Star. — London, England, 1808-04-22 00:00:00

SlG'l.l.r. EXTRACT OP A LETTER FROM AN ENGLISH 0114NTLEStAX, DATED FEB. 26, 1808. ". Nothing, my good friend, has, astonished. me *so much as to observe the phlegmatig siletice of British journalists, and you among the number, with regard to the island of Sicily. I have carefully looked into all the newspapers that have fallen in my way, and I have scarcely observed one solitary hint of its being an object worthy your attention. " In the present awful crisis, when the gigantic strides of an usurper have annihilated the indepen dence of Europe ; when he has brought into action all the resources of the Continent, to countenance a monstrous system of confiscation and blockade, with hopes of involving Great Britain in the common rain, and adding one more kingly vassal to his nu merous suite—in such a time as this, every possession we hold, whether valuable in a military or commer cial point of view, still becomes an object of our most serious care—and if we mean to maintain our influ ence in this island, it must be done with that decidedly manly vigour which proves our measures to be the re sult of system and reflection, not the mere effect of hazard. " Our troops were first landed in Sicily, to protect a king in his retreat to an obscure corner of an impo tent monarchy • unable to defend himself, and unwil ling to be defended. They were afterwards found to be insufficient—reinforcements were sent, but they were still inadequate to the object. A large portion of the unfortunate expedition to Egypt was taken from the garrison of Sicay ; and this valuable island was left, the greater part of a year, under the dispro portionate protection of six or seven thousand men. It is well known, that there is no dependence to be placed on the native troops; our soldiers, therefore, are exposed for no useful purpose. Either let our force be efficient, or let us evacuate the island. That Sicily is an object—a great and very im portant political object—l believe none will deny— but few are acquainted with the magnitude of its va lue. I shall, therefore, just notice its products, and endeavour to point out its consequence. • Sicily has ever been the granary of the Mediter ranean. In a tolerably good year, it now produces sufficient to maintain near two millions of persons above its own population. Barley and beans are ob jects of considerable export. Oil, fit for our manufac tories, is produced in great abundance. Barilla, tho' not so tine as that of Spain, is sufficiently good for any of our purposes, and is exported in great quan tities. The soap and glass manufactories of France, Genoa, Venice, and Trieste, were principally sup plied from this island. Shumac, a product of great importance in our leather manufacture, is the best in Europe. Silk is produced in great quantities. The Levant and Italy being shut up, makes this island a valuable resource. Salt is found in inexhaustible quantities, is highly esteemed at Newfoundland, and serves as a return cargo. Besides these very impor tant products, I must also notice, but merely as an object of minor import, salmonds, manna, liptotice, figs, raisins, and currants of Lipari, wine, brandy, oranges,: lemons, nuts, pumice stone, cotton, hemp, and tartar. But above all I must not omit the inex haustible quantities of sulphur and nitre, which are to be found in this island. The principal places for ex porting these products, of which neutrals were allow ed to be carriers, were France, Genoa, Venice, and Trieste, for the interior of Germany. This island then appears to be in itself capable of supplying us with those raw materials for our manu factures, of which our enemies are endeavouring to deprive us ; and if the producing of them were sufficiently encouraged, it might be adequate to all our wants.— It is also an object of no small consideration as a vent for our manufactures, two- millions of inhabitants being almost entirely clothed from our warehouses A considerable quantity of manufactured goods are also smuggled to Naples—i n d ee d, while the blockading system operates, Trieste and the inte rior of Germany would be supplied by the same means, as would Dalmatia and the Morea, perhaps even Consi - antinople itself through the medium of Zant and Corfu. " As a military position it is certainly of the utmost consequence. Malta, so highly prized, being almost wholly dependant on this island tbr every kind of pro vision. The uncertain supply from the Barbary States, never ought to be depended on—they would be inadequate at the hest of times, and would proba bly completely fail if they were the sole resource. Should the French get possession, they would acquire four of the finest ports in the Mediterranean, and plenty of timber for ship building. We should be shut out from all hopes of annoying them in the kingdom of Naples, and the possession of the ports of Messina and Syracuse would enable them to ren dezvous any force they might destine for Egypt or the Levant. It is most devoutly to be wished, that some mode might be adopted to put this valuable island entirely in our possession. As a colony it: certainly would stand on a very different footing from those we hold in the West Indies, and is not liable to the objection of draining the mother country of her population—for the same number of troops with which we garrison the island (say twenty to thirty thousand men) might easily be replaced by raising an equal number of Sicilian regiments, which fg r the greater security and utility should be employed on some foreign service, whilst our troops protect the island. " There is certainly no part of Europe, where the climate is more salubrious, as we neither suffer from the extremities of heat or cold ; and what is idways an object of great consideration, no army was ever maintained at so small an expence. " Under all these considerations this island is cer tainly an object of greater national impoitaace, than perhaps any in our possession, but it becomes abso luxely'necessary we should call it our own. The diffi culties that arc at all times thrown in our way by the present Ruling Powers; the nature of the government which retains al! the evil: of the feudal system with out any of its advantages ; the weakness and debility of every branch of administration, added to the Avorst possible system of finan c e : he disi:obtent of t h e people, who suffer all the horrors of the most ar bitrary despotism : all call a lo u d f or some c h ange; and if . •,ve do not effect it speedily, dee French Krtaisdy • 4' la a word the value of Sicily will not be known, •• • • until by fatal esperiefice we feel the mischiefs ef French occupancy ; then shall we know it, and know tto our cost. For myself, I shall have at least the consolation of having contributed all in my power, by endeavouring to open the eyes of my-country to this important object—an object which certainly has not met the consideration it so decidedly merits." Hit 177. LAW PROCLAIMED BY PETION, RELATIVE TO THE BLOCKADE OF HAYTI. • Liberty !—Equality!—Republic of Hayti! The Senate, on the proposal of one of its Members, considering that it is of iwprirtance to the interests of the Republic, to adopt proper measures to deprive HENRY Cilit•sroritE of all means of 'sustaining his rebellion, declares that there is urgency, and decrees as follows " All the ports of Hayti, um:er •he domination of Henry Chris. tophe, are declared in a state of revolt. " The President of the Republic of Hayti is invited to send the ships of the Republic on a cruize on the coasts occupied by the enemy, in order to intercept the foreign ships which may he cleared for those ports, and to bring them, for their own witty, into the ports submitted to the Republic. " The coasting vessels taken upon the coasts of tht enemy, or cleared from such ports, are declared lawful prizes. •. " Letters of marque shall be granted to all those Who Ire tllp rous to arm against the rebels, observing the formalities.nlineiept laws relative to cruizing. " The Captains of the ships of the Republit•are ordered, pen their personal responsibility, to cause all such strangezi ianitt.thair properties as they shall have captured to be respected. (signed) "LOUIS AUt; usTE nAttNrEt, President. " P. 800 11/OLY MAD, and PELAGICWARRISI7O*OtariIIe . " In the name of the Republic, the President of Hayti. order. that the present law be published and executed, and the seals of the Republic affixed to it. ' (Signed l; P.EIHON." WEST INDIES. BRIDC:t TOWN, (BARBADOES) MARCH S.. Accounts of a recent date from Martinique and Guadaloupe have been receives! here within the last day or two, the arrival and subsequent departdre of the Italiem-e and Syrene frigates, at Martinique are not only unequivocally confirmed, if any Were needed, but it is confidently reported that the enemy also mo mently expect there the Penelope and Thantise hi- - gates from France, while three others arc also expec ted at Guadaloupe. Indeed, it appears that the Rochefort squadron, whose escape brought Sir JouN DUCKWORTH Out* to this country, is still expected at Martinique, where, as well as at Guadaloupe, requisitions have been made of bread and other provisions . tbr its supply. Their arrival is supposed to he procrastinated by the cir cuitous route which they have taken, it being under stood that having pursued the same course which the gallant Jmnosw. took, they have gone first to St He lena, and after touching at Cayenne, will (fortune fa vouring their flight) call at Martinique, and front thence to the Havannah, where the two frigates, al. ready touched at Martinique, are said.to have pro ceeded, for specie, It appears that there arc now at sea .not less titan eleVen privateers from Guat:iloupe, and one from Martinique; of the former, four are said to he cruiz ing to windward off this island, viz.-the Confiancc, Desiree, Victor Cutter, and Fripon; and two off Surinam. The General Ernouf and Jenne Adelle, and three others of the largest class, have been sent fully laden with Colonial produce to France ; and they are using every effort eft both Islands to. forward further supplies, chiefly of coffee, to the mother coun try. Generally speaking, the Islands are healthy,. and have been put in excellent defence. Some alarm. was excited through them lately, on a suppo s i t i o n that Sir SAMUEL Noon was destined against them ; but all apprehensions disappeared as soon as it was known that Madeira was the object of the Expedition under hint. . A report, but through what channel k is derived we cannot ascertain, is in circulation, that eighteen sail of the Jamaica trade,. lately gone from hence un •der convoy of the Moselle, have been captured, We do not believe that it deserves any credit. MARCH B.—Dispatches were received here on Sun day •morning by Rear-Admiral Sir ALEXANDER . Cocoa. Axe, from Captain SELBY of his Majesty's ship Cerbenis, from Marigalante, informing of the capture of that island by a small squadron under his command, consisting of the Cerberu s , Ci rce ; a n d Camilla frigates, and' Express brig, a detachment of seamen and marines from the frigates, amounting to two hundred men, headed by Captain PiooT, of the Circe,. having effected a landing there without any opposition, on the morning of the 3d instant, and carried the town before the enemy was prepared to . make any effectual resistance. The Island was literally taken by surprise, and much in the manner of Curacoa, although not to be put in competition with that very gallant achieve ment ; and was undertaken, as appears, withoilt any., • previous concert with, or instructions from; the Rear Admiral. The only defence attempted was - with a light fieldpiece, commanding the principal street, hut 4ich the enemy was driven from with• pikes and fixed bayonets before they could lo a d i t a s e con d time, • and being closely pressed, surrendcredut discretion. All - the means of defence !Aid' the Island posses sed consisted of only one 4-pounder, three 12's, two 18's, and three 21.'s, disposed in six different batteries along the coast ; and • with '250 stand of arms, and about 150 barrels of powder, is the whole return t?f ordnance and ammunition. • - Marigalante is but an inconsiderable Island, of ra-: ther a circular form, being about five leagues long and four broad. It is remarkably fertile, producing coffee and cotton in abundance, and some sugar ; but more from its locality of situation, being S. E. of Goadaloupe, and conti:lk - us to Point a-Metre, is any acquisition to he deriecti fi- ,, m the possession of it, the most effectual blockade '1 that port (the chief resort of the en my's privateers) being now in our power. Sir ALEXANDER Comitaxr, with the four ships of the line,- Ramillies, York, and Defence), detained her for the last fortnight, sailed from thei.ce on Sunday eyening. We .understand that the Admiral ton,hes at Marigalante, and from thence proceeds among the islands to leeward ; but do not hear whether the squadron resumes a station off Martinigne, ar tliat there is any further probabi lity of their falling in within these seas', with that of the enemy. Several of our frigates and smaller ves. sel,s have been lately dispatched to cruize to windward of th 4 island, and in other directions where the ene my's privateers are supposed to be t . TO TRE EDITOR OF THE STAR. ON THE PROPHECIES. NUMBER I. THE FOURTH SEAL. • -• " When hr had opened the fourth seal I load, and &- kid ! a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.' (Rev. vi. 7.) This rider conies as the necessary consequence of t he two former; for the Death here introduced is that which is followed by Hell—Spiritual death ! It is true that the word [2.3l;c] here rendered hell," might Le rendered " the grave," but the sense will be the same ; for it appears from the whole tenor of the Scriptures, that those in whom the truth does not take such root as to prevent them from apostacy, when affliction and persecution arise for the word's sale" (Mark iv. 17), are excluded from " the first resurrection," and from the number of those over whom the second death hails no power" . (Rev. xx. 6). The words that immedi ately 'follow in the opening of this fourth seal, apply to the two former riders as well as to that here brought to view : ; "'Pottier was given unto them over the fourth pars of the earth, to WI With ihmword, with hunger, and with death, and with the brasf.i . •d" the earth..'.'—That is , .. with the sword of wielded by the rider on.. the.. re,/ horse, whishiatßict man y to apAstatise from the trath.: 4e" finiine occasioned. by the rider who made! mercianiteesif 'the ;ar9sia ;—with iliath—the lust's 'Oe' the "drian 'to the grat ifiing of which' that' mert.:handi!.e pialsterecl-; for."they that live i pleasuri are dead while, theta ve"and with the beasts' of ehc earth, those grievous wolves which wire to enter in, not sparing the flea (Acts xx. 29) : " inivardl . uthty are ravening.wolvrs.". .0f 'all the evils here enumerated, • that of the. false teachers is the greatest ; they are, twice introduced : under the third seal, as merchants, causing a famine of the word by their traffic ; and under the fourth, as wild beasts : they not only starve, but devour the flak. But " beasts of theMitth" have also another qui- , fication,assigned to them, which must not be over-' looked. In the Revelation they represent lingdoms,. , and throughont the book [Daniel], of which this is the opening of one of the seals, havono other mean- 1 1 ing. We have here then an intimatim.given to us of the means by , which these false teachers were to be: enabled to do such ektensive mischief :—the kings of the earth were to co-operate with : them,. and, -even after the period of 'the Pagan persecutions; * fo,assiSt them, in wearing out the taint: of Tut Mart On this I shall not at present enlarge, as the alliance here alluded to forms a prominent feature in the sub-, sequent parts of this prophetic history : but content myself with observing, t h at, in the brief outline be; fore us, we have a striking description of the mis chief that arose from, opposition to the authority, and mistakes respecting the nature of -the kingdom' of TUE MESSIAH. Another kingdom was establish ed, whiFh was called the -kingdom of CHRIST, though in fact, it was . earthly. and carnal, dignified with the name of spiritual; but " to be carnal& minded is draih."—This kingdom which was set up is the king dom of "-the Horn"—those who maintain it-are " lteofile of the Prince," who, as DANIEL was infor med, -" ihould come and destroy the city and the ,ranc tuary."—But of this More hereafter. THE FIFTH SEAL. By the opening of this F.ll we are furnished with a display of the havoc occasioned among CHRIST'S flock! by the last three riders---a I saw under the altar the' souls of them that were slain for the word of cop, and fur ' the testimony whiM they held" (Rev. vi. 9); whose blood shall be, avenged on thein that dwell on the earth—when thel number of 'their fellow-servants alto, and their brethren which are to be ;Filled, as•they have been, shall be fulfilled" (v. 10, 11 ).—Such.irthe• loti appointed to CHRIST'S followers !--.They iiitiSt stiffer, before they reign,with him.—But they " shall reign," and as upon Me earth" too (Rev. v. 10), when the proper period arrives. Observe the' difference between the persons here mentioned, and the men signified under the fourth seal. These, by apoitacy to save their g . oods And life in this world, seeking to please men rather than Gov, obtain perdition,—death, with hell following it ; those, by losing . : Mein lift) for' OULU': sake ? , have, found it (Mat. -x.-S9) ;:--they•are . akent from the body, but Brunt with Tlif LORD (go?;-',.x.*7);.-aila know that when -h;shiiii:apjlede - ;beg:atilt be like 4'int . (1 John iii. 2), - Iving made partalei4 ofis blesses resur rection, agreeably to:the predictiOn in the'sealed book' (ch. xii. 2). ' "... . The Jews could not understand how it . ccinitlY3e possible., after the coming : . of THE MESSIAH; to Whom the dominion under the whole heaven was to be .given, that his people should have enemies to oppose, and be persecuted and butchered for a long period. They considered the oppressions which they. hadoen dured, under the different nations' to which theywerc from time to time brought in subjection, as the "wear ing out of the saints of ?HA Mos7 . lltcs," predicted by lltetEt. ; and fully expected, that on his appearance on earth he would immediately set up his a everlasting iingdom," and that then " the greatness of the iingdO tes. tender the whole heaven" would be given to them, as. the people of Gop. They did riot perceive, though foretold . by DANIEL [the book being sealed], that THE `MEssfeu was to visit the earth twice,—first, at the ter mination of a determined number of weeks, to make an end of sin [sin-offering], and to make reconciliation for iniquity (Dan. u. 24),—and, secondly, after the &lath beast is and hit body dests:cwol-and given to tl is burning flaw" (vii. 11) ; and that; in the interim, th e subjects of THE MESSIAH were to be destroyed " by th e sword, and by flame, by captiVity and by spoil Mat t , dajp." ' Nor need we wonder at the blindness of c„e s ancient people, when we see those who call themsel ves ' Christians, • applying CHRIST'S second advent to th e judgments brought upon the Jews, in the destruction of Jerusalem, arid considering as the reign of Cu eisT the reign of the . Rider on the Mad horn.; who ha s been not only an accessary, but a.prineipal, in shedding th e blood of those whose souls, under the altar, have been for a long time crying out, " How long, 0 LORD, holy l and true, do:: thou net judge and avenge our blood on then that dwell on Me earth It!' (vi. J 1). Those who apply the murders her foretold to the persecutions carriekon against the firsoChristian s by the Heathen Emperors, entirely mistake the objectof the prediction ; and this has arisen, in a great r nea ., sure, from their adoption of a fanciful theory, by which the events. predicted by the opening of these wall are made to follow each other in succession j the contents • of each seal being considered as a distinct period, each succeeding period commencing when the preceding has terminates!, ate...lf we turn to the sealed hod, [Paitid] ,v shall sc a rcely find an ulhisiosi : to these •• first persecutions, but tbere. INA. 21) .aaother enemy is mentioned, who.gf made war Avith . t4ettaiatt and pr e . alai ß t them"— r an enenywho.stac mot to appe a r till ten kings had ariset,i, : three of.rham vrtto-to.be • /deeded sip Me Doti, ty rake rot.nn cerhirn, (v..B) ; s • one who was to wear put tAe : Jaifira#: : 7RE MOST —ICE 2.;), not eor twt . .o i r , l s lateeser4tiries only., .but4r • a time and einheif iiiist.[l,264.years,. as shall be • shewn in its proper place]. and s wham entaitraraitst • diem (instead of ceasing with the. overthroi, .ganism id the Roman Empire). was t&. continue " the judgment that' tit, eathey ;hall tale Tway her d om 4.. nion."—lndeed, the i - answer ikiren to :the cry of:the • slain saints shewe, that a period much subsequent Ito,::: '• i the termination of. the Heathen persecutions is in :7 - 7 I tended:— • " To each of them were given white robes, [the token of triumph, fur though slain they are made " onqUe rors and more than conquerors] but they were told to rat contented yet a little while, till the number of their fajoki.. servants also, and their brethren, who were to le slain ld ". themsebue,r, should be comltleted," 01. 11).—Now it can with no truth be said that their number was comple. ted when CONSTANTINE came .to possess the throne of the Empire. Ori the • contrary;,_ the pr.ini..ipal-slayer , :;" 7 . * was yet to come, as were also are ten . kings, by, whose power he w 4 tt% be enabled to_perpetrate his trines;; aid we know'from the sealed book, that he continues to" destroy W!andb:fidly," untethat period when the. • • ANCIENT OF DAYS shall tome, and the taints gal Away the kingtiontf.:fAnd, accordingly, to that period, so po, sitively exprissed in the sealed book, does the open 4 .- ing of the sixth seal, Which immediate follows, apply, • and not to the overth r ow of Heatheni sm in theterri.. : • .tories which 'constitute the tod•i Of •baniel'slourth bAtst, as many have been perruided to beitev. BIN ACTS. • BLANts, Dissertation on Dana's Prophet . ); ofthe-srtsroy Waite P. ii. and p. SY. Wsw - rt.r, Notts on D.uid , p. ISO. and (Abets. TI I Pi EVENING STAN. LONDON. . FRIDAY, APRIL 22. • PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK : Consols 66j-Ditto for account 66!. PRICE: OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. Bank Stock 232 i 2221 India Stock 118; 176 i 2 prr Cent. Red. Anil. 65V,1 India Bonds, par 2 per Cent. Cons. 661 i Irish 5 per Cent. 94i3 4 per Cent. 1121 l Enke. Bills ss. St. pretty, 5 prr Cent. 9sit Cons. fur acc. titii t Long Ann. Ibs 7-16ths The conduct of the Americans to the squadron un der Sir JOHN Duct:wont-It, in refusing them every kind of supply, notwithstanding the reparation offered • by our Government for the aff.ir of the Chesapeake . . frigate, indi c ates a most h ost il e disposition,'.and evi dently shews*that there is a.party in that 1 7 ottiltrY so devoted to Frarice, that•tio gain kielt 7 object they would not hesitate to provoke a wqr w•itk,this.country. grl'ItACT OF A LEIIIER FROM AN OFFICER BELONGING • TO slit JOHN DUCK WORTIe tiqUAD.AO2I{ IkkiTErst w' ea‘iol3(l kar (Plymenth)- April 18. ." Having tun down the :Any of Bisygy , .andytflsd offeealsei. Ortega) and Yinistitre,.'aia•Liabon; ivs; arrived off Madeira; add found Sir &ess'vrt Hoop laying in Finschall Roads, wlnse4iee tee' mained fur two days: ,'On the morning of the 8.1 of Feoruit9; his Majesty's ship Comus, gave us intelligence of .her hiving been chaced two days before to the N. W. of Madeira; and it thedbe- 5. 1 came obvious that the destination of the French i'quadrop was .„ the West-Indies, for which we proceeded with all espediiien, and made-the Islands of St : Lucia and Martinique in twenty-orie days. Off the East end of Martinique we saw six sail of the line; we .. cleared for action, and formed the line of battle,' inn, on excbang ing signals, we found friends instead of enemies—it was Sir Atli- ANDER COCHRANE, with his squadron, who was waiting to give that enemy-f reception which we were in chace of, conceiving that be would take refuge in that port. Finding that his fleot was sufficient to cope with them in those seas, we passed all the wind ward islands, and anchored on the 16th of February in Basseterr e Roads, St. Kitt's, where we remained only 18 hours, just long enough to take in.water, but no provisions, nor evedlinen washed. •We then proceeded to St. Domingo, where it was supposed the eneuvis bad proceedefffot the purpose of landitif troops ; but on our arrival there we found no ships. After cruizing in the Mona Yasiage for seven or eight days, we.made all dispatch for the coast of America, and-arrived of the Chesapeake on the llth of March* We communicated with the Statira frigate, and found that our ,stAinbassador, Mr. Rose, was at Washington for the last time. !u determine whether it should be peace or war with Engle . . V. • should - have gone in, but the Yutaka would not lea US i•A t • I, WSW 100 11 E`' " d d, weds. on big l' ad is• 0." 0 sigai_,,abli Po 'r— ob& •ftej, o b goer rogreer Soo° of tab *eat ro oho/k at° between r sr WO 1 ca Vlodo 4 to roo d , love « Ifs . vete diat .fror Ecou :tot 0 El ag ,iu % • a a t