army according to the new system circumstances of the case they should postponed till the return of lord either have recalled general Beregs Lauderdale ?-It was impossible to ford, or sent out a re-inforcement conceive a more general torpor than immediately. They had left that that which pervaded every branch valuable capture four months with . of the army during the whole out any re-inforcement, and if the of those apxio

eight months. gallant officer commanding at the After the closest attention to Cape had pot detached some of his the subject, he could only dis. troops, it would be impossible to cern that three regiments of the line tell the consequence. had been sent up the Mediterranean, Nor was it in leaving Buenos and arrived just in time to see our Ayres near four months without regallant troops abandoning the brave inforcements, only, that the negli and loval Calabrians, to whom our gence and inattention of his majes. commander had promised every as. ty's ministers to the scenes passing in sistance.

that part of the world were to be seen. Lord Castlereagh begged leave There was another, and a very in likewise to remind the house, that teresting part of South America, not a man had sailed for Buenos where a little timely assistance on Ayres before the return of lord the part of the British government to Lauderdale was known. Under the the operations of general Miranda

* A variety of circumstances concurred to expand the mind, and raise the views of Miranda to the emancipation of South America, his native country; and a life devoted from his early years to arms, and the acquisition of all manner of knowledge, both by study and travels, formed his mind for taking the lead in the attempt. A commercial and defensive alliance between any great naval power on our side of the globe, and South Ame a country far surpassing the whole of Europe in extent, and still more in natural fertility, presented such incalculable advantages to such a power, that general Miranda kept a constant eye on such an alliance as the great engine for effecting his magnifieent object;-magnificent, but not difficult to be accomplished, if men could be roused from the torpor of babit, and disentangled from the dark intricacies of a narrow, intriguing, short-sighted, and fluctuating policy; nay, and easy to he accomplished, even in proportion to its sublimity, inasmuch as its accomplishment would rest, not on the various, clashing, and inscrutable views of individuals, but on a reciprocity of wants and superfluities-on the natural passions of all men, and the great laws and prerogatives of nature.

The most natural ally of South America was Great Britain. A proposal was made by general Miranda to Mr. Pitt in 1797, for an alliance between Britain and South America. Of the sundry articles, eleven in number, we are restrained by our limit from specifying more than the following: That South America would pay to Great Britain for assistance, thirty millions sterling. That there should be a treaty of commerce between Great Britain and South America -That a communication should be opened between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and that the freedom of these communications should be guarantied to Great Britain,

Mr. Pitt entered with promptitude into the plan of Miranda. A change of politics in Europe altered the views of Mr. Pitt relative to South America. Succeeding changes recalled and recommanded the project of Miranda. Farther changes damped and suspended their execution. As this is a subject most interesting and consolatory to Great Britain, we refer our readers for the principal facts authenticated, relating to it, to a pamphlet intitled “ Additional reason for our immediately emancipating Spanish America."' By William Burke. Ridgway, 1808; to the Edinburgh Review, No XXVI. January, 1809; and to the Monthly Review for March, 1809, Article X.

might have produced the most im. On that day, Monday, Deceme portant advantages to this country. ber ?2, 1806, lord Grenville pre. We had sufficient force in the West sented to the house of lords, by his Ladies to have assisted general Mi. majesty's command, the papers reranda; but our naval and military specting the late negotiation. In British commanding officers in that moving to fix a day for the discussion, part of the world, could not venture it was his wish that, on the one hand to stir, for want of instructions from sufficient time should be given for government. He did not mean to the consideration of this very impor. discuss. at that time, the policy of tant subject; and on the other, that forwarding the general's great pro. no longer delay should take place ject. This was a subject that re- than was absolutely necessary. He quired as well as merited considera. therefore moved that the papers be tion. But why had not ministers taken into consideration on Friday, decided in one way or other on a the 2d of January-Ordered. question obviously interesting in so He then rose for the purpose of high a degree to the British empire? moving the thanks of the house to so far was government from coming sir John Stuart, and the officers and to any hxed determination on this soldiers by whose valour the vic. point, that our commanders were tory of Maida was obtained. He obliged' constantly to reply to the had ever been of opinion that the applications made to them for sup- high honour conferred by a vote pore, that 'they would write home of thanks of that house ought to be for instructions.-At last a few reserved for great occasions; for light armed vessels, were sent to deeds of valour of a superior de. convoy the expedition under general scription ; for actions which tended Miranda. Lord Castlereagh thonght to throw a lustre around the British the amendment of his right honour. name, or materially to benefit the able friend a perfectly, manly mode interest of the country. Of this ge. of telling ministers wherein their neral description and character he conduct was liable to objection. It conceived the instance to be to was very different from the conduct which he now alluded.The British of opposition for the last fifteen troops were considerably under years ; for those gentlemen, not 5,000 men : of the enemy, many choosing to commit their sentiments more. What was the result? That to writing, always dealt in general the number of killed, wounded, and censure.

taken prisoners, either in the action The original motion on the address of Maida itself, or in its approxi2 was then put and carried, nem. mate consequences, considerably ex.

Lord Howick then rose and said, ceeded the number of the victorious that he hoped to be able to lay the army.

He knew of no occasion papers relative to the negotiation which could more forcibly call upbefore the house on Monday next. on their lordships for their thanks.

Mr. Windham gare notice, that on Upon which ground he moved, Monday next, also, he should move 1st, “ That the thanks of that house the thanks of the house to sir John should be given to major-general Stuart, and the officers and men who sir John Stuart, K. B. and also to had fwnght under him at the glorious the honourable brigadier-general battle of Maida.

Lawry

con.

Lawry Cole, aud brigadier-general able powers of reason and elo. W. D. Ackland, for their gallant quence. He praised his countryand meritorious conduct in the ac. men, (to use the language of the sation with the French troops at Mai. cred Scriptures,) “ with his whole da, on the 4th of July last, and to heart: he praised them also with his the officers under their command. understanding. +" The action he 2dly, That the thanks of that house said to which his motion referred, should be given to the non-commis. was one of the most distinguished sioned officers and private soldiers exploits that ever appeared in the serving under the same, for their annals of this, or any other country. bravery and good conduct, and that Every man must be so thoroughly senthis vote should be signified to them sible of its character and importance, by the officers of the respective that it was altogether unnecessary corps."

to dwell upon this subject. If he On the question being put, these ventured to say any thing upon it, motions were carried, nem. con. and it was merely from an impulse to ina the thanks were ordered to be com. dulge his feelings. There was not municated to the general officers in so much as one of the various views the usual way.— The house then adl. in which this exploit could be copa journed for the Christmas recess, till sidered, that did not rank it with Wednesday the 31st of December. the proudest achievements of our

. On the same day, December 22d, ancestors : that did not raise it to a thanks to the same commander, offi. level even with the memorable days cers, and men, were moved in the of Cressy, Poictiers, and Agincourt. house of commons, agreeably to the One peculiar character which be. previous notice, by Mr. Windham- longed to this distinguished service, We have alrcady had occasion to was, the accession it produced to notice how well qualified this gen- our stock of national glory, the tleman is for appreciating, and ce. most valuable possession of a great lebrating the merit of such achieve- nation. Other services might cut a ments as the battle of Maida, in greater fignre in respect of acqui. giving some account of a debate on a sition of territory, or other resourmotion in the house of commons by ces, though not of a nature to call: Mr. Jones, respecting a convention for the sort of honours and dise at El-Arisch, and the alleged policy tinctions merited by achievements of not permitting the French to eva. of this kind. But in respect of re. evate Egypt." Mr. Windham, on putation, it was singularly distin. that occasion, was naturally led to guisbel even in the midst of those estimate the mighty advantages we splendid and brilliant triumphs to had gained, in point of reputation, which this country had been so much by a series of engagements, parti. accustomedof what importance it cularly that of March the 21st, near was to keep up a high character for Alexandria-The battle of Maida, military spirit; how necessary it like that of Alexandria, was a great was to encourage it, with every ho. and animating subject, and it was nourable distinction of public aptreated by Mr. Windham with suit. probation and gratitude; how impos

Vol. XLIII. 1801. Hist. of Europe, p. 190. † Esalm 47. 7.

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sible it was for any great country to flattering to the enemy: but he preserve its character and indepen. trusted that it had not gone far ipto dence without the possession of such the country, and was convinced that feelings- These were topics on which it had not made any impression upon it was unnecessary for him to insist. the people or the army.

Britisk But if ever there had been a pe. soldiers were strangers to any feel. riod of the world when a strong mi. ings that would prevent them, when., litary feeling was wanted, for the ever they came into contact with preservation of the greatness and the enemy on nearly equal terms, glory of a country, it was the pre. from displaying British valour as sent: it was this period, when the conspicuously by land as by sea. whole world had become as it were It was a general opinion that all universal camp;

when all our naval exploits had been achie. nations were occupied with military ved by a superiority of experienced views, military services, and military discipline and skill. But he could fame; when these military pursaits not subscribe to such a position. were substituted in place of the civil Many of those heroic achievements arts of life; when no country could which had raised the reputation of be safe that did not cultivate them, our navy to the highest pitch of glo. could no longer hope to continue its ry, had been performed by the naked independence. It was not because valour of Britons, without the aid we had lost any part of the military of skill or discipline. Of this de. spirit or character of the country, scription, were the exploits per. that he dwelt with such pride on the forned in boarding ships, in cutbattle of Maida ; certainly not. This ting out ships from under the pro. country had never forfeited its just tection of batteries, and in various character for military superiority, other operations performed by Bri. yet, from the circumstances in which tish seamen on shore; in every one the war had hitherto been carried of which the native valour of our on, and the pre-eminence of our great countrymen was 'uniformly trium. and glorious naval exploits, we had phant. There were no such instan. not had the same opportunity of dis. ces to be found recorded in the mi. tinguishing our arms by land as by litary anuals of the enemy.

The nations of this continent The enemy however had maintained, too, scemed to have been broughtover and been at great pains to propagate to the cpinion, which they were very the idea, that they were as much willing to adopt as some consolation superior to us by land, as we were to themselves, that our military pow. to them by sea. And the delusion er, was not proportionably so strong seemed to have prevailed on the Con. by land as by sea. Now the imme. tinent. But the battle of Maida diate tendency and effect of the had broken the charm. Every cir. glorious battle of Maida, would be, cumstance of its progress, the conduct to meet these opinions, and correct of the officers, and the bravery of the error in which they originated. the men, had established the ascen.

Many persons in this country up- dency of British valour, and main. peared to entertain, and in their tained that superiority which this writings avowed, the opinion that the country possessed in all ages. In troops of the chemy were superior proof of this, he could appeal to the to British troops. This opinion was determination, as appeared by the

gazette,

sea.

gazette, of sir John Stuart to ad. this country, to the enemy, and to vance with his inferior force to the the world, of the comparative value attack of the enemy, even in the of British and French troops, and strong position he occupied, if the thoroughly confirmed the deci-ive enemy. had not advanced to meet superiority of British valour. There him, . The issue of the action hat never had been an action so com. ensued, would prove to the chief of pletely calculated in all its circum. the enemy, and to his troops, who stances to establish this truth. He arrogated to themselves a superiority could not more forcibly illustrate over all other troops, that they are this fact, than by adopting the not invincible, as they would repre- eloquent language of sir John Stusent themselves; that they could not art on the subject.

66 It seemed," withstand the valour of British troops said the gallant general, in his diswhen fairly opposed to them in patch, “as if the prowess of the two action. And yet, from whatever nations was to be brought to trial causes, certainly not for want of before the world.” Certainly no ac. courage in their adversaries, the tion, under any circumstances could events of the late wars had contri. be better calculated for such a trial.. buted to countenance the opinion of Iftwo sets of philosophers had set the French being invincible. They themselves to make an experiment conquered, because it was thought by doing away every thing extra. they could conquer.

neous to their process, they could not This victory, however, had dis, have succeeded more accurately. solved the spell. It was obtained In the first part of the action, the in the face of Europe ; under the two parties advanced against each eye of the nation for whose interest other with the bayonet; an operation the expedition was undertaken, and which, though much talked of, seldom had proved to the world, in a man. took place between great bodies of her not to be concealed or disguised, men. All the circumstances that had that French troops are inferior to happened previously to the shock, British troops:

concurred to bring the courage and And here, Mr. Windham thought intrepidity of the two rival uations it necessary for him to take some pre- to the trial. The contest was de. caution for guarding against any pos. cided, not by any superiority of sible misconstruction of his meaning. corporeal strength, but by the preNothing could be further from his dominance of personal intrepidity." intention, than to represent this Both armies advanced firmly to the exploit at Maida, as exclusively charge until within half a yard of glorious for the reputation of the each other. In this moment of British arms. The whole of the perilous trial, British resolution and campaign of Egypt was equally con. valour held out, while the enemy spicuous for the lustre it cast upon shrunk back with panic froin the the military character of the British terrible contest. It is not im. Dation.—The battle of Maidia con proper to state here, that hardy any densed into a single action, all the of our men were wounded by the same merits that had been displayed bayonet.--He had to apologize to in every operation during that glo. the house for having trespassed so rious campaign. It was a lesson to long on their attention ; but really VOL, XLIX.

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the