The National Register. — London, England, 1808-01-03 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. 12 would render him more anxious to preserve amity between the two countries a dangerous and impolitic principle, which might often set the interests of an Ambassador in di rect opposition to his duty to his country. It appears that Mr. ERIKINE, alarmed at the discussions between this coun try and America, had recently transferred his father's pro perty in the American funds, to secure it at all events. This eircumstance, which so impolitically indicated his appre hensions, excited in the demagogues a desire not to let such a prey escape them ; and a motion .was accordingly made by one LYONS to prevent such transfers of British property in the American funds. The motion was negatived ; but the evident impolicy of this sudden transfer by our Ambas sador was not removed. The Couriers passing and repassing through France, to Count STAHREMBERG, have excited much attention, and given rise to innumerable reports. To us they only seem to indicate that BONA P ARTE is little anxious to force Au stria into hostilities, which cannot possibly do us any harm. The stay or the departure of Count STAUREMBERG is an object of equal importance. Some letters have been published, which passed between Gen. WorrEnocxr, and LINIERS the commander at Buenos Ayres. They are chiefly remarkable for the utter igno rance of the situation of the enemy which the English Ge neral displays. On the 4th of July, he summons General LINTERS to surrender, with great professions of his own cle mency ; and on the sth, LINIFKB with equal professions, returns the same summons, to which General WHITE LOCK E 9 now better informed, finds himself obliged to consent. A vessel, which arrived yesterday from the coast of France, brings the topics of conversation at Charante and Bourdeaux. These are a meditated repudiation of the Empress Josupnrwt, and a marriage of BONAPARTE with a sister of the RUSSIAN EMPEROR ; to which is added a pro jtet of giving I.velEN F3o7cArmaTr. the Crown of Spain, and ineemnifying the Prince of AIITUni AS with that of Portugal. A Deputation from the American Merchants waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday se'nnight, to obtain information as to sonic points connected with the late Orders of Council, and particularly to ascer tain whether it was intended to impose any tax on articles of American produce, on board such American ships as ahonld, pursuant to their Orders, touch at British ports. The inquiry of the Deputation was principally directed to the art►cle of Cotton, and the answer of Mr. Perceval was quite decis:ve, tl►at Ministers do intend to propose a duty upon that article. Upon asking, whether such American ships as should not, in consequence of the French Decree, feel it safe to proceed to an enemy's port, after having touched in this country, wouid be allowed a licence to sail in any other direction ? the answer was, that no licence wou:d 11! granted to any other than the port of such ship's original destination, The object of the expedition under General Fpencer anti ttir C. Cotton, we are informed, is not a very d!stant one; and we therefore conclude that this force will join Sir Sidney's and General Moore's. It is said we shall soon hear of Ceuta being in possession of the British. Four camps, consisting of 15,000 men each, besides Yeo manry, arc to be immediately formed in several districts in Ireland. One, it is said, is to be fixed in Athlone, another in Aughnaclo , !, a third at Bandon, and a fourth in Strabane. The convoy arrived at Spithead from Gibraltar, was on Wednesday put under quarantine at the Mother Bank. It "Paget, Fraser, Wryard, and Oakes, landed on Thursday. JAN. 3 The troops arrived amount to between eight and nine thousand men. They consist of all the guards that were in Sicily ; the 20th, 52d, 78th, and the second battalion of the 35th regiments, besides artillery and engineers. This force was probably to co-operate with Sir Sidney Smith in securing the possession of the Portuguese navy. The Captain of a vessel from Cadiz states, that previous to his departure from that city, it had been entirely eva cuated by the Spanish troops, the great body of which had proceeded to Portugal, under the command of the Mar quis di Solano, who is Governor of Cadiz. The remainder of the Spanish troops had, in conjunction with a French force, gone on board the French and Spanish ships in the harbour, which, with six months provision on board, were ready for sea, and daily expected to sail. The inhabitants were, as our informant states, considerably agitated by the apprehension of an attack from an English fleet and army. The Captain we allude to also adds, that four eminent merchants have been recently arrested at Cadiz, upon a charge of having spoken disrespectful of the Prince of Peace. This arrest took place immediately before the Captain's departure. Such an event would imply the undi minished power of the Prince of Peace. Many are the efforts which Bonaparte has made to dimi nish the comforts of our countrymen. He has endeavoured even to deprive the town of its usual pleasures, by laying an embargo on opera dancers and singers; and by making war upon the milliners who even transmit their fashions. But we can shew him our independence.in these as well as in other articles. We have voices as sweet, and feet as nimble as any that can be imported. Our milliners declare, that their traffic was never more flourishing than at pr ? sent; and Mr. Millard, of Southampton-street, Strand, assures us, that the demand for his tashionablestraw hats is becoming greater than he can almost supply. A West Indian Gentleman, in a fit of despondency, put an end to his existence at the Hum►uu►ns. The Coroner's Jury, which sat on the body, brought in a verdict of Lunacy. MMIMMINk THE COURT AND WORLD OF FASHION. Friday morning, after breakfast, his Majesty rode on horseback in Windsor Park, by Cranbourne, till half past twelve o'clock, accompanied by the Dukes of Kent and Cambridge, Princesses Augusta, Sophia, and Amelia, at tended by Lady Ely, Count Munster, Generals Manning ham and Cartwright, Colonels Upton and Taylor. Friday at twelve o'clock, the Duke of Kent arrived at Windsor. All the Royal Dukes were expected in the course of the afternoon, to dine with her Majesty and the Pfaicesses. The following is said to he an original Letter from Lady Craven, to one of her Theatrical female friends, who asked how she liked her change of siluation. MY DEAR T * • * ** * No doubt you are interested in the question by asking me so soon my opinion of " Matrimony"—it would he " Love's Labour Lost." Indeed if I disliked it in the " Honey Moon"—if you continue such a prude, as to retain your old opinion of " Marriage a la mode" and still consider it as foolish, 1 would advise you by all means to catch the " Folly as it Flies," provided you hit upon some sober spark who has sown hi= •' Wild Oats"—" trial's all," you know—however, it upon " Review" you should - tit like the state, why you may cause " The Devil to Pay" in the " School for Scandal;" and of course, the result of your " Wedding Day" will then form a very pretty " Winter's Tale"! Thus, at all events, like a fashionable woman, )uu will " Raise this Wind." Do oat `;'`