Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-23
Scene with the Queen OF Spain In the
Palace ~ Madrid.

Scene with the Queen OF Spain In the
Palace ~ Madrid.
we translate the following interesting account
OF the late extraordinary political movement in
Madrid, from the Courier de Bordeaux:
After long discussion, the law that Signor
Madoz had proposed TO the Cortes, to obtain an
authorization to sell the properties Of the State,
OF the clergy, OF the establishments and the cor
poratons of charity and of public instruction, was
adopted in the sitting of the 9th of April scarce
~ dozen deputies opposed il, while there were
100 votes IN It's favor. As soon as this result was
made known, Signor Madoz exclaimed, ssThe
revolution of July has made gigantic step'
The project OF the law had been the subject of a
protestatlon from the court Of Rome. At the be-
ginning of the month of March, the representa-
tive Of that court, Monsgneur Franchi, had pre-
sented this Official protestation to Signor Luzuri-
aga, Minister Of Foreign Affairs, who had replied
that The government was very decided not to
make any attempts on the interests fthe clergy,
and to respect the stipulations Of the compact of
1901. Stlll later, another protestaton was de-
posted with Signor Luzuriage, and commune
Gated to the Queen The Court Of Rome, basing
itself precisely on the compact, sustained that the
Government OF Spain, from which it did not sep
| arate the Cortes, has not the pow or to make any
attempt on the right of property of the clergy,
supported by a diplomatic convention, authorized
previously by constitutional law, voted by the
Cortes and sanctioned by the Queen. These
steps OF Monseigneur Franch were supported,
we are told, by the Cardinal Archbishop of Telo-
do, recently arrived from Rome, and bringing the
latest instructions of the Pope. The representa-
tons of tho prelate easily alarmed the religious
| scrnples OF the Queen and the King. Sgnor
Madoz expected it, and he had told his two col
| leagues, the Marshals Espartero and O'Donnell,
that, when they should ask for the sanction OF the
law Just voted, they would find resistance in
hra( am xDa. .,
vanquisbv nd as Signor Madoz noted especially
the influence of the Archbishop of Toledo, Mar
shal O'Donnell replied, eff the Cardinal persists
in creating difficulties, we will send him to the
Philippine Islands"
On Saturday, the 2Sth April, two professions
LETT Madrid at the same hour for the royal resi-
dence of Arani uez-one conducted the Marshal
Duke of Victory, President of the Council of
Ministers, who was to present to the Queen the
law voted the preceding evening at the Cortes,
fully determined not to return to Madrid without
having obtained the royal sanction; the other
procession conducted the Monseigneur Franch,
who was to communicate to the Minister, Luzn-
riega, the orders which he had received from the
Holy See, and to demand his passport in case the
law should be promulgated. The Marshal had
| hrst conference with the King, and the loud
sounds OF his voice struck on the ears of the
chamberlains and officers in attendance, waiting
the close of these painful discussions The Queen
| had answered by refusal
II must declare to you, madam, y said the
Marshal, "that your refusal may have the most
fatal consequences, both for public peace and for
your own person. You know with what facility
barbados al @ made in the streets of Madrid; the
population is already exceedingly irritated and
discontinued; very soon they will be pushed to
the last extremities, and, believe me, the Assem-
bly, will not hesitate to put in force the most en-
ergetic resolutions"
Il reproach myself" said the Queen, ssfor
having consented to the presentation of this law,
which troubles my conscience for it is n viola
ton of treaty that made with the Pope; and |
| am resolved not to give it my sanction, being
convinced that there will result from it great
evils TO SPAIN
The Marshal having repeated the difficulties
which the ministers would have by refusal, and
the impossiblity for them, in that case, to keen
their portfolios the Queen replied that they had
found her docile even in painful positions, and
that she could not believe they would abandon
her in the situation they had placed her in, when
she would be without counselors and without de-
tenders.
swell, then, sign, said the Marshal.
"No," replied the Queen, 81 cannot sign this
great nquty.o
The Marshal then went to the King, to whom
he recalled the services which he had rendered TO
the Queen and to the throne since the revolution
81 know not" observed the King ssif il would
and throne, ratheer than have kept them such as
you have made them" The Marshal not having
succeeded returned to Madrid.
In the evening the ministers were convoked
and il decided they should resign en- ,nasse if
the Queen still refused her sanction to the law
The next day the ministers arrived early at Aran-
juez and Marshal O'Donnel, being the first TO
enter into the chamber of the Queen said to her.
MADAM, fear that you are under illusion as TO
your situation. You are ignorant if you persist
in your refusal; the Assembly will constitute it.
self n national convention; il will declare your
fall from the throne, and Danish you from Spain
II you push us there, we will renounce that con-
stitutional royalty for which we have made so
many sacrifices, and we will proclaim republic
Spain will not be the more unhappy from it; but
we shall retain your daughter; she belongs to the
nation, and might serve a hostage to answer
for you"
These menaces, uttered with great energy. bv
man who is not always master Of himself, pro-
duced the most profound distress in the mind of
the Queen, and appeared to freeze her courage
Her strength was exhausted. She only answered
with her tears for some time. 81 hesitate no
longer" cried she, with pain. 81 will do that for
the interest Of my daughter that would not have
done for myself ] will sign, if you promise me
not to take her from me; but | protest, with all
the strength of my soul, against your violence
and hope that God will make 10 fall upon your
head, and that of your colleagues, the response
bility Of my weakness"
At this moment the Grand Chamberlain and
the ladies of the Queen, preceded by the young
Princess of Asturias, entered. The child threw
herself into the arms of her mother, and the la
dies knelt at her feet, entreating her TO put an
end TO this contention, and no longer TO compro-
mise the safety Of her person and the destines Of
the dynasty"
"Hasten, madam, said Marshal O'Donnell;
''here are the ministers, who arc tired Of wait
ing" The ministers entered, and those deputies
who formed the bureau of the Assemble. One OF
the ministers put the pen into the hand Of the
Queen, and the law sanctioned.
While this was passing at Aranjuez, Madrid
was assuming revolutionary aspect. The gar
rison had been consigned to their barracks, nu-
mcrous groups Of people formed in the streets,
and those members Of the Assembly who were
known for their advanced opinions met in one OF
the rooms Of the palace where they proposed
measures most dnarchique They demanded
decree that should proclaim the national conven-
ton and the vacancy of the throne; and were
preluding these acts, by a singular coincidence,
just at the moment that o 'Donnel was menacing
the Queen.
At the same time, the chiefs Of the militia
eli mil nd