Star. — London, England, 1809-06-12 00:00:00

basis, suggesting only some more liberal principles ; ► for example ; some melioration in the criminal code ; 4 that under proper qynlitications, every citizen might be admissible -to the highest offices in the State; but above all, that deputies from our Italian and Ultra { should sit n the Senate ; or, what • would stiff be better, a liOuse of Representatives, fairly elected, as a check to * Senate. With these improvements, we should, I trust, attain as nearly to perfection as is possible in the imperfect institutions cf men. ...tnittst 'bore add one thing. I have been re. pioachedbY several respectable Italian Gentlemen, Snow in England, for speaking only of Venice : this I did, because I thought I had no right to speak of any other. country; but certainly I should be very happy to see all Italy united into one federal govern ment ; as it would not only contribute to its internal welfare, but it wonldform an effectual barrier against any future invasion from France. But whether this restoration be expedient or not, must depend on the wisdom of the August Sovereign who has heroically taken up arms, and risked his own existence to pre serve the independence of his country, against a man who knows cf no limits to his ambition. If it should net be deemed expedient, I am sure there is none of you but would prefer to be under a pious, just, hu mane Sovereign ; the descendant of many princes, than under a rapacious, despotic usurper : for, who in the name of Heaven, can like Buonaparte ? Is it the Royalists ? Certainly not. For he has dethroned or degraded every legitimate prince he could reach. Is it the Republicans ? 'Even less ; for lie has put down every republic, and every free city in Europe. He has re-established slavery among the negroes, and has destroyed every vestige of liberty wherever his influence could extend. The ancient nobility surely cannot like him, for he has degraded that respectable body, by raising over them a set of low, mean in triguers. Nor can the great mass of the people be his friends ; for he has placed over them an fipstart nobility, of which nothing can be more insolent, more overbearing, more oppressive.; for helms doom ed all their youth to be his sl.:ves, to shed their blood in his life-time, whenever his restless mind has new schemes of aggrandizement ; and, after hisdeatie in the wide spread wars which must inevitably ensue, among the successors of his unwieldy empire.e- Where then shall we find his friends ? Why, in the very worst class of society ; in intriguing men with out property, without rank, without principles : who -want to get riches and power by any foul means, as they are not capable to do it by fair ones. Candour, however, obliges me to allow that an exception must be made of a number of worthy well-meaning men, who, hurt at the evils they see in their own countries, imagine that any change must be for the better: but they are woefully mistaken, if they expect any thing . generous, any thing favourable from 'Napoleon Buo naparte. Perhaps sortie will say,' how comes it that you have not discovered all this long ago, and have not spoken before ? Indeed, I have discovered it long since; and long since have I manifested my detestation of the man. I have discovered it ever sincehis treachery to Venice in the year 1797 ; and hence, I never could be persuaded to be presented to him. I never could declare myself a citizen of the Cisulpine, . or Italian Republic ;' :tad I wandered about Europe without . any protection, rather than be under HIS. However, as he had done me individually no wrong, it was not till his actions became too horrid, that I thought all ties of gratitude were torn asunder. This period I thought was come, when he violated all his most so lemn engagements to France, to Italy, to Holland ; when he successvely committed the murders of Ce. rachi, his Countryman, Arena, of Toussaint Louver. ture, of tte Duke d'Enghein, of Palm—then I wrote the paper alluded to in my letter to Prince Charles : then I came to England, and as afterwards his pro • g, ess in crimes proceeded in proportion to his succes ses, when he babel) , insulted and robbed the venera ble head of the church, to whom, if he had not the heart of a tyger, he would have felt sentiments of gratitude, and not cf hostility; when he treacherously allured into his hands, the unsuspicious 'Princes of Spain, and by a mock -abdication, pretended to give a colouring to the most odious usurpation recorded in history; I cot."nued firm in my purpose, notwith standing the many bitter discouragements I have ex perienced. Pardon this personal digression, but cruelly attacked, I must defend myself. I now return to My subject. Whatever be the decision of his Impe rial Majesty, I am certain you.will not.hesitate in the choice. You will By to the armies of Austria—and, if successful, you will be liberated froth the present intolerable tyranny., You will not then have 50 per tent. of your property takcn from you, to feed the disgusting luxury of a heap of needy, foreign adven. turers. Yon will not see the Role , Religion of our forefathers insulted. Von *in net see your sons dragged from your houses to perish in distant lands, in wars not our own. But I confess the prospect now is not very aattcring ; yet there is no reason to be dismayed. The loccupation , of the capital is not the conquest of so Considerable an empire as Austria; after the capture of Vienna, there still remains 15 millions of people unsubdeed. Provided his Imperial Majesty be not the Tic tim ofevil counsellers in sign ing a peace which, while the enemy is on his territories, would be only utter submission ; provided the people are determined to defend their country from invaders, from which they have only toevect plunder and galling chains, there is no occasion to despond. Madrid also was taken in a few weeks. Is Spain for that conquered ? Far from it. The enemy has made no progress since ; and there is every rens( e to hope that the brave Spa niards will - ultimately succeed in liberating their country from the most unprovoked invasion that ever was known A &vadat storm is gathering in the. rear of the French army—from the Scheldt to the -Elbe all is hostile to the French ; and, if this country should deem it advisable to lend its assi4ance, which can be done with great facility, England abounding at this moment With money, and every other means for a most eitensive and vigorous war, an artily of two hundred thousand men would be' shortly or ganized in the North of Germany. With this force la the rear, and with 300,000 men, the Archduke Charles commands in the front of the French army, Bunny must have more than his usual good for. tune, if he make a safe retreat to France. Then most Pe ebabli the - brave French nation would at last be To. uted to break their inglorious chains. But it is my nerritileopi n i on t h er on this point no foreign interfeience "'I" be used, 'en it would excite jealousy. No, • whatever the Frenth Won chuse to do in their own country, they must be left to dolt by themselves. Such, my friends, are yet the prospects of success. If, how ever, it should please the StntaILMIL DISPOSER of human events to continue the punishment of our sirs, and to prolong the reign of this scourge of the human race, I shall certainly lament your fate; but for my own part, whatever may be my losses, whatever may be my sufferings, I shall feel happy in the thought of its being an atonement for the crime of having abandon ed that honourable post to which I was called by every duty. Wishing you all every prosperity, I remain your faithful servant, and affectionate fellow•countryman. Bath, June 6, 1609. ZENOBIO. • ; A RESIDENT CURATE ; • w A NTEpimmedi„o4 ly in a, Parish in the neigh-i botiabOod aDaford. He must be la full Orders.--Afply by letter, -inentionlifs tefwences, post paid, to A.A. A. at the Printer of Jackson's Journal, (Word. 7'o THE PEOPLE OF VENICE. PittENDS AND FEI,Low-COuNTRYMIN--111ariiiave been the wrongs 6f which I have been resisted her laws : I have early deserted her. But I trust, the many sa- . krifices I have lately made, of every comfort, of every • feeling, of every personal consideration, end what how make for her welfare, will obtain for me not only your forgiveness, but also your confidence. In the letter I had the honour to write to his Impe- -1 rill Highness the Archduke Charles, a Prince who happily possesses, what but seldom goes United, the he- roic valour of a warrior, with every virtue of a milder cast—l respectfully expressed my wish for the re- establishment of our ancient Republic ; it is now ne cessary that I should state my motives. Here they are. That I believe from my heart it would be for your happiness, and that it is the general wish of you all ; for I am certain, but a few of you remain taint- ed with the evil spirit of democracy. Democracy can be properly established in those countries only, where there is an equality of property and education; but where thisdisproportion is very great, as is the case in every part of Europe, with the exception of the smaller Cantons of Switzerland, such a system throws the . government into the hands of the needy and igno- rant; and, in consequence, inevitably opens the door to every sort of violence and absurdity; as happened ill ancient Rome, and as we have seen in our days in France : of this infatuation, few remain among you but what arc cured ; and not one who loves the pre- sent degraded state of low slavery. During the 33 frenzy produced in the human mind by the I French Revolution, it became the fashion to load with abuse a respectable State which frr ages had formed the admiration of the world, and of the most celebra- ted writers on history and politics, both in Italy and foreign countries : the most zealous republicans in England, Harrington and Sydney, in their learned works, repeatedly declare Venice'to be the model of • a perfect Republic. It was reserved for our times of arrogance and ig- norance, to represent the Venetian Patricians as a set a of petty tyrants, haughty and imperious, whom no law could bind. You know, my dear countrymen, how false is this representation. Hear the opinion of one of the most judicious English historians. gg In the, Venetian Government," says Hume, the whole' body of Nobility, possesses the whole power, and no' Nobleman has any authority which he receive s n o t om the whole." Again the same author, 46 A no- bility who possess their power in common, will pre- serve peace and order among themselves and their subjects ; and no member ems have authority enough • to cnntroul the laws for a moment. The nobles will preserve their authority over the people ; but without any grievous tyranny, or • any breath of private pro- petty." Thus it was, we were only sovereigns in a collective body ; individually, we returned to our own private stations. We had no privileges above our • fellow citizens. We paid the save: taxes, were amen- able to the same laws, rand feudaii:y was unknown in I our republic. This nobility, invidiously represented as preying on the vitals of the country, served the public,•(*ith the exception of a few decayed families, who had moderate. pensions of about £lOO a year,) without any emolument; nay more, t;:e wealthy among us spent a great. part of their fortunes in the public service. Is it so in any other country ? I know of none, where the richest. nobility refuses to enjoy lucrative places. As to the accusation of haughtiness, nothing can be more lithe: appeal to those of my countrymen who have travelled. Did you find any t where the' nobility so affable as in Venice ? In no cenn•l y do I know the law business so well conducted as it was in Venice. The laws were few and clear; tEe process simple ; and the expense so moderate, that the poorest person was not prevented by it from going to laiv with the wealthiest nobleman in the land. The judgments of our civil courts of Justice, Theessasantie, were noted for their purity ; and if there was any leaning in a doubtful case, it was on the side of the poorest party. With regard to the criminal justice, certainly there might be room for melioration : it was modelled on the Roman system where juries were un- known ; but it was entrusted to men of the highest • character arid cape? fence ;. and I never heard the Council of X. accused of con-iiption • and certainly, in the latter times, th ey were far from being too severe. . .I•come now to speak of that awfUltribunal which has been represented to be as inexorable as the three judges is the hell of Virgil. Great undoubtedly was the power of the, inquisitors of state ; but is was intrusted not to One man • not to inexperienced youths; not for a long cii*Anindefinite period ; not to is above the law ; hot t 6 three persons who couli )e d r eTberate only when ! I unanimous tomen in full maturity of age, who had gradually passed through the highest (Aces of state,and were amenable to the laws likeeveryother citizen. Under such niodificationslt could not be abused, and infect it • was not. I speak from personal experience; for I fell myself under the diipleasure of this Tribunal ; and '' they were a great deal too indulgent io me ; they , ...live been also too lenient toward s the m os t no t or i ous partizans of the French . Revolution, and the most noted conspirators against the State. This Tribunal was the protecwr of the weak, the terror of the wicked. Oh you, my deluded countrymen, who could not bear the paternal vigilance of a Tribunal composed of the most venerable individuals among your fellow-coun- trymen, hOw do you like now to be under the clutches . of a Ponce Minister, the low tool of a foreign inexo- rable master? We well deserve what we suffer. }rom what I have hitherto acid, it is evident that my • wish is for the re-establishme n t of our Republic, nearly in its ancient farms ; consequently, wh a t L say i n my l etter , of 'n or: liberalprincirld, need not a l arm t h ose • who from sacs experience uread all innovations. No, w old have nearly that same Republic, which has • laited for nearly 14 ce n t ur i es , and which, d ur i ng - th at vatraorilirtiry long period, has preserved the country ti 1 from r i le greatest evils of civil society, religious and Is there any other country can b oast of civil wars, this ? is' Cie. we -ascribe the stability and wisdom of the yvetian C;r4d, -krument, through so many ages, to an thbut 4of government t" Ob serve 11a 4 , y 0 1) • a bove ; Plow' author ;In re - esta bli s hi ng a 'gain our I wovid go again open the • Sahli • • PORTUGUESE PAPERS. LISBON, JUNE 2. They write from Castello Branco, that the French have retreated from Alcantara, by the w.cy of Brc. zast and Arrego de Puerco. LETTERS FROM HIS EXCELLENCY MARSHAL BERE3FORD TO HIE EXCELLENCY 1). MIGUEL. PEREILIA FORJAS. a It is with the greatest pleasure I tranunlt to your Excellency the inclosed letters, which communicate inteLigencit very satis factory for the cause we defend, the recapture of Lugo being of the most material consequence. As the letter of General Mahy has ro date , I suppose it to be anterior to the rut and I have written to 11 the Juntas and Spanish Generals in Gallicia, on all occasions I have met with, in order that they may oppose the enemy, and prevent him from effecting his escape. We also de rive from this intelligence the advantage of being more correctly informed of the number and actual positior. of the French troops on that side, and I hope to have the pleasure of acquainting your Extellency with the continuance of our successes against ot.r enemy.—Goo preserve your Excellency. (Signed) ' 6 w. c.autisro " Head-quarters Coimbra, May 29, 1609." LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL MARY r 0 HIS EXCELLENCY MARSHAL RERESFORD. " Most excellent Sir—By a report received from the Com mandant of °tense, dated the 18th instant, I am informed of the retreat of Marshal Soult to that city, pursued by the English army which your fixcell , ney has the honour to command, an 1 with which, in a manner so beneficial• to the Portuguese and Spanish nations, the King of England has determined to cu-perate for the expulsion of the French from the Spanish and Portuguese territo ries. I think it right at the same time to acquaint your Excellency, that the Marquis de la Romana preserves under my orders a body of troops, whose effective strength amounts this day to 18,Oct) men, 8000 of whom &rein Vigo, commanded by the Brigadier- General M. de la Carera, and the rest in the country between Lugo and Mondonedn, anclon various other points, which forces unitpd with those of your Excellency, may front this moment commence offensive operations, since we have good grounds to , suppose that within a short' time the army of the Marquis de la Romana, in Gallicia, will amount to 40,000 men, who will stand in need of arms and ammunition to be supplied by the British na tion. lam also to InfOrm your Eziellency, that cin the 18th and 110th inst. I had the satisfaction, within thirty hours, to beat in two partial actions, and one general engagement, the French who *ere left in Lugo when Marshal Ney marched to Asturia, and who are now pent tip in that town, which however I cannot batter from want of heavy ordnance, nor will it be in my power to maintain my present position, having received intelligence of the approach of ten thousand men of Souh's army, and It not appear ing prudent to me to expose the troops under my command to any risk, who have already fought like heroes, and are to form part of the forty thousand men to which the above army is to amount in a month's time, the British Government furnishing with its ac customed liberality whatever may be wanted for the Spanish troops. I must also acquaint your Eteelleney, that the French have penetrated Into .ksturia from Galicia, under the orders of Marshal Ney, with a considerable force, their intention seems to be, to force the passes between that principality and the kingdom of Leon. From six to seven thousand French have been left in the kingdom of Galicia. I have the: . ono -r to remain, &c. (Signed) " NICK° LAS mArtY," LZTTER FROM DON MANSEL DR URIA Y LLANO TO HIS EXCELLENCY FRANCISCO DE SILVIERA. " I received yesterday the following report from . General de Inocza v Vyria, dated Catogo, '2sd inst. " 1 have just received from the Junta of Monforte a letter of the 21st Inst. of which I will inclose a copy; and my brother, Governor of Queroga, informs me also , 6y a letter of the 2lld. that an army has defeated the French In three actions, the most important of which took plilce in Ponte Nuevo, between Mitts and Lugo, In which the enemy lost 3000 men, killed, wounded, and prisoners, besides 2000 Germans, who came cvcr to our army. The fire ceased on the 20th, at ten o'clock in the morning, whence I draw the conclusion, that a capitulation has been con cluded, but I dp not think It right any longer to delay that com munication of intelligence so pleasing and important, which your Excellency will have the goodness to communicate to theit Ex cellency will have the goodness to communicate to their Excel lencics the English and Portuguese Generals. The official com munication alluded to is as follows: " The army of the Marquis de la Romana attacked and de fea:ed the French in the vicinity of. Miera, and pursued them to Faraday, where they took shelter in the wood of Cjemente.— B:Ing drivet. from thence by our troops, they retreated into I.ugo, 1. Tying three pieces of cannon and other booty to our brave sol diers, by whom they were pursued to the gates of the town, which will soon be in our possession, not by capitulation but by assault. e 6 The English are in sight of Corunna and Ferrol with a large fleet of transports, and on the point of landing." FERREIRA, MAY 21. Intelligence has just been received that Marshal Don Nicholas Mahyhas retaken Lugo,and made 4000 prisoners. This recapture of Lugo, and the circum stance that General Carrera, with a corps of 6000 men, has taken post between Santiago and Orense, afford strong grounds to hope that the armies of Souk &ad Ney Will soon be destroyed. OPORTO, MAY 21. A courier has arrived here, dispatched by Captain M'Kinley, Commander of his Britannic Majesty's na val forces in the Bay of Vigo, with the pleasing intel ligence that a French column of 9,000 infantry, and 300 horse, was completely- routed near Santiago, the enemy having sustained considerable loss in kilied, wounded, and prisoners, and also lost all their horses, and 11 pieces of ordnance. The remains of the French column have fled to Corunna, abandoning entirely Santiago, which the Spanish troops entered on the 23d, and the occupation of which place put them in possession of very considerable magazines of arms and ammunition, which they stood much in need of. The French have fortified themselves in Corcinna as well as they could, but the Spanish made prepara tions to attack them. In the opinion of C iptain M'Kinley, there were strong indications of the French intending to leave that place, ant' Att.& along the Coast, in hopes of meeting with an opportunity to sur render - to some English squadron, for fear of being put to death by the Spaniards, if they should fall into their hands. There are persons who affirm that Mar shal Ney has already left Corunna, and is marching to Asturias. The Marquis de la Romana is in Santiago with the greatest part of his army, which he has greatly im proved in point of discipline and order. ' A division of 7000 men, but 4.000 of whom only are well armed, occupies Vige, commanded by bro ther Don Jose Caro. The crew of five English frigates have also been landed in that port. Ile present state of Gallicial affords the more nattering hopes of its be ing . speedAly , cleared of the French, since . the insurreiiiini,m."ll* kingdom, is more formidable than any other In it Of pat of Spain during the whole course of the rev &Anion. PUNCH PAPERS. PARIS, JUNE 2. The Viceroy, Commander in Chi e f, i n f orms the Minister at war, of the progres s of t h e operat i ons of the army of Italy : " After the passage ofth eTagl ia me n t o , an d t h e advan tages gained in the battle of St. Daniel, th e rear guard of the enemy, which was continually pursued, sw or d in hand, was come up with at Venegme by our ad vanced guard, commanded by General Dessaix, i t made a slew of resistance, but was soon defeated, and 1 459 prisoners were taken, among whom we re several officers of the staff. General Colloredo, who corn. mantled it, was wounded in the thigh by a musket ball ; our loss consisted in two killed and fifty-fc ur wounded. • " The enemy had burnt all the bridges of the Fella, but this obstacle was surmounted ; he had fortified himself in the fort of Melberghetto, and on the meurt Budal ; these positions were turned, the former uraL , 7 the fire of the fdrt, and without losing a single man ; the latter through the vallies of Roccolana and Dagr.a ; the troops appointed to these movements met vd.;th the enemy at Tarvis, and carried that town at the first attack. The fort of Malberghetto was cannonaded on the Pith from five in the morning until half after nine. The assault was then ordered, in one half hour all the palissades were attacked and carried at once, and the enemy pursued and driven with great slaughter into his last entrenchments. He left 300 men dead on the spot and 350 were made prisoners. Two howitzers, five pieces of three, one of six, and two of twelve, and considerable magazines, were taken. The taking of . this fort, which was called the Osopo of Carinthia, cost us only 80 men in killed and wounded. The small number of our wounded is to be attributed to the rapidity with which our troops rushed forwards. The Prince Viceroy Wises General Grancier wile. directed every thing under his orders; General bu rettes and General Parthad who first entered the enemy's entrenchments ; the Chief of Battalion Ame: retti who was wounded, and Captain Gerin of the ar tillery. The grenadiers and voltigeurs of the Ist of the line, of the 52d, 62d, and 102 d, particularly dis. tinguished themselves.. . " On the same day, and immediately after the taking of the fort of Itialberghetto, the Prince Viceroy marched upon I'arvis, where a new victory crowned the work of the day. The enemy was pushed on the 1 other side of the narrow and deep valley, through which the.. Schiltza passes, occupying with live regi ments of the line and several battalions of Croats, a double line of redoubts, raised one above another. and furnished with '25 pieces of cannon. In his rear was seen e numerous cavalry. These corps were commanded by the Generals Guilers and Fremont. Our advanced guard, supported by the brigades Abbe and Valentin attacked the front, and the di. vision Fonthnelli the left of the enemy. This division, which had not yet received its artillery, was not de tained by the fire of the enemy's batteries, to which it only answered by sounding the charge, and Over. throwing with the bayonet every thing which stood. before it. The enemy fled in the gre, test disorder. and the advanced guard rendered the route complete.' He left on the field of battle a great number of dead. 3000 were made prisoners, and seventeen pieces of cannon taken. They lost in killed and wounded only 200 men. " The artillery of the army, as well as the division . ofSerres, were detained by the fort of Preclele The Viceroy ordered General Grenier to advance with three battalions, and two pieces of cannon, into the yalleyof Raibell, to attack the fort in the rears while General Seems, who had been informedot tide move ment, attacked it in front. In a quarter of an hour the fort was carried, and all who were within the palis sades put to the sword. Of the men' of "'Well the garrison consisted only two escaped. Eight pieces of cannon were found in the fort. " On the 19th, 20th, an'd 21st, the army from Tar vis, arrived at Velluck, Klangenfurt, and St. Weil. " On the 22d, 28d, and 24th, it entered Freizach, Unzmaykel, and Knottelfeld. " The right wing of the army, commanded by C-e --neral Macdonald, and consisting of the divisions of Brauseur and Lamarque, and of the division of dee., goons of Pully, hid been directed upon Cforitz. It passed the Tunzo on the 14th, and on the 15th took a -position beyond Guritz. Eleven pieces of cannon, two mortars, and several carriages of artillery, were takes at Goritz. On the 17th, the division of Brainier forced the enemy 'before Prevauld, and obliged him to retire precipitately upon Layback. The division. of La marque, which marched by the roads of Podvel and Padcray, every where defeated the enemy in the passes, and made 400 prisoners,. among whom were one Colonel and 15 Officers, and took one piece of cannon. On the 18th, General Schill entered Trieste, and made on his march between 4 and 500. prisoners. On the 20th, General Braussier summoned the fort of Pruvald, which capitulated-4000 men laid down their arms ; 15 pieces of cannon, and considerable magazines and provision of ammunition were taken. On the 21st, the forts of Layback were reconnoiter ed, and closely invested. General Macdonald ap pointed General Lamerque. to the attack of the left, and General Braussier to that of the right—the ci• valry were disposed in such a Manner as to cut off the retreat of the enemy. On the same day, in the evening, these forts which have cost enormous sum: to Austria,' offered to cafeititlate. The Generals Giulai and Zach, on seeing the dispositions for att.tck, made their escape with some htuictreds of men. One Lieutenant-General, one. Colonel; three Majors, 131 Officers, and 4000 men laid down their arms. There were found in the forts, and in the intrenched camp, 65 pieces of artillery, four standards. 8000 muskets, and considerable magazines. __ 'When the army of It a ly - arriVirdett Knittelfelds, the Prince Viceroy was informed that the remains of the corps of General Jellachich, escaped from the army of Germany, had been joined at 'Rotenmann by different battalions from the interior, and forming in the whole a corps of 7 or 8000 men, were on•their way to Leoben. The division of Serras received or ders to make forced mercies to arrive before him at the branching of of the roads On the '2sth, at rime in the morning, the advanced guard met with we enemy, who 'debouched by the road of Manteiii.— The enemy formed in the advantegeous p eition of St. Michael, with his tight supported by steep moun tains, his left on the Mur, and his centre occupying