The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 29, 1846

system of government about to be established in New
'Zealand. Justly confident in the comprehensive and
sagacious spirit in which it has been framed, the
Coinflict Minister, in his first despatch to the first
Governor-General, does not shrink from calling up
associations of all that is moat elevated and inspiring
in the history and results of British colonisation :
This scheme of municipal, legislative, and executive polity
is framed with as close an adherence as circumstances would
allow to the model of our Enalish institutions, an object
which I regard as of the highest importance in every such
design. It adhe res as nearly as practicable to that scheme
of colonial policy once diffused over the greater part of
the North American Continent, and still surviving
in our remaining colonies there, and yet to be dis-
tinctly traced in the constitutions of the flourishing
states now united into the great American common-
wealth. It provides for the local self-government of
districts in a country where the di-persion of the settle-
Ilidais is such z! to render any one noili,,r!re
that task. But while pubic-spirit, and a Practical acquain-
tance with public affairs, will thus be char had in every
part of New Zealand. the erection of provinces and pro-
vincial assemblies will, I trust, counteract the tendency
which such corporate institutions must otherwise have to
disunite, in interest and in feeling, the various remote dis-
tricts from each other.
The nnrestm:ned confidence with which the impe-
rial government has thrown itself upon the colonists
of New Zealand justifies the high and severe
moral tone in which the Colonial Minister, at the close
of his instructions to Governor Goer, reminds them
of the "danger that the powers conferred by this
great linnehise may be perverted into an instrument
of oppression of the less civilised and less powerful
races; and commends to their attention " the sacred
duty which will be incumbent on them, of watching
over the interests, protecting the persons, and, as far
as may be, cultivating the minds of the aboriginal
race among whom they have settled."
Having enjoyed opportunities, afforded to few, of
closely and minutely watching the whole progress of
New Zealand settlement since the sailing of the Tory,
we know that the great mass of the colonists are men
who can appreciate the manly frankness of this exhor-
tation. We repose much confidence in the aggregate
of the settlers, composed of a due mixturo of hardy
yeomen and some of the best blood of England ; we
repose much confidence in the judgment, promptitude,
and firmness of Governor GREY, in the enthusiastic
humanity of Mr. EYRE; and in Lord JOHN RUSSELL
and Lord GREY WO recognise the two statesmen who
more than any of their contemporaries have studied
the theory and practice of colonial government. The
future can never be looked to without some degree
of "trembling hope;" but we are unwontedly sanguine
as to the result of this great experiment in New
Zealand. It is of the most vital importance
to all the isles and coasts of the Pacific, over
which English, American, and French enterprise
are so rapidly extending the influence of civilised
life. It is of the most vital importance to all our
oldest colonies, whose claims to be governed in ac-
cordance with the principles applied to New Zealand,
only so far modified as to meet the forms of social
organisation already developed among them, are un-
questionable, and will, we have no doubt, so far as
the existing administration is concerned, be unques-
tioned. -
Abstracts of the New Zealand charter, and of the
instructions under the royal sign manual and signet,
which we have prepared, must, in the crowded state
of our columns, stand over till to-morrow.

AFFAIRS in Portugal have taken a turn unfavourable
to the Queen. It has been evident now for some
little time past, that the chief commanders and armies
on either side, under DAs ANTAS and SALDANIIA,
pretty well counterbalanced each other, and that both,
not strong or bold enough to assume the offensive,
were still in a position to make a sufficiently re-
solute defence to deter attack. In this lock or stand-
still of the two chief armies, the fate of the war
depended on the skill and activity of the lieutenants
and minor commanders.
The Baron 1)E CAZAL, commanding for the Queen
in the north, gained a signal success over S t DA BAN-
DEIRA. Had he followed this up by either marching
upon Oporto and attacking it, or, crossing the Duero,
leaving Oporto to itself and hastening to join SU-
DANIIA, in either case he might have done good service.
Instead of this, he lingered and hesitated, allowed
SA DA BANDEIRA to strengthen himself in Oporto,
and lost his opportunity. Accounts from Oporto
represent skirmishing as going on, but no fears
of any bold or successful attack on the part of CAZAL.
Yet the court reckoned so much upon him that they
twice sent steamers to the month of the Duero to get
intelligence.
Meantime the Lieutenant of DAs ANTAS, BOMFIN
showed much superior activity. He not only crossed
the Tagus from the south, deceived and defeated the
enemies especially opposed to him, so manoeuvred
as to get in the rear of SALDANIIA, between him
and Lisbon, and between him and the sea. The
consequence has been, that the Marshal was forced to
retreat. He has broken up his camp at Cartaxo, and
retired to take up the old lines of Torres Vedras,
if BOMFIN will allow him to do so. DAS ANTAS will
no doubt follow. The two divisions of the insurgents
will probably attempt to drive SALDANIIA back upon
Lisbon, and a contest in such circumstances would
prove decisive.
Without some success of this kind, the retrograde
movement of SALDANDA will strike terror in the
partisans of the court at Lisbon, and give such
increased boldness to its enemies, that the serious
Ipopular movement, so long kept down, is likely to
burst forth. At all events, the tedious war threatens
now to coma to a conclusion of one kind or another.

We have received the Paris journals of Sunday.
The ministerial journals take decidedly opposite
sides. The Debats is for the English alliance; the
Frew declares it would prefer none to anything so
horrible. We shall not treat our readers to this non-
sensical verbiage, their arguments for and against
close alliance and deadly enmities, which no states-
man dreams of, and which exists but in the imagina-
tion and the columns ofjournalists.
Advises were received in Paris from Athens, to the
10th instant. M. Coletti, President of the Council,
had recovered from his indisposition, and resumed the
duties of his office. The King had honoured him
during his illness with a personal visit, and presented
him with the insignia of the Order of Military Merit
of Bavaria. M. Rodenbach, the charge d'afaires of
Belgium, had sunk under an attack of apoplexy.
Prince Oscar, of Sweden, had quitted Athens.

The Madrid mails, which had accumulated and
been over-due, all arrived on Saturday in Paris,
bringing the letters and journals of the 18th, 19th,
and 20th.
The ministerial crisis had continued without any
diMottement. Various reports were still in circula-
tion. M. Isturitz had a long private audience of the
Queen, at which it was reported that he laid before
her 'Majesty his reasons for desiring to resign ; but
it appears that the Queen declined receiving his
resignation, and required that the minister
should continue in office until after the open-
ing of the Cortes. According to the opposition
journals her Majesty gave her ministers a lec-
ture upon the duties of constitutional govern-
ments, telling them it was their duty, before abandon-
ing their functions, to render an account of their
proceedings to the representatives of the nation. It
was expected that the ministerial candidate for the
presidency of the Chamber would be M. Pacheco, and
the Progressist candidate General San Miguel.
M. Olozaga had obtained a second return by the
College of Arnedo. That deputy is waiting at
Bayonne an authorisation to enter Spain.
The news from Portugal, as usual, is vague.
El Clamor Pnblico, of the 19th, says that
the state of that country was becoming daily
' more alarming ; the Miguelites were increasing. A
letter from Verin, of the 12th, states that General
( azal had arrived, on the 9th, within two miles of
Oporto, and that artillery had been heard in that
direction ; that the Migueites occupied Braga and
Guimaraez. A Miguelite junta was formed there.
The Ern del Comercio of the 18th quotes letters
from Galicia, which announce the defeat of the
Cabralist troops in Portugal, and that the Spanish
troops had been ordered to cross the frontier.
The results of nearly all the elections were known
at Madrid on the 20th. About one-third of the
Chamber will be divided among the Progressistas,
and the other sections of the opposition. MM.
' Olozaga and Mendizabal had each obtained double
returns. The ministry were engaged in preparing
for the election of the presidents of the Chambers.
It was thought that the Marquis do Mirailores, who
was President of the Senate last year, would be op-
posed

sequence of his tendencies towards the opposition.
It seemed likely that the ministry would succeed in
securing the election of M. Bravo Murillo to the
presidency of the second chamber. Another candi-
date, however, was to be proposed, M. Castro y
Orosco, by that section of the ministerial party which
is devoted to Narvaez.—The Puritan candidate is M.
Pacheco, and that of the Progressistas M. de San
Miguel.
The opposition of M. Castro y Orosco, a ministeri-
alist, to M. Bravo Murillo, another ministerialist,
manifests the internal dissensions which revail iu
the cabinet, and which must soon terminate in a minis-
terial modification. It is not yet certain that the
cabinet will venture finally to refuse a passport to M.
Olozaga, who is now at Bayonne.
The Madrid mail of the 21st was due in Paris on
but did not arrive 4 tile courier from

ourdeaux.

A serious financial crisis has declared itself at
Vienna, and great anxiety was felt among the com-
mercial classes. A letter from that city of the 15th
says that failures are impending on all sides. The
limitation of credit by the national bank had begun
to produce most alarming consequences. Second rate
houses were every day stopping payment, both in
Vienna and in the provinces. Nothing like the pre-
sent condition of things has been known since 1840.
The bourse is deserted and business paralysed.

PORTUGAL.
LISBON, Drc. 20.
I wrote a few hasty lines by the Se urge, war-
steamer, which came in suddenly from Oporto, on
Thursday afternoon, and which left as suddenly at 10
o'clock the same night. All the intelligence I was
able to give merely amounted to a date, up to which
time nothing of importance had transpired at Cartaxo
or Santarem. Saidanha is preparing to shift his
head-quarters to Alcoentre (some say to Rio Mayor),
where he most probably now is. The reasons for this
movement are variously accounted for ; the most fea-
sible that have presented themselves appear to be
that, being threatened in his rear by Bomfin's and
Mouzinho's united form*, amounting to 3,500 regulars,
the marshal has thought proper to avoid being placed
between two fires, by shifting his front, and moving
on a smaller circle. The last reports from the
army under Das Antas represent Bomfin to have
been successively at Calvas and Rona, where he was
heard of last on the night of the 17th. Some young
gentlemen from the Hibernia, who bad been making
an excursion on horseback to Cintra, Mafra, and
Torres Vedras, returned to Lisbon on the evening of
the 18th, having left the latter place at two o'clock
on the same day (Friday). Whilst they were yet at
Torres Vedras several officers came in from Bomfin's
division, and ordered rations and quarters to
be provided for his force ; consequently, if this
statement be correct (which I see no reason
to doubt), it will be seen by a glance at
the map that the projected movement of Saldanha
will not have relieved him from the position which
he thereby sought to escape, but that he will still be
placed between the force at Santarem under Das
Antas, and the one commanded by Belmfin. It is
utterly impossible, however, to speculate, with any
degree of probability, upon the results of any military
movements that may take place. Saldanha's move-
ments have caused great dissatisfaction and discou-
ragement on the part of the Queen's government.
In order to disembarrass himself from the cumbrous
camp equipage and other heavy baggage which he took
with him out of Lisbon, Suldanha has ordered
boats to be sent up to Villa Nova for the purpose of
bringing it back to the capital, and this injudicious
proceeding has given rise to a belief that he is about
to return within the lines ; a report which I altogether
discredit at this time. It is necessary, in order to
correct any unfounded views which may otherwise be
based upon the reported movement of Bomfin upon
Torres Vedras, (which is about twenty-seven miles
from Lisbon), to observe that, although no doubt
exists as to the presence of his officers, as stated on
the 18th, at that place, it is very possible
he may have sent them thither for the
express purpose of deceiving Saldanha and of veiling
the movement which he actually contemplated mak-
ing. In any case the shifting of Saldauha's position
betrays the fact that he has been outmanceuvred, and
it may now not be long before we hear of some action.
The barrio, which is loud enough when such achieve-
ments as those at Chaves and Valenta take place, has
been utterly silent with respect to an affair which
occurred on the lath between Lapa and the Irregulars,
commanded by Jose Bento Valdez (Bomfin's son).
Schwalback still remains at St. Cbes, in command of
the small division with which he marched against the
guerillas who recently invested that place. This
officer is said to have expressed a considerable degree
of indignation at being sent to repulse a wandering
predatory band of irregulars, instead of being invested
with a command such as that: entrusted toCol. Fereira.
Ilis complaints, however, have been met, and not un-
fairly, by the remark that as he did not show any
disposition to attack regular troops when llomfin's
division was before him,perhaps he might discover more
alacrity at fighting the irregulars and guerillas. There
cannot be a question that he committed a gross blun-
der in permitting Bomiin to cross the Tagus, and join
Das Antes; and it now appears that this latter officer
has outmanmuvred Fereira and Lapa, for they are
both with Saldanha, as stated in my last, of the 17th
instant.
The accounts from Oporto represent the Baron
Cazal to have been, on the 16th, at Nlatosinhos, a
place on the coast, within a short distance of the Fox.
The firing which was heard there was occasioned by
the practice of Sada Bandeira's artillery, and not by
any attack. It is conjectured that Carat, having
essayed to cross the Douro, found it impracticable, and
retired to his present position. Much blame is cast
upon this officer for losing so much time ; it is con-
fidently stated in some letters which I have seen front
Oporto, that if he had pushed on and made an attack
on that city, he would have entered without much
opposition. His delay gave time to the Junta to
rouse the apathetic population into action, and by dint
of a few arrests and reports of a conspiracy and con-
cealed arms having been discovered, the people were
induced to turn out, and to place the city again in a
state of efficient defence. Much, however, of this
must be received with very great caution : party
spirit runs so high as to induce even the most respec-
table and trustworty persons to warp and distort
every statement until it in some sort suits their par-
ticular politics.
Respecting the state of the south, I have little or
nothing to report. The Alenetejo and the Algarves
are tolerably quiet, the only symptoms of disturb-
ance being the occasional appearance of a wandering
guerilla force. At the same time it deserves men-
tion that no revenue whatever is derived by the
Queen's government from these provinces, the popu-
lations of which are strongly in favour of the revolu-
tionists. In the north, the 11Iiguelite movement has
subsided—in all probability from want of funds :as
long as the guerillas there under Macdonell and
Gomez were in the field, they were regularly paid,
and they are stated to have conducted themselves
' with great propriety, in so far as regards abstinence
from violence and predatory acts.
Iu Lisbon great activity and alacrity appear to per-
vade the military departments of the government.
Every day bodies of volunteers and militiamen, com-
posed principally of the workmen, clerks, function-
aries in the courts of justice, and others in the pay of
the state, march about the streets and proceed to the
suburbs to drill and go through their exercise. In
the meantime commerce is perfectly quelled, and trade is
almost at a stand still. The blockade of Oporto, though
nullified in a manner by the impossibility of the Por-
tuguese blockading ships keeping the sea, exercise* a
very serious influence over the commerce of that city.
The underwriters would, as a matter of course, refuse
to accept of any responsibility which ships might
incur by violating the blockade and putting to sea. The
only. remedy for this state of thing appears to me to con-
sist in the shippers consenting to take the risk of dis-
regarding the blockade upon themselves, by a distinct
clause in the policy ; for it would be unreasonable in
them to expect the government of Lisbon to consent to
exempt their vessels from its operation, notwithstand-
ing every representation that the British minister here
may make of the inconvenience resulting to our com-
merce from the stoppage. In a recent communica-
tion I mentioned tho fact that a circular had been
addressed, through the medium of the consulates, to
British subjects here, cautioning them against taking
any part in the " party struggles" now going on in
Portugal. It would appearthat this wholesome caution
and highly prudential advice has been altogether lost on
more than one of our fellow-countrymen, and I have no
scruple whatever in asserting, upon my own know-
ledge, that a functionary of the British government

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