The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-01 00:00:00

FOREIGN INThLLIGENCE.

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
(From the _Etale.)
PAlus, JAN 4 29.----The Official Journal of Spain, of the
18th of January, contanr, followit% article

ON PORTUGAL.
ages The thees which have taken place in Portugal since
'the -34tt of July last, when a new mode of Government
'e Proe!Aimed, naturally inspired the Spanish Govern-
men', with apprehensions of the interruption of the tran-
quillity 'a its kingdoM, which is much in need of repose to
the deep wounds ivhich ancient calamities had left
behind, and which rebellion had recently re-opened. Even
supposing that every thing passed peaceably in the neigh-
bouring country, Spain could not without uneasiness see a
Representative System established like that which caused
us so many calamities, by weakening the protecting power
of the throne, dissolving the public administration, relaxing
all the bonds of society, and giving up persons and rights
to the daggers and insults of a furious band, or
rather sacrificing them to the sordid interests of the
Revolutionists, who seduced and paid this multitude,
to make them overthrow the barriers which opposed
their ambition and their cupidity. Without examininr,
the value of the theories sanctioned in Portugal,
it was to be feared that their appearance might
fotrient in the minds of some deluded Spaniards the
in--stifled gerrna einsurrection—that it might awaken their
hives and re.animate their efforts to renew it. It was to
be feared that, to increase the danger, there might be added
to th's effects of example the declamations of the friends of
novelty; for innovators aspire no less to rule by opi-
nion than conquerors do by arms. It is not necessary to
seek in the present crisis for proofs of this truth ; it is suf-
ficient to read the multitude of journals with which the
capital of this Monarchy was immediately inundated, to
find in them, though they are restrained by the Censor-
ship, to which they are subject, the exaggeration of the
principles adopted, the attacks against authority, the thirst
of vengeance, impatient of the check imposed on it by
the. Tribunals—in a word, the germ of dissolution, which
produced among es such fatal effects. The Authorities
were obliged, at the very onset, to punish several writers,
and even to prohibit the publication of any other Journal ;
sclo certain it is that people overflow like torrents, when the
tiyieg which confine them are broken down in ally point
Whatever.

To the great danger which the example and the desti-
nies of Portugal presented, were soon added the commo-
tions, prodUCed by the change. From the south to the
north of that kingdom, symptoms of discontent with the
new system manifested themselves. On both sides a part
Of the armed force declared against the innovation, in the
name even of the reigning dynasty, and then began the
emigration of several corps and individuals into the Spa-
Uish. territory. The communication of hostile measures,
and persons, and movements, for which the extensive
frontiers of the two countries afford so much opportunity,
led to the criminal desertion of some Spanish soldiers, and
Inflamed the minds and revived the hopes of restless men.
Of the interior of the kingdom the Intendant of Police
himself, in a circular, of the 12th December last, confesses
that " the zeal of parties, acting in contrary directions,
has again troubled the public tranquillity." Tranquillity
was necessarily still more troubled on the Spanish frontiers,
where a multitude of discontented persons collected to seek
a retreat, and the troops which support the Constitution
puriued the former.
It was thus that they entered our territory, and soon re-
turned into their own country, before the Spanish Govern-
ment, which reposed in profound peace, had sent forces to
that line to check their movements. Spain, therefore, was
exposed not only to the moral influence of the changes in
the neighbouring country, but also that of its troubles, and
even to the invasion of its troops.
In such a state of things, the prudence of the King could
not, at the sight of these disorders, remain longer tranquil,
out of regard for the independence of the Government,
and the friendship which, for many reasons, attaches us
to it.

The safety of the State, which is the supreme care of
society, the dignity of the Crown, the fundamental Go-
vernment of the Monarchy, and the honour of the Spanish
name, laid our Sovereign under the necessity of preserv-
ing his dominions from the moral contagion, and the
armed aggressions which might violate his frontier s.
This sacred object, the first duty of a monarch, is the
tendency of the measures presented in the Circular, print-
ed at the beginning of this No. (1). His Majesty respects
the independence of the neighbouring kingdom : and he
does not pretend to exercise any influence on the destiny
which the changes that have taken place reserve for it; he
has the most ardent desire to preserve unchanged the re-
lations of friendship which bind him to his august Allies.
He will not intervene in any hostile act against. Portugal;
but he will repress and punish every action—every revo-
lutionary attempt, which shall dare to pass the frontier;
he will defend his own, and respect that of the neighbour..
ing country.
Foreign Nations, notwithstanding the intentions of the
Government, and the vigilance of the Magistrates, offer
to anarchists an asylum, of which they take advantage, to
carry on to their plot at leisure. \V th a view to render
their plans useless, not only will a more strict surveillance
be exercised in the adjacent provinces, with which they
might communicate, but the military posts have beesi
strengthened, and a Corps of Observation has been placed
on a line with the Tagus.
The King of Spain is independent, and free to adopt
precautions which are adapted to the security of his people:
the necessity of their preservation, and the right of nations,
which is derived from them, authorise him to do so; and
God grant that no fatal attempt may oblige him to make
use of this force to save the honour and the laws of Spain.
Our Sovereign desires nothing so much as peace; nothing
is more necessary to repair the disasters suffered by his
people, and for the introduction of the amelioration which
the King, in his wisdom, contemplates ; but nothing would
so much sully the Castilianhonour—without which neither
the Monarch nor the People could live—as calmly to suffer
any offence to the neutral tranquillity of Spain, any insti-
gation or attempt to overturn its fundamental laws. The
King our master cannot consent to it, and the Spaniards,
who adore him for his virtues, and who are sufficiently in-
structed by the excesses and- the disasters of the Revolu-
tion, would intrepidly hasten, under the Royal banner,
to overthrow those who should approach irreverently the
steps of the Throne, or should touch the immovable foun-
dations of the Monarchy.
So long as his Majesty remained inactive with respect
to foreign troubles, contenting himself with watching over
oar internal, repose and security, the Madrid Gazette has
been silent with respect to events which excited the unea

"..The Circular of the Marquis de Zainbrano, Minister of War,
which-the Etoile published some days ago.--Note of the Etoile.

siness of the King, and alarmed the minds of loyal
Spaniards. On the one hand it seemed proper to imitate
the circumspection of the Government, and on the other it
was melancholy to divulge news which could not but re-
mind us of our past sufferings, and increase by new fears
the affliction and anxiety of the public. We waited till
time and circumstances should show the conduct of the
King. This moment is come, and his Majesty has given
public orders, and manifested his Royal intention with
respect to Portugal. The motives which had induced us
to withhold them from the eyes of the Spaniards no longer
existing, the Gazette will henceforward publish all the
events which shall take place in that Kingdom.