Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-31

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the Mediterranean. Nor is il believed a,
Gibraltar, after what has been asserted,
that the Rochefort squadron has passed in
10 the Mediterranean. 1t is true, indeed,
the American captain. OH whose sole au-
thority it rests, has offered 10 confirm his
assertions by his oath; but 1t is extraordi-
nary that no circumstances should be yet
known 10 confederate his assertions.
A private letter from Gibraltar states,
expedition at that place, the German
troops were removed from the coppered
transports, and sent forward in other ships
for Sicily. All The English troops were
then embarked on board the coppered
transports, and it was understood tina, they
were TO sail for a destination"
We communicated on Saturday the ar
riva! of the General Stuart packet, from
Bengal, announcing the renewal of hosti-
iities in India. The dispatches brough,
by the General Stuart state, that Doondea
Khan, Zomindar in the district Of AL.
lyghur, in The conquered provinces, whose
conduct has tver been refractory, had
compelled the governor genera! to have
recourse to military force to reduce him
to submission. Lord Lake, from motives
OF humanity, forgaye his repeated acts of
violence and disaffrction towards the Brit
t!sh government, on condition that he
shanld serrender or destroy the guns in the
strong fort of Cumoona, Fill up The ditch,
and tlisband his forces. This lenity had
no effect the conditions were never com
Piled with 4; and adyices having been re-
ceived Of his continued violence towards
the inhabitants, his resistance TO The au-
thorily OF the magistrates, and his strength.
en'p6 the fort, the governor general felt
himself obliged 10 order military force,
under the command Of major-general
Dickens, and lieutenant colonel Horsford
of the artillery, TO reduce him to obedi.
ence. Cumoona, as being one of his
strongest for,s, was The first attacked. 1t
is situated between Agra and Delhi. The
British force arrived before it on or about
the 2sd Oetobcr. Major general Dick
ems found il much stronger than il had
been represented, and was therefore obi
ged 10 proceed by regular approaches. A
breach having been effrcted about the
middle OF November, major. general Dick.
ems attempted 10 take the place by storm,
The assault was made by the troops on
The Tor, and fortified garden, but were o.
bliged, after a most desperate attack, to
retreat with great loss. The garrison,
however, intimdated by the intrepidity of
the attack, and dresdiBg a renewal of the
assault, evacuated the iorl in the nigh.
On the 2olh November, we learn the
general had proceeded 10 another fort, and
great hopes were entertained that the Sc
veral strong holds belonging 10 Doondea,
would fall without farther loss.
We announced, on Saturday, the arri-
val of the Coquette, at Portsmouth, after
a remarkable quick passage OF four days,
with dispatches from Admiral Sir Charles
Cotton off Lisbon. The dispatches state,
that there is famine at Lisbon. 10 this
dreadful situation, deputation of the mer-
chants has been sent, in flag of truce,
70 admiral Cotton, imploring suspension
of the blockade as the only means of pro-
curing provisions TO save the inhabitants
from general starvation. Various letters
have been received, descriptive Of these
horrors the following is from one of the
gentlemen appointed to the depu,stion
aud was written before he set off
Lisbon, March 81, 1903.
4" have only time to inform you OF
my having been authorised, with Sc
veral others, by this government, to
proceed TO the English feet, now
blockading our port for the purpose of
prevailing on Admiral Cotton to per-
mir provisions to be brought hither,
as we are absolutely on the eve of a
famine. Under these dreadful cir
cumstances we rely on the humanity
and liberality of generous nation, and
we trust that his excellency will COM
miserate the distressed situation of the
inhabitants Of this devoted city and
its environs, and grant liberty for pro-
visions to enter the port, otherwise
we must literally starve. Should we
succeed in this object of our mission,
it will revive the dropping spirits of
the people, and save the lives of thou
sands, and tens of thousands, who o.
therwise must meet their fate In the
worst and most terrible of all Deaths
a death from hunger"
The deputation accordingly took
place. Sir Chales Cotton was deeply
affected at the sufferings Of our ancient
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