The Sun.
London, England, 1832-10-27 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DESPATCH.

" Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
" SENIIOR,—Two occurrences of great interest have
taken place to-day, which it is my duty to announce—or
rather, I should say, two new triumphs have been achiev-
ed for the arms of thi Queen, by sea and land, which it
has become my good fortune to be the means of communi-
cating to you.
" For the details of the first—the naval battle of the
11th instant—l must refer you to the report of Admiral
Sartorius, which you will find in the Chronica, No. '7B,
adding only that the probable result of that action will he,
that the enemy's squadron will be obliged to put back to
Lisbon, after having suffered very great damage, especially
in the ships, and that the object which it hid more im-
mediately in view, of succouring the rebel army before
Oporto with artillery and other munitions of war, will be
entirely frustrated. The squadron of Admiral Sartorius is
now in sight of this place, having repaired all its losses,
and is about to recommence without further delay the
blockade of Lisbon.

" The action upon land took place only yesterday, and
therefore there has not yet been time to publish the de-
tails in an official shape. The enemy, after bombarding
and battering in breach for the space of two days a e
Convent of Serra, and throwing a❑ incalcul ,b'e number of
bombs and grenades into the city, determined, at three
o'clock yesterday evening, to attempt an assault upon the
place with a force of from 4,000 to 5,000 men. This at-
tack was, however, 'repelled with the utmost bravery and
enthusiasm by the valiant garrison of the Serra, and that
too witl oat calling upon the reserve corps which the Geee•
ral had placed in readiness to sustain them in case of need,
or even upon their own reserves, which were also in rea-
diness for the same purpose. The firing was kept up for
three hours, and three different times the enemy advanced
to the trenches, but were upon each occasion driven back,
leaving the place covered with their killed and wounded.
The exact amount of their loss has not yet been ascer-
tained, but it is calculated that it could not be less than
from 800 to 1,000 men. Dthieg the action a Major of
the 24th Regiment deserted to us from the enemy, with
two subalterns of the Bth Ca9adores, and a considerable
number of soldiers. Upon our side the loss has been
comparatively small in number, amounting, notwithstand-
ing the heavy fire of the assailants, to only 30 wounded ;
amongst whom are some four or five mortally, and per-
haps as many more or less dangerously, upon occasion oft
this attack.

" Since yesterday to the present time the firing of ar-
tillery has ceased along the whole line, and it may be ex-
pected that this last f.ilure will convince the enemy of the
hopelessness of hia attempts, and open the eyes of the
_ . .

troops, which are said to be newly coming up from Lisbon,
though led on by the Senhor Infante himself, and in force
of from 6,000 to 7,000 men, th it they are suffering them-
selves to be lid but to certain slaughter.

- •
" In order to give you an idea of the spirit with which
the garrison and inhatdtants of Oporto are animated, it
will be enough to say that, although, perhaps, 200 bombs
and grenades have already fallen in the city, nut the slighest
indication of discontent, or even of terror, has yet been
seen; but, on the contrary, the indifference and tran-
quillity with'which even the women look upon the frightful
spectacle is astonishing, and it is a lint that they have not
suspended, for a moment, their usual peaceful occupations.
" We continue to he supplied with provisions, and
every article of the necessaries of life, in the greatest
abundance. _

uu
•' The haste with which I am obliged to close this
letter, in order to prepare it for the sailing of the packet,
prevents me from entering into those details which I was
anxious to give at the very first opportunity, but which I
shall not fail to do at a future time, knowing your eager-
ness to learn, and patriotic zeal to appreciate, intelligence
at once so interesting and agreeable.

" Dios Guarde a. v. s.
Palace of Oporto, Oct. 15, ISM
" MARQUIS DE PALMELLA.
To the Senhor L. A. d'Abreu and Lima."