The session of the Portuguese Cortes was opened on the
15th instant, by the Regent, Don PEDRO. The day was magnificent.. The spacious and commodious hall of the Deputies was crowded by all who were fortunate enough to obtain tickets of admission. The British, French, Spanish, Swedish, and Belgian Ministers, with their secretaries, occupied a tribune on the left of the throne, opposite that provided for the Royal Family ; who were attended by Admiral NAPIER, the Bishop of COIMBRA, and several per- sons of distinction, with the members of the Household. A gal- lery was filled with ladies of rank, and altogether at least a thou- sand persons were present. About one o'clock, the national air was played by the band, to announce the arrival of the Regent ; who took his seat in a chair under the throne, and having desired the Peers and Deputies to be seated, proceeded to read his opening speech.
He commenced by congratulating the assembly on the conclu- sic- of the Civil war and the triumph of the Queen ; and then gave a brief detail of the circumstances which had led him to espouse the cause of his daughter, dwelling in strong language on the perfidy of Don MIGUEL-
" It was a Prince of my family (I cannot record this circumstance without the most sensible grief, but I am obliged to say it)—it was a Prince of my au- gust family, an ungrateful and degenerate brother, who encouraged and pro.
'tilted the efforts of the rebels, in order to sest himself upon a throne erecta upon treason, disloyalty, and perjury. s tie intimate ties by which this Prbntc
bound himself to observe the Constitutional Charter, and to acknowledge and obey the legitimate Sovereigns, by his oath and promises made and repeated at Vienna, Paris, London, and Lislmn—by the solemn acceptance of the hand of the Queen, who was destined to be Lis consort—by the confidence which I . placed in him in appointing him Regent of the Kingdom, and my Lieutenant— lastly, by the very acts of the Government which he exercised under that honourable title ; all this, I say, was despised by him with the most scandalous immorality ; and convoking, a vain and illegal phantom of the very national re-s presentation which he wished to see annihilated, he caused it to decide a ques- tion which in reality ilia not exist—to declare him King, while he already ex - ercised, in fact, the authority and power of royalty ; and he pretended to justify the enormous irregularity of this rash act by the most notorious falsehoods azel gross sophisms."
The cruelties and crimes sanctioned by his brother's usurping government form the subject of several paragraphs. " In the pulpits (1 shudder to say it, but you know, and every hmly knows, that I say the truth)—in the pulpits—in face of the holy altars—in the iaidst of sacred and august mysteries, the ministers of the God of peace and charity preached assassination as a service doue to religion, and announced to the zrstonished people a new gospel of persecution, blood, and death.
" lii short, there was no crime that was not committed, no error that V:13 not defended, no virtue that was lint insulted there was no security or protec- tion, except for the wicked, who distinguished themselves by their ferocity awl sanguinary zeal. " I refrain from continuing this horrible picture. The facts are notorious, and were repeated in all itarts of the-se kingdoms. There are few honourable citizens who have have not experienced then], or witnessed and lamented them in their neighbours, relations, and friends."
The principal events of the war are then rapidly detailed ; but little stress is laid on the battle of Cape St. Vincent, considering - that this was the decisive blow that struck down the Usurper. The recognition of the Queen's title by England, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium, and the prospect of the con- tinuance of friendly relations with other powers, are mentioned with the usual royal satisfaction ; and the hope is expressed that the Pope will soon see the propriety of reestablishing the old connexion between the Court of Rome and the Portuguese nation.
The proposed measures for improving the internal condition of the country are next alluded to; especially those which regard the administration of justice, the establishment of free ports, the extension of trade, the economical organization of the army, and the suppression of the monasteries. The language of the speech on this last point comes strangely from the lips of a Portu- guese Monarch. Superstition may well tremble when even her Most Faithful Majesty deserts her cause.
" All the families and associations of religions of every denomination and order have been suppressed. These establishments considered with respect to religion, were totally alienated front the primitive spirit of their institution, and almost exclusively governed by the love of the temporal and worldly interests which they professed to despise ; and considered in a political point of view, they were like denationalized bodies, indifferent to the good or bad fortune of their fellow- citizens, and zealously serving a despotic or tyrannical Government if they expected from it favour and consideration. To their influence over individuals and families, which was the more dangerous in proportion as it was secret, Portugal owes in a great degree the evils which it has just experienced. There i are, indeed, in the ndividual members honourable but rare exceptions. The Government has taken every thing into consideration."
The extinction of the paper currency, and the measures for placing public credit on a sound foundation, form one of the most satisfactory topics of the speech. The Regent having finished his detail of the proceedings under his Government, calls the attention of the Cortes to the principal points which demand immediate settlement,—namely, " 1:4, Whether the Regency ought, or ought not, to be continued during the remainder of the Queen's minority. 2dly, To take the proper steps that her Majesty may marry some foreign prince. Your consummate wisdom and prudence will deliberate and decide upon both points with the discretion which may be expected from the union of so much knowledge and the happy association of the most estimable virtues."
The Cortes are also called upon to fix the amount of the sea and • land forces, to establish the liberty of the press, to take measures for the diffusion of public instruction, and the improvement of the colonies ; and the speech concludes with some congratulatory phrases on the happy state of things. The session was then opened. No business, however, was trans- acted ; and the Cortes adjourned to the 25th instant, when the President and other officers will be chosen, and the real work will commence.
The number of Peers and Deputies present was not great, owing to the inability of the tailors to furnish their robka.,.thaie; but the room was fully occupied by spectators. T,It6Wgent4itul the Royal family, on going to and returning 1E004 Hall of the . Deputies, were enthusiastically cheered, and;tgatn at the opera": in the evening Don PEDRO was heartily welccimed. There wit1 one circumstance which created a disagreeable impression for the"; moment. The correspondent-of the Times says— • • 44 There was some mistake about firing the usual 4Iiites. Ths French,stisii did so, but oars did not ; which so much surprised poretlro,. duos:Wig Lord blow‘rd de Walden to ba iaforMesi 91 Ii ibe It* ars0.0"risht to his Lordship in the hall of the Cortes, a few minutes before the Regent's arrival; and upon consultation with Adtniral Gage, orders were sent to his Britannic Majesty's fleet in the Tagus to hoist the standard of Portugal in its usual place; which was done by all our ships; but 110 salute was fired."
The establishment of four banks at the four principal cities in the kingdom is contemplated, under the auspices of M. MENnt- smut, the successful financier of the Liberal party. Roads, c anals, aml other internal improvements, are also about to be contracted for. Church property to the value of 1,800,000/. will Le sold in September and October, and in the following months further sales will take place. Altogether, it is calculated that the Government has property worth ten millions to dispose of.
