History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
The Intruder, following his armies, and thinking to obtain possession
of Cadiz, and destroy the legitimate government of Spain, issued a
proclamation at Cordoba, characterized by the impiety and falsehood
which marked the whole proceedings of the French in this atrocious
usurpation. “The moment was arrived,” he said, “when the Spaniards
could listen with advantage to the truths which he was about to utter.
During more than a century the force of circumstances, which masters
all events, had determined that Spain should be the friend and ally of
France. When an extraordinary revolution hurled from the throne the
house which reigned in France, it was the duty of the Spanish branch to
support it, and not lay down its arms until it was re-established. But
it required a spirit of heroism to adopt such a resolution, and the
cabinet of Madrid thought it better to wait for that from the progress
of time, which it wanted courage to obtain by arms.” This truth, for
such the Intruder might well call this part of the proclamation, marks,
as much as the falsehoods which accompanied it, the devilish spirit
by which the French councils had long been possessed; having allured
the Spanish Bourbons by oaths and treaties to their own destruction,
France now reproached them with the very conduct which she had tempted
them to pursue. The paper proceeded to affirm, that, during its whole
alliance with France, Spain had been watching an opportunity of falling
upon her. “The conqueror of Europe,” it continued, “would not allow
himself to be duped. The princes of the house of Spain, not having
the courage to fight, renounced the crown, and were content to make
stipulations for their private interests. The Spanish grandees, the
generals, the chiefs of the nation, recognized those treaties. I,”
said the Intruder, “received their oaths at Madrid, but the occurrence
at Baylen threw every thing into confusion. The timid became alarmed,
but the enlightened and conscientious remained true to me. A new
continental war, and the assistance of England, prolonged an unequal
contest, of which the nation feels all the horrors. The issue was never
doubtful, and the fate of arms has now declared so. If tranquillity
is not immediately restored, who can foresee the consequence? It is
the interest of France to preserve Spain entire and independent, if
she become again her friend and ally; but if she continue her enemy,
it is the duty of France to weaken, to dismember, and to destroy her.
God, who reads the hearts of men, knows with what view I thus address
you. Spaniards! the irrevocable destiny is not yet pronounced. Cease
to suffer yourselves to be duped by the common enemy. Employ your
understanding: it will point out to you in the French troops, friends
who are ready to defend you. It is yet time: rally around me! and may
this open to Spain a new era of glory and happiness.”
♦LANGUAGE OF THE DESPONDENTS IN ENGLAND.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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