Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-09-29
THE NEWS FROM SPAIN.


said, 40 900 men at least, of the French,
have been destroyed. The news comes by
the way of Porto-Rico, an island lying to
the eastward of Hispaniola about twenty
leagues.
With regard to this intelligence it may be
| remarked, generally, that news by way of
the West. Indies is so often false, that we
should be cautious what degree of credit we
give to any advices relating to European af-
fairs, which we receive from that quarter.
And even admitting that the incidents re-
cited were actually circulated and believed
at Cadiz, yet that by no means affords con
elusive proof of the discontinue of the
French, TO the ert1nt stated. Cadis it,
self. (remote from the scene of action,) al
ways abounds IN rumours favorable to the
cause of the junta, the f2llacy of which we
have too often experienced to place much
faith in them. And it is not to be wonder.
ed at, that the least dawn of success should
be extolled and magni6ed by the widest
enthusiasm. All parties do it in time of
war, and it is encouraged by cunning poll
ticians, because it has an influence on the o.
! pinions of men, and attracts the timid and
the wavering to attach themselves to par
! ty which is supposed to be gaining the as
cendant. NJ people understand the benefit
( to be derived from exaggerating slender
successes better than the British the
| British, il is notorious, are very influential
! at Cadiz. We understand, indeed that a
respectable gentleman at the city of w sh-
| ington, has rece we'd letter, direct from
| Cddix, which countenanceS, if not confirms,
| the intelligence furnished by the arrival
from Porto. Rico: but, until we have more
| particulars than we are in possession of
at present, it would be absurd to pronounce
dogmatically either one way or the other.
| We may be permitted, nevertheless, to deal
a little in conjecture. In the Campaign
| which Bonaparte opened in Spain in the
| autumn Of the year 1908, although he pour
! ed 480, 900 men towards and partly into
Spain, it is remarkable that he permitted
but very small portion of that force to-
penetrate beyond Madrid. The reason is
now obvious, and marks the profound poll
cy and keen foresight of the msn The
march of such vast body of troops to the
Spanish peninsula served 10 Albright the
patriots, whilst it answered as decoy to
Austria. AT an immense distance from
Germany, with so great proportion Of his
force, the cabinet of vienna, weak and ca
SLY duped, would imagine that TO be the
moment to take decisive measures, against
1.-THE French chief for the assertion other an
Gent prerogatives-urged on and paid by
England, Austria accordingly took such
steps as left Bonaparte no longer i'm dcuot
with respect to her intentions. In a moment
the mind of Napoleon was decided what
: course to take-the pretexts and apollo sies
of count Metternlch, the Austrian miajs.
ter, were too himsy 10 veil the designs OF
his court. The divisions of the French ar
: mics which had entered Spain, but which
, were still in the vicinity of the French
: frontier. and which had been prevented
from advancing 10 the maritime extremities
: of Spain on account OF the apprehended ma
Chna,ioas OF Austria, suddenly retraced
their steps, and hurried, in full speed, tC
! new scene OF action in Italy and the king.
, dom of Bavaria. About the period Bona
parte left Spain the English mad been driv.
/ en- into the ocean (Which is at once the
theatre OF their glory and of their crimes
aud were compelled to retreat, bl ody
; manned, and manyied, to their own shores
It Marshal Soult had traverced Gallicia and
e advanced as far as Oporto in Portugal
II and Marshal Victor was impetuously mar.
/. ching for Seville, oVerthrowing every OBJ
ii stacle In his course. The French emperor
conscious of he great difficulty of conduct
ing two important wars at "A vast distance
r. from each other, both at the same time, saw
the necessity OF delaying the termination o
: one until the other was concluded. The
ne war o. Austria WAS the one most immedi
ately interesting to him. The princips
y part or Germany was, indeed, subject u
. his wIll'--but then, beng recently conquer
~ ed, and smarting under series OF crue
calamIties, an un versal insurrection nigh
ensue, which, 10 connection with the regu
lar forces Of the Austrian monarchy, III en-
lrequire more than even the AGILITY of 30
is naparte to subdue. He therefore decided
: to terminate the conflict with Austria FIRST
20 Accordingly, we find him recalling h,
IT, divisions which were on their march for tn
r, borders Of the Atlantic ocean, aud concen
n trating them in the heart of Spain, until h
NJ could come TO their ale. Soult, the duke
81 DailOsta, relinqnished Portugal --Victo
IT,. evacuated sand, forming "A con
Il nection with the other French chiefs in IN
ne Spanish peninsula, appear to have draw
~ a Gordon OF troops somewhat IN advanC
~ of Madrid, in order to secure that Capita
'@' as well as tae cities and towns previousl
conquered from the troops OF the junts
Now, We think it probable that the unite
Portuguese, Spanish, and British force
y, embroidered by thIs retreat of the FrenC
-. (Which was dictated by military wisdom
W. have advanced IN the pursuit and have "a
= en- the army Of King Joseph battle. In
n, such was the intention Of Lord Wellesle
.ch the English general, 1fany accounts fro