The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-09 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1846.

HoWever much the Americans may feel disposed to
congratulate themselves upon their warlike achieve..
ments in the territories of Mexico, they will unques-
tionably discover that an independent and republican
nation cannot be dismembered so readily as they have
appeared to imagine. They will discover that the
very vastness of the spoil of their preceding victories
will prove an almost insurmountable encumbrance to
the prosecution of their enterprise, and that the na-
tionality of even the most sluggish population may
be enkindled by the repetition of flagrant aggressions.
As we conjectured, the Government at Washington
has expressed considerable dissatisfaction at the
leniency of the stipulations entered into with Am-
PUDIA. Wi a the conquered soldiery of Monterey
themselves regarded as indicative of the pusillani-
mity of their vanquishers, the Cabinet of the
United States considers to be an unnecessary
leniency. Nor are the advantages derived from
thetict
elatest triumph of General TAYLOR of such a cha-
r
r as to be compensative of so many magnificent
concessions. Even, according to the opinion of the
Amraanedriecra.inii..jcohuireniawliiitl be journalists, the army under the Corn-
compelled either to proceed
further into the country, and realise yet more brilliant
successes, or to starve at :Monterey. Every additional
achievement on the part of the invading forces neces-
sitates some immediate and superiorcii:tdvantage. The
greater the annexations cons
prowess, the more imminent the peril or dine:ln:el.:lc:an
legionaries. If the victories are splendid' they are
sanguinary ; if cities and provinces are taken, the con-
querors are surrounded with so many the more em-
barassments.

Meanwhile the Mexicans themselves are roused into

TH

E SUN, LONDON,

valour by incessant and gigantic injuries; they are
compelled to attempt the expulsion of their assailants,
from the circumstance of their very existence as an
independent population being threatened ; they are
driven into a formidable concentration by the en-
croachments of their unprincipled invaders. Much
has been written about the effete and effeminate so-
ciety of Mexico ; the people of those fruitful and
enormous regions have been incessantly derided for
their inactivity; it has even been whispered, that
cowardice ranks among the most conspicuous of the
national characteristics. All these aspersions have,
without doubt, received some colouring of reality
from the narrative of Mexican; history. There is
an undeniable torpor in the disposition of the po-
pulation ; instead of a social advancement there
has been for years a gradual but perceptible retro-
gression. Commercial activity was a thing unknown
to the republic, notwithstanding its numerous and
superb ports upon the Atlantic and Pacific, and not-
withstanding the periodical spasms of mercantile en-
terprise in the markets of Vera Cruz. Even when
the frontiers were threatened by formidable arma-
ments in the United States, even when the force
commanded by General TAYLOR had made alarming
advances in the Rio Grande, even when California
was seized and New Mexico subsequently wrested
from the more southern Government, the Mexicans
persisted in their phlegmatic taciturnity, the brand of
patriotism still remained in its scabbard. Throughout
all these reverses, however, and in spite of this un-
propitious continuance of sluggishness, we have en-
tertained a conviction that the Mexicans would ulti-
mately evince their devotion to the cause of national
liberty. Our expectations were in some measure
realised even in the discomfiture experienced by
General AMPUDIA. ; the battlements of Monterey
witnessed the chivalrous daring of the Mexican citizens
—that daring was eminently unsuccessful, it is true,
but it was nevertheless evinced, and even acknow-
ledged by the extraordinary terms of the capitulation.
Mexico, is however, at last becoming conscious of
the grievous peril by which her Government and
her children are encompassed. The dormant en-
thusiasm of the Mexicans is being elicited; their
love for fatherland is displaying itself in a manner the
most vigorous and effective. A levy of thirty thou-
sand men has been ordained by the Supreme Council
of the capital, and the intelligence of that ordonat ion
in Puebla has been welcomel with more than mere idle
acclamations. The champion :of :his country—he
whom it has been hitherto the fashion to revile, but
whose valour and disinterestedness have long claimed
our admiration—has been received in the city of
Mexico with a joy befitting the appearance of cne so
illustrious by his former patriotism.
Previous to his entrance into the metropolis,
S2NTA. ANNA dispatched a letter, dated " Ayotla,
one o'clock, A.m.," to the Mexican Minister of War.
chat document is consonant in its magnanimity with
the conception we have throughout formed of the dis-
position and character of this noble soldier.
Its manliness is conspicuous, and its daring
demands our most emphatic commendation.
after referring with exultation to the recurrence of
the " anniversary of the glorious cry of DoLouEs,''
he speaks with enthusiasm of the country—the be-
loved of his heart—and with reverence of the autho-
rity which has resigned the destinies of that great
country to his guidance, that authority being, as he
himself explicitly declares, "the will of the sovereign
people." We have repeatedly heard of the selfish-
ness of the policy of SANTA ANNA;; what could be a
nobler vindication than the following?—
" Your Excellency will at once perceive how great an
error I should commit in assuming the supreme.magis-
tracy, when my duty calls me to the field to fight
against the enemies of the republic. I should disgrace
myself if, when called to the post of danger, I
vhould spring to that of power! Neither my loyalty
nor my honour requires the abandonment of interests so
dear to me. The single motive of my heart is to offer
my compatriots the sacrifice of that blood which yet
runs in my veins. I wish them to know that I conse-
crate myself entirely to their service as a soldier ought
to do, and am only desirous further, to be permitted to
point out the course by which Mexico may attain the
rank to which her destinies call her."

Well does he subsequently remark that, in marching
against the enemy and declining to accept of power,
he is giving a distinguished proof of the sincerity of
his sentiments. He declares, that notwithstanding
the ominous advances made by " a perfidious and
daring enemy," and in opposition to the vigour of
" a treacherous faction," he is prepared to assume the
supreme military command in this dangerous and
critical juncture. SANTA ANNA is fighting for no
bauble; he is ambitions of neither a garland of straw-
berry leaves, nor a marble mausoleum in a minster.
He goes forth to battle for the freedom of his native
land ; and, instead of availing himself of the good
opinion of his fellow-citizens and of the confusion of
political affairs, for the purpose of investing himself
with the chief authority, he unsheaths his sword and
seeks glory where it could alone be found by a
Mexican general, namely, in the van of the defending
army. " I will die fighting," says this brave pa
triot ; " I will die fighting, or lead the valiant ➢iexi-
cans to the enjoyment of a triumph to which they
are alike entitled by justice, by their warlike charac-
ter, and by the dignity and enthusiasm which they
have preserved of a free nation." Ile will only tarry
for a moment in the metropolis, to embrace his
friends, to press them hastily to his heart, and
then, says he, " I will set out for the seat of war,
to lend my aid to serve my country, or to perish
among its ruins." With an aroused nation even the
picked warriors of the United States will find it
somewhat difficult to cope, especially among the
mountainous fastnesses cf Mexico, and especially with
a captain so unyielding and heroic as ANTONIO LOPEZ
DE SANTA ANNA.

The accounts from Ireland are of a mixed charac-
ter, but, happily, the balance of the intelligence is in
favour of that afflicted country. We have news of
further and most disgraceful outbreaks in different
localities. For these we were not unprepared. Look-
ing to the unexpected and wide-spread nature of the
calamity by which Ireland has been overtaken—to
the excitable character of her people—to their badly-
clothed, ill-fed, and ignorant condition—it would
have been nothing short of a miracle to have ex-
pected that when the impending storm burst over
their heads, the law would have been everywhere re-
garded, and that occasional turbulence and disaffection
would not have trenched upon the general tranquil-
lity. Our only hope was that the Government would be
as active as possible in effectuating the humane po-
licy of the Legislature, hastily embodied in its re-
cent laudable, though imperfect, Labour-rate Act,
and that at the same time the Executive would ob-
serve a firmness commensurate with its benevolence.
Great complaints have been urged against the Board
of Public Works, and, at one moment, Mr.
O'CONNELL himself expressed his dissatisfaction
at their apparent dilatoriness. By none but
those who are practically acquainted with
the labour and responsibility of those connected
with this public department can any idea be formed
of the obstacles against which they have to contend.
Last year it was with the greatest difficulty the
Executive in Ireland could obtain even half-a-dozen
engineers to assist the Board of Works in effecting
the contemplated arrangements for affording relief to
the people threatened with the deprivation of their
main article of subsistence. The staff which they
now require to have at their command is of extraor-
dinary magnitude, yet the exertions which have
been, and are still being made, to augment it, and
the amount of business they have already got
through with assistance far under the limits
of what they require, will be found most
creditable. Of this fact Mr. O'CONNELL was made
aware during his recent interview with the Lord-
Lieutenant, and his public announcement of the error
into which he had suffered his mind in this respect to
lapse, will, we are sure, not be without a salutary
result. Day and night, Sundays and week-days, are
the officials unremitting in the discharge of their
onerous duties. We noticed last Thursday Earl BES-
BOROUGH'S proclamation, by which the works in
Upper Tulle, county Clare, were suspended in conse-
quence of the heartless and riotous interference which
the Government officers had met with. This insane hosti-
lity has ceased, and public employment has been resumed
with marked success. At N enagh, in the vicinity of
Portroe, where some engineers were engaged laying
out new works, a few evil-disposed persons hindered
the operations ; the magistrates promptly convicted
them in 101. penalty, or three months' imprisonment,
and a seasonable check has been given to this wanton
breach of order. Throughout Tipperary the popula-

tion will, it is anticipated, soon be actively employed '
at an adequate remuneration. The duties of relief
committees have been ably defined in the circular of
Lieutenant HOTHAM, the inspecting officer of
the works, to their several 'chairmen. By
a vigilant adherence to these instructions
invaluable aid will be afforded to the Government
whilst carrying out the great work of charity which
has devolved upon their hands. They are directed to
ascertain that farmers are enabled4o obtain labour for
fair wages before the people are permitted to work
at the instance of the Board of Public Works. Were
this point not scrupulously attended to, the land
would be indifferently tilled, and next year's produce
would entail aggravated distress. All work is to be
done by task, and sons and daughters, under fourteen
years of age, will be permitted to assist their parents.
The overseers, on the one hand, and the labourers, on
the other, are to be strictly supervised, all cases of
abuse to be authenticated and immediately submitted
to the superior authorities. By these means the peo-
ple will speedily be rendered sensible of the policy,
for their own sakes, of complying with fidelity to
established regulations.
We recognise another satisfactory index towards
the alleviation of Irish sufferings in the decline of
prices in the grain markets. Indian corn and meal
have undergone a reduction, the former to 40s. per
ton. The supplies anticipated from the Mediterranean
and America will undoubtedly enhance these advan-
tages to the consumer. Barley and oats are also
cheapened in price. The failure in the potato crop
is now regarded as being much less than what it was
conceived to be. These circumstances, taken in con-
junction with the vast area opened for employment
by public and private enterprises, will rapidly abate
the gloomy apprehension which recently struck terror
into the mind.

The Nation contains a letter to Mr. DUFFY from
Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN. It proves the merited weak-
ness of the Young Ireland party. It admits that
they have no organization at present available, and
therefore suggests that the Nation newspaper may be
advantageously made an organ for giving utterance
to their opinions. The production is altogether in-
significant enough. Two or three testy sentences
towards the conclusion are decisive of the rupture
being permanent between Mr. O'CONNELL and him-
self. The Liberator must hourly rejoice to think he
is completely rid of so Quixotic an associate as the
Honourable Member for Limerick.

In the present melancholy state of Ireland the
public attention is naturally directed towards the
landowners and proprietors of the soil in that
country. The future welfare of our sister kingdom,
the prospect of successfully encountering, and
eventually overcoming, the formidable difficulties
that now oppress and surround her, depend in a great
degree on the line of conduct that may be pursued by
the members of that influential class ; they are placed
in the vanguard, and by them must be borne the
brunt of the encounter. Should they act in a harsh
or oppressive manner, sad indeed vs ill be the fate of
those whose destinies are placed in their hands ; and
gloomy will be the prospect for the future, should the
friendly solicitude, the paternal care, that the land-
lord owes to his tenantry, be exchanged for neglect
and apathy, should he enforce a rigorous com-
pliance with the contracts into which his people,
in more prosperous times, and with fairer prospects,
had entered, sternly exact:even unto the last shilling
the amounts they had undertaken to pay, and refuse
to participate in the losses with which the mysterious
visitation of PROVIDENCE has afflicted the nation, it

would be impossible to speculate on the extent of
outrage and disturbance into which the distressed and
suffering peasantry may be lead, and by which the
peace and tranquillity of the island would be perilled
and endangered.

As a general body, we believe the Irish landlords
are inclined to perform the weighty duties now im-
posed upon them. They possess the same warm
hearts, the same ardent feelings, and liberal and
generous sentiments so characteristic of their country-
men. Exceptions there are, but we firmly believe
that it is the exception, and not the rule; and
we should fearlessly abide the result were we
satisfied that they possessed the ability as well
as the will to discharge their onerous responsibilities
with credit to themselves and benefit to the nation.
This, however, unfortunately, is not the case : at least
one-half the rental of the kingdom is absorbed in pro-
viding for the payment of the charges and encum-
brances affecting the landed proprietors. And they
are called upon, with diminished means and impaired
resources, to meet a season of difficulty and distress,
and to provide for an emergency that would require
all their energies. It is truly gratifying when we
are enabled to state instances in which the gentry have
well and efficiently performed their parts and fulfilled
the public expectations of the present crisis. Many
of them have nobly come forward—some of the land-
lords of Ulster have particularly distinguished them-
selves by a generous rivalry on behalf of their
tenantry ; they have sought to provide work
for the labouring population on their re-
spective estates, so that none of those having
fair claims should be driven to seek, on public works,
that employment which should be obtained on the
lands to which they belonged, and they have made
fair reductions and liberal abatements of the rents
payable by the occupiers of small holdings, who are
the chief sufferers by the failure of the potato crop,
according to a graduated scale, so that each person is j
relieved according to the pressure of his necessities.
The Earl of CALEDON has made abatements to his
tenants holding under 35 acres of land, and paying
the full valuation, varying from ten to fifty per cent.,
and, in addition, expresses his intention of finding re-
munerative employment, as he has hitherto done, for
every man residing on his property who may be in a
condition to require it. This is, indeed, a bright ex-
ample, and will, doubtless, draw closer the ties of
mutual regard that must exist between such a land-
lord and his tenantry.
Amongst the many who have acted with similar
generosity, few have equalled, none have exceeded,
Mr. ARMSTRONG, of Roxborough, in the county
Armagh, who has recently published an address to
his tenants in that county, containing the most
judicious advice, and exhibiting the most paternal
solicitude for their welfare—an address that deserves
to be circulated throughout the length and breadth
of the land. Mr. ARMSTRONG has long been favour-
ably known as a kind and improving landlord, who,
considering example better than precept, has shown

to his neighbours what improvements can be effected
by zeal and industry; but by his conduct during the
present affliction he has deservedly obtained the meed
of public approbation, and earned for himself the
title of a benefactor of his people—a model landlord.
He commences his letter by a caution against a
class by whom the most serious injury is done to
the persons who have the misfortune to reside in
the neighbourhood of one of those scourges of the
country, the rustic usurers. Who is there that has
perused the creation of CARLETON'S graphic pen
—" Fardorougha, the Miser"—who has not been
struck with the misery occasioned in a district by
such a character ? We can assure our readers that
the fiction scarcely equals the sad reality ; 60, 80, or
100 per cent. is a common addition to the fair price
of oatmeal or other provisions sold on credit, or for
money advanced for the payment of rent, or the pro-
curing of necessaries. The Irish are proverbially an
improvident people, and too many fall into the snares
held out to them, and become the victims of the heart-

less usurers. Mr. ARMSTRONG'S tenantry are happily
exempted from the baneful influence of the class;
indeed, it could not be supposed that those so fortu-
nate in a landlord would fall into the nets of such

persons. Mr. ARMSTRONG expresses his de-
sire that the occupiers should keep the
grain and other valuable produce of their
holdings for the support of their families, and
declares that he will accept the half-year's rent, due
in May last in labour, at the rates usually paid in
the country, shackled by no other conditions than
that they shall give a fair day's labour for a fair
day's wages, at such times as may be suitable to him,
without neglecting the proper culture of their re
spective holdings. He beseeches them not to part
with their grain, but to practise all the economy in
their power, more particularly as it is their duty and
interest to prepare for the ensuing crop, as to the
preparations for which he gives the most judicious
advice. He shows how inadequate to the small
holder the allowance of even half his rent is to re-
compense his loss---that the potatoes, the growth of
one Irish acre, equal to nearly one and three quarters

MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 9,

English statute measure,; would subsist a family
of six persons for 373 days, while the allowance of
3/. bestowed in lieu of its loss would, at the pre-
sent price of oatmeal, only provide an equal
number with that latter description of food for
thirty days. This illustration will exhibit the true
extent of the loss that has been sustained, perhaps, as
forcibly as any other that could be devised. To any
of his tenants who wish to pay their rents now he
offers the following abatements, viz., all farms under
five statute acres, 50 per cent., under 10, 40per cent.,
under 15, 25 per cent., under 25, 15 per cent., and
under 35, 10 per cent. This will be admitted by all
to be a most generous and liberal reduction. Mr.
ARMSTRONG states that his ground now produces
three or four times as much as when he first under-
took the management, sixteen years ago. He recol-
lects hearing of a person who resolved to expend the
entire profits of his business in advertisements, but
found that he was unable to do so, the profits in-
creasing with the amount so expended. This would
appear to be the case with the money expended
on improvements on land. It fully illustrates what
we have long urged of the ample returns that would
be afforded for capital laid out, not merely on the
reclaiming of waste land, but also for bringing that
already in cultivation into improved heart and con-
dition. Mr. ARMSTRONG' fully concedes the "Tenant
Right," which he fully explains ; he lays down the
principle that "every estate should afford employ-
ment to every able-bodied man belonging to it who
is willing to work," and argues on the injustice of
taxing an improving landlord for the support of the
poor of a negligent proprietor, and he justifies the
Government and the Board of Works against the
reproaches that have been heaped upon them most
undeservedly.
We commend Mr. ARMSTRONG'S address to the
attentive consideration of every landowner throughout
the kingdom. If he sits down to it in a proper spirit,
he will rise from its perusal a wiser and a better man,
acquainted with the true extent of his duties and the
manner in which they should be discharged; and
most earnestly we exhort him "to go and do like-
wise." Should it be extensively followed, we shall fear
nothing for the future state of Ireland, its peace or
prosperity ; and believe that the nation will find a
happy issue out of all its afflictions.
Airow
Madrid papers of the 2d have arrived.

Mr. BumEa, in compliance with instructions
from his Government, had addressed a note to Senor
ISTURITZ on the subject of the report of an intended
armed intervention by Spain in the affairs of Portugal,
to which Senor IsTuarTz replied, that under no pre-
text whatever would the Spanish troops be permitted
to cross the frontier. The only thing demanded by
the Portuguese Government was, that Spanish troops
should be placed on the frontiers to prevent bodies of
armed insurgents from entering Spain, as they are
in the habit of doing when pressed by the QUEEN'S
troops, in order that they may re-enter the country
at some point where there is less danger. The Spanish
Government have given orders to the generals com-
manding the troops on the Pox tuguese frontiers to
,lisarm such insurgents, and to send them into the
Interior.

On the 27th ult. COSTA CABRAL and GONZALES
BRAVO arrived at Cadiz. COSTA CABRAL found there
letters from his friends, advising him not to come to
Lisbon, if he had any regard for his life. He deter-
mined, however, to accompany GONZALES BRAVO,
who is about to resume his functions as Spanish
Ambassador at Lisbon, and they embarked together
•sn board the Spanish steamer Isabella 11. for Lisbon.
Orders have been given for the arrest of COSTA
CABRAL as soon as he arrives.

The Gaceta of the Ist Nov. contains the royal
decree dissolving the Cortes and convoking the new
one for the 25th Dec.

There were rumours of dissensions in the Cabinet,
and it was confidently reported that Senor Mori would
be compelled to retire.
A considerable fall took place in the price of the
Funds on the 27th, in consequence of the various ru-
mours which were circulated, but which appear to
have been false, with the exception of the dissensions
in the Cabinet, and the expected change of Ministry.

We have received the Paris papers of Friday and
and Saturday.

The presentation, by the Marquis of NORMANDY,
of Lord PALMERSTON'S reply to M. GulzoT's note has
revived the controversy on the subject of the Mont-
pensier marriage, and those Siamese twins of the Paris
press, the Presse and the Epoque, again all but order
the Sovereign and people of England to dismiss Lord
PALMERSTON, on pain of incurring the high displea-
sure of the Court of the KING of the FRENCII.
These gentlemen forget that England is not Spain—
that England is not yet in so low a condition as to be
obliged to permit the French Court to dictate to her
as to her choice of Ministers, and that it is not
her custom to punish as a crime the efforts of her
servants to uphold her dignity and to maintain her
rights. According to the Constitutionuel, Lord PAL-
MEESTON, in his reply to M. GUIZOT'S vindication of
the Montpensier marriage, denies the validity of any one
of the French Minister's arguments. "The conclusion,"
says this journal, "is always that the Duke and
Duchess DE MONTPENSIER must renounce the throne
of Spain, in their own name and those of their de-
scendants. Our Cabinet is, we believe, most anxious
that the Queen of SPAIN should speedily give birth
to an heir, who, by his presence, would at once put a
period to the embarrassing glory we have acquired
and to the question that has arisen on the subject be-
tween France and England." -
la On c
e of
Saturdaythe
public
a grand reception took place at the
Palace
in honour of the first ap-
pearance i n
NIONTPENSIER, at which the Foreign Ambassadors,
a
and all the other members of the corps diplornatique
n Paris (with the exception of the Marquis of
NORMANDY and the gentlemen attached to the Eng.
ash Embassy) were present. The absence of the
English Ambassador was much commented on, but
it could scarcely have been expected that the Am-
bassador of that Power which had protested against
the marriage could have joined in offering congratu-
lations to the Duke and Duchess of MONTPENSIER.
' The Royal Family proceed to Compeigne immediately.
The Journal des Debuts publishes news from
Lisbon to the 26th. This is not so late by three
days as the intelligence published in The Sun of
Thursday, but as it is more circumstantial it may not
be uninteresting to our readers :

" We received yesterday accounts from Lisbon to the
points
without ult. The conflict had commenced at several
without any important result either for the Saldanhali-
nistry or for the insurrection. Count das Antas had
formally broken with the Government and become cow
wander-in-chief of the insurgent troops. The arrival of
General Sada Bandeira at Coimbra is considered to be
a favourable event for the insurrection. In fact, Sada
Bandeira is greatly popular in the country. After an
interview with the Count das Antas, the two chiefs de-
cided on marching to Lisbon. Coimbra is more than 40
leagues from Lisbon, but there is no strong fortress nor
any body of troops on the road capable of impeding
the march of the insurgents. It is not yet known to
what extent the presence of Count Sada Bandeira will
influence the spirit of this army, which does not yet
appear to have been entirely gained over to the cause of
the insurrection. It appears, even on leaving Oporto,
symptoms of revolt were manifested among the soldiers,
who having heard of the appointment of the King to
be generalissimo, declared that they would not fight
against their Sovereign. Count das, Antes went him-
self to the troops, and found great difficulty in repress-
ing their manifestations. The King and Marshal Saldanha
have great confidence in the issue of the struggle, and
think that when the two armies are brought in presence
of each other the soldiers of the insurrection will leave
their ranks, and return under the Queen's colours.
However, they will not risk any battle except under the
walls of the capital, where they will wait the insurgents.
Lisbon is tranquil. The people seem to submit without
resistance to all the requisitions and other measures of
the Government. The soldiers and volunteers parade
the streets, and commit all sorts of violence upon the in-
habitants, from which neither the young nor the aged
and infirm are exempt. Even foreigners are not free
from these vexations, for several have been arbitrarily
arrested and confined. The King directs all the prepa-
i ations in person for the defence of the capital and the
organization of the army. On the 25th and 26th he
reviewed several corps of volunteers and twelve batteries
of artillery. He has also addressed a proclamation to
the troops, recommending union and harmony amongst
them, in obedience to their Queen and the charter of
Don Pedro. At the same time he has made an appeal
t' such soldiers as make common cause with the
insurrection, urging them to return to their duty. General
Schwalback, commandant of the Lisbon division,
has received orders to go into the province of the Alen-
tsjo, and take command of the division which is beseig-
ing Evora. The inhabitants of that town have hung out
the red flag, and appear to be determined to make a
vigorous resistance to the
Queen's troops. They arc
expecting reinforcements from the Algarvcs, which have
declared against the Government. Oporto is in a state
of complete anarchy. The junta, which assumes itself

to be the general junta of the kingdom, has appointed a
provisional Ministry. M. Passos, as charged with the
Foreign Affairs, has sent a circular letter to all the
foreign consuls and agents at Oporto, assuring them that
the property and commercial interests of their respec-
tive fellow-countrymen shall remain inviolate. The
position of the junta is critical. It has to contend with
bands of Miguelites who overrun the surrounding
country, and repress the exaltation of the people, who
no longer yield to any restraint, and above all make
head against the combined forces of Generals Vinhaes
and Cazal, who, with all the troops -Collected from
Minho and Tras-os-Montes, are moving by forced
marches upon Oporto. The town is without defence.
The old lines of fortification raised by the Emperor Don
Pedro are almost entirely destroyed. The people have
set about repairing them, but they will not have time
to render them effective. Consequently the inhabitants
are entrenching themselves in their houses and behind
barricades. Money is wanting, trade is annihilated, and
the principal capitalists refuse to assist the Junta. They
are rather disposed to favour the operations of General
Vinhaes and Canal. The exasperation of the population
is very high, and it is feared that on the approach of the
Queen's troops excesses will be committed. The Duke
de Terceira is still shut up in the fort of St. John de
Foz, and it is feared that his life is not safe. His valet
has been murdered by the populace, and his own life is
daily threatened. The English Consul has writtea to
the Junta demanding in the most pressing and energetic
terms its protection for, the Duke de Terceira. Never-
theless, in the mi!lst of all these difficulties, the insurrec-

tion has succeeded in a coup de main against the Miguelite
bands. A column made a sortie from Oporto in the direc-
tion of Penafiel, where a Junta had established itself in the
name of Don Miguel, and, having dispersed the Miguelite
bands, took possession of the town and reinstated the
former authorities. It is said that in these engagements
seven peasants were killed. The bands were commanded
by priests—for it is the priests who are at the head of
the Miguelite party. On the 26th, when the mail came
away, the English squadron had not arrived in the Tagus,
but was hourly expected. It is said that a Spanish squa-
dron is to cruise off the coast of Portugal. The Go-
vernment in-publishing in the official journal the ac-
counts of the Miguelite movements adds the following
note :—‘ The entrance of the English squadron into the
Tagus is expected shortly, and at this hour the troops of
the neighbouring nation are on our frontiers. As faith-
ful allies they will fulfil the obligations of treaties, from
the moment unequivocal manifestations are made of
anti-dynastic attempts. This note has produced a lively
sensation in Lisbon, although it is generally believed
that, come what may, no intervention will take place.
The report of the approaching arrival of Count de Tho-
'mar (Costa Cabral) adds greatly to all these complica-
tions. The Government has sent out the strictest orders
for preventing his landing either at Elvas or the Bar of
Lisbon. The partisans of this ex-minister, who are nu-
merous, particularly in the army, are using every means
for securing his return to power."

The same journal, in giving a summary of the ac-
counts of the state of Ireland, expresses its admiration
of the energy displayed by the British Government

in its endeavour3 to ameliorate the condition of the

people.
It would appear from the Commerce that the
hauteur and the intrigues of Count BRESSON have
given great offence at the Court of Madrid, and that
his recal has been requested, which request has placed
M. GUIZOT in an embarrassing position. "We have
before us," says the Commerce, " a letter from Ma-
drid, addressed to a friend of the Ministry, and the
contents of which have probably been communicated
to the Chef du Cabinet of M. GUIZOT. According
to the writer of this letter, the conduct of M. BRESSON

at the Court of Aranjuez is of a nature to compromise
the entente cordiale of fresh date between the Cabinet
of the Tuileries and M. ISTURITZ. Intoxicated with
his recent diplomatic successes and the results of his
intrigues, Count BxESSON is said to have assumed

such consequence, that some high personages have
taken offence, and his recal is become necessary. But
M. BRESSON has already plainly informed our Mi-
nistry, that if he quits Madrid it shall only be to go
to London. The embarrassment of M. GUIZOT may
therefore be conceived.