The National Register.
London, England, 1808-07-10 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

'44

There is an exalted principle in the Spanish conduct
which forms a striking contrast to the cold-blooded per-
Ady so frequently displayed in that of the French. The
resolution they have adopted, of compelling the surrender
of the enemy, without calling in the aid of the British, as
it proceeds not from mistrust, must be attributed to a feel-
ing of honour, bordering, indeed, upon the romantic, but
perfectly congenial with what we have always understood
to he the Spanish character. TO have conquered with the
assistance of a British Squadron, would neither have given
confidence to their countrymen, nor splendour to their
arms. We like to see this noble reliance upon themselves,
it will give dignity to their efforts, and convince the enemy
of the determined spirit of the resentment he has dared
to provoke.
Independently of their galling sense of French treachery
and oppression, and the nobler feelings which they have so
effectually excited, the cooler calculation of interest must
convince the Spanish people of their immense stake in this
contest, With JOSEPH BONAPARTE for their King, could
they preserve their possessions in America ? Would not
their colonies become convinced of the necessity of declar-
ing themselves independent, to become secured from the
tyranny of France, and the exactions of Frenchmen ? Were
they to yield to his sway, the hostility of Great Britain,
however reluctantly, must be again directed against them ;
and thus deprived of their immense resources in America,
shut out from commerce, and shut up with France, their
consequence as a nation would be lost for ever.

It was last night confidently and ;c:nerany reported in
the city, that a Treaty of Peace has been signed between
Russia, Sweden, and Denmark ; and that Sir J. Moottes
Expedition was in sight of Portsmouth yesterday morning,
steering down the Channel for Lisbon.
The above rumour is of a most extraordinary kind. That
the Armament has left the Baltic appears certain ; con-
sequently it must be presumed that our forces could not be
beneficially employed in co-operation with Sweden. The
public having no grounds upon which to found an opinion
must wait the explanation with patience, it cannot be de-
layed longer than a few days. All previous conjecture and
reasoning would be perfectly nugatory.

Recent events of some kind or other (indeed the public
can ascertain some of them) have caused a considerable
change in projected military movements. It is now un-
derstood that a grand expedition, of which the Earl of
Chatham is to have the command, is resolved on, which
will embrace troops that were destined for other services.
The Earl is to have with him two Lieutenant-Generals,
Sir J. Moore and Sir Arthur Wellesley. His army will be
in all 40,000 men. His Royal Highness the Duke of York
was, and is exrernely desirous to have the command; and
there are not wanting great authorities for the rumour
that he is yet determined to carry his desire into execu-
tion. The place and object of the expedition are probably
changed. It may no longer be necessary fur any part of it
to go to Portugal. An effectual diversion may be made
elsewhere, and the very uncertainty of the point of attack
is itself a diversion.

It has been reported during the week that General Du-
mourier was about to join the standard of the Spanish Pa-
triots—we are happy to say there is no truth in the report.
It would be highly improper to entrust that general with a
command ; we are confident that some unfortunate cir-
cumstance would result from the measure.

JULY A •

DISPATCHES FROM ADMIRAL PURVIS AND GE-
NERAL SPENCER.
His Majesty's cutter Alphea, Lieutenant Gibbons, is arriv.
with dispatches from Lord Collingwood, off Cadiz, dated
12th June. In consequence of which the following Lett:
sent to the Lord Mayor :
" Mr LORD, Admiralty-Office,
" Dispatches have been received at the Admirult
inn from Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood, dated ti.l t,
June 12th. The Spaniards had summoned the French Adi,,ki.l
Rosoliz, and, on his refusal, the Spanish batteries had opened z,
fire on the French ships in the Carracas, on the 10tIt of J one. in
the afternoon, and had continued, at intervals, daring the fol-
lowing day. On the 12th of June the French Admiral hail of-
fered terms of capitulation, which had been rejected on the part
of the Spanish Commander, who refused to admit of any condi-
tion short of absolute surrender.
" The British Fleet had not entered the harbour ; the Spa-
niards deeming their own force sufficient for the reduction of tile
French.--1 have the honour to he, &c. " CLG Rd E."
" To the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor."

TTI , ft

Government are in hourly expectation of the dispatches an-
atuncing the unconditional surrender of the is',..net fleet. o
ol' the French ships is said to have. been driven oa shore, awl
the poop of another knocked in by the fire of the Spani•4
batteries, before the French Admiral sent a flag of truce wo:t
an offer to dismantle his ships, which was of course teiceted.
Two more Deputies from Seville and Cadiz arrived in the
Alphea.—Their object is supposed to he to negotiAe a Peace,
to which the Junta at Seville allude, in the spirited declaration
of war against France.
Majorca and Minorca are decisively in favour of the Patriot
cause, as well as the Carthagena squadrons which is in Putt
Mahon.
It is true that the Patriots displaced the Governors of Car-
thagena, Valentia, and Saragossa, because they were nut at-
tached to the cause; and elected others. In Valcoia the Mar-
quis d' Alvarez was killed by the people in the market-plavt'
called St. Domitwo.
The Patriot eorce of Murcia and Valencia is estimated ;41
80,000-10,000 have already marched to the camp at
on the Valencian frontier. A regiment of Swiss is enrolled \V
ith
the Patriots in l'ilurcia. In that Province, and in Valencia, the
Subscriptions have been extremely liberal ; in two days one
million sterling was subscribed.
The Archbishop of Valencia takes a lending part with th,,
Patriots of Valencia. We have before us a Rondo signed t
him, directing the people to retire to their houses, in order to
avoid the pernicious consequences which might be produced by
disorder and disturbance.
The defeat of Dupont is discredited—he is known to have
the passes of the Sierra Morena—there he waits—he ha:
under him 15,000 men—a force not strong enough to italuce
but
to descend into the plain that leads to Seville. He has sent 14)
Murat for reinforcements ; should he receive them, he will, it
he sees a favourable opportunity, pour down upon the
The French Papers, if we recollect right, said he was between
Carolina and Baylen, both on the road that runs through the
Sierra.—The position we understand is a strong one, for he ha,
in his front the little river Almudiel, which taking its rise it.
the Sierra, descends into the river Guadalen.
The head-quarters of the Spanish force of Andalusia were
at Cartnona. It consisted of above 60,000 men, 15,000 of whom
were regulars. It is reported that a French corps had been
surroundd at Barcelona, a division from Tavera having attempt-
ed to penetrate from Portugal.
The French ships in Cadiz are, the Neptune, 84 guns, Admi-
ral Ro6ilie, Algeziras, Platon, Hero, and another of 7.1 gutn,
with three or r..tr smaller vessels.
A letter has been intercepted from a French Officer at
Madrid, stating, that " if the Spaniards at Bayonne do not
keep their promise of reduciug the insurgents in the Provinces,
we are allelost."
A few days ago the Melville sloop of war sailed for the.
coast of Spain, with those two distinguished Officers, Colonct
Sir T. Dyer. and Major Roche, of the 17th Dragoons. It
understood, that should those two gallant Officers report favour;
ably, several more of our ablest young Officers will be t-tin
over to assist in organizing the Spanish army. -In the neh:it.
.time, these two Officers are likewise to act in a diplomatic c
racter. Major Roche, as we before observed, not only dist'
plated himself as an Officer at Buenos Ayres, but liken lse acted