40 J. H. Rose There is unfortunately no account in the archives of the British Foreign Office respecting their interview with Canning. From un- official sources we know that their reception by the populace was extremely cordial ; and it was a foregone conclusion that Canning, who had watched the politics of the Peninsula with the most eager interest, would avail himself of the alliance now proffered by the Spanish people. Whether he had any difficulty in overcoming the scruples of the king, always punctilious in matters of diplomatic pro- cedure, is not known. The discussions in the Cabinet are veiled in secrecy ; but it may be taken for granted that the ministers were prac- tically of one mind, seeing that the official declaration ordering the cessation of hostilities against Spain appeared on July 4, 1808. Par- liament was virtually unanimous in approving this change of policy. The archives of the British Foreign Office yield nothing of in- terest on this subject before July 6, 1808. On that day Canning issued instructions to Mr. Charles Stuart directing him to proceed to Corunna on board of H. M. S. Alaiiene, along with Don Joa- chim Freire. one of the deputies of the " Kingdom " of Galicia.^ The despatch continues in these words : On your arrival at Corunna, Mr [sic] Freire will present you to the several members of the Provisional Government of Galicia, who will be apprized by their deputies in London of your appointment and of the nature of the duties which you are to fulfil. You will take the earliest opportunity to inform the Provisional Government that on board of the Alcmene is the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling in Spanish dollars, which His Majesty is pleased to advance by way of loan to the Galician Government and which you are ready to deliver over to any person who may be duly authorized to receive the same. Stuart is then directed to carry on communications between Spain and the British government and to furnish all the news possible. Mr. Hunter, who was sent to Gijon to act as British consul for the principality, or province, of Asturias, was charged to supply him with information from that quarter. The following sentences at the close of the despatch are of interest as showing Canning's de- sire for united action in Spain : You will give it distinctly to be understood that you have no authority to enter into any political engagements and that if any proposals of such a nature should be made to you, you can do no more than transmit them to His Majesty's Govt, for their consideration. If the Government of Galicia should express any desire that H. M. should appoint an accredited agent to reside at Corunna, you will rep- resent to them the inconvenience which would arise from accrediting ' Don Joachim Freire must not be confused with Mr. Hookham Frere, who in October, 1808, was appointed British envoy to the central junta of Spain.
