Star.
London, England, 1809-01-04 00:00:00

SPAIN.

It is a singular anecdote connected with the fol-
lowing proclamation, that the Junta objected to its
publication at the time, when it was proposed to carry
its object into execution by the retreat of the troops
under Sir David Baird ; but when 'that measure was
abandoned, the objection was removed, and they
themselves ordered the publication without commu-
nicating their intention to the British Commander.
PROCLAMATION OF SIR DAVID BAIRD.
Dated Head Quarters, Astorga, Dec. I, 1808.
The events'
that hivi-occurred in Biscay, and in the
neighbourhood of the Ebro, have made it indispen-
sibly necessary that the British troops -should be con-
centrated, in order more effectually to assist and sup-
port the Spanish nation in the heroic exertions she is
applying for the defence of her independence. Under
these circumstances, Lieutenant General Sir Dlvid
Baird, Commander of the British division in Castile
and Leon, informs the royal subjects of these king-
doms, that he has just received orders from his Ex-
cellency Sir J. Moore, Commander in Chief of his
Britannic Majesty's army in Spain, to unite his forces
with those of the said General, without loss of time,
by the road of Poetugal.
The object of this movement is in no respect to
evacuate Spain, or to abandon a cause so dear to
Great Britain. The only design is to combine the
whole of the British forces, in order to enable them to,
act in a situation where they can render their services
more beneficial.
Gallicia, strong by nature, does not require for its
protection a more numerous army, nor can it possess
a more gallant one than the army of the left; com-
posed principally of the courageous youth of the
province, which is now united in Lecn wider the or-
ders of the highly 'distinguished Commander his
Excellency the Marquis de la Romana.—The resort
of more troops, in the present circun- st,.n :es, in tie
defiles of the mountains, would be prejudicial, since
they would consume the provisions and other re-
sources of the country, without increasing its security.
" To the worthy inhabitants of these kingdoms the
most grateful acknowledgments are due from the Bri-
tish forces, for the hospitality and friendship with i
which they have been treated in every situation ;
and the Lieutenant General hopes that the feelings
of reciprocal attachment and respect will prevail, not
only now, but that they will continue to animate both
n. i,e.na to the latest posterity.
In taking leave of the subjects of this part of the
peninsula, the Lieutenant General feels it to be his
duty to exhort them, by the loyalty they owe to their
Sovereign, by the affection thel bear to 667.f:wa1k%
and by all that is sacred in religion, to °Stitt for the
protection of their country.
Unless the Government and the people combine
their utmost efforts in this just and honourable cause,
Spain will be exposed to the most serious danger ;
but, if these endeavours be not wanting, under the di-
rection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, all will terminate in
victory and happiness.
ROYAL DECREE.

The Supreme Central Junta, considering that it
. h not sufficient for a nation newly engaged in war
with an intrepid and experienced enemy, to have nu-
merous armies, but that it is indispensable that allthe in-
habitants should be soldiers. and that every house should
be an impregnable fortress, considering also that our
former Government confiding in an alliance which it
believed sincere, had feeble condescension to suffer
the military spirit which is identified with the Spa-
nish character to evaporate, so that it has been ne-
cessary to create it entirely anew ; and that, though
our new soldiers are all animated with that valour
which patriotism inspires, yet they cannot but be
wanting in the knowledge of tactics and experience,
which, however, is speedily acquired in the field of
battle, where only it can be learned, and when ac-
quired, must render them invincible. The Govern-
ment has, therefore, resolved to adopt the most ener-
getic and effectual measures, authorising and grant-
ing full powers to all towns and considerable villages,
to oppose to the enemy such a resistance, that if un-
fortunately he should be able to penetrate to them,
every step may cost him a victory ; that to this end
• the whole nation may be united, and every means
employed suitable to the defence of the particular
part of the aountry•where the enemy is found, thit
his progress may be retarded, his movements im-
peded, and that we ;nay convince him what may be
done for patriotism resolved to conquer or die.
In consequence of this determination, which no
doubt will animate all the inhabitants of this king-
dom with that heroism which their brethren have ma-
nifested, in the repeated attacks they have hitherto
sustained, and being intimately convinced that the
means to prevent our cruel enemy from polluting our
soil with his horrid crinies and sacrileges, is to aug-
ment the army under the command of the Marquis
de la Romana, and .to raise another to defend the
posts of Manzanal and Sanabria, has decreed, •
1. That within the term of eight days the contingent of each
prelim, for the firs: conscription, shall be completed.
11. That this being completed, considering the urgent neces-
sity 4 reinforcing the army with the, greatest rapidity, and co-
weriog the entrances of the liingdotn, a new enlistment shall be
begin of the males who are unmarried, or widowers without
children, from the age of le to 45, without admitting any other
exception than these provided by the regulation of the 18th No-
vember published by the Supreme Central Junta.
The other articles relate only to the particular re-
gulations for enlisting, arming, &c. this new militia
or coascription.] (Signed)
Kingdom of Gallicia, December 14, 1808.
JUAN. INNOCINCIO, Mita ritycz ANTONIO,
MAK [AGM g SANTISO, AcuA,Sectetati.
j..ERIPA, NOVEMBER 23.
By various letters from the head-quarters at Mar-
torell, we learn that the French have lost 3000 men
in another attack upon Rosas. -.The garriten, who
were exhausted by the two very obstinate, but cm-
pletely unsuccessful assaults,—which Ole- enemy pre-
viously made upon the fortress, triumphed over them
in consequence of the vigorous aid afforded by our
allies the English. They not oaly kept up a formid-
able fire from their ships and frigates, but also landed
Officers and troops to co-operate with and animate
our brave troops and Somatenes.
A letter, which a spy was carrying from General
Lechi to the General at Figuerasp -has been inter-
cepted. It is filled with invectives against Puhesine.
whom Lechi considers as inadequate to 4*
situ t-
tion of Commander in Chief, and to whose incapa-
city he attributes the loss of their army, This letter
has been sent in to J)uhesmc.

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