Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-24
PORTUGAL.
(ExfRAcT OF a LET7Ef.J
OpoRTo, 1uly 4

-.
but none with more eagerness or ln'eFesl
than myself. In fact our situation IS quite
changed. as / already announced to you IN
nv former letters of the 18th and 21st; and
hose that Heaven will confound the pride
&c the inpious Napoleon, that monster who
deI;ohts in bloed and carnage, in fine, that
scourge of the human race. God consider
ed the CONSERVATION of Portugal and Spain,
and perhaps Of all the world, caused by that
exeerable man, and hope will protect u.s..
Do not expect any method or orderln my
letter | follow my own ideas but you may
rely upon the yeracity Of what | state to
you.
Francis Quesner, by the Spaniards, when
they went away, we were left behind under
the protection of the magistrates, who we
expected, would pursue the same mode OF
conduct; or, to speak moreproperly would
initiate the example Of Span, with which 1t
was their duty to make common cause; but
in this weswere disappointed. These pusll-
luminous beings, who, for the greater part,
were sold to iniquity, continued to govern
us in the French manner. The true Portu-
puese, of which there are a great many,
murmured in secret, and Showed their dis
satisfaction in ali possible shapes, bat did
not dlale to declare themselves openly
There were here 400 artillerymcn of the re-
einent of Vienna but not being sufficiently
numerous to garrison the town, castles, &c.
they called out two-thiIds of the auxiliarlcs,
who entered upon the service with some re-
luctance, because il was not in the name OF
the prince.
Holy Thursday at length arrived, and the
governor gave orders, according TO custom,
to the auxiliaries to follow the procession,
but without their colors, as they bore the
arms of Portugal. The chief officers an
swered that without these they would not
parade, and, ii consequence, there was on
~ one company in the procession The
nulmurs Ct the people strongly spoke their
feelings. The governor, weak and tlmld
man, importnned by the French and their
partizans, having no will OF MS own, iol-
lowed the perhalsus councils OF these per
sons, and far from avalling hl:aseH 81 the
excellent disposition OF the people to destroy
their energy, representing to ,ilem the APP
proach of the French troops, who, though
their force was small and contemplate, he
described in the same terrific colors that
Virgil does the Doiphir.s and Myrmidons.
To this was added threats of the guiliotine,
fusillades, sc. threats which Other wretch
es a,rogantly and insultingiy circulated.
On the 18th intelligence was received
thai 1000 French soldiers were to arrive on
the following day, and, IN confirmation OF
it the governor ordered carts 10 be prepared
to convey provisions to them at Oiivcira
das Ameyas, where it was reported they
were to halt Tor the night. At six in the c
venilg Of the same da;, an inferior officer
arrived. Seeing the carts loading, he in
disnantly exclaimed, !" that to the French
he should send powder and ball. In con-
sequence OF this a number OF persons I'M
mcdiately collected, and prove ted the carts
from setting off, and the officer pledged him
SELF to them that they should be assisted by
MS comrades. He Immediately went to the
OdllaeAo az Lel'l, tHid ttC ooidioio eooeii-
bling, with suAiciency oil artillery, adj
vanced to tine square Of Oviedo. The same
officer, mountrd on horseback, displayed
the ensign bearing the Portuguese arms, and
III loud voice and with great energy and
dignity exclaimed, Long live the Prince
Regent" One might say that the men
sprang out of the earth, sine. thousands
loincu in the cry and reiterated the same ex-
pression.I'he soldiers marched with
speed to the banks Of the river, and plant
ed artillery to prevent the entrance OF the
French.
The auxiliaries ran to arms, the drums
beat, the bells were rung, the doors ct the
magazine were broke open, ne people flock
ed there to take arms, and in a moment the
whole city was in a condition to defend IT,