The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-27 00:00:00

of the social compact ; but the Cortes dd not disguise to them-
selves the great difficulties which in the early period of that
operation are to be overcome. The genius of evil, envying the
'union and prosperity of the Portuguese family, has lighted up
the horrible brand of discord among our brethren of Brazil,
and their hopes to dismember the Lusitanian Empire. The
heart is torn with anguish at the recollection of those fatal
disasters—disasters to which the lips refuse to give utterance.
But it was not given to human prudence to prevent them ; and
as little to discover from the first symptoms of discontent and
disunion the nature and extent of the evil, so as to be able im-
mediately to apply the most appropriate remedy. Much may,
however, be expected from the measures which the constituent
Cortes have adopted for uniting by ties of love and mutual in-
terest the Portuguese of both hemispheres :perhaps others are
still necessary for obtaining so desirable an send. We should
separate with all the dismay which the horror and alarm of the
late unfortunate events are calculated to produce, did we not
derive confidence from the wisdom and firmness of your Ma-
jesty, from the knowledge and prudence of the Deputies who
will form the future Legislative Assembly, and from the dif-
ficulty we find to conceive it possible for a portion of the Por-
tuguese people obstinately to withdraw themselves • from the
allegiance which they owe to your Majesty. and to continue to
deny the authority of the Congress of the nation, composed in
a great measure of their own Representatives.
" But other difficulties yet remain to be encountered, and
still further must we extend our confidence. We haVe erected
on a firm foundation the Political Constitution of the Mo-
narchy, but we have not been able to complete the laws on
which its perfect execution depends. The constituent autho-
rities are still without those regulations which are necessary to
give them life and action ; and it is still necessary to preserve
for a time certain ancient institutions which are in part incom-
patible with the principles of. the new fundamental law. 'But
we bequeath to the Ordinary Cortes a rich legacy of experience
and doctrine, which they will be able to turn to profit, and to
augment by their own stock. Their active zeal, and the illus-
trious firmness of your Majesty, will speedily.remove all ob-
stacles which might retard the full settlement of the Consti-
tution.
" Such, Senhor, are the flattering hopes with which the De-
puties of the Constituent Cortes leave this august chamber.
Returning to their provinces, they will in the discharge of their
respective duties inspire and fortify with the same hopes the
people whom they have just ceased to represent. They will
be the first by their example and their advice to convince the
people that, the happiness of the country depends upon the
faithful observance of the Constitution, and that they ought
energetically to repel every insidious suggestion against what-is
decreed in the new social compact. They. will say to their late
constituents—one uniform law, and that certain law neither in-
fluenced by the caprice of opinion, of the opposition of parties,
is necessary for the welfare of a nation—such is that which
we have made in your name—Respect it, obey it, and be happy.
" This respect and obedience is inseparable from all the love
which we owe to our good King. You Well know how much
love he deserves for the example he has given of the most firm
attachment to the new compact ; although you have not, like
us, witnessed his amiable and majestic deportment, nor heard
the last words which he pronounced from the throne in the
midst of the national representation, which will ever remain
profoundly engraved on our hearts, and which have filled us
with the most lively sentiments of tenderness and affection.
Yes, we should have proclaimed him father of the country,
had not flattery long since prostituted that noble title by be-
stowing it to the disgrace of humanity on the tyrants of Rome.
" No more, Senhor ; let what has been said be the epilogue
to our long continued labours, and the final expression of our
gratitude—since it is now necessary for the Constituent Body
to be silent and disperse."
The President concluded with vivas for King John VI., the
house of Braganza, the Catholic and Apostolic religion, and
the Portuguese nation !
'The King, rising, said—" Long live the Sovereign Con-
gress."
All these exclamations were repeated with enthusiasm, both
by the deputies and the citizens, who crowded the galleries.
At fifty minutes past eleven the King withdrew in the same
manlier as he had entered, and the deputation that accom-
panied him having returned, M. Felgueiras, the Secretary,
stated, in the name of the Deputation, that his Majesty, on
taking leave, had desired that they would assure the Con-
gress of the Constituent Cortes of his particular thanks for all
the delicate -attentions which they had shewn him, and that
he would at all times be the first defender of the fiocial compact
which the Cortes had decreed, and would co-operate with all
his power in the prosperity of the Portuguese nation.
This called forth fresh acclamations from the Deputies in
the galleries.
At-five minutes past twelve, the minutes were read and ap-
proved, and the President closed the session, saying—
" The General, Extraordinary, and Constituent Cortes of the
Portuguese Nation close their Session this day, the 4th of
November, 1822."