Don Miguel suffice to excite these troubles? If whilst the Infant was at Vienna, the vows of which he is the object, and the anxiety spread on the question of his rights essentially facilitated the culpable enterprise of the Marquis de Chaves, will not this anxiety increase and provoke other perils on the news of a voyage to a distant country, which no plausible motive justifies. Malevolence will hand them over to credulity, a thousand different reports will find credit as to the dangers which are about to environ the Infant Don Miguel at Rio Janeiro. A thousand suspicions, unjust, it is true, but annoying, which it is important to prevent, will be raised against the Regency and the government that protects it. Hence an inevitable fermentation, a redoubled activity in the fanatical party in Spain; perhaps revolt, and a civil war; in the best supposition, a state of things that a foreign force can alone hold together.* Will the English government then have means of realizing its wishes, and recalling its troops? Will it then have the means of guaranteeing the return of the Infant Don Miguel, and

* In the original, "pourra seule conservir." The meaning of this word, as Russia understands and applies it, is illustrated by her present conservative conduct at Cracow.-ED.

might not the rising agitation of Portugal communicate itself to the rest of Europe?

The more we meditate on these questions, the more we think we recognize the advantages of another measure which we have already confidentially indicated. The Infant Don Miguel, instead of going to Brazil, might repair to England. He would doubtless there meet with the most flattering and friendly reception, and no obstacle would oppose itself to the accomplishment of this project, forasmuch as it appears to us difficult to overcome the scruples which His Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, would feel in counselling the Portuguese Prince to depart for Rio Janeiro, as much have we reason to think that His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty would agree to recommend to him a voyage to London, if His Majesty could give him the legitimate hope of meeting there a favourable disposition. By this step the Infant would prove his firm intention to use his rights under the tutelary influence of Great Britain.* Great Britain would recognise them, since she recognises the Charter which confirms them.* She would concert with him the exercise of them at the epoch of his majority.

*Not in italics in the original.

She would also concert with the Infant the resolutions, of which experience has revealed the necessity in Portugal, the mode of administration required by the real wants of this State, the guarantees which would prevent all personal reaction, the choice of the counsellors most worthy of confidence by their principles and their talents. The artisans of internal and external commotions would thus see their most dangerous arm fall from their hands; the conduct of the Infant Don Miguel, already so noble at a recent juncture, when a criminal intrigue sought to shake his integrity, would completely conciliate all suffrages in his favour. Spain would be compelled henceforth to follow in her relations with the Court of Lisbon, that line of policy which she ought to have adopted from the beginning, and Europe would escape from one of the most serious complications that has ever tried the wisdom of its principal Cabinets.

With regard to the Emperor of Brazil, the Court of London might easily represent to him, that considering the actual position of Portugal, and the interest which Don Pedro takes in the domestic peace of his native country, England has herself advised the Infant not to make a long absence,

and consequently not to go to Rio Janeiro. This observation would be accompanied, in case of necessity, with an exposure of the principles of right, which do not any longer admit of the crown of Portugal being considered as belonging to Don Pedro. As to what regards the definitive separation of the two Monarchies, and the departure of Queen Donna Maria da Gloria for Europe, these two measures evidently result from the terms of the act of abdication made by the Emperor of Brazil, and are the necessary consequence of it.

The moment appears to us so decisive that we do not hesitate to enter into these explanations with the British Ministry. We should have thought ourselves wanting in the duties of friendship, had we disguised from them the opinions of the Emperor, and we have too high an idea of the qualities which distinguish Mr. Canning to doubt his appreciating the feeling which leads us to express to him candidly the thoughts of his Imperial Majesty.

Your Excellency will be pleased to present this Despatch to the principal Secretary of State for

perusal.

(Signed)

NESSELRODE.

[The next Despatch, addressed by Count Pozzo di Borgo to the Vice-Chancellor at St. Petersburgh, again reveals the real policy of Russia, viz. to prevent the departure of the French army of occupation from the Peninsula, to burthen the Treasury of France, to excite the discontent of England at the prolongation of the French occupation, to encourage the Miguelites of Portugal, and either to render the stay of the British troops in that country a matter of necessity, or to secure, in the event of their departure, the triumph of the anti-constitutional faction.]