Star. — London, England, 1811-01-31 00:00:00

apseiminmew • SPAM ..eIND PORTUGAL. LISBON, lAN. t. Every dot& on the subject of the annexation of Spain to France, removed by an intercepted let ter, published in the memorial Military Patrietico of the 25th December. It comes from Azanza, Joseph's Ambass'ador Extraordinary at Paris, and is addressed to one of the -Ministers at Madrid. In it this courtier communicates, after many pream bles, in which he discovers his previous fears and the bitterness of his heart, that he was invited to the house of Talleyrand, who observed to him that France had spent large sums and wasted many ar mies in the Peninsula, and that she must repay her- Self and be compensated Tor sacrifices so great ; that the blood of Napoleon had been ungrateful to hint, and had not taken due care of his interests—that the debaucheries of Joseph, and the ignorance and ca price of his Ministers, had prolonged a war which ought to have been terminated long ago—that Ca barras alone had done more mischief to the French rause than the battles of Baylen, of TalaVera, &c. ; and that in short, both the Peninsula and Italy should be incorporated with the French empire. Azanza submitted to him, that to change the dy nasty, and to destroy the independence of Spain and the Spanish name, were very different things.—that the inhabitants of the provinces beyond the Ebro had submitted to the government of Joseph without much disturbance • but that no sooner had Bonaparte de • creed the f ormation of military governors if those provinces, than a great insurrection broke out—that in consequence of the war of the Peninsula not being terminated, the French generals. had prOdeeded to treat the inhabitants in a cruel and despotic manner ; that the best opportunities had been lost, from the plans of the campaign being ill combined and worse executed=that the insurgents had assembled the Cortes, and were employed in forming an universal legislation for all parts of the monarchy—that in consequence of a novelty so pernicious, all parties would join that of the insurgents—that the latter would prefer death before slavery—that the war would become much more lasting, and that the Eng lish would not cease to assist them in such circum stances, &C. To all this the Ex-bithop of Autun replied, that he *as not invited to throw doubts on a point that was already decided upon by the highest wisdom, and the most profound policy ; and concluded with com plimenting him on his henceforward belonging to the Great Family." The•war in the Peninsula is interminable in its na tore; and the resolution which Bonaparte has adopt ed, at the moment when it shall be realized, and the shadow of King Joseph shall disappear from Spain, will afford the greatest possible support to the cause of our independence. Pk MATE 112, DEC. 28. - ----- - - it I profit of this opportunity to inform you, that since I last wrote our offeivsive operations have become se rious and successful. On the night of the 22d a division of our armed boats, carried by surprise a battery of three guns," in the Gut of the Isla de Leon, making a non-commissioned officer and one private prisoners, and putting the'rest of the piquet (fourteen) to the sword. On the night ofthe 26th it was apprehended the enemy would make an attack near Puntales Fort, from the disposition of their gun-boats, Scc. Great part of our garrison had been attacked all night with the troops encamped between our Glacis and Pun tales, which is J till continued—but all was silence on the part of the enemy at the hour of two o'clock, al long-thought-of plan was immediately put in men lion ; and at that hour 61 British and Spanish gun-f boats began to take their stations to the right and left of Puntales and Fort Louis, which forms the point of Trocadero, and at ten o'clock one of the most tremendous fires was opened on the whole of the enemy's line of batteries by Puntales, the Spanish mortar battery to the right of it, and our new land battery in conjenction with the Marine post. This was a most grateful sight to the natives here, who from their fiat-roofed houses and the ratnparts, had a per fect proSpect .1 .ill. This dreadful fire lasted for bet ter that , th:e hours. The enemy returned it with a good deal of spirit ; but such was the disposition of the gun-boats, and the elevation of the enemy's guns, that every shot went over, so that we had not a man killed or wounded, but it seems the Spaniards had a few. It is consideted, in a minor way; as a most di:- tinguished affair. The Spaniards did their part ad mirably well. At Fort Louts, the mud-battery, and a small one between Fort Louis and Matagorda were immediately taken in the rear. All the embrazurei and cannons directed towards the Isla were beat down, and as the enemy apprehended this furious attack was to cover a landing, columns of infantry, and some squadrons of horse were marched down, amongst whom several of our shot and shells were seen to fall, and they to retreat with precipitation. Captain Bride, -who had a principal share in this attack, has declared that he considers, from the accuracy with which our shot and sh: lis were thrown, that the loss of the enemy must be about 1000 men, chiefly cavalry. It has been quiet since, but we continue by a few shots now and then, to keep them awake, and they will have enhugh of it ; but, without our land force being ngthened, I think we cannot attempt any thing more than this kind of warfare. To make good a landing at Trocadero there would be no difficulty ; but, it requires a strong force to make a stand against the force the enemy may collect from the clittetent cantonments about Xeres, where there isa s.i ong body of cavalry, and which could arrive in a fi w hones ; but if it were possible to make a stand whilst a carat may be cut from Puerto Real Rivcr to the opposite side, o as to insulate Trocadero completely, and which is already so near that it would be a most grand thing, it would entirely remove any apprehension, or annotance of this city, open a free navigation with tl'e Isla, and make this a second Gibraltar ; and, whatever the sacrifice may be, something of this kind mist be done, or we shall be constantly annoyed.— A 68ib. shell landed on our barracks the other day, but these barracks are bomb-proof, and the ramparts on the land side, that are mounted with a number of *file ordnance." " Dtc. 29. (Twelve o'clock.) —This is to inform you r that early this morning a hot fire was opened on the enemy's lire of batteries, something similar to the attack of the Mr and continues with increased j warmth. General 11th, and his Staff came this ' - . • morning' to Cara eetik and k is supposed sag, serious is intended in Oat quartet." • LISBON, JAN.IS. 64. Mort;er's division of between 12 and 14,000 men is fast advancing upon BAdajos, to co-operate with Massena, who remains at Santarem with nearly 50,000 men, including all his reinforcements.— A deserter who arrived in our camp on the 10th, tells us that operations will not begin until next month, when the French force will be increased to 80,000 men, by the detachments for which Massena is waiting from Valladolid, Madrid, &c. " The day before yesterday a party of us went up the Tagus, to observe how matters were there.—The Trench batteries are pushed forward into the river a, great way, so as much to annoy any thing that going up, but it is impossible for him to prevent the passage entirely. " Colonel Wilson has written a letter to. Lord Wellington, informing him, that he had been obliged to fall back. He does not speak in high terms of his troops, which has a little dispirited us. Colonel: Trant has left Coimbra to the 9th corps, which now occupies it. General Silveira has taken 700 prisoners from the same body, by hanging on their rear and, Ranks during their march, but in doing this, he suf fered a loss of about 300 men. Colonel Trant ex pects reinforcements from Oporto, on the road to which he has established himself, with the view of opposing any attempt that way, which is not very probable. " Our out-posts and piquets skirmish as usual, without much injury to either side. Our army is not so healthy as we could wish, but we are not much alarmed." .. .nt. The requisition of men in gilain, bf Accounts, is carried on with the utmost Aram Amy towns, where the quota of umearried Mit ould not be furnished conformably to the new regd. lation, their places are filled up with married men who happen to be without children, and they are all marched off -immediatily. The exactions of the French. too, still continue. As fast as the contribu tions at Seville and that neighbourhood are paid, fresh ones are demanded. One of five millions was re quired, by the last accounts receited at Badajoz ; and more persons, unable or unwilling to pay, were thrown into prison. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31. PRICE OP STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. Consols, money, 6.5} 61—for account, 66k. Reduced 6444-4 per Cent. Si}}. S per Cm. Navy 911D —Ex. Bills, Ss. to Ss. prem. Bonds, 2Ss. 265. pretn.--Omniv.m THE KING. " WINDSOR CASTLE, JANUARY 50. " His MAJESTY continues as well as he was yester: day." (Signed) K. nstroitn. W. HERERDISN." " WINDSOR CASTLE, JANUARY 91. - " His MAJESTY continues in the same favourable state in which he has been for the last week. (Signed) fl , W. HEZERDEN, M. EAILLIE, R. WILLIS." ANOTHER LETTER. THE ELIZABETH INDIAMAN, gi The rear guard of Maasena has plundered the territory in the neighbourhood of Castello Branco, and more mischief would have been done, but for the want of heavy artillery. They say, that some French are advancing by Spanish Estremadura,inconsequence of which, our Government has given orders to with draw in that direction, all wheat and Other provisions -species of portable property that may be useful to the enemy." l• • A Cartel arrived yesterday afternoon at Dover, from Dunkirk, having on board the survivors of the crew and passengers of the Elizabeth Indiaman, which was unfortunately wrecked on the French coast a few weeks ago. From one of the gentlemen who were saved, we learn the following particulars :—The whole number who put off from the wreck, in the boat, con. sisted, as has been already stated, of twenty-two, being six Europeans and sixteen Lascars. They were conducted to prison on their landing, but were in stantly, as far as possible, supplies with dry clothes and every comfort by the jailor and his wife. The Europeans were also permitted on various occasions to leave the prison, on security being given for their return by such of the humane inhabitants as invited them to dine and spend the day with them, which was frequently the case. Indeed, the conduct of all the inhabitants of Dunkirk was generous and humane 1 in the extreme, and is spoken of in the highest terms of praise by those who were saved from the wreck. The following are the names of the Europeans who have landed at Dover:—Captain EASTWICK, Mr. BAKER, second Officer, and Mr. LAIRD, third Officer, all of the Elizabeth ; Mr. Elms, Mr. HAY WARD, and Dr. JACKSON, of the 24th Native Infantry, passengers. They have been liberated by the French Government unconditionally, leaving it to the justice of our Government to return an equal number of French prisoners, if they think proper. The Captain of the cartel is the bearer of dispatches for the Trans port Board, which, at Dunkirk, were believed to con tain fresh overtures for negotiating a general exchange of prisoners. A great many letters for French pri soners of war in this country, also came by the cartel. It is already known that all those perished who remained on board the Elizabeth, after the boat put off with the above-named survivors. The fate of one of the passengers (Lieutenant Tamil, of the Third Ceylon Reg iment), was peculiarly tragical. He os supposed to have been the only person that came On shore alive : while he lay on the beach exhausted with cold and fatigue, a Garda Costa, or French sol dier, came up to him, to whom he offered six guineas in gold to carry him to some place of shelter.— Another soldier then came in sight, and it would ap. pear that the two agreed to murder the unfortunate officer for the sake of his money, the body having been found with several wounds upon it. The ch.- . itimstance transpired in consequence of the assassins I , having quarreled about their booty, and one of them confessed the fact to his Priest, at the same time de scribing Lieutenant TENCH'S dress and person so mi nutely, that no doubts could be entertained on the subject in the minds of his companions. The two soldiers are in custody, and the French Officers at Dunkirk are exerting themselves to procure more for mal evidence than the confession above alluded to, in order to bring the culprits to condign punishment. The wretch who confessed -the tact now denies it, and says he was in a delirium when he told the story. ANOTHER LETTER.—SAME DATE. ig Accounts are in town of the arrival of the French (Soult and Mortier) in the neighbourhood of Bada jos. It has excited a little alarm, but their force is not supposed to be great : we are said to have a su perior one under General Beresford on the south side of the Tagus. Massena, aided by this diversion, will now probably make a movement ; but you must not be surprised to hear that Lord Wellington returns to his lines." XTRACT OF ANOTHER LETTER.-SAME DATE. ~ The activity and zeal displayed by Lord Wel lington is the theme of every loyal Portuguese and British soldier. His Lordship takes his breakfast every morning at four o'clock, and is on horseback at five reconnoitring his out-posts, as well as every position where his attendance may be necessary.— he writes a great deal; and where secrecy is required, his Lordship copies his dispatches himself. He is at all times very abstemious, and uniformly sleeps in his clothes on a couch. " You will have heard that the reinforcements re ceived by the French are a part of the 9th corps un der General Drouet, consisting of 15,000 men, with provisions, &c. Hitherto their arrival has caused no movement in our army ; many, however, talk of the probability of a battle very soon. The enemy have thrown three bridges over the Zezere, in their rear, near Punhete, and are busily employed there in con structing barks, rafts, &c. which are seen by that part of our army stationed at and near Chamusca, on the other side of the river, where Marshal Beresford now is with 30,000 men ; hence, it is presumed, that Massena, if he finds himself obliged to retreat, will attempt to cross the Tagus, and retire through Alentejo. You have before been informed, that lines were forming on the other side of that river, from Moiter to the south bank. One hundred pieces of cannon were sent over some time ago, and that posi. tion is made more formidable. 46 All the Galegos here are now become subject to be impressed for the army of this country, and every man capable of bearing arms (if native) is laid hold of for the same service ; so that in the country we see nothing but military. The marines from the men of i war now garrison this city. We have no other troops here except the Corpo de Conunercie : even the each- ' dores (sharp shooters), consisting of very respectable inhabitants, have been marched off to the army long since, and have behaved very well in several skir mishes. In short, the greatest part of the country is in arms ; and from all we see and hear it is not too much to expect, that the issue of the present struggle will be fortunate and glorious to the brave Portuguese troops, and add fresh laurels to the brows of our coun trymen, serving in this just and meritorious cause." Another letter of same date, from the head-quar ters, says, 64 we have nothing new, no movements of the armies. We have a report, however, that Soult and Monier were advancing towards Badajoz, where General Mandizahal, and the Portuguese cavalry under Brigadier Madden, had been obliged to retire. It is also added, that Ballasteros had met with a check ; but this appears to be the old story. We are told that placards have been posted up at SC, Übes, ordering the inhabitants to take every precaution for securing their property, in the event of their being obliged to retire by the advance of the enemy into Alentejo. I trust, however, that this will not be ne. i cessary, although it is proper to be prepared.". Another vessel, laden with fruit, and which left the Tagus only twelve days days ago, has arrived. Through this channel we learn, that the armies re. mained nearly in the same state. MORTIER and Soma. had united their troops, amounting to about 12,000 Besides the above intelligence, we have received ' men, and were marching in the direction of Badajoz, letters direct from Badajoz to the 7th inst. which put having quitted the province of Andalusia. To op us in possession of such occurrences as were passing pose this movement Brigadier General MADDEN had in that quarter. It appeari that a body of the French united himself with BALLASTEROS and MINDIZA2AL, came to Llerena, and remained there unmolested for three weeks. They were under the command of Ge- and with 14,000 men, had fallen back upon Badajez, neral Girard. General Mendizabal moved forward for the purpose of protecting it. Ito meet him, but not with so lunch dispatch as was All the military in Lisbon, without exception, had inecessary ; for the enemy had su ffi cient time to make received orders to join the army with dispatch. Much good his retreat into Andalusia, after some trifling alarm prevailed at St. Übe's, '22 miles south-east of skirmishes, in which the. Spanish cavalry are represen ted to have behaved courageously. Advices had been Lisbon, lest the French should enter that port ; and received at Badajoz of the arrival in Estramadura of a general order had been issued, directing the inhabi. French reinforcements to the number of about 11,000 tants to make the necessary preparations, by carrying men, 44)00 of whom had been sent by General Souk from Port St. Mary's. • away their moveable property, provisions, kc. The private letters by this conveyance and by the Mendizabal had his head quarters at Llerena; but on the approach of the enemy he' retreated towards mail, from which we have given ample extracts, fur- Metida r which place he was expected to tooth oo doe Dish— many intereitiog particulars niatin to the 7 . 77 T armies, which are 4let 'Deadened in the Poruguess _ Journals. The Spanish Omni Eris, according to advice! *calved in town yesterday, is now on his voyage to Buenos Ayres, on board a frigate, with 2500 stand cf arms, and a quantity of ammunition. He sailed from Carthagena, with full powers to act to the best of his judgment, in bringing to subjection the revolutionary government of Buenos Apes. He refused to take any troops with him, being cor,fdent that on his ar rival with the arms ar.d ammunition above stated, he. would find adherents to the cause of the mother coun. try sufficient to enaidahim to accomplish the object of his enterprizt.. THE ARMY. It will be seen by our Portsmouth letter, that the fleets have sailed with the very consideragle reinforce. merits on board from Cork and Portsmouth, for Por tugal. Yesterday morning Sir JOSEPH YORKE, with the fleet under him, sailed from St. Helen's, and with so fair a wind, that the troops will probably be dis. embarked at Lisbon on Sunday next. ..• Another •division of troops is embarking with the utmost expedition at Portsmouth and Plymouth. The following Regiments have recruiting parties in Edinburgh : 22d Light Dragoons, 4th Battalion Royals ; 25th, 30th, 68th, 71st, 72d, 74th, 77th, 78th, 711tb, 82d, 91st, 92d, 94th, and 95th Regiments. Five British Officers, in a very ill state of health, saw passengers in the Princess Charlotte packet, from Lisbon. Arraquela, near Rio Major, Portugal, lan. 10, 1811. SIR—A paragraph having appeared in your Paper of the 17th December, stating that the 16th Regiment of Portuguese had the honour of the skirmish at the bridge of Calaris on the 22d November, I deem incumbent on me as Major of the corps engaged on the above day, to beg you will insert in your paper instead of the 16th Regiment the 4th Battalion of Casadores. The mistake might have originated by Major Astsurrnono, of the 16th Regiment, having the com. wand of the piquets on the 22d November. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, E. K. WILLIAMS, To the Editor of the STA.. Maier, 4th Cacadores. CHICHI:ITER, JANUARY 30.—T0 our great joy we learn, that our County Regiment, the 35th, com manded by our Noble Townsman, the Duke of Ric/Imo:a, is to return to its old quarters here, now vacant by the embarkation of the Queen's Regiment. MUCUS. Tuesday morning, about eleven o'clock, Mr. Pea. MAL arrived at Windsor Castle, and waited upon the QUEEN ; afterwards, he had a consultation with the KING'S Physicians, and then had an audience with his Mmes-rY, and was with him for a considerable time. At two o'clock Mr. Pan c-avm. set off on his return to London. • The Bishop of ROCHESTER preached yesterday before the House of Lords, at Westminster Abbey. He chose his text from the Sd chapter of the Epistle Ge neral of James, 17th verse : " But the wisdom that is from above is, first pure, gentle, and easy to be en treated, full of mercy and good fruits, w►thout par tiality and oithost hypocrisy." The discourse of the Learned Prelate was well adapted to the occasion, and to the times in which it was delivered : rational, liberal, moral, political, an,d religious ; it was such as the zealots of all parties would censure, but which the truly virtuous and patriotic character must approve, as corresponding with the best feelings of genuiue loyalty, and sincere and temperate love of ourcountry. Of the Temporal Peers, we only observed the LORD CHANCELLOR and Lard WALSINGHAM.—The Speaker of the House of Commons, and several other Mem bers, also attended Divine Service at St. Margaret's Church, where an appropriate sermon was delivered by the Chaplain of the House of Commons. GLOUCIIITIASHIRS ELECTION..--Monday this Elec. tion commenced. About ten o'clock, P. WATHES, Esq. High Sheriff, repaired to the County Hall, when Colonel KINGSCOTI nominated the Hon. J. Duvros, and was seconded by E UEll'lllll4 gm. ; Sir B.W. GUISE, Bart. was then nominated by Sir G.O. PAUL, and seconded by T. B. DE LA Ban, Esq. The shew of hands being declared by the Sheriff to be in favour of Sir W. Gum, a poll was demanded by the opposite party ; and at the close, on the first day, the numbers were— For Sir William Guise 11117 . Mr. Dutton 147 i M•PrirY for Sir W. Ceiba 11 6 SICOXD DAT's POLL. F m",.. S p ir u W ttw illiain Guise 5 57 1 : 1 Majority for Sir W. Guise 2:0 Teter DOT'S POLL, (quarter to Three.) Sir William Gina e9B/ Mr. Dutton )87 Majority far Sir W. Guise 111 1 Total Majority for Sir W. Guise - 4$ Monday evening, the musical society called IL: Choral Fund, had their annual Benefit Concert at e Haymarket Theatre, which being the first Pubic Concert this season, together with the numerous A:. tractions and novelties which the Committee gave, drew a crowded house to an excess. ORATOR/O.—The first performance of this descrip tion for the season took place last night, at Covent Garden Theatre. It consisted of a Selection, which did great credit to the taste of Mr. Amt.*, from the productions of Handel, Haydn, &c. Madam' CATA. LAN!, in " "faith ever bright." — " Holy ! Hqy !" &c. and an Italian Air, had ample scope for displaying the wonderful compass, strength, and sweetness of her voice; and she exerted her powers so successfully as to excite the most rapturous bursts of applause. — Mrs. BLAND and Mrs. DICKONS also executed the parts assigned them highly to the satisfaction of the audience. The latter vas particularly happy in the airs--" But thou didit Not leave his Soul in 11:3 ;" and "Let the Bright Seraphim'," &C. BELLANtv,Goss,PvNE, TINNEY, Master Hover, and all the other Performers, acquitted themselves with great ability and effect, and the whole formed an exquisite musical treat.