Star.
London, England, 1808-11-10 00:00:00

EAST

PRINCE Or WALES ISLAND, APRIL s,
We are extremely concerned to learn, that the
drought which has prevailed for this fortnight past,
has in as great measure destroyed the second crop of
pepper.—The Pearl Fishery, we understand, com-
menced at Areppo, on the Island of Ceylon, on the
26th ultimo; the boats employed on this occasion
amount to near 200. We have not as yet received
any intelligence whether the Fishery has proved suc-
cessful—A. Chinese passenger, in the brig Tweed,
lately arrived from Bornea, reports, that the head
merchants of the different Rajahs of Sambas, Mom-
pawa, and Pontiana are now, and have been for
some time past, in the habit of filinF down brass and
silver; fer the purpose of mixing with the gold dust,
which they usually barter for articles purchased fmm
European traders the silver is coloured by boiling it
in a certain preparation. This accounts for the great
loss which has been experienced in gold dust sent from
hence.

SPAIN.

• -

SANTANDER, OCTOBER P.

Within the last three days have disembarked be-
tween seven and eight hundred of our valorous and
loyal troops, who were in the North of Europe ; and
since this disembarkation the others who did not arrive
have appeared in sight. A general ringing of bells,
many discharges of artillery, and much retoicing has
taken place among the inhabitants of this pity, who,
with the strangers, welcomed their cpymen. At
putting their feet to the ground tlrePtostrated them-
selves, and kissed it with the greatest reverence and
tenderness, giving thanks to Itir&vew for having ar-
rived at the land, as they said, of Christians. They had
not heard mass, or received the sacrament, since they
had been with the enemy, because the French con-
sidered sacred and religious ceremonies unnecessary,
Before their departure, Napoleon, by means of his
agents, had endeavoured to seduce them, by calling
their General a traitor, and saying he wanted to sell
them to the English ; at the same time giving them
his word of honour that he would land them in Spain;
but the many proofs which they had of his disregard
to truth and religion, in every place where his army
had entered, joined with some letters and papers
which they had received- from Spain, and by which
they were informed that the recognition of Joseph was
false, were sufficient inducements not to believe these
assertions. On their disembarkation here, a gerieral
illumination took place.

VICH, OCTOBER IS.
By letters from persons of respectability we learn,
that the plan of attack upon Catalonia. of which in.
formation has been transmitted to our General by the
same post that brought these letters, and which was
aimed upon at Perpignan on the 19th ult. between
General St. Cyr and his Council of War, consists in
leaving garrisons in Montluis, Bellegarde, and Figue.
vas, and pushing on with 30,000 men, by way of Ge.
'ilea, and 20,000 by way of Serdana, for Ripoli,
where they are to be formed into three divisions : one
of 6000 men to proceed to Vich, another of equal
carte to march for Ohs and a third of 3000 for Bergs.
But these are visionary dispositions, and would re-
quire 60,000 men at least to carry them into execu-
tion ; whereas the total of the force at this moment in
Roussillon does not exceed 6000 ; so that those gen.
tlemen very much resemble persons who, with only a
few quirts: in their purses, think nothing of betting a
thousand piastres on the most trifling occasions. We
ought not, nevertheless, to be thrown off our guard;
for in fact we are but in a feeble condition, and require
very considerable reinforcements. It is certain that
there are only from 400 to 500 men in Montluis, but
they are laying in a great quantity of provisions.
We have no hesitation in affirming that a division
of 8000 men, who were marching for Perpignan, have
had orders to march back again in consequence of
their destination being altered.

ENTRAMBAS AGUAS, OCTOBER Is.
Yesterday evening arrived here a Capuchin Friar
from Bilboa, who related to the assembled inhabitants
the enormities and atrocities committed in,that place,
by the enemies of our religion, our country, and our
King. The moment they entered they proceeded to
the Convent of the Capuchins, where they began to in-
sult those venerable fathers, violently beating them,
pulling them by the beard, throwing. them upon the
ground, and compelling them to give them large
sums of money. They enquired for the Superior—he
made his appearance, but he told them he had no
money—they resolved to put him to death—he en-
treated that they would give him time to pray. They
at length granted him an hour's respite ; but, the in-
stant this party went off, he was sei*ed by another
set of them, who stripped him naked and tied him
to a tree, with the intention of shooting him. At the
intercession, however, of a French painter, an inha-
bitant of Bilboa, they set him at liberty.
They then repaired to the Church, where they
struck off the heads of the images, discharged their
pieces at a crucifix, broke rpm the tabernacle, and
tossed the sacred elements on the ground—carried
off the pp:, chalices and patines, and broke in pieces
the decorations of the altar-piece, the lamps, glass-
cases, &c.

_
They then proceeded to the Convent of St. Fran-
cisco, where they killed two of the Monks in the gate-
way, and killed or wounded every one in the place.
—The Convent of St. Augustin was the next place
whiCh they vi.ited ; hut here all the Monks having
made their escape, they wreaked their fury upon the
library and imat'es. Females of all ranks were forced
by them; and after deflowering a girl of 14. years
old they put her to death. In short, the most savage
Indians could not have been guilty of the atrocities
which they committed in that unfortunate city.
[cannot comprehend how the banditti were so- epee,.
day informed of our departure from. Bilboa—for,
though we marched out at eleven at night without
beat at drum, they were close .to us th( foliowinS