The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-28 00:00:00

execute the conventions of 180 only just so long at it
may suit Frt nch interests to do so. Austria, Russia,
and Prussia have absolved France from her engage-
ments, and France gladly acquiesces in her
The Free-trade Association held a meeting in Pyris
on Tuesday. The Duke de Harcourt was in the chair,
and opened the business of the day by a speech on
the object of the emaciation. The principal speakers
were MM. Leon Faucher, Ortotan, and Blanqui.
Several important adhesions to the society were
announced at this meeting, among which were the
Duke de Broglie M. Dumas (member of the Academy
of Sciences), and M. Adam, Mayor of Boulogne, and
president of the Council-General of the Pas de
A royal ordonnance appeared in the Moniteur, an-
nouncing some modifications in the tariffs, which,
though unimportant in themselves, are in the right
direction ; and an intention of a further revision is
mentioned, which will probably lead to more serious

changes.
Intelligence had arrived from the provision-markets
of various parts of France, indicating a marked ten-
dency to a moderation of price, the markets being
generally well supplied.;
There was a general depression of all securities at
the Bourse on Thursday, which was felt by shares of
ever description. The North opened at 633, and
declining gradually, closed at 627 i.

The Madrid papers and private correspondence of
the 20th were received in Paris on Thursday.
The advices from Lisbon are several daysbehind those
already received in London. There is nothing in the
news from Madrid of importance. It was said that
the expedition of General Flores was to proceed
directly to the Canaries, where it would pass several
months in being organised. Vargas, on whom the
command of the cavalry devolves, was to leave Vala-
dolid, where he had remained a considerable time in
recruiting, and in procuring supplies and accoutre-
ments.
The official journal states that the Cabinet of
Madrid intended, early in the approaching session, to
bring several important measures before the Cartes,
among others modifications of the tariff in the liberal
direction, and a diminution of the territorial and
mortgage contributions. A law upon the bank and
joint-stack comnies was also contemplated.
El Clamor Public° says that it appears certain that
Cabrera and several of his officers and party had pene-
trated into the Spanish territory notwithstanding the
vigilance of the French police. When this celebrated
person, says that journal, has decided to try his
fortune on the field of battle, he must reckon upon
great resources and numerous partisans. We have
always thought that the Carlist party were prepared
to go to extremities. If civil war breaks out, we fear
for the throne, in consequence of the disgust, discon-
tentment and prostration of the people. The popula-
tion begins to thank that its situation would not be
aggravated by the triumph of Carlism.

PORTUGAL.—We have received the following
bulletin from the royal army in the north, direct
from 'Vigo :
On this day, the 20th Nov., arrived in this city of Vigo, an
olEeitl despatch, addressed to the Councillor Antonio Pereira
dos Iteia, in which the Viscount de Vinhasof and the Civil
Governor of Villa Real, communicate the important intelli-
gence of the defeat of the rebel forces commanded by Ber-
nardo de Sa Nogucira. The loyal division, being informed
that the insurgents had taken up a position at Vulpressoff,
moved immediately towards the bridge of that place, where
it arrived on the 16th, at four o'clock in the afternoon. A
brisk fire was immediately opened, when the 3rd and sth
regiments of infentry, with shouts of " Long live
the Queen and the Charter," made common cause' with
the loyal division. Upwards of 300 of the enemy were
killed,: amongst them the older Veiga do Castedo, and
other guerilla chiefs. The Viscount de Vinhees
returned by Chaves, and the Baron de Casal marched with
his division, increased by 1,100 men, in pursuit of Bernardo
de Sa Nogueira, and other companies, who fled in complete dis-
order. On the night of the 17th, several care arrived at Chaves,
laden with the wounded belonging to the enemy. Barron do
blont-Aleigre, 'alto de Co has, and the Padre Victor de
Valverde, chiefs of guerillas, were taken prisoners on the
same day, and shut at Soutelhino, near the frontier. The
ex.Conde des Antos, with a force' of about 3,000 men, was
surrounded in Santarem by the forces of the Duke of Sal-
da• ha, who, by this time, must have effected a junction
with the Viscount de Setubal, and upwards of 8,000 men.

PARIS, Nov. 25.
A common topic of discussion at the Bourse and in
political circles, is the coming change in the ministry.
Even names have been mentioned; and the interview
which Count Mold has had with the King serves as a
pretext or a commentary to all these rumours.
There is at present no foundation for the supposition
built upon the pretended re-formation of the ministry.
The King cannot think of bending away M.
Guizot, or sacrificing the Cabinet under the cross-
fire of England and the Northern powers. If
the ministry is to fall, it can only do so before the
Chambers,and cannot becondemned before it is heard.
I think M. Gaizot will remain a minister until the
opening of the Chambers, it is doubtful whe-
ther he will go through the ordeal of the
debate on the Address unscathed. The rumours,
whether true or false, of a re-formation of the minis-
try, which have circulated during the last few days,
only prove that the position of M.Guizot seems to every-
body a false one. That, indeed, he may pretend to hold an
energetic language towards the Northern Powers, and
fold his person in the mantle of France ; nobody will
ever again believe in his foresight or firmness. It
becomes evident that the cabinet of the Tuileries had
been unable to foresee anything that is now taking
place; that it did not expect the displeasure of Eng-
land, since it prostrated itself at the feet of the Whig
cabinet, in order to stave off the consequences, I
and that it had slumbered on the edge of a
precipice, wider the effect of the deceitful
caresses of M. de Kisselef and M. de Metter-
nich. Government affects to make a noise about the
breaking of the treaties of 1815, and says that France
becomes free to act as if they had never existed.
The Northern l'owers have, no doubt, given us the
right of holding such a language, but there is a re-
volutionary attitude which does not suit a govern-
ment represented by. M. Guizot. When the King de-
sires seriously to frighten the absolutist courts, and
awaken them to the consequences of their policy, he
must take ministers who can sing the .llarseillaise with
him, and, at need, buckle on the sword.
How is it possible to declare war against Europe
with a ministry, composed of invalids, renegades, and
emigres? It is not without some secret apprehension
that the ministry is seen to lift its voice and utter
threats. We all know by the sad experience of 1810,
that when it does not succeed in frightening its adver-
saries, it ends by showing alarm itself. It has
been aptly compared to an overcharged cannon,
which, the more it is loaded, the more it recoils.
The agitation in favour of free trade continues in
Paris. The third public eeting of the association
took place yesterday, inm the salle of the Rue
Montesquieu. The Duke d'Harcourt, who pre-
sided, opened the meeting by a very striking
speech. M. Leon Faucher, Deputy of Rheims,
who followed him, stigmatised the tactics adopted
by the Protectionist Committee, who, instead of lend
ing themselves to discussion, and taking public opi-
nion for their judge, have addressed petitions to the
Council of Ministers, iu which they demand that the
professors of political economy shall be deprived of
their situations, or suspended from their functions;
and that the Government shall impose silence on the
journals who defend the cause of free-trade. M.
Faucher also entered into the futility and the ini-
quity of the protective system. M. Pexpin, a work-
ing watchmaker, then addressed the meeting, and
explained the fatal consequences of the prohibitive
system, as far as it affected the working 'classes. M.
Ortolan, professor of the Erole de Droit, and M.
Blanqui, succeeded him, and each received the marked
sympathies of the meeting, which consisted of at
least 1,200 persons.
The association will soon take a fresh step. On
Sunday next will appear the first number of a
weekly. journal, which will bear the title of Le
Progres, Journal de la Liberte des Eehanges. This
paper,which will consist ofeight pages and twenty-four
alumna, and of rather a larger size than The League
paper, will only, cost twelve francs a year. This
ournal is to be edited by M. Bastiat, and a committee
'has also been formed to assist him, consisting of
MM. Blanqui, Wolowski, Leon Faucher, Michel
Chevalier, and Horace Say.
The association intends to hold special conferences
with every branch of trade. 'Thus, the cause of free
trade, boldly begun, seems likely to be sustained with
perseverance. The protectionists are greatly alarmed
at this demonstration, but as they intimidate the
ministry, they hope to escape from the consequences
of the impression whioli has been made on public
opinion. The future, not very remote, will
SILDW. 0.