The Sun.
London, England, 1832-11-23 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

(From the Times).
OPORTO, SUNDAY, NOS'• 11.
I wrote a few hurried lines by the Royalist on Thursday
night, merely to inform you that no change had taken place
in our position ; and although many circumstances of consi-
derable importance have occurred, I may still say that we re-
main in statu quo. The circumstances to which I allude re-
late to internal regulations and changes amongst the autho-
rities here. I have, in the first place, to announce to you
the assumptio❑ of the command-in-chief of the army by the
Emperor himself, the Count Villa Floc's resignation having
been received at the same time. This was by no means
ill-received; indeed, on the contrary, was, as I am in-
formed, rather a popular measure with the army, and at the
same time every compliment which the Portuguese lan-
guage, abundant as it is in laudatory phraseology, could
convey, has been heaped on the late Commander•in-
Chief, who has been created Duke of Terceira, with
in forturo estates from the national domains, of the
value of 100 cantos of rein, for the support of his
new dignity. The object of this change, which I am
told has been in contemplation for some time, is under-
stood to be the more efficient control and energetic di-
rection of the force., which will be more easily effected
under the immediate command of the Emperor himself
than under that of any other individual, against whom
prejudices might be entertained and jealousies felt, which
might operate prejudicially, perhaps, at a critical moment.
Some persons have ascribed C ,unt Villa Floes resignation
to the decree of the Emperor calling all the Portuguese
military to his standard, which will necessarily bring the
Count de Saldanha, General Stubbs, and others of the de-
mocratic party back to the country ; and it is well known
that anything but a friendly feeling has been entertained
towards these by Count Villa Flor and his friends, who
are supposed, whether justly or not I cannot say, to lea❑
more towards the bestowal of power exclusively upon the
Fidalgos, or aristocratic order. I merely give you the re-
ports as I hear them, and make no comment, as my
knowledge of the country is too limited to enable me to
venture on pronouncing an opinion. Another resigna-
tion, but totally unconnected with that of Count Villa Flor,
has also taken place,—l mean that of M. Mouzinho d'Al-
buquerque, the Minister for the Marine Department. This
is not as yet announced in the Gazette, neither is any
successor appointed ; and while matters remain in this
provisional state, I do not feel my'self at liberty to men-
tion more than the simple fact. While on this point I
may observe, with respect to the fleet, that Admiral Sar-
torius is on shore, that the frigates are cruising on the
coast, while most of the smaller vessels are anchored
within the bar, where they are likely, from what I shall
presently mention, to have warm work.
You are aware that the Childers, Captai❑ Deans, has
left the river, and is ordered home, supposed to be for the
purpose of joining the Scheldt expedition, and the com-
mand here now devolves upon Captain Glascock, of the
Orestes. From circumstances, the task of this officer is
become one of no common responsibility, as the events
now occurring render the position of every ship in the
river most critical and hazardous. I shall mention mat-
ters as they occurred in order of time, and you will judge
whether I am correct in designating the situatio❑ of the
commanding-officer here as one of serious responsibility.
The force now here is the Orestes, 18 guns ; the Nauti-
lus, 10 guns ; and the Etna, formerly a bomb-ship, but
now with her cutter engaged, under the command of
Captain Belcher, as a surveying-vessel, and not to be con •
sidered, in point of fact, as a ship of war. The Leveret,
10 guns, is also at present in the river, but has merely
come in to water, and will proceed for Lisbon to-morrow,
in ease she can get over the bar. The Echo steamer also
remains here. To proceed, however, on Tuesday last, the
6th, Mr. Dickey, the First Lieutenant of the Orestes, went
out to Don Miguel's lines with a statement from
the Consul rs:specting the breaking open and plun-
dering of a merchant's lodge at Villa Nova, by some
of the troops at the south side. He was received, as
his predecessor (Mr. M'Donald) had been, with the utmost
courtesy by the officers of the pickets, and his manner
and bearing are exactly suited both to wi❑ confidence and
inspire respect. They conversed freely with him, some of
them asking after their friends in Oporto, and amongst
other topics saying that they were in want of wine. He
asked them, jokingly, how that could be, while they had
Villa Nova in their possession ; but they said strict orders
were given to prevent any one from touching anything
there. On Wednesday be went for the reply to his com-
munication, and it came from the Viscount de Santa
Martha, who is now in command, Gaspar Teixeira having
gone to Lisbon ; whether in disgrace or no I cannot say.
The answer was to the effect that the officer lately in
command had given the most particular orders to respect
the merchants' property at Villa Nova ; that inquiry
should be made, and the recurrence of any such event
strictly guarded against. On Thursday a communication
was sent from General Santa Martha to the Briton fri.

gate, then cruising off the bar, hut now at Vigo for water,
announcing that the bar and the river Douro were to be
considered in a strict state of blockade; that no vessels
of any nation would in future be allowed to enter;
that batteries upon the south side would proceed to
sink and destroy all Don Pedro's ships in the river, and
all vessels engaged in carrying troops or stores for him,
no matter what flag they bore ; that all ships in the
river would do well to provide for their safety, as Don
Miguel's Government would not hold themselves account-
able for any injury which might result from the measures
that must be resorted to for this purpose ; and that this
❑otice was given in order to save the framing of protests,
which would not be attended to. A meeting of merchants,
and those interested in shipping, was yesterday held at the
office of the Consul, who read to them this communica-
tion. They did not come to any determination on the sub-
ject; and if they were inclined to leave the port, it is now out
of their power, the bad weather hav•ng set in, and it was
impossible for either the Pike or the Pantaloon packets
for England to have any communication with the shore,
and they were in consequence obliged to sail for England
without mails. At the very time that the meeting was
holding at the Consul's, Santa Martha was giving proof
that his threats and his notice were not a mere brutum
fubnen. Two batteries from the south side began to play
upon Don Pedro's ships, and were answered very
briskly by them. Shells were thrown from a howitzer
on a hill behind the quarantine ground, and after some
time got so good a range that I saw them burst right over
the ships, to which they could not but have done mis-
chief. A battery of light guns, half a mile lower down on
the hill of St. Andre, over a house well known an Donna
Rosa's quints, continued to play, answered by the
ships, and this lasted until night, when the darkness,
accompanied with tremendous rain, put an end to the
cannonade. The shooting from Don Pedro's ships, par-
ticularly the Villa Flor, was excellent, the shots constantly'
striking close to the battery, but I could not be a judge of
the damage they may hare done. Those from the land
injured the ships, and one of them, the Villa da Prays,
was obliged to be hauled on shore, or she would have sunk.
She is since got off and come up the river. While this
was in progress, the batteries from this (the north side,
higher up) began to play, and necessarily every shot from
them went over the English ships•of-war, which are now
moored upon the opposite side, a position taken up yes•
terday, when the batteries opened, in order that they
might keep up as much as possible out of the line of fire.
The battery on the south side continue to make progress,
and embrasures are opened this morning, the guns from
which will bear up the river. What the object of this
may be, whether to silence the batteries at this side, or to
play on any of the ships below that may drift up, I can-
not say, but the inevitable result is, that not merely the
ships-of-war, but every ship in the river will be exposed
to a cross fire, from which it is impossible but that they
must receive damage. A shell burst close to the vessel in
which an English gentleman's family are residing, and my
wonder was Yesterday how the masts of the ships of-war
escaped. Mr. Dickey, of the Orestes, went out again
yesterday with a despatch for General Santa Martha,
communicating to him from Captain Glaacock that the
English ships•of-war had, in order to he out of the line
of fire, gone to the south side of the river, and also con
veying from the Consul an extract of a letter from Lord
Palmerston, declaring, that in the event of any injury
being committed upon the persons or properties of his
Majesty's subjects in Oporto, the fleet of Admiral Parker
would immediately inflict punishment upon Lisbon. This
may be a satisfaction to you at home, but it is awkward
comfort for those that are here ; and while I write, the same
cross fire is going on. Lord Palmerston's letter, I am
told, says that the reason for the fleet at Lisbon being
railed on to avenge us is, that the force in the Douro is
to) small to defend itself,—a most injudicious admission,

if made, and certainly a needless oner—l think also nr,t
true, as, if British officers are not hampered with orders
from persons at home, who can know nothing of the
difficulties they may meet with, let their force be ever so
small, experience has proved that they will cause it to be
respected. Why, moreover, should the force have been
left so trifling, when the danger was long since pointed
out? Now, should Don Pedro's vessels come higher up
the river, and run under the lee, or in any way be covered
by the British ships, we have fair notice from Aliguel's
side that they will proceed, no matter what mischief they
cause to neutrals, and what course can he taken. There
is doubtless a remedy for all this, and with energy and
resolution it must succeed—l mean, going out from this
and destroying the batteries on the south side, from
Villa Nova to the sea. This, I believe, has been long
under consideration, and certainly is desired by all. Ne
. _ .

cessity, too, must ultimately compel it, and I hope, ere
'ong, to be able to send you an account that all is quite
free again, and that neither the city nor the harbour are
in danger from cannonade or bombardment.
Leaving this point, I now come to another—there-
ported progress of Don Miguel through the country. He
travels on horseback, with a staff of about 20 officers ; behind
this body is an empty carriage, for his Majesty to repose
in when faticued. In the rear of this comes a litter with
the Princess Isabel Maria,who appears absorbed in grief, sur-
rounded by a strong guard of cavalry; then an empty
litter, and litters with the ladies (attendants on the Prin-
cess, I presume), close the cavalcade. In this order the
Court came to Arnellas, where a house was prepared fur
Don Miguel ; but he declined stopping. At Santo Tierco
the monks had prepared a grand feast for him ; but be
relined to partake of it, saying that these were no times
for feasting. He went on to Braga, where be was re-
ceived with marvellous rejoicing by the ratable, and took
up his residence in the Episcopal Palace, his sisters being
consigned to the pious care of the Ursulines of that city.
Of his further progress nothing certain is known ; he is
said to be coming down towards the sea, receiving the
blessings and the money of the monks on his route; but
it is understood that he has fixed upon Braga as his quar-
ters for the winter. There are a few of them in the con-
vent of St. Antonio, on the other side of the river here,
that I wish were with him, as they are a nuisance to the
population of this town, and a disgrace to any thing bear-
ing even the semblance of religion. It is said that the
party now in the convent is composed of 25 of the brethren
lately come from Grijo, and their amusement consists in
firing across the river at every body they see. The other
day a shot from one of them went through a child's head
whilst at the mother's breast, and the bullet passed through
the poor woman's breast also. She fell, and such was the
Christian charity of these miscreants, that they put a bullet
through the bat of a boy that went to assist the unfortu•
nate mother in removing her slaughtered infant. With re-
spect to Miguel's army, the deserters say that it is under-
stood they will not make another attack until the 15th.
This would tally with his decree of amnesty from Coimbra
to all who should come in within 20 days from its date
(the 25th of October). I sent this decree to you a few
days since. On the Villa Nova side they are erecting
batteries, and report says that they have got up eight fresh
mortars, with several pieces of heavy artillery. As yet
we have heard nothing from them, and they cannot make
quick progress, as they are compelled to work by night
only, the guns from this side telling too closely upon
them during the day. If, however, there is not a sortie
from this side, and they are allowed to complete their
works without interruption, we shall have hot work from
shot and shells upon the town.
Within the city all is quiet, and every thing goes on as
usual. Fresh meat is considerably dearer than it was, every
exertion being made on Miguel's lines to prevent it from
coming in. To the Portuguese the want of this is no pri-
vation, as at any time they would give up roast beef for
salt fish, and there is a sufficiency of that article, as well
as rice, flour, and salt meat to supply the town for twelve
months, should our blockade last so long. I am confident,
however, that it will be soon raised, as, independently of
what I expect from sorties, the weather has latterly been
so excessively cold, and is now turned so wet, that it will
be impossible for the troops on the north side to continue

in out-quarters.
As regards the army of Don Pedro, there is no neces
sity for tne to repeat the names and numbers of the va-
rious reinforcements which have lately arrived. The most
distinguished of all these parties is that under Colonel
Baron, who is organizing a regiment of Lancers, and
their equipment is such as would he envied even by the
crack 10th. They are to be called the Queen's Lancers.
fhe English brigade is now to he formed into a regiment
of four battalions; and all would proceed smoothly but
for some unfortunate misunderstanding which has, I re
gret to say, led to the resignation of Colonel Hodges.
This gallant officer, I believe, returns to England in the
Liverpool, the vessel by which I hops to send this letter,
and it is a source of pain to those who wish well to Don
Pedro's cause that it should lose his services. He has had an
immensity of trouble in forwarding the interests and making
the arrangements of this body. He has commanded the Eng-
lish and French from the commencement, and they cer-
tainly lost no honour while under his orders. I know not
what the cause of this breach has been, but it is attributed to

the late order of the Emperor taking away the French from
under his command. A great number of young gentlemt n
came out here in full confidence that they were at once to get
commissions. This could not be effected ; so Colonel
Hodges proposed the formation of a carps of volunteers,
out of which the commissions would be filled up as they
became vacant. I looked forward to see this gallant band
rival their predecessors of the olden time, and that Lord
Herbert of Cherbury, and Sir Philip Sydney, would be
but as dim stars in the brilliancy of sunshine, when com-
pared with the splendid achievements of the really fine
young men that are out here. I should regret Colonel
Hedges' absence doubly if this project is defeated by it ;
but I still trust it may succeed.
Sir John Milley Doyle, you will perceive by the Chro-
nice, has been appointed Major-General, and one of the
Emperor's Aide-de-Camps. I have also heard that he
has this day got the command of the British regiment,
consequent upon the resignation of Colonel Hodges. It
is said that Gen. Excelmans, or some other distinguished
French officer, is expected here daily, to become chief of
the Emperor's staff, and vigour and enterprise are imme-
diately looked forward to. I wish some personage of the
kind were here, as every hour brings new proof of the
necessity of prompt and decisive measures.

MONDAY, NOV. 12.

I was called away yesterday to witness that the proba-
bility of which I had mentioned a few moments previously,
the moving up the river of Don Pedro's squadron, or the
major part of them. Five of them and an old hulk, used
as a prison ship, took advantage of the tide to effect this
movement, and they are now moored close in amongst the
merchant vessels. So long as they remain quiet it is pro.
liable that Don Miguel's batteries will not play upon them,
from the destruction that must ensue to the merchantmen ;
but if the Massarellos Battery continues its fire, I am doubt-
ful whether such forbearance can reasonably be expected.
The first perception of this movement very naturally caused
a feeling on the part of the officers of the British ships,
lest they might be drawn into hostilities by Don Pedro's
squadron taking shelter under them. Whether this was
intended or not I know nut, but any attempt of the kind
was prevented by the English Commanding Officer in the
river, who told Admiral Sartorius, and communicated the
same to the Marquis of Palmella, that if he were in
this way brought under the fire of Don Miguel's batte-
ries, he should visit the offence on those who caused it,
and be compelled, however reluctantly, to fire upon the
ships. The result was favourable, as the Admiral and
the Officers of Don Pedro's squadron declared they
should feel ashamed to think of seeking shelter
in that way ; the ships passed higher up without com-
mitting any act of hostility, and the little squadron of
British vessels lies secure and unmolested. It is probable
that the necessity for Don Pedro's ships coming up the
river would have been obviated, bad the proposal of the
officers of these vessels, made on Saturday, been accepted
by the Government. Captain George, and Lieutenants
Morgell and Buxton, finding that the attempt to keep
their moorings under the fire of the batteries was useless,
and that the vessels must be sunk if something were not
done, went to the Admiral, and offered, with their Jacks,
about 300 in number, to demolish the batteries on the
south side. The Admiral proposed this to the Emperor,
desiring that 2,000 or 3,000 men should be thrown over
at Villa Nova, if possible, to destroy the batteies there
and, at all events, to act as a diversion, while the tars
were at work lower down the river. The proposition
would not he listened to, and the consequence is, that th,
vessels are driven up. The Emperor, I have no doubt.
teas influenced in hie determination by
a knowledge of tht.

atrct,_
Pact, that ths enemy have inere (ther; force at Villa
-N,,,va arid an, on I IL to ii 0,/l) ~ cto„ll4"iltalbr Wial a view
tis the proteciion of their new let erks., The necessity
for a sortie upon Villa Nova has peen onig seen, and often -,;;.,i
pointed out here; it hss been felt too, thoughmtiactpl-
inn, and I now can only hope that it is not yet too is to
do something decisive in that quarter.
The resignation of Colonel Hodges, I understand, his
been caused by these motives—that although the defence
of the Serra was instantly rew,,rded, that of the cit
made by the English and French, on the 29th of Sep-
tember, not less splendid and much more b'oody, ha,
been in no degree noticed ; that calumny and neglect have
been their only reward, and that all others have been con.
stantly refused Colonel Hodges on their behalf ; that
both the French and English have been, for a length of
time, ill clothed and in want of other things, but that he,
could get nothing for them, although in many instance s
arreats of 101. and 12/. were doe to the men, who we e
obhgid to serve in the trenches for weeks without great-
coats, although there was plenty of clothing in store, sent
expressly for the use of the brigade. A good hospital and
sufficient attendance were also denied. Colonel Hodges
also felt himself thwarted in his desires for his men by the
Minister of War and the Einp-ror's Military Secretay, and
tl,i, with the sudden and unceremonious taking of the
French from under his command, caused him to send in

his resignation. These are the reason•, as I understand,
assigned by Colonel Hodges for the course he has pursuee
If well-grounded there can he no lloubt that lie is fully
justified, but I should have felt better -pleased for his own
sake if this breach had not occurred t a moment which
it is useless to deny, is one of difficulty for the cause ho
has so well served.

Some six of the English lately arrived (I believe i❑ the
Royal George steamer, under the guidance of Mr.
Cochrane, whose colonelcy would not be acknowledged),
not liking their reception here, took it into their heads to
go over to Don Miguel's army, but the latter, not desir-
ing further acquaintance with such rascals, scourged
them back into the city—the best thing I have known
that party yet to do.
The weather continues so bad, and with every prospect
of co remaining, that although I write I fear I ►nay not
have an opportunity of sending immediately ; I shall,
however, put my letters on board the Liverpool, aware
that the moment there is a chance of her going out she
will take advantage of it, as both she and the London
Merchant have so little fancy far such peppering as that
of Saturday, that I do not think doubling the five-and,
forty guineas a day paid by Don Pedro would induce them
to come back when once fairly over the bar.
I forgot to mention that a request was made by Din
Pedro's Government for the Echo steamer to become the
bearer of a letter to Lisbon, to be forwarded from thence,
as no communication was open here. The letter was, I
understand, from the Emperor to the young Queen and
Regent of Spain. The steamer could not be granted with-
out orders from home, but the Leveret, which is on her
way to Lisbon, will, 1 hear, take the letter.

TUESDAY, Nov. 13.
I continue my journal of events as they occur here.
Yesterday there was but very little firing from either side ;
in fact, the day was so wet and stormy that it was impos-

Bible to effect Enoch. In the morning, mortar

battery 4 om behind the quarantine ground threw some

shells across the river against some of Dun Perfro's vessels

that remained below.

Not having their range accurate,

they were very near doing serious injury to the Briti.h
ships, and one shell burst so close under the bow of the
Leveret, that all on board her first thought she bad blown
up. A midshipman named Cleveland, of the Nautilus,
commanded by Lord George Paulet, obtained leave to go
ashore, but went, contrary to orders, upon the south si le

and took his way up the hill straight towards Miguel's
battery, and did not return. No account was heard of
him until to-day, when Mr. Dickey of the Orestes,
having gone out of the lines on the north, asked whether
they had any intimation there of the fate of this young
officer ? Don Miguel's officers answered yes ; that a
person answering the description had been taken up, and
was then a prisoner at the Villa Nova side ; that they knew
not what he was, and that in any country a stranger coming
up to the works of an army, which they might wish to
keep secret could not expect any other lot than that
of being treated as a prisoner. In the afternoon of Mon-
day the heaviest gale known for some years in the river
set in, and of course caused some confusion amongst the
chipping. Little damage was, however, done, although the
ships-01-war were obliged to strike their topmasts. I send
you the Chronica, and in that of Monday (No. 103) you
will find an account of the affair of Saturday. Don Pe-
dro's ships, as I have mentioned, moored among the
merchant ships, and it having been represented to Admiral
Sartorius that any act of hostility committed by them
might lead to the destruction of all the shipping, he gave
strict orders that not a shot should be fired from any of
them. Divisions, lam sorry to say, still prevail in the
British Brigade, and Major Shaw and three other officers
were yesterday put under arrest, and will be tried by court-
martial. One of them, Lieutenant Jenkins, hail previ-
ously sent in his resignation, but it was not received.
During the whole of this day the enemy has been ex-
tremely active, throwing in shot and shells from the new
batteries they have erected, and in the lower pin of the
town, I may say from the Postig de Sol to the Porta Nova,
shells and shot have fallen thick. Miguel's artillery is now
of larger calibre than heretofore, but I have heard of none
heavier than 24. pounders. The Rua Nova dos Ingleses
has again suffered, and the dignity of the factory has not
been st all respected. One shell struck against the iron gate-
way in front, and burst in the street, and another fell right
through the Consul's office, and shattered everything around,
and a third burst in the splendid dining-room of the house,
and necessarily caused great damage. They say that 300
shells have fallen daring the day, but this I believe to be
an exaggeration. The enemy have, I understand, fortified
their batteries more than they were heretofore, and onc,
known as Pine-grove battery, has now an embankment
thrown up before it, so as to be in a great measure pro-
tected from the guns of the Torre de Marca, which, on
some former occasions, were enabled speedily to silence it.
Towards the bar Don Miguel's troops have been bard at
work, and they have now nearly completed a formidable
battery, with an entrenchment around it, which will, I
fear, give them the command of the entrance to the river.
They will mount eight or ten guns there. The British
battalion, under the command of Colonel Williams, again
occupy their old position on the lines, the Cacadores being
withdrawn, as I presume, indeed, I may ssy I have no
doubt, for the purpose of the latter being sent across the
river to effect the destruction of the batteries at Villa
Nova. There is an awful stillness throughout the town
at present. The enemy have not thrown any shells du-
ring the evening, and everything seems to presage tbat
to-morrow will be a day pregnant with events, such as
perhaps may decide the fate of the war or at least of this
campaign. I mutt refer you to the Chronica, No. 104,
for the changes that had taken place. M. Mouzinho
d'Albuquerque is to be Minister of the Interior; Don
Bernardo de Sa, the Military Governor of the City, who
lost his arm on the Sth of September, to succeed him as
Minister of Marine, now an office merely honorary, from
Admiral Sartorius's appointment as Major-general of the
Marine; and the Doke of Terceira is the Emperor's first
Aide-de-camp.
I understand that the object of the message to General
Santa Martha to-day was to obtain free egress for all ships
that chose to leave the port, and for the boats of the

mquadron to pass in and out with the mails to and from
England, as well as to announce that the squadron would
take up ground close to St. Antonio's convent, in expec-
tation of the fresher. The answer will be given to-mot-
row, if the General is not too busy, as I apprehend will
be the case. As respects the attack of to-morrow, the
only fear 1 have arises from my conviction of the accu-
rate knowledge possessed by the enemy of every design
formed here, and their consequent preparation. Men and
women, old and young, constantly go across the river
laden with despatches, and I do not think it too much to
infer that all are not in favour of this side. I may here
observe, that the battery which I have termed that of
Massarellos is properly named Conego.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14.
It has been as I expected ; and this morning, about
half-past four, or nearer to five o'clock, I was awoke by
the throwing of shells and rockets in quick succession
upon the city, and higher up the river towards the Se-
minario. This was caused by their being made aware of
the crossing, at that point, of a force from this side,
which went over with the design of destroying their
batteries. The troops sent over did not, as I understand,
exceed 1,500 men, of the 2d, sth, and 120 Cacadores,
under the command of that excellent officer Col. Shwal-
bach. The passage and disembarkation of this body was
well and speedily effected, under the superintendence of
Capt. Hill, and the troops landed above the Serra Convent. 1 t
is, at a moment like this, not possible to collect all the
Sde-
tails of the attack, but the general facts are these :—Col.
Shwalbach's division proceeded along the left of the Serra,
looking from this side, and traversed the hill in that di-
rection, necessarily making a detour in order to flank the
enemy's batteries. They drove all they met before them,
for eight guns, which they speedily destroyed. There were
no guns in it, but themselves of a battery ready
generally supposed, or whether they lad never been
possessing
gr
they had been removed, as is
the troops continued their advance, not vvlthout a war n
opportunity of judging. After this
and succeeded
Io
n havetihne P
np
oar of the enemy, who is ere fully ready,

analse futa e wa• ve superior in point of numbers.
.
Ti•ey were, however, incap.ble of resisting the tried valour
rf the Cng ;der-s, and retired at all points, leaving more
than 100 prisoners in the • hands of Slewalhach's corp..
'1 he latt,r pursued them, and reached the top of Villa
Nova, where they were on the point of destroying a three-
guh hat:ery, when the bugle ordered their return. The fire
for the space of an hour and a half was most vivid and
well sustained, and the whole affair highly creditable to
the troop, engaged. A party of 300 sallied from the Serra
to aid their comrades, aed did excellent service, and
IA the number of troops been greater, I entertain no eloubt
. but that the main object wou'd have been effected, and
the city now fr e from the annoyance of their batte
. ries. The numb. r of prisoners and deserters sent du
ring the action to this side was 160, exclusive of a
sergeant and IS men of Don Miguel's 4th Reeisnent,
brought over at their own request by Captain Hill.
The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was very
severe ; their numbers and confusion having given the corps
from this side the advantage, that their shots could
se,ircely miss. The loss upon this side amounts to only 46
killed and wounded; amongst the former an English
volunteer, named Hayward, who was for some time past
at-ached to the British battalion, but whose career was
thus terminated by having offered his services on this
occasion to Colonel ShwaTacli, who, having known him,
reldily accepted them. The troops re-embarked in the
best order, a, el had returned to this side of the river hv
ten o'clock. The forces of Don Miguel upon that sire
wern very numeious, at least from 6,000 to 7,000 men,
comprised of four regiments of the line, a body of cavalry,
and a great number of militiamen and guerrillas. With
such a force to oppose him, a force too evidently prepare d
for his reception, it would have been highly imprudent in
Colonel Shwalhach to have proceeded further than lie
did; and havirg beaten them, destroyed their battery, and
withdrawn his men utimelested, both he and his coil's
have earn' d honour for themselves. Very considerable oh-
' jects have also been obtained by this attack, as, short as
the time was, it sufficed to re open the communication be
tween the city and the south side of the river, and the
country people flocked from all quarters across the river
tlee instant the restraint imposed upon them was removed.
Forty-e7ght bullocks, a seasonable supply, were, I under-
stand, thus got into town, as well as milk, meal, vegetables,
and oil, which came from Villa Nova in large quantities.
I shall now describe shortly to ye u another part of tle-
elay's proceedings, which I had the opportunity of wit-
nes.sing,—l mean an attack made by the sailors and ma•
vines from Don Pedro's ships lower down the river, op-1
pesite Massarellos. I have before mentioned to you that
Don Miguel's people had erected two batteries—one on
the hill behind the quarantine ground, and another lower
down towards the bar. •• 'fhe object of the jacks was to
take these batteries and destroy the guns and mortars, and
for this purpose about 250 or 300 of them, under the
command of Capt iin Morgell and Lieutenant Buxton,
larded on the south side, close mole r a pottery, at a little
after seven o'clock. Alelidugh I suppose it is needless, 1
will premise by saying, :that the hanks on both sides are
steep mountains, on the right exactly like the bills at
Clifton, near Bristol, 'alottpt precipices ; on tie left a
little more rounded, and with a faint -how of vegetation.
When the jack's landed, they remained in silence waiting
for the order to advance, which they received in a vert
short time, three or four vidette,s despatched by them hav-
ing returned. • Many of them bad muskets, but several
were armed only with cutlasses and pistols, while some
carried sledges and pick-axes, designed for the destruction
of the guns. These were in position on the top of the hello,
short way lower down the river than the spot er,
which the landing was effected,—and the sailors has
ing formed, advanced obliquely • up the hill, is
the direction of the quarantine station. Upon reach.
ing the crest of the bill, I lost sight of tlittn for
a short time ; but, in a little more than a quarter
of an hour, some of them again became visible.
and one or two descended the hill with a halting step, e‘ i-
dently wounded. While they w, re thus out of sight a
very slight firing took place, but the sailors succeeded in
teaching into the battery, and spiked three guns with their
bayonets sod ramrods, tl.e men, in their hurry up the
hill having forgotten the sledges and other implements in.
ruided for spiking and breaking the trunnions off the guns.
I regret to say, that the first man to fall, on the advance to
the battery, was the gallant leader of the party,
Captain .Morgell, an . officer who has, in every in--
staueee distinguished himself, and wino is latnented
by the. Admiral and• all who knew him, both
as an efficer and a gentleman. The enemy, who fled in'
the first instance, or perhaps pretended to fly, very so: r,
rallied; and haVing full room to act. with cavalry; the top.
ui the hill being a level plain, rade an endeavour with an
overpowering force, to cutoff the party from the shore.
Nothing was left to the jacks but to get to their hosts
and after an occasional advance.and-retreat, and the useful
cover of a wall on the top of the bill, they came in about
three quarters of an hour from the first advance running
down the bill as fast as they could. The enemy pursued
in force, and then a hot fire was opened from the ships in
the river, and Don Pedro's post and battery opposite,
in order to cover their retreat. This of necessity pro-
voked a sharp reply, and what I anticipated took place,
fire every merchant-ship in the river was instantly
under fire, and this continued for several hours, until fa-
tieue and the heavy rain at length caused a cessation, after
. five hours' sharp firing. Should Don Miguel's officers
direct shells upon Don Pedro's squadron, the merchantmen
stand every chance of being destroyed, as it is utterly im-
possible for any distinction to be made. Don Miguel's
troops, too, are not remarkable for their forbearance; and
you may conceive of what a description they are from this
fact, that during this day they fired at a poor woman and
child upwards of 100 shots, and shouted with delight at
seeing the poor creatures run from their valour. The
pi isoners taken appear in a wretched plight, and say they
have been on half rations for the last three weeks ; and
those of them who belong to the militia declare their re-
pugnance to the service ; but the orders to the authorities
of every parish being to burn the houses and property of
those who do not serve, and to shoot the unfortunate de-
linquents who prefer home and quiet to serving Miguel,
these poor people prefer death in the field to the destruc-
tion that wou'd otherwise await both themselves and their.
families. The enemy, I suppose, to prove to us that
the object of the sortie was not accomplished, have
continued during the day to throw in a greater number
of shells than they have done on any previous occa
sion, and, I fear, have caused a considerable degree cif
mischief. On the north, or rather the west side, the enemy
pushed forward their pickets to Lordello, and towards
Villar. They had some skirmishing with the French, but
were driven away by a party of Ceo idores. The Queen's
Lancers, Colonel Bacim's regiment, now consisting of five
troops, organized with admirable rapidity, were out on
service for the first time.' They were reviewed at 1
o'clock by the Emperor, and then sent out, but suffered
. nothing save front the rain, which has been falling in tor-
rents for the last few hours. I did hope that the result of
this day would have been the sweeping of the enemy all
the way from Villa Nova to the sands of Campo,lello, and
bad even a thousand men more been sent out that object
would have been effected. The next time I trust an ade-
quate force will be sent out, and then I have no fear of
the result. Another fault I cannot help noticing, viz.,
that the sailors were sent without any troops to cover or
protect them. Had a body of men landed low down with
them, the battery now commanding the liar would have
been demolished, but Diis alter visum est, and mere
mortals have no right to complain.
Sir John Doyle, Colonel Bacon, and his officers, have
agreed to serve for Portuguese pay, the difference to be
made up when the army is in possession of Lisbon. YoU
will find this mentioned with great praise in the Chronica.
The corps of volunteers, about 30 in number, is formed,
and they are armed with rifles.
FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. 16.
I send you the Chronica of Wednesday evening, which
had not appeared at the time I closed my letter. I was in
expectation that I should have been able to send you the
Gazette account of the affair of Wednesday, particularly
as the paper of yesterday only came out this morning.
This hope has, however, been disappointed, as the paper
contains nothing, I . may say, interesting to you, the lead-
ing article being devoted to a dissertation upon the point
whether a certain section of the constitutional charter has
been violated by the grant in perpetuity of 100 contos of
iris to the Duke of Terceita. In consequence, and afraid
of trusting the thousand-and-one reports; all differing from
each other, except on one point, on which there can be
no doubt...-the masterly expedition and decision with
which Shwalbacb effected his sortie and. return, I shall
not venttmre to go further upon that subject, save to
correct a mistake or two into which I was led on Wed-
nesday. The battery taken for short period by the
sailors contained three mortars, an a d not cannon and
the spiking, from wan‘of proper implementer was not
adequately effected. Mayward, the English volunteer,
was killed, not with Colonel Shwalbach, but ti ith a party
of sailors. The Chronica will inform you that the Co-
lone' of lUiguel's 4th was killed, and the best feature in the
day's work has been the number of men from the other
side, who presented themselves, not ae deserters, by twos
or threes but in parties. - .Miguel's troops are much dis-
couraged by his non-appearance amongst them, and by the
total absence of pay, in addition to stinted rations.
After Captain Alorgell, who led the sailors, was killed,
the command devolved upon Lieut. Ruxton, of the Min
dells, whom I saw on the brow of the bill, leading on the

nn n, and frequently returning to call to stragglers, and
reprove the delay of -loiterers. I had heard that he had
shared the fate of: his friend Morgell, whom he cart ied
down the hill after being shot, in consequence of a mutual
engagement between them, that should either be killed the
other would take care of his body; but I was glad to meet
him yesterday evening safe and well. He had a very narrow
escape, three bullets having passed through his clothes.
Upon other points, I
.have only to tell you that changes
still continue. Sir John Milley Doyle no longer has the
command of the British Brigade, which I understand has
ben conferred upon a Portuguese General Pinto. Major
Shaw has been released front his arrest, and restored to
the command of his battalion, and the other officers have
also been liberated. Some of them, however, lem sorry
to s sy, persevere in their determination to go to England.
Every thing remains tranquil to-day ; but. we expect that
another sortie, with an adequate force, Ivlll be made to-
nig or to-morrow morning to carry the batteries, which
must he done at any price. There are several vessels now
off the bar, and perhapshefore I close this we may be aide
to see whether the hl: ckade of the port can be enforced by
the batteries at the south side.

The Nimrod, 20 guns, Lord Edward Russell, is now off
the bar, and corrmunicaing by signal with the Orestes.
Miguel's batteries fire at ti e pilot boats that attempt
stir. The Midshipman of the Nautilus has been sent
bark by Santa Martha, Sir J. Campbell, who was at
head-quarters, havin,! reci•gn'zed him as a British officer.

FALMOUTH, WEDNFSTL,Y, 5 O'CLOCK.

The Liverpool steamer, Hibbert commander, has just
arrived, and landed Colonel Hoda-t-s and servant, who
oceeded on to London immediately with despatches from
Oporto. The Liverpool left Oporto on the 16th.

(From the Morning Reral I.)

FRIT,AV, Nov. 1 6 —,IIOKNING.

The steamer being still detained by the adverse
bar, I am enabled to add a few lines to my already
(I fear) overloaded despatches. You will be sur-
. piised to find that some of my romances have an
end as well as a beginning in the same letter, and that,
among the rest, the appointment of Sir John Milley
Doyle to the command of the British Legion has
been withdrawn, and that officer's honours are now
confined to his tank as Major-General and Aide-de-
camp to the Emperor. All the officers phtced
under arrest since his appointment have been re-
leased, which I am particularly pleased with on ac-
count of C lonel Shaw, who is one of the most sen-
sible, brave, and solder-like personages convected
with the expedition. General Pinto, a Portugue.e,
is nominated in Colonel Hodges and Sir J. Doyle's
place. Would it not be odd if all this boulever c-
meat had its origin in thedesire of seeing a native
officer at the head of so large a branch of the ser-
vice.? I understand definitively the the arrange-
ment with the French General is off, and that Gen.
Sandanha, on his arrival, is to be Minister of War.
Poor Morgel has been buried this morning; Ad-
miral Sartorius and all the officers of the fleet at-
t• nded the funeral. He was a brave but a hasty
officer, and if he had not pressed on so fast, his men
would have done their work more effectually. Ile
is considerably regretted, and I heard the Admiral
say that in him he had lost one of his best officers.
Captain Ruxton, the second in command, was shot
through the collar of tie coat the flap of his
trousers, and over the strap button, but - was not
hurt. Mr. Hayward, who I thought was killed
with Colonel Shwalbach, met Lis fate with this ma-
rine party. He was noted as a daring man in also
former engagements; anti in this instance, finding
the flint of his gun was bad, he threw it away, and
fought with the bayonet only.. A Portuguese,
whom he attacked, ran hint through the body, a,
the same instant discharging his musket into him.
His companions were not able to carry off the
corpse. The sailors got into the mortar battery,
but, having forgot the sledges and spikes, they tun
bayonet points into the touch-holes, and filled up
the mortars with mud and dirt, and flung some of
the shells over the cliffs.

Having only seen this part of the day's amuse-
ment, 1 am obliged to take from report my account
of die affair above the Serra, and you can have no
idea how difficult it is to get at the truth here,
:where the man who gives a fair narrative of anything
that has not proved altogether successful is deemed
an enemy to the cause. I understand, h9wever,
from an English gentleman who was -looking on at
-the entire affair, that it happened exactly thus
At half-past five Shwalbach passed his men over,
and surprised the first picquet, all of whom were
shot. They then rushed on till they came to a
rough encampment of about 400 men, whom they
.drove before them like sheep, killing many, and
taking IGO prisoners and deserters. After that they
got at the battery where no cannon were, and,
while preparing to dash at the others, Shwalbach
saw a large force marching from the bill of St.
Ovidio to cuff off their retreat, when he prudently
thought proper to recall his men, which he did in
the best order, and passed them over again about
nine o'clock, his whole loss having been 46 in killed
and wounded. The enemy's loss must have been
severe, as the first camp was surprised.
We are all quiet today—a few shells came over
in the night. . The bar is looking more composed,
and a brig is said to be outside with horses, on
whom, I suppose, the fiat practice of the blockad-
ing batteries will be made.
The Chronica of the 13th contains nothing but a
long article about the Duke of Terceira's pension.
The young gentleman of the Nautilus has been
sent back by Sir John Campbell, with a reprimand.
The Nimrod, 20 guns, Lord Edward Russell, is
now off the bar, communicating by signal with ships
in the Douro.

k From the Chronica Constitucional of the 14th Nov.)
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE SORTIE OF THE 13TH.

This morning, at a quarter past 5, we effected a
sortie with abqut 1,600 men, more or less, three
light battalions, a detachment f pioneers, three com-
panies of No. 6 regiment of infantry, and one of the
national volunteers of Oporto, the whole under the
ci;rnmand of Colonel Shwalbach.
This force crossed the Douro at Quebrantos, and
having surprised and,captured two picquets of the
enemy, giving them time only to fire a single round,
mounted to the positions which they occupied,
whilst they were attacked with equal vigour upon
the flank. Such was the celerity of our move-
ments, that by the time the enemy opened his fire,
all our force was already in possession of the left
bank of the river.

Whilst this operation was going forward, and that
our troops were gaining the positions upon the right
flank of the enemy, General Torres commanded a
sortie from the fort of the Serra, with the view of
taking the rebels in front. • They could not resist
the violence of the two attacks, and retired, leaving
their batteries in our bands, from which they yester-
day fired such heavy metal.
Whilst the enemy was being put to flight on the
side of Quebrantos and the Serra, a party of sailors
from our squadron, armed with swords and pistols,
passed the river in front of the Trem do Ouro, and,
protected by the fire of the battery of Conego, pos-
sessed themselves of the enemy's batteries upon the
left, spiking the guns.
The object of the attacking party being thus glo-
riously accomplished, the troops retired in good or-
der, and by half-past o'clock the firing of mus-
ketry had entirely ceased.
During the action, a great many deserters came
over to us from the rebel army ; several peasant we-
men, with supplies of provisions, availed themselves
of the opportunity to cross the river.
We made several prisoners, and between those
taken and the deserters, we count more than 150.
The loss of the enemy must be considerable, as in
several places the field of action was covered with
their slain. Two rebel officers have fallen into our
hands, and the Lieutenant-Colonel who commanded
the battalion of the 4th Cacadores, was killed upon
the field.

Upon our side the loss in killed and wounded
does not exceed 30, but the official returns have
not yet been so far completed as to enable us to
make an accurate report of our real loss. Up to
this moment (one o'clock, p.m.) prisoners and deser-
ters are still coming in. More particulars in our next.

The Duke of DEVONSHIRE is on his way to
tuwn from Chatsworth. His Grace will remain a few
days at Devonshire House, and thence proceed to Brighton.

•T
, -`•

LEEDS MEETING on INTERFERENCE with
HOLLAND and BELGIUM.

THE CONSERVATIVES ROUTED.
LEEDS, WEDNESDAY, NOY. 21.

The Conservatives of Leeds have made an humble at-
tempt to imitate the conduct of their brethren in Lond::n, '
by calling a public meeting to address his Majesty, in op.
position to the measure of Ministers, in interfering to take
Antwerp from the Dutch and give it to its rightful
owners. The real object of most of those who called the
meeting was, no doubt, to embarrass Ministers, and to
affect the ensuing elections. The names signed to the re •
quisitien, about SO in number, were, with very few ex-
ceptions, those of Tories and Ultra-Radicals, the parties
who were uniting to favour the election of Mi. M. T.
Sadler for this . borough. Mr. &idler's cause • bent
greatly at a discount, it was thought necessary to aid it
by this mar oeuvre; and it was hoped
..that the prevailing
love of peace would enable his friends to carry a measure,
which, under the pretence of favouring peace, was in-
,ended to stab our reforming Administration. Never did
any parties more completely fall into their own trap ;
never was any party-scheme so effectually frustrated. The
friends ed Reform and of Lord Grey's Administration in-
s:antly saw through the shallow plot, and attended the
meeting in such numbers, that the Tories, if they had not
thought proper to secede, would have been overpOwed by a
majority of ne.rly 100 to 1.
The following is a copy of the requistion addressed to
the Mayor :