The National Register.
London, England, 1808-01-03 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

12

would render him more anxious to preserve amity between
the two countries a dangerous and impolitic principle,
which might often set the interests of an Ambassador in di-
rect opposition to his duty to his country. It appears that
Mr. ERIKINE, alarmed at the discussions between this coun-
try and America, had recently transferred his father's pro-
perty in the American funds, to secure it at all events. This
eircumstance, which so impolitically indicated his appre-
hensions, excited in the demagogues a desire not to let such
a prey escape them ; and a motion .was accordingly made
by one LYONS to prevent such transfers of British property
in the American funds. The motion was negatived ; but
the evident impolicy of this sudden transfer by our Ambas-
sador was not removed.

The Couriers passing and repassing through France, to
Count STAHREMBERG, have excited much attention, and
given rise to innumerable reports. To us they only seem
to indicate that BONA P ARTE is little anxious to force Au-
stria into hostilities, which cannot possibly do us any harm.
The stay or the departure of Count STAUREMBERG is an
object of equal importance.
Some letters have been published, which passed between
Gen. WorrEnocxr, and LINIERS the commander at Buenos
Ayres. They are chiefly remarkable for the utter igno-
rance of the situation of the enemy which the English Ge-
neral displays. On the 4th of July, he summons General
LINTERS to surrender, with great professions of his own cle-
mency ; and on the sth, LINIFKB with equal professions,
returns the same summons, to which General WHITE-
LOCK E 9 now better informed, finds himself obliged to
consent.

A vessel, which arrived yesterday from the coast of
France, brings the topics of conversation at Charante and
Bourdeaux. These are a meditated repudiation of the
Empress Josupnrwt, and a marriage of BONAPARTE with
a sister of the RUSSIAN EMPEROR ; to which is added a pro-
jtet of giving I.velEN F3o7cArmaTr. the Crown of Spain, and
ineemnifying the Prince of AIITUni AS with that of Portugal.

A Deputation from the American Merchants waited upon
the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday se'nnight,
to obtain information as to sonic points connected
with the late Orders of Council, and particularly to ascer-
tain whether it was intended to impose any tax on articles
of American produce, on board such American ships as
ahonld, pursuant to their Orders, touch at British ports.
The inquiry of the Deputation was principally directed to
the art►cle of Cotton, and the answer of Mr. Perceval was
quite decis:ve, tl►at Ministers do intend to propose a duty
upon that article. Upon asking, whether such American
ships as should not, in consequence of the French Decree,
feel it safe to proceed to an enemy's port, after having
touched in this country, wouid be allowed a licence to sail
in any other direction ? the answer was, that no licence
wou:d 11! granted to any other than the port of such ship's
original destination,
The object of the expedition under General Fpencer anti
ttir C. Cotton, we are informed, is not a very d!stant one;
and we therefore conclude that this force will join Sir
Sidney's and General Moore's. It is said we shall soon
hear of Ceuta being in possession of the British.
Four camps, consisting of 15,000 men each, besides Yeo-
manry, arc to be immediately formed in several districts in
Ireland. One, it is said, is to be fixed in Athlone, another
in Aughnaclo,!, a third at Bandon, and a fourth in Strabane.
The convoy arrived at Spithead from Gibraltar, was on
Wednesday put under quarantine at the Mother Bank. It
"Paget, Fraser, Wryard, and Oakes, landed on Thursday.

JAN. 3

The troops arrived amount to between eight and nine
thousand men. They consist of all the guards that were
in Sicily ; the 20th, 52d, 78th, and the second battalion of
the 35th regiments, besides artillery and engineers. This
force was probably to co-operate with Sir Sidney Smith in
securing the possession of the Portuguese navy.
The Captain of a vessel from Cadiz states, that previous
to his departure from that city, it had been entirely eva-
cuated by the Spanish troops, the great body of which had
proceeded to Portugal, under the command of the Mar-
quis di Solano, who is Governor of Cadiz. The remainder
of the Spanish troops had, in conjunction with a French
force, gone on board the French and Spanish ships in the
harbour, which, with six months provision on board, were
ready for sea, and daily expected to sail. The inhabitants
were, as our informant states, considerably agitated by
the apprehension of an attack from an English fleet and
army. The Captain we allude to also adds, that four eminent
merchants have been recently arrested at Cadiz, upon a
charge of having spoken disrespectful of the Prince of
Peace. This arrest took place immediately before the
Captain's departure. Such an event would imply the undi-
minished power of the Prince of Peace.
Many are the efforts which Bonaparte has made to dimi-
nish the comforts of our countrymen. He has endeavoured
even to deprive the town of its usual pleasures, by laying
an embargo on opera dancers and singers; and by making
war upon the milliners who even transmit their fashions.
But we can shew him our independence.in these as well as
in other articles. We have voices as sweet, and feet as
nimble as any that can be imported. Our milliners declare,
that their traffic was never more flourishing than at pr ?
sent; and Mr. Millard, of Southampton-street, Strand,
assures us, that the demand for his tashionablestraw hats
is becoming greater than he can almost supply.
A West Indian Gentleman, in a fit of despondency, put
an end to his existence at the Hum►uu►ns. The Coroner's
Jury, which sat on the body, brought in a verdict of
Lunacy.