character:-virtues which the Constitution itself recommends, and which, having been respected by the People, when in a state of the greatest agitation, ought now to be still more religiously practised by its Representatives, assembled in Congress, and invested with the solemn and august functions of Legislators.

It is now time to enter upon an examination of the state of the Nation, and maturely to consider the remedies to be applied to the many existing abuses, which have arisen, for the most part, from the errors of former ages, but have been augmented by the invasion of the Peninsula, and by the erroneous system which has since been pursued.

The Secretary of State for the Financial Department will lay before you a clear account of the state of the Public Revenue,―and detail to you the causes of its diminution and gradual falling off. It is for the wisdom of the Cortes to select amongst the resources which the Nation still possesses, those which may best enable it to meet the demands, and fulfil the obligations, of the State. The examination of this point will naturally lead to a due consideration of the necessity of establishing the Public Credit, on the firm basis of justice, good faith, and the scrupulous observance and fulfilment of all public engagements, by which the satisfaction of Creditors, and the confidence of Foreign and Native Capitalists will be secured, and the Treasury freed from all future embarrassment. In recommending most particularly to the Cortes the consideration of this important subject, I only comply with an obligation which my duty as King, and my love for my People, equally impose upon me.

The administration of Justice, without which no Society can exist, has hitherto been confided, almost exclusively, to the honour and probity of those to whom it was intrusted; but henceforward, directed entirely by fixed and known principles, it will be the safeguard of every Citizen. Great reforms may however be made in the preseut system, when our old Statute Books, carefully revised and corrected, shall have acquired that simplicity and perfection, which the enlightened spirit and experience of the age in which we live are so well calculated to give to them.

In the interior administration of the Government defects are to be found, which may be traced back to ancient Institutions, and inveterate prejudices; but the attention and perseverance of the Ministry, and the zeal with which its Agents, and, indeed, the Provincial Authorities in general, are endeavouring to promote the adoption of the simple and advantageous municipal system pointed out by the Constitution, are gradually overcoming all obstacles, and will, no doubt, in time, leave nothing to be desired in this important branch of internal polity, which must always have so great an influence on the welfare and prosperity of the Kingdom.

The Army and the Navy likewise demand my particular attention, and

it will be one of my first cares to make such arrangements with respect to them as may be most conformable to the present state of the Nation, endeavouring to combine, as much as possible, a regard for the interests of these two most respectable and deserving Bodies, with the attention which must be paid to the general economy. In this too, I hope to be supported by the public spirit and good will of the Nation, and to be assisted by the wise counsels of its Representatives, to whom I address myself with unbounded confidence.

It is to be hoped that the re-establishment of the Constitution, and the flattering prospects which this event opens to us for the future, will deprive evil-intentioned persons of every pretence for exciting further disturbances in the Provinces of Ultramar, and will prepare the way for the pacification of those which are now in a state of insurrection, and prevent, or at least delay, the necessity of having recourse to other means. The example too which European Spain has given of moderation, and a love of order, the natural desire to form a part of so great and generous a Nation,-the sage Laws which will soon be promulgated in conformity with the Constitution;-all will contribute to make them forget the past, and unite with their European Brethren around my Throne, sacrificing to the love of their common Country all that could break or weaken the fraternal bonds which ought ever to unite them.

Our relations with Foreign States are of the most satisfactory nature, with the exception of some differences, which, though they have not yet led to any rupture, have given rise to discussions which cannot now be terminated without the advice and intervention of the Cortes of the Kingdom. Such is the Question at present pending with the United States of America, respecting the Two Floridas, and the Boundary of Louisiana. Such too are the disputes, respecting the occupation of Monte Video and other Spanish Possessions on the left bank of the River Plate; but, although the final arrangement of these Questions has been delayed by various circumstances, I cannot but hope that the justice and moderation of the principles which this Government has hitherto shown in all its diplomatic proceedings, will lead to such an arrangement as may not be derogatory to the honour of the Nation, and as may, at the same time, preserve inviolate the pacific system, which seems now to be decidedly adopted by all the Cabinets of Europe.

The Regency of Algiers appears inclined to renew its ancient predatory aggressions. In order to avoid the consequences which might arise from such a want of respect to existing engagements, the defensive Treaty was concluded in 1816 with the King of The Netherlands, by which it is stipulated that a certain Force of each of the 2 Powers shall be stationed in the Mediterranean, in order to secure the liberty of trade and navigation.

It is the duty of the Cortes to establish, on a firm basis, the public welfare, by means of prudent and equitable Laws, and to protect the

religion of the State, and the rights of the Crown and of the Subject. It will be my study to see that these Laws are observed and carried into execution, and particularly the one which is now become the Fundamental Law of the Monarchy, and the firmest support of the hopes of all true Spaniards; and this shall be in future my constant and favourite occupation. I will employ, in maintaining and defending the inviolability of the Constitution, all the power with which the King is, by that Constitution, invested, and in that will consist my duty, my delight and my glory. In order to accomplish and acquit myself with honour of this great enterprize, after humbly imploring the aid and protection of the Author of all good, I shall stand in need of the active and effec tive co-operation of the Cortes now assembled, from whose enlightened patriotism, public spirit, and attachment to my Person, I expect to derive all the assistance necessary, in order to enable me to carry my present intentions into execution. They will thus prove themselves worthy of the confidence of the heroic Nation which has chosen them for its Representatives.

FERDINAND.

SPEECH of the King of Spain, on the Closing of the Cortes. San Lorenzo, 7th November, 1820.

GENTLEMEN DEputies,

(Translation.)

I HAVE the satisfaction of expressing to the Cortes the pleasure which I derive from the happy result of the first period of their Sittings. In the course of them I have frequently experienced the liveliest sensations of esteem, inspired by the zeal and wisdom with which the Congress has attended to the consolidation of the public good, and to the splendour of the Throne, which is inseparable from that of the Nation. I have myself promoted the extension of the Sittings, as authorized by the Fundamental Law; being persuaded that the establishment of our political system required at the beginning more time and greater exertions, and being convinced of the advantages of their prolongation during the progress of the important labours of the preceding months.

I gratefully acknowledge the generosity with which the Cortes have. provided for the dignity and support of my household, and of those of my Royal Family, and I cannot but applaud the frankness and equity with which whilst solemnly recognizing the burthens and obligations of the State, they have approved of the measures which were indispensably necessary in order to meet them, laying thereby the bases of our National Credit and our future happiness. These wise measures, as well

as others, for the proper organization of the Land and Sea Forces, for facilitating the circulation of our territorial riches, for removing the obstacles which presented themselves to it, and or establishing a plan of finance which should combine the interests of the Treasury with those of the People, have been the object of the unceasing attention and continued anxiety of the Cortes, and have entitled them to the universal admiration of Europe, and to the just gratitude of the Nation. At the same time, I cannot also but assure the Cortes, that my heart has been filled with joy, by the measures of prudent generosity and indulgence by which they have succeeded in healing the wounds of the Country, in obliterating the remembrance of those evils which have convulsed the Kingdom, opening thereby the door of reconciliation to such as have erred and gone astray, and leaving at the same time alive the sweet expectation that it will continue in future to be animated by the same noble sentiments, in order to establish more firmly the Constitutional system, upon the bases of fraternity and the mutual love of all Spaniards.

It is thus that the solid power of the Nation and of the Monarchical Authority which directs it are consolidated; and whilst the amelioration of our domestic condition is advancing, we are acquiring stronger claims to the consideration of Foreign Governments, all of which continue to give me proofs of their friendly disposition.

Every day I congratulate myself more and more upon being placed at the head of so worthy and so generous a People. By means of my Royal Prerogative I have co-operated in the glorious work of their regeneration, and in the laudable efforts of the Cortes. I have directed proper measures for the execution of the Laws, and I have no doubt that time will give greater vigour and force to our Institutions, and that those advantages which have already begun to be realized will progressively increase.

the

I trust that I shall be enabled to repeat this expectation, confirmed by experience, to the Representatives of the Nation, when, after the repose due to their toils, they shall again be assembled in the ensuing Session, in order to continue the labours which are now suspended, and to promote, with the same success as hitherto, the public prosperity.

FERDINAND.

[Read by the President, in the Sitting of the 9th November, 1820, at

Madrid.]

ACT of the British Parliament, to allow a Drawback on Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, imported into any British Colony or Plantation in America, on the Exportation thereof to any Foreign Country to which they may be legally exported. -22nd June, 1820. [1 Geo. 4. cap. 8.]

WHEREAS, by the Laws now in force, certain Duties are payable on the importation of any Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, into any British Colony or Plantation in America, which now is, or hereafter may be, under the Dominion of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors: And whereas it is expedient to allow a Drawback of the said Duties in certain cases; be it therefore enacted, by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that on the re-exportation of any Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, to any Foreign Country, which by Law may be exported to any such Foreign Country, a Drawback of the whole of the Duties which had been paid on the exportation shall be allowed and paid to the Exporter or Exporters of such Goods, Wares, and Merchandize.

II. Provided always, and be it further enacted, that previous to any Drawback being paid or allowed, proof shall be made on Oath, that the Goods, Wares, or Merchandize so exported, are the same for which the said Duties have been paid, and a Certificate produced from the British Consul or Vice Consul at the Port to which such Goods were entered for exportation, that the same have been duly landed at such Port.

III. And be it further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful to and for any Searcher or other proper Officer of the Customs, after the entry of any of the said Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, and before or after the shipping thereof, to open and strictly examine any bale, truss, chest, or other package, to see if the Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, are right entered; and if, on such examination, the same shall be found to be right entered, the Searcher or other proper Officer shall, at his own charge, cause the same to be repacked, (which charge shall be allowed to the said Officer by the Commissioners of the Customs, if they think it reasonable); but, in case the Officer shall, on examination, find such Goods, Wares, or Merchandize, to be less in quantity or value than is expressed in the Exporter's indorsement upon his entry, or that shall be entered under a wrong denomination, whereby His Majesty would have been defrauded, all such Goods may be seized, and the same shall be forfeited and lost, and the Owner or Merchant shall lose the benefit of receiving the Drawback for such Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, and the value thereof.

IV. And be it further enacted, that no Drawback shall be allowed