The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-16 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

SPAIN.
(From the Madrid Gazette.)
ROYAL DECREE.

" Desiring to reward in the most solemn manner the suffer- I
ings and N irtues as well of the valiant defenders of Bilboa in
the protracted and vigorous siege which, for the third time,
it has just sustained, as of the troops which with so much
glory delivered that town from the enemy during the memo-
rable days of the 24th and 25th of last December, in accord-
ance with my Council of Ministers, I have decreed, in the
name of my exalted daughter Queen Isabel IL, as follows :
" Article I. With all the force of my maternal love, I de-
clare to have fully responded to my hopes, and to deserve
equally my gratitude, tie town of Bilboa, its garrison and
National Militia, the General-in-chief Don Baldomero Es-
partero, the army under his command, the National Marine,
the British auxiliary force, and all the individuals, as well
Spanish as English, who in a manner so heroic have defended,
liberated, and co-operated in saving that immortal place, and
whose brilliant efforts have concurred to give a day of glory to
the nation.
" Art. 2. The town of Bilboa will add the title of ' invin-
cible' to those which it already enjoys of most noble and loyal.'
" Art. 3. The corporation of the invincible town of Bilboa
will be entitled henceforth to the style of Excellency' in its
corporate capacity, and each of its members to the appellation
of Lordship' (Senoria) during his period of office.
" Art. 4. I grant to all the battalionsjf the garrison of Bil-
boa, and of its national militia, the use m their banners of the
insignia of the military order of San Fernando.
" The like privilege I grant to all the corps of the liberat-
ing army which have most distinguished themselves in the
judgment of the General-in-Chief.
" Art. 5 confers a cross of distinction upon the defenders of
Bilboa, with the motto—' I defended the invincible town of
Bilboa in its third siege, 1636.'
" Art. 6 confers the same cross, with the words I saved
Bilboa,' to all soldiers, officers, and chiefs of the liberating
army, and to all the individuals of the national and allied ma-
rine, military and mercantile, who contributed gloriously and
effectively to raise the siege of Bilboa.
" Art. 7 grants to Don Baldomero Espartero and his lineal
descendants the order of Nobility of Castile, with the deno-
mination of Count of Luchana.

" Art, S. directs that on Sunday, sth February next, shall
be performed in all cathedrals and parish churches throughout
the kingdom religious solemnities in memory of the bravo men
slain in defence of Bilboa.
" Arr. 9. My Government will propose tothe Cortes, firstly,
that all edifices of private property which have been de-
stroyed by the besieging faction of the invincible Bilboa shall
I.)e restored at the cost of nation. Secondly, that also at
the cost of the nation, when its circumstances shall permit,
shall be erected in the most convenient spot of the invincible
Bilboa an appropriate and majestic monument to record to
posterity its value and patriotism in tha sieges it has sustained
against a fratricidal faction. Thirdly, that to the widows and
orphans of the defenders and liberator; of Bilboa be granted
the pensions to which respectively they shall be deemed en-
titled, this charge forming henceforth a separate head in the
general estimates of the nation.
" Art. 10. The Governor of Bilboa, the General-in-
Chief of the Ardy, and the Commandant of the naval forces
which have assisted, will propose to me without delay such
other rewards as individuals under their command may have
earned.
" Palace, Jan. 3, 1837."