Star.
London, England, 1812-01-02 00:00:00

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' FROM THE GERMAN ROZA&

• .
" TWELFTH MILITAR
" mote or Tea VAT.
II The Sieur Courtois St. Clair, formerly Aid-de-Cainpe to Ge-
neral Josnet, and subsequently appointed Lieutenant in the 116th
regiment of the line, instead of teeming the orders of his Ex-
cellency the Minister of War, and going to Rochelle to join his
corps, deserted to the enemy in the morning of the 20th Novem-
ber. He hired in the putt of Rechelle a boat to transport him
to the Isle of Aix, and leaving the canal, compelled the boatmen
to conduct him to the enemy's cruizers by threatening them with
a brace of pistols. The Situr Courtin*, already denounced by
the paternal curse, having defrauds the officers and merchants
at the Isle-Dieu and Rochelle of considerable sums, deemed
himself unworthy of serving in the armies of his Majesty the
Emperor and King, and even of remaining longer on the French
soil, where he could expect nothing but shame, contempt, and
punishm mt. He has carriel his crimes among our enemies,
where he will soon receive the reward of his disgracefel conduct.
" Ihe General of Division orders that the caution used on all
the coasts to prevent communication with the enemy, should be
redoubled. He is about to institute a very severe enquiry into
the conduct of the boatman wbo conveyed the Sleur Caurtois ;
whose vessel is seized, whose person is confined, and why will
be treated will all the rigour of the law.
(Signed) " RSVAUD, Baron de la RaCiniera,
General of Division, ace."
Thesubscquent is given as the letter of tile fugitive
to his superior Officer :
" MY GEN tea shall not attempt to justify my conduct;
I know too well that it deserves all your indignation. I was born
ander favourable circumstances, but I have made a bad use of
them ; I had no Mentor to discover and repress those impetuous
passions which have hurried me to the brink of the abyss and
no one offered to me a succouring hand. Abandoned by all the
world, I have fallen. Believe, my General, that the strongest
motives urged me to this act of despair. My father will shed
tears of blood for my offence, but his sorrows will be too late.
" I recommend to your mercy the two unhappy fishermen
who conducted me on board the Admiral's ship. 'I his morning
I hired them to go to the Isle of Aix, but when I arrived oppo-
site Fort Sche, I held two pistols to their heads, and swore by my
honour that I would blow out their brains if they did not pro-
ceed towards the English. I made them go to the fore part of
the vessel, and took the rudder myself; my pistols were always
loaded, and the first that moved would have died. These unfor-
tunate people, therefore, thus were compelled to proceed whither
I pleased. I swear, on my honour, that this is the truth. Have
pity then on these two unhappy fathers of families. Prevent
their prosecution, nor deprive them of their vessel. Place your-
self in their situation, my General, and ask your own heart,
" In two days I proceed to England; Heaven grant that at the
end of two years I may finds ,me relief from the sufferings I ex-
peril:ewe. As for yourself, my General, you whom I esteem and
for whom I still have the most prof,und respect, may you as well
as par family, enjoy all the comforts you deserve. I again re,
commend to you the unfortunate fishermen ; I swear that they
are innocent, (Signed) " COURTOIS ST. CLAM
" On board his Majesty's ship Abercrombie, Nov. 20, 1811."
" GesialtAL—On the honour of a British Officer, I believer that
the two fishermen, who conveyed this morning Aid-du-Camp
Captain Saint-Clair to the English squadron, were induced to do
so against their will, in consequence of the threat to kill then in
case of a refusal. These unfortunate men deserve your mercy.
(Signed) WILLM. C 1145. FAHIE,
" Basque Roads, Nov. SO." Captain of the Abercrombie,
" CASSEL, DEC. S.
" By a Decree of this day, M. Baron Patje, Coun-
sellor of State, President of the Chamber of Accounts,
and Mr. Koenann, President the Criminal Court
of the Depar meat of Aller, have been named Special
Commissioners to regulate, in concurrence with the
Commissioners of his Imperial Majesty, the Article
of the Treaty of May, which concerns the division of
the debts, and the items •of contribution, between
Westphalia and France.

" COPENHAGEN, NOV, 25: .
44 A Royal Edict, which has just been published,
contains the following dispositions : •
44 Every individual, without distinction, shall be
obliged to cede his exclusive right, or the temporary
use of lands, which may be requisite for the defence'
of the country, or any other purpose of general
utility.
This duty cannot he dispensed with on any ac-
count, or under any pretext whatever; and art hough
individuals are permitted to address petitionfio Go-
vernment on this subject, these petitions must not
prevent them from provisionally submitting without
delay to the cession.
44 Every individual shall, upon application, be
granted an indemnity fur the entire right of proprie-
torship, or temporary use of such land as he shall
have sacrificed for the general interest."