The Litchfield County Post

PORTUGAL.

The affairs of Portugal are, we trust, now rapidly approaching to a crisis. Intelligence has reached us this morning from Lisbon, dated the 17th inst.; and though it was impossible to obtain accurate information while the Government was interested in concealing the good and exaggerating the bad, the news is of importance.

On the 15th several expresses arrived from the army, and it was confidently stated that a decisive engagement with the Constitutionalists had taken place, in which the adherents of Don Miguel were routed with a great loss. The authorities in Lisbon were evidently in the greatest consternation—no bulletin was issued and all the force that could be mustered was sent off to reinforce the army. The militia were also ordered to march, but they refused unless their Constitutional officers were returned to them: and as this was peremptorily refused, they remained in the capital.

The accounts from Oporto reach to Tuesday last, and are flattering to the Constitutionalist cause. All the military had marched upon Coimbra, to give battle to the Royalists; only a few soldiers were left as a garrison. The Miguelite party immediately took advantage of this circumstance to make an attempt to capture and plunder Oporto. About 1,500 men, including a part of the 12th regiment, with the ex-governor (Gaspier Texeira) and parties of Guerrillas, from the Peninsula, advanced to within two leagues of the city; they entered Valongo; the few troops left were immediately put under arms, and being joined by about 400 armed citizens they marched to meet the enemy. The latter took to flight without firing a shot. About fifty of the stragglers were then taken prisoners.

On Saturday evening an express arrived, & immediately after it was reported that the Oporto army had surrounded or gained some great advantage over the troops of Don Miguel's, and are rapidly advancing; we are induced to believe that something serious has taken place, from the evident confusion which prevailed amongst the military here, & the hurried manner in which the 19th infantry and part of the police cavalry were marched off. The militia were also ordered to march, but refused unless their officers (Constitutional who have been taken from them, were restored. Their demand has not been complied with. We sincerely hope it may be brought to a speedy conclusion.

The John Ormorod, Chapman, from Liverpool, has arrived at Oporto, after being fired at off the bar, and warped off by a Portuguese ship of war, which stated that Oporto was under blockade. Some other British vessels proceeded to the northward. The Lady Hood, M'Kenzie, from Newcastle bound to Oporto, put into Lisbon on the 6th instant, having been warned off her port of destination.

It is stated in a letter from Lisbon in a morning paper, that Don Miguel knocked down his eldest sister last week, and she now bears the marks of his brutality on her arm & face. He has 500 persons in prison on mere suspicion; 300 are dismissed officers. Every family is in terror.