Star. — London, England, 1808-10-22 00:00:00

AMERICA. 'PETITION TO THOMAS JEFFEA{ON,• PRZIWiNT OP Tilt OPPITZD STATICS 01 THE PETITION OT THE INHABITANTS Or NEwEtTET PORT, IN LEGAL TOWN-HALE. ASSENILEDI RESPICT/VLLY RZPILESINTS, " That they have severely suffered from the operation of the laws laying an Embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and I harbours of the United States, not only in common with their fel ler citizens throughout the Union, but peculiaily from their local situation, their large interests in shipping and merchandize, their dependence on commerce, and the perishable nature of their prin cipal export*. "They flatter themselves that they arc and ever will be ready to manifest their patriotism, in making every necessary sacrifice for the good of their country, and they have yielded to these laws un limited respect and submission, whatever difference of opinion may have existed as to their expediency or constitutionality ; but so distressing are the embarrassments produced by the Embargo, ti-at they cannot contemplate its continuance without serious and alarming apprehensions. " It is surely needless to detail to your Excellency the various evils that must result from a total suspension of commerce to a people long habituated to a maritime trade and enterprise, whose resources depend no less on the ocean than the land, and whose shipping and commodities are thus left to waste and perish on their hands, not only to the immense loss of property, but in some instances the danger of health and life. Feeling, as your Petitio ners do, the accumulating pressure of these evils, and confident that your Excellency is disposed, so far as you are constitutio nally authorised, to grant them relief, they are happy to find that by the laws of the United States, it appears to be within your pownt to suspend. the Embargo in whole, or in part, whenever events in Europe may, in your opinion, render it safe and expe dient. Your Petitioners rejoice in the belief that such events have now taken place. They also rejoice that these events are of a nature so honourable to humanity and so propitious to the free dom and independence of nations. " Spain is emancipated, and has asserted her ancient dignity and independence, with a spirit and resolution that promises suc cess to bee glorious exertions. An immediate peace of course takes place between her and Great Britain ; and Spain, with her immense colonies, to which we may also add Portugal, and her dependencies, will now invite to a commerce interdicted by no de crees or orders of the Belligerents—a commerce beyond example important to Americans—which, opened to them, would furnish a ready and Most lucrative market for their surplus and perishing commodities, would afford them a relief from present sufferings, and a source of incalculable future benefits, and which, if now neglected by them, may be seized and enjoyed by others to their perpetual exclusion. " Your Petitioners cannot deny themselves the pleasure of congratulating your Excellency on the pleasing opportunity which you now have, of restoring your suffering countrymen to the bles sings of commerce, and at the same time putting it in their power to indulge their sympathies for a gallant people, nobly struggling against oppression, and who were the first to affordthera assistance in their 01 , 111 struggles for national independence. " Your Petitioners therefore pray your Excellency, in pursu ance of the powers vested in you by the Congress of the United States, to suspend the operation of the Embargo, at least so far as immediately to admit a free intercourse with Spain and Portugal and their respective colonial dependencies, and u in duty bound will ever pray." NEW-YORK, SEPTEMBER 10. A letter from Connecticut, received by this morn ing's Eastern mail, announces the death of Governor Sullivan, of Massachusetts. The information is probably correct, as a gentleman, who arrived yes terdsy, stated;that at the time of his leaving Boston, the Governor was considered at the point of death. REMARKS ON MR. JEFFERSON'S LETTER. We would always wish to respect the communica. eon of our first Magistrate, especially when it is couched in language so civil and soothing as the let ter from Mr. Jefferson to the town of Boston ; but we must not be led by its honied words into a ready credence of its contents. We have had enough of projinions under this Administration, and would now wish to realize that our Rulers sympathise with the people in their distress, by seeing some effort to re lieve it. Now we know Mr. Jefferson has not taken one step toward our accommodation with England; and if he has not done any thing more than send to the Court of the Continental Tyrant assurances of obedience, we know no relief is to be expected; for at the very moment the haughty Napoleon assures Mr. Livingston of his hearty approbation of all Mr. Jefferson had done to please him, lie positively de clares he shall not relax, and orders our ships to be condemned. Not so with England. While suffering every insult from us, in non-intercourse and prohibitory laws, and the most abusive language from Govern ment papers, accompanied with threats of our ven geance, she makes every concession to us, even to a ' degree satisfactory to the patrio,ic Pinckney ; yet all is in vain. No adjustment must take place, lest it offend Napoleon, and bring us into a war with France, as if we were not already at war, while her cruizers arrest, and her COurts condemn every American ship brought into her ports. Citizens of Boston, be not deceived! The danger to which our commerce is exposed,' as described by Mr. Jefferson, is of his own making. He keeps up a quarrel with England to please his French Master, who issues his decree for this very purpose; and he then takes advantage of these dangers (brought on and continued by his own choice) to annihilate our commerce. This is the grand object in view. Mr. Jefferson says, 44 We have wished war with neither." Yet we know that be did try every means to work Congress up to a war with Eng land, but could not succeed. We do know that this is now his object. lie speaks in his letter to New Hampshire, of preparing for his last appeal ; and Ire have already some hints from Washington of Isis insidious plan to involve us in a war, which is to be brought forward in Congress, and which In time we shat fully expose. We forbear to remark on the attempt of Mr. Jef ferson to convince the people that all our commerce with each of the Belligerents is interdicted by the other, when it is notorious that Great Britain will not interrupt our immense trade with our enemies' colo nies. But a volume of severe reply might be written to this letter, which is full of cold, hollow-hearted hy pocrisy ; but one point only have we time to touch upon : his apparent indifference to the fate of Spain. Astonishing boldness in the Ruler of a free people, after all his professions, to speak of the contest for Government in Spain" with such indifference ! Does be think our feelings are buried with our servile acqui escence in his own arbitrary measure ? We may have ost Boling for ourselves, but we do feel for the patriots of Spain. Yes, the people of Boston, the cradle of American independence, do know and feel that the Patriots of Spain- are engaged in a contest like ours—foi national independence ; though with much stronger grounds of union. There is no subtle point to e c liscussed . go iliac about the right of taxation. The only alter. native there is sonsission to the dominion of a foreign despot, to the most odious and hateful tyranny, or a successful resistance and re-establishment of their own self-government. We also know there is no di vision among the people ; every soul is animated with the holy Ere of patriotism, and resolved to live free or die. We know that they have been hitherto suc cessful, having possession of nearly all the kingdom, and having possession also of all the colonies. We know, that with this whole people we might, and / ought on every principle, to have free trade, and we should have it, if this cold-hearted philosopher was sincerely willing to relieve our distresses. But it is , too plain that he is not : he affects to doubt that a peace is made between Spain and her colonies and Great Britain ; yet he knows that there is the 1 . most friendly intercourse, and that, with regard to those immense tracks of country, the English orders do not proscribe neutral commerce, and, of conse quence, we might have free and profitable trade, suf ficient to take nearly all our produce ; but he dares not to offend the tyrant Bonaparte, who calls the Spa. niards rebels : he, too, probably does not wish to open any commerce to us again, and he therefore pretends there is no such peace as will authorise him to grant us permission to trade. • NEW YORK, SEPT. 10. We at length have it from Mr. Jefferson's own lips, that the embargo is not a temporary measure, but in a word, that it would be " unwise ever more" to enjoy the benefits 2f conuner...e. The following lett& to the New Hampshire Legis. lature, fully explains the views of the Administra tion ; and taken in conjunction with the great expence Government is about to incur to equip armed vessels on the Lakes to enforce the embargo, it leaves not a doubt behind, that the embargo will be continued un til the people take it off, that is until there be a change of Rulers. Read the following letter, and see whe ther any other meaning can be attached to Mr. Jef ferson's declaration : TO TILE LEGISLATURE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. a In the review, fellow-citizens, which, in your Address of the 14th of June, you have taken of the measures pursued since I have been charged with the:r direction, I read with great satisfaction and thankfulness the approbation you have bestowed on them, and feel it an ample reward for any services 1 may have been able to render. " The present moment it certainly eventful, and one which particularly requires that the bond of con federation, connecting us as a nation, should receive all the strength which unanimity between the Na tional Councils and the States' Legislatures can give it. The depredations committed on our vessels and property on the high seas—the violence to the per sons of our citizens employed on that element, had long been the subject of remonstrance and complaint, when, instead of reparation, new declarations of wrong are issued, subjecting our navigation to gene ral plunder. " In this state of things, our first duty was to with draw our seafaring citizens and property from abroad, and to keep at home resources so valuable at all times, and so essential, if resort must ultimately be had to force. It gave us time, too, to make a last appeal to the reason and reputation of nations. In the mean while, I see with satisfaction that this measure of .41f-denial is approved and supported by the great body of our real citizens ; that they meet with cheer fulness the temporary privations it occasions, and are preparing with spirit to provide for themselves those comforts and conveniencies of life, for which it would be unwise ever more to recur to distant countries.— How long this course may be preferable to a more se rious appeal, must depend for decision on the wisdom of the Legislature, unless a return to established prin ciples should remove the existing obstacles to a peace able intercourse with foreign nations. " In every event, fellow-citizens, my confidence is entire that your resolution to maintain our national independence and sovereignty will be as firm as it has Eiden forbearing • and looking back on our history , I am assured by t he past, that its future pages will pre sent nothing unworthy of the former. ' a I am happy that you approve the motives of my retirement. 1 shall carry into it ardent prayers for the welfare of my country, and the sincerest wish for that of yourselves p2rsonally. (Signed) " August 2, 1/106. i g TH. JEFFERSON." NEW YORK, SEPT. 9. Extract of a letter from St. Louis, dated July 19: —"' One of Mr. M.Clelland's barges arrived here a few days ago from the Maha village, up the Missouri, laden with fur and poultry. The master of the barge informs us that the Rickarees have built another vil lage on the other side of the river, surrounded by strong piquets, with caves made at some distance, as a place of retreat for their women and children dur ing an attack. They are determined to prevent the Americans ascending the River, and are extremely insolent. It is supposed the agents of the North-west Company are their abettors. It is thought that the Mahas killed Messrs. Chateau and M.Clelland's hun ters, some time ago. Their conduct latterly has been somewhat hostile." -- CHARLESTOWN, AVG. 30. We learn by Captain Bexley, from St. Mary's, that' the news of the recent revolution in Spain has been received in Florida with the greatest demonstrations of joy. A number of .Frenchmen who had fled from that province in consequence of the rigid treatment of the Spaniards towards them, have arrived at St. Ma ry's in several small vessels. HALIFAX, SEPT. ge. The whole of the troops from all parts of the pro vince are collected here, and under orders to embark at a moment's notice. Our Governor, Sir George Prevost, will have the command in Chief ; but their destination no one but himself is supposed to know. There are 28 transports lying here, and provisions, water, great-guns, sand-bags, scaling-ladders, and all sort,, of shells, shot, and ammunition have been embarked on board of them for these ten days past. -Every thing is•ready, and it only remains for the men to go on board, which will take place the mo ment Sir George Prevost receives some dispatches, the arrival of which is hcArly expected. The troops amount to four thousand, are admira bly appointed, and fit for any service. Some think they are going to Martinique, others that they are destined tor Spain. The transports will sail under convoy of two frigates which are here ready to escort them. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. .o. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK: Consols for money 67— for accou nt 6711---oniniusn dis. Ezcheq. Bills. 4s. 7s. prem. PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. 3 per Cent. Red. Ann. 65141 Ex. Bills Ss. 7 s. pre. 3 per C. Cons. Ann. (Kitt India Bonds, Ss. 41'. pr. 4 per Cent. 311 Omnium. 1141 dis. r Cent. Nary 98/39 State Lottery Tickets, 21 1 . ISL 3 pe Long Ann. 18 1 - le Cons. for ace. 66111 There have been no fresh arrivals from Spain or Poitugal since our last. But private letters by the Tins present some interesting particulars which deserve to be made known. - Of the tialsports with the Spanish troops belonging to the army of the Marquis de RoJtANA, which were lately delivered from their captivity in the North of Europe. only fifteen are as yet known to have reached St. Andero. They were dispersed in a terrible gale in the Bay of Biscay, and these fifteen were after wards fallen in with by the DEFIANCE, of 74 guns, which conducted them to the place of their destination. —Two Spanish frigates, bound for Bilboa, with the battering artillery for General BLAKE'S army, were descried by the DEFIANCE, steering for that place after the French had got possession of it. The gale was so strong that Captain HoTHAM could not apprize them of their danger, but he dispatched the PALAats brig and BLACK JOKE lugger after them ; and it is is hoped they will get tip in time to prevent their going in. Sir DAVID BAIRD had arrived off Corunna, where he received information, that he might safely proceed to St. Andero, and for which he immediately made sail. On the 10th the bus fell in with ten sail of the trans ports, carrying the French troops from Portugal, under convoy of a frigate, in lat. 41.20. long. 11.30. They were then about a month from the Tagus. They had met with very dreadful weather, and had parted on the 24th of September from thirty other transports which had sailed with them. They were bound for Quiberon, where they were orderbd to pro ceed by private instructions, that being the farthest distance from Spain, allowed according to the articles of the Convention of Cintra.—This destination was ex tremely prudent. It was proper to send these troops to as great a distance as possible from the scene of action. .Of the positions, relative strength, and late move ments of the French and Spanish armies, we need say nothing in addition to what is stated in the following letters : PROM A VOLUNTEER WITH THE ARMY IN GALICIA, At Head-quarters, Traspaderae, Sept, 24, 1808. " I joined this army on the 27th July,..at Manzzna. near Astorga. Our operations have hitherto been of little military importance. We have now got close to the enemy, and the grand and lofty enterprize has already commenced. 6 6 I had the satisfaction, on our arrival at Trias, on the 19th instant, of seeing eleven of those light footed and light-fingered gentry that follow JOSEPH, take a somerset and tumble from the hills close to Ra mera, three quarters of a mile to the west of Trias. At day-break, on the 20th, a strong picket of the enemy appeared on the heights opposite to Trias, and commenced a random fire. The regiment of Navarre soon prevailed upon the enemy to withdraw their visit. Four of the number, however, appeared dis inclined to accompany their companions in their flight ; and on examination they were found to have good grounds for prolonging their visit—they were dead ! I omitted to mention to you, that in the slight affair on the evening of the 19th, at the village of Ramon, there were 110 of the enemy, and only sixty.six of the regiment of Navarre opposed to them. Of the enemy eleven were killed, one serjeant taken prisoner, and on the part of the Spaniards only one man was wounded badly in the thigh. This little prelude has put the Spaniards on their mettle : no thing could be more gratifying than to see the ardour and enthusiastic eagerness of the Patriots to . -come to close quarters with the enemy. 66 The enemy, who are fond of playing at log hi lts:, avoid a general action. I believe they are re treating, and about to concentrate themselves some where about St. Estevan. This is mere conjecture. We are now about to more than feel for Them. I inclose you a list of the posts occupied on one side, by The enemy and, by us. Their force we know not exactly, but it is not very considerable. This army amounts to about 35,000, and new levies are forming in Ga licia. ' . 66 The plan of rescuing the 10,500 Spaniards in the North, was a first-rate manoeuvre, and the execution equal to the plan. 4 4 The French Journals claim a decisive victory at Rio Secco. I wish they had two or three such victo ries now—they would soon decamp from Spain. The truth is, they had double the number of men in that .action ; . and had it not been for their cavalry, a force to which the Galicians were stranger, they would have been cut to pieces. The Gallegos are now more prudent, and know the use of the bayonet. " In order to obtain a perfect knowledge of the country, I rode on horseback from Corunna to Man zanal, thence to Astorgo, Leon, Carrion,' Herrera, Aguilar, Reynosa, Villarcaza, and Trias, and took .collateral excursions to visit the rivers and strong rats. I trust, however,. that this *as but a mere examination of cutiosity - never to be turned to any practical account, as from every thing I see, I feel a confidence that the theatre of our operations lies for ward towards the frontiers in countries that I have not yet visited. A knowledge of the country in the rea r is Useful only in a retreat, and we think of nothing but advancing. The word is, Forward. Toujourt avast is the only motto for a volunteer. In fact, we are under orders to move forward immediately. The distribution of the Army of Galicia is as follows : [ Vanguard, at Quintana de Martin Galendes, and the adjacent villages.—First division, at Quintana Mari a , and its adjacent villages.—Second ditto, Bissucees, and vicinity.—Fourth, Bilboa, in quiet possession. Head-quarter, Traspaderna. The enemy are e t Cascajeres, Cuba, St. Maria, Miranda, Pancorho, Briviesca, Burgos, and Le Rioja. But they are in motion for a general retreat, and we are ready to fol. low them in half an hour.--Rely on our SUCCaI....t Adieu. Pray for us.. Say as we do here, Benak sea la Caw ; Vetoer o morer por Fernando VIL Blessed be the cause ; to conquer or die for Ferdinand I Vll.—Health and Victory. ANOTHER LETTER. " Trias, September 47, tit "As a Courier is just setting out, take d e op . portunity to inform you, that every thing gots ea here to the utmost of our wishes. The army of Car. tanos is at Levis. A few days will bring the enemy to a general action, the result of which cannot be doubtful. Great discontent prevails among the enemy ; and they also labour under a scarcity of provisions. This army gives a little disquiet to the right; we shall close them to-morrow. I yesterday went with Gene. rat Blake, close to the advanced posts in order to re. connoitre from a hill near Ona. We plainly saw all the line and position, in Miranda and its vicinity. Blake sees dear. " The order of the enemy seems to be thus, (to w e the words of a Lieutenant-Colonel, who deserted from the French at Vittoria) :—Au quell elle s'est borne en appuyant les epaulet de son centre au Fort de Pampelune, pour proteger ses defiles darts le cat que l'on ne puisse se tenir cur L'Ebro.—The right is appuye on the defile of Pancorho, its centre being at Miranda del Ebro, the head-quarters of the soi-dunt King. It files along the Ebro to Lograno, the head. quarters of the centre. The left keeps up the coos. munication appuye on the little mountain of Lade, _which is the headquarters of Marshal Moncey. His corps, he says, is destined to keep in check Loreggo, and to observe the Spanish corps at Calaboira and :Tudela, which threatens, he says, to cut off the coin- F munication between the left and the centre of the French army. " This French Officer adds, that there are in lett of our's 10,000 men :—ln centre, 18,000 :—ln right. 15,000 ; 60 pieces of field artillery—nor does he di minish. According to this statement, we are three times stronger than the enemy. Caution indeed is to be observed in giving credit to the statement of s Frenchman. Tbneo Dow et dons femme. Now let Me give you the amount of the Spanish force : Cavalry. ' infantry. CASTANOS's Army 2,500 . - 2,000 BLAKE'S ditto • 250 . $3,030 CursTA'S • • 1,500 - 10,000 LLAMAS'S • - 800 - - 20,000 PAL AtOleS • • 500 - - - 20,000 " In Asturias there are 16,000 men ; besides ar ! mies of reserve are forming in all the provinces to supply the respective ones.—After this enumeration of our forces, can any fears be felt for the result of the first general action." ANOTHER LETTER. " Shores of the Bay of Biscay, Ocl.S. " Since I last wrote to you, the right of the French army has been put in motion ; but their operations have neither been brilliant, nor are they likely to be attended with any advantage to them ; on the con trary, it is probable they will lose more than they can gain by their late attack on Bilboa. " This oftack was made very unexpectedly on the morning of the 26ih September, by a French column consisting of 10,000 infantry and 1100 cavalry, and produced the greatest consternation among the inha bitants, from the recollection of the atrocities com mitted by the enemy in their last visit ; though I am happy to add. on the present occasion they have con ducted themselves with snore moderation; probably. from the conviction that their situation is not very tenable. In fact, I have little doubt, but that the nest intelligence you receive will be of their being driven out of Bilboa, if not cut off in that position ; as Ge neral Blake is now at . Friar, - with 40,000 men; and Palafoz is at Logrono, with 80,000 ; while the Mar- .. , quis de la Roma, with the 8000 Spaniards, is ex pected to land in the neighbourhood of Bilboa : and the whole amount of the French armies on the Ebro, is estimated at less than 50,000. Castanos is also rapidly advancing with another large army, and Cnesta preserves the communication between Cen t . rats Blake and Palafoz, with an:arrny of 10,000 men You may therefore expect important news 'ere long. " But to return to the late evacuation of "Bilboa by the Spaniards. The Marquis of Porsazgo not finding himself strong enough to resist the French column, with a garrison of only 5000 men, and being too far in advance from General Blake to receive timely sue. tours, resplved to fall back on Valmaseda, which. be effected in the most maiterly manner, in the face of the enemy, without losing a single man, the Reach not closing t 9 maks thileast attempt 1. 1042114 altnougn numbers, a tolerabl which the Spaniards d a There has becr lution at Oviedo, b were chiefly of the 1 confined, and will p deserve. The Asset into the town, but : “ The French at a league of each od copy the hill of Vic dwithin a mile ailyisis expected." tRENCF Vegkerday a Fre ~ j ,p Calais , havin French Messenger British Governme aff3rded them for don, and they tea eleven and twelve reign Office they v Ceromia's house, messages were se :'form their *of the A Messenger w =stir at Windsor a Cabinet Council the dispatches int As the Council was put to press, remain conceale r were dictated at proposition for pe Sips and views teived such a clef of the Minister C determined tesoh gality of the etto Defeated in t the subjugation is now about to is now to be pro point), and the • "the French have tried. NAPciPnew ltn elation be what too great for a Spain can be The surrender as the basis of h gifts of territori to the sale of S] great profusion tarry his point an snslaveci pre Cabinet of St. little effect they exposed. grill oxidated depen biting arith w 1 the world. We art not n take place, bt et:induct of thi • ions, in whit which could ni out entailing II ruin on their p To get out should be incl st better -line in tonjunctio Spaniards are Allies l—the of the Two Emperors are lave peace, tl gaged in the If they object Letters fro! in that city h: returned all tl deralists, of c ferson." Th enabargo bein Congress sits Sir HEW I yesterday wil the War and ( Yesterday business with at the Foreig M. BRIM helm to our he had a lon Foreign Offio The Wind New York t ig *length hi% 0 , 44. The tioa that the she was cha , tiabe resolre4 On the 7t sailor is the I . Warm* suit IMPIE 101..01 • alegnattnati - . Stiv. . .r