Star.
London, England, 1808-11-01 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

ALARMING DISTURBANCES.
Oporto, October
" We are here in a little bustle, owing to the people
having insisted on the French garrison from Almeida,
which were embarked in transports yesterday, giving
up their arms and their baggage to search : some op-
position has been made, but I now understand the
French have submitted, and they are now going
through the process. The populace have been very
peremptory on the occasion, anal indeed have insisted
on the Bishop and others in power causingtheir wishes
to be carried into execution. I trust all will finish
quietly; but such occurrences must naturally occa-
sionsome fear for the fitture quietness of the place.
The :Bishop is highly respected, and much looked up
to byrthe people, and I hope his good influence will
keep them in proper bounds.

October 13, at Night.

44 We have had, since Monday last, a kind of se-
cond revolution, which was occasioned by the arrival
of the French Troops from Ahneida, under an escort
of 21.0 men of the 6th British Regiment. They ar-
rived at Cates Novo, below Massarallos. on Sunday
mornin„,,, ; but the sick, about 250 in number, came
down from Pew da Regoa, in four boats, under a
guard of British soldiers, and arrived ow Saturday
morning. This, as you may suppose, attracted a
great croud on the bridge, and that day the people
begun to be dissatisfied. These were carried down
to the Castle at St. John's, and things remained pretty
quiet until the Monday morning, although, all Sun-
day, the people went to see those that were at Caies
Novo, and continued so all night long, which they
employed in buying all kind of things from the
French, who sold many fine horses, and very cheap.
On Monday morning early, they were all embarked
oh board four transports, which had arrived the day
Before from Lisbon, and were lying at Massarallos
with their baggage, arms and ammunition.
'lris only tended to infistMe the minds of the
Portuguese mob, and they kept murmuring all the
day long.. It was not until the evening, dbout seven
o'clock, when the bells•in the city and round it, gave
the alarm, that people of every description, and from
all parts, came down to Massarallos, lined the shore•
on both sides the river, some armed with guns, some
with swords, and others with sticks, &c.
" I should tell you, before I proceed any further,
that during the Monday, Sir Robert Wilson, with
the Quarter-Master-General, who came down with
the French from Almeida, and several other officers,
went down to the Castle to have the baggage that
was there examined by them, and the Governor Bar-
mundo. Accordingly, every thing was going on
well, when they opened a box, which they found
contained several• rich vestments of the Portuguese
Priests. This was enough to increase the dissatis-
faction of the Governor, and he instantly gave
orders that no vessel should be allowed to pass the
Castle, or if they attempted to get out, to sink
than. Every gun in the Castle was loaded with
shot, and remains so to this moment. The people
of St. John's soon heightened the story, and said that
diamonds, sacraments, and church plate, had been
found, with many other things. This soon reached
Oporto, and the mob, without listening to any thing
that could be said to them, went down, and insisted
upon killing the French in the Castle. Some of the
English soldiers who were on guard at St. John's,
were attacked by the mob, but nothing of consequence
happened. The Portuguese troops were all out, and
the Bishop was obliged to go down to St. John's,
where he succeeded in quieting the Povo, and about
• eight o'clock in the evening, he returned to Oporto,
• accompanied by Sir Robert and several other officers,
English and Portuguese, amidst the cries of " Viva o
Bi, destruction to ie Regency of Lisbon—the
Bishop must be Viceroy."
a They, however, continued all night on both sides
the river, and waited with patience until yesterday
morning, when, by seven o'clock, there were more
• than four thousand persons of all descriptions assem-
• bled; who appeared determined to attack the French
that-were on board the transports. Every preparation
was made ; several pieces of artillery were drawn up
on both sides, and they had mounted twenty guns on
board of each of three Brazil ships, that were lying
. opposite the transports. Every moment increased
the storm, and the French, who were preparing to
meet• the attack, were all provided with 60 rounds
I each man, and determined to defend themselves.--
The wish of the Povo it was impossible to knoW, but
I it generally appeared that they wanted to destroy therri

all. About nine- o'clt;clt, the Val*OWN 4o in a
barge, with Sir Robert Wilson, who was indefati-
gable on the occasion. Much praise is due to him for
his exertions, to which we are indebted for things not
having taken a most serious turn. The mob would
not hear any thing—they wanted the Frenchmen's
arms and baggage, and reproached the English with
not assisting them. negotiation was established
on the part of the people, by the Bishop and Sir
Robert Wilson, and propositions were made to the
French General who was on board. This was a de-
licate point for Sir Robert ; being the highest in rank
here, he was obliged to see that the articles of capi-
tulation were strictly executed ; and this was parti-
cularly observed by the French General. Sir Robert,
was employed in negotiating from nine o'clock in the
morning until four o'clock in the evening, going
backwards and forwards from the shore to the trans.
ports, the mob becoming every moment more and
more clamorous-
4, Several propositions were made =both sides, but
none pleasing to the two parties. The French agreed
to suffer their baggage to be searched, and to give up
any thing that should be found belonging to the Por-
tuguese ; but as to giving up their arms, they would
not consent, and said they would rather die than sub-
mit wit. This was communicated to the Juiz do Paco,
and then commenced the alarming scene. Persons
from both sides of the fiver jumped into boats, and
were proceeding to attack the transports ; but by the
exertions and perseverance of Sir Robert. tranquillity
was again restored, and the French offered to give
up their arms outside of the Bar. This, however,
was not acceded to, but at last its was agreed, that
,heyshould be disembarked, their baggage examined
shore, and that they should leave their arms. Asi
• -soon as this was perfectly understood, barges from all'
Parts went to board the transports, but they took care'
.to begin. by the three that were not armed ; for one
has six 6-pounders, which the French have kept
loaded since the heemning of this affair?. They took
every thing out of the transports, even the provisions
and wearing apparel of the shipowners—every thing
'was brought ashore, and in a short time every thing
disappeated. The Frenchmen were landed, and are
now at a warehouse next to those of the %Vine Com-
pany at Massarallos. By this time it was almost dark,
and the armed transport remained unmol..sted. There
are on board of this about 300 French, who have since
remained on board ; the others are guarded by our
troops, and some Portuguese cavalry. tp prevent the
mob from destroying them.
" We do not know what has passed between the
Bishop and Sir Robert Wilson, bui the Portuguese
seem io be ashamed of their conduct, and it is evi-
dent that their object was no otlier than plunder. To
this day things remain unsettled, jnd Gon only knows
' how they will end."
" OcTOBER IC—The bustle I Mentioned respecting,
the disarming and searching of the French troops
from Almeida, I am happy to say, has terminated
without any serious or very unpleasant consequence,.
owing to the very good management of the Bishop,
and other legitimate authorities of the place; for
though the populace did carry their point at the
time, in defiance of every interference, all is
now set to rights, and every possible reparation
has been made by all departments in power, to
the entire satisfaction of the British Officers. The
populace have retired. I trust there will be no fur-
ther similar improper conduct, so likely to lead to the
most serious consequences. As it has turned out,
there is no cause of complaint, but of some delay in the
execution of the service, which may be considered
most fotlunate, from the very intemperate spirit ma-
nifested by a considerable large mob that had col-
lected on the occasion."

• Another letter particularly panegyrises the conduct
of Sir Rquntax WILSON who commanded the English
troops,' for his judgment tad dignity in maintaining
the character and engagements of the British nation,
as well as for his tubanity and address in conciliating
the Portuguese.
" OCTOBER 15.-I save you in my last a full detail
of what had passed since the at-rival of the French
from Almeida. The Primrose has been detained by
Sir Robert Wilson, for the purpose of sending home
an exact account of the proceedings. Every thing is
settled, ana the transportt are dropping down the
river. There has been a general survey, and the da-
mages ascertained, for they had not left a single thing
on board the vqssels. Perfect tranquillity is again
restored, and we hope things will go on well. General
Beresford is expected to-morrow with 5000 men from
Lisbon, on their way to the•Nerth of. Spain."