Star.
London, England, 1812-03-12 00:00:00

FRENCH PAPERS.

IFEICLAJ, NEWS FROM THE IMPERIAL ARMIES IN
SPAIN.
ARMY OF ARRAGON.

PORT OF THE DUKE OF ALBUFERA TO HIS ROYAL
HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF NEUFCHATEL AND WA..
ItIAJOR•GENERAL.
Head-quarters, Valencia, Feb. 27, 1812.
Monseigneur—The fort of Peniscola, which during
e sieges of Saguntuin and Valencia had obliged
e to make a detachment on my rear, to cover the
ommunications of the army, has since been the ob-
ect of my principal attention. I have hitherto con-
ned myself to observing it, not being. able to block-
de it on account of its natural situation. It is
ituated on a detached rock in the sea, near the high
'ad, one league from Benicarlos, and is joined to
e Continent only by a tongue of sand, thirty toises
road, and sixty long. An old castle of the Tem-
i•lers, built on the summit, is surrounded by the city,
hich kontains 2000 inhabitants, and a pretty exten-
ive fortification, defended by several ranges of bat-
. eries. Four gun-boats increased the defence, and
annonaded the coast on both sides ; this rendered
e approaches, which were already very diffkult on
uch ground, almost impossible. A garrison of 1000
• en 'defended the place,. under the orders of Briga.
• ier Garcia Navarro, a zealot, whom I had already
ade prisoner at Falcet, last year, and who had suc-
eeded in
_escaping. Five English vessels were
ruizing in the offing, and carried on a communica-
.
on with the place, which by that means received
continual supplies from without.
Atter the tall of Valencia, I caused Peniscola to
be invested. About the 28th of January, the General
of Division, 'Severoli, with two battalions of the
14th, two of the first Italian line, and one of the
second of the Vistula, commenced, by my order, the
operations of the kiege. The General of Artillery,
Valee, proceeded to fix the situation of the batteries;
and on the 28th commenced a bombardment, which
has been maintained with activity during eight days.
On the night of the 31st of January, or Ist of Febru-
ary, the trenches were opened by 1000 labourers, to
the length of 215 wises ; the batteries of attack were
instantly raised, in order to silence the fire of the
enemy, and to establish afterwards more closely the
batteries intended to make a breach. The engineers
continued their approaches, advancing on the left
bastion ; eighteen pieces of cannon were placed in
battery ; the mortars continued to firb day and night,
and sunk a gun-boat : the enemy returned a heavy
fire of ball and grape shot.
The 2dlof February, Lieutenant Prunel, an officer
of my staff, whom I had sent with instructions, hav-
ing been admitted into the fortress, reported an an-
swer, and some propositions, which were immediately
sent to me. The preamble was remarkable, and of a
nature to announce the submission of the place. The
Governor, in a very animated conversation, expressed
his true sentiments, and his hatred of the English,
who urged him, with threats, to give up the fort to
them. He did not hesitate to prefer the French, and
has acknowledged the existing Government as the
only system proper to put an end to Pagonie of his
country. I sent back immediately the proposed ca-
pitulation, with my answers in the margin. I added
a letter to the Governor. In the interval the works
were continued, and the fire was resumed's:luring 24
hours, but the modified capitulation that I had for-
warded was approved, and the Governor, by accept-
ing it, put an end to liosOlities.
On the 4th, at noon, Peniscola surrendered to the
tro.iss of the Emperor, We have found sixty-six
pieces of cannon, provisions for two months, and a
considerable quantity of ammunition, particularly in
shot and shells.

I have the honour of addressing to you the Capi-
tulation rtnd Returns off' the state of the artillery and
Jnagazines, also the plan, with a view of Peniscola.
During the continuation of the works and the fire
we have sustained but a small loss in killed and
'wounded. Among the former are, the Captain of
Artillery, Baillot. General Count Severoli has dis-
played great activity ; he speaks in high terms of d4e
ardour and courage of the Officers, and troops. The
.circumstances which attended the reduction of Peni-
scola, and the submission of the Governor, Garcia
Navarro, form a conquest from which I expect to
.derive the best effects. Every thing here (except
Alicant, where an English General, named Roch,
has taken the command) tends to put an end to the
war. It is considered as finished. The inhabitants
are well disposed towards us, even up to the very
gates of Alicant. (Signed)

'THE DUKE OF ALBIJ,ERA.

LETTER FROM THE MARSHAL COMMANDING THE ARMY
OF ARRAGON, TO DO2i PEDRO GARCIA NAVARRO,
BRIGADIER, COMMANDING THE FORT OF PENISCOLA.
Valencia, February 2.
I reply to the proposition for a capitulation, which
you have made to General Count Severoli, and I am
resolved to accept the principal basis, because I see,
with pleasure, that you and the Military Junta enter-
tain the sentiments of all good Spaniards.
I also jr. mise to treat you in such a wanner as to
prove to you the esteem wh ch I have for those mili-
tary Sp..',lards who are rally the enemies of the
Znglish Minister.
authorise the General of Division, Count Severeli,
to reteiVt: you, ..112(1 to allow you, as well as your Of-
Seers, to go to Valencia, Tortesa, or any other place
you may desire.
I am perfectly well acluainted with 'your present
situation. as a part of 'our letters addressed to to e-
have fallen into my hands.

, :.

e.,

REPLY OP THE ISHIGAD/ER DON TORO EIARCIO KAVARRE
TO THE MARSHAL DF THE' EMPIRE, COMMANDING IN
CHIEF THE ARMY OF ARRACiON.
Pealseoh, Feb. 3.
The letter dated the 2d, which you have addressed
to me, has afforded me much pleasure, and I only
wish for opportunities to prove the sincerity of the
principlis I have manifested. I have followed with
4e41, I may say with fury, the party which I thought
just, but now that I perceive the necessity for us all
uniting ourselves to our King, to render our country
less unhappy, I offer you to serve him with the same
enthusiasm.

Your Excellency may be sure of me ; the snrren.
der of a strong place which has provisions, and all
that is necessary for a long defence, can only be the
effect of a full conviction, and serves as a pledge for
my promises. I salute you with the utmost respect.