present crisis, to find—­that, of the thoughts and feelings uttered during the two debates which led me to these painful declarations, such—­as approach towards truth which has any dignity in it—­come from the side of his Majesty’s Ministers.—­But note again those contradictions to which I have so often been obliged to advert.  The Ministers advise his Majesty publicly to express sentiments of disapprobation upon the Convention of Cintra; and, when the question of the merits or demerits of this instrument comes before them in Parliament, the same persons—­who, as advisers of the crown, lately condemned the treaty—­now, in their character of representatives of the people, by the manner in which they received this motion, have pronounced an encomium upon it.  For, though (as I have said) the motion was inaccurately and inadequately worded, it was not set aside upon this ground.  And the Parliament has therefore persisted in withholding, from the insulted and injured People and from their Allies, the only reparation which perhaps it may be in its power to grant; has refused to signify its repentance and sorrow for what hath been done; without which, as a previous step, there can be no proof—­no gratifying intimation, even to this Country or to its Allies, that the future efforts of the British Parliament are in a sincere spirit.  The guilt of the transaction therefore being neither repented of, nor atoned for; the course of evil is, by necessity, persevered in.—­But let us turn to a brighter region.

The events of the last year, gloriously destroying many frail fears, have placed—­in the rank of serene and immortal truths—­a proposition which, as an object of belief, hath in all ages been fondly cherished; namely—­That a numerous Nation, determined to be free, may effect its purpose in despite of the mightiest power which a foreign Invader can bring against it.  These events also have pointed out how, in the ways of Nature and under the guidance of Society, this happy end is to be attained:  in other words, they have shewn that the cause of the People, in dangers and difficulties issuing from this quarter of oppression, is safe while it remains not only in the bosom but in the hands of the People; or (what amounts to the same thing) in those of a government which, being truly from the People, is faithfully for them.  While the power remained with the provincial Juntas, that is, with the body natural of the community (for those authorities, newly generated in such adversity, were truly living members of that body); every thing prospered in Spain.  Hopes of the best kind were opened out and encouraged; liberal opinions countenanced; and wise measures arranged:  and last, and (except as proceeding from these) least of all,—­victories in the field, in the streets of the city, and upon the walls of the fortress.