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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Vthcn we consider the length of time that the enemy has been in the country , and the little that has been done by the Junta in its defence , we are lost in amazement at the apparent infatuation of its conduct ; but we are far from the seat of action , and know not all the
secret springs by whicri -it was guided . It is sufficient to observe , that they have fled from Seville , -whose inhabitants formed a new Junta of their own ; but the enemy was employed in a very different manner , and directing his powerful resources to higher purposes . ¦ ¦ '* ¦ ¦ *
Between Madrid and Seville is a range of lofty mountains , forming- a natural barrier for Andalusia . As long as the French were to the north of these mountains the J unta of Seville slept in security , and enjoyed in tranquillity its fancied dominion over the southern part of Spain . The passes in these mountains were guarded by its soldiers ; and they were deemed to be so well fortified , that
no apprehension was entertained of an attack , and much less that the attack should be successful . The Gallo-spanish king seemed to be at rest in his capital of Madrid , expecting reinforcements
from France , -and the appearance of his imperial brother to give stability to his throrte * The escape of the English out of Spain alter the battle of Talavera , and some victories over the Spaniards seemed to have contented him . He
was under no dread of the return of the former , whom he left to enjoy a little respite in Portugal ; and as to the latter they had no plan of attack , and he was under no concern lest they should interrupt his measures . But the French are
not an idle , duatory people . They were at the time meditating a great attack , and , it js probable , that as the fresh troops entered Spain , the advanced bodies marched into the interior , and gave the king a formidable arm y near his capital .
The time was now come for his aN tack upon the south of Spain . By one of those plans , which have distinguished the operations of the French in their late wars , they made at the same time their attacks on every pass in the moun ^ tains . These formidable barriers , these
insurmpuntabLe obstacles , these weilguarjdecl ramparts , are every where carried . The Spanish troops are put to the rout , and jlee away in the utmost disorder . The French advance into the plains of . Andalusia , spreading terror in
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every direction . Resistance Is m Tain and in fact there is no where an armed force to meet them in- the field . A large body of the Spaniards have retreated to Cadis , and the' last hopes of Spain are in the defence of that city . The French have probably by this time invested it , and from the Pyrenees to this city , the
direct road is filled with troops , prepared to repress any insurrection that may take place . The Spaniards , without any Junta , without any command * ing head , are left to their own re ~ sources , and it is scarcely credible that they should be able in any of their provinces to bring a regular army into the field to meet their opponents .
Cadiz is capable of sustaining a long siege . " Open to the sea it is in no dan ger of being compelled by famine to a surrender . A large body of troops is within its walls , and its population is numerous . The Spanish navy , which was in the harbour , is placed in security . The -works are every where pat ¦
into a state of defence ; the people 3 j # 5 roused to energy , and every thing portends a vigorous resistance . But the enemy is also vigorous , well acquainted with all the resources of war , and haying now a fertile country at his command , and being ardent with the hopes of speedily overcoming this last obstacle to his desires . The circumstance -of the sea
being opert to the escape of the inhabitants is beneficial to him . He may hope that many wrill avail themselves of tr ^ i ^ advantage , and carry with them their fortune to the shores of America . Besides , an usurper so far successful Will find those , who are in possession of landed property , anxious , in the approaching settlements of the state , to retain some share of their former
fortunes ; and whilst allurements and terrors are held out with no sparing hand , it is not improbable that they will meet with a considerable degree of success , and infuse jealousy and fears among the
defenders of the p lace . With the fail of this city all expectation of retrieving the affairs of Spain may be given up , and the new kingdom vfill be placed undeif a constitution , which probably will be far more favourable to the civil , and a » -
suredly infinitely more beneficial to the religious rights of its inhabitants , than they ever did enjoy , or could expect to enjoy under the prejudice * of a Bour * bon , and the abominable tyranny of its prims , aud monk » > and inquisitions
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State of Vi&Uc Afairs . $ 9
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1810, page 99, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2401/page/51/
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