The Sun.
London, England, 1836-09-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATTLADAV, SEPTEMBER 3, 1636

SPA4N

"EXPOSITION TO THE QUEEN REGENT.

" SENORA—Under the present difficult circumstances
with which we are beset, the paramount duty of your
Majesty's Government is to assemble the national repre-
sentation, which is the firmest support of the throne of your
august (laughter, the strongest tie of society, the most cer.
tain organ of the nation's wants, the depository of the hest
means of satisfying them, and the most powerful auxiliary
of the Administration.
" The rapidity with which events have progressed has
rendered it impossible to open the session of the Cortes,
convoked for the 20th of the present month, by the Royal
decree of the 24th of May. Since the object for which they
had been summoned no longer exists, and since the Consti-
tution, of which your Majesty ordered the proclamation by
your decree of the I.lth inst., fixes the mode to he adopted
for the formation of the national representative body, con-
sequently the convocation of the Cortes in conformity with
the disposition, contained in the Constitution, causing them
to meet at an early period, invested with all the rights re-
quired by their extraordinary mission, such are the objects
your Majesty's Ministers had in view in drawing up the
decree herewith, which they have the honour to submit to
the sanction of your Majesty.
" In the text of the Constitution the particular days for
holding the electoral assemblies are fixed at long intervals.
The present circumstances not admitting this delay, it was
indispensable that.the Royal authority should intervene to
remove them. In the year 1820 the country was in the
same predicament, and prudence suggested the same line to
be followed, which was attended with good consequences.
The urgency of getting the Cortes together is now
greater, and there is a necessity of taking advantage of
the division of the kingdom into provinces and districts
more regular and more limited, by which means the elec-
toral operations must be accelerated."

The exposicion then states the short period fixed for the
meeting of the different electoral assemblies, as stated in
article Bof decree of convocation given above. It then
alludes to the time that must elapse ere the result of elec-
tions in the Canaries and other islands be known. It
states difficulties of another kind obvious to every one,
with respect to Deputies to be chosen for the insurgent
provinces, and concludes by deeming it better to follow
the system lately followed in both cases. With respect
to the provinces beyond sea, it should have liked to
adopt the plan followed in 1820, viz., that the colonists
at present in the peninsula should elect Deputies ad in-
terinz. But this it declares inadmissible at present, when
so serious a question as the revision of the fundamental
law is to be discussed.

The salary to be given to Deputies, according to Art.
102 of the Constitution, was another delicate point, which
it was proposed to leave open to the Cortes themselves to
determine.

The document then proceeds as follows :

" The difficulties in the way of an immediate assemblinfr
of the Cortes having been got over, it is necessary to point
out the alterations made in its attribution and composition.
Your Majesty has proclaimed, by your decree of the 13th,
that the Constitution of 1812 should be sworn to, until the
Cortes might meet to declare whether the nation preferred
it, or any other suited to the wants of the time.

" This resolution, which was required by the national
wish, from the generous sentiments of her Majesty, must
be completely satisfactory to all those persons who view all
the dispositions Gf that Constitution with a superstitious
veneration. If the framers of that Constitution thought
it advisable to fix certain formalities and certain disposi-
tions for its revision, it was because they thought that
its continuation in force would not be broken off, and
that, moreover, they could not foresee all the wants which
might occur. If they required a delay of eight years from
the time that the Constitution should be in force in all its
parts, twenty-four years have already elapsed since its first
publication. If the object of those restrictions was to allow
the experience acquired by time to carry into effect the
ameliorations in the fundamental law, the contrast of poli-
tical vicissitudes which we have suffered, and the experience
of the various representative systems, have taught us much
more than would have done the quiet possession of either
the one or the other of those systems. In short, if the
Constitution is not looked upon as merely a political insti-
tution, but as a monument of glory, there is not an en-
lightened Spaniard who is not alive to its imperfections, the
unavoidable consequence of the fatal circumstances existing
at the time of its adoption, and who would longer deprive
our unfortunate country of the fruits to be derived from our
misfortune, and of the immense progress made by every
civilized nation in moral and political science. From this,
your Majesty, results the necessity of introducing some
change in the oath to be taken by the Deputies in the next
preparatory Junta of the Cortes in the powers which they
are to derive from the most illimited influence.

" Your Majesty's Ministers have thought it advisable to
introduce another alteration in the projected decree.
Though this alteration
_seems in some degree contrary to

the literal sense of Article 31 of the Constitution, it is per-
fectly conformable to its spirit.
" In the instructions given by the Supreme Central
Junta for the election of Deputies to the Extraordinary
Cortes, it was said that one Procuradore should be named

for every 5,000 souls ; but the same proportion was ob-

tained by including the Deputies for our colonial posses-
sions. The Cortes convoked by the &allay Real adopted
the same basis as the Constitution, but the principal of the
Central Junta was re-established without opposition, after
the two debates on the electoral law in the Chamber of
Procuradores.

" These facts show that the Congress established in vir-
tue of the Constitution was to be composed of a greater
number of voters, in consequence of those representing all
our America, than that now proposed in the proportion of
one Deputy for each 5,000 souls. This is precisely the
basis constantly adopted by the Cortes when they have be-
come a revising body. The deliberating body must be suf-
ficiently numerous to be able to maintain the independence
which is absolutely necessary.
" If these reasons dispose your Majesty to approve the
project of decree, which an ardent zeal for the good and
glory of our country has alone dictated, the throne will in
the short space of two months be surrounded by the na-
tional representation, consisting of the Spaniards most dis-
tinguished for their patriotism, probity, and talent ; men
who will be the faithful organs of the nation's love and gra-
titude to your Majesty's self ; men who know what the
country requires : they will secure our rights and establish
a strong and vigorous monarchy. They will also secure
their countrymen from arbitrary rule, by giving to the laws,
and to those who execute them, the force necessary for re-
pressing disorders and abuses. They will prove themselves
jealous guardians of the national independence, and justly
appreciate how much it is requisite for us to preserve the
bonds of friendship and confidence between us and our allies.
(Signed) " CALATRAVA,
" GIL DE LA CUADRA,
" LANDERO,
" EGEA,
" RODIL,
" GARCIA CAMBA."

" Madrid, Aug. 21

(From the Supplement to the Madrid Gazette of the 23d.)
"THE QUEEN REGENT TO THE SPANISH

NATION.

" Spaniards I—The aspect and character presented at
first by the late events led me to suppose them to be merely
isolated movements, sprung from interests and individual
passion, or produced by passing and factitious effervescence.
Under this persuasion I laboured, as was my duty. to pre-
serve the established order of things, and to follow up the
plan of political reform in conformity to what was considered
to be the public opinion. Thus did I act, and should have
continued to act, had not a more express and general mani-
festation of opinion disclosed the full scope of your desires.
Declarations in favour of the Constitution of Cadiz having
taken place in the provinces of Andalusia, in those of Arra-
gon, and the great movement communicating itself to Es-
tremadura and Castile, repressed with difficulty in the
ca-
pital, and the reluctance which the brave soldiers felt in
keeping down the ardour of the people, with whom they
sympathise, convinced me at last of what was the national
will. Therefore, not wishing to occasion new troubles or
disasters, I took the oath to the Constitution of 1812, and
ordered it to published and sworn to throughout the king-
dom.
" I am not ignorant, Spaniards, of the objections made
both within and without the kingdom to this famous code ;
but far from offering itself as perfect, the very code ex-
presses the supposition and the mode of its reform. Nor
is there a prudent man, even amongst those most attached
to the Constitution, who is not convinced of the necessity
of its being reformed. The provinces which proclaim it have
done so, with the proviso that it shall be subject to the
emendations of the Cortes. Let me hope that the Cortes,
which I convoke at this moment for so noble an end, will
complete this indispensable and desired reform, MOP pot,
Spaniards, that it td IntpCiPd augment prerngatives, or
give force to odious privileges, but this is done with a view
to public order and general utility, consulting the exi-
gencies of the country, and preserving harmony with the
general principles of European liberty. Then what was
once the fundamental law of the State becomes once
more so. There is no do
is doubting that it was ever the
object of your efforts and desires. The political Constitu-
tion of 1812, Spaniards, a monument of national dignity
and independence. You framed it, you vowed fidelity
to it, end you were victorious under its auspices, ex-
pelling tip 'eatilt?.§ PP MqPP!CP,n , §Reve4
Neither time, nor malignity, nor rolitig can ever abate its
glory ; nor have all the cruel alterations which you have
suffered erased its character of fire from your breasts.
Though it appeared annihilated, it has resuscitated itself
before the eyes of the astonished universe. Long live the
Constitution, Spaniards, as a standard of victory in the
present as it has been in the past conflict I Manifest to

Europe and to your detractors, your love of this Constitu-
tion and your ability to defend it—the result. cannot be
doubtful. Your strength will acquire a new energy, not°
only in combating but in supporting sacrifices. The enemy,
who imagine that Constitution may prove an element of
dissolution, shall be disappointed. The redoubled impetus
with which you will attack the foe, shall prove to him that
the late generous movements tend to nothing other than its
destrUction. I hope so much of this magnanimous nation.
Your good sense and your virtues inspire me with full con-
fidence. The throne of my august daughter, indeed, in-
stead of losing by the late innovations, will, on the con-
trary, be but the more strongly based in your affections ;
just as the natural impulse of 1812 was not only one of
liberty, but of loyal enthusiasm for the King, at that time
a captive.
" 0 Spaniards! May the political law which we now
swear be a pledge of union and concord. In this union
consists your force ; and in your force consists mine.
"MARIA CHRISTINA.
" From the Palace, Aug. 22, 1836."
The electoral system, as established by the Constitution
of 1812, is very complicated, and very far from being as
favourable to the people as that by which the late elections
were conducted.

In the first place, the inhabitants of each parish assemble
and elect a certain number of Commissioners, according to
the population of the parish, but the number cannot in any
case exceed thirty-one. These Commissioners choose in
their turn the parochial electors. If the population be
under 300 one elector alone is to be chosen, if above that
number two, if above 500, and under 600, three, and so on
progressively.
The parochial electors are then required to meet in the
capital of each judicial district or partedo, for the purpose
of choosing the electors for the district ; each judicial dis-
trict or partedo is to return a number of electors equal to
triple the number of Deputies to be returned by the pro-
vince.

The electors for each judicial district assemble in the
capital of the province for the purpose of naming the Depu-
ties which it has a right to return. According to the old
Constitution a Deputy was to be chosen for every 70,000
inhabitants ; but the present decree of convocation deter-
mines that there shall be a Deputy for every 50,000, and
an additional Deputy whenever there may be a surplus
population of 25,000 souls. The following is the official
table :

Population. Deputies. Btauf:icrt teon.
Alava
Albacete
Alicante
Almeira
Avila . 137,903 3 1
Badajos
Barcelona 442,273 9 3
Burgos 224,407 4 2
Caceres
Cadiz
Castellon de la Plana
Ciudad Real 277,788 6 2
Cordoba
Corunna
Cuenca
Gerona
Granada
Guadalajara 159,044 3 1
Guipuscoa
Huelva 133,470 3 1
Huesca 214,874 4 2
Jaen 266,919 5 2
Leon 267,438 5 2
Lerida
Logrouo
Lugo
Madrid 363,861 7 3
Malaga 338,442 7 3
Murcia 283,540 6 2
Navarra
Orense 319,038 6 2
Oviedo 434,635 9 3
Palencia
Pontevedra
Salamanca
Santander 166,730 3 1
SoriaSegovia
134,854 3 1
167,303 7 3
115,619 2 1
Tarragona
Teruel
Toledo 282,197 6 2
Valencia
Valladolid . 184,647 4 2
Vizcaya
Zamora
Zaragoza
ADJACENT ISLANDS.
Baleares
Canarias

Provinces.

12,162,172 241 96
The object in electing Supplementary Deputies is, that
in the code of vacancy by death or other causes, there may
always be a Deputy ready to supply it without the delay of
another election. The number of Supplementary Deputies
is fixed at one-third part of the total number of Deputies
returned to the Cortes.

It follows from the above statement, that the total num-
bers of electors, directly influencing the elections, will
only amount to 723, or three times the number of Deputies

returned.

The Cortes are to meet on the 24th of October.

The Convoy which was to leave Madrid yesterday for
Valladolid, Burgos, and Vittoria, has been delayed until
the 26th instant, in consequence, says the General Order
of yesterday, of the occupation of Placencia by the fac-
tious. It is believed here that Gomez has entered Na-
varre with his booty, and that the detachnient at Placencia
is commanded by one of his Lieutenants. Yesterday even-
ing a division of 4,000 men marched from this on the road
to Guadalajara, to attack the faction which is in that direc-
tion, and which has again intercepted the French mail, the
three mails due not having arrived until half-past four yes-
terday afternoon. The force which has marched, is com-
posed of a battalion of the 3d Regiment of the Guard, one
of the 4th, another of the Queen Regent's Light Infantry,
another of the Provincial Royal Guard, with a detachment
of cavalry and artillery. It appears to be the intention of
the Government to remove the garrison altogether, and
confide the service of the place to the National Guard.
Many think that there would be then a better chance of
preserving tranquillity. The last two days have been re-
markably tranquil.