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the treacherous and unprincipled part which she has acted and well may the Spanish people blush at the meanness with which they have tarnished their character by crouching under the invasion of a foreign enemy, and, at his bidding, putting their neck into a yoke which they had once thrown off; but at the same time let it not be forgotten, that the treachery of France would have been unavailing, if the party, which, for three years, had the reins of government in their hands, had acted either with common honesty or with common sense.

The inglorious triumph of the French beyond the Pyrenees, though productive of present mischief and pregnant with the seeds of much future disorder, has not, however, been entirely without its benefits to the world. It has made the separation between Spain and her late colonies still more complete; and the fears of European aggression, with which it has inspired them, have checked a spirit of disunion which might have weakened the infant states of South America. A still more important consequence of the French success is, that England has been compelled to avow explicitly the course of policy which she means to pursue towards the Transatlantic powers; and that policy is one which is little palatable to the Holy Alliance. From the principles of that alliance, indeed, England has now, openly and in the eyes of the whole world, seceded. The monarchs of the continent may continue to announce, in their circulars their mystical axioms of oppression; but the nations are now aware, that England will neither co-operate in the plans of those sovereigns, nor sanction their doctrines. This is a great gain to the cause of good government, both in respect of direct political strength, and still more in respect of influence over the public opinion of Europe.

The situation of England, in the late intricate state of Spanish affairs, was one of no ordinary delicacy; and in it our ministers have acted with a prudence and foresight which have met with universal applause at home, except from that small party of generous

enthusiasts or dreaming theorists, who imagine that we are bound to plunge, at any time, into war, in order to destroy monarchical oppression. To the prudence of our ministers in their foreign policy, must be added the adoption of a liberal system of internal legislation, such as never marked any former period of our history. A government can do little or nothing directly to multiply the materials of happiness among a people: its business is, to secure to every man, with as few restraints as the situation of human affairs may permit, quiet, tranquillity, and protection, while he finds the means of comfort and enjoyment for himself and his family, in the free prosecution of every path of active exertion or industry which | circumstances may recommend to him. This our present administration have shown themselves most anxious to do; and they are receiving the reward of their faithful discharge of the high duties of rulers, by a degree of public approbation and confidence, which has seldom been accorded to any former government.

July 13, 1823.

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Temporary suspension of Discussions in Parliament on the Negotiations rela-

tive to Spain-Questions put to the Ministers by Lord Lansdown and Mr.

Brougham-Removal of the Prohibition of the Exportation of Arms to

Spain Papers relating to the Negotiations on the Spanish Question, laid

before Parliament-Ministerial exposition of the course of Policy which

the English Cabinet had followed: the first mention of diplomatic discus-

sion relative to Spain: Proceedings at Verona: Negotiations at Paris : our

communications with, and advice to, the Spanish Government: our Pro-

ceedings subsequent to the publication of the Speech of the King of France

at the Opening of the Session of the Chainbers: justification of a Pacitic

Policy-Motion for the Repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill-Debate in

the House of Lords on the Negotiations relative to Spain: an Address,

disapproving of the Conduct of Ministers, moved by Lord Ellenborough:

grounds on which it was supported: amendment moved by Lord Granville:

arguments against the Address-Debate in the House of Commons, during

three nights, on the Spanish Negotiations: the Address moved by Mr.

Macdonald, and an Amendment to it by Mr. S. Wortley: Speech of Mr.

Wilberforce; Speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James

Mackintosh, Mr. Peel, and Sir Francis Burdett: Mr. Canning's Speech;

excellence of this Speech: Mr. Brougham's feeble Reply: manœuvre of the

Opposition to avoid a Division of the House: result of the Division-Sub-

sequent Motion of Lord Grey in the House of Lords-General state of

feeling with respect to Spain throughout the progress of the Spanish

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

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