Star.
London, England, 1818-03-30 00:00:00

LOWER ELBE, MARCH is.

According to the last accounts from Tunis, a ship
is fitting out there, which it is said is to convey dis-
patches respecting a Convention concluded with Hol-
land. The same is the case with two other Corsairs,
which it is said are to require satisfaction of England
for the ships taken from the Tunisians in the Channel.

LONDON.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1818.
TIIE FUNDS.

PRICE OF STOCKS TIIIb DAY AT TWELVE O'CLOCK :
Reduced shut—Cons. 781—Cons. for Ac. 7o;
4 per Cent. shut—Navy Annuities 105 i 106
India Bonds ti 2 S 1• pr.—Exchequer Bills 12 17 pr.

The affairs of Spain and Portugal occupy at the
present moment a considerable share of the attention
of Politicians, both here and on the Continent.
Those who have access to Count PALMELA and
the Duke of FERNAN-Nunez, declare that the diffe-
rences between Portugal and Spain have, within these
few days, in the European Committee, sitting at
Paris, taken a turn far from favourable ; and this to
a degree that there seems to be an apprehension of a
serious and imminent rupture, unless the difficulties
between the two Courts are speidiiy cleared ass-ay.
In this matter, as in all of a great and decided in-
terest, much is expected from the powerful interfe-
rence of the Duke of WILLINGTON. It would cer-
tainly be a very great misfortune if hostilities should,
at a moment like the present, break out between
Spain and Portugal, either on the banks of the Tagus,
or on those of the Rio de la Plata. It is observed
with pain, that since the arrival of the Russian squa-
kiron at Cadiz, the Tone of the Spanish Minister has
become much more peremptory.
We have every reason to believe that our Cabinet
feels a particular interest in these affairs, and carries
on an active correspondence with the other great

Powers to prevent, W possible, any actual rupture.—
On Thursday, Viscount CASTLIMEAGII came to town
from his seat at North Cray, Kent, and had a long
audience of the Palms REGENT, at Carlton House.
The Noble Viscount then went to his Office, and gave
directions to the Under Secretary of State to make up
dispatches for Russia and Spain. Oa Friday, Mr.

KostNsox and Mr. PIIGLER, the King's Messengers;
were sant off with them, the former to ltusoia, and
die latter to Spain.
The following letters have reference to the same
matters :

u MADRID, MARCH 7.

" The departments of War and Marine have been
much occupied since the arrival at Cadiz of the Rus-
sian squadron, which is now only designated by the,
name of the squadron of expedition, the ships form-
ing a part of our own naval force. The squadron of
expedition will, it is understood, consist of eight ships
of the line and 10 frigates of the first rank, besides 12
vessels of smaller size, and a great number of trans-
port vessels. Almost all the troops which are to be
embarked are assembled on the points of Andalusia
nearest to the Isle of Leon ; their number will, its
said, amount to about 12,000 men of all arms.

Those persons who look to the measures of Govern-
ment, with a view to the consequences which may
have a marked iniluence upon the affairs of Spain,
remark that the strong division of troops which was
last year posted in the province of Estremadura, near
the frontiers of Portugal, remains entire at the mo-
ment when a considerable force is about to embark
and they infer from thence that it is not yet posi-
tively known what may be the result of the negocia-
tions between Spain and Portugal respecting the dif-
ferences arising from the occupation of Monte Video
by the Portuguese, and which it would be of the
greatest importance to the two kingdoms to termi-
nate as soon as possible. Nothing transpires here
upon the subject. It is known, however, that the Mi-
nisters of the mediating Powers at Paris, and parti-
cularly the Duke de Fernand Nunez our Ambassador,
and the Count de Palmela, are occupied upon it with
the greatest solicitude.
We still flatter ourselves that an arrangement ho-
nourable to both nations will take place, whatever
may be the difficulties, for it is impossible to suppose
there will be an open rupture between Spain and Por-
tugal under existing circumstances. In the event of
an arrangement, the numerous division above alluded
to, composed of very fine troops, may, if necessary,
receive also a destination for America. It is not yet
known whether the force which is about to be sent
will act againt the Provinces of La Plata, or against
the Rebels headed by Bolivar, in the Kingdom of
New Grenada. At all events the troops sent by this
expedition will be employed in a body, and not divi-
ded to be sent to different quarters."
EXTRACT OF A LETTER, DATED MADRID, MA RCM 8.
" The arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Savia, attached to the
Embassy at Paris, and who comes by express, has excited some
surprise in this capital, as in consequence thereof the Govern-
ment immediately issued the strictest orders to the Captain-Ge-
nerals of Old Castile anti Galicia, as well as to the Commanders
in the Principality of Asturias, the Biscayan Provinces, and San-
tander, instructing them to take the most active measures for
the security of the kingdom, as his Majesty bad received infor-
mation that General R— is on the point of landing on some
part of the coast with a 60 gun ship, and transports containine
goof) men. A report had been circulated that this armament
was to have another destination, but the Government had re-
ceived information, through its confidential Agents, that some
place on the coast of Cautabria was to be the .point of attack.
Owing to this, various corps are in movement towards the coast,
among which is the regiment that was stationed in !faro, the
regiment of Alexander, and two squadrons of Laitania, which
hare marched from Valladolid. The militia of Mondoneda,
Oviedo, Sec. are also in motion, and the inhabitants of the Bis-
cayan provinces have received orders to be armed without any
distinction of classes.-

The Paris Papers of Wednesday and Thursday last
have arrived since our last. An abstract of their con-
tents will be found in our preceding columns. It
will be observed that the report on the Law for the
Abolition of the Slave Trade, was presented to the
Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday. It is remark-
able that the Reporter, Baron Dvroutautots, never
once adverted to the great defect which has been
noticed in this law—namely, its omission to recog-
nize a right of search by the armed vessels of France
and of her neighbours reciprocally. Spain and Por-
tugal have both conceded this rii2,llt, bat the fact we
understand is, that France has refused to give any
such pledge of the security of her desire to abolish
the traffic. Without it, however, all other concessions
can be of but little avail.

A Flanders and three Hamburg!) Mails arrived
last night, the extracts from which are given in ano-
ther part of our Paper ; and this morning a Dutch
and another I lamburgh Mail reached the Post-Office,
from the papers brought by which we subjoin the
following additional notices :