The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-10 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, DEC. I.—The position and prospects of parties
have much shifted since I addressed you last. The Mode-
rados, were then earnestly engaged in the organization of a
Cabinet, and had all but succeeded in the attempt. Aware
of their designs to rule by a fictitious Cabinet, somewhat
resembling the last, the Opposition in the Cortes brought
on the discussion of the amendment recommending to the
Queen a change in the system of Government which has
prevailed for some time, and so excited the public mind
against the proposed Cabinet that it had entirely to be
given up. The Armendaris scheme, may, therefore, be
considered as defunct.

In consequence of this discussion, and the excited state
of the public mind, at the idea of another Moderado
Ministry being about to be forced on the people, a step was
taken yesterday, after the Session of the Congress was over,
for the reconciliation of parties and the calming the angry
feelings of the people ; for this purpose six of the leaders
of the majority and minority of the Congress assembled
last night, and made certain propositions, to which a mutual
consent was demanded, with a view to the formation of a
Government which might have the support of both parties.
These propositions, I understand were the total cessation of
the persecution of the Liberal party in Spain ; the raising
of the state of seige in all provinces, except those occupied
by or in the immediate vicinity of the enemy ; the conti-
nuance of all persons at present in office, except incapable
of performing their duties, or who had rendered themselves
remarkable for their hostility to the Liberal party ; and,
lastly, the formation of a Government in which no one who
had been previously a Minister was to form a part. On
these bases being proposed and agreed to the junta sepa-
rated ; and after having consulted their parties respectively,
appointed another meeting for to-night, when it is under-
stood they will bring their deliberations to a conclusion. It
is generally expected that a coalition will be the consequence
of these proceedings ; but I am far from thinking that any
cabinet growing out of them can or will be permanent.
Such a cabinet, in fact, comes into existence with its hands
tied up, and afraid of offending one party or the other, will
be totally unable to adopt a single measure which the dread-
ful state of the country demands.
The principal feature of interest in the Senate since I
wrote last has been the speech of General Oraa, in justifi-
cation of his conduct in the unfortunate undertaking against
Morella. He was then, he said, devoting the remains of a
life spent in the service of the Queen and of the country to
the compiling of a memoir in justification of a name acquired
in a hundred battles, and at the expense of twenty-two
wounds. For a considerable time before the siege of Mo-
rella was undestaken, he had been informing the Government
that he was unable, through want of men and provisions, to
act on the defensive against an enemy spread over the vast
extent of 2,000 square leagues of territory, and had even
tendered his resignation. He then detailed the arrangements
made for the siege of Morella, particularly with respect to
the supply of provisions. From this part of his discourse
it was obvious that either the contractors or the Govern-
ment, or both, had been guilty of the grossest neglect or
perfidy. But, on the whole, except the fact of having
neglect or perfidy proved by another witness, and that wit-
ness one of the principal parties in the transaction, there
was nothing in the speech of General Oraa worth noticing,
Lord William Hervey, Secretary of Legation in Madrid,
leaves here this evening for France and England, on leave
of absence from his Government.

Yesterday, about one o'clook, Mr. H. Southern returned
from Paris to Madrid, after a leave of absence, to resume
his duties as first attache and Secretary of his Excellency
Sir George Villiers, at the British Legation.
The French mail has not been received here to-day,
being stopped, it is supposed, by the heavy fall of snow in
the Pyrenees.—Morning Chronicle.