The National Register.
London, England, 1821-09-30 00:00:00

No. 1,33&—V0L. XIV.]

LISBON PAPERS.
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LIFIBON, SEPT. 6.—The sittings of the Cortes
continue in the regular course, without presenting
any thing very remarkable. In the sitting of the
28th August a rather warm debate ensued on the
reading of a note from the Minister of the Interior,
in which he asked " Whether his Majesty could
nominnte to the offices of the Secretaries of State for
the several Departments into which the affairs of the
kingdom are divided, one of his Counsellors ?"
M. BorgesCarnciro said there was no need to refer
this question to a committee. The accumulation of
offices was prohibited by the Cortes : a Counsellor
is raised to that dignity by the nation ; the nation
desires bins to fill that place alone, and consequently
cannot be appointed to the office of Secretary of
State cr any other.
M. Alyce de Rio thought that there could be no
difficull, since, if a Counsellor was appointed Mi-
nister of State, he would, ipso facto, cease to be a
Counsellor; consequently there was no accumulation
of offices, and the Cortes would present another tri-
ple list to the King, who would choose from it as lie
thought fit.
M. Fernandez Thomas thought that the Minister
ought not to have laid such a question before the
Assembly. "This is the second time he has brought
forward similar questions. I know the reasons, and,
if necessary, will expose them, that it may not hap-
pen a third time. Did not the nation choose lithe
Counsellors? Was not a triple list presented to the
King? Had not lie a choice ; and did he not shoos
at his pleasure? Are we to change every day ? How
can a Counsellor, if appointed Secretary of State,
speak with frankness to the King, if lie has just re-
ceived a favour from him? I protest against this
proceeding, and repeal that, if necessary, I will ex-
pose the reasons of this mauu'uvre, with, which I am
well acquainted, and !mow to what it tenffie"
M. A. de Rio supported his opinion ; to which
14. F. Thomas replied, and was supported by M.
Bute and M. Borges Carneiro. The latter spoke
at length, and said, he knew well whom it was in-
tended to put in the post of Secretary of State for
the Department bf Justice: it was the tame person
who paralized all the business of the administration
of justice to protect his edleague. The orator then
began to allege facts, bat was vehemently called to
order: he wee, however, permitted to proceed, and
concluded the picture which he had begun, in which
lie spoke of the cause of Antonio Fele, of the Judge
of Coimbra, &c. and concluded by saying, that it
was only in Algiers that justice was administered in
such a manner, and that " Similes cam sin:Wats
facile corregantur "
M. Pennentel Monteith" said,-4' The man of
whom the preceding speaket talks has been declared
innocent by this illustrious Assembly. To accuse
him a new motion is nece.siery : there is stone such,
and I therefore call him to order."
M. Castello Branco.—" Unhappily his Majesty
has been alwisys deceived by those who surrounded
him. His Majesty, knowing this, endeavoured to
drive far from him those men who so largely contri-
butad to the ruin of the natien; but certainly lie has
not succeeded. I know the object of the note of the
Minister of Finance ; but as I have not certain
data, I will not yet explein it; but as soon as I have
them I shall do it. I will be the first to denounce
them to this sovereign Congress. The nation may
have confidence in a nuns ea Counsellor, but not us
a Minister of State. It is not lawful for.the King
to remove officers from the posts which they fill.
The constitutional system would be at an end, and
we should sect men qualified fur one office filling
others for which they certainly arc not. Besides,
what would bo the influenctrof the Council of State?
Why ,vas it formed? Was ii'nut to eounterieelance
rho Executive Power? If the King can give the
Ministers honours, revenues, or nitaas, can they
mimic to him with freedom and confidence? I abso-
lutely disapprove of the note of the Mieister ttf Fi-
nance, and preps(' dug it should be intitueted to
lica that he be more constitutional."
After some further debate, it was proposed and
carried, that Qlthe king cannot appoint one of his
Cuutikllors to the tam of Secretary of State, tior
to any other (Ace or einployment."
In 'he same sitting, M. Le Carneiro made a com-
plaint of various magistrates who protected robbers