Star.
London, England, 1809-05-04 00:00:00

EXCISE IN SCOTLAND.

Mr. WHITBREAD asked a question as to the
fact of certain mal-practices having been discovered
in the conducting of the Excise Duties in Scotland,
in consequence of which three of the Commissioners
had been dismissed.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
answered, that in consequence of complaints an in-
vestigation on this subject had been instituted, the
result of which was, that three of the Commissioners
had been discovered to have accepted of loans of
money from those under their controul, in conse-
quence of which they had been dismissed. He should
be happy to furnish the Honourable Gentleman with
any other information on the subject he might require.
With this explanation Mr. WHITBREAD de-
dared himself satisfied in the mean time.

Mr. WHITBREAD then put a question relative
to the Dutch Officers in British Pay ; and also as to
the fact, whether Baron Hompesch was a General
Officer ?

The only answer we could collect from the Secre-
tary at War was, that he surely understood Baron
Hompesch to be a General Officer. .

SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE EXPEDITIONS.

Lord TEMPLE moved for a return of any com-
munications made from the Medical Staff to the Me-
dical Board of the sick and wounded men in the expe•
dition to Portugal and Spain, and also for a list of
the sick and wounded of those expeditions, who had
died since their return to England. His motive for
this motion was, that he understood there had been a
great defect in the number of surgeons to attend those
men, and also in the medical stores sent for the use
of the army.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, he shOuld feel it
his duty to oppose the motion of the Noble Lord ;
first, because it was wholly unprecedented in that
House ; and secondly, because if the return really
was made, it would answer no manner of purpose to
the Noble Lord, or afford him the means of drawing
any deduction, without an opportunity of comparing
similar returns from an army of equal numbers under
similar circumstances. The army in Spain had cer-
tainly undergone much greater fatigues almost than
any other troops employed upon any expedition during
the war, and,consequently a much greater proportion
of them must have been exposed to the casualties
inseparable from numerous armies under all the vi-
cissitudes of climate and service. Even of the great
numbers of such an army who return in health: it
was well known that many would afterwards fall
sick in consequence of the fatigues and hardships they
had previously undergone. This was the case with
the troops who returned from the late expedition :
but he could not see how the returns moved for by
the Noble Lord could throw any light upon the doubts
he seemed to entertain, or to the defects he supposed
to exist, either in the number of surgeons, or the
quantity of medical stores sent out to the armies.—
He
would only assure the Noble Lord, that the troops
were more perfectly restored to health ; and a return
of deaths and casualties in his opinion would have no
other effect than to wound the feelings of individuals,
and damp the ardour of the army.
Mr. WHITBREAD said his Noble Friend could
have no such purpose in view ; but as the country
was heavily charged for medical assistants and medi-
cal stores, and at the expence of maintaining an Apo.
thecary-General, they had a right to know whether
the aids they so highly paid for were fairly adminis
tered, as complaints had gone forth on this head ?
This was the object of his Noble Friend's motion,
and not a painful inquiry about the misfortunes of
brave men, which every one must lameQt, and are
inseparable from a state of war. He submitted,
therefore, whether it would not be more decorous on
the part of the Noble Lord to yield to the motion.
Lord CASTLEREAGH replied, that such a
complaint as that stated by the Hon. Gentleman
never reached his ears until he heard it this night in
the liouse. The House, therefore, ought to be cau-
tious such complaints coming from quarters where
no knowledge of facts existed, and of which Gentle-
men in official departments had no knowledge what-
ever.

General TARLETON said, it was true that no
such return was called for when the troops returned
from Dunkirk or the Helder; but then they were by
no means so numerous as those upon the expeditions
to Portugal-and Spain, who also had suffered much
greater hardships. As a soldier, he rejected the as-
sertion of the Noble Lord, that such an inquiry had
a tendency to damp the ardour of the troops. On
the contrary, nothing could more highly excite that
ardour, or more firmly attach them to the service,
than to find i strict attention paid by their leader-. to
provide for their accommodations, their cornfOrts, and
their wants. No evil could result Jrow the inquiry in
the present case. If the runiour. TPis Unfounded, the
fallacy would be proved, and the country satisfied.
The CHANCELLOR of the -EXCHEQUER
could not see that the picterio :small for would thr-w
any material light cal. sub#ct for which dr,y

Melville, great improvements were made in the mode
of embarking the troops, which improvements he
supposed were still in force. He hoped, however, that
if the motion were withdrawn, it would be perfectly
understood that the subject would undergo a full in-
quiry out of doors.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, if there had been
no particular inquiry hitherto upon that point, it was
because he had never heard such a complaint made
before ; and there was nothing on the face of the
papers to lead him to.suspect any fault in this depart-
ment. As the subject, however, had been mentioned
in the House, he should make it his business to in-
quire particularly.
Earl TEMPLE, in consequence of this promise of
the Noble Lord, consented to withdraw his motion.
Adjourned.

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON

The Poetical Epistle, from a NATIVE of DUMFRIES, does great
credit to the talents of the. Author, whose approbation will
long be a source of sincere gratification.

THURSDAY, MAY 4.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Consols, for money, 67W—Ditto for May, 67ii.
Omnium 1 preen—Exchequer Bills. 12s. to 14s.prt.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.

3 per Cent. Red. 66:11.1
3 per Cent. Cons. 6; ft
4 per Cent. 89. i
5 per Cent. Navy 984 k
Long Ann. In 5-16ths 3-16thsi

India Bonds, 15s. 14s. pre.
Imperial 3 per Cents. 6541
I Imp. Ann. 7 3-161
I Excheq. Bills, 9s. 12s. pr.
I Consols, for ace. 671

Letters from Sweden state that a serious difference
has arisen between the Courts of Stockholm and
Petersburgh, from a cause not easily removed. The
Emperor of RUSSIA has proposed to substitute the
Duke of OLDENBURGII for the Duke of SUDERMANIA
to discharge the duties and support the honours of
the Regency ; and it is reported that if the Swedes
should not concur in this measure, hostilities are to
be immediately renewed. The Count of WAcit-
MEISTER, it was presumed, would be appointed Presi-
dent of the Diet.

As to the deposition of the King, GUSTAVUS IV. by
his courtiers and officers, the measure will, it is said,
be sanctioned by a decree of the Swedish Diet. A
public accuser will appear, and the King will be al-
lowed official defenders : his late Secretary of War
and Baron Tom., are, it is reported, willing to come
forward as his advocates.. It is not likely, however,
that 'the King will recognise the national Diet as a
tribunal competent to sit in judgment upon their So-
vereign. His formal deposition will therefore, in all
probability, be the result of a summary process. In-
deed there is nothing more idle and absurd than the
idea of a legal and fair trial of a King, because the
very accusation and trial of a King is Treason, ex-
cept where these acts are accompanied with success.

Yesterday, at two o'clock, his MAJESTY held a Pri-
vate Levee at the Queen's Palace.—The following
had the honour of beiag presented to his MAJESTY
Captain Sir ROBLIT Hows BROMLE r, upon ►ucceeding to his
Title.

Count Ds SALER, upon having the King's Commission to use
that Title, by the Earl of Macclesfield.
Captain Sir MICHAEL SEYMOUR, upon his being created a
Baronet, and upon the capture of the Niemen.
Mr. Rosiesosr. upon his being appointed Under Secretary of
StateM the Colonial Department, by Viscount Castlereagh.
The Marquis We LLEStt r, upon his being appointed Ambas-
sador to Spain, by Mr. Canning.
' Major Bitenroan, upon his being appointed from the King's
Own 4th, to the 11th Regiment, and upon his return from Spain,
by the Eatl of Chatham.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wv Nen, of the 4th Regiment, upon his
return from Spairi.
Lord Lusts MURRAY, upon his appointment to be Colonel of
the Royal Manx Fencibles. •
The Archbishop of QASRRI., upon his arrival from Ireland.
Brigadier-General Watt, upon his appointment of Brigadier-
General in the West Indies, who also took leave of his Majesty.
Viscount BERNARD, upon his marriage.
Captain Hitt, R. N. upon his promotion.
Brigadier-General MoNTRISOR, upon his promotion.
Captain WALKER, of the Bedford, upon his return from the
Brazils.

Lieutenant-Colonel ZO VCR, upon his rejoining the 10th Royal
Veuran Battalion, at Quebec.
His MAJESTY held a Privy Council, and gave audi-
ences to the Duke of PORTLAND, the other Cabinet
Ministers present, Sir DAVID DUNDAS, and Mr. RY-
DER, who laid before his MAJESTY the proceedings of
several Courts Martial. _ _

The Prince of WALES, yesterday, visited her MA -
JEST I and the Princesses.

The Duke of SussEx dined yesterday with her Mei..
.rEssry and the Princesses.

The Cabinet Ministers dined yesterday with the
Duke of PORTLAND.

Her Grace the Duchess of MARLBOROUGH gave a
Bull at Blenheim on Thursday last) to the Nobility
and Gentry of the neighbourhood, and the Gentle-
men of the University of Oxford.

MR ROBERT WILSON'.

•
Ihe number of those killed and wounded
.dtmpaign, or the number who died subsequently,
'
..seer of their wounds, or the fatigue of a very rapid I The French Papers lately represent the Portng, -5
retreat in the midst of winter, would not, of itself, legion, under Sir Rocctur WiLsoN, as having bee;
imply any charge against the Medical Board, or Me- defeated by a very inferior force. We have to c.pp
dical Assistants. The House should be satisfied, or to that account, an official letter of a more :ea,
at least have reason to believe, that there was some date, which we ir.sert below. On the day previnl
loss occasioned by this cause before they instituted to the affair therein mentioned, Sir R.WiLsox return:
inquiry. If, however, any regular complaint was from Coria, whither he went to take the command,
made of actual loss from either of those causes,• he a corps sent by General BEREsPORD, to be united wit
would allow, that it would be proper that there should another detached by General CURSTA, to act on ti,
be an inquiry. I rear and right flank of Marshal VICTOR. On his wa,
Mr. FREMANTLE thought the motion was ihe received information that CutsrA was retreatin;
proper upon other grounds. If any unusual num-' and that the combination could not take place : '
ber of men were lost upon any expedition, it was ne- " Veilla de Cervo, April le, ism
mfarched on the morning of the Ist of April, with the tleatclink:
cessary to find out the cause. If, instead of the " Std--i have the honour to inform your Excellency, th,,,
blame attaching to the Medical Board, it was found
otroopslegion n
consistinglud ofer my contsand, GO Spanish and so Pert
200 men of the regiment of Avil
to have proceeded from bad arrangements in the 130 of the
transport service, and from the manner in which they I geese dragoons, with one howitzer and one fieldpiece, with tl
were embarked • this also, though affecting Ministers ! intention of surprising or carrying the posts of the enemy zt 13:
i baid, el l'hueren:
within
more than the Medical Board, was a proper subject
e a quarter of. a mile of the village, 1 detal,
of inquiry, and it was, therefore, necessary that the i Lieutenant- olonel Wilson, with 80 Spaniards and sore,: b,,,,,
facts should be ascertained. to alarm the enemy in his rear, in case of resistance; them., ;
Mr. WII,.BERFORCE said, he would not feel body was close upon the village before the enemy's sonnies ft,
ceived itsc lapproach;nlD
on Carlos
ID.i.zenant Colodnel Grant, zee it,
comfortable in negativing a motion which proceeded
from an anxiety to inquire into any thing which con- tenant-Colonel
the Captain Gen°egral, galloppede Aide-de-Camp
wiatalhPthtto."ll
and killed or secured such part of the enemy as could coctalraLl2.cli
cerned the lives or health of those concerned in expe-
ditions. He knew that in the administration of Lord in time the rocks in the descent or the mounta::;:i.

44 The Commanding Officer and 16 men were pressed so it
by the detachment under the command of Lieutenant-Colo!
Wilson, that they were unabl6 to reach the bridge, and wi
obliged to throw themselves into a cave at the base of the mom
taro, which was extremely difficult of access.
The Spaniards and a part of the legion went down the sit
of the mountain, and I posted the remainder of the legion, w
the howitzers, on the height commanding Barba del Putrco,
the road of San Felices ; and I brought the gun through the
lege to the ridge of the path leading to the bridge, from %vbi-I,
tuations the artillery played with very great effect on the cud
ascending the San Felices road, and the runforcernenis which bl
sequently descended.
The enemy sent immediately forward from San Felig
where he had 34)00 men, detachments of light troops, %vim tc
post on the side of the mountain opposed to us, and where tl
kept up a very brisk firv, as briskly answered, from eight o'ck
in the morning until two in the afternoon, but with consider-al
loss on their part, from our activity, and thd excellence of se
of our marksmen, particularly some efficersand chasseurs, p
seats.

" Finding that the enemy perevered in throwing more troi
forward, and not having the means or intention to occupy 1
posts of Barba del Puerco, especially as 1 was aware th u ae cot
and did, by single persons, pass and assemble a large force
this side of the bridge, who could divide and turn our positi
to right and left; I withdrew my guns from Barba del Puerzo
its height; when the Spaniards re.ascended the bill, and formed
a height, about 400 yards front the village.
" 'lhe troops of the legion maintained the ground obstinat
against the tirailleurs of the enemy, who appeared on every aid.
" I gradually withdrew my guns and thr Spanish infantry
separate divisions ; then the cavalry, as the ground did not
mit of its acting ; and when the main body had thus descend'
the hill, and passed an intervening open space, extremely not
vourable to cross, under an enemy's fire from the height, Iwi
drew the troops of the legion, and by keeping up a fire from
bind the rock that favoured mj skirmishes, I passed also
rear-guard, without any loss or the smallest disorder, to the ro,
height beyond the plain, where again making a stand in sot
strength, the enemy halted, and retired up the bill.
" The troops had directions to halt at Veilla de Cervo,
I remained during the night, constantly patroling to Barba
Puerto; and where I found that the enemy early at nigh; 1
from fear of an attack, withdrawn his forces, leaving on:y a n
guard.
" It is a painful circumstance to be under the necessity of en
even against the enemy, a most flagitious breach of faith and
litary honour; but it is not only to record a reprozch, it isle.
gallant officers in the exercise of generous humanity, from pen
ing by similar treachery, that I am obliged to relate, that w
informed of the officer and his party being in the cave, at wi
the Spaniards were endeavouring to pour fire from every du
Lion, I desired Lieutenant Wilson t o offer them their lives on
did= of surrendering, and Lieut. Colonel Don Carlo. d'Esps.•
accompanied him to prevent the Spanish infantry from firing.
" Finding that the communication could not be made 0:1
side of the bridge, these officers, joined by Lieut. Colonel C
and Lieutenant Charles, of the Royal Brilish Artillery, passes
bridge, advanced with a white handketClief, and propom.l
terms I .de&red. The officers came forward, and said it was •
they wished, and begged Lieut. Colonel Wilson to approack
At the instant a volley was fired at him and the rest of the of&
and the fire was continued untill they passed the bridge at
Unfortunately it happened at the moment that the enemy's
tachments were descending the hill, so the.: the complete exam'
could not be made, which such conduct imperiously dentam
but most of the assassins perished, and I um assured that only e
officer and four men came out of the cave alive. '
" It is a more agreeable duty for mg to add, that in this expel.
tion I have Lad much to praise. All the officers attached to me d.l
whatever bravery and judgment could atchieve ; and pur Furl-
lency well knows, that bosh must have been required under our
circumstances, in the conduct of new levies naturally brave,

inexperienced.
" 'This affair has cost the enemy dear, and it is another lesson tizt
no occasion is omitted to attack him, and that be autr.ot wi:11
punity presume in a country where his name is an abhorrence, ail
where%his crimes daily augment the virulence of hatred, and tl•
fury of vengeance. Hitherto it is true that the character of the
war which I have been able to direct against hint, has nut been .
the great scale of military operations : but it is one which bast:4i:
him in continual alarm, diminished his ranks, and I trust disco:Ll,
fited many of his objects.
" It would be improper at this moment to notice publicly th,
patriotic zeal and valour of several peasants, who accompanied
and served in yesterday's affair, but I have the honour to us
mit for his Majesty, the Central Junta, their namos, and anintg,
many brave and worthy men, there is yet one to be particalxiy
distinguished for his most gallant conduct.-1 have the honour
be your Excellency's most obedient and bumble servant,
" ROBERT WILSON, Brig-General.
" Veilla de Cervo, April 2, 1809."

Lord WILLIAM BEN TING( is appointed to go OL
with a special commission, to be with the ArclicEk
CHARLES at the Austrian armies.
Some of onr cot emooraries have been irr posed up.;
by a paragraph which must have crept into the 1'!
mouth paper by mistake, stating that a vessel-bad
rived from Rotterdam with an ..ecoriat of the Franc.
having been defeated by the Austi-i:::13 with the loss
of 6000 men. Upon enquiry we find that no su,:o
vessel has arrived at Plymouth.
Yesterday the Hon. R. S. DuNDAs gave his first
Official Dinner since his appointment to his new °thee,
to several parliamentary friends and gentlemen inter-
ested in the affairs of Ireland.
CITY BUSINESS.—Tuesd sy a Court of Alder
was held at Guildhall, which was attended b)
Lord Mayor, 16 Aldermen, and the City Oa
The court examined the Mealweighers' reports,
ordered the price of bread to be continued at Is.
the quarrern loaf of wheaten, and Is. 14d. house)
Thanks were voted to the Lord Bi hop of Hear/
and the Rev. Mr. RAINE, for their sermons pre.
at Christ Church, Newgate-street, on Easter.Moi
andruesday se'nnight ; and also to the Rev. Mr. Bi
Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, for his vrmon
Paul's Cathedral, on the first Sunday in Easter.]
before the Lord Mayor, the Judges, Aldermen
Six bars of gold, weighing upwards of 955 or
were sworn off for exportation, pursuant to the
['he Billingsgate Duties were settled for the yci
,uing.

g beta
(PP e
iecc: t
revinus
:ttirntd
land of
od whit
on the
'is Way,
reatinr,
1049.
:ys that I
atclimer.
of Avila,
M Pent:-
with tl.t
at
deta:Lcd
tc horse,
the sn,,/,
tries ter-
ra. Litt,.
to 1.;.s
4:cavalry,
uot rczch
LI so !raid
t-Colocet
wc::
se :flour,
the sides
ion, with
ere°, ar,l
rola s.*:- •
he gnarls
rhich sub-
n
who took
here they
ht o'clock
naiderable
e of sore
tura, p,a-
are troops
copy the
t ht coal
force on
position
l'ucrzo ts
Mimed oa
bstinately
rery side.
fantry in
cl not ad-
,escended
tidy rants.
ht, I wit!,
from be.
i also the
the rocky
in sou:e
rvo, where
Barba del
nigh; bid,
ln:y a MA
ty of cit rg,
.th and
it is t Face
7oni
that when
at wham
very direr-
res on cut-
; d'Espazse
firing.
tcle on de
onel
passed to
opo:.el :be
t was % oat
ick nearer.
lie othcer,
idge agate.
:envy's de-
te example
!emended,
at only the
his cape:
i to nie
four Excel-
ill:der our
brave, b.:
'lesson thzt
ut with irk-
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toter of the
lot been Co
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companied
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honour I
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go ozit
Iced up .1
the Ily•
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to French

emelt
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;;Ir

FRENCH FLEET AT ROCHEFORT.

The following account of the attack lately made
the enemy's fleet, being more copious and cir-
cumstantial than any that has yet been laid before
th,! public, cannot but prove acceptable to our
g?..iders. The statement is from an eye-witness—ail:
officer belonging to one of his Majesty's ships em.
1„ red on this service ; and, with the particulars
which we yesterday communicated respecting the
r.-esent state of the enemy's ships, will put our
Readers in possession of every circumstance received
cairn that quarter to the latest date.
" liis Majesty's ship Donegal, Basque Roads, April 23.
On the 3d of April Lord Cochrane at-lived in .
Bisque Roads with the Imperieuse, to superintend an
attempt against the French fleet in this port, accord-
ing- to a plan which he had proposed, and which the
ALimiralty had approved. Upon his Lordship's ar-
livaL a transport, out of a convoy of victuallers
which happened to be in the Roads, was consigned
to each of the line of battle ships to be fitted as fire-
and employed in addition to others on their
Illy from England. The Mediator frigate storeship
\ins fitted as another, by her- own officers. Lord
CoclTane undertook the fitting of three vessels of a
different description, under the name of Explosion
Vessels. Our squadron had recently captured two
cr three small vessels running along shore, laden with
Fitch, tar, and rosin, which,. came very opportunely
afford a supply of combustibles, of which there
would otherwise have been a deficiency ; this incident
wac interpreted into a favourable omen, and made
people inclined to believe that the enterprize was de-
stined to succeed.

. .
their anchors, in consternation, to avoid the fire-ships;
some had cut from their anchors twice, finding them-
selves in danger, a second time, of a fire-ship fallin'g
on board after escaping once: thus by running ashore,
in various directions, the fire-ships drifted by. The
1 spectacle now exhibited was as extraordinary as that
of the preceding night, though of a nature altogether
different, of a fleet so formidably powerful a few
I hours before, rendered suddenly weak and distressed;
I
i lying aground in a diversity of postures almost de-
-1 fenceless. At high water, the line of battle ships, all
except three, floated and moved towards the mouth
of the river, where they again grounded. Our whole
fleet moved nearer to Isle d'Aix. When the tide
admitted, the Imperieuse, who was still in advance,
approached the ships that had continued aground, and
lopened her fire upon them, which they returned ;
' and, at the same time, the batteries from both islands
played upon her. Soon afterwards the Revenge and
Valiant, with all the frigates and sloops, were sent
to her assistance, and they were followed by the Czsar
and Theseus. Three ships of the enemy surrendered
on being cannonaded for a short time, the Aquilon,
of 74, Ville de Varsovie, an 80, and the Calcutta.—
This last was afloat, and the enemy were in the act
of towing her when the firing began, from which
they deserted on receiving a few shot, and she
grounded on rocks.
They were all three burnt as soon as the crews
of the two former were removed. The crew of the
latter, consisting of only 150 men, made their escape
on shore, which her situation, inside the others, easily
allowed : meanwhile the crew of the other ship that
had not floated, the Tonnerre, a 74, the furthest of
the four from our ;lips, abandoned and set her en

.....
Monday 10.—The fire-ships from England joined,
accompanied by the Etna bomb. The French fleet
having recently made some movements, and altered
their position in a manner to indicate that they were
aware of our designs ; Lord Cochrane and some Of-
f:;:ers were for making the attempt the same night,
but Rear-Admiral Stopford and other Officers op-
posed this ; and it was deemed most adviseable to

fire. The Tonnerre and Calcutta made each two
grand explosions, which many thought equal in ter-
rific magnificence to all they had seen the foregoing
night. The Calcutta, besides her own magazine,
had a large store of gunpowder in her hold to supply
the French Colonies in the East or West Indies. The
magazines of the two others being drowned, did not
explode. Our four ships of the line that closed with
the Imperieuse grounded at low water, but were not
much, if at all damaged. The deep water is near to
the fort. Their cloAing doubtless accelerated the sur-
render or the French ships ; but more by furnishing
an honourable pretence to strike than otherwise, the
incessant fire kept up by.the Imperieuse, having pre-
viously given the enemy conviction of the necessity of
it. The Czsar and Theseus had not occasion to fire
a gun, and did not in fact advance until after the
surrender.
" Thursday 13th, six brigs and schooners, advancing
with the flood-tide, and taking an advantageous po-
sition, anchored within gun-shot of the ships yet
aground, whose sterns lay exposed, and kept up a tare
oa them for five hours, principally on the three-decker.
The bomb took a proper station, and threw many
shells, well directed, on the several French ships : two
cutters were at the same time employed discharging
Congreve's Rockets. There was visible mischief pro-
duced by this assault, and it prevented the enemy from
lightening their shipi. They kept a smart fire from
their sterns on our vessels, which, fortunately, did
little harm ; td themselvss it probably did greater, by
'shaking their ships while thus ashore. The want of
water prevented our frig ates front taking staticn
along with the flotilla, which retreated on the ebb; to
avoid the dangers of the shoalness.
" Friday 14th, blowing strong from the N. W.—
Six of the enemy's ships of the line still aground, and
two or three frigates—some of them had moved a
little. At high water, between three and four o'clock
in the afternoon, the French Vice Admiral's ship, the
three decker, moved further off, and more into the
stream of the river. Between five and six in the even-
ing the bomb and five brigs again advanced to the
ships agronnd, and recommenced a fire upon them,
which, from the state of the weather, was not soon be-
gun. nor so long continued as the preceding day.—
The Imperieuse came down to the fleet in the even-
ing, and moved up to take her place, and pro-
tect our flotilla off the Boyack.
" Saturday kith, at high water some of t7e French
ships moved, and amongst them the three decker.—
No cannonading to-day by our flotilla. The bomb
having expended all her smaller shells, and her large
mortar being split, was silent. The Resolution • cut-
ter, in passing up to our vessels at the Eoyack, was
struck by two shot from one of the batteries, by which
the Master of her had his leg carried off: In the
evening the Imperieuse sailed for England.
" Sunday 16th, bad weather ; much wind and

postpone it to next day.
Lord Ganibier had entered Basque Roads with
his fleet the rtr. of March, and extended them in two
lines over the place, anchored in such a manner as to
preclude, as well as possible, all passage to the enemy's
fleet without coming into contact. The French fleet,
of tn mil of the line, a 50 gun-ship, and four frigates,
firmed by 'a junction of their Brest squadron, with
their squadron here, were lying at a confined
chorage towards the mouth of the river Charente, near
to Lle d'Aix, and completely under cover of the
guns of the fort there. The appro ich to them was
also def.nkhd by a fort on Isle d'Oleron, the shot
frcm the two batteries crossing each other, and hay
ing struck our ships and killed men, passing between.
Since Lord Gambier's appearance in the port, Isle
d'Aix had been strengthened, and a body of troops
thrown upon it, in the expectation of our making a

descent.
" Tuesday 11, at the close of day, our frigates
and sloops moved well in to co-operate. The Impe_
rieuse took station inside of all, within point-blank
shot of the French fleet, and of Isle d'Aix. At nine
at night, with a strong N. W. wind and flood tide,
the attempt took place. The Explosion Vessels pre-
ceded, having in them many casks of gunpowder,
and many live shells. They were set forward the
first to strike a terror into the enemy, and give them
aa idea that the rest of the vessels were the same, as
deter them from boarding the fire-ships. Lord
Crchrane was himself in the foremost of the former,
which exploded with a terrible crash eight minutes
quitting her : then went 16 fire-ships ; one was
*,:n ashore upon Isle d'Aix, and one upon Isle d'Ole-
tor the purpose of intercepting the view thence,
an i keeping the batteries quiet, which was in a good
Tntasure effected at the former place, and completely
.it the latter—the rest ran amongst their fleet. They
contained not or.ly every kind of combustible, but
leantities of shells, carcasses, and Congreve rockets :
.t was a spectacle most awfully splendid. The night
nas eery dark, but the blaze illuminated the sky se_
ral miles. The flashes of guns fired by the French
fleet retreating, by the fort at Isle d'Aix, and by the
fire-ships as they burnt, their guns being left loaded,
added to the terrible grandeur of the scene. The of-
iicers, in general, who conducted these vessels, de-
tho greatest praise ; they did not quit them till
ve:ry near the enemy's ships, and it was with difficulty
hey regained our own frigates, which had moved a great
at dusk, as the sea was high for small boats,

the tide strong against them. So strong was the rain. About noon one of the frigates which weshad
rind at the beginning, that in the fleet nothing could perceived to be irrecoverably aground, was set on fire
')e heard, not even the noise of the vessels exploding, Iby the French, and, to our surprize, exploded. The
Although at no greater distance than four miles ; but situation of the residue of their fleet, at evening, is
every movement could be seen distinctly, and by the this ; four ships of the line remaining aground, out-
effect of ele explosions and conflagration, the wind side what is termed the bar of the river, or shallowest
was lulled. The boats of our fleet, armed in readi-' passage into the deep water stream ; three ships of
less to act, under the direction' of Rear-Admiral the line and three frigates, which had gained that
ctopford, who had- made every arrangement, and is- passage, are afloat, beyond any further molestation
sued in:truqicns for the occasion, were assembled from us, and supposed to be free from further dan-
around the Czsar; but the weather was so boisterous, ger ; four of these six, after being repeatedly aground,
!bat the Rear-Admiral judged it unnecessary to pro- and not without much arduous labour.
ceed with them ; and his judgment proved right, the 4 46 The result of all is, the entire ruin of the enemy's
trench having no boats out, thinking themselves se- • fleet for the present ; three ships of the line,' a fifty.
ore from all attempts on such a night. 11 gun ship, and one frigate destroyed for ever ;--four
Wednesday 12, at day-light, we had the satin- more not yet out of danger of the same fate; and at
r.. ction to observe every one of their fleet, with the ex- any rate, should they escape utter demolition, will be
of two ships, aground. They had cut from I incapable of service, as well as three more ships of