The National Register. — London, England, 1808-03-06 00:00:00

MARCH 0. rival of the Expedition. Whether we are able to prevent the passage of a French army into Sweden or not, we arc at least able to throw great difficulties in the way, and let nothing of this sort be omitted which it is possible to effect. We see, however, by intelligence already arrived, that Bo- NAPARTE means to let no time unnecessarily escape before he make the experiment ; and it we long delay, a French army will be in Sweden while our ships and troops are still , in England. We understand that the Dutch Fleet in the 'l'eve'l are all ready for sailing, and haN e lately indicated an intention to come out. Their presence at Copenhagen would be of the utmost importance. This intelligence was yesterday brought toYarmouth by a sloop from °tithe Texcl. Government arc at last convinced that the Rochefort Squadron have entered the Mediterranean. They have re ceived intelligence that it passed the Gut of Gibraltar on the 26th of January, in a gale of w Ind and thick atmosphere. The following letters were yesterda3 exhibited Lloyds "Gibralta a r t , F lo eb. 10. " It is reported the Rochefort Squadron has passed into the Streights, but it was not seen from this place." Gibraltar, Feb. H. " Yesterday Sir R. Strachan passed to the Eastward, with several sail of the line, in ehace of the French fleet, but he is a long way behind." We are enabled to add the following circumstantild inte;- ligence communicated by a correspondent at Gibraltar. " Gibraltar , lt6. 10. " `;.r Richard Strachan's Sqindron, of seven sail of line and we frigate, passed this yesterday afternoon, in pursuit of the Rochefort Squadron, which were last seen off Carthagena. "'That part of the expedition which arrived here some time ago, is now getting under weigh, to proceed to Sicily ; they • amount to between three and four thousand men. " tiv the last accounts front Lord Collingn ood, he had gone up the Adriatic, iu pursuit of a Russian Squadron of live sail of the line : so that there was no force air Toulon td oppose the junction of all the enemy's squadrons now in the Mediterranean. 11e are extremely apprehensive for the fate of Sicily, as the natives will immodiately join any enemy whatever that lands there, is ith an intoutioa of overturning their present despotic Owen:mem. " A large French army is expected in this neighbourhood in the Spring. Nearly 100,600 French have already entered Stain, . and 60,000 more are upon the frontiers of that country." The following letter contains some very particular intel ligence, which may be depended upon, respecting the French forces which haVelately entered Spain St. Sebastian, Jan. 11. " Return of the French Troops which have entered or are to enter Spain, through Iran; from the 19th of October, 1807, to the 18th of January, 1808 :--- Armies. Generals. Men. Homo. Virst . • JUNOT 29,879 3,653 Seeouni Durowr 23,927 Third MosicEr .....17,983 3,330 • Total 71,789 10,104 " Marshal Moncey's army is to be 30,000 men strong, with the. Reserve under General-Mouton at St. Jean Pie de Port. • " The Emperor is daily expected at Bayonne, where Guards of Honour have been formed, composed of forty young men on lmehack, 100 on foot, with•showy uniforms, and fifty Basques in their national dress. Neither the object of the French at my, nor the day of the Einperor's arrival are known; but we shalt shortly hear something positive." ' We see by this letter that NAPOLEON is, at least, expected in the South of France. It has been asserted, and pretty generally believed in London, that he intends a journey to Spain. This supposition has revived the idea of an imme diate change in the Spanish Government. But f o r this, if kt be . really intended, the presence of NAPoI.EON is not wanted. It would produce a scene from which he would tonsult both his interest and dignity by being absent. If * mighty attack is intended on Gibraltar, he ma/ wish to TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER. SIIIMMEI I . OIII . IIOOIIIIIIIII.O be at no great distance from the scene of operations, that intelligence and directions may pass betaeeu him and the army with inure expedition. but there is uu, likelihood that he will repair in person to conduct an object of second rate importance, more especially an object, iu respect to which there is so great a probability of his being baffled, aom, Bre ISTA3 err.? rode out yesterday in Windsor Park so comp nied by the Priucesses Aim e STA, ,SOFRIA, and A strLia. The QUEEN and the Princesses ELI zsrimu and MART * spent the morning in Froginore PIROIRIIOII3. The Sseenein Amesssnoort had a long interview yester day with Mr. CANNING, after which a Messenger was seat oil s to Windsor. The Dukc of Yeah also gave audience to several Military Officers, relative to the troops destined for embarkation for the North. SOCIETY OF ANCIENT BRITON!. Last Tuesday, being the Anniversary Festival of St. David, Sir Robert salusbury, Hart. M. P. President, the Vice-Presidents and stewards of the above Society, breakfasted at their house, in Gray's inn-road, and proceeded from thence to St. James's-chnrch, Piccadilly, where prayers were read in the ancient British language, by the Rev. Mr. Davies, in the absenc e of the Rev. Thomas Alban, their Chaplain, occasioned by a death. in his family, and a moat excellent sermon in F.nglish In the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chester; from thence they proceeded to St. James',. Carleton Douse, and to the tu.d Auchor Tavern, Strand, to dinner, where they were joined by a most numerous concourse of the nubility and Gentry, benefactors to that useful institution, the Welsh Charity School. From the statement of our forces officially mark in the louse of Commons, it appears that, exclusive of volun teers, and of our troops in India, the military force of this country exceeds at present 300,000 effective men; a greater number, by nearly 40,000, than at any former period. Our navy, of course, is also very strongly manned ; and the ag e.re,rate of both establishments k nearly half a million. Monday General Dc Lunt:Ws regimeut, the 17th Light Dragoons, and whose emblem on tie helmet is " Death or Glory" embarked at Portsmouth for India. They are di vided between the Indiamen, each of which has 140 dis mounted dragoons. The embarkation was superinteuded, by General Porter, kdeputation of the Court of Directors from Leadenhall-street , being present. Lieut.-Colonel Cot ton commands this regiment. The Earldom of Craufurd and Lindsay, with a rental of 42,000/. per annum, has devolved on serjeant Lindsay, of the Royal Perthshire Militia, at present stationed at Dover. It is said, when this unexpected news was conveyed to Lady Craufurd, she was found toiling over a washing-tub ; and in her precipitancy to assume the situation, which this sud den transition of fortune had placed her in, she threw it down, exclaiming, " if ix now high time to /cane off wash ing ! I I"—The Earl and his Lady soon prepared to leave Dover, and passed through Canterbury a short time since, in a chaise and four, to take possession of the estates, &c. GENERAL WRITELOCKE'S TRIAL has occupied the last week, and been throughout numerously attended, as the examination of the latter Witnesses (including the Naval Officers on the F.xpedition), has excited much interest. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland was a con. stant attendant, and paid particular attention to the pro ceedings. On Friday, at the adjournment, the President, in a must soldier-like manner, addressed the Court, stating that Saturday was the day appointed for the funeral of their late friend, Lord Lake; he expatiated on his military services, and expressed a wish that the Members of the Court should mark their respect for him by wearing military mourning. —The effect of this address on the gallant veteran, and on the surrounding spectator% was highly impressive. Yesterday, on the opening of the Court, the President read a letter from the Judge Advocate, stating, that he was linable to attend, on account o f a severe illness; in con sequcuce of this the tivurt adjourned until Mondal. •••... ,