The Statesman.
London, England, 1810-12-17 00:00:00

advanced-guard continues to maintain itself in the
tame post, hosing there, as well as in Santare:n, a
sufficient number of troops to hold out in the strung
posiaion of Santarem, and repel any attack which
might be made on his front.
" The iqcessant rain which we have had ever
since thd 15th instant has doetrescd the roads in
each a manner, that 1 have, us yet, found it im-
possible to dislodge the enemy from the posigon
tchich he occupies in Santarem : the bini condition
of the road: is also the reason why the enemy con-
tinues so :On; in Santarem.
gg Although the enemy has moved large bodies of
troops from Santarem to the Eastward, I do not
know that the enemy has u yet sent any considerable
corps to the other bank or. the Zeaere. I cannot,
therefore, as yet form any certain opinion, whether
the enemy means entirely to retreat from Portugal;
Ills Whole army being now present between Santa.
rem and the Zatilt, he finds himself in a situation
which enables him to maintain the strong position
be occupies, until he shall have been joined by the
r.inforcements, which I know have reached the
1.1
" I have not receivid any further intelligence
(rum Gen..Silvetra, who finds himself on the hon.'
tiers of Upper Beira, since the 9th of this month.'
Under that day's date: he informed me of the move.
meats of the enemy's different corps in Gallicia,
which, I suppose, consist in the whole of 20,009
Ines*, and arc at present employed in levying con-
hits/dons of provisions for the' Army of'Portp..
gal. This intelligence has been conlirined by Mi.
Carnation received from Salamanca of a more re-
cent dale. _ _

66 Having advanced from the position where I
had taken post, and drawn the enemy to a point
where he was compelled to fall back Without at.
tempting any attack, Ike! obliged, in order to render
justice to Lieut.-Colonel Fletcher, and to the Offi.l
con of the Royal Engineer, to call your Excel.
lency's attention to the diligence and skill with
which th,l constructed the fortifications, whereby
they'rendered the 'aid polition tiO strong that any
attack on the Allied Army must have proved ex.
tremelr-disadvantageous fur the enemy.
" Thu French army may be reinforced, and, I
may once more be induced to return to the same
position ; but in the present state of the Peninsula,
I do not suppoie that it will be in the power of the
encray to employ against it any force *lgo to render
the result of the conflict dubious. For these ad.
ventage% we are indebted to Lieut..Cof. Fletcher
mod the (Mews of the Royal Corps et Engineers ;
among whom I must make particular mention of.
Ciptairt• Chapman, who has already repeatedly rm.
derid me the most steal set-rites.
" By my divpatclies of the tOth October, I in.,!
formed year Itahellency, that' the Marquis de la
itomana hail joined the Allied Army in the fortified
positioti In front of Lisbon, bringing with bike con.
eiderahli.detachavents of the Spanish 'troops under
his order*. The blarquii remains still with es, and
favours me with very-valuable advice and assistance.
" During tire time 'we occupied the above post.
Coo, the service was perfureted.With the utmost re.
gularity, and- to my entire satisfaction, altliengh the
force by which it was defended ;misted of digereat
troops and slivers nations. '
44 Limit—Gm Sir B. Spatices,'lmillarshal Sir
W. C. Bertatord, and all the Officers of the Stair
of the Army, have cautioned to render me all' the
services in their powor.....Hcad-quarters, Carina°,
NOY. 21s 1814. • '
" WELLINGTON."
si To birrxcelk•nry Don Miguel Pereira Forjaa."