The Sun.
London, England, 1806-08-22 00:00:00

PORTUGA L.

THE importance which has beet' at every period
attached to the security of Portugal affords a strong
presumption that tli present crisis will display the
justice and magnanimity of the British Sovereign, hi
proteeling his faithful and national Ally from the
effects of premeditated aggression and unprovoked
hostility; The expediency, in a military and com 7
merciai view, of resisting the attempts of the' Ene-
.my to subjugate Portugal, will give additional force
to the claims of justice, and to the generous emo-
tions of the British Nation.
. The extraordinary exertions which were made for
the relief of Portugal, in 1762, are a proof of. the
great value which this country attached to the Al-
liance and security of that Kingdom. That France
and Spain considered this connekaion of the highest
importance, is manifested by the application which
was made on this occasion‘ to the Court of Lisbon.
A joint Memorial, the first fruit of the Family Corn-
pad, was presented by the Courts of France and Spain,
to inckice the King of Portugal to withdraw from
his Alliance with this Country. The .Memorial
expatiated on the . situation of the Portugueie Do-
minions, and the nature of the English -Pciwer.-7-
It was contended that the English Squadrons could
not keep the sea hi all seasons, or cruize on the
principal- coasts, for the purpose of interrupting
the French and Spanish Navigation, without the
Ports and assistance of Portugal ?—that the riches,
of Portugal passed . into the hands of 'England,
and thus gave her the power to attack the PosSes-
sions and Commerce of other Countries—that Por- -
tugal, consequently, furnished the English with the
means of prosecuting. the War; and that thence re-
suited the obligation of .England to send troops to
the assistance of Portugal. •

If arguments were wanted to demonstrate the
licy of our connexion with Portugal, these repre-
sentations of the Enemy would amply supply
them.

The firmness of the Portuguese Monarch in re.
sisting the- demands of the Combined Courts—re-
quiring,the violation of his established connexions
the sacrifice of the interests of his Crown—and the
infringement of the faith of Treaties—was. quickly
followed by the. invasion of his Frontiers. A pow-
erful Armament was promptly dispatched by Great
Britain to the assistance of her Ally. A British
Fleet, which conveyed 18,000 English, with an
ample supply of money, arms, artillery, and warlike
Stores to the relief of Portugal, was commanded by
the DUBE of YOE li, the Brother to the present SOVE-
REIGN. The zeal and talent's displayed in early
youth by this gallant Prince have. rendered his pre-
mature death a subjeet of Most poignant regret. • The
progress of the Enemy was speedily interrupted by
the jun&ion of the English Forces with the Troops
of Portugal. The Enemy soon beheld the Spanish
Province of Estremadura penetrated by the Con-
federate Army. The capture •of Valentia de Al-
cantara, and of the General who Was appointed
to command In the Invasion of, Portugal, will
bear immortal testimony to the valour of the
British Troops, and the military talents of Ge
neral BURGOYNE. The memorable attack of the
Enemy's camp at Villa-Vetha, an enterprise entrust-
edto the same Commander, was executed with equal'.
spirit and success by General BURGOY NE and Colonel
LEE. The zeal and intrepidity displayed by BUR-
GO,YNE'S Regiment (16th) of Light Dragoons Witl
ever be a source of triumph and of glory to the Bri-
tish .Arms. • The Spaniards; twice defeated with
considerable loss, and foiled in all their attempts,
were compelled to retreat with disgrace, and to
abandon the hopeless projea of subduing Portugal.
The probable destination of a powerful Expedi-
tion, at the present conjuncture, inspires a hope,
that, if the necessity should arise, the British name
will again be signalized by a series of the same
lant exploits and brillant viaories which haVe already
been achieved'in the defence of our Ally.
The political and commercial value of Portugal is
enhanced by the consideration of the vast extent of
coast which is at present possessed or influenced by
the Enemy..
The exclusion of our commerce and manufgtures
from the Ports of Europe has ever been the favourite
aim of the Ruler of France. The occupation of the
Ports of Lisbon and Oporto, ftom their commercial •
and military use to this country, will be deemed
objetas of the greatest importance by our foes. The
impossibility of succeeding by the Naval Powers of
France and Spain will stimulate the Enemy to resort
to military operations. •

But, in every event, we may confidently rely, that
the courage of our Troops, and the talents of their
Commanders, will resist the efforts and defeat the
projects of our inveterate Enemy. In the present
. crisis, our faithful Ally is threatened with the most
atrocious outrage, and unprovoked aggression, which
have ever been recorded in the history of Nations.
The valuable and important Provinces of Biscay,:
Navarre, Catalonia, and part of Arragon, are des-
tined to be .wrested from the Spanish. Monarchy;
to erect an independent Principality .for' the'Prince
of Peace, a corrupt and a treacherous Subject,
who has sacrificed the . interests, and betrayed the
'honour of his Country. Spain has yielded with ab-
Jed servility to Spoliation and Dismemberment 'for
this unworthy purpose ; and is instigated to attempt
the Subjugation of .Portugal; as an atonement for the •
injury, and an equivalent for the' defalcation of Ter-
ritory.

An. Advertisement, it seems, has appeared in
some of the English Papers, in which the following
articles are offered for sale :

r. A German Frincipality, with full. Sovereignty,
Territory, and SUbjeas, for 400' ooc1.—;. A German Coun-
ty for 150,0001.-3. Several Lordships in .Germany, from
to i 6,0001. each.. All with extensive and delightful
Forests, abounding in game, and Timber fit for cutting:"
. •.Copsidering the uncertain tenure by which all
property must now be held in every country where
France can lay its rapacious hand, and the despiCa-
ble subserviency to French force, which is Observ-
able in most of the Continental States, it would not.
be wonderful if such offers as the above should be
made, if it were likely that any body would become
purchasers. We, consider the Advertisement in
question, however, a mere political hoar, grounded
on the enormous ambition of BObIAPAIITE, and the
unresisting tameness of other Powers.