The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-15 00:00:00

~.......... ;R said id 9 sfid t wha t " to give sy sr.) ere bet rice Who, When they saw the country in danger, and the Ce stitu tionjeopardised, changed sides, and arrayed th9rn selves by the side of the King. The Hon. Memb.m. Montrose said that the principle of intervention we; un Wl lrrantable, but there were combinations of circum litanCea that required statesmen to depart from gen..ra• tni es and general principles. If they were ent tied t interfere in a war of succession, were there not circum -I.ltalloes which would justify their interference in prevent- I g a War of succession? They were as well entitled to Prevent the evil as to remedy it. Upon these grounds, it fence to him th a t th e G overnmen t h a d an am pl e d e Woe for their interference in the affairs of Portugal. Yie hoped that henceforth Portueal would be secure Di that constitutional freedom which had been guaranteed for it by that Constitution which had been so much violated. Lord J. MANNERS said that he rose, with much Lain, to supp or t th e mo ti on o f th e H on . M em b er f or aa ontrese. It had been stated on the part of the Go / ernment, that the interference of this nation had been necessary, in order to secure the peace of Portugal as well as that of the adjacent nations. He would ask the /lotae, in respect of the assertion that the state of Por tugal required this intervention, what benefit had the Peninsula ever derived from their interference in their domestic concerns? Intestinal discord had been the re- Stilt of it, and disorganisation had gone on to arch a degree, that the country had become a by-word to other cations. He would refer to the opinion which bad been given by the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreig Affairs, that the constitutions, both of Spain and Portugal had been violated, and that those freedoms which had been guaranteed to the people had been most flagrantly Violated. It was well known that the very last revolu tion which had taken place in Portugal had been suc cessful without the slightest danger or injury to the throne or liberty of the Queen of Portugal, and what reason was there to suppose that, had the present revo lution been carried out, any more disastrous circum stances would have occurred than had taken place in the former instance? The proceedings which had taken Place in reference to the Pot tuguese Government bad — , 11 ° far f rom reconc ili ng i t to the people—separated 4 from them, and rendered oppression more cer • tain to the people of that unfortunate country. b ane Noble L or d (P a l mers t on ) di s ti nc tly reminded Mr. ',aultver that the British forces were sent to Lisbon in • under the terms of a treaty, in order to prevent a threatened invasion? Ile reminded him of Mr. Can- Liine's co n d uct on t h at occas i on . V er y diff eren t h a d been the conduct of the Noble Lord on the present. Mr. Ca nning deprecated, in 1826, the very course which had be en pursued in 1847 ; he deprecated Britain meddling tWith the internal concerns of any foreign nation. ut What was the defence presented? Altogether ,Pothetical ; the possibility of Don Miguel usurping 'u i e Thr one , an d t h e necess i ty o f prevent i ng an event L ai eh, whensoever it should happen, was certain, it was 11 ,d, to be un p o p u l ar . U n p o p u l ar ! th e n how he (Lord -e un Manners) asked, what distant prospect could there l i e of the event taking place ? He would leave the bad Lord, or any other gentleman, to explain that. bloodshed, been argued that they had interfered to prevent raoodshed, or if they had actually interfered to prevent t his there might have been a show of reason. But no, Ira' allowed the Queen's troops to engage, and to breher the peasants, and to drench the country with be •i°od •It was, however, justified on the ground of its l ee ng necessary for the interests of Great Britain. It - au been said that Spain would interfere, whatever nurse might be adopted by Britain, and Government 4 acted only in defence of the interests of Britain kid of Europe. He denied that Spain would haveinterfered :, i thout th e countenance o f G reat B r i ta i n , an d if s h e d, that was no reason to justify Great Britain pursu v, a course which in its e lf was un j us tifi a bl e . Look t here this prin c ipl e l e d? L e t th em su pp ose a revolu deb in Spain. Th en F rance an d P or t uga l wou ld no 01 114 f ee l t h emse l ves ca ll e d upon to interfere. What 1. " e ttld be the course of Great Britain, would she de ttate intervention in these circumstances? How could h n after th e course s h e was at present pursu i ng ! Sh e 47' committed herself to intervention in the affairs or wbe Pe n i nsula. He agreed with the Hon. Mem b er for lewsbury i n t hi n k ing t h at t hi s cou ld no t b e the co u rse mi ll they ought to pursue on this occasion. Well tieDas A ntes assure C o l one l Wyld e that it w a s n e ii. BB , e r, the insurgents should have some guarantee that (tiflust demands should be secured equally with those "ue Queen, for they had but too true a presentiment °f at the conditions entered into on the part of the Queer • 13°r tugal would be violated. lie (Lord J. Manners) Ili% therefore, that it s ibent on England to se that tile conditions laid wa down as ncum the grounds of its inter vention - Queen should s h ould be ob'erved, and that the party of the should not be allowed to act in the despotic and el manner they had hitherto done. The Noble Lord ~au attempted to justify this intervention by an appeal Precedents, and he had referred to the revolution which ba nners) occur re d i n t hi s country i n 1688. He (Lord John maintained, however, that a revolution which :!I,Uired to be supp o rted and car r i e d on by f ore i gn in i7e ter enee ought not to be supported at a ll.—(B ear .) ja did not thi n k t h at a case h a d b een ma d e out for the i r eoeterference on this occasion. —(Hear, he ar .) N o thi ng o u t " be more unj us t ; a l so , n othi ng cou ld b e more crue l es le -n the Queen's troops in quelling the ins urrec ti on , an d troops of the Junta presented in this respect a marked contrast to such revolting proceedings. This was h,ltlfied by a n E ng li s h res id en t i n Op or t o , w h o wro t e t o that a single thoroughfare in London was more Zat,rtised and exc i te d th an th e w h o l e o f O porto.—(llear.) str an attentive view, therefore, of all the circum aces connected with the revolution, he thought the tl'iladtiet of the Portuguese Governm , et justified. if any }, n t Could justify, the rising of the pople.—(Hear. eat ') kb,.Their acts had been of the most despotic and th..'Ltary nature, and he placed no reliance whatever on te.7 promises which had been made by them, or the in be of the English Government—(Bear, hear.) adieved that this interference would not produce the ;; s. a;ta anticip ited, and he considered that the result Ct a l,!:l_ be most disastrous not only to those on whose i:" If they interfered, but also to British interests. m op s B"sorireEpossible to undo the past, but the Corn place the stnag na land could repudiate the precedent, and ceedin ge wb • P of their reprobation on the whole pro- Would l eh had taken place. He trusted the House lee pronounceh owever that opinion, and would let the world ••9that nowever the Government might be disposed to Ibterneeddl • of h. e in the affairs of foreign countries, the people o p i nion country did not concur with them, and were or ati t „,?n that the present intervention was unjust, uncen eican'etaohai, and contrary to the principles of interna A PI law. —(lmmense cheering.) e tu -14. 91`. DUNCONIBE said, in rising to move the e ndment, of which he had given notice in the early I ,t of t h e even i ng, h e cou l d not help express i ng hi s i i ,T,et th a t t h e H ous e was not treated earlier in the t ee - ft with seine of those expressions of attachment to 4-matitutional freedom which had just been heard from if tie Gentlemen on the other side of the House, because 1ee 6 , 8 memory did not fail him, he thought he recol tOLP some time ago, these same lion. Gentlemen pro ee-u that the public thanks should be offered to the iflpePerroor of Prussia, E mperor of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, and the for extinguishing the liberties and no t e P e ndenee of C raeow .—(H e ar, hear.) Now he could 11 , 4 "e1P thinking, recollecting these things, that there the s u mo secret, something more than met the eye, in kiv e -lI PPort, Hon. Gentlemen opposite. were about to a,aotbu,!o the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for ee He could not help thinking, relying, of tjn^jstc)n the we ll-k nown cons i s t enc y o f th e protee tip fo 3 " -- (A laugh) —that they we r e new going to stand the cause of absolutism. Whatever might be the ok ti of this House with regard to the motion of his atie there Would the Member for Montrose, he thought no Itilltd Would deny that the (pies ion his Hon. Friend -es "ght under their consideration was one which 048ved the calm deliberation of the House, and the tri t e would have neglected its duty had it made light mi h t (bear, hear.) And, i n di scuss i ng i t , w h atever i t be the v i ews o f those who opposed or supported 1i1 1 11. 15 ,_ thought th ere was one pr i nc i p l e an d one o bj ect irat e 'a ought to be kept before them. Now that this it oe r t'ention had taken place, whether they approved of' a ith : sot, they ou g ht now to have but one object in view, vi a Z el 7, to secure to the Portuguese people who had tli e lestly in defence of their constitutional rights, all efth - vantages and all the benefits that the intervention 1,4?, Possibly afford to them.—(Hear, hear.) It was o eu that view that he proposed to move the amendment Which he had given no ti ce . He confessed, after pe rusing the papers that had been laid before that House after having heard th e speec h o f t h e N o bl e L or d at the head of the Government in explanation of these I;kpers—that be had come to a very different conclusion 1 1 °01 that which he had originally intended when he first of this interference with the rights and domestic iciteerns of the Portuguese people. In these papers and that explanation he found a determination and a yes led wish on the part of the Govern m ent to Peet and protect the rights and liberties of the Porta teele People. He thought there was sufficient evidence ° p that documents that bad been l a id b e f ore th em t o t o ,:j n e that Government had had a difficult task to per elks and even now they steed a b use d b y b ot h part i es — It : t l t by the Queen's party, and a b use d by th e J un t a . than been urged, in justification o f thi s i n t er f erence , Vt oui led her Majesty's Government not interposed Spain sr ep :7 Now he th oug ht th a t was no j ust ifi ca ti on what % te le oc ho maintained that every claim to intervention rneri,.Part of thi s countr y oug ht t o s t an d u p on it s own Wt oh " They ought not to be induced to commit a was g,pecause it was anti c ipat e d th a t another country ntepf.:°Mit to d o th e same ; b u t w h en th e y did °F th e r®, they ought always to stand upon the justice ed uc e o teae calling for the interference. Such was the C tof g. an b i„ the British Government in 1826, when Mr. atte ee aq Was at the head of affairs. What was the lan tithrtZten°ef_, M r. Canning in 1826, when Portugal was °ars e to P a W i th a foreign invasion. Mr. Canning came en_rarliament and asked for its approbation and eon 41t, e t r tn the course he was about to take. The speech pie of i t i :Ping made on that occasion was almost the only 4 14 % 12 which he (Mr. Duneombe) had ever heard in t hen p e e n% and he confessed he recollected it even now rptiniett.t an impression impression did it make upon his mind at 41 011 Q r• Canning, in concluding his address, told eie n • o f It ,. (la r d of Commons that he was going to plant the etile ete that England on the heights of Lisbon, and to - -e•-...r ee w as planted foreign dominion should , never d 0 ,„„ -ear. ) Depend upon it then that they ought not ee l e b Rot r ecause others were about to do it; but they 11 % 0 4 4e: a ~.fttotrile only to interfere where reason and justice Now, with regard to the motion of his Pt opo i r ed rie nd the Member for Montreee, to which he Fa heto ~ ean amendment after reading the ee rie nd ' h ad d 'u not agree with the conclusion his Hon. ou tab, jot_ceme to. He did not think that the result dif; th:rviention will prove mischievous, or danger th etsities berties of Portugal. He appreciated the ha ev er , 1.3. at Government had had to contend with, b a ,,_brot4 l ,"osed by the Cabralist party, whose conduct " about the revolution and disaffection of the w are not promoting the cause of absolutism, and e O4 41 1 el ue u . l lsecl by the Junta and the people for op qttittort;inerests. Now, had her Majesty's Govern kineeel view the principle of protecting the Nitta and freedom of the Portuguese people? That was just the question for them to con• eider, and it was the grand aim and object her Majesty's Government ought to have in view. The people had been off: red terms it was true, but ther3 was no guarantee given that these terms should be strictly carried out. The people did not object to the term and therefore, he fir one said let the offer be repeated by the two powers who had interfered in conjunction with the expression of opinion in declaration of the House of C immons, to see them strictly and faith'idly performed. It was with that view that he should move the amendment he was about to bring forward. It was done to the people who had risen in defence of their constitutional rights ; and who was that people, let him ask ? They were not persons who delighted in getting up revolutions, because they served their own interests —they were not Sans-culottes, but the nobles and wealthy landed proprietors of the country.—(Hear.) These parties being now the prisoners of war to this country, it was the duty of the House and of the country cordially to accede to the resolution which he was about to propose, and thereby obtain for itself the gratitude and thanks of the Portuguese nation. He would, there fore, move the amendment of which he had previously given notice.—" That Great Britain having become a party to foreign armed interference with a view of ter minating the civil war now unhappily existing in Por tugal, it is the opinion of this House that on tranquillity being restored it will be the duty of the British Govern ment to endeavour by all just means in its power to se cure to the people of Portugal the full enjoyment of their constitutional rights and privileges."—(Hear, hear). Mr. MACAULAY, in rising to second the motion, said—Sir, I have beard with great pleasure the amend ment proposed by my Hon. Friend—(Loud and pro tracted cheering)—and I beg to assure my Hon. Friend that in that amendment is set forth the principles which have guided, and which will continue to guide the con • duct of her Majesty's Ministers. They feel, Sir, that whenever a Government is unfortunately compelled to depart from the general rule which prescribes the abstinence of all interference with the internal concerns of foreign nations, that it takes upon itself a duty, of which it cannot afterwards divest itself, until the principles of the amendment of my HDn. Friend have been fully carried out. It is with the full conviction of these circumstances that her Ma jesty's Ministers determined to interfere in the affairs of Portugal, and they will continue to act upon those principles which have hitherto guided their conduct, and I see with the greatest pleasure that my Honourable Friend and other Honourable Mem bers who, like him, looked on at first with jealousy upon the course pursued by the Govern ment have since upon an examination of the whole of the circumstances found reason to change their opinions upon the subject. lam not surprised, Sir, that such jealousy was entertained by Hon. Members.—(Hear, hear.) There can be no doubt that the rule which con demns interference in the affairs of foreign nations is a sound general principle, and that upon the Minister who shall depart from such a rule must rest the burden and the proof of his case. There can be no doubt that the Minister, be he who he may, who shall so depart from this general principle, is bound to make cut his case to the satisfaction of the House and the country. In the present case, it must be acknowledged, (and there are circumstances which must be taken into consideration,) that there can be no doubt, and it was what, so far from wishing to conceal, the Government thought it an impor tant part of their case—(Hear, hear)—there can be no doubt that the throne of Portugal had long been surrounded by evil councillors. There can be no doubt that most violent and unconstitutional measures had been resorted to by the existing Government. There can be no doubt that there were many acts committed, which I feel compelled to designate as a disgrace to the Government. There can be no doubt that the people of Portugal were justified in resting upon the distinct as surances of the Government, and I cannot wonder that persons looking on with dislike on the interference in the internal concerns of foreign nations, should look with peculiar jealousy upon the first inter ference in the affairs of Portugal, more especially when, at the first sigh', the object seems to be to rescue the Government which had committed great faults, and from the peril which was the natural consequence.—(Cheers.) All this I admit ; yet, in admitting all this, I am con vinced that the Government, in acting as they have done, have chosen the lesser of the two evils ; and in such a case as this, it was absolutely necessary that a choice should be made between two existing evils. Considering, Sir, the relations of Portugal with this country—considering that Portugal was disturbed by a civil war—and considering that other persons felt a strong inclination to interfere in its internal concerns, I hold it to be clear that no course whatever could be abso. lutely and entirely free from risk and danger to the British Government. But eases similar in principle . . to this frequently occur, both in public and private life; the experience of the trader, the merchant, and, above all, the medical man, will tell them that they are often placed in positions and situations in which they must act, and in which every course has its risks and its inconve niences. It is, I contend, no fair way of reasoning to dwell upon, or to exaggerate, the risks and inconve niences of the rarticular course which has been taken. No argument against such a course, under those circum stances, can be sound, except the person who condemns that course gives also his own line of conduct, and shows you also some good reasons for believing that his line of conduct would have been less hazardous, and attended with less inconvenience than the one which he re probates. Remember, too, that in defending what has been done, the speaker always speaks at a great vantage, 'because he has to compare inconve niences which have been felt against a course which has not been taken, and the consequences of which you did not feel. Your line of conduct is a mere matter of dis quisition and speculation, and its advocates may even deny that any risk at all attaches to it. Under these circumstances, I think that the Government is fully en titled to call upon every Honourable Member— not to lay merely before the House, or dwell at length upon those inconveniences which are admitted by ourselves, and which are inseparable, from the course which has been adopted, but also to lay before the House the plan and the policy which should entirely and distinctly avoid these risks and inconveniences. My argument rests upon the particular relations between England and Portugal. With any other powers no such qu"stion as the present could possibly recur. There are other States to which we wish well, but supposing a similar state of internal confusion to arise, for in stance in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies or in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, we might probably send a force to the Bay of Naples, or to Leghorn, in order to protect the lives and property of English subjects, but interference like that which has taken place in Portugal would have been a matter of discussion to Ministers or to this House. Our relation with Portugal is one without a parallel in the history of European politics, nay, without a parallel in the history of the whole worl 1, I do not know any thing which ever struck me more than when we called for the collection of the treaties between this country and Portugal, for, seeing them begin with the days of the Black Prince, and bearing date in the year 1373, not produced for the mere pur pose of gratifying an antiquarian curiosity, but for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of their treaties; looking to the earliest of them dated in the 14th cen tury, there is one thing which it seems almost impossible not to be struck with. It seems that those who framed these early treaties had some sanguine presentiment of the relations which they would continue to maintain with this country. One of the stipulations was, that England was to furnish " archers, good roeri and true," 'o Portugal. It is rather singular that a similar chaise is still in existence in the present treaty to that which existed in the fourteenth century. There is an analogy between the manner in which the treaties were observed in the fourteenth century, and in which they are observed down even to the nineteenth ntury. It is the most singular thing I ever saw. I dare say that the Noble L or d oppos i te , w h o has made it his delight to study the records of mediaeval times, and the history of chivalry, will remember that Froissart gives an account of the embassy who, in the year 1441, ratted on the King of this country for assistance against the Castillians. The description which he gives of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, standing beside the throne of King Richard the Second, while the Ambassadors in their robes stated the case of their master the King of Portugal, and craved the assistance of the King of England, whom he makes reply—" He is our friend, and the foe of our foes, he asks what is just, and he shall have what he asks;" and then 500 archers and 500 men a t a rms were sent of to Portugal, just in the same manner as in the present case. Then again, in the year 1826, a requisition was sent from Portugal in our own day, praying us to protect the same country from the same risks, and from the same enemy. Such an unbroken alliance for a period of 500 years is unparalleled in the history of the world. It was a strong remark made by Canning, " that all treaties made between this country and Portugal had a character not exactly dip lomatic, that there was a force and fervour belonging to them which made them appear almost romantic in com parison with the treaties of other States." By virtue of these treaties we found ourselves compelled "to defend Portugal against all men." In the year 1661, the treaty set forth " that we should take the interest of Portugal to heart as the interest of England." In the year 1703 all the former arrangements were confirmed, and there is a stipulation in the present contract to the same effect. There may be some persons who may think it inexpedient for this country to force circumstances of this sort. Upon that subject, however, I think very differently. I think that the services we have rendered to Portugal, have been de served on her part throughout the whole of that fearful struggle. In the reign of Queen Anne, Portugal continued trne to her engagements. When we had France and Spain against us, when they joined in insisting upon Portugal that she should join them for the purpose of resisting " the Tyrant of the Sea," Portugal constantly refused—its capital was lying in ruins—its King had scarcely a place upon which to lay his head—a Sp inish army was invading his territory, and spreading abroad the ravages and horrors of war ; vet Portugal remained steadfast to her ally, and true to the spirit of her treaties. In the last war, the noble house of Braganca preferred exile across the Atl an ti c to b rea ki ng f ait h w ith her ancient ally. In the last great European conflict, Por tugal was the spot where you took your stand, where you fought the battles of your own country. Never was any thing more true than the statement of that treat Gene ral, in one of those remarkable papers which, even more than his battles, will hand down his glories to posterity, "that the question was between the defence of Portugal and the invasion of England."— (Cheers.) Portugal suff e r e d f or us, an d i t wal the de• vsstation of that country which enabled us to cultivate our fields, and our manufactures to supply the markets of the world. It was the lines of Torres Vedras that protected against spoliation and massacre a larger, a richer, and a prouder capital than Lisbon -itself. itself. When the great struggle ended you find those two nations still more en.. cleared to each other, sad you have the old engagements THE sUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 15, 1847. in which it was stipulated that England should support the Queen of Portugal against her subjects, and he thought that there was room fer doubt, when they re collected that she did not pos=e s a single acre, save that held by her troops ; and when they were aware th a t out of one hundred an twenty six families of the anci :nt nobility, only nine were found on the side of the Queen. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman had stated to them that evening that he would have taken a very different course from that which had been adopted by the Go vernment, of which the Hon. Gentleman was a Member. How did they act in 1833, when Lord Grey was in office. Don Pedro was then de facto King of Portugal, but Spain threatened to interfere. Lord Grey stated to the Spaniards that if they interfered for Don Miguel, the B,itish Government would take part with Donna Maria. A similar course was adopted at an earlier period, when in 1826 Mr. Canning determined to inter fere. The two cases are in point—the language of Lord Grey in 1833, respecting Don Miguel, described the very situation in which the resent Queen of Portugal now found herself. Let them but transpose into that speech the name of Donna Maria for that of Don Miguel, and then show the House what guarantees they could give that the word of the Queen of Portugal would be carried out in good faith. But coul 1 they de fend the Government of the Queen as more humane, or offering more hope of humane measures than ano:her dynasty? She rulei the country with oppression. On the estimates of the army were found 19,000 men; wl.ile on the muster roll were only 10,000 men, the surplus of the money being distributed among the officers. It was notorious that every office was sold, and that sanatory laws had been passed, with a view of creating 4,000 rn , :re places. The tobacco monopolies were also sold, not for twelve years as formerly, but for twenty three years ; so were the gunpowder and soap monopo lies. The elections were managed by the military—the regiments were marchad into town ; the men voted by companies ; the ballot was conducted in the view of compulsory force. A poll tax was also imposed, nomi nally for the purposes of public works, which again contributed to the ends of corruption. The public works were made the means of jobbing, and Jose Cabral made 50,0001. by contracts on these public works between Lisbon and Oporto. Such were oppressions sufficient to stir up revolutions. The people then did rise ; they took arms ; but upon the prospect being offered of having their grievances redressed, they laid their arms down, and acted in a way becoming a people deserving of constitutional government. The people were called upon, at the approach of the elections to impeach the Ministers of the Crown, who had violated their pledges. The natural course of the proceedings of the Queen was that the whole country should rise in arms. The whole country was united, not to dethrone the Queen, but to effect a change of Ministry. This was shown by the petition presented by the Junta to the Queen of Portugal, and from that document, which professed great affection for the person of the Sove reign, it could not be established that the Junta were regicides. In the conflict that took place between the Junta and the troops of her Majesty the Queen of Portugal, humanity was on the side of the for mer. There were no instances of cold-blooded murder of prisoners on their part. They certainly kept De Terceira prisoner. What had the Queen done to show that she relented in sanctioning these violent proceedings of her troops ? But so late ago as February last, from 300 to 400 political prisoners were arrested in Lisbon, and kept incarcerated in unwholesome dungeons till within twenty days after S r Hamilton Seymour had in timated to the Queen that he intended to interfere with the force of arms. And even then the pri soners were only set at liberty by the breaking open of the prison when seventy of them were cruelly butchered by the troops of the Queen. What security had they, then, that the Queen would be less tyrannical in future? and, therefore, the interference of the Government had broken the hearts of a brave and patriotic people. It was the greatest blow, in his opi nion, that had been struck at the free Governments of Europe, while how much better it would have been— how Much more satisfactory to this country and to Por- tugal it would have been, had the victorious party of the two combatants been left to name the new Adminis tration. Here the Noble Lord had told them that he in- tended to provide for the deposing of the Cabralist party, but how were they to know all the members of that faction. The more, therefore, that he looked at, and examined the policy Government had pursued towards Portugal, the more was he convinced of its injustice and its folly. They had taken a step lately at variance with all they had done for the last thirty years —at least for the last twenty. seven. For that space of time they had diligently endeavoured to carry out the principle of non interference. How differently did the Duke of Welling ton act in the case of Charles X. Why, by the very return of post, he acknowledged the right of the French people ; so likewise in the case of the revo lution of Belgium. They had carried out this ruling principle of non-interference. How differently also did Mr. Canning act in 1826, which had been so often re ferred to. lie felt that the conduct of the Government, contrasted sadly and solemnly with that pursued by Mr. Canning, who, when he felt he had the interests of Por tugal to protect, feared not what Spain or France might do. Were they now, when the people of this country said that Spain owed them 70,000,0001. to be brow beated and bullied by Spain ? Why should they not hold the same language, and plant the British flag as the banner of the protection of foreign nations? The IsTob'e Lord might have followed in the steps of Mr. Canning, awl then he might have come down to that House and thrilled the hearts of every Member within it . _ _ by the proud declaration—" We have humbled Spain and silenced France ; we go not to Portugal to dictate or to rule ; we go to preserve the independence and the liber ties of the Feople; we have plrinted the standard of . . England on the well known heights of Lisbon, and where it is planted no foreign dominion shall come." Mr. BOIZTIIWICK explained, that he did not dis tinctly adin4 notice to have been given by Capt. Roff, , . Dr. BOWIZING moved thut the debate be adjourned. Mr. HUME called the attention of Lord Palmerston to certain papers which were published, and purported to be letteribetween Sir H. Seymour and the Conde Das Antas. One was dated the 20th of May, and appeared to have been delivered only on the 31st. That required explanations, and he hoped the Noble Lord would gather those letters together and let the House have them officially, that they might know what they ought to take as true. Lord PALMERSTON assured Mr. Brotherton that the Junta had notice of the intentions of our fleet, and that their forces embarked with that knowledge, and the reason of the d,lay in the delivery of that letter I.sy in the absence of DiS Antas from Oporto. It wa s true that some correspondence had passed since the blue book had been laid before the House, and he would readily have these additional papers collected and laid upon the table. TN; motio❑ for the adjournment was then put and agreed to. INSOLVENT DEBTORS BILL. Tnis Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. TITHES COMMUTATION BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. JOINT STOCK COMPANY'S BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. REPRESENTATIVE PEERS (SCOTLAND) BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to day. POR I'-NATAL COLLECTION OF DUTIES BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and was ordered to be read a third time to•day. BATHS AND WASIIHOUSES BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. LEITH HARBOUR AND DOCKS BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. ROYAL MARINE SERVICE BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and was ordered to be reported. , TOWNS I7.IIPROVEMENT BILL. Sir WILLIAM SOMERVILLE moved that the Lords' amend►nents to this Bill be agreed to.—Motion carried. The House then adjourned at a q•iarter past one o'clock. IRELAND. THE CIRCUITS. DUBLIN, JUNE 13.--The judges met in chamber yes terday afternoon, at four o'clock, to consider the ques tion of adjournment or no adjournment of the summer assizes. Their Lordships remained in deliberation until nearly six o'clock, after which it was announced that the T decision was for h , )Iding the assizes at the usual time. FRIGHTFUL MURDERS. in addition to a long list of agrarian outrages, the Limerick Chronicle of yesterday contains the following: " On Tuesday night a most barbarous and fatal out rage was perpetrated near Heati.field, in this county. Between seven and eight o'clock a party of armed men surrounded the house of a farmer named John Bennis, steward to property in that quarter belonging to Mr. Scanlan. The unfortunate victim of their vengeance was at the time surrounded by his wife and children, but, reckless of this affectionate family circle, they assailed him without hesitation, felled him to the ground, and while prostrate one of the miscreants levelled a gun close to his head, and shot him dead. Bennis's son and daughter endeavoured to save their persecuted father from his assailants, but received no mercy at the hands of the bloodthirsty ruffians, who dragged the unoffending woman outside the door, dashed her to the ground, and, with a refinement of barbarity, violently stretching out her arms, rolled a heavy laden car across them, breaking both wrists! Not content with this savage outrage, the demons again entered the house, where Bennis's wife was lamenting over the dead body of her murdered hus band. They struck her with guns on the head, inflicting serious wounds, and left the son almost a lifeless corpse by his father's side. From the fatal injuries sustained the youth has since died, and the only cause assigned for such diabolical atrocity is, that Bennis had served latitats for non-payment of rent a few days before." COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. THE CONSERVANCY OF THE RIVER THAMES. Yesterday a Court was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject of the Bill in Parliament relative to the conservancy of the Thames. A short discussion took place upon the motion for the admission of strangers, and it was stated by some mem bers that " closed doors" would inevitably cause misre presentation. The opinion of the Court, however, was, that whatever disposition there might be upon the part of some persons to misrepresent the body, the question was one which ought not to ba publicly discussed, inas. much as the communications between the Government and the Committee of the Court were private. The Court WAS occupied for several hours in delibera tion; but the result was not publicly stated. The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde re ceived a disti❑guished party at dinner on Sunday, at the fa mily residence on Carlton liotae-terrace. solemnly entered into in the settlement of Europe in the year 1815. In consequence of this agreement you sent, in the year 182 G, assistance against the supposed designs Of France and Spain. Again, in the year 1834, when pretenders for the crowns of Spain and Portugal having a common interest, and almost the same parties, you came forward to aid them in their conflict. England inter fered, and became a party to the quadruple alliance; the preamble of that alliance set forth expressly the grounds of the treaty, and the solemn alliances entered into be tween this country and Portugal for so long a period. It might be said that the Queen was held in a state of tutelage. Nevertheless, though trade was stopped, and English interests were endangered, the principle of non interferelice was never put forward more strongly than when the question became international and the Go vernment first interfered. In the case of France the principle acted upon by the British Government had been adopted. It was quite clear that Spain meditated an interference. This was evident from tr,e letter of Mr. Bulwer. It was perfectly clear that an armed interven tion was at that time contemplated by the Spanish Go vernment. After having endeavoured to arrange the question, without interference, what were they to do? lie thought that a course of non-interference would be a di-grace to this country, and an abdication of that influ ence which they were supposed to possess in Portugal. I say that man would have incurred a great, an im• mense responsibility, who would have acted thus, be cause he would not, unlikely, have set the first spark to the mass of combustible matter which may soon blaze out into one vast conflagration. Nothing would have been easier than to have cau , ed an European war ; but whether that war may take place in 1850, 1860, or 1870, is a problem which is beyond the solution of the wisest man.—(Hear, hear.) I say, therefore, that unless you can show that we have done all this, have done some thing so pernicious, something likely to incur the out break of an European war, you must be with us. Now what are the circumstances ? and I think the Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Finsbury, has treated them , a little more s li g h t l y than I th i nk he s h ou ld h ave d o n e . I mean the qu est i on of war ; b ut I qu i te agree w ith him in this. I wou ld not for example, have given up to the Queen the he a d o f a s i ngle M em b er o f th e Junta, to avoid war with th e w h o l e o f t h e coun t r i e s of Europe.— (Loud and v e h ement cheer i ng. ) I wou ld sa y as Fox said, who was the great advocate of peace, when his p licy was accused as likely to prove dangerous to the Bourbons on that occasion, my Friend Mr. Fox said "I always look e d upon t h e Bourbons as a bad family, but rather th an i n j ure the poorest Bourbon, or violate the right of hospitality, I would go to war with the whole of Europe."—(Gbeers.) And, undoubtedly, I recommend no hostile, no unjust cause ; but I say it was desirable to ma k e an y sacr ifi ce w hi c h should be just, humane, and favourable to the liberties of Portugal ; and by doing so avoid the too great degradation of the mo narchy, than to give her up to the absolute disposal of Spain, and to risk the danger of an European war. Then what was the course we adopted ? Take the protocol in which provision is made that all arbitrary decrees would be revoked, especially on those who had raised arms against the Queen ; but let me tell you that if you had heard how hard we had to fight for the amnesty; and if you draw inferences unfavourable to the Government for having struggled so long about those terms, I think also you aught to be of opinion that if they did not agree, it would have been impossible to carry them out without adopting the course we have. But observe those to whom these terms were offered, said—" Well, as we are to have no capital punishments, let us have some security that those who have rendered themselves objectionable to the Queen, shall not be sent out of the country." He replied, " They shall not be sent to Africa, they shall not even be sent to France, they shall not be sent to Paris, they shall not be sent one mile from the territory of Portugual—not even 18, 16, not even 12—not one mile from their country." These were the terms to which we adhered to the last. —(Hear, hear.) Those who oppose the Government should bear in mind that in order to prevent any hardships the Government made it expressly understood that they would not consent to the banishment of one member of the Junta to Paris for six months. Then with respect to the amnesty, I think our case is complete. Our second article is that all the conditions we had stipulated should be received and made law ; the fourth that no member of the party, which had rendered himself objectionable, should form a part of the Queen's Govern ment. Mr. CHRISTIE—What guatantee had you that these conditions should be carried out ? Mr. MACAULAY—How were we to guarantee com— pliance with these conditions. I cannot easily believe that we should have encountered more difficulties than belong to all such questions as these. The best guarantee that we could have was this—that if, instead of observing the agreement, it had been broken either by the Queen of Portugal or her subjects, we, with the aid of France and Spain, had the most undoubted power to compel the observation of the conditions.—(Loud cheers.) I think this is a sufficient justification of the course of the Go vernment. There is a circumstance on which I think some misrepresentation has taken place, and to which I wish to put an end—it is just to my colleagues that I should do so, and just to those to whom they trusted the carrying out their orders. Ido not think it fair that the officers should be charged with neglecting to send a proper notice to the officers at Oporto of the course which they intended to pursue. I do not think that even if they had been guilty of the charge, that it would have justified the censures con t tined in the motion of the Hon. Gentleman the Member fur Montrose ; but I think it is the duty of the Govern-_ ment to clear from unmeri:ed charge those who have served them faithfully. It has been stated that no notice was given to the Junta of the course which the com mander of the squldron intended to take previous to his taking it ; but I think no one cony, rsant with the cir cumstances can affirm that that was so. (The Hun: Gentleman then read the letter of Mr. Roffe, of the 23d of May, to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to the Junta. stating that if any of the vessels of the Junta attempted to go int') the Douro, that they would be stopped by the British forces.) Under these cireumstanc.-s, I defy any person to say that a full and fair notice was not given. And now I have nothing to add but to thank the Ileuse fur the patience w ith w hi ch it has listene d to me , an d u to p t o h u e r s e ta as te e men tslliave made.—(llcar, hear.) I sum b satisfactorily, a : Portugal I think 11 ; us f I w —e h say it was utterly impossible for us, intimately connected as we are with P or t uga l , to observe the rule of non-inter ference, from th e moment that the intervention of Spain and Franc e was so ug h interfered, an d su ff ered them to interfere, we shou ld thin 1. i : ad that n ot have lowered England in the whole scale of nations. If we had not interfered, but instead declared that we would go to war if they had interfered; we should have taken upon ourselves the terrific responsibility of bringing upon Europe a genera l war: nothing remained for us but to adopt the course we did. I defy any person to read the articles set forth in the protocol, and to say that we have not acted as it become us to act in such an emergency. There were three objects almost incompatible, which we had, if possible, to obtain, and to obtain each one in such a manner as not to lose the other—there the dignity of England, the liberty of Portugal, and there was the peace of Europe ; and we believe we have adopted that course which is likely to promote the welfare of all. If our policy is a rightone, there will be little difference of opinion as to the manner in which it has been carried into execution, but it will scarcely be denied that the course which we have adopted will end as we have anticipated, and that it was sufficiently well chosen. I can only repeat to m 7 lion. Friend that we feel the interference we have been com pelled to resort to mu,t cast upon us the duty so empha tically set forth in the amendment he has moved. I can only add, that our own consciences acquit us, and that we hope that that vote will acquit us of having in this most difficult, embarrassing matter, failed in any part of our duty to England, to Portugal, or Europe.—(The Right Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud cheers. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said he trusted every Member in that House would sincerely believe the state ment of the Bight Hon. Gentleman who had just at down. He had heard with c , insiderable satisfaction that his Hon. Friend the MernberForFinsbury had come to the rescue of the Government with an amendment to the motion of the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose. lie was sure her Majesty's Ministers must have been highly delighted that the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman the Member for Finsbury, who was pleased in the course of his speech, to make certain remarks upon those who sat on his (Lord George Bentinck's)- j side of the House, had now left it beyond all doubt a discussion, that whilst he had often enough had the word " liberty" upon his lips, he was in favour of despo tism in his heart—it must have been a source of gratifi cation to them, to find that he got up to save the Mi• nisters of the Queen from a vote of censure for their interference in the internal concerns of Por tugal —an interference at a moment when it was admitted by the Ministers of the Queen at Lisbon, that the interest of the Queen of Por tugal had become desperate. The Learned and Right Hon. Gentleman had referred to many passages in ancient history, but he did not refer to one which was very applicable to the present occasion —he did not refer to the fact that when Philip 11. wished to conquer Por tugal, he did so by gaining over the chiefs of the oppo site parties to mix sand with the powder of their troops. This he considered was the plan which had been adopted by her Majesty's Ministry, as exemplified in the conduct pursued by the Member for Finsbury. They found the advocate for liberty defending the Government for aiding despotism. The lion. and Learned Member did not attempt to defend those proceedings which led to the insurrection in Portugal. He found it quite impossible to defend the principle of interference, and he conse quently appealed to the danger which would arise from non-interference, and he appealed to the terrible responsibility which would fall upon Ministers if they risked a war, and he read a dispatch of Mr. Bel wer, of the 7th of April, following very much the ex• ample of the Noble Lord, who read a dispatch of the sth of the same month, skipping very dexterously that most important one dated the 6th. Mr. Bnlwer had an inter view with M. Pacheco, and stated to him distinctly that if he did interfere without the consent of England he should be prepared for most serious consequences. But M. Pacheco answered, " Oh, no, we shall do nothing without the concurrence of the English Government." Mr. Bulwer asked him, was he quite sure that such a pledge would be carried out? and M. Pacheco again, in the strongest terms, re-assured him that nothing would trc done without the fun knowledge and the full consent a t hi s country ; and that was what was contained in the dispatch of the 6th instant, to which he referred. Well, :then, what becomes of the fear expressed of the interfe rence of Spain ? and he was at a loss to find through the whole of the voluminous evidence laid before them the remotest hint that France would interfere. The :Right Hon. the Member for Edinburgh and the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, said that they would be very sorry to belong to any Government which would neglect the interests of Portugal. But it ap peared to him, that in these opinions, which they held, they quite forgot the wishes or the feelings of the people. 40 would like to see pny treaty betwom $lO outdo BANK OF AUSTRALASIA. The thirteenth annual meeting of the proprietors was hell yesterday morning, at their premises, in Austin Friars, Oliver Farrer, Esq., in the chair. After the advertisement convening the meeting had been real, Mr. Milliken, the secretary, was called upon for the report which the directors had decided upon sub mitting to the meeting, which is as fol:ows " TilE THIRTEENTH A NNUAL REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE BANK OF AUSTRA LASIA, TO THE PROPRIETORS, ASSEMBLED AT THE MEETING HELD AT THEIR OFFICE, No. 8, AUSTIN-FRIARS, ON MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1817. " 1. The directors, in making this their thirteenth re port to the proprietors, submit, as usual, a statement of the affairs of the Bank since their last annual meeting. "2. During the past year the trade of the colonies has improved ; and by extended transactions, that por tion of the capital of the Bank which had accumulated in London, has recently been brought into active operation. " 3. On the other nand, the agricultural interests have suffered from the low prices obtained for the wools of the last season, and by a great deficiency of labourers. The latter has been most severely felt by stockholders and settlers, and has made their properties compara tively unproductive, while at the same time it has ren dered those held by the Bank difficult of realisation. " 4. The altered circumstances of the Bank, and the suspension of dividends, rendered it, in the opinion o the directors, imperative to discontinue the operation o the Retiring Fund, noticed in their report of 1842, and the amount that had accumulated, has for the pre sent been placed in relief of the Bad Debt Fund ; but the re-establishment of the fund may become a matter of consideration hereafter, should the interests of the Bank appear to require it. " 5. The directors have hitherto refrained from giv ing in their reports any estimates of the losses on doubtful debts, until further progress had been made in the realisation of insolvent and bankrupt estates, and until the superintendent and managers had been en abled to make more correct calculations. This having now in some measure been accomplished, the directors think the time has arrived when the amount of sur.l losses should be stated. " 6. With these preliminary observations, the direc tors proceed to give the following statement:— " 7. On reference to the last report, it will be observed, that there remained on the 13th of October, 1845, an unappropriated balance (but which the proprietors were informed would in all probability be absorbed by losses) of this are now to be added the nett profits in the colonies and in London, for the year ending the 12th of October, 1846, after defraying all expenses of management 46,586 1 3 Making X 155,893 1 10 Deduct the half-year's di vidend in Apri1,1846....£13,500 0 0 And the whole of the ex penses incurred in the suit against the Bank of Australia, from its com mencement up to the 12th of October, 1846, (a considerable portion of which it is expected may ultimately be reco vered) ........ 8 5 252 13 1 _ _ ,--- 21,752 13 Leafing 4134,140 8 9 The total amount of losses ascertained and estimated by the superintendent and managers being 142,265 1 9 It follows that a balance remains to be provided for out of the profit of the current year of £8,124 13 0 "8. The above statement shows the estimated amount of loss, according to the opinion of the superintendent and managers, the entire accuracy of which can only be finally ascertained when the various and extensive pro perties, held by the Bank, in security or satisfaction of debts, are realised. The directors consider the greatest care and caution in the gradual accomplishment of this object as most essential, being, in their opinion, the only means of preventing further losses upon some of the old accounts, of which they cannot but feel apprehensive. ,- "9. The numerous and diversified duties of Mr. Hart the superintendent, in the general control of the business, and in the management of the several properties held by the Bank, notwithstanding his acknowledged zeal, in dustry, and talents, render it impossible for him to give that minute and constant attention to these various matters which their nature and magnitude demand. Under this conviction, the directors came to the resolu tion of sending a person to the colonies, to aid and coun sel Mr. Hart in the performance of those duties; and it was with much satisfaction that they found their late colleague, Mr. Atherton, willing to undertake so im portant a mission, from which they anticipate the most beneficial results; and they await his report with great interest. Mr. Atherton's duty will be to advise and co operate with Mr. Hart, but without executive power. " 10. The directors are convinced, from their expe rience of Mr. Atherton's talents and general habits of business, his intimate acquaintance with the affairs and position of the Bank, as well as his legal knowledge, and his perfect agreement with them, as to the course to be pursued, that they could not have selected a fitter person for the office. " 11. In accordance with the assurances given in their last report, the directors lost no time in obtaining the necessary documents from Sydney, to enable them to proceed with the appeal against the Bank of Austral's, and they have now to inform the proprietors, that the cause has been set down for hearing before the Judi cial Committee of the Privy Council. "12. The directors conclude with the usual statement of the Assets and Liabilities of the Bank. ASSETS. Government Stock, Speck, and Cash £430,027 7 3 Landed Property and Bank Premises 23,056 0 2 Bills Receivable, and other Securities 1,309,544 17 9 Balance (to be provided for out of the profits of the current year) 8,124 13 0 £1,770,752 18 2 LIABILITIES. C4pittil £900,000 0 0 Circulation Bills Payable, and other Liabilities 222,49 6 2 Deposits £1,770,752 18 2" The CHAIRMAN, after some observations on the general state of the Bank and the Australian colo nies, moved the adoption of the report, which, after the meeting had been addressed by Mr. Newsam, the Rev. Mr. Madge, Mr. G. R. Robinson, and several other proprietors, was received and adopted. Mr. Hananel De Castro was then chosen a director, in room of Mr. Atherton, resigned on going out to the colonies in the service of the Bank ; and the three directors going out by rotation were unanimously re elected. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, and of continued confidence in the Direction, were then passed, and the meeting separated. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—MONDAY. Our quotations, like the share lists, are somewhat lengthy, but, if analysed, would show but a moderate amount of " business done." We 'may, therefore, con fine ourselves to stating that the Conjuror, Conspiracy, Grimston, and Best of Three, were in demand for the Northumberland Plate ; The Hero, for the Goodwood Cup •, Vampyre and The Questionable, for the Good wood Stakes; and Assault and Nil Desperandum for the Derby. Closing prices:— THE NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE. sto 1 agst Mr. Green's The Conjuror—t. da af. of.' 5 to i agst Lord Glasgow's Conspiracy—tak 6 to 1 8 to 1 agst Sir J. Gerard's Grimston—taken 1 1 2 2 t t o o s 1 agsg:tt Mr. m S. e L ik . i F am of s 's l E n b z e e r c i u t r t e o s r s - - t t a a k k e e n n 12 to 1 agat Lord Eglinton's Eryx—taken 12 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Beat of Three—taken 14 to 1 agst Mr. Yarburgh's Miss Sarah. Even on Conjuror, Conspiracy h , e G th r e i r na c st o o n n s , p E ir z a ec cy n , to a r s , and A B:usetsot question Tr, hasree agst n the r a s field. winner of a pocket handicap at Newmarket, comes within the meaning of the condition imposing a penalty of 6lbs. on the winner of any handicap of 2001., or up wards, subsequent to the declaration of the weights. The matter is before the Stewards of the Jockey Club. GOODWOOD CUP. sto 2 agst Mr. John Day's The Hero-3 to 1 taken freely 7 to 1 agst Mr. G. 11. Moore's Wolfdog 12 to 1 agst Monsieur Aumont's Fitz Emilius—t. 12 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Mendicant 15 to 1 agst Mr. Isaac Day's Sir Tatton Sykes 16 to 1 agst Mr. Whaley's Burgundy 20 to 1 agst Baron Biel 's Sunbeam GOODWOOD STARES. 17 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Vampyro—taken 25 to 1 agst Mr. Sainsbury's The Questionable—t. 30 to 1 agst Lord E. Russell's Dulcet—taken 30 to 1 agst Colonel Anson's Martext 33 to 1 agst Sir J. Mill's Miss Elis—taken 35 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Queen Mary—taken 35 to 1 agst Mr. Etwall's /Egis—taken 35 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Stultz—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Sandford's Kimblesworth 40 to 1 agst Mr. Robinson's Morpeth—taken 40 to 1 agat Mr. Wormold's Hydrometer—taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. Hutchinson's Emigrant. ST. LEGER. 3 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Cossack—taken 6 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Van Tromp 20 to 1 ag,t Mr. Stephenson's Black Dwarf 25 to 1 agst Mr. Merry's Limstone—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. John Day's Farmer's Daughter 40 to 1 agst Lord Stradbroke's Coningsby—taken DERBY. 13 to taken /. agst agst Mr . mr. BiohGarepen to 100a'sy,As Assault—tak en lt—takell 25 to Desperandum -30 to I agst Mr. B. Gr een's Fl atc at cher—t a ken 1000 to 30 agst Mr. Mostyn' s S ur p lice— t aken 45 to 1 agst Mr. Sand f o r d' s Sheriff. FOUR-OA RED MATCH BETWEEN THE THETIS AND THE ST. GEORGE'S. Yesterday this match, which has for the last month excited midi interest, " came off" and afforded great satisfaction to a large number of the elite of the river. Although this match may be termed most emphatically an amicable one, yet had the rival crews been animated by the bitter feelings of the 11l ontagu and Capulet they could not have devoted in the time and attention to th e i r tra i n ing and practice, the course of which they dis played such speed a mate rially incivarad the Worm resulting from the well-known merits of the crews, of whom a word or two of comment may not be out of season. The St. George's Club have for years past dis tinguished themselves in four-oared and other matches, and in 1845 represented the London river in the eight oared matches at Henley and Putney Reg•atta., winning the Ladies' Cup at the former, and rowing oar and oar with the Cambridge University at the latter ; at Erith, also, they shared the honour, though not the victory, with the "brilliant Leander." The Thetis Club, though less fortunate, have rowed "well in front" at both Put• f ney and Erith. The course was from Chiswick Eyot to Putney-bridge, with the. tide. Amongst the cutters ac companying the match, we observed Lord Kilmorey's four, the Leander, Thetis, and St. George's eights, the .Engineers four, cum in Otis alit's. The racing crews were composed of the following gentlemen:— ST. GEORGE'S. vo f THETIS. IW. Fall, Esq., 9st 61b IJ. Robertson, Esq., 9st 2 J. Lane, E:q., lOst, 101 b 10:b 3 S. Wallace, E.,q , 12st 10Ib 2 Murray, Esq., lOst 81b 4 W. Cuulthard, Esq., Ilst 3 Hind, Esq., lOst 8:b 10Ib 4 G. Porter, E,q., lOst 91b Coxswain —R. White, Ecq. Breachett,E , q.,ecxswain The betting was fluctuating. I'. L. Jenkins, Esq., of the Leander, officiated as umpire, and the crews now took their stations ; the St. George's, h. won the toss, took the Surrey shore, and on the word " off," the oars of both crews "clipped " the water simultaneously; the first dozen strokes, however, waft the St. George's half a boat's length ahead, another dashing dozen bring them clear, and in this position they swing down to Hammersmith; here a spurt is put on by bcth boats, the result of which tends to increase the Lead already gained by the St. George's. Between this; and the Crabtree the surf raised by a stiff south-easter is decidedly " lumpy," and the weight and strength of the St. George's crew tell heavily, they lift their boat ahead at every stroke, and ultimately pas under Pi Play-bridge nearly twenty boats' lengths ahead. Both boats shipped water, the Thetis being most unfortunate in this respect. The pace was very good throughout. COURT CIRCULAR. The cerem , ny of christening the infant daughter of Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley took place at twelve o'clock yesterday in the private chapel in Buckingham Palace, in the presence of the Queen and Prince Albert, the Duke of Wellington, Lord and Lady Charles Wel lesley, the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, the Marquis and Marchioness of Douro, the Right Hon. Henry Pierrepont, the Lady and the Lord in Waiting, the Maids of Honour, the Master of the Household, the Groom in Waiting, and the Equerries in Waiting to her Majesty and Prince Albert. The infant was named " Victoria Alexandrina." The sponsors were her Majesty the Queen, the Marchioness of Douro, and the Marquis of Exeter. The ceremony was performed by the Hon. awl Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay, assisted by the Rev. Gerald Wellesley. In the evening the Queen and Prince Albert honoured the Duke of Wellington with their company at dinner, at Apsley House. The Royal suite consisted of Vis countess Jocelyn, Lord Camoys, Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel Bouverie. Their Ro) al Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and Mr. Edmond Mildmay. also honoured the Duke of Wellington with their company at dinner last evening. Lord John Russell had an audience of the Queen yesterday at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, and attended by the Viscountess Jocelyn, took an airing yesterday in an open carriage and four. Lord Alfred Paget attended on horseback. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse back, attended by Colonel Bouverie. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, attended by the Countess Brownlow, visited the Queen yesterday. Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, took airings yesterday, in the pleasure grounds of the Palace. The Queen's copy of Gray's " Elegy," illustrated by the Etching Club, was presented to his Royal Highness Prince Albert, yesterday, at Buckingham Palace. A statuette of Una and the Lion, about to be executed in Parian, at the Staffordshire Potteries was also submitted to his Royal Highness. Their goyal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, attended by the Countess of Assenburg, Count de Beust, Baron de Zigesar, and Colonel Cornwall, visited and inspected the Royal Mint yesterday. Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary, attended by Baroness Hammerstein and Major Stephens, honoured the performance of Mr. Benedict's Concert at her Ma jesty's theatre with her pres,nce yesterday morning. A Cabinet Council was held at three o'clock yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of ;pinto, Sir George Grey, Vis count Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhonse, the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Campbell, Viscount Morpeth, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. T. B. Mac aulay, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Council sat an hour and a half. Mr. Entwisle, M.P., and Mr. I). Derbishire, had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt at the office of the Commissioners of Railways in Great George street. Dr. Lynch, accompanied by the parochial of from St. Andrew's, St. Bride's, St. Dunstan's, and St. Se pulchre's paris . tes—namely, Messrs. Batehelor, Sweet. in;, Boreton, Brett, and Ilerepath, hail an interview with Vi,count Morpeth yesterday, at the office of the Woods and Forests. The Marquis of Normanby had an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday, at the Foreign-office. The O'Connor Don had an interview with the Earl of Clarend ,n yesterday. The new Bishopricks Commission hod a meeting yesterday in Whitehall-place. The Commissioners pre sent were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Chichester, the Bishops of London, Durham, Winchester, and Lincoln, and Sir Charles Wood. Lord Chichester had an interview with Sir George Grey yc:terday. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Frewen, M.P., Sir W. FieLlen, M.P, Mr. Gren'ell, Alt.. Wilkinson, Mr. Sil chester, Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Burchell, Mr. Rigour, Mr. Sherrard, Mr. Bidder, Mr. McGregor, Mr. Fearon, and Mr. Clly burn, had an interview with the Right lion. E. Strutt yesterday. THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S GRAND FE FE TO HER MAJESTY AND THE PRINCE CONSORT. The Duke of Wellington gave a princely fete to the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert last even ing, at Apsley House. We understand that the Noble and Gallant Duke re ceived intimation of her Majesty's gracious pleasure, on the gleen signifying it to be her intention to stand sponsor to the infant daughter of Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, that her Majesty and her illustrious consort would honour his Grace by their company at the fete which was to be given on the interesting occasion. The Duke of Wellington invited the several members of the Royal Family and a distinguished cirel to meet the Queen at the sumptuous entertainment which pre ceded the musical reception, the banvetting-table being laid for about forty guests. Agreeably to the invita tions, the guests began to assemble shortly after seven o'clock. The full band of the Grenadier Guards (the Duke's regiment) was s:ationed in the vestibule, and performed a variety of airs while the august visitors congregated prior to her Majesty's arrival. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert arrived at halt-past seven, and as the royal carriage drove into the court-yard were warmly cheered by the populace congregated in Piccadilly. The Duke of Wellington was in waiting to welcome his Sovereign and her illustrious husband, and after a cordial greeting, the Queen resting on the arm of the venerable Duke, proceeded to the gallery, where the majority of the guests had met; Prince Albert, Lord Charles Wellesley, and the attendants on the Queen and Prince followed to the picture gallery, Lady Charles Wellesley advancing to the staircase to meet the august visitors. The banquet was served in the noble dining-room, the table presenting a gorgeous display of plate, from the celebrated Portuguese plateau occupying the centre, besides a rare collection of ornamental plate. The whole was relieved by the choicest flowers, and massive cande labra, from which the festive board was illuminated. The spacious apartment appropriated for the banquet is hung with the portraits of the continental sovereigns in alliance with this country during the wars that suc ceeded the French revolution. The following is a list of the dinner circle, in addition to the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and the noble host:—Their Royal Ilignesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince George of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of f3edfori, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, the Marquis and Marchiones of Douro, the Countess of Westmoreland, Viscount Jocelyn, Lord and Lady John Russell, Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, the Right Hon, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, the Right lion. Henry Pierrepoint, the Hon. and Rev. Gerald Wellesley; and Lord Camoys, Viscountess Jocelyn, Lord Alfred Paget, Lady Caroline Cocks and Colonel Mamie, in waiting on the Queen and Prince; Lady Augusta Cadogan and Baron Knesebeck, in waiting on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Lady Georgtana Bathurst, in waiting on the Duchess of Gloucester; and the Hon. Capt. James Macdonald, in waiting on Prince George. Her Majesty retired from the dining-room at half-past nine o'clock. His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia arrived shortly after ten o'clock. Their Se rene Highnesses the Heredi:ary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar had previously arlivEd. His Royal Highness the Hereditary Prince of Lucca was also among the early arrivals, and among the general com pany we observed their Highnesses the Prince Francais and Princess Lichtenstein, his Excellency the Aus trian Ambassador and the Countess Dietrichstein, his Excellency Prince Castelcicala, his Excellency the Prussian Minister, and Madame and Misses Bunsen, his Excellency the Russian Minister and Baroness Brunnow and Mademoiselle Olga de Lechner, his Excellency the Portuguese; Minister and Baroness Moncorvo, his Excellency Count Kielmansegge, his Excellency the Bavarian Minister and Baroness de Cetto, his Excellency Count Schimmelpennick, his Excellency the American Minister and Mrs. Bancroft. his Exceld lency the Danish Minister and Countess Reventlow,an the Countess Hilda Reventlow, his Excellency the the Bra zilian Minister and Madame Lisbon, his Excellency,xce Excellency 111, Minister and Baroness de Beust, Hugel, the y e M. Van de Weyer. Baroness Rehausen, Swedish Charg6 d'Affaires and _,„ erg, his E xce llency Barot g h conut L'otocki, Sam Al at .9 the Duke 'of Rutland and Lady Adeliza Manners, the Duke de Palmella, the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn, the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanbie the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, the Mar quis and Marchioness of Ailesbury, tie Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde and Lady Emily de Burgh, the Marquis of Granby, the Marquis and Marchioness of Ely, the Earl and Countess Spencer and Hon. Miss Lyttelton, the Fart and Countess of Haddington, the Countess of Manvers and Lady A. Pierrepoint, the Earl and Countess of Wilton, the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl and Countess Forteseue and Miss Geale, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, the Countess of Clarendon, the Earl and Countess Grey, the Earl of Auckland and the Hon. Miss Eden, the Countess of Chesterfield, the Earl of Ripon, the Earl and Countess of Desert, the Earl and Countess of Cawdor, the Earl and Countess Delawarr, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl and Countess of Clan william, the Countess of Charlemont, the Earl and Countess of Minto and Ladies Elizabeth and Harriet Eliot, the Earl and Countess of Morley, the Countess of Morton and Ledy Ellen Dnug'as, Viscount Morpeth, Viscount and Viscountess Newport, Viscount Chelsea and Lady Honoria Ca,dogan, Viscount Strangford, Viscount and Viscountess Br ,cklee. Viscount se Vin cent and Hon. Mrs. Dice Sombre, Viscountess Palmer ston, Vise ,out tut 1 Viscountess Canning. 'Viscount and Viscountess Falkland, Viscount and Viscountess Syd ney, Viscount and Viscountess Combermere, the Lord Chancellor and the Hon. Miss Pepys, Lord and Lady Lyndhurst and Hon. Miss Copley, Lord and Lady Ash , burton and Hon. Miss Baring, Lord and Lady De Hos and Hon. Miss De Ras, Lord Foley and Hon. Miss Foley, Lord Dunkellin, Lady Blanche B ilfour, Lord and L•idy Ernest Bruce, Lord Clarence and Lady Adelaide Pager, Lord an l Lady Beauvale, • Lord Heystesbury, Lord E. F. Howard. Lady Granville Somerset and Miss Somerset, Lord Campbell and Lady Stratht den, and Honourable Miss Campbell, Lord and Lady Stanley, Lord Lyttelton, Lord and Lady Fitzroy Somerset and Misses Somerset (2), Lady Marcus Hill, the Lord Chief Justice and Lady Wilde, Lady Georgiana Fane, the Right Hon. Sir C. Wood, Major- General and Lady Isabella Wemyss, Honourable Golonel and Hon. Mrs. Anson, Hon. Colonel Liddell and Mrs. Liddell, the Right Hon. Sir James and Lady Graham, the Right Hon. Fox and Mrs. Maule, Hon. Major West' Hon. Captain and Mrs. Dancombe, Major-General Sir Harry and Lady Smith, Sir E. and Lady Bowater, Mr. and Lady Charlotte Watson Taylor, the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Coartenay, Mr. G. E. and Hon. Mrs. Anson, the Right Hon. W. E. and Mrs. Gladstone, Sir Horace Sey mour and Lady Clinton, and Misses Seymour, Sir John and Lady Macdonald, Sir Willoughby and Lady Gordon, Hon. S. Pierrepont, Hon. Lieut.-Colonel and Lady Mary Wood, lion. Mrs. Grey and Miss Copley, Hon. Lieut.- Colonel Phipps, Colonel and Lady Catherine Buckley, Captain Meynell, Miss B. Coutts and Miss Burdett, Mr. and Mrs. Assheton Smith, Captain Pakenham, Lieut.- Colonel Seymour, Mrs. Shawe Lefevre and Miss Lefevre, Hon. Colonel and Mrs. Arbuthnot, Mr. Wynne, Mr. Algernon Greville and Miss Greville, Mr. 11. Greville, Hon. William Bathurst, Hon. J. Fane, Sir Henry and Lady Wheatley and the Misses Wheatley, Hon. Is. and Mrs. Pierrepont, the Right Hon. H. Goulburn, Captain Francis Seymour, Hon. Mrs. D. Darner and Miss Darner, the Right Hon. Sydney and Mrs. Herbert, &c. The concert commenced about half-past ten, and the subjoined is the programme of the performance:— PART FIRST. Trio, " Qual veleta," Madame Grisi, Sig nori Mario e Tamburini (I Lombardi) . Verdi. Duo. " Si reel credi," Madlle. Alboni e Sig Tamburini (Esule di Granata) Meyerbecr. Quartetto, " Ave verum," Madame Grisi e Madlle. Alboni, Signori Mario e La blache Mozart. Duo, "Ditto tel chiegeo," Madame Grisi e Sig. Mario (Parisina) Aria, " Per non istare in ozio," Madlle Alboni (Maria di Bohan) Donizetti. Quintetto, " Ah m'illuse," Madame Grisi e Madlle . Alboni, Signori Mario, Tam burini, e Lablache (Zelmira) Rossini. SECOND PART. Trio, " Ferma ernelele," Madame Grisi, Signori Mario e Lablache (Ernani) Verdi. Aria, " Se d'amore," Madame Grisi (Ales sandro nelie Indie) Picini. Duo, " Bel paese," Signori Tamburini e Lablache (La Regina di Golgonda) Donizetti. Aria, " Connais-tu la chanson?" Signor Mario (La Chanson de Mai) Meyerbeer. Duo, " Ciel qual destino," Madame Grisi e Mdlle. Alboni (Bianco e Falliero) Coro, "Felice, etc," Madame Grisi e Mdll e . Alboni, Sig. Mario, Tamburini, e La blache 'rho instr umenta l artists enag Costa. ed , at the violon cello, Mr. Li n dl ey; the contra b asso, Mr. were Howell; and at the pianoforte, Mr. M. Costa. Iler Majesty and Prince Albert took their leave of the noble hog at a quarter to twelve o'clock, the Noble and Gallant Duke seeing his august guests to their carriage. His Grace soon afterwards retired for the night, after taking leave of the Grand Duke Constantine. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 14.—The Polyphemus steam sloop, Commander APCleverty, lift the harbour this morning at daylight (about 2) for Lisbon direct, with dis• patches frQm the Government for the Briiih Minister and Commander-in Chief. We are authorised to state that there is no truth what ever in a par graph which has gone the round the press to the elf et that Cap! ain Cami.be 1, 11 .y,l - Navy, of Southaca, intended to conte=t the borou,ll or I.',,rts mouth, on the C o n serva ti ve intere,t, v..ith the present M..mbkrs, in conjatittion with Mr. Junes, the banker, of l'ortsea. PLYMOUTH', JUNE 12. —lTer Majesty's ship Caledoni a , 120, Captlin Manly 11. axo", h the t 1 of Port- Adiiiir..l Sir John West, 1i.C.8.. and her Nhijesty's ship Q we:, 110. CAptiiin Sir 11, nry Luke, left tin it miiorings in the S. end this m mint , as preeo, ded to rea, Be tween One and two ci"e1ocl: n the afternoon they were observed outside the lirljp-tuoy with ttie Ilead open. Tho Qiven was about half nh, ad, on the weather bow, and on being signalised from the Admiral's ship hoist d her three top-galla.ot sails. Both .liips were reaching W.S.W., with the wind about S.S.L. In the evening- it veered more to the westward. Her Majesty's ship San Josef, 101, Commander Mil, is to be supplied with 14 six pounder.:, for ihe purpose of returning salutes in the absence of her Majesty's ship Caledonia. Her Majesty's steam-tug Confiance sailei suddenly on Wednesday for Falmouth with a party of artillery, two pieces of ordnance, and a detachment of the sth Fusiliers. She returned on Thursday, and the same evening, when at her moorings in Hamoaze, a fire, w bleb originated close to the boilers, was discovered on board her. The Confiance is not provided with a gun, but having hoisted a distress flag, the powerful float-e n gi ne manned from her M a je s ty' s d oc k yar d , was soon along side, and speedily extinguished the flames, which have not done much damage. Unfortunately, one of the hands belonging to the San Josef, in his haste to join that ship's boat, for the purpose of aiding the Confiance, fell overboard, and was drowned. The others and crew of ler Majesty's steam-sloop Growler, Commander Pothury, were paid advance yes terday, and she is cow lyi ng at the moorings o f h er Ma jesty's ship Queen, in th e Sound. She will probably sail to-morrow for Sierra Leone, there to embark Emigrants for the West Indies. Captain Ellbrecht and the officers of his Danish Majesty's corvette Flora, now in the Sound, went yester day in the passenger steam-packet Queen up the river as far as Morwelham, and on their return visited Cote hill House, and were much delighted with their excur sion. When in the Sound, the steamer passed round her Majesty's ship Queen, the band of which honoured the strangers by playing the National Anthem. Captain Mahommed Ben flames, commanding his High ness the Imaum of Muscat's ship Caroline, at anchor in the Sound, is now on a visit at Mamhead, the seat of Sir Robert Newman. Bart. The Caroline is the ship which brought the rich present of Arabian horses from the Imaum to her Majesty the Quern of England. When the captain joins her site will sail for Zanzibar. JUNE 13.—1 n consequence of the thick weather which came on yesterday afternoon with the westerly wind, her Majesty's ships Caledonia and Queen returned about 4 o'clock to the Sound. They were accompanied by Port- Admiral Sir John West, in the Sylph tender, and by Admiral-Superintendent Sir John Louis, in the Ply mouth tender, both of whom went out with the inten tion of witnessing the comparative sailing qualities of the two ships. The Caledonia, with the flag of the Port- Admiral, red at the wizen, is now lying inside the eastern arm of the Breakwater, and the Queen, with the flag of the Admiral- Superintendent, white at the main, is moored near the western end. The Growler continues in the Sound. Wind southerly, blowing strong. WOOLWICH, JUNE 14.—The Hecate steam-sloop, Commander Joseph Wes', was paid off at this port on Wednesday, the 9th inst., on her return from the coast ' of Africa, to which place she proceeded in June, 1845. On her return to England she had not a man on the sick list, and during her time on the coast the master, boat swain, and four of her crew died of fever. These per sons had not been more exposed than the rest, and it is supposed some previous constitutional malady was the cause of their death. Tile Hecate visited every part of the coast as far south as Angola, and the excellent pre servation of the health of the crew is partly attributable to her keeping under weigh whenever she could, and employing the mea in the exercise of their various duties, and not exposing them to the heat of the sun, or the miasma off the land One principle was strictly en forced on board this vessel to keep her perfectly dry— whitewash her fore and aft once a week, and keep up a thorough ventilation. Since her arrival at Woolwich she has met the approbation of those naval officers who have visited her, and some idea may be formed of the efficiency of her crew when it is stated that at the time her Royal IlLhness the Duchess of Kent embarked at Woolwich for Ostend, half-past nine o'clock a.m., the Hecate had ro y a l yar d s across , a nd her yards all her manned, and, at tw e l ve o ' c l oc k, s h e was at a gantling, with spars ov er b oar d, an d th e whole of her rigging in a lump aloncrside. The Charon stearn-ves.‘ -e I being old and useless, wa s towed d awn to h river to - day by the Monkey steam- water at Harwich. vessel, and it is intoided to sink her to serve as a break- STEAM NAVIGATION IN TIIE PACIFIC.—PANAMA, Arum 21.—The Pacific Steam aviation Company's steam ship Ecuador, from Callao, arrivod here on the 21st of April, bringing, in addition to her usual patlsengers and cargo, the mails in continuation with the com pany's steamer Chile, , which left Valparaiso o n th e 28th of March, from the under mentioned ports in Chile Bolivia, Yer,o, Ecuador, and New Granada of the resp ect i ve dates as undernt. , ted :—Chile—Val paraiso, March 28th ; Coquimbo, 2 a th ; EJuasco, 3001; Co piapo, 30th. Bolivia—Cobija, April Ist. . Peru—lquique, April 23; Arica, 3d; Islay, 4th; Pisco, 6th; Callao, 11th; Payta, llth. Ecuador—Guayaquil, Aril 16th, New Grit. nada—ikenaventura, April 19th.