Professional Documents
Culture Documents
a basic text on International Trade Law before she had graduated, and to where, after
a successful time in practice, she returned to become an outstanding law teacher.
She is now a member of the University of Western Sydney Law School, where
she is still inspiring the enthusiasm of successive cohorts of law students. She also
continues to make a major contribution as an author of legal textbooks, and I am sure
Statutory Interpretation will become yet another highly regarded contribution to the
lengthening list of her publications relating to the interpretation and explanation of
legal topics.
Table of Cases xi
Table of Statutes xv
Preface xxii
Acknowledgments xxiv
2 Creation of Legislation 12
Legislative power 13
Drafting styles 13
Plain English drafting 15
Drafting conventions 18
The political dimension 19
Parliamentary procedures 20
Legislation example 21
Conclusion 25
3 Interpretation Legislation 27
Gender 30
Age 30
Number 30
Distance 31
vii
viii Table of Contents
Time 31
Meaning of ‘may’ and ‘shall’ 33
Commencement 34
Amendment 37
Repeal 41
Invalidity 45
Adler v George [1964] 2 QB 7 169 Bowtell v Goldsborough, Mort & Co Ltd (1906)
Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 3 CLR 444 98
175 CLR 564 181 Breavington v Godleman (1988) 169 CLR 41 109
Ainsworth v Hanrahan (1991) 25 NSWLR 155 231 Brennan v Comcare (1994) 50 FCR 555 161
Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 219 Brennan v R (1936) 55 CLR 253 247
CLR 562 7, 213, 215, 231 Brian William Skea v the Minister of Immigration,
Amaca Pty Ltd v Ellis (2010) 240 CLR 111 123 Local Government and Ethnic Affairs [1994]
Amalgamated Society of Engineers v FCA 1151 52
Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1920) Brisbane City Council v Group Projects Pty Ltd
28 CLR 129 53, 168 (1979) 145 CLR 143 196
Attorney-General (Qld) v Australian Industrial Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001)
Relations Commission (2002) 206 CLR 512 164
213 CLR 485 29 Bropho v Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1 81,
Attorney-General (WA) v Marquet (2003) 139, 196, 207, 226
217 CLR 545 44, 51 Burch v South Australia (1998) 71 SASR 12 51
Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond (1990) Byrnes v Kendle [2011] HCA 26 164
170 CLR 321 179
Australian Competition and Consumer Cabell v Markham (1945) 148 F 2d 737 114
Commission v Allergy Pathway Pty Ltd Campbell v R [2008] NSWCCA 214 132, 247
(No 2) [2011] FCA 74 134 Canterbury Municipal Council v Moslem
Australian National Airways Pty Ltd v Alawy Society Ltd [1985] 1 NSWLR
Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 29 46 525 204
Australian Securities Commissioner v Marlborough Carr v Western Australia (2007) 232
Gold Mines Ltd (1993) 177 CLR 485 158 CLR 138 64, 92
Avel Pty Ltd v Attorney-General for New South Case Concerning the Barcelona Traction, Light and
Wales (1987) 11 NSWLR 126 64 Power Company (Belgium v Spain) [1970]
ICJ Rep 44 232
Balog v Independent Commissioner Against Catlow v Accident Compensation Commission
Corruption (1990) 169 CLR 625 161 (1989) 167 CLR 543 140
Bank of New South Wales v Commonwealth (1948) Cheng v R (2000) 203 CLR 248 168
76 CLR 1 46 Chew v R (1992) 173 CLR 626 110
Barton v Australian Capital Territory (Territory and Chu Kheng Lim v The Minister for Immigration,
Municipal Services) [2011] ACTSC 94 217 Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (1992)
Beckwith v R (1976) 135 CLR 569 199 176 CLR 1 222
Bermingham v Corrective Services Commission of Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Ltd (1990)
New South Wales (1988) 15 NSWLR 292 81 170 CLR 249 52, 143, 162
Blundell v Sentence Administration Board of CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd
the Australian Capital Territory [2010] (1997) 187 CLR 384 54, 139
ACTSC 151 217 Coco v R (1994) 179 CLR 427 185,
Bond v R (2000) 201 CLR 213 204 210, 211
xi
xii Table of Cases
Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Edwards v Santos Ltd [2011] HCA 8 144
Authority of New South Wales (1982) Esso Australia Resources Ltd v FCT (1999)
149 CLR 337 254 201 CLR 49 166
Cody v J H Nelson Pty Ltd (1947) Eyston v Studd (1574) 75 ER 688 87
74 CLR 629 185
Cole v Director-General of Department of FAI Properties Pty Limited v John & Evangelia
Youth and Community Services (1987) Apostolopoulos [2002] ACTSC 58 181
7 NSWLR 541 167 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Gulland (1985)
Cole v Whitfield (1988) 165 CLR 360 251, 252 160 CLR 55 183
Coleman v Power (2004) 220 CLR 1 25, 119, 209, Field v Gent (1996) 67 SASR 122 175
211, 226 Forsyth v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2007]
Collector of Customs v Agfa Gevaert Ltd (1996) HCA8 85
186 CLR 389 116 —v— (2007) 233 ALR 254 100
Comcare v Broadhurst [2011] FCAFC 39 246
Gedeon v Commissioner of the New South
Comcare v Thompson [2000] FCA 790 85, 89
Wales Crime Commission [2008]
Commissioner for Government Transport (NSW) v
HCA 43 180
Deacon (1957) 97 CLR 535 42–3
George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 199
Commissioner of Taxation v BHP Billiton Limited
Gifford v Strang Patrick Stevedoring Pty Ltd (2003)
[2011] HCA 17 121
214 CLR 269 207
Commissioner of Taxation v Linter Textiles Australia
Goodwin v Phillips (1908) 7 CLR 1 43
Ltd (In Liq) (2005) 220 CLR 592 202
Grain Pool of WA v Commonwealth (2000)
Commissioner of Taxation v Stone (2005)
202 CLR 479 251
222 CLR 289 16
Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674 166
Commonwealth of Australia v Tasmania (1983)
Grey v Pearson (1857) 6 HL Cas 61 169
158 CLR 1 230
Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club Inc v Commissioner
Commonwealth v Baume (1905) 2 CLR 405 113
of Police (2008) 234 CLR 532 212
—v Hazeldell Ltd (1918) 25 CLR 552 202
—v Progress Advertising & Press Agency Co Pty Ltd Hall v Jones (1942) 42 SR (NSW) 203 169
(1910) 10 CLR 457 212 Halwood Corporation Ltd v Roads Corporation
—v Western Australia (1999) 196 CLR 392 195 [1998] 2 VR 439 17
Container Handlers Pty Ltd v Insurance Commission Herbert Adams Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of
of Western Australia (2001) 25 WAR 42 156 Taxation (1932) 47 CLR 222 116
Conway v R (2002) 209 CLR 203 171 Hewitt v Benale Pty Ltd [2002] WASCA 163 51
Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v Federal Heydon’s Case (1584) 76 ER 637 57, 170
Commissioner of Taxation (1981) Higgon v O’Dea [1962] WAR 140 168
147 CLR 297 78, 170, 201 Hoare v R (1989) 167 CLR 348 148
Corporate Affairs Commission (NSW) v Yuill (1991) Hogan v Hinch [2011] HCA 4 121, 204, 219
172 CLR 319 85, 212 Horta v Commonwealth (1994) 181 CLR 183 223
Houssein v Under Secretary, Department of
Daniels Corp International Pty Ltd v Australian
Industrial Relations and Technology (NSW)
Competition and Consumer Commission
(1982) 148 CLR 88 182
(2002) 213 CLR 543 212
Darrin Zickar v MGH Plastic Industries Pty Ltd Insurance Commission of Western Australia v
(1996) 187 CLR 310 102 Container Handlers Pty Ltd (2004)
Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Clark [2003] 218 CLR 89 156, 159
NSWCA 91 87, 120, 161, 168, 176 Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West
Dickinson v Motor Vehicle Insurance Trust (1987) Bromwich Building Society [1998]
163 CLR 500 154 1 WLR 896 253
Dietrich v R (1992) 177 CLR 292 222, 224, 226
Director of Public Prosecutions v Siourtou [2007] Jedko Game Co v Collector of Customs (NSW)
VSCA 233 51 (1987) 12 ALD 491 116
DPP v Logan Park Investments Pty Ltd (1995) 37 Jemena Gas Networks (NSW) Limited v Mine
NSWLR 118 212, 236 Subsidence Board [2011] HCA 19 7, 121,
—v Williams (1998) 104 A Crim R 65 177 126, 171
Dreamtech International v FCT [2010] FCAFC Jumbunna Coal Mine NL v Victorian Coal Miners
103 115 Association (1908) 6 CLR 309 222
Table of Cases xiii
K & S Lake City Freighters Pty Ltd v Gordon & Momcilovic v R [2011] HCA 34 220
Gotch Ltd (1985) 157 CLR 309 55, 94, 106 Monier Lrd v Szabo (1992) 28 NSWLR 53 147
Kelly v R (2004) 218 CLR 216 67, 81, 101, 163 Municipal Officers’ Association of Australia v
Kingston v Keprose Pty Ltd (1987) 11 NSWLR Lancaster (1981) 54 FLR 129 63, 99
404 51, 81
KL v State of NSW (Department of Education) New South Wales Crime Commission v Kelly [2003]
[2010] AusHRC 42 277, 280 NSWCA 245 124–5
Kracke v Mental Health Review Board [2009] New South Wales v Commonwealth (2006)
VCAT 646 219 231 ALR 1 274
Kruger v The Commonwealth (1997) Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997)
190 CLR 1 226 191 CLR 85 81, 82
Nulyarimma v Thompson (1999)
Lacey v Attorney-General of Queensland [2011] 165 ALR 621 234
HCA 10 73, 147, 206
Laemthong International Lines Co Ltd v BPS Osland v Secretary to the Department of Justice
Shipping (1997) 190 CLR 181 174 (2008) 234 CLR 275 96
Lake Macquarie Shire Council v Aberdare County Palgo Holdings Pty Ltd v Gowans (2005)
Council (1970) 123 CLR 327 88 221 CLR 249 117, 118
Parrett v Secretary, Department of Family
Mabo v Queensland (No.2) (1992) 175 CLR 1
& Community Services (2002) 124
203, 230
FCR 299 54, 84, 138, 142
Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2001)
Partington v AG (1869) LR 4 HL 100 201
210 CLR 181 254
Perpetual Executors and Trustees Association of
Magrath v Goldsborough Mort & Co Ltd (1932)
Australia Ltd v Federal Commissioner of
47 CLR 121 193
Taxation (1948) 77 CLR 1 181
Malika Holdings Pty Ltd v Stretton (2001)
Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and
204 CLR 290 207, 211, 212
Citizenship [2011] HCA 32 71
Mandalidis v Artline [1999] NSWSC 909 178
Polites v Commonwealth (1945) 70 CLR 60
Mandurah Enterprises Pty Ltd v Western
189, 222
Australian Planning Commission (2010)
Polyukhovich v Commonwealth (1991)
240 CLR 409 202
172 CLR 501 225, 230
Marshall v Watson (1972) 124 CLR 640 85
Povey v Qantas Airways Limited (2005)
Mathieson v Burton (1971) 124 CLR 1 43
216 ALR 427 151
Mattinson v Multiplow Incubators Pty Ltd (1977)
Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting
1 NSWLR 368 174
Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 34, 55,
Maxwell v Murphy (1957) 96 CLR 261 38, 77, 188
94, 113
McCann v Switzerland Insurance (2000)
Public Transport Commissioner of NSW v
203 CLR 579 254
J Murray More (NSW) Pty Ltd (1975)
Metropolitan Gas Co v Federated Gas Employees
132 CLR 336 78
Industrial Union (1924) 35 CLR 449 94
Pyneboard Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission
Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 57, 58, 74,
(1983) 152 CLR 328 212
138, 167, 170
Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act v Qantas Airways Ltd v Christie (1998) 193
NSW Aboriginal Land Council [2008] CLR 280 104, 277
HCA 48 129, 200
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh R & R Fazzolari Pty Limited v Parramatta
(1995) 183 CLR 273 226 City Council (2009) 237 CLR 603 203, 212
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and R v Ahwan [2005] NTSC 47 51
Indigenous Affairs v Al Masri (2003) R v AM [2010] ACTSC 149 218
197 ALR 241 208 R v Barlow (1997) 188 CLR 1 248
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and R v Bull (1974) 131 CLR 203 130
Indigenous Affairs v Nystrom (2006) R v Campbell (2008) 73 NSWLR 272 53
230 ALR 370 148–9, 181 R v Clough [2010] QCA 120 249
—v QAAH of 2004 (2006) 231 CLR 1 229 R v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration;
Minister for Lands and Forests v McPherson (1991) Ex parte Association of Professional Engineers
22 NSWLR 687 161 (1959) 107 CLR 208 251
xiv Table of Cases
R v Gee (2003) 212 CLR 230 87 Stevens v Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer
R v Hunt; Ex parte Sean Investments Pty Ltd (1979) Entertainment (2005) 224 CLR 193 61, 230
25 ALR 497 128 Stuart v R (1974) 134 CLR 426 247
R v Janceski (2005) 64 NSWLR 10 207 Sue v Hill (1999) 199 CLR 462 182
R v Kidman (1915) 20 CLR 425 186 Sutton v Container Handlers Pty Ltd [2000]
R v Kristiansen [2008] ACTSC 83 217 WADC 254 156
R v L (1991) 174 CLR 379 6, 165
R v Lavender (2005) 222 CLR 67 56, 199 Tasmania v Commonwealth (1904)
R v Porter (2001) 53 NSWLR 354 204 1 CLR 329 250
R v Portus; Ex parte ANZ Banking Group Ltd (1972) Telstra Corp Ltd v Hurstville City Council (2002)
127 CLR 353 198 118 FCR 198 144
R v Tang (2008) 237 CLR 1 233 Thompson v Primary Producers Improvers Pty Ltd
R v Wilson; Ex parte Kisch (1934) 52 CLR 234 62 [2004] NTCA 12 51
R v Young (1999) 46 NSWLR 681 82 Tokyo Mart Pty Ltd v Campbell (1988)
Re Alcan Australia Ltd; Ex parte Federation of 15 NSWLR 275 80
Industrial, Manufacturing & Engineering Trevisan v Commissioner of Taxation (1991)
Employees (1994) 181 CLR 96 198 29 FCR 157 50
Re Australian Federation of Construction
Vallance v R (1961) 108 CLR 56 247
Contractors; Ex Parte Billing (1986)
Vanit v R (1997) 190 CLR 378 147
68 ALR 416 137, 148
Victims Compensation Fund Corporation v Brown
Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987)
(2002) 54 NSWLR 668 60
162 CLR 514 146, 211
—v Brown (2003) 201 ALR 260 60, 124, 163
Re Colonel Aird (2004) 220 CLR 308 236
Victoria v The Commonwealth (1996)
Re Doyle (Deceased) Ex parte: Brien and Doyle
187 CLR 416 46
(1993) 41 FCR 40 190
Re John Kirkpatrick v Commonwealth of Australia Wacando v The Commonwealth (1981)
[1985] FCA 440 121 148 CLR 1 98, 109
Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally (1999) 198 Wainohu v New South Wales [2011] HCA 24 81,
CLR 511 186 95, 121
Rich v Australian Securities and Investments Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board v
Commission (2004) 220 CLR 129 182 Australian Mutual Provident Society (1934)
Roach v Electoral Commissioner (2007) 50 CLR 581 191
233 CLR 162 47, 237 Ward v Commissioner of Police (1997)
Rocklea Spinning Mills Pty Ltd v Anti-Dumping 151 ALR 604 157
Authority (1995) 129 ALR 401 228, 230 Ward v Williams (1955) 92 CLR 496 72
Rodway v R (1990) 169 CLR 515 Western Australia v Olive [2011] WASCA 25 127
187, 212 White v Director of Public Prosecutions (WA) [2011]
Rowe v Electoral Commissioner [2010] HCA 20 121
HCA 46 26 Wilson v Anderson (2002) 213 CLR 401 72, 74,
Ryde Municipal Council v Macquarie University 185, 202, 255
(1978) 139 CLR 633 123 Woodhouse v Wood Cofill Funerals Pty Ltd [1998]
HREOCA 12 277, 280
Saraswati v R (1991) 172 CLR 1 57, 58, 82, 137
Wurridjal v The Commonwealth of Australia (2009)
Sheahan v Carrier Air Conditioning Pty Ltd &
237 CLR 309 96
Campbell (1997) 189 CLR 407 88
Siemens Ltd v Schenker International (Australia) Pty X v Commonwealth (1999) 200 CLR 177 277, 280
Ltd (2004) 216 CLR 418 230 X v Department of Defence [1995] EOC
Singh v Commonwealth (2004) 222 CLR 322 54, 92–715 104
72, 73, 74, 251, 252
Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia (2010) 241 Yager v R (1977) 139 CLR 28 75, 100, 163,
CLR 118 142 226, 227
State Government Insurance Commission (SA) v
Trigwell (1979) 142 CLR 617 91 Zheng v Cai (2009) 239 CLR 446 73
Table of Statutes
Commonwealth s 33(2A) 33
s 33(3B) 182
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 16, 28, 29, 244 s 35 31
Pt IV 47 s 36(1) 32–3
s 2 100 s 36(2) 33
s 2(2) 16, 30 s 37 31, 32
s 2B 16 s 37A 30
s 3A 34 s 46 28, 242
s 4 36 s 46(2) 45
s 7 41 s 46AA 242
s 7(1) 41 s 46(b) 46
s 7(3)(b) 42 s 46B 242
s 8A 41 s 140(1)(c) 99
s 10 42 s 153(1)(a) 279
s 13 95, 108, 110 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977
s 13(1) 108 s 3(2) 179
s 13(1)(b) 224 s 3(2)(g) 179
s 13(2)(a) 96 Admiralty Act 1988 172
s 13(2)(b) 98 s 3(6) 173
s 13(2)(d) 104 s 19 173
s 13(3) 108, 109 s 19(a) 173
s 15A 45, 46, 47 s 19(b) 173
s 15AA 3, 50–1, 52, 64, 138, 143, 229, 279 Age Discrimination Act 2004 215
s 15AB 109, 136, 137, 138, 139, 158, 159, Anglican Church of Australia Trust Property
228, 229 Act 1917
s 15AB(1) 136, 137, 140, 141 s 35 240
s 15AB(1)(a) 137, 138 Atomic Energy Act 1953 108
s 15AB(1)(b) 137 Australian Airlines Act 1945 47
s 15AB(2) 141, 252 Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
s 15AB(2)(a) 109 s 3(1) 276
s 15AB(3) 158 Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011
s 15AC 16 s 16 110–11
s 15AD 110 Bankruptcy Act 1966
s 15AE 242 s 120 191
s 18A 122 s 120(1) 190
s 22(1)(a) 32 Border Protection (Validation and Enforcement of
s 22(1)(b) 189 Powers) Act 2001 187
s 23(a) 30 s 5(1) 187
s 23(b) 30 s 6 187
s 25E 30 Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 225
s 30(3) 30 Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1959 151
xv
xvi Table of Statutes
This book responds to a recognised need for lawyers to have improved skills in statutory
interpretation. Our current lack of such skills is the result of a delayed response on the
part of some legal educators to the significant proliferation of statutes as a source of
law. In many cases law schools explicitly teach statutory interpretation only in the first
year of law school, assuming that advanced skills in statutory interpretation will be
imbibed, by osmosis, through the study of substantive law areas that are housed within
statutory provisions. But anyone who has taught statutory interpretation in first year
will readily acknowledge the difficulty in teaching a skill to students who have no
prior knowledge of law. It is akin to teaching chess strategy without any pieces on
the chessboard. Other law schools offer a later-year elective such as ‘Advanced Legal
Method’ which, no doubt, is selected by those students who realise the importance of
statutory interpretation. But having these skills is not ‘elective’—it is essential.
It is pleasing to see that other law schools are already taking an integrated and
holistic approach to their curriculum, including statutory interpretation. Provided each
and every academic refreshes their own skills in statutory interpretation, it can be
successfully embedded. However, statutory interpretation issues can only be covered
as they arise in the context of the substantive law. It is submitted that, by adding a
‘capstone’ subject on statutory interpretation, students in their final semester before
commencing practical legal training can integrate their knowledge of statutory
interpretation and apply that knowledge in the context of scenarios from any area of
law. This requires them to identify not only the statutory interpretation answers but
also the issues themselves.Yes, the curriculum is full, but space needs to be made.
The gap in skills of statutory interpretation among Australian lawyers has become
so dire that members of the judiciary have taken it upon themselves to seek change.
In August 2007 two Victorian Supreme Court judges, Chief Justice Warren and Justice
Maxwell, President of the Court of Appeal, wrote to the Law Admissions Consultative
Committee (LACC) on this issue. Their submission was supported by Chief Justice
Gleeson of the High Court and Chief Justice Spigelman of the Supreme Court
of New South Wales. No doubt it would have the support of many other judges.
xxii
Preface xxiii
Dr Michelle Sanson
September 2011
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Povo portuguez! A tua rainha diz que quer paz, mas
consente que os janisaros assassinem e roubem, como o
estão fazendo.
Povo portuguez! Ás armas! Senão serás fusilado ou
deportado! Viva Portugal! Ás armas! e seja o novo grito de
guerra: Viva D. Pedro v! (ap. Livro azul; corr. 11 out.)
Em Coimbra, Loulé, governador civil, ao saber do golpe d’Estado,
rebella-se, proclama, reconstitue o batalhão academico. Foi isto a 8;
no dia seguinte Aveiro segue o exemplo. Campos, no Grito nacional,
dizia claramente:
Ha poucos dias arrojámos dois (traidores sc. Cabraes) pela
barra fóra: pódem ir mais alguns. Marche todo o paiz a
Lisboa e esmague a cabeça da hydra (a rainha?) se quanto
antes a facção parricida não esconder a sua vergonha nas
ondas do oceano.
A guerra estava formalmente declarada: chegava o momento de
appellar para as prevenções tomadas. Saldanha, então, officiou,
pedindo a intervenção aos governos de Londres, Paris e Madrid,
segundo o tratado de 22 de abril de 34, allegando que os
miguelistas saíam a campo. (Relat. do min. neg. estr. em 48) De
Madrid estava certo, e os hespanhoes mandaram logo um corpo de
observação para a fronteira; (Ibid. off. de Isturiz a Renduffe) mas a
Inglaterra, não vendo miguelistas, queria impedir a intervenção
hespanhola e forçar a rainha á paz. Em toda esta historia ver-se-ha
a funesta consequencia de uma tal politica, protrahindo uma guerra
desoladora; porque, se a Inglaterra não queria consentir na
intervenção da Hespanha para dar a victoria á rainha, tampouco
intervinha para impôr uma conciliação. Nós, em casa,
evidentemente não tinhamos força para nos governarmos: e depois
de doze annos de liberdade, o Portugal novo achava-se, como o
antigo se achára, dividido em duas fracções sem que nenhuma
tivesse poder bastante para submetter a contraria.
Palmerston ordenava para Madrid ao seu delegado que não
consentisse na intervenção; (Livro-azul P. a Bulwer, 5 nov.) e para cá
mandava-nos um coronel, o Wylde, afim de negociar uma paz entre
os belligerantes. Melancolica situação antiga em que nos
achavamos, de que a liberdade nos não tirava ... Costa-Cabral já
era nosso embaixador em Madrid, e a Hespanha, de accordo
comnosco, procedia bizarramente, apezar de soffreada pela
Inglaterra. Mandara para a fronteira um exercito, e enviava para
Lisboa trezentos contos: (Ibid. Southern a Palmerston, 22-3 de out.)
assim podesse trazer a Lisboa e ao Porto os seus soldados!—
suspirava Cabral em Madrid, e na capital Saldanha.
Porque a insurreição lavrava, e para peior, o miguelismo não no
pronunciava bastante para justificar a intervenção extrangeira. (Ibid.
22, 3, 9 de out.) As noticias que lhe iam de Lisboa mantinham
Palmerston na sua reserva. «Era uma revolução como outra
qualquer: o inverso de 42; a propria junta batia os miguelistas,
raros e sem importancia». E tudo ardia! as guerrilhas surgiam de
todos os lados. O Galamba e o Batalha com 500 homens corriam o
Alemtejo; José-Estevão estava em Alcaçovas com 600; (Ibid. 22-3)
Taipa e Sá-da-Bandeira no Porto; Aguiar em Coimbra; Mousinho-
d’Albuquerque e Bomfim tinham desertado do Lisboa; Antas vinha,
caminho da capital, já em Leiria, com 2:500 homens, fóra guerrilhas,
devagar, aggregando gente todos os dias. (Ibid. 29) Que seria de
Lisboa, a que o inglez não deixava o hespanhol acudir? O governo,
entretanto, preparava-se, lançando mão de tudo. Arregimentavam-
se os empregados-publicos. Havia rusgas; nas boccas das ruas os
cabos de vigia prendiam. Todo o homem de 18 a 50 annos tinha de
pegar em armas. Formara-se um batalhão das Obras-publicas, outro
do Commercio. Fortificavam-se, artilhavam-se as linhas. O Banco
dera 300 contos para acudir ás urgencias. Prendiam-se os suspeitos
nos navios no Tejo: todo o setembrista fugia, e Palmella em pessoa
estava homisiado.(Ibid. 22-3). Embargavam-se as cavalgaduras e as
pessoas, obrigando-as a trabalhar nas linhas.
Mas apesar de tão grandes esforços e de meios tão violentos, o
rei D. Fernando, commandante em chefe do exercito, não podia
passar revista a mais do 3:000 homens. (Ibid. 29) Que ia ser da
rainha, alvo de todos os tiros? Que resultado, o d’essa guerra
encetada? Se a Inglaterra não havia de vir a consentir que os
vencedores acabassem de vencer, que singular escrupulo a
embaraçava?—E se os sublevados não fossem afinal agrilhoados
pela intervenção, que teriam feito? Depôr a rainha? É natural.
Proclamar uma republica? Provavelmente. Mas nenhum d’esses
dois actos destruiria os males constitucionaes do paiz, causa da sua
desgraça: nem a anarchia das doutrinas, nem a penuria universal.
3.—O ESPECTRO