Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

From the Baltimore Federal Republican.

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.

The intelligence received by the recent arrival from England, does not seem of a character very interesting or important. It is stated that the Spanish court is putting in motion every engine of requisition, or as some would say, of inquisition, to compel the South American patriots to obedience. Russia seems not farther pledged than the loan of a fleet for this purpose, for it appears that the Russian crews were on the point of departure from England after the fleet had been brought to a safe anchorage in an English port, and delivered up to the Spanish minister. In the mean time it is still mentioned, and with considerable confidence, in the foreign papers, that England is to act the part of a mediator between Ferdinand and his revolted colonies—The controversy between Spain and Portugal seems to wear an unfavorable aspect—the point at present in debate appears to be, Spain insists on the restitution of the Fortress of Monte Video, now occupied by the troops of his Brazilian majesty. His Brazilian majesty refuses to make this cession until the question between Ferdinand and his revolted subjects is terminated, either by conquest or by treaty. Spain insists on the delivery of this fortress as a sine qua non to all negotiation—that she wished to land her troops at that station which are ultimately to be employed in the reduction of Buenos Ayres. To this his Brazilian majesty replies, that Monte Video was not seized by him from motives of personal ambition, but as an indispensable measure for the security of his own dominions, and to prevent the spread of the revolutionary war in his Brazilian provinces—that this cession would be considered as an act of open hostility, on the part of the South American patriots. He further declares that the seizure of the fortress of Monte Video was not made from the Spanish monarch, or from any of his acknowledged officers, but from General Artigas, who was an ally of the patriots, and consequently opposed to the government of the Spanish monarch; but his Brazilian majesty wishes to observe a strict and rigid neutrality in the contest between Spain and her revolted colonies, and that the cession of this fortress would be an essential departure from this course of pacific policy. His Brazilian majesty enquires if this cession was made, what confidence could he repose in the successful issue of an expedition against a place that baffled a much larger British force than Spain is capable of sending, and in case of failure what security could his catholic majesty afford to him that his Brazilian provinces would not fall an easy prey to the victorious patriots of South America?

Thus according to the latest accounts, stands the matter in issue between Spain and Portugal. The Spanish monarch threatens the seizure of Portugal by way of indemnity for the loss of Monte Video, or to compel his Brazilian majesty to an acquiescence. Whether this threat is to be carried into execution on the part of the Spanish monarch, time only can determine. His Brazilian majesty ever since his departure from Portugal seems to have been perfectly weaned from all attachment to his native country, he has been so long in the arms of his South American nurse. It may admit of a question whether the European allies will look upon this meditated seizure of Portugal with indifference, & whether that very measure might not prevent one, or more of them from affording to Ferdinand any assistance in his war with his revolted Colonies. The English ministry (if credit is to be given to the English papers) have interested themselves in this controversy between Spain and South America, and they have gone so far as to say that all mediation will be hopeless if the Russian armament sails. It is further said that these remonstrances of the English ministry have been utterly disregarded. If this is true, it is very apparent that Ferdinand does not entertain any serious idea of an amicable mediation, and in all human probability she looks with an eye of as much jealousy on the interference of the English court in this business, as he would on the absolute independence of his South American subjects, Ferdinand does not very well relish the idea of having his South American Ports thrown open for the reception of English merchandize, a degradation to which he will inevitably be compelled to submit if he accedes to the proposition that England is to act the part of a mediator.