Daily National Intelligencer

PORTUGAL

The following article is one of the many of much merit, which have appeared in the Messenger, a very neat paper printed twice a week at Georgetown, in this District.

Of the state and condition of Portugal, the people of this country have a very imperfect idea. The depth of ignorance in which it is buried would scarcely be credited by them. It was formerly said, that, to take from a Spaniard all his good qualities and leave him all his vices, was to make him a Portuguese. How true this may have been we will not pretend to judge. But so low is the Spanish character fallen, that it can scarcely be possible now. Junot, the late Duke of Abrantes, to whom Napoleon assigned the government of Portugal, and who knew the people, described them in the terse language of a Republican general, as "un race execrable." Such a people, however is rather to be pitied than reproached: and we speak of them not with contempt, but with commisseration.

In the midst of this barbarous mass, however, are some possessed of genius and virtue that would do honor to the best time in the history of any country. These are to be found however, neither among the high nor the low: but among that small class which we have described as containing all that is good in Spain.— That such men should have been desirous of some change is natural. Many men of the most enlightened minds, and of sincere patriotism. seeing no other hope of a better state of things encouraged the interposition of the French; and. of these many perished. In the year 1808, a considerable number of them were put to death, particularly at Oporto and Lisbon as conspirators. Some, however, still survive to lead their country, we hope. to brighter prospects.

Of Portugal what need we say more than the inquisition still maintains, there, all its bloody power. Within a few years an interesting and beautiful young woman was burnt by order of that monstrous tribunal. The tale is short, but mournful. She had, (with what motive is not recollected) struck an image of St. Anthony. From some infatuation, she refused to beg forgiveness for the offence. She was immediately consigned to one of the gloomy cells of the holy, inquisition: but, all its devout admonitions and pious torture proved unavailing. She was still obstinate. And, shocking to relate, she was finally delivered over into the hands of the executioners. On these facts our readers may rely. They were related in society in London, a few years ago, by one of the officers of the inquisition, who visited her during her confinement.