Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

SPAIN

The events that have lately occurred in Europe seem to have excited a more than extraordinary interest among politicians, particularly in relation to Spain.

The people of that country, have awakened from the slumber of nearly three hundred years. The Castilian spirit of 1522 seems to be revived. The Juntas are again assembled, and the people with an enthusiasm, glorious for themselves and their country, and honourable to humanity, seem determined to be independent, or to die.

"Never did an event occur better calculated to excite the best and most generous sympathies of all mankind. The wealth and strength of Spain have been long devoted to the service of France. For several years "there have been no Pyrenees." Her armies and fleets have fought the battles, while her treasures have supported the pomp and splendor of the imperial conqueror. But this was not enough. What is enough for ambition? The crown of Spain must be worn by a member of the Buonaparte family, and the people of Spain put under the "paternal care" of Joseph, his humble and obedient brother. To accomplish this object, intrigues the most corrupt, and perfidy almost without example in the history of civilized man have been resorted to without hesitation. But they have not been sufficient. Force has become necessary, and troops which entered Spain as friends and allies, have become its most cruel oppressors, and enemies. But the object is not yet attained. The spirit of Spain is roused, and the people say it never shall be attained. What a conflict has already begun: what devastation of fields; what desolation of cities; what a slaughter and carnage of the human race must occur before this conflict is at an end! And for what purpose must all this misery be endured, must all this blood be shed? To gratify the rapacity and ambition of a man, an enemy to liberty, whose name twenty years ago was unknown to the nations of Europe, whose destiny now depends upon his pleasure, and even to the people, who now humble and fight and conquer under his immediate government.

Is it possible that there can be a man in this land of liberty, who does not wish, most fervently and sincerely wish for success to the patriots of Spain: who does not rejoice, for the honour and dignity of his species, that this nation has not tamely surrendered its independence even to the conqueror of Europe, and that hitherto it has pleased the Almighty to crown their efforts with success? Yes—there are such men even in America; but they are few in number—There are men, who speak of the people of Spain, engaged in an unequal but glorious contest for the inestimable blessings of national independence, as disaffected subjects—and rebels; while others seem to take pleasure in detailing the difficulties which they must encounter, the distresses they now endure, and in shewing the improbability of final success. Let all those cold and unfeeling calculations be correct. It is more honourable to Spain and better for the world, that one half of the nation should be exterminated in so glorious a contest than that they should prostrate themselves at the foot of a despot who would trample Italy, Switzerland, Holland, and indeed almost all Europe, in the dust."