Star.
London, England, 1816-09-07 00:00:00

LORD EXMOU NI'S EXPEDITION.

We have received the follov►ing interesting com-
munication on this subject, from a Gentleman at
Gibraltar :

44 Gibraltar, August 14, 1816.

" The Governor of this place gave a grand dinner
on the 12th, in honour of the PRINCE REGENT'S birth-
day, when every gun in the garrison was fired, a
circumstance which seldom occurs. Afterwards gave
a grand dinner to Lord EXMOUTH, Rear-Admiral
MILNE, and the Officers of the fleet, destined against
Algiers. His Lordship arrived cut on the Friday
preceding, and sailed this day with the fleet, and got
clear of the Bay by ten o'clock, A.M. with a fair
wind.

14 It is the prevailing opinion here that there will
be warm work, as it is said the Algerines are well
prepared, and have numerous gun-boats and *early
1000 guns mounted, and several French Engineers
amongst them. It is rumoured that Lord Exmourst's
terms cannot be complied with, as he is to demand
the surrender of the whole of the Algerine fleet, all
their fortifications to be destroyed, and a large sum
of money to defray the expenses of the expedition.—
If these demands are not immediately complied with,
to woik his Lordship goes.
" The Commissioner's yacht is taken for an explo-
sion vessel, filled with about 15 tons of gunpowder,
loose and trodden down. It is to precede the fleet,
and be laid alongside the Mole, there to explode. It
is thooght that It will shake the Mole and disable
many of the batteries. Captain Contrast, of the
Leander, has left his wife and three children at Sar.
neque tll his return. The weather is warm, but the
garrison remains healthy."
We have had•the perusal of other letters from on
board the squadron, dated the 14411 ult. at Gibrat.
tar. The writer of one, who is an Officer, states,
that on their pass:ige they had a sties of the most
delightful weather, which had proved highly favour-
able to their purpose, the men requiring a great deal
of regulation and exercising at their guns, &c. The
duty of all on board, under such circumstances, had
been severe. Every day two general exercises were'
performed, when every ship tired from two to six
broadsides with blank cartridges : the quantity of
powder the fleet had expended in this way was enor.
mous, and which rendered it necessary to take on
board a corresponding supply at Gibraltar. Every
preparation had been made for a most determined
attack; and the Officers say the Algerines must be
made of better metal than they take them for, if they
can resist the overwhelming broadsides of a squadron
so well manned and appointed as the one in question.
Some of the Officers on board are well acquainted
with Algiers, and the nature of its situation : they
say there is little doubt of a successful result; but in
going into the position which it will be necessary for
the squadron to take, the ships will necessarily be ex-
posed to a raking fire. The ships were all loaded
for the first broadside with cannon shot, and five
hundred musket balls.in each pin ; and as the ships are to
be laid within pistol-shot of their mark, they are not
expected to fad in doing infinite execution. Not a
shot is to be fired until the ships shall have come to
anchor, which is to be done by the stern, with an iron
cable. Before the squadron sailed from Gibraltar the
cabins were all knocked down, and the bulk-heads
seat on shore, and the decks ad cleared for action
both fore and aft. All this was done under a moral
certainty that they must come to blows with the Der,
as the British terms must appear so exorbitant, that
the Day would hazard the loss of his head were be
to subscribe to them.
Extract of a letter from ail Officer on board the
Impregnable, dated the 12th ult. at Gibraltar :—'
41 The Royal Corps of the squadron are to be &sped
into two battalions, commanded by the two senior
Captains. lam with a division from the ship at-
tached to the first,_ which will land with the sappers
and miners, a company of which is in the fleet, to
blow up and destroy the batteries. We have been
informed, that the Algerines are perfectly prepared
for us, the DU himself is constantly on the lines;
therefore, I should not be surprised if we were to
meet with a warm reception.. They have sent their
fair sea, and valuable property, into the mountains.
The last time Lord Exmouvu was at Algiers, it *al
the determination of the arr not to fire the first shot;
I hope he will act the same way now, if he dna, it
will prevent our losing a number of men. Lord Ex-
' lsotrrn is to lead in the. Queen Charlotte, the Ini-
preignable will follow; and we are to take up our
position abreast of the Mole-bead, a largo battery of
three tier of gum!