Star.
London, England, 1812-05-29 00:00:00

AMERICA:

'We are happp to. find that the present unsettled
state of the Administration does,not absolutely sus•
n'
d though it must retard, all public business.—
Pe
Within the last three weeks, no less than four sets of
dispatches have been sent to the outports, to be for-
warded to the British Minister in America. Of their
contents,we
it is impossible should have any know.
ledge.
In the mean time, we have to state, that the Ame-
ricans, by the latest accounts received, still appear
determined to avoid actual hostilities, however diffe-
rent may be the complexion of the language em.
ployed by the Anti-federalists. The following letter
brings our intelligence from America down to the
gd instant s

“ LIVERPOOL, MAY 27.

The Lady Madison has just arrived from New
yak, which place she left on the Sd instant, and
brings intelligence of Mr. LOWNDES having declined
caninrip /hp Bill to permit the importation of goods
from Great Britain under certain circumstances; and
that no expectation was entertained of its being taken
pp by any other Member : in fact, Mr. LOWNDLS de-
eland, that if the consideration was moved by any.
other Gentleman, he should vote against it.

a Vice-President CLINTON Is dead.
a A New York Paper of the 25th states, that
firsoNo had, by the last accountb, a majority of up.
wards of 1600.
The Lady Madison has been cruizing off Sandy-
book ever since the Embargo."

...L...-.

THE PENINSULA.

Ire have seen letters from Lord Wes.mqerrost's

bud-quarters, which were at Fuente Guinaldo on
the 15th inst. on which day they were preparing to ce-
lebrate the PRINCE REGENT of IJORTUGAL'S Birth-day.
he army had made to movement, bnt Lord WEL-
VIIGTON had gent out those very- able Officers, Major
*meow and CaptairtTooo, to repair the bridge of
Alacantera, the beautiful Roman bridge which the
limy had destroyed. The presumption is, that as
seen as this fridge is repaired, the army will march
by it b'ck to the South, and again look after SOGLT.
The anniversary of the battle of 'Puente d'Honore
tins celebrated both in Lisbon and at head-quarters.
At Fuente Guinaldo, the Marshal gave a splendid
tetertainment to Lord WELLINGTON, his Staff, and
tnumber of Officers ; and there was a ball in the

e►ening given to the Spanish Ladies.

We have seen a letter rather of an older date from
the Alentego, which describes in high terms the ex-
treme pleasure the pganiards every where chewed on
Syr turn. In evekyrn the F:Atalyri came into,
VTAPLETON COTTON called the fetries together
LTeir them a danie, himseit ,tripping
.it ouvie
light Fititastie toe, as it is well knoirn be= does in an
verivalled manner, to the admiratiOn of the Spa.
ail Belles.
The King's Regiment and 42d, wits detachißents
of cavalry,. were marching up froth Lisboe_tr to join
the anby, where they were much wanted. It rwas
supposed Lord WELLINGTON would make inwards
into Spain.
Thewoun4ed are recovering fast, daily joining
their regiments, and wishing for nothing so ranch's's
another brush with the enemy.

General LEITH commanded the wing of the army
farthest advanced to the North, and Sir ROWLAND
HILL the wing to the South in advance of Badajoz :
the He of Barossa commanding the centre. As
Lord WaitasoroN was concentrating the army and
bringing Op every body from Lisbon, an immediate
movement was expected to be in agitation, and that
a blow would be struck. Our army was in the high-
est
health and spirits. Deserters continue to come in
daily in great.numbers both from SOULT'S and MA R.
stoxes armies;—though there are some_ Frenchmen
among them, they are principally Germans, Poles,
and Swiss. Disease continues to make great havoc
in MARMONT'S army : the deserters say that he him-
self has gone to Burgos.
The Guerillas have lately made a most valuable
capture of JOYEPH BONA PA RTE'S wine, plate, and a
great chest of money. The wines they have sent in
*present by a deputation to Lord WELLINGTON.
It is said that the Cones have allowed Spaniards
to 'gist into the British regiment, under Lord
Yhumorrov.
But of all the particulans mentioned in these Jet-
t%s, the following is, perhaps, the most singular :
" On the 11th four French trumpeters came in as
deserters from MARMON T'S head-quarters : they men-
tioned that their Officers were much dispirited by
Accounts which had reached them of a bloody action
',rl the frontiers of Poland, where the French had
,ern dreadfully cut up. These fellows were dressed
in mbst gaudy uniforms, and beat hollow the most
y dresses of the bands of our Guards or Militia
iero,

I
I
LI
I.

Our Readers cannot bat recollect that we have
"'ice already had reports from the Continent of a
battle between the Russians and FrenCb, but without
%ay of the particulars. It seems every day more pro.
table that there has been an action, and that the
heath have been worsted in the conflict.

is
N-
ill
is

Morita'," and other Paris Papers to the 24th inst.
hoe been received. They are comletely silent re.
'petting the affairs of the Peninsulap. The'French
t.toops continue their march towards the Vistula.

WAPAL IIVITLLICZIVOL

TOTAL DgSTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH
WEST-INDIA SQUADRON.

11 We have great satisfaction in stating that the news
of the complete destruction of this squadron is con-
firmed by our Letters from Plymouth. The result
is highly creditable to Captain Homed, and the
brave fellows who served under him, on this trying
occasion. We have to regret that none of the plunder
with which the enemy's ships were encumbered, has
been saved to reward our brave tars for their valour :
it is satisfactory, however, to know, that our loss,
considering the nature of the service, performed under
a heavy fire from the land batteries, has been compa-
ratively small—only five killed and 28 wounded.—
The following are the particulars of this splendid
achievement :

i't PLYMOUTH, MAY 27.
46 Arrived the NORTHUMBERLAND man of war,
Captain HOTHAM, from off L'Orient. On Friday
last he completely destroyed, near that port, aFrench
. squadron, consisting of the Adriane, of 4.4 guns, An-
Idromache, 44 guns, and the Mameluke, of 16 guns.
—This is the West India squadron tlatlailed from
Nantz 9th January last. The NORTHUMBERLAND
fell in with them close to L'Orient, in the passage
between the Isle de Groa and the Main, and com-
pletely destroyed them, notwithstanding a heavy fire
from the batteries. The NORTHUMBERLAND had five
men killed and 20 wounded."
ANOTHER LETTER, SAME DATE.
" Came in the NORTHUMBERLAND man of war from
a cmize— On Friday last, 22d inst. she fell in with,
drove on shore, and destroyed, near L'Orient, the
following French ships, viz. the Andromache, 44
guns, 320 men ; the Adriane, 44 gulls and 320 men,
both burnt and blown up; and the Mameluke, of 18
guns and 150 men, sunk on her beam ends. The
NORTHUMBERLAND lost by the batteries five men kill-
ed and 20 wounded. The GROWLER gun-brig as-
sisted in the destruction of the frigates."
ANOTHER LETTER, SAME-DATE. I
' " Last night arrived in Cawsand Bay, the NOR--
THUMRERLAND, Of 74 guns, Capt§jß HOTHAM, from
off L'Orient, after having completely destroyed the
marauding squadron, consisting of l'Andromache,
l'Adriane, (or l'Orient) of 44 guns, and 320 men
each ; and Mameluke, of 18 guns, and 150 men,l
under a very :wavy fire of shot and shells from four
batteries on the land, in the narrow passage, between
the island of Groa and the Main, at the entrance of
the harbour of L'Orient, on Friday, May 22, 1812 :
• "id IN UT11.9---( BROM LOO-BOOK).
Wind from West by North, to West North West--fresh
breezes and clear weather.
At two, 5 ra. p. m. opened the enemy's squadron, consisting
of two frigates and one brig, in the passage between the Island
of Gros and the Main. .
At two, 10m. observed the enemy take in their studding-sails.
At two, 12m. a battery on the south end of the Island of Gros
opened its fire on us—we hoisted our colours, but did not return
.agy
At iii pt.
o, 24M. the batteries on the main land opened a heavy

fire on us. •
At two, 28 m. the headmost frigate made a signal, and hauled
her wind on the larboard tack; the remalnin; ffigate and trig
followed.
At two, 40 m. the enemy's squadron shortened sail, observed
the sternmost ship close with the brig, apparently fbr the purpose
of speaking her.
At two, 45 m. the sternmost frigate passed the brig, and.
closed with the headmost one.
At two, 46 m. tacked skip working up the passage between
the Islaad of Grok and the Main to close with the enemy's aqua.'
dron ; a heavy fire of shot and shells kept up front the batteries'
'on ..he Island and Main.
At two, 49m. the enemy's squadron bore up and stood to.
wards as under all possible sail.
At three, 12 m. hauled up our mainsail, and hove to. •
At three, 16 m. filled, and stood in-shore to bring the eawint-
to action.
At three, 19 m. opened our fire on the enemy, which was
briskly returned, and by a battery on Point Pierre, sod also by
three others on different parts of the main land.
At three, 35 m. drove the two frigates on share.
At three, 40 at. the brig also grounded on the starboard bow
of the French Commodore—hauled off to avoid a rock which
,was close under our bows—people employed in repairing the
ging, which was much cut up.
At four, 22 m. tacked ship—worked up to engage the enemy
again.
At four, 48 m. observed the enemy's brig cut away her main.
mast by the board---wind at this time West North West—litiedi
breezes and clear weather.
At four, SO m. observed the Growler gun-brig rounding the
south end of the Island of Grea, under a heavy press of sail.
At five, she began to open her fire on the enemy.
At five, 6 m. made the Growler's signal to prepare to anchor.
At five, 22 m. made the Growler's signal to keep under sail.
At five, 23 m. observed the main-mast of l'Adriane go by the
board—the whole of the enemy's squadron on their beam ends.
At two, 28m. let-go the best-bower anchor, in 61 fathoms wa-
ter, with a spring on the cable, Point Pierre, Nortb West, half
North; Graule Rocks North half East two cable's lengths; Er-
ran's Rocks East by South half South; Citadel of Port Louis
East three-quarters North.
At five, 34 m. opened our fire a second time on the enemy's
squadron, which was not returned bj any of the ships except the
headmost frigate, !'Andromache, which fired 9 or 4 guns, but
under a heavy firs from four batteries on the main land.
At five, 55 m. obsereed l'Andromacbe on fire in the fore-top.
At six, 6 m. fire spreading fast. Observed her fore-top-mast fell,
and several boats leaving the ship and rowing for the shore.
At six, 44 m. the main and mien' masts of I'Andromachs went
by-the. board.
At seven, 55 m. she blew up with a very great explosion.—
Growler continuing to fire on l'Orient frigate and Maineluke
brig. At eight, 10 in. came-to with the small bower-anchor in
the passage, between the Island of Groa and the main-laod, the
enemy throwing shells from a battery on the island of Gwent uis
without doing soy damage. A seaman belonging to a Paireagespe

*met who had been taken Isy the enemy's squadron, jumped,
overboard from l'Androtnaehe before she bleb up aril swam off
to u+. At, ten, observed l'Orient on fire. At twelve, 50m.
weighed and made sail out of the pilsage, the enemy's batteries
on Gros firing at us at intervals. •

-At two, 35 in. A. M. Saturday—one clear weather; all th..
fore-part of !'Orient blew up, the after part continuing to burn.
The Mameluke on her beam-ends, full of water."

FALMOUTH, MAY Eq.
Arrived his Majesty's ship PHEASANT from a
cruize. The Rackets outward-bound stilt remain.—

PORTSMOUTH, MAY es.
Sailed his Majesty's ship BRISK with a convoy for
Cork, and the intermediate ports in the Channel.—
Win 4 N.E.
PLYMOUTH, MAY 27.

Sailed the METEOR bomb with a convoy to the
Eastward ; BULWARK man of war to the Westward
and Namur frigate for off Bourdeaur.

DEAL, MAY 28.

Came down from the River the George, HAGUE,
for the Brazils. Sailed this morning, without con.
voy, the Lad-anve for Hayti.—Wind N.E.
Fyn o'CLocE.—The wind appears to be getting
to the Eastward. The outward-bound are all pre-
paring tosail, under convoy of the SPECULATOR lugger.
SCHELDT }lsm—The following French 74-gun
ships form the Scheldt fleet :

Cbarlentagne, Dalmatia, Albanois, Bellier, Cesar,
Commerce Lyon, L'Auver,en, Duguerlier, Puttusk, Dantzie.
The two last are manned by Danes.—There are also
down at Antwerp two frigates, two Dutch corvettes,
four gun-boats, with six 24-pounders each, besides
small craft. The flag of Rear-Admiral L' HEUCEITT
is flying is one of them, and Admiral MISSIECILISI in
another. The Captain's names are—Courand,
Wil-
liammy, Caleme, Coocleur, Cuebne, and Moras.

The subjoined letters from Caraccas and La
Guayra, its port, afford some interesting particulars
with regard to the terrible convulsion of natnre,which
seems almost to have rivalled the earthquake that
laid Lisbon in ruins more than half a 'century ago.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THOMAS MOLINA, ESQ.
DATED CARACCAS, MARCH 29, 1812, TO HIS SRO-

TIIEE IN LONDON :
gg The dreadful catastrophe that took place in this
city on Thursday last, my pen is not able to describe;
you will, without doubt, receive the dreadful details
from other quarters.
. .
,4 My only motive for writing, is to allay your
apprehensions relative to my person, and I hope you
will receive this letter as soon as the shocking ac-
count reaches England.
44 On the day above-mentioned, at abopt seven
minutes past four in the afternoon, we experienced
one of the most dreadful earthquakes you can ima-
In less than three minutes one quarter of the
town was laid in ruins, and the remaining three-
fourths of the houses rendered totally uninhabitable.
The number of lives lost is not !et ascertained, but
the most moderate accounts estimate it at .5000 souls.
Similar accounts have reached us from La Guayra,
and various other quarters : what is the extent of the I
evil in the interior, we do not yet know. I fear the
calamity has been general throughout the Continent.
44 P. 8. General Miranda is well, and was out of
town when this dreadful event happened."
EXTRACT OP A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN CUTHBERT, OF
THE SHIP HIGHLANDER, DATED LA (MATRA. APRIL 1.
44 Since my arrival here, one of the greatest cala•!
mities has occurred at this place that ever happened ;
in any country. On the 26th ult. whilst on board, I
heard a most dreadful report of an earthquake: it'
lasted, as nearly as my recollection will serve, about
two minutes. I soon learnt that the town of La I
Guayra was laid in ruins, and that numbers of the in-
habitants were killed and buried in them. The city
of Caraccas, I understand, has experienced a still
worse fate, and has been totally abandoned by the un-
fortunate inhabitants. The rocks and mountains
were rent asunder ; and it is impossible for pen to de-
scribe the devastation occasioned by this horrible ex-
plosion. The cargo which I was to have taken on
board has shared the fate of nearly all the goods in the
city, and has been swallowed up in the general ruin.
46 When the shock was first felt on board, every
person was impressed with the feeling that the ship
was beating to pieces on the rocks. On my going
on shore, the most awful and afflicting scene presen-
ted itself ; hundreds of the suffering inhabitants were
seen mixed with heaps of ruins, and many of them
still yet alive with their heads out, imploring assis-
tance from their fellow-citizens, who, instead Of affor.
ding them aid, were throwing themselves prostrate,
before images, beating their breasts, and imploring
for themselves the protection of their Saints. When
the alarm had in some degree subsided, the bodies of
the dead were sought for ; but I have not been able ;
to ascertain the extent of the loss which this hapless
city has sustained."

The Irish Loan was taken in Dublin on Tuesday
last, by GialloNs and WILLIASIS, at the price of their
former bidding, viz.. for every *lOO subscribed
'no° Si per Cent. Stock.
20 5 per Cent.
10 Treasury Bill.
The sight of GOLD is so very attractive that the
Lottery Office of aucks, 8, Cornhill, has been crow.
ded all day by Customers, in consequence of his ex-
hibiting, in his window. some Thousands of Gni-
fleas—which. we presume, he has been hoarding for
the purpose of paying such Capital Prizes as he may,
sell in the Lottery, to be drawn on Thursday next.
Accounts from Newcastle state that tumult and
disorder yet prevailed in Cumberland. On the night
!of the 15th instant, the corn-mill at Monkhill, near
I Carlisle, was broken into by a number of persons,
whence not less than 150 stone of oatmeal, and 65
stone of flour, were carried away or wasted. On the
16th, about twelve at night, George Johnson and
Margaret Barnes, both of Burgh, were attacked near
Coaltellhill by two men ; but footsteps being heard,
they thought it prudent to retreat. The persons who
came up were C. Robinson, of Drumburgh, and J.
{Robinson, of Glasson, two industrious men, ikho had
, been at Carlisle receiving payment fer some work
done, and who accompanied the two first-mentioned
persons. They had not proceeded above half a mile
when they were again assailed by a banditti, consist-
ing' of seven, who presented their pistols, and, after
having much injured the travellers with bludgeons
and atones, compelled them to deliver their property. ,

•It •.