The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-11 00:00:00

THE CONDE DAS ANTAS TO THE JUNTA.

'• Mindello steamer, May 31.
" When I was prepared this morning to proceed with the
expedition placed under my command, according to the order
of the Junta, I received an intimation from the Commander-
in-Chief of the naval forces of her Britannic Majesty, close
to the bar of Oporto, to anchor under the cover of its artillery.
I required that the said order should be given to me in writing,
in order that I might comply with my duties to the Junta as
a soldier under its command, though obliged to yield to a
superior force. I then received the accompanying notice from
the Commander of the English forces. Under these circum-
stances, surrounded by several English ships of war superior
to us in force, and my strength consisting chiefly of soldiers,
fit to act on land and not at sea, I felt myself unable to repel
force by force, and was compelled to lay down my arms, which
I did, accompanying the act by a protest (a copy of which is
annexed) against the unjust aggression made on Portugal.
"I am, &c., " CONDE DAS ANTAS."

The Junta at the same time addressed a formal pro-
test to the English Consul, but as this document is too
long for your columns, I only extract the most pointed
passages. After reciting the facts of the case, the Junta
say, " We protest solemnly against this foreign inter-
vention in the domestic affairs of Portugal, which, as a
nation free and independent, has an indisputable right
to constitute itself politically according to the existing
laws. We protest against this flagrant violation of the
rights of nations." The Junta adds, " Yielding to force
and violence, but still solemnly protesting, we assent to
the armistice required by Sir H. Seymour, on the con-
dition contained in his letter, that the forces of the
Government of Lisbon shall at the same time abstain
from all hostilities by sea and land ; but, as before the
receipt of the said letter of Sir H. Seymour the com-
mander of the British naval forces off the bar of Oporto

thought proper, without any declaration of war, or
previous intimation, to take possession, against the usage
of civilised people, in a manner hitherto unknown, of
the squadron and troops belonging to the Junta, we
protest solemnly against the act, as one which vio•
lates all national law, and which we never could have
expected from the old and faithful ally of Portugal."
Ile Junta then say, "We are engaged in drawing
up a protest to be addressed to all the Powers of Eu
rope and the civilised world ; but, in the meantime,
we call on you to restore to us the ships and soldiers
of the expedition, because the orders of the British Go-
vernment apply only to ships of war and not to land
forces. Secondly, because the pretext having ceased
under which the ships were arrested, those vesse-ls should
he allowed to re-enter the Douro, and be placed in the
position in which they were antecedent to the capture;
and, thirdly, because the expedition was sent out under
the tnith of national law by the Comm inder-in-Chief,
who obeyed orders given by :he Junta in ignorance of
the intentions of the British squadron.
The Junta at the same time issued tty. following
proclamation to the Civil Guvercor of Oporto for
the conservation of order and the protection of
strang4 rs:—

" The Provisional Junta. in the name of the nation ani the
Queen, command the Civil Governor of Oporto to publish
the necessary orders that all strangers resident in the terri-
tory obedient to the Junta shall continue to enjoy the pro-
tection and guarantees hitherto received by them—no matter
what may be the relations of the Government of the said
strangers with the Portuguese nation—and that the utmost
rigour of the law shall be directed against those who shall
offend or injure such strangers as occupy themselves with
their private affairs and do not interfere in domestic political
questions. The Junta anticipates that all persons under its
administration will in this important crisis afford indubitable
proof of their advance in civilization."

The Junta followed up these orders with the most
energetic measures, and I am glad to say that not a
single Englishman has had reason to complain of the
slightest insult or injury. The people were much
irritated on seeing their fleet carried to the south-
ward, each of our steamers having a Portuguese
vessel in tow ; but the pt-ace of the city was so well
preserved that we walked about in full security,
and even those who committed the imprudence of
being out at late hours of the night reached their
homes in safety. This good conduct was observed
under the additional aggravation that Marshal
Saldanha, in defiance of the armistice, advanced his
head-quarters to Grigo within two leagues of the city,
and his advanced posts to Campo Grande, only one
league, and that a Spanish force had crossed at Valenca,
from Galicia, and defeated with great loss the Junta
troops stationed near that place. lam told that Sal-
danha, when remonstrated with for disregarding the
armistice, said, that the orders for advance had been
previously given, and that he was glad to be near
Oporto to assist the Junta in protecting the persons
and property of strangers. I suppose the leader
of the Spanish troops at Valet:ta will offer a similar
excuse. The conduct of Saldanha does not escape
criticism here—and men exclaim against the Duke who
remained four months quiet at Oliveira, and never
moved a step forward until he had the cover of an
armistice, and found that the Junta lost 2,400 men in
one sweep. The Marshal must not be too sure, for if
there be not treason in the town, and the negotiation be
broken off, he has not the means of reducing Oporto.
The garrison was kept under arms for two nights in con
sequence of Saldanha's approach ; the lines of the south
were fully manned ; the head of Villa Nova, and the
river, protected by artillery ; and as the duty seemed to
be cheerfully done, I should think the Marshal would
not have been pleased with his reception had he attacked.
The Valenca affair is more serious, the Junta troops
suffered severely—a loss of 100 men is the minimum ;
an immediate retreat took place to Ponte do Lima, and I
believe that not one, but many, have come back to Oporto.
I am very glad, before I close this letter, to say that I
have had an opportunity of ascertaining whether Sir
Thomas Maitland, the Spanish Consul, or the Duke of
Saldanha, had conformed to the armistice now offered to
be accepted by the Junta ; and I find that none of these
persons have officially agreed to it. They contend that,
the armistice was proposed merely to give time for re-
ceiving the answers of the great Powers ; and that pur-
pose having been answered by the Bulldog's dispatches,
the offer of an armistice terminates of itself. I believe,
however, that friendly steps have been taken to induce
Saldanha to suspend his onward march, and that while
he appears to accede the Spaniards obstinately refuse.
The sortie from Valence, is but the first effort of Spanish
determination, and other troops will immediately pass
the frontier, unless orders to the contrary have been
eiven. I also find that the Junta are willing to accept
the amnesty and the four articles ; and I therefore pre-
sume that our Minister and the Court of Lisbon will
accept the offer, and thus terminate an affair which may
lead to unpleasant consequences.
I conclude my letter by giving you copies of an ad•
dress, presented by all the British residents now remain-
ing in Oporto to the Junta, thanking that body for its
protection of their persons and property in the present
crisis ; and of an address presented to Captain Robb,
of the Gladiator, previous to that officer having left the
Douro:—

" TO THE EX- TER SENOR JOSE DA SILVA PASSOS.
.
" Oporto, June 7.
" The undersigned, subjects of her Britannic Majesty, re-
sident in the heroic city of Oporto, deeply affected by the
generosity and kindness with which the excellent Junta, the
authorities, the troops, and inhabitants of the said city have
acted in so painful a crisis towards them, feel it to be a duty,
no less sacred than pleasing, to make known the sentiments
of gratitude by which they are animated.
" The benevolence of a people of cavaliers fully justifies the
confidence with which they have placed themselves under its
protection. They are anxious to show by every means in their
power the grateful sentiments by which they are animated—
and they cannot refrain from offering to the All Powerful
their humble but ardent prayers for the welfare, happiness,
and prosperity of the great Portuguese family.
"The undersigned avail themselves, &c. &c.
" [Signed by twentv-five British subjects now in Oporto.]"
It is understood that the address has been voted, not
from political motives, but as a well-earned tribute to
the protection afforded by the Junta; and I know that
many who have signed are well-wishers to the Queen.
I now give the address to Captain
" Sir,—The undersigned British resiVntsP°b7ti°n! Maythis 27
this
being informed that you are under ordersto_quittheto civaDouro,
with her Majesty's ship Gladiator, cannot allow you