Star. — London, England, 1808-09-26 00:00:00

SPAIN. MEDINA DEL CAMPO, SEPT. 4, All that is known here of the French is, that they at present occupy Rioja, Provincias, Exentas, and Na varre, but not Tudela and its jurisdiction ; for these have been entered by the Spanish troops of Arragon and Valencia. LEGO, SEPT. 7. The head quarters of the Gallician army are at Carrion de los Condes, and, according to the last ad - vices, the first and fourth divisions remained at A gui lar de Campo. Our Generals, it appears, have fi nally concerted their plans, and are proceeding, to execute them at ali points. SARAGOSSA, AUGUST 21. The following is an extract of a letter written by the Captain General of .Arragon to Signior Don Gre gorio de la Cuesta " The French army which besieged this place, and 'chich precipitately fled from before it, pursued by the troops of this kingdom as far as Tudela, have also Jliamefully abandoned that city ; and as that place affords a secure and central position for the head quarters, not a moment should be lost in uniting the Spanisk army, in order to prevent Navarre, Rioja, Castile, and even Arragon, from being the victims of the enemy's forces, which, I conceive, will form a junction on the left bank of the Ebro, now that they have failed in subduing the country on this side of it. I therefore request that your Excellency will give instructions for that part of your army which is at Madrid to march towards Soria and Logrono, in order that, by acting in concert with mine, already united with that of Valencia, and the troops I have been able to raise in Navarre, we may attain the lau dable and honourable object of all our wishes, which is, the salvation of our country, and the maintenance of our religion, and the rights of our lawful King. " I am informed that a division of Bessieres' army, to the number of 5000 men, were to enter Logrono on the 19th. Their object would doubtless be to penetrate to Soria, plundering anti ravaging every place in their way, and then to return to Arragon to unite themselves witk the besiegers of this capital, and the troops accompanying their pretended King Joseph. I flatter myself that. your Excellency, on receiving this intelligence, will contribute every effort in your power to prevent consequences so pernicious." MANIFESTO PUBLISHED AT MADRID BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE DUKE OF ALBUQUERKE, BRIGADIER OF THE ROYAL FORCES. Religion, our country, and Ferdinand VII. the most amiable, but most unfortunate of monarchs, arc the noble objects which have called forth in their de fence that spirit of devotion, loyalty, and patriotism, which has ever constituted the character of true Spa niards, whose silence hitherto has been the result only of their obedience and respect towards the throne. j Yes ! I flatter myself I shall be able to manifest to my country what were the principal causes which in duced me last year, to petition King Charlc', IV. for appointment in the army, which - left the kingdom under the command of the Marquis de la Romani. , They were no other, in fact, th in that of seeing it I subjected to the despotic sway of the most perfidious and ignorant favourite that has appeared for a series of centuries ; and remarking that there was no safety but for those who concurred in his infamous pro ceedings, or who presented themselves before him in the most disgraceful state of abasement and humdia tion. " I was gratified in my application, and I accord ingly set out and accompanied the army in all its' expeditions. But the instant I was apprized in the Isle of Funen, where I latterly was, of the unexam pled perfidy meditated by Napoleon, the greatest enemy of the human race, and the grand disturber of the repose of families, without a moment's hesitation I solicited leave of my General to return to Spain, representing that as the army was then inactive, ray departure from it could not be misinterpreted. " Having obtained this permission, notwithstand ing my being in bad health at the time, the ardent desire of taking up arms against the oppressors of my country, supplied me with more than my ordinary strength, and enabled me to overcome those obstacles which, in so extensive a journey, and under such de licate circumstances, might oppsse my intentions, particularly in passing through France into Spain.— But, thanks to DIVINE PROVIDENCE which favoured my upright motives, the fatigue and other inconve niences of the journey, instead of increasing my in disposition, appeared to promote the reestablishment of my health ; so that on my arrival at Valencia, in the month of June last, I was invested with the com mand of the advanced guard of its army, on its first movement subsequent to my arrival, to proceed against the enemy, and I have had the peculiar sa tisfaction to enter this capital entrusted with the com mand of one of its columns. " If the present war had its origin in the ambition of a Monarch, or the intrigues of Cabinets, I should have conceived that I had discharged my duty by my prompt return to Spain, and the exertion of my personal services; but the preservation of our Catho lic faith, the liberty of our country, and the re-esta blishment of the throne of Ferdinand VII. the most amiable of Monarchs, constitute a cause sacred and important, that personal sacrces alone are not enough, on the part of those, who, like myself and ' others of my rank, possess means which, opportunely applied, render morc considerable and extensive services. Impressed with this truth., and believing that I am merely the admix :,:rator of the riches ! which PROVIDENCE has h , stowed upon me, I have resolved to circulate in all the towns and villages on my estates, and throughout my domains, this present Manifesto, accompanied with a list of the rents which I remit, and the donations which I make to some persons in consideration of the injuries which they suffered from the march of the French, and to others, in order to assist them in supporting the common cause. I expect that my example in this respect will operate as a stimulus to all the wealthier classes of people in the towns and villages dependant upon me; and that, impressed with similar sentiments, they will cheerfully assist me in promoting the interests of the good cause, which has been as unanimously espoused by the whole nation, as it has been vigorously sup ported by their aniformly characteristic valour. (Signed) "The Duke of ALnuouractur. Madrid, ... ugust 14." PORTUGAL. OPORTO, AUGUST 91. •• 1 We have infinite pleasure in communicating to the public the following intelligence from the English and Portuguese armies : Copy of a letter from General Sir Arthur Wellesley, to the most Excellent and Rev. the Bishop, President, and Governor. " Camp at Ramahal, August 24. . _ " May it please your Excellency-1 have the honour to inform your Excellency, that the army under my command defeated Ge neral Laborde's liivision on the 17th instant, and on the 21st in stant the whole of the French army united, under the command of General Junot, at Vimitra. The loss of the enemy in those actions was, very considerable. I.ast night he sent General Keir lerman to confer with General Sir H. Dalrymple, who conclud ed an agreement with the said General fur a suspension of hosti. lities, until the conclusion of a Convention for the total evacna tion of Portugal by the French troops. This agreement contains nothing remarkable, with the excepti on of a provision for seam. ing the neutrality of the port of Lisbon andthe Russian squadron.. Permit me to congratulate your Excellency on the approaching conclusion of the misfortunes which have so much afflicted your country, and to the recovery of which your Excellency's zeal and solicitude have so much contributed. I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration and respect, your Excellency'smoat humble and obedient servant, (Signed) ARI mint WELLESLEY." COIMBRA, AUGUST '29. The following is extracted from the journal of the operations of our army, ordered to be published by the Government of this city : BATTLE OF VIMIERA. " Junot marched from Lisbon with all the troops he could collect, and formed a junction with Laborde, Loison Kellerman, and all his Generals of Brigade, with the intention of bringing on a general engage ment with the English. During the night, he pushed forward his artillery, and posted his troops so as to occupy a part of the mountains on the flank of the English army. " At nine o'clock in the morning of the 21st, he attacked the centre and right of the British position, endeavouring at the same time to turn their left. His first onset was very vigorous • but the firmness of the British line was not to be s haken, and it re sisted in *a manner which exceeds all praise. The victory was not for a moment doubtful. The English continued to advance, until they drove the French from all their positions. The 60th regiment, Chasseurs, and Royal Scotch, did wonders. The brigade of Portuguese infantry attached to the left wing conducted themselves with great spirit ; but what principally decided the action was the superiority of the English flying artillery. They had twelve-pounders mounted, which they moved with excessive rapidity, and destroyed every thing before them. Junot took his station on an emi nence, where he observed the progress of the battle, and issued his orders. He had with him a reserve of 5000 men. " The French infantry began to give way, and fall into disorder. • At that instant the Commander of the British cavalry received orders to attack them. They were accompanied by two squadrons of Portuguese cavalry, who maintained the honour of their country. At the moment that this united corps was about to charge the enemy, a considerable body of French .ca valry advanced from a pine wood. Notwithstanding their great superiority, and our being advanced up wards of 400 paces in front of the British line, we ac quitted ourselves perfectly well. Junot, perceiving that his army was completely routed, gave orders to retreat, without making any attempt to risk his re serve, which acted as a guard. His whole staff were seen to set off as fast as they could. The result of this memorable action was the capture of 21 pieces of ar tillery, and from 1000 to 1200 killed. The prisoners amount to 800, among whom are Generals Bernier. and Arnaud. The latter fell from his horse, and was taken by a Portuguese serjcr.•lt Cadet. The num ber of wounded cannot be less than 2or 3000. The French carried off a number of them in waggons to Torres Vedras. The rest were left lying on the moun tains. The Portuguese were generously employed in collecting them. In the 'hospital of the little village of Lourinhaa, there are more than twenty of them se verely wounded. How different was the conduct of our oppressors, who exercised every species of cruelty upon ur! The loss of the English does not exceed, in killed and wounded, more than 500 men." DUTCH AND HAMBURGH PAPERS. HAMBURGII, SEPT. 16.—Bernadotte cannot dis semble his chagrin at the departure of the Spaniards, and his conduct has indicated apprehension of his being exposed by that event to the resentment of Bo naparte. When he lately returned to this city from Rendsbergh,he forbade the disch ages of artillery v.'hich on former occasions announced his arrival ; and on the day following, when the Syndic Schulte waited on him to congratulate him in the name of the Se nate on his return, and expressed his regret at the sudden disappearance of the Spaniards, Bernadotte stopped him, and vehemently exclaimed-0 lit:mere: guarac de brigand: ! Busse ji seulement eu As Vail:ear:4; les twrais bientiit ramenis.—(oh, the beggarly banditti! had I only had ships, I would soon have brought them back again !) The Dutch troops still remain encamped at Rends bergh. The Spanish General Kindelan, who commanded the regiment of Catalonia, is arrived here—it is said that he betrayed the plans of the Marquis de la Ro mans to the French General in sufficient time to have prevented the escape of the Spanish troops ;—but by some fortunate accident, or misconception, his com munication was not acted on so promptly as it should have been. The Senate of Hamhurgh has paid daily 48 fre deric d'ors for General Bernadotte's establishment since his first arrival here, and 40 frederic d'ors board money for General Dupas, besides numerous other oppressive charges. There are not any funds for the payment of sums, and their continuance for a short time longer must ruin the city. The political inqui sition against speaking politics continues in this city and Altona ; and here, more especially, the French military commanders exercise the most wanton and insulting despotism over the Magistrates and citizens, and their extortions and requisitions are endless. COPENHAGEN, SEPT. 12.—The King, with a view to stop any intercourse which might tend to relax the vigour and asperity of the war, has ordered that no more English or Swedish flags of truce shall be re ceived ; aixd has, in general orders, ordered, that any cartel persisting in the attempt of communicating with the shore, shall be fired into. Vraterr - a. Sam S.—This is the day fixed for the arrival of their Imperial Majesties at Prisburgh. The Archduke Maximilian some days since reviewed all the new-raised battalions of militia; their extraordi nary progress in discipline is matter alike of astonish ment and gratulation. The dispatches brought by Count Miet, from Paris, created strong sensation here, and increased bustle has since been observed in every department. Colonial produce has fallen nearly one half of its late prices. FRANcnronr, SEPT. B.—Our Gazette states, that immense numbers of Russian troops are assembling on the frontiers of Prussia and Gallicia, but their destination was unknown. Frenck troops continue daily to pass through this city on their route to France, and it is stated that, by the end of this month, up. wards of 40,000 men will have passed this way. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CI.00K: (Consols, for money, 651 66—for ace. 661—Omniuin t dis. Exchequer Bills, par. PRICE OF STOCKS ON SATURDAY. Bank Steck shut India Bonds, 2s. par Imp. Ann. 7,1 11-16 sper Cent. Red. shut per C. Cons. 65H1 Ex. 134115, Is. dis. a t7s. pre. 4 per Cent. Cons. shut t Omnium dis. 5 per Cent. Navy, 9711 Cons. for acc. 661 G 6 Long Annuities shut PORTUGAL. We announced on Saturday the arrival of two Mes sengers with dispatches for the Portuguese Ambassa dors and Deputies. They are understood to contain strong remonstrances from the Regency of Portugal and the General commanding the army of that na tion, against the Convention concluded on the 30th ult. The contents of these dispatches were commu nicated to his Majesty's Ministers soon after they were received. If we are rightly informed, the Convention has ex cited among the Portuguese people a greater degree of disgust than it has even done in this country ; and, what is much to be lamented, a great degree of dryness towards the British. The following is given as the substance of their complaints against our Commanders : " The usual ceremonies had scarcely been exchanged after the landing of Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY on the• banks of the Douro, when the Bishop of OPORTO, in his political character, demanded of the British Officer the arms with which he was provided for the natives who had been inrolled for the defence of their country. This application was ineffectual. His Excellency was told, that they w.:re not to be so disposed of ; and thus the only means which he considered necessary for the salvation of Portugal was withheld ; and the venerable Prelate was forced to retire from this first interview with his allies, indignant and disappointed. He knew that French perfidy and rapacity had de. prived his intrepid countrymen of the means indispen Bible to give effect to the r courage; and he was ap prised, that under the orders of the British Ministr, arms had been provided for at least 15,000 men, fat the purposes of this expedition. With such facts be fore him, he had the mortification to see, that his brave compatriots were to be prevented from par taking in the glory of the approaching conflict. The total number prepared to eater the field amounted to 40,000 ; but for want of arms only 5000 were assem. bled, under the orders of General FREIRE, and they were very indifferently wovided. " The Portuguese also complain, that in conformity to the contracted system of the British Generals, they were not brought into action in either ef the engage ments which preceded the ultimate arrangement ; that in one case a native body, of the strength of 1500, was constrained to give place to a corps of British, in the moment when their courage could have been advan tageously displayed ; and that in the other, (Fp I:is- the battle of Vimiera, nearly their whole force, under their gallant General, was removed to the distance of more than two leagues from the scene of action. "They object, that not only these general opportuni ties of distinguishing the valour of the Portuguese on their own territory were neglected, but that the exam pies of individual talent or success have been passed over in silence ; and further, that merit has been at tributed to the British soldiery, due exclusively to themselves. In support of this pretension, they cite the anecdote of the English grenadier, who is said to have taken General BERNIER prisoner, and to have refused the pecuniary offers of that Frenchman for his manumission. The Portuguese account of the same transaction is given in a Gazette of Coimbra, where it is expressly stated, that a serjeant and cadet, both of that nation, took General BERNIER prisoner. The Portuguese, we understand, are anxious to bestow all due praise upon British valour; but they say, that the number of troops in the French anniet have been exaggerated, in order to acquire that , glory which the transactions could not maintain. They contend, that for 18,000 English to have vanquished 12,000 French was no subject of boast to British cha racter ; and they do not admit, that even with this inequality of force, under the recent Convention, any conquest was atchieved. " Their objections to the conduct of the British Com manders do not terminate here. Prior to the last en gagement, the Portuguese had consumed the whole of their bread; and in these circumstances Genera FREIRE applied to Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY for a supply of provisions for a single day, the British at the same time having abundance, both in their train and, with the shipping stationed on the coast. This request was denied ; on hearing which, the Portugues e Commander- is reported to have made this short ob. nervation, Then we will fight without bread." , 6 The most serious complaint yet remains. Neither the Military nor the Civil Authorities of the natives were at any time corisulted, either respecting the mi. litary operations, the Armistice, or the ultimate din. graceNl Convention ; and had the proper respect been paid to their discretion or patriotism, it is highly pro. bable, that the manifest impolicy of this arrangement would have been exposed ; so that even those who assented to it would have been convinced of thei r own precipitation and folly. 46 As soon as the termsof that Convention had placed the forts and capital of our faithful and august Ally under the protection of our troops, the British flag was elevated, as if the Portuguese had not recovered their liberty, but had been consigned over to new masters. When this emblem of their degradation was discovered, it excited such general expressions of in. dignation, that the imprudence which raised the ban. ncr was alarmed, and it was almost instantly lowered; but not without producing those sensations of disgust, the impression of which it will be extremely difficult to efface." Ulibr the strong impulses of sensibility occasioned by these serious grievances, it will not be surprising if w Anal. of commotions in Portugal, in which the Eng. lish, sent as friends and deliverers, have to endure some portion of the general indignation, and in c on . sequence of the French troops gradually diminishing in number, by the transport of their brethren to France, will be exposed to immediate danger. It is n truth im possible, that, laden with the plunder of that injured country, the latter can withdraw, unless they are removed to a place of security, guarded from the rage of the nativesby the intervention of the British forces. The most convincing proof of the disgust and de. testation produced among the inhabitants of Portu. gal, is the circumstance, that in none of the public papers, the Government of that country has thought it to insert the conditions of the final Convention. Such are the details which letters from Lisbon to the 10th, and from Oporto to the 12th instant, have enabled us to supply ; and it is a singular fact, that although three days had expired subsequent to the time ippointed for the embarkation of the Ist division of he French troops, not one soldier had quitted the siora of i'o; tugal. To these observations we now add a copy of the Protest made by Genet a' Bernadin Freire, against the shameful Convention of Cin:ra and Ramallial. Such is the universal indignation in this cour.try at the infamous proceedings in Portugal, that pro bably our readers viii not find the General's Protest spirited enough for the occasion ; but they must re. collect that this document is a formality to insure the rights of his Prince and his country, not a proclama. ion intended to rouse the indignation of his country. men, or even to manifest his own perional feelings. What seems to us very singular is, that the Ge. neral should make no mention of the stipulation that allows the French to carry off their plunder; it was surely a good ground for a protest. Does he think that in the execution of the Convention that plunder will not be considered as private property PROTEST ,MADE BY BERNARDIN FREIRE DE ANDRADE, GENERAL OF THE PORTUGUESE TROOPS, AGAINST THE A RTICLDI OF THE CONVENTION AGREED ON BETWEEN TIIE ENG.. LISH AND FRENCH ARMIES, FOR THE EVACUATION_QP PORTUGAL. " I protest, in general, on account of this*Yreaty* being totally void of that deference due to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, or the Government that represents him ; on account of what may be hostile in it to the Sovereign authority and indepencknce of this Government, and for all that may be against the honour, safety, and interests of the nation : and, in particular, I protest against what is stipulated in the following articles : AnTICL Es I. IV. and Because these Articles determine the surrender of Portuguese fortified places, stores, and ships, to the English forces, without so- lemnly declaring that this surrender is momentary, and that it is intended they should be immediately restored to the Prince Regent of Portugal, or the Government that may represent him, to whom they belong, and in whose aid the English forces came as auxiliaries ! ART. XVI. , -•" Because it permits the residence in Portugal of the individuals mentioned in it. ART. XVII.—" Because it attempts to tie down the Government of this kingdom, not to bring to ins tice and condign punishment those persons who have been notoriously and scandalously disloyal to their Prince and their country, by joining and serving the French party : and, even if the pronctien of the Eng- lish army should be allowed to screen them from the punishment they have deserved, still it should not prevent their expulsion, whereby this country would no longer have to fear being again betrayed by the same men. First of the additional Articles.—" This Article can by no means bind the Government of this kingdom, as no reciprocal conditions are stipulated. " I protest finally, on account of the want of at. tension to the safety of the inhabitants of the capital and its environs, nothing having been stipulated in their favour to insure their not being still v x J td oppressed by the French during their stay—not even an equivalent for what is established by Aar. XVI