Star.
London, England, 1809-01-03 00:00:00

Lord Collingabeett of Cadiz, and on (he 19th wit!;
Admiral Sir C. Cotton off the Tagus; from whom he
received information of the army under Sir A. Wel-
lesley, then landed in Portugal, and also that Briga-
dier. General Ackland, with his brigade, was on the
coast, looking for an opportunity to join him. Sir H.
I)alrymple sailing along the coast with an intention
of making Mondego Bay, heard of the action of the
21st; and that Sir H. Burraid was arrived ; this de..l
terrnin..-.1 him to inake for Maceira Bay, where trans. ' ,
ports were at anchor. He landed in Maceira Bay
early in the forenoon of the 22d, proceeded to Vi-
rneira, about two miles and a quarter distant, and af-
ter a Short conversation with.his two predecessors in
command, whose instructions were those by which he'
was to act, he ordered the army to march early in the
morning of the 23d, undoubtedly as soon as it could
be put in motion after his arrival.
It appears that in this situation of things the French
General Kellerman arrived about noon of the 22d at
Vimeira, with, proposals for a Suspension of Arms,
in order to settle a definitive Convention for the eva-
cuation of Pbrtugal by the French army. Lieute-
rantßurrard and Sir Arthur
Generals 81rBarrY
U'ellesley assisted the ,commander of the Forces in
the discussions that took place on this subject, and it
appearing to them,. Under all circumstances, as com-
manding a force setkirhtidlee avitll the Sovereign
of Fortngat .and combating, in their own country,
(from whence we then derived no material assistance)
against an enemy in actual, possession of their capi-
tal, their fortresses, and, in a military point of view,
of their kingdom, that a Convention, or Capitulation,
if the opportunity offered, which should speedily and
honourably expel the French army from Portugal, was
expedient andAvisable,aseseationof arms was agreed
upon, to terminate at
.48 hours notice. The leading
articles of a Convention were also settled, and Gene-
ral Kellerman returned towards Lisbon, about nine
at night, with the iitsittnneta stated in the Extra Ga-
zette of the 16th of September, but not to be consi-
dered as effectual without the concurrence of Admi-
ral Sir C. Cotton.

Early oti the 23d in the morning, Lieutenant-CoL
Murray, Quarter-Master-General, set out with the pro-
red a tto procure the concurrence of the
Aclmi and returned in the night of the 24th, with
Sir Charles Cotton's answer, that he could not accede,
but that he would eater into treaty with the Russian
Admiral.
It appears tha• t'S'ir Charles Cotton having declined
to sanction the Russian article, the Commander of

the Forces conceived the Armistice to end, and deter-
mined
on sending Lieutenant-Colonel Murray to an-
nounce the recommencement of hostilities, at the end
of 48 hours, in order, if General JunOt chose it, that
we might treat on the remaining articles as a basis.—
This Officer had power to treat-without delay. He
had the Commander of the Forces' letter of the 25th,
and certain memoranda of Sir Arthur Wellesley, as
laid before the Board, which shewed the exact foot-
ing on which he was to act, as also General Keller-,
man's sentiments on the Russian'question. Early on
the 27th, communication was hadfrom GeneralJunot
and Lieut Col. Murray, that a treaty was in agita-
tion,
which was answered. _ _ I

It appears that when the proposed treaty (ratified.
by General Junot) of the 28th August, was brought
by Capt. Dalrymple on the 29th to head-quarters
nt Ramathal, all the Lieutenant-Generals (Burrapd,
Moore, Hope, Fraser, Wellesley) were present, Lord
Paget excepted (because not king previously sum-
moned). The proposed treaty was, however, formally.
discussed. Minutes of proposed alterations were
taken by Sir A. Wellesley, as laid before the Board,
and the Commander of the Forces has no reason to
believe that. Sir J. Moore, or any of the' Lieutenant-
Generals that came with him, expressed any disappro-
bation of the state and terms of the negociation.
The treaty, with the alterations proposed, were re-
transmitted to Lieut. Col. Murray.
It appears when the treaty concluded by Lieut.
Col. Murray on the 30th, was brought by him to
Torres Vcdras on the 31st for ratification, the 14-leu-
tnant-Generals present were convened, and Sii„.4.
Wellesley was sent for. Lord Paget, who was at a
distance, did not come, nor did Sir A. Wellesley, his
carps having marched that Morning. The other
Lientenant-Generals met.(Burrard, .Moore-, Fraser;
and hope), the alterations made by Lieut. Colonel
b.:31..1y were approved, and the treaty then ratified
b:- the Commander of the Forces Sir Hew Dalrym-
ft,) with the approbation of the Lieutenant-Generals
present.

Some of the articles of the treaty of the 28th, he-1
fore objected to by the Lieutenant-Generals, were'
altered in that of the 30th, and some other good al.
terat:ons had been inserted, not before suggested. A
comparison of the treaty of the'2B6, and that ratified,
will shew the alterations.
The meetings'bf the Lieut. Generals, the Com-1
wander of the /Forces did not call, er consider as .re-
gular
councils of war. He sought to benefit from
their talents and experience, by consulting them on
exigent cases, and by pursuing the measures he might
himself deem mast for the good of your Majesty'e;
service, after availing .himself of the advantage be
might draw from their reasonings, And. be does not
recollect there was any dissentient opinioallon the 31st,
as to the ratification of the Convention. •
It appears that Sir J. Moore's corps having arrived
at Mondego Bay on the 20th of August, began to
disembark ; that they re-embarked, and arrived off
Maceira Bay on the 24th ; that from the 26th to the I
29th they landed under considerable difficulties, and
successively joined the army at Torres Vedras,
It appears that some of the principal advantages
to arise from the Convention were in the contempla-
tion of the Generals.
That it immediately liberated the kingdOin of Por-
tugal from the dominion of the French, thereby resto;
ling to the inhabitants their capital and fortresses,
their principal sea ports, •their personal liberty, pro.
Peaty, religion, and established goverftmeet. • •
That it relieved a great extent of Spanish :frontier
from all apprehension of an enemy, and the whole of
pain from that of having an enemy behind them,
and allowed all part; of Spain-to talce more effective
measures for its general defeAce, as well as-permitted
Portugal imtnedtately to contribute for their mutual
support. •

That it enabled the l3ritjsh army Immediately to
enter Spain, if reqtlired, by central routes, while it
transported the Fresh force to a very distant part of
their own coast, far removed. fipm ti S,panisla.fron-
tier.