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noted of these clubs had taken the appellation of Landaburian, in honour of the officer of the guards, who had been assassinated at the beginning of the commotions in July. Riego was one of its most distinguished members; and at its meetings the most odious cant and the most ridiculous mummeries of patriotism were employed to pervert the public mind. The government, if it had the wish, had not the power to suppress such associations; but a law was passed subjecting them to certain regulations. By that law, all persons who proposed to meet publicly for the purpose of discussing political subjects, were to give twelve hours' previous notice of the time and place of meeting to the First Constitutional Alcalde, or the Political Chief of the district. If the meetings were to be periodical, those, who proposed to form the society, were to draw up a set of rules, and present them to the magistrates within the fixed period of 12 hours; not, however, for the approbation of the authorities, but merely to give an opportunity of ascertaining whether any thing proposed to be done called for consideration or interposition. Upon any appearances of sedition, such as acts of violence, or factious acclamations, the Political chief, the alcalde, or the corregidor, was empowered to dissolve the meeting; which was to be done by reading, three times, with a loud voice, the present law, and desiring all the persons then assembled to disperse. In case they refused to obey, force might be used to make them withdraw.

These meetings might remain open until midnight, or one in the

At one of its sittings, a regiment of boys, ten years old, commanded by an officer in his twelfth year, mounted guard at the door.

morning; but, after the last-mentioned hour, the magistrates might dismiss them. If the persons pre

sent refused to withdraw, they were held to be in a state of disobedience, and the society incurred the penalty of suspension. It was also declared, that these meetings had no legal character: and that petitions from them could not be received as from corporate bodies, but must be held as expressing merely the opinion of the individuals present.

A new law, not very consistent with the spirit of liberty, was approved of by the Cortes, for the more effectual punishment of conspirators against the constitution. The king, however, refused his assent to it, on the ground, that the executive ought not to be trusted with powers so extensive as those now proposed to be granted.

On the second day of the session, Lopez Banos, the secretary for the war department, read a report on the state of Spain with respect to her external and internal enemies. He first considered the situation of the army; describing the clothing, equipment, military stores and fortresses, as exceedingly defective; but paying high compliments to the patriotism of the troops, which had sustained them under every disadvantage. The important topic of the feelings entertained by the nations bordering upon Spain, was next boldly and explicitly touched upon. Portugal was relied upon by the Spanish government, as likely to lend her aid "in case of extremity." As to France, the report asserted, directly, that, while the government of that country was holding out professions of of all the Spanish conspiracies ar goodwill and friendship, the chiefs ranged in France their plans of ag gression and hostility; that in

France, the defeated factious found refuge from the pursuit of the national troops, and had also made preparations which could not have been effected without the permission of the administration, and which required sums of money too vast to have been derived solely from their resources in Spain. The Cordon Sanitaire was also noticed; and the secretary added, that the French government had given orders for assembling in Bayonne, Toulouse, Perpignan, and other parts of the frontier, a considerable force of artillery and infantry, and a vast store of provisions, greatly exceeding what could, for a length of time, be required for the supply of the present number of troops and fortresses. 66 Considering, therefore, (said the report), the alarming progress the insurrection at first made, and the suspicions which must be entertained, not only of our neighbour France, but of all that confederation of potentates known by the name of the Holy Alliance, it becomes necessary to demand of the Cortes an augmentation of the military strength." The proposal which the minister made, was, to raise by a new levy, 30,000 infantry, and 8,000 cavalry, and to make up the existing force to the number decreed by the ordinary Cortes namely, 62,000 men, it being actually deficient by 10,000. In addition to this, he proposed also the recruiting and organization of the active militia.

Decrees were passed to carry into effect the schemes recommended for the increase of the military force of the country. The finances too were the subject of much consideration; and, to meet the exigences that might occur, the ministers, by a decree dated the 4th of December, were empowered to

raise a loan by the sale of perpe tual annuities to the amount of 40 millions of reals vellon. All these arrangements proceeded from a jealousy of the designs of France and the Holy Alliance; with respect to which the strongest sus picions were daily expressed both in the Cortes and in the popular clubs. Constant rumours of impending war agitated Madrid; and the general opinion was, that hostilities were inevitable. But though there was much anxiety, there were no symptoms of fear. The people and the legislature were unanimous and ardent in their determination to resist foreign interference and repel foreign invasion.

During the latter months of the present year, many persons were executed for offences against the constitution, and a much greater number exiled or imprisoned. They were seldom or never tried; and even when the favour of a trial was granted, it was generally a trial before a court martial. It was even attempted to prosecute the late ministers for their mal-administration before a council of war: but the Cortes determined, that they ought to be proceeded against before the established tribunals.

A Madrid journal, bearing the title of Zurriago, acquired towards the end of the year a great celebrity in the capital by the extravagant results to which it pushed the principles of the new system, and the anarchical excesses which it lauded as the only pure patriotism. It assailed the ministers violently, as not being sufficiently constitutional. The ministers answered by exercising their dictatorial power, and sending, without trial, its two principal authors, Pizarro and Jonama, into exile, the former to Ivica, and the latter to the Canaries.

CHAP. XIII.

PORTUGAL.-State of the Relations between Portugal and the BrazilsDecrees of the Cortes ordering separate Provincial Governments to be established, and the Prince to return to Europe-Addresses to the Prince from Santo Paulo, and the Camara of Rio Janeiro-The Prince determines to remain in the Brazils-Opposition of the Portuguese Troops-They are embarked for Europe-The Portuguese Troops are sent away from Pernambuco-Decree of the 16th of February, creating a Council of Representatives-New title assumed by the Prince Regent-Council of Representatives assembled-Declaration of Brazilian sovereignty, and convocation of a Constituent and Legislative Assembly-Formal Declaration of IndependenceThe Prince is declared Emperor of Brazil-The Portuguese Troops at Bahia retain military Possession of that Place-Transactions at Bahia-The Garrison of Monte Video adhere to Portugal-Three successive Sets of Resolutions adopted by the Cortes of Lisbon in reference to three different Stages in the Course of Affairs in the Brazils The Constitution completed and sworn to by the King at Lisbon The Queen refuses to take the Oath to the ConstitutionHarsh Proceedings towards her-Termination of the Constituent Cortes-Arbitrary Imprisonments-Alleged Conspiracy-Symptoms of Discontent among the Garrison of Lisbon.

TH

HE most important result of the Revolution of Portugal, was the change which it produced in the relations between the mother-country and the Brazils. This was a result, which, if it had been foreseen, would probably have cooled the popular rage for the annihilation of the ancient establishments. That it was not foreseen, is a proof that the Portuguese patriots did not extend their views far beyond the present moment; for it required not much sa-. gacity to perceive, that the independence of the Brazils would be the probable consequence of a revolution in Portugal. If the new constitution of Portugal were not adopted in the Brazils, a complete VOL. LXIV.

separation must of course take place.

If, on the contrary, the constitution were embraced by the Brazilians, was it likely, that, after spurning at the yoke of ancient authority, they would voluntarily continue in a state of colonial submission? Of the two possible courses of events, the latter was that which actually took place. The Portuguese troops had in 1821 established the Portuguese constitution in the Brazils; and within a few months, clear symptoms appeared, especially at Bahia and Pernambuco, of a wish to throw off all dependence on the mothercountry. The same spirit prevailed at Rio de Janeiro, though there it was restrained by the presence [S]

of a great number of European troops; and it was encouraged by the Prince Regent himself, who with good reason thought, that he had no interest in the maintenance of the authority of the Cortes of Lisbon.

As a means of retaining their valuable colony, the Cortes had passed decrees for the election of separate governments for every province of the Brazils, and for the appointment of a military commander in each, who should be independent of the provincial government, and accountable only to the Cortes for his conduct: and they had likewise ordered, that the prince should return to Lisbon as soon as these governments were established.

These decrees were known at Rio de Janeiro before the end of December, 1821, and excited universal discontent. The Provisional Government of the province of Santo Paulo, drew up on the 24th of December an address to the Prince Regent, in which, after reprobating in strong language the conduct of the Cortes, they pro tested against the order for the recall of his royal highness, and intreated him to remain among them in despite of the commands of the Lisbon rulers. The prince replied, on the 4th of January, 1822, that, "having received the address, as the post was setting out for Lisbon, he had sent it to his majesty to be presented to the national Cortes, from whose wisdom he hoped for the prompt measures which the necessities of Brazil required, and which were indispensable to the progress of its prosperity, and to the union of the two kingdoms."

In the meantime, great anxiety prevailed in the capital; and a meeting of the Camara or municipal body, was held, to deliberate

on the measures most proper to be adopted in the existing emergency. Little time was allowed, and little time, therefore, was spent in the decision. They agreed on preparing a memorial or remonstrance to be presented to the prince royal, stating the dangerous results likely to follow his departure, and conjuring him, in the name of the people, to remain in Brazil. To give greater solemnity to the presentation of this remonstrance, they, on the 9th of January, walked with it to the palace in a regular procession, in which all the individuals most eminent for wealth and influence, but no military, either Brazilian or European, made their appearance. They were received by the prince with the deference due to their functions, and their request, after a short hesitation, was acceded to. "Convinced," said he, "that the presence of my person in Brazil is conducive to the good of the whole Portuguese nation, and that the wish of some provinces even requires it, I shall delay my departure till the Cortes and my august father and master deliberate on the subject with a perfect knowledge of what has occurred." The se nate of the Camara immediately made his answer known. His assent was celebrated with great demonstrations of joy by the whole city, which was illuminated for three nights in succession.

In the midst of the rejoicings, however, a movement of the Portuguese regiments, amounting to nearly 2,000 troops, excited very general apprehension. They marched out of their quarters with arms, and took possession of a strong fort, situated on a hill, which commanded the royal palace.

Their first step was, a protest to the prince against his decision, but he refused to listen to them; upon which their commander-in-chief, Avales, tendered his resignation. General Corrade, a Brazilian, was appointed to succeed him, to the great increase of the discontent of the troops, who refused to be commanded by any but an European officer, and who had now the double object of restoring Avales to his command, and of inducing the prince to alter a determination, which they considered unconstitutional. On the evening of the 11th, the prince was insulted at the theatre by the Portuguese soldiers; and such was the confusion, that about midnight he sent off the princess and his children to Santa Cruz, in the interior, for safety. Many persons of property, also removed from the capital.

In the meantime, the Brazilian regiments were under arms; and, in consequence of orders sent out on the first alarm, all the militia in the neighbourhood poured into the city with great promptitude. The prince had now a force of 1,000 men; and an engagement with the Portuguese troops seemed to be impending. The latter, noticing the determined conduct of their opponents, faltered in their resolution, and a negociation took place, which ended in an agreement that the Portuguese troops should be allowed to retain their arms, but that they should consent to be conveyed to Praya Grande on the opposite side of the bay, until vessels could be prepared to carry them to Lisbon. This arrangement was instantly carried into effect; and, till the time of their embarkation for Europe arrived, they were surrounded by a cordon of native troops, while two

or three ships of war were anchored immediately opposite to their quarters. Their numbers, however, were soon much diminished by the desertion of many who determined to remain in Brazil as private citizens.

But though the Portuguese soldiers seemed for the time to be thus awed into submission, they subsequently assumed a bolder tone, and declared their intention not to be shipped, except by force, on board of the transports prepared for them. A contest was therefore expected by the inhabitants, and consternation reigned in the city. The crisis was averted only by the energy and presence of mind of the prince royal. He repaired in person on board of one of the frigates in the bay, which he directed to be made ready for action; the gun-boats also were manned, and received similar orders. The native Brazilian troops, under the command of general Corrade, were instructed to surround the troops at Praya Grande on the land side, and all the inhabitants were compelled to quit that district. The prince then sent for the officers of the Portuguese troops on board his frigate, and, explaining to them their situation, urged an immediate embarkation. A demand was made, on behalf of the troops, of three months arrear of pay, and a promise was given by the prince that one month's arrears should be paid immediately, and the remainder, as soon as they were on board the transports. This offer was refused in a manner personally insulting to the prince, and the officers returned to Praya Grande. The prince passed the night on the water, animating the men, and arranging the mode of attack in the morning by the gun-boats.

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