The Sun.
London, England, 1806-10-21 00:00:00

THE SUN.

SOLEM QUIS DICERS rALstat AUDEAT ?

LONDO IV;

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1806.

This morning the Hamturgh Mail due on Sun-
day arrived, but its contents were in a great degree
anticipated by the important intelligence which we
received yesterday. Of the operations of the Armies
subsequent to the 6th, we have but very confused
accounts ; it seems, however, clear, that the French,
having strengthened their right wing very consider-
ably, endeavoured to turn the left of the Prussians,
and to cut off the small Corps of Prussians which
were stationed at Hoff, under General. TAUENZIEN.
The Prussians, however, effeaed their retreat, first
to Schleitz, and afterwards to Neustadt, without
loss. From this statement, it appears that the ac-
counts which we have for some time past received,
respecting the position of the Prussian Army, were
not correa. It was repeatedly stated in the German
Papers that the Left Wing of the Prussians w. is at
Hoff, whereas it was, in fact, only an advanced
Post, defended by a small Corps, which was of
course obliged to fall back upon the approach of
SOULT and D'AvousT's division. The skirmish
which took place is only important as being the com-
mencement of hostilities, but has been magnified in
different parts of the Continent into a defeat of the
French. It is stated, in a Letter from Leipsic, that
a body of French Troops passed over the Saal-
brucke, with the view of taking the Prussians
and Saxons 'iu the rear ; that - the Prussians
burnt the bridge over which the French passed, and
took 3000 Prisoners. There appears, however, to
be no foundation whatever for this account. In-
deed the accounts from different parts of the Con_
tinent, respecting the movements of the Armies,
are so contradi6tory, that it is difficult to form any
decided ()Onion upon the subjea. The accounts
received yesterday state, that the Left Wing of the
Prussian Army had retreated, and that its Head 7
quarters were at Jena. Another account states,
that the whole Prussian Army was on its, march
towards Frankfort ; and a third, that the KING
of PRUSSIA'S Head-quarters had been removed
to Illankenberg, on the Saal. If the last.men-
Coned movement has taken place, then the left
wing of the Prussian Army is direaly in the rear of
the centre.

A Council of War was held at the KING of PRUS-
SIA'S Head-quarters, at Erfurth, on the sth, at which
the Duke of BRUNSWICK, Prince HOIIENLOBE, Ge-
teral 11,10j,LENDORF, and General RUCHELL, were
present : the plan of operations was then pro-
bably definitively settled. We are sorry to tind
that the French Minister, LA FOREST, after he left
Berlin, repaired to the KING of PausstA's Head-
quarters at Erfurth, and, according to the last ac-
counts, remained there,

The Declaration at length issued by the KitsTo of
PRUSSIA is one of the most important State Papers
that has ever been submitted to the world. It is at
once so minute and so comprehensive as to require
no comment on our part. If it does not fully vindi-
cate the condua of Prussia, in so long delaying to
co-operate with other States in putting an effeaual
check on the ambition of France, it at least proves
that she a&ed with a degree of moderation which
was materially useful to BONAPARTE, and demanded
his gratitude. Hence Prussia needs no justification for
having at last been forced to draw the sword against
him. But the most striking feature in this Declaration is
that part which states that BONAPARTE had aaually
made a proposition to Russia to Dtvina PRUSAIA
WITH FRANCE, after all the advantages which Bo-
N A PARTE had derived from the Neutrality of Prussia,
a .1 all its sacrifices in his favour. Such a proposi-
tion gives a new trait of craft, perfidy, and injustice,
even to the character of the French Ruler, and must
increase the general wish of mankind
.to hear of the
termination of his despotism.

MINISTERS, we understand, are about to present
a DECLARATION to the Public, explanatory of the
reasons which induced them to terminate the Nego-
tiations with France, and in which, we may confi-
dently say, that the dignified moderation, and mag-
nanimous spirit that ought to charaaerize the Bri-
tish Government are conspicuous; and which must
convince the unhappy People Of France, should it
ever be suffered to reach them, that if they are to be
harassed with new burthens, and distraeted with new
Wars, the fault will be entirely owing to the in-
satiable pride and ambition of their Ruler.

Sir PHILIP STEPHENS has resigned his situation
as one of the Lords of the Admiralty, in dose-
quence of liS increasing age and infirmities.