The Express.
London, England, 1848-02-16 00:00:00

110
stl,
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LORD PAL YERBTON must, in his long career, have
amassed a formidable collection of enmities. He has
been playing tho mute—or, as tt. French say, faisont
k mort—doring his present tenure of office; and yet
hie quietude has not conciliated his foes. His voice
has been seldom heard in parliament : his old organ
of the press has dwindled from its pristine thunder
down to a puny squeak : his repartees are no longer
cutting : his attitude no longer defiant : his despatches
no longer denounce kings and tetrtu-chs--theirpointis
enveloped to a bit of irony. II is lordship used to break
the buttons from otf his toils; he has now carefully put
them on again : so that his blows are no longer stabs,
butgood-humoured pokes in the ehii. He indulges, in-
deed, in a utatigation of °LAIL ihta, and treats the
Greeks very Homerically with a good scolding. But
he says nothing harsh of either the CzAR, or METTER-
NICH, or the King of the Barricades. He merely
ventures to hint to M. OtaZoT that an armed inter-
vention in Switzerland would secure neither its neu-
trality nor its independence, and ob,erves to NEssEL-
RODE and AIETTERNIciI that the treaty of Vienna
exists as much for the protection of Cracow, Pied-
mont, and Naples, as fur Milan and the duchy of

Warsaw.
It is very remarkable, and ctfords a very pregnant
lesson, that the more pacific and bland Lord PAL-
WEEETom grows, the more successful is he in his
policy. When he last came into office, with his en-
terpnsing character and warlike tendencies about
him, one the first events which ensued was the
oonfiscatic,i of the Spanish succession by France, and
this almost barefacedly in retaliation for England's
having dared to place Lord PALMERSTON in command
of the foreign policy. The Portuguese business fol-
lowed, and there too England displayed the strong
hand—with me same result, for Portugal is lost to us
almost as much as Spain. Our fleet has been ordered
away in disgust, and the sooner our envoy follows it
the better. The Greeks have been bullied, and to the

PORTUGAL.

same end.
In Switzerland Lord PAIIERSTON'S policy has
been quite tine:misc. It has been courteous, bland,
patient, and dissuasive. Hie lordship apparently
sided with most of the pretensions of the other Powers,
AO much so that M. GUIZOT has quoted Lord PAL-
MERSTON'S official expressions Irrgety, to cover himself
by the accord. If England, instead of rejecting the
proposals of the absolutists in tato, closed with seve-
ral of them, accepted mug, with a few modifications,
and merely started some few fundamental objec-
tions, interposed one or two reserves,—by such mild
and quiet policy Lord PAtstensrox has carried every
point. He stopped intervention, made a fool of
GuIZOT and his Jesuitism, discomfited his own foes,
and saved Switzerland.
We perceive, as yet, the same cautious hand taking
up, disentangliug, and atranging the threads of
Italian insurrection. Wherever Lord MINT° has gone,
we see the best and most pacific results. Gradually
the Italian princes have yielded to the demands
of their people, without excess, or riot, or bloodshed.
in fact, without giving an excuse for absolutism to
interfere. But the ditlicult point remained —the Ru-
bicon of revolution—the passing from those reforms
and that species of government which emanate from
liberal sovereigns, to that frank representative sys-
tem which can alone form the permanent basis and
guarantee of freedom. This principle, this move, was
not only dangerous in itself, but dangerous from its
being a direct provocation to Austria, which has stipu-
lated against it in treaties, and which considers it
poisonous in contact and example to its own system.
It was greatly to be feared thlt the outbreak of Sicily,
and the as complete though less sanguinary revolu-
tionof Naples, would instantly produce the decision of
Austria to interfere. If iso: ,ed, the forcible attain-
ment of a constitution in the Two Sicilies might
have produced this effect. But lo! all Italy simulta-
neously adopts the seine course. The King of PIED-
MONT also takes the decisive step. The Duke of Tt:s-
CANY pronounces it ; the POPE himself prepares for it.
The King of NAPLES calms perturbation by
granting the Sicilians their separate constitution. It
is not one kingdom, or one part o: Italy, that Austria
must reduce, but all. It is not merely Naples, at the
extremity of Italy, that must be occupied, bat Pied-
mont and Savoy at the gates of France, con-
nected with Lyons and Paris by those electric
wires of sympathy, which instantly convey the
thoughts of the one to the perception of the other.
Prince Merreesicu must hesitate. He must bethink
him it it be not possible, after all, to live in
contact with Italian as well as with German con-
stitutionalism. The English and French govern-
ments may not agree, but the English and the
French people do agree upon the righteous cause of
Italian freedom. And where they agree, the immense
moral weight of their agreement is such as must
deter the northern powers from sending their legions
to crush freedom in countries which, from their
peninsular conformation, are completely at the mercy
and ieally under the protection of the maritime
powers.
We confess, that the Neapolitan revolution, as an
isolated fact, alarmed us. But a unanimous Italian
movement to representative government is calculated
to restore confidence, because it baffles and precludes
foreign intervention. There is no prospect of any
extreme or anarchical party taking advantage of royal
concessions. The middle classes seem not bitten
by political frenzy ; we hear of no clamour
for a Spanish constitution, or a single chamber.
And if sovereigns do but act sincerely up to their
present promises, and foreign powers abstain from
threats and from dictation, Austria may find reform and
representative government to be even more peaceful
neighbours than the convulsed, priest-ridden, and
despotic regimes which they supersede.
In all this we see nothing to entail upon us the
necessity of either war or war-preparation. The move-
ment of o hich we have described the present state, with
its future contingencies and tendencies, is one that
binds France and England closer, and does away with
their antagonism. And when France and England speak
with one voice, they do not require to arm in order
to be listened to. Already generous voices have been
raised in France against war expenses and arma-
ments, as highly provoking to England, and, moreover,
as seriously wasting the beet resources of France.
NlicuSL CHEVALIER has addressed to his
countrymen precisely similar arguments to those
which Mr. Coupe's has employed in addressing
Englishmen. And M. MICHEL CHEVALIER, instead
of being assailed as a calico-printer and a betrayer
of his country, has been met by universal congratu-
lation.

- -
The Oriental Company's steam-packet, Montrose,
Capt. John Bowen, arrived at Southampton yester-
day-, and landed her mails under the charge of Lieut.
J. J. Wilkinson. RN., Admiralty Agent. Her dates
are: Gibraltar, Feb. 5; Cadiz, 6th; Lisbon, 9th
Oporto, Bth; Vigo, 11th.
Much sickness still prevailed is the British squad-
ron at Lisbon. From Jan. 2 to Feb. 2, there had
been 48 cases of small pox on board the St. Vincent,
out of which twelve cases had proved fatal. From
the 3rd Feb. to the 9th inst. only two more slight
cases had appeared, in two midshipmen on board that
ship. All the other cases of influenza in the other)
ships of the spadron were rapidly on the decline I
when the pack( t left Lisbon. The influenza, too, was
also very general on board the French frigate Psyche,
in the Tagus.
Our correspondent's letter will afford full particu-
lars of all political intelligence.
LISBON, Fos. 9.
The daily debates in either house are now aesum-
ing a character of interest; the first matters disposed of
have been the addresses to her Majesty in reply to the
speech from the throne. The tenor of these documents differs
but in small degree from the generals tyle in similar CUM
The state of the Amulets is, however, admitted to be most
deplorable, and the necessity of increased and heavy taxa.
Lion is insisted upon; and this, with extraordinary economies,
are stated to be the only means that present themselves by
wi.ich the country can be saved. The only political matter
connected with the addresses worthy of note is contained in
the one from the lower house, where iris declared that rigid
sequin is necessary to ascertain whether the dignity of the
crown, or her Majesty's royal prerogative, have in any way
been offended b the [Nat' of the convention entered into,
by which her slrjesty granted an amnesty to her
auralec cte ts d
lately it, arms. This particular paragraph has
notice, as 'semi, •ily indi( t lye of admire less to conciliate
than to revertto harsh measures.
Taking advent:l4e of the slight debate upon the address in
the upper chamber, Costa Cabral wised upon the occasion
to enter upon his long-promised explanation and defence of
his conduct, both as regards the public acts of his adininis•
tration and the still more grace charges preferred against
him of personal corruption. His speech commenced on the
llst, and was continued for three days. To attempt more
than a brief outline of its prominent parts will be impos-
sible, nor can it properly be termed a speech. but rather
should he called a state paper, an elaborate awl a lengthy
one, got up with nicest tare and. months of study. The

principal eubjecta upon which he sought to defend and jug.
tify his administration were the three laws—the law af
direct contributions, the law for the impravement of inlet-
ing and for the making of new roads, and, above all, the law 1
relating to health, co sanitary code. Thies were the most
prominent of the subjects brought before the house, se eaelt
of these laws bad more or lees considerably influeuced the
revolution of the Minho; not so much from the impost
themselves, but front the partiality with which they wore
lesied, and the cruelties and extortions practieed byre.anne
hungry Cabral employes engaged in their collect Upset
0130 cotter pain?, too, Costa Cabral spoke at some length ; it
was in reference to the deportation of Count Swills and his
fellow-prieeners to the coast of Africa, in direct violation of
the &ricks of capitulation entered into upon their surrender
at Torres Vedrss, an act of barbarity which Sir Robert Peal
justly denounced as "a disgrace to the civilisation of the age
we live in." As regards this one point of impeachment (for
Can Cabral has been charged with counselling this mea-
sure) his defence seemed to be conclusive ; he denied moat
positively having beenconsulted upon the subject, or offered
opinion upon it; and more than that, declared that if any
pledge should be proved to have been violated in this re-
spect, then, " the government of her Majesty" had been
'• guilty of an act of had faith " that fully justified the bitter
reproach cast upon it by Sir Robert Peel; but he said he wee
there to defend himself, and not the acts of others. When
he arrived at the charge preferred egaiust him of personal
corruption, and having from an obscure and penniless' indivi-
dual so enriched himself during the four years of his admi-
nistration as to have become one of the wealthiest men in
Portugal, he miserably broke down, and should there have
been one single individual acquainted with Portuguese
affairs, who before entertained one small lingering doubt
about the,matter, why his speech has for ever deprived him
of even this email satisfaction, he evidently.approached the
subject with reluctance, as ho dismissed it in baste : it was
sadly untenable ground. His sole defence was a simple de-
nial, and a cavil at the figures of Lord George Bentinek,
who had been stated to be in possession of properties that
yielded him an annual income of twenty-eight contos of
rein (between six and seven thousand pounds), whereas he
offered to sell publicly to his lordship, or to any other indi-
vidual disposed to take them off his hands, the tee simple of
all the lands he possessed fur the amount of one year's ren-
tal be was said to possess, viz., twenty.eight contos of reis
He said not one word of his large investments in foreign
countries, his services of plate, diamonds, dec. Altogether
it was a melancholy exhibition for a public man to make.
However his colleagues and partners in the state firm of
Cabral, Father, Brother!, and Co., vociferously applauded
his explanation, as did 1/11.0 the galleries of the house,
packed as they were with the personal supporters of the
minister!, and a considerable sprinkling of the soldiers and
not-commissioned officers of the Cabralist battalions.
But by far the most striking part of the speech
was the number of English names figuring in the
list, all of whom Cabral attacked most outrageously. Mr.
Southern was the chief object of the rancour of the ex-
minister, according to whom Mr. Southern's liberal view of
Portuguese politics was owing to his (Cabral'*) refusal of Mr.
Southern's request for Olozaga to be allowed to remain at
Lisbon. For his refusal to grant this and some similar re-
quest, Mr. Southern is accused of falsifying and withholding
despatches and information, and of sinning in every way
against the majesty of the Cabral*.
Upon the day following the conclusion of Costa Cabral's
harangue, the Count of Lavradio rose to reply, and never in
the history of corruption were such scenes of scandal laid
bare. Costa Cabral writhed under the well laid on lash.
The election triumphs at the Cabralista vaunt were torn to
threee and tatters; violence and venality were exhibited at
every turn, and the true character of the recent (sham) elec-
toral campaign depicted to the life—the assassinations, the
brutal violence of the soldiery were painfully pourtrayed ;
the lures. too (where harsh measures were impolitic) that
were employed to carry the day, formed ludicrous contrate ;
to those of position, nominations to be councillors of state
were tendered as the price; to less elevated voters, com-
inanderies (of military and other orders) were given ; while
in one instance (pushed into a corner) one of the members
of the cabinet had not scrupled to tempt a small shoemaker
with the decoration of the order of Christ, as an exchange
for his vote. The Count Lavradio commented upon this let-
ter to the house, amidst paroxysms of laughter from the few
liberal peers who for form's sake had condescended to be pre-
sent. But the refusal of the sturdy son of Saint Crispin,
and the grounds of his refusal (for his letter was also in the
count's pocket), was most rare—he repelled the tempter, re- I
jected the proffered honour, saying he should he " ashamed'
to be seen with their trash upon his breast." So much fur
the election question.
At last the count arrived at the point of more serious
charges—the dilapidation of the public finances, and the I
making away with public monies. In the course of this die-
cession he charged the Cabral-Oliviera administration with
having robbed the treasury, and making a specific charge, I
requested to be informed of the nature of a transaction by
which twenty thousand pounds British sterling had been
taken out of the hands of the government finaucill agent in
London, and employed in the purchase of I%rtugume Bonds,
to be held in trust for an in ividual, and to be delivered to
hie order, so soon as the Portuguese funds should have
advanced to a certain price. He produced to the house, and
proceeded to read three portarias, or decreesof the government,
ordering the London financial agent to make this operation,
but, with becoming delicacy, requested to be permitted to
leave a blank when he arrived at those portions of the docu-
ments where the individual's name was inserted. I must
now pass over, without further present comment, the speech
of the noble orator, for the purpose of arriving at that period
of the parliamentary debates where John Oliviera, or Count-
ing-houee Tojal (Cabral's finance minister at the time of the
transaction in question), rose to give the explanation publicly
insisted upon by the Count of Lavradio. Count Total got
up, and, after a rambling and somewhat obscure defence of
his general financial policy, proceeded at once to the ques-
, ties at issue, and, instead of observing that guarded and
I generous reserve of his noble adversary, stated fairly to the
house that the little business matter upon which explanation
was sought was most innocent in itself, and easily told. It
was simply in connexion with a small arrangement, by
which the services of an English journal were se-
cured, and by which the said journal, had con.
seated to become touter, of Portuguese stock:—but
I transmit you as under a literal translation of the most
remarkable passages in the honest gentleman's speech. You
will perceive that you have to do with a matter of fact per-
nor the disfigurements of diplomatic style. Let him speak
for himself :
Sentior president, the English press, in the whole of their corre-
spondences during that time (the Cabral administrition) declaimed
IsPominleteits wetreheiniTuust of
cal u in
Bove,
very dic:Cuti?ni truth. oew-
your excellency is perfectly aware that every government is necensi-
toted to avail twit of the press to refute sorb correspondences, and If
any government does not so avail Itself it is because it is either unable
or very stupid ; hecanne it is very necessary to take advantage o: that
great power. The (English) Wrier, during the administrationof Lord
Wellington paid 100,0001, as the price of buying over the Times news-
paper. (hir administration, therefore, entered into an agreement with
the Individual who conducted the correspondence of that journal, to
the end that without exaggerating anything in it. favour, he should
not publish untrue statements in Its columns against the government
of Portugal, because, ins journal of each credit as the Times,
cusation, however nightly founded in truth, that may be inserted in
its column., Aiwa, s more or less attracts ntwntion. That man, there-
fore :a very enlightened person), accordingly pledged himself to do
so, and this without any pecuniary consideration, for nothing was
given, nor was he capable et receiving anything. lie gave an assur-
awe that from that time forward he would represent matters with
the FreSlCia impArtiality, slit sot discontinuing to give his 011inimw
freely and orniscientiou,ly, SO much that after that he on Maly oC-
ossions censured the government, or rather the measures of govern-

meat.
Remark upon the statement made by this Count of Tejal
is foreign to my office. Almost the only remaining subject for
comment is a decree r, cently is-teed by which the civil
governors throughout the empire are r,quired to send in
forthwith to government a report of the known or supposed
political view. entertained by their subordinates as regards
this rather startling item of to-day's news. I may return to
'it again in • future letter; suffice it for the moment
to toy that the government of her Most Faithful
Majesty have published their resolve that every public employ,:
throughout broad Portugal of whatever grade. elevated or
humble, is to be sent to the right about, if not of the faction
of Cabral. Proof of delinquency is not even required to
convict the offender, as " suspicion" of being adverse to the
court minion is made sufficient ground for dismissal, while
the vacated posts are to be filled up at the dictation of Costa
Cabral himself.
So a terrible reign is about to be inflicted upon this un-
fortunate country, and the Queen of Portugal by this mon-
strous edict, plainly demo..strates her impressions to be, that
in England the influence of cousinship will be paramount to
every other consideration, and thus protected, levies war
upon the Portuguese people, while the nation disarmed and
Polandised by the quadruple alliance is without resource,
but to submit to the cruel rule of the Cabral'. Infatuated
princess! Giesler, in the insolence of power, and protected
by foreign force, set up his plumed and jewelled cap in the
market place of the Swiss, while Donna Maria, and without
a blush, flauntily parades, before all Europe, the greasy hats
of the mean and ignoble adventurers, her advent called into
life, and her policy fostered.
I regret to say that the British privileges are to cease in a
few days, but I believe that the English residents contem-
plate convening a meeting for the purpose of represent-
ing to their government the absolute necessity of their being
kept in force until the dynastic question in Portugal is finally
set at rest, seeing the utter absence of security for life or pro-
perty that exists under the present Portuguese rule.
In the squadron there is little of novelty. On the 7th
Admiral Napier landed a large force of blue jackets on the I
smith side of the Tagus for exercise. Sickness is fast disap-
pearing on board ; every day improving accounts are re-
ceived.
The grand subscription ball at the Abrantes Palace, on
behalf of impoverished Minutiae families, is advertised to
take place on the lath; 4,000 tickets it is calculated: will be
issued.
In commercial matters there is no novelty ; in the price of
metals no change.
Exchange on London 30days63; 90 days 531.

SPECIE FROM TILE UNITED STATES.-20,0001. was
I *Xi, ed at Lieerpool, yesterday, by the New York packet.
ship Sheridan.
THE WASIIINGTON.—This ocean steamer will leave
New York for Soutbamptaa on the 20th lost,

ADDITIONAL MAGISTRATES AT SOUTHAMPTON.
A communication was received at Southampton on Monday,
from the Home Secretary, stating that the request contained
in the memorial sent a short time since to the government
from the town council, for andtn number of
borough
magistrates, had been complih The following gentle.
men are to be the new magiitrates D. Brooks, Esq., the
mayor ;J. Weld, Esq., of Archer's-lodge ;G. Atherley, jun.,
Esq. ;G. Laishley. Es‘f ;J. Borill, Esq. ; Witt, Esq.
AU the abore-nemed gentlemen proles pOlitica