Star. — London, England, 1808-08-04 00:00:00

SPAIN. PROCLAMAPJN. " Oviedo, July 17, 1808. " Spaniards !—The Tyrant of France temporized with you, to increase the number of his slaves. His . ambition, his absurd confidence, increased by the in trigues of a vizier, and by those of a weak and perfi dious Court, led to the project of the arrest of our august Monarch, that he might obtain possession of these dominions ; and what tricks and abominations were not employed to deceive our young Prince, and to force him into ignominious slavery ! When he sought to promote the prosperity of his people, and the happiness of his beloved vassals, he met with op probrium, sacrilegious treachery, the ruin of his sub jects, a criminal compact written in characters of blood by parricides and traitors, a thousand enormi ties of which Nero was incapable, all. which 'were de liberately concerted with a haughty Vandal, who meditated our destruction: Oh . atrocious violation of the rights of society ! Generous Charles Thou who didst •decficate thy best days, those days which thou owedst to the well being of thy people, in pursuing the wild beasts of thy forests, tell us, if amongst this savage race, thou bast found any so ferocious as the horrid monster to whom thou bast thoughtlessly sacrificed an innocent family, and a faithful nation worthy the best affec tions of their Sovereign. 44 By such infernal artifice, Napoleon already reckoned among his treasures the massive gold of Spain, and of her Indies; as if it were as easy to van quish a people, as to seduce Kings, and to corrupt courtiers. But he is deceived, and most effectually is he cheated by those who are conversant in the arts of deception. He has forgotten that we are both freemen and- Spaniards since the 19th of March ; a day of as much exultation to Spain, as it was of terror and alarm to the black eagles which presumed to fix their talons on the gates of - our capital. Happy day, which you have converted to the deiolation of your, enemies ! " Look, oh Spain ! down the horrible precipice that perfidy has excavated, and remember the exalted happiness and the immortal renown your enemies have prepared for you. 44 Yes, Spain, with the energies of liberty, has to contend with France debilitated by slavery. If she remain firm and constant, Spain will triumph. A whole people is more powerful than disciplined ar mies. Those who unite to maintain the independence of their country, must triumph over tyranny. Spain will inevitably conquer in a cause the most just that has ever raised the. deadly weapon or war ; for she fights, not for the concerns of• a day, but for the se renity and happiness of ages ; not for an insulated privilege, but for all the rights of human nature ; not for temporal blessings, but for eternal happiness ; not for the benefit of one nation, but for all mankind, and even for France herself. Spaniards, elevate your natural, courage by such sntiments ; let every tyrant of the earth perish, rather than that you should submit to despotism and to impiety. To impiety I—Merciful Goo, let not your faithful people be exposed to such disgrace and in famy ! 44 Spaniards ! Let every honest man arise in de fence of his country : let your iron and brass be con verted into thunderbolts of war ; let all Spain become a camp; let her population become an armed host; above all, let cur youths fly to the defence of the State, for the son should fall before the father appear in the ranks of battle ; and you, tender mothers, af fectionate wives, fair maidens, do not retain within your embraces the sweet objects of your lave, until, from victory returned, they deserve your affection. They withdraw from your arms not to fight for a tyrant but for their GOD, for a Monarch worthy the veneration of his people ; and not only for these, but for yourselves and for your companions. 64 Instead of regretting their departure, like the Spartan women sing the song of jubilee • and when they return conquerors to your arms, then, and not till then, weave the laurel crown for their reception. 4 ‘ The love of religion, of independence, and of glory, those noble passions, the preservers of great empires, penetrate into our inmost souls. Let us all swear, by the outrages suffered by our country, by the victims sacrificed on the 2d of May, by our own swords, bathed in the parricidal blood of the ferocious Napoleon, that we will inflict the punishment decreed by the GOD of Vengeance. 44 And you, rich men, rendered selfish, not patri otic, by indulgence, do not continue in ignoble repose, but exert your means, that peace may be secured. If, debilitated by inactivity, you are incapable of endur ing the fatigues of war, let your treasures supply the wants of the indigent, and the necessities of the de fenders of their country. And yon, ye venerable or ders of religion, do not ye withhold the "sums neces sary for the support of the common cause. Which is most precious, the gold of the mine, or the blood of man ? If your civic virtue should not command the sacrifice, your mercenary interest will extort it. Your incorporation, sanctified by authority, your po litical existence, the possession of your property, your individual security, all depend upon the success of this war. Our independence cannot be resigned un til these illustrious seminaries of sanctity and wis• dom are surrendered—until these solid columns of religion and of the state tumble to the earth—unti' the public right shall be annihilated, and Spain itsel subverted. 44 Happy country! this day you receivisfrom yourl favourite sons the most acceptable proofs of their ten derness and love, of their affection and gratitude, for the protection they have received C..-om you through successive ages. To-day they return to you tTe riches they have received for the spiendour you have conferred, for your pious generosity, for your ardent zeal, in sustaining the religion and the . customs ut their ancestors—those customs originating in the sublime morality of the Gospel, within whose sacre d vase is inclosed, and will lie for ever inclosed, the preservation of your Empire and the power& your Monarchy. Rich men of every description ! opeis your coffers and discharge your duty to your coun try, and be confident that her ungrateful children w receive her anathema, and will not escape her vet eance ! _ _ _ 4 ' 4 59amards 1 We all defend one common cause. We Itare passengers on board the ship Independence erhis h is already launched, and must either swim or sink, according as she is navigated by ts. There is. only one mean of salvation for us, and that is, the whole nation, armed, hasten to exterminate banditti by whom we are invaded, and to pun, them for their atrocities. Warriors ! present yons selves in the field of glory. Ido not attempt to x cite your' valour ; you are Spaniards, and, therefore, you are brave and honourable—but in one respeCt I may give you advice, although you are Spaniards. I recommend to you, in the name of your country, the most severe discipline, and the most Implicit obe dience to your Commanders. Without discipline, you can neither have an army or victory. Without discipline, valour is useless, and numbers impotent. Discipline supelies every thing, and without her every thing must be deficient,. Appreciate her then rightly', for alas ! if you are ciiitiuered, you will }r em* the contempt of nations, and the victims of ty ranny. Do you see that these fierce pretenders rush upon •us? They outrage,.they lay waste, they destroy —nothing can satiate their ferocity. But if; in your tdrn;lou should become conquerors, let the martial spirit by' which you are animated "be restrained within the limits of reason and justice. Let togn2nity, com passion, and beneficence be the device ofyour banners —above all, let not the name of Spaniard be stained by that iniquity and sacrilege which you detest in your enemies, and then your grateful country will - confer upon you 'her abundant benefits, and your , names will be engraved on the sublime edifice of Spaaiish independence. 1 may address you as con querors, although you have not already vanquished., —One province only, the cradle of heroes, the mo ,nient war was declared, filled the enemy with terror. Yes, Spaniards, from that happy instant the lion was attacked with afever, from which he will never escape. 44 The victory you are about to accomplish will establish an alliance between Spain and the most powerful. the most wise, and the most polished na tion of the earth—with the only country which this second Machiavel could not seduce—Great Britain. The alliance that the infamous traitor broke for our misery and ruin—that assassin of our nation, that ',devouring monster, whose immense rapine provided an asylum for our enemy—that alliance, Country men, has been generously restored by the only em pire which has been able to maintain its honour and independence, and to which is reserved the-lofty dis tinction of restoring enslaved Europe. Of what consequence then is the renowned power of Napoleon? The world itself depends upon the union of those two great nations. e. P. o. n. c. EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE OF SARAGOSSA. JUNE 20.—0 n the 17th, a Spanish soldier came in, who related that he had been made prisoner by the French. He.had a packet directed to the Adminis. trators of Saragossa, which purported that it was put into his bands by the French General, Lefebvre, in order to be laid before the Most Excellent and Cap tain General of this kingdom. The same soldier who brought the pack.2t, brought with him many seditious proclamations ptinted in Bayonne, in the Castilian tongue, Nt h ch were entrusted him by the French Ge neral. It was resolved by the Viceroy of this City, and by the King's Councillors and Assistants, as sembled, that the note should be sent back unopened. The following reply was the consequence, which with the Manifesto of Belay, and the Proclamation published yesterday, has passed this day to the ene my's ca nip by the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Don Manuel De Ena. The following is a literal copy: ' Head-quarters, Saragossa, June 18. " MOST EXCLLMINT SIGNOR, N If his Majesty the Emperor ordered you to re-establish th^ tranquillity which this country has lost, it is to little rurpose that yon take this trotble. It is my duty to answer to the . confidence which the brave people of Arragen has placed in me, drawiag me from the retreat in which I was, to place its guardianship in my hands. It is at least dear, that I ought not to be led astray by a Spaniard hitherto so delusive. My sword guards the gates of the capital, and my honour answers for Its security. It was unneces. sary then to give too much importance to this private affair. The troops which suffered on the 15th and 16th should not again be brought into trouble. Let thine be at proper hours quiet in their beds, as I will be at my own hazard.. Far from being appeased, the indignation of the Spaniards at the excesses of the French is every day increasing. It is known that the spies you paid ere un faithful. A great part of Catalonia has placed itself under my command, with no less a portion 'of Castile. The Captains Ge neral of C atalonia and Valencia are united with see. Cailleie, Fatramadura, Asturias, and the four kingdoms of An6lusia, are also resolved to avenge their oppressions. 'the French troops cons mit atrocities unworthy of men ; they plunder, insult and kill with impunity the honest inhabitants who have done them no evil; — they have outraged religion, and mutilated the sacred images in a manner unheard of. Neither this conduct, nor the tone which you hold since the days of the 15th or 16th, is proper to satisfy a valiant people. You will do what you can ; I sill do what I ought to do. 44 The General of the troops of Arragor. (544 104 ) JOSEF DI PALATOI T MLLGL" In Consequence of the excesses committed by the French troops, it is ordered that, with the exception of their arms and horses, the property taken on them shall be prize. JOURNAL OF THE ATTACKS ON SARAGOSSA. ART AGO N, Jute& 26.—Stnee the 22d, when the French suffered great loss, Golseral Litzavis has retired to Epila. He was at tacked there by the M.irqiiis de LAGAN and a large force of Ar ragonese, and he would have been totally defeated but fur the night of two divisions of Peasants. He lost, however, 1000 men. JUNE 21.—General VARDITS arrived to reinforce the enemy with abcut 2400 men, cavalry and infantry, and some Portuguese. They attacked Saragossa and Monte Terrero. They were re. pulsed with the lees of 800 men killed, a great number wounded, six pieces of artillery, five cars of ammunition, drums, musical instruments, &c. The lop; on our side was much less. An wo rms arrived with intelligent of the approach of Theo Valets cians with 26 pieces of .cari , on. These troops were ordered to remain on reserve and concealment, to fall in on thi enemy the next day when engaged. the JUNI A.—The enemy renewed the attaelein theonorning on Torrero and the city, but were.bravely repulsed, losing nearly the whole of has eavalry, aed mach of their infantry. At Torrero some injury was suffered by the retreat of the artillery, through the treachery of the Commander. The batteries thus became silent at the most interesting time. The Valeneiarts arrived, though rather late, bat they could not dislodge the enemy from Torrero. From thence the city was battered, and in tlse night a pov der-magazine exploded, by v hish 14 horses were destroyed, mad ANS JOXI pia Mel. At this slowest dig 001 pre. sorted ibintiolves is three places, haplng to by able to ester, and dm pinion which attempted the entrance etThiestarnaqueda is front of the powder-magazine was totally destroyed. lova re 'Dived, that all the Preach resident at Aragon, with their faint- Res, :Meld be made prisoners. loos 29,-.llse Commandant of Artillery, who sold the batte ries of TOffer4l, was dramnsed out and shot. A person was hanged, who was detected taking letters to Murat informing him that the three gates were sold. This day the enemy were beat as usual. JUNe 300—The fire was candnued with great loss to the ffirench. . JULY I.—Tke fire was continued, and did not cease till ten in ;the moming, being 36 hours without interruption. Many of the 'enemy fell, and a great number of cars collected for the wounded. JOLT 2.—The taking of prisoners and the bombardment foi llowed. Three felt in the Pilau, but did no damage worthy of notice, neither did any other that fell in the city. July 3.—Front morning till night the fire did not cease. Our troops shewed great ardour. Jute 4.—Yesterday Torrero was reconquered. The French lost all their Officers. Their cavalry was reduced to 13 horses, and the infantry completely ruined. oLT s.—We have learned that the wounded could not be ac commodated in the convents or guard-houses at 'Fudela, and that they were removed in care to Pampeluna. Of two Captains of artillery who were wounded, one Is dead. Thirty cbuscurs who WIN in search of provisions, were disarmed at Tausto. CORUNNA, JUNE 14. — From a person arrived here from Madrid, which he left at noon on the 30th of June, we learn, that no more than 5000 French troops remained quartered there, exclusive of 2500 sick in the hospitals, who, for the greater part, were brought there wounded.— That on the day previous to his departure (the 29th June) between seven and eight o'clock in the evening, Murat had taken his departure from that Court, es coned by 400 men selected from the Imperial Guard, and the ablest horses ; that hi was proceeding, lying on two mattresses, in his carriage, and very infirm, which gave colour to the report of his death. He adds, that in Madrid they had positive assu rancesby all the letters from Valencia, that General Moncey had given himself up, with his whole army of 10,000 men, with all military honours, and that the General is treated at Valencia with all Spanish generosity. He further adds, that on the day of his departure, it was understood at Madrid, that the foreposts of the army of Fa:havaria, were within four leagues of the enemy, and that he demanded 40,000 rations for his army from the inhabitants of Ocana and Aranguez ; in Madrid the command was exercised by Savary and Grouchy. The individual from whom we have this information is Don Luis Quiraga, chief Officer of the Provincial Treasury, of known integrity. CORUNNA GAZETTE, JUNE 30. From Toledo they write, that General Moncey had passed through Cuenca, with 8000 men, as some say for Valencia, and as others say for Saragossa. We yesterday inserted some accounts relating to this last point, in conformity with four attested let. ters received from Madrid, which were shewn to us, and it appears, on the whole, that there is no room to doubt the complete dispersion of from 16 to 17,000 Frenchmen at Il Lamberto.—(There are two places of this name, one a league distant from Saragossa ; the other a sanctuary and farms, three leagues from Kausta, which is eight from Saragossa.) The accounts from Madrid state, Murat is appa rently taking measures to fortify himself at Buon tiro ; but that in reality he is preparing to fly into France, and if that movement has not already been executed, it is for fear of being cut off in the retreat VILLANOVA DE GLLTEN, IUZ4A 25. A French corps consisting of 9,000 infantry and cavalry, and a proportionate number of artillery , after haying passed from Barcelona to Tarragon, and fallen back to assist another corps, which attempted to enter Mantesa, was obliged u give up its object, the first corps also failing of its purpose, great loss having been sustained on both sides. The following day the enemy marched for the fort of Muntgat, sold to them by treason, and passed on to Mataro, where after a considerable stay, they destroyed some houses, giving seven hours plunder, and imposing a contribu tion of 8,000 pair of shoes.—They then proceeded to Auns and Canet, and there also they imposed a con tribution of three thousand pair of shoes. The mi serable town of Calliga they mulcted in 4,000 piastres. They then went on to Giuna and a place called Granatog el Suio, where they had a rencontre with our troops, who obliged them to retreat, after having suffered a considerable loss in killed and wounded, the greater part of those who remained having laid down their arms. The artillery, the cars of proii sions, ammunition, and money, remained at that place. In their retreat they did not retain their usual haughtiness of manner, nor did they hold their heads so high as before ; the wounded entered Barcelona without inconvenience, and the survivors entered that .city in like manner. his presumed; that there are in the city, of 15,000 men wha composed the army of observation of the Eastern Pyrenees, £lOOO remain ing, and the greater part of those are wounded al most incurably, insomuch that siz or eight die daily. Many reports are circulated about what is tiassing in Madrid, the Sierra Morena, and Arragon ; but as no regular courier arrives, we know not the truth of any of these stories. PAMPELUVA,- It is stated that another action has Won place in Arragon, on the 26th or 27th, with great slaughter on, both sides. Nothing more was known, except That the Arragonese pursued the enemy as beasts and not as men. MURCIA, raty s. The attack on Valencia by General Moncey ter. .. urinated yesterday. Only 1200 men escaped--150;., r emain prisoners in the Castle and the tallies of Car thagena. Moncey remained prisoner in Valencia.—. Ties city is safe from the surprise of 7000 Frenchmen. who came from the vicinity of Albaceta, at the same time that Llamas and Cerbellos, with more than 30,000 men, were pursuing the rear-guard of the French. There were 7000 men in the last reinforce. ' ment sent to this General, and they found their graves at Valencia. MADRID, JULY 16, A thousand reports are circulated respecting the rencontres that have taken place in the plains and towns of Valencia, Arragon, and Andalua, and in other places. The newspapers here are all under res trail, and they publish nothing that is true. - BENEVENTO, JULY 24. The greater part of the army of Castile hasp.2:s(:,l to reinforce the army of Asturias. VILLAPARA, JULY Since the last encounter, we remain in expectation of another, which will be more fortunate ; and from the excelleat,clispositions our General has taken, we have the •most sanguine hopes. We have plentiful supplies s and the best discipline, we want nothing, and we are in the best condition. ASTORGA, JULY 36. The army of Gallicia, divided as it is fit it should be, into a number of districts closely connected, occu pies the same points as before, and every man is inci ted and determined more and more, by the hopes and assurances England had given of such pecuniary aid as we owe to the generosity of England, and to all the cities and towns of our good kingdom of Gallicia, in its continued gifts, and aid of every descAption. PORTUGAL. EXTRACTS FROM THY 0 LEAL PORTUOL72, OF TIC! 27TH JULY. • LISBON, JULY 19. The intelligence from this capital impresses 'bur hearts with the profoundest melancholy, and the Mos: direful images of death. Lagarde, that worthy as sociate of Robespierre, has let loose the most revolt ing futy, and the most ferocious barbarity against the inoffensive inhabitants of this city. Victims without . number are daily immolated to interest or to bruta lity—the inexhaustible genius of crime invents to:- ments, multiplies the modes of death, steeps in blood the veil of justice, and exalts assassination into vir: tue, having destroyed the asylum which the domestic walls till now had offered to the unoffending citizen. This monster, expelled from Venice by the unani mous imprecations of all its inhabitants, has beei sent to found in Lisbon a sanguinary magistracy, by which he pretends to uphold the tottering and nearly extinct dominion of the Usurper. ",rhe unfortuna:e are dragged into the presence of the fiend, and with out confining his ferocity even to that form Which the most iniquitous scarcely overlook, sacrifices them in silence, and in the deepest holds of dreary dungeons. Mistrust is qualified as crime—a denunciation, con ducted by hatred, or purchased by vengeance, con stitutes evidence—one word provokes death! What a horrible situation I Lagartie awakens vengeance, that vengeance which justice authorises, humanity calls for, and society loudly claims as the foundation of its security. Let it not tarry ! Let the image of our oppressed countrymen inflame our valour, and conduct our steps to break the chains under which we are groaning. PROVINCE OF BEIRA, JULY E. By letters from that Province, of the Bth inst. we have an account of the horrid insults exercised by the French in the city of GUaria, sacking it, and assas sinating various persons, and otherwise committing such excesses as characterise barbarity, and disgrace irretrievably an army styling itself composed of dis ciplined troops. OpoßTo, JULY £6. I had the pleasure of writing you rew lines on the 23d instant. This is merely to inform you of the arrival off this port of the expedition under the com mand of Sir Arthur Wellesley. Saturday morning he himself came on shore from on board the Crocodile, with part of his .On Sunday, the 24th instant, at noon, he waited upon the Bishop, and re.embarked yesterday morning, after, as you see, a very short stay in this place: he had, previous to his landing here, been on shore at Co runna 36 hours. It blowing all day yesterday very fresh from the north, we soon lost sight of the Bee:, abc.it 72 sail, nd I have no doubt but they were tills rata , nit before Figueira, the place of their destination, and 'Where they will land, being the only and best place between this and Lisbon. Sir Arthur will first proceed to the Tagus in the Cro codile, and then return to the expedition off Figueira; it is probable the troops may not land till his return, after Which they will march towards Lisbon. Ever? thing looks well for their success ; and I have not the least doubt that in a few days we shall hear of that city being is their possession, as well as Junot and his only. This goes by the Peacock sloop of war. She got under weigh yesterday with the Crocodile, and went no doubt as tar as Pigueira, to enable Sir Arthur to send Government what he had determined to do. She has his dispatches, and is now in sight. A boat will come for the dispatches of Colontl '~-