The National Register. — London, England, 1811-09-08 00:00:00

'THE NATIONAL REGISTETt. animated address to the inhabitants of the principa lity, calling on them to assist in delivering the whole Country from the oppressions of the enemy. Letters • frotn Palencia relate some particulars of the pro ceedings of Joseph in his passage through that city, from which it appears, that he and his courtiers are seriously alarmed at the prospect of receiving no efficient support from France. We understand, that the troops. and stores now on their way to Portugal are to be disembarked at Figueira which is situated at the mouth of the Mon dego. This new arrangement is adopted in conse quence of the campaign being transferred to the North of Portugal, as the march of the troops, and the transport of the stores will be shorter and more expeditious by the road which-leads from Figueira to Guarda. Oporto would have been still nearer the scene of operations, but the troublesome bar at that port presented considerable obstacles. When active operations, were rendered necessary by the movements of the French forces, the fol lowing were the cantonments arranged for the Bri tish army : Sir Brent Spencer, with Ist division, at Portalegre. General Hill, 2d division, Villa Vicosa and Barba. General Picton, 3d division, Castt 110 Branco. General Call, htli division, Estremos. Geucral Dunlop, 3th division, Portalagre. General Campbell, Gth division, Alpedriuha. General Houston, 7th diviMon, Nita. • General Crauford, light division, Castello de Vide and Mau. talvan. CAVALRY.--COMMANDED ON .BY SIR STAPLETON COT General SL AD E . ist Dragoons, } Castello Branco. 12th Light General De GREY. &I Dragoon Guards, I Evora. 4th Dragoons, General AN SON. iSth Light Dragoons, Aisineur and Montefort. 16th Light Dragoons,Santa Olsia and Barbacena. General LONG. Ict Hussars, Villa Vicosa and Barba. 11th Light Dragoons, _ _ General ALLEN. lid Hussars, Rodondo and St. Miguel. 14th Light Dragoons, The Leyden, arrived at Portsmouth from Portu gal, brought home twenty-five wounded Officers, and six hundred German recruits, who deserted from the French army ; also Lieutenant Burke, of the 45th Regiment, who deserted to the enemy from the British head-quarters in Portugal, and was after wards taken prisoner. He has since been escorted to the Military Depdt at Newport. The Earl of March, and Major Mellish, two of Lord Wellington's Aides-de-Camp, arrived this week from Portugal, in the Latona igate. Colo nel Way, who was so desperately wounded in the late glorious action in Portugal, come over at the same time. Papers were on Thursday received from Corunna, containing an official account, signed by General Mendizabel, of the taking of Santander by the Spaniards. From this it appears that on the 13th of August, General Porlier, with seven or 800 chosen men, set out from the eastern frontier of Asturias, at seven o'clock in the evening. It was four o'clock in the morning when he arrived at San tander, and his march was so rapid, that the French bad no intimation of his approach. The sentinels were killed, and the French took refuge in flight. The garrison consisted only of 300 gens d'armes. The patriots having entered the place and destroyed every distinction of public property, withdrew the same day, and returned to the neighbourhood of their former ground.—Among the prisoners the detachment of Porliet carried off was the Spanish Governor of Santander, who received his appoint ment from the enemy. Fortunately some British ships of war were in the offing, and having learned the situation of things, co-operated with our allies. Five boats were sent on shore properly manned and armed, which succeeded in spiking and dismount ing not only all the sea batteries at Santander, but the artillery planted at Torre La Vega. A letter from a Naval Officer at Cadiz, dated August 8, says- 16 There is nothing going on here at present ; but we expect daily, that the French will attack our works at Isla de Leon. They have brought mortars into Fort Catalina, for the pur pose of annoying our shipping ; and the battery of Fort Napoleon throws shells every night among the Spanish gun-boats, which are close to Puntales. As the Ephyra, Captain Everard, was ctuizing off Cota, last week, a shot from the French bat tery fell on board her, and took off Captain E.'s right arm ; be is, however, doing well. Lieute nant Weymouth, of the Revenge, has been put into the command of the Ephyra, till Captain E. is re covered." A letter from a Spaniard of rank, dated Leon, Aug. 17, states, that the armies of the three provin ces of Asturias, Galicia, and Leon, consists of more than 45,000 men, but that a great part of them are deficient in clothing and arms. They have a few horses, but unprovided with accoutrements. A letter received from Gibraltar, dated the Bth of August, contains the following passages :"'• " Our private accounts from Spain fully confirm the repoi t of reinforcements' having been sent by Soult to Grenada and Port St. Mary's. 1 , It is feared that, upon the arrival of those in tended for the former city, Gen. Freyre will find it necessary to withdraw. With respect to those which have been marched to the latter, they have not been thought sufficiently formidable to induce the Spy nish Government to give up their project of sending General Blake's troops to the Eastward, which have hitherto been prevented by contrary winds from pro ceeding farther than Tarifa, a small number ex cepted, which have made Algesiras, with the Com mander in Chief." A Gentleman well acquainted with the situation of affairs on the shores of the Bay of Biscay, is now in London, and has, we understand, submitted a plan to the consideration of his Majesty's Govern ment to convert Santona into a Military station? from whence the Patriots in that neighbourhood . might conveniently obtain supplies and reinforce.' ments. The project is by a deep and wide fosse to insulate the promontory, and by such means, at. an inconsiderable expense, it might be rendered almost impregnable ; but should the assailant suc ceed in any enterprize against it, the retreat of the garrison might be secured by the shipping on the coast. About 80 sail of the Baltic Fleet have arrived in the river.