Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-04-09
Fsem sae .Qcv- York Oryctc, March IS,

We Yesterday published an article from
a Norfolk paper, III which the writer has
mentioned his con ectures relative 60 the des-
Gnation of the Rochetort squadron. lie sup
poses that this fleet, having on board or 500
French officers and 1900 aItitlerisss is bound
to Mexico. Is it reasonable suggestion
that Spain would ruin herself for the paltry
consideration of eonquering Louisiana and
the south western terrirory OF the y States
We cannot participate In these fears From
the best authorities we learn that the Spanish
army for the protection Of the mines IS on
the most resp ectable footing both as to num-
.,p,s and discipline not in waat Of
,,,a,. a,rcfs, and there can De s.,, svs.-,-.>->-
~. expectation that single regiment would
be taken from their regular army to effect the
conquest of territory wtic!lwoal be OF but
little advantage to them,
Admitting that there are a great number
of officers on board the Rochetort squadron,
some engineers, and a thousand artilIercsts,
it is more probable conjecture that they
were bound for the coast of Hindostan. The
inhabitants Of this extensive chain of noun
tans called the Gautes, betterknown by the
name of A4arates, who possess the interior
country from the coast Of Ofixa to the north
OF Goa, have never submitted to the different
cofGuerors who have by turns ravaged their,
beautiful provinces. The English are seldom
at peace with them, and their treaties are ge-
nerally broken as soon as they are able. TO re-
cruit the losses Of their armies. These war
like people are totally ignorant Of the modern
art of war, and their natural intreplinty Is OF
no great avail against our superior tactlcs.-
They are SO conscious OF this, that the most
insignificant officer, or common soldier, WHO
deserts from the European regiments, be.
comes among them a person of Importance,
and frequently acquire immense fortunes
from the liberal wages they receive Tor their
services.
The governors of the Isle of France have
been for a long time past engaged IN very
active correspondence with these people,
who are the most inveterate enemies OF Eng
land; and Nave, ere this time, n1atured plans
by which the emperor Napoleon will speedily
profit. AS Russia and Persia are his allies,
the difficulties of marching an army to india
are inconsiderable, it is we'll known that from
the southern bank of the Caspian Sea to Del
hi. where Porus reigns, the distance does not
exceed 500 leagues, across country which
is fertile, rich and popplous From that ca
pital they can either descend the Gangges,
which is navigable at a small distance from 1t,
or traverse the, mountainous country which
divides what is generally known under the
name cf Hindostan
1t is-most probable that the Rochefort feet
has sailed to Goa, where they will take adj
vantage of the security into which the Fortu-
gnese have been lulled by the English. and
will also benefit by the assistance OF the Ma
rates, who are ready and willing to lend their
aid against every European power which has
settled upon their coasts.
But even should this squadron not have
undertaken any new conquest, 1t must be ad-
mitted that they will use every precaution to
50 oid an enemy whose activity is incessant,
and there is little doubt but they will land their
!, troops in some particular place, where the