The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-08-09 00:00:00

PO R

UESB AND SPANISH PAPERS.

VALINCIA. JULY 7.—We learn that 'his Ex.
cellency the Duke of Albuquerque has obtained
several advantages over the euemy seer the bridge
of Arzobispo, in a partial but very gbetiitate ae.
tioll, in which more than 3000 werelitilled,
among whom were realty cavalry., tool, eight
pieces of artillery of a large calibre woae %sten.
Rimini., Jung 26.-4Ve have received advice
that 2000 of our troops, joined by the emigrants
from Ampurdan, have had a sanguinary
.aetion
with the French in the plain of Usay, between
Darwin and Beside, in 'which action 9e enemy
lost more than 1500 men, while.oier loss was nut
more than 300. This defeat has presented them
from proceeding to France to procure more bombs
and balls fur the siege of Gerona, %here it ap-
pears all their ammunition is exhausted, as the
bombardment had ceased, and the balls that arc
futind are observed to be of different calibres.
VILLANOYA DE SILJES, JULY 9.—Persons ar.
rived from the Eastern coast, assure us that un
Monday last Gerona was relieved with provisions,
ammunition, and troops. More than 2000 troops
of the line hare been thrown into that place, the
peasants having opened the road to them. From
the same source we learn, that on Tuesday last
the city of Palamos was invested, and that the
enemy was repulsed with the loss of 300 men ;
that on Wednesday he resumed the attack with
3,300 men, with which force he made himself
master of the plate, but with the loss of 900
killed. They committed horrors, not sparing the
lives of any who could not escape, which were
not less than three hundred, young and old.
TARRAGONA, JULY 7.—Lord Collingwood
yesterday sent advice to our Genital Coupigny,
that the English and Sicilian army had landed at
Salerno, to the amount of eighteen thousand men.
Lissom, JULY 25.—Sir A. Wellesley broke
np, on the 18t1i, from Placentia, and proceeds in
a direct line towards Madrid.
011 the 9th inst. Joseph Bonaparte arrived at
Talavera de la Reyna. On the 10th he reviewed
the troops which were there. On the 11th he left
it with six thousand men, some say fur Madrid,
others fur the Guadanaina, aud others, which is
most probable, for Toledo. On the 18th, in the
afternoon, the army of Cnesta passed the Tagus.
On the 19th his head-quarters were at Navalmo.
ral. Orders were given to march at one o'clock
the same night fur Oropeza. The English army
marches in the direction of &alone by Patina,
Navamirquinda, &c. The French army was at
Talavera tie la Reyna, Cazalegas, Kulalia, Fuen
Salida, Maqueda, Toledo, &c. The head.quar.
ten of Venegas do not appear to have removed
from Santa Cruz de Alodela, or his advanced
guard from 111anzanares.
Gerona still held out on the 3d instant, and let.
ten from Catalonia state, that Blake was going to
its relief.—( Lisbon Gazette.)
Cullman A, JULY 21.—A letter was received this
day from Placentia, dated the 10th, from a person
worthy of credit. of the following tenor :
" On the sth inst. General Wellesley went to
visit General Cuesta, who is with his army eight
leagues from hence towasds Madrid, and it is
said that the plait of attack was concerted between
them. Cuesta has about twenty-two thousand in.
Pantry, and from nine to ten thousand fine cavalry.
The junction of the English army will be formal
here; it already amounts to near thirty thousand
mei. The FrentAt bare their advanced posts at
Talavera de la Reyna, and those of General
Coma are six leagues distance from them.
" Within a few days a decisive battle is expected
to take place between the combined armies and those
of Victor and Sebastiani."—(..lfinervaLusitania.)
CADIZ, JULY 11.—The Algesires arrived
Isere from Portsmouth on the 2tl inst. She brought
out considerable quantities of stores, and other
equipments fur foot and cavalry, and a machine
for making (mils, and a printhigt.press. The Bi-
shop of St. Andero was a passenger, as well as the
wife of M. Cevallos.
The inactivity of the Government is still re-
proached. Nothing can exceed the ardour of the
people ; and much is hoped from the stimulus
which it is expected will be given by the embassy
of the Marquis Wellesley, whose acceptance of
this appointment causes considerable surprise here,
and therefore leads to the supposition that it will
be directed to great objects. Depend upon it, the
people of this country will never be the slaves of
Bonaparte. If the Government is incapable of
directing the necessary measures for its defence,
the task n ill eventually be taken up by the peo.
plc. Loyalty and love of order, with a reverence
for established institutions, are obviously even- a
part of their nature. They are not, however, un.
aware that the most respectable institutions may
fall into decay, and be subject to abuse; on the
contrary, the necessity for much reform is as ge.
nerally felt, as the hatred for Bonaparte, and the
determination to effect it. For themselves, they
would clearly wish (as is consistent with the soli.
dity of the understanding for which they are re.
markable) that the reforms should proceed from
the Government; aud they are fully persuaded
that the reign of Ferdinand VII. would produce
them all. It is for this, and this only, they are
attached to him. It is not the blind attachment
which the English attribute to them ; nor is it the
case, as also supposed there, that he is set up by
the Junta. No; he is the King of the People,
because they connect with him the idea of reform,
sad his name is synonimous with it. All the Re-
formers of the last reign were his directors : he
bad put himself entirely into their hands ; and
there is no doubt, that if he were reinstated, Spain
would enjoy a beneficial revolution in its state,
without any of the jealousies attendant on new
Governors ;—a benefit which bad long been pre-
pared for it, by talents which he protected; but
which had antecedently been cousigned only to
dungeons for the attempt. M. Jovellanos and his
associates would have had a principal share in the
Government. By degrees, and tenderly touchek
even the exuberances of the Ecclesiastical Este.
blishtnent would have been primed.
The best proof that can be given of the im.
possibility to conquer this country, by France, is,
that la the prOtiIICCS nearest to Inace, and incr.

THE STATESMAN.

IMOIPOSITT TENAX.

LONDON:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 0.

THE report of an engagement between the ad.
vaticed posts of Sir ARTHUR WILLLESTAT'S army
and that under Vlcron, is somewhat disNiiiraged
by the receipt of Lisbon Papers of a s o:SeqUent
date, iu which no such event is notice. This, it
is true, is not conclusive against the fact, but
strongly militates against its probability.

Private letters and accounts are filled with state-
ments of the inveteracy which has at length dif.
fused itself throughout Spain against the French;
and at Cadiz the people are said to be in such high
spirits as to ridicule the idea of subjugation by
the invaders.

By the Duke of Kent packet, which is arrived
with Mails from Cadiz, an account has been re-
ceived of the brilliant defence of Gerona, in Cata-
lonia. A breach, through which 16 men could
march a-breast, having been effected by the French,
they attempted to storm the place—but were re-
pulsed with great slaughter. The women arc stated
to have co-operated, as at Saragossa, in the defence.
The Spaniard, naturally haughty, at length feels
it impossible patiently to submit to the arrogance
and vanity of the French—so prominently exhi-
bited in the character of that people. Happy
had it been for Spain if this discovery had been
made at an earlier period—for it is impossible to
' dismiss the apprehension that Spain will be finally
conquered'. Nothing but the resuscitation of the
ancient spirit of the Spaniards can prevent the
subjugation of the Peninsula, if, as now appears
Inevitable, NAPOLEON shall be completely released
from his labours in Germany.

No advice has yrt been received of the surren-
der of Flushing, nor of the further operations of
the Expeditieu, but dispatches arc hourly expect-
ed.--a Flushing can reaintain a defe.uca, eves
• •

for a few days, it mast be of incalculable impor-
tance to the enemy—as it will give time to draw
down every possible assistance to Aatwcrp. It is
said that the speeds reduction of Fort Lillo is
confidently expected ;—but as the strength of
that place is very great—it is more than pro-
bable, that it will be able, at least, to de-
lay the advance of the Expedition up the river.
The obstacles are in fact numerous, as well
as formidable; and will certainly not be sur-
mounted without much bloodshed. At Antwerp
the means of defence are considerable ; and if
Junot should arrive in time with a respectable
force, he may possibly be enabled to hold out un-
til reinforcements arrive in such numbers as to
render ultimate success against that place doubt-
ful. By securing the Islands at the mouth of the
Scheldt, that river will certainly be commanded,
so that one point of offence will be completely
taken off; but as to the annexation, in perpetuity,
of \Valcheren to Great Britain, those who en-
tertain so.futile an expectation, must have very
extraordinary opinions of the condescending poli-
tics of NaroLsoN.

INTELLIGENCE is said to have been received of ii
descent by our troops from Sicily on the Kingdom
of Naples; but the particulars have not transpired.
In the policy of NAPOLEON and of our vigor-
ous Ministers, there is this striking difference— that
in attempting al various points to effect every
thing, we, in fact, effect nothing—while he, with
undivided attention, concentrates his force, and,
directing his efforts against a single point, is inva-
riably successfwl.
It was the maxim of the Grand Pensionary of
Holland, Da WIT, that the true secret of effecting
much, was by attempting only one object at a
time. Thus NAPOLEON suddenly quitted Spain,
and abandoned his army there to the chance of
maintaining itself, while he new to Germany, the
contest in which appears to have absorbed twilit
faculty, until the great object was effected.
Meanwhile England, with the means of sending
100,000 men to the North of Germany, pilfers
away her strength in Sicily, in Portugal—
and, when the great crisis is past—in an
Expedition to the Mouth of the Scheldt.—
Thus, with means most powerful, England dif-
fuses her might in so many points, that in real mi.
litary strength she is contemptible every where—
and formidable at no point. Her force is distri-
buted, as Dr. JOHNSON said of provisions in a be.
sicged town—every where a mouthful, but no
where a bell] full.

Since writing the above, we have received Spa.
nisb and Portuguese Papers to the 27th ult. some
interesting extracts from w hick will be found in a
subsequent column.

lIITRACT OF A LETTER, DATED OFF WALCHEREs,

Atia. 4.

" The fortress of Camvere stood a furious bons-
bardment before it surrendered; many houses are
damaged, and one completely burnt, by Congrevc's
rockets. The Island is beautiful, though the
weather is very bad, which prevents our seeing it
to advantage. Ramekins must be taken before
Flushing can be well attacked. It is reported,
that the Duke D'ASRANTES is marching towards
Antwerp with 30,000 men. We are going to
join Lord GARDNF:R in an attack upon Flushing;
the land batteries were opened yesterday evening.
I could observe the town on fire; and, from the
mast-head, the smoke is very visible.
" The French fleet are run up towards Ant-
werp, I fear out of our reach at present. Our
small gun-boats did great execution ; only two men
were killed on board them. The Royals stormed
a battery in a most glorious style."
A letter from Plymouth Dock states, that the
Entreprenante cutter sailed on Sunday evening,
in great haste, fur the Mediterranean. She carried
out a Mestonger with dispatches for Mr. ADAIR
and the OTTOMAN PORTE, which are said to relate
to a proposition to be made to the Porte, that
this country shall be permitted to garrison the
Greek Islands with British troops—the present
state of Europe indispensably necessary
that we should have these islands under our care
and in our keeping, to prevent them from falling
into the hands of t French or Russians, who by
occupying them nob t in: enabled to fit out an im-
mense navy.
On the return of Cajit. CARROL to Corunna,
the Marquis de la Rost INA presented him with
the commission of Cotonol, in the service of his
Catholic Majesty FERDINAND VII. Uith the most
flattering testimony of the acknowledgment which
Col. Ca Itaor.'s zeal, ability, and exertions, had
merited from the Spanish nation.
Orders have been given to prepare Hospitals at
Deal and Ramsgate, for 1500 sick and wounded.
This is intended as precautionary only, 150 of
the latter being the utmost number at present ex-
pected from the Dutch coast.
The ship called the Dominica Packet has lately
returned to Liverpool, from South-America,
where she had been '2O miles up a river, to the
Port of Para, being the first British vessel that
ever entered there. The Commander fired a salute
upon his entering the port, which was answered
by multitudes of inhabitants on the shores re.
juicing, ladies from the windows of the houses,
waving their handkerchiefs, and exclaiming—
" Lung live the English," &c. &c. On the su-
percargo of the vessel going on shore, he was re-
ceived with all the pomp of an Indian Prince.
Numbers of women preceded him in grand pro-
cession, strewing flowers, anti every demonstra-
tion of joy was manifested. In this fertile country
taws are sold for five dollars.

SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE PAPERS.

VALENCIA, JUNE V.—The painful impression
which the misfortunes of the army of Arragon in
the battle of the 18th, at Be!chile, had produced
on the public mind, has considerably abated, by
hearing that our loss has not been so great as was
generally supposed; the dispersion was not of
such extent, and all the troops scattered by that
action are again collecting uu various important

points.
GERONA, JUNE 16.—For a kw hours this t i'v
has enjoyed repose. The bombardment cuutieued
for three days, without a moment's intermission.
It is impossible to form an idea of the devastation
eleven mortars are incessantly sending balls
through the air, is hich have caused great &Wee.
tion. Yesterday there were two large fires, and
the King's hospital was Leming yesterday morn.
ing, but the sick and wounded were all saved. Al.
most all the houses arc in ruins, and the towers are
fur the greater part destroyed.
JULY 17.—The 4ring this morning has been
most heavy ; it appears like a day of judgment ;
since last night the enemy has thrown upwards of
a hundred shells. Our troops, to the number of
500 men, returned this morning, after having dr.
feated the enemy, and destroyed a battery which
he hail constructed to batter us. General Stets.
Twit has been ordered to retire, and at present
we arc ignorant who will replace him; perhaps his
master is but little satisfied with the conclusion of
his negociations.
lassos:, JULY 26.—We are informed by the
last advices from Spain, that on the 20th instant
the two armies were to effect their junction ; their
united force will amount to near 101,000 men.
The French, in several places, are engaged in
making hasty marches and counter-marches, with
a view of deceiving the army of General Caesta,
hut the latter observes them closely ; Pouts de
Arzabispu, is strongly fortified, which position is
occupied by the Duke of ALIBUQUISQUE. The
French, at present, have done nothing but fall
back, and it is expected that near Madrid a battle
will be fought.—( IJiario Lisbonense.)
Lassos, JULY 26.—The Toulon squadron was
on the point of sailing, but the sudden appearance
of an English one, composed of 12 sail of the
liu and some frigates, made the enemy cautious,
fear.ng the same fate which that of Brest had in
Basque Roads.
They write from Valencia, that the army of
BLAKE is re-org ►sizing, and that the most effica-
cious measures are taking to augment it. In a short
time it is expected that the said Army will bestow
o n the enemy the pueislimeut due to hi; temerity.
VALENCIA. Just ,P).—After the battle of Bd.
chite, twenty-two Poles deserted to oar colours,
notwithstanding the misfortunes of that day ; the
public may infer from hence, what are the fore.
bodings of the enemy in regard to his fate, if when
he obtains advantages, part of his best troops
abandon his ranks, and seek an asylum in Spa-
nish generosity. At Gerona we witness the same
kind of emigration, it► spite of the precaution of its
Chief.
This place has maintained its communication,
notwithstanding the enemy has increased his
forces to effect the strictest blockade. The garri-
' son and people have made some sallies, and co-
vered themselves with glory. All the batteries of
heavy artillery and mortars have been taken or
destroyed ; and the continual and well. directed
fire of the place has made a great slaughter among
the obstinate besiegers. We know that the army
is approaching to relieve the place; and there is
little doubt that the enemy will a third time be
obliged to retire before Gerona, defeated and con.
founded— if, indeed, he should be able to effect
his retreat.

According to accounts that Lave been received,
the head-quarters of Gen. CUESTA arc at Zara-
cujo, and the enemy has re-passed the Tagus.--
VENEGAS, it is believed, has established his at
Maneanares. The army of Estremadnra is Brit.
haat for its nu:nb.n., discipline, and excellent ca-
valry. The army of La Mancha is no: so flume.
rous, but it is supposed not to he inferior in qua-
lity. The army of reserve, aceort:;ng to other
accounts, is composed of the English and Porto-
guess troops, which form a third hotly, equally
respectable with the former. There are reports
that the advanced guard of (: VEVEGAS has
penetrated to Aranjuez, and taken considorable
bootr, horses, ite. but these require confirms-
lion.