6

cause of Spain, a proposition to accord with which would have been disgraceful to the sovereign and to the country. When he heard of the opening of negociations, he entertained little or no hopes of success. Buonaparté would not give up his pretensions, and we were not base enough to agree to the shameful terms offered as the grounds of treaty. Indeed, no one could believe that the two emperors at Erfurth ever entertained an idea that their proposals could be listened to, as they must have been aware, from the history of this country, that we were not in the habit of deserting our allies, and surely they could never expect that we would degenerate from our known character, in a cause so great and important as the present.-As the house were not yet in possession of the Treaty of Alliance entered into with the Supreme Junta, it would be premature to make any remarks upon that subject. The contest we had undertaken was arduous, but we were not on that account to despond. If so, we might have long since sat down in dumb despair, and have submitted to France. He trusted, therefore, that notwithstanding the surrounding difficulties, with our assistance, Spain would yet triumph over her misfortunes, and confound heroppressors;

purpose of enabling her to resist the tyrannous usurpation of France, the injustice of which could only be equalled by the perfidy of the means employed to accomplish the detestable design. It was, indeed, difficult to determine which to reprobate most. He knew not in what language to describe the fraud and falsehood employed by Bonaparte to subdue a people to whom he was united in the closest bonds of alliance, and who had reposed an ill-founded confidence in him. In the Declaration he had published, he had told them, that if they refused to accept his brother Joseph for their king, he would cut out a new kingdom for him, place the crown of Spain upon his own head, and punish those whom he dared to designate as the wicked.' It would be well for the yet unconquered countries in Europe (of which he was sorry to say there were now but few), to attend to the first part of this Declaration, as there were doubtless some to be found from whose territories this embrio kingdom might be formed; and it would be well for G. Britain to look to the latter part, as she was assuredly included among the wicked,' whom the tyrant presumptuously pretended he had a divine commission to punish. Some few, perhaps, of his countrymen, might think that the cause of freedom in Spain was less pure, because that country had not agreed or participated in hailing the dawn of liberty, which was once thought to illume the horizon of France. But surely no sight could be more grand and animating, than such a people, whose character for ages had been famed for many virtues and noble qualities, rising against foreign injustice, tyranny and oppression, resolved to be independant, or to perish in the struggle. Could we wonder at the sympathy which the people of this country felt, at the energy with which they came forward, and at the glowing partici-paign, which was not considered as compation of sentiment which they expressed inensurate to what ought to have been in a cause so like their own. Speculative secured from the bravery displayed by men might differ on points relating to in- our soldiers, and the success that had attendternal reforms and regulations; but it was ed their efforts.-The next subject touched evident, that the Spanish people did not upon was our relations with Sweden; and think the return of a native king. to his though Russia, by dint of superior forces, legal throne, incompatible with national had obtained advantages over our ally, reform. The cause of Spain had lost yet every one must admire the king of none of its first interest, and Britain was Sweden's steady adherence to the prinstill bound to extend her mighty arm, to ciples which first united him to us, and save and to succour. Under these circum-drew down the implacable hatred and venstances he could easily conceive what his majesty's feelings must have been, when it was proposed to him to abandon the

Per damna, per codes, ab ipso
Ducit opes animumque, ferro.

The next topic to which he would allude
was the campaign in Portugal; and he
could have no doubt of the house acqui-
escing in a sentiment which acknow-
ledged the gallantry and excellence of
our forces employed in that country.
The battles fought spoke for themselves.
In no cases were the discipline of men, or
the skill and military talents of their ge-
nerals, more conspicuous. As a proof of
this, it was only necessary to revert to the
expression of public opinion on the cam-

geance of Buonaparté upon his head. His determination also not to listen to terms of accommodation, hostile to the independ

(said he) in rising to second the Address which the hon. member has moved, that the ability and eloquence with which he has illustrated the various important topics which it contains, leaves little for me to perform. In executing this lighter task, I trust, however, to the usual courtesy of the house, to make a large allowance for my deficiencies. Believing as I do, that there never was a period in the history of this country, when Parliament assembled under circumstances more deeply affecting the vital interests of this Empire, I cannot but feel the strongest desire, that the house may join in an animated and unanimous expression of loyalty and attachment to his Majesty's person, and of hearty cooperation in the just views of his government. To the cordial manifestation of these sentiments on former arduous occasions, to the vigour thereby infused into the measures of his majesty's government and thence transmitted to the nation at large, we owe it that at this moment Great Britain remains single, amidst the nations of the world, unhurt and unappalled by the tyranny or treachery of France. If such have been the acknowledged be

obliged formally to declare his disappro- | bation-To assure his majesty, that he may rely on our disposition to enable his majesty to continue the aid afforded by his majesty to the king of Sweden; and to state that we are sensible that monarch derives a peculiar claim to his majesty's support in the present exigency of his affairs from having concurred, as his majesty has been graciously pleased to inform us, with his majesty, in the propriety of rejecting any proposal for Negociation to which the government of Spain was not to be admitted as a party :-To return his majesty our humble thanks for directing the Estimates of the current year to be laid before us; and to assure his majesty, that he may confidently rely upon our zeal and aflection to make such farther provision of Supply as the vigorous prosecution of the war may render necessary; and that we shall have the greatest satisfaction in finding ourselves enabled, according to the wish so graciously expressed by his majesty, to provide such Supply without any great or immediate increase of the existing burthens of his people To assure his majesty, that we learn with the highest satisfaction, that notwithstand-nefits flowing from the united force of ing the measures resorted to by the enemy Parliament on former occasions, assuredly for the purpose of destroying the con- I cannot err in anticipating a cordial conmerce and resources of this kingdom, the currence in the motions made by the hon. public revenue has continued in a course of mover on this occasion, involving as they progressive improvement :-Humbly to do the honour of the crown, the pled:,ed thank his majesty, for informing us that the faith, and all the generous feelings of the measure adopted by parliament in the last nation, and the only remaining hope, of session for establishing a Local Militia has deliverance to Spain, and all those nations been already attended with the happiest who have successively fallen under the success; and that it promises to be exten- violence of France and their own concursively and permanently beneficial to the ring supineness. Reflecting upon the uncountry-Finally, to assure his majesty, happy even's which in these latter years that, duly weighing the immense interests have alienated so many of our Allies from which are at stake in the war now carrying this country, and thrown them into the on, we will, in obedience to the special arms of the enemy, his Majesty's ministers recommendation of his majesty, proceed, have felt it particularly their duty to give with as little delay as possible, to consider an example to the world of the interest of the most effectual measures for the aug- which his Majesty takes in the welfare of mentation of the regular army, in order other States-of the good faith of this that his majesty may be the better enabled, country in performing all the duties of alwithout impairing the means of defenceliance.. Convinced that they were dealat home, to avail himself of the military ing with an enemy, who omitted power of his dominions in the great con- means of fraud or force to gratify his lust test in which his majesty is engaged, and of dominion, and satiate the vengeance to conduct that contest, under the blessing which his heart feels, and his tongue often of Divine Providence, to a conclusion com- acknowledged, towards this country, his patible with the honour of his majesty's Majesty's ininisters have not been deluded, crown, and with the interests of his allies, by hollow offers of peace, from performof Europe, and of the world." ing the duty they had solemnly pledged to Spain. Acting on that spirit of caution which the experience of former treachery

Mr. S. R. Lushington rose to second the Address. It is highly satisfactory to me

no

justified, they ascertained that the princi- are, will have no other effect than to ples upon which the enemy professed to inspire us with additional vigour, and stitreat with this country must be to the last mulate us to new exertions, in the confidegree offensive and insulting to every dence that the same skill and heroism man not prepared to humble and disgrace will hereafter lead to happier results. it. To have made peace with France by After all the gloomy predictions which abandoning Spain, would be so foul an were held forth to us, of the failure of our act of cowardice and desertion, that it revenue and commerce, during the last seems to me impossible any man could Session of Parliament, it must be matter of counsel his majesty to an act so disgrace- the most substantial satisfaction to this ful to the country. War, under any cir- house, to find that the enemy has himself cumstances of disaster that the imagination chiefly felt the evils of his own injustice. can conceive, appears to me preferable The system adopted by his majesty's goto such a peace. I feel therefore that his vernment, and the spirit of enterprise and majesty's government is entitled to our industry which distinguish the commercial warmest approbation, for anticipating and dealings of this country above all the nadefeating the treacherous views which dic- tions of the world, have alleviated the tated the insidious offers of the enemy, for mischief meditated by France against the the manly Declaration published on that resources, credit, and commerce of this occasion. I trust, indeed, that the feelings country, and the revenues are still proof the house, in this respect, will be as ceeding in a state of progressive improvegeneral as their determination, cordially ment. His majesty has recommended to to support his majesty in the vigorous the house the increase of our military prosecution of the war in Spain, and such power. In times of tumult and disorder, a declaration seems to me a homage which like those in which we live, our military all parties must be not less anxious to pay strength must be made to keep pace with to our national honour and faith, than to the enemy, and the house feeling that not the principles they have themselves for- only the success of our arms in foreign merly professed. But if we shall desert countries, but the defence of our own the cause of Spain, in the midst of her re- islands depend upon the speedy augmenverses, even whilst the Spaniards continue tation of our military power, will no true to themselves, with what confidence doubt determine, with every possible excan we hope for our own safety. So deep pedition, the best means of obtaining that a stain will, I trust, never fall increase. upon this country; for with nations as individuals, punishment follows fast upon the footsteps of dishonour. I trust therefore, that every member of this house will feel, that the faith of Great Britain, solemaly pledged to Spain and Sweden, must be religiously observed, and that the preservation of that faith, in all cases of difficulty and trial, is the surest tower of safety to this country; and the best hope of deliverance to the rest of the world. His majesty has expressed the lively satisfaction he has derived from the achievements of his army, in the commencement of the campaign in Portugal. Sir, there is not a hamlet interests and happiness of the world. For this empire which did not partake of his majesty's feelings, in viewing the successes which crowned the valour of his troops, whilst they were under the sole command of my right hon. friend; though the nation universally shares in the anguish of his majesty's heart, upon the extraordinary infatuation which sacrificed all the glories of Vimeira to the enemy, yet I trust that the disappointments and difficulties which have occurred, great and severe as they

To me this has always appeared to be the paramount subject of our anxieties and deliberations; and it is highly satisfactory to know, that the measures heretofore adopted for this purpose, have succeeded to the full and best of our expectations. It how becomes the wisdom of this house to enable his majesty to avail himself of the military strength of the dominions at the earliest possible pe riod, for without it there can be no hope of a successful resistance of that tyranny which has already desolated some of the fairest portions of the globe, and still menaces with its baleful influence the in

these reasons, I most cheerfully second the motion of my hon. friend.

Mr. Ponsonby. The awful circumstances, Mr. Speaker, under which the present session of Parliament commences, would in themselves, without even his Majesty's direction, have called our attention to thein, and produced, I am sure, in the mind of every man, a wish to offer to the House such opinions and counsels as are likely to tend to the honour and security of the

country. His Majesty in his Speech inti- | fending Sweden. That army was commates to us, that the contest in which wemanded by one of the ablest generals in the are engaged has no likelihood of being British army, aye, and the most confided brought to a conclusion favourable to the in; for that gallant officer has since been interests of this country, or of our allies, entrusted with the command of an army without a vigorous and persevering conti- in Spain, upon whose success and safety nuation of the efforts of the British nation. perhaps at this moment depends, not alone I do believe that his Majesty may have the independence of Spain, and the glory formed a very just estimate of the situation and character of Britain, but the fate of this country, and of the rest of Europe, of Europe; even the hopes of humanity itin so saying; but I cannot but lament how self. It cannot then be argued by the right deeply he is likely to feel the disappoint- hon. gent. opposite, that if there was a ment which must probably ensue from the failure of the expedition for the defence of conduct of those to whom he has entrusted Sweden, that failure was attributable to the the councils of the nation. If his Majesty commander of that army. For it is imposthinks that a vigorous perseverance in our sible, that the same men could have recomexertions is the only means of bringing mended to their sovereign, to employ him the present contest to a favourable conclu- in Spain with whom they were dissatisfied sion, I do imagine that we can form but a in Sweden. (Hear! hear! hear!) What feeble hope, that the same men who hither- then, I ask, was the result of that expedito have so feebly negociated, and who tion? Was it because sir John Moore was have so ineffectually conducted the force kept in ignorance of the mutual counsel of this nation, will gratify the wishes of and concert of the two governments; or the country in their future efforts, either was it because there existed in the counsels in our own behalf, or in that of our allies; of his Majesty's ministers neither method, for never, I believe, since Great Britain system nor design, that that officer, withattained and supported its present rank out a single musquet being fired by his among the nations of Europe, has its pub- army, or any battalion of it being formed lic force been directed with so little skill, in array against an enemy, was compelled so little foresight, or so little success. actually to make his escape from Stock-His Majesty last year concluded holm in disguise? (Hear, hear, hear !) Is Treaty with the king of Sweden, by which it here the empire is to look for a proof of the country stands pledged to pay to that that energetic vigour, on which the present monarch the sum of one hundred thousand servants of the Crown have ventured to pounds, which stipulation the country has plume themselves? Is this the prospective performed with fidelity; for I believe that hope they hold out to their sovereign and so far as relates to the expenditure of the to their country, of an able and commandpublic money, there are none who will ing direction of its means and is resources? think of accusing those of his Majesty's If we can find no such testimony from council with ever having been wanting these occurrences, I fear we shall be able in vigour. (Hear! hear! hear!) By to trace in them the counterpart of the that Treaty it is stipulated, that if the same compromising and dastardly policy, king of Sweden be attacked by his which in the same quarter of Europe neighbours, this country shall concert marked their career a short time previous with that Sovereign as to sending out an to the last session of Parliament. When auxiliary force to his aid. How far there they waged their detestable and fatal hoshas been any thing of concert-how far tilities against the crown of Denmark, by there has been any thing of counsel-how the attack on Copenhagen, an aggression far there has been any mutual communi- which has lowered the character of Great cation, or common understanding, between Britain for national honour and good faith, the government of this country and his it was at least to be expected, that when Swedish Majesty, in conformity with the such invaluable sacrifices were made, some Treaty, we can form some judgment by the great eventual and permanent benefit expedition of sir J. Moore and his army sent ought to have ensued. But what have we out in the course of the last summer. Upon experienced? Were the evils which we that occasion, an army was brought from had sacrificed national character and our the south of Europe almost at the moment before unsullied honour to avoid, less eiwhen Spain had resolved upon hostile ex- ther in quality or extent than those, the ertions against the usurpation of the go- very consequences of that policy which we vernment of France, for the purpose of de- now feel? If that rash and inglorious ex

a