Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-19
Summary.
FnoM THE Essex Rrersrrs. of Aug. 5.


Our news from Portugal is still donbtfnl hseems
to be agreed that the fortress of 3atlaoz bSS rst
been taken by the English, aud il mas been render
ed uncertain whether they havepushed the siege of
that place, or whether they have not abandoned il
The English and French appear TO have been rein.
forced but with what influence upon their respective
operations we have yet TO discover. As Badaioz
seems to have checked the progress of the armies in
Portugal, il may be proper to fix the position of this
fortress. Lisbon is accurately given at Lat So, AZ.
Is N. and Long Q, 81, IS, T.. ofFerro. In the same
lattude and about two degrees eastward, laws Ba-
daioz, about one hundred miles distant It has long
been frontier town of Spain, and the capital othe
province tn which it belonged IL was an ancient
Roman station, and its present name is a corruption
Of the name il bore under the Romans. The popu-
aton was before the present 6Oo0 and as an anci
ent place its establishments we're rich. Ii upon
the Guardiana, Il the old Roman bridge upon this III
yer is 700 PAGES long, which is covered by fort
Besides the Castle of ST Michael, il has two forts
the one above mentioned, st. Chrstophers and
the Pardaexas. II has become memorable in two
wars Of Spain, in which the Portuguese unsuccess-
fully attempted to take it. The first was after the
Pyrenean treaty, about century and an half from
the present times, when the Spaniarls had several
warm actions with the Portuguese, and in which
they gained some great victories and as severe ,e-
teats-The Portuguese, with all their assistance
from France, could not command this fortress In
the beginning of the last ccntary when the Spaniartls
and French had suffered in Italy, the Portuguese
had been encouraged to enter Spain, and had Dene-
capital supportedb by the Austrian party in favor of
Charles against Philip, yet these advantages were A.
bandoned before this fortress had fallen into their
hands, though placed upon the frontiers of their
kinSdom.-lts resistance TO the French was not
worthy OF its ancient military history, but il was in
circumstances in which the reputation OF the French
arms made its resistance ingorious, aud the state
OF Spain could promise no concurrence with the
brave troops of the garrison.
To the expectations of war between Russia and
France, have succeeded other expectations from
tales Of The nature Our last accounts assured
us that English ships Of war with English merchant
men, had been seen in the Belts, and since reports
have been spread that the English had landed ON
Zealand, on which stands Copenhagen, ttr capital
city OF Denmark. II must be IN fessed thai The no
siton OF Zealand and Fuen, which islands form the
great and httle Belts favorable TO an attemptfrom
gre.t and naval power; hut IL is very improbable
that the present state of the war will allow sniff
Gent land force from England to maintain honora-
bly, such positions even IL the possession Of the is
band should be given without any resistance from
the inhabitants. VIC may give the island of Zca.
land at 20 by so miles, and Fucn 30 by So aud while
FueD bias about 100 thousand inhabitants Zealand
may have four times that number, OF which n fill
belong TO ff capital. This general statement gives
60 these WRISTBANDS about one llth of the
of Go ghoc kingdom as it stood at the setrinnfffe
OF the present century. WcBse general statcty,enl
as more easily comprchcnded, and more adapted Il
common use. Report has not been busy with Den.
mark only. II Is sail that the Swedish Ccof has m,
wholly escaped from British glance aud wher
we consider what sacrifices the English made 20 eair
possession OF the Danish fleet, aad az what hazar,
We cannot doubt ot full dspOs ton 20 l,oJ ever,
thing which might DO converted into naval force
aud united TO the strength Of tl,oir enemies. Bn
We have no history OF az expedition which ooad pro
mise such adventurous aftefDpf upon tI, stato,
IN which the lcctis held The object is sI,at one
aud tle pubic mind viii not forget tlat il exist,
DsPosscssed Of the liarbors of Finland, upon Wbic
much expenee With great ability had been bcs,oe eli
It has leit 10 the naturally strong hprbor of (arl
| ships Of the line, uiough at the beginning Of n,
| century II bed not half that Number StiIlits ~,
force Is an object IN the present state of naval move
| IN Europe CsrlscFona lfs above 10 tl,oussod il
bab'tsets, aud mas been privileged above \ ccntur
as place og commerce. and las hen ,ev, ~, II
capital AZ consequence 10 the nation. Tie doekya,