Star. — London, England, 1820-09-14 00:00:00

THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1820. THE FUNDS. PRICE or STOCKS THIS DAT AT ONZ 0 9 OLOCK S per Cent. Cons. 67 3 / 8 % 1 / 4 5 per Cent. Navy 103% 102%8 India Stock 215 214—Ditto Bonds 19s. 20s. South Sea Stock 74% 1 / 4 Exchequer Bills, (243.) 2s. 3s. Omnium 2 3 /s 1/4 I ,4—Cons. fer Acct. 67% % 1/2. The effect produced by the evidence against the QUEEN is indeed passing strange. We have avowed I our own opinion to be, that it has raised instead of lowered her MAJESTY in the estimation of the coun try ; and were we to allow to her prosecutors the ut most latitude in the interpretation of the public opi nion, the greatest admission they could demand from us would be, that public opinion on the subject is • suspended. But what is that but another why of saying that they have failed in establishing their case. Opinion suspended! For what? Are they mad enough to imagine that the QUEEN'S De lo:cc will furnish anything in support of the case against her? And if that does not throw up some thing new in their favour, where, in the name cf wonder, is it to come from ? They have closed their case —irrevocably closed it ; and if they have not made out their accusations against her MAJESTY , now, we say, without fear of contradiction, that they will never make them out. Nay, we will say more., After the years spent in preparing their proofs, after the enormous means of procuration which wet e placed at their disposal, after having everything at their command which could possibly help them to the getting up of this grand national drama—time, money, influence, authority—to fail—to get damned after all this—is to us a convincing proof that it was, a case they never could make out. To justify the conduct of his MAJESTY'S Govern ment in this business, the evidence ought to have been of such a nature as to spew, beyond the possi bility of a doubt, that there was an imperious State necessity calling for the prosecution. It was from the first admitted, on all hands, that unless this could be shewn, the measure was without apology. Every consequence that could be anticipated from the pro secution was lamentable, and it was never pretended that anything brit the apprehension of consequences still more injurious to the national character from bushing up the matter, could warrant Ministers in pursuing the course they adopted.—Now, has any such imperious State necessity, any case of necessity at all been proved? We fearlessly say, there has not. The existing state of the public opinion on the sub ject proves this to be the fact— Since no case has been, or can now be made out to the satisfaction of the Public, it is as clear as day that there never could have been any just ground for tiouLling the Public on the subject. The shame imputed to the QUEEN was said to have been of such flaming notoriety, that the national honour required that notice should be taken of it ; it was a fanza cla mosa, calling as strongly on behalf of the Crown for some statutory protection, as ever the honour of the British Peerage called for the Statute of Scant/alum Magnatum, in the time of RICHARD 11. But nothing at all like this has been proved. The circumstances countenancing a suspicion of guilt on the part of the QUEEN, turn out to have been in the knowledge only of a few obscure individuals widely scattered over the face of the earth ; and ghat is curious (we en- treat the particular attention of our Readers to this point), when these individuals were asked when and to whom they told their bits of story before, the almost invariable answer was, that the first time - they told them was to some emissary of the Milan Com mission, and that they had never mentioned thorn to any other body before or since. If the slander then did get public, who, we ask, were the tale-bearers? Who else could they be but the emissaries of the Milan Commission themselves, to whom alone the circumstances vk ere confided ? If there was any prevailing calumny, it must have owed all its prevalence to the very men, and their patrons, who now seek to convert the "giant lie" of their own fabrication, into a plea of State necessity, for a proceeding which is likely to." stink in the nos trils of mankind for ever • FROM THE TIMES. " The Public, we believe, is not sufficiently aware that the evidence (such as it is) now produced against the Quezn extends only to the first three yeats of her residence abroad. She is that ged, incited, with an habitual adulterous intercourse, extend ing over six years; but all that her enemies can do to prove this charge is to call now, in the fall of the year 1828, some worthless servants, discharged by her 111arasiv three years ago, in 1817, and the last three years of her life are left wholly untouched. Why has no testimony been called to prove what her conduct has been during these latter years, when, if she had been really guilty, long impunity would have rendered her more careless, and detection more easy? What! were there no discharged servants to be bought up at the end of the last three years as weS as.at the termination of the first?—no commodious cham bermaid (who, by the way, at last managed to acquit her blit JESTY), to whom a douceur equal to ten years' wages, besides all expenses, would have been acceptable? But in this, indeed, appears the extreme unfairness of concealing times, places, and Witnesses ; for her Manny, it is obvious, finding herself ac cused, would naturally imagine the misconduct imputed to her must have been supposed to take place one y ear, or two at the most, before the charge was brought ; and to that period she would direct her &Hendon ; whereas, the charge extends to ' six years, and the proof is but applied to three, and thou& drive the most remote; so that, in whatever way this singular accu sadmi is viewed, even now, before any one witneis is called to contradict it (no Counsel being allowed to comment on its alle gations), it consists wholly of contradictions, absurdities, and impossibilities, and falls to the ground of itself." Letters from Oporto, and the Diario Nacional, to the 31st August, have arrived, which furnish more correct details of the important events which have taken place there than had before arrived. The Manifesto of the New Government (given in our first page) is an interesting document, explaining the causes which led to the Revolution. The enumera tion of wrongs and grievances which it sets forth, are precisely of the kind we stated in the remarks we have offered, day after day, on the affairs of Portugal. The New Government lays great stress en the ruin of the navigation and commerce of the mother country, on the manner in which it is made dependent on the Brazils, previously a 1 colony, and on the disadvantages under which it labours from having only a delegated power exer cised in the country. Nor are these imaginary evils. In Portugal there was an Inquisition, in the Brazils none. Portugal was obliged to admit the. produce of the Brazils, in preference to all other in regard to duties, whilst Brazil makes no distinction between the produce of Portugal, principally wines, and that of other nations. Many instances have occurred lately of the Government of Brazil having taken pos session of, and appropriating to its own use, Portu guese merchant vessels, which had gone there for the sole purposes of trade; and immense numbers have been taken by the privateers of ARTIGAS, and the many Buccaneers, with simulated papers, under his flag, against whom and other pirates there is now such an outcry in all the West Indies, through the neglect of the Government in making provision for the safety of commerce, by granting convoys, and affording other means of protection. Years have elapsed before it has been definitively settled to what Tribunal certain judicial cases belonged, and few are decided without the parties ultimately appealing to Rio Janeiro, where the decision is sure to be in fa vour of him who can fee best. These are notorious facts, known to every practical merchant on the Ex change of London. These grievances, added to the many others under which they laboured, determined the Portuguese to demand redress, in the most legal and efficacious manner that they were able, and with a moderation that could scarcely be expected from the state of society in that country, and the great hardships the people have endured.—The following is an extract from a PRIVATE LETTER. " OPORTO, AUGUSPzi. " I hasten to transmit you an account of the Re volution that broke out in this city on the morning of the 24th instant—a Revolution, not only effected without the shedding of blood, but without disorder or tumult of any description whatever—a Revolution which has spread like the tepidity of lightning in the neighbouring cities, and which by this time is ex pected to have extended over this hitherto degraded and oppressed country in every direction. As among our neighbours, the Spaniards, it was brought about by the Military, and was in contemplation more than a twelvemonth. You are aware that Portugal was the most despotic country in Europe, that the people were prohibited from interfering or speaking upon any political t epic. Of late, however, this prohibition was partly relaxed, and it was not in corners or in private houses only that the expected change was spoken of, but even almost openly in our streets and in our public walks, and therefore it caused no sur prize whatever when it occurred. Many motives contributed to make the people eager in the extreme, and nearly desperate for a change in the system 'of Government—the absence of the Royal Family in the Brazils, where it was accompanied by the flower of the Nobility—the continual drains of specie from the country to carry on the war between the Cabinet of Rio de Janeiro and Artigas, and also the funds arising from the Revenues of the Crown and those of. the absentees—the almost total loss of our naviga tion—the distressed and ruined state of agriculture— the decay of our manufactories—our insecurity in our persons and property, and the suspension of the Army's pay, which was more than seven months in arrear, and which caused much discontent amongst the soldiery. Surely, Sir, these are strong causes,' and I exag gerate nothing ; but there are others that also contri buted to the change, and which it is unnecessary to enumerate ; suffice it to say, that the Portuguese are the most patient of people, . that they are the most easily governed of all European nations, that their loyalty to the reigning family of Braganza continued unabated, and yet such was the miserable state of the country, arising from bad policy, that even this people at last found it past all endurance. _ _ _ 4 , To proceed then, Sir, on the night of the 23d instant, the conspirators (if these noble Patriots who rescued their country from the brink of destruction deserve such an appellation) assembled at the house of Sepulveda, the Colonel of the 18th Regiment ; they consisted of himself, of Cabreira, Commander of Artillery ; Gill, the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th the Commander of the Police Cavalry ; the Doctor of Law, Jose Ferreira Borges (a man of great profes sional ability), and the Commanders of two Militia Regiments. This handful of brave men, having taken their measures during the night, assembled the troops by day-break, and Cabreira addressed them as follows :;--[Here follow the Addresses and Proclamations we inserted on Tuesday.] _ _ " After delivering these animated Addresses, Mass was celebrated in the camp of Santo Ovidio, and the troops took the oath of fidelity to the King, Cortes, and Constitution. All this took place before five o'clock in the morning of the 24th, at which hour the gladening sun shone with the most brilliantlustre upon the glittering arms of these deserving sons of their country, and appeared to animate them by its smiles to the glorious enterprise. At this hour a discharge of twenty-one pieces of artillery roused from their beds the inhabitants of Oporto, and gave them to understand what was going on. The troops then, headed by their respective leaders, marched to the Town House, in the Prana Nova, and the Public Authorities were immediately summoned to attend; there soon appeared the Bishop, the Chief Justice, the Military Governor of the Province, and other Heads of Departments. All being assembled, a Pro visional Government was installed, consisting of siz teen members, selected from among the Nobility, Mili tary, Clergy, Judges, Merchants, and Citizens; at its head was placed Antonia da Silveira, a man of old and honourable name and family, and gifted with talent and integrity; amongst these Members, there are a few of very considerable abilities, and doubtless they are all animated by the welfare of their country. The Junta being formed, its first act was to publish a Manifesto to the People, enumerating, in moderate but firm terms, the insults, the injuries, the oppres sions, the cruelties, in short, all the miseries which the nation suffered, for such a length of time, from the incapacity and crimes of those who directed the affairs of the State; it recommends, however, a total oblivion of the past, and gives the Portuguese well grounded hopes of prospeiity for the future. After the oaths were taken to the King, Cortes, Ecc.'and the Government established, the Assembly broke up, and the troops retired to their quarters, where they were regaled by their generous Officers with bread, beef, and wine. During this day, there was nothing heard of or seen but cries of joy and congratulation; it was, indeed, a day of festival, and not the smallest accident occurred to cloud the general joy ; no deaths, no insults, no arrests, no suspicion, no tumults, in short, no commotion of any description. All the shops were open,' and at the conclusion of the Constitution being proclaimed, the industrious part of the com munity went about their usual avocations; the thing appeared more like a birth-day parade than anything else, judging by its order and regularity, and not like a resolute and• determined body of men, who, with arms in their hands and courage in their hearts, assembled to throw off the yoke of tyranny and des potism, and to restore their once celebrated name to its proper rank and estimation among the nations of l the Continent. You are aware, Sir, that there are many English Officers in the service of Portugal, and - the Patriots, from motives of just and laudable pride, determined the salvation of their country should be effected by themselves alone; accordingly, on the night of the '23d, letters were sent to all our military country men, apprising them of what was to take place, and desiring them not to interfere one way or another, i and these instructions were all obeyed; had they re sisted, the consequences would have been unpleasant to themselves; and perhaps to us, who are quietly. pursuing our commercial pursuits, it might have been inconvenient. In truth, the conduct of the English Officers is highly laudable, and duly appreciated by the Portu guese ; they are suspended from actual service until the pleasure of the Cortes be known, but in the meantime continue in possession of their pay and rank in the army; in fact, 63 pleased is the Provi sional Government with their conduct, that it has issued a Circular stating the above, and compliment ing them in the highest terms for the services which they rendered, the country, and for which services it will always feel grateful ; in the meantime a mode rate and cautious behaviour is recommended to them, but with a hint that such a sary, from their education and situation in life, and, above all, from their being now witnesses of a whole people unanimously and zealously stepping forward to assert those rights which alike belong to all men. The whole country, from the river Minho dovia to Leiria (within twenty-two leagues of Lisbon), has declared for the Provisional Government, which has now at its command from 20 to 25,000 men, and the Quiroga of Portugal, Colonel Sepulveda, has gone South, to prepare and organize the army, in case it should be necessary to march to the relief of their countrymen at Lisbon; the army here is also preparing. All this may not be necessary, but it is certainly prudent, and they really appear to be ani mated, not with a wild and giddy enthusiasm, but with the most sober and the most determined reso lution of not stopping until such time as the salva tion of their country is accomplished; and, as Eng lishtnen, we pray that the Gon of armies may ac company and guide them in all their operations. Many people entertain doubts of Lisbon coming into the views of the Northern Provinces instantaneously, and they judge this from the many interests that clash together in the metropolis, and from its abound ing with the vermin that bask in the favour and sunshine of the most despotic and most corrupted of Courts ; but the wishes and desires of the nation, are is enneces- so universal in favour of a change, that it does appear to me consistent with the course of human affairs for the.thing to stop,_ or to admit of wall delay. We all pray that it may be brought abk ut in the metropolis in the same manner as in this which has gained immortal glory by the moderation of its proceedings; and the giving an example vlich was so readily followed by the neighbouring J./ices without the least delay, hesitation, or accident. The great author df OUT restored liberties is Sepulveda, the Colonel of the 18th Regiment of Foot; in , 1 a very young man indeed, ad ardeht lover of bis crew try, enthusiastically fond of his profession, an.. &In excellent officer; he is of a very ancient and r.vbLe family, and his father was the first to raise tl,e Pria tuguese standard against the French; in Tras Montes ; for this and other eminent services wihrii he rendered the State, he was raised to the dignity* of Viscount of Herbadoza, a title now inherited by the elder brother; from these circumstances stlne thing might have been hereditarily ext:ected of tie son ; and i hope, Sir, we do not profane the s dine of the most renowned patriot of antiquity, is brings to our iecollectkin the circumstances of elder and younger Brutus; these hallowed names have stood the test of nineteen centuries, and is but fair to anticipate that the names of Quirog and Sepulveda will be lisped with grati!ude by su ages, and when the present generation have been swept away from the face of the earth." Extract from a letter received by the Dick, LEE, arrived off Falmcutli: “ Open.), " We are happy to find that there has tint been =IT sup : tion to the post between here and Lisbon, and the reports Ito% thence to-day are favourable for the cause which has been:de clared for here. The news must have been known at Lisbon twelve hours when the post left, and then every thing was c,oiec there. It will be wonderful if such a Revolution takes place without bloodshed." Nothing further has arrived from Lisbon, except the following Proclamation, or Address, to the People, which was posted up in that Capital, by the friends of the Revolution, in the night of the 28th August: Portuguese!—The happy moment of salvation tor tier country is at length arrived : the thick veil of illusion, with which usurpers have shrouded our rights, is rent to pieces. Arise ! the hour is at hand when our country is to be saved from the ignominious yoke of slavery and opprobrium. Tie thrice-holi: banners of liberty already float in the air, of that liberty, the child of reason and of nature, of which we have been for so many ages deprived by the ferocious power of tyranny and misrule. Let us run to embta ce our honoured brethren al ready on their way to this Capital with a powerful army, after having sworn to and proclaimed that Constitution which mill ever be the dread of our oppressors, but under which our per sons and property will henceforwierds be secure. " Let us restore our ancient Cortes, and let that palladium of Spanish freedom also be the worthy model of our indepeader,ce. And where is the Portuguese who shall dare to raise his :, rm against his country ? No one, unless he be some degenerate mai, unworthy of the heroic name, and let out to hire to the enerzies of his nation. In short, enough of suffering; let us put limbs o the Royal authority and that of its Ministers, by the adoption of a sacred Constitutional Code, since by this wise step we shill be saved as welt from the evils of anarchy as of slavery and shame. Long live the heroic Portuguese Nation !—Long live our Religion !—Long live our Constitutional King !" SPANISH REVOLUTION. It is remarkable enough, that the French Journals should still continue to maintain silence respecting the Revolution of Portugal. We have, this morning, received the Paris Papers of Monday, but we have exa mined them in vain to find something from Portugal. They contain, however, some details of the proceed ings of the Spanish Cortes, which we shall subjoin. The Revolutions in the South cause great uneasi ness at Berlin ; and no wonder, when the violated promises made by the Prussian Rulers to the people, in the days of their peril and imbecility, are recol lested. Every effort is used to keep the people igno- rant of these events. The admission of foreign Jour -Inals is precluded with a degree of strictness that shews the alarm of the Government; and nothing in the shape of remarks or observations on passing events is suffered to issue from the press. The police of Berlin has just made a seizure at the bookse/lers of that city, of a translation of M. DE Polais's work, entitled " Spain and her Constitution." Such pro ceedings are certainly not the best calculated to ren der the people quiet, contented, and passive. MADRID, AUGUST 31. The Cortes have discussed at great length the question relative to the retired allowances of the ex public Officers. Their number is immense. There is a talk of their excluding all those from pay who have been dismissed for unconstitutional sentiments, but nothing has yet been decided. Several grandees have addressed complaints to the Cortes on account of some communes having refused to pay their rents,under the pretext that the claimants ought first to produce their written titles. They have been remitted to the First Committee of Legislation. A Member has proposed that the King should be invited to set the patriotic example of using nothing but stuffs of Spanish manufacture, and prohibiting the use of others in his Palace, as also that the Government should be invited to clothe the troops with national cloth, and that the Deputies of the Cortes themselves should engage to use nothing else. The proposition was censured by several Members, who regard it as impracticable in the existing state of the national manufactures. It was remitted to the Committee of Manufactures. The Judiciary Inquest into the unfortunate events of the 10th and 11th of March, at Cadiz, approach to a termination. . MIA A very - at St. at a qt MAN, The sition, been purpo: of cor the to 'and a: Stow c honou called • Mr. length demne as end: volvin; b mefu ions, ilimsell duct. was ad ^ TROD This ing of 'ithin purpose Wool) It is which t As so Meerinl sition, s Lita'Jit; interest Counten proofs c and he intender ansietie them hi the whc Mr. I loud ap him in t ready bo the cou heroism abstainh the Qut was din had ac te the istju rested ai before t forward are so 01 innocent Resoluti " Resol upon by s gratubte and to col fate to ex Mr. ] was can Immo put and Thit gratulatio. now props " MAT dutiful an gate With expression " We CI Las been t from Engl country, ii you live, I ‘ 4 We I ings of ye as foul as simony wi " The i the refusa this Meeti practice o -11 We ckristianli low as to profession of the Est We fl 11.4eStfo " That and ever) sincere pi Within." The A enthusia Posed, a "ly. Wkhin ft esteem ri