276

the army

ARREST OF THE PATRIOTS.

had unfortunately destroyed it in 1814, the first cry of liberty should emanate from the camp, so as to efface the errors of that melancholy period. Nothing could exceed the joy evinced by all those who heard this piece of intelligence, and preparations were immediately commenced to receive the expected deliverer of his country. Landing at Port St. Mary's, O'Donnell placed himself at the head of some infantry stationed there, and proceeded with them to join the main body, while Sarsfield led on the cavalry from Xerez. The troops were drawn out and had already gone through the usual evolutions, when the second in command, and Abisbal, appeared at the same moment, advancing in opposite directions; expectation was at its height, and both officers and men congratulating each other on the joyful event which would soon terminate the reign of terror. It is, however, evident, that the parties who accompanied the General and his friend, had been taught their lesson, for on Sarsfield perceiving him, his first movement was to ride rapidly along the line, followed by several squadrons of horse, exclaiming Viva el Rey! This ominous watch word being repeated by the Count and his party, it soon became general, nor was it until he had summoned the colonels around him, and told them they were prisoners in the King's name, that the patriots would credit the evidence of their senses. would be vain to attempt describing the astonishment and indignation excited by this extraordi

It

O'DONNELL'S SITUATION.

277

nary proceeding; but, before there was sufficient time, either to express their sentiments on such treatment, or appeal to the troops, each of the prisoners, fifteen in number, including the flower of the patriot chiefs, and heroes of La Isla, were hurried off under escorts, and confined in the neighbouring castles. This act, which requires no comment as it speaks for itself, did not secure to Abisbal the confidence or favour of the Court; for, although well received on his arrival here, he was immediately called upon to resign his command, and Count Calderon, a name till then scarcely known to the army, appointed his successor.

Whatever civilities may have been shown to the Count on his return from Andalusia, they did not continue many days; he had doubtless rendered an important service to the servile faction; but O'Donnell must have known that gratitude was not amongst the number of their virtues. On the other hand, although ministers were fully aware of the part he had taken in preparing the revolt, yet they resolved to keep up appearances, until a favorable opportunity occurred for bringing home the charge, or gratifying their resentment. The Count was thus placed between the fear of punishment and those self reproaches arising from having betrayed the patriot cause; not to mention the loss of an occasion which scarcely ever recurs a second time to the most highly favoured individual. There are some acts in public life which cannot be justified, I apprehend the above

278

O'DONNELL'S EXCUSES.

is of that description :-O'Donnell is said to defend his conduct on the plea that neither the state of opinion, nor the nature of the preparations in other points of the Peninsula, were favorable to the enterprize; and that under these circumstances, a civil war, instead of national freedom, might have been the result of his projected attempt. In contemplating that endless variety of causes which govern human actions, reasons are seldom wanting to palliate whatever depends on the mere discretion of men in power; without pretending to decide on the degree of guilt or innocence attributable to the Count, truth obliges me to say, that his defence has not satisfied the people of Spain, nor exonerated him from the charge of personal ambition. It must be confessed. that the experience of present times is peculiarly well calculated to remove those doubts, which have hitherto induced men to hesitate between the fear of anticipating public opinion, and taking advantage of an auspicious moment for restoring the liberties of their country.

The sentiments of the nation had been expressed in such various ways, their sufferings were so multiplied, that no risk, however great, of future and contingent evil, could be fairly put in competition with the certain benefits of a successful effort in favour of freedom: deeply as this truth is engraven on the minds of the most superficial observers in these days of improved political knowledge, it cannot be matter of surprise that neither his

SALUTARY EXAMPLE.

279

brilliant services during the war, nor recent exertions, had removed the fatal impression made by Abisbal's conduct on the plain of Palmar, and which is increased by a very general conviction that he might have marched in triumph to the capital. However poignant the feelings of the Count may now be, at having thus rejected the most glorious, the most exalted boon ever tendered by fortune, it cannot but produce a salutary effect on others; for I defy any future patriot in whose hands the destiny of his country are placed, to reflect on what Henry O'Donnell has lost, without persevering in what he undertakes, or perishing in the attempt!

280

REPUGNANCE OF THE SOLDIERY.

LETTER XI.

Repugnance of the Soldiery to Embark for South America.-Orders given to Calderon. Cisneros sent to Superintend the Departure of the Expedition.-Preparations Suspended by the Yellow Fever.-The Troops are Collected at Las Correderas.-Joy of their Meeting.-Renewal of Former Ties.-Motives which Justified the Projected Revolt.-Panegyric on the Chiefs.- Soldiers and People.-Appointment of Leaders.-Quiroga, Riego, and Galiano.-Anecdote and Eulogium on Bertran de Lis.-Day of Rising Fixed.- Constitution Proclaimed at Las Cabezas de San Juan.-March to Arcos, and Arrest of Calderon, &c. Riego Proceeds to Bornos, and Returns with the Regiment of Arragon.-Is Elected General.-First Use made of his New Dignity. -Intended March on Medina.- Arrival of a Messenger from Quiroga.—— Some Account of his Proceedings.-Check at the Cortadura.-Campana and the Priesthood at Cadiz.-Entrance of Riego into Xerez, and Junction with the Army of La Isla.-Letter to the King, and other State Papers. -Military Operations which Followed.-Riego Departs with the Flying Column. ---Unexampled Heroism of this Officer and his Followers.-Their Dispersion.-Events at La Isla.-Arco Aguero, and Lopez Banos.-Approach of Freyre and his Troops.-Sorties made from La Isla, and Intrepidity of the Patriots.-Correspondence between Freyre and the Patriot General.—Suspension of Hostilities.-Heroes of La Isla Invited to Cadiz.-Massacre of March 10th.-Actors in that Bloody Scene.- The Constitution is Proclaimed in Galicia, Zaragoza, and Madrid.

Madrid, October, 1820.

ALTHOUGH the inexplicable conduct of O'Donnell may have suspended, it did not destroy the hopes of the patriots, much less diminish their repugnance to embarking for the New World, in which so many thousands of the army had already perished, either by the sword or the effects of climate. Re