Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-25
From the National hteRigencer.
BRAZIL.

From the National Lnteligencer.
BRAZIL.
We have been favored with the use
of an extensive file of newspapers from
Rio de Janeiro, but they possess little
Or no matter of interest to our readers
if we may except an article contained
in the paper of the 10th Of January
This is an address from the Mayor and
Aldermen of the City and Province OF
MonteVideo to the government OF Bra
zil, in which they pray that the Pro-
vince may be considered one OF Brazil
NOT federative, as it had been, but
an integral part Of the Brazilian en-
pire; also, that the Roman Catholic
religion only may be permitted; that
the Spanish language be alone used for
public documents; and that, till the
general recognition, by all foreign go
yernments, of the independence OF Bra
zi, the said province of Monte Video
NAV have an absolute government. One
is almost tempted to wish, for so libe-
raj and tolerant race, a government
as absolute as they desired; but we find,
IN the commendabie principles Of the
Emperor's reply, a tone so different,
that it must have been felt as rebuke
to the spirit which dictated the petit
ton.
After thanking the petitioners for
their loyalty, he informed them that
federation and free exercise OF religion
must exist, as it had been established
by the Brazilian constitution, and was
congenial TO the true spirit Of .he Ro-
man Catholic religion; that the use OF
the Spanish language would be pre-
served, and, if altered, it could only
be. by legislative act, according to
the same constitution; that the Brazil
ian constitution having been sworn TO
bv himself and every individual in the
empire; the Emperor would never de-
part from his oath, and that every por-
ton of the empire would be governed
according to the constitution alone
he himself believing that governments
with constitutional charts, were the
only kind, proper for civilized nations.
The National Gazette translates from the
Journal des Debats the following extract, in
order to exempGfy what is called ministerial
monarchy, and to record a fine instance of
manly self devotion:
Co,tsf Of ,4ssi-es-Pa-is, 18th .lpriL
NJ. Laignal, former Captain in the
Navy, who had obtained all his advan-
ces in the service by honorable exploits,
was brought up to the bar Of the Court.
lie was accused ofhaving addressed in
writing, urnaces to the kings minis
ters, ifthey did not repeal an ordinance
by which the pensions OF the navy OH
GERS were reduced below those of the
Office clerks, in violation OF the text OF
the law. The prisoner was in uniform,
and decorated with the orders OF St.
Louis and the Legion Of Honor. He
appeared to be about sixty years OF age.
His exterior indicated the temper and
roushness of an old sailor. An impri-
sonment of one hundred and ninety,ti ve
days, before he was called to trial, did
not seem to have depressed his spirit.
When interrogated by the President OF
the Court as to the motives which had
determined him to send the writing III
question to the ministers, he answered,
that having failed in all his endeavors
to cause Justice to be done to his fel-
low officers, he thought no other expo
dent remained than to cause him
self TO be brought to trial in some
way, so that the circumstance might
reach the ear Of the King, and full light
be thrown upon the abuses in the ad-
ministration of the naval c6cerns.-
The President remarked to him
"You ought 10 have addressed your
complaints to the King, the fountain oil
all Justice" NJ. Laignal answered.
~ addressed sir memorials to the King;
the third was handed to him by the
High Admiral; presented the sixth
myself to his Majesty, on my Bonded
knee-I asked nothing for myself
have the highest pension attached to
my rank, I.petitioned only for brave
and unfortunate officers, who were re-
dNced to penury. The two houses OF
the Legislature referred, six times, my
petition to the ministers, who paid no
attention 20 them. At length, took
and produced the joint opinion OF seve-
ralofthe most distinguished Jurists OF
the capital; but in vain-I therefore
tried every means of obtaining justice"
After this dialogue, the attorney &C.
neral endeavored to show that altho'
the accused had no intention to execute
The threats which he addressed to the
ministers, he had nevertheless COM
mlred crime specified by the law
The counsel Of the prisoner pronounc-