The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-19 00:00:00

Although such a proceeding on the part of
the diplomatic agent of a friendly and allied
nation would at all times be deplorable and im-
proper, in the present critical circumstances in
which Spain is placed, in consequence of the dis-
turbances in Europe, it had become even dangerous and
alarming for the security of the state and the preserva-
tion of pblic order, which the Government at all cost is
determined to maintain. For this reason it can no
longer overlook an affair of so much importance ; and,
however painful, it finds itself forced to adopt the mea-
sure which its duty imposes upon it, and the only one
calculated to obviate the consequences of such a conflict.
Since the events of the 26th of last month the con-
duct of Mr. Bulwer has attained a degree of greater
significance and importance. The Government is as-
sured that at this moment his house serves as a refuge
to men of different classes in life implicated in that at
tempt, some of whom were seen at the barricades with
arms in their hands, and were consequently ordered to
be arrested by the proper authorities ; that from that
asylum they continue their machinatioes in concert with
those without, in order to disturb anew the public order
and tranquillity of this capital. I need not state to your
Excellency, that when I refer to this fact, contrary to
the law of nations, violating diplomatic privileges, and
offensive to the Government of her Majesty, I have the
most complete persuasion of its truth.
This state of things is no longer compatible with the
rdignity
n sofwhich
should Government,
x iosr t
between consistent
thew i t
thy, toh
ce
ofur
hi etnr
idel
s).
The Government, which is resolved to maintain public
order at every risk, cannot do less than complain of the
moral support which Mr. Bulwer openly lends to its ma-
nifest and decided enemies, who are also the enemies of
the throne and of your institutions. For these reasons
her Majesty commands me to instruct your Excellency
to make this known to Lord Palmerston, in order that,
with the expedition which the case requires, he may be
pleased to make arrangements in order that Mr. Bulwer
may be removed from this post, and replaced by a person
who may study with better success to represent the
honourable and generous sentiments of England at the
seat of a Government which entertains towards her all
the sympathy and regard which in so many respects she
merits.
your information, and for execution.
royalßy
yoods tr
feaTobnloisf sih:
your
l Madrid,
nu
communicateddETr oxi
de, rl. l
Maye in Se TyllB2R I
dispatch
t.
so 4
hers
(Signed) THE DUKE OF SOTOMAYOR.
markedlpwhichll:aojPalmerston'Ministerye setsTyyilt Nhol 1
euthoh.
azDpede2Uoiossl(wl erssewi, in which
reasons that induced you to withdraw confidentially the
written demand addressed by your Excellency to Lord
the
veuuai
turn
ufe
unfortunately
yourowlfrom this
which
uEhe
hli Excellency ct Cthehlioleseu
subsequent
f ry
ao :l Mw ar this.
was
Bulwer, the British representative. Her Majesty ap-
matter, in consequence of the extra-official knowledge
taking as the result of the interviews which the British
es
Excellente r commandy
e k
with
hhts
Oihesie.
Fcmdeni
hrtles,
ahro; state
course of political events renders that step more urgent
and indispensable.
The recent occurrences of the 7th instant have pro-
duced in the public mind an irritation ;difficult to ex-
press, and of which the periodical press is in truth but a
feeble reflex.
The political conduct observed by Mr. Bulwer in these
last times, the decided and open prutectiou which be
has afforded to many of the individuals most conspicuous
in the conspiracy
and
allowing of the
thet to communicateth,shel
sheltering them m
from in
his
thence with the enemies of the Government, the lan-
guage of some of his personal friends, and particularly
of the British subject, Mr. Sampson (Sansom), director
of the Union Bank, who is alleged to have instigated in
some degree the late events, have had the effect of irri-
tating the passions, and of exciting public opinion
against him, to such a degree, that the Government can
no longer disregard so serious and so deeply-seated a
feeling.
For these seasons, and for those which I explained to
you in my dispatch of the 15th of last month, it becomes
necessary that your Excellency should renew your pro-
way
and
in
order cannot
that i ii
this any
pro-
ceedings with the British Government, in order that Mr.
Bulwer may be removed from hence. The Spanish Go-
vernmentc
determinationonti nue
mt o a
y treatn not
thbiwllea7tiffathhenendht repre-
sentative 1
relations between the two countries, it would be very de-
sirable that Lord Palmerston should take forthwith that
step which propriety and the true interests of the two
countries recommend.
Mr. Bulwer addressed a note to mo dated the Bth, of
which I have the honour to enclose your Excellency, a
copy, as also of my reply, written with the concurrence
of all the members of the Cabinet. By this correspondence
your Excellency will see confirmed all that I have stated,
andimm Ministerethd iaatt
immediate
admits
irb
absence
et position
ci teoi
fof
from
onruo withtoht respectehsoer kingdoms.
possible
solution present Britishoan
his
the feelings of friendship and harmony
are Government entertains towards England
mutual interest
unalter-
able, and that as they are based upon .
will ln i i
assureproceeding
th the
Britisht o
Minister
for object,
Foreign
wh yourichAthffea Excellencyisrpa a,
nthisaht
and respect, the Spanish Government considers them too
information and for execution.
occurrence. durableß 3,
r, ,
royal
b commande in
the leastl
communicatei sn p si red
this by
tt
oh this unpleasant
ou f 0 ry o u
your
God preserve, &c.
(Signed) THE DUKE OF SOTOMAYOR.
THE DUKE OF SOTOMAYOR TO N. ISTURITZ.
byMmos3t, EnoxmcemlleunnticSaitri—onla'oouf rtEhoxlicleasldltehrnidocy; informed
by
instant, of the embarrassing position iu NsAwA-lhiapliyier
of England at this Court has placed her
Majesty's Government. However much her Majesty's
Government may have desired that the differences pro
i 2 occurred
sufficientlyyou r
yoked by the irregular conduct of Mr. Bulwer should
be terminated in a friendly manner and by common
agreement between the two Governments, by the retire •
ment of that functionary, its efforts unfortunately have,.
up to this time, been unavailing ; and in the meanwhile
the scenes of disorder are renewed, and in all of them
her Majesty's Government meets with more than suf-
ficient grounds for suspecting Mr. Bulwer's influence.
Subsequently to the events of the 7th instant, of which
nature
havecoincidences
n I.e hapavpar
Ein
appear. The corn.
xscitgehlueleifincecilyn, t
oothersfs e, i
loi
of , a i
n similarwhich

pointed
haveave had
dO
the
Her Majesty's Government enjoins your Excellency,
the instant you receive this communication, to endea-
vour to have a conference with the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, in order to make him understand that the deci-
sion of her Majesty's Government can in no way wound
the dignity of the British Cabinet, since, besides that it
is warranted by the law of nations, there are not want-
ingd
whiisth Government
Foreignr frequent
oegv consideration
eas rrni
n i
oseoit
nAnef
tirs
trt
ha.
directingi
esn
Bulwer,cuers
urgent
i no th required,i wain nhi
rdiatcenouhfdmowrtsithtthhareiend
rs withdrawal
acsaeboswe:i.snhgaws
hredicc
required
which
Moreover,
r at
eredaae
notorious to his Cabinet, the Spanish Government, in
it more prudent to give this Minister his passports, than
to expose itself to a conflict by waiting for the order of
this decision is itself by no means offensive to the
English people or to its Government, because at the
same time Spain does not decline to receive another
Minister from England, and does not refuse to the
English people the fulfilment of any obligation or en-
gagement. The departure of Mr. Bulwer might be
offensive to England, if in itself it signified an offence;
but her Majesty's Government is so far from thinking
that it thereby offends the English Government
or can wound its delicacy, that, on the contrary,
it hastens to afford every species of explanation
through your Excellency, carrying its desire to avoid the
relations of friendship which unite Spain and England,
Ipeonscsyibility of this occurrence producing a coolness in the
utoosvuecrhn an extent, as even to have arranged that the
to satisfy the British Government as to the conduct of
eauisieerthAelmaj
ereesepdefcrtoanablethCisoutontthdaet
CMoiurartsowlitshhaounlesd
pienacimaleticioamtemlyispsit:
that of her Majesty, and in order to offer to it every
and to its desire that now, more than ever, in the midst
nsootratbolef
and
dsurance with regard to its friendly sentiments,
of the convulsions which afflict Europe, the intimate re-
lations
lysyl
theeonean cvmryeorEnf oxngrco English
tebthlhi-eee
main-
tained.
B y
will
royal
yl l a
el
xetioonsertfirdybtue'
esyre
mnoGltuaio.
sradvtsleaee
persons
pefneumr.i
bsneol
this
inone trstaydootenr trusts tdi ognesn
ebryw sus,i whichand
the
ever
.ofrpieeonpdl
le areto united
ai may be
objseicr"
mnatntdo
thateom pyroehuevsn,dilltheensdeeasevnoutirmbeyntasuofmseianncsereto
friendship,
or euirg ntoOffice, June
osat
ustnosrpoc tcoEtoauhrnxunia.
Excellency
God preserve, &e.
(Signed) THE DUKE OF SOTOMAYOR.
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON To M. IaTUR/TZ.
6, 1848.
hEono
the Ist instant, in which you staterecetihve your letter of
that, as there has
not been time for you to know the course which your
Government will adopt in consequence of my refusal to
receive Count Mirasol, you do not feel authorised to
mix yourself up with the mission with wbich
he is
.
charged. In reply I beg, in the first place, to remark
to you, that you were aware on the 26th of May that
I could not receive Count Mirasol ; and that, neverthe-
less, on the 29th of May, so far from representing
yourself as unauthorised to mix yourself up with his
mission, you led me to expect that you would add
to the note, which you were then about to send me
the statements which the Count had brought. But
without dwelling further upon this discrepancy be-
tween your communication of the 29th of May and
that of the Ist of June, I must now, upon broader
grounds, once more, and formally, on the part of her
Majesty's Government, ask from you a written commu-
nication of any statement on behalf of your Government
of which Count Mirasul is the bearer. Allow me to ro-
mind you of the facts which have given rise to this ow.-
respondence. The Spanish Government, on the 17th of
last month, took a step of which modern times furnish
' few examples; and desired her Majesty's Minister at the
Court of the Queen of Spain to leave Madrid in eight-
and-forty hours. The principal motive assigned to that
Minister for so vi.dent a measure was a professed desire
to remove him from an assumed personal danger; a dan-
ger from which, if it had any existence, it was the duty
of the Spanish Government to protect him; but which it
rested with him alone to determine whether he should
retire from or face. It must have been evident to all
mankind that a proceeding, apparently so affronting to
the British Crown, required from the Spanish Govern-
ment either a complete justification or ample apology and
reparation; and it must also be plain to every one that
the justification, if any could be pleaded, must be imme-
diate, as well as complete.
Of this the Spanish Government appears to have
been conscious; for, having preferred the course of giv-
ing reasons for their conduct, and being aware, as they
could not fail to be, that the reasons • in -
assigned the
Duke of Sotomayor's note to Sir Henry Bulwer' of the
17th of May, were anything but an excuse for that
conduct, they sent off Count Mirasol, charged, as you
have informed me, with further explanations; and so
great appears to have been the anxiety of your Govern-
ment that the explanations of which ho was the bearer
should reach her Majesty's Government at the earliest
possible moment, that Count Mirasol was actually sent
off from Madrid before Sir Henry Bulwer could leave
that city; the intention of the Spanish Government, no
doubt, being that the explanations which he carried
should be submitted to tke consideration of the Bri-
tish Government even before Sir Henry Bulwer could
have arrived in London. But Count Mirasol came in no
official capacity ; he was invested with no diplomatic
character which could give any official value to his
assurances, or any official authenticity to his statements.
It was impossible for: her Majesty's Government, in
a matter of so serious a nature, to receive any communi-
cation from your Government through so irregular a
channel , and the more especially while you, the official
and accredited organ of your Government, are still re-
maining at this Court ; and even if Count Mirasol had
come provided with credentials to her Majesty, as on a
special mission from his Sovereign, it surely is not im-
mediately after the abrupt dismissal of the Queen's Mi-
nister from the Court of Madrid that her Majesty
could have been advised to receive a fresh envoy from
the Queen of Spain, unless, indeed, such envoy bad been
charged with a suitable apology, en the part of his
Sovereign.
I informed you, therefore, at once, that I could hold
no communication with Count Mirasol ; but I added
that which was calculated to remove any difficulty which
you might have felt if you had been called upon to state
that which otherwise would have been stated verbally
by Count Mirasol ; for, in requesting that the commu-
nication from your Government might come through
you, I also requested thaoit might be made in writing ;
a mode of communication which must equally have been
adopted if her Majesty's Government had felt themselves
at liberty to receive any communication from Count
Mirasol. With this invitation you at first intimated
your intention to comply, but that intention has now
been retracted ; and the hurried journey of Count
Mirasol to London, as the professed bearer of explana-
tions, is to produce no other result than that her Ma-
jesty's Government is to be required to wait till you
shall have learnt the course which your Court may adopt
in consequence of a decision on the part of the British
Government, which was, the only one which, under
the circumstances of the case, they could reasonably
have been expected to take.
Her Majesty's Government cannot acquiesce in a
course of proceeding so disrespectful to the British
Crown. If the Count Mirasol has brought any state-
ment which it is fitting that the Government of Spain
should submit for the consideration of her Majesty's Go-
vernment,
in explanation or in justification of the con-
duct pursued towards her Majesty's Minister at Madrid,
her Majesty's Government are entitled to call upon you,
as the official and accredited organ of your Government
at this Court, to make that statement, and to send it to
me in writing forthwith.
I now formally and officially call upon you to do so;
and it is my duty to add, that if you do not do so within
two days after the date of this letter, her Majesty's Go-
vernment will deem themselves entitled to assume that
Count Mirasol has brought no statements or explana-
tions whieh are in the slightest degree deserving of con-
sideration; and that the Spanish Government, in sending
him hither, had no serious or becoming purpose in view;
and'l have further to say, that as no statements can be
aded'itted by her Majesty's Goverment except those on
which the Spanish Government acted at the time, no
statements which may hereafter reach
supplementary d .
' can be receive , nor can be taken into
you from Madrid _I . , c
, her A ajesty s Government in forming
consideration to
their final judgment on this important matter.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
M. ISTURITZ TO VISCOUNT PALMERSTON.
Spanish Legation, June 7, 1848.
My Lord,—l have the honour to acknowledge:the re-
ceipt of the communication which your Excellency has
addressed to me, dated the 6th instant, in which you
treat at great length of the arrival of Count Mirasol at
this city, commissioned by her Catholic Majesty to pre-
sent to the Government of her Britannic Majesty expla-
nations and satisfaction relative to the unpleasant occur-
rence of the departure of Sir H. Bulwer from Madrid ;
and as there are several points included in it, I will en-
deavour to embrace all, dwelling, however, chiefly on the
subject of the journey of the above-mentioned Count
Mirasol, because I consider the principal question of the
passports given to Sir Henry Bulwer has been already

PALMERSTON.