The Sun.
London, England, 1823-04-23 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

Lord HOLLAND rose to move for copies of all communi.
cations made by•his Majesty's Government to his Most Faithful
Majesty since the Istof September, 1U22, on the subject of the
invasion of Portugal, together with the answers. It was most
important that Parliament should have a clear understanding
as to the situation in which this country stood with. Portugal
after the invasion of Spain, and he expressed a hope that
the Noble Earl would not object to the production of the
Papers.
. The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, some of the Papers al.
lulled to might be produced. There were others that could not
come under the consideration of Parliament. The production '
of them was not, however, so necessary, because at the pre-
sent moment there really was no doubt as to what really
was -the understanding between the two countries. He
could not be more ample in his statement respecting that
understanding than he had been on a former occasion. He
had already stated there was this short, and complete under-
standing. This Government stood with reference_ to the Go-
vernment of Portugal on this footing :—if Portugal is attacked
Without hostility to warrant such attack, this country is obliged
to protect her. If she is' attacked in- consequence of offensive
acts, there was no obligation. , In case of invasion by the
French, the obligation on this country to protect Portugal was
unavoidable. That was dictinctly understood to be the result
of the negociation.
• SLAVE TRADE AND AUSTRIAN LOAN. \
The Marquis of LANSDOWN rose to ask for two descrip-
tions of Papers not connected with those on the table. The
first was the Negociation for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
lie wished to move for the production, and the Noble Lord
expressed a hope that there could be no objection to comply
with his motion, especially as it was a subject which produced
much .anxiety in persons who humanely took an interest in the
question. The other subject to which he should call the atten-
tion of the Noble Earl, was the negociation relating to the
Austrian Loan. At an early part of the Session he took the
liberty of making some enquiry on the subject, when -the
Noble Earl represented that the negociation was in a state of
forwarthiese. No information had since appeared. on the table.
It ,could not escape the house that a negociation with Spain,
arising out of claims of a more recent date than the Austrian
loan, had been brought to a conclusion, and he should be glad
to hear that some arrangement bed been made by Austria to
pay the loan:
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, with respect to the Slave
Trade, all the papers relating to the negociation on the subject
had been laid on the table of the House. • Ile had nothing-to.
add, nor retract. It was true, as the Noble 'Marquis stated,
that he on a former.day mentioned, that the negociation was
considerablradvanced for arrangement founded on the Aus-
trian loan. Austria had intended to follow up the principle to
the full extent, but the present state of foreign nations had
affected her funds. The menacing position of Europe would
not allow her.to divest herself of so much money, but the priiv.
ciple of adjustment remained the same. His Noble Friend
near him (the Duke of Wellington) was ready to confirm his
statement. The principle of compromise had been negoriated,
andothe Noble Earl had reason to believe it would have been
brought to a conclusion if the affairs in other countries had not
taken an unexpected turn. lle had no reason to say the terms
proposed might not be agreed on by all pi.4ties. They did not,
however, expect to recover the whole debt.
Lord DARNLEY adverted to the language of Mr. Pitt,
when the loan was advanced. The strongest assurance was
given that the Austrian Government would repay the money.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL observed, that neither Mr.
Pitt nor his successors had expected the Loan would not be re.
_ _

Earl GREY recollected the discussion in the House °teem-
mons. 111 r. Pitt, he said, dwelt much on the accredited seen.
rides of the Bank of Vienna. There was no doubt, at that
time, the whole would be repaid. He was glad, however, tin-
der a disappointment, to hear the Austrian Government were
desirous to compound.
Lord HOLLAND said, he had never expected to see the
money at all, and he really considered Austria in a better state
to pay it now than during the last war. He had not seen the
Emperor of Austria's name in the Gazeile—(A laugh)-::.but he
found the Noble Earl intended to make him a bankrupt. It
might be wise to get as much of the debt as possible.
Lord ELLENIIOROUGH expressed a wish to know the
dates of the communications presented to the Spanish Go-
vernment, with a view of settling the differences with France.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said the dates were recent—va-
rious dates.

Lord EbLENBOROUGH asked, why the negociations at.
Madrid were so suddenly broken off?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL replied, that it was not the
fault of the British Ambassador at Madrid. Their duty was
discharged in the best manner. The discussion succeeded the
question respecting the piracies in the West Indies.
Lord ELLENBOROUOH wished to know what alteration
was proposed in the Spanish Constitution, and whether there
were not alternatives ?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said there were alternatives
which could not be communicated. _

Earl GREY asked, whether the Noble Earl received com-
munication on the subject of money sent by France to Spain ?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, his Majesty's Govern-
ment received information which induced a belief that money
was sent to Spain.