The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-08 00:00:00

TO THE CAPTAIN GENERAL OF NEW OAHTILLL

For some time past her Majesty's government has been
aware that a conspiracy was being carried on with the
object of disturbing publicltranquillity in the hope of shaking
the fidelity of the army. The government will, neverthe-
less, act as if the country were in a tranquil condition,
confining itself strictly to legality, and confiding in the good
sense of the Spanish people, who comprehend how much
peace is neoessary to protect their interests both at home and
abroad.

But the Wen mid Clalatiara regiments having revolted
in the garrison of Aranjum, and having abandoned their
offioera, the moment has arrived to adopt the extraordinary
mamma authorised by law in order to prevent the enemies
of public order, encouraged by these events, from attempt-
ing to take advantage of them to bring about greater and
more serious disturbances.

Acting upon these considerations, the council of ministers
considers that it would be expedient for your excellency,
using your privilege, to declare a state of incise in the city
of Madrid, and its district. This measure will tranquillise
honourable men, it will then be more easy to prevent the
realisation of any revolutionary projects whatever, to
render the effusion of blood lees great, and finally avert the
STUB ordinarily consequent upon the employment of force.
The government is resolved to use force whenever it shall
be necessary for the maintenance of respect for the laws.
It hopes that your excellency having at your disposal these
extraordinary ►nd legal means will act with all desirable
energy, and will not hesitate to take all the measures that
you may deem expedient to restrain the enemies of the
constitution of the state.

I communicate the above for your excellency's informa-
tion, requesting you to place yourself in communication
with the civil authorities of the provinces of this district, to
whom the necessary orders gwill be forwarded by the
Ministry of the Interior.
God preser►e your excellency many years.
Madrid, Jan. 3, 1866. O'Dolmr.

In Congress, on the 3rd inst., Senor Yamada
Henera, Minister of the Interior, in reply to a
question from Senor Cidraque, gave the following
account of the event& that had taken place, and of
the measures adopted by the government :

The cavalry regiment& which were at Aranjuex and Ocana
have risen, abandoning their colonels and onions, under the
orders only of a commandant and another officer. They took
their way towards point& in the vicinity, and by the latest
accounts were to be found at Arganda. The government is
not aware of the intentions and object of the insurgents',
it knows only that they have disobeyed the laws of mili-
tary discipline, have abandoned their officers, and have
revolted against the constitution of the State It has
consequently become its duty to pursue and
to chastise them, and it has determined to fulfil that duty.
I cannot at present communicate to the Congress all the
measures taken by the government, but I may give it the
assurance that we are convinoed these arrangement& will
be completely effective ; that we confide in the fidelity
of the garrison of Madrid, and of the troops at Aloe's.
In a word, the Queen's government has faith in the
fidelity of the balk of the army, and consequently reckons
upon having at command the means of making all return
to their duty. The government has been aware for some
time past that a conspiracy against public order was going
on, and that persons holding a certain rank in the army
desired to corrupt it, and to seduce the officers to be un-
faithful to their duty. But the government had thought
hitherto that such events as have occurred at Aranjuss and
Ocana might be avoided by simply executing the laws that
have ruled the State in periods of tranquillity, and without
doing anything else but adopting measures of good govern-
ment and good military discipline. Seeing, however, that
this will not suffice, it will not halt mid-way, and without
exceeding the limit. of the law, will apply them
with the utmost vigour, should circumstances

require. ;The first measure adopted has been
to declare Madrid and the whole district of its captain-
general, not only in an exceptional state, but also in a state
of siege. As the faithful executors of the laws applicable
to these cases, we shall act with decision and energy against
the rebels. The Queen's government repeats, through me,
that it has perfect confidence in the fidelity of the army,
and that it will use the powers given it by the laws for the
prompt and severe repression of the military revolt which
has broken out at Araojuez and °cans.
Senor RIVER° CIDR&QUZ thanked the minister for his ex-
planation, and considered it a subject of congratulation that
the Queen's government was in a position to protect all the
great interests of the country.
The MINISTER of the larrxmon said—l beg Congress to
accelerate its definitive constitution u much as Fusible. It
may be, indeed, that the government may, under pre-
sent circumstances, have need of its great authority in order
to act with that moral force the vote of Congress would
impart for the re-establishment of public order.
The house then unanimously adopted the proposal of the
President that there should be an evening sitting at 9
o'clock.

Senor flutumoie—The Minister of the Interior bas just
informed us that Madrid was in a state of siege. Now
whenever this has happened, the legislature being open,
the state of siege has never extended to these precincts.
I beg the Minister of the Interior to be good enough to
afford some explanation on this head in order that we may
know whether or not there is complete liberty of debate.

The Mumma of the Irrrutron—The honourable mem-
ber asks if Congreee will enjoy all liberty of debate. Ab,
Senor Figuerola, Senor Figuerola! Congress would not be
free in its deliberations before the factious men
who are opposing the institutions of the State.
But it cannot fail to be so within and without before
the faithful army which has so often shed its
blood in defence of these institutions. The government
wishes that we should have full liberty for our and your
sake, gentlemen, and forithat of all honourable men in the
country. It is for this reason that the government has
proclaimed the state of siege. So long as we occupy
these benches, Senor Figuerola, fear nothing
fear rather, everything, should unhappily those far-
tionists triumph, who aim at liberty through crime, and
expect to find it amid the orgies of disorder and anarchy.
There is nothing to fear for liberty so long as there is a
government resolved to respect the laws and mum them to
be respected. And is it Senor Figuerola who can have
forgotten that during the seven years of the civil war
Madrid was in a state of siege, and that, under protection
of that state of siege, those memorable 'debates took
place in which the liberals inaugurated our glory and
th►t led to those great reforms which are the honour and
pride of the present generation? Whet then happened will
now again happen. I add, in order to still further tran-
quillise Senor Figuerola, that the state of siege could never
affect the high powers of the state. Congrembeiog a high
power of the state, it is clear that the government which
desires to confine itself to law will not submit legislative
acts to a state of siege. That is understood.

The latest despatch received from General Za-
vale is dated the 3rd inst., from Ventarro del
Puente de Ladrillo, and is as follows :