Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-09-14

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country unguarded as far TO the frontiers,
and i, was not considered safe to proceed on
account of the band:tu so long established
on this part of the road. They had been
enlisted in the Nespolitan army and were
distinguished by particular badge, but pro-
badly had returned to their former occupa-
ton. Ii is not indeed Considered prudent
TO trusts ones self with the inhs bi,ants OF
these villages on the frontiers where no
guard is stationed We had therefore no al
tentative but TO return to Naples. From
sunset unit! midnight we were passing thro'
the retrestlng soldiers, and were then adj
mtted into Capua at postero gate with a
number Of them.
Our Positions were obliged to stop, and
the carriages for there Was one extra CARR
age, which had failed few days betore,)
were loaded with soldiers behind and be-
fore. so that the horses could only walk
The two couriers were too much inundated
to assert their rights as public officers with
an important public trust. they were
dragged from their carriages and obliged to
give up their places to the soldiers Onre
presenting that we were foreigners and out
of health, we were finally left in quiet pos
session, but still not without anxiety. II was
evident that there was no subordination, and
we passed dead body which was said 10
have been one of several left in quarrel
Our situation was not more agreeable when
we arrived at Capau. The horses were ia
ken Of and we left with the carriages IN
the streets, which were crowded with sol
d,ers. Our couriers deserted US with the
promise of speedy return, which they pro
baby designed TO break. and ignorant as we
were of the place, our only resource was to
pass The night in the carriage with our bag
gage. When the morning Of The 18th came
we at length found our trembling couriers,
and required them to 60 on; but they told us
the militia were dishanded. in other words,
they had deserted their officers, and were
ungov ernabIe that the postmaster would not
trust his horses out; that We should be at
tackled on the road, and must stay near the
officers. We did not, however, regard this
as any security. and insisted on their depar-
ture. With great difficulty We succeeded,
probably because We were then made the
bearer of dispatches to Naples. We CONT.
nued to pass through the returning soldiers,
and should have encountered the same diff
cuties as before if we had yielded 10 the
tlmid counsels of those appointed our guar
dams, but by rewards 10 the postillions,
and urging them on to quick pace, we es-
caped and reached Naples al noon; and for
,unate we were in escaping from Cspau. In
the course Of the day general muliay took
place, the soldier. fred upon .heir generals,
and they were only saved by few ialAlul
guards.
As soon as this state of things was known
at Naples, guarCs were stationed at the en-
frances Of the city 10 disarm the volunteers
who so lately passed through with so much
applause of .lhe people. Much difficulty
arose 10 the execution OF this MEASURE
Sore OF the neighbourng villages became
scenes of violence and bloodshed. The in
bab;tants were barrassed and often injured
by the lawless des' rters and 1t was consider
ed unsafe for a stranger 10 90 out OF Naples.
Even there tor few days The people were
:, state OF anxious suspense. Much was
feared from the enemy, and more from their
ow n disbandeh soId'ery.
Nothing could be known ISith certain
ty. Sometimes twas said the Austriahs
were at Aversa-then that they were on
their march, and at one time it was even
reported that they had possession of the
Castle of St. Elmo on the hill which
commands the city. At length news ar
rived of the capitularion for the surreR-
der of Capua, the last place where resis-
lance could be made. The Royal Guard,
who were the only remains of their large
army, marched out with the honors of
war, and soon after reached Naples and
resumed their office as its guardians.-
The office Of Courier and the mode Of
conveying the mail in Italy may not be ia
miI,ar TO every reader. II is not conveyed
as with US by contractors and passed from
driver to driver.-At regular distances vary
ing from to 10 miles, post houses are es-
tablished, furnished with horses and pos
tilion to every pair, superintendent by a
postmaster all at the expense ofgoyernment.
The mail and the passengers who are to
travel with N on in the same carriape until