Star.
London, England, 1809-01-05 00:00:00

The Francis Freeling packet is arrived at Falmouth
with Mails from the Leeward Islands, in 31 days
from Tortola.

A vessel, the Magdalena, is arrived from the Cape
of Good Hope, which she left on the 21st of October.
We learn that an account had been received there by
a vessel lately arrived from Ceylon, that the Emperor
of PErtazA, had refused to receive the British Embassy,
and that several French Officers were Occupied in
organiiing the Persian troops. We have been fa-
voured with the following by the Magdalena :

Copy of a letter from B. C. DOYLE, Esq. Com-
mander of his Majesty's sloop LIGHTNING, to Vice-
Admiral 'ALstosAnut- BERTIE, Commander in Chief
of his Majesty's ships and vessels employed at the
Cape of Good Hope, &c. &c.
" His Majesty's sloop Lightning,
" Ste, Table Bay, Oct. 20, 1808.
411 have the honour to address to you a similar letter to that
written to Rear-Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith, Commander
in Chief of his Majesty's ships on the Brazil station, and under
whose orders I have the honour to be employed, stating my good
fortune, on the Bth inst. in the capture of the Dutch armed ship the
Hoop, mounting eight carriage guns and swivels, commanded by
John Meyer, bearing the rank of Commander in the Dutch navy'
with three Lieutenants, and a complement of 72 men, besides
passengers, after a day's chace, and an exchange of broadsides, in
which no damage was received. She appears to have sailed in,
company with a frigate of 36 guns from the Texel, in March last,
which ship parted in a gale the second day after sailing. The Hoop
has touched at the Dutch settlements on the Coast of Guinea,
where she has left provisions and stares, and was proceeding on
with hei remaining cargo of naval and military stores for Batavia.
The bill of lading, as well as private signals, dispatches, & c. were
thrown overboard before she struck. In consequence of the num-
ber of prisoners, ani the short distance from the Cape of Good
Hope, (it bearing N. E. 400 miles), with the consideration of the
prize's cargo being naval and military stores, I have judged it
prudent to come to this bay, intending to have convoyed her in,
but pined in a gale on the 13th instant.

" 1 shall dispose of my prisoners, and proceed in the execution
of my former orders. I have the honour to be, Sir. &c.
(Signed) " a. c. DOYLE.
PORTSMOUTH, JANUARY 4.

Arrived His Majesty's ship EAGLE from Gibraltar,
last from Plymouth.—Sailed His Majesty's brig DAR"
iwo on a cruise ; and the GOLDFINCH with a fleet of
transports for Falmouth. Wind. N. E. with thick.
snow. - .

DEAL, JANUARY 4.

Remain in the Downs his Majesty's ships Princess
of Orange, Hero, Venerable, Bombay, Leviathan,
Illustrious, Invincible, Christian Vllth, Warspite,
Defence, Agincourt, Trusty, Clyde, Kangaroo, Pan-
dora, Peruvian, Indignant, and Furious ; Harmony
victualler, &c.—Wind E.

CHATHAM, JANUARY s.
Arrived on Monday, the PINCHER gun brig, which
was on shore on the Wasp, with the lass of her
rudder. Came into harbour the Dolphin store ship,
being too late in the season far her to go to the Baltic.
LIMERICK, DECEMBER Rs.
Yesterday the REPILSE cutter, Lictitepait HARRIS,
arrived in our harbour, from Cork, to• convoy the
merchant vessels at this port, bound for London and
the Channel, to the Downs. The MINERVA cutter,
Lieutenant WILLEBY, also arrived yesterday from a
cruise.