continued appearance of a negociation, when the government of Spain, acting in the name peace has been found to be utterly unattain of his catholic majesty, Ferdinand VII, was able, could be advantageous only to the understood to be a party of the negociation. eneiny. It might enable France to sow The reply returned by France to this proposi distrust and jealousy in the councils of those tion of his majesty casts off at once the thin who are combined to resist her oppressions: disguise, which had been assumed for a mo and if, among the nations which groan under mentary purpose; and displays, with less the tyranny of French alliance, or among than ordinary reserve, the arrogance and in those which maintain against France a doubt justice of that government. The universal ful and precarious independence, there should Spanish nation is described by the degrading be any which even now are balancing be- appellation of the Spanish Insurgents; tween the certain ruin of a prolonged inacti- and the demand for the admission of the govity, and the contingent dangers of an effort, vernment of Spain as a party to any negocia to save themselves from that ruin; to nations tion, is rejected as inadmissable and inso situated the delusive prospect of a peace sulting.-With astonishment as well as with between Great Britain and France could not grief his majesty has received from the Empefail to be peculiarly injurious. Their prepa ror of Russia a reply, similar in effect, alrations might be relaxed by the vain hope of though less indecorous in tone and manner. returning tranquillity; or their purpose sha-The Emperor of Russia also stigmatizes as ken by the apprehension of being left to con- insurrection," the glorious efforts of the tend alone. That such was, in fact, the Spanish people in behalf of their legitimate main object of France in the proposals trans- sovereign, and in defence of the independence mitted to his majesty from Erfurth, his ma- of their country; thus giving the sanction of "jesty entertained a strong persuasion.-But at his imperial majesty's authority to an usurpa a moment when results so awful from their tion which has no parallel in the history of importance, and so tremendous from their the world.-The king would readily have uncertainty, might be depending upon the embraced an opportunity of negociation, decision of peace or war, the king felt it due which might have afforded any hope or prosto himself to ascertain, beyond the possibility pect of a peace, compatible with justice an of doubt, the views and intentions of his with honour. His majesty deeply laments enemies. It was difficult for his majesty to an issue, by which the sufferings of Europe believe, that the emperor of Russia had de- are aggravated and prolonged. But neither voted himself so blindly and fatally to the the honour of his majesty, nor the generosity violence and ambition of the power with of the British nation, would admit his mawhich his imperial majesty had unfortunately, jesty's consenting to commence a negociation, become allied, as to be prepared openly to by the abandonment of a brave and loyal abet the usurpation of the Spanish monarchy; people, who are contending for the preservaand to acknowledge and maintain the right tion of all that is dear to inan; and whose assumed by France, to depose and imprison exertions in a cause so unquestionably just, friendly sovereigns, and forcibly to transfer to his majesty has solemnly pledged himself to herself the allegiance of independent nations. sustain.-Westminster, Dec. 15, 1808. When therefore it was proposed to his majesty Subscription in Aid of the Spanish Patriots. to enter into negociation for a general peace,On Friday, Dec. 2, pursuant to adverin concert with his majesty's allies, and to treat either on the basis of the Uti Possidetis (heretofore the subject of so much controversy), or on any other basis, consistent with justice, honour, and equality, his majesty determined to meet this seeming fairness and moderation, with fairness and moderation, on his majesty's part, real and sincere.-The king professed his readiness to enter into such negociation in concurrence with his allies; and undertook forthwith to communicate to them the proposals which his majesty had received. But as his majesty was not connected with Spain by a formal treaty of alliance, his majesty thought it necessary to declare, that the engagements which he had contracted, in the face of the world, with that nation, were considered by his majesty as no less sacred, and no less binding upon his majesty, than the most solemn treaties; and to express his majesty's just confidence that

tisement, a meeting of the merchants and others took place at the City of London Tavern, for the purpose of supplying the Spanish Patriots with clothing, and other necessaries. The Lord Mayor presided; and Mr. Alderman Rowcroft moved, "that it was the sense of the meeting, that subscriptions should be immediately entered into, for supplying the Spanish armies with necessaries." This resolution was carried unanimously, and with much applause." The meeting then proceeded to form a committee, composed of a great number of the most respectable merchants of London, for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects for which they were assembled, and the following address was published by them, Dec. 13- The committee appointted on the 9th of December, by the merchants and inhabitants of London, to attend to the application of a general subscription in aid of the brave Spanish Patriots, how strug

58,500 men; cloth for do 50,000 linen and callico 200,000 yds. ; great coats: 33,750.; shirts 23,000; shoes 73,000 pairs.*

Address to the Clergy of the Diocese of London. Fulham House, Nov. 23, 1808. Rev. Sir, Having obtained a copy of the fol lowing resolutions, which have been lately entered into by all the most respectable inhabitants of Windsor, they appeared to me so well calculated to promote the great object they have in view, (namely, the suppression of those gross profanations of the Lord's Day, which are now most prevalent and most ob noxious;) that I thought I could not do a more material service to the inhabitants of my diocese, than by requesting the clergy to promate similar resolutions in their respective parishes, wherever the same profanations or any other flagrant violations of the Lord's Day have taken place. I hope, therefore, you will have the goodness to exert yourself with zeal in the accomplishment of this most laudable purpose: and am, Rev. Sir,your allectionate brother, B. LONDON.

gling in the field to defend their country from a foreign and cruel invader, cannot discharge that duty without making an earnest appeal to the attention of their generous countrymen, of all ranks, in behalf of a nation and a cause so interesting to all the sympathies of Britons. A people contending for their independence, liberties, and security, from foreign tyranny and oppression-a nation, friendly in its dispositions-honourable in all its national conduct and character-fitted by political and commercial interests and relations, to be closely connected in alliance and friendship with Great Britain, and now struggling with heroic fortitude, in a common cause, against a common and most formidable foe; suffering in the arduous conflict the greatest hardships, and enduring the severest privations, has, surely, strong claims of every kiud on every inhabitant of these islands; and though the greatest exertions have, with the general approbation of this nation, been made by government to afford the most extensive, speedy, and effectual aids of treasure, arms, aùmunition, military stores, equipments, and clothing, for the maintenance and support of the Spanish troops, together with the succour of large bodies of British soldiers, it is still felt, that the generous manifestation of the popular sentiment, and such further aids, of various kinds, as a general and liberal subscription may supply, cannot but have an effect animating and consoling to the Spanish soldier, and convincing to the Spanish government and people, of the perfect union in opinion and sentiment which on this subject subsists throughout these islands. The tommittee rely, with confidence, that the good example of the public corporations and companies, and of the inhabitants of the metropolis, will be followed by the principal cities, towns, and districts of the united kingdom, in order to form together an offering worthy of the great cause for which it is made, of the high character and affluence of the empire which presents it, and fit to be accepted by the gallant, disinterested, and high spirited nation, to whose brave defenders it is offered." -The subscription already amounts to upwards of £30,000. The Duke of Queens. bury, to his eternal honour, as a peer of the realm, has subscribed £5,000. The fol Our readers are requested to refer to Panolowing is a list of the supplies (sent and or rama, Vol. IV. p. 984 ct seq. where will dered by government) for the Spanish armies, be found an address and propositions for a subas contained in a letter of the chancellor of scription in aid of the Spaniards, intended to the exchequer, and read at the above meet-have been proposed at the Argyle Rooms so far ing Suits of clothing and cloth for 241,400 men; great coats, and cloth for great coats, for 100,000 men: shirts 35,000; sheeting 100,000 yds.; calico 882,000 do.; Tinen 116,000 do,; shoes as many as can be procured. Of the above articles, the follow ing have been actually forwarded to Spain, a different times:-uniforms complete for

Resolutions of a Meeting for promoting, due Observance of the Sabbath. At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the town and castle of Windsor, held at the Guildhall, on Tuesday the 26th of April, 1808, for the purpose of adopting such resolutions as should be thought most effectual for promoting the better observance of the Sabbath, within the borough and its neighbourhood-James Egelstone, Esq. Mayor, in the chair-Resol ved, That the practice of opening shops, or otherwise exercising trades or callings on Sun days; the delivery of goods by the common carriers; and the admission of persons into public-houses and suffering tippling therein, during divine service; are gross breaches of the Sabbath, and tend greatly to the corrup tion of morals and the increase of dissipation.

Resolved, That the persons present at this meeting do hereby pledge themselves to discountenance such practice; and that they will not apply or send to any shop whatsoever, for goods, provisions, or any other article, on Sunday, nor suffer their servants or any of their respective families so to do, and they do recommend to the inhabitants generally to

back as JULY LAST-and if they had been properly attended to, at that period, the Spaniards might, long ere this, have been enjoying the relief now proffered. However, better late than never, as the proverb says; and we sincerely hope it is not yet too late to shew the Spaniards that every individual in the country is in unison with the actions of government.

conform to this resolution. Resolved, That
this meeting do recommend to the several
trades-people of this town and neighbourhood
to keep their shops close shut during the
whole day of every Sunday (excepting where
it may be unavoidably necessary for light, and
in that case to remove all appearance of expo-
sing goods for sale from the windows;) and
not to sell any thing except in cases of abso-
lute necessity, nor to permit the carriers to
deliver goods at their respective houses during
the dayResolved, That it be recommended
to all persons who employ workmen, labour
ers, and others, weekly, to pay all such their
wages in sufficient time to preclude the ne-
cessity of their purchasing provisions or other
necessaries on a Sunday. Resolved, That
these resolutions be signed, and copies thereof
be printed, together with extracts from the
several acts of parliament relative to the dee
observance of the Lord's Day, and circulated
thoughout this town and neighbourhood.
Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting
be given to the mayor, who proposed the above
resolutions for promoting good order and
due observance of the Sabbathi Day,-A num
ber of gentlemen were appointed a committee
to act as occasion may require, in promoting
the object of this meeting. Among them are,
the mayor, justice, and town-clerk; the ma-
gistrates of the counties of Berks and Bucks,
acting in the adjoining parishes; the dean and
canons of Windsor; the provost and fellows
of Eton; the vicars of New and Old Windsor;
the minister of Clewer, &c. &c. These Re-
solutions were also undersigned by upwards
of seventy gentlemen.

INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES, ESPECIALLY

THE CHILDREN, IN THE BRITISH WEST-
INDIA ISLANDS,

Though the Panorama was not vociferous in condemning the Slave Trade, yet it was hearty in rejoicing when that traffic was abolished. It looked, however, much further than that interference of the legislature, to the probable effects, and results of it, for years to come. Among these the education and instruction of the negroes, held a principal place; and, disregarding manifest inconveniences, our work gave entire, [Vide Panorama, Vol. 111.p.1129] the Bishop of London's excellent Letter To the Governors, Legislatures, and Proprietors, of Plantations, &c. in the British West-India Islands, "a tract written expressly on that important subject. With truly honourable as well as ardent zeal, that pious and eminent prelate recommended to the persons most interested, the beginning of this humane and laudable work, pointing ant both their duty and their interest, in lightening the bondage of their negro servants, by teaching them the knowledge

of God, enjoining them the sacred rest of the Sabbath, urging the regulation of the intercourse among the sexes, and diffusing the blessed and benign hope of salvation, through, the Great Mediator.

Such an effort could hardly have been made in vain; and among the returns to it, are sundry letters, the contents of which are of great interest, on this subject. We embrace an opportunity of laying them before our readers, and they will be found in this work, EXCLUSIVELY. We cannot prevent our pe riodical contemporaries from abstracting them, after we have published them, as they have done a multitude of other articles, but, we refer to the test of comparison of dates, to vindicate our claims to priority and fidelity.

We offer first, a letter from a planter in Jamaica to the Bishop of London, dated June 25, 1808. Secondly, a letter not addressed to the Bishop, but intended for his perusal, from another planter, in the same island; and thirdly, a circular address to the clergy and proprietors of plantations in the islands, which contains his lordship's reply to objections, after full consideration of those remarks which have reached him, and the information he

has derived from numerous communications with very intelligent men. The complimenta ry and confidential parts of these letters are omitted, of course.

Permit me to add, that America is my native country, to which my father migrated, from Durham, in 1740; and, that I came here, previous to the revolution in the former country, and became a sugar planter by pur chase.

The morals and habits I brought with me, were repugnant to the horrid system exercised among the most hapless of the human race and my visit to America in 1792, with intent to seule there permanently, with my numerous family, increased that general disappro bation and abhorrence. I returned to Jamaica, in 1801, with my family, apparently doomed to end our days in these tents of Kedar:" from the deplorable prospects presented to the heavily burthened and groaning agriculture, which admits not a ray of hope to the planter of leaving it, to live in his fornt er competence elsewhere; while his produce, raised in extreme toil, and sold at the only 2E4

market, to which he can send it, will scarcely pay for the casks he sends it in!

I greatly fear this, and increasing debt to the British merchant, on whose capital he purchases and cultivates, will interrupt the realization of your lordship's benignant views; devoutly as I pray for their success, and that your philanthropy may be universally imitated. I consider the original settlement and management of slaves in Jamaica, as having been founded in error, and nourished in vice; until it has become like the Augean stable, and requires Herculean labour to cleanse it. The powerful interference of the parliament of the mother country only is equal to these effects; for a late trial, by what the consolidated slave code constitutes a court of protectors," justifies my assertion, that the law itself is a mockery of the humane purposes it feigns to embrace, and is a delusion to the rulers of the nation. All minor attempts or exertions to prevent abuses or improvements in the condition of slaves, will be vain. I rejoice therefore to behold in your lordship so pure and powerful an advocate for them.

Previous to my last return to the island, a gentleman, who was a planter, procured from America a lay Baptist, one Moses Baker (a coloured or Mulatto man of good, peaceable, disposition) to instruct and exhort his slaves. The goodly reports of this man induced me to write, and obtain, that gentleman's permission, to allow him to visit and preach to mine. But before I could advance in this essay several lay Methodists, who congregated and exhorted free coloured people and slaves, in Kingston, were apprehended by the magistracy, and. I believe, imprisoned; and it was with difficulty the unoffending Baker was saved from transportation, by the firm ness of his employer.

I have warmly contended (against the torrent of opinion) "that the abolition of the Slave Trade will become a blessing to the West-Indies." That it will necessarily incite greater care and providence for them, generally; and particularly, for pregnant women, to prepare them comforts, and proper lodging in hospitals, &c. with various other requisite means to preserve their offspring; and also encourage licit connexions; which you wisely advise.

Surely if evils are to be apprehended from untutored savages, as they are imported from Africa, in proportion to numbers, the apprehensions will diminish, when additions to these numbers cease.

See the " Proceedings of the Council of Protection, in the case of Betsy Martin, a Mustee Slave," at Savana-la-Mar, the 26th March, 1805; printed at my instance, by R. Edwards, Fleet-street; in possession of! Mr. Jos. Butterworth.

Analagous circumstances and facts, in the southern states of America, also manifest, that civilization did not make any progress while supplies from Africa fed the barbarous ideas and native recollections of their slaves.

In 1770, I witnessed slavery in all its ri gour and misery, in Virginia. A wretched ness, aggravated by cold and nakedness; which the genial clime of the West-Indies precludes. Yet, on my return there in 1792, I beheld a most wonderful change. Civilized reasonable beings, but nominally slaves, for little more than the name of slavery existed. I found barbarians and heathens turned to christianity! and admired the universal toleration of religion, emanating from that sense of political good, which had abolished the African Slave Trade.

Guided by the spirit of our Divine Teacher, Christian pastors of every denomination had introduced themselves among this once hapless race, and taught them submission, repentance, and forgiveness, as the way to future bliss. The results becaine manifest, by their population doubling itself in sixteen years; whereas, before, it was necessary to import 15,000 yearly, to keep up their census. La bour, tillage, wealth, and comforts now en riched the master; and humanity rased from the slave the remembrance of his former

woe.

These truths I have earnestly though unavailingly represented; for I possess not that magnitude of property, which commands here a magnitude of influence; and, retired to the calm of an agricultural life, I seek it not in public pursuits. I have reasoned from comparative facts, that religion was indispeusable in humanising our slaves ;" and, by giving them a knowledge of moral duty, we should draw from them far more labour than is forced by iron severity.

I grieve to say, au opposite opinion prevails; and arguments are used, to shew, " that our safety is secured by ignorance!" May an interposing Providence dispel the mistaken policy which rejects ordinances and measures, so expedient to our prosperity! and may the event justify the inscrutable means, He may have appointed, thus to bring myriads to the light!

In respect to the method of effecting YOUR charitable and salutary institution, I do not exactly accord, as to the facility of establishing it, by assimilating the Hindoos and Africans; because the one professes a national illumination and improved talents: the other, we find with a depravity and savageness of heart, which contributes some sanction to the conclusions made of their inferiority, by President Jefferson in his Notes, and which my own studious researches have not yet enabled me to controvert.

The pious missionaries, who have been. successful in other countries, in converting