Star.
London, England, 1809-01-10 00:00:00

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10.

PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
3 per Cent. Consols for money 86,-11—for acck 66-1 67.
k,Otnnium 1/ dis.—Ezelieq. Bills Bs. pre.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.
S per Cent. Red. 661 66 Imperial Annuities 71
3 per Cent. Cons. 641. ex. div. Omnium 1/ dis.
4 per Cent. 814 India Bonds, 75. 85. prem.
5 per Cent. Navy 9714 23. div. Ex. Bills, 6s. aB5 pre.
Long Ann. 18 1-16th{ Cons. for open. 67

To the particulars which we yesterday laid before
our Readers, respecting the retreat of the British
Troops in Spain, we can add but little. But we have
inserted in another column extracts from various let-
ter.;, received from Officers belonging to the army
under the command of Sir JOUST Moosr, which am-
plify, a little, some of the particulars already stated re-
specting the various skirmishes which our cavalry
have had with the enemy. Ihe infantry had not had
any opportunity of trying their strength with the
enemy, at the time the retreat commenced.
Our Readers may form some opinion respecting
the circumstances under which the retreat was to be

effected, from a short descrißtion of the situation of
the army. There are two passes, by one or other of
which they will probably retreat : the one within a
fecal eagues of Astorga, between Ponferrada•and Villa
Franca on the Leonese frontier ; the other at Mon-
forte, in the interior of Gallicia, seated on the Minho. '
Both these defiles make a conspicuous figure in the
history of Spain during the occupation of that country
by the Saracens. While the Moorish horse, invincible
in battle, stretched their squadrons over the immense
plains of Leon, these passes presented an insur-
mountable barrier which protected the coast from the
borders of Portugal to the northern extremity of the
Peninsula. To these situations we can entertain no
doubt our countrymen will be eagerly followed by the
enemy, but here a few thou,ands will be competent
to resist very superior numbers ; and if the French
should persist in endeavouring to force them, they are
not likely to effect their purpose without great loss.
From the acknowledged skill of the Commander
in Chief, and the tried valour of the troops, there is
every reason to hope that the army will be able to ex-
tricate itself from its present difficult and perilous situ.
ation ; and though it may not be in our power to carry
from the field many trophies of victory, it will at least
be matter of no small consolation, if, in the face of
an enemy so superior in numbers, it can at once
maintain its honour and ensure its safety.
The former retreat of our troops caused much com-
plaint on the part of the Spaniards ; and, if we may
creditietters that have been received from Corunna,
they are equally indignant at the present one. One
letter which we have seen states, that they had strongly
remonstrated against the movement, and absolutely
refused to afford to our troops any facilities for ac-
complishing it. The same letter states that this was
the principal reason for Captain WYNDHAM coming
home with the dispatches, that he might inform Mi-
nisters, verbally, of all the particuiars necessary to be
communicated. -

From letters which we have this day receried-
Gibraltar, we are inclined to believe, that in the
southern Provinces of Spain, the spirit of patriotism
is much higher, and of a more decided character than
it has shewn itself in the North.
A letter of the 25th ult. from that Garrison, states,
" That the part of Spain where our army is, has
never from the beginning of the struggle, shewn
4, any enthusiasm in the cause. The inhabitantiof the
" North always have been reckoned the most unfit for
" soldiers of any part of Spain. The most warlike and
4, populous provinces are those of Andalusia, Valencia,
a Catalonia, and Arrawm ; and to these our supplies
4S rif men, money and warlike stores, should have been
~ directed. Andalusia has received some supplies, but
the other three just named appear to have been en-
-44 tirely neglected, excepting the scanty supplies which
" could be spared from Gibraltar, and a vessel with ten
~ thousand stand of arms on board, which arrived on
44 the 23d December, bound for Valencia and Cata-
4, lonia. If, instead of ten thousand there had been
44 sent one hundred thousand muskets, much might
4, have been done ; as the spirit, or rather the fury,
4, which prevails in these provinces against the French,
4, exceeds all description Before they are conquered, if
liey are to be conquered, the world will hear of
4‘ many defences as brave as that of Saragossa, and
44 of deeds of valour equal to any that have ever been
46 recorded in the annals of Spain."
Sl'ould the above prove correct (and we can assure
our Readers that we have the first authority for
al the accounts from Gibraltar which first appear
in the STAR), we may yet hope great things from
ete bravery of the Spaniards in the Southern Pro-
vinces. Let them experience no want of necessa-
ries for the conflict—and, if British troops are to
be employed in the conflict, let them be carried to
a quarter where they may expect the co-operation of
the people whose cause they are to vindicate.
By way of Gibraltar we have also received letter.
from Cadiz, of the 21st ult. They state that on the
preceding evening, the post from Seville had come
in, and had brought intelligence that Mr. FRERE and
, k had arrived there. This news, we believe, will
prove correct ; but the other particulars stated in the
letters that have reached us are as absurd and unfound-