x 
> a9 per 
‘170 
preserve the same for Ferdinand VII. king 
of Spain and the Indies. Sanctioning the 
Constitutional division of three estates, abo- 
lishifg arbitrary and unjust rules; re-esta~ 
‘plishing the freedom of thought in its ori- 
Pital purity ; restoring 'to the citizen one of 
the most sacred rights of political liberty— 
that of afree press; forming a new govern- 
ment on a. compact and vigorous system 3 
and enseavouring to strengthen the edifice 
of the state by constitutional laws, which 
they are engaged in framing. In these ur- 
gent end Jaudable orcupations the Cortes 
were diligently engaged, when a novel and 
Most extraordinary rumour, vague and hard- 
ly Credited ‘in its commencement, but soon, 
perhaps, through the machinations of the 
common enemy; obtaining extensive credit, 
yesounded in all parts of Spain, as well-as in 
‘many other quarters, and imperiously called 
for the most serious attention on the part of 
the national Congress. 
. Fe aware, O Spaniards! that the tyrant 
of Europe, panting to subjugate us, now adus 
treachery and artifice to the unheard-of yio- 
Jence by which he has goaded you into this 
defensive war; and, considering the ardent 
force of yout love and loyalty for your adored 
sovereign, lie endeavours to contravene these 
sentiments, by insidiously pretendiny to make 
yestitution to the outraged Spaniards, and to 
“compassionate the state to which. he has now 
reduced them. But think not, Spaniards! 
that tyrants ever are beneficent without some 
insidious motive. Ferdinand maybe sent 
eto Spain, but he will be surrounded by 
armed Frenchmen, and by Spaniards who 
suffer themselves to be seduced by the arti- 
fices, or intimidated by the menace*, of Bo- 
_naparte, He would come as cne of the 
family of this monster, either by means of 
an union with a foreign princess, or as an 
adopted son of Napoleon ; he would come to 
administer to the will of this execrable pro- 
tector, by!endeavouring to obtain a peace of 
“his dictation, or, in other words, to effectu- 
ate the ruim and subjugation of the Penin- 
sula. Such is the, substance of these ru- 
mours; considerations in which are at once 
compromised the honour and decorum of your 
king—the independence and sovereignty of 
the pation—and fhe dignity and salvation’of 
the monarchy, The extravagant request of 
adoption, whith is already said to have béen 
made in the name of Ferdinand, and which 
»Gsanscrted in those public papers in’ the pay 
oof Bonaparte, leaves no room to doubt of 
the sdesign ofthe usurper to degrade and 
_Wilify ‘their lawful soyercign in the eyes of 
Spaniards, forthe perpose of forwarding his 
- jniquitous designsy hus you see the mo- 
oomentis’arrived, perbaps is not far distant, 
when’ the nation may be placed in a situstion 
jlous and complicated, as that which 
© gav- birth to its heroic insurrection, and in 
which it would have to display a similar 
 -grandgur and noblengss of character, 
! State of Public Affairs in February. 
“a tranquil submission by his means. 
[March 1, 
The Cortes, in considering ‘this most im-- 
portant subject, are fully aware of the grand 
character of the people whom they repres 
sent, of the * worthy )and, noble example 
whch they hold forth to theirest of Europe, 
and of the splendid hopes opposed to the 
gloomy. horrors which are, inyolved in this 
terrible contest. .They, fée) that. Spaniards 
must be aware that the war into which the 
outrageous tyranny of the Gailic despor has 
goaced them, must be carried on without 
confpromise cr relation, and with accelerated 
force. What can be the object of such a 
Species of conciliation? It will not, Spa- 
niarcs, be for that of your happiness and 
rep%e, orto make reparation for the various 
insults) and’ accumulated \injuries inflicted 
upon you! Né, the souls of | tyrants are 
never actuated by the impulse of -virtue, 
Napoleon is instinctively malignant. || This 
has been terribly exemplified wich respect to 
us already. He, again seeks to enslave us, 
to reiider us thé unhappy influence of his in- 
Satiable ambilion. Your admirable patriotism, 
Courage, and constancy, havé hitherto discon, 
certed his iniquitous project$, © Spain has 
successfully resisted him, to’ whose triumphal 
car all the kings of Europe succombs’' The 
subtle tyrant has self-consulted’ a project tor 
subjugating Spain; he feels the rulingevirtue 
oi} oyenuine Spaniards is that of loyalty ‘to 
thicir, sovereigus. He behelds, the \unprace 
tised Ferdinand in his power; hejconceives 
the expecient of sending him to Spain in the 
insidious character of an adopted soa; but 
in effect as a degraded instrument... He 
knéws his influence, and liopes to'bring about 
He 
sees that America already acknowledges hig 
“sway ; but should this illustnous &nd’devos 
ted missionary be unsuccessful, he™sées’ at 
least that the Spaniards will be divided, and 
the seeds sown of dissension’ and distrust, 
and thinks that the wavering. and) wnprinci- 
pied emong us will excuse thei desertion, 
under the pretext of adhering to the fortunes 
ot Ferdinand. : ne 
But, Spaniards, all these i sidious machi- 
nations will vanish like the mists béfore 
the sun of your, rectitude and true interests, 
Let us continue loyal to Ferdinand, What 
nation has ever given such proofs of loyalty 
to its sovereign ? (Here a variety of ‘signal 
instances are cited.) But, suppose Bonaparte 
should prevail on the captive prince to enter 
Spain; will he be the same, the adored 
monarch of our choice? — No} Ferdinand 
Napoleon, can never be Ferdinand de Bour~ 
bon. No ;-he would-be the servile instru 
ment of the Coysican Attila, encircled by 
atrocious Gauls, and degraded Spaniards, 
instead of free and generous subjects. His 
identity would no longer exist.. You would 
never become. the decejved victims of such 
an iSlusion, and the crown which’ the tyrant 
would apparently restore, . would, orm a new 
¢mblem oF mockery and ippult, Hay 
ce” si 
" Palitical a 
