The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-13 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

At the opening of the ordinary session of the
General Cortes of Portugal on the 4th inst., as an-
nounced by telegram, the Duke de Louie, President
of the Council of Ministers, read the following
speech :

" Worthy Peers of the Kingdom and Deputies of
tha Portuguese nation.

" In execution of the decree which has been com-
municated to you, the Ministry,in obedience to his
Majesty's commands, acquits itself of the duty of
opening the present legislative session, in con-
formity with the law of 16th July, 1857.
" The happy marriage of the King with the most
noble Lady Queen Dona Maria Pia of Savoy, Prin-
cess of Italy, has been realised amid the enthusi•
astic applause of the nation; and his Majesty has
seen with deep satisfaction and appreciated in the
highest degree the unequivocal proofs of the sym-
pathy with wnich the population of the capital and
of the Kingdom has saluted his happy alliance.
" Hls Majesty continues to receive from the Sove-
reigns, his allies, the most cordial testimonies of
good understanding and friendship. The relations
of Portugal with the different Powers continue un-
changed, and the bonds of affection which unite
Portugal to the glorious country of our august
Queen have been drawn still closer.

"In the interval of four months since the close
of the last session, the popular tumults which then
agitated certain parts of the kingdom have happily
ceased. The execrable attempt directed against the
mines of Bracal by ignorance and absurd prejudices
which had armed the credulous populations, and
impelled them to that attack on property, have
been promptly repressed, and the supremacy of the
law maintained. Lastly, the military revolt, which
a deplorable frenzy raised in the district of Braga,
has been put down in a few days, and the temporary
suspension of the constitutional guarantees in that
district, which, with other measures, the Govern
ment thought necessary, was not continued beyond
the time
h
a s prescribed.
"A loan been contracted in London which
secures the payment of the works undertaken
improvement of general 0 •
onatnutucations. Our
country, from the conditions of the
loan, and from
the result of the subscription, his received a very
valuable testimony of its credit. The works for
the construction of roads
and railways have been
actively continued in an important section, that
froze 61%fltarem to Abrante s, which is about to be

" The review at Milan has given a fresh impulse
to the military spirit. The population loudly
cheered not only the King, but the regiments, and
especially the bersaglieri. The troops reviewed at
Milan were still more numerous than those we have
seen at Turin ; indeed, they formed quite an army.
There were not less than 72 pieces of cannon. The
Italians are all the prouder of their young army,
that it is for theta almost a novelty. Except in
Piedmont, Italy has never had any national
army. It is bat justice to the Minister of War
to state that, under his energetic impulsion won-
derful progress is being daily made, especially
when we consider the heterogeneous elements
at his disposal. Though a year has not yet
elapsed since the incorporation of the officers of the
Garibaldian army, no traces remain of diversities of
origin. This result is very remarkable. Advices
received from the Capitanate yesterday announce
that the bands which ravage that country have
united and even succeeded in surprising a small
detachment of troops. It is not easy to conceive
what can have induced these bands to relinquish.
their system of isolated action, in which lay all their
strength. This will probably be the last flicker of
a flame which we may hope soon to see extinguished
for ever, The Government has already taken its
measures, and from the means at its disposal the
result cannot be doubtful. Brigandage can only be
dangerous when practised by small bands, which
easily escape pursuit in a country destitute of roads.
If there still remain some little agitation in certain
parts of the Neapolitan provinces, Sicily is now in a
state of tranquillity which all correspondents agree
to designate as ' fabulous.' The Sicilians are active,

intelligent, enterprising, and honest ; but they de-
vote their energies more especially to ,local affairs,
and are also very vindictive. These are dangerous
qualities for judges. However, the calm which now
prevails in Sicily, after the violent tempests of
barely three mouths since, is well worthy of espe-
cial notice,"

THE WAR IN AMERICA.

(Per North American, vza Cape Race.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 (EVENING).
The advance of the Federal army continues.
General Pleasanton met the Confederates at Phil-
iipmont. After skirmishing they retreated to
Union, whence they were subsequently driven by
Gen. Pleasanton, who occupied the place. Heal'
firing has been since beard, but the result is not
known.

The Confederate prisoners captured at Corinth
report that the Federals had captured Mobile, bat
the report requires confirmation:
A rumour was current at Port Royal that the
Confederate ram Savanna was coming down the

river.

The Confederate steamer Alabama has captured
eight more American vessels and destroyed them all
but two, which gave bonds for 86,000d015., payable
to President Davis after the declaration of peace.

The Alabama was last seen in lat. 39, lon. 69 W.,
off Cape Delaware, directly in the track of the
Californian steamers.

Tue Federal cruisers have captured the British
steamers Anglia and Scotia, off Charleston.

REPRESEIV7ATION OF THE NORTHERY
DIVISION OF TILE COUNI'Y OF DERBY,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—l shall feel obliged if you will correct a re'
port which appeared in your journal of yesterday'
to the effect that I am about to retire from the re-
presentation of the northern division of the count,"
of Derby in consequence of ill health. It is true
that two years since, when a dissolution of Parlie
ment was somewhat probable, I then expressed la
inability to stand again, being seriously ill at that
time; but at present, I am happy to say, I was never
in better health, and have no intention of resigning
my seat as long as I am honoured with the cue,
dente of my constituents.—l have the honour to bet
Sir, your faithful servant,
WILLIAM POLE THORNHILL•
44, Eaton-square. S.W.