Norfolk gazette and publick ledger (Norfolk [Va.]), 1809-07-17 00:00:00

We have presented the Foreign Intelligence, received at New-York, which, if true, is certainly of the highest importance, but candour obliges us to say parts of it rest on slender foundation, and must be received with great caution.
We place confidence in the account of the surrender of Soult, it was under all circumstances to be expected; but the numbers of his army are exaggerated. His force when he entered Portugal was between 20 and 22,000 men. In the different actions which the French have had since, from sickness and desertion, it is probable his force was reduced to not more than 13,000, which a letter states had surrendered.
The successes of the Spaniards in the north of Spain are probably correctly stated. The recapture of St. Andros, in a military view, is of great importance to the Patriots, as affording them the means of receiving reinforcements in the north of Spain by sea, from England or Portugal, so as to place General Ney at Corunna in a perilous situation for retreat. Upon the whole we have no doubt as to Spanish affairs, and that they are in the best train; the patriots will we do believe expel the French once more from their country.
Altho' the declaration of war by Russia, is very circumstantially stated, we must doubt it. The accounts from Portugal, state that such an event was expected in England on the 18th of May. Now the intelligence comes from Malta to Lisbon, by a vessel 15 days from the former place, this intelligence was at Lisbon the first of June.
The emperor was at his court by the last accounts, and where this declaration must have first issued; when we consider the geographical situation of St. Petersburg, London, and Malta, we cannot suppose that a matter of such importance could be known at Malta, or even at Trieste, as soon as it would be known at London. We put this news down as more than doubtful.
The Austrian victory over the French under Eugene Beauharnois, wants confirmation, tho' very circumstantially related; we should incline to doubt until we have further information. It is probable that on the side of Italy, the Austrians have had some success, but hardly to the extent stated.
When we wrote our remarks on the recent intelligence, we had not received or noticed the remarks of the North American, and the intelligence upon which those remarks were founded. We insert both. It appears that on the 16th of April a battle was fought, which by the French papers, it is agreed excited great alarm. From the article under the head of Trieste (Italy) 20th April, it appears the French army was literally dispersed. We have no doubt now, but that a general battle was fought on the 16th of April, in which the French have suffered severely.
COMMUNICATED.
On Friday last, departed this transitory life, in York-Town, Va. Mrs. LUCY TAYLOR, consort of Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, of that place. She lived justly respected, and her early death is truly lamented, by all who knew her.
At St. Jago de Cuba, the 26th June, Capt. TIMOTHY TUTTS, late commander of the Ship Elizabeth, of Baltimore.
From the Boston Palladium of July 7.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, July 5. I am sorry to inform you of a most distressing accident that happened yesterday afternoon at Fort Constitution in the mouth of this harbour; which for years past, exceeds any thing known in this town for many years. In discharging the Cannon about 5 o'clock, some fire, (unknown how) communicated to the Ammunition Chest which, it is said, contained 400 cwt. of powder, and immediately blew up. Six persons were known to be killed instantly, and twelve were dangerously wounded; besides a great many that were on the ramparts, of whom it is impossible to tell the fate; one that was brought up to the last night died this morning of his wounds. The body of one of the soldiers was picked up this forenoon near the fort, being blown over into the sea.
It was a most horrid sight, to see the mangled and torn bodies lying in every direction. A leg in one place, a head in another. One man was instantly reduced to atoms; the upper part of another man's body was found, parted in the middle, the other part is not yet discovered. I was on the spot not five minutes before the explosion, with I should think, 100 people, when which being heard we left the place; had it not been for this fortunate circumstance, we undoubtedly should have shared the fate of our unfortunate companions. Capt. Washburn's house was nearly destroyed, had it not been for the chimney the whole would have fallen, and its inhabitants been buried in its ruins. Capt. W. was not hurt, his lady was twice thrown down, altho' but slightly injured.
Five of the bodies with the fragments of others, are to be buried this afternoon. The names of those known are, sergeant Albert; two privates, M'Dougal and Wilson, Mr. Pickering of Newington, and a boy belonging to Kitery. People are missing, and their friends are anxiously inquiring for them. It is feared there are a great many that never will be found.
JULY ORATION.
Delivered on the late Anniversary of American Independence, by William Tador, jun. Esq. at Boston.
The following extracts are made from this admirable production of genius and learning, as a specimen of its general merits.
ENGLAND.
"England holds the naval power, and secures every sea, almost without finding an enemy. France marshals the continent in her train, and from the extremity of Russia to the Gulf of Finland, moves the armies of Europe at her discretion. Examine the parties engaged in this tremendous warfare: on one side a nation not numerous, but brave; not warlike, but free; supporting itself without burthens, yet maintaining a steady ascendancy; contending not against ordinary defeat, but against the power of the continent, and subject to double enemies. On the other, a great nation, possessed of soldiers,
passionately fond of military glory, and abounding in skillful generals; her whole force directed by one man, who suffered no murmur of disobedience unpunished; who any kind of opposition, without disgrace. With twenty princes trembling at his power, and holding the lives and resources of their subjects at his command; still universal empire is not within his reach, till his enemy is destroyed. Defeat to one party, is destruction; to the other, only a diminution of ill-gotten power."
"Who can hesitate on which side to wish success? Who, that has feeling, honour, or independence, that will not mingle his prayers with those, which every corner of Europe, are hourly, though maledictory, ascending to the Throne of Eternal Justice, to blast the common oppressor of mankind? If the British power were now destroyed, how long could justice protect her remotest altar from profanation? How long would liberty be allowed a resting or a hiding place? This is the last barrier, between whatever people are unsubdued, and universal despotism: may it last to withstand the assaults of the storm, till the genius who directs it, is himself overwhelmed by its fury."
"The British power, great as it fortunately is, does not form a permanent cause of alarm to other nations, because it contains within itself the seeds of its own decay. A re-establishment of the balance of power to restore peace, and after a few years of peace, half her ships would be rotten, half her experienced officers no more, while the same period would be creating and bringing forward the resources of her neighbours."
"It cannot be the desire of any man to be at war with France. She has the strongest guarantees, that we wish to be at peace with her. The advantages we derive from a commercial intercourse, and the evils of war, are sufficient security, that we would preserve a state of amity, if no sacrifices of our independence are required. Yet she should not be allowed to proclaim us her allies; and to allege that she plunders our merchants to second the views of our government. Do not let us, however, mistake a miserable spirit of enmity to individuals, nor the fostering unworthy prejudices, for the political violence that is necessary. Let us appreciate justly the splendid traits of the French character, while we watch every motion of that ambitious government."
"The present sovereign of France, though he has lived only half the common age of man, is the most wonderful character that the world has produced. Immeasurably ambitious, indefatigably active, a consummate politician, a daring soldier, a splendid protector of the fine arts, he is speedy of every species of renown, and anxious to eclipse the splendour of ancient and modern times. His flatterers seldom talk now of his military exploits, but dwell upon his policy, his institutions, and his public works. To compare him with Alexander, Cæsar or Charles XII. is viewing only parts of his character. He directs the movements of his veteran armies, and suggests the measures of his intriguing cabinet. The acts of every department of government emanate from him, and every proposition is submitted to his revision. His generals or his ministers perish at his nod, and his senate and his noblesse hold their existence at his will."
"He has planted himself in the middle of Europe, while his numerous branches spreading over tributary kingdoms, like those of the sacred tree of India, take root, and are all connected with the parent stock. He knows that after the bloody prescription of Sulla, the monster died in his bed, and that the clemency of Cæsar cost him his life; he therefore never does a deed of mercy, but through policy, nor is ever turned by compunction, from an act of useful cruelty. He found the chariot of government drawn at random, with frantic, revolutionary vigour, while those who feebly held the reins, were hurled from their places and trampled under foot: he vaulted into the seat, converted it into a car of victory, which, with sounding lash, and steady impetuosity, he drives over prostrate Europe."
"Some have supposed, judging him by other men, that conscience would haunt and distract him. Be not deceived—Ambition is not impeded for a moment—the hour of conscience is not yet arrived. He has no leisure for conscience. The new map of Europe is not yet completed; some plans of conquest are yet unexecuted; some nations that have been overrun, are yet unsettled. If he be destined to sit in triumph on the conquered world; if the nations of Europe, accustomed to their chains, wear them without murmuring or reluctance; then, alas! too late for freedom, the mighty despot, with no other world to conquer, may find, instead of the charms of repose, the horrors of conscience."
NEW YORK, July 9.
By the ship Caroline, in 39 days from Cadiz, we have received Seville Gazettes to the 28th of May; and by the ship Paragon, Hague, Lisbon papers to the 5th of June. From these papers the editors of the New-York Gazette have made a translation of several important articles.
By the Caroline, we learn verbally, that the French army had retreated from Seville, and it was supposed they were on their return to France.
We have received a letter from our correspondent, dated Lisbon, June 3, enclosing a paper of that city of the 4th, stating the arrival of a British brig in 15 days from Malta, with the official news of a Declaration of War on the part of Russia against France. Our correspondent also notices, in a triumphant strain the brilliant success of the Austrians in the Tyrol, and the surrender of the French army in Portugal to the British and Portuguese troops. Soult, with a few of his troops, had, it is said made their escape. This with the taking of Oporto and St. Andros, occasioned the greatest rejoicings at Cadiz.
Capt. Johnson, says he had a Spanish paper containing the Russian official Declaration of War against France, which, through pressing solicitation, he gave to an officer of a British cruiser, who boarded his ship. He speaks in the most positive strain on this subject; and his assertion is confirmed by capt. Howie, who came passenger in the Caroline.
Capt. Hague, of the ship Paragon, sailed from Lisbon on the 17th of June; he informs us, that the news of the surrender of Oporto to the English, together with the 25,000 French troops, reached Lisbon on the 1st of June. That the English merchants, &c. who had left Oporto, previous to the French taking possession of it, were returning. Lisbon was situated two nights, in consequence of this glorious news.
It was also reported, that the Austrians had obtained a complete victory over the French, the latter having lost 25,000 men including the killed, wounded and prisoners.
A considerable force of cavalry arrived at Lisbon from England on the 2d of June, destined for the interior of Portugal; and it was supposed that they would proceed to Spain. The British and Spaniards were making use of exertions to clear the country of the French, and there was no doubt of their success. They calculated that Buonaparte had enough to do in other quarters of Europe.
It was also reported at Lisbon, that Russia had declared war against France.
Extraordinary Gazette of the Government.
By official letter received from Trieste, dated April 20th, the supreme central junta, have advice of the archduke John having beat the French army of
50,000 men, under the command of the viceroy of Italy, Beauharnois, at Sacile, Pordenone, and Conegliano.
They have also received official intelligence the same channels, advice of RUSSIA HAVING DECLARED IN FAVOUR OF AUSTRIA, AGAINST FRANCE.
It appears from our papers that an action was fought on the 19th of April, in the Tyrol, between the Austrian and French armies; the advanced guard of 35,000 men, was twelvethousand by the latter, being 50,000 strong, under the command of Prince Eugene Beauharnois; when the archduke John came up with a body of reserve of 20,000 men, and entirely defeated the French army, with the loss of 20,000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners, chiefly the former, with the whole of their artillery and baggage. Prince Eugene was wounded.
July 11.
Address of the Central Junta to the Spaniards inhabiting that part of Spain under the controul of France.
SPANIARDS! Ye who groan in the provinces occupied by our tyrants, know, that Napoleon, wanting forces to oppress Austria, demands one hundred thousand of you to reinforce his armies! Thus what security is given you, in his invitations to return and enjoy the repose of your homes? He promises not to molest you then, are but so many alluring attractions, by which he meditates the occasion to drag you thence to these remote climes! And to what end? To fight against those who have risen to defend our cause, and to maintain our independence—against our brothers!!! Who among you will consent to be led on to the accomplishment of some undertaking? Who of you will go to share in Germany, the detestation that accompanies the armed satellites paid to carry devastation through Spain? Did you think to find repose? Lose these hopes! Nor house, nor fire-side, nor family, nor the endearments of domestic enjoyments, nor the society of friends, nor the useful and innocent labours of your fields, shall ever more be yours, unless you resist the independence of your country from the perfidious grasp of your oppressors. Fly then to her standards; then you will find liberty, security and honour. They wave for you to join them! If any of you, seduced by the hopes of a tranquility and repose, not now to be found, have ill-advisedly withdrawn from her banners, your country forgives you this imprudent flight, the offspring of momentary weakness!—Return!—No alternative now remains between war and peace—Choose whether it is not more glorious to become the virtuous defenders of your country in need of your aid; than to rank among the French—Parricides towards men, sacrilegious towards your religion, impious towards God, and to live and die loaded with the curses of heaven and earth.
Real Alcazar de Sevilla, 21st May, 1809.
MARTIN DE GARAY.
PHILADELPHIA, July 12.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Cádiz, to his friend in this city, dated May 27, 1809.
"It affords me much pleasure to inform you that the patriots have been blessed with uncommon success, in almost every attack on the overbearing tyrants of this part of the world. Yesterday's authentic accounts arrived, of the French at Oporto, being completely routed, killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Gen. Soult is wounded and taken prisoner by the British at that place. Ferrol has lately been consumed with the magazines; 3 sail of the line and 5 ships set on fire by the French and the retreating. The Austrian army, forming a force of from 5 to 6 hundred thousand men, have already taken the field; hostilities commenced the 11th April. Intelligence has just been received, that near Vienna, the advanced guard, a division of 35,000 men, was twice repulsed by the French, but the Archduke, soon having come to their assistance at the head of a force of 20,000 men, completely defeated the French, who were 50,000 strong, under command of Eugene Beauharnois, Viceroy of Italy, who was wounded, the loss of French is 20,000 men, the greater part killed or wounded—the remainder prisoners, besides the whole of their artillery and baggage. The Archduke is in pursuit of the enemy."
"May 28th, News has just arrived from Seville, announcing for a certainty that the Russians and Prussians have joined the Austrians against France. All the bells in this place are now ringing, as also firing of cannon and rejoicing on the occasion."
Statement and situation of the Austrian Force.
   Army of Germany, men commanders in chief.     The Danube, 180,000 Arch. Charles.   Poland, 40,000 Gen. Kehler.   Italy 120,000 Arch. Ferdinand.   Dalmatia, 94,000 Arch. John.   Tyrol, 30,000 Gen. Valentin.   Reserve, 30,000 Gen. Cholien.   96,000 Eupr. in person.  
Total 590,000
Extract of a Letter.
Lisbon, May 27.
No alteration has occurred in the state of our market—Bread stuff continues to be the soul of what business the place affords. The price of other articles are nominal; but as arrivals have partly subsided, the currency will acquire more steadiness, aided by the country being nearly entirely free from the enemy. No decision has yet taken place relative to cotton and tobacco. The government seems unwilling to bring the point to issue."
BALTIMORE, July 11.
From our correspondent in New-York, July 9.
"The ship Caroline, Smith, in 39 days from Cadiz, and the ship Paragon, Hague, 32 days from Lisbon, the former brings official and the latter verbal accounts of an undoubted veracity of the declaration of war on the part of Russia against France. Also, that Marshal Soult and his army of 13,000 have surrendered themselves prisoners to the combined English and Portuguese armies without firing a shot."
"In consequence of the papers being as yet only in part translated, I am unable to give further particulars, but what you have, you may depend upon as correct."
July 12.
We have to-day continued from the New-York papers the important articles of intelligence brought by the arrivals from Lisbon. We have added some of the translations from Dutch and French gazettes, with which the two morning democratic papers have been supplied by the arrival of Mr. Biay's ship Sally, in 61 days passage from Amsterdam. The latter are of no great intrinsic moment, but we have inserted them chiefly that the reader, by comparing dates and events, may fairly appreciate the grand and decisive conflict between the archduke John and the army of the viceroy of Italy. This has been confirmed through several channels, and attaches a considerable degree of credit. The important success of Romana and the fall of the troops under the command of marshal Soult, though the number of prisoners taken from the latter must be exaggerated, are confirmed with well grounded expectations derived from the previous difficult situation of the French.
(North American.)
Translated for the Baltimore American.
TREVISO, (Italy) April 20.
Some persons employed in the military depart-
ment and others in the train of the French army, in a panic after the affair of the 16th, retired in precipitation to Vicenza. Their flight gave rise to the most extraordinary reports, which grew in going from mouth to mouth as it always does in such cases. His majesty has published an order of the day, that all those attached to the army, who shall have not returned to their duty in 48 hours, shall be tried by a military commission as to the causes of their absence. It is certain that our army is already on the Piava, and that his royal highness was on horseback at peep of day, visiting the advanced posts.
TRENTE, (Tyrol) April 12.
A column of the French troops from Verona, joined by the Bavarians which were here, have marched upon Insbruck.
A second column has arrived which was immediately reinforced by a respectable body of Italian troops.
MILAN, April 22.
A letter from a magistrate of Trento of the 14th gives the following:
"The Austrians penetrated on the 7th inst. the valley of Pusteria, and on the 11th occupied the town of Bressanone, but they were dislodged by the first column of French troops from Rotte, Anfo Verona, which was joined by the Bavarian troops cantoned in the environs of Bressanone, on the 14th another column of the French army arrived from Trento, and took a position. On the 15th it was reinforced by a considerable body of Italian troops."
"The French and Italian troops who are at Trieste and its vicinity have been well received."
Notwithstanding the reports in circulation, we can assure the public that our troops are in possession of Tyrol. The division of Fontinelli occupies the city of Trento.
TREVISO, April 17.
Yesterday a part of the French gave battle to the Austrian army upon the Silis. The action began at 9 o'clock in the morning, and was very obstinately maintained on both sides. The village of Portia was taken and retaken several times, but notwithstanding the superiority of the Austrian troops as to numbers the French preserved the advantage.
From Jamaica papers received at the office of the American.
KINGSTON, June 10.
Previous to his embarking major general Carmichael issued the following:
G. O. Head Quarters, 4th June, 1809.
"The major general commanding, on his departure for a particular service, cannot avoid expressing the most sensible regret at separating from any part of the army he had the honour to command, fully assured of the zeal and spirit of the whole, and convinced that they are all animated by an ardent desire for an opportunity of emulating those British troops, who have vanquished his majesty's enemies in other quarters of the globe."
"The major general has endeavoured, as far as the circumstances of the service would admit, to take a portion of each corps, and to those whom he cannot have the happiness to take with him, he can only offer the consolation of a soldier, that of reflecting on the serious and important charge committed to them in the protection of this valuable part of his majesty's dominions; and the security of which he has no doubt of being fully insured as far as exertion and the most exemplary conduct can avail. The major general noticed with great pleasure, the anxiety of many individuals to proceed with the expedition, at the same time he felt the most severe reluctance at not having it in his power to comply with their wishes and his own inclination."
"The alacrity evinced by all the departments, and every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier in expediting the embarkation, affords a pleasing presage of what may be expected from their judgment and ardour."
"The French General has declared that "he was determined to defend his post to the last extremity;" and the troops under his command partaking of his sentiments, he depended too much upon their bravery and attachment to doubt of success." The major general commanding thinks it perfectly sufficient to make his known to those who serve a good king and a just cause, and to bear in their recollection the illustrious Nelson's communication to the Navy, "England expects every man to do his duty."
"The Motelle brig, of 19 guns, capt. Boys, sailed yesterday morning for Santo Domingo, having under her protection the transport brigs Agness and Charwell. The brig Marie Fortune, Duclos, likewise belonging to the expedition, was unable to sail yesterday, not having a sufficient quantity of provisions, &c. on board, but was positively to proceed this morning."
Received by the ship Paragon, capt. Hague, arrived at New-York, from Lisbon.
Lisbon, June 1.
The army commanded by general Romana attacked the French army at Meira, and followed them to Paradon. Here the enemy hid themselves in a forest, which they surrounded, fired on them, and killed many. They then retreated to Lugo, leaving in our hands 3 pieces of canon, &c. Our troops followed the enemy to the gates, surrounded the city, placing strong detachments at the gates, expecting that it will surrender by capitulation or compulsion. Fortunately the apostate Mazurrado, who has so long been praising Joseph in Astorga, is now shut up in Lugo.
P.S. This day, at 7 o'clock in the evening, we have received the official account of the retaking of Lugo, by marshal Nicolas Mahi, second in command of the army of the left, and commander in chief in the absence of the Marquis Romana. In this glorious action, the resistance made by the enemy was obstinate, but were defeated after losing 4000 men, in killed, wounded and prisoners.
June 2.
Letters from Elvas of the 28th ult. mention that general Cuesta had advanced his head-quarters from Monasterio to Fuente del Maestre.
The Dutch papers mention about a battle in Poland; archduke Ferdinand commanded there, but say nothing of its result, a convincing proof that the French were defeated, and it is believed that Moravia had fallen into his hands.
We learn from Seville, that it is certain that peace has been made between Russia and England, and that Russia had entered into the coalition against the grand usurper of Europe. With impatience we expect a confirmation, as we have good reason to give credit to this news which is given by col. Alava, who had arrived at Seville. In England, this event, as late as the 15th of May, was considered probable.
June 4.
Account of the battle fought on the 16th April, near Fontanafredda.
In their retreat the French left one regiment of the line, No. 35, in Padernone. This regiment, commanded by adjutant general Dugomier and colonel Breteau, was surprised by a strong body of Austrians, and compelled to surrender.
The Austrians in their march met in Saffole a French army of 3500 men, commanded by the viceroy Eugene Beauharnois, and the general of brigade Gillet, with 60 pieces of artillery, which, together with the reinforcements brought by general Cavaignac, who came from Italy with 15,000 men, making a total of 50,000 men. The Austrians, commanded by the archduke John commenced the attack fifteen

army of 35,000 men and were twice obliged to fall back; but having been joined by 20,000 men from the Tyrol, from Seravalle, and Ceneda, of Infantry and Cavalry, attacked the French army in the rear. The French army was thus placed between two fires. The battle lasted the whole day of the 10th. The French, after losing a great number of men abandoned the field to the victorious Austrians. Scarcely 15,000 men escaped, whose retreat was favoured by the conflagration of the village Roneo, which they set on fire to favour their retreat.
The loss of the enemy, was in killed, wounded and prisoners, upwards of 20,000 men. The vice-roy was wounded, a general Seras was made prisoner with a number of officers of rank. The Italian regiment called Velites laid down their arms, but were afterwards compelled by the French cavalry to take them up again. Soon after this regiment was destroyed by the Austrian cavalry. The loss of the Austrians was considerable. General Giulay was wounded after having two horses killed under him. Many of the staff officers were killed and wounded. Some of the regiments remained with very few officers, most of them having fallen in the action.
The Austrian army continued advancing. In short the field was left completely in the power of the Austrians. Upwards of 5000 wounded French have been found between Sissile and Padernone, among whom is general Desaix, who was wounded and made prisoner in the first action, and was sent to the house of Seignor Galvani.
PARIS, April 26. CONSERVATIVE SENATE.
In the sitting of the senate, on the 15th of this month, the prince arch-chancellor presiding, his excellency the minister of foreign affairs made the following communication by order of his majesty the emperor:—
REPORT.
Of his excellency the minister of foreign affairs, to his majesty, the emperor and king.
SIR,
"Your victorious arms made you master of Vienna; the greater part of the Austrian provinces were occupied by your troops; the fate of that empire was in your hands. The emperor of Austria sought you in the midst of your camp; he conjured you to put an end to that contest, which had proved so disastrous for those who had provoked it; he offered to promote in future the quiet of the continent, that you might employ the whole of your forces against England; he acknowledged that the fortune of the war had given you a right to require whatever would be convenient to you; and he vowed an eternal friendship and gratitude for you.
"Your majesty was affected by this sad example of the vicissitudes of human affairs; it was impossible to witness without profound emotions, a monarch lately so powerful, stripped of his power and of his grandeur. You showed yourself generous to the monarchy, to the sovereign, and to the capital; you might have retained your immense conquests, yet you restored the greater part—and the empire of Austria existed again: the 'crown' was replaced on the head of its monarch, and Europe witnessed, not without astonishment, this act of greatness and generosity.
"Your majesty has not received that tribute of gratitude, which you deserved; the emperor of Austria soon forgot his oath of eternal friendship. Scarcely was he re-established on his throne when, no doubt deluded by evil council, he engaged in no other pursuit than to reorganize his forces, and prepare for a new contest whenever a favourable opportunity should present itself. The Prussian war speedily developed these malevolent intentions—Austria hastened to re-unite her armies in Bohemia, but the battle of Jena disconcerted her projects. Being yet feeble and in want of men, cannon, and funds, she deferred until another occasion the execution of her hostile designs.
"The treaty of Tilsit closed that war: the victorious armies of your majesty, then unemployed, occupied the north of Germany and surrounded the Austrian territory. Surely, if political ambition guided your majesty, if the feebleness of the Austrian monarchy entered into your calculations of interest, and if interest influenced you; your majesty having no enemy, nothing to apprehend on the continent; at the head of 400,000 men, possessed of the grand duchy of Warsaw, Silesia, and Saxony—had Austria completely in your power, and might have demanded an explanation of the iniquitude which her conduct had excited during the Prussian war, and the delivery of Cattaro to the Montenegrins, which by the treaty of Presburg it should have been given up to France. Your majesty showed indulgence to the feeble; you were not actuated by the impulse of political usurpation; you have sought a maritime peace, and have had that object steadily in view, and in order that you might the more speedily accomplish that object, you resolved to terminate with Austria all existing difficulties. A treaty was made at Fontainebleau in October, 1807; you gave up Brannau, although Austria had not put Cattaro in your hands; the limits of the empire regulated on the side of Italy; and by means of an exchange, the Lisonza formed a limit, which besides being designed by nature, promised to present all dispute. Montevideo, so important to the security of Trieste, was ceded to the Austrians, another proof that you had no show of aggrandizement upon their territory. It was believed that there no longer existed any subject for discussion between your majesty and the emperor of Austria—no longer complaint, no longer demands, every thing promised a most perfect harmony. Your majesty wished to bury the past in oblivion; and the war which Austria had provoked, and the success which attended the French arms, gave the hope of a peace which no more could be disturbed.
"The horrible expedition to Copenhagen, and the orders of council of the 11th November, evinced to the world that England would no longer allow any neutral trade; this conduct aroused the indignation of all Europe, and the emperor of Austria participating in that sentiment, recalled his minister from England and shut his ports against her. But soon the troubles in Spain commenced, which were excited by the English—king Charles IV. was driven from his throne by his son, the dupe of the duke of Infante and other British partisans, whose object was to withdraw Spain from its alliance with France. Your majesty was desirous to prevent such a dangerous triumph for your enemies, and you opposed
* The Lisonza rises in the mountains near Polesa, in the Friul of ancient Venice, whence under the name of the Duria, it passed south near Udina, below which it is joined by several other streams which issue from the mountains of Carniola, and the neighbourhood of Ober-Donabach, the principal of these is the Hydria, which passes by Goritz and Gradisca, above which it is joined by the Vipava, and these united are called the Lisonza, which runs south to Togliacco and dividing the little promontory between Belvedere and St. Cantiano, it forms one of the canals which embrace the gulph of Trieste. This river formed the line which separated the kingdom of Italy from Austrian Italy.
† Montevideo is a strong military position, five miles east of the Lisonza, and ten east of Aquiluna. It is two miles west of the little river Timao, which falls into the Trieste gulph at Dojo, and is 13 north east of Trieste. The military road, by which the French kept open their communication with Trieste, passes near and under the power of Montevideo.
their efforts. When the unfortunate king Charles appeared at the court of Vienna, which succeeded the attack on which he was the victim, resigned his rights to the industry accepted the surrender, that you might re-establish the work of Louis XIV. and renew the league which had preserved peace between the two nations for a century. The fanaticism of the monks and the intrigues of the English, excited some of the Spanish provinces to insurrection. Then was seen more clearly than of which we had but a glimpse before the battle of Jena. The flames of discord and war blazed at mid-day, reanimating the hopes of Austria; it thought the moment favourable for breaking the treaty of Presburg, and it armed. A system was commenced which was termed offensive, by which, nevertheless, created numerous battalions of militia, with which Austria threatened to invade Germany—the whole population was called to arms, the Austrian princes traversed the provinces, spreading proclamations as if the monarchy was threatened with invasion.
"When your majesty was informed of these movements, you instructed me to make such representations, dictated by a spirit of peace, as the Austrian minister could not misunderstand. Arrived from Bayonne at Paris, your majesty explained yourself to that minister, in a conversation which has resounded throughout Europe, and which could not leave a doubt of the pacific sentiments, which you expressed with frankness and loyalty, as well as with grandeur and energy. Your majesty warned M. de Metternich, that the armaments, commenced without a motive, an inconsiderately continued, would produce a war, contrary to the wishes of your majesty, contrary to those of his Austrian majesty, and were contrary to the desire of his ministers, if they had returned to his pacific sentiments; so much does a impulse given to a people affect those who produce it, and who cannot stop the movements which have commenced.
"Perhaps, sire, it would have been a wise policy to have compelled Austria to disarm, when the whole of your victorious troops environed her frontiers; and, your majesty could, without doubt, have done so; if, full of confidence in the alliance of Russia, you had not taken the opinion of that power, which hoped that Austria would respect views the most wise, and wishes the most pacific. Besides, the ambassador of Austria promised, at that time, the armaments should be discontinued; the emperor of Austria wrote to your majesty attesting his pacific intentions; and the baron Vincent, the bearer of that letter, renewed the assurance. Your majesty believed them sincere; you gave the emperor of Austria the most solemn assurances of your pacific intentions, in letter written to him at the moment of your departure from Erfurth. And, at the instant that it gave, with so much frankness, assurances so well calculated to remove the apprehensions of Austria, if fear was the motive for its arming, you urged the princes of the Rhenish confederation to take up the arms they had formed to evacuate the fortresses in Silesia, and withdrew from Germany two hundred thousand of your troops.
"But in your majesty evince this confidence: your expectations have not been realized: military measures have been expedited in Austria with the greatest activity; and notwithstanding the right of the secession, the militia have been trained. The part of Austria has been opened to the English; vessels of war have arrived there, to convey merchandise to Malta, and from Malta to convey to the Levant English merchandise. The Spanish insurgents have been received and entertained at Trieste; the Austrian charge des affaires in Spain, was found to be an agent of the Junta, and the medium of a secret correspondence. The Austrian provinces have swarmed with libellers and libels against France; the gazettes of the country have circulated the grossest calumnies respecting the affairs of Spain; their authors have published a relation of the entire defeat of their French at Roncavalle, regretting no doubt that the reign of your majesty exhibited the counterpart of Charlemagne, without his fabulous masters. Measures so menacing and almost hostile, are added all those signs of malevolence, calculated to explain the object of the armaments, and the spirit of that system, which Austria adopted.
"Such was the information which your majesty received in Spain. You were victorious; the numerous Spanish armies were scattered like the dust; the English army was in full retreat, before your majesty had prepared to place it in danger. One of those accidents that vary produces, made you acquainted with the correspondence between the Spanish juntas, and the Austrian government, in which the former were promised 100,000 men, a promise not made to be performed, but in order by exciting such hopes, to sustain the courage of the insurgents.
"In short, as if Providence, which has so often watched over you and France, and conducted you through so many perils to such prodigious success, was disposed to develop the bad faith and perfidy of those who had not yet dared to avow themselves your enemies, the declaration of the king of England, of the 16th December, fell into your hands, and your majesty, found therein these remarkable sentiments:
"If there is, at this time, among the nations of Europe, any one, which maintains a doubtful and precarious independence of France, and yet hesitates, between the ruin that certainly awaits a prolonged inactivity, and the uncertain dangers that would attend an effort to escape that ruin—the doubtful prospect of a peace, between Great Britain and France, will not fail to be singularly attractive to it. The vain hope of a return of tranquillity may slacken their preparations, or the dread of being abandoned to themselves may shake their resolutions."
"Thus England herself called your majesty's attention to the preparations of Austria. Those preparations put an end to the measures adopted by the two emperors for obtaining a maritime peace. Your majesty no longer doubted but that you were threatened with another war. The agreement of Erfurth was violated; Austria armed against her benefactor. Your majesty was obliged, to remember what you owed to your people and your allies; and to renounce with regret, your pursuit of the English. If it may be permitted to a minister of your majesty, to interpret the public opinion, that opinion which is founded upon fifteen years of victories, of which there have been no equals, either in the talents of your lieutenants or the success which attended them; no one entertains a doubt, but that, if your majesty had continued with your army, not an Englishman would have returned to England. But your majesty made that sacrifice for the safety of these states—you returned from Valladolid to give the last orders relative to the state of Spanish affairs; to write to the princes of the confederation of the Rhine to prepare their contingents, a measure of precaution which the earlier apprehensions of your majesty had before rendered necessary; and your majesty arrived in Paris.
* Lord Sheffield, in a pamphlet which he published a few months ago, to prove that the American embargo and non-intercourse did England a great deal of good, asserts that by the means of the communication furnished by the Austrian emperor at Trieste, the road of Malta being made a depot, all Germany and the north of Europe was supplied with English manufactures.
"Your majesty was anxious to make another and a new effort to avoid this war, which you had foreseen; and you employed the intervention of the Russian secretary of state, M. de Romanzoff, who was then at Paris. After hearing the opinion of your majesty, that minister wrote upon the Austrian ambassador, and proposed an arrangement which should unite the three empires by the tie of a triple guarantee; which should give Austria, for the safety and integrity of her territory, the guarantee of Russia against any enterprise of France, and that of France against any enterprise of Russia: the guarantee of Austria, was likewise to be accepted by those two powers. It is painful to add, those propositions of the minister, M. de Romanzoff, had no effect. In the meanwhile hoping that some success might yet attend those overtures, and unwilling to believe that the delirium, which had been excited in Austria by a faction sold to England, would entirely silence the voice of wise men, true friends to their country, your majesty made no movements either among the troops of the Rhenish confederation, or your own divisions stationed in the interior and intended for maritime expeditions or for the succour of the colonies.
"Austria, however, very soon threw off the mask. Eight months incessant preparation had given her a new army, in the militia she had organized. In the middle of February, orders were given to put the whole in motion and to march them for the frontiers. The monarchy was completely under arms.
"For a long time Austria had been acting hostily to France, at Constantinople; she promoted the formation of a treaty between Turkey and England; and proceeded at length to declare herself openly.
"In the mean time, the cabinet of Vienna yet observed the most profound silence. From the time the treaty of Fontainebleau was signed, Austria had made no complaint or demands:—but your majesty had to complain of the assassination of your couriers in Croatia, of the insults offered to French officers at Trieste, of the violence employed against some of your Italian subjects; you were patiently awaiting redress for these wrongs, when on the 2d, March, the Austrian ambassador announced that his master had given orders to place his troops upon the war establishment. He gave as the excuse for that measure, the letter of advice which your majesty addressed from Valladolid, to the princes of the Rhenish confederation, some newspaper paragraphs, and finally your majesty's return to Paris. Your majesty instructed me to reply by a note, in which, declaring that there existed no subject for discussion between the two courts, I asked what Austria intended and what she wished for; repeating again the desire of your majesty—that the people of Europe should enjoy all the blessings of peace. M. de Metternich endeavoured, in his answer of the 12th, to prove that it was your majesty's armaments that had induced Austria to arm, when it is well known that you evacuated Silesia and the grand duchy of Warsaw, and transported 300,000 of your troops from Germany to Spain.
"It was not until then, that your majesty renounced your projects against the English, the expedition against Sicily, which had been prepared by the king of Naples, and the embarkations that had taken place at Brest, Boulogne, Flushing and Toulon. Every thing was countermanded, and the troops of your majesty directed towards Germany; those of the confederation of the Rhine were then also put in motion.
"No—it was not because France armed that Austria had taken up arms; it was on the contrary, because she expected to find France disabled by another war, and thought the moment favourable for establishing her ancient influence, and for which end she had made such vast efforts. She made war, because she expected success; she began it without any cause of complaint, without having asked anything, without a single proposition, without leaving any thing to the choice of the other party; she made war when your majesty, far from wishing to ask anything from her, had manifested no other views, than those for the general tranquillity and prosperity; when you had offered her a guarantee for the integrity of her territory; when the emperor Alexander himself, in expressing to the Austrian minister at his court his disapprobation of the conduct of the Austrian government again renewed the offer of his guarantee against France. Austria has made war against France, and against Russia, the two powers which had offered to defend and protect her. It is not then for her safety she has taken up arms. The treaties which fixed her condition are not regarded by her as binding; she said that they were concluded in the midst of disasters, as if the cessions acquired by victory did not pledge the honour and faith of the vanquished, especially as the generosity of the conqueror deserved their gratitude. Every benefit is forgotten, all engagements are violated. Your majesty learns that the Austrian forces are about to cross the Inn: they have opened the war. A letter from the Austrian general, announces to the French general, that he was advancing, and would treat as enemies all who should resist.
"You may well have the consolation to reflect that you have left nothing undone, to avoid this war so inconsiderately undertaken, which prudence or moderation could suggest; you were anxious to save your people from new troubles, and humanity from a bloody contest. But the spirit which has at all times animated Austria, and rendered the policy of that power an obstacle to a maritime peace, will not perhaps suffer it to regret that it has itself produced a crisis calculated to become an obstacle to that event. A maritime peace cannot be made, until that of the continent shall be firmly established, and until England shall lose the hope of disturbing us by her gold and her intrigues. What else could have produced this new war? Your majesty is not jealous of the power of Austria; you have no wish for aggrandizement; but by your arms, since no other means are left you, to establish a permanent peace. Peace is a conquest most worthy of your majesty; it is that which will be most advantageous.
"Sire, your people will support you in this new conquest. The admirable foresight of your majesty, which promises to sustain the war with adding to the expenses of the state, is sensibly felt by your people, who are grateful, the admirers of whatever is great, the defenders of whatever is just, and ambitious of military glory.
"If new exertions should be necessary to insure the success of your arms, they will be made before they shall be asked for. The devotion of the nation will equal its love and admiration of its august sovereign."
"CHAMPAGNY, Minister of foreign affairs, Paris, April 12, 1809."
MACKINDER & WHITE, Offer for Sale for Cash or approved Notes, 2,500 barrels NAVAL STORES, 3,500 barrels coarse SALT, 2,400 barrels PORTLAND CEMENT, 1,250 barrels PORTLAND CEMENT, 180 bales Coarse and Fine COTTON, 22 do. New Orleans do., 100 barrels Smithfield and Carolina PORK, 54 crates well assorted EARTHENWARE, 40 chests and 20 bags HAYSON & Young HYSON TEA. A general assortment of Dry Goods, September 27.
PORT OF NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. CUSTOM-HOUSE—T. LEARD. Ship San Francisco, Delgado, Havana. Brig George, Cox, Matanzas. Sch't Mary, Saunders, St. J. Amelia Ann, Hall, New-Providence. Ship Six Sisters, Merilhew, London. Belfast, Brown, Liverpool. Brig Paulina, Gray, Cadiz. LANDING At Newton's wharf, the CARGO of the Big George, from Matanzas, Consisting of Fine Muscovado SUGAR, in Hhds. Caved Sugar White and Brown in boxes, Green Coffee; and a few tons Mucunavita. For Sale by Jennings & Roddey. July 17. LOST OR MISLID. The following LAW BOOKS: 4th Volume of Robins's Admiralty Reports, 5th do. Comyn's Digest, Powell on Contract. ALSO, The 2d, 4th, and 12th Vols. of CARY'S AMERICAN MUSEUM; and a 1st ed. of Pliny's Natural History printed in the Old English Black Letter, and in the reign of Elizabeth or James I. I will sell very reasonable The following LAW BOOKS: 12. Bacon's Abridgement, Gwillim's Edition, Fears on Contingent Remainder and Executory Devises, Folsome on Equity; Espinasse's Nisi Prius, James's Law of Bilmere; Gilbert's Law of Evidence, Harrison's Chancery Practice; Sellon's Practice in B. R., Mitchell's Pleadings; Lillie's Entries, Pothier on Obligations; Powell on Contract. These are mostly London, and the latest editions. John Cooper. July 17. WANTED TO PURCHASE TWO NEGRO BOYS, From 12 to 16 years of age, for whom Cash will be given. Apply to Joseph C. Maignes. July 14. FOR SALE—A final 300 bbls. Gallego Superfine FLOUR, JAMES HERRON. July 14. Retracts from "an Act to amend the several Acts amending the Charter of the Borough of Norwich passed January 27, 1803. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Court of the Borough of Norwich, shall annually elect three persons residing within each ward a majority of whom may act as superintendents to conduct the elections of Common Councilmen within the same; for one year, there and the said superintendents of elections shall take an oath faithfully to execute the trust reposed in them; and such their acts in each ward shall appoint convenient places within the same, where elections shall be held; and previous to any election, shall give one month's notice of the time and place of holding the same, in one of the Norfolk Newspapers; and hence admitting a person to vote shall cause his name to be entered in a Roll Book, to be kept for that purpose, and shall be the sole judge of the qualifications of each voter. And to ensure the full effect of the Act, the ballot shall be publicly examined, and the two persons having the greatest number of votes shall be declared duly elected; or if it shall be found that any one ward more have an equal number of votes, the election in such ward shall be made by lot. The person shall vote in more than one ward, under the penalty of ten dollars, to be recovered for the use of the Corporation, before any justice of the peace of this Commonwealth; and the said superintendents of elections shall return the said Roll Book, with a certificate of their own qualification, and the names of the voters for each person, and of the persons elected, to the court of said Borough, and to the Clerk of the Common Council; and a vacancy in the Common Council shall be filled by a like election; to be held in the ward where such vacancy may happen; and the qualifications of any person elected as aforesaid, shall be judged of by the whole number of persons elected, or a majority of them; and if any person returned shall be adjudged disqualified, the vote thereof shall be given to the superintendents, who forthwith hold another election in manner aforesaid. July 11. Niemeyer and Von Kapff, Offer for Sale at their Warehouse, in Water Street, Cash or approved Paper Note, the following GERMAN LINENS. 650 pieces SACKING, 200 do. HOLLANDS and 400 do. WHITE ROLLS, 80 do. HOLLANDS, 30 do. FLATIRONS, 32 do. WHITE LINENS, 48 do. HOLLANDS, 72 do. WHITE ROLLS, 80 do. HOLLANDS, 100 do. FLATIRONS. DUCK. 11,000 YARDS of different sizes and qualities. 110 pieces SACKING, 40 do. Green GLASS, 130 do. Yellow GLASS, 2 pieces BOTTLE, 200 do. CORKS, 100 do. BOTTLE, 50 pieces CANDLE WICK, 60 do. GLASS, 100 do. CANDLE WICK, 100 do. GLASS, 600 pieces HOLLANDS. Looking Glasses, Glassware, Cutlery, and many Articles. We will also have about 25,000 lbs. of Iron Castings.