We have just received the following letter on this subject; which, from the gross misrepresentations made of it in the Weekly Register of the 31st December, is rendered highly interesting, and which we therefore beg to recommend to the particular attention of our readers.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ROYAL STANDARD.

SIR, CARDIGAN, 20th Jan, 1804. Though it is now some years since I retired into this neighbourhood, from the army and the busy world, I have not laid aside my curiosity, either for political or military subjects; and, even if I had, while the vital spark yet remained, such times as these would surely have recalled it.

I belong, Sir, to a reading club, which not only takes in the Weekly Register, but your Loyal Register also; and happy am I, Sir, to say, that the Antidote, as well as the Poison, has thus found its way into the mountains.

A few weeks since, there appeared, in Cobbett's paper, a letter signed IIIBERNIcus; and, indeed, considering the general character of the composition, it must be confessed, not very improperly so. This letter, Sir, as you may recollect, gave a most "alarming" account of our defenceless situation in the Principality.-God help us! according to that, our merciless enemy was about to devour us without a grain of salt; and not a man was to be found, amongst the progeny of Caractacus, Glendowr, and Llewellyn, to prevent it, I cannot say, for my own part, that I have the fear of the enemy much before mine eyes; yet, when I was thus to learn that my wife, my daughter, and all that is dear and valuable to me in the world, was in such

jeopardy; that they, and indeed all Wales, had nothing to defend them but " a few miserable THINGS on foot, and equally miserable THINGS on horseback, who do not know the right hand from the left."-I say, Sir, though I had but little fear of the French, and still less faith in Mr. Cobbett, I began to look about me-I began to make enquiries, as to the truth of these things; and to con over, with a soldier's eye, a large map of the Principality, which is in my possession, in order to determine whether it might not be prudent to order a retreat in a good hour. I do not pretend to be much of a General, Mr. Editor; but I have seen a little service, and was fond of my profession: I think, therefore, my judgment is as much to be relied on as that of Mr. HIBERNICUS; and, particularly, as my discernment in this instance 1 put upon the qui vive, by the first and strongest principle in nature-by that of self-defence--which is not the case with this HIBERNIAN GENERALISSIMO; who, if he be a real existence, wandered only from + ** to ***, and from *** to ****, (as he has most accurately defined his military tour) for the double purpose of abusing our Welchmen, and frightening their women and children; but he is, thank God, no sojourner amongst us!

If therefore, Sir, under these circumstances, you think the result of my enquiries and opinions, upon the means of defence now existing in Wales, is likely to be of any use in undeceiving the Public, I shall be happy to see them inserted in your paper-all I shall further premise, to secure your confidence in my opinion, is, that for my own part I have resolved, in a Council of War with my own family, that there is not the smallest occasion for changing our quarters; but that I will stay, and see it fought out fairly, if the French do come, though my best fighting days are long since over,

I propose therefore, Mr. Editor, in the first place, to inform you, what force of different descriptions there is at this moment actually in existence for the Defence OF WALES, and afterwards to give you my opinion as to its efficiency.

t

To enumerate every volunteer corps which has been raised in the country would be useless and tiresome-but I do assure you, Sir, we have embodied, armed, and disciplined not less than 30,000 men, of this description of force-whether these men, (now they are regularly trained and armed,) who behaved as they did with only sticks and pitchforks in their hands, when, on a former occasion, they were informed that a large army of French had landed at Fisguard-whether, I say, these men, who then, though completely without either the means of annoyance or defence, gathered together and resolved to attack an army of whose numbers they were quite ignorant, are to run away now they are fully accoutred, I leave to the candour of Hibernicus and his friend's "miserable things on horse and foot," as he is pleased to term them!!! That we have laboured under difficulties in disciplining our corps in Wales,

† It must be confessed, that the memorandums of Hibernicus look more like the journals of some worthy gentleman canvassing for a place in the India or Bank Direction,than that of a general on a military tour. We should not, indeed, have been surprised to see the former expressing himself thus :— "Dec. 1st. went from ** to--- .***, but not one VOTE in five stars!!!" It serves, however, at all events, to convince us, that Mr. Cobbett's friend is a person both of universal information, and profound ingenuity; for it must be acknowledged, that this is an admirable discovery for travelling through a enantry upon paper, even without the assistance of a map !

which were not known in England is certain; from the numbers in every rank, some of whom spoke no Welch, some no English, and the consequent impossibility of giving a word of command, in the ordinary way, that would be intelligible to every one; however, "where there's a will there's a way," and this difficulty no longer exists. But, Sir, our horse and foot," which, in spite of the "honourable mention made of them in the Weekly Register," actually amount to so respectable a force, are not the only volunteers that have turned out. We have, besides them, not less than 5,000 of that most important class of volunteers, the sea fencibles, in Wales, and the contiguous districts of Liverpool and Bristol. I shall be more particular in describing them, as they are more easily reckoned, as they are constantly on the coast, and therefore go more immediately to refute the very words of Hibernicus, that a great and very important part of the western coast, the whole line from St. "David's to Chepstow, that is, the WHOLE COAST OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL IS UN99 PROTECTED.'

Now, Sir, we shall begin this line at BRISTOL; which is the general rendezvous of nine hundred of the Avon, Severn, and Wye Fencibles, under Captains Sotheby, George Blake, and G.C. Pulling. The next rendezvous to the Westward, in this very line for nearly the same number of men enrolled between Chepstow and Kedwelly, under the command of Captains Richard Jones and George Jones, is Swansea. From Kedwelly to Cardigan, which includes St. David's, there is another similar rendezyous at Haverford-West, under Captains Tyler, Cheshyre, and Probyn. Now, Sir, this is only a part of what may be enumerated; but it had been sufficient to have mentioned even fewer, considering they form but a part of one description of force only that has been raised on that very line, which these gentlemen have, unfortu, nately for themselves, declared to be wholly unprotected!! To proceed, however-between Cardigan and Holyhead are several other corps; and at Holyhead there is one, under the command of Captain Owen Williams. In short, Sir, the whole of our coast is thus protected! Not to mention that at Liverpool, where they are equally applicable to the defence of Wales, there is a rendezvous of eleven hundred sea fen, cibles, under Captains Pierrepoint, C. Hay, and H. E. P. Sturt. Good God! what are we then to think and say of the veracity, of the impudence of Mr. Cobbett and his friend? And what are their motives? To prove, says the worthy Hibernicus, "that the cause of Mr. Windham IS THE CAUSE OF THE COUNTRY." A pretty cause, truly, then, and precious advocates this Right Honourable Gentleman has chosen! When Truth and Loyalty are alike sacrificed for the promotion of Panic and Distrust!!! But, Sir, it will not do !-With 30,000 volunteers, with upwards of 5,000 sea fencibles, with at least an equal number of militia and regulars in Wales and in the neighbouring counties-with six ships of war (one of them a 74)—at Milford, in the river Mersey, and in the Bristol channel; besides the cruizing squadrons which defend the entrance of St. George's channel, Welchmen will not desert their mountains nor will they capitulate on the first sight of the enemy!!!

Such, however, Mr. Editor, is the force which might, in one day, be called into cooperation for the defence of Wales; a force which, if I did not fear, (to use a military phrase,) I had already too much extended myself, I think I should find it no very difficult matter to prove was much greater than we ever shall or ever can have occasion for. And indeed, now I think of it, I will e'en proceed in my tactics; for,

truly, Sir, when we old Soldiers once begin, it is not a little that stops us. We have all of us more or less of MY UNCLE TOBY's spirit about us. And if I fatigue your readers, it is your own fault.

I was saying, Sir, that we have more force in the Principality than we have occasion for; and I will prove it. In the first place, if the French could send out any considerable armament either from Brest or any of their ports in our direction, it is not very probable that they will think of us, but rather bend all their efforts against Ireland. But suppose they were, upon the calculation of such an attempt being but little expected, to resolve on such a descent-I ask, what have they not to encounter on the passage? What have they not to combat from the nature of the country if once ashore? And after all, what good purpose could it answer?-whether their invasion be considered as predatory or for the ultimate conquest of the island!

They first have to beat or to avoid the blockading fleets--which have closed their harbours, with the exception of very few hours, I may say, during a most severe and tempestuous winter; and which, therefore, will not be very apt to desert that Post of Honor now the weather is likely to be more moderate. But allowing they should get out of Port-whether bound for Ireland or for Wales, it is rather probable they will be watched; and in that case, the fleet on the Irish station lies very conveniently for intercepting them-in either course. But, however, we will grant that they have passed this second barrier, and that in spite of sea fencibles and all the descriptions of opposition that can be collected at the moment, they have effected a landing, with some loss, for I cannot conceive we should let them come amongst us without giving them a little specimen of what the ANCIENT BRITON has done, and can yet do. I say, Sir, suppose them landed, either at **, or ****, or any other of these most convenient spots best known to the great HIBERNICUS; then, Sir, if ** is situated between St. David's and Chepstow, and their object is to penetrate to the South, or South-East, for the purpose of making a diversion towards the metropolis, they must re-embark, to cross the Bristol Channel, or else, they must penetrate through a country full of fastnesses, and intercepted by innumerable mountains and rivers, to enable them to cross the Severn-without a second embarkation. No-but

says HI

Cardigan Bay, perhaps at Ho-
The further they go, the worse

BERNICUS, they will land at ***! that is, perhaps, in lyhead. Well, Sir, wherever the gentleman pleases! they will fare: for if they touch upon North Wales, they get into a country, which at this time of the year, would prove nearly a second Chaos to the Devil himself,

"O'er Bog or Steep, through Straight, rough, dense, or rare.!!!”

Now then, Sir, I do contend that if the French had an army of thirty thousand men, landed to-morrow in Wales, (which by-the-bye, is not very possible) that we should, though we might not have been able to prevent their first landing, have more than sufficient force effectually to check their progress, without drawing any material supplies from England. We have it is true of late heard wonderful things told of their crossing the Alps-but I shrewdly suspect the Consular Guard would find a winter campaign on Snowden, or Cader Idris, rather more irksome than the passage either of Mount Cenis or St. Bernard. They would find our plains not many degrees more hospitable than our mountains, nor would they find the rigors of the morning's march relieved by the luxuries of Parmesan and Maccaroni at evening-quarters in a milder climate. What object, therefore, would be adequate to

the attempt? If it were intended to co-operate in the great plan of the conquest of the country, by making a diversion, they must penetrate--for to suppose they would land in Wales merely for the purpose of occupying it, is absurd, unless indeed Bonaparte wishes them to learn the art of making flannel-but, if they are to penetrate, I do most clearly affirm they must not come to our part of the country, as it certainly is neither the best nor the shortest road to London, putting all extraordinary impediments out of the way. But perhaps HIBERNICUS thinks they might visit us for the sake of Plunder! that, however, Mr. Editor, would certainly be a little bit of a Bull whether in him or in them, as we are notoriously very poor, but, thank God, at the same time very honest, and therefore to me it appears that all they would have a right to expect, and certainly all they would get, whether they expected it or not, wonld be FAMINE and HARD FIGHTING! They may be vastly good troops to be sure-but, Sir, I have had experience enough of these things to know that a little of them goes a great way in most armies.

All circumstances considered, therefore, I must humbly beg leave to differ from Mr. Cobbett's Correspondent-either that we are wholly unprotected" or "that our volunteeers are the miserable things" he describes them-on the contrary, I am thoroughly satisfied, both from my knowledge of the country, and its resources, and from the variety of enquiries I have made, that we are in every respect most perfectly secure, and I doubt not that Ministers have acted upon a similar conviction in the disposition of their disposable force--I, Sir, am convinced (and I trust, the public will, through the medium of your paper, see, not without reasonable grounds) that to send us either more ships, or more militia, or more regulars, would be sending coals to Newcastle-because we have already more than we want-nor do I think, that, either You or Hibernicus, or Cobbett (if the two latter could be sincere) can think me fool hardy for my determination of wintering at Cardigan with all I most prize on earth. I am, Sir, your's, &c.

A DESCENDANT OF THE TUDORS.

P. S.--Should the enemy, however, attempt us, I think I may venture to promise you an early account of their ill success, and a few commentaries on the Campaign-or rather on the Battle.

FINANCE CONTINUED.

6

In our last number we have endeavoured to prove, that the grandeur and prosperity of Great Britain has arisen out of her public funds; whence it follows, that a certain quantity of national debt is absolutely necessary for a country having the means of an accession of wealth.” propose now, therefore, to pursue the subject, and to investigate the means of ascertaining that certain necessary quantity.

We

CHAP. II.

How to determine the Maximum of the National Debt.

PLAN OF THE ARGUMENT.

That the debt has attained its limit, when the exact amount of the surplus capital of the country is invested in stock.

* As defined in the first chapter.