Star.
London, England, 1808-10-07 00:00:00

T~

PORTUGAL.

PROCLAMATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT-GENE-
RAL SIR HEW DALRYMPI.E, COMMANDING THE BRITISH
FORCES IN PORTUGAL, TO TUE PORTUGUESE NATION.
The success with which it has pleased ALMIGHTY
G,90 P!2l bless the .BOtish. Arms; has brought- about
themoment when it becomes my duty to address the
faithful and loyal inhabitants of this country. I seize
the ofipoittinity widiengerness, in order to tranqui-
lize the minds of the timid, to repress the designs of
the disaffected (if any such remain), and to assure ;
the nation at large, that • the efforts of the British
force under my command have no other object in view ;
than to insure the prosperity of the inhabitants of
Portugal, by the restoration of that Government
Ulrich has so long and so gloriously presided over
them, and the return of which will be welcomed, no
doubt, by the united voice of a loyal people.
• The presence of an hostile army, in possession of
• the capital, and master of the principal resources of
the kingdom, had in a manner deprived the estimable
• and loyal subjects of Portugal of the means of libe-
rating their country. Patriotic efforts, however, were
made in spite of these disadvantages, and the national
spirit was manifested in a manner at once most de- ;
cided and most honourable.
The efforts which were made by several provinces I
of the kingdom opened the road for the restoration
of the Monarchy.
Notwithstanding, however, the energy displayed
by these Provinces in arraying and bringing forward
an armed force for the liberation of the capital; the aid
of the ancient and faithful Ally of Portugal was ne-
cessary, to bring the contest to a successful and
speedy issue. The warm interest which his Britannic
Majesty felt for his Ally, and the energy which has
ever marked the British character, soon brought a-
powerful force to the shores of Portugal.
That part of the Portuguese army which local
Circumstances permitted, united itself with the Bri-
tish, whilst the remainder effected a powerful di-
version. Measures were taken in concert for the
defeat of the cosnmon enemy. The steps of that
forCe have been marked by victory, and the expulsion
of the enemy has opened the way to the restoration
of the Portuguese Monarchy, the most gratifying
chap; which could be imposed by his Sovereign on a
British Commander.
No views national interest or aggrandizement
can be traced in the liberal peiicy of Britain ; but,
true to the principles of honour and good faith, that
have ever directed her conduct, she sees, in the events
how passing in Portugal,, only the happy means of
;•e-establisiiiive order, and restoring to the Sovereign
and the people their just right.
In the execution of these views as Commander of
the'llritish Forces, I shall best fulfil the intentions of
the King my Master, and most effectually secure
the interests of Portugal, by placing in the exercise
of authority, that body to which his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent thought fit to delegate the Sove-
reign Power, when he withdrew the Royal dignity
from the insults of an implacable enemy, and preser-:
vcd the Sovereignty of his dominions beyond the At-
One respectable -Nobleman, a member of the body'
.thus left in power by his Royal Highaess, has unfor-
tunately been removed from his country, by the au-
thority or arts of its enemy, by which at this critical
period it is deprived of his services, whilst some of
the members having appeared to unite themselves
with the French interest, have rendered their re-esta-
;hbqhment in theCovernment at this moment impos-
sible.
• Therefore the distinguished persons undermention-
ed, the remaining Members of the Regency appointed
by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and who
have incurred no such disability, are called upon to
repair to Lisl-in to take upon themselves the functions
of the Government, until such time as the will of his
. Royal Highness the -Prince Regent shall be more
fully known, viz.—
The Count de Castro Tarim' Monteirn ?Vier of the Kingdom,
and Member of the Council.. of his Royal Highness.
Don Francisco Xavier de Not...mins, Member of the Council: of
Isis Royal Highness, and Grand Cross of the Order of Sant-lago, '
President of the Board of CoEscience, and Lieutenant-General of
the Royal Armies.
• . Francisco de Cunha e M.eneth, Member of the Council< of his
Royal Highness, and Lieutenant-General in the Royal Armies. •
Joan Antonio Salter de Mendonca, Desembargador dr. Pogo,
and Procurador of the Crown.
•
Dons Mipel Pereira Forjaz Bontinho, Member cf the Councils
of his Royal Highness, and Brigadiero in the Royal Armies.
• • To this Government the inferior Jurisdictions and
Tribunals, the Constituted and Legal Authorities of
thii Kingdom, and all persons of every description
are required to pay all deference and submission.
As Commander of the British forces, I shall hold
it to be my first and most urgent duty to maintain
the authority of the Government thus established, to
insure the tranquillity and subsistence of the capital,
and to encourage the re-establishment of the former
prosperity of the kingdom.
When these objects arc attained, and the attain-
ment of diem can only he delayed by intrigue or dis-
affection, the interference of a military force will
cease to be ntcessary. but until these ends arc ac-
complished, the most vigorous and decided measures
will be taken for maintaining the peace and good or-
d,er of the country, and all offences against the tran-
quillity of any part of the Kingdom, will be pro-
.ceeded against with the utmost severity.
Given at the Head-quarters of the British :tansy at Prayas, IJ
this 18th day of Sept. 1808.
(Signed) HEW resenestet.e,
Lieutenant-Ceneral and Commander of the
lir fish forces in Portugal.
•