The Sun.
London, England, 1826-12-13 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY EVENING, *DECEMBER 13, 1826.

so Portugal. She was, however, well aware that the constitu-
tion was calculated to revive all the old animosities which had but
lately been allayed. In addition to this, the Council of Regency,
which was composed of the old Ministers of her father, remra-
etrated against her acceding to the propositions of Don Pedro.—
She was but a young Princess, and bad little experience in public
affairs, except what she might have learned from the period of
her father's death up to the time of which he was speaking.
These circumistances did not, however, deter her from per-
forming what she thought was her duty, and she certainly proceed-
ed with activity to take the necessary steps for carrying her biro-
ther's intentions into effect. But, unfortunately, at this very
time considerable discontent prevailed, and the granting the con-
stitution was considered a foreign measure, and on that account
viewed by many with dissatisfaction. It was found that Don
Miguel had, in fact, a considerable party in the country, and dis-
content began to show itself among some of the troops. Instances
of insurrection occurred more particularly in the distant pros
vincea, where the revolt of the troops was with difficulty sup-
pressed. The deserters took refuge in Spain, and were there cor-
dially received. In a short time such a force was collected in
that countrysaa was sefficient to give serious apprehensions to the
Government of Portugal—apprebensions which were much rigs
gravated by the state of irritation of many of the frontier provinces.
The Government of Portugal had now two courses to pursue.—
' either to call upon the Spanish Government to give up the des
setters in virtue of a treaty subsisting between the two Powers,
or to retaliate by giving a similar encouragement to Spanish
refugees. The Government of Portugal did not adopt either
of those courses, and acted throughout with great forbearance
and moderation, They contented themselves with requiring
that the armed rebels should be disarmed, and desiring that
their arms 'should be sent to Portugal. His Mdjeity's Mis
nisters did not overlook this system of forbearance, on ac-
count of which it became more necessary to press on. the Spat
nigh Government to abandon its protection to the Portuguese
rebels. Accordingly, remonstrance followed remonstrance, and
in return assurances were repeatedly given that that system of
protection would be pet an end to; but no measure appeared to
be adopted for the purpose of stopping the collection of an armed
force on the territory of Portugal, to disarm the deserters, sod
deliver up their arms to the Portuguese Government. In. conse-
quence of this state of things, his Majesty's Minister at the Court
of Madrid notified to the Spanish Government, that he would he
under the necessity of leaving that capital if the Government did
not disarm and disperse the Portuguese rebels. Ilowever, no
proceeding for that purpose was adopted, and the deserters were
allowed to retain possession of their arms, and to assemble on the
frontiers. Soon after this remonstrance, accounts were received
through France from Madrid, that a considerable force of Poitu.
guess deserters had marched from Old Castile to the frontiers of
Portugal ; but the Spanish Government, in giving this inforina
thin, accompanied it by assurances that they had no concern with
it. The French GovernMent was, however, so little satisfied
with this explanation, that orders were sent to the French Am-
bassador to return immediately to Paris, if the Pcirtuguese deserters
were not dispensed, and instructions were given to the Charge
d'Affaires to express in the strongest terms the disapprobation of
his Government on account of the proceedings which had taken
place on the frontiers of Portugal. Three or four days after
the arrival of this intelligence, the Portuguese Ambassador
presented to this Goverenient a demand for military assistance
from this country in virtue of the existing treaties. The
authority for making thii demand had been placed in the
hands of . the Portuguese Ambassador, for the purpose of
his making use of it when the occasion for' so doing should arrive.
But it appeared that lie had received no official intelligence re-
specting. the conduct of the Spanish Court from his own Govern-
tnent, and that the account which had reached him of the aggres-
sion came through France ;• so that, in truth, his authority for
the fact was not better than that of the Government of this coml.
try. No official despatches relative to the inroad had come from
the'Portugueee Government. In a few days after hie 111ajesty'e
Government received despatched from Mr. Lamb, which commu-
nicated in substance the same intelligence which bad previously
come from Paris. lie received it from the Spanish Minister,
which was, indeed, the same source froM which the communica-
tion through France proceeded. The communication of the
Spanish Minister was accompanied by a strong assurance that the
aggression bad been made without the knowledge, and in direct
opposition to the orders of his Government. On receiving this
communication, Mr.'l,amb, of course, made strong declarations
against such proceedings, and took measures for ascertaining what '
were the real views of the cOurt of Madrid. As he had already
stated, no authentic intelligence of an actual inroad by the Portii•
guess troops from Spain had yet been received ; but on Friday last
accounts reached . his Majesty's Government from Lisbon of that
event having taken place. What, however,, was very remarkable
was, that the inroad now made known was not stated to have
been Made in the quarter mentioned iu the account received through
France from the Spanish GovernMent. It came from Estre-
Madura. It was stated, that the large body of men who made
this invasion came from thence armed and equipped by the
Spanish Authorities, and had been collected under the autho-
rity of the Governor himself. It was farther said, that the
Spanish Governor had given, directions for some Spanish nr6l-1
lery to accompany the rebels. This was the report but, upon
inquiry, it was denied. This force,:however, advanced and took
possession of some places, among which we understood the Noble
Earl to mention Villa Vieiosa. Their Lordships would perceive'
that they had here the knowledge of a direet inroad upon Portu-
gal. • But in addition to this affair, there was attached to it a
consideration of importance, which would not have belonged to
the oceurreece, had it stood by itself. The, proceedings which
had taken place argued, a communication from one part of the
Spanish territory to another--a system of combination by which
it was arranged, that when this inroad should be made on one
part of the Portuguese territory, another should at the same time
be made on another point; and showed that the aggressors were
not confined to irruptions from Old Castile and Estremadme.—
This combined plan was of such a nature, that it must be sup-
posed to have been sanctioned and prepared by the Spanish au-
thorities. Considerable expellee must have been incurred, and
the arms could not hive been obtained without connivance.—
Had the aggression been confined to one part of the frontier,
the excuse might have been set up. It might have been sup-
posed to be the act of an individual governor neglecting the in-
structions he. had received. This certainly might have . hap-
pened, though it had. been the sincere intention of the Spanish
Government that the instructions given to the Governors of
provinces should be strictly observed. When, however, the
aggression was of such a magnitude as that which he had de-
scribed, a case was snide out which called for the interference of
His Majesty's Government., Their Lordships were aware, that
in consequence of the alliance between Great Britain and Portu-
gal, the latter was entitled, in case of invasion, to call upon this
country for assistance. The first treaty with Portugal was con-
cluded in 1661, and the second iu 1703. By the former this
country was bound to support her.ally with 3,000 men, by the
latter with 6,000. Holland was a party to those stipulations
along with this country, but the Government of the Is'etherlands:
had not renewed the treaties which suhsisted between the former
United Provinces and Portugal. There remained, therefore, no
obligation on the part of Holland. But without any reference to
was sufficient ground for proceeding
those treaties, there certainly
as his Majesty's Government had done—(" hear, hear," from the
Opposition benches;)--for by the treaty of 1815, which referred
to that concluded with Portugal in 1810, the former obligations
were renewed ;
and it had been stipulated that the arrangements
then entered into were without
prejudice to the ancient system of
alliance between the two countries which is declared to be still in
full force. Now', though the attack on Portugal had not been
insole by Spanish troos, but by foreign troops under, the direction
of Spanish authorities) and in the pay of Spain, the case was coin-
was the uhligation on this country
:to
Octet)" brought 'within the stipulations of the treaty, nor
because.r. Ile conceived, therefore that the case did come strict
of the t
the aggression
ssion was made on the occasion of a civil
wa
ly within the obligation afford' assistance the less
treaty ; but supposing, that such
treaties did net exist, he 'considered that it was the interest of
this conntry that assistance should be afforded to Portugal.--
The Noble Earl next proceeded to state (as well as we could
collect, and it may be again observed that the difficulty of begin'
his Lordship below throughout the whole
the bar continued of his
speech), that it was the • intent
ion of Government immediately to
order out souse British troops to Lisbon, for the assistance of
our ally agairpt any aggression on its territory but that in the
mean time it would be the earnest wish of his Majesty to use_
every exertion to bring about a termination of the differences

between tbe two States.—(llear, hear.)—lnstructions to that
effect had been given to our Ambassadors at Lisbon and Madrid,
and the advice that had been given, and would continue to be
given, to the Portuguese Government, would be, to adopt the
frame system towards Spain which it bad been earnestly recom-
mended to the. latter. Power to observe towards Portugal. Por-
toga) .was advised not to giie encouragement to• the entrance of
Spanish refugees not to allow them under any pretence to enter
that country armed, not to encourage, or countenance in any
manner, inroads on the Spanish frontier, by Portuguese subjects
on subjects of Spain. It was recommended that every thing,
not necessary for the due protection of her own rights, and the
integrity of her kingdom, should be avoided by Portugal, which
would tend to increase irritation between the two kingdoms, as
any attempts of the kind would teed only to counteract 'the
efforts of his Majesty to put an end to the difference between the
two States. It might be true, and he believed that to a certain
extent it was, that there existed in Spain a faction which would
set at defiance even the orders of their own Sovereign, if those
orders did not fall in with their view's. With such a faction there
could be no negotiation ; hut it was to be hoped, that when
they perceived that the Goverament.Of this country would not
allow of any foreign interference , with Portugal, their attempts
would cease. Ile would not farther trespass on their Lordships ;
but merely observe, that the Address which he should move
would be to thank his Majesty for his gracious communication
respecting the present affairs of Portugal, to express a hope that
the measures to be taken by his Majesty for putting an end to
the differences between the two countries would be successful,
and to pledge themselves to concur in any measures which might
be necessary to enable his Majesty to protect the most ancient
ally of England against all aggression...._( Heir, hear.)

His Lordship the» moved the Address, which was
lead from the woolsack, and was as follows

" That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, to re:.
turn to His Majesty the thanks of thie house for His Majesty's
gracious message, in which His Majesty informs this house that he
has received an application from the Princess Regent of Portugal,
claiming, in virtue of the ancient obligations of alliance, and amity
subsisting between His Majesty and the -Crown of Portugal, His
Majesty's aid against an hostile aggression from Spain. To assure
His Majesty that we participate in the feelings with which His
Majesty has learned that, notwithstanding the assurances received
from the Court of Madrid, by the joint representations of His
Majesty and his ally the King of France of the determination of
his Catholic Majesty neither to commit, nor to be allowed to be
committed from his Catholic Majesty's territory, any aggression
against Portugal, hostile inroads into the territory of Portugal
have been concerted in Spain, and have been executed under the
eyes of Spanish authorities, by Portuguese regiments which had
deserted into Spain, and which the Spanish Government had re•
peatedly and solemnly engaged to disarm and to disperse.
" That we trust that His Majesty's efforts to awaken the Spa;
nish Government to the dangerous consequences of this apparent
connivance will be successful ; but that we entreat His Majesty te
believe that His Majesty may confidently rely on the zeal and affecl
tion of this house for their cordial concurrence and support in
maintaining the faith of treaties, and in securing against
foreign hostility'the safety and independence of the kingdom of
Portugal, the oldest ally of Great Britain."

• • Lord HOLLAND trusted their Lordships would
de him the justice to believe that '0"-clid not use mere words of
course, or mean to take merit to hiMself by any hypoeriticA cant
on this occasion, but lie assured their Lordships that he strongV
felt no honest man would ever give, his- vote for any measure
which might lead to war, or to the necessity of war, without tha
deepest concern at the responsibility which attached to what he
did. It must at all times present a subject of difficulty when a
man was called to vote on such questions, but more particularly)
so on the present occasion, when the state of public credit, When
the amount of debt and tivistion, and, above all, the distreised
auto of a great portion of the people wore Nitro into considera-
tion. Considering those circumstances, any man must regret
the -necessity which called on hint' for such a vote; yet,
strongly impressed as be was with these kelings, he would
not hesitate to say, that, with a pure mind, a steady
.pui-
pose, and a clear conscience, he gave his unqualified auppotl
to the Address now 'moved by the Noble Earl,—(Hear,
The Noble Lord had said, that we were bound to maintain the
stipulations of the treaty with Portugal. In that he fully con-
curred, but be would go farther, and say; that if no such treaties
existed, a sense of honour, a sense of what was due to them-
eelves,and to the interests of a power with which this country had
been so long in amity, should induce their Lordships to assent to
the address now proposed. It was unnecessary for him, at that
moment, to point out to their Lordships the importance of Por.:
tugal as the ally of England. Highly as he valued the general
services of the Noble Duke of Wellington opposite, he thought
that none of his great achievements were more important to this
country, than those in which he showed that British strength and-
valour were sufficient to protect that favoured spot, Lishon,against
all the world. Ile had expressed his hope, that the active mea-''
sures now to be adopted might be effective in preventing a war,
(which without them he believed ;,to be inevitable); Yet he'shnuld,'
be disguising his real sentiments, did lie not state, that if we
did come to a war with Spain, it would not be with a feeble
Monarch, but with a tyrannical faction, not only militant in
Spain but dominant elsewhere—rpowerful, not merely from its
uncontrolled sway in that country, but from the con-
sciousness of its extensive influence in other quarters.—
He now came -to another question, oil which be felt sonic deli-
cacy, but it was most important, and deserved serious considera-
tion. He was glad to hear it stated ;that the King of France had
acted in conjunction with his Misjetity, in endeavouring to dis-
suade the Court of Spain from the aggression on Portugal, and
he felt thankful for the early opportunity the French Court took
of giving us, intelligence of what was passing in Spain. He
wished, however, that he could view the conduct of France on
this subject without distrust. But being rolled upon to act, we
should act from experience—we should act from probability,'
and, looking to the past and the probability of the futore,• he
thought we should receive with Caution everything that was done
on this subject, even by 'that power which it cost so much of the
blood and treasure of this country to restore. Their Lordships
were told that the French court had lent to Spain remon-
strances..-.. Remonstrances ! Of what kind ? They had heard of
the eloquence of the papers tranemitted on this subject to the
Spanish Government. That' eloquence might be, very great no
doubt; but when he viewed the relation in which France now
stood to Spain—when lie smi that it might command, with-
out controul, or to use a milder term, that it might ensure
a ready obedience to its request, he would say it was idle' to
talk of transmitting eloquent papers. It was only waste of
pen and ink--when it might immediately at a 'aeond produce
the desired effect--When, as was said in the farce, " I can
Call a coach, and let a coach be called." When the coach
could be commanded at a call, why was time spent in
transmitting eloquent documents? Eloquent as such papers
might be, until they saw something i
done, hi must take
leave to doubt the sincerity of France in this case. These remarks
'might, perhaps, he considered ungenerous towards France, and
also towards his Majesty's Minister., with whom he'entirely con-
curred in the present address ; yet if he entertained some hopes
that the course now proposed would be successful in preserving'
the integrity of Portugal, still the history of what had orcurred,
forced him to believe that a timely exercise of half the spirit now
evinced, would have prevented the faction in Spain from being
triumphant, would have prevented France from being now in mi•
litary possession of that country. He would only add, that he
would prefer sighting in Spain for the existence of Portugal, to,
fighting in Portugal for the existence of Ireland, or to fighting'
In Ireland for the authority of England. He thought that when.
the question of Ireland was-before their Lordship. on a Cornier
Occasion, they might have so decided upon it as not to leave it
to a period when it might be said to he forced from them from'
othes considerations than an admission of its justice. It was not,
be trusted,. yet too late, and as he expected that- we 'ATM be
successful in rescuing our ally from all further danger, he con-
fidently ; hoperi that 'we should seise the serene moment, and
do that justice to Ireland which her ease so urgently required.—
(Hear, hear.)

The Duke of WELLINGTON did not rise to
offer aQy explanation by the British, Goiernment had not at an
earlier period taken the coarse now
ProPoaed, for that he felt to be
altogether Unnecessary. On the contrary (and he was sure that
in this, ho expressed what was the anziens wish of Governtnent,)
it.was earnestly desired is put off to the latest moment at which
negotiation could be available, that which their Lordships had

heard this day proposed. On this part it was not necessary for
him to dwell, but he hoped it would be permitted to him (who had
had for several yeare,the direction of the resources of this country
against the common enemy in the Peninsula) to state his opinion,
that the perfidious acts of aggression on Portugal ought rather to
beattributed to the servants of tbe'Spanish Government than to the
Spanish Government itself. They ought in his opinion to be
looked 'you as the acts of the Captains-General of provinces, and
even of the Ministers of Spain, than as ordered or advied by his
Catholic Majesty; but to whomsoever they might be attributed,
he fully concurred in the measures intended to repreii them.—
(Hear, bear.)'
The Marquis of LANSDOWN rose for the pur-
pose of expressing his opinion, that it was most desirous for the in-
terests of this country, and, he would add, for the interest of the
whole world, that the measures proposed to be adopted by his
Majesty should have the unanimous approbation of their Lot&
ships. He was the more anxious to deliver this opinion, because
he wished it tohe understood that it was not from any want of
feeling, either of the interest or importance of the subject, that he
had not addressed their Lordships at an earlier opportunity. For,
from that day in the last week, When it bad become not rietio by
the. promulgation of the despatch which had been alltided to by the
Noble Earl (Bathurst), that the territory of our ancient ally had
been invaded, under circumstances which obviously, showed that
it had been done with the participation of Spain, he could assure
their Lordships that it had not been until aftet the Most anxious
deliberation that he had resolved to abstain from 'diseharging his
duty as a Member of that House, by asking for such an explana-
tion from his Majesty's Ministers as this most unwarrantable ag-
gression seemed to call for. The resolution to which he had come
was founded on a belief which the proceedings of this day juStified,
that there would not be wanting, on the part of the Government,
either a disposition to watch, or an inclination to exer-
cise, ' when it should he necessary that military demonstra-
tion of the policy they intended to pursue which such a
ease as the present seemed to him imperiously to Call for.
He had no doubt—nor did it appear that any doubt was enter-
tained—that the eases firderis had arisen, and that upon the faith
of treaties, his Majesty's Government were obliged to adopt the
measures which they had now entered on ; but lie would go far-
ther, and say, that upon the principles of policy alone, this coun-
try ought to interfere for the defence of Portugal—not merely for
the purpose of checking the attack which was now made upon it,
but also for the purpose of arresting at this point that attempt at
interfering with the independence of nations, which, if permitted
by a Monarch so feeble as that by whom it was now matle, could
not fail to lead ultimately to courses ruinous to the interests and
institutions of every free country. For these reasons he repeated,
it had become the duty of this country to resist the present out-
rage of Spain on Portugal—not leas for 'the protection Of her
own interests, than for that of the rights and inteteste of all
mankind. For his own part lie was prepared now to vote for
the address which had been moved, and to pledge his support
hereafter to any measures which might be just and expedient to
give effect to the policy on which this country bad hitherto acted,
and was bound still to pursue.
The question was then put, and carried neoi. con., and the
House adjourned at a quarter to six o'clock.