Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-12-05
WAR IN SPAIN & PORTUGAL.


we may be permitted to express an opinion
Of the present state 6fthe war IN Spain and
Portugal, from the latest accounts Of the
situation of the armies, We should say
tha, is'afprds the CHEST exuita,ion to every
friend of liberty. From the critical state Of
the French army, and the high spirits of the
British and Portuguese troops, Massena
must ere this have made a retreat, or des.
pera,e battle would have taken place, which
has decided the fate Of Portugal, either for
or against her. [ Ill her favor, as we have
the strongest hopes 10 believe. it will teach
lesson to the nations Of degraded CONT
mental Europe, that the lib-rty Of country
depends upon the patriotism of she people,
and not upon the base lntrgues and, cow
ardly alliances of kings and princes. It
will prove to the world, that a country de-
termined to be free, will be free, in def.
ance Of the hastile armies OF blood stsiued
tyrant. The people OF Spain and Portugal
are struggling for their sacred rights which
thev have sworn to yield only with their
lives. Had Prussia, Austria aud Russia
shewa to the world SO noble an example Of
valor, the Unsuitable ambi,Ioa of Bonapar,e
would long since have been at an end, and
millions OF the human race whom he has
wantonly butchered, would it's day have
been enjoying an existence. Bat debased
Europe turned pale at the tyrant's frown,
and received hsiron chains without mur.
mur. Miserable nations, you deserve but
little pity, when you refuse TO fight tor So,
valuable prlzs as liberty.
Farther TRANSACTIONS for the " 1o,K E0e7a-
Ing Post. from Lisbon Gazshcs to the 1ss
Of November
LISBON, Oct 22.
Cspy Of o.After from Coi9nel Trant to his
exceAsncy the marshal commander in Chief
Co,MBRA, Oct. =.
SIa,
have great pleasure in informing your
exceIlency, that have this day happily en-
tered Coimbra, with the loss OF few Gsen
only killed and wounded.
In my letter Of TIE 9Th instant, had the
honor to inform you, that, intended to
proceed to Miaihada in the course of that
day, fpr the purpose Of forming junction
with the corps, which wee pud-r the com
mand of brigadirr genera! Miller, and Of
colonel Wilson, and making an attacku2on
the city; but when L arrivedthere, was
informed that the said corps were delayed
BY the want of supplies, in the dis,rict near
Busaco, which were completely exhausted,
and the cavalry not bs;ng able to advance
with rapidly on account Of thu tatigues-
which they had experienced in thcit iorner
marches.
The only alternative VIII. ch remained in
order to prevent any defensive MEASURES
from being taken in Cnio,bra, as was with
in three leagues Of the city, was TO march
thither with myown division only, il being
probable that the enemy wasas yet ignorant
OF nay arrival az MiaihaAa.
For this reason began my march at
midnight, preceded by squadron Of caval- 1
ry, commanded by that brave officer lieut..
Dontel, whose name on another occasion
[ mentioned TO your excellcncy. The re.
giment of Coimbra had the post OF honor
in front Of the column of infantry. Ny
plan of attack was to enter Coimbra at two
dlfFerent points at the same time; one divi
sion by the road of Oporto, and the other
separating itself from the column immedi-
ate!y On passing the kilns, was to gain the
heights east of the city, ane.. entering the
arch Of Santa Anna, to proceed to Loreto
but this plan was to be executed only in
case the enemy should be met with at the
gates.
at a small distance from the kiLns on the
road Of Malhada, | met a detachment of
the enemy to the left of this city, and com.
mencing FIRE | extended the cavalry TO
the kilns, and fortunately cut oft all COM
municasion with Coimbra. The enemy's
detachment surrendered after having lost