The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-02-04
FOREIGN ARTiCLES
SPANISH AFFAIRS

From the London Sfstesman Of Nou %.
Extract of a letter from British officer dated
Madrid, October 23
have already mentioned to you the mortificauon
we experienced in receiving orders to retreat can
neither express depict to you the misery OF the
poor Spanards When We came here after the battle
ofSalamanca, a military commission was instituted,
and great number of eminent charscers were stran
gled according to the Spanish usage for having man.
Tested too much friendship for the government of
Joseph.
Thus it was, that fear and not attachment induced
the people to take the new oath of delty which was
administered after official assurances by the British
and Spanish authorities, that the French were for
ever banshed and that the government OF the regen-
cy was re-estabshcd upon the hrmest basis. The
results Of such premature assurances could not be
otherwise than fatal, one, unless possessed OF
heart harder than rock, could retain from feeling
at hearing the lamentations Of those unhappy beings,
"a great number of whom Of the highest circle of
society going crowds to the English eadquarters,
to impiore protection and speaking loudly against
those drccptious promiass to which they were ike
" to become victims, and stating their fears of the
punishment the government of Joseph would infct
upon them for having yielded to our menaces. Their
situation is truly ptiful but our retreat will have
most fatal effect upon the common cause-it has
shaken the confidence Of the people in tho protec-
sion they expected from the English, and has prov
ed at least TO the Spaniards, that unable to
conquer their country, and rescue it from French
power.
We are all surprized to hear stated that it is be.
lieved in England, that the government we have es-
sablished, is popular in this country rely upon IT
you are much deceived I am as we'll acquainted
with Spain as most of the English officers here; and
can assure you, in the most positive manner, that
the government Of Joseph is. Of the two. the more
popular among the Spanards. The English army
costs them the same the French army but the
Spanish army and the Guerillas, are real scourges
20 the inhabitants wherever they direct their march
In word, assure you, positively. that notwith-
standing all you read in the papers in England, OF
ladies who come to meet VS., OF their courtesy At
balls and other places Of amusement, We have found
il quit. the contrary, for in most Of the towns thro
which we have passed, the greater part Of the wo-
men had disappeared, and followed the French IN
their retreat
Il is said we shall occupy anew our old lines at
Torres vedras for it s impossible for us to resist
the united force of the French, who have actually
in Spain upwards Of 10000 men: CAfarelli and
Souham have upwards of 10000 Joseph has with
him corps Of 10000 Sonlt and Suchet, between
them have certainly not less than 10000, including
the corps under General Decaeu. What have we to
oppose them Forty thousand English to the ut
most. We hourly expect to be joined BY Cen Hill
and after having made the parade OF forcing Sout
20 evacuate Andalusia and raising the siege OF Ca
diz, we are actually unable TO prevent the French
from coming back to that city, and even taking II,
unless the corps under General MAtla"d,be prompt
It is a measure, however, which cannot fail OF
taking place for if re-cnter Portugal that corps
must, suppose, re-embark on its return to Sicily
Seville and Cadix at present open to the army
remaining at Valencia, and could be occupied 1t the
same time unless the British arrive in time to for-
fy the latter for the former will certainly again
fall into the power Of the French without any difh
Guilty. It il known that the French have promised
20 the Inhabitants OF Seville the enjoyment Of the
city, provided they obtained the storo-houses lido
not believe. indeed, that Cadx be saved for it
is very probable the Frehch will make an attempt
gainst Il.
ain. ia fsc., we'll convinced, that without the
assistance Of TIE English troops stationed at Aicant,
the spausrds will not defend that place three days
against the attacks Of the French No one can tell
what will become Of the Regency, -ho did not dare
60 come to the continent during the shor, period Of
our prosperity. After the battle Of Salamanca, il
was believed that that body would resume lis sit.
tincs in Seville or in Grenada, or in Madrid but.
on the contrary, is shut up in Cadz, but from the
present turn Of affairs. and according to the pre-
vsulinx opinion know not if il dare sIt any sh~rc
Marshal Kutusow, the gallant cnief OF the kss.
s;sn armies we understand is in the 75th year OF
A.. 80. and has lived frsm his infancy in camp. He