The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-19
LONDON. Anril a

captain Duncan, who for some time has
had command in the Portuguese naval SER
vice, had the good fortune, about the end of
February, to escape on board the Russian
squadron in the 'Fagus from whence he fur
ther succeeded in getting on board a vessel
of our blockadng fleet, and is now arrived
IN England. This officer remained on board
the Russian squadron till the 18th ult ; he
OF course had ample means of ascertainine
the state OF opinion, and disposition, of the
Russian officers there. 4 Capt Duncan states,
that they are anxious to leave that uncum-
Portable station, could they do it with safety.
The Russian, had suffered greatly from
the want of necessaries of all kinds. Junot
had forbidden any supplies being sent to
them nor had they been enabled, for. some
time, to procure from the stores of Portugal
an ounce OF fresh provisions of any kind. In
the mean while, the inhabitants of Lisbon
were, reduced to the necessity of making
bread Of pesse, beans, and all the inferior
sorts of grain, which, when mixed together,
were scarey eatablc; and even of this kind
the supply was scanty.
Several councils had been held on board
the Russian squadron, to consider of the mea-
sures to BE- pursued at such an emergency
AT one tine, it was proposed that the Rus
sian fleet should put to sea, consisting of nine
sail of the line and a frigate, and risk an en-
gagemem with the British but, on reflect
ing that every one of their ships were DANA
ged in their masts, the plan was abandoned
as imprscticable. Besides this, the crews for
want ofproper nourishment, were in a very
ickly state.
The plan that had met the sense of the
majority, as the less evil of the two, was that
OF laying up their ships in the Tagus, and of
marching their crews over land to ST. Peters
bursh. This project had not been carried
into execution OH the departure of captain
Duncan; but he is of opinion that it must soon
take place from necessity
twas prevailing notion AMONG the crews
that the Withholding of relief from the Rus
SLAMS was measure of policy on the part of
the French, In order to induce them to aban-
don their ships and proceed to St Petersbureh
but when the real scarcity in Lisbon be-
came apparent, they began to Judge more ia
vorably of the conduct of Junot. When the
Russian squadron first arrived, SiIDi size w.
ed great attention to the officers, and invited
them to dine with him on shore; but these
clvllities ceased after time. 1t is said that
offence was given by the Russian officers o.
uniting to toast Bonaparte, after General
Junot had drank the health of the Empe-
ror.
Some accounts have been received from
the French coast, which speak of a fresh as
ssembiage of troops on the heights of Bou-
logne. he huts which form the encamp-
ment in that neighborhood, appear to have
oeen newly painted as they were last spring,
and their number considerably increased
within the last month-the f1otilla in the
harbour, however, remains in statu quo.
During the late unfortunate Campaign in
Germany, the number of Prussian prisoners
who were sent to France, amounted to little
short OF 100000. BY the treaty of Tilst, it
was stipulated that they should be immedi-
ately restored but various pretexts were
urged tor not executing the article, until
nearly the whole of these people were indu-
ced or enforced into the service of France.
:. April S.
No farther accounts have been received of
the reported victory in the Mediterranean :;
and the rumours that have been circulated on
that subject are sinking into discredit Had
any real accounts been received, the names
OF the parties; the mode of communication,
every circumstance, would have TRANSFERRED
before this time-by no possibility could they
have been concealed but on the contrary.
every thing like authority that has yet been
quoted has vanished, when attempted to be
ascertaned.--As we have repeatedly observ-
ed-fromfthe known situation of affairs in the
Mediterranean, it is more than probable
that an action has taken place in that QUAR-
ter before this time. On this probability, we
doubt not; the rumour has been fabricated
tor Its rests on no authority. Star.
Price OF stocks, this day at o'clock con
sols--64f, per cent 1913.
GLASGOW, HtriL4.
MIR. Nourse, and Lieut. Lewis in the O.
sage, from America, are arrived at Lori
ent. This information is brought to-day by a
letter from Guernsey, dated 10Th March. in
these words -" The American government
has sent two persons to treat with France and
Great Britain. The Phoenix priyateer. of
this place, spoke to them going into Lori
ent; and broght Philadelphia Papers of the
goth tilt. which mention the circumstance. {"
" 1t is also said, in other letters from
Guernsey, that by American papers received
there they have been informed, that the
Prince Regent ofPortugal had arrived at the
Brazils.
We have been politely favored with the
following extract of letter, received in
Glasgow this morning.
LONDON, April 1, 1908.
&C. letter is said to have been received
by merchant in this place, from his brother,
an officer under Sir r. Strachan, and, if gen
nine, confirms the following facts
That Sir X. Strachan, with eight sail at
tackled the Rochefort and CartlIagena SQUAD
rons consisting of 10 sail of the line in Pal
mas Bay, MajOrca that he took or DESTROY
ed nine sail, at the cxpenee Of his own life