The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-30 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, Nov. 20.—The Ministers read, to-day,
in the Cortes, the last bulletins of General Van
Halen, giving an account of the disastrous affairs of
the 15th and 16th, at Barcelona. Before the opening
of this day's sitting of Cortes and the official com-
munication there was a Cabinet Council. The Presi-
dents of the two Chambers and several leading men of
the Cortes were present, and it was then decided that
the Regent should march for Barcelona, the official
notice of which was given to the Cortes. It was na-
turally important that Espartero should be made sure
of the support of the Cortes before he set out, and
hence a motion was made by the Deputy Serrano,
promising the aid of the two Chambers under the
serious circumstances of the case. Animated debates
took place on this motion, and the Opposition Depu-
ties, who did not wish to refuse their assistance to
the Government, gave it only on the avowed under-
standing that the safety of the State was the only
motive of their vote. The Catalonian Deputies de-
fended the population of Barcelona, and contended
that the savage acts of Van Halen and Zurbano had,
brought abont the insurrection. The motion was
voted in two divisions ; the first was carried by 67
against 14, and the second by 110 against 2. A spe-
cial deputation will carry up the message voted by
the Cortes, and his Highness has signified that be will
receive with pleasure all Deputies accompanying the
deputation. It is expected that nearly the whole
body will go, as it is quite a patriotic manifestation,
and not one of party. There will be no sitting to-
morrow, as the deputation will see the Regent before
he sets out. It is believed some members of the
Cabinet and some Catalonian Senators and Deputies
will accompany him to act a conciliatory part. A
portion of the troops of the Madrid garrison marches
with the Regent, and great activity prevails conse-
quently.
THE CORTES.—CONGRESS, SITTING or 20m.

Senor Olozaga, on taking the President's chair,
apologised for being late, but be had been detained by
the Regent with important affairs. '
The Minister of War and President of the Council
(Rodil) then read dispatches received from Catalonia,
upon the receipt of which the Regent, having con-
sulted the Ministry, had resolved to leave for that pro-
vince to-morrow, in order to restore tranquillity.
Senor Serrano moved that a message should be sent
to the Regent, assuring him of the assistance of the
Deputies under these difficult circumstances.
Senor Prion opposed the motion. The Barcelonese
must not be thus speedily accused. The entire fault
was to be ascribed to the Government for provoking
and mortifying the population by maintaining in his
post a functionary for whom there was no respect, and
whose excessive rigour had exasperated the public
mind. But this was not all. The army in Catalonia
was neglected, and the soldiers were without food, and
that was the reason for their not standing out against
the popular attack. Persons had been arrested simply
because they entertained republican opinions. lie
would remind the Minister of War that the mob did
not consist of some hundreds, but that 40,000 men had
taken to arms.

Senor Serrano—The great point now is to put down
disorder, and the conduct of the Government can
undergo inquiry afterwards.
Count De Las Neves deplored the incessant prose-
cutions which the Political Chief at Barcelona had
directed against the journal Republican. He was for
an entire freedom of discussion, and no opinions ought
to be excepted.
Senor Mata opposed the motion of Senor Serrano,
considering it hazardous and out of place. It was
going too far to throw the responsibility of the dis-
orders on the people, in order to screen the autho-
rities. Some persons thought there was a Republican
movement at Barcelona. That was impossible, for it
was too weak to keep head against the armed force.
Senor Serrano again rose, and asked what would
the nation say if it saw its representatives remain
supine, and forget their high mission ? Congress ought
now to second and aid the Government to establish
order, with the understanding that it would be respon-
sible for the exercise of its authority.
Senor Mendez Vigo threw the blame of the dis-
orders on the authorities of Barcelona. The people
were always right, especially the enlightened popula-
tion of that town. After praising the Republican party,
which the orator contended had nothing to do with
the insurrection, he concluded by opposing the motion.
Senor Madoz said that lie was bound to defend the
Political Chief of Barcelona, for he was his friend ;
but in attacking the seditious he had no in..
tention of attacking the general population of
Barcelona. Senor Madoz proposed that a mes-
sage should be sent to the Regent, offering the
co-operation of the Chamber, in order that lie
might cause the Constitution to be respected, and no-
thing might be done out of the pale of the law.
The motion for the message was then carried, and
the Minister of Finance is now presenting some bills
to the House.