The Sun.
London, England, 1827-04-25 00:00:00

BRITISH FORCE IN PORTUGAL.

Head-quarters are still at Leiria, though the
General-in-Chief has been at various points,
examining the country, beyond the lines of
Lisbon, and directing the formation of pontoon
bridges, &c., as well as some improvements of
roads, preparatory, as is understood, to the per-
manent cantonments of the troops. Abrantes
has naturally occupied greatly the attention of
Sir H. Clinton ; but there is still no less reason
to believe that Santarem will be head-quarters.
To take the troops in precedence :—in the
Artillery, a painful object of peculiar interest has
occurred. John Anderson, a private, has been
lately tried by a Court-Martial, Major-General
Sir E. Bouverie, K.C.8., President, for striking
his officer, Major Wilgress, and condemned to
be shot. The circumstances were these :—On
marching into Villa Franca, many of the men
had either consumed or sold part of the two
days' provisions which they took from Belem on
their march, and consequently had .to manage
in the best manner they could. Anderson
was drunk, and had a squabble with his comrades
about payment. A mob collected ; he became
yiolertt. Major Wilgress approaching, went
behind and seized him.—Conceiving that he
was seized by some one of the mob, and in a
state of utter insensibility, Anderson turned on his
officer, and a scuffle ensued, in which it seems
the Major received a blow. The poor creature,
on it being shown by some comrades what he
had done, made his way to the Tagus, and was
with difficulty saved from drowning by the boat-
men. His fate was then inevitable. However,
the people of Villa Franca and neighbourhood
have joined in a petition, which the Princeza has
supported, for a remission of the capital punish-
ment ; and in- the mean time, the prosecutor,
Major Wilgress, daily attends his assailant in
the common prison, for the purpose of praying
with and for him. The Major, it should be
observed, is a Protestant ; his father or brother
being minister of Eltham, or a parish of that
neighbourhood, in Kent, of which he is a native. '

Colonel Smith, since he has resigned his com-
mand, has retired to a watering place here ; and
Colonel Sir John May, K.C.13., has been receiv-
ed with great satisfaction as his successor, from
more confidence in his arrangements. The cause
of Colonel Smith's removal was his having un-
horsed a brigade of the corps, and sent it to St.
Julian, of which the Major complained without
re(' - zee. Sir John May speaks highly of the hu-
manity of the people of Viana and neighbour-
hood towards his fellow-sufferers in the wreck.
At Oporto, a subscription was made for the poor
women and children in the handsomest manner.
The merchants anxiously urge for a brigade in
that city. The Artillery have four of Major
Miller's celebrated guns here.
The Guards at Cartaxo have enjoyed their
long-prepared bull-fight, in anticipation of the
Portuguese season for these delights. Spanish
fighters were engaged for the occasion, the Por-
tuguese unfortunately still preserving the unmanly
custom of clogging the points of the horns, by
which a mere " mill" only is offered, with the
pleasing chance of seeing a man killed as well as
a bull. What to some English ears is perhaps
more pleasing, the Guards had some good
races, to give variety to the more exquisite en-
joyment.

The Line have obtained generally an excellent
character, but on their late march the Lancers
actually left the people quite distressed at losing
them ; and the manner in which they paid some
little debts, incurred the evening before they
marched, is still a theme of admiration told to
every passenger.

The British Marines have had the honour of
a new call from the Princess Regent, and in con-
sequence the whole have been lanced. A large
portion are now regularly stationed at the Palace,
u her Highness's body-guard.
The extreme hot weather, which has lately set
in, has begun to operate among the troops, and
to be felt severely. The whole are lourzing
anxiously, at the same time, for more active ser-
vice. ‘‘ If we had any thing to fight," say they,
we should not feel it so much."

More military prisoners from the country have
been marched through Lisbon the last week, but
the greater portion were what are called else-
where brigands—those who had left off fighting
against an enemy for the safer mode of attacking
peaceful passengers.

In the reign of Henry VIII. a general survey
was made of the kingdom—of the number of in-
habitants, their age, possessions, wealth, income,
and every other important particular with which
a statesman could wish to be acquainted. Unfor-
tunately this very important document is lost ;
and all that is known at present is, that the
income of the kingdom was estimated at
1,000,000/. per annum.

EXCISE PROSICCUTIONS.—When Mr. D.
W. Harvey brought forward his motion on this
subject, the Attorney-General, by way of amend-
ment, " wished the Honourable Member would
move for a Return of the Cases where the ver-
dicts had been for the Crown, and where the
verdicts had been given against it," insinuating
thereby that the successful results would prove
how much judgment had been shown in the
Government prosecutions. Now, we cannot
pretend to say how it may be at this time of the
day; but according to Mr. Rede, in the 11th
part of his " Essay on the Laws of England,"
confirmed by Maddox in his " Exchequer," we
learn, that " Among the improper things acted
by Government, in cases of Special Juries, on
their own motion, one has been that of treating
the Jury with a dinner, and afterwards giving
each Juryman two guineas if a verdict is found
for the proswution, and one guinea if otherwise,"
p. 120. But this was only in the "good old
time," when such an amendment as the one pro-
proposed would not have proved nauch.—mor„.
sng Paper.

FROM THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS,--.Capt.
Bunker, of the Ontario, recently arrived at Nan-
tucket, left the Society Islands on the 3d of
November last; he informs the Editor of the
Inquirer, that the natives were afflicted with a
species of plague, extremely virulent and fatal in
it. nature, and rapid in its progress. Of this
disorder many of the inhabitants of Taheita and
Ulietea had been carried off, and others were
dying daily. Captain B. was informed by two
English gentlemen, who had just arrived from
the last mentioned island,, that the distemper was
then raging in an extraordinary manner ; that at
Taheita there were ten dead bodies found in one
house. As soon as one member of a family was
attacked, the others abandoned the unfortunate
victim to his fate. This distemper did not affect
the white residents. Although the contagion
had not reached Huaheina, the natives were ap-
prehensive of its approach. A similar distem-
per, we believe, says the Editor, many years,
since, nearly exterminated the Indian population
of Nantucket.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPERS.
(From the Constitutionnel of Sunday.)

PARIS, APRIL 21.--NATIONAL FETEs.—The
feeling of joy and gratitude which electrified the in-
habitants of Paris, when it was ascertained that the
Law against the Press was withdrawn, is manifested
throughout the departments. It is a general burst
of enthusiasm which it will be very difficult to
calumniate, for in every direction the exclamations
of Vive le Roi! are heard. Yet calumniators are
very skilful. We must expect every thing from
them. It would be a truly curious thing to see the
reports fabricated in the workshop of M. Franchet.
We must at least pity those who would be credulous
enough to ft r n their judgment from such fabrica-
tions. What a false idea would they have of the
real state of society—of the feelings and disposi-
tions of France ! But how unfortunate is it for a
people that the leaders of its administration are in-
terested in disfiguring every fact, and in giving the
lie to their own conscience ! It is so intolerable a
situation, that one cannot think of it without the
deepest regret.
The Ministerial Journals have broken, as we per-
ceive, the silence which they had at first been di-
rected to preserve ; they have come forth with fury
from their forced taciturnity; they compensate
themselves by atrocious falsehoods and the extrava-
gance of their suppositions. If we believe them,
the cry of Vice le Roi is a revolutionary cry, which
announces great misfortunes. Inconsolable for the
defeat they have just experienced, they rashly scru-
tinize the ro'al thoughts, and intimate that the mea-
sure of the Press is only deferred. This useless
insult on Royalty is a striking mark of delirium and
despair.
It is evident that what more peculiarly torments
the Ministry and Messrs. Franchet and Delavan, is
the idea that the affection, so natural to Frenchmen,
towards the Monarch, who has twice saved the
most vital part of our liberties, shnuld be acknow-
ledged and proved. Their interest, the interest of
the faction which governs them, is to persuade the
Monarch that France is impious, seditious, and ini-
mical to Royalty. The moment the contrary is
proved, they will return into their insignificance.—
That which is dreadfully fatiguing to them is the poa
pular expression of national loyalty; they would be
at the height of bliss, if seditious acclamations were
heard. But they cannot bear the tumultuous cry of
" Viva le Roi !" They are as jealous of Royalty as
Harpagon of his chest, or as a tiger of its prey; and
yet the love of Frenchmen for the august pro-
tector of their rights is marked in the slightest cir-
cumstances. Certainly the feelings of the inhabit-
ants of Paris have been more than once calum-
niated; and yet the mere hope of enjoying the
sight of the Monarch on the 29th of April next,
transports them with joy. The citizens forming a
part of the National Guard, who have not a uniform
conformable to the last regulation of the staff which
we have published, hasten to complete it. We
know that a considerable number of tailors are occu-
pied in this way, and not a single honourable man
will fail to attend the call. It will be a day of re-
joicing to France, and a day of mourning to her ene-
mies. We have said that the feeling of joy and gra-
titude had spread throughout the departments, and
a host of letters we have received furnish us with a
proof of it. The illumination of the city of Rouen
was brilliant; every thing proceeded in the greatest
good order. There was neither ill-will nor provo-
cation.
" Ths great news," says our correspondent of
Montargis, " arrived on Thursday morning, and on
Thursday evening the illuminations were general;
with the exception, however, of the public build-
ings, and the houses of the small number of our
functionaries; but, on the other hand, the inhabi-
tants had taken care to illuminate the pumps and
public fouutaius. Au wt. La. .1.... L.

- - -
houses; the citizens embraced in the streets; men
of all classes shook hands, and congratulated each
other on learning that the odious loi d'aniour had
been withdrawn. We must allow that the inhabi-
tants of this place have shared very freely in the
ingratitude of all France. We remarked some trans-
parencies with those words, c Vice lc Roil Fiat
Lux!' The name of Guttemburg was crowned
with laurels."

CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES—PARIS, Ann 21.
DEBATE ON REPORTING THE PROCEEDINGS

OF THIS CHAMBER.

The Order of the Day was for the discussion of
the motion of M. de la Boessiere, relative to a
regulation for appointing certain persons to report
the Debates of the Chamber. The author of the
motion first addressed the Chamber, and contended,
that the manner in which the Journals had treated
his motion was a complete proof of its necessity.
It was more than ever wanted, since the project of
a law for the regulation had been withdrawn. The
Papers contended, that if his plan were adopted,
the publicity of the Debates would be lot, and
without publicity Representative Government would
be only an illusion. The object of the motion was,
that truth and good faith should be substituted for
falsities and wicked perversions, and that an ex-
tended but correct account of the proceedings of
the Chamber might be made public, so that France
might no longer be deceived as to the spirit which
prevailed in its discussions.

M. de BEAUMONT entered into a history of the
proposal, and described the Journals as a power to
which the Chamber would grant neither peace nor
truce. There existed, he said, a system to restrain
within as narrow bounds as possible, and even to
annihilate, if possible, the publicity of the debates.
The reason for this, he remarked, was, that the
election would soon take place; and it had been
stated by the Minister of Finance, that the Deputies
must all be re-elected, except some few, who must
be rejected for the interest of the country.—(Slight
confusion.) But he thought the Minister had con-
founded the interest of the Ministry with the inte-
rest of the country. For him, it might be agreeable
that all France should be ignorant of what passed
in the Chamber. M. de Beaumont, after a long
speech, concluded by declaring for the rejection,
both of the original 'Proposition of M. de la Boos-
siere and the Amendments proposed by the Com-
mittee.

M. de SALLAI3ERRT supported the original pro-
position. Journalists, he contended, make a spe-
culation of lying; and, in partie,:lar, they directed
their attacks against the Chamber. The larger
Journals he compared to torrents overflowing the
country, and the smaller ones to out-pouring, of
calumny.

M. '''''''' explained the conduct of the Com-
mittee appointed to inquire into the proposition, he
being opposed to all the other Members. He then
described the embarrassment, the difficulties, the
perplexities, which would be the lot of the Com-
missioners, which it was proposed to appoint, to
tiee that the Chamber was not exposed to ridicule or
misrepresentation, and concluded by declaring, that
he should vote against the proposition, as founded
upon a principle of usurpation which would procure
noee of the expected advantages
M. DE VILLELE said, imaginary dangers had been
brought before - the Chamber to turn its attention
from a real danger.--The proposition arose out of
the discussions on the Press. The Chamber had
already a repressive power, but it wanted the means
of assuring its execution. He had opposed the ori-
ginal proposition, but the facts being as stated, the
proceedings of the Chamber unworthily travestied,
and its dignity daily violated, he thought himself
called on to consider how the question could be
solved. There was already a law, but the whole
Chamber could not watch over its execution ; and
hence arose the idea of appointing a Commission for
the purpose which the last orator had described as
one of the greatest clangers possible to the Chamber,
and even to the Throne. The danger pointed out
by the author of the proposition was admitted, and
to this danger it was necessary to put an end. The
Commission proposed for this purpose, carried the

remedy directly home to the evil; and he could not
believe, if it would be so useless as some orators con-

tended, that it would have provoked so much hos-
tility. It was an exaggeration to pretend that the
Commission would not controul the Tribune, and

that it would become an iestrument for getting ob-
noxious Members excluded from the Chamber.
These were plainly imaginary dangers, for any Mem-
ber might use the same means as the Commission.
Had there been such a Commission, the offence
committed by the Journal du Commerce would, pro-
bably, never have existed, and there would have
been no occasion to summon the Editor of that
Paper to the Bar of the Chamber. The Commis-
sion would have to call the attention of the Cham-
ber to offences • hich ought to be repressed ; and it
would be very singular, if, being chosen from among
the Deputies, it did not identify itself with the
whole body. M. Bordeau had compared such a
Commission with a Standing Committee, to inquire
into the conduct of the Ministers. But they
would have nothing in common. The latter must
make minute inquiries, and examine witnesses and
documents; the former would require only to
read the newspapers. The two were perfectly
dissimilar. Some apprehensions had been ex-
pressed of a. factious Chamber, but, with such instru-
ments, such a Chamber would not work. With
their forms of Government, and, in the disposition
or the public mind, there was no fear of such assem-
blies being formed as those were which had deluged
France blood. There was no reason, under
the Bourbons, and with the charter, to dread an
election. The power reserved to the King of dis-
solving the Chamber of Deputies, was sufficient to
defend the interest of the country and the throne,
should a factious Chamber desire to compromise
them. It was necessary to put an end to the licen-
tiousness of the Press; and the Chamber had no
other means to procure correct reports. It was not
required that every thing said should be, literally re-
ported, but it was required that the proceedings of
the Chamber should not be disfigured. If the De-
puties were to be calumniated with impunity, the
authority of society would be placed in different
hands. That Queen of the world, Opinion, was
personified for France, and existed in the Journals.
They represented it, and according to the opponents
of the proposition, the Chamber had nothing to do
but submit. Such a state of things would be sub-
versive of all order, of all government, and of all
justice. The opponents of the measure proposed
nothing in its stead.—(Several voices, " Nothing is
required.")—What, nothing to propose (continued
M. de Villele), when the Chamber is calumniated ?
—The power opposed to it was not invincible. It
would be easily overthrown, but it must be treated
with justice and without fear. The tribunals having
the power to punish had not found an occasion to
call that power into execution. He concluded by
supporting the recommendation of the Committee,
that a Commission should be appointed to watch
over the reports of the proceedings, and contended
that without compromising the public interest, it

was not possible to leave the Chamber in its presen
disarmed and defenceless state,

M. de LEYVAL was of opinion, that a Commission
was not sufficient, but that the doors of the Cham-
ber should be closed against the public, and then
would be restored that silent Tribune of the Legis-
lative Assembly which existed under Bonaparte.—
Under the Charter, the Chamber was the demo-
cratic part of the Constitution; therefore France
attended to its discussions. It was the creature—
the work of the people, and would cease to exist for
them, if it were not spoken of. He thought the
Chamber should defend itself from insults, but that
a Commission was not the means—they would best
be found by enforcing its own regulations more
strictly; not against the Press, but against its own
Members—preventing speaking after the debate was
closed, and abstaining from discussing laws which
had not previously been examined in a Committee.
M. de CURSAZ supported the motion.
141. LLvas rpz EITVILLE complained of
Vinci° having spoken out of his turn. As a Mini-
ster he had a rizht to be heard, but he spoke as a
Deputy; and in this character he should have
waited till his turn came.

The " question" was then loudly called for; but
M. Vaublane, the Chairman of the Committee,
whose duty it was to reply, obtained an adjournment
of the debate till Monday for this purpose.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO—MORROW.
Morning —ll minutes after 2. I Evening ...35 minutes after 2.