416 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1812. 



patriotism burns throughout the 

 whole extent of the Peninsula. — 

 that the war becomes every day 

 more obstinate, — your hatred to a 

 foreign domination more inex- 

 tinguishable, — the desire of ven- 

 geance stronger, — your love of 

 liberty and of our legitimate king, 

 Ferdinand the Seventh, more in- 

 flamed : but it is also true, that 

 now is the time to render such 

 great sacrifices more useful, to ex- 

 terminate with decision the abuses 

 which are devouring us as the in- 

 evitable consequences of our an- 

 cient disorder, which could not be 

 repaired amidst so many agitations. 

 It is now time to apply with effect 

 the great resources which we pos- 

 sess to the desired object which 

 occupies our minds. Such are 

 the duties of your new govern- 

 ment : it acknowledges them pub- 

 licly, and it promises their fulfil- 

 ment. O Spaniards ! fulfil your 

 duties with the greatest constancy, 

 and the most indefatigable energy. 

 There have reached the govern- 

 ment, the cries of the armies which 

 defend us, depicting their painful 

 privations ; the groans of the in- 

 habitants of districts ready to fall 

 under the yoke of the barbarous 

 invaders ; the complaints of the 

 provinces already occupied, always 

 loyal, though oppressed and laid 

 waste. Behold the situation of 

 your new government ; hear the 

 demands which are made upon its 

 attention, at the very moment of 

 its commencing its painful func- 

 tions ; behold the extent of its 

 wants! T» answer your own 

 wishes and those of your repre- 

 sentatives, it is necessary to over- 

 come all the obstacles which have 

 enfeebled the arrangements of au- 



thority, and to support the dignity 

 of the government with a Ma- 

 jesty corresponding to that of the 

 people by whom it has been form- 

 ed. The very nature of this war, 

 in which the sacred interests of 

 religion, of the nation, and of the 

 king are defended, imperiously re- 

 quire it. The impetuous and per- 

 severing character of the enemy 

 requires it also. The strength of 

 our alliances must be founded on 

 this ; and the safety of the coun- 

 try depends entirely and exclusive- 

 ly on the strictest union between 

 all, and on the strength of vour 

 government. 



The Regency, deeply persuaded 

 of this incontrovertible truth, will 

 act with firmness in the perform- 

 ance of their delicate trust : they 

 will watch, with the greatest ac- 

 tivitj', over the fate of the brave 

 defenders of the country. They 

 will give a fixed system to all the 

 branches of the public administra- 

 tion under their control — will re- 

 ward those who deserve well of the 

 country, will apply all their exer- 

 tions to the expulsion of the enemy 

 from our soil, and to maintain the 

 empire of justice. But they will, 

 at the same time, be inexorable 

 towards those who are wanting in 

 the performance of their duties, or 

 who do not yield obedience to 

 their resolves. Authority is null, 

 if it be not respected. Anarchy 

 then diffuses its deadly poison, 

 social order is subverted, and the 

 State advances to the most fright- 

 ful dissolution. Cease, now and 

 henceforward, all personal preten- 

 sions; the ill understood feelings 

 of interest dictated by provincial 

 spirit; exemptions unjustly de- 

 manded at this period of desolation: 



writings 



