España y la crisis portuguesa de 1846

Abstract

Spanish-Portuguese relations in 1846 must be understood against the backdrop of the proximity between the moderate Spanish regime to the conservative Portuguese chartists and supporters of Costa Cabral, arising from their affinity and from reasons of internal security. The close collaboration between the two governments ended after the fall of Costa Cabral and the formation of the liberal Palmela cabinet. The reformist policy initiated by the Portuguese government and its refusal to collaborate with the Spanish ambassador in Lisbon in fixing the residence of Spanish political exiles were strongly criticized in more conservative quarters in Spain. Istúriz ordered troops sent to the frontier and refused to exercise the control desired by the Portuguese authorities over Costa Cabral in his exile in Madrid.