Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-05-14
cadiz, Feb. IL. 1914.
MANIFESTO

ia
alderman, Sc ecclesiastical chapter. il.
lustrious consulado (6eard of commerce
and the inhabitants of the city of st. Se>
bastian. presented to the nation, upon the
conduct ofthe British and Portuguese
troops in that place, the 31st August, 1919,
and successive days.
The city of Sebastian has been burnt down
by the allied troops beseging it, after its in.
habitants had suffered the most horrid plum
der and atrocious treatment Of which there
exists any record in the history of civilized
Europe. The following is a simple and faith
ful narrative of this dreadful event.
Alter hive years of oppression and calami.
ties, the unfortunate inhabitants of this IN.
happy city, who anxiously waited for the
moment OF their liberty and welfare, which
they thought was near ane almost certain,
on the 18th OF June last, saw, with unu,ter.
able joy, appear on the heights ofSt. Bar.
tholomew, the three battalions of Guipuz,
Goa. under the command Of colonel d. Juan
Jose de ugartemendia. That day and the
following, many inhabitants went out with
eagerness, both with the desire of embracing
their deliverers, and also to avoid the dan
gers that the preparations of defence made
by the French who had already begun to
burn the suburbs of St. Cataline and ST. Mar
TIN. rendered inevitable. Although the ar
dent patriotism of the inhabitants of the CT.
ty induced them to believe that in few DAYS
the allies would be masters of it, vet they
were going to abandon it !; but the French
general Key. who commanded it, forbade
them to leave it, and the greatest part of the
inhabitants, with all their moveabies and ef-
fects (Which they likewise were not allow
ed to remove) were compelled to remain
shut up in the city.
The days of affection and lamentation that
these unhappy families passed since the
blockade OF the place, were converted into
siege by the approximation of the English
and Portuguese troops, who. under the com
mand OF lieut.. general sir Thomas Graham,
(now commander in chiefin Holland, doubt
less for this humane and moral achievement,
relieved the Spanish corps of observation, il
is needless to explain.-Any one may form
an idea OF the deprivations, sacrifices, alarms
and Tears OF so critical a situation, having to
endure the acquisitions, excessive and ex-
traordinary demands which the garrison
multiplied, with threats of death the lea,
lousy with which this garrison looked upon
the inhabitants, was such, that ON the 9TH
July, they took from them all the ropes.
ladders. pixies. shovels, pickaxes, and car
penters' tools, that they could find, besides
all the arms, without excepting the small-
est useless weapon--ail this under military
execution. 10 this state Of distress was ad
ded that which was caused by the prolony.
alton OF the defence, notwithstanding he
hottest fire of the allies, and the darare
which the shells and other prsjectiies which,
ether accidentally or intentionally, fell pp-
on the city, and augmented it's miseries.-
The prospect of approaching success, that
would put an end to so many caIamties, on
iy made them supportable. They expect
ed this from the assault of the 25th July, but
when this hope was frustrated, they we're
overcome by heart rending sorrow. They
could only find some alienation for their
greet, by affording assistance to the English
and Portuguese prisoners, taken in conse>
quence of this unsuccessful attack. The CT.
ty assisted them Immediately with wine,
chocolate, linen, beds, and other effects
The wounded were placed in the parish Of
81. Vincent, and attended to by its curatc.--
The presbyter, nsember of the Board &c BE :.
nehcence. with the greatest zeal. took care
of the prisoners who were in the goal. iris
benevolent proceeding. and that of all the
inhabitants, who also gave them every spe-
cies OF assistance, according to their means,
was looked upon with jealous eye by the
French, who, displeased likewise with the
visits that were made to three officers, pri
soners, put them into the goal, and after
wards transferred them to the castle, as the
officers themselves, and the other prisoners
OF both nations. may testify, especially Don
Jose Gucves Pinto, captain Of the 18th Por.
tusuese regiment. and James Syret, ieuten
ant OF the 9th English regiment.
Meanwhile the evils increased--for, from
the sd July to the 29tl, SO houses in the ward
near the breach, were burnt and DESTROYED
by the batteries of the allies but this fire
was entirely stopped and extingushed, the
18th July, by the active dispositions Of the
! Ayuntamlen, and there was not afterward.