The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-09-05
THE BRITISH EXPEDITION.

One feature In this equipment, besides the
quality ofthe force, is the taking in the low
or deck guns to accommodate the troops
this is aiiedged to be through the want OF
transports; a questionable allegation, and
perhaps rather indicative of their destinati-
OH.
olight then but conjecture is open, and
there is no other mode than by estimating
the quality of the force and the value of the
object, to form a reasonable speculation.
Does the Island of Waichern present an
object worthy OF such an enterprise, Let
US see where it Is.
lhe Island of Walchern is in the ancient
province OF Zealand, and one of the provin-
ces OF the present kingdom of Holland or
Batavia. The Island aud its towns are much
distinguished by great exploits, sieges and
deeds OF vaIor i'll history; and the port of
Flushing, is at once celebrated for being the
birth pace of the celebrated scourge of Bri
lisa naval power, Ruyter. and for IT'S indus
Try and enterprise. The Island is rather of
All oblong square form, with projection OF
the south east end to a COMIC forIIr, and on
that point stands the town of Rammeken
well known for being one OF the towns pledg.
ed TO queen Elizabeth as security for the re
payment OF the money lent the Dulch to resist
the tyranny OF the .opaniards under the Duke
of Ava
Flushing, the other and principal town
pledged 70 Elizabeth, was considered SO i'm.
portant by Charles v. that when he abdca-
ted the crown, ne enjoined Philip to preserve
that, above all places, secure. Flushing, is
III fact, key OF Holland and the Nctner-
lands; and what particularly renders 1t an
object Ut envy ana fear to England, and al
the same time of their rapacity, is Antwerp,
| which is only d miles ,ast by south from
Flushing. The Escaut, OH which Antwerp
stands, Is only branch OF the Rhne, which
Deiow Antwerp, assumes the name of The
oCneidt, a name memorable tor its being Clos
Ell by the commercial avariCe OF the DutCn
and Ill the history OF Joseph the lid OF Ger
many; aud Tor being one o the pretexts toi
war on the part OF Great Britain, after the
Dutch themselves were willing to abandon 1t
to oppressive peace. Walchern Is washed on
its south west side by the south or Great
oche DIT, winch IS about three miles wide al
Flushing : and on the north and ease sides By
the Lesser Scheldt The harbor Oi Flushing
| rs formed by two moles, which break the
waves OF the north sea, and affords passage
through two spacious channels into the town.
ana tor ships OF large burden; spacious ca
nal also extends three miles inland to Mid
dieburg, city once very ceiebrated for its
military strength, It's opuleuce, and its Coal
merce and Tor very splendid events in mill
tary history; III 1874, it stood siege OF 81
months, but was at length taken by the Hol-
landers.
But what renders Walchern above all con
sideration, an object, is its commercial and
fuUdt position. Antwerp, after AN age OF
decay and ruin, under the influence of mer-
Camille avarice, Is now exposed to perhaps
utter confiagratioD, by the very nation when
made it the pretext Of war, twelve years
ago, OH d Contrary account. AT Antwerp
there have been built eleven sail of the fine.
During the war which the Austrian blindness
drew into Germany, the forests OIL the Rhine
were laid under Con ributlon. Rats OF TIM
Der int Tor building snIps OF war, were float
ed down 20 Antwerp, and there, while tue
rats of timber were sung to be stepped, be
destals OF stone were erected, upon winch
alter few years suOmeJsioD, me timber was
shaped and paced to season tor service The
huiis were launched in the Escaut, and with
a simple cauiking and without masls. hoated
down TO Flushing, where tney were finished
sneathed, masted and rugged several yes
sells have been a. once on the stocks, and
launched within the year in winch they
were commenced. Antwerp. besides beng
the depot for naval stores tor the North
mas become the commercial depot OF all
ancient Flanders. Bruges is only twenty
Juveniles south of Flushing, Ghent only 8.