nounce the intention of dictating or suggesting the Institutions which he was to give to his Subjects. The General-in-Chief of the French Army now assumes the power of deciding, when the King of Spain shall be deemed free, and, even should he be so considered, His Majesty is to enjoy his freedom only for the purpose of giving such Institutions as may be agreeable to the Cabinet of the Tuileries; for that Cabinet not only dictates what these Institutions shall be, but offers the cooperation of France and her Allies in consolidating them.

And what are the Institutions which, with such ill-contrived dissimulation, are prescribed to Ilis Catholick Majesty to be given to his Subjects? Precisely such as are least reconcileable with the dignity of the Crown; the most calculated to enfeeble the Royal Authority, to enervate, and to destroy the unity of, the functions of Government; the least conformable with the spirit of the age, and the present condition and customs of the Nation; and the most likely to perpetuate division, opposition of interests and party conflicts. Those men must be ignorant of the history of Spain who propose, in the present state of things, to establish the ancient Cortes of the Kingdom, as the guarantee of order, justice, and good government. Juntas, or particular Establishments, in each of the three Biscayan Provinces ; different Cortes in Navarre; others of three distinct classes in Arragon, Catalonia, and Valencia, which for a length of time have ceased to exist in those quarters; others of very different kinds in the Kingdom of Castile, which never possessed a fixed form, and which underwent so many vicissitudes :-such is the chain by which it is proposed to unite the Spanish People together, and to consolidate the Monarchy. Assemblies of this heterogeneous nature, in which no real National Representation ever existed; in which Men, calling themselves the Representatives of the People, were so frequently seen to prostitute and sell themselves to power; and in which the Royal dignity was so often outraged and oppressed by the ambition and preponderance of a few Subjects: such are the means by which it is wished to invigorate the Monarchical authority, and to secure just freedom to the Nation.

It may be permitted to add a few reflections upon this point. The proposal of the Duke d'Angouleme can only be accounted for, by attaching the same meaning to it as that, in which the ancient Cortes was spoken of, by the authors of the Royal Decree, issued on the 4th May, 1814: an ineffectual name, designed to leave some hope to the unreflecting, and to re-establish by that means an Absolute Government. The latter would with no difficulty be directed from Paris, and thus, after the lapse of a century, would be realised the plan of Louis XIV., which is doubtless, the real object of this War.

It was not sufficient to carry it on in so unheard-of a manner, as that of establishing what is called the Regency of Madrid, and of overturning, by its agency, all that has been achieved during three years

by the legitimate Government, which has been recognized by the very Invaders, and by all Europe: it was not sufficient to deprive the Spaniards of the right of constituting themselves, as suits them best: but it was also necessary, not to leave them any Constitution, and to make them bear, in common with their King, the yoke which an attempt is made to impose on them, merely because they evinced a solicitude to be free without licentiousness, though without any prejudice to France.

By reducing to this extremity a Monarch, and a Nation, tender of its honour, and impatient of ignominy, nothing undoubtedly can be had in view but to shut every door to peace, and to seek pretexts for further views of ambition, or for an indefinite occupation.

It is easy to perceive, that, however desirous the Spanish Government may be to put a period to this destructive War, the only overture addressed to it on the part of France, and the tone and expressions employed in it by the Duke d'Angouleme, are of such a nature, that it is impossible to yield, without incurring dishonour, and sacrificing the dignity of the Throne and the destiny of the Nation. Neither can it escape the meanest capacity that, should the threat be realized which has been thrown out, in case of the non-acceptance of a proposal so irritating, its only object must have been to ensure its rejection; for it is to be apprehended, that, in the event of an attack being made on the very residence of the King and Royal Family, their persons would become exposed to destruction, or that perhaps all the efforts of loyalty and virtue might not suffice to preserve them, in the last extremity, from an outrage of desperation. If the French Government had proposed to itself to get rid of the August Family reigning in Spain, it could scarcely have chosen a more effectual method for it than the conduct it has pursued during the last 6 months.

The Spanish Government must, and does, protest solemnly, before Heaven and Earth, against the result of the acts of violence committed by the French, and against that likely to be experienced from those yet intended. In this extremely critical situation of His Catholick Majesty all Monarchs have a direct interest, in the same manner as all Nations are concerned in the present Cause of Spain, more particularly those Nations that enjoy a Representative Government. Accordingly, His Majesty cannot but promise himself an energetic and prompt intervention on the part of Great Britain, for the purpose of applying a remedy to such immense evils, and His Majesty has strictly commanded the Undersigned to manifest this to the Chevalier à Court, and to express to him the hope which His Majesty still cherishes, that the Government of His Britannick Majesty, for its own dignity, for its love of justice, and for the tranquillity of Europe, will come to the assistance of a faithful and ancient Ally, and of a Nation which, united to England, has so much contributed towards the liberty of the

Continent, and the re-establishment of those who now so ill requite it. The wisdom of Sir William à Court will easily discern, that it is not for the Spanish Government to be the first in making proposals to that of France, and that it cannot make any in reference to the letter of the Duke d'Angouleme. Only a Mediator, such as His Britannick Majesty, can induce the French Government to desist from violent and irritating pretensions, and confine its demands within bounds compatible with the dignity of His Catholick Majesty, the integrity and Independence of the Monarchy, and the honour and liberty of the Spaniards. Within these necessary limits, neither the King nor the Nation will refuse those prudent and useful means which are capable of affording a solid Peace, that shall be honourable to both Parties, under the guarantee of the Mediating Power; for, without such guarantee, neither would the Peace have sufficient security for Spain, nor be attended with the proper stability.

His Majesty has also desired the Undersigned to recommend very particularly to Sir William à Court, the urgency required by this matter, and the necessity there is now, more than ever, for him to resume his functions near the King, who cannot persuade himself that he has received orders from His Britannick Majesty to the contrary, when that Monarch has manifested his sentiments in so satisfactory a manner, respecting the Communication from the intrusive Regency

of Madrid.

The Undersigned avails himself, &c.

Sir W. à Court.

J. ANTONIO YANDIOLA.

(5.)-Sir William à Court to Señor Yandiola.

Gibraltar, August 27th, 1823. THE Undersigned has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the two Notes of His Excellency, M. Yandiola, the one announcing to him his nomination to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs, ad interim, the other enclosing the Correspondence between His Catholick Majesty and His Royal Highness the Duke d'Angouleme, and requesting him to repair to Cadiz, with the view of affording the mediation of Great Britain in any Negociations which may take place between the Spanish Government and the French Authorities now assembled at Port St. Mary's.

The British Government has given too many proofs of its anxious desire to contribute, by every means in its power, to bring the present War to some fair and honourable conclusion, to render necessary any further assurances upon that head. But His Excellency M. Yandiola must be aware that no Mediation can be undertaken with any prospect of success, unless a consent to such Mediation be previously obtained from both Parties, and more particularly where no conditions are specified as the basis of Negociation. France, as well as Spain, must be

willing to admit the friendly intervention of Great Britain, before that intervention can be efficaciously exerted. With a view to the attainment of this desirable object, the Undersigned will immediately put himself in communication with the French Authorities, and, as their answer shall be favourable or unfavourable, either proceed directly into the Bay of Cadiz in a British Frigate, or make His Excellency acquainted by letter with the failure of his endeavours.

With respect to M. de Pando's Note of the 20th July, to which His Excellency has been pleased to refer, the Undersigned did not feel himself authorized to reply to it, without being previously apprized of the sentiments of his Government. He despatched a Copy of it to England by a special Messenger from San Lucar, but he has as yet received no answer to the Communication.

The Undersigned is happy to avail himself, &c. Señor Yandiola.

WILLIAM à COURT.

(6.)-Sir William à Court to Señor Yandiola.

Gibraltar, 31st August, 1823.

IN continuation of what the Undersigned had the honour of communicating to His Excellency, M. Yandiola, &c. by the last opportunity, he has now to inform him, that he addressed a Note to His Royal Highness the Duke d'Angouleme, on the 27th inst. stating to him the nature of the Appeal made to the British Government by order of His Catholick Majesty, and expressing a hope "that His Royal Highness might be induced to avail himself of such an opening for Negociation, and make the Undersigned the Channel for conveying such propositions to the Spanish Authorities, as might justify him in urging their acceptance in the name of the Government he had the honour to represent, or to point out any other way in which British intervention might be successfully employed to prevent the further effusion of blood, and to bring about the establishment of such an order of things as might not disappoint the just expectations of the Spanish Nation."

The Undersigned further offered to proceed immediately into the Bay of Cadiz, in a British Frigate, for the purpose of facilitating a Negociation, should His Royal Highness be inclined to admit the proposal of British intervention. His Royal Highness, in his Answer, expressed an anxious desire to see Peace re-established between France and Spain, but stated that, being unauthorized to pronounce upon the question of Foreign intervention, he could do no more than transmit the proposal to the King, his Uncle, and promised to communicate to the Undersigned the decision that might be taken, with as little delay as possible. The Undersigned, on his side, has lost no time in forwarding this Correspondence, as well as that of M. Yandiola, to the Government of His Britannick Majesty, and he cannot but flatter himself that some[1822-23.] 3 S

thing satisfactory may result from the explanations which will naturally take place between the British and French Governments, and that some means may be found of reconciling conflicting interests, and of putting an end to a War, which affords but little prospect of glory or advantage to either Party.

The Undersigned, however, must be allowed to express his regret, that the Spanish Government has not thought proper to explain more clearly the conditions it would consider as admissible. A frank declaration upon this point would considerably facilitate a Negociation. The Undersigned, &c.

Señor Yandiola.

WILLIAM à COURT.

CORRESPONDENCE between the Duke d'Angouleme and the King of Spain.-August and September, 1823.

(1.)-The Duke d'Angouleme to the King of Spain.
De mon Quartier Général du Port de Santa Maria,

MONSIEUR MON FRERE ET COUSIN,

le 17 Août, 1823. L'ESPAGNE est délivrée du joug Révolutionnaire; quelques Villes fortifiées servent seules de refuge aux hommes compromis. Le Roi, mon Oncle et Seigneur, avait pensé (et les évènemens n'ont rien changé à son sentiment) que votre Majesté, rendue à la liberté, et usant de clémence, trouverait bon d'accorder une Amnistie nécessaire après tant de troubles, et de donner à ses Peuples, par la convocation des anciennes Cortès du Royaume, des garanties d'ordre, de justice, et de bonne Administration. Tout ce que la France pourrait faire, ainsi que ses Alliés et l'Europe entière, serait fait pour consolider cet acte de votre sagesse. Je ne crains pas de m'en porter garant. J'ai cru devoir rappeler à votre Majesté, et par elle à tous ceux qui peuvent prévenir encore les maux qui les menacent, les dispositions du Roi, mon Oncle et Seigneur. Si d'ici à cinq jours, il ne m'est parvenu aucune réponse satisfaisante, et si votre Majesté est encore à cet époque privée de sa liberté, j'aurais recours à la force pour la lui rendre ; ceux qui écouteraient leurs passions de préférence à l'intérêt de leur Pays, répondront seuls du sang qui sera versé.

Je suis, avec le plus profond respect, Monsieur mon Frère et Cousin, de votre Majesté le très-affectionné Frère, Cousin, et Serviteur, LOUIS ANTOINE.

A Monsieur mon Frère et Cousin le Roi d'Espagne.

(2.) The King of Spain to the Duke d'Angouleme.-(Translation.) SIR, MY BROTHER AND COUSIN, Cadiz, August 21, 1823.

I HAVE received the Letter of your Royal Highness, dated the 17th instant, and it is in truth very remarkable that the intentions of my