Star.
London, England, 1826-12-25 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH, DECEMBER 23.

kitfough some of the circumstances detailed in the following
letter have already appeared in the STAR, we prefer giving them in
their present entire form, rather than in disjointed portions, which
would occasion the inconvenience of reference:l
We ought to congratulate the country on the depar-
ture of all the Infantry Regiments, which were put
under orders on the night of the I Gth instant. to march
and embark for the defence of Portugal. Never were
troops, at any season of the year, embarked with more
expedition, nor under more favourable circumstances of
wind and weather. On Sunday morning (by express
orders) the Romney, 50, Captain N. Lockyer, C.B. and
:Pyramus friga,e, Captain Sartorius, sailed with the 4th
Regiment on board ; and have since, probably, arrived
in the Tagus. On Tuesday the Windsor Castle, 74,
Captain E. D. King, sailed from Plymouth, with the
tOth Rifle Regiment. On, Wednesday the Wellesley,
74, Rear Admiral Sir Thomas M.sliardy, Bart. K.C.B.
Captain Falcon, sailed hence with the 2d. Battalion of
the 3d Regiment of Guards, and was joined, off 4t.
Helen's, by the Gloucester, 74, Capt. J. S. Horton,from
Deptford, with the Ist Regt.GtenadierGuards on board.
Thursday the Melville,74,Capt.H.Hill,sailed fromSt.llo..
len's with the 63d Regt. on board. The wind has since
been favourable, and the weather fine, for their proceed-
ing ; and, no doubt, in a few days, they will arrive at
their destination. The Commander-in• Chief of the
troops (Lieutenant General Sir W. Clinton, G.C.B.
I.,eutenant General of the Ordnance), and Major Ges
neral Sir H. Bouverie, with their Staff, went in the
IVeilesley ; Major Generals Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, and
Sir Edward Blakeney, and Staff, in the Melville. Mr.;
Straughan, in charge of the military chest (150,0001. in
gold) went in the Wellesley. Lady Bouverie also went
passenger in that ship. The troops marched in good'
spirits, and' excellent order, and were embarked with all
the baggage, in the perfectness of regularity, by Captain
Bamber,. R.N. second in command of the ships in or-
dinary at the port.
Lord Mel, ille,afterhis inspection of the Academicians,
of the Royal Naval College, on Tbesday, appeared in
the streets, taking special interests in facilitating the
departure of the ships. There will, in a few days, bell
eight sail of the line in the Tagus; but we understand
that those ships which are not permanently attached to
the squadron, will return to England shortly after the
troops are landed:
Monday, the Spartlate, 74, Capt.. Frederick Warren,
went out of the Hat boar, fitted for the flag of the Cola.
mander-in-Chief in the Tagus (Lord Amelius Beauclerk),
and to relieve the Ocean. The Spirtiate was paid wages
to-day, and will, probably, sail on Monday for tisbon.
A detachment of the Royal Marine Artillery, for relief,
and a detachment of the Royal Marines, to complete
the Albioa's number to the War establishment, have
embarked on board her.

The four squadrons of the 10th Hussars and 12th
Lancers, and a part of the Waggon Train, have arrived
in the neighbourhood, to await the arrival of the trans•
ports which are intended to convey them to Portugal.
A squadron of the 12th Lancers embarked to-day, in
four ships—the others will come in and embark, as the
cater ships, to at rive here from the River, are. ready for
their reception.
Thursday the Forte frigate, Captain J. Coghlan, C.B.
sailed for the SOuth American station, to relieve the
Blanche. His Excellency Chevalier M. de Neumazie,
Minister Plenipotentiary from Austria to the Court of
Brazils, Prince Schwartzenburgh,- Charge d'Affaires,
and Count Fries, Secretary of Legation, went passen-
gers in the Forte. His Excellency was received on
board with manned yards, and an honorary salute.
Prince Paul Esterhazy, who accompanied these distin-
guished persons to the George, to take leave on their
embarkation, afterwards returned to Chandos House.
Sunday the Menai, 26, Captain Houston Stewart,'
sailed for Woolwich, to be paid off. Thursday, the Bit-
tern, Lieutenant Rochfort, arrived from Plymouth,
with volunteer seamen, and returned thither to-day,
leaving the Spattiate, only, at Spithead. In the bar-
baur—Victory, Asia, Sybille, Challenger, Sapphire,
Columbine, Wolf, Arachne, Clinker, Cracker.

Lord Viscount Melville made a very minute inspec-
tion of every part of the new experimental ships
built at this dock-yard, descending even into the
holds, accompanied by their projectors, who point-
ed out to his Lordship the precise objects which
their • several improved plans are intended to effect.—
His Lordship also inspected the ships under repair. We
have no doubt but his Lordship has the most ardent
wish to see the British Navy what it ought to be—pre-
enrrinent in everything. His Lordship dined with Ad-
miral Sir George Mat tin on Tuesday, and returned to'
the Admiralty on Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday, the Hope transport. Lieut. H. Goold, sailed for Lisbon,
*la 14 horses, belonging to Officers on tba Staff of the Army.
Lieut. J. W. Pritchard ,is appointed Assistant Agent of Trans-
ports at this port, during the embarkation of the troops for Por-
tugal, and the lamented indisposition of Lieutenant Cheesman,
resident Agent.

The Portuguese Ambassador transacted business on
Saturday at the once of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
CHANGE or FORTUNIL—The present Lord Erskine
bas been ordered by the Vice Chancellor to pay into court, the sum
of 16,6571. 5 per cents, which Lady B. (who lately applied to the
Lord Mayor of London, for relief from starvation), was entitled
to'is right of her marriage contract at Gretna Green.
It is understood that soon after Parliament re-assem-
bles, Mr. Secretary PEEL will move for a Committee
(6 examine into the State of the Police of the Metropol
lis. The Report of the last Committee on the subject.
Was interesting, but we do not recollect that any mea-
sure was founded on the Report for the improvements(
the Police, or the better securie) of the public against
thieves and swindlers. There is one subject that claims
the particular attention of the Right Hon. Secretary,
and that is the question which has been repeatedly
moored,. whether the publication of the proceedings at
the Police Offices should be legalized or not? A former
Committee reported that, in viewing the question in all
its bearings,, the community derived advantage from
such publications ; and if so, it is hoped Mr. PEEL, after
-,nsulting the Police Magistrates, if they concur in
with the Committee, that he will then put the
. at rest, by proposing that such reports should
Id not be permitted. Now, notwithstanding the
broadly made that such reports are but ex-
.atements, the argument is fallacious, as in hun-
f cases, particularly in those of informations for
informations, the Magistrates have the power
ide, and so far their proceedings assigesite to
a Court of Justice. The sweeping denuncia-
!refore, against Police Reports are untenable,
Juries would do well to consider the subject in
their decision, for they must be aware if such did
.ain publicity, that tradesmen would not be put
-guard against swindlers, who swarm in every
:be metropolis particularly, and who ate con-
depredating on tl.e public.

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