speculations, and plans of far distant improvement, did little or nothing for the present tranquillity and happiness of the country. Though, at the prorogation of the Cortes, all was apparent amity between the king and the nation, the public mind still continued in a very unquiet state. The orators of the Club la Fontana, indulged in the most violent invectives, and excited so much suspicion of Ferdinand's intentions, that the ministers, intimidated, presented a petition to him, urging him to convoke the extraordinary Cortes before his departure from Madrid. The king wrote on the margin of the petition :-"I have pledged my royal word, that I will convoke the extraordinary Cortes before the 1st of October, which I will do. I see no motive for hastening the re-assembling of the deputies. The general opinion of Spain cannot be represented by a few individuals, whose intemperate conduct is known." About the same time, several assassinations took place in the streets of Madrid. On the 12th of August, the secretary of state, in the name of his majesty, notified officially to the permanent deputation of the Cortes, the wish of the king, that an extraordinary Cortes should be assembled for the purpose of taking into consideration the division of the Spanish territory, and the proper means for arranging, according to it, the political government-the plan of a decree respecting charitable establishments-the measures which the government might propose for securing the tranquillity and promoting the welfare of the Americas the criminal code, and the forms of process-the reform

of the market regulations-the liquidation of the contracts-the measures necessary to guard against the serious injury which the country might sustain from the circulation of forged or deficient foreign money-the provision respecting the renewed credits-the military system and regulation,-the decree for organizing the active militia-and the plan of an organic decree for the navy. "It will be particularly satisfactory to his majesty," added the secretary of state," if the installation of the extraordinary Cortes, coincide as far as may be possible with the 24th of September, because that day must, both within and without the country, awaken the recollection of the valour of the Spaniards against their external enemies, their constancy in adversity, their wish and determination to live under a system of just liberty, and their loyalty and affection to the august person and family of the king." In pursuance of this notification, the permanent deputation convoked the extraordinary Cortes, for the 28th day of September; the first preparatory meeting being to take place on the 22nd of that month, and the installation on the 24th.

The promotion of Morillo had never been a popular measure; and circumstances now occurred, which rendered that officer still more obnoxious than before. On the evening of the 20th of August, a crowd assembled in front of the prison, in which some of the royal body-guards were confined; and there is reason to believe, that it was intended to perpetrate there an outrage similar to that, of which the unfortunate Vinuesa had been the victim.

After singing a notorious democratical song, which was regarded as a hymn of triumph over monarchy, the populace began to throw stones at the troops, and load them with various species of insult: the officer commanding the post interfered, and some blows were struck by the soldiers. The news of the affray soon reached the Club de la Fontana; from whence 400 persons proceeded to reinforce their confederates. More daring outrages were now committed. The political chief repaired to the spot; and being told that the officer of the guard and his men had, without provocation commenced an attack upon the people, he endeavoured to allay the ferment by blaming the soldiers, and almost flattering the real authors of the tumult. General Morillo now made his appearance, at the head of a military detachment; he was assailed with the most unseemly invectives, and the most desperate among the crowd endcavoured to arrest his progress. Seeing that his authority was thus opposed and despised, he determined, to act with that energy and promptitude, which circumstances imperiously demanded, and, with his cane in his hand, forced his way through the clamorous crowd, and compelled them to disperse.

Thence they proceeded in groups to the Club de la Fontana, where the most notorious orators inflamed their rage by perverted narratives of the affair; declaring that Morillo, with his drawn sabre, had grievously wounded many citizens. Cries of "Death to Morillo," the head of Morillo," followed these inflammatory speeches.

On the following day (the 21st), crowds assembled in the streets early in the morning, and the populace, opposite the Clubhouse, amounted to above 10,000. Cries for the heads of Morillo and the ministers, were re-echoed in every quarter. in every quarter. The political chief issued a notification, that the minister of war had accepted the resignation of general Morillo, whose functions would be executed, par interim, by general Montemayor. This had the effect of calming the violent spirit, which had been manifested by the populace. On the same evening, general Morillo issued a proclamation, in which he complained of the malignant aspersions which designing men had cast upon his reputation, by falsely representing that he had used his sabre against the assembled people. After giving an account of his efforts to restore order, " My sword," said he," which I will never use but against the enemies of my country, remained in the scabbard. I spoke with moderation to all, and only endeavoured to suppress outrage, and enforce that respect which is due to the laws and the government." His resignation was communicated to the king, who was then at St. Ildefonso; but his majesty refused to accept it, and ordered his conduct to be investigated by a council of war. The minister of war resigned at the same time: and general Contador, a man disqualified for active life by his advanced age, was appointed to the office. Contador had the prudence to decline the dangerous, honour; and general Rodriguez, then in his 77th year was nominated in his stead. The marshal de camp, don Ignazio Valanzat, was next named to

that high situation; but he too declined it; and finally, on the 9th of September, the office was filled by general Salvador.

The council of war, to whose consideration Morillo's conduct on the 20th of August was referred, made a report, which was published in the middle of September. It stated, that, the general acted on that occasion conformably to military law, and did not draw his sabre against the people; that sub-lieut. Sturcio, chief of the post San Martin, did his duty in defending the prisoners entrusted to his charge; and that lieut. Mancebo had insulted general Morillo. It concluded with recommending, that the result of the inquiry should be communicated to general Morillo; that sub-lieut. Sturcio should be set at liberty, and lieut. Mancebo put upon his trial.

The minister at war, in transmitting the result of the inquiry to general Morillo, intimated to him, that his majesty was resolved, he should immediately resume the command of the province.

In the latter end of August, rumours prevailed in Saragossa, that a conspiracy was on foot for the destruction of the constitutional government, and the establishment of a republic. Some persons were arrested; and the result of the investigations was, that don Francisco Villamor, if he had not formed, was, at least, attempting to form, a plot, for placing the sovereignty completely in the hands of the mob. Judicial proceedings were commenced against him, and, on the the 28th of September, he was sentenced to be deprived of his commission, and rank, and to be

banished for eight years to the Canary Isles. A Frenchman, of the name of Montarlot, seems also to have been engaged in the scheme, and to have carried it so far, as to have intended to enter, France, and proclaim a republic on both sides of the Pyrennees. General Vaudoncourt was arrested in Valencia, as a participator in the same designs; and in Biscay also they appear to have been carried on by a French refugee, of the name of Husson. Some of the individuals, to whom Villamor had disclosed his purposes, communicated them to Moredo, the political chief of Arragon, and from these communications it appeared, that the conspirators gave out, that Riego, who had then the military command of the province, approved of their plans, and that they counted upon his co-operation. Moredo informed the government of the rumours in circulation, and of the discoveries which he had made. The result was, that, on the 21st, a courier extraordinary arrived from Madrid, with orders to supersede Riego, and to command the departure of the regiment of the Constitution, and of many officers of other corps. Places were named, to which they were directed respectively to repair. The general was ordered to Lerida, and the political chief united provisionally the civil and military functions of the province.

Riego was at this time making a tour through the province. A sub-lieutenant of the national horse-guards was employed to bear to him the news of his loss of command, and the order for him to repair to his destination without re-entering the city. He

found him at Bujaraloz, ten leagues from Saragossa. Riego became furious on receiving this dispatch, and declared, that he would return to Saragossa; upon which the sub-lieutenant hastened back to advise Moredo of his intentions.

The political chief began to take measures to hinder his entrance; he posted detachments on the roads to the town; the garrison, the national guard, and the citizens, took up arms, and in a few hours Saragossa presented all the appearances of war.

It was now determined, that a second deputation should advise Riego of the danger his person would be in, if he sought to enter the town, and of the fatal conse quences which might ensue from such an attempt. This deputation, which consisted of gen. Torres, colonel Caminero, and the alcalde Hagues, met Riego at Puebla, and at last prevailed upon him to desist from his purpose of returning to Saragossa, and, in compliance with the order of the authorities, to set out for Lerida. On the 3rd of September he published an address to the army, in which he complained of the mode in which he had been deprived of his military command; and afterwards he sent a written representation to the king, dated on the 22nd, ascribing his disgrace to the private animosities, which Moredo and the minister of war, bore towards him, and to the calumnies which they had circulated against him. Moredo, in a proclamation, issued on the fourth of September, denied, that the conduct of the government towards Riego, had proceeded on any charge of political guilt

against him, and defended it entirely on the ground of the discretionary power, which the constitution gave the government of selecting its own servants.

"Inhabitants of Saragossa," said Moredo, in his proclamation, "Language offensive to the person of the don Rafael Riego, campmarshal of the national armies, has within these few days been reported to me, and particularly on the evening of the 2nd. I have with pain observed that some from ignorance, and others from malevolence, have wished to make it be believed, that the measure of the government, which deprives him of the military command of this province, had some connection with the facts respecting which a criminal process is instituted in this capital.

"This is an error which might injure the reputation of the general, and I cannot, and ought not, to tolerate any persons, whatever may be their rank, to decide in any manner against the general, or to endeavour to persuade the credulous, that the order of departure for Lerida was grounded on any crime. The command of the troops of a province is an authority, which the government confers on whom it thinks fit, conformably to article 171 of the constitution, without any obligation to make known the reasons of the change; and according to the constitution the withdrawing of the commission of commander, or the giving it to another, carries with it no idea of crime on the part of the officer who is the object of such a measure.

"According to this constitutional principle, the decision of the government, in virtue of which

don Rafael Riego ceases to command in this province, in no way wounds either the dignity or the reputation of that officer, since he preserves all the ranks, honours, and recompenses, which the nation has bestowed on him for his distinguished services."

Certain it is, that no proof has been adduced of Riego's participation in any plot, either for the establishment of a republic, or for the invasion of France. On the other hand, it seems equally certain, that his name was employed by the conspirators, and from the character and connections of the man, there is little doubt but that he would have rather thrown obstacles in the way of the executive, than afforded them any assistance in the preservation of the public tranquillity. His dismissal was, on every supposition, an act of prudence; and Moredo, in executing the orders which he received from Madrid, showed a decision and firmness, which of late has seldom been seen in Spanish magis

trates.

Though the majority of the people of Saragossa had taken part against Riego, a considerable party manifested an inclination to favour him; and on seve ral successive days excited disturbances, which the political chief had some difficulty in suppressing. Similar commotions took place in other cities. One mode which his followers adopted of expressing their devotion to him, was, by carrying his picture in tumultuous procession. Many addresses of condolence were presented to him, and many remonstrances in his favour, couched in language by no means respectful, were transmitted to

of

the government from the different provinces. That from Valadolid will be found among the annexed State papers. In Madrid their zeal broke out in formidable commotions. The news Riego's arrest arrived there on the 3rd of September. The demagogues of the clubs immediately declaimed against the measure, as emanating from French influence, and a servile deference to the French government. The agitation continued during the whole of the day, and on the morrow assumed a still more violent character. An immense multitude thronged the Puerta del Sol, and demanded the instant return of the king to Madrid, the dismissal of the French ambassador, the assembling of the Cortes, and the removal of all suspected persons from the king's person. Orators had posted themselves in various balconies, who urged the people to excesses by their inflammatory harangues. Even a grandee of Spain, (it is affirmed that it was the duke del Parque) exhibited himself in a gallery, armed with a poniard, and announced to the populace, that notwithstanding his advanced age, he had yet strength enough to plunge his dagger into the hearts of tyrants, and to support the rights of the sovereign people. His address was hailed with loud acclamations. Towards the evening the populace surrounded the hall of the Cortes, where the permanent deputation informed them, that they had dispatched a messenger to the king to advise him of the state of the capital. Thence the people hastened in crowds to the municipality, insisting that an express should be sent off to the king, to desire him