Star.
London, England, 1810-12-26 00:00:00

PRIVATE LETTERS.

" Oporto, December 9.
" A Frencls Ferree of 3000 cavalry has arrived at
Condexa,oppositeCoimbra,evidently with an intention
of attacking the latter. The force under Colonel
Trant at Coimbra is too feeble to be able to make
any effectual resistance, and it is supposed will cross
the river Vonga, collecting as he goes all the scattered
Militia and Ordenanza of the country."

" Cartaxo, November 30.
" We left Zobricra on the 15th instant, the whole
of the French army having retired, during the night.
We advanced that day to a height on this side Sou-
bal, and occupied huts which the French had left in
the morning. On the 16th we passed Alenquer,
which was the head quarters of Massena, to a village
called Musca Nova, where we halted on the 17th ;
and on the 18th moved forward to Cartaxo, where
we found Lord Wellington, whose head-quarters are
still there on this day. General Hill, with his division,
crossed the Tagus near Villa Nova, and has, we are
told, proceeded up the right bank towards Abrantes.
We found that the French rear-guard occupied the
strong position of -Santarem, and that they were to
be attacked the following morning by the left division
under Brigadier General Crauford, a brigade of Por-
tuguese under Brigadier General Pack, and Sir W.
Erskine's brigade, supported by the remainder of Sir
B. Spencer's division. Accordingly, on the morning
of the 19th, we moved forward towards the points
of attack, in full expectation of honour and glory,
when we found the enemy drawn up ready to receive
us, and apparently determined to stand a dusting.—
The position is one of the strongest that can be con-
ceived—Santarem, on the top of a range of hills,
very high, and almost perpendicular, with a lower
range in front, where the first line was drawn up, at
the foot of which runt the Rio Mayor, a branch of the
Tagus, and a large portion of swampy ground, which
is only to be crossed by two causeways ; and, with the
bridge across the river, are completely commanded
by the guns of the enemy : this was the centre point.
" The attack was to have commenced by General
--
Craufurd on our right, and General Pack, with the MUNGO PARKE is the most enterprising traveller of
Portuguese, on the left, to turn their flanks; the ten- the present day # and it is extraordinary, thet in the
tre was for the brigade of Guards, and SirW.Erskine's. interior of Africa there should be the same eagerness
Fortunately, I thinkifor us all, it was delayed by Ge- to adventure in Lotteries as there appears at present
neral Pack not being able to get forward a gun, which in the new plan now submitted, in which a fortune
was to have given the signal to commence; for on may be obtained by a single risk of a small sum ; and
General Spencer going up, he was almost petrified at the Lottery contains 44 Capitals, 4of them a 820,000
the idea, and declared it impracticable ! Lord Wel- each, and no Prize less than 4'20. The whole, amoun-
lington remained on a hill in front till dark, when
tang to 0200,000, must be drawn on a new plan, in
finding the task too diAicult, and that the enemy was one day, the 15th February next ; but as the Scheme
in greater force than he expected, which we since meets general approbation, Tickets and Shares are
know to be the case, the troops were moved off in I likely to be much dearer.
different directions.
About a fortnight ago, as the Mail on its way
" We are to support Colonel Elder's battalion of
M
Portuguese Cacadores (light troops), which is to de-
from Preston to anchester, was changing horses at
fend the bride I mentioned above Ponte de Clerisa, in 1 Chorley, at twelve at night, the fresh horses having
case of attack ; but that is for the present rendered
been put to, Coachee went to fetch some straw to sit
impossible by the heavy rains we have had, which
upon, when the horses set off , in sight of the coach-
have swelled the rivers to such a degree, that neither I man, guard, and three passengers—the coachman fol-
army can get at the other, let their inclinations be
lowed on foot, and the guard and passengers in a post-
chaise. The horses steadily pursued their course un-
ever so good.
The French take all the vegetables and eatables til they arrived at Red-bank Brow, one mile from
Chorley, where they stopped, as is usual, while one
they can carry an ay.' We are but poorly off here,
and a good deal harassed ; scarce a house is left in ,of the wheels is locked. Here a countryman on the
road called out to be taken up, and thinking the coach-
arethe country with a door or window-shutter—whitlows
seated himselfin the guard's rostrum,
out of question. A. board or two serves fora inside, man was
and cryin go on !' off went the horses again down
table, and he is a lucky fellow who can find a chair
hill at full speed, never stopping before they arrived
or stool to sit on : beds we do not presume to think
of. Since we have left Lisbon, I have never taken at the Elephant and Castle, four miles further, where
off more than coat, stock, and shoes, and put on my the coach has constantly occasion to stay a short time;
t
boat cloak aed hairy cap, and am glad it I can get
the countryman then alighted and proceedel to invite
et 4
, the coachman to a glass, when all he found inside wasplace to lie dilwn dry, which has not always been the
case. We can get nothing but our rations, except'
the fourth passenger, who had been asleep all the
what comes from Lisbon—we live cheap."
_ time. The animals had passed several tarts and wag.
.
grins on the way.
" Lisboa, December J On Monday afternoon an inquest was held at St.
ce It is distressing to observe the deplorable state ' Giles's Workhouse, on the body of Mr. Fielding, who
to which Portuguese Estramadura is reduced. The was found in George-street, Bloomsbury, about one
orders issued by the Government to Like care of the o'clock on Sunday morning, apparently lifeless, by a
cattle, &c. which the French left in the country on • watchman, and was taken to the watchhouse. A
their retreat from Torres del Vedras might as well surgeon was immediately sent for, but Mr. Fielding
have been spared, as the French took care to drive all died before the surgeon came. Verdict—Died by the
before. them. Every part of Portugal is ruined ; and visitation of Goo.
what will be the consequence I know net, if the i Another inquest was held at the same place on the.
, French continue in rortugal next year, or only in body of Isabella Jenkinson, who died suddenly on
the Spring, as the peasantry will not attend to agri- Monday afternoon at her lodgings. She had invited
culture; and which, indeed, would be of little use a party of friends to dine with her, and having eaten,
unless the robbers were extirpated. They have corn- a hearty dinner, and in apparent good health, lay
milted' horribly ravages at Santarem ; every house down on the bed to sleep, and ire a short time after-
there is a barrack; property of all kinds has been ut- wards was found dead. Verdict—Died by the visi-
terly destroyed—theivomen violated who remained— tation of GOD.
in short, these wretches seem encouraged by their Wednesday night, the Liverpool coach, en its way
Officers,-who allow them to plunder wherever they to London, was overturned near Burtotoon-Trent.—
can find it, and to indulge in the most licentious ex- There were three outside passsengers, one of whom,
ceases to make up in a great measure for the privations a serjeant in the 45th regiment, was kille4on the spot;
they otherwise endure. In shun let it be known in another had both his legs broken; and the third escae
England that if we were to write the millionth 'part ped unhurt, as ilid three inside.
ofethe crimes which have been committed by the Sunday evening, as Mr. LAWLIMS, of 'Gni tech apel,
French and by *allied Imperial troops (who have was returning from Enfield, in a one-horse chaise,
profited under thde Widens), it would not be believed through the darkness of the evening the veilicle come
that it could he posslble hyrhnman beings so to act. in contact with a coach, between Tottenham and
" DEC. 2.-I'he last week all was conjectures and Newington, by which it was overturned, and Mr. L.
much of it continues. I very senotttly hurt. •

"An officer arrived here from the army. He re-
ports that Massena has removed his main force to the
Plains of Pomball, and only left 800 men at Santa-
rem. Provisiohs are dear, but salt fish is in abun-
dance. All is quiet here, and there has been no
change of position in our army.
" A few days ago we heard, by accounts from head
quarters, that it was likely the French would remain
betntesm Santarem and Abrantes during the winter ;
and to confirm this we are told, that Massena had
satisfied himself with the command of the greater part
of the river. If this be true, we are likely to have a
long campaign."