Star. — London, England, 1823-10-14 00:00:00

THE CORT'ES. In the narrative which we published yesterday of the events which occurre3 in Cadiz a short time before its surrender, we confined ourselves in - a great measure to military details: but ahe.coodoct of the Cortes at.that critical season will probably he looked to with egaaf interest._ albe gliatOrdinary Cortes, which is merely an extrztfrairetry - convocation of the ordinarY weie summoned for the discussion of urgent business. They met on the 6th of September. The King had promised to open the sitting ; hut on the morning he sent an excuse, ani the Royal Speech was delivered by commission. After the reading of the Speech, the Minister (Calatrava) announced that the. principal ob ject of assembling the Co:tes was to lay before them some _propositions made through the medium of the Duke de Guiche by the French Generalissimo, together with the answer returned by the Spanish Government. The propositions were, that the King and the Royal Fa mily should repair to Port St. Mary, and that the French army should be allowed to approach to the inner glacis of Cadiz. The answer was, that such propositionsweie too unreasonable and monstrous to he listened to for :t moment : that if the French had already been in pos session of the outworks of Cadiz, they could not have exacted more humiliating conditions; that rather than submit to them, the Spanish Mini,ters were ready to bury themselves under the ruins of the last town in Spain. This declaration was received with an enthu-! siasm of approbation. The galleries of the Church in which the Cortes held their sittings were crowded with the people of Cadiz; and this pledge (as it were) of the Government, to perish rather than to yield to the invader, instead of pi oduc ing any misgiving or symptom of terror amongst those whom it equally pledged to probable destruction, Was hailed with rapturous acclamations, which lasted fOr some minutes. Some Englishmen who were present could not help exclaiming—" AU is safe: with a people so enthusiastic in the cause, everything may be achieved: Cadiz cannot fall." The next day the Cortes met again, and a Committee which had been appointed to ezaanine the papers laid before them, expressed, tin ough their reporter, their decided approbation of the conduct of Ministers. The following day (we believe) the Ministers consulted the Cortes as to what they should do if Eng land should interfere, or France suspend hostilities on the condition of a modification of the Constitution ? 'fire Cortes, after a long_ debate, decided that they were a legislative body,that they were the creatures of the Constitution, not its creators—that it did not fall within their functions to make treaties, especially treaties to alter or destroy their own essential rights and privi leges; that to the Executive was committed the ma nagement and responsibility of all State negotiations ; and that to the Executive alone, in the first instance, must these. important concerns be left. It may be pro per to remark here, that notwithstaeding this applica tion of the Minister to the Cottes, there is no reason to believe that either England or Fiance had given any official intimation of any intention to act in the way an ticipated. The Cortes sat for three or four more days, and disposed of some routine business, when nothing fresh being laid - beiote them, they dissolved themselves. Their number usually consisted of 68 ; 60 being neces sary to conttitute a sitting. Of this number nearly the whole were, with minor shades of difference, decided Constitutionalists. About eight were of the party called Serviles, who were detained in Cadiz very mach against their inclination, in order to ensure the full complement of members. Great regret has been expressed that such ardent partisans of the Constitution as Galiano, Arguelles, Chtadrs, Valdez, Alava, and Saavedra, had at last abandoned the cause, and had been the loudest in re commending the unconditional surrender of the King and Royal Family. In justice to those individuals it ought to be stated, that in the debate on the subject of negotiating with the French, those six members were among the 30 who divided against the 60 'who voted for immediate accession to the French terms: thus clos ing their political career as legislator, with the dignity and courage which had always distinguished them. lIIEGO. MADRID, OCTOBER 2. Yesterday it was rumouted that Riego was to be taken to a little fortress about two leagues froM the capital. This news excited considerable irritation amongst the factious, who had already declared their dissatisfaction against such a measure in terms not a little alarming. But this morning, at half-past five o'clock, crowds of the populace ran through the streets announcing the arrival of Riego, with the most fright ful cries. As he passed, they shouted aloud " them he is—there he is, the traitor," &c. • Riego was in a car riage with the other officers a ho had been made pri soners with him at Arquillos. He was escorted by the Royal Volunteers of this last town, and a strong de tachment of French and Spanish troops, who prevented the populace from following up their abuse and exe crations by pet sonal outrage and injury. In this man ner the prisoners were led through several streets of the city to the Seminary, where they mere delivered into the custody of Count de Torre-Alta. Although the pi ison is surrounded by -a very nume rous body of troops, yet from the immense crowds of people collected in the neighbourhood, it is dreaded that some violent attempt will be made upon the pri soners, the possibility of which might have been pre vented by a different conduct on the part of the Govern ment. Riego supports with great firmness the number less indignities and continued ill-treatment inflicted upon • him by the malice of his enemies, since he has fallen into their hands. The Royal Carabineers, who conducted him from Carolina to Andujar, forced him to ride upon an ass, which is the manlier, according to an ancient custom still existing in Spain, that ci inutials are led to execution. At Cordova a gallows had been elected, and the windows and balconies draperied with rush matting and dirty rag', in older to deride him. In a word, the Royalists taxed their invention to find out means of mortifying and humiliating him. It is a mi racle if all this do not end fatally for the unfortunate Riego. It is sAid, the Empecinado made a forced march of sixty leagues in six days, in order to rescue him, but on reaching the point where he hoped to accomplish it, Riego had already passed. The following anecdote, which is related by an eye witness, shews how much the character of Riego has been traduced :—During the mouth of August, /tier mid a portion of his army, made a military excursion in the neighbourhood of Malaga. A detachment of about 300 of the Army of the Faith (or faccigsys) fell in their v• ay. After.a sharp skirmish, thirty of :hem were taken isonecs : and the hasty zeal of 'Liege's companions in arms demanded that they should be ijastautly shot.— Riego vehemently resisted this cruel proposal ; and with some difficulty succeeded in saving the lives of all his prisoners. ADDRESS OF THE SPANISH REGENCY. ~ MADRID, OCTOBER 5. " Spaniards!—Our most ardent wishes are fulfilled : the King is free. Our beloved Monarch and the Royal Family are released from an oppression and slavery the most severe. The desired, the idolized Ferdinand lives! The Queen miraculously lives! They come to occupy, with renovated glory, the throne of Charles the Third, of Philip the Fifth, and of his grandfather. Eternal glory to the great Prince, and to his liberating army, which you have received with enthusiasm, and which i you will this day load with your tenderest benedic ions, for having restored liberty to your King. Ferdinand free!—Behold, Spaniards, the great object and the au spicious termination of such great negociatious, such great efforts, such great battles and triumphs, so many sufferings and sighs! The cares of the great Monarchs of Europe have not been in vain, nor the paternal soli citude of the venerable and august head of the Bourbon famiiy, nor the noble efforts of the illustrious Prince, his adopted son, nor the heroic sacrifices of the magna nimous natinn, which is this day and from henceforth our friend and sister. " The blood of the Spanish Royalists that has been shed is not lost, they have not in vain endured their suf ferings to have attained their object. " Ferdinand free !—Monarchs, nations of Europe, and you, Spaniards, behold the price and the recompense of your efforts ; behold the memorable event from which will date the new era of repose, of peace, of tranquillity for the people, of security for thrones, the total destruc tion of factions, the liberty and the happiness of loyal and Catholic Spain. " Spaniards!—Glory be first to GOD—LO GOD who linkis in his hand the hearts of Kings, who has inspired them with the purpose of entertaining such a glorious en terprise, of which there is no example in the history of ages. Let us praise and bless the Monarchs, and let the Princes, the Generals, and all the Royalist companions in arms of the two nations, who have immortalized themselves in the great struggle of..fidelity against re hellion, receive the expression of our gratitude ! 4 4 In the whole Peninsula, in the vast regions . of the other Spanish hemisphere, let nothing be heard but hymns of benediction, songs of praise, f recenciliation, and of peace! When our common father comes amongst his children, let him hear in the paternal mansion no thing but the voices of reconciliation and peace: let all, like brothers, surround the Throne, make the sacrifice of their hatred and their prejudices ; let no one dare to trouble this triumphant fete by those deadly cries which would afflict the heart of our good King. " Christians and generous Spaniards,—The members of the Regency, who have governed you in days of trouble, and whom you so loyally obeyed, speak to you to-day for the last time ; they are going to replace in the sacred hand's of their King the deposit that has been intrusted to them ; they are going as faithful subjects to mingle with you again in order to declare loyalty and homage to their Sovereign. Their joy would be corn plete, if they could accompany the numberless proofs of your fidelity with the act of universal reconciliation, though it were sealed with their blood—if they could see their brethren who have been led astray, repent and compound and mingle themselves with the faithful— the weak, encouraged by the ezansple of the strong, throw themselves at the feet of their sing, Ferdinand, the pious, the mild, (the Regency well know this), will readily forget all his sufferings if in return he can see all , his children reconciled, and saluting him with senti ments of unalterable fidelity, with the name of Father and the Ruler of the great Spanish Family. His mug-' nanimous heart will answer your acclamations, by call ing you his dear children. Then will commence a new and happy era for restored Spain."—French Paper. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. TUISDAY, OCTOBKI. 14, 1323. THE FUNDS. STOCK EXCHANGE. TWELVE O'CLOCK. Consols opened this morning at 831, at which price they remain steady, with little fluctuation. Most of the parties in the Market are busy in making up their accounts, as Thursday will be settling-day. d FOREIGN FUNDS. Spanish Bonds have somewhat lowered since yesterday; Colom bian retain their price. In all other Foreign Securities there is but little doing. Current Prices : New Spanish 271; Old 351, i; Russian 84* ; Colombian 57 to ; French Scrip 21; Poyais 14 to 15. PORTUGUESE LOAN. A new Loan to the Portuguese Government has just been con tracted for by Messrs. 13. A. Gocnscitmurr and Co. on the follow ing terms ; Amount of Loan £1,200,000 sterling, at the rate of Five per Cent. Interest, payable in London, Ist December mid Ist June, by Messrs. B. A. Gosuscannurr and Co. There will be a Sinking Fund, the whole to be redeemed within 28 years, •iz. 1823 to 1824, 3 per Cent.-1324 to 1823, 21 per • Cent.-1823 to 1826, 2 per Cent.-1826 to 1827, 11 per Cent.- 1827 to 1828, and every subsequent year, 1 per Cont. on the amount of the Loan, to be employed in purchasing up Bonds in the Mar ket and cancelling them. The Revenues generally, and especially the Produce of the To- bacco Contract, which is to be remitted to London by the Colla tors, and the Decima Tax, are the Securities. The Payments will be 10 per cent. 20th hist. and toper cent. IstoDecember ; Balance, 2d Feb. 1824. Earlier payments may,. however, be made, and a Discount of four per cent. will be allowed.. N.B. The Contractors issue Scrip Receipts, which, when the Payment on ahem iS made in full, will be exchanged against Bonds wheat they are ready fur delivery. I'll ICE 4W STOCKS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Bank Stock 225 1 /l 226-3 per Ct. Itedu. 83 Ye 82% 3 per Cent. Cons. 83% Ni 5 / 8 -3'/i per Cents. 96 3 / 4 4 per Cent. Old 100 1 / 4 3 / 4 1 4 4 per Cents. New 104 103%8 Bank Long Aims. 21 1-16 21 1 / 1 1 Imperial 3 per Cents. 83 11 / 4 —lndia Bonds 71s. 735. pr. Exchequer Bills ,000) 40s. 41s. 395. 40s. Ditto Small 40s. 425. prem. Consols or Acct. 83% Y 8 5/8. In the STAR of Satui day we gave the most authen tic informatiou which hid then reached town, of an insurrection in Dernarara. This we were enabled to db" by a private letter we had received from a Correspon dent, who left the colony on the 23d of August. We have now received more ample .details of the con ... spiracy, which we arehappy to learn has been subdued. —The measures taken by the Governor General Mutt RAY, on discovering the conspiracy, were prompt and decisive. A proclamation was issued, declaring the Colony of Demarara and Essequibo under martial law;' and the military force was instantly marched against the insurgents,whose number appears to have been about 3,000. The conspiracy is said to have had deep rami fications, and to have been contrived by men of supe rior knowledge and abilities. The Bulletin of the Governor, which, witk the Pro clamations, we subjoin, as well as private letters, states the military operations against the insurgents, who in one or two instances appear to have fought in a very determined manner, though, as was to be expected, they were soon compelled to yield to disciplined troops. They ate de,cribecl as having been badly armed, since, in two divisions of 1,000 each, there was not above 100 stand of arms ; others e ere provided with pistols, but the great body of them were armed with cutlasses and bayonets fixed upon poles. Several of the white people had been seized and placed in security by the negroes, and some of them who were set in the stocks, were released by the military, who met with every assistance from the h!habitants.— The promptitude with which the insurrection was op posed had the happiest effect—the movements of the rebels were paralysed, and their spirits broken ; the official accounts, which are dated the 22d. August, state that the greater part of the insurgents along the sea coast had laid down their arms, and a returning sense of duty was manifesting itself. By the arrival of the Glenbervie in the Clyde, from Demarara, which place she left on the ld ult. we have infprmation of a much later date than the official ac counts, which is highly satisfactory, All the negroes are Said to have returned to- their work ; and tranquillity had been restored, to which a Proclamation offering a free pardon, is said to have mainly contributed. The insurrection of Demarara is a proof of the danger of holding out hopes that can only be partially and eoaditionally fulfilled. We cannot, however, al together agree in charging the spirit of insubordination that has manifested itself in more than one of our colonies, to the discussions in .Parliament, impolitic as they may seem. The dread of the Planters of any in terference or alteration in the present relation between master and slave, in our opinion tends more to create the danger they would avert than they are aware gf; and we strongly suspect that the slaves of our West India Colonies, would know very little of the delibera tions in the British Parliament, if it was not for the alarm, the meetings, and the memorials of their owners. Nor was there, indeed, anything in the proceedings of last Parliament to excite so unnecessary an alarm, for even should a few members of the Legislature, who seem anxious to make a monopoly of humanity, be in discreet enough to advise that the whole slave popula tion of the West Indies should be let loose, yet the Co lonists may rest assured, that in measures that may be adopted by the Legislature a due attention will be paid to their interests and to securing to this country and the Colonies all the advantages they can give to each other. We now subjoin the official accounts of the In surrection in Demerara with extracts from private letters. Since writing the above, we learn that accounts have been received direct from Demerara, of the 31st of Au gust, which state that the disturbance has been much exaggerated, and confirming our intelligence that the prompt measures of the Ooveinor had restored tran quillity to the Colony. FROM THE ROYAL DEMERARA GAZETTE, AUGUST 22. PROCLAMATION By His Excellency blajot-General John Murray, Lieutenant. Governor and Commander-in-Chief, in and over the United Colony of Demerara and Essequebo, By virtue of the power and authority in me vestal by our Sove reign Lord the King, and whereas the disturbed state of the Colony appears to me to be such as to Ittirsire the most vigorous and decided steps to be taken, for the protection of his Majesty's subjects, and their property have thought fit to issue this my Proclamation, hereby declaring, in the name of our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth, the United Colony of Demerara and Essequebo, to be, from and after the issuing of this my Proclamation, under MARTIAL LAW. And I do hereby enjoin all faithful subjects of his ANesty within this United Colony, to govern themselves accordingly, and to be aiding and assisting, to the utmost of their abilities, in restoring the peace of the country, and in protecting their fellow-subjects. And it is ftirther_aut will and absolute command, in consideration of the prepdaes, that no person or persons do, on any pretence whatsoever, gait George Town, without special leave first had and obtained for so doing ; all persons, without distinction, capable of bearing arms, being required immediately to enrol themselves in some troop or company of the George Town Brigade of Militia. And it is fur ther ordered and enjoined, that all slaves within the different dis tricts of George Town, be detained by their Masters or Owners within their own premises—not suffering them to leave such their premises on any pretence whatsoever, unless on the indispensable business of their Masters or Owners. liven under my hand and seal of ofgce, at the King's How*, in George Town, this 19th day of August, 1825, and in the fourth year of his 3lajesty's reign. Goo save the King ! By command of his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor. JOHN MURRAY, Gov. Sec. PROCLAMATION By hit Excellency Major-General John Murray, Lieutenant-Go vernor and Cuttunander-in-Chief in and over the United Co- bony of Demerara and Essequibo, &c. &c. Various measures being in contemplation by his Majesty's Go. vernment for meliorating the condition of the• Slave Population in the Colonies, and of progressively qualifying them for an extension of privileges; I have deemed it expedient to issue Haig my Procla ination, hereby notifying to that part of the Slave Population of this United Colony which still continues faithful and obedient to their masters, that any general misconduct or acts of insubordi nation on the part of that population, similar to those evinced by the unfortunately misguided Slaves on some of the Estates to windward, cannot fail to render totally abortiye the proposed measures of his MMMajestr•'s Government.r-which depend necessarily on their peace able, temperate, and industrious behayinur ; an opposite line of ion duct will forfeit all their chino upon the liberality of the British Government, and utterly disquality them from benefitting in any manner by its favourable d6positioli towards them. The consequence of the miscoFduLt of those Shores is, that they are at this moment sulfating all the borrow =moat oft d ie ence of Martial Law, which I have been compelled t o put 141: in that part of the C olony, with aU its accompanying gevetity : Given under my hand and seal of mice, at the King's R in George Town, this 20th day of August, t)g;. 4n 4 fourth year of his Majesty's reign. Goa save the King! By command of his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor. JOHN bIUREAY, Goy; NIT neadinarters at Camp-House, Ang. sapi His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief bas satisfaction in communicating to the Public the succ 4 which has hitherto attended the operations against revolted negroes on the east coast of this Cole„, which quarter alone the spirit et rebellion has 1 041 openly manifested. Monday night, detachments of the 91st Pusik ti and Ist West India regiments, who had marched fre f4 the garrison under the goin mac' of Captain Stewar t , the latter corps, came up with the rebels at Wittenburgh, and after a short eagagernent eompa id them to retire, having killed and wounded serqA without any loss on the part of the troops. ilr, Waterschout, of Plantation Plaisance, accidentally * posed, at this time, to a cross Ore on the road, ree f i ni a wound in the leg. A detachment of the 21st, and ff the command of Lieut. Peddle, continued to push f op ward, skirmishing occasionally and successfully, 0 4 forging the negroes to retire. Tuesday morning a large body of the revolters twpen seven and SOO) assembled near Mr, Reed's it Plantation Dochfour, well armed, 4:c. They cog], menced an attack upon Lieut. Brady of the 21st, wh i had marched early in the morning with ; small Ri f Of that corps under his command from the post Mahaica, to endeavour if possible to arrest their pre ; grass: they attempted to surround him, but this gallot Qfficer erected his retreat to the post in most• excellent order, killing and wounding from 10 to 15, withogt any loss whatever on his side. Wednesday morning, the rebels being still in the ri, cinity of the Post, and at the Bridge of Plantation Iles hive, Lieutenant Brady continued to attack them, and on his march threw in a small detachment to clq some bushes he bad occasion to pass, where the veld t had posted a party well armed to impede his advanp This service was successfully petformed, sir being kilksj on the spot, the troops possessing themselves of thq arms an d ammunition, and the main body retreatill with great precipitation. On the same morning, 44 : tathment of the George:town brigade of Militia, consist: ing of the Rifle Company and others, under the coo: mand of Captain Croal, succeeded in coming up pith and engaging in a very gallant manner, a strong parri of the rebels at Plantation 4liaaineth Hail. The; !!!!f compelled to retreat immediately, with the loss ofabste forty killed and many wounded. At three o'clock gi the afternoon, Captain Simson, who had bppt frvw commencement of the revolt very actively and 0414 employed with his troop of cavalry ; in scouring anil.m connoitring the different estates in the neighbourhas4 ; capturing prisoners, and releasing the whites 1: :An on stocks, &c. repeatedly charged the enemy in 4 very sols dier-like manner, and arrived in George-town at wet ; escorting the prisoners he had taken. Toa mach praig cannot be given to this Meer, to Lieutenant Forrett c i l and the men composing the troop, for their zeal tivity on this service ; A strong detachment, composed of the 21st Fusilem and the George-town brigade of militia, under the cog: uf4nd of Lieutenant,colonel Leahy, of the g; hiqing proceeded up the coast pn Tuesday evening, aniyed at Chateau Kipp about nine o'clock. Leaving a few the 21st and some militia at that place, the Lieutnant: Colonel polled forward with the remainder of his ofpc tachment (strengthened by the rifle company, pink/ the commapd of Captain Croal and twenty folentrd militia, who had joined him in the march), new Lusip flan, where the rebels were reported to be assemble 4 fl considerable force. In releasing the Whites upon NV: ation Better }lope, a few shots were eschanged, sag arms taken, and 4ve pr six lelled. The party proceedA liberating the white people qn the different pstatps they advanced, leaving small parties at each to wig; tain the communication, anti arrived at three o'clock iR the morning on Wednesday at Plantation Bstcheleri Adventure, which was found to be Ole rendeelm!, the disaffected, in number considerably abpve 1441191 The daring conduct of these tregroes on the arrivslof the detachment, in assailing the very sentries witli ca: lasses, was punished by shooting semp or eight on 11l spot. The detachment continued under arm, W.}R daylight began to break, the fronts of two consider bodies were discovered on the bridges left of the detachment, amounting to . all armed, mostly with cutlasses and upon poles; they did not appear to ha‘ stand of arms and some pistnis. The lonel having in vain attempted to con' luded people of their error, and ever' duce them to lay down their arms 1 made his dispositions, charged the twl neously and dispersed them, with the i to 150. On our side we had only one wounded. Thr prompt and decisive ' tenant-Colonel j.ealiy, and the patient conduct of the 21st and Ole Militia tut are entitled to the highest praise, Arid highly appreciated. The detachment resumed its march for k/allefil and arrived late in the afternoon of Wednesday:4o ing all the estates on the road, and liberating OP OA people who had been confined in the stocks. The sudden check which the rebels have qpierieMid at all points has had the best effects, their mqvg9s9ll are undecided, their spirits shaken r. a FftgPl i sense of duty is manifesting itself. The pod and praise .vgrthy clispositispu eTiP.cf 4 all the ighabitants, and their zeal in emboclOng Mf purpose of masking their services av4ilahle in yie pieo . efle . ctual manner, leas rendered the long unOer , , Colonel Goodman, with the mash* b 4 gfli n # Captain Muchile, of the . jloyal . 14Y7 ? riko • • . .. __ . . m to the cigl3; mol about I,OVP9Ek Id bayonets 6 ave Fibre than Ige ke Lieutenant!W onvince tip4p OF: ery attempt tqfiV baying fOled,tif wo basijoisfqilß joss of from 4 le rifleman sh . m easures Of ..: ent and endli i der his com ma grid F4P4cli7f WS