that Spain would consider a partial or entire acknowledgment, by any of them, of the Independence of the Ultramarine Provinces, as an infraction of existing Treaties, whilst discussions with the Mother Country were still pending. This interesting Document, of which Extracts had appeared in Foreign Newspapers, did not reach the Government of Colombia, in an authentic shape, until very lately, when it was authenticated by the signature of M. Clemencin. In it the Spanish Monarch endeavours to employ against the Right of Insurrection in America, the very same principles which, either voluntarily or otherwise, he had acknowledged and recognized in favour of his Subjects in Europe. The Emancipation of America is so clearly demonstrated to be the interest of the whole World, that, in order to oppose it, recourse was had to the sophisms and vague protestations with which that Manifesto most profusely abounds, and the Cabinets of Europe will have bestowed upon it the value and consideration which it merits, its clauses appearing to be directed against the Principles of Disorganization which have for some time past been introduced into Spain. In comparing the Political Institutions and the conduct of the two Countries, the opinion of an impartial World cannot but be in our favour. The Government of Colombia was prepared for so new and singular a Negociation, and, on the 19th of May last, communicated to the Intendants of the Maritime Provinces the orders it conceived necessary, and which were founded on the information which could be procured of the Character of the Commissioners; the Executive being fully convinced, that Colombia and Spain could not come to a decorous understanding, without mutually observing those usages and customs, which are consecrated by practice amongst civilized Nations; and which absolutely preclude such a mode of negociating in time of War, as that which was to be expected, from the discussions in the Extraordinary Cortes, from what the Minister of Ultramarine Affairs observed, and from the letter itself of the Decree of the 13th of February. The door, however, has been left open for discussion, which, although probably useless, may conduce indirectly to the termination of the War; and, if there has been any condescension in this, it is a sacrifice to the consideration in which we hold other Nations, to whom we are desirous of giving positive proofs, that passions excited by Civil War, and the irregular conduct of the Enemy, have not shut our ears to the voice of Nature, and that, although we do not fear War, we most anxiously wish for Peace. Convinced of this truth, many of the most illustrious Deputies of the Cortes exclaimed violently, in the preceding Session, against the inefficacy and irregularity of a measure, which, far from being conciliatory, gave strong reason to suspect, that what was proposed to be done was merely meant for the purpose of introducing Spies into these Countries; and the Ordinary Cortes, which subsequently followed, saw this so clearly, that, on the 28 June, they gave

the King ample authority to take such steps, with respect to the Ultramarine Affairs, as might be expedient, and required by the various circumstances of the Places where his influence or authority might be necessary, or for the adoption of more energetick and active means for supporting his measures. The King was moreover charged, among other things, to empower Commissioners to form and conclude Provisional Conventions with the American Governments, in order that, during the negociations, the reciprocal commerce should not be interrupted.

The Executive of Colombia saw from these Decrees, that the Spanish Government was beginning to know its own interests, and to adopt a more frank and liberal policy; but, remarking on the other hand the silence, which up to this day has been observed with regard to the projected Negociation, and the assurance given to the Cortes by the Minister of Ultramarine Affairs, that he had put all the elements of discord into motion, it cannot be persuaded, that the Enemy is acting with the good faith he so loudly proclaims.

Nearly about the same time, the Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Army published two Decrees at Maracaibo, in September and October, of consummate importance from their nature and consequences. In one, he abolishes the regularization of the War, thereby opening a field for a repetition of his past excesses; and in the other, condemns to Confiscation, to the Public Works, and to Death, the Subjects and Properties of Neutral Powers, which might be found in the Provinces which his Arms might occupy. The Government of Colombia ought now to resist, with her accustomed energy, the aggressions of that desolating Barbarian, and make him know that none under the Canopy of Heaven can offend, with impunity, the People and Foreigners living under the protection of our Laws. To other Nations, however, it belongs to defend the Persons and Properties of their Subjects, which, by the fortune of War, may fall into the hands of so callous and cruel an Enemy, from his proscriptions and sanguinary Edicts. In like manner they may judge of the sincerity of the protestations of His Catholick Majesty, contained in the Manifesto abovementioned.

When the History of this 13 Years' War shall be published, into which we at first entered with the view of bettering our domestic condition, and afterwards continued, in defence of our existence, menaced with total destruction by the anathemas of the Court of Madrid, the World will see, with astonishment, that the Enemy has had no other means for restraining the progress of our majestic career, than those of seduction, amnesties, and perfidy. Until February and June, 1822, the Spanish Government would not admit that our Revolution originated otherwise than in an insane love of change, and not in the desire, natural to Man, of promoting his own felicity, excited and put in motion by the stupendous Events which followed the Abdica

tions of Bayonne. During this period, America has suffered innumerable miseries and calamities, but Spain has also been forced to drink of the cup of bitterness, even to the very dregs, and it would not have been possible to have calculated to what extremity her evils would have reached, had the glorious Insurrection of the Troops, destined to continue the War, not shewn her the dreadful abyss into which she was imperceptibly falling. Spain at length execrated the tyranny with which she had tormented us, and proclaimed the Rights of the People; and the friends of humanity in all Countries accompanied her with their good wishes in her career, undertaken with such ardour, and amidst so many difficulties and impediments.

The Government and People of Colombia participate in this feeling, and even more warmly, from the interest naturally excited for Companions in misfortune. In the meanwhile, Spain will have to suffer all the vicissitudes and caprices of fortune; but the time will come when the conduct of those at the helm of Affairs will be in complete unison with publick opinion, and the knowledge and information of the age.Then Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chili, and Buenos Ayres, will present to the World the new and splendid spectacle of 6 free and friendly Nations, speaking the same language, and between which exist an interchange of mutual affections and sentiments, for guaranteeing their future prosperity. To accelerate that period of happiness and satisfaction for both People, the Executive has incessantly laboured to render uniform the political views of the new American States: and it was time to give a strong impulse to our Common Cause, by combining our means of offence and defence, and making the Enemy feel the impotency of those which might be opposed to us. The Federal System we have adopted will undoubtedly produce that desirable result, make us formidable in such Wars as may arise, and give us in Peace an extraordinary importance in the eyes of the Civilized World.

In the United States, and in the whole of Europe, with the exception of Spain, the Executive meets only motives for satisfaction at the impartiality with which the Neutrality declared by the Cabinets of those Countries, at the commencement of the War, has been observed; the importunities of the Government of His Catholick Majesty at various epochs, and particularly at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, to take part in its unjust pretensions, have been insufficient to induce them to deviate from that line of policy. On the contrary, Portugal and the United States have acknowledged our Independence; Great Britain respects our rights as Belligerents, and declares the Trade between her Subjects and the Republick to be legal. Sweden, the Netherlands, and other Free Countries of Europe, admit and respect our Flag in their Ports.

The Executive has thus constructed its system of Foreign Policy on three grand principles, viz.-of perpetual Alliance and Con

federation amongst the Co-belligerents-uniformity of conduct towards Neutrals and the application of all our disposable resources of offence and defence against the Enemy, until he be brought to sue for Peace.

When that Event, so much wished for, takes place, the Government of His Catholick Majesty will receive positive proofs of the good disposition with which that of the Republick is animated, for promoting by common accord the mutual interests of both Nations, without failing in the obligations it has contracted, or may contract, with other Powers of Europe and America.

Heaven grant that that Day, fraught with consequences of the highest importance to present and future Generations, may not be far distant! PEDRO GUAL.

SPEECH of the King of France, on the Opening of the Chambers, 28th January, 1823.

MESSIEURS,

La durée des deux dernières Sessions, le peu de tems qu'elles vous ont laissé de libre, m'auraient fait desirer de pouvoir retarder l'ouverture de celle-ci: mais le vote régulier des Dépenses de l'Etat est un bien dont vous avez senti tout le prix, et j'ai dû compter, pour le conserver, sur le même dévouement qui m'avait été nécessaire pour l'obtenir.

La situation intérieure du Royaume s'est améliorée: l'action de la Justice, loyalement exercée par les jurés, sagement et courageusement dirigée par les Magistrats, a mis fin aux complots et aux tentatives de révolte, qu'enhardissait l'espoir de l'impunité.

J'ai terminé avec le Saint Siége les Conventions nécessaires pour la circonscription des nouveaux Diocèses dont la Loi autorisait l'établissement. Toutes les églises vont être pourvues de leurs Pasteurs : et le Clergé de France, complètement organisé, contribuera à appeler sur nous les bienfaits de la Providence.

J'ai pourvu par des Ordonnances à ce qu'exigeaient l'économie dans les Dépenses et l'ordre dans la comptabilité. Mes Ministres soumettront à la sanction de la Loi le compte des Dépenses de 1821. Ils vous fourniront l'état des Recettes et des Dépenses effectuées en 1822, et celui des besoins et des Ressources présumés pour 1824. Il résulte de ces documens que, toutes Dépenses antérieures soldées, même celles que les préparatifs militaires ont nécessitées jusqu'ici, nous entrons dans l'Exercice de 1823 avec 40,000,000 d'excédant sur les cré

dits ouverts pour cette année, et que le Budget de 1824 peut offrir la balance des Recettes avec les Dépenses, sans exiger l'emploi de cette réserve.

La France devait à l'Europe l'exemple d'une prospérité que les Peuples ne peuvent obtenir que du retour à la religion, à la légitimité, à l'ordre, à la vraie liberté: ce salutaire exemple, elle le donne aujourd'hui.

Mais la Justice Divine permet qu'après avoir long-tems fait éprouver aux autres Nations les terribles effets de nos discordes, nous soyons nous-mêmes exposés aux dangers qu'amènent des calamités semblables chez un peuple voisin.

J'ai tout tenté pour garantir la sécurité de mes peuples, et préserver l'Espagne elle-même des derniers malheurs. L'aveuglement avec lequel ont été repoussées les représentations faites à Madrid, laisse peu d'espoir de conserver la paix.

J'ai ordonné le rappel de mon Ministre: 100,000 Français, commandés par un Prince de ma Famille, par celui que mon cœur se plaît à nommer mon Fils, sont prêts à marcher en invoquant le Dieu de Saint Louis, pour conserver le Trône d'Espagne à un petit fils d'Henri IV., préserver ce beau Royaume de sa ruine, et le réconcilier avec l'Europe.

Nos stations vont être renforcées dans les lieux où notre Commerce Maritime a besoin de cette protection. Des croisières seront établies partout où nos rivages pourraient être inquiétés.

Si la guerre est inévitable, je mettrai tous mes soins à en resserrer le cercle, à en borner la durée. Elle ne sera entreprise que pour conquérir la paix, que l'état de l'Espagne rendrait impossible. Que Ferdinand VII. soit libre de donner à ses Peuples les Institutions qu'ils ne peuvent tenir que de lui, et qui, en assurant leur repos, dissiperaient les justes inquiétudes de la France: dès ce moment les hostilités cesseront j'en prends devant vous, Messieurs, le solennel engagement.

J'ai dû mettre sous vos yeux l'état de nos affaires au-dehors. C'était à moi de délibérer ; je l'ai fait avec maturité. J'ai consulté la dignité de ma Couronne, l'honneur et la sûreté de la France: nous sommes Français, Messieurs; nous serons toujours d'accord pour défendre de tels intérêts.