Star.
London, England, 1820-12-04 00:00:00

LORD BERESFORD.

OFFICIAL REPORT.

CONTINUATION OF THE CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS
LORDSHIP, WHILST IN THE TAGUS.
(From 0 Amiga do Pogo.)
ig Whilst these things (see the STAR of Thursday)
were passing on board the Vengeur, a dreadful noise
spread through the streets of Lisbon, similar to a sub•
terraneous thunder, always the precursor of destruc-
tion, and this popular oscillation gave rise to appre-
hensions of the most fatal consequences. The people
assembled in parties, and asked each other whether it
was true that Lord Beresford bad arrived ? The
most prudent blamed his daringness, and trembled
at the popular inquietude. The people, hitherto
dumb, not knowing how to disguise their feelings,
broke out in terrible threats ; the soldiers shewed
themselves uneasy, and everything threatened a ge-
neral convulsion. Of the whole of this, the Govern-
ment was duly informed by frequent reports ; they
took the whole into consideration, and adopted the
most prudent, and at the same time the most vigor-
ous measures, in order to avoid any melancholy event
that might take place.
" In the mean time Lord Beresford, being unable
to gain any ground with his answers to the Inspector
Captain of the Port, whose orders were clear and
express, addressed himself to the Government. He
requested to be allowed to converse with his friends,
arid nominate two to arrange his affairs in Portugal;
adding, that as he had brought with him an English
surgeon, who attended him, the latter sometimes
wished to go on shore, where he was anxious of re-
siding after his Lordship's departure; and that as he
3- ad also with him some Portuguese servants, they
wished to go on shore, and afterwards return to his
service, or settle their accounts, in order to remain
im their native country. The Government answered
that flee communications with the shore were abso-
lutely refused him, as this was requisite in conse-
quence of the state of fermentation in which the peo-
ple were ; that the English surgeon might remain in
Portugal, as well as all other British, as these mea-
sures merely related to the person of Lord Beresford,
and arose out of the exigence of circumstances, but
that when once landed from the man of war, he
should not be permitted to return on board—that
the Portuguese servants should be allowed to land,
but on an express declaration that they would not go
on board again—that for the domestic affairs of Lord
13cresford, a person, who, on being authorized by
the Government, should go on board" to treat with
him, but always come and go by the man of war
landing-place.
" At the same time, it was again signified to Cap-
tain Maitland' and the whole of the British Officers,
that these measures bad no reference whatever to the
British Nation; in due regard of truth it being ne-
cessary to acknowledge, that the said Captain had
always conducted himself. with frankness and good
faith, and that Lord Beresfoyd himself; after his first
expostulations, which were frustrated, afterwards
conducted himself with moderation, and even with a
certain degree of dignity ; it being necessary further
to declare, that everything is apocryphal that on this
subject has been rumoured in Lisbon.
" The Government, in the meantime, was not off
its guard ; the shores were completely observed ;and
so much did some persons take this affair to heart,
and watched Lord Beresford so near, that the Go-
vernment received frequent reports of his smallest
actions and words.
As reasons of State and policy required that
these measures should not be made public, the agita-
tion of the Lisbon people was increased. It was re-
ported his Lordship had landed privately. Some
were of opinion, that it would be proper immediately
to march and attack his dwelling, and put an end to
him and all his favourites. Others, deemed more
moderate, wished to lay a remonstrance before the
Government, to demand that his Lordship should
either be instantly expelled, or arrested and tried,
offering themselves to undertake the arrest, and they
added, that in case of resistance, the Vengeur should
be set on fire. To the Editor of the Amigo do Poo°
several Portuguese addressed themselves, imprudent,
indeed, but they are loyal, and on their lives and pro-
perty the Government may rely, telling him, that in
consequence of his known regard to the Constitution,
they had selected him to draw up the remonstrance to
the Government, which they wished hits to do instantly,
as they would get it signed by thousands of persons.
He dissuaded them, as well as he was able, and
spewed them that it was impolitic, and even an act
of insubordination, to dictate measures to the Go-
vernment. The remonstrance was not made ; but
still the popular commotion increased every instant.
" It was then that the Government took its last
re:elution. They caused it to be intimated to Lo; d
It.'!resford, that in consequence of the inquietude in
hich the people were, they could no longer permit .
his stay in the port, because every moment they
feared some terrible. commotion, the consequences
of which would be very fatal. Wherefore, if the
Vengeur or the packet Arabella could not, for any
reason, go out, the Government would prepare a
vessel, for in twenty-four hours Lord Beresford
should peremptorily quit the port. 'This news was
spread confusedly through Lisbon, and the people
trusted to the Government and became more calm.
It was evident that the communication of Lord
Beresford with the shore being' prohibited, as this
was a measure which a whole city required, as well
as the whole nation, it was done through consider-
ation
to the British People and Government; and
even his Lordship, whose person the Government
did not wish to see ill treated, as it was to be feared
that his life, as well possibly as those of all the Bri-
tish resident in the city, would have been greatly en-
dangered, if the people discovered that the Govern- ;
ment had relaxed. This prohibition comprehended ,
the British Officers residing in Portugal under the ,
orders of the Government. Four British Officers
considered they could outstep these bounds, and
went on board to visit his Lordship. As soon as tbe
Government was informed of this, an order was sent
to them instantly to quit Portugal. Two of them
left in company with his Lordship ; the other two
requested a few days longer, and as the motives they
alleged were just, it was granted them, but they must
quit Portugal. His Lordship eventually left the