cessation of
hostilities, if in reality such a proposal was ever made, did not meet
with a cordial reception. Other differences subsisting between
the crowns of Great Britain and Spain, he found no difficulty in
compromising. His catholic majesty persisted in the execution of a plan
truly worthy of a patriot king. In the first place, he spared no pains
and application to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the state
of his kingdom. He remitted to his people all they owed the crown,
amounting to threescore millions of reals: he demanded an exact account
of his father's debts, that they might be discharged with the utmost
punctuality: an order was sent to the treasury, that ten millions of
reals should be annually appropriated for this purpose, until the whole
should be liquidated; and to the first year's payment be added fifty
millions, to be divided equally among the legal claimants. He took
measures for the vigorous execution of the laws against offenders;
encouraged industry; protected commerce; and felt the exquisite pleasure
in being beloved as the father of his people. To give importance to his
crown, and extend his influence among the powers of Europe, he equipped
a powerful squadron of ships at Carthagena; and is said to have declared
his intention to employ them against Algiers, should the dey refuse to
release the slaves of the Spanish nation.

AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL.

Portugal still seemed agitated from the shock of the late conspiracy
which was quelled in that kingdom. The pope's nuncio was not only forbid
the court, but even sent under a strong guard to the frontiers; an
indignity which induced the pontiff to order the Portuguese minister at
Rome to evacuate the ecclesiastical dominions. In the meantime, another
embarkation of Jesuits was sent from Lisbon to Civita Vecchia; yet
the expulsion of these fathers did not restore the internal peace of
Portugal, or put an end to the practice of plotting; for, even since
their departure, some persons of rank have either been committed to
close prison, or exiled from the kingdom. The Jesuits were not more
fortunate in America; for in the month of October, in the foregoing
year, an obstinate battle was fought between the united forces of Spain
and Portugal and the Indians of Paraguay, who were under the dominion of
the Jesuits: victory at length declared in favour of the two crowns; so
that the vanquished were obliged to capitulate, and lay down their arms.
A