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generals of the nation, for the benefits, political and military, which they performed, to obtain the present results of the allied army. Then, to whom is to be confided the command of the armed force of the nation? Is Spain to be considered as a little kingdom of Portugal? Is not the origin of our revolution, to our honor be it spoken, different from that of the Portuguese? Have we not the honor to belong to the greatest nation in the world? Have not our arms resounded in the four quarters of the world? Can we give the command of our army to a foreigner, whatever may be our political situation, without disgracing the nation?No, Spain has still resources; her generals, chiefs, officers, and soldiers, still fortunately preserve the honor they inherited from their forefathers; and in the present war have convinced the English and French, that in battle they display equal valour and discipline to themselves, and that their chiefs know how to conduct them to victory.

"The fields of Baylen, Albuera, Saragossa, and Gerona, with many others, which I omit to state, because I would not be thought to boast of myself, are indelible testimonies of this truth; and the fourth army, which I command, may tell the nation that in these qualities they are not inferior to any soldiers in the world; and that without degradation they cannot descend to submit to obscure the glories they have acquired, and the extraordinary services they have performed, out of compliment to Lord Wellington, although they are always ready to act in combination with him. "Lastly, I entreat your excellency to demand the opinion of the national armies and citizens; and if they agree to this nomination, I will resign my employments, and retire to my house; to convince, in this manner, all the world, that only honor, and the good of my country, lead me to this exposition, and no ambitious views, as to fortune, which malice may sometimes attribute to me, without respecting the notoriety of my patriotism, acquired by weight of constancy, and signal services.

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"F. BALLASTEROS.

Head-quarters, Grenada, Oct. 24. "To his Excellency the Minister at War."

The following was the reply of Don Francisco Ballasteros to the dispatch by which he received his dismissal from his command.

"Most excellent Sir,-This morning, while engaged in the ordinary dispatch of business, I received your excellency's dispatch, discharging me from the command of the captainship-general of the four kingdoms of Andalusia, and of the fourth army; informing me, at the same time, that my troops had formed, and were marching in the direction of Alcala; I immediately mounted my horse to learn from what source proceeded a

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measure so contrary to the spirit of the royal or- BOOK IX. dinances, and the discipline with which I have always endeavoured to improve the army, and of CHAP. XII. which I have given so many proofs. On going out of the village I met a piquet of the first battalion of royal guards, with advanced sentinels, and arms ready to give fire, and a number of peasants in front. I was surprised at this novelty, and asked the officer what it meant? He answered, as did the sentinels when they came up, that he had orders not to let me pass. A colonel then came, to whom I stated my displeasure at being treated in this manner, which I considered as disgraceful. graceful. The peasants now broke out into strong expressions calculated to make an impression on the soldiers, for whom they knew I had made so many sacrifices. I, however, silenced them, ordering them to retire. I then proceeded to my house, sensibly feeling a treatment which I believe was never experienced in the Spanish armies by the most criminal subaltern officer. In a short time, the same battalion appeared in front of my house, and a guard was placed at the door of it. The people, indignant at an act of this kind, made loud lamentations, fearing something might be intended against my person. The sentiments of affection expressed by these good Spaniards, made a greater impression on me than this military apparatus, which I did not conceive to correspond to the dignity of my station, nor is it possible to believe that it was by your excellency's orders.

"From this moment, I had sentinels placed upon me, and received orders from Brigadier Virues, to set out early in the morning for my destination, Ceuta, which I shall comply with, leaving the chief of the staff to deliver up the army, than which I think there is not a better in Europe, that has been organized, regulated, equipped, instructed, and disciplined, in only one fortnight. But I cannot but represent to your highness, that if my services have merited any attention, I could wish that the destination of Ceuta might be changed to the Province of Estremadura, and, if possible, to Fregenal or its vicinity, as I find my health much broken; and in that country, notwithstanding my misfortunes, I could maintain myself with respect, and my existence would not be burthensome to my country. This is the manner in which I have been treated with respect to my person, but I have felt still more sensibly the attack made on my reputation in the annexed paper, which Virues has published. He supposes in it, that I have distressed the people of Grenada by levying contributions, which I never thought of, but which, on the contrary, I always opposed; though I asked money of the intendant, which, however, he refused except as a loan, which I was to repay from the first funds I obtained.

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Murder of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons.Apprehension of Joha Bellingham, the Assassin.-Consequent Proceedings.-Conduct of the Prisoner.-Life and Character of the Right Honorable Spencer Perceval.-Naval Affairs.

A MELANCHOLY affair happened at about a quarter-past five, Monday afternoon, May 11; which, for some days, interrupted the impending business of parliament. As the Right Honorable Spencer Perceval, chancellor of the exchequer, and first lord of the treasury, &c. &c. was entering the lobby of the house of commons, he was shot by a man who had placed himself for that purpose at the side of the door leading from the stone stair

case.

Mr. Perceval was in company with Lord F. Osborne, and immediately on receiving the ball, which entered the left breast, he staggered and fell at the feet of Mr. W. Smith, M. P. for Norwich, who was standing near the second pillar. The only words he uttered were-" Oh! I am murdered," and the latter was inarticulate, the sound dying between his lips. He was in stantly taken up by Mr. Smith, who did not recognize him until he had looked in his face. The report of the pistol immediately drew great numbers to the spot, who assisted Mr. Smith in conveying the body of Mr. Perceval into the speaker's apartments, but before he reached them, all signs of life had departed. Mr. Perceval's corpse was placed upon a bed, and Mr. Lynn, of Great George-street, who had been sent for, arrived, but too late even to witness the last symptom of expiring existence. He found that the ball, which was of an unusually large size, had penetrated the heart near its centre, and had passed completely through it. From thence the body was removed to the speaker's drawingroom, by Mr. Lynn and several members, and it was laid on a sopha.

The horror and dismay occasioned by the assassination of Mr. Perceval, prevented any at

tention from being paid to other persons; and it was not until the right hon. gentleman was raised from the floor, that a person belonging to the vote-office exclaimed, "Where is the rascal that fired?" When a person, who had been unobserved, stepped up to him, and coolly replied, “I am the unfortunate man!" He did not make any attempt to escape, though he had concealed the pistol by which he had perpetrated the horrid deed, but resigned himself quietly into the hands of some of the bye-standers. They placed him upon a bench near the fire-place, where they kept him, and all the doors were closed, and the egress of any person prevented. When the assassin was interrogated as to his motive for this dreadful act, he replied, "My name is Bellingham: it is a private injury-I know what I have done-it was a denial of justice on the part of government." At this time the prisoner was in no legal custody, but was surrounded by many members, who insisted that he should be taken into the body of the house. The criminal was, however, previously searched, to which he made no resistance; and upon his person were found a steel pistol, loaded, about seven inches in length (nearly like that with which he had effected his fatal purpose, which had been secured) with a short screw barrel, and a bundle of papers folded like letters. The pistol with which the act was perpetrated was a small pocket-pistol, about six inches long, the barrel rather better than two inches in length, with the cock on the top, and a stop to the trigger. The calibre was nearly half an inch in diameter, and the barrel very strong. The pistol taken from his breeches-pocket was primed and loaded with one ball.

Two messengers then conveyed the prisoner to the bar of the house of commons, where the utmost confusion and anxiety prevailed. Members rushed from the house, strangers from the gallery, and adjacent parts, and peers from the lords, who all came to the spot, filled with the utmost horror and dismay at an event so truly alarming. Great confusion consequently ensued; numbers pressed round the spot where the prisoner was held in custody; and the expression of indignation was so great, that it almost appeared as if summary justice would have been done upon the offender. The speaker having taken the chair, was unable, for some minutes, to control the general disorder and agitation that prevailed. A number of peers were also in the house, among whom were Lord Liverpool, Lord Spencer, Lord Radnor, &c. Many individuals, who had witnessed part of this transaction, were mingled with members at the bar of the house, presenting a scene altogether new and extraordinary. Some degree of calm having been at length obtained, the speaker suggested to the house the propriety of having the prisoner immediately taken from the bar to the prison-room, and to prevent the confusion which might be apprehended if he were taken through the ordinary passage, that he might be conducted through the private passages and side stairs. This proposition meeting the ideas of the members present, he expressed his opinion that it would be better for a select number of members to precede and accompany the serjeant and the prisoner to the room in question, and there to take the examination of all persons who could give any information touching the circumstances of the case. The strangers in the lobby and in the house were desired not to depart until they had given their evidence. All the doors leading to Westminster-hall, and elsewhere, were ordered to be locked, and the egress and ingress of all persons prevented. Immediately after the prisoner was removed, the house adjourned, with out proceeding in any other business, as, in fact, the sensation was too great to admit the possibility of further attention.

The prisoner having been conducted up-stairs to the prison-room, was stripped of his coat, waistcoat, and neckcloth, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any offensive weapon was concealed about his person; nothing of the kind, however, was found. By direction of the members he was then pinioned by a messenger, belonging to the house, on each side, in which position he was held during the whole course of the examination.. Mr. Alderman Combe, as a magistrate, was called to the chair, to take the depositions of the various witnesses in attendance, a duty in which be was shortly after aided by Mr. M. A. Taylor, also a magistrate.

Witnesses were then examined and bound

over to give their evidence before the grand jury, BOOK IX. and thereafter at the Old Bailey, against the prisoner "For the wilful murder of the Right Hon. CH. XIII. Spencer Perceval," the members of parliament in the sum of 2007. recognizance; Mr. Burgess, also in 2007.; Mr. Jerdan in 100%; and the other persons in 501. each.

The examinations having been brought to a conclusion, the prisoner was asked what he had' to say against the fact with which he was charged, and cautioned by Sir. J. C. Hippisley not to say any thing that would be injurious to himself. He spoke to the following effect: "I have admitted the fact I admit the fact, but wish, with permission, to state something in my justification. I have been denied the redress of my grievances by government; I have been ill-treated. They all know who I am, and what I am, through the secretary of state and Mr. Becket, with whom I have had frequent communications. They knew of this fact six weeks ago, through the magistrates of Bow-street. I was accused most wrongfully by a governor-general in Russia, in a letter from Archangel to Riga, and have sought redress in vain. I am a most unfortunate man, and feel here (placing his hand on his breast) sufficient justification for what I have done."

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Here Lord Castlereagh interfered; and informed the prisoner that he was not then called on for his defence, but merely to say what he had to urge in contradiction to the fact with which he was charged. Any thing he might feel desirous of stating in extenuation of his crime, he had better reserve for his trial.

The prisoner said, "Since it seems best to your that I should not now explain the causes of my conduct, I will leave it until the day of my trial, when my country will have an opportunity of judging whether I am right or wrong.'

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Upon being again questioned, he repeated, "I admit the fact;" which admission was according entered upon the record. The Bowstreet officers were called in, and the prisoner hav-ing been permitted to dress, was handcuffed. He applied for his money, which having been left in the possession of Mr. Burgess, who had withdrawn, Mr. Whitbread assured him he should, have it returned to him in the morning. He also asked whether he should be allowed an attorney and counsel? when Mr. Whitbread signified to him that Mr. Combe would take care that every necessary indulgence should be allowed him, consistent with his situation. In no part of the proceeding did he betray extreme agitation; but, at the moment that one of the witnesses said, "I' supported Mr. Perceval into the secretary's room,. and in a few minutes he died in my arms," the prisoner shed tears, and seemed much affected.

After the examination, he was reconducted to the prison-room, where he found much fault with

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BOOK IX. the officer, for having inquired from some female something relative to his private affairs. He CH. XIII calmly said, he knew the consequence of the act he had committed, which he did not consider of a private nature. On the officer's answering, that he had only spoken in general terms to the female, and she told him she had in her possession a memorandum of 201. due by a Mr. Wilson to him; the prisoner, in a most unconcerned manner, replied, he knew what it was; it was a bill that he expected would have been paid next day, at halfpast nine o'clock. He did not talk at all incoherently, except on the subject of assassination: respecting that deed, he said, that he expected to be brought before a tribunal where ample justice would be done to him; and that he expected to be liberated, and ultimately to have his claims satisfied.

He was conveyed to the secretary of state's office for the home department, where he was placed in a room, in which he walked nearly the whole time.

On the breaking up of the council, he was sent to Newgate. His commitment was signed by Michael Angelo Taylor, Esq. M. P. who accompanied him in the coach to Newgate, where he was doubly ironed.

The body of Mr. Perceval was removed from the speaker's house the same night, to his own in Downing-street; and the next morning, at 11 o'clock, a most respectable jury was summoned to attend A. Gell, Esq. coroner for Westminster, at the sign of the Rose and Crown, in Downingstreet. After taking a view of the body, and examining witnesses, a verdict of wilful murder was found against John Bellingham, alias Ballingham.

In the mean time, the Earl of Radnor, after a few words in the house of lords, moved an address to his royal highness the prince-regent, on the melancholy and afflicting occasion, the purport of which was, to express the feeling of regret and abhorrence entertained by the house at the melancholy circumstance attending the death of the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, one of his majesty's most honourable privy-council. Requesting that information might be laid before the house respecting the same; and praying that measures might be taken by his royal highness for bringing the offender or offenders to condign and exemplary punishment.

The address being unanimously voted; it was ordered to be presented forthwith, by a committee of lords specially appointed. On the following day (May 12) the Duke of York rose, and stated, that he had in his hand the answer of the princeregent to the address of the house, respecting the assassination of Mr. Perceval, which, with their lordship's permission, he would deliver at the table.

The answer was given in and read by the clerk. It contained only a few words, which were merely an echo to the address,-" That his royal highness the prince-regent participated in the sentiments of horror felt by their lordships at the atrocious murder of Mr. Perceval, and would take the requisite measures to bring the perpetrator to justice."

The bill of indictment against Bellingham was found, May 14, at the Sessions-house, Clerkenwell. His trial came on the next morning (Friday) at the Old Bailey, and the court was crowded to an excess. -The counsel retained for the crown were the attorney-general, Messrs. Garrow, Knapp, Gurney, and Abbott.-For the prisoner, Messrs. Alley and Reynolds. So great was the press, that a number of eminent persons of both houses of parliament were compelled to intermix indiscriminately with the multitude in the body of the court and the ordinary galleries.

When the prisoner was called upon to plead, his counsel stated, that he had no right, being insane. Two affidavits were read to that effect; and application was made to put off the trial; but the attorney-general contended, that this was a contrivance merely to impose on the court and prevent justice. He put it to the court, that the prisoner had been four months in town, transacting every species of business, and he did not call any of those to shew, that he was in that deranged state of mind they would describe.

The court then consulted for a short time, and Sir James Mansfield pronounced judgment of the court respecting the application, and said, that the affidavits were not sufficient to induce them to put off the trial.

He was then arraigned, and Mr. Abbott opened the pleadings.

The attorney general, in his address to the jury, noticed the manner in which the prisoner conducted himself, to shew that he was always compos mentis, and completely so at the time he committed the foul murder.

The assassination of Mr. Perceval having been proved by several witnesses, the prisoner was called upon for his defence; when, at his request, the papers taken from his person were delivered to him, and he proceeded to address the jury in a speech of above an hour's continuance, interspersed with the reading of those several documents and with his own comments. He expressed his thanks to the king's attorney-general for the resistance he opposed to the defence set up by his counsel, which went to prove that he was insane; because, if it had succeeded, it would not have answered the purpose of his justification. As to the lamentable catastrophe for which he was now on his trial before that court, no man could lament the sad event with deeper sorrow than he did not even the family and nearest

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was made on him for 2,000 rubles, alleged to be BOOK IX. due by him to a Russian merchant, who was a bankrupt. He refused to pay this demand for CH. XIII. a debt which he did not owe; and the senate, finding him determined to resist the demand, he was declared a bankrupt, and continued in prison under the pretence, that having been applied to for the payment of this demand, he had made auswer that he could not pay it, because all his property was in England, no such answer having ever been given by him. Under this pretence he was detained in prison. When the Marquis of Douglas arrived in Russia, he made his case known to him; and said he only wished it to be shewn, that the money was justly due, and he would At that time a ship, and he would pay it. The Marquis of Douglas made a representation, and stated, it was only desired, that the justice of the claim should be shewn, and the money should be paid. This application, however, was ineffectual, and he was still required to pay the 2,000 roubles, or even 20 roubles, to acknowledge, in some degree, the justice of the demand. All this while his wife, a young woman of only twenty years of age, with an infant at her breast, remained at St. Petersburgh, in expectation of his arrival: and at length, in the eighth month of her pregnancy, disappointed of her hopes, was obliged to set out, unprotected, on her voyage for England. At last, after a series of six years persecution in the manner he had described, the senate, quite tired out by these severities, in 1809 he received, at midnight, a discharge from his confinement, and an order to quit the Russian dominions; with a pass, which was in fact an acknowledgment of the justice of his cause.

friends of the unfortunate Mr. Perceval. He disclaimed, in the most solemn manner, any motive of personal or premeditated malice towards that gentleman in particular; and could only state, the unfortunate lot had fallen upon him as a leading member of that administration, which had repeatedly refused him any reparation for the unparalleled injuries he had sustained in Russia. He then entered into a detail of the injuries he had suffered. He was, he said, a person engaged in mercantile concerns at Liverpool, and in a prosperous situation; that in the year 1804 he went to Russia, on some mercantile business of importance to himself; and having finished that business he was about to take his departare from Archangel for England. At that time a ship, called the Soleure, was lost in the White Sea. She was chartered for England, and, by the direction of her owners, insured at Lloyd's coffeehouse; but the underwriters at Lloyd's refused to pay the owners for their loss; and in consequence of some circumstances connected with this refusal, and the loss of this ship, with neither of which he had any concern whatever, he was seized in his carriage as he was passing the Russian frontier, by order of the military governor at Archangel, and thrown into prison. He immediately applied to the British consul at Archangel, and through him to the British ambassador, Lord Granville Leveson Gower, then at the Russian court, stating his case. Lord G. L. Gower wrote to the military governor of Archangel, desiring, that if he, the prisoner, was not detained for any legal cause, he might be im mediately liberated as a British subject; but the governor answered, that he, the prisoner, was de,tained in prison for a legal cause, and that he had conducted himself in a very indecorous manner. From this time Lord G. L. Gower, and the British consul, positively declined any farther interference in the business; and he, the prisoner, was detained in durance for near two years, in spite of all his endeavours to induce the British minister to interfere with the Emperor of Russia, for the investigation of his case. At length, however, after being bandied from prison to prison and from dungeon to dungeon, fed on bread and water, treated with the utmost cruelty, and frequently marched through the streets under a military guard, with felons and criminals of the most atrocious description, even before the residence of the British minister, who might view from his window this degrading severity towards a British subject who had committed no crime, to the disgrace and insult of the British nation; he was afterwards enabled to make his case known through the procureur; it was investigated, and be obtained a judgment against the military governor and the senate. Notwithstanding this decision, he was immediately sent to another prison, and a demand

On his return to England he laid a statement of his grievances before the Marquis Wellesley, accompanied by authentic documents, and claiming some redress for the injuries he had sustained through the conduct of the British minister in Russia; which injuries it was impossible he should have suffered, if they had not been countenanced and sanctioned by that minister. The noble marquis was then in court, and could contradict his statement if it was false. He represented the circumstances as they really were; and not as personally concerning himself, but as involving the honor of the British government. He was referred by the noble marquis to the privy-council, and from the privy-council to the treasury; and thus bandied from one department to another, he applied to Mr. Perceval, who refused to support his claims. He was next advised to petition parliament; but then he was informed it was ne cessary to have the sanction of his majesty's ministers, as his claim was of a pecuniary nature; and he accordingly wrote to Mr. Perceval during the session of 1811, but he received for answer from his secretary, that the time for presenting

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