The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-06
LONDON, January 81.

AnidR the violent contentious which have a.
rien between our political parties, and their nul-
merous fubdivifons, the great preparation
which are now nearly compleat for the grand
expedition, and the detinaton of the great
force which compofes it, have lately appeared
to be but fecond-rate considerations. 1t will,
however, we have reaCon to believe, take adj
vantage of the iirit favorable appearance of the
weather, to put 70 fea. The forces are afiem-
bed principally at Portfmouth and the neigh
boring diftgct, and in the lie of Wight and
the embarkation will Immediately take place at
Cowes, Portfinouth and Southampton. We
are not aware OF the number of the troops, nor
could we fPeak with proprety even of our
conjecture as to the Object of the expedition.
1t IS generally believed, however, from the terms
upon which the tranfports have been taken up
~ government, that it will not exceed the con-
fines of Europe.
Several officers left town yefterday, having
received orders to Join without delay.
"A comfortable degree of political enquiry &
1pecniat'on has lately occupied the public mind,
relative to what is likely to be the iituation OF
Portugal with regard to the reflective bellire-
rent powers and fome people have even gone
10 far as to define the expedition, now about
to take ITS departure, for the defence of that
faithful! ally.
II appears, however, upon tranfitory view
OF the preient fate, and circumstances of that
kingdom, and its political relations with France
and SPAN, that any Nsp of that nature would
DC premature upon our part and it feems ex-
tfemeiy predetermined, whether any arrange
ment has been concluded with the Prince Re-
gent, By which our troops would be flre of a
friendly admifiinn into the territories of her
mott faithful majcty.
IN the next place, 1t is mere matter of con-
lecture whether Bonaparte will be contented,
IN the preient circumstances of the war, with
the ui"a' amount of his extortons, or if he will
let new price upon neutrality, either in moi
dores or political coucelions. In this latter
view OF the cafe he will Unfit upon throwing
garr'ion into Lifbon, and the frontier towns, &
ihuttrig all the ports of Portugal againA the
ihps and commerce of England. In the for
mer' 1t is not very probable that minia.rs will
permf Portugal to act precifcly the part which
SPAN has not been allowed to purfue.
February /.
gentleman iulf arrived, from Rotterdam
hates, that new meafirss of feverity are exer-
cited a%ain't the Engifh in Holland. Several
brltih fnh'".ts are detained by force, and eve
ny kind Of Brith merchandise is confifcated.
February 2.
Rotterdam paper Of the goth ult. was re-
ceived in town yeflerday, containing the inDor-
tant intelligence, that, on the day preceding,
the AiiemNly ofthe State had Daiitd the decree,
that the Dutch government was reduced to the
necelhfy OF topping payment of the public
annWtIes. The decree ftates, as the cauf. of
their bankruptcy, that they have been, unhap-
PLY, though their connection with France, in
VOWED IN the prelent war with great Britain, &
that they NUT have either called on the public
Tor contribution of 1T leaf one per cent per
month, or OF IMPENDING their payments
They preferred the lat.cr, as the leaf OF two -
wis, and 1ccOrdiuylv r,-y-,sr.e .I,.
he dividends are ltopt. This will he dread
ful calamity to alithe widows, orphans, and o.
therS' Whole whole property has been lodged
IN me pnbiic run6s Of Holland. Ii will have We
ry little if any effect in England.
February 3.
Ihroneh the idr.c channel which fone weeks
6nce cndb'cd us 30 be the fra 10 announce fbe
diicn'iious which had arif.n between France &
Auitna OIL The iI'ieet Of the Aaerian Gordon
formed on the itIliin frontiers, we now learn
that neither theft dicuiiions, nor the MOI an
CRY fenontrances Of the French Cabinet, for
a moment fIipended the execution of that mea-
lure. On the 10Th Dec. the line comprifed
$4,000 men; other troops were on their route
Tor the fame neigbbourlIood and we can fur
ther AZURE orr readers, that the Auftrian CORPS
forming Ia Hungary, Traufylvana, the Bannat,
ocIdVth!d, and Croatia, amounted, at the date
Oh lls date OF the lat accounts, to nearly one
hundred thoniand men, Attended under pre-
tehce that the troubles in Belgrade and Scrvia.
rendered 4 Gordon on that frontier necen,rv. to
Prevent aEgreiion on he part Of the nfurcents.
oIs had becr he occasion of freih remonfran-
ces from Paris, on the ground that the inpcri
ri ca met mad not deemed uch precautiou re-
ceiiary. during tnofe periods of inCurreelion in
winch the tranquility of the Aufrian provinces
were more expoied than at preicnt that there