Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-06-19
From the Boston Daily adsertiser.
Extracts from Memoranda made in Eu
rope, 1815-16.

Leave BfusselIs for Antwelp-the ap
pearance oflarge vessels on the cam
through the groves is very singular al,
picturesque. They seem to have wan
|dered from the ocean and TO be lost OF
dry land. Antwerp has very powerfu
ancient wa!ls, with bastions, strengthened
by numerous well constructed modern out
works. The gates are defended by strons
classmates ard the bitches BY water. tn.
|citadel which rises little above the towl
lis particularly strong, it is perfectly re-
|gular after Vaaban, with revetment Of
brick and strong casemates and raveiins
From this the country can be lad unde'
water on one side for ten or fifteen miles
The British general Crawford was i
command at Antwerp, though the patcl
were taking possession. tie is ver
distinguished and experienced officer, Q,
noble figure and presence. He marrie,
into an American family, and honored H.
with Tie mos, ios;sitab.e attentions, at
tending me to the works and showing ey.
cry thing worthy Of notice. This place
is So strong that ne thinks if the British
had made their projected attack here in
time Of the Waleheren expedition, they
must have been demolished am in
formed By others however, that Antwert
was at that time in great want Of troops
and anmunltion. Carnot vas in COM
mand here VIXEN it was besieged by the
British, and erected many exterio, works,
but what is extraordinary, not one after
the plan he advocates in his trea-
tise on defence Of pieces. lie destroyed
three four hundred houses which woulu
have sheltered the English approache
yet he is allowed to have conducted viii
great moderation. Tie English mao,
90 breach, nor any attack Oh the Gu
except by shells, rockets &c. to burn ship.
IN the dock. !,
There is an immense quantity of arm.
ia the arsenal, the most remarkable o..
which are the new Invented mortar called
Napoleons, They are ofbiass with sIde
rical chambers and cominon platforms,
are thought By gen. Crawford to surpass
al other models.
Antwerp is one Of the best ports fc.j
commerce in the world, especially sine,
Bonapa,te made his fine basins or docks,
l.efe.-ihe largest is most grand ahd,
extensive undertaking and very nec2ssa-
ry protection against the current and ic,
of the Scheidt. 1t is nearly complete
ana can already contain vast euantit,
Of shipping. The bottom is lined with
brick. Here also are immense rope walk.
and navy yard, it being the place selec :
ed by Bonapa:te to shelter and construci
his feet.
The banks of the river opposite the city
ire very formidable from multiplied poa :
.rful acid works. Here it was the in
,ention of Bonaparte to found city,.
aud to quarter fifty thousand troops, O.
,,ig.ng every regiment to construct one
lonse.
Tie road to tihent is through rich;
md highly cultita ted country, as is all
he low country lats.ij, a nexed to Hol-|
and. The hedges ars Of holly, a hand
come evergreen, with vs,ry small thofny
cal, and some apparently Of cedars cut
nte fantastic shapes, and many OF theI
eats are surrounded with water.-Am|
,harged here more than other company
n the tavern and reason frankly given.
because was an Eugiishman.
Client is remarkable for its noisys
inning clocks. great nuisance, and IA
nous church, having another within aud
mother under Itself. My travelling Gem
'snion was q young Roman Catholic
'riest, striking example Of the esprit du
erps, and personal interest in their reii-
ion, for which his order is distinguished. !
T. well knew he history of his rc}igionI
nd situation OF cur country and Rumbe,
{ missionaries. lie informs me that out
ishop Carol so universally respected
vas OF the order Of Jesuits. ard has sar-
nine hopes Of his religion among Us
n hen We recel.ect that the most nHiDer
us sect of christians in our capital cit |
+ Philadel phia are Catholics we must al |
,w his hopes arc not without grounds.- |
in attack being made on religion, an &C |
urrence very frequent in diligences al
his country and France, he defended itl
ictcrlously except IS to the celibacy OIL
&c clergy; a coarse Belgic army su' |.
con advanced arguments against thi,
rom his professional theory, and prac-
ice among tie clergy, which were rathe,l
ldelicate, but perfectly erabltI
nd conclusive. and left our priest mel
esort but being angry. l learned fronsI
i'm that clerical celibacy was not abso !
.tcly part Of their religion but an ordo-I
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