The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-07
EUROPE.
From Tie Commercial .4svertiser.

IREAsoN.-The following is the letter of
Don Thomas De Morla, commander of the
patriotic troops in Madrid, to Don Antonio
Sornei. secretary at war. In this lettSr,
Morla has given sufficient proof of his base
submission to the views of Bonaparte, and
OF the vilest treason to his native country.
TRANSLATION
Most Excellent Sir,
| never supposed that this city could de-
tend itself. except only against a hasty attack
or coup de main, anil so represented to
your excellency and the president of the
council. and stated that it would be absurd
to attempt to resist an army. planned the
works accordingly-I mounted them with
upwards OF thirty pieces; caused all the
powder to be brought in from Caravanchel ::
formed four depots. three in converts, and
the principal one in the museum Il intend
red to divide the muskets myself into divisi-
ons but the popuace insulted me, and took
possession OF them, many for the purpose of
selling them at the lowest price, or conceal
ing them IN their houses {; they like wise stole
thousands ct cartridges; works were erect
ed IN the streets, and all the troops, except
ing only the cavalry, were distributed at the
principal posts, general commanding at
each.
Many people of all classes thought then of
leaving the city, and / believe that few res
pectabie persons would have remained, had
it not been that the populace impeded them
at the barriers, aed that they feared falling
into the hands OF the enemy, which, believe,
happened to several.
On the first of this month. hay;n7 learned
the defeat at Somosierra, several parties
were sent out to reconnoitre, who success
sively brought intelligence that the enemy
mad arrived at San Ar8ustin, Alcobendas,
and Fuencarral
On the second at day break, the enemy al
ready occupied the heights above the posts
OF Santa Barbara Pozos and Fuencarral.
Attwelve they summoned US, through the
gate de los Pozos ; the marquis dc CASTELAR,
and went out and answered that we would
defend ourselves to the last extremity. The
hPe from the exterior posts, had begun in the
morning. and continued ieeby all the day and
night from those points; but tire enemy ex-
tended themselves through all TIE environs.
and occupied positions which left us sur.
rounded. We had sent at two in the after
noon, an active officer to direct the united
troops OF iisredia and San Juan to enter i'm
the night and a state messenger to carry
a dispatch to Pena, stating the necessity Of
their coming, whom the enemy intercented.
Il Junta had been formed, composed of &c
nerais, OF orc or two members of each conn
Gil. corrcgidor and others, for civil and mill
taIy government t-
was called to 1t at six o'clock on the Sd
and was shewn a summons from the prince
OF Eeuichatel, who signed himself chief of
the staff, proof that the emperor com
manded; an officer taken prisoner at Some
sierra brought it, and asserted that he had
spoken to him; but he was not believed, and
was looked uyon &c a suspicious person. In
fhp iuntaS q vet.y IL az, L..
we could not answer until eight and the an
swcr was merely request for suspension of
arms for that day. Bat at nine the enemy
began the attack at all points. with the
greatest intrepidity AID ylgour.--They pc
netrated FIRST through he Retro, which re-
CURED ten thonsaf1 men to defend il, and
snccessively through tie gates Of Alcala, BE.
coletos, Gee. Notwithstanding they met with
much resistance.
They occupied with great force the whole
Pr1o, and began 10 idvauce throual, the