teristic intrepidity.-God preserve your PROCLAMATION OF THE JUNTA, dated Royal Alcazar of Seville, Nov. 21, 1809. cent victim, and drag him to his cavern. Such perfidy is unknown to civilized nations, and scarcely practised among the most barbarous. The Sovereign we idolize is condemned to groan in solitude, surhis sufferings, he can only silen ly implore rounded by guards and spies. Amidst the valour of his beloved Spaniards for liberty or vengeance-There can be no peace while these things subsist. That Spain may be free, is the universal wish of the nation. That Spain may be free, or that it may become an immense desart, one vast sepulchre, where the accumulated carcasses of French and Spaniards shall exhibit to future ages our glory and their ignominy. But this wretched fate is not to be feared by brave men. Victory, sooner or later, must be the reward of fortitude and constancy. What but these defended the small republics of Greece from the barbarous invasion of Xerxes? What protected the capitol when assailed by the Gauls? What preserved it from the arms of Hannibal? What in more modern times rescued the Swiss from German tyranny, and gave independence to Holland? What, in fine, inspires at present the Tyrolese with such heroic resolution, that, though surrounded on every side by enemies, and abandoned by their protectors, they take refuge in their rocks, and on the summits of their mountains, and hurl defiance and defeat on the battalions of the conqueror of Dantzi. The God of arnies, for whom we suffer, will give us success, and conduct us through all the dangers that surround us to the throne of independence. Spaniards!--Our enemies announce, as positively certain, a peace in Germany, and the circumstances which accompany this notice give it a character of truth which leaves little room for doubt. They already threaten us with the powerful reinforcements which they suppose to be marching to complete our ruin; already, probably elated with the favourable aspect which their affairs in the North have assumed, they insolently exhort us to submit to the clemency of the Conqueror, and tamely bow our necks to the yoke.No, servants of Buonaparté ! [the Address afterwards continues,] placed as we are by your baseness, between ignominy and death, what choice would you wish a brave nation to make, but to defend itself to the last extremity? Continue to rob, murder, and destroy, as you have done for these twenty months past; increase that incessantly eternal hatred and thirst for vengeance which we must ever feel towards you. Shall we fall at the feet of the crowned slave whom Buonaparté has sent us for a King, because he burns our temples, distributes our virgins and matrons among his odious satellites, and sends our youth as a tribute to the French Minotaur ! -Think not, Spaniards, that the Junta addresses you thus to excite your valour by the arts of language-What occasion is-Spaniards, the Junta announces this to there for words, when things speak so you frankly, that you may not for a moplainly for themselves? Your houses are ment be ignorant of the danger which demolished, your temples polluted, your threatens your country; it announes it to fields ravaged, your families dispersed, or you, with confidence that you will shew hurried to the grave.-Shall we consent your eves worthy of the cause which you to the total destruction of our holy religion defend, and of the admiration of the uni in which we were born, and which we verse.e-[The Address goes on to exhort have so solemnly sworn to preserve? Our the Spanish nation to submit to every pricountry is laid waste, and we are insulted, vation, and ke every sacrifice to save and treated as a vile herd of cattle, which the State.] When the storm rages, the are bought and sold, and slaughtered when most valuable treasures must be thrown our master pleases. Remember, Spaniards, nto the sea to save the vessel from sink.ng. the vile and treacherous manner in which-Perish thean whose sfishness can this Usurper tore from us our King. He called himself his ally, his protector, his friend; he pretended to give him the kiss of peace, but his embraces are the folds of the serpent, which twine round the inno render him wanting in his duty, or induce (To be continued.) LONDON:-Printed by T. C. HANSARD, Peterborough - Court, Fleet Street; Published by R. BAGSHAW, Brydges-Street, Covent Garden :-Suld also by J. BUD, Pall-Mall. C 1 COBBETT'S WEEKLY POLITICAL REGISTER. VOL. XVI. No. 26.] LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1809. [Price is. "It cannot be imagined, that any bill from hence will ever destroy the legislative power. Therefore, "there being no need of this proviso, pray lay it aside.”. -SIR CHRISTOPHER MUSGRAVE's Speech upou "the Bill for establishing the Coronation Oath. See Parl. History, Vol. V. p. 208. 993] -[994 SUMMARY OF POLITICS. consequences of never-ending (I do not mean never-dying) speeches and pamphlets: CATHOLIC CLAIMS.- -I am now at the from these causes, discussions upon the close of the eighth year of the continuation Claims of the Catholics have grown into of this Work. Many are the subjects such a length, have assumed a form so which have been discussed in it; but, hugely voluminous, that the very bulk of I can safely say, that no subject, in them is enough to fill with despair the the discussing of which I have taken heart of any reader not endowed with more a part, has ever excited so general and courage than generally falls to the lot of deep an interest, as appears to have man. -Such being my opinion, I shall been excited by the subject of Catholic not, upon this subject of Catholic Claims, Ciaims, as placed before the eyes of my insert, come whence it will, any thing of readers in the Number of the 9th of this considerable length, persons, who have a month, page 865.--TRUTH has two great taste for overlaying matter, having already and frequently mortal enemies; 1st, the an ample supply in the dozens of volumes, power of punishing men for speaking or writing which, at less than half-price, the bookwhat is true; 2nd, the using of a multitude sellers of London and Westminster will be of words. By the first she is caught by the glad to part with. Indeed, I should not throat, and strangled; by the second she think it necessary to say one more word is overlaid. The causes of her suffering upon the subject, except in the way of reare somewhat different; but the effect, in publication. I am firmly convinced, that it both cases, is precisely the same. How is impossible for any advocate of Nomany, how many many scores, are the in- Popery to make any answer, worthy of a stances, wherein I have observed the ene- moment's attention, to the article abovemies of truth, when, from the nature of mentioned, published in the Register of circumstances, they have found themselves the 9th instant. But, two or three of my unable to succeed by the way of strangle, correspondents express a wish to hear have resorted, and with complete success, something upon the Coronation Oath, as to the not-less-effectual mode of overlay-connected with the Catholic Claims. Good ing!In no instance, however, do I recollect truth to have suffered more, from this latter mode of attack, than in the instance of the Catholic Claims; and, as is frequently the case, the attack has been, on the part of her friends, not a bit less for-ble that many persons may entertain some midable than on the part of her enemies. doubts upon the subject; as the words of The cause of the Catholics was so good, this Oath are in the possession of so comthe reasoning, necessary to maintain it, lay paratively small number of persons; and, in so small a compass, and was so well especially as I recollect, that, in the year supported by undeniable facts, that its ad- 1801, I myself, taking upon trust what I vocates need only have made a short and heard from others, sincerely believed, that plain statement of the case, and, in answer to a compliance with the wishes of the Cathothe long-winded and bewildering speeches lies would amount to a violation of this and publications of their opponents, have Oath, I will here endeavour to place the merely repeated that statement. But, from matter in so clear a light, that the most the prevalence of the fashion of much-crafty shall not, with respect to it, have it speaking; from the vulgar notion, that great talent consists in the facility of pouring out, at will, a multitude of words; and, from want of due reflection upon the God! That Oath has no more to do with those Claims than it has to do with Mr. Bagshaw's claim upon any of his customers for the amount of the Register that I am now writing. Nevertheless, as it is possi any longer in their power to impose upon the most ignorant or most unwary. -Before we go any further, it may not, with a view to perspicuity, be amiss for us to re 9951 As together with the rest of the Act of Parlia- "Queens thereof have taken a solemn state the question; for, however contrary extent. sions, with relation to ancient Laws and "Constitutions at this Time unknown:" To the end therefore that one uniform Oath may be in all Times to come taken by the Kings and Queens of this Realm, and to them respectively administered at the Times of their and every of their Coronation; may it please your Majesties that it may be enacted;ÎI. And be it enacted by the King's and Queen's most Excellent Majesties, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the Oath herein mentioned, and hereafter expressed, shail and may be administered to their most Excellent Majesties King William and Queen Mary, (whom God long preserve), at the Time of their Coronation, in the presence of all Persons that shall be then and there present at the solemnizing thereof, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Archbishop of York, or either of them, or any other Bishop of this Realm, whom the King's Majesty shall thereunto appoint, and who shall be hereby thereunto respectively authorized; which Oath followeth, and shall be administered in this Manner, that is to say, The Archbishop or Bishop shall sey, "III. Will you solemnly promise and "swear to govern the People of this King"dom of England, and the Dominions "thereto belonging, according to the Sta"tutes in Parliament agreed on, and the "Laws and Customs of the same?" The King and Queen shall say, I solemnly promise so to do." Archbishop or Bishop." Will you to your Power cause Law and Justice, in After this, the King and Queen laying his and her Hand upon the Holy Gospels, shall say, "The things which I have here before " promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God." Then the King and Queen shall kiss the book. IV. And be it further enacted, That the said Oath shall be in like Manner administered to every King or Queen, who shall succeed to the Imperial Crown of this Roam, at their respective Coronations, by one of the Archbishops or Bishops of this Realm of England, for the Time being, to be thereunto appointed by such King or Queen respectively, and in the presence of all Persons that shall be attending, assisting, or otherwise present at such their respective Coronations, any Law, Statute, or Usage, to the contrary notwithstanding. the established Church? To each of these questions common sense gives, without a moment's liesitation, a decided negative. On what, then, is it, that political craft and intrigue have founded this pretended charge of attempting to entrap the conscience of the king and to induce him to violate his coronation oath? Why, it is this; that the king has sworn to maintain the protestant religion, as by law established; that these last words meant the law's then stood; and that, if he assent to any law altering the situation of the Catholes, such assent will be a violation of his oap.---But, in 1793, the king gave his assent to an act, authorizing him to grant commissions to Roman Catholics in the Irish army, and, in 1804, he gave his assent to an act, authorizing him to grant commissions, to any exent, in any part of his army, though serving in this country, to Roman Carolic foreigners. Where, let me ask, was his conscience then, if to assent to the measure proposed by Lord Howick, be now to violate his oath ?There is, however, in this interpretation of the oath, something so shockingly impudent, that I cannot dismiss it without further exposure. In the first part of the oath, the king swears to govern the people of this coun try," according to the statutes in parliament "agreed on, and the laws and customs of the "land." Now, when the king was crowned, no Englishman had ever yet dreamed of a law to take from him, in one direct tax, a tenth part of the whole of his income, by the authority of commissioners appointed by the ministry, and without leaving him, in case of over charge, any. Now, reader, do you see any thing here appeal to a JURY, though Magna Charta that forbids the king to give his assent to and the laws and usages of the land forany measure whatever tending to relax the bade that any man should have his pro laws against Roman Catholics, and espe- perty, or any portion of it, taken from cially a measure, which had in conten- him without the benefit of such appeal. plation merely to open to them the door Yet, whatever else we may think of this of military and naval promotion? On what measure, no one ever was so absurd, as to sentence, on what phrase, on what word, say, that, in giving his assent to it, the is it that craft can affect to found such an king violated his coronation cath.When interpretation Did the proposed mea- the king was crowned "the Statutes in sure tend to cause the king to govern the "Parliament agreed on" declared, that no people contrary to the statutes in parlia- person, born out of the kingdoms of Engment agreed on and the laws and customs" land, Scotland, and Ireland, or the domiof the land?-Did it tend to induce the "nions thereunto belonging (although he king not to cause law and justice, in "be naturalized or made a denizen, except mercy, to be executed in his judgments? "such as are born of English parents) "shall be capable to be a privy counsel Did it tend to induce him not to maintain the protestant religion as established by law?-Did it strike at any right or privilege, which, by law, did or o, belong to the Bishops and Clergy of lor, or a member of either House of Par"liament, or to enjoy any office or place of "trust, either civil or military." But, do we not now see foreigners, numerous fo reigners, in offices of trust, especially, of the bigotted and tyrannical James II. military; and, indeed, do we not see a But, notwithstanding these circumstances, German general upon the Staff in England, our grandfathers would not suffer those commanding a district of England, and hav- Dutchmen, or any part of them, to remain ing under his command English generals? in arms in England; and the king never Nay, we have, in arms and command, had peace or rest, until he had sent them even in the bosom of our country, numerous away.- -Upon almost all other subjects foreign officers in places of great military I have found some one correspondent, at trust. The law now, the law since a few least, to differ from me in opinion; but, years past, allows of this, I am aware; upon this subject of foreign troops, I have but, observe, the king gave his assent to never found any one, either under a real this law, and, no one, however he might or a feigned name, to differ from me. detest the measure, ever thought of re- Yet, having digressed, I will trespass a garding that assent as a violation of the little further, especially as this matter is king's coronation oath. Again, and to very closely connected with that of the come, if possible, still more closely to the dangers to Ireland. We have in this kingpoint, "the Statutes in Parliament agreed dom, at this time, a number of foreign "on," did, at the time when the king was troops equal, I believe, to that of the whole crowned, nay they do now, prohibit any peace establishment in the reign of the one from holding any place of trust, civil late king. We maintain, in fact, an army or military, unless he take the sacrament of foreigners; The "German Legion," as according to the rites and ceremonies of it is called, consists of horse, foot, artillery, the Church of England. Yet are places and engineers. The several corps of this of trust, both civil and military, daily filled army have, each of them, its foreign comby persons who never take this test, and mander. We have, as I before observed, to screen whom from punishment a bill of seen a district of England, that is to say, indemnity is annually passed; the king several counties of England, under the miligives his assent every year, and, of course, tary command of a foreign general, which has given it forty-nine times, to a bill the district is, I believe, still under his comuse, and the sole use, of which, is to screen mand. Now, let us consider in what a from penalties those who violated a statute, situation we stand, supposing the country which was not only in existence when he to be INVADED. What are the specimens was crowned, but which is still in existence, which we have had of the bravery of this and which was made for the purpose of se- German Legion shall, hereafter, be a subcuring the predominance of the "Protes-ject of remark, upon some occasion when "tant religion as by law established." it may be proper to give an account of Yet, no one, that I have ever heard of, what passed at the battle of Talavera. But, has, at any time, pretended, that the king, as to the question of fidelity, ought not the by giving such assent, violated his coronation king's advisers, in as well as out of parliaoath.- Hundreds of instances might be ment, to reflect long and seriously? The cited; but, there certainly is no one so whole of the history of the wars upon the striking as that relative to the employ continent, for the last seventeen years, ment of foreign troops, in England, and the abounds with instances of battles lost, of giving of high military commands to foreign towns and provinces subdued, through the officers. Good God! If our grandfathers want of fidelity in the troops of the vancould look out of their graves, what would quished; and, I appeal to the reader's they say to us? If there be any subject, bare memory for the numerous instances, upon which more than upon any other, in which such want of fidelity has apthey were anxious to leave to posterity a peared amongst troops who were not clearly expressed opinion, it is the sub-natives of the soil they were employed to ject of a standing army; and, as to a standing army of foreigners, kept up in England, what they would have said to that any one may gather from their speeches against the handful of Dutchmen, who came over with William III. King William was a great favourite; the nation called him their deliverer; these Dutch soldiers had come over with him, and had, of course, assisted the nation in shaking off the yoke defend; nay, are we not daily told of the desertion of the Poles and Swiss and Germans from the ranks even of Buonaparté, where there is such a harvest of plander continually going on? And, what assurance have WE that foreigners, employed to defend England or Ireland, would be faithful? They might possibly be faithful; but, in so serious a concern, ought we to leave any thing doubtful? It wiH be, and, |