The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-24 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, MARCH 10.
The debate on the affair of the Ex- Alcades and Regidors of the
Constitutional Government at present fix the public attention.
Among the defenders of the accused are the celebrated Sala', Jado,
Remon, and Cambronero, who held posts under Joseph. It is
Cambronero who has most distinguished himself. In an eloquent
oration, he drew his means of defence even from the laws and poli-
tical events which have taken place in our country since 18011. His
speech was listened to with as much pleasure by the Srrviles as by
the Liberals. " Unfortunate is that nation," said he in his pero-
ration, .• which is split into parties ' • but still more unfortunate is
that where the Government openly declares for either." A great
number of the most distinguished ladies and high dignitaries have
assiduoualy attended these debates ; it is asserted that the Russian
Ambassador, who was present when M. Cambronero spoke, was so
wall pleased with his defence, that he has begged of him T copy of
it. Salm spoke this day, and his oration, like that of Cambronero
was full of sound reasoning and er.ergy.
The prows of the Ex-3I roisters Cruz and Aguilar y Corde seems
to have taken a very favourable turn in the Council of \ 1,,a, who,
it Is said, are perfectly aware of the intrigues which caused their
;retest, and in which the famous General Rollo ('apape, who wished
to proclaim Charles V. has had a principal hand. It is not only
said that Messrs. Crus and Aguilar will be acquitted, but will be
authorised to prosecute their calumniator* before the tribunals.
Although the King Is perfectly recovered, M. Castello still re.
sides at the palace. Hs dines at home, and between four and five
o'clock he agtin goes to the palace, and stays there till the neat
day. The King's confidence in this physician is so great that he
will not take any thing unless so ordered by him, which greatly
excites the jealousy of the household physicians, aho have caused
M. Castello is vacate his chair in the college of Saint Charles, on
account of his political opinions.
Since the arrival of a courier from Estremadura various reports
hate been spread relative to Portugal. It is asserted that at Elam,
Campomayor, Arronches, and Portoalegre, the Portuguese have
assembled a tolerable number of forces; and that at Lisbon and
Oporto the English were laying in stores of provisions.
A respectable inhabitant of Seville, in a letter dated the 6th inst.,
writes as follows:

" Ilisery is at its height in our province; every step we take
in our streets presents us with country people begging aims. If
we go out of the town we are assailed by bands, who plunder us.
If the drought continues God knows what will become of us t the
cattle are already in want of pasture, and they are obliged to be
sent 12 or fifteen leagues from here to obtain it. Whether this
drought, however, continues or not, a single piastre of the contribu-
tions must not be counted upon as likely to enter the Treasury ; the
inhabitants neither can nor will pay them. The Administration is
so in want of funds that they have been obliged to curtail the
garrison of half their destined pay, to buy their food, without
giving them either bounties or sobra.• The cmptoy;s on duty have
not been paid since the month of September."—Costr ries Frawceu.
• The pay of a soldier in Spain amounts to Sti centimes ( 3id.)
per diem. Two-thirds of this arc destined to his daily food, the
remainder, called sobros, is to buy his clothing. &c. This fund has
never till now been encroached upon; the soldier employs it to buy
the first necessaries of life, as also tobacco for smokwg.—( Note of
the )editor.)—Cornier Fraticais.