The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-02 00:00:00

LORD PALMERSTON'S INTERFERENCE.

Tuesday gave to the Epglisli public a publication of
diplomatic correspondence relating to a matter of great
interest, namely, the interference of Lord Palmerston in
Spanish affairs. It caused great excitement at Madrid.
Nor will our readers wonder at the rejoinder of the Duke
de Sotomayor after they have perused the instructions
contained in the following despatch, addressed by
is
Se-
cretary of Foreign Affairs to Mr. L. Bulwer. It s dated.
Foreign-Office, March 16, 1848:
" Sin,—l have to recommend you to advise the Spanish
Government to adopt a legal and constitutional system.
The recent downfall of the King of the French and his
family, and the expulsion of his ministers, ought to indi-
cate to the Spanish Court and Government the danger to
which they expose themselves in endeavouring to govern
a country in a manner opposed to the sentiments and
opinions of the nation ; and the catastrophe which has'
just occurred in France is sufficient to show that even a
numerous and well disciplined army offers only an insuffi-
dent defence to the Crown when the system followed by
it is not in harmony with the general system of the coun-
try. The Queen of Spain would act wisely in the present
critical state of affairs if she were to strengthen her-exe-
cutive government, by widening the basis on which the
administration reposes, and in calling to her councils
some of the men in whom the liberal party reposes confi-
dence. —I have the honour to be, &c., PALMERSTON."
The above letter is enclosed on the 7th of April to the
Duke de Sotomayor, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs,
in another from Mr. Bulwer, who developes the ideas it
contains by suggesting that the Cortes should be immedi,
ately convened, and explanations given.--
"Calculated to efface the impression occasioned both
in the kingdom and abroad by the arrest and apparent
intention to banish several citizens (amongst whom are
to be found some of the most distinguished members of
the Cortes), who up to the present moment have neither
been tried nor accused of any offence."
He then reminds the Duke "that it was certainly the
promise of constitutional liberty," as distinguished from
her royal competitor, that powerfully contributed to her
obtaining the support of Great Britain ; and concludes—
" Your Excellency cannot be surprised at the senti-
ments which I express here, supposing even that the gene-
ral situation of Europe and the universal tendency of
public opinion did not prove most clearly that at present
the firmest guarantees of a throne are to be found in the
national liberty and in the enlightened justice which are
dispensed under its authority."
The Duke de Sotomayor acknowledges the receipt of
both letters, the first of which he had previously became
acquainted with by its publication in the Clama Publico,
an opposition journal, which, judging from th;s fact, pos-
sessed the advantage of being made acquainted with his
Excellency's despatches before they reached their desti-
nation. As the Cortes were sitting, the press free, and
the government had adopted a line of conduct and conci-
liation (admitted so by its enemies) at the very time of the
date of Lord Palmerston's despatch, the Duke is still
more surprised at the presumption of his interference.
The conclusion of the despatch is too admirable a rebuke
to the noble lord to be given otherwise than entire. After
declaring the present government to possess the confidence
of the nation, the Spanish minister continues :
" The Cabinet, I say, cannot see without the most ex-
treme surprise the extraordinary pretension of Lord Pal-
merston, which leads him to interfere in this manner with
the internal affairs of Spain, and to support himself on
inexact and equivocal data, and the qualification and ap-
preciation of which cannot in any case come within his
province. The government would have much to say to
completely justify its past and present conduct; but it
does not consider itself called on to do it with regard to its
Sovereign and the Cortes, and in no way at the instiga-
tion of a foreign influence, which in itself would be to
commit an offence against the dignity of the government,
and the independence of the nation. All the legal parties
in Spain unanimously reject such a humiliating pretension ;
and the Spanish government, in now doing it, is no doubt
the legitimate representative of the general opinion of the
country. What would Lord Palmerston—what would
your Excellency yourself—say if the Spanish government
were to interfere and pass an opinion on the administrative
acts of the British Cabinet, and recommend a modifica-
tion in the regime of the State, or if it were to advise it to
adopt more efficacious or more liberal measures to allevi-
ate the frightful condition of Ireland ? What would he
say if the Spanish government were to demand, in the
name of humanity, more consideration and more justice on
behalf of the unfortunate people in Asia ? What, in fine,
would he say if we were to remind him that the late event
on the Continent gave a salutary lesson to all govern-
ments, not excepting Great Britain, and that consequently
the administration of the State should be given up to the
Illustrious Peel : to the skilful man who, after having con-
ciliated the general opinion of his country, has known how
to merit the sympathies and esteem of all the governments
of Europe ? He would say—what the Spanish govern.:
ment has now a right to say—that he does not recognise
the right of any power, which he rejects asoffensive to the '
dignity of a free and independent nation. Animated by
sentiments suitable to Spanish dignity, and to every go-
vernment which respects itsejf, the Cabinet of her Catholic
Majesty cannot avoid protesting, in the most energetic
manner, against the contents of the despatches of Lord
Palmerston and your Excellency ; and, considering that it
cannot retain them without being wanting in dignity, it
returns them enclosed, and at the same time declares, that
if your Excellency should at any other time in your official
communications on points of international rights, go be-
yond the bounds of your mission, and interfere in the par-
ticular and private affairs of the Spanish government, I
shall consider myself under the painful necessity of re-
turning your despatches without further remark."
We are not surprised to read that Senor Isturitz has
been instructed to apply to Lord Palmerston for the re-
call of Mr. Bulwer, the British Minister to the Court og
Spain.
••1•1=..

NEW STEAMER.—THE FOYLE. This beautiful iron
steamer, which is intended for the Derry and Liverpool
trade, arrived here this week, and is now lying at the An-
drossan Wharf. She was built by Messrs. Caird and Co.,
of Greenock, and does great credit to these eminent ship-
builders. The following are the dimensions of the vessel :
—Extreme length, 197 feet; breadth 26 feet; depth, 17
feet. Tonnage per register, 535 tons. The engines are
of the newest and most approved construction. She is
understood to be a fast sailer, and is beautifully fitted up
with first and second cabins, and a very spacious steerage
for deck passengers. The saloon and sleeping apartments
for ladies and gentlemen, "are beautiful and elegant
in every respect. To the left of the saloon are also a
couple of state rooms for ladies, each having accommoda-
tion for four persons, and communicating with the ladies'
cabin, which accommodates 10 persons in a very superior
manner. The steward's pantry, at the landing, is of a
beautiful description. The plate and other articles under
his charge, are of the best and costliest kinds. In the
second cabin there are accommodations for 12 males and
8 female passengers.—. Derry Sentinel.