Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-02-16

ed the balconies and windaws of the houses to
hail aud applaud those whom they Thought
their deliverers, were soon taught to regret
their ili.placed confidence, which was of short
duration, they being compelled to shut them.
selves up in their houses, the victors having
commenced firing on them, in return for their
potteness; they rushed into the dwelling hou-
ses at the inhabitants, and ptundered them OF
every valuable article they contained.
On the first OF the present month they seem
ed Infatuated with the spirit Of demons, com.
nii.ting every species OF outrqge, assassination,
and violation Of women. throughout every part
OF the city. The houses were filled with dead
bodies, aud the woman who made resistance
sups 70 her sex, paid the forfeit OF her life
--neitlsr ths infant OF ten years OF age, nor the
matron ct sixty, were exempt from their bru a
yi'''erre I am not able to give ,ou list of all
Who wese tise victims of this (second, days be-
ing too nnnseroas--b,rt will mention tho
names of some OF your acquaintanoes. The
priest Goicoechioy Egana, of 40 years old IA.
viera, tue servant OF the curate Eriz; the me-
ther-in-law de Echaniz the silversmth's wife,
Brevilla the keeper of the jail the chocolate
maker, who kept his shop in the house of L..
arramindi; the other chocolate maker, who was
married To the servant known BY the name OF
the Good Girl, and many others.
With respect TO the violation of women, you
will excuse me for not mentioning any names
hut in orderto give you an idea Of their
enormities, 1 will relate to you an act which
happened 10 an intimate friend OF ours, who was
the father OF an innocent daughter OF twelve
years of age. In order not to be an eye witness
sof the horror about to be perpetrated, he sue
ceeded in ransoming her for the sum of twelve
dollars. being all the money he then posses.
sed. 80
1t is impossible to ascertain the number of
martyrs to 0irfue on that terrible day, for nnm-
bers OF them were burned 10 death, and buried
in the ruins OF their houses. Oh my friend |!
what spectacle was at that moment presented
to the father of family, on beholding such
scenes Multitudes of centinels prevented all
communication with The houses, when cruelties
Of every kind were committing therein-whiist
the French prisoners, their real enemy, remain.
ed unmolc sted and projected. Neither was
our holy religion respe cted--the churches were
broken,oPen and pill g-d and not finding in
one of them the sacred chalice Which had
been carefully secured by the curate, they pro
ceeded to hi house, and compsiled him to
give it up, and the Hosts, which they dashed
to the ground and destroyed. The cufate. &C
tuaied with religious zeal, attempted 10 gather
hem np--but in c: deayoring to exc cute his
pious intention, they seized him, tore off his
clothes, and after beating him unmercifully,
kicked him naked into the street. shirt,
given TO HIM BY woman, was, by those mons,
ters, torn off his back. Suffice il to ;say, that
the human imagination cannot conceive any
.species nf .atrocn. that was not coonired on,
.;iG.t Day, hicf viii DC e,ser r...In,..a bfe 20
every good Spaniard.
The next morning they set fire TO the city
at the corner OF one of the principal streets.
In the eyeaing it had extended as far as the
Esc0fIa street and the following morning il
had reached Pi.yeuto, d in the evening IS far
as Juan de Bi6oa. and the Playa .Neuva in a
word, TIE city was systematically burned and
piilaged. During all this period, the fire of the
enemy was discontinued that is TO say, from
the tine they took refuge in the citadel, until
the whole city was destroyed. A few houses,
however, in Gale de la Trinidad were saved
from the flames for barracks ;or the soldiery.-
when 1 reflect on these transactions, ny ina
gination is lost in an abyss Of horror. We have
not forgotten, that St. Sebastians, during
peace, possessed considerable trade with
France, which was injurious to the commerce of
Great britain; We also remember that il was a
place Of maritime importsnce-and with small
expehce, under a wise administration of gov
eminent, might become port of still greater
importance. Gen. Graham haviRg retired TO
oyarznn during the conAagrati on, and not CAL,
ing on the inhabitants OF the vicinity to as
sist in extinguishing the flames until the fifth
day, when the city was nearly reduced to ASH
es, strengthens the inference to be drawn from
these observations.
Such is the lamentable fate of this patriotic
city, which has adhered to the just cause of
liberty with undertaking perseverance, amidst
French bayonets, for the space of six years,
during which they have been separated from
the government to which they have been ever
attached, We would commisserate the fate
OF Pampeluna, Tortosa, Barcelona, &c. il we
had no before us the catastrophe of St. Sebas-
tians and 1T is TO be feared, that the inhabi.
tants OF those cities may take up arms against
the besiegers, and the result, we fear, if they do
not take care to inspire themselves with conf.
dehce since it cannot be forgotten that the Spani.
ard who attempts TO protect his Preside is a re.
spectacle enemy, in comparison to him who
SCOTS at his virtues. Thus far for the pre-.
sent
Receive my cordial affection and COM
mand yoar humble nephew, who kisses your
hand
MIRRINGUI yELAyERDE.