The Enquirer

The long expected revolution in Spain has at length taken place, and a general change must naturally ensue throughout all their dominions. .. Their weak monarch, under the guidance of an ambitious minister has been deprived of that power which has always been exercised for infamous purposes A general joy has pervaded the kingdom for the deliverance from a yoke which had become intolerable. This great event has been completed without any violent convulsion. It was an extraordinary circumstance that a family, originally obscure as that of Godoy, would have become possessed of such boundless power & immense riches, at a time when the Spanish nation oppressed with the expense of continual wars, reduced to the greatest extremities The sums accumulated by this single family would have been sufficient to fit out squadrons for the protection of their commerce, and would have saved the public credit, which since the commencement of the ministerial career of the prince of peace has been almost entirely destroyed. His power has far exceeded any ever possessed by the oldest grandees, he directed the proceedings of the army, and commanded the whole funds of the nation in his hands and in those of his associates the most absolute authority was invested. The grandees, the heads of the church, and even the presumptive heir to the crown trembled before a man who was destitute of patriotism and honor, and who owed his elevation to the most base intrigues, and his fortune to public spoliations. When the successes of France reduced Spain to the lowest verge, recourse was had by the king to a man who, to gratify his own purposes, would act as a sycophant and to satiate his ambition, would descend to the most degrading submissions.

Don Manuel Godoy in 1792 was a private soldier, and from that humble station he rose to the possession of greater power than were ever within the grasp of Richelieu or Mazarin in France. Like them. surrounded with guards, and more immense riches, he exercised an uncontrouled dominion. He was allied to the house of Bourbon by a marriage with a princess of that family, and after the commission of innumerable crimes, it is remarkable that he himself never made an attempt on the throne. The extravagance of this avaricious being was boundless, he made all the honors & dignities which were heaped upon him, the sources of extortion and plunder. Throughout the islands and the Spanish possessions in America, he had agents who put in operation his schemes of plunder. We are informed that contemplating to erect a palace suitable to his rank and taste, he had dispatched orders to the island of Cuba, to cut down the finest of the mahogany in those extensive forests He intended in the building of this palace to eclipse the glory of Solomon in the erection of the temple which has immortalized his name.

Don Manuel was certainly the secret enemy of the French nation, and of Napoleon. His reluctance in acceding to Bonaparte's views was manifested by the repugnance he displayed for the invasion of Portugal. The great commerce which Great Britain carried on with the Spanish continent, and with the colonies in America and the vast sums which the Prince of Peace had deposited in the Bank of England, plainly prove the accusation brought against him, of an intention to give up the Spanish fleet to the English, who by transporting the Spanish throne to America, would become possessed of the exclusive commerce of the two worlds.

Spain, which, under Philip II. was richer than all the rest of Europe, and was the terror of England, has been reduced by this ambitious minister, to the most degrading situation. They are cut off from communication with their colonies, and it is impossible for them to obtain their former usual supplies from the rich and valuable mines in South America.

The English papers have for a long time, been prophesying that a dreadful revolution was about to take place in Spain ; but they little suspected the result would have been as it has happened--England and France, both covet the valuable dominions of the Spaniards, and have exerted every policy to possess, or to profit by them.

If it is true that the Prince of Peace was attached to the interest of Great-Britain Bonaparte must have had notice of his designs, and his manœuvres demonstrate that he had intimation of his motives. The best of the Spanish troops, were sent into Poland, and are now operating against Sweden: another army was destined for Gibraltar, whilst numerous French troops have overrun the Spanish territory, under the pretence of invading Portugal. Their fleets at Cadiz and Ferrol, are all intermixed. These strokes of policy must have been intended for the purpose of keeping a strict observation upon their conduct, and to secure them in case of emergency.

The usual good fortune of Bonaparte appears, to have again accompanied him in his views upon Spain. If it had failed the consequences would have been of a serious nature to him. If he had been deprived of his naval force at Carthagena, which it appears has been joined with the Rochefort squadron, his Mediterranean expeditions would have failed : which occurrence would have made a considerable alteration in his affairs.

His views however have been crowned with success, and, no doubt, he will profit by the great change which has been effected.