The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-11

/. o. took IN tue oatSiS on Mo Ssco, aH, Vhc'n
,;our eSceliency describes as peasants al Gal
'cia. They are nevertheless regular soldi-
YRS, beng recruits Incorporated with the
troops of the line. though they do not wear
the uniform. In explaining tins circumstance,
my intention is not to release myself from
acknov'leti. ing the generous condaet your
cMcellency has manifested towards those
people, bat to guard against the possibility
of their upon any occasion receiving, in Con-
sequence OF any misconccpuon, aspecies of
treatment which they Go not deserve, and
which, from the sentiments manifested by
your excellercy, could not but be painful to-
your own feelings. Your exceliency Will al
WAYS find me disposed to alleviate. rs far
as possible, alithe horror of war, natterirg
myself that in this respect shall only imi-
tate your conduct. But seiguor general,
am not ut liberty to agree to the conference
which YOU are pleased to propose to me, nor
to enter into any discussion upon the sub
ject which we should have to agitate on such
an occasion.
"Your exccllency informs me that the
Bourbon family has ceased to reign in Spain
& that in order to replace them on the throne,
1t would be first necessary TO destroy France
and great part of Europe. What then, is
the great crime committed by that family
Can IL be the frank, faithful, and Intimate
friendship and alliance. which have united
it to France during the space of thirteen
Nearss But in attempting TO make any re-
hections, exceed my limits it is my duty
TO conEne rayself to the intreatv that YOUR
cxcellency will abandon the project of alter
ing the opinion, which have already so de-
Cdedly pronounced upon the subiect-Iour
cNcellenCy would doubtless take offence,
were | 70 propose to you change OF party,
and that you should abandon the emperort.
7,
assuredly you should reflect that upon the
same principles, ] ought not to listen to your
excellency's proposals, nor is it fitting
tn at you excellency should address them
to a man Of honor.
"Such is the general esteem & admirati-
on, Seignor General, in which hold your ex-
cellency's military talents, that glory in ha-
wing opposed to me sodistingnshed an anita
sonist and With respect to the final issue of
the present struggle, l repose myself with
confidence on the Divine Providence, to
whom it belongs to decide the fate of armies
and of nations. and who sooner or later, will
look with a favorable eye upon the most just
cause, which is defended by all true Spani-
ards.
81 beg leave to repeat to your excellency,
Segnor Marshal, the assurances of my high
c Jnsideration.
(Signed) "JOAQUIN BLAKE"
''Seignor Marshal Bessieres.'
LONDON, August II.
The dispatches which have been so anxi-
ously expected from Lord Collingwood, with
the details of the glorious victory of the Pa
triots over Dupont, had not arrived at late
hour last night. The intelligence, however,
which has been received at different times
from the north of Spain & in the most anthem
tic shape, places that Important fact beyond
dispute, while it eXcites a lively Impotence
to be acquainted with all the circumstances
of the gallant achievement. This laudable
anxiety of the public is not likely to remain
long unsatished. We have every reason to
conclude, that in our next We shall be ena-
bled to give the details to the public, as there
is every probability of an arrival from Ca
diz, in the course of this day or tomorrow.
In the mean time, any accounts OF the var-
Gus operations which preceded the final sur
render of the enemy's force, cannot fail to
be gratifying. The letters of gen. Casta-
nos to the Supreme junta of Seville, respect
ing the movements and operations of his ar
my which are given in another part Of our
paper, though not of so late date as those
which we published some DAYS ago. will vet
be read with interest and satisfaction. In the
absence OF any direct intelligence of the pro-
giess OF the Patriotic army, after the surreh-
Ger OF dupont, tleSe OfnCidl documents, an
noiiHciHg several of the particular actions
which pre- eded that event, cannot fail Of gil
wing some relief to the eager expectation of
the public. Castanos appears to have cen
Quoted himself during the whole campaign,
in manner that shews him well entitled to
the confidence OF his countrymen, and emf
nentiy qualified for the important and con-
fidental post which had been assigned to him.
The operations of his army were planned
with all the prudence of all experienced ge-
neral, and executed with all the ariour and
activity of an enterprising soldier. The E.
vent has amply corresponded with the |
means, and both prove, that Spain has ma |
ny officers not inferior in any one requisite |
or qualification of a general, to the most &C. !
leblatad amongst the leaders of their per-
fdious invaders.
Reports are in circulation, that the de- |
parture of Bonaparte from Bayonnc was con-
nected with project of accommodating a force
capable of bearing down all opposition in
Spain. Even an army of one hundred thou
sand men is said to have been marched from
Paris towards that country. Those who
incline to such rumors would do wen to con
slider, that one half of Bonaparte's force is
10 Germany, that fourth oft has been dis
posed Of in Spain and Portugal, and that the
remaining fourth has ample employment in
Holland, Switzerland, italy Dalmatia and
in the interior OF France. The Guards may
have been marched from Paris, and joired