The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-29 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

affirm that ou the 26th of July, a heavy cannonade was heard,
and it was reported in Corfu that the Greeks were defeated
near Petra', and pursued to the interior of the Mores.
The only other articles in these papers that are worth ex•
tracting are the following:—
OLDEYBURn, AUGUST 11,—IIis Highness the Duke has,
by letters patent of the Bth inst. annexed to the Duchy of Ol-
denburg the principality of Fever, ceded by the Emperor
Alexander on the 16th of April, ISIS, and the letters patent of
this latter dater signed at Warsaw, are also published, by
which the Emperor Alexander cedes this principality to the
younger branch of the House of Holstein Oldenburg.
GHENT, AUGUST 23.—The Duke of Wellington arrived here
at 5 o'clock in the afternoon coming from Oudenarde. Before
his Grace entered the City, I.e examined the works of the new
citadel out of the Courtray gate.

The Duke of Wellington, when he left Ghent, proceeded to
Termonde, to Inspect the fortifications and thence to Antwerp,
where he arrived yesterday at noon. After having examined
the fortifications, his Grace set out for Brussels, where he ar•
rived at 0 o'clock in the afternoon.

The defence at Corunna having been continued so much
longer then was expected, even by the most ardent friends
of the Spanish cause, and in opposition to disadvantages
which were represented as absolutely insurmountable for a
week, we must claim theliberty of imagining that its defence
may yet be continued for some time, in disregard of the
statements of the French General, who has been handled
so roughly, that be is evidently more anxious to suppress
the truth, than to explain the real character of the events
which have taken place before the town. On the 6th the
French made an attack, which was defeated, with the foss,
say some private accounts, of above 1000 killed. Of this
conflict, the French say little, or nothing ; although the
preparations for it had been announced, and the day fixed
for the attack by Gener..l Bonrck himself. We have now
an extract from a despatch, written by that officer on the
13th inst. ; and mentioning that " in the nights Irons the
" 10th to the 12th inst. the Garrison kept up a most active
" fire on the French troops." Of course we are told they
did " no mischief," though several houses were damaged,
and a tobacco store was set on fire. Stores and timber
retain their old quality of liability to mischief from the
effects of gunpowder and ball; but the French soldiers
are exempt, in their own bulletins, from any danger from
such agency. On the morning of the 13:h we are
informed the Garrison displayed a flag of truce with
the word " Peace" inscribed upon it. This should
rather have been the consequence of the French firing the
preceding night upon the town, than of the firing of the
garrison upon the French ;—or the French officer must
have meant to state that he hoisted a flag of truce, and not

the garrison. This will explain his statement a little bet-
ter:—for he adds that the garrison "asserted the moat
"lofty pretensions." They would hardly display a flag of
truce, which is an evidence of a necessity for parley, to as-
' cart these "lofty pretensions ;" but they might assert
' them, in reply to the proposals of the French. Nor do we
understand why Morino should have had a deputation sent
to him from the garrison. The defenders of Corunna, who
would hear nothing of the Madrid Regency, would sorely
not have any thing to do with a traitor who bad endeavour-
ed to sell then► to the Regency. Until Corunna shall have,
been absolutely entered by the French, we will not do the
heroes who have defended it so long, and so nobly, the in-
justice of believing any of the French statements, that mili-
tate against their determined patriotism. Want of provisions
may compel them to surrender; and we trust the Spanish
Committee in London have not been wanting in their en.
dravours to prevent such a want from accelerating the fall
of so i►nportant a bulwark of the cause of independence.

The scoundrel Morino has been duped by " the regiment
of Arragon ',assing over to hint, and, being furnished

with what necessaries could be given to it, passing back

"again." It is only to he regretted, that some patriot
Spaniard did not take his leave of the mercenary traitor,
with the blessing of a ball through his heartless body, or
his treacherous brain. 'I he difficulty of obtaining provi-
sions in the disorganization of the Spanish regular troops,
produced by the treason of their officers, may have in-
duced numbers to " go over to the French," as it is called;
but that they have not in reality espoused the cause of the
Royalists is certain, from the fact, that none of the divi-
sions of Morillo or liallasteros are embodied with the
French. The Army of the Faith has diminished, instead
of having increased; a clear proof that the ConAitutional
soldiers have remained firm to their duty.

Marshal Moncey continues to write despatches from
Catalonia, in which be is described as always in pursuit of
" the enemy," but as never being able to interfere with
his retreat, though the French are always victorious in the
repeated conflicts that take place. Who is at the head of
the Spanish troops, what are their numbers, and what their
object. lie appears to know nothing. He calls them simply
" the enemy ;" and announces where they have been, with
a minuteness of detail which would do credit to the local
information of a native peasant. lie sometimes also gets a
glimpse of a rear-guard, but seems instinctively to shun
all contact with it; and then finishes his despatch with
speculations as to where " the enemy" will be seen next,
and what marches it may be necessary to take after him, in
this whimsical method of " pursuing the enemy."

The reported negociations at Cadiz wear no additional
marks of credibility. The Duke d'Angouleme arrived at
Port St. Mary's on the 16th. The French very sagaciously
remarked, that four or five days must be allowed after that
period, to determine whether the town should be carried
by storm. or entered by treaty; which was allowing as little
time as could be done for the success 'of Bourbon bribery.
or the impetuosity of Bourbon valour. His " Highness"
has oow been waiting something near a fortnight ; and we