Star. — London, England, 1809-01-04 00:00:00

SPAIN. It is a singular anecdote connected with the fol lowing proclamation, that the Junta objected to its publication at the time, when it was proposed to carry its object into execution by the retreat of the troops under Sir David Baird ; but when 'that measure was abandoned, the objection was removed, and they themselves ordered the publication without commu nicating their intention to the British Commander. PROCLAMATION OF SIR DAVID BAIRD. Dated Head Quarters, Astorga, Dec. I, 1808. The events ' that hivi - occurred in Biscay, and in the neighbourhood of the Ebro, have made it indispen sibly necessary that the British troops -should be con centrated, in order more effectually to assist and sup port the Spanish nation in the heroic exertions she is applying for the defence of her independence. Under these circumstances, Lieutenant General Sir Dlvid Baird, Commander of the British division in Castile and Leon, informs the royal subjects of these king doms, that he has just received orders from his Ex cellency Sir J. Moore, Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's army in Spain, to unite his forces with those of the said General, without loss of time, by the road of Poetugal. The object of this movement is in no respect to evacuate Spain, or to abandon a cause so dear to Great Britain. The only design is to combine the whole of the British forces, in order to enable them to, act in a situation where they can render their services more beneficial. Gallicia, strong by nature, does not require for its protection a more numerous army, nor can it possess a more gallant one than the army of the left; com posed principally of the courageous youth of the province, which is now united in Lecn wider the or ders of the highly 'distinguished Commander his Excellency the Marquis de la Romana.—The resort of more troops, in the present circun - st,.n :es, in tie defiles of the mountains, would be prejudicial, since they would consume the provisions and other re sources of the country, without increasing its security. " To the worthy inhabitants of these kingdoms the most grateful acknowledgments are due from the Bri tish forces, for the hospitality and friendship with i which they have been treated in every situation ; and the Lieutenant General hopes that the feelings of reciprocal attachment and respect will prevail, not only now, but that they will continue to animate both n. i , e.na to the latest posterity. In taking leave of the subjects of this part of the peninsula, the Lieutenant General feels it to be his duty to exhort them, by the loyalty they owe to their Sovereign, by the affection thel bear to 667.f:wa1k% and by all that is sacred in religion, to °Stitt for the protection of their country. Unless the Government and the people combine their utmost efforts in this just and honourable cause, Spain will be exposed to the most serious danger ; but, if these endeavours be not wanting, under the di rection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, all will terminate in victory and happiness. ROYAL DECREE. The Supreme Central Junta, considering that it . h not sufficient for a nation newly engaged in war with an intrepid and experienced enemy, to have nu merous armies, but that it is indispensable that allthe in habitants should be soldiers. and that every hou se should be an impregnable fortress, considering also that our former Government confiding in an alliance which it believed sincere, had feeble condescension to suffer the military spirit which is identified with the Spa nish character to evaporate, so that it has been ne cessary to create it entirely anew ; and that, though our new soldiers are all animated with that valour which patriotism inspires, yet they cannot but be wanting in the knowledge of tactics and experience, which, however, is speedily acquired in the field of battle, where only it can be learned, and when ac quired, must render them invincible. The Govern ment has, therefore, resolved to adopt the most ener getic and effectual measures, authorising and grant ing full powers to all towns and considerable villages, to oppose to the enemy such a resistance, that if un fortunately he should be able to penetrate to them, every step may cost him a victory ; that to this end • the whole nation may be united, and every means employed suitable to the defence of the particular part of the aountry•where the enemy is found, thit his progress may be retarded, his movements im peded, and that we ;nay convince him what may be done for patriotism resolved to conquer or die. In consequence of this determination, which no doubt will animate all the inhabitants of this king dom with that heroism which their brethren have ma nifested, in the repeated attacks they have hitherto sustained, and being intimately convinced that the means to prevent our cruel enemy from polluting our soil with his horrid crinies and sacrileges, is to aug ment the army under the command of the Marquis de la Romana, and .to raise another to defend the posts of Manzanal and Sanabria, has decreed, • 1. That within the term of eight days the contingent of each prelim, for the firs: conscription, shall be completed. 11. That this being completed, considering the urgent neces sity 4 reinforcing the army with the, greatest rapidity, and co weriog the entrances of the liingdotn, a new enlistment shall be begin of the males who are unmarried, or widowers without children, from the age of le to 45, without admitting any other exception than these provided by the regulation of the 18th No vember published by the Supreme Central Junta. The other articles relate only to the particular re gulations for enlisting, arming, &c. this new militia or coascription.] (Signed) Kingdom of Gallicia, December 14, 1808. JUAN . INNOCINCIO, Mita ritycz ANTONIO, MAK [AGM g SANTISO, AcuA,Sectetati . j..ERIPA, NOVEMBER 23. By various letters from the head-quarters at Mar torell, we learn that the French have lost 3000 men in another attack upon Rosas. -.The garriten, who were exhausted by the two very obstinate, but cm pletely unsuccessful assaults,—which Ole- enemy pre viously made upon the fortress, triumphed over them in consequence of the vigorous aid afforded by our allies the English. They not oaly kept up a formid able fire from their ships and frigates, but also landed Officers and troops to co-operate with and animate our brave troops and Somatenes. A letter, which a spy was carrying from General Lechi to the General at Figueras p - has been inter cepted. It is filled with invectives against Puhesine. w hom Lechi considers as inadequate to 4* situ t tion of Commander in Chief, and to whose incapa city he attributes the loss of their army, This letter has been sent in to J)uhesmc. .~.: .. THE EVENING STA J WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. Consols for January &la... Reduced 651—Opuilum Exchequer Bills, 2s. ss. prem. PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. 3 per Cent. Red. Ann. 651+1 Long Ann. IS 1-16th 18 3 per Cent. Cons. shut India Bonds, Ss. 4s. 4 per Cent. alai+ Cons. for ace. 66+ 5 per Cent. Navy, shut Ex. Bills, 3s. a ss.tid. pre. LONDON. From the Corunna papers received yesterday, we have given some further extracts. They afford no recent intelligence, those which were received by the Mail of Sunday being of a later date. The Procla mation by Sir DAVID BAIRD given among these ex tracts, announcing his intention to retreat, was not published by the Junta till after that measure was abandoned. The retreat excited great discontent u po; only among the Spaniards, but also among the tish troops. Nor is this surprising. Brave men► ignorant of the motives and information which dictate the orders of their commander, should feel much reluctance in even the appearance of turning their backs upon an enemy. 11.• letter now before us, lion% an . Officer belonging to Sir DAVID BAIRD'S corps, says, that it is impossible to describe the feelings of the troops on being commanded to destroy part of their provisions and of their supply of spirits, and to take a retrograde direction. The chagrin which this measure excited was aggravated by re proaches thrown upon them by the Spaniards, who called them t , well dressed poltroons. "—On the other hand when the men were commanded to halt, and then to advance again, the joy that animated every countenance formed a striking contrast to the dejection which before pervaded all ranks, and diffused a degree of alacrity which made the co lumns appear as if they had been highly refreshed, or just beginaing a march from good quarters. By the °num, the arrival of which from Cadiz we announced yesterday, letters from that city to the 12th ult. were received ; from which it appears, that erroneous accounts respecting the situation of affairs at Madrid had been circulated there as well as at Co runna. The Government and Military at Cadiz were making vigorous preparations for the defence of that place. The Captain General, it is stated, has bound himself by a solemn oath never to surrender the town cr the navy. Cadiz has been put in the best state of defence possible, and the inhabitants are converted into an immense garrison. Every man capable of bearing arms has his post of dan ger and honour assigned to him. The aged, and those of tender years, arc appointed to such duties as their respective powers are equal to. The populace, to a man, are willing to lay down their -lives in sup port of the cause in Avhich they are engaged: Some persons of superior rank were suspected,. we trust un justly, of not being quite so sincere. By the NIOBE, arrived at Portsmouth, intelligence has been received of exactly the same description as the accottots that had been circulated at Corunna and at Cadiz ; which serves to show how defective the means of communication must be throughout Spain ; and at the same time with what caution those ac counts should be 'received, which rests on no official authority. Thefollowing letters will give our Readers a pretty correct idea of the want of information which prevails throughout Spain : " PLYMOUTH, JAN. 2. dl Late last evening arrived here the Excovyreft gmt-brig, from Vigo, left that place the '27th ultimo, at which time it was reported that a Messenger had arrived there from Sir DAVID BAIRD,With dispatches, who left Bonaventura the ISth ult. and that in six hours after, he passed through the army under the command of Sir Jonw MOORE, m high spirits: it was also reported, that the French bad been - defeated at Madrid, Saragossa, and Messorga;• with art immense loss, but that it was impossible to judge of the num ber, as the bodies were piled up in the streets at Ma drid. That General Bt,ass's army his also made a stand, and were collecting their forces at Leon. It was also confis,len4 reported at Figniera, that Bo- NAPARTi -had returned to France in consequence of an insurrection in La Vendee and La Mancha. That a party of the 15th Dragoons had performed a prodi gy of valour, by cutting their way through a large party of the French Dragoons, and, after great slaughter, took 200 prisoners, which were all that re mained. Such are the reports in consequence of the ENCOUXTER'S arrival ; the dispatches are said to be on board g cutter, not yet arrived." ANOTHER LET'T' ER, SAME DATE. “ Four o'elnr..k, P. M.—The ENCOVNTER gun.brig, Lieutenant T4.1.;0r, has just arrided from`tigo. The intelligence she brings is briefly this ;—After the enemy had obtained possession of Madrid, they were guilty of the most enormous excesses towards the inhabitants ; who, irritated at their hdtrible cruelties, 'rose upon them when they were off their guard, and massacred fifty *wand of them. The dead bodies larso thick in the streets, that they 'were under the necessity of pais% them. up i; . •lseaps, to clear a . thoroughfare. 'The intelligence - by the ENCOVIiTER also further states * that BosAr4nrs had precipi tately quitted Spain for Paris ; the season assigned . • for which was, that a serious insurrection out in France. " Our armies have certainly formed a junction. ' 1 " Such is the substance of the intelligence by this 'conveyance, which is generally accredited here, and has just been read in Plymouth Guildhall before the Mayor and principal merchants. " P. S. It is not stated whether any part of the army which retired previous to the approach of the enemy, had returned to assist the inhabitants in this contest." ... PO RTUGAL. This day we received Portuguese Journals to the 214 t ult. It appears by an official communication from PALAFOX to the Supreme Junta, published in these papers, that having been attacked at Sara gossa on the Ist ultimo, repulsed the enemy with great loss. The receipt of this intelligenee by way of Portugal, is a further proof of the interrupted state; of communication throughout Spain. This intelli-' genre we consider as important, as it serves to shew that the Spaniards are still able to resist the invaders, and furnishes ground to hope that the measures of vigour which have at length been resorted to may yet be able to save the country. LISBON, DECEMBER 16. OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Don Jost PA LAFO x, General in Chief of the Army of Arragon, made, under date of the 2d inst. the following Report to the Supreme Central Junta:— The enemy, from twelve to fifteen thousand strong, supported by two thousand horse, attacked, on the Ist instant, the extensive line of the Canal cf Saragossa. The bridge, defended by the intrepid Arragonese, was three times taken and retaken. The division of .Asturian troops which serves in this army behaved with the utmost gallantry, and attacked the enemy with such uncommon intrepidity and spirit, that they completely routed and compelled him to re treat with the utmost precipitation, notwithstanding the great superiority in number. He left two thousand killed on the field of battle ; and was convinced, by his complete defeat, that, if he lately obtained some advantages; he was merely indebted for them to casu alties arising froth circumstances, and to the want of subordination and discipline which prevailed among some of our troops. Let them imitate the perseve rance of the Arragonese, and their obedience to their Generals and Chiefs, and the-enemy will soon expe rience, that neither the rapidity of his movements, with his boasted superiority in tactics, can subdue a nation which has sworn to live and die free! Spa niaxds, let us fulfil that sacred oath—Gon, the King, the country, our wives and children, exact it from us. Let us not frustrate their hopes—the hopes of all Europe, which has her_ eyes fixed on us with admi ration and envy. Truzio, December 10." The Viceroy of Mexico, Don Jose d'lturrigaral, to the Governor of Cadiz, Don Thomas Merla, the substance of which is as follows NiExlco, AUGUST ‘24. " I wish you the most rerfect health, and that you may proceed in the important affairs which you have undertaken with the utmost diligence :and success.—All this Kingdom is animated with the best sentiments, and will continue so till our Monarchs arc restored to Spain, and we have the satisfaction we so much desire of being under their orders. I have determined to send this ship to give infigmaeon of , every thing to the Juntas, and assure them of our fra ternityand good di sposi tion to assist themwlth pecuniary supplies, if we cannot do it with troops ; not that we are in want of them, for we have ho:h cavalry and infantry in very good condition. I have many things to communicate to you, but little time to write, hav ing much to do, that we may be prepared for every event. " Mexico, Sept. 4. I return you my thanks for the good opinion you have formed of us, in making no doubt that this_ king dom still retains, and will retain, its fidelity to its le gitimate Sovereign, and that it will contribute with money and every thing in its power to the assistance of the Peninsula, as the people of this king dom will never firget their oath, nor the acclamation 'of " Long live Ferdinand VII." in which all most willingly and ardently join. During the six years which I have resided in this kingdom, I have had frequent proofs of the love of the people to their So vereign, proofs which have frequently drawn from my eyes tears of satisfaction. is I can likewise believe, and assure yon, that in case Spain should be lost (which may Gon in his merry never permit) his Majesty will always have his kingdom of Mexico faithful to him, reigning in, which he will be greater than all the Sovereigns of, Europe. I wish I could accompany you in the defence, of so gcod a cause; but, as we may likewise be' at tacked by the enemy, since it is, very probable that he will endeavour to possess himself of this kingdom, superior to all others in the world, we shall have an opportunity of imitating your heroic conduct. (Signed) ITURRIoARAI." Yesteiday, at two clock, a Cabinet Council was 1;44 at the Foreign Office, which was the first ;PP.- - meeting of Kuisters ;hit has taken place sin' day sePni t. pablic business that ). since, - to, !)e laid before his ... Council, to be a this day at t4Queecti; graTIVO. , occurred ►JEST! in 31 0 414T1NG. On Wednesday the inhabitants of Lancaster were .ghly amused, about one o'clock, by a numerous as rentbkage of sportsmen entering the town hi pursuit c.`: a haze that had been hunted for several hours on the Moor, near the town. Puss entered the town, being wolarly exhausted, by Moor-lane, went round t he stoae well into St. Leonard's Gate, entered a house, the door of-which was open, and endeavoured to conceal herself under some furniture, when ;mold woman ap pearing, alarmed poor Puss, and she endeavoured to escape by jumping through the window, in which at tempt she broke several squares of glass. One of th e huntsmen came up at the time, took her, and libels rated her near the New Bridge, for another day's sport. The Hulcean Prize is this year adjudged to Mr. JOHN C. Hoeuousr, B. A. of Trinity College, Cam bridge, for his dissertation on The] origin and intention of Socrinctr. Two gentlemen, Mr. S. of Norton-street, end Lien. tenant A. a cavalry Officer, met to fight a duel ea Monday morning, in the fields, near Chalk Farm, but information being given to the police, they were apprehended, while the ground was measuring, and on being conducted to a Police Oflioe were held in sureties to keep the peace. The quarrel originated at a card party, in Charlotte-street, on Saturday night. . - Tuesday last, about half past two P. M. as a colhets brig was working up towards Mutton Cove, Flynt:oath, in order to discharge her cargo, the wind being brisk, and her falling suddenly into a strong eddy tide, she Arct S driven violently against the Pier, in the upper part of which one of the flukes of the anchor on her larboard bow held fast, and after carrying awap part of the Pier, the anchor snapped in two; she was then brought up without sustaining any farther damage. The Crernill passage-boat had arrived, and 14 passengers landed, not more than a minute before the said brig ran foul of her, and carried away the fore and mizen mast, and upset the boat. A more affecting case than the following has seic dom occurred. The wife of Mr. Mtnnurrow, a far ther at Winmoor, near Heslerton, upon the Wo in Yorkshire, with her infant child, her sister, and the house-keeper, had been at a farm house cf Mr. Minurrou's, at some little distance, and set out or their return home in the afternoon of Saturday se'n night. Two men belonging to the farm had been w:th Mr. MIDDLETON afterwards, and told him of U party having left the farm, but supposed, as the day was so stormy, they must have returned, with an intention of stopping there for the night. Should this not prove to be the case, the men proposed to go back immediately to Mr. Miranrrox, and inform him of it. Not hearing any thing from them, Mr. Mtn invroY.supposed the party had returned and were safe. About ten o'clock at night, however, as he was going to look after some sheep near the house, his foot struck against something, which, on exa, mination, proved to be the body of a dead child; and his astonishment and affliction may be more easily conceived than expressed, when he found it to be his own and only daughter. On making further search immediately, his wife and housekeeper, and his wife's sister, were found at a short distance, nearly lifeless; the two former are recovering, but his sister had lost the use of her limbs, and little hopes are entertained of her regaining the use of them. On Saturday night last, as Mr. Daniel Huddy, farmer, of Ladock, was returning from Truro mar ket, between ten and eleven o'clock, be was stepped about a mile from Truro, on the St. Austell road, by a dragoon from Truro barracks, who, after striking him several blows with a stick, got him off his horse, and robbed him of sixteen pounds. On Sunday morn ing it was found that a dragoon, named Smith, had deserted from Truro barracks. He was traced to Helston, at Portleaven (a village about two miles beyond that town) and was found disguised in a sailor's dress. The Serjeant who had been sent in pursuit of him, attempted to take him. He resisted, and in the scuffle the Serjeant's ',inn' went cff, an shot Smith in the abdomen. Be has since died of the wound. Previous to his death, however, he con fessed himself the man who had attacked and robbed Mr. Huddy ; and exonerated ''arsons, another dra ,roon who had, in the mean time, been taken up and 9 examined before the Magistrates at the Town Hall, in Truro. Saturday evening, as Mr. Yalding, jun. butcher, of Stathern, - Leicestershire, was returning from Gran tham fair, along the path lithe canal from thence to Nottingham, his horse took fright near Belvoir Castle, and precipttated him into the water ; and although two or three other persons were in company, they were not :tole to get him out until quite lifeless. The following melancholy accident happened on Wednesday last, near Wexford : two men fishing in a cot near Dieps, on the river Slaney, a plank started, when she ivitantly sunk. One of the men, named Fraync, remained suspended by the head, from two flakes of ice, which closed, in which situation he con tinued nearly half an hour before assistance could be procured, and perished. The other was saved by floating on the ice. Futa.—Friday night a fire broke out at Mr. Mer cer's, Cary's-lane, Cork, Which raged with great fitly for upwards of two hours, when, by the prompt ex ettions of the engines, it was extinguished. Thursday night a brig, laden with herrings, the property of Mr. Vippand, lying alongside of the tim ber-quay, Cork, took fire, and was, notwitl.aninding every exertion made to save her, burned del% r. to hei bottom timbers. CORN MARKET, MARK•LANE, JANUARY 4._There are scarcely any fresh arrivals of Wheat to-day, and very little of Monday's supply remaining, of the few Ades made, the prices are considered nominal —of 'Barley and Malt there are short supplies, and those 1 articles are each dearer—Beans of the two kinds , ar e la great plenty, and lower—there are likewise short 1 supplies of oats, but, in consequenceof expecting large arrivals, causes this trade to be cheaper—Poor 111 plenty, and sales thereof at the late reduction. OINZRAL CUSIINCY Al UNDIM: Wheat, 60.. 72a. 849. Beam /old) 70s. 71s .od. Hu ditto, (New) 86s. 89.. Tick atto (old) 645. 705. P Aye, SSs. 60s. Oats, s4a. Ns. 40s. Barley, 425. 45.. Od. Poland ditto, 42*, 4ss. el Malt tits. 245. Potatoe dltt6 to 445. od. Whlte orey luct rilia ., rirs 6o4. ), 1454 1554 Rape soed, 501, to 541, IV" MOW T35.110110-2&woods 70e, 754 • E. •• lb.