Richmond Enquirer

RICHMOND, MAY 27, 1823.

EUROPEAN NEWS

FRANCE—SPAIN:

The die is cast, and the French troops have crossed the Bidassoa, to force an independent nation to recognize the throne as the source of all legitimate power. What is there in all the reviled measures of Napoleon—even his own invasion of Spain in 1807—that can be compared to the nefarious principle of the present contest?

The French troops have entered Spain, but they march slowly and warily enough. The snail-like movements of the Duke d'Angoulême are a perfect burlesque upon Napoleon's eagle rapidity. The telegraphic despatches and the scene of the annunciation in the Chambers, are a ridiculous caricature upon the former bulletins. The praises that are lavished upon the dispersion of one or two hundred mongrel and unarmed Frenchmen at the Bidassoa—the idle distribution of honours for a skirmish at St. Sebastian's—the silly parade of Vive Le Roi! and Vivent les Bourbons! are the most striking proofs of the apprehension of the government of the disaffection prevailing among the troops. Ministers indeed do not scruple to avow their fears. 'Attempts (says the Viscount Digeon in the Chamber of Deputies) have continued to be made to corrupt our soldiers up to the very moment when they were called upon to give proofs of their fidelity.' 'They have worthily replied, as the King and France expected of them'—that is, by two small skirmishes and a few Vives. Can such troops be hearty in the cause? Can they conquer? If once discomfited, will they not turn like the Elephants of an Eastern army, upon their own employers?—Great confusion appears also to exist in the war department—The Duke d'Angoulême and the Minister at war to be directly at points.

St. Sebastian's and Pampeluna had not been taken. The garrison of the former had exhibited great bravery—and the Governor's Reply, the most happy naiveté. Pampeluna was not yet invested. The last authentic calculation was that the Duke of Reggio (Oudinot) would be at Vittoria on the 15th April, and the Duke d'Angoulême on the 17th—From the Bidassoa to Vittoria, about 80 leagues; 10 days journey for the Royal Duke! on the supposition too that he takes St. Sebastian's, or leaves this important post untaken in his rear!—five leagues from Mondragon, where we meet the steep ascent of Salinas, so difficult and dangerous. It is stated that the three detachments of the French army will unite on the banks of the Ebro, and then push on to the capital. The force of the army of the Pyrenees is about sixty thousand. (Maneey has twenty one thousand to act against Mina in Catalonia) If the French march to the capital in safety, Spain is not yet subdued. Then begins the war of the Guerillas, with all its terrors. The Spaniards seem too to be more united than we expected. The army of the Faith has received many severe blows. In truth, present appearances encourage the hope of a vigorous opposition, a protracted contest, and a successful issue.

The Postscript to Bell's W. Messenger of the 22d April would be vastly important, if it were authentic; but the papers of the 22d lend it no support. G. Britain has spared no pains to neutralize Russia. If notwithstanding, Russia should march her troops to the aid of France, with a severe reprimand to G. Britain for the liberal, anti-legitimate principles she has supported, will G. B. quietly submit to such an interference of the modern Scythians? or will the French people again submit to have their fields profaned by their footsteps?—Some of the papers contend that Russia has not the means to transport 100,000 troops to Spain—she has no coin; and only irredeemable paper money.—The papers before us shed not light enough upon the arrangements at Verona in this respect. From the documents laid before Parliament, it appears that France sought to sound the dispositions of the Holy Allies, in case of her invading Spain. They very readily consented to withdraw their ministers from Madrid,—and promised to give her every countenance and assistance she should require: 'the cause for such assistance and the period and mode of giving it, being reserved, to be specified in a treaty.' To a question put by Lord Holland in the H. of Peers on the 17th April, Lord Liverpool declared 'that there was no treaty by which Russia was bound to provide military force for France.' But such an arrangement is easily made, if the French troops should be foiled in Spain.

Great Britain solemnly disclaimed at Verona any participation in the invasion of Spain—refused to withdraw her minister from Madrid—offered her mediation at Paris, which was promptly refused by M. de Montmorency with a distant hint that it was no business of Great Britain :—and for the present, firmly avows the strictest neutrality. The Speech of Mr. Canning on the 14th April, develops his views—he avers that 'the promise of actual and efficient support to Spain, this country was not prepared to give.'—On the 16th, he opposed in a very animated Speech the repeal of the Foreign Enlistment bill, which prevents British soldiers from joining in the war, or Spanish privateers being fitted out in British ports—the whole burthen of his Speech was the strictest neutrality—the not taking any step at all which might seem to lean to the side of Spain, though his best wishes were with her, and all his British principles were strongly opposed to the measures of France. The proposition was lost by 216 to 106. At present, there seems little chance of any departure from this policy. Lord Grey, Mr. Baring and some other distinguished members have criticised in severe terms the course which Great Britain has pursued in her diplomacy at Verona and Paris—not hesitating to declare that the interests and honor of their country have been sacrificed in an unprecedented degree—but none of the leaders of the opposition yet avow their disposition to engage in the war. Some of them voted for the Repeal of the Enlistment bill. But they contended that a repeal could not be considered by the laws of nations as any departure from the strictest neutrality.

We have then arrived at a most important epoch—the most important as it may affect the rights of man or the usurpations of Kings, that has occurred for 30 years. Every ship may waft us great tidings. Upon the exertions of Spain at this moment depend the liberties of millions of people.

* The French called upon him in the name of his King to deliver them the keys of the town—the Governor in reply, naively said, that he would most willingly deliver them, as soon as they produced a written order from his King.