Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-07-21

strong has taken the dispositions of
two or three of the gentlemen who
heard the letter read. I understand
that the subject was no secret in Paris.
July ID. L. L.
Asfracf of a letter from our CORRESPOND
enf at Washington City, dated July 18Th,
1909.
Mr.. Daschkof arrived here on
Thursday, aud was yesterday introdu-
ced to the President of the Il. States.
This gentle man is said to be the grand.
son of the celebrated princess Dasch-
kof, who made figure in the reign
of the Great Cathariae of Russia. He
came unattended by his family, which,
for the present, remains at Philadel-
phia. Mr.. Daschkoff, it is said, has
no knowledge of a declaration of war
by his sovereign against France. This,
Ishould suppose, is strong circumstan-
tiai evidence against the probability of
that rumor; for, it can hardly be sup
posed, 1t such an event were about to
take place, but what the court of St.
Petersburgh would have advised its
ambassador, then going on very dis
tant mission, of the determination.
The probability with regard to the re-
port is, that it was fabricated in order
to rouse the energies of the despond-
ing Spaniards to oppose more firmly
the advances of the French. But even
If Russia has declared war against
France, it will end as all other Russi-
an and German coalitions have ended
in the overthrow of the German pow
ers and in aPeace with Russia. A de-
claration of war by Russia against
France, at the period it was said to
have taken place, would be another
proof OF the weakness of the cabinets
opposed to the Gallo Emperor for
what could be more imbecile than to
declare war when the main body ofthe
Austrians had been routed, and not
one single Muscovite battalion had adj
yanced TO the combat The story of
the defeat OF the French in the Tyrol.
is too vaguely told, too inconsistent, to
be fully credited. That the French
may have been worsted and even beat
en-, is not at ali impossible. But the
tale oftheir being taken in tie rear and
losing 10000 men, is one of those
Jumping stories which knavish men fa-
bricate Tor credulous ones to believe.
Mr.. John @. Adams will speedily
sail ON his destination for Russia. 1t
Is said that the son of his brother-in-
law (Col. Smith) will accompany him
10 the capacity of secrctary 1 am told
he IS a young man of considerable pro-
mise.
The account of the defeat of Mar.
shall Soult in Portugal, is story of at
least months age. The capture of
Ferrol has been published over and
over again. Indeed, the slightest adj
vantage obtained over the legions of
Napoleon in Spain and Portugal, are
so magnihed, that one can hardly place
any confidence in them. l have late
ly seen in one account from Portugal.
tiiat the French soldiers had ravished
the men of a certain village, and the
statemeht concludes with flourish of
this kind:" Every thing is true which
is related in this authentic history"
&c. L do detest all such trash. Itmay
do well enough to spur UP the lower
classes OF Spaniards aud Portugu .se,
but can afford no satisfaction TO the
minds OF enlightened Americans, who
delight IN what's just and true.
Talleyrand is said now to be fully
IN disgrace with Napoleon, from what
particular cause is unknown. Some
time back he was partially dishonored,
having been confined to his principals
ty OF Benevento, for having uttered
certain criticisms on the ernperor's con-
duct with regard to Spain. ETslleyraud
is now old and decrepid: He is said to
have been a voluptuous and free Ii
yer, which have fastened the infirmi-
ties OF old age upon him. He is of the
house OF perigord, as you know ave
ny ancient and illustrious family, and
remotely allied to the Bourbons.
Lieut.. Peter, of the Light Artillc.
ny, has arrived here from New Or.
leans, having thrown up his commits.
sion, 1t is said, in consequence of some
misunderstanding between the general