[Gutenberg 60389] • History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ... duct and their power made them obnoxious to Chap. XXV. many; and their ill-fortune, more than their------ errors, made them disliked by all. .-- Influenced by some of these motives, and per- Sche DEGREESef'>r J * overthrow. haps in no little degree by jealousy, the Junta. f of Seville were particularly hostile to the govern- ment, and a plan was formed in that city for overthrowing it: the members were to be seized, and some of the most obnoxious transported to Manilla in a ship which was prepared for the purpose. Some regiments had been gained over, and it is said even the guards of the Junta; but as the persons who designed this revolution had for their direct object the good of Spain, they considered it a mark of confidence due to Great Britain to make the English ambassador ac- quainted with their purpose; for in fact, so far were the Spanish people from regarding the in- terference of Great Britain with jealousy, that they were disappointed because their ally did not interfere more frequently, and with more effect. Marquis Wellesley, of whom it had been said by Mr. Whitbread that he would, if oppor- tunity should offer, take Spain and Portugal as Buonaparte had done, had now an opportunity of showing in what manner he thought himself bound to act by a government which he knew to be weak, and suspected to be treacherous. At the very time when this foul imputation was brought against him in parliament, he gave to that government just so much information of its danger, as, without compromising the safety of xxv. any persons concerned, enabled the Junta to prevent the intended insurrection. 1809. The general wish was less for the convocation of the Cortes, than for the establishment of a regency, from which more unanimity