upon visiting the gone out under General Cradock, and, | still more recently, under another General, whose name I have forgotten. Well, now; what is become of the forty five thousand men? How many of them remained in Portugal? Let us but know that, and also how many have escaped, through Corunna and Vigo; and then we shall know how many have perished in Lord Castlereagh's Campaign. This is the proper object of inquiry. What is the use of declamatory speeches? Let us have some facts, and leave us to judge for ourselves. Let us have a Return of the killed, wounded, and missing, from the time that the regiments left England. That is what I want to see; but, it is what we never shall have. By one of our bulletins, published on Saturday last, the credulous public were informed, that "it was apprehended, that a sacrifice of "some horses, baggage, and stores, would "be unavoidable, but there was no doubt "that nearly the whole of the troops would " be got off;" leaving that word whole to be applied to the army as it entered Spain. "Some horses," indeed! How many will come back in all? Buonaparté, who, when he sent off his last bulletin, had pursued our army as far as Astorga, says that "the road was strewed with dead horses "belonging to the English, with travelling carriages, with artillery, with co"vered waggons, and warlike stores." He says, that he found, at Astorga, magazines of sheets and blankets and pioneering implements; that the Duke of Dalmatia found 2,000 sick in Leon, either of Romana's or our army; that we burnt immense magazines at Benevente; and, that, upon the road between Benevente and Astorga, a distance of about 20 miles out of from 150 to 200, he picked up two hundred waggons of baggage and ammunition. And yet we are told, in one of our government bulletins, that "it was apprehended, "that a sacrifice of some horses, baggage, and stores would be unavoidable!" The public will not believe these bulletins again; but, as a cover for its baseness in not shewing its resentment, it will pretend to believe them, and to believe, too, all that is now said about the small original amount of our army. Nothing is easier than to ascertain the amount of our loss, in every way. Let some one call for the returns, from every department, of what was sent out, placing the cost against each article. This, indeed, would be fit and useful employment for "a guardian of the public purse." Declamation, and even reasoning," are, in such cases, a waste of words and |