The National Register.
London, England, 1809-04-02 00:00:00

TIIE NATIOisTAt REGISTER.

It ussia ; and kept their Sovereign and country in the most
abject state of dependence, that they might have au op-
portunity of gratifying their own rapacity,
Whatever policy the usurping Cabal may think expedient
to pursue, we are happy to be informed; that our Govern,
Inca is determined to persevere in the operations which had
been projected for the Baltic, previously to the late revo-
lution; and that it will keep that sea open in spite of the
opposition of Sweden, should it evince a wish to resist. For
this purpose a formidable feet is preparing with the great-
est expedition. Sir -I -AMES SAIJMAE.EZ has been sent to
Sheerness and Chatham to superintend the equipment of
20 sail of the line and 15 frigates, which are to sail imme-
diately to the North. That gallant and distinguished Offi-
cer, at the head of so large a force, will he the most effica=
cious Negociator this country can employ, to arrange our
differences with the States situated on the shores of the

The great subject of peace, or war, in Germany
Is not yet brought to a conclusion ; but every article
assumes a stronger tone of hostility; every new arrival
preludes more and more every prospect of an amicable
adjustment. It isimpossible form any thing like a de-
cisive spet ulation on the possible result of the impending
contest, considering the difficulties we labour under to ob-
tain positive information of the resources and spirit of the
two parties. We have only the coloured, distorted and
partial accounts of the enemy to guide us on this occasion.
When these make therefore a concession in favour of
Austria, prudence would inculcate the necessity of be-
lieving them to more than their full extent; and when
they detract from the resources of that power, common
experience would justify the highest degree of scepticism.
We have no certain data to regulate our judgment, no
other information to guide our speculations, than what we
collect from the very cabinet of the tyrant, or from those
of his agents, who are the organs of his will at A thsterdam,
Hamburg and Frankfort. Not a single article appears on
any of the papers published in the extensive tract, com-
prising the French empire, that is not dictated, or re-
iced by an agent of the French government.
Freedom of discussion has long ceased on the conti-
nent. The communication of a single fact, obnoxious to
the views of the tyrant, would be succeeded by the imme-
diate seizure of the property and person of the imprudent
publisher; and his life pay the penalty of his indiscretion.
Inder such restrictions, there is no possibility of obtaining
in this country, certain intelligence from Germany. What
we receive is purely French. From that source every thing,
ns may be expected, magnifies the armies and finances of
the enemy, as much as it endeavours to depreciate those of
Austria. We are obliged to estimate the means of the lat-
ter, the sentiments of her inhabitants, and the energy of
her Government, from documents similar to those with
ti hich we are occasionally favoured from Paris) relative
to the actual state of the Spanish nation.

A letter from Lisbon, by the last packet, discloses a fact
of great interest. A French spy was discovered, and his
person and papers secured a few hours after he had left
Lisbon. He had previously imposed himself on the Mem-
bers of the Regency, as a secret, but accredited agent from
the Court of London, and in that character obtained from
time to time the whole of the plans for the future move-
ments and disposal of the British, as well as the Portu-
guese troops. His censummate address introduced him to
the inspection e%en of the Government dispatches. Ile
was about to quit Po. tugal, whett he was recognised by au
aciinaintai ce as the editor and conductor of the Bayonne
Gaz.ette. He was nu usagy anxious that his real name
feio Aid pot transpire, he slated that his appearance in Por-
tugal wks on affairs 01 th e utmost importance to his private
interests. This concealment, so eagerly solicited, excite.l
suspicion and led to entriries, the result of which was an
tatter from the Regcncy to secure his person. He had, how.

APRIL ga

ever, in the interval, effeeted his escape front Lisbon ; but
his route was discovered; and in a tew hours afterwards
he was pursued and overtaken by a party of cavalry; with
whom was the gentleman to whom he was really known.
His papers are of the utmost importance ; and many of
them are already in London. They lead to discoveries of
real consequence to this country, and will we understand,
involve several persons here in extreme difficulty and
ger.

We copy the following paragraph from an American
Paper of the i4th of February, which states it to be the
substance of the dispatches about to he transmitted to Bri-
tain and France An offer is to be made to each of the
bellige•ents to this Amotint—lf you will annul your ob-
noxious orders (or decrees, as the case may be) we will
immediately recommence our commercial intercourse with
you : and if your antagonist, to lahom we have made the
.amc °tier, refrises to abolish his unlawful edicts, we will
join you in a war against him. If you both refuse to ac-
cede to our demands, we will raise our embargo in Nay
next, or as soon as our dispatch vessels return, and force a
trade on the ocean, at the risk of being at war with both of
you."—( /Voshin,l t m Federalist.)

IfOItSE•CiIARDS, '2o.—The Commander in Chie,
s received the King's command to make known to the Armyf
that his Miljesty thought fit to command that the following
;emulations 01411 hereafter be strictly observed in regard to Pro-
ino;iwis in the Army, and appointments on the Stall', viz.
`• No Ofliter shalt be Irontoted to the rank of Captain, until
lie hEls been three years a ~übaltern.

g. No Officer shall be promoted to the rank of Field Officer,
until he has been seven vears in the service, of which he shall
been at least two seats a Captain.
Nu Officer shall be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-4
Colonel, until he has been nine years in the service, of which he
shall have been at least two :ears a Majors
46 No Officer shall be allowed to fill any Staff Appointment,
that of Aid-de-Camp excepted, until he has been one year a
Captain." By the Commander in Chief's command,
11 ItRY CALVERT, Adj...oolL