The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-28 00:00:00

THE PENINSULA.

'Dispatches were received from Lord WELLING-
TON last Wednesday- They are dated the 11th in-
stant, and state, that his Lordship, with his army,
continued in the same position in which he was at

the date of the last intelligence Ircm him ; and
that lie was making every possible effort to contri-
bute to their security ; but the French betray evident
fears cf an attack from his Lordship. They are
said to be throwing up entrenchments for their de-
fence ; hence we may pretty confidently infer, that
Sot:LT, for the present, has abandoned all thoughts
of advancing upon Lord WELLINGTON'S lines.
We regret to find that the capture of Seville by
General BLAKE is contradicted by Lord WELLING-
TON'S official dispatches, which states, en the con-
trary, that that enterprising Officer had met with
some check in the Condado di Niebla. This check
bad the effect of preventing General BLAKE
from pushing on to Seville, and had rendered it
necessary for him to retreat on Ayamonte, whence
he purposed embarking for Cadiz.
A Gentleman arrived by the Duke of Kent
packet, from Cadiz, adds, that considerable alarm
prevailed in that city for the safety of Gen. BLAKE,
In consequence of which 400 vessels had been em-
baigoed, and sent in four divisions along the coast,
to be in readiness to take the troops on board, should
that be found necessary. Each division of vessels
consisted of 100 sail, the last of which left the Bdy
of Cadiz a few hours before the Duke of Kent sail-
ed. The whole were protected by two sail of the
line and frigates.
We regret also to find by a General Order of the
Governor of the Alentejo, that the people of that
country seem totally indifferent to the cause in
which they are engaged. The militia refuses to
come forward, or if assembled, deserts in such
numbers, that it has become necessary to shoot five
deserters, degrade others, and publish this order,
which will be found in another part of our paper.
A British Officer, who has served in the Spanish
Army with distinguished merit, is just arrived in
town, to submit to Government, pursuant to an ar-
rangement between Lord WELni-NoToN and Gene-
ral CASTANOS, sanctioned by the Spanish Regency,
a proposition for forming a Spanish Legion, to he
disciplined and commanded by British Officers, in
the same manner that the Portuguese troops are
now, and have been, since the struggle for the in-
dependence of that country has taken such a favour-
able turn. It is very satisfactory to us to learn that
this first step to the introduction of a measure so

generally important to the establishment of a solid
system of discipline, and a stable military power
in Spain (as is proved by the actually existing effects
in Portugal), has at length been admitted, though
even on a very limited scale. With a nation so
proud of its unmixed institutions, and so jealous
of foreign intervention as the Spaniards, the first
step towards the introduction of a reform, which:

471

though of obvious necessity, and of the most salu-
tary effect, was yet long and obstinately resisted,
may be regarded as equivalent to the actual ace m.
plishment of the object in view. We understand
that the Irish regiments in the Spanish service, Hi..
bernia, Ultunia, &c. (which are of very ancient
establishment, and have been at all times command.
ed by Officers of British and Irish extraction, from
whom are descended the BLAKES, OPDONNELLS.
&c. who take so noble a part in the present glorious
struggle), are to form the basis of this new legion.
The plan of the legion, as approved by General
CASTANOS, and recommended by him and the Spa.
nish Government, to Seignor APODACA, the Spanish
Minister in this country, has been also, as we have
stated, approved by Lord WELLINGTON, who, we
understand, has made observations with his OWII
hand on the different clauses, and then recommended
the scheme in the most particular manner to his
brother, the Marquis, and to the British Govern-
ment in general. The more immediate object of
the proposition, and of the mission of the Gentle.
man who is the be:4l.er of it, is to pi ocure supplies
o' clothing and arms—men being to be had in abun-
dance as soon as these primary and indispensible
means of converting them into soldiers are in readi-
ness for them.