The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-24 00:00:00

SPAIN.

Our accounts from Madrid are of the 16th inst.
The Queen on that day was to lay the first stone
of the Hospital of the Princess. The Ministers and
the entire Court were to attend the ceremony.
The King had returned from his excursion to
Rio Frio.
M. Joaquin Maria Perez, former Director-Gene-
ral of Accounts in the Treasury Department, had
been appointed Under Secretary of State of the
Ministry of Finance.
The Queen had named a junta charged with the
direction of the geographical survey of Spain. It
is composed of five members and a secretary, under
the presidency of General Manuel de Monteverde,
former Director of the School of Staff Officers.
The Railway Journal states that it was intended
to connect the Barcelona and Saragossa line with
that of the North, by running a branch between
Saragossa and Miranda del Ebro. The survey of
the line between Almansa and Alicant was con-
ducted with considerable activity.
General Aupick, the French Ambassador, gave
a grand banquet on the 15th. Among the guests
were the Duke of Rianzares, the Captain-General
and Governor of Madrid, Lord Howden, Count
Esterhazy, Count de San Luis, the Duke de Rivas,
M. Manuel Cortina, &c.
It being Sunday, the Bourse remained closed.
Our accounts from Madrid are of the 17th inst.
The population of Madrid gave the Queen the
most enthusiastic reception on the previous day,
when her Majesty proceeded to the Portillo de
Fuencarral to lay the first stone of the Hospital of
the Princess. The President of the Council ad-
dressed a few impressive words to the Queen, pro-
claiming the sentiments of loyalty and devotion
which animated all Spaniards towards her Royal
person. This address elicited loud cries of " Viva
la Reina I" from the assistants, and acclamations
from the immense crowd which had collected to
witness the ceremony.
• Private letters from Madrid state that the elec-
tions present rather a doubtful appearance. Some
believe they will be against the Government, but
by a weak majority ; others, that the Opposition
will get the upper hand. The Moderado and Pro-
gresista Oppositions have agreed to set up in certain
places, where the chances are nearly equal, candi-
dates belonging to both parties, and support each
other mutually. General Narvaez is still at Biar-
ritz, near Bayonne, and, it is said, has protested
against the last Royal order ordering him to pro-
ceed to Vienna, and which is couched in a manner
so as to stigmatise him. The General declares it
contrary to the law and the constitution that he
should be so stigmatised by a Royal order, merely
on account of a document which had circulated
without his proved knowledge or consent.
A considerable sensation has been produced by
the following royal order, launched by Senor Bena-
vides, against the United Electoral Committee,
which, having failed to break it up by other
means, the ruling powers have resolved to put
down by force :
" MINISTRY OF THE HOME DEPARTMENT.
" Her Majesty the Queen (whom God preserve) being
informed that an association established in this capital,
with the name of Electoral Committee, has put itself in
combination and correspondence with others analogous out
of the Court, in order to treat of political subjects, and to
intervene in the affairs of the State.
" Considering that this junta is an assembly of coalesced
persons of different parties, which may mislead public
opinion, introducing distrust in men's minds, by the an-
nouncement of false dangers and of imaginary calamities ;
" Considering that this association not only seeks to
coerce the free exercise of the public authority, and to
lower its prestige and consideration, establishing commit-
tees prying into its acts, officiously charged to seek pre-
texts, in order to promote accusations and processes, which
may give aliment to bad passions, under colour of main-
taining uninjured the political liberties, but which also,
as if on equality with the Government, issues orders and
circulars, and adopts measures proper to the public au-
thority
ittnnh
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which meets daily, or on particular days, to treat of reli-
gious, literary, or political subjects, or of any other class,
is unlawful if not formed with theconsent of the public
authority •
I .
_

" Considering that what is disposed in this article of the
code is also applicable to meetings of more than twenty
persons, which to elude the law, divide themselves into
sections of less number, or do not meet on particular days,
her Majesty the Queen (whom God preserve) has thought
fit to command—

" Ist. That in fulfilment of the laws of the kingdom you
prevent that there continue established, or be established
de novo, associations or juntas of more than 20 persons,
which meet daily, or on particular days, without previous
or express permission of the authority, although such jun-
tas divide themselves and meet by sections of less than 20
persons, and do not hold sittings all the days designated,
whenever the members that compose it exceed the said
number.
" 2d. That you seize and cause to be denounced by the
fiscal of the press, every printed or lithographed writing
which the said juntas should give to light, whatever may be
the number of persons who sign it, whenever there is
committed in them any of the offences defined in the law
in vigour respecting the press.
" 3d. That though you may authorise political meetings,
which may be held on days determined on for consulting
the will of the electors, and their coming to an accord as to
the candidates for whom they are to vote, whenever no
danger may result from it to public order, you ought not to
authorise or tolerate any association of permanent or tempo-
ral character, composed of determined persons, which may
have for object to treat of political matters, and may offer
any of the inconveniences manifested it the consideranda
of this royal order.
"By order of her Majesty I communicate this to you
for your understanding and fulfilment.
" God preserve, &c.

(Signed) " BENAVIDNS.
" Madrid, January 17, 1853.
" To the Governor of the province of-"
The Three per Cents. were done at 42 ; the New
Three per Cents., at 23 ; the Debt of the First
Class, at mi., and that of the Second, at 511.