The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-27 00:00:00

SITTING OF JAN. 23.

M. Salvandy, Vice-President, took the chile
The Order of the Day was the continuation of tee de-
bate upon the Paris Fortifications Bill.
M 13echard addressed the Chamber against the ',raj •et
of law. The Hon. Deputy observed that the discussion
had made rapid strides at the last two sittings, so as ►o
leave little to be said in refutation of the arguments relied
on by the partisans of this wild and useless measure. The
fact was that by erecting a line of fortifications round Paris,
in case of a war the capital would be subjected- to a state
of blockade, provisions would be prevented from arriving,
the greatest confusion and misery v.,culd be the conac-
quence, the efforts of the National Guards would be pare-
hsed. There might have been a shadow of a pretence for
this project in the first moment of excitement, but, upon
slue reflection, he wondered how any man in his senses
could support so ruinous and useless a plan. It had been
wisely remarked by Louis XIV., that a great nation and
a great capital ought to have no ramparts, and it was not
to ramparts that that renowned monarch owed his military
glory. It would indeed be a strange spectacle to sec Paris
in the present century occupied in building walls round
the city, instead of promoting the cause of liberty and civi-
lieation.—( Hear.) For his part, he relied on the good
sense of the representatives of the nation, to save them
from a project which would have the effect of ruining and
enslaving Paris.
M. Thiers, reporter of the Committee, requested per.
mission to explain some points relative to what had passed
in Committee since the last sitting. The explanations
which had taken place were of a serious nature, all the
members of the Commission were perfectly agreed upon
their original conclusions, there had been no conces-
sion' made on their part or that of the Government.
and the determination come to was considered the best
for the interests and defsnee of the capital. Since yes-
terday Marshal Soult again attended the Committee, and
on being asked for so explanation of what he had stated
at Friday's sitting, declared that he was still of the same
opinion, namely, that both works, i. e. the forts and the
continuous wail should be executed at the same time, and
that the latter would be of great utility and add to the
solidity of the other fortifications.--(Marks of asto-
nishment.)
General Paixhana spoke in support of the measure. In
his opinion this safeguard of their liberties and indepen-
dence should no longer be neglected, and he was firmly
convinced that with a good army of reserve, an efficient
navy, and a well fortified capital, France would be able to
defend herself from any future coalition.
M. de 'Tracy said, I declare that I rise to combat the
project, because, in my opinion, it goes wide of its mark,
and in the only case in which it might be useful it would
at the same time be fatal to my country.
M. Thiers—Allow me a simple observation which I am
forced to make. He who has the honour of speaking to you
has no military career or historic reputation, but he has
the right to express himself, having devoted his weak sere
vices to his country in good as well as bad fortune. I

have lately heard the system of old times despised—the
old system of war, and the methodical system which is
qualified as a narrow-minded system. Nevertheless, what
was the result of this system? Conquests which have re-
mained to us. We still have Frenetic- Comte'. and Alsace.
How many of the hundred and thirty-five departments re.
main to us which composed the French empire?
M. de Remusat thought the question was a simple one,
and that good sense was sufficient to fathom it. Civilians
were competent to discuss it. The executive of war re-
quired military experience, but general questions of war
were quite of the competence 0f a general assembly. Paris
ought to be able to defend itself, for if the army is obliged
to think of a defence of Paris, it cannot take the enemy in
flank, nor be free in its movements. Marshal Soult was
wrong in supposing the intention to be that the army
should shut itself up in the walls of Pails, arid he opposed
it by saying that the army should defend Paris in the open
country. It was said that the French character was for
offensive not defensive was, and that once a great battle
lost, the French retreated with fear and despaired. This
was the very reason for fortifying the capital, in order that
the loss of one great battle might not prove decisive.
If revolutienary means are feared, these are much
more likely to b.: bad recourse to by Paris
unfortified than by Paris fortified ; for if the
town is open the people may demand ....ma and begin
a tumultuous defence. By regulating that defence y
avoid tumult. Ido not know ►t want lam going to say
is Parliamentary, but I wasay it; If Paris was besieged
the King would remain in it.—(Bravos.) It is a kind of
theme given to students, and with it a plan of France,
and the students are to draw up a composition detailing a
plan for marching upon Paris. You must destroy this
idea by making it known that Paris is impregnable.
Establish this idea, and you will have no coalition against
France. The rejection of the law would be the greatest
blow to France, and it would oust the Ministry. Ido not
like the Ministry, but I would rather see it live than have
it overthromi by the rejection of the law.
After a speech from M. de Mornay, the sitting con.
eluded.

PORTUGAL.

SETTLEMENT OF THE, DOURO QUESTION.

We have received by express from Falmouth Lisbon
papers to the 18th inst. inclusive. These despatches
arrived by the Royal Tar steamer ; her dates are from
Gibraltar the 14th, Cadiz the 15th, Lisbon the 18th,
Oporto the 19th, and from Vigo the 20th instant.
" LISBON, JAN. 18, 2 P.M.

" The momentous question for the regulation of the
tariffs for the free navigation of the river Douro has, in the
Chamber of Deputies, taken precedence of the primary
Parliamentary object—the answer to the Speech from the
Throne, the difficulty of the Senators and Deputies who
had confederated not to discuss this paramount subject
until the Spanish Regency should withdraw its ultimatum
having by Ministerial influence been overcome. Tile de-
bate commenced on Wednesz!ay last, and after very velie •
ment, personal, and unprecedented observations, was
finally carried, with a very few modifications, on
Saturday. No doubt now remains of the ques-
tion meeting with a similar despatch in the Senate,
whose Members have commenced debating upo❑ the
answer to the Speech from the Throne. Notwith-
standing the triumph the advisers of the Crown have had
upon the Douro question in the Lower House, it is under-
stood that they have in contemplation not to carry the
same into execution until the offensive menaces contained
in the Spanish demand shall have been withdrawn. The
belligerent preparations continue with redoubled vigour :
and, in order to have the lines encircling the capital in a
ready state of defence, they are being worked upon by day,
and by night with lighted flambeaux until 11 o'clock ; and
up to this period 120 pieces of artillery, of various calibre,
are planted on them.
" The answer to the Speech from the throne has been
presented by the Committee, and is but a mere echo of
the Speech ; it was ordered to be printed.
" More national battalions, to make up the number 48,
in lieu of the old militia regiments, have been ordered to
be organised throughout the kingdom ; their numerical
force is, however, as yet very inconsiderable.
" The dividends of the Lision Bank for the last six
months, it is supposed, will yield 5 pr cent., subject, how-
ever, to the approval of the Committee appointed to audit
the accounts. Should this prove correct, this highly re-
spectable establishment will pay upon the whole year t
per cent.
6' The Directors of the Commercial Bank of Oporto
have advertised that the dividend for the last year is 3 per
cent. _ _ _

" The Duke da Terceira and staff arrived at Oporto on
the 10th inst., and landed under a salute from the heights,
&c. His Grace was received with every demonstration of
attachment and respect by the inhabitants, and was con-
ducted by the authorities to his present residence, the pa-
lace of Count de Terena Jose.
A Memorial of the merchants resident in Lisbon to the
Lords of the Admiralty, having for its object the closing
of the mails hence for England on Saturday instead of
Monday, and which can be easily effected by the boats not
waiting unnecessary time at Gibraltar, has been forwarded
to London by the Royal Tar steamer.
Letters and papers from Goa, of the 21st of November,
state that that country is perfectly tranquil, and toe ha-
bitants in general much satisfied vtith the adminiA:4tive
proceedings of the temporary Governor.
Foreign Ships of War iu the Tagus—Trineulo and
Espoir, brigs, British; La Coquette, corvette, French;
Brandywine, frigate, United states; and Oscar, brig,
Swedish.
Exchange upon London at 30 days' sight, 53d. per
milrei. Discount on ex-piper money, 60 to 62 per cent.
The Minister of Finance on Saturday last presented to
the Chamber of Deputies the accounts of the receipts and
expenses for the lest economic year, and the Budget for
the present (of 1841 to 1842), by which it appears a consi-
derable increase has been anded to the public expenditure.
The steam-packet from England with the mail of the
9th inst. is not yet atrivcd.

APPROACHING MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.
—The Earl of Eglinton will shortly lead to the altar the
widow of Commander Richard H. Cockerell, R. N., who
died at Calcutta about nine months back. The lady, who
is some three or four years 11;s Lordship's senior, is un-
derstood to be in possession cf an annual income 016,000/.
or 7,000/., which at her death reverts to her three chil-
dren, the issue of Captain Cockerell. The courtship is
said to have been singularly brief. —Morning Post.
The following are aineLg the fashionables that
have visited the Haymarket Theatre to witness Sir E. L.
Bulwer's new comedy of Money during the week : —The
Earl of Pembroke, Count D'Orsay, Lord Maryborough,
• th - ' , Le!
Gardner, Prince Esterhazy, Mr. Bernal, ill. P., Lady
Capel, Lord Lichfield, Colonel and Mrs. Maberley, Lord
Willoughby,