Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

the French general. "No," answered the Spaniard. 66 Then,"

added Bourmont, "if you repeat such arrests without shewing me a specific authority, signed by king Ferdinand, and if within two hours you do not send me a written justification of those already made, you shall take your departure from Cadiz." "I will execute my secret orders without your leave or knowledge," replied D'Aunoy, "and I will not quit Cadiz, unless forced." Forced he was accordingly: for, at four the next morning, a detachment of French grenadiers put the refractory governor beyond the gates of Cadiz.

Imprisonment was not deemed a punishment adequate to the guilt of Riego. He was condemned to death for his share in the proceedings of the Cortes at Seville; and, in pursuance of his sentence, was, on the 7th of November, hanged on a gibbet of extraordinary height. During the whole of his progress from the prison to the place of execution, the most profound silence reigned. The streets and squares were filled with immense crowds; and at the windows were seen, intermingled with the inhabitants, a great many monks and other ecclesiastics. The moment the executioner intimated, by a signal, that Riego was dead, cries of vivat were heard from a numerous group, which formed a semicircle at a small distance from the scaffold. Riego showed great

firmness and tranquillity in this last scene of his life; but it was with much difficulty he ascended the ladder, in consequence of the pain and swelling of his legs, occasioned by the fetters he had worn since his arrest.

On the 4th of December a surprising change was made in the cabinet council of Ferdinand. Saez and his colleagues were dismissed; and a new and more liberal ministry was framed, at the head of which was Casa Irujo, who had been ambassador from the Cortes to France. The department of grace and justice was intrusted to don Narciso de Heredia, a man of letters and of high personal character. The other principal offices were filled by Lopez Ballasteros (a relation of the general of that name), de la Cruz, and Villela. Some ascribed the formation of this administration to the advice of France: but the more general opinion was, that it had its origin in the intrigues of Pozzo di Borgo, who was then at Madrid, and who, it was alleged, exerted the influence of Russia to promote the purposes of his own stock-jobbing speculations. Whatever might be the cause of the elevation of Casa Irujo, it produced no sensible alteration in the dark, revengeful, fraudulent, and most oppressive course of government, which Ferdinand had adopted and still continued to pursue.

CHAP. XIII.

PORTUGAL-Relations of Portugal with Great Britain and France Amarante's insurrection: his progress: Rego's operations: Insurrection suppressed, and Amarante retreats into Spain-Arrests in Lisbon-Insurrection of the 23rd regiment-Prince Miguel's Flight from the Palace-The Rebels joined by most of the Troops-Complete success of the Counter-Revolution-Appointment of a new Ministry-Dissolution of the Cortes-Sir Robert Wilson in PortugalFrench Embassy-BRAZIL:-Complete separation of Brazil from Portugal-Hostile proceedings of Brazil towards Portugal-Internal Dissensions of Brazil-Resignation of the Andradas and their immediate restoration to Power-Meeting of the Congress-Secession of the Ministers from the Congress-Violent Discussions-Change of Ministry-Dissension between the Emperor and the Congress-Opposition of the Andradas to the Emperor-Violent proceedings of the Congress and of the Emperor-A new Ministry-The Emperor dissolves the Congress by Military force-Another change of MinistryConvocation of a new Legislative Assembly- Measures pursued against the leaders of the Opposition-Basis of a fundamental Law of the Monarchy proposed by the Emperor-This scheme approved by the municipality of the capital-General approbation of the proceedings of the Emperor-Catastrophe at Para-Military Operations at Bahia: Difficulties of Madeira's situation: his vigorous resistance: Evacuation of Bahia-Lord Cochrane's Operations-Monte Video-Arrival of Portuguese Commissioners at Rio de Janeiro: their dismissal Finances of Brazil.

PORTUGAL could not fail to be alarmed by the menaces of France against Spain: and, under circumstances of such reasonable apprehension, her ministers thought it their duty to apply, towards the end of 1822, to the British cabinet, to ascertain, whether in case of a threatened invasion, she might depend on the alliance of Great Britain. The answer to this application was most satisfactory, and was communicated to the Cortes, in a report dated the 28th of December. "The ministry of England," said Ferreira, who was at the head of the foreign department, "has just replied. That the British

government, having solemnly declared in the face of Europe, that it does not presume to attribute to itself a right to interfere in the internal affairs of other states, considers itself bound to give to this kingdom every succour of which it may stand in need, should its independence appear to be threatened in any mode or by any power whatever. But this promise," continued he, "which is nothing more than a repetition of those, which have in other times and at different epochs been made to us, has no reference, nor can be understood to have any, to our political institutions, as they have in no way

altered the relations which previously subsisted between the two countries."

The inclination of the Portuguese government to conciliate Great Britain, was marked by a decree of the 12th of March, suspending the edict of the 14th of July 1821, for the increase of the duty on British woollens, and directing that that impost should, until the conclusion of a final treaty, remain at its antient rate of 15 per cent. On the other hand, an attitude, somewhat hostile, was maintained towards France. They directed their ambassador to remonstrate against the doctrines avowed in the speech of Louis 18th, increased their military force, and declared their readiness to conclude a defensive treaty with Spain. But in Portugal, as in Spain, the constitutional system had enemies within the kingdom as well as without. The Conde de Amarante, after having traversed a great part of the province of Minho, and sojourned at Braga, and other considerable places in that province, made his appearance in Villa Real, and on the 21st of February, at the head of some militia and some countrymen, raised the standard of revolt. "Death to the constitution, and all its followers," was the cry, which marked the objects of Amarante, who at first proclaimed himself the partisan of the antient system, though, afterwards, as his cause began to droop, he was willing to remain satisfied with a modification of the representative system. He was joined by some of the troops who were stationed in the province; and, marched northwards, reaching Chaves, the garrison of which brought a considerable reinforcement to his ranks. Texeira was despatched

against him, joined in the insurrection, and a junta was now formed, of which M. Souza, formerly minister in London, was a member. The district, which was the scene of this revolt, was bounded by the Douro on the south, and the Galician frontier on the north; the river Sabor on the East, and the Tamega on the West. Beyond these limits the insurrection did not extend: but within them the peasantry took up arms, and were zealous in its support. General Rego, who was in the vicinity at the time, collected without delay such troops as could be depended upon, and pressed the insurgents so much, that they had no time to extend their intrigues or consolidate their strength. The only success, which they had, was obtained by surprise on the 13th of March. On the preceding day, Rego's advanced guard, under the command of Pamplona Moniz, was at Radial, a village distant about two miles from Chaves. On that evening, there came to the head-quarters of Pamplona, where general Rego then was, a cavalry officer, pretending to be an emissary from his comrades, who wished to escape from the rebels and join the constitutionalists. In truth, he was a spy: and having seen, that the troops, instead of being bivouacked, were in quarters, he returned to Chaves to report his observations. At day-break, three squadrons of cavalry appeared in front of Rego's principal position, and a cordon on the flank extending as far as the cantonments of the constitutionalists. Rego's troops (the detachment consisted only of two regi ments) fought gallantly, but they were so completely taken by surprise, that they were broken and routed; Pamplona was taken, and

Rego himself narrowly escaped from being made a prisoner. On the 14th, all the constitutional officers, who had been made prisoners, were called upon to join the insurgents, or to promise not to bear arms against them: but they all refused except two, one of whom was not a Portuguese.

:

The insurgents, who mustered about 3,000 strong, now endeavoured to effect a passage to the right bank of the Tamega, with a view to penetrate into the province of Minho: and Rego was obliged to confine himself for a few days to defensive operations, in order to give the reinforcements, that were on their way to join him, time to arrive. His centre was first assailed but the rebels, not being able to force any of his posts there, resolved to endeavour to obtain possession of Amarante, where his right wing was stationed. With this view, at 8 in the evening of the 22nd of March, they commenced their march from Mondim de Basto towards his right, uniting all their regular troops on the centre of their line, and posting on the other points of it the armed militia and peasants. At day-break they opened a brisk fire on Villa Ponca de Tamega and Gatan; and the better to cover their manoeuvre, they attempted to form a moveable bridge or raft on the river. this, however, they failed; and they were repulsed with great loss on every point of attack.

In

After this failure, many of Amarante's troops went over to the enemy, and others dispersed themselves. He retreated through the province of Tras os Montes, in a north-eastern direction, towards the frontiers of Leon and Galicia; and was chly pursued by Rego, who had now about seven thousand

troops of the line under his command, and upwards of five thousand militia. There was nothing equal to resist a force like this, though the people of the province, in some districts at least, gave strong marks of adherence to the sinking cause. In the small town of Trindade, at the entrance of Villa Flor, although Rego was almost at its gates, the inhabitants, rose in arms, and intercepted the officers with cries of "Death to the Constitution!" On the 12th of April, orders were issued, that, as a punishment for its perverseness, it should be burnt to the ground. The atrocity of the punishment is a still more unequivocal proof of the predominant spirit of the district, than even the audacity of the offence. On the 13th of April, Rego entered Braganza; and the insurgents, encouraged by the approach of the French, sought refuge within the Spanish frontier.

There they offered to join the French generalissimo: he declined their direct aid, on the ground that France was not at war with Portugal: but he added, that there was no objection to their co-operating with the army of the Faith. Accordingly Amarante and his followers remained in the provinces of Leon and Castile, till the success of the duke d'Angoulême, and the turn which affairs took at Lisbon, enabled the fugitives to return, in the month of June, to their country with the character of patriots and conquerors.

At Lisbon, as soon as intelligence was received of this revolt, the government was armed with extraordinary powers of imprisonment and arrest; and many sus pected persons were placed in confinement. Generals Sarrazin and Souligne, accused of being agents

in the machinations of the French against the peace of the Peninsula, were ordered to quit the Portuguese territory. General Stochler was removed to Bugio, and the archbishop of Braga to Busaco.

The insurrection in the province of Tras os Montes, seems to have been connected with intrigues, whose ramifications spread through the greater part of the Kingdom; though Amarante's failure in his first military operations deprived him of that open and declared assistance, on which he probably reckoned. The events which took place within less than six weeks after his retreat into Spain, proved that he had reason to hope for support and co-operation from the highest quarters. On the 26th of May, the 23rd regiment of the line, having received orders to set out for Beira, where it was to form part of the army of Observation, marched from the capital. At a short distance from the city, on the road to Almeida, the troops were harangued by the colonel, and, having expressed their willingness to concur with him in overturning the existing system, took up a position at Villa Franca, five leagues distant from Lisbon. Their intentions were expressed in the following letter, which their colonel immediately transmitted to Sepulveda, the commander of the troops in the city:

[ocr errors]

My dear general and friend, -The deposition of the present ministry and the formation of a new one-a king with dignity, and a constitution which may assure the happiness and repose of the country-in fine, union and the oblivion of the past such is what the 23rd regiment wants: you doubtless want the Anarchy has then ceased to exist. (Signed) "Souza."

same.

On the 27th, at one o'clock in the morning, prince Miguel the king's second son, quitted the palace, leaving behind him a letter* addressed to his father. He was accompanied by some carabineers of the 4th regiment, and having joined the revolted troops at Villa Franca, published a proclamation, in which he called upon the nation to aid in the deliverance of their king, in order that a system might be established alike remote from despotism and anarchy. On the same day he was joined by several detachments. As soon as these events were known, the Cortes, an extraordinary session of which had commenced on the 15th of May, sent a message to the king, declaring that the ministers had lost the confidence of the country. His majesty immediately assembled a council, and deliberated with them on the appointment of a new ministry. On the 29th, being Corpus Christi day, the troops of the garrison assembled, according to custom, to parade the streets. After this ceremony was over, they repaired to the Terreiro do Paço (a

• The following was the Prince's let

ter:

have adopted a

"My Father and Lord,-My only palace without your permission; but as grief is for having left your majesty's I could not obtain it from your prudence, and being unable longer to see the degradation of the throne, contrary to the wish of the whole kingdom, course which your majesty as a king cannot disapprove. We ought to preserve the royal majesty unimpaired; it is a deposit with which we are entrusted. I merely aim at father, and delivering the nation. I serving your majesty, as my king, as my hope that heaven will aid us, and that, as a father, you will give me your benediction, though as a king you may have to perform outward acts contrary to your royal heart. I kiss your majesty's hands. Your most devoted son, "MIGUEL."

« ZurückWeiter »