The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-06-06 00:00:00

SPAIN.

-rem—
• OFFICIAL BULLETIN,
Downing-9trret., Jane 4.
Dispatches hare been this day receivAl ;tom t;Olo-
nel Sir Howard Douglas, of which the following ire
extracts:—

SATITIGO, MAT 23.—0 n the 18th last. General Castanos re-
ceived information loin the Marquis of Partisan, who now com-
mands the divisions of the rah army in the Vlergo, that the
enemy had collected about 15,0,10 men on the rivers I'sla ant
Orbigo, and that it appeared to be their intention to advance
upon Villafranea and Poehia di Sanabria. Thisre-union to
threaten Gallicia was only a feint to &vain the ulterior design at
advancing into Asturias; which the ene ny accomplished upon
the lith inst. with abort eight thousand men, under General
Bonnet; and they now occupy their former (lit:users in Or it Jo,
Grado, and Gijon, &c.
SANTIAGO, MAT 21.—This town is now the seat of the. Pro-
vincial Government, and I am happy to say, it I, iii peril if ha,-
rnony with General Castanos. He invited a deptitat* of the
Junta to meet him here. I was then at Corinna, and rnmoted
the transfer of the whole body, as the most likely InCOII6 of
stroying diference. General ('astanos's a isdoni has done tae
rest. 1 have the honour to transmit intelligence from Itnrpst.
The reported entry of General Mendizahel into Burgos is ems.-
, roborated by this, and with the other inclosurec, skews how
very seriously the enemy are harassed by the activity of the
parties in the North. Don Geronimo Merino (coming/lily called
Drum de Vollorrado) a most able and enterprising Chief,
whom I have oo several occasions supplied a ith arms, &c. has
lately had two brilliant actions with the enemy.
On the Itqh of April, near Aranda, he cailie suddenly upon a
considerable body of the enemy, by as well-planned mid ably-
' executed movement. From a perfect InosslidAe of the country,
he gained, with a part of his force, the possession of a height
over which the enemy had to pass in retiring to the toss n of On-
toria de Val de Araas; having then attacked them with gr.iwt
vigour, he succeeded la making 5.19 prisoners, including -me
Lieutenant-Colonel, and 11 other 4)fficers, of er a resixt.lnce
which cost the etsemv seventy-three killed, and 107 wriiiudeit.--
The prisoners immediately sutiered, in the prowry ef is en, y
for each of the three Me,.: berg of the lints of Burgos. a...) o ere
lately put to death by the enemy; and iu the prof orlon of ten
fur each of Merioo's soldiers, aho arely shared the ..sine fate.—
This act was accompanied by a declaration, that i.i this ratio, re-
taliation would always be observed. On the 1241 d, *frit re. iris
to Villafranca, a ith the remainder of his prisoners, NI-risio .00k
post, with a part of his force, at a cross-row,', where '.e e .;.races
a rescue would be attempted. Being apprised of the advance of
the enemy in pursuit of the convoy, accordingis he dressed an
ambuscade,into a hich the miens., fell, and left dead six men,
having also a considerable number of wounded.

THE CATHOLIC CAUSg.

ADDRESS OF THE CATHOLICS OF IRELAND

TO Ills ROYAL HIGHNEiS THE DUKE GF 91.153 LE.

" May it please your Royal Highness,
" The Catholics of trellod iteg leave .9 approach your Revd
Highness, wain tile warmest and most respectful ass maces of
their gratitude., for your able and enlie!itelisd ad t oeacy of weir
religious sad pol*tictit principles. A bused as the, hate been by
the possessors of that very pass.'r, to the existence of which they
have for centories coutributed their treasure and their blood, it
is a source of gees' sod gratify ing consoiwion, to reflect brat the
son of their King is the firs to ple .d the cause of the people,
and to vindi ate their einsrazter. hovel, indeed, Is the bpeciatio
which presents to the wasid the son of the British Monarch
standing up in the great Council of the N.lion to vitilicate the
rights of Humanity and protect the privileges of Cotiscience:.
• Leave,' says your Royal Ifighttess. s al .teligions to then.selves,
unless they tend to disturb the pirtlic traequillity. No society
has a right to dominate over the opinion of men.' The enlighten-
ed Protestants of the Empire re echo this 9. otinient of equal free-
dean. Then -ee that it is nu loiter a question between the ('a-
tholic and Protestant;--the blood a hich the former 11.. s Qh-d its
defence of a Protestant Throne, has blotted out t lose miserable
recollections of bigotry which the monooolists of Country still
struggle to collect sate) perpetuate. The victories to waich our
Catholic Countrymen have so eminently contributed have closed
r the book of controversy, and will, we trust, open to is the
temple of the Constitution. Tie Catholics or Ireland ap-
peal from ages of mutual intolerance to the present ?poi b of
mutual infection and confidence. The Protestant of the pre-
sent day no longer expressed his surprise that the Catholic
should refuse to eeeee chce that rem of Englls t I history obit*
gave Liberty to Enishmen and the Penal Code to Ireland,
The enlightened Irish Protestant of the presents day agree• wits
your Royal }Ugliness In thinking, that tit memorable elev. lua
Lion of 1.688 went to establish a faction in Ireland, *lt eh op-
pressed the great body of her people; your Royal It is's-
nest they are convinces" of our loyalty and truth by the sarrificeo
we have made. Your Royal Highness- will, therefore, he
pleased to accept the thanks of the Irish Ca..hulics—they re the
offspring of a generous enthusiasm—they were the humble alter-
ing which Ireland presented to her fairest ho; es-that hope
which once so flattered her with promises of freedom. fancy
were presented to him when he stood at the door of the Consti-
tution, supported by the beloved and admired companions of 1.15
youth ; whose wisdom and whose truth commanded the esteem
and love of their fellow-subjects. They were presented to treat
Personage for whom Ireland would have laid dun it bee life, in
all the prodigality Of a generous confidence, and at none ett it re-
cent events will not obliterate from her .recollection, when she
hears your Royal Nighties re-echoing those sentiments kit dis-
tinguish her Prince, and professing those principles wuich truly
constitute the character of a Patriot King.
" To his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex."