Star.
London, England, 1808-03-26 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

" HIBERNIA, OFF I.IS3qN, FEL °', usos.
61 A French gun vessel placed to guard the Mouth
of the Tagus, was cut out four nights ago by a boat
belonging to the Confiance, under extraordinary ic r.
cumstances.

" The Confiance had anchored close in shore for
the purpose of watching the motions of the Russian
squadron ; a boat with a Midshipman and fifteen men
were ordered to row round the ship during the night;
they, however, took it into their heads to go into the
Tagus, and after rowing near the Russians without
being discovered, on their return boarded this vessel,
commanded by a Lieutenant and fifty men, three of
whom were killed, and nine wounded. Swords were
their weapons, not a shot having been fired on either
side : she was not missed until the morning, although
she lay within musket shot of the immense batteries
or St. Julian sand Belem Castles.

" A Flag of Truce was sent in next day by the
Confiance with the wounded ; but Juror was so much
enraged at the circumstance, that he sent ordas to
the batteries to sir,k her; but she had reached the
city before his orders could be put in execution. The
wounded were, however, received ; but after march.
ing the officer and boat's crew about as prisoners for
some hours, they were sent on board the French Cora.
ipodore's ship, with a guard, for the night. JUNO?,
however, thought proper to order their release in the
morning, and they returned to their ship in the course
of the day. The General had placed the greatest
' confidence in this Lieutenant, and had given him po.
sitive orders to guard against oar boats. The Mid.
shipman has been promoted to the Alfred.
" The Portuguese were quite oierjoyed on the
occasion, and frequently expressed • their hopes ma
expectations of an English Army coming to their
relief. The French are not without their fears of
this, as they are disarming and disbanding the Por.
tuguese troops.. Several of their Officers have got
on board here, and some have been shot, for .eridea.
vouring to inflame the minds of the People, according
to JuNox's account." . • - • •

. .. t•. .

In our last accounts from Gibraltar-it was stated,
that Sir SIDNEY SMITE had arrived theri: un•
derstand he was preparing to sail for the Brazils, as
Commander in on that station. He was ex.
pected to take his departure on the 6th or 7th inst.

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Accounts had been received at Gibraltar before the
sailing of the last packet, that NAPOLEON was posi.
tively expected at Valladolid in a short time, to ar-
range affairs in Spain to his satisfaction. He will
never attempt any thing serious against Gibraltar,
till he has made such arrangements as will pn.t the
whole Spanish force at his disposal.
Advices from Madrid state, that a Decree, bearing
date 'A st January, 1808, had been published there,
prohibiting the sailing of any vessel belonging to the
nations in alliance with France and Spain. The rea•
son assigned for this act of the Government is, that
such vessels may not fall into the hands of the British.i

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Vri

It is stated from Mexico, that in case BONAPARTE
succeeds in revolutionizing Spain, the people of that
country are not indisposed to throw off the yoke of
foreign dominion, and raise among themselves an in•
dependent Government.

Admiral Sir J*zcm SALTA' tRE landed at Wei.•
mouth on Wednesday, from Gutrnsey, accompanied
by Captain Dumwasstava and his 6ecretary. He
came over in one of his Majesty's frigates, and inn&
diately proceeded in a chaise and four for London,
being about to be employed on a secret expedition.
Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East
India House, when Captain COLLI,B was sworn into
the-command of the ship Travers, consigned'to Ma'
dras and 13enc;a1.—The Court adjourned, at six
o'clock; till Wednesday
Yesterday a meeting of the inhabitants of St. Giles's,
Cripplegate, was held in the Parish Church for the
choice of a Lecturer, to succeed the Rev. Dr. GRE*
CORY, deceased, when the Rev. G. F. BATES, B. A.
Queen's College, Cambridge, was upanimouslyelec-4
tb the same.

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