The Express.
London, England, 1852-09-04 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

The Oriental Company's steam-packet Madrid,
Captain John Weeks, arrived at Southampton yes-1
terday, and landed her mails under the charge of
Lieut. Thomu White Purver, R.N., admiralty agent.
Her dates are, Gibraltar, August 24 ; Cadiz, August
2,5; Lisbon, August 29; Oporto, August 30; Vigo,
ugust 31
The Madrid brings 31 first-class passengers, among
whom are Sir James Cochrane, lady, and daughters;
Countess Ilurcellos, Don Agustus Mendonea, from
Lisbon; Lieut. Mansfield, 44th regiment, Gibraltar.
The official Diario do Goberwo published on the
23rd a manifesto, in which the cabinet explains its
conduct. Marshal Saldanha and his colleagues de-
clare that, considering the powerlessness of the
Chamber to carry out the numerous reforms impe-
ratively demanded in the public interest—an inabi-
lity, which is ascribable to the divisions which reign
in the parliabent—tho government has preferred to
take upon itself the grave responsibility of extraor-
dinary measures, even to dissolving the Cortes and
decreeing taxes, rather than prolong a situation
which ism the highest degree prejudicial to the wel-
fare of the nation. The government is well aware
that, in taking this course, it exposes itself to the risk
of being blamed by a future Chamber. It is
exosedingly averse to exceptional measures, but it
has no alternative. All it asks is a truce, in which
useful and loyal work may be done, and the
country be led back to a state of political tranquillity
and public reform.

LISBON, Aro. 29.
The dismissal of the Viscount de Garret bas been fol-
lowed by that of &Tibor Seabra, minister of justice, whose
portfolio is now provisionally held by the minister of the
interior. Notwithstanding that the decree dieolv;ng the
Cortes appoints the first day of October for the meet-
ing of the new chamber, it cannot be said
that the end of the dictatorial reign is even
in sight. No progress whatever has been made in
preparing for the new elections, nor can there be before
the promulgation of an electoral decree. Of course the
government cannot hold out the hand to the Cabralists,
and with the Progresistas it is as far as ever from a union.
Meanwhile decretal legislation goes on. The reduction in
the customs duties on certain articles is a wise measure, and
the result of the report made by the commission appoiated
last year. The commission still sits, and is likely to pro•
pose important reductions in respect of colonial produce.
Military insubordination, almost amounting to attempted
insurrection has taken placeatValencia, the watchword being
" Viva the Count de Santa Maria," " Death to the old one
(Saldanha); but the energy of General Cabreira speedily re-
stored order. These efforts are much to be regretted, as
they show that private soldiers would run such risks
unless the secret springof some near authority impelled them,
and who would be ready to sustain an act when it could
show a bold and menacing front.
It appears that the Portuguese possessions in India
(Goa) are still a prey to civil war, ezeited by the arbitrary
mode in which the local government has been and is car-
ried on.
_ _

---'l;laTPrince Regent, Albion, Retribution, and Leander
nine to anchorage in the Tagus yesterday about noon.
More British vessels of war are expected.
A report has been fir some time current that ministen
intended to dismiss the Count de &brat from the civil
governorship of Lisbon, yesterday it was affirmed that the
dismiuion was either effected or on its eve ; should it be
realised (if not actually so now) it will not only be a very
bad omen, bat will be received bi the people of Lisbon with
much dislike and consequent mistrust in the future pro
ceedings of the ministry. Exchange 64. Discount of Lisbon
bank notes 21 per cent.