The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-05-24 00:00:00

LONDON,
THURSDAY, MAY '24.

A Mail from Lisbon, brought to Falmouth in
nine days by the Aurkload packet, arrived yesterday.
By this conveyance, dispatches hive been received
at the India Hottse, which state, that the squadron
under Admiral Liston had attacked Fort Marlbo-
rough (late Bencoeton), in the Island of Sumatra,
dostioyed the stems, and did much other da-
mage, but it was not known to what extent.—
Private letters, however, received from the same
source, and thrugh the sense channel, add, that
Admiral Lisecis has BA-sally taken the settle-
ment, with aA English frigates which was lying
is the harbour. It is with concern we find
ourselees obliged to incline to the latter account, as
other di•pat..l.cs. supposed to relate to the same sub-
jescr, were received at the saute tins, at the India
nous., the conten•, of which have rot been made
public. Had they teen favourable, it is probable
that they would nave transpired. The dispatches
were forwarded by our Ambassador at Lisbon,
who had received them from the Government of St.
Helena, at which Island a Portuguese indiaman bad
touched. and communicated the above intelligence.
Übe Indianian was not, however, the only autho-
fay. We understand that advices to the same effect
were received by the Government of St. Helena
from (Alter quarters. Letters from Captain Fun-
ni as, at the Mauritius, also announce the kiss of His
M A J trrl's armed vessel the P. .•e.
We have receiied /tuns by the same conveyance
from Cadiz and Gibraltar. The latter are nct cf
recent dates, and are chiefly filled with particu-
lars of events already knotrn, as the capture of
the Swift cotter by a large French privateer
off Barcelona souse time ago, and the leis of
the Houicia* naval store ship hi- fire. Cap:ails Ls

Gaol and all the crew, except four men, were saved.
Tile Cadiz letters are of more importance. One of
them states that the French have demanded eight
millions of dollars from Spain, in addition to the
sum agreed to be paid as the price of neutrality !
Ail the treasure brought from America after the
peace, which has net already found its way into
other countries, will be employed by France. as its
own property, during the present ctinteir. In this
manner Spain serves &NAP A RTE in the prosecution
of his hostile designs upon this country, and the
liberties of Europe, more effedtnally than if she had
declared war against us.

Both Houses of Parliament met yesterday, the
term of adjournment being expired. The House of
Commons was well attended, and presented a very
interesting appearance. Mr. Parr, as Premier, re-
sumed his old seat upon the Treasury Bench, accom-
panied by Lord C•s FL CRC AGii, Mr. C WANING, Mr.
Lobo, Ste. Confronting him in their old station upon
the Opposition Bench, was the formidable phalanx
Of Mr. Fox, Mr. SHERIDAN, Mr. GREY, Mr.
WHITINEAD, Bcc. The G erwvilf. r Party occupied
the places wltichthey continued to fill during the Ad-
ministration of Mr. Amaisict as, on the same side of
the I louse as tl old Oppts.!,:i ion ; but upon a distinet
set of benches. Mr. A lasi GTON, Mr. BR A GGE, and
the rest of that interest, took their places upon the
corresponding set of benches opposite to the G RCN..
VILL t Party. Thus, the House presented four ap-
parently distinet groupes. The AonisGrots -Party,
which as yet may be considered neutral, and the
old Opposition, flanked by the G LW/ILL ES, with the
Ministerial Party upon the 'treasury Bench, confront-
ing them. A question of pris Urge arose in the course
of the evening, in which Mr. PITT and Mr. Fox
espoused different sides; thus shewing themselves
at the outset in opposition to each other. With the
exception, therefore, of the new ADDINGTON Party,
the appearance of the House of Commons was
exactly the s.ane as what it presented for se-
veral years preceding the administration of the
latter gentleman. Thus has vanished, at least
for the present, the hope which the country
fondly cherished of seeing, at this perilous and un-
exampled crisis, an unexampled instance of a go-
vernment upon the broadest possible basis, and
comprehending all the talent of the empire. It
was reported last night, we know not upon what
ground, that a coldness has taken place between the
GRb.NV3LLES and the old Opposition.

The tremendous firing which took place on Mon-
day, in the dire9ion of Boulogne, caused various con-
jeatues at Deal and Dover, where it was distinaly
heard. Accounts, however, have been received
from our fleet off Boulogne, which state, that
it was a general salute from all the batteries, and
above 120 gun-boats, in consequence of BONAPARTE
being proclaimed " F.mperor of the French." The
tiring commenced at 12 o'clock, and again at
in the evening.

Yesterday morning Isle-srs. Pis'. and ADDING.
TON had audiences of His M ‘3ISTV, which las:
till near twelve.

By letters received from the Carmarthen, dated
Saugur Roads, 27th December last, it appearN sl.e
was then under sailing orders to proceed, under con-
voy, to Fort Marlborough immediately.
Two vessels have lately been equipped at the es-
pence of the Russian Government, to proceed on a
voyage of circumnavigation round Cape Horn to the
North West of America, and to return to Europe
by the Cape of Good Hope. Orders have in conse-
quence been given by our Government, that the
British Residents abroad should pay every attention
to these vessels at the ports which they may touch at.
A Court of Diredors was yesterday held at the
East India House, when the following Comman-
ders took leave of the Court, previous to their de-
parture for their respeaive destinations:—

Capt. Dixon Meadows, of the PUT ; and Capt. John San.
ter, oldie Untied Kingdom', fo, Madras and Bengal.
Capt Searles Wood, of the Worcester, for Madras.
General /la FRANC is Ca•onoca. Go►ernor of
Madras, proceeds with his suite in the Bariag.—
Captain Gamma WELTDLIi was sworn intu the
command of the &des.

The following ships were stationed as under
mentioned, and ordered to Se afloat, and sail from
Gravesend on their outward voyage, at the periods
following, viz.
Twee% and VllOl3, for St. Helena aid 11. n. at, to De aflo
!shy 24, and to sad foes Gravesend, J•ine
!Fto. for I.4lattras to be afloat 24, and to sail from
Questa., Sun. 2s.
Lod Grins, for IMO. ill be afloat Joie 7, and to sail from
Qaavetend, July 7.

—The new alup ►oildint by Mr. Sintatf at Linwpnoi. to.
•a:ntuq to be afloat Joni 23, ad w call from tiraveseud,
July 2J.

der.) oes, fo: Madras, to be aloat June 29, and to sail from
Graveseni, July Z 3.
I larriett, fur Bengal, to be afloat J.nc 21, an I to sad from
Gravesend July 2:3

liedlart, G.r Bengal. abbe simat July 7, ant to sail (Torn
Gravesvred A4sezot T.
The Court adjourned at an early hour till Wed-
nesday next.
It has been a matter of some astonishment to us
that our Court did no: szt the clam* of going into
mourning for the murdered Duke. But surely a
Court Mourning even now would not be too late.
It is idle t", say that it is not in the en/ mac of our
Court to mourn for so distant a branch of a Royal
Family.—Etiquette! It is in the etiquette of the
feelinAs of out Court to hate cruelty, and to detest
murder.