It has already been stated, that the influence of England in Spain must be unbounded, on account of her being able, at any time, either to demand payment for what has been supplied, or to withhold fresh supplies, which would at once give Don Carlos possession of Spain: for it is clear, that if England withheld her supplies, the despotic governments would not discontinue theirs; therefore, we must remember, that, if Don Carlos should triumph, instead of English influence predominating, Spain will become little better than a Russian colony; because, should he become possessor of the throne, being a despotic king, any and every promise that he has made to Russia for the supplies of money afforded by that power, he must fulfil.

A young Spanish diplomatist observed to me not many weeks past, "Since my "unfortunate country is in that position, "that it must be under the influence and "protection of some power, I hope it may be under that of England; from the publicity in that country, we shall at

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"least know what our real position is"let it be any thing but France; for then

we shall be a sort of plaything for Louis

Philippe and his ministers; the master "often intriguing in one sense, and his 66 servants in another." The Spanish policy of the Morning Herald is incomprehensible. It says, and truly says, it is the duty and interest of England, above all things, to strive to prevent the increase of the power and influence of Russia, and yet, certainly there is nothing that could so increase both the power and influence of that empire as Don Carlos being despotic king of Spain. Does their hatred to a Whig ministry, because it is Whig, and not because of the nature of their measures, so outweigh the interests of its country, as to blind their understanding on this question? The importance of the issue of the Spanish war, as far as the balance of the power of Europe is concerned, is immense.

We know, by experience, that, in case of war, Spain has always occupied one hun

dred thousand of the best troops of France to watch her frontier, and would again were it despotic and should there be a general war of principles despotic governments against constitutional governments the very fact of Spain being constitutional, instead of despotic, would increase or diminish the effective force of the French army one hundred thousand men. That is one of the great reasons why the despotic powers, at any price, coute qui coute, are determined to keep alive the war in Spain; but there are other reasons even more powerful and pressing, which shall be dwelt on and explained hereafter.

In a constitutional government it is impossible to afford any aid without its being publicly known, and publicly avowed; as every assistance, whether of money, ammunition, or men, must come under the cognizance of the Chambers. Now, after Don Carlos quitted this country, in what position was Lord Palmerston placed, as Minister of Foreign Affairs in a constitutional country like England? His duty, both as a minister

and a Christian, was, if possible, to avoid involving England and Europe in a general war; but it was equally his duty, as a Christian and a statesman, to take some measures to prevent foreign aid, and subsidies, from establishing the Inquisition, and a despotic form of government in Spain, against the wishes of the majority of the nation, and against the interests of England. Although I do not claim for him, nor for any one else, the right to prevent the free expression of the wishes of the majority of the Spanish nation in choosing their king and form of government, he had not only a right, but was bound, as minister of England, at least to neutralize the foreign assistance afforded to the other side, in whatever shape it came, whether secret or avowed.

From the great impatience that exists in this country on the subject of taxation, it was necessary to do something that would entail the least possible present expense, as well as the least future or permanent expense on England, and, at the same time, would hurt the pride of the Spanish nation as little

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as possible. It was with this view that the Legion was sent out, and certainly by the laws of nations we had a right to do it.

The first object that Lord Palmerston had in view was, not to create a general war, while there was the slightest chance of avoiding it: both as a statesman and a Christian he was called to take that view of the case; but he was equally bound to take some steps of a counteracting policy to neutralize the assistance given by other parties to Don Carlos to establish the Inquisition and a despotic government in Spain, in opposition to the wishes of the real majority of that nation.

Mr. Pitt used to observe of a certain talented and celebrated Law-Lord, in his days, "that he opposed every thing, and proposed

nothing." Now I should like to hear what a certain talented and celebrated Law-Lord of the present day*, who opposes every thing and proposes nothing, will say. Were he asked what he would have advised the foreign minister to do at the time of the sending out

* To whom Lord Melbourne said, If God Almighty had given the learned lord talents, the devil had taught him the application of them.