The National Register.
London, England, 1809-02-26 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

LOlOOll,
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1809.

among whom are several Generals of distinction, some say
BERTHIER. Thee accounts also state, that he Frenets
Garrison was preparing to evacuate Madrid, in the neigh-
bourhood of which they were throwing up some strong
works. Saragossa still holds out ; and the intrepid PALAFOIL
is reported to have obtained another decisive advantage
over the enemy, in which they lost near 7,000 men. A
single trait will suffice to mark the sublimity of his charac-
ter. (laving been summoned by the besiegers to capitu-
late, who told him that as all Spain was in thy possession of
the French, he could not hope to establish a communim.
tion with and other country. " Xercr," says the klero,
ran 1 capitulate or surrender: talk If that tam lam
dead. 31y communications are open with ertry part o 1
pain, and with the w whole orld ; and if they were cut i
my bayonets would ••-oon restore them." Cu iIsTA has like-
Si ise obtained some advantage over the enemy ; anti the
Army of Duke of INIPANTADO is estimated at 50,000 men.
The accounts from Catalonia arc equally gratifying, Itto!
MG, a very distinguished Officer, occupied with an Army
of .25,000 men, highly disciplined, the strong post of Tap!
ragoua, one of the most important in the province. la
Pori ugal the spirit of the people cannot be better. They
call loudly for Sir ARTHUR. WELLLSLEY to direct their mili-
tary ardour.
It is now currently reported, that Ministers mean ta.
adopt a mode of warfare, with regard to Spain, more con.•
sistent, it is said, with our insular situation, naval prepon-
derance, and military establishment. This is to consist in
frequent and partial descents on the extensive line of coast
from Bayonne to Genoa. its expediency and advantages
were frequently recommended by the great Lord N ILSON /
and the alarm which Lord Cocii.a.vst:-kept up, sonic time
ago on the French coast in the Mediteraneith prdves, if it
be pursued on a large scale, that nothing can contribute
inure to harm% and distract the enemy. By these means,
the hopes of the Patriots will he constantly kept alive;
whilst the invaders will be tormented and worn out by toil-
some marches. We have frequently alluded to its decisive
importance, and have recommended to that effect the Ba-
learic Islands as the most convenient depot for the military
force we should employ in that service. We are also in-
formed that Government has stipulated with the Supreme
Junta, that our troops should take possession of MinOrea ;
from whence We may threaten the whole coast of itaiyi .
Spain and the South of France.

A serious spirit of discontent has manifested itself amen?:
the French troops. They are said to express the loudest coin.
plaints of the hardships they arc incessantly exposed to; and'
the declarations of the prisoners our army made, coincide
with these accounts. We have it, in fact, from ttic most MI.
questionable authority, that the French soldiers shew the,
most decided repugnance to fight against the Spaniards;
and though they affect a great deal of contempt for the
litary character of that nation, they condemn the iniiitiable
ambition of their chieftain, which drags them, in the.me).
inclement season of the year, from the Vistula to the F,bro.
They complain loudly that, after all the battles they have.
fought, and the harrassing privations they have submitted.
to, no respite is allowed them; and they see before thein.,
only the dreadful prospect of consuming their lives in toils;
and dangers, without remuneration or a prospect of future
tranquillity.
The tyrant has already exhausted every sit and pretext,
which could work upon the passions, vanity, or rapacity
of his troops. The conquest of England, the freedom of
the sea, are no* too stale, too remote and impracticable;
to eiicenrage them to perseverance and patience. As .
Icing is, ihese hopes were held out, and in order to kccp
their Maps of the City of 'London were distritinted•
anion. the French regiMents, containing a most accurate
*Option, in a military point of view, of S.CVOIRI streets
and quarters; and as a stinitiltis to their rapacity, the
Mink, the India Honse, and other buildings of that de-
iwcrr`j~ti i. p rtiicularly 'nuked. Ili the camp it