The civil war in Portugal seems to be on a
very insignificant scale. The contending armies, as they are called, only number about a thousand men each. It is almost laughable to hear of SALDANHA withdrawing his troops from before the capital and relieving the inhabitants from the apprehension of an assault, when it is recollected that Lisbon is one of the largest cities of Europe, and that the besiegers scarcely muster in force enough to forma single regiment. The description of the military opera- tions of the Government troops is equally ridiculous. The Baron DA Boateist, we are told, commands the infantry, and SA DA BANDEIRA the cavalry ; the united forces being about 1,000 men. The contending armies had a tremendous conflict for about two hours on the 28th of last month, at Carvalhos, between Alcobaca and Leiria. According to the despatch of Bosseisr, nothing could exceed the fury of the troops on either side ; but it is satisfactory to know from the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, that only forty men were killed on the side of the said BOMFIM; although nobody knows what might have happened, if the soldiers had not come to a resolution themselves to leave off fighting- " A charge of cavalry was ordered ; and on their approach the rebels shouted out ' Viva, viva! ' some adding, The Constitution of 1822 ! ' on which the sol- diers lowered their swords, and remained stationary in front of each other with- out coming. in contact. At this moment, Marshal Sahlanha and the Duke of Terceira cried out, 'Baron Bomfim, let us avoid the effusion of blood ;' to which I replied, ' Let your troops retire, and I will order the firing on my side to cease.' This was consented to ; and we afterwards agreed to an armistice, the terms of which you will find enclosed in duplicate."
SALDANHA and TERCEIRA made a superfluous exhibition of hu- manity ; for the men, having more sense than their commanders, had already made up their minds to shake hands. The necessary consequence of this peaceable propensity on the part of the sol- diers, was an armistice, and an attempt at a negotiation; which led to nothing, and "military operations were resumA,"—that is to say, SALDANHA marched one way and BOMFIM another, taking very good care to avoid a rencontre.
When the last packet left Lisbon, on the 7th instant, the Queen was in hourly expectation of her accouchement.
