The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-21
Affairs In Portugal.

Affairs In Portugal.
The brig Omyum arrived yesterday, in forty
eight days, from Lisbon, Portugal.
The American Consul at Lisbon, Philip A.
Roach, Esq, came passenger in her, as bearer
of dispatches from the United States Legation at
the Court of Braganza.
We have received by the o., the following des-
patch from our correspondent at Lisbon. 1t Is not
of late date, but it contains matter of consdera-
BILE INTEREST,"
LrsBor, Aug. 80, 1s4s
affairs of Portugal The Grill ReAgion-Pride
The Colonies, &c, &c.
In previous letter. alluded to the unjust opinion
prevailing abroad respecting the Portuguese character
and shall allude to the which have pro-
duced 1t. My present opinion of Portugal is very diff
ferent from that which entertained before becoming
acquainted with the people. Like strangers visiting
our own land find that descriptions, like those OF
Trollope, Dickens and kindred scribbers are wide
u reality in Portugal they in the nited States
Be not surprised however, that this country is misrep
resented for for several years the crimes and atroc
ties Of civil mark her history. Portugal for
turies has been absolute government; the masses
were accustomed to it, and the upper classes were its
firm supporters Shortly after the death of John the
W. Don Miguel succeeded in getting the Cores to pro-
claim him King; but he refused to perform his pro-
mises to his brother, Don Pedro Emperor of Brazil to
marry his daughter Donna Maria, the present Queen
hence the civil war. The Miguetes sbsoutists
the country had been prosperous without charters
constitutions and they satisfied to be governed
without them the more the liberal movement Of
1870 shortly followed by the loss Brazil The Pc
droites liberals and their instance Don Pedro
granted the country the charter of 1926 The struggle
ended IN 1884 BY the defeat Of Don Miguel who, for
sway, ell who expressed liberal opinions were severely
punished In many instances the accused after mock
eled, or hung. in few hours after their conviction
The spies Of the despot would watch all who were not
mark upon their backs the letter NJ (Malhado0 the
victim hearing the cries Of kin him. would safety
but before he could proceed far the knives of
had deprived him Of existence. In this manner many
private enemy, and many dishonest debtor, settled
their accounts Those who had wealth were obliged
were whipped or imprisoned
But, In time the tide turned. Don PedIo's troops
took Lisbon, and the sufferers by the tyranny OF Don
Miguel wresked their vengeance upon his supporters
For several days after their entry the obn oxious
Ssns Of the opposition were marked out for punish
tnguisbed themselves BY their ZEAL and when any of
tAsn appeared in the streets the letter B., (Burro)
chalk almost instantly followed by their d,ath.
I have heard related by several eye. Witnesses the
sDstions by the knife the EQUATIONS by the hang
man and the scattering Of the victims ashes to the
A part Of the time, during the war; no quauer was
given on either side The struggle ended in 1884, and
the present Queen, daughter Of Don Pedro assembled
The influence Of the civil war Is every where deeply
and inseibly marked After years OF peace, as much
hatred exists between the liberals and Miguslites
struggle The latter party, though the majority
q the nation, were conquered by the aid lent by
down by the quadruple treaty existing between those
governments and that of Donna Maria. The present
government must be constantly the alert to pro.
fect itself The conquered more numerous than
the conquerors, and another war between them would
6y the tie which in all monarchical countries out.
lives the fall OF their monarch. Their enemies have
place rank and titles but the old nobility look upon
them ~ upstarts and their hatred Of each other is
profoun nd and bitter Here, society has been over
turned; but Notwithstanding the existence OF many
causes tending to produce violence and crime, the
character Of the people mild patient and hospita
ale Anusion has been made to the above facts, to
bear testimony to the virtues Of the Portuguese for
play Themselves notwithstanding the existence Of
hitter political hatred.
In France anarchy had Its reign Of terror; in Por-
tueai, sbsolutism had its reign ALSO but those who
would accuse the character either people OF cruelty
proves Its mildness aud humanity. The amusements
OF the people illustrate their disposition. buldsh
are f.asts and fairs; and much simplicity is spps-
-ent In the Of the people that they appear to
belong TO bygone age. In the many revolutionary
struggles which have occurred since the expulsion Of
Don Miguel between factions Of the liberal parties
the victory gained oblivion seems TO have been
thrown over the past Recently, In Seville, Spanish
regiment revolted after proclaiming change Of 60
yernment and firing upon the royal troops they re-
treated into Portugal Here they were disarmed, and
Denna Maria interceded with the Queen of Spain and
obtained their pardon How different is the conduct
Of the Portuguese ministry from that OF Queen VIC
torias councillors. At the instance OF the former
Spanish soldiers, who, In moment Of excitement, had
fire upon their fellow and proclaimed the down.
fall Of their government are psrdoned while, in I'M
happy Ireland which for centuries has been the Job
Of nations the slightest hope Of her children has in
vted upon their heads imprisonment and exile
The people delight in their religious festivals and
procefsions ON Good Friday every one appears In
deep mourning; the stores are closed the churches
are hung in black, and a profound silence reigns
throughout the city. The bells OF the CLOCK DO not
toll the hour, and so rigidy the day observed that
in Of FIRE the alarm bells do not ring In every
public place the hsga are hung at half mast and the
yards Of the shipping crossed. A Good Friday in
The capital appears TO be day of terrible Gala