The Sun.
London, England, 1834-04-23 00:00:00

PARIS,

_,.
(From the private correspondence of the Times.)

The Extant MADRID, APRIL 15, l 2 o'cLocx.
uto Real for the convocation of the Cortes
Was published at 10 o'clock this morning, but having had
the good fortune in the course of the night to obtain an an-
ticipated
lotion noteoell
I • of it, I am enabled to send you a full trans-.
E.,. • ny of the statute itself, but of the Ministerial
-F°B'cion on which it is founded, and of the relative
decTrhce
,which appears in this day's Gazette.
.
mThe Gazette contains also, as you will see, another argu-
ensative article intended evidently to usher in the great
are on whiCh the administration of Martinez de la
Rosa is to rest for its support. In this article we are told
that gegd government depends on two principles,—the one,
larger at he sovereign should not take from the subject a
in Portion of his freedom or his goods than is necessary
-Pell determinatfe ease for the preservation of good order
'mu the defekrtwritier hi. then
c
Ge
the state. The other principle of the
Gazettea. .. j h t culiects should have no
.. 'ler interference in the affairs of Government—. that is,
u° more political liberty—than is necessary for their defence
ainst the abuses of power. For the practical explana-
tion
~ o
, the
these principles we must wait for the promulgation
e electoral law, to which the allusion is extremel y
:•,' e in the Ministerial exposition :
' EXPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO
c, Ai REIt. MAJESTY THE. QUEEN. REGENT.ies
o State have
the h '•daln,—The undersigned Secretaries
them °nour of calling your Majesty's attention to a point
throneost important for the strength and splendour of the
.
ata, and for
resery theed the glory future welfare
of restoring our anci of the nation. To youint
tori
forttY is e mental laws, the disuse of which during three cen -
estaesh, has been the cause of so many evils, and the re-
-11 ;shinent of which by the august hands of your
afaJesty will be the most prosperous presage for the reign
,).°llltr august daughter.
Joined "'as not without reason that our ancestors detei•-
* 17' in compliance with our more ancient codes, and ip,
losrts,c,n,le_e of an inveterate practice, the origin of which is
to,o-- the
cradle of the monarchy, that on the accession of
of thearch to the throne he should swear before the Cortes
the ean,klugdom to the fundamental laws of the state, at
11 ms --- Wit`e that he received from his subjects. the
ktlieuagsteandhsioell'erZaasetlue of fidelity and obedience,—a.n
which sealed, so to speak, the alli-
laa, of the throne and the people, invoking as witness,. as
of kin
-V and avenger, Him who holds in his hand the destiny
and of nations.
to , ith no less wisdom and foresight, it has beenh foundte
be:..ta:e been a right and a custom in
Spain, tit ben so-
onlyht, rrince was in nonage, the same act should.
4tiozed., the guardians of the minor King swearing not.
ktrust watch with zeal and
also to
the sacred deposit
kith ed to their care, but . observe strictly the laws,
ever er infringing nor departing from them, and looking in
YA case t the general welfare of the kingdom.
Atli,' -o.'Part even from the justice and expediency of ful-
ties6 an obligation so express at the commencement of a
to reign, it is a fundamental maxim of Spanish legisla-
hi 4, sanctioned by a series of glorious princes, and inviola-
.,
„._Ys attested by the lapse of ages, that ' on great and ardu-,
'cZ occasions the Cortes shall be assembled, and that the
l'''ee estates of our kingdoms shall be consulted, as has
laee done by the Kings our predecessiirs;' it is so set down
th„tf?-mous law of Don Juan 11., it being a settled matter
th'etn our annals and chronicles many distinguished tFs-
tod tees are to be found to this legal concurrence of wills.
and
sof powers, thus strengthening the sovereign authority,
iloireer''ing as its firmest support when circumstances re-
, „ it.
law oft has also been an undeniable principle of the public
shoo-f., Pain, that no taxes, contributions, or imposts,
Of the
hF levied without the previous consent of the Cortes
,§epeeokr,lng,(l°T; an admirable provision, which protected
theit s
stCabr eo :g• r
ti h
'it eti bre .I.°Tu use and injustice, at the same time that
power
aendd to exhibit, before other nations, its
, and to provide for the necessities
apeoule State, without afflicting, or overburdening the
,Pie.
It •
Ahiol 's true, that both of these laws, the observance of
`.deplore uUld have preserved the throne from the losses we
sane'', and the nation from so many losses and misfor-
;l)i44, had been surreptitiously suppressed in the last com-
INsto°4 °I our laws • but so powerful is the influence of
lietltt, and so deepl% rooted in the public mind is the an-
doto i;lief that the Inc ence of the Cortes of the king-
:4lllla: Ln various cases required, both as a necessary for-
tait lawased.for the sake of giving strength and. vigour to
aas he , that when promulgated without this requisite, it
1'44 ea
customary to declare them as valid as if the had
phlished in Cortes. y
e, re
ale
the same origin proceeds the fact, which may
llattlar`:,ed as a mere record of an abolished institution,
`'en :„,„"ndY called the Diputacion de los Reinhos has still
,otj) -.erved
consisting of a small number of regidores,
i.tbeflAyfiithe cities and towns to sit in Cortes to.w.atch over
,',,ilsolat2ent of the conditions and compacts which we. re
'. the --, with the cro at the period of the concession.;
~ Nino
If. //es.
the , at il
it ne,a k` eriod.s and in all circumstances the Cortes of
to the l rip have been regarded as an institution essential
t%uvekris°°' gmlernment of the monarchy, the necessity of
khorijrig ,91erO Will be still more clearly seen during the
bied or'd°' cur princes, whose power, even when not de-
i‘lien snairtt:ll' most acquire more firmness and strength
And if suehilLiae, deputies of the nation.
tlt°Perience ev ''" peen the case, as is proved by the ,
eu,the
tl,
slightest was en of tranquil iods when no danger, not
quiper to
14teri what shall :we apprehended the vessel of the
m on the present occasion,
kit:, a prince of thesar4arsatock; with grief be it spoken,
Llllitot"Ots to Wrest the sceptre from the daughter of his own
nch• nes', and foments civil' war as a prelude to usurpation?
t'll,laiesita,,t..very reason the Cortes were assembled by your
swear to her
Nit,..' ' august husband, to recognize and
, ,4, this the heiress of his tht-on'e, in default of a son.
the l':eis reason also did the nation, soon as the death of
th 'ite King became known,.proclaim her by acclamation
ci(alp Nitimate Queen of Spain, deriving her right from
,tto,hkltient laws, from the customs of our forefathers,
1%4' the oath taken by the people, and from the expressed
almost the monarch ; for the same reason, moreover, do theest all the provinces of the kingdom, in the midst of
pt.
,:t,r:litgie promoted by perfidy and ingratitude, and all-
and s4mier.y and ignorance, display the greater fide-
(peen •; and it to the gentle sway of our sovereign the
',Tit t • Is not less just than it is politic and expe-
t o extinguish the
it%11,? Which i last ray of hope of a traitorous fac-
,-,WAI banePfulcplasairnsiosnthe interests of usurpation, to satisfy
toi t.i the pres . s.
tefraWitb the ~ (nee of the General Cortes of the kingdom,
fit gOler,n u°ok of the law laid open in a manner the
\vi,he Tn • of Nvhich there is any example in the annals
lqillobe eZlhaiisre,llY, the conduct of this ill-advised Prince
till. ' Proal `Ted to the nation and the world,—a Prince
ha ehe, iithotiing civil
discord and aspiring to usurp the
feZ3 vgliiei-s",tes daily more and more the severe mea-
oe,,e• the nation must employ for its safety and de-
°lll ihe co,
cokegai ei'‘vocation of the Cortes of the kingdom is the
to i_ ei to .e,anS recognized in such cases by immemorial jaely dowSlien,_
, 4,'t unjust pretensions, to compel the parties
the it''4,,ellt wi,-• 'leis' arms and ronounce an irrevocable
' .stntt4 Phew may serve as a pledge and a security for
pot he lai4;°4-e of the state.
actrhL such powerful reasons, which it may
(eti' y 0,,, Y„to develop before the wise and. penetrating
ikee,:wl th f '3,lajesty, have impressed us with the deep
'ltj s-'+'s thr ar; tee moot efficacious means for placing the
~vtoeo-,,1, sh °Hie, ')u indestructible foundations is, that your
^ith;, the cli•„-4`, leig to restore to their strength and
',11.4'e ce,:'neattic enntal laws of the monarchy, beginning
h 4'l'4 icvleeation of the General Cortes of the kingdom.
akivtilis vsluat `Nay should they be convoked? Composed
the
, elupiie of the successive aggregation of so
'oe -as "i•e, estat what form should be preferred to
\V,ale,,tae,ieo't nic(!el? aould the Cortes
.be convoked. as inf.
"kv 'e la, Mgdoni of Arragon, as in the province o
kNti4 Or
as in the principality of Catalonia ? Should
ee of taken as the type, or should we adopt the
shohltittkd Castile •)
!itlcl4 irr)ta,
~_
a: And evfen confining ourselves to this
establishing the Cortes
~,
teeire.ew be `;‘,,etn.mode o
t:;, eltitl4lUstane"!_'.) in the midstreof such a variety of events
sitelokihg for " • It would be. a useless labour to persist
..` t •"g tb ~constant and uniform rule in thehmod.e of
:44icletes,ei Cortex of Castile, since the matter has given
`:;!avg..
_llrable disputes among antivaies if
the
1 skeNt eala, Would it be of much advantage pre-
uld
6o6,taineti Ic'rin of assembling the ancient Co. rtes co
d;',,.'e 0, teeof ',because it should not be the chief object of
''''ro disinter its ancient institutions, such as
l'thi 'lt ci et° our
is, 'lts Nita ancestors, in remote ages and under
‘,'lltr Sof stances, without applying the fundamental
and dis-
ISeill,t,,tolre ancient legislation with wisdom
ek, l'hii- 'tie ea,, Present state of society, the.
.welfare of
tNi ; then and arid object of all human institutions. _
le% 'et, •4, have we thought it more opportunei and Ito of e t.estead ,
1,,, y tilt 011),(1 of losing ourselves fruitlessly in a aby-
4vgtihNh to and probabilities, that we pursue our
st,,:Tv,c,ath. e-difficulties of our situation by a plain and
(4,3' NiVanitai
pre-,:e. a which werPeo,ints have served as a guide to direct our
lo ti,tch, at was to seek among the forms of
.our. ancient
ev' ''' ' s° to speak, the soul of the institution, thus
Ide co'l'llt 14St the ,
ktic 'lt to 8e of th accidents of particular. situations, and
tault'''t tie e examination we have inferred, as an
the aftaitZtes nee, that the fundamental principle of our
trio deposi of thus been to give an influence in the impor-
,%°lBo%jiescttate to those classes and persons who are
Ars; "8 a prety. ' great interests of the common patri-
io t„fyes f°°fpf 4,.
ti 11,
Of ih,, ,the ,us it may be observed, that during the
bads but the "iiigenarchy no one assisted at the general
elaB Sikh w Pre', I"1, Whatever their nature or denomina-
te
Were as theses and the nobles, because at those pe.-
ktier, the the
swerganization of the state that those two
ke:(e prbt illy quad; possessors of property, privilege, or
atace
of
ectiovil allties which give influence and which
i'es of be ob 'lecessary, and for similar reasons the
the Ilia, -.grope served with little difference in the other
14: Pro64i from a ,
tii prol of civil; concurrence of various causes
NI _
_v ni,,,, e ization begins to be developed, insensi-
of 50,441, condition of the people, the middle
acquire new importance, and after

0'
S 'ilo
01' ji.iCA
he
e°
ItO tee
fii,
;C
of tV.4
iie
"
eir

obtaining municipal rights and franchises, they aspire in
their turn to exercise a vote in the general assemblies of
the nation.

" This they have gain,:i in effect, and in Spain, before
the other monarchies of Europe, and the royal authority,
by favouring this popular tendency, which counterbalances
power of the privileged classes, there has been formed
in the bosom of the nation a new political element, which
has found, as was natural, its legitimate representatives in
the Cortes of the monarshy.
" In this manner that solitary institution, by the con-
currence of all the interests of society united under the
tutelary 'shield of the throne, has displayed all its vigour
and lustre—an institution which gives the state so many
days of glory and prosperity, while it retains the integrity
of its strength, but it reduced and niutilated might not be
sufficient to produce the good is formerly enjoyed, nor pre-
vent the approach of evil.
" This most important consideration has naturally led us
to a point of repose, where it appears to us that we ought
to fix ourselves, in order to proceed with safety. In the
time of Don Carlos 11. two bodies of the state—the clergy
and the nobles, were excluded from the Cortes, but this
dangerous innovation, which appeared to be calculated to
increase the influence of the popular estate, giving them
the exclusive power of voting in Cortes, produced a con-
trary effect, and from that period when the just level and
equilibrium was lost, so necessary to the good government
of the monarchy, the ancient institution of the Cortes was
so bastardized that in our days it is scarcely a shade of what
it has been.

" But neither the progress of the nation nor the spirit of
the age in which we live, nor the circumstances in which
we are placed, permit us to content ourselves with the mere
semblance of the Cortes, which, preserving its original
name, but far from representing the present interests of
society, could never afford an efficient support to the throne,
nor satisfy the wants and the hopes of the people.
" After two principal bodies of the state had been ex-
cluded from the Cortes for more than three centuries,
after the right of participation had been limited to a small
number of towns and cities, and confined to a small num-
ber of municipal bodies, whose very nature had changed
by the lapse of ages, no legal fiction would have been suf-
ficient to give the character of Cortes to such diminutive
bodies as would have been returned, or to entitle them to
represent the great interests of society.
It is reserved for your Majesty to re-establish this
venerable institution in all its plenitude and grandeur,
taking for the basis, as far as possible, whereon to raise the
new edifice the ancient Cortes of the monarchy.
" Without venturing on dangerous innovations, let us
endeavour to re-enter on the path of legality, from
we should never have swerved, restoring rights which
should never have been abolished, nor lost by prescription
or desuetude, securine the legitimate progress of all social
interests, and silencing the murmurs of parties by the
voice of the nation.

The Cortes being divided into two branches or estates
without thereby departing from its ancient form, we may
arrive without risk at the important end of this admirable
institution.

" The estate of the Proceres del Reino, as a permanent
safeguard of the fundamental laws, will comprehend those
in its bosom who, from their high station or their illus-
trious birth, their services and merits, their knowledge and
virtues, are entitled to this distinction. The venerable
pastors of the church, the grandees of Spain whose names
have illustrated the ancient glories of the kingdom, the
chiefs who in our own days have increased the lustre of
Spanish arms, those who in the noble discharge of the du-
ties of the magistracy, in the cultivation of the arts, or in
the pursuit of science, or in other careers not less honour-
able, have rendered eminent services to their country, will
find the doors open to them of this illustrious estate, which,
from the nature of the elements of which it is composed,
will be essentially of a conservative character.

" To this end also the consideration will contribute that
all the grandees of Spain will be members by birth of the
estate of the Proceres del Reino, transmitting this dignity
from generation to generation, as an hereditary right. This
pre-eminency, so conformable to the spirit of the mo-
narchy, so safe, is at the same time favourable to true li-
berty, assuring to one class, not less powerful for their
renown than for their wealth, the noble independence that
is necessary in the exercise of its elevated ministry, will
accustom it to look on the deposit of the fundamental laws
as it would look on a patrimony connected by family ties.
" All the Proceres del Reino, excepting the grandees of
Spain, should be named by the King, but with certain
requisites that would assume as far as possible a good series
of nominations, in order not to adulterate so important an
institution, and declaring null that dignity in order to
place it beyond the influence of hope or fear.
" The total number of Proceres should also be at the
will of the Royal authority, as, not being removable, nor
their orders revocable, the good of the state requires that
the royal power, as sole arbitress, can by means of new
nominations exercise a salutary influence in such aninde-
pendent and powerful corporation, either to foresee or pre-
vent by that means a violent collision, or to re-establish
the equilibrium amongst the various powers of the state.
" The estate of-the Proceres del Reino is so convenient
and necessary, that under some form or other some similar
institution is to be found in almost every kingdom of
Europe, not only in the moderate monarchies, but in the
freest republics, ancient as well as modern—an evident
proof that it is necessary to place a barrier against the
_violence of the.popular elements, in order to guard liberty
against despotism and anarchy.
" The mere indication of the basis we have laid down for
the formation of the estate of the Proceres del Reino shows
sufficiently the object we have proposed, as well as the rea-
sons on which we have proceeded, without its being in the
least necessary to disturb the august attention of your
Majesty with a prolix examination of matters, liable to
c/TtFoversy, that have long occupied the attention of your
iinceorns.vinletatehnaotuigrhytooursal‘yiaAjelsadvadme,i per-
fectlythsattoweparreeof
theei
ep loan,
you w-e
willno nporotpoonselyfohr
have
ee
healedesta estate theoafn inveterate
P ar
°cPer
eov
sore, del
R
but you will also have provided a new prop to the throne
of your august daughter, and a security for the legitimate
rights of the nation.
"Different in its origin and distinct in its organization,
the estate of the Procuradores del Reino is chiefly destined
to represent the material interests of society, and to watch
for their safety, from whence, as from a fruitful principle,
many important consequences are derived.
" This estate is in its very essence elective.
" The individuals composing it ought to be chosen by
the nation, that they may be its legitimate procurators.
"Its mandate should endure for the term established by law.
" This term should neither be very much prolonged,
which might cause the ongin from whence the mandate is
derived to be easily forgotten, nor so short as to agitate
political passions by very frequent elections.
" There should be no limit to the faculty of re-electing
the same procurators, both because it is not just to restrain
without motive the free will of the people, and because ex-
perience has proved in various ages and nations that it is
not very prudent to incapacitate individuals of proved effi-
ciency, thereby exposing the state to a serious and dan-
gerous crisis whenever the popular branch of the legisla-
ture is renewed.

" But how are the elections to be effected? Who are
to be intrusted with the electoral qualification ? And who
are to be considered legally eligible ? These are questions,
Madam, of a most serious and important character, since on
their solution the good or bad effects of this institution de-
pend. It is not wonderful, therefore, if your Secretaries
of State have deliberated on the subject with the utmost
anxiety and attention, in order to place the matter with
some probability of success on permanent foundations.
" First of all it was necessary to proceed on a principle
just in its origin, general in its application, and conform-
able in its development with the nature of the institution
itself, and it not being compatible with the maxims of rea-
son or policy to limit as heretofore to a small number of
towns the privilege of sending deputies to the Cortes, it has
been thought that the most equitable basis was to distri-
bute the total number of deputies among the various pro-
vinces, according to the amount of their population.
" At the same time it has been considered that the trust
to be confided to the deputies being so important, without
their being subjected to any legal responsibility, or being
in any case called in question for their votes or opinions,
it was convenient and indeed necessary that society should
take such previous precautions as were dictated by pru-
dence, in order that its own well-being might not be put
to hazard.

" These pledges and precautions should also be exacted
from the electors themselves, since in this way security
would be taken in advance for the good qualities of the
candidates.

" Even in the ancient republics, whose wise institutions
have been transmitted to us by history, those who pos-
sessed no property exercised no political rights ; nor could
any. nation confer them without paying sooner or later for
its imprudence and temerity.
" hence, in all ages and countries, the possession of pro-
perty under one form or another has been regarded as the
best pledge of good order and tranquillity, as, on the con-
trary, those who have attempted to excite to insurrection
and revolt, by removing all restraint from popular passions,
have employed the mob as their instrument.
"In conformity with these principles, we have been de-
sirous that such as possessed a certain annual revenue
should exercise the electoral franchise, but after much
controversy, and after vainly discussing the different means
which have been practised in various ages and nations, we
have been fully convinced of the impossibility of realizing
what we had proposed.
" The want of statistical data, and the complicated,
confused, and unequal system of our taxation, have presen-
ted an insuperable obstacle to our desires, and we have
seen ourselves compelled, at least on this occasion, to
abandon the general and complete application of the prin-
ciple we have adopted.
" Happily, however, the electoral system is in itself va-
riable, and subject to alterations and amendments, so that
we have thought it better to include it in a separate law,
partly for the purpose of not impressing on it a character
of perpetuity by mixing it up with the fundamental
provisions, and partly for the sake of announcing from its
origin that it was to go on insensibly improving, together
with the public administration, and under the counsels of
experience.
" What appeared to be necessary and urgent, since the

good of the state required the prompt convocation of the
Cortes, was to establish a plan of election, at once equal,
just, simple, of easy application, and admitting as its
basis the assurance of suitable guarantees, which would
provide the perpetual sanction of this most important
principle.
" These views have guided us in fixing the law of elec-
tion which we shall shortly submit to your Alajesty's ap-
probation. By this law it will be established that an
electoral junta will be formed in the chief town of every
district, composed of all the members of the municipa-
lity, including the deputies and syndics, with the addi-
tion of an equal number of the inhabitants who pay the
largest amount of taxation--a method which has lately
been employed with good effect in the renewal of the town
councils.
" Each junta will name two electors, who will meet in
the capital of their province, choosing. either these electors
from among the members of the municipality or from among
those paying the greatest amount of taxation who have con-
curred in the election, or generally from among those pos-
sessing the conditions required by law.
" Assembled in the capital of the province, the electors
sent from the various districts will proceed to name the
Procuradores to the Cortes in such a manner and form as
shall be determined, for the purpose of securing good order
and perfect freedom of suffrage.
" This plan of election, if not so perfect in theory as
could be desired, possesses, as we believe, the inestimable
advantage of being very simple in practice. It establishes
from the outset two degrees of election. That system has
appeared to us to be preferable to a direct election, which
would be almost impracticable in Spain, or to the multi-
plication of the degrees of election, which would interfere
with the essence of the institution itself. The method we
have preferred will secure, besides, a notable influence to
the municipalities in the election of deputies to the Cortes,
extending the right to a great number of cities and towns,
as justice and convenience require, and naturally harmoni-
zing the system with the conservative element of property.
" But as it is not possible that any state can subsist if
the wheels which compose the political machine are with-
drawn from their proper place, we have proposed as an es-
sential basis that the electoral juntas, whether of districts
or of provinces, shall apply themselves merely to the object
of their convocation, declaring null and void whatever they
may do or determine beyond this object.
" The towns will freely exercise the important right of
naming the electors ; but at the moment of exercising it
they must prove themselves to be subjects, without which
the Procuradores would be unable to fulfil their mandate,
the laws would have no power, and no form of government
could subsist, least of all a monarchy.
" If in the quality of the electors, as in the form of the
election, such precautions have been taken as to inspire
society with a reasonable confidence, it will already be felt
that there will be more measure and deliberation in fixing
the qualities required for the Procurador del Reino. On
this first occasion, more than any other, when the ancient
institution of the Cortes is again to strike its roots into the
soil, this deliberation is the more necessary, since by act-
ing too suddenly we might be furnishing the means for its
future eradication.

The same conditions required from the elector are to
be exacted from the candidate, but on a more extensive
scale, as the one trust is so much more important than the
other. Nor should it be forgotten that the condition and
the qualities of the deputies who are to meet in Cortes
will reflect a certain credit on the institution itself, form-
ing in some sort the public manners of the nation, without
which the laws are of little or no avail. With this view,
we propose as a fundamental principle that no one shall be
a deputy to the Cortes who does not prove the possession
of a certain amount of revenue. As they will be required
to absent themselves for a certain period from their private
affairs to attend to the business of the state, it is in our
judgment indispensible that they should possess some pro-
perty, and live, at least, in a style of decent moderation.
" The two estates being constituted, it only remains to
arrange them in such a manner that they shall concur to
the same end under the protection of the royal authority,
which will act as a supreme moderator to prevent dissen-
sion between the two arms of the Legislature, and main-
tain them in their true balance. _

" To the King belongs exclusively the power to judge
of the period when the Cortes should assemble, according
to the circumstances in which the nation may be placed,
and its legitimate desires and necessities.
" To the King belongs also the corresponding power of
suspending the Cortes, and of fixing the period which he
may think fit for its reassembling.
" To prevent greater evils, he must also have the final
and necessary remedy of dissolving the Cortes, without
which right and prerogative the royal power might sooner
or later be exposed to grievous hazard from the impossibi-
lity of restraining the popular estate, or, from not possess-
ing any legitimate means of defence, the King might not
think himself secure without recurring to force, and seek-
ing for victory in the field.
The faculty of dissolving the elective estate affords the
only means of preventing those violent crises which are not
less injurious to good order than to public liberty, with
this notable consideration, that having to recur to new
elections in the terms fixed by law, the rights of the nation
are liable to be deteriorated if an appeal be not made to
the nation itself, manifesting its will by its votes, in either
confirming the mandate of their former deputies or in
naming new ones. .

" But even when the crown does not judge it necessary
to make use of this essential prerogative, it is convenient
that a term should be fixed at the end of which the powers
of themandatories of the nation should expire, thus sub-
jecting their conduct to the ordeal of the electoral urns,
and giving a legal and suitable means to the Govern-
ment of consulting from time to time the barometer of
public opinion.
" As it has been provided by our ancient laws that no
taxes shall be imposed without the consent of the Cortes, it
will be sufficient to establish as a fundamental principle that
those burdens are not to be imposed in future for a longer
period than two years, so that so wholesome an institution
may never fall for a longer period into disuse.
" The royal authority being more completely acquainted,
from its elevated position, with the general necessities of
the state, and the means of satisfying them, will propose
the subjects for discussion in the Cortes, but the latter will
recover the right exercised for so many centuries of ad-
dressing respectful petitions to the throne for the promotion
of the public welfare.
" In order to proceed with order and regularity, and
without disturbing the reforms which appear most useful,
the Ministers will submit to the Cortes, as soon as they
are assembled, a statement in detail of le condition of the
various branches of the public administration, submitting
to examination and approval the budgets of receipt and ex-
penditure before voting the imposition of taxes.
" By this means the regularity of our finances, the public
confidence in the Government, and the strength of the state,
will at once be secured. This will at once be an equiva-
lent to an endless series of reforms, because in itself it will
exclude the germ of all reform.
"It is of the very essence of government, apart from its
dignity, to require that nothing shall ever be done incon-
sistent with the public welfare. On this account no re-
solution of the Cortes can be carried into effect until it has
been approved of by both estates, and received the august
sanction of the Monarch.

" This concurrence of will, after a -public and solemn
debate, gives a character to the laws of justice and im-
partiality which captivates the mind, and leads to a willing
obedience, which it is not easy to secure when the laws
appear to be the result of the unsteady volition of a single
man, or the impulse, often excited by passion, of a popular
assembly.
" To find pledges and guarantees by which to connect
the prerogatives of the throne with the rights of the nation;
to establish a counterpoise between the various powers of
the state, so as to maintain between them the necessary
equilibrium ; and to view our political rights, not as de-
rived from abstract principles and subject to vain theories,
but as the practical means of securing the quiet possession
of our civil rights,—such has been the great object we
have proposed to ourselves in framing the basis we have the
honour to submit to your Majesty's august approbation.
" God grant, Madam, that the result may correspond
with our desires and intentions, and as at one period in the
history of Spain, when Isabella of Castile ascended the
throne and put an end to partiality and party spirit, estab-
lishing salutary reforms and restoring vigour to the laws,
so may the nation owe the like benefits to your Majesty,
which will make the reign of your august daughter im-
mortal.

" Madam, at your Majesty's royal feet,
" FRANCISCO MARTINEZ DE LA ROSA.
" NICOLAS MARIA GARELLY.
" ANTONIO RAYMON ZARCO DEL VALLE.
" JOSE VASQUES FIGUEROA.
" JOSE DE DIAZ.
" XAVIER DE BURGOS.
" Aranjuez, April 4."

~ ROYAL STATUTE.

" TITLE I. -OF THE CONVOCATION OF THE GENERAL

CORTES OF THE KINGDOM.

" Art. 1. With reference to what is provided in the sth
law, title 15th, part 2, and in the Ist and 2d laws, title
7, book 6 of the new compendium, her Majesty the Queen
Regent, in the name of her august daughter Donna Isabel
11., has resolved to convoke the General Cortes of the
kingdom.
" Art. 2. The General Cortes are to consist of two
estates—that of the proceres' or peers of the kingdom, and
that of the procuradores, or deputies of the kingdom.
46 TITLE 11.-OF THE ESTATE OF THE PEERS, Olt PRO-

CERES DEL REINO.
" Art. 3. The estate of the proceres del reino will con-
sist-1. Of the very rev. the archbishops, and the rev. the
bishops. 2. Of the grandees of Spain. 3. Of the titu/os
of Castile. 4. Of an indeterminate number of Spaniards,
elevated in dignity, and illustrious for their services in the
various departments, and who are or have been secretaries of
state, procuradores del reino, councillors of state, ambassa-
dors or ministers plenipotentiary, general officers in the
army or navy, or members of the supreme courts of jus-
tice. 5. Of those landed proprietors or chiefs of manufac-
turing or mercantile establishments, who, with personal
merit and other suitable circumstances, possess an annual
revenue of 60,000 reals (6001. ), and who have been pre-
viously procuradores del reino. And 6. Of those who