The Sun.
London, England, 1809-07-14 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

~:

We have received a series of the " Diario de
Oporto,- which was published during the late and
short occupation of that city by the French. The
first number came out on the sth of April. It fur-
nislees us with the following apology for the horrible
massacre of the inhabitants of Oporto, on the 29th
orthe preceding month
" The catastrophe which Oporto has just suffered
::as been truly dreadful, and should serve as a warn-
ing to all those who have the folly and temerity to
undertake great enterprises Without calculating the '
means, or looking forward to the result. But,
amidst the horror with which so severe an example
must affect every feeling heart, there is certainly
abundant matter of consolation to minds capable of
weighing in the balance of genuine philosophy, and
jirely appreciatieg proceedings which are the more
to be admired, the less they were. to have been ex-
pecti.d. At all.times, and among all nations, even
ti,e most polite and civilized, a town entered by ,
storm, and carried by assault, has invariably been
exposed to the fury of the conquerors, and paid with
its entire destruaion the penalty of its contumacy.
.All history abounds in fads of this description, and
unfortunately that of Portugal is not less fertile in
such fatal and lamentable examples.. What is term-
ed
the right of war,' puts into the bands of the
conqueror every thing belonging to a contumacious.
city.' Life and property—every thing is placed at
his disposal, and depends entirely upon his pleasure;
and the termination of the assault is, in geneeal, the
commencement of destruction. Conflagration,
death, and ruin, immediately follow in the train of
victory. Such was the melancholy late which the
unfortunate city of Oporto lied to apprehend from a
conqueror, principally exasperated by the barbarity
fanatics, who, mistaking ferocity for valour, '
and insubordination for patriotism, and throwing off
ah respect for Government, dared to imbrue' their
heeds in the 'blood of one of the French Officers,
still in with a Flag of Truce, in contempt of the
law of nations by which, einong every people,
such persons are held sacred and inviolable. But
Divine Providence had determined that all should
rot suffer for the crime of a few, and, in the ful-
filment of his profound and inscrutable decrees,i he.
permitted the French army to be commanded by a •
• hero, in whose heart, valour, and humanity, contend
superiority. His Excellency the Duke of Dal-
matia, previously known by the appellation of Mar-
shal -Sonit, was the hero alluded to, whose ,soul al-
ways listens rather to the voice of mercy, than to
the calls of the most justifiable resentment. Thus
are the truly valiant, the genuine heroes, brave in
battle, humane after victory. Such is his Excellen-
ce, and such did he prove himself to be. Not only
empowered by the efforts of his brave army, but
authorised also by the laws of war, to complete the
destruction of this unfortunate city, and put to death
its wretched inhabitants, he was restrained by his
natural disposition, and his known goodness of heart;
and the carnage ceased with the assault, and the
work of destruction was put a stop to almost before
resistance was at an end. The. pillage which might
have continued many days, scarcely lasted a few
hours. Tranquility succeeded to confusion. The
strictest orders were given tO the soldiers to respeat
pyrsons and property ; and the soldiers, not less
well-discileitied than brave, most punanaily obeyed
them. At this moment, quiet is completely re-
stored, and the inhabitants of this city are deriving
consolation from this proceeding on the part of the
_Marshal. Thank Heaven that they have fallen into
the hands of a roan, who, .in the midst of his own
prosperity, can feel for the misfortunes of others,
and whose constant effort is to mitigate those evils
which he could not wholly prevent. Such is the
charader of his Excellency ; such has every where
been his conduct, and more particularly since his ar-
i val on the 'frontiers of Portugal, re may be seen by
the following

ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE IMPERIAL

ARMY, FROM THE FLAW!) OF ITS ENTRANCE INTO

YOHTUGAL,

[Of the principal events recorded in this account,
our readtrs we're long ago in po,session, , and as to
the details, tt may suffice t remark, that all of them
iece've that colouring which harmonizes with the
piaur, given 1.. s ut the wonderful " humanity" and
" scmibility" of Marshal Soult. At Chaves, Braga,
' an:' every other place entered by the French army,
on tiwir. roue to Oporto, the Clemency of the Corn-
mand;,r, and the " good discipline" and " friendly.
~tidnot" of the troops, are represented as having
overcome the prejudices, and completely won the
• s of the Portuguese. We shall translate
the concia.ing passage of the account, as it presents
us witl) another specimen of the dexterity with
• liich the writer glosses over the cruelties coin-
• tud on the enemy's entrance into Oporto.)
" Tk French army were, by ten o'clock in the

morning, within the walls of the city of Oporto.
The peasaony who garri,oned the redoubts fled in
disorder. The French troops vigorously pursued
11:n:. In the ii. tenor of the city there was some
resistance, but without any plan this led to some
degree of pillage, which from the fury of the soldiers,
oliLlit have been greater, had not the Duke of Dal-
ro,.t he moment he entered the city, exerted him-
self o put a stop to an evil which he foresaw, and
was anxious to prevent. The loss of the insur-
geots was very considerable, more particularly in the
redoubts. Both banks of the Douro exhibited a
speitaele. The panic-struck inhabitants rush-
td tor Safety to the bridge, which from the pressure
0: the vast multitude upon it, gave way, and an im-
mense number of persons of all ranks, '
conditions,
And ages perished in the river. Here it was that an
occalon arose for displaying. the humanity of the
soldiers, who, forgetting that these wretch-
,e,), beings were enemies, and, remembering only that
tfiey were men, and unfortunate, used every exer-
tion to save them. Persons who were thus rescued
from death, have confessed the ha, to the honour
cf humanity, aod the confusion of those who bar-
barously take away the lives of their lellow-crea-
tur,-s. The following day tranquility was complete-
ly restored, and those who saw this city a few days
after, could not have believed that it had so recently
been taken by storm, had it not been for the dead
bodies which worthy and pious citizens were drag-
giUg out -4,i( t e t is er, and carrying off for interment.
ouch was the unfortunate fate whit h a few frantic
fanatics brought upon this unhappy city. Hemet)

grant, that they may not be called to account for the
blood of so many innocent persoos, who have fallen
victims to their ferocity, but alas ! that is impossible :
God, as he is the just rewarder- of the good, is also
the severe thastiser of evil. At all events, it is to be
hoped, that this calamity will open the eyes of the
Portuguese, make them sensible of their error, and
cause them to turn o deaf ear to those who lead them
into an abyss of perdition, in urging them to the absurd
exposure of their lives, their property, their families,
in a word, ail that constitutes happiness, by rashly
taking up arms, when quiet and rational men crew
enjoy in peace all the blessings that Providence allots
them."
Under the date of the 14th April, we find an
advertisement, stating, that the Duke of Dalmatia
had appointed a Commission for the purpose of
restoring the plundered property to the legal claim-
ants, being Portuguese. The Editor, at the same
time, takes care to mention the apprehension of an
Irishman and several Portuguese, who thought they
bad as good a rig to pillage as the French ; and he
embraces the opportunity of laying down a most
admirable distinction for the benefit of the latter.
" Expel ience," he says, " daily proves, that it was
-not the French troops alone who pillaged this city;
they at least were authorised ly the laws of war ;
but that there should have been Portuguese who
could avail themselves of the general calamity and
confusion to rob theircountrymen,and despoil then) of
those effeets which had been even spared amidst the
pillage, is a fact so horrible as to surpass even bar-
barism itself. But thanks to a vigilant Government,
those monsters are in the course of being discover-
ed, and w ill soon eeceive the just punishment of their
offeucts !"
On the :7th of April, a deputation of 12 Noble•
men, Clergymen, Merchants, etc. from Braga, wait-
ed upon Soult. The account of this interview,
which is given in their name, states, that he con-
versed largely with them upon the interests, the pro-
dude, commerce, and population of the province of
Minho. It contrasts this proceeding with the sup-
posed indifference of their old government, to any
thing else than the raising of taxes, asserts that the
flight of the Prince Regent amounts to a voluntary
abdication of the throne of Portugal, and anticipates
a happy futurity under a new dynasty. From the
passage which alludes to the change of sovereignty,
it should seem that Soult had beee,, tampering with
the deputies to procure an appl►cation to Napoleon
to confer that honour upon himself :—" The House
of Braganza no longer exists; it is the will of heaven
that our destinies should pass into other hands ; and
it has been the particular favour of Divine Provi-
dence, which governs the universe, to send us a
man, exempt from passions, and solely devoted to
true glory; and who desires to employ the force,
confided to him by the great Napoleon; only for our
protection and deliverance front the monster of
anarchy which threatened to devour us."—" Why
do we delay to assemble around him, and to pro-
claim him our father and deliverer ? Why do we
delay to express our anxiety to see him at the head
of a nation, of whose affections he has tnesle so rapid
a conquest ? The Sovereign of France will lend a
gracious ear to our supplications, and will ne happy
to see,' that we wish to have for our King, one ut
his lieutenants, and at the same time a great Gene-
ral, who, imitating his example, knows hew tv
conquer and to pardon."
On the 24th of April, Soult distinguished himself
es a religious devotee, to the great edification of the
Portuguese Clergy. The account given et this pro-
ceeding is as follows
" His Excellency the Marshal Duke of Deirnatia,
Governor of these Kingdoms, having frequently
heard of the great celebrity of the magnificent church
of our Lord of Matozinos, both for its antiquity,
and the astonishing miracle whereby Providence was
pleased to manifest his favour and particular regard
towards our country ; and being desirous of iisiting
the said church, and the most venerable image there-
in worshipped, has found the means of snatching,
for that purpose, a few moments from his numerous
and most important avocations. The venerable Rec-
tor of that parish, who was in attendance to-gratify
his pious wishes, met with so endearing and affable
a reception from his Excellency the Marshal, that,
from satisfaCtion and joy,, he could nut restrain his
tears. His Excellency addressed many questions to
him, not only with regard to the marvellous event
to which we owe that inestimable relic, but also re-
specting the population, agriculture, industry, and
all the means of subsistence, possessed by the inha-
bitants of that district. The reverend Pastor answer-
ed all these questions with much knowledge and
discretion. His Excellency then entered the Church
with the Officers of his Staff; and himself and his
retinue prostrating themselves before the Holy Altar,
paid that tribute of respect and reverence, which
religion requires of those who are animated with the
true spirit of Christianity. There cannot be a more
moving arid interesting speCtacie, than to see a great
man humbling himself in the presence of the King
of Kings, and the Sovereign Disposer of Empires.
All the inhabitants of Matozinos, who were pie-
sent at this religious solemnity, were wrapt up in
ecstacy. His Excellency expressed extreme con-
cern, on learning that a great part of the ornaments
and jewels belonging to that magnificent Church had
been cal vied off; but the magnanimity of his soul
could not confine itself to the simple expression of
concern. Impelled by the boundless generosity, of
which be has already given us so many proofs, he
declared to the ReCtor, in the presence of the Sacred
Image, that in the name, and on the part of his Ma-
jesty the Emperor and King, he dedicated for ever
to that church a silver lamp, with the funds neces-
sary
to keep it continually burning : that he madea fur-
ther offering of two large silver candlesticks ; and also
that he resolved to douole the stipend of the ReCtor,
and the salary of the Sacristan. Let this fact be
contrasted with what we have been told, both ver-
bally and in writing, by fanatical declaimers, re-
specting the irreligion of the French troops and their
leaders, and we shall become convinced of their
partiality and falsehood. It is time to open our eyes,
and to acknowledge the hand of Providence in the
series of events which have befallen us. How for-
tunate are we, that Heaven has destined u, iu be
governed by a hero who possesses a heart distio-,ed to
be deeply and warmly impressed with all ihe ma-
jesty of our liely Religion, and who aspires only to
make it shine forth ►with new and never-halii g
splendour ! Let the calutuniatore be confounded,
and the timid be tranquil. Our hopes ought to be
le-animated, now that they have obtained a support

which, reiting on religion, and lifting its ncad above
the storms, promises their entire realization."
Soult, accordingly, on the 28th of April, issued
a Decree tor placing a silver lamp in the Church of
Matozinos, which he dedicated to " our Lord the
good Jesus of Bouzas," and assigning an annual
revenue .of 16;000 reis for keeping it perpetually
burning, in honour of the image of " our said Lord."
The Decree also doubled the income of the Reaor
and Sacristan.

On the 26th April, Soult ',gave audience to a De-
putation
of 36 persons from Braga, and the civil, re-
ligious, and military authorities of Oporto. In the
speeches addressed to him upon this occasion, he was
pressed to permit them, until the " supreme in-
tentions " of the Emperor should be ascertained, to
swear fidelity to " his most worthy Representatives
who had so many claims to the love, respeet, and
gratitude of the Portuguese nation." The Repre-
sentative, in his reply, expatiated as usual on the
numerous blessings in reserve for the Portuguesei
under French Administration ; but he warily no-
ticed the hints of the Deputies, only in these terms:
" As to what concerns myself,' I feel myself obliged
by the frank expressions which you have used rela-
tive to my person; but it does not depend upon
me to answer them." The Deputie then had the
honour of kiss►ng his, Excellency's hand.

MAILS.
AR R tvit)--2 Cottenburgh, 2 Dublin. Du 1--O Cotten-
burgh, i Lisbon, i Malta, 2 Waterford.

PRICE OF STOCKS
THIS DAY AT TSVs.LVE O'CLOCK.
Consols - - - 68-Red. Ann. -

TtlE SU N.

SOLIDS QUIT 131CRIX 1 LISUM AUDIAT ?

L O N D O N,
FRIDAY, Jtil-A- 14, 1809.

This morning a Mail arrived irom Gottenburgh.
The following are the only articles of intelligence it
,brings :

STOCKHOLM, JUNE 28.—His Royal Highness has
the following report from General Baron
\YREnE, Commander in Chief of the Northern
Army :
" I have the honour to report to your Majesty,
that the frigates Froja and Bellona are criaizing oft
Quarkin, so that on the whole, four frigates, one
gun-brig, and a smaller,vessel, armed witb.carron-
ades, are at my disposal.

" I shall this day remove my bead-quarters to
Nordmaling, where the main body of your Majes-
ty's troops under my command is concentrated, and
I trust I can now, under divine Providence, answer
your Majesty for the safety of this part of the coast.
" WREDZ."

" Head-quarters, Herthosand, lune 25, 1809:"

His Majesty's coronation took place yesterday;
and, on the 3d of next month, the Royal Family
will receive the usual congratulations on the happy

event.

We have not yet-received any further intelligence
of the enemy's operations, arid must therefore sup-
pose that he has not made any further progress in
his intended invasion of this country.—(Stockholm
Gazette; June 30.)

Just before this Paper was put to Press, another
Gottenburgh Mail arrived, but its contents are very
Unimportant. An article from .Carlscrona, dated

the 51h inst. states, that the regulations adopted in
Russia, for excluding English ships and merchandize
from the Russian Ports, are carried into effect with
the utmost rigour,.

THERE appears to be strong reason to believe,
from the extracts from the German Papers which
we yesterday laid before our readers, either that
JERONIE BUONAPARTE has sustained a defeat, or that,
after . all his boasting, he has found the Austrians
too strong to be attacked with any chance of suc-
cess. The circumstance of his ordering his heavy
baggage back to Magdeburgh, ,could only have pro-
ceeded from one of these causes. If our conjec-

tune upon this point should prove corral, JEROME
will be in a very precarious situation, for by this
time we have no doubt that a very formidable force
has been organized in Hanover, which will threaten
his rear.

The KING, QUEEN, Princesses SOPHIA, AU-
GUSTA, ELIZABETH, and MARY, accompanied by
Lords SOMERVILLE and RIVERS, Ladies THYNNE
and sister, Marchioness BATH and daughter IL-
CHESTER, and ALBINA CUMBERLAND, walked on
Windsor Terrace, till, nine o'clock, on Tuesday.—
His MAJESTY and Lord ,SOMERVILLE were greatly
in conversation, principally during the evening.—
The King's own Stafford Band attended, and played
a number of martial pieces.
On WeclneNday the QUEEN and Princess ELIZA•
BETH took an airing to her Royal Highness's Cottage,
at Old Windsor, where they partook of a cold
collation, &c. and at one o'clock returned to the
Palace.

Her MAJESTY and the PRINCESSES afterwards
dined at Frogmore Lodge, and returned to the Pa-
lace at eight o'clock.
Yesterday morning his MAJESTY, Princesses Au-
onsTA and SoPHIA, accompanied by Lord BUCKLEY',
Lady ALBINA CUMBERLAND, General FITZROY,
Colonels TAYLOR and DESBROW, rode in Windsor
Great Park, and returned at twelve o'clock.
Tha.QUEEN and Princess ELIZ ABB= took an air-
ing to Frogmvre.