POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY NIGHT.
Complaints of the conduct of the British officers belonging to the squadron now off Lisbon have of late been frequent. They scent to be a set of determined Miguelites ; prompt to interfere in the party polities of Portugal, without scruple or regard to decency. We are glad to see that the Cowier of this evening has called the attention of AIinisters and the public to their behaviour, and its consequences, in an article which LO1'd PALMERSTON would do well to ponder. The Courier states that " The partiality of Admiral Parker to Don Miguel has been shown on all occasions. Ile and his officers are looked on all over Lisbon as supporters of whom they call 'a gentleman ;' and of his cause, which they describe as that of regular government.
" We have heard, for example, on no light authority, that as soon as it was known at Lisbon, after the meeting of Council, a few days ago, that the Duke of Braganza had indignantly rejected the proposition for placing the Duke of Palmella at the head of the Government, the British Naval Officer's were seen parading through the city, declaring that there was no doubt of ill iguel's success.
" Thus, tie moral influence of the British force, and, consequently, of the (;o- vernment, is at this moment used in support of an usurper whom the Gevern- nient have never acknowledged, and in opposition to the lawful Queen, at whose Court they have au accredited Ambassador."
Our contemporary asks how Ministers, with these facts before them, can allow Admiral PARKER to remain at the head of our naval force in the Tagus ; and bow it is possible that they should be ignonmt of these facts if they have not very improper and inefficient agents at Lisbon ? Respecting the truth and correctness of their statements, the Courier is well satisfied.
" We have not made these remarks without satisfying ourselves, by minute inquiries, which have quite convinced us of the truth of a statement which the public, we arc aware, will be disposed to receive with some suspicion, but we entertain no doubt on the subject; and we emphatically call on the (hive, !mica to institute an official inquiry into the whole proceeding. They will not find us misinformed."
" What will the people of this country say if they find that a British fleet has, during the struggle in Portugal, been confided to an individual who has con- verted it into an instrument to support the very cause to which the Government is opposed ? "It is impossible for us, then, as independent journalists, to remain longer silent ; and we call upon the Government to delay no longer, and at once to put an end to this anomalous state of things. "Another question suggests itself of serious import. Are the destinies o f this country at this critical period to be committed to those whose opinions are such, that the officers and men tinder their command cannot fail to be trained in sentiments hostile to the constitutional liberties of the country ? "
The old excuse will no doubt be made for Ministers "that no one can tell what difficulties they have to encounter in certain quarters." But What a Ministry must that be which is deprived of time control of both the Army and Navy of the country, and yet clings to office!
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