The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1808-12-19 00:00:00

111 "I , 14111 a I .k,., thl coo- I Anal we, Bii iere. ,ICil 111 g ■re rti- lAN DON, MONDAY, DECEMUCR 19. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM SPAIN. TIIE BRITISH PRESS. The City of Madrid capitulated on the 4th instant, and the French entered that capital upon the same day. This important intelligence is offi cially announced in the llimitemrs of the 13th and 14th instant, brought by Mr. SHAW, 1110 is re turned from Paris. The military operation►, s t d.. sequent to Vie battle of Tudela, which led to this event, are given in the 13th Bulletin of the French Army in Spain, dated St. Martin, the 2d inst. It states that on the 30th last the Duke of BaLLt7t4o (Marshal Victor) arrived at Somosierra, where lie found a Spanish corps of 13,000 men, in a strong post, defended by sixteen pieces of cannon. Here, however, as in the battle of Tudela, the French derived great advantage from their cuvalry. A charge made by the Polish light horse de cided the day, and the Spaniards sustained a total defeat. In the beginning of the Bulletin it is said that the Spanish soldiers were all cut to pieces, or takeu ; but in a subsequent part, this boast and it is merely said, that if they had not ran away they must have been all taken. This single circumstance is sufficient to .hew the loose mesa with which these Bulleti lid are written, although intended to bear as, official character. BONAPARTE, en the Ist December, removed his head-quarters to St. A dgtistilie, end on the tit to St... Martin, on which day the Doke of Law*, with his cavalry, took possession of the heights which command Madrid, and the infantry were expected to arrive on the 3d. Here the thirteenth Bulletin ends; bat, as we have already stated. the Moniteurs add, that the town copitulated, end was entered by the French on the 4th. The Spenianls had collected a force at Guider- Tainma and Escurial, in a direct line between So mosierra and Madrid, presuming that the French meant to advance that way, but it wonla appear that they took s circuitous course by the S , I:ast through Butriago, at which place it is stated, in one of the small Paris papers, BoxileAßTS had Ibis head-quarters. Of the Spanish force at Gua darranima and Escurial there is no notice, nor are $h English armies once meationed. The Capitulation of Madrid, and Boesidrantes entrance into that city, are unquestiouably of a na ture calculated to excite the most painful awe heesions for the issue of the present contest, and the fate of the Spanish Monarchy. Those who see, in the rapid march and progress of the French arms, conducted by a Foreigner, whose name, whose abilities, and uninterrupted success, are of Europe, consider the capitulation of Madrid as decisive of the struggle. g. If," say they, the Spanish Juntas and the British Cabinet had known bow to take advantage of the errors committed by the Corsican Emperor, the destiny of the world might have been reversed, and revolutionary France might have been arrested in her awful career. Nl - who, since his repulse from Wore Acre, has never failed in any project or enterprise which he undertook, evidently miscalculated his own power, and the resistance to be expected from the Spanish nation. It required between three and four months to re-adjust the machine requisite for the 'subjugation of Spain; and in order to Sod the materials, he was necessitated to quit the scene of action. He went, in fact, for that purpose, near 1000 lades from Bayonne, into the centre of Germany, and did not return from thence, till winter had commenced among the Pyrenees. What an inter val 1 How precious and inestimable ! Bat was it improved by Spain and by England ? On the contrary., lit was completely neglected and thrown arrays The presumption, or the national ♦anity assd distrust of the S:mliards, rendered them slow to receive, and r.!lnctant to admit, the proffered ar•iatance of Great Britain. A coarideralaie time elapsed before any central Government was esta blished. The brilliant aureola at Baylen, the liclorions defence of Saragossa, and the Bight of Jo . 111 PH freta Madrid, intoxicated awl elevated the nation. instead of bending the united fbrees of England and of Spain against the armies or NET and Beest SIM, in Biscay and in Navarre ; instead of insoroving the time, in order to expel the enemy from that vulnerable portion of Spain, and gaining possession of the panes of the Pyrenees ; nothing mar effected. The English Ministry, equally des titute of enlarged views, and of sound judgment, as the Junta* of the Spanish Provinces; instead of Illeadit.g armies to St. Andero, and to Bilboa, .where aloue they could have been usefully or pro- Manly eruplo3ed, looked only to the reduction of Portugal. Lisbon. not St. Sebastian or Ps►upe iuns, occupied Lord CAITLEIIIitAGII% and Mr. Caw:4Bmi* thoughts. Generals, if possible, still Jess capable of to.kint aitsittg the glory of the British Arms, than the Administration was formed to p:an a wise' or a judicious campaign, were successively feat to Portugal. The day of imiera was fool- )ovrell by the Convention of Cintra. Je NOT and Ins army were sent back by .ea t., Rochdh• ; while oar o rig troops, which mi4iit have been transported by the middle of September to %%eve heft to Laud their way through the meet illipmcti alit pro vii:ces of Portugal, and Spain, to hfairld, or to the Ebro.—What has been the remit of such illeiPsei ty, error, and misconduct ? The ruin of the common canted! BoahrAr.TE is already ut Madrid, before Hoer and Moods hare etii•ctt.d a junction at Sala manca, two hundred miles from the theatre uf war ; while BAIRD, still farther off, is alteruately advanc ing and retreatiog amour the immotains of Leon or of Gallicia. Even the Central Junta, however pa. triutic in their feelings, have mauffested a want of capacity in all their measures. They neither display the energies of despotism, nor the enthusiasm of freedcm. The invocations made to the Spaniards, to arm in defence of their imprisoned Kiug, and of their insulted comitry, may touch the upper, and even the middle orders. Blit, the people, the pea svet,the mechanic, and the laboarer, will they feel the nice emotious of loyalty, national dignity, or independeui e ? Will they not KA, are we to hate any ditui tttt taxes—aily remission of feudal servitude —any amelioration of our individual con dition ? Huve not NAPOLLON and JOSEPH, more profound and more subtle, touched this delicate wire? Have not they promised, in their proelatna-. tons, a golden age to the Spanish people, a retitle the' of tits royal expenses, and engaged to give a sort of Constitution to Spain, ruder the new dy nasty 1 Has the Central Junta ever issued or sane honed such a declaration ? Never. And can we wonder that the people do not or will not rise in a muss, to restore FERDINAND the Vilth ? They sight hare been propelled upon their invaders, hut the time, we fear, is eve., avid cannot be recovered." Such are the opinions which we hear, and which, it must be confessed, it s not easy to refute or to reject. We must, nevertheless, know touch more of the circumstances couneeted with, and conse quent upon, the capitulation of Madrid, before we venture to decide on the probable fate of Spain.— If the Spaniard* are net conquered, the loss of an opeu and indefensible capital can be an event of no moment. The Monitertr contains an article from Constasi tineple, probably written at Paris ; the object of which is to inculcate a belief that Mr. ADAIR has failed in bis mission to the Sublime Porte. ildsolanie Boa aaaaaa will reside at the Thud !crier during the whole of the winter. We may, therefore, presume that BONAPARTE means to re turn *hardy to Paris. The transports from which the Dragoon Guards and Royal Horse Artillery disembarked. sailed on Friday morning from Portsmouth, for Vigo, empty ; but ou Saturday morning orders were sent after them, to put into Falmouth, instead of proceeding to their original destination. 'This order, it is pre sumeil, is in consequence of the more favourable news received ou Thursday, from Spain. They amouut to upwards of 14 sail. Several transports, with 600 Artillery Drivers on board, sailed with there. As bad news, however, was received from France on Saturday, the countermand will pro bably be recalled, and the transports will he di rected to proceed for Spain, as was originally in tended. Such is the steady system of policy pur sued by Ministers. It changes with every whiff— Every new blast produces a new determination. We have been hitherto accustomed to look to the weathercock for the state of the wind. The Thalia, of 36 guns, Capt. Kixtiw, from Gibraltar, arrived at Portsmouth, on Thursday, ■nd was released from quarantine on Saturday.— She gulled on the .26th ult. haejng had northerly wind* 3,1110 e that time. Lord COI.LINGWOOD was off Toulon on the 17th ult. watching the French lied there , . Capt. Du N ISAR, of the Leonidas ; and Captain SANDERS, of the Atlas, came passengers in the Thalia, having given up the command of their Alva for a tittle, nn account of ill health. On Thursday afternoon, arrived at Plymouth, the American ship Violets, Capt. GIRDRON, from L'Oricnt, which place she left on Monday last; she has on board a Messenger with dispatches from the French Goveroment to that of America, and came here to take on hoard a Me►senger from this country, whose arrival from London at Plymouth was hourly expected. She brings intelligence that BONAPARTE, with his brother JOSEPH, entered Madrid on the Yd instant. The expeditioo against Spain is @toted to be very unpopular throughout France. As Congress met on the 7th of Novem ber, we may consider it • fortunate circumstance that the intelligence from Spain that would reach America about that time, was unfavourable to France, and that the determination of that coun try respecting the Eusbargo must have been taken before any account of the reverses sustained by the Spanish nation could be received in that country. The Gazetit of Saturday contains His MAJZI. TT's Declaration respecting the Overtures from Erfurt'', the Prorogation of Parliament from the 16th to the 19th of January. and au Order open ing a free trade with the Spanish part of St. Do mingo. On Thursday a meeting of a Committee of the Privy Council was held at the Council Chamber, Whitehall, to hear and deteunine Prize Appeals. Several transports are ordered to Cork, to take oats and forage to Spain, for the use of our ca valry. On Friday, the 77th Regiment marched into Southomptou from 'il'inehrister. to ba quartered , unti! the Ercetion for the County is teriuiosterl. • D ' NO a i • al' • MINISTERIAL 40B.11.1NDIZING. The LORD MAYOR RIVI AI.DERMEN of the City of Loudon have been allowed, from time imme morial, a pre-eminence in gormamlizing, but a powerful net of rivals has arisen iu the rersoos of the present Ministers, RA appears by the following extracts frutntlie Treasury Journals of last week: Mr. Secretary Calming had a Klett dinner party, us Tues day, at his house in 1111 ru tuu-sti ref, Rca Lel. y-tiquare. Wednesday the Cabinet Ministers dined with the Deka of Purtlat.d, at his huuse in Piccadilly. Lunt and Lady tlitichinhruuke, Lady Easily Stewart, and a select party of Mends, dined on Thursday with Luiil and Lady Castlereagh, at their house in St. Jases'a•sgnure. Thursday Sir A. Wellesley, and a select party of fileeds, dined with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at his house in Downing -sheet. The Pottoguese Ambassador pv• • gras.l dinner, on Tbunsday, to Mr. firceetary Calmly 's, at his house in South Audley-street. Friday Mr. Secretary Canning gave a grand dinner, at his house in Briton-street, to Lord St. Helen's, Ur. How sound, Ste. The above are only a few from the long list of Ministerial entertainments given in the coure alma. week exclusive of tho►e on Saturday last, the re turns of which will probably appear in the Tres aury Prints of this day, Saturday being a favourite convivial day with these Gentry. It thu. appears that the course of public events ha, no effect upon the appetites of Ministers. The King of SWEDEN may be drivels out of Finland, and BONAPARTE may drive into Madrid, but these things, how ever deplorable, do not interrupt the regular course of Cabinet dinners, of feasting, and meni tneut, and yet it all goes, to use a vulgar phrase, into a bad skin ; for, with the exceptions of the Duke of PDITLAND and Earl Camps's, there is not one of the present Ministers who looks as if he were even hatifei. Saturday morning early, the Duke of YORK left town for Windsor, and }had• an andience of His MAJESTY upon military business ; afterwards spent the day with their Ms., r-srlas and the PaiNcasses. and in the evening went to Outlands. His Royal Highness is expected in town this day. His Ms.ritsrir rode on horseback on Saturday in Windsor Park, accompanied by the Duke of Yoga, Princetwes A oititisTa, Septtt.t, and .tist.3.la. Yesterday ins rti iig His Al J MIT 7, Prin cesses AUGUSTA, SOPHIA. sod ASIESIA, St:COGilpsiltiod by Ladies CA/LOUSE W•LDEOSAYE, G. MUSHILY. and 'MSS VTIIII, MLA Gtoefill CAHTWILIGHT end FITZROY, rode to St. GeargesChapel, and heard a Sermon by the Rev. Mr. DIGSY, from the 3d Chapter of St. Luke, and 4th verse— "As it is written is the book of the worts of knish the Prophet, se) ing, lie voice of owe crying in the wilderness prepare ye tbs way ef the Lard, nishe ins paths straight." Fier Roywl Higheem the Ptiaosaa of WALLIS pm a grand dinner, yesterday, at Blackheath, to Admi ral Araeoca, the Peanueensn Ameassaima, and several other foreigners of distinction. Lord FOLEY gave a grand dinner. yesterday, at his house in Hill-street, Berkeley-square, to Cap tain MELI,I6II, Colonel COTTON, Mr. NORTON, and several other faehionables. His Lordship will leave town to-morrow for Leicestershire. The Countess of Pansaoas is in a way that prouli4es an increase to that Dibble Family. The Hon. Captain Bouveam will. on the 47th inst. lead to the altar the beautiful Miss Mar, daughter of the late MAY, Esq. of Hale house, near Dawnton, Wilts, and formerly a Di rector of the East India Company ; the ceremony is expected to take place at Longford Castle, the seat of his father the Earl of RA DNort. Mr. BRAHMA appeared to the greatest advan tage, on Saturday aught, at Drury-lane Theatre. in the Opera of The Cabinet, which attracted a crowded and brilliant audience. Earl SEFTON entertained a select party at din ner, yesterday. at Ins house, in Arlington -street. The public have conceived so good an opinion of the new farce iu the Haymarket, that they go with shining fete, but not unwillingly, to &hoot. The Countess of !Ammo'. is in a fair way of recovery from her lute accident. By the recent death of his mother, Lady FOR.. RESTER, the Hon. Mr. Gaisision, one of the Re presentatives far St. Albea's, succeeds to a peerage in the three United Kingdoms. The Marquis of ABERCORN, we believe, is the only other Noble Lord who enjoys the honour of ths tripartite Peerage. Earl and Countess CHOLSIONDELEY left town, yesterday meriting, for Houghton-hall, Norfolk. On I. tiday last, Sir MOUNTAOLE and Lady CIIOI.MICIAIf, arrived at their house, at Grantliain, to spend the winter. having returned from a visit to Mr. HARRISON. at Norton-place. The Countess of Essex toutinues in an irnpro yin! state from her late s evere i n di s p os i t i on . Earl CARDEN'S house in Arlington-street is on dergoing a thorough repair, material alterations, and new beautifying, under the direction of Mr. CURDY. The following rejoicings have taken place at Wellington. Shropshire, the seat of Colulivl Et- Toe, on the marriage of his son with Miss CAMP BILL. Grand preparations were made for their ar rival to dinner on Monday last. Before three o'clock two tine oxen were presented to the fire, and by eleven in the forenoon the streeta exhibited. in addition to these, not less than 12 or 14 fine sheep. and a large pig. Sheep were eke roasted in the villages of Eyton and Long-Lane, in Cies:tine neighbourhood Perpetual bell-ringing nes kept up throughout the day, both at Wellingt.m and the neighbouring places. Oa tb. it arrival, the horses were taken from the carriages by the pin n iece, who drew the Hymeneal party to the hall, where they were disraistied, after the most hospita ble entertainment, and retired tv enjoy their roast meat and plenty of old stingo. DZ4IW OP THE EARL OF - - !Mayday morsing died, at his house, is Hertfordmtred, May-fair, tise Earl of I.krerpoul. His Lordship, as *all front lits extreme age as natural infirmities, had twig batii a declining state, but it is supposed, that tl.t Wenn he exp.. linked a weik since, at the accident which betel bs iat.y, net of her dins having caught the, sod dr.Alrally buret tier, Irefore the dames xet.i.extioaaisLesi, greatiy faci•itated his dissolution. Hrs Lurdsl.ip is sell known to base eve rimmed the confidence of his Surer...go far amity yeam and hes frequently been dearrihed by pedlar*, writers as the secret of the king. Ills Lord,hip wan collector of the illations inweids, in the Port of London, and Clerk of the Pel:s in Irland. He was born May the 16th, t 737, and married, tir.s, in Fe. brintry 1769, Amelia, daughter of William Watts, F. Cu re, nor ut Fort William, in !kepi, by wko, (mho died Judy 1771 i) he had issue Robert Banks Jeukiason (Lord linwkeshary) who succeeds to his titles mad estates. He married, iscoudly, June 22, 17tit, Catherine, daughter uf Sir ('cell Bishops, Baronet, and widow of Sir Charles Cope, of Orton Longuerille, Baronet, who was his Lordship's brat comic., and by her he bad issue Cheeks Cecil Cope'Jenkns. son, M. l' fur Sandwich, and Charlotte, maenad to the James Walter tirimmost, only eon of James lo is roust Grisindon. His Loni,hip was is his mighty-second year. THEOBJED APKENN.I, ESQ, On Tuesday last, died at his houce in Great Denmark street, Dublin, Thaisbaid air Kama% Esq. He Was a poli tical writer of mmeit misbrity, owl ostioyed hog Government .a IK 11111011 of sod. per ammo lbw post services ; bet Ike moat hiriunate eircumetillate Of hie life was laia uaiou with the Issautifid Mrs. D.Deremitt relict of the late Francis Rl'Der mutt, Eau. • Room (While sourehuit, of the drat respect ability, and who hod tat hi. .Y.w. considerable pasture., sad large femme* to ids ektlMu , who resided with her. This Lady is skew to Arm Loam, East. u( Illiketan, as 4 mon to the anima! flbrewelaosy_ EARL OF ATHLONE, Viscount Atheist, Same of Banymore, died muldroly ea Tuesday last, at ha buss, at Teddiugton, in th e &kb year of his age Ile a succeeed is his titles mid muse by Frederick Viscount Aihriut. His Lordship married Ass Elisabeth Girristicoe, Duroams De Tail. De Seerosbartla y by chum he has left several children. Earl Mosta left town. yesterday, for Windsor. On Saturday a meeting of the Board of Trade wen held at the Office in Whitehall. The first stone of Covent-Garden Theatre was to have been laid ou Saturday by the Prince of Wates, but the work was not iu sufficient remit. new; the ceremony, therefore, is postponed till next Sat unlry. A Cram. C'en. case will be tried the ensuing week, in which the Plaintiff laid hie ilantawns o r i g i na ll y at 30,0001. ; but, in consequence of some aggra vating plea put in by the Defendant, the Plaintiff hiss obtained prrutismon to amend the record, and has increased his damages to 100,0001. A considerable embarkation of artillery will take place to-morrow at Portsmouth, for Spain. • The &onager, I.I7XTON, from London, for the West Indies, has put into Plymouth, Meer being driven over to the French coast, and nearly as far as Falmouth, for which place the inteuded to sail on Friday last, to join convoy. Letters from Gibraltar, dated the 23d leek state, that accounts had just readied that garrison of another Revolution limits* taken place is the wretched Government at Algiers. it was effected by some of the soldiers of the Dev's army, who had returned from Tunis. They forced their way into the Palace, and assassinated the Dee in his own apartment. Tim election of a Member for Hampshire, to succeed Sir Heeler MUDD AY, will etitmaimice the day, at the Castle in Winchester. Sir SAIMIL Hoop hoisted his gag at Pon.. mouth, on Friday morning, on board the Zealous. of 74 guns, Capt. Box% and, with that seal for the service which distinguishes hi. character, sailed on Saturday %amnia& with secret orders—it is supposed for Vigo aid Cadiz.—The wind, how. ever, being foul, forced him to anchor at St. Hes len's on Saturday afternoon. Chichester beast market, on Wednesday, pro duced some prime beef, and which (being the last before Christmas) was brisk of sale, at an advance of price since laud day, ss. ss. 3d. and even ss. ed. per stone being given. Prime mutton reaches sa. Pork ss. 3d. Wheat 41 to 231. per load. Bar ley 44 to 476. per quarter. Pease 7s. per bushel. Potatoes 75. per sack. Hay 41. 15s. to M. per ton. A Court Martial was held, on Saturday, at Portitnouth, us Thomas Hughes,* marine, of Rt.; Masacre's ship Ins, for mutiny. lie was sen tenced to receive 300 lashes.—Rear-Admiral WAY, President. The Goshawk. Captain Nate, sailed, on Fri day, from Portsmouth, for I.i.non, with 100,0001. in gold, and 3,0001. private property on board. Lieutenants Loacit and SIMMONDS are appoint. ed agents fur transports. The Prince Arthur brig of war. which has been superbly fitted up, as a present to the Emperor of Mnaucco. is arrived at Portgraouth, previous to her sailing fur Mogadore. The Royal Geor ! le privateer, from the Capeef Gan► [lupe, is captured by the Carona* French frigate, and carried into the ales of France. The Reliance, SPINE, from Gotteubmg, is lost on the HOME Sand, near Lowe.toff. Tim Say , Fo uru, from Lisbon. is rem down in Sea Reach. Some farther particulars of the murder of Mr. WHITE. of the Hoo, in Kent, have been received. It appears that he a short time since detected a ighhour's servant in the act of robbing his 111 , 1* ter, to whom he gave information, and the man was discharged. The fellow vowed revenge, and purchased a Kan. I'he piece found is proved to have been the same sold to him ; sod, what stroll , - ly corroborates the suspicion that he vies the per petrator, i t i his absenting himself from home ever since the murder was committed. lie has been taken iato custody at Babehuld, and removed to Kochester. Ou Thursday, the wind having come fair, nearly 400 sail of ruenriusutoorn and transp,orto inl.d from Portsmouth fur their *event; destination..— Saturday afternoon the anal shifted, at blew gale, winch will Mali*. Bleat either t.. lout buck, or Into one of the ports to the ors.tw ord. Governor Sir Chant.** Bolan on. and final, the Honour able I%pr. LAZE, sort C..surt. Buss, R. N. wined in La lanirt—llihjot-Cati. lusso, Britt...General* Ono* FRKIICII, dna D•VID STEW met% of the 11 est healing Ratigno,, went in the Togllve& Castle, for the West Ldiaw