The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-15


us.-The Sir Godfrey Webster, left Ports
mouth on the goth November, and arrived at
Madeira on the 11th ult. On the same day,
his majesty's ship London, Of SO guns, from
Sir Sidney Smiths squadron, and tile Comus
] frigate, from Sir Samuel Hoods also arrived
at Madeira. The London was charged with
dispatches from the Prince Regent to the
Governor of Madeira, advising him of the
measures taken by the RoyalIIouse of Posr
tugal for its safety, and directing that every
facility and assistance should be given to the
British that should arrive there, and as was
presumed, signifyins his pleasure that the
Island should be put under the guarantee and
protection OF England, as soon as force
should arrive from thence to garrison it. On
board the London, were nearly 100 emigrant
mobiles of Portugal, following the fortunes of
their Prince, who with his whole family, &
the edhercnts or his cause, comprising al
most all the respectable population of Lisbon,
were on their way in the Portugal feet to
the Island of st, Jago,* appointed as a gene
raj rendezvous previous 20 their proceeding
to the Brazils. Sir Sidney Smith, who had
sailed from the Tagus with the Portugal men
OF war, and nearly 400 sail of other vessels,
after seeing them clear of the land, return
ed to the Tagus with part of his squadron,
to give further assistance to the cause of the
royal emigrants; and, as was supposed pro-
bable, toprcvent the egression of the Russian
fteet, which would have, but for his presence,
obstructed the departure of the Prince Re-
gent with his navy, and the immense wealth
on board his numerous fleet. The London,
after receiving supplies, sailed on the 18th
TOR ST. Jago and Portuguese brig of war,
which was alec. at Madeira, was to follow in
day or two the whole of the Portugal
navy and commerce that could be collected,
harD To- ~ i.
previous to their voyage to the Brazils, be-
fore their final departure for which they ex-
pected to be rejoined by Sir Sidney Smith.
The Comus, which also arrived at Madei-
ra on the 18th ult. left Sir Samuel Hoods
squadron twelve leagues to the westward of
sicily; charged with dispatches from him fEott-
the British Consul there, and with orders for
the, commanders on this station, as was re-
ported at Madeira. She proceeded from
thence on the, 18th, but has not yet arrived
here, which has given rise to a conjecture
that her orders were rather for the Cape Of
Good Hope, than this island. We, howe
yer, rely more upon the former opinion, and
think it most probable, from the circum-
stance of frigate having Joined admiral
Cochrane on the I'd inst. off St. Thomas, that
this vessel the Comus, having spoken some
or our crulzers to windward OF this island,
has proceeded direct to him the frigate
which joined him on the above day appear
ing by observation, on board the Emma ar
med ship (arrivcd here last mighty to be a
str anger, an6was Sect under great crowd
OF sail standing for the squadron at ST. Tho
mas. And in further probability of Sir Sa-
mucl Hoods being ultimately bound to this
country. brig arrived at Madeira on the
10th ult in sevef days from Cork, which re-
ported the arrival there, of Sir Samuel, with
six sail of the line, two frigates, and num-
Der OF transports, on the same day she left ::
and added, that it was understood at Cork,
that considerable augmentation was to be
made from the troops and Transports there to
Sir Samuel Hoods force, which was conse-
quently said, had for its object the taking
possession of Madeira, and a secret service in
the West-Indies.
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