used in a very cruel manner; that they are | believe, that the men, thus enlisted, mean thumb-screwed; that chains are put round to desert? What chance will they have their necks and their bodies; that they are of deserting? And where, I should be often chained with galley slaves; that they glad to know, will the thirty hide themhave nothing but bread to eat; that they are selves who have deserted in the heart of often without even straw to lie upon; and are France? But, the worst circumstance, put into dungeons full of water.—Had for the veracity of this writer, is, that the these facts come unaccompanied with any French are marching these men to Baysequel, I should not have believed them. onne; that is to say, to Spain, or to PortuThese are so glaringly false, that they gal, where they will find (if they find any could have been believed by nobody; body to fight with) an army of their own and, besides, they so directly contradict countrymen; and whither, in short, it what we know to be true with regard to the would seem, they are sent for the express treatment of our prisoners of war in Spain, purpose of affording them the means of that we would think they had been invent- deserting, if the fact be, that they are so ed for the purpose of throwing discredit much disposed to desert. Whatever may upon the channel through which they be the opinion of the writer, as to the were conveyed to the public. The sequel, views of these men, there can, I think, be however, the sad, the disgraceful sequel, no doubt, that those who have enlisted explains the whole at once. It not only them are not afraid of their deserting, or, shows the facts to be false, but also shows most assuredly, they would have marched the cause of their invention.This them in any direction, other than that of gentleman of the best means of informa- Spain or Portugal.I repeat my hope, "tion," and on whose statement we are to that the whole of this story is false, notplace" implicit reliance," says, that many withstanding the Morning Chronicle points of our countrymen, who were prisoners of it as worthy of the " implicit reliance" war in France, have entered into the French of the public. I hope it is false from the service; have actually became soldiers in beginning to the end; but, upon the supthe army of the CORSICAN!" And, the position of its being true, as to the fact of writer tells us, that he himself saw six enlistment, what a contrast does the conhundred of them already clothed and armed, duct of our prisoners of war present when passing through Meaux for Bayonne.- set beside that which is, by this same After we have read this our wonder ceases Morning Chronicle, of the very same date, at the account of the chains round the attributed to the Spanish prisoners of war.— neck and the dungeons full of water; for we The facts are thus stated: "We have resee that some such account was absolutely "ceived letters from Vigo to the date of necessary, for the purpose of palliating the "the 26th ult. By these it appears, that disgraceful and ominous fact of the enlist- "the peasantry of all the adjacent country ment of Englishmen under the banners of "is provided with pikes or fire arms, and Napoleon. We are told however, that "that the inhabitants are in the best disthey swore they would desert; that thirty of "position to support the public cause. A them had already deserted; that the writer "Gentleman, who has had the good fortune is sure they entered into the service with "to escape from the French, has just arno other view than that of running away; but "rived from Spain, and has favoured us that alas! he is afraid they will never suc- "with some interesting particulars. What ceed. Leaving the reader to settle the "he says with regard to the number of question of morality in this case, I will" French in the hospitals of Madrid preoffer a remark or two upon the probability "cisely corresponds with what was stated of what is here said as to the views of the" in a letter from that city which we inpersons thus said to have entered into the "serted in our Paper of Monday last. He French service. But, first, let me say, "informs us, that all the convents and that I greatly doubt the fact. My doubts" public buildings at the Spanish capital may arise from my wishes (for I must wish the fact to be false); but, as I do not believe one word about the alledged cruelty, so I do not believe that any part of our countrymen would be so base as thus to take up arms in the service of our enemy. Upon the supposition, however, that the fact be true, what are the grounds, whereon to

"are full of sick and wounded French

men, who are crowded into them to the "number of 18,000. An endeavour was "made by Joseph to raise a native regi"ment under his own banners from the pri"soners and others in the vicinity of Madrid; "and to facilitate this purpose, two or "three thousand of them were kept without

was contrary to the wishes of Napoleon? Nay, must not every one be well assured, that those Marshals knew, that their kind and generous conduct towards our countrymen would be agreeable to their master? And, is it not, then, very wrong to pretend to believe; to seem as if we be lieved, these stories, these utterly incredible stories, of the cruelties practised upon our countrymen, who are prisoners of war in France!I trust that these remarks will have some effect towards inducing the editors of papers to be more cautious how they give circulation to statements, arising evidently from the resentment of individuals, but calculated to produce, in so many ways, effects injurious to the country.

"food for upwards of two days, when they "were invited to partake of the Royal "bounty, and to enlist under the new King. In this feeble condition, from "the want of natural sustenance during so "long an interval, the Spaniards rejected "the proposal, with the exception of two "hundred, who entered the ranks. It is "said, that the attempt to raise Spanish "battalions in France has been yet more "unproductive. From 20,000 prisoners, "only about 50 Spaniards have been se"duced by ultimate threats and promises, "to enrol themselves in the French ser"vice."- -Here, then, if this account be true, only two hundred out of twenty thousand Spanish prisoners in France, have, by all the threats and promises, that the French have been able to make use of, been induced to join the armies of the enemy; while we are told, that, in one place, six hundred English prisoners are actually seen, clothed and armed, in the service of that enemy. This is a pretty contrast; a contrast to boast of, and just at this time too! -I am of opinion, as I said before, that the whole of the story is false; and, I think, the public will agree with me in thinking, that, to say the least of it, the falshood must haye a very mischievous effect. It is right particularly to deprecate any overstrained statement respecting the ill-usage of our prisoners of war at a time when the French have so many of them at their mercy. We, who are at home in safety, should be very careful how we say any thing, that may tend to render more.severe the lot of those of our countrymen, who have hazarded their lives in war, and whose captivity is, in itself, no bad proof of their having been distinguished for their bravery.I have heard from several persons, serving in our unfortunate army in Spain, a full confirmation of the facts stated by Baron Douro as to the good and kind treatment of our people left at "There is a most singular story in the Talavera. Of these facts, therefore, we political circles which merits publicity. cannot doubt. These facts we know to be "It is perfectly well known, that both true. Why, then, are we to listen to ano-" Mr. Canning and Mr. Perceval sent disnymous reports, respecting the treatment" patches to Lord Wellesley, informing of English prisoners in France?It has "him of the convulsion that had broken been said, that we are indebted to Mar-" up the late Administration; and of shals Mortier and Victor for the kind "the ascendancy gained by Mr, Perceval treatment of the prisoners at Talavera, and "of the offer that had been made by not to the Emperor Napoleon; but, does "him to Lord Grenville and Lord Greythe reader believe, can any man of com-" of their rejection-and also containing mon sense believe, that those Marshals" the offer, by Mr. Perceval, of the Fowould hao novedtowards our prisoners, if "reign Office to the Noble Marquis. We they had hected, or had had the small- "understand, that by some accident, est reason to suspect, that their so acting" which remains yet to be explained, Mr.

CHANGE OF MINISTRY.In my article, upon this subject, published last week, I commented upon a paragraph in the Morning Chronicle, and put some ques‣ tions directly to MR. PERRY, the proprietor of that paper. These questions he has, in his paper of the 21st instant, noticed, but not answered. As it were, however, by way of compensation for this omission, he has commented, with no little severity, upon my conduct in the present instance, and, indeed, upon my political motives and conduct in general. Before I set about an answer to these comments I shall introduce an article or two from the same print, upon the subject of the proposed change of ministry. I do it for this reason. MR. PERRY will be found to accuse me of a desire to cure the evils of the country by rebuilding, by which he means, that I would first pull down. By these extracts I shall shew what sort of building he thinks we have to deal with, and whether his wishes are for pulling down or for repairing. The first extract relates to the alledged conduct of Lord Wellesley, and, if true, most curious facts it contains.

Canning's dispatch did not reach the "thrown away upon the Junta, but assisted "Noble Lord; but Mr. Perceval's was faith" by other causes, they have kindled a fully delivered to him. He had, there- " flame among the people, of which, it is fore, only Mr. Perceval's statement of" difficult to say who will be the victims, "the cabal before him, but which of course "or what the duration or the extent. A " came corroborated by the testimony of "sterm is gathering in that quarter, which "Mr. Wellesley Pole, who had accepted "our Lord Wellesley has no disposition to "the place of Irish Secretary under the "encounter. Political courage is not, " on "new firm. Whether the Noble Marquis "this side of the Cape at least," in the thought, however, that further informa- "number of his virtues. We all re"tion was necessary that the aspect of "member the time when his fears, not things might change even before his "bis friendship, kept him from the highest "letter could arrive in England-that situation but one of the government. "Mr. Perceval's footing was not sure-or "With characters like his, the present "what other presentiment struck him" danger is always the most alarming, and "we cannot say; but we understand he "therefore we were not surprised to hear, "confined himself in his answer to all "that he had so readily acquiesced in the "his friends, except one, to a simple de- "first proposals of Mr. Perceval. But he, "claration, that he had no engagement "who shrinks from popular commotions "with Mr. Canning that could preclude" at Seville, will seek in vain for courage "him from accepting a responsible situa- " in England, to face, day after day, in a tion in the Cabinet with Mr. Perce-" popular assembly, an eloquent, an in"val and Lord Liverpool; but said, that he "dignant, an injured opponent. That the "had inclosed his determination at length," possession of the Treasury might inspire "as to the specific offer made to him," that confidence we will not deny; and "in a letter addressed to his friend Mr. "we have no doubt in asserting, and MinisSydenham, who would of course make "ters know it to be the case, that he accept"it known. Accordingly, there is a "ed their overtures in the belief, that this large packet, duly scaled by the Noble splendid prize was included in their offer. "Lord's splendid seal of arms, addressed Impatient to get away from Seville, he to Mr. Sydenham, still lying in the "instantly announced his intention of "Secretary of State's Office un-opened," returning, but before he had begun his "Mr. Sydenham having been dispatched" journey the news of Lord Grenville and on a special mission to Seville, before "Lord Grey being sent for arrived most "this important packet arrived in Eng- "inopportunely, to suspend his purpose, "land! This has given rise to observa- "and detain him there, like Prince Vol"tions of the most lively kind; as it is "scius, in the Rehearsal, with one boot "facetiously conjectured that the packet "on and another off, uncertain what course "may contain more than one letter."- "to resolve upon. What will be his deThis is pretty well, I think.- -It having "cision when Mr. Sydenham assures him been found, that Lord Wellesley was "that negociation is at an end, but that Mr. willing to join the ministry, the Morning" Perceval means to keep the Treasury to himChronicle appears to have thought less "self, the appearance of things at Seville reserve necessary towards him; and, ac- "will probably determine. If a Governcordingly, on the 15th instant, it boldly"ment is likely to be established there, speaks out thus:" Never was failure "which he can hope to direct, he will more complete than Lord Wellesley's prefer a Pro-Consular sway in the Court "in Spain. He has not succeeded in a "of a dependant Ally, to an inferior, "single object of his mission. He has "subordinate, or inactive situation at "neither expelled the French, nor reform- "home. But, if the Junta are obstinate, "ed the Junta; neither united the people," and the populace riotous, he will obey "nor conciliated the government. "Mr. Perceval'scall, and if refused the first "loitered in England, till it was too late to "place in Administration on his return, "check the rashness or assist the valour " he will probably retire to the obscurity "of his brother; and he has found at Se- "from which he so lately emerged, and "ville, that Spaniards are neither dazzled "seek in the shade of private life "by the splendor of an Asiatic retinue," consolation for the disappointments of "nor overpowered with the exuberance of "an Oriental style. His exhortations, his "remonstrances, his menaces, have been

He

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"ambition. To those who recollect Lord "Mornington at the Treasury Board, reciting his annual oration by Mr. Pitt's

66 a

"Richard Wharton, or Warton, another "broken down Barrister, only known by his "attempts at raising the cry of Jacobi "nism last year, and only recommended by that illustrious nobleman Lord Lons"dale. We have long heard that his Lordship is supposed to have the patron "age of one Cabinet Place, if not twothe giving away of it-the appointment "of Lord Mulgrave-the nomination to "the supreme direction of Naval Affairs. "This has been long talked of; and it "now appears, that beside various lesser

"

things, Lord Lonsdale is also complimented "with a Secretaryship of the Treasury. It "is also suspected that he has insisted upon the appointment of his Attorney, "Sir James Graham, of Lincoln's Inn, as "Chairman of the Ways and Means.→ "Nor can there be a doubt, that if he asks "it, Ministers must give it. It may in"deed be expected, that when briefless "Barristers fill the higher stations, from the absolute impossibility of inducing any other men to take them under such a Ministry, the next Places should fall to "the lot of worn-out Attornies. Whether "all this Lowther patronage may suit the "House of Commons as well as it does "Mr. Perceval, and the Noble Lord in question, we presume not to anticipate "but this we will assert that no ex

"permission, and condemned to silence for "the remainder of the Session, it must " appear a strange caprice of fortune, that "could have elevated Lord Wellesley to be "the hope and prop of an Administration." "But such is the fallen state to which the "crooked policy of half a century has degraded "the once free and respectable Government of "England. A troop of hungry Barristers, "who have got possession of the lucrative "Offices of State, have need of an Actor "to personate the character of a States"man; and as none can be found in the "metropolis to accept their offers, they "are forced to have recourse to provincial "Theatres for some one to complete their "Company. But they who look to Lord Wellesley for active support in danger, "or for extraordinary resources in coun"sel, have widely mistaken his character " and means. A giant and hero among the "Hindoos, he quitted Lilliput for Brobdignag when he returned to Europe." What! Mr. Perry, has there, then," been crooked policy in this government for half a century? Is the " once-free and "respectable government of England degraded"? Are we now ruled by "troop of hungry lawyers?" Is all this true? And, if it be all true, what sort of a thing have we got over us, called a Government? But, whether true or not true, I defy you to shew, that I have ever spoken of the government in this way. No: to take such liberties is a privilege peculiar to you men of party, who all understand one another, and who are known to mean no harm to the good old common cause of place and pension.-Put, let us take one more article. Let us hear your description of those, who now govern us; of those who have the management of our internal concerns, and who are to defend us against all the mighty means and mightier genius of our enemy. "Next to "the mismanagement of public affairs," not the Country be told, that it is a mat"the distribution of Places to incapable "men, forms the most conspicuous part of "the conduct of the present wretched Ministry. The appointment of Mr. "Croker to the Admiralty has attracted "universal notice, and Lord Palmerston, "as Secretary at War, and some say, a "Member of the Cabinet, (though this we "cannot believe) almost surpasses Mr. Cro"ker. But that both these eminent States"men might be kept in countenance we "now have Mr. Huskisson's office, one of "the most difficult, delicate, and import"ant under Government, confided to Mister

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pedient ever was devised more surely "calculated to bring Government into "universal contempt more admirably 'fitted to alienate the people from their "Rulers, than this shameless distribution "of the highest Offices in the State. In "God's name, let Lord Palmerston go "stand for one of the vacancies now con"tested at Cambridge-and let Lord Lons"dale and his Mulgraves, his Wards, his "Whartons, his Grahams, his Sons, his "Servants, &c. be provided for out of his "100,000l. a year in the North—but let

"ter of perfect indifference who is Se"cretary at War, or Secretary of the "Treasury, or First Lord of the Admi "ralty for this is the practical lesson "taught by those scandalous appoint"ments. Among a thousand other evils, "this obvious one arises from it-that "it degrades the stations in question. "What man fit to serve his Country, can step into the Offices just held by such "persons as the Lord Palmerston and "the Sieur Wharton, without reluctance,

without feeling that the Place has been "rendered unfit for him ?Thus, then,

Mr. Perry asserts, or he obviously in-nistry; that is to say, the turning of tends his readers should believe that we these people out and the putting of the are now under the rule of broken down late ministry in their place. This, as he Barristers and worn out Attornies; that says, would be for the good of the nation,' Lord Lonsdale in consequence of his bo- and, indeed, according to him, such rough-power, has the patronage, the change is absolutely necessary for the actual giving away, of a place in the cabinet, preventing of this country from falling. that is to say, that he has, in fact, the ap- into a state of utter ruin.-I, in my pointment of one of those few servants last Number (page 750) combatted these (not above ten or eleven in number) to opinions. I asserted, and, I think, pretty when the king entrusts the conducting clearly proved, that, unless the out-fac of the great affairs of the nation, and who, tion would do certain things, their coming as it is well known, sit in council with the into place could produce no good to the king himself.- This Mr. Perry tells his nation. Referring the reader now to readers; and, after that, I should not the article itself, I shall, without further have expected him to find fault of any preface, insert the comments of Mr. Perone, as wishing to go too far; for, I am ry, which, as the reader will perceive, quite at a loss to know, how it is pos- may be, without any great hazard of missible for any man to go farther in his take, regarded as containing the sentiideas of the degradation of the governments of the what is called the Whig part ment.We now come to the article, of the outs. "It is the invariable fortune wherein Mr. Perry comments upon my "of The Morning Chronicle to be perseconduct and views, which article professes "cuted, with equal bitterness of hostility, to be an answer to mine of last week, on "by Mr. Cobbett on the one hand, for the subject of a change of ministry. We "not going far enough, and by The Courier, shall presently see what sort of answer "for going too far. Mr. Cobbett, in his this is; and whether it be worthy of the name of answer; but, before I insert it I must observe, that if my article was worth so pointed and so long a commentary, on the part of Mr. Perry, it was worth inserting in the same paper along with the commentary, and if it had been so inserted, Mr. Perry's readers would have been able to judge between him and me. But, this practice of laying before your reader all your adversary has to say, is what I never saw followed by any one but myself. It is, however, what fairness demands; and, indeed, it is what bare truth demands, especially if, as was the case in this instance, the insertion be attended with no possible inconvenience. Mr. Perry had more columns, than were necessary for this purpose, filled with matter very uninteresting. He allows that this subject is of great import

ance.

paper of Saturday last, puts forth ten questions which we are called upon to "answer seriatim; and The Courier charges "us, point blank, with rank and confirmed "Jacobinism, because we have ventured to "oppose the unprecedented and (as we

think) flagitious attack on the people by "the monopolists of the Theatre.-We are prepared to answer both our adversa"ries. We cannot conceive a more ef"fectual mode of supporting any Admi "nistration, however feeble, corrupt, or "hostile to the rights and interests of Englishmen, than the course which Mr. "Cobbett pursues. He does not attempt, "like the Courier, to palliate the miscon"duct of the men who are content to oc

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cupy the seats, without possessing the power of Government; but he sets up an "irrational cry, that their opponents are equally bad, equally corrupt, and equalHe seems to be fully persuaded of ly inimical to their country. There is the necessity of combatting what I have nothing, to be sure, more easy, nor written upon it. But, does he think, that the "more summary, than this course of proway to succeed in this, is to comment upon ceeding. It saves all reasoning, prewhat he will not, if he can help it, suffer "vents all discussion, and if it does not his readers to see? The reader will satisfy the inquisitive, the discerning, bear in mind, that ever since the pistolling and the impartial part of mankind, im; affair, and the consequent confusion and poses on the ignorant and the idle, while chopping and intriguing and plotting" it gratifies the unprincipled; for there amongst the people in power, Mr. Perry has with all his powers of statement and of reasoning (and they are not small,) been recommending a change of mi

"is a malignant feeling which makes "the guilty receive with complacency "the foulest imputations upon those who "disdain their fellowship. We can