Star.
London, England, 1809-01-24 00:00:00

SIR ARTHUR WaLLESLRY.

The Order of the Day having been moved and
read,

The Earl of LIVERPOOL rose to move the
Thanks of the House to Lieutenant. General Sir Ar-
thur VVellesley. He felt particular satisfaction in
discharging the duty imposed upon him, both on ac-
count of the personal rega:d he entertained for the
gallant Officer who was the subject of it, and the ho-
nour which the two victories he had obtained reflected
upon the military character of the country. He would
purposely abstain from any allusion to the consequen-
ces of these victories at present, as they would pro-
bably become the subject of future consideration, but
restrict what he had to say to the mere circumstances
tinder whieh the battles of Roleia and Vimiera were
fought. [The Noble Earl here gave a rapid sketch
of the proceedings of the army under the command
of Sir A. Wellesley, from its landing at Mondego
to the defeat of the French on the 21st of Au-
gust.] " It will be seen," said his Lordship, "from
what I have stated, that upwards of 21e000 French,
in the military possession of Portugal, were compelled
to evacuate the country by a British army, consisting
originally of 13,000, and at no time of more than
17,000." Before he made his motion, he wished to
anticipate some objections .which might possibly- be
offered to it, because it did net include the Officer
who, strictly speaking, had the command in chief on
that occasion. But as that Officer, with a magnani-
mity highly honourable to his feelings as a man, and
character as a soldier, had voiuntarily resigned, in
his official dispatch, all pretensions to the glory of that
victory; and as he, in fact, did not exercise one act
of command until the enemy were repulsed, and the
victory assured, he could not properly become the
subject of a Vote of Thanks. His Lordship next
mentioned the Votes of Thanks to Lord Nelson, for
the victory cf the Nile, when he was under the com-
mand of the Earl of St. Vincent; to the same for the
victory at Copenhagen, when he was under the com-
mand of Sir Hyde Parker ; and to Sir Ridrard Stra-
chart, for his victory over a part of the French fleet
which had escaped treat the battle of Trafalgar, being
then attached to the Channel teen ; to show that it
was not unusual to thank Officers who were second
in command far brilliant victories. His Lordship
pro:ounce,' a warm panegyric upon the talents, bra-
very, skill, and energy of Sir Arthur Wellesley, and
concluded widi moving the Thanks of the House to
him for the victories he obtained at Roleia and Vi-
rniera.
The Earl of MOIRA said, that he felt great pain
in finding himself under the necto,ity of giving a qua-
lified oppc:e.:ition to the motion. With respect to the
merits of Sir A. Wellesley, no one could entertain a
higher opinion of them than himself. Ile gave him
full credit for deserving all the praises bestowed on
him b.y the Noble Earl. The effect of the motion,
however, would be to stigmatize another Officer of
equal talents and bravery, he me.nt Sir Harry Bur-
rard, and he therefore could not concur in it. The
instances mentioned by the Noble Earl did not apply
. to the relative situation of Sir Arthur Wellesley and
Sir H. Burrard. The latter was to all intents and
purposes the Commander in Chief on that occasion,
and as the shame cf a defeat would have attached to
him, he was, therefore, entitled to the honour of the
victory. He did not ask their Lordships to detract
from the merits of Sir Arthur Wellesley, but to do
justice to a man who, if he were not included in this
Vote of Thanks, might justly complain of being most
cruellyttised. Coble. Earl tare .* k an oppor.

tunity of e2pressing his approbation of Sir H. Bur-
rard's condtict, in declining to pursue the enemy on
their retreat. His Lordship observed, that as the
Thanks of Parliament were the highest honour that
colfild be conferred on a subject, he thought they
should be reserved for great occasiona, and not la-
vished on every trivial advantage obtained over the
enemy. He did not mean, however, to say that this
was not an occasion which fairly called far so how:Mr--
able a distinction. His Lordship moved, as an amend-
ment, that the thanks of their Lordships should be
given to Sir Harry Burrard and Sir Arthur Wel-
lesley, &c.

Lord HARROWBY shewed, from Sir Harry Bur-
rard's dispatch, that that gallant officer did not con-
sider himself as having the least claim to the credit of
the victory at Vimiera. He &ad not joined the army
un it the action-was almost over, and did not interfere
in any way whatever with the dispositions made by
Sir Arthur Wellesley. He had, in fact, with a mag-
nanimity which reflected the highest credit on him,
relinquished all pretension to the command during
the action ; and if the army had been defeated, he
would not have been responsible for such a calamity.
To include Sir H. Burrard in the motion, would have
the effect of approving his conduct subsequent to the
battle.

Lord SIDMOUTH heard with surprise, not un-
mixed with regret, the amendment of the Noble Baron
(Lord Moira) and the arguments by which he had
endeavoured to support it. There was no Noble
Lord to vhose opinions he was more disposed to pay
deference, especially on military subjects, than to those
of the Noble Baron ; but upon the present occasion
he did not feel the least hesitation-in- differing from
him. The House had been cklled upon by the Noble
Setretary, to exercise one of its most gratifying pri-
vileges, in the bestowing upon pre-eminent merit the
highest and mast honourable reward which merit
could receive, the thanks of Parliament, for services
he would not say, perhaps, but unquestionably among
the most splendid and glorious which, at any period
of history, had adorned our annals. He was desir-
ous, with his Noble Friend, to avoid any kind of in-
ference or allusion that might be construed into dis-
respect for the conduct or character of other gallant
officers ; but hew was that necessary here It could
aot be denied that the arrangements in our army
previous to the battle of Vimeira were made solely by
Sir Arthur Wellesley ; and whether we contemplate
the wisdom and skill displayed by that officer in
adapting his force, greatly inferior as it was to that
of the enemy, or the spirit, bravery, and energy with
which those dispositions were so gloriously carried
into effect, we Willi an instance of British heroism
so signally laudable, that for this House to omit the
due acknowledgment of it, tir not to proclaim it to
the country, woi 1 I be a dereliction, of their public
duty, and au abandonment of their own honour.—
With respect to the gallant officer who was the ob-
ject of the Noble B iron's amendment; if he thought
the motion of the Noble Secretary as implying any
censure whatever on Ora officer, he would be the
first to oppose it ; but he had the authority of Sir H.
Burrard himself, in the testimony of exclusive praise
to Sir A. Wellesley, for brilliant achievements at
Vimeira, in his disclaiming any :share in those mea-
sures which led to and effected it. Under these cir-
cumstanon, he could not withhold his full and un-
qualified assent to the motion of his Noble Friend.

Lord ERSKINE rose, under very great embar-
rassmeo:, to offer his sentiments upon the motion now
before weir Lordships. The question was deeply in-
teresting to every one who viewed it ; but it was pe-
culiarly so to him, who at an early period of his life
had the honour of belonging to the military profes-
sion ; not that he could presume on that account,
and at this day, to juige of the conduct of Comman-
ders ; but the recollection of that period of his life ex-
cited a mere than common concern for every thing
connected with the character and honour of the Bri-
tish Officer. With the gallant officer whose name
had been introduced by the Noble Mover of the
amendment, his Lordship observed, he had no ac-
quaintance, not even the slightest personal know-
ledge ; whereas, with many of Sir Arthur Welles-
ley's family it was his boast to be acquainted, and
among all the friends of that illustrious officer, there
was not one who would be more forward to admire
and applaud his brilliant achievements than his Lord-
ship ; but highly as he admired the skill, gallantry,
and exploits of that officer, he could not consent to a
mode of proceeding which appeared to him invidious
and injurious to the character and honour of Sir H.
Burrard, and consequently as tending to injure essen-
tially the army itself. It was impossible to agree to
the motion of the Noble Secretary without casting
censure on Sir Harry Burrard ; for, -who, his
Lordship asked, was the Commander of the British
army at the battle of Vimeira ? Was it not Sir H.
Bin rard ? This was not denied, and might lie not in
the p enitude of his power have counteracted all the
meaeures of Jir A.; but with a magnanimity as well
as discretion that could not be too much admired, he
not only conformed to all the arrangements which
had been made, but proclaimed his entire and ardeht
approbation sf them; and here it was somewhat extra-
ordinary, that this very liberality and generous frank-
ness of Sir H. Burrard was made use of as an argu-
ment to blast his fame. Ile was willing to yield all
honour to Sir Arthur Wellesley ; and for this reason
Sir Arthur's friends, it appeared, would allow Sir
Harry none. The Noble Lerd contended, that it had
always been the practice, aed a wise and salutary '
practice, to assign the praise of military and naval
exploits to the chief in command; at least not to omit
his name, unless to mark it with disgrace ; and his
Lordship utterly denied the analogy between the pre- ,
sent case and the instances of Trafalgar and Copen-
hagen,
as mentioned by the Noble Lord who spoke
last but one. At the Nile, particularly, Lord Nelson
was too far removed from LordSt.Vincent to be either
aided or controlled by the authority of Lord St. Vin-
cent, and every thing was necessarily the suggestion
of his own wisdom, and the achievement of his own
valour. Having mentioned the navy, • his Lordship
took occasion to advert to the distribution of prize 7 ,
money, which he considered as being applicable to the
point in debate. In the tumultuou and complicated
state of a naval engagement between large fleets, it must
generally happen, that the Commander in Chief is sb
involved in smoke, as to.be incapable of discerning
the progress of the battle in. all its parts ; and much
will often depend upo4 the zeal and discretion of
subordinate officers, in taking advantage of accidents

unknown to the Admiral, but yet upon which the
event and success of the day may depend. In all
sueh,cases, the Commander in Chief must confide in
• the general plan he had laid down, and trust to the
courage and perseverance of the officers and men for
the issue ; but should the most important victory be
obtained indirectly, by accident or individual skill
and bravery, where the Admiral .was not, and there-
fore could not be consulted, would it ever have oc-
curred to this House, or to any one person existing,
to withhold the meed of public- praise to the chief m
command, because the victory had been gained not
only without his special prowess, but even by means
without the reach of hrs.-knowledge. Nay, continued
his Lordship, it may happen that an Admiral in Chief,
reposing at anchor in a pleasant bay, and so reposing
as only by his snores to interrupt the sleep of others,
will yet lay claim, and justly, to his share of prizes
captured far aloof from his ken, by skill and enter-
prlze in which immediately he had not the smallest
participation. The Noble Lord concluded with ex-
-pressing his thorough conviction that Sir H Burrard
was fairly entitled to an honourable share with Sir A.
Wellesley, in the honour of the thanks proposed by
the Noble Secretary.
Lord MOIRA, with leave of the House, withdrew
his amendment, and moved that the original question
should be adjourned.

Lord MULGRAVE spoke at length on the ques-
tion, and contended that the character of Sir H. Bur-
iard, than whom there could not be a more gallant
officer, would not be in the least affected by omitting
his name in the vote of thanks. He sheweci from his
dispatch, Oat he waved all claim to the credit- of the
victory on the 21st.

The Earl of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE observed,
that he had the strongest feeling for every thing that
regarded the character of Sir Arthur Wellesley. He,
therefore, wished to ask a questiOn of the Noble Lord,
who had been a Member of the Court of Enquiry.
He was anxious to hear from him upon what grounds
he approved of the conduct of Sir H. Burrard, in
stopping the pursuit of the enemy. The Noble Ba-
ron said, that no person who was not on the field,
could properly judge of the motives which might in-
duce a Commanding Officer to come to a particular
decision. Was it on the opinion of General Spencer,
or General Ferguson, or any of the Officers who par-
ticipated in the glory of that day, that he formed the
conclusion which he expressed in the course DEW
speech ? •

Lord MOIRA said, that it was en the evidence of
the very officers mentioned that he formed his opinion.
General Ferguson certainly stated, as an inducement
for continuing the pursuit, that he could have cut off
a considerable corps of the enemy. General Spencer
did not give his opinion quite so distinct. He stated
some facts which carried conviction to his mind, that
it would have been highly imprudent to have conti-
nued the pursuit ; namely, that he distinctly perceived
a considerable body of the enemy, probably one-half of
their force, formed in perfect order about three miles
off. He again resumed his arguments for including
Sir H. Burrard in the Vote of Thanks. An Officer
might divest himself of his privileges, but could not
relinquish his duty.
Earl GROSVENOR thought that as in a case of
this sort unanimity was highly desirable, it was
equally so that the House should not now be pressed
to decision upon a point certainly of critical impor-
tance. He thought the Noble Secretary of State ra•
ther premature in his zeal to urge forward a question
at so early a day of the session, and before the House
were fairly in possession of the necessary documents
to guide their judgment. SoMe doubts had cer-
tainly been entertained as to the extent of the victory
itself, and whether it was of that nature which called
for the thanks of Parliament : he thought therefore
that time should be given for the House to examine
the proceedings. No injury could be sustained by
Sir Arthur Wellesley by postponing this discussion,
while the passing of a vote of thanks to him, and ex-
cluding the name of Sir Harry Burrard, might give
rise to painful feelings, even were none whereintended;
and the honour of Sir Arthur could suffer no abate-
ment by the delay, as true popularity, like true va-
lour, always delighted most in that fame which was
the result of tool judgment and deliberate convic-
tion.

1 Lord AUCKLAND agreed with the Noble Lord
, (Moira), that the Vote of Thanks which the House
had in its power to bestow, should not be given hastily
and unworthily ; and in this opinion he doubted not
the whole House would agree. It ought, too, to be
considored a deserving vote by the receiver, as well
as by the givers, and for this reason his Lordship was
anxious that it should be given with unanimity.
The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the ques-
tion on Lord Moira's amendment, which passed in
the negative without a division.
Lord MOIRA said, that having been over-ruled
in his proposed amendment, no man could rise with
more alacrity than himself to bear a deserved tribute
of pr.ise to the very meritorious exertions of Sir A.
Wellesley at the battle of Vimiera, nor could any
man feel higher satisfaction in giving his assent to the
proposed vote of thanks.
The LORD CHANCELLOR next put the ques-
tion upon the original motion, which passed in the
affirmative, nem. dit.r.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL then moved the Thanks
of the House to Generals Ferguson, Spencer, Anstru-'
ther, Nightingale, and all the other General Officers
engaged- in the battle of the 21st of August. Also
to all the other Officers of the Army, and the appro-
bation of the House to the Nori-commissioned OfFcers
and privates, which likewise passed in the affirmative.
Lord DARNLEY moved, That an humble Ad-
dress, be presented to his Majesty, praying that Copies
of the Reports of the Court of Inquiry, relative to the
Convention of Cintra, and other Proceedings thereon,"
be laid before the House.=Ordsred.
Lord AUCKLAND moved, d, That an humble
Address be presented to his Majesty, praying that
Copies of all Papers from the Ist January, relative to
the Negociations between this country and the United
States of America," be laid before the House.--Qr-
dered.—Adjourned till to-morrow.

• HOUSE OF COMMONS.
- The Spume', a few minutes before four o'clock, begu to
-41 w the Houle and at the' hour of four there being only SO
t besides himsdf, the Hoot of cone was adjourned Ml



WEST INBIEt

• " KINGSTON, NOV. 26.
" Accounts of the complete defeat of the Fre%
at St. Domingo, and subsequent death of Germr;
Ferrand, the French Commandant there, have 44

received here by the Variable. On the 16th inC.
a flag of truce was discovered by the officers of L
vessel to be hoiZtedclose along shore. The boat
were instantly manned, and proceeded to the place
On the seamen landing, they were welcomed by
Spanish General with 150 men, who stated that th
Spaniards had been successful in repeated attack,
against the French, having destroyed upwards q
400 of them ; and, in a recent engagement, sev
Spaniards who were under French controul,'and
taken up arms on their side, fired upon General Fez.
rand, and wounded him in the thigh ; when, finding
enemies among his own troops, in a moment of des.
peration, he applied a pistol to his head, and tent.
nated his existence.

‘, The decease of General Ferrand will be much
regretted., He maintained a virtuous and honourable
character during the whole of his command at St.
Domingo.. If over an individual tried to abate tla
rigour of war, it was himself.— Every Englisliniz,
made .prisoner and sent to that colony, spoke in the
most handsome manaer of his disinterested conduct,
as it was hii invariable rule to act generously to all
• •
under his authority.
" We learn that the French, on being attacked hr
the Spaniards in St. Domingo, had abandoned :zrzi
set fire to a small vill.!ge they held a few leap:.
from St. Domingo, and retreated to that city.
a His Majesty's brigs Reindeer and Pert, arrlid
in 'Port Royal; brig, us the tidings of the capture ci
Sainana, that famous rendezvous for a horde of pri.
vateers, by his Majesty's frigates Franchise, Aurora,
and-Dsedalus, and Reindeer and Pert brigs,
• 44 Qn the 10th instant these vessels anchored off
:the tawp, when the alarm was soon spread ; and at
the sight of such a superior force, the principal part
of the inhabitants, consisting of upwards of nine hun-
dred men, women, and children, sought refuge oe
hoard l'Exchange privateer of 14. guns and -10 n
men, and another privateer lying in the harbour, ex.
petting they would be able to effect their escape to
St. Domingo, with the assistance of their sweeps.,
The men of war, perceiving their intention, imme.
diately dispatched four boats, well manned, in pur.
suit of them, Which soon came up with, and captured
them. In the mean time several other boats pro.
ceeded to storm the fort, which was accomplished
after a slight resistance. We regret, however, to add,
that Captain Dyer, of the Aprora, was dangerously
wounded in the head by a musket ball, while landing
the party. Four vessels, lying in the harboiir, laden
with coffee, etc. also fell into the hands of the captors.
A vessel was shortly after dispatched to Porto Rico
with the intelligence, and requesting a sufficient num-
ber of troops to be sent from thence to garrison the
place.

The frigate confirms the intelligence of the death
of General Ferrand. It appears, that, on the first
attempt of the Spaniards to gain possession of the city
of Santo Domingo, the General' did not command
the troops himself ; but on the following day, when
he nnderstood that a large body of Spaniards from
Rico had landed, and things, began to wear an alarin-
ing appearance, he marched out at the head of a very
fine corps, on whom he placed the most implicit con-
fidence, but scarcely had he proceeded, when the
major part of them, who were Spaniards, and who
were exasperated at the outrage committed by the
French against their country, deserted his ranks, and
joined their countrymen. Enraged to see himself
thus! abandoned by his only hope, General Ferrand
terminated his existence by blowing out his brains
with a pistol. Still, however, the Spaniards were
unable to gain possession of the city, but retired to a
strong post in order to wait for reinforcements, when
the attack was to be renewed.

" On the 23d inst. off Cape Tebeiron, the Hebe
spoke a Spanish schooner, which had been at Santo
Domingo as a flag of truce from Cuba, which con-
firmed the above intelligence.
4, Accounts from the City of Santo Domingo, sir:
St. Jago de Cuba, reached this city yesterday, saying
that it must shortly fall into the hands of the Spa.,
niards, as the garrison and inhabitants were in the
greatest distress imaginable, from the want of provi.
sions, and no probability of obtaining a supply, the
ports being blockaded by British vessels, and all the
communication with the interior cut off by the Spa.
niards.

gg Major Ausnacht late of this city, and formerly
in a colonial corps in the British service, has become
Commander in Chief at St. Domingo, since the
death of General Ferrand. He is represented to be
a brave and determined man, and of an estimable
character.

" KINGSTON, DEC. 3.
'f On Thursday last • arrived here the Franchise
frigate, of 36 guns, Captain Dashwood, with the
French privateers l'Exchange and Guerrier, of five
guns, and 100 men each, and le Brutus, mer..u4nt
ship, laden with coffee, &c. which fell into the h nds
of the British at the time Samana was capturej. 'll.c
Franchise sailed from Samana on the 25th ult. at
which time every thing was tranquil. Tie fc-•
garrisoned by a detachment of Spaniards, Aid( -.
part of the Aurora's crew. Colonel La Bur
late Commander in Chief at Santana, Wi ••
and a numb; of prisoners, have arm,
Franchise."
•

TUT'. EVENIN-G STAR.

LONDON.

140f$DAY, JANUARY 24%
ol- sTocKs THIS Luy AT ONE O'CLOCK :
Cent. Cunsolk, money, 654.-4.: Feb.
Omniuni li—Ex‘:h. Bills 10s. to 14s. pre.

3.te hour last'night the Honourable Captain
arrived with dispatches from Sir DAVID
Their contents were communicated at an
lur this morning in a Letter to . the LORD
a:A in the course of the day a Gazette Ex.
tary was published, both of which we subjoin :
TTER TO THt LORD MAYOR.

4 DOWNING-STREET) JANUARY 24.

MY LORD,
le Honourable Captain Goano!:, Aid-de-Camp
tenant-General Sir DAVID BAIRD, is just ar-
ith Dispatches from the Lieutenant General,
iunicating the
~intelligence, that, after a hard-
and bravely contested action of three hours,
Ided in the complete repulse of the enemy, the
Army embarked unmolested, and without any
:ept that which took place in the action. The
;ere left at sea by Captain GORDON, proceeding
tsmouth with a fair wind. The Commander •
recei‘ed a cannon-shot, which shattered his
early in the action, but he lived long enough
;that his meritorious exertions had secured the
and disappointed the hopes of the enemy.
:utenant-General Sir DAvID BAIRD being se-
wounded in the arm, had been obliged to suffer
aion, but there is every reason to hope that he
:over. I have thr honour to be, &c.
(Signed) .46 CASTLEREAGH."
)0N GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.
DOWNING-STREET, JAN. 24, 1209.
• Honourable Captain Hope arrived late last
with a dispatch from Lieutenant-General Sir
Baird to Lord Viscount Castlereagh, one of
jesty's Principal Secretaries of State, of which
Alowing is a copy.

Majesty's Ship 'Ville de Paris, at Sea, Jan. 18, 1809.
Loan—By the much-lamented death of Lieu.
..(3reiteral Sir John Moore, who fell in action
le enemy on the 16th inst. it has become my
to acquaint your Lordship, that the French
nuked the British troops in the position they
.ed in front of Corunna, at about two o'clock in
afternoon of that day.
-vere wound, which compelled me to quit the
short time previous to the fall of Sir John
obliges me to refer your Lordship for the
•ulars of the action, which was long and ob.
-ly contested, to the inclosed report of Lieu-
:-General Hope, who succeeded to the Corn.
of the army, and to whose ability and exertions
section of the ardent zeal and unconquerable va-
"his Majesty's troops, is to be attributed, under
>EWE, the success of the day, which terminat-
e complete and entire repulse and defeat of the
at every point of attack.

Honourable Captain Gordon, my Aide-de-
will have the honour of delivering this dispatch,
ill be able to give your Lordship any further
cation which may be required.—l have the ho-
be, &c. D. BAIRD, Lieut. Gen.
ion. Lord Viscount Castlereagh.

His Majesty's ship Audacious, off Cerunna, Jan. 18.
I—ln compliance with the desire contained in
:ommunication of yesterday, I avail myself of
st moment I have been able to command, to
to you the occurrences of the action which took
a front of Corunna on the 16th inst.
, ill be yovr recollection, that about one in
ternoon of thnt.day the enemy, who had in the
ig received reinforcements, and who had placed
guns in front of the right and left of his line,
)served to be moving troops towards his left
and forming various columns of attack at that
14 of the strong and commanding position,
on the morning of the 15th he had taken in our
liat front.

General, having pushed forvrttrd the 9.5 th (rigle corps)
and Ist battalion 52d regiments, drove Cite enemy
before him, and in his rapid and judicious advance,
threatened the left of the enemy's position. This cir-
cumstance, with the position of Lieutenat ft-General
Fraser's division, (calculated to give still irurther se-
curity to the tight of the line) induced the enemy to
relax his efforts in that quarter.
They were however more forcibly directed towards
the centre, where they were again successfully re-
sisted by the brigade under Major. General Manning-
ham, forming the left of your division, awd a part of
that division under Major-General Leith, forming
the right of the division under my orders. Upon the
left, the enemy at first contented himseY with an attack
upon our piquets, which however in generainaintained
their ground. Finding, kowever, his efforts unavailing
on the right and centre, he seemed determined to in-
der the attack upon the left more serious, and had
succeeded in obtaining possession of the village
through which the great road to Madrid passes, and
which was situated in front of that part of the 1 ine. From
this post, however, he was soon expelled, with con-
siderable loss, by a gallant attack of some companies
of the 2d battalion 14th regiment, under Lieutenant-1
Colonel Nicholls ; before five in the evening, we had
not only successfully repelled every attack made upon
the position, but had gained ground in almost all
points, and occupied a more forward line, than at the
commencement of the action, whilst the enemy con-
fined his operations to a cannonade, and the fire of
his light troops, with a view to draw off his other
corps. At six the firing entirely ceased. The dif-
ferent brigades were re-assembled on the ground they
occupied in the morning, and the picquets and ad-
vanced posts, resumed their original stations.
Notwithstanding the decided and marked superiority
which at this moment the gallantry of the troops had
I given them over an enemy, who from his number's
and the commanding advantages of his position, no
doubt expected an easy victory, I did not, on review.
ling all Circumstances conceive that I should be war-
I ranted in departing from what I knewwas the fixed and
previous determination of the late Commander of the
forces to withdraw the armyon the evening of the 16th,
for the purpose of embarkation, the previous arrange-
merits for which had already been made by his order,
and were in fact far advanced at the commencement
of the action.
The troops quitted their position about ten at
night, with a degree of order that did them credit.—
The whole of the artillery that remained unembarked
having been withdrawn, the troops followed in the
order prescribed, and marched to their respective
points of embarkation in the town and neighbourhood
of Corunna. The piquets remained at their posts
until five on the morning of the 17th, when they were
also withdrawn with similar orders, and without the
enemy having discovered the movement.
By the unremitted exertions of Captains the Ho-
nourable H. Curzon, Gosselin, Boys, Rainier, Serret,
Hawkins,Digby, Carden, and Mackenzie of the Royal
navy, who, in pursuance of the orders of Rear Ad-
miral de Courcy, were entrusted with the service of
embarking the army ; and in consequence of the ar-
rangements made by Commissioner Bowen, Captains
Bowen and Shepherd, and the other Agents for trans-
ports, the whole of the army was embarked with an
expedition which has seldom been equalled. With
/ the exception of the brigades under Major Generals
Ilill and Beresford, which were destined to remain
• on shore, until the movements of the enemy should
become manifest, the whole was afloat before day-

indication of his intention was immediately
ded by the rapid and determined attack which
(de upon your division which occupied the right
position. The events which occurred during
rind of the action you are fully acquainted with.
-st effort of the enemy was met by the Corn.
7Of the I.4.rces, and by yourself, at the head
1.2 d regiment, and the brigade under Major-
al Lora William &mind:.

land front of the town soon after dark, and was with
anent to say, that soon after the severe wound all the wounded that had not been previously moved,
deprived the army of your services, Lieute-
embarked before one this morning.
7. ah!e disposition, fell by a cannon-shot. The Circumstances forbid us to indulge the hope, that
kneral Sir John Moore, who had just directed
the victory with which it has pleased Providence to
crown the efforts of the army, can be attended
1:Iough not unacciitaktted with the irreparable
with any very brilliant consequences to Great Bri-
,cy had sustained, were not dismayed, but by
tain. It is clouded by the loss of one of her best
is: eetefmined bra-..c: y not only repelled every
tv, the enemy to gain' ground, but actually soldiers. It has been atchieved at the termination
)-
Lin) to retire, altho'igh lie had brought up fresh of a long and harassing service. The superior
:n support of those originally engaged. i numbers, and advantageous position of the enemy,
enmiy, finding himself foiled in every attempt not less than the actual situation of this army, did
.e t' le right of the posit on, endeavoured by : not admit of any advantage being reaped from
2rs to turn it. A judicious and well timed success. It must be, however to, you, to the
!melts which was made-by Major-General Paget, army, and to our country, the sweetest reflection
to reserve, which corps had moved out of its that the lustre of .the British arms has been main-
intents to support the . right of the army, by a tamed, amidst many disadvantageous circumstances.
lis attack, (it:fulled this intention. The m„irir . The any which had altered Spain, amidst the fair.
iffie

light.
The brigade of Major-General Beresford, which
was alternately to form Our rear-guard, occupied the
land front of the town of Corunna ; that under Major
General Hill was stationed in reserve on the promon.
tory in rear of the town.
The enemy pushed his light troops towards the
town soon after eight o'clock in the morning of the
17th, and shortly after occupied the heights of St.
Lucia, which command the harbour. But notwith-
standing this circumstance, and the manifold defects
of the place, there being no apprehension that the
rear-guard could be forced, and the disposition of the
Spaniards appearing to be good, the embarkation of
Major-General Hill's brigade was commenced and
completed by three in the afternoon—Major=General
Beresford, with that zeal and ability which is so well
known to yourself and the whole army, havitg fully ex-
plained, to the satisfaction of the Spanish Governor,
the nature of our movement, and having made every

village on your right became an object of ob-
centest.

previous arrangement, withdrew his corps from the

FR!CF.
rcr Cent.
omoi
At a late h
• Cows arri'
BAisp. The
arly hour tl
manor,
t:aordinary w
LETT!
, My Lc
4, The Hon
t,, Licutcuan:
tired with Di
communicatin
fought and I
which ended i
British Army
loss, except th
v-holewere let
for Portsmout
in-Chicf recei
shoulder earl]
to know that I
defeat, and di
4, Lieutenf
vcrely wound,
amputation, 1
Hill recover.
LONDON
The Flom
night with a
David Baird
his Majesty's
the following
His Maje
My Loan-
tenant-Gene:
with the enei
duty to acq
army attacks
occupied in 1
the afternoot
A severe
field a short
Moore, oblil
particulars
stinately col
tenant-Gene
mand of the
in direction (
lour of his N
. PROVIDENCE;
ed in the con
enemy at eve
• The Hon<
Camp, will h
and will be
information
nour to be,
Right Hon. Lo
His 11
SIR—In c
your commu
the first mar
detail to you
place in fron
It will be
the afternooi
morning rec,
some guns it
was observe(
and fc
extremity of
which on the
inamediat
This indic
succeeded b
he made up(
of our positi(
.that period a
'file first cif,
mane:cr of
ri
Central Lol
The villas
etin , ite mitt
I lament
which depri
nant-Gcner;•
!oss they ha
rrxs-.
ZIr.RITIpt ci. I
Lirn
7ps st.t
The errn:
•
n.ntfacrs to
r:th the re,
r;lntonrnent!
vigor,Al4 stu