The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-13 00:00:00

PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.

MADRID, FEB. 26.
It is only spoken here of the dismissal of fourteen
Councillors of Castille, an event so much the more extra-
I ordinary, as they all belong to the old school, and have
been, during their long career, the docile instruments of
despotism. This strange measure can only be attributed to
r the influence of Russia, exercised through the medium of
M. Ugarte, who, since his appointment to the functions
' of Secretary to the Council of State, has greatly extended
the limits of his power at Court, and has become the arbiter
of our destiny. The King has positively applied to the
Russian Cabinet for ten ships of war, in exchange of
which he offers territories in America. The Count of
Ofalia continues to be the favourite of M. Ugarte and of
the Count of Bulgari, the Russian Ambassador, at whose
residence Ministers transact business ostensibly, and so
much so, that by times the Calle de las Tres Cru‘s, in'
which he lives, is thronged with their Excellencies'
' carriages.
The new DetTee concerning the monopoly of cod and of
all sorts of salt fish has produced here a great exasperation
throughout all classes. Several merchants of Madrid have

remonstrated on the subject to the Minister of Finances,
who replied to them, that this was only the first of a
series of meksures of the same nature, and that Govern-
ment was induced to have recourse to this measure, because
no contributions could be raised.

M. Arjona, Intendant of the Police at Madrid, has
caused fifteen persons to be arrested, on the charge of hav-
ing uttered, under the King's windows, cries of " Live
Charles V., and death to Ferdinand." The King has op-
posed himself to their being prosecuted by the tribunals ;
hence is it expected that they will be confined for life.
Amongst these individuals was found, a servant attached
to the Count of Almenara, formerly Minister to King
Joseph, and the Chief of the AT raterestulos ; a circum-
stance which confirms the suspicions always entertained
about the zgraseesodta having had the intention of placing
Don Carlta on the throne. T he wife of this personage,
and her sister, the Princess of Beira, are at the head of
all the ecclesiastical intrigues which a7e castled on in the
Palace, and which very often are in opposition to the will
and interest of the King.
&swims is always in the province of Cuenca, ag the head
of 1,500 troops, in pursuit of the Constitutional gutrilias.
This is the only military carps which has, till now, been

sent Out against the Constitutionalists, who show therm,
'selves in all quarters, the French having declared that they
had not come here to wage that sort, of warfare, and con 4
sequently they remain quietly in their garrisons.
Letters from Cadiz, bearing date of the 11th February,
bring intelligence that the French garrison continues td
protect openly the Constitutionalists, and to manifest did
greatest contempt for the Servile!. This forbearatite is
carried so far, that several militias wear publicly their
uniforms, under pretenCe that they hate not the means or
procuring other clothes.
What is going or, in the Pvniifice of La Mancha is a
mystery which nobody can etplain. Ciudad Real, the
capital, and several other principal towns have been oe.a
cupied during several days, by tonetitutional troops, whd
had at the same time a considerable body at Guadaloupe,
a ridge of mountains which separate this province front
Estremadura, in order, should eireinnsfancet require it, td
be able to retreat towards the latter protinoe. Extremadura id
in a state of complete anarehy the, toting, and village!
are alternately occupied by the Royalists and the Conatit
tutionalists, for the French, who hate not quitted Radajozi
take no part in all this. The principal was of the
stitutionalists in Estremadura are Coen° and 'belles, both
known as clever Guerilla Chiefs, and a price }tea berm set
upon their heads: .

Mr. ()wenn!, the Contractor-Generli for the Army,
and a protegee of the Doke of Angoulerne, gave the &pia,
matic body a dinner and ball, which exhibited a real
Asiatic splendour, and cost, it is said, 30,0041dollgrir