The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-09-07 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

of which was very advantageous, a deep ravine
separating it from the rest of this chain of moun-
tains, to which it was joined only by the base; his
rear was protected by olivc-gardens and vine.
yards ; so that to attack it, the French army had
to cross a front full of obstacles and inequalities.
The enemy had not less than 80,000 men formed in
several lines, while the French had scarcely -10,000
combatants.

" The King, in spite of this disproportion of
force, and the advantage of the English position,
resolved to attack them. We had just been in-
formed that Yenegas had re-established the bridges
of Aranjuez ; that some of his foraging parties
were within four leagues of Madrid ; and that his
artillery was already pitying upon Toledo. The
King was resolved to save his capital. The battle
was bloody. The enemy defended his position
with the greatest obstinacy, but he sustained so
considerable a loss, that during the night he re-
solved to abandon Talavera, and to prepare fur his
retreat.

" The King slept on the field of battle. To
renew the attack on the following dav, and to pur-
sue the combined army, would be ileliveriii4
the capital to Venegas, and rendering useless the
movement already begun by the Duke of D.il-
tnatia.

" Convinced that the losses sustained by the
enemy would reduce him for several days to a state
of inaction, his Majesty thought it right to ad-
vance to succour Madrid, even should the Eng-
lish flatter themselves that they could maintain the
position of Talavera. In consequence, the Duke
of Helium, was to fall back epee the Albcrche,
while with the 4th corps and the reserve, the King
marched towards Toledo, the communications of
which he re-established, and where he left only a
garrison of 1200 men. After having °emcee' red
to diNquiet Venegas, and oblige him to wiihiliaw
the troops he had on the right bank of the Tages,
his Majesty entered Toledo yesterday, drove the
assailants from their positions, and causing the
Ith corps to pass the bridge, stationed it on the
left bank of the river.
64 Then we were informed of the union of the
Dukes of Dilinatia and &Iloilo, and learnt that
the enemy, taken by surprise, and un Jilt; to reach
the bridge of Almarez, had no ether retreat than
that of Arzubispo; and that closely pursued as he
was, on a road hardly passable, vrhich lie was
obliged to take, he would be obliged to lose the
greater part of his artillery and equipage. We
learn that such has been the precipitancy of his
retreat, that he was obliged to abandon, as well at
Talavera as at Argesa, from 5 to 6000 wounded.
64 What will most surprise you, Sir, is, that
yesterday at night, Vettegas had not beard of the
retreat of the English and Cuesta beyond the Ts.
gas. As we do not perceive that there were any
great circuits to be nude in order to inform him
of this, it is a proof either that the enemy had no
concerted plan of operations; or, at least, that
he was so confounded by his defeat, as not to
think of informing Venegas of it in time.
64 You see, Sir, what has been effected by tin-
nitrous armies, at least two.thirds stronger than
that of the French opposed to them nut one of
their detachments has been able to show themselves
before the gates of Madrid. They were only a
few hours on the line which stretches from Al-
berche to the capital, and their campaign has ended
by abandoning about 6000 wounded, and probs.
bly with the loss of the greater part of their artil.
lery and equipage; not to mention the prisoners,
which of necessity will be taken by us in the
punish."

and others were thriloo into prison. This bare
rise to the fullooing letter :---

TIM DUKE DEL PARQUE, cesca te IN CHIEF OF
TILE ARMY OF COTTLE, TO THE GENERAL CON.
MANDING Tile Tauops IN IMAM 14CA.

" GLN L.R A have learne.l, that some detachments of
my cavalry have arrived at the gates of your city, att:tckin
your advanced peas, and that they have spread disorder anti
4-aeration among your followers; that the renegade Spaniards
thought their last hour was come, which probably i. not fat
distant ; and that their malice availed itself of this opportu-
nity to gratify private revenge, accusing their fellow citizero
of having affixed writings, written by themselves, to foriiish a
pretence for their iniquities ; and who in cousequence have
been Osman into prison, and landed with inns.
" I cannot behold with iudiffereoce that the worthy ham-,
bitauts of Salamanca should suffer inuocently, in cousequence
of the movements of my troops. 1 therefore give you notice,
General, that I shall execute reprisals, inflicting the name
punishment upon an equal number of French primmer",
which you may cause the people of Salamanca to suffer.
" I have also been informed, that you die nut consider ns
soldiers the officers and scouts of my army, because they do
not wear a uniform, styling them robber and imurgents, and
treating such as fall into your hands as malefactors. Know.
Geueral, that they are soldiers, and deserve to be considered
as such. They know the laws of tsar, and observe them
better than your men do. One of your Generals, and his two
Adjutants, who were those of Joseph Napoleon, fell into the
hands of these partizans, Were well treated, and scut to this
&rims in safety and a ith decency. Such has at been the lot
of the Aprmish Generals, ha have had the misfortune to be-
come your prisoners. Compare the difference there is be-
tween the humanity of the Spaniards, a hum you call tisair-
gent,, because they defend their country and lie/trills ar tiro(
the most horrible and tyrannical invasion, vt ith your isibuttwo
uity, who buni, ravage, and destroy. like Vandals, what-
ever you reach, prophaning temples, massacreiog omen and
children, violating women, and cummitoing atrocities un-
known to the Goths, Vandal., and even the Alows, when.
they made their irruptions into Sp:iirt. iVhat b.,. your
boasted philosophy wrought ? Whet.- have the ancient
French people hidden themselves weir mice so
tuned for the gentleness of their nianaers and their amiable
nod enlighteurd character, and who knew for ages to carry
oa war, and preserve the characteristic tumour of true war-
triers? No, you do nut belt"; to that noble :Lod distinguished
race, or if you have a couneaion with them, it is only as'
their spurious desceadiuits. As such you It 'yr cotillion led
yourselves, anti as such I shall treat you, if you id-use my
brave men, and commit in Old Castile tau: crimes and hor-
rors you have exhibited in Gullicia and Asturias.
6' Head-quarters at Ciudad Ifitdrigu, July IS.
'"The Duke del PAKQUE t ASTRILLOs"

Arri ved.

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India Bondi. v2l. 'ova.
Lotter) Inlet., ?IL 174.

THE STATESMAN.