The Sun.
London, England, 1834-05-12 00:00:00

MADRID.

ARANJUEZ, APRIL 29.--A courier has just arrived
at the English Embassy from 'Lisbon, bringing
despatches from Lord Howard de Walden to his Ex-
cellency the British Ambassador at the Court of
Aranjuez. The accounts brought by this conveyance
are represented as extremely satisfactory, and on com-
paring them with what has transpired of the despatches
to the Spanish government, there seems to be no
doubt that the Spanish forces from Estremadura and
Gallicia are acting in perfect concert with the Portu-
guese forces under Villa Flor, and are gradually con-
tracting their line of operations, so as to clear the coun-
try before them, and fall by a combined movement on
Santarem, where the Portuguese usurper and the
feeble pretender to the Spanish throne have sought
their last refuge. Should a final struggle be attempted
there can be little fear for the rpsult. The probability
seems to bc, lic-Aeice, that the inventors of the ru-
mours which have been for some days in circulation
have formed a tolerably accurate estimate of the issue,
in giving out that Don Miguel had taken refuge on
board of a British ship of war, and that Don Carlos
had sought shelter in the hotel of Lord Howard de
Walden. -
Your correspondent in Madrid will doubtless tell
you of what took place there on the 27th of April, the
anniversary of her Majesty's birthday. Lest, how-
ever, some exaggerated statement should reach you of
scenes of violence and bloodshed, instead of that cor-
dial rejoicing which marked the day at Aranjuez, it
may be as well to let you know that there was indeed
a solitary instance of assassination in the worst quarter
of the town, the victim being a member of the new
Urban Militia, and the assassin having belonged to the
ex- Royalist Volunteers. In other respects the day
passed off as quietly in Madrid as it did at Aranjuez,
the festivities being so much the more spontaneous,
since they took place in the absence of the Court and
of al, the leading public functionaries.
In yesterday's Gazette you will find a most impor-
tant decree, of which a translation is encicsed, striking
a heavier blow than any that has hitherto been launched
against the superfluities of the church. The post-
script is particularly deserving your attention, since it
absolutely suspends the admission of novices into any
of the convents of the kingdom. Should this prin-
ciple be steadily acted on, it is evident that the whole
system must soon die a natural death. T.
_ _

MADRID, APRIL 30.—Nothing can be more painfu,
to my feelings than to be obliged to confirm the news
which I communicated to you yesterday of the defeat
of the Queen's troops, under General Quesada, by the
Carlists commanded by Zumalacarregui. Govern-
ment have received the official details of the action,
but no bulletin has beeil published, therefore ailhou-
sand rumours are afloat with respect to this untoward
event. However, it is certain that the Queen's troops
have suffered a defeat, with considerable loss of life,
the consequence of the rashness or incapacity of a
general. It appears that General Quesada was ac-
tually on his route to form a junction with the division
of General Lorenzo, and in the valley of 13astan he
was apprized by a peasant that the Carlists had broken
down the bridge of a river over which the army must
pass, and taken up strong positions on the opposite
bank. However, the general disregarded tots warning,
and marched forward. The advanced guard finding the
bridge destroyed, attempted to wade the river, and the
whole of them, amounting it is said to '2OO men, were
either killed or taken prisoners ; five officers were also
captured by the Carlists and immediately shot. The Mi-
nister of War is much displeased at the rashness of Que-
sada, and 1 think it probable.that the command of the
troops in the northern provinces will be given to some
officer of greater military knowledge. Quesada and Lo-
renzo have united their forces, and it is said are in pursuit
of the Carlists, but I fear that neither talent nor valour
will suffice to reduce the revolted provinces to obe-
dience, unless at least 20,000 additional troops are
sent to reinforce those already there. At Orihuela, in
Murcia, the students of the University have made an
attempt to proclaim Charles V., but this puerile
parade of seditious feeling was instantly suppressed,
and the ringleaders taken into custody, to await their
trial.
The following is an extraot of a letter from an
officer belonging to the Spanish army. of operations in
Portugal, dated La Guarda, the 22d inst.:—
.. Numbers of Don Miguel's troops came over to us.
With the exception of the mounted. Chasseurs of Chaves
and the police of Lisbon, all the rest of the Usurper's
troops arc in a state of the greatest misery, but, notwith-
standing, I have observed that the greatest mass of the
people are in favour of his eanse, The country through
which we have marched since our entry into Portugal is a
complete desert. The inhabitants, perceiving the di*,
cipline and order observed by our troops, and. that they
respect both persons and property, aye fast returning to
this town, which they beck abandoned on our approach;
but the bishop, canons, and curates have not returned, on
pretel.ce of being afraid of the partizans of Don
Pedro. I regret to say that many friends of mir.e
arms every
are with the Pretender, and it would pain me exceedingly
to see them shot, should they be taken pl.ksopers, as has
already happened to many ottisTs Who have tie n taken.
armsand is not
nigdhits7issen
The whole equipage, wardrobe, plate, &c., of the Preten-
der is in our power, and are being forwarded to AlA4iti.
The plate and diamonds, and the inslgun cf the golden
fl
morning
until
li.ao:ottnditurstaatanem;
(fioarhn eeeyi
n reconnoitredv,di
daybreak,
iluore aasdri ofn:r
army
ei
sa
under
dOeruar
deal of
be
p.m
, we turn
n
guard has fallen back on Castello Blanco. We undergo

APRIL 29.—The morning of the 27th htstpt, the