1830.] The Campaign of the Spanish Constitutionalists. (575 



sustained a partial check, and this gave rise to the rumour of the total 

 discomfiture of the liberals a rumour very industriously circulated by a 

 certain Spanish capitalist of Paris, deeply interested in the present 

 affairs. No event of importance, however, took place. Valdes main- 

 tained his position at Zugarramurdi, but it does not appear that he 

 derived any considerable advantage therefrom ; the desertions from the 

 enemy were few, and, as far as we can gather, the conduct of the 

 inhabitants not remarkable for cordiality. 



The attempt of Colonel Valdes possessed none of the elements which 

 could count probabilities of success, or remove gloomy anticipations from 

 the more prudent and experienced among the patriots. A small body of 

 men, hastily equipped and indifferently organized, invade Spain, and 

 their movement is undertaken through a province which, owing to cer- 

 tain privileges which it enjoys, has always exhibited a decided hostility 

 towards the constitutional government. The leader of this band, though 

 a brave and honourable officer, is neither from experience, abilities, or 

 station, of sufficient weight to take on himself the responsibility of so 

 arduous an enterprise j indeed, the whole affair bears rather the sem- 

 blance of an experimental adventure, than of a regular judicious and 

 systematic military operation. Jejune and ill-concerted measures 

 imperfect information of the country and the enemy want of means and 

 authority, come to increase these obstacles to success. 



The position of General Mina was at this moment extremely delicate 

 and perplexing. The ignorant and mischievous men who had hitherto 

 used their utmost endeavours to fix odium and reproach on the character 

 of that honourable soldier, would, under existing circumstances, have 

 another opportunity to seize upon in order to vent the venom of their 

 spite and envy. The most odious aspersions had been systematically 

 disseminated against the fair fame of the general. By the most lenient 

 he had been represented as an indolent, selfish man, who, possessing the 

 means of enjoying a tranquil life, preferred his ease and comfort to the 

 prosperity of his country. But there were Spaniards also, some from 

 sheer ignorance and imbecility, others from still less excusable motives, 

 who blushed not to advance the most weighty accusations against him. 

 His honour and integrity were called in question he was represented as 

 a traitor to the cause of liberty ; and there were some who went so far 

 as to give it to be understood that he was afraid of marching into Spain 

 Risum leneatis ! General Mina turned coward ! And why all this 

 violent persecution against him who had rendered such essential services 

 to his country ? Simply, because he would not blindly enter into every 

 mad scheme which any imprudent man thought fit to agitate. We will 

 not offer an insult to General Mina by undertaking an idle defence of 

 his conduct. Yet the mischief which this systematic and abominable 

 persecution of Mina does to the Spanish cause is immense. The friends 

 of the cause abroad have neither the time nor the opportunities of 

 entering into a proper investigation of motives, and drawing reasonable 

 inferences. They only see things en masse which deserve condem- 

 nation, and, in dealing this award, a separation of the innocent from the 

 delinquent cannot easily be attained. The natural result is, that foreign- 

 ers, however favourably inclined towards the cause, come to a con- 

 clusion, that it cannot prosper as long as it possesses no more com- 

 petent supporters, 



But there was another and a very powerful reason to determine Mina 



4Q 2 



