Editor’s Note pg 256Editor’s Note2739To José Joaquín de Mora8–9 January 1821 (Aet 72)

Dear Sir,

I have to thank you for your favour of the 18th. last² through Mr. C.³ containing a half sheet with that date and a narrow slip without date: of both which that gentleman our mutual friend has cognizance as desired by all parties:⁴ also the Prospectus of your Constitutional in its enlarged form, with yours and the two other names of it. By the bye a French Newspaper (I hear) speaks of you as having given up all concern in it: the Frenchman has, I suppose, his reasons.⁵

I am in no small perplexity it is necessary on all accounts you should be apprised of it. No such letter as you there speak of as addressed to me by my name, through the post, has come to hand: none of any later date than 30th Octr.⁶ Letters of mine to you it appears by this of yours have miscarried. From this and other accounts it appears beyond doubt that a system of interception, inspection and occasional suppression is organized, and that we are among the victims of it. The letter you speak of as having sent to Mr. Bowring has never come to hand: to my enemy by whom it has been intercepted he will thus have been made known as a man engaged in a most extensive correspondence for public purposes such as mine. You must never direct any letter to me again, by the post, unless it be to requite the enemy by delusive information.

Since the date of the last letter now as to your four ennumerated points. Haste is not favourable to good economy in words even more than money: but in your situation I am as sensible how unavoidable it is as you can be.

1. Publication de vos lettres sur les loix liberticides et autres points pg 257généraux. 1 Had they, or any of them been received? I am in the dark even as to this: for the existence of the letters may have been made known to you either by the things themselves or by mention of them in other letters. 2. If received some translations of them respectively, or are they well on the way to be made and published? 'have not been received'—or 'have been received' 'are in a way to be published' or 'can not be published' by a portion of the aggregate of these phrases some light would have been substituted to total darkness. Though it was plainly with a view to eventual publication they were sent, yet as to every syllable the determination whether to publish or not was by the very nature of the case reposed absolutely in you. By the regard due to the public, to yourself or to myself suppression may have been recommended or even necessitated. Unless I receive timely reason to the contrary, they will find their way into Spain through other channels. 2. 'L'offre relatif a Sir Samuel' Was it presented? if so to whom? Had it been decidedly rejected, decidedly accepted, or reserved for consideration?⁷

The following extract of a letter of mine to Mr. C. 4th Jany. 1821 sent the 5th, applies to this subject.⁸

Meantime the matter has been mentioned to and approved by some leading men through other channels.

3. 'Le paquet arrivé par les Two Brothers'—'a Madrid' is 'pas encore a Madrid', by either of these last phrases light would have been substituted to the darkness with which your humble servant is destined to remain aflicted for at least a month to come

4. L'important travail de Don Toribio Núñez etc God speed him send his work!

Follow another point or two not among the enumerated ones

1. 'Impolitesse de M. Arguelles.' As to his acknowledging the receipt of the books I sent him he was under no obligation that I know of none at least of the perfect kind. But what he is under an obligation to do—if justice—not to speak of generosity can impose an obligation—is—pg 258to return that collection the property of Mr. Blaquiere which with so much generosity was sent to him under a misconception. If do not misrecollect with the first of my letters, or the duplicate sent by the two Brothers was a letter framed for the purpose of drawing from him the necessary if to him useless matter, and either in that or in something you have received through Mr. C. a proposed arrangement for the transmission of them to Lisbon for that Cortes:⁹ by favour of Mr. Galliano, Librarian to your Cortes¹⁰ or otherwise. Ignorant respecting the receipt of these endeavours I am reduced to employ others.

2. 'Je vous remercie des deux nouveaux paquets promis.' Is it for the promise or for accomplishment that the thanks are given? The accomplishment I hope. Yes; it must be so, for it is through Mr. C. they were sent. Through the same channel I hope to send the continuation of both down to the present day. If you have time to read them, you will see, if I mistake not, no common marks of utility in both, particularly in the article mentioned in the Examiner for the 7th. and the leading Article in two or three of the last of the Travellers.

3. Follows another Extract of my observations letter to Mr. C.¹¹

Rebus sic stantibus,¹² you will see by what unavoidable necessity all ulterior operations on any point relative to Spanish affairs remain in a state of suspension, until some light has shone upon the dark spots above indicated.