The Sun.
London, England, 1817-05-27 00:00:00

TUE,'.•;DATS.T, MAY !7',.1.8177.

STATE PAPERS.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPAIN AND PORTUCAL.
!',lty 8.

". The conduct of the Government 'of Brazils in
mvading the Spanish possessions in the Riser
Plate, has occupied the attention of Europe us
much on account of the act itself, as on account
of the period in %Otitis .it was done. All nations
were convinced that the profoundest peace was ne-
cessary to heal the deep wounds which had been
the conteteences of so m-ony years-of war and re-
volution. yct this was the moment which the
Court of- Braid chose to invade the territories of
its neighbour. The Spanish Government on this
occasion acted with the greatest prudence and mo-
derrition—i.and the Allied rowel-4 afford a fresh
proof of their generous ideas and ;Kir pacific in-
tentions. The following Note from the Minis-
ters of Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia,
and Russia, delivered to the Marquis de Agniar,
hi 4 Most, Faithful "Alajt sty's Minister for Foreign
Atfairs, is a document perfectly well e.dettlated to
ttanquillize the public mind, and to induce a hope
that the Court of Brazil, adopting those principles
of legitimacy and justice upon which the present
system of the world is founded, will avoid com-
promising herself with the Allied PoWers. The
good faith and dignified character of his Catholic
Majesty are most apparent upon this occasion.—
The decisive language of the Ministers from
whprti the following. Note has proceeded, will
prove theopinion,of their respective Sovereigns
in favour of Spain--,-and that their relations with
her• are as Sxed and solid as they can be between
Powers the west intimately connected.

Note from the.Ministert 9f the Mediating Courts to the Mar-
quis d'Agoiar, `secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to his
Most Faithful Majesty.
" Paris, 16111 March, 11117.

The occupation of a part of the Spanish pos-
sessions on the River Plate by the Portuguese
troops of Brazil was no sooner known in Europe,
thin tt was the object of official and simultaneous
:steps taken by the. Cabinet ot Madrid with the
Courts of Vienna, Paris, London, Berlin, and.
St. Petersborgh, in older to protest solemnly
against this occupation, and to claim their sup.
port,agaiost such an aggression.
Perhaps the Court ot Madrid might, have
thought herself entitled to recur at' once to't he
means of defence whielt Providence hits plated in
her hentls, and to repel force by force, But,
guided by spirit
of wisdom and moderation, she•
was aesnotts first of elorloying the means of tie.
gociation and persuasion, and she preferred, not•
withstanding the disadvaattige that might result
to. her possessions beyond sea, addressing herself
to the five undermentioned Powers, order to
an amicable' adjostment" of her 'differences •With
toe Court of Brazil, and to avoid a rupture, the
consequences ot hich might be equally disastrous
,o the two countries, and might disturb the re-
pose of both hemispheres. •
So noble a resolution coditl not but meet
WO the entire approbation ot the Cabinets to
which the Court of Spain has adtiresSed herself;
,and_ animated %vial the desire of preventing the
tato!, consequences that might result. from the
.psescio state' of affairs, the Courts of Austria,
France, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia; equally
the friends Of Portugal 'and Spain, after hails*
taken into consideration the just claims of the'
latter Power, have charged the Undersigned to
mike known to the Cabinet of his Most
Majesty,
" That they have accepted 'the mediation de-
.mandiA of them by Spain.
", That they nave seen with real pain, and not
without surprise, that at the very moment when a
double marriage seemed to bind more closely the
family ties already existing betoeen the Houses
Braganza aocl Bourbon, and when. such an al-
liance was to render the relations between the two
Countries more intimate and 'more friendly', Por-
tugal has invaded the Spanish possessions on the
River Plate, and invaded them without any ssts
planation whatever,. and withoUt any previous de-
claration.
" That the principles of equity'and justice which
direct the councils olthe five .Courts, and the firm'
iesolution they have adopted to preserve as much
as is in their power the peace of the world, pur-
chased by such great sacrifices, have civet:Mined
them to take cognizance and part in this affair,
in the intention of terminating it in the most equits
able minister, and most conformable, to their de-
sire of maintaining the general traoquiliity.
' That the said Courts do not dissemble that a
difference between Portugal and Spain mid itt- dis-
turb that peaceond occasion a war in Europe,
'Vellich might be not only disastrous
,to the two ,
countries, but incompatible with the interests and
the tranquillity ols other rowers.
" That in consequence they have resolved to
make known to the Government of his Most
their sentiments on ibis subject,
tFoalitithvf;:leMhiiesM:os7l furnish sufficient explaoitiims
upon his views, to take -the most prompt and
proper tneasttres to dissipate the just alarms which
his invasion of the Americap possessions of Spain
has already caused in EOrope, and to satisfy the
rights claimed by the latter Power, as well as those
principles of, justice and impartiality which guide
the Mediators. A refusal to yield to such just des
mends Wotild leave no doubt with respect to` the
real intentions of the Cabinet of Rio Janeiro. The
disaatious effects that might result to the two
hemispheres, would be imputed entirely to Portu-
gal ; and Spain, after having seen all-Europe ap-
plaud her wise and moderate conduct, would find
in the justice of her cause, and in the support of
her oho, sufficieut =ails of redressing her com-
plaints.
It The undersigned, in acquitting themselves of
the orders of their Courts, have the honour to

[Fitter SEVENPiNCE.

offer to his Excellency the Marquis d'Aguiar the
assurance of their high conshieratinn.
(signed) " VINCENT,
" RICHELIEU,
" SWAM',
GOLTE,
•
" POZZO 171 BORGO."