The National Register.
London, England, 1808-12-04 00:00:00

pEC. 4.

fell i, with the Minerva frigate, Capt. HAWKINS, who in-
formed her that the Marquis or. LA Ilostana gained a de-
cisive victory over the enemy, near St, Pincent de la Bar.
quera. The enemy, it is said, entered that place on the 19i
ult. and, on the 24th, made a 'violent attack on the Spani-
ards, who were strongly posted in the vicinity of St. Vin-
cent de la Barquera. No particulars respecting the engage-
ntent are given ; hut the result is supposed favorable to th.!
Patriots. The Marquis DE LA ROSIARA was !eft ip pursuit opt
the retreating enemy; and we wait for, with an impatience
we seldom felt, the confirmation of this cheering intelli-
gence. Prior accounts, though of a very late date, men-
tion, it is true, that a part of that army fell back upon
Leon, with the intention, as was supposed, of effecting a
junction with the British army, But these accounts are
neither of that circumstantial, nor precise nature, as to in-
duce us to discredit the reported success of the 24th. We
are harpy likewise to observe, that the sentiments of the
Spanish people, relative to their affairs, completely harmo-
nize with those we have invariably evinced ; ad so far
from being dejected or intimidated at the advantages the
enemy have already obtained, they speak with confi-
dence of their ultimate success, and in a tone of enthusiasm
perfectly coinciding with their spirited declaratiops
when first they took up arms against their invaders.—
Their late disasters seem to have no other effect,
than to convert their former exasperation into the
mod deadly hatred of the enemy. We hear pf the sur-
render of no large corps ; on the contrary, the Regi-
ment of Catalonia, amounting to seventeen hundred men,
and which fermed a part of the Army of the North, pre-
ferred to be cut to pieces to a man, sooner than accept
quarter w ,ich the enemy offered them. The death of
General RIQUELWII who had the rank of Admiral in
the Spanish navy, is one pf the fittest traits of heroism
and of generous devotion to his country, we ever remem-
ber to have read. tiav;ug been wounded in his leg, he re-
fused to dismount or retire, but rode alons, the line, and
made his men promise to die like him in defence of their
country. This exhortation, at such a moment, and under
such circumstances must have produced a wonderfull sensa
lion in those who heard him; and after such proofs of great
hess of soul in the leaders and men, we see no reason for
desponding pf their success.
Letters received from Madrid also speak a Gen.CASTANOS
having obtained considerable advantages over the enemy.
:le is said to have crossed the Ebro at three several points,
and to have dislodged the enemy from all their positions
that river. This advantage is likewise alluded to in the last
accounts from Corunna. The Gazette of Madrid contains
two important documents, addressed by the Supreme Go-
verning Junta to all the Councils, and the other to the Spa-
;llsh Nation. After detailing, in the first, the perfidy of the
French, the abasement of the Monarchy for so many years,
Ae Decree concludes with the following animated declara-
ho The Junta have taken the oath, in the most so-
lemn manner, nut to listen to, or accept any proposal
" for peace. unless their beloved Sovereign, FERDINAND
be restored to his throne ; and unless the abso-
lute integrity of Spain and her Americas he stipulated
as an indispensable condition, without the dismember-
" weal of ;17y the smallest portion of her territory.-