The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-08-25
We a. -
Encouraging Yisso of Snain


An intelligen, gentleman, who arrived
here (says the New. York Mercantile
Advertiser Of Thursday in the sch. New
Priscilla, from Gibraltar has furnished
us with the following information of the
state OF Spain, which, although Of no la.
ter date than hitherto received, disclose
some circumstances Of interest not before
known, and will serve to raise the hopes
OF those who have fears for the result of
the contest in that country:
The New Priscilla left Gibraltar the
An OF July, up to which time no iurpor-
tant event had occurred in Spain BY
which decided and correct oninion
could be formed as to the final result of
the present contest there. The king
and cortes were al Cadiz, which city was
invested by the French, both by sea and
land, not SO etfec,ually however as to pre.
vent supplies of provisions and bread,
stuHs going forward from Gibraltar by
the way of the river Santa Petre. The
whole French force in Andalusia is said
not TO exceed $4,000 men; much less
than That number invest Cadiz The cx
traordinary march of this body of men,
from Madrid by the pass OF Desperate
ros, through Seville towards Cadiz,with
out meeting with the slightest opposition
a'tho' confidently believed twice the pum-
Der were provided to oppose them, excl
ted in The minds of all who were not in
the secret the highest degree of distrust
towards the present leaders, and almost
extlnSulshed the remaining hope of c.
veDmalIy sustaining the constitutional
system. The successful march Of the
enemy was soon however attributed to its
right cause.-the disaffection Of general
Villa Campo who was charged with the
defence of The pass of Despenaperos and
who shortly alter declared tor The Roy
alists.
About fifteen hundred OF his men at
tirst only accompanied him for few days,
and then abandoned him, and it is re.
markable circumstance that neither this
general nor the condo de Ab;sbal were
able in their disafiection to convey TO
the ranks of the French army single
Spanish soldier. Cadiz remained firm,
and there was no prospect OF its surren-
derlng to the French SO long as there was
The least hope of some advantage being
obtained over the enemy by Ballasteros,
Nina, Eayas, or some Of the other chiefs,
and which, from the state Of feeling
known to exist in Spain, was confidently
believed would be followed by an imme,
date and total destruction OF the French
now in the country. The towns in Spain
through which the march Of the French
troops is directed, exhibit scenes of in
finite distress and misery, the French pe-
lng generally preceded by horde of the
most abandoned Spaniards, termed
Facc;osos. A town for some time
previous to the arrival of the former, be-
comes the object of the most wanton dis.
astrous abuses. But in no instance has
this rabbic been successful when opposed
to the national militia, unless they have
had the French their "holy allies" to aid
them. The French entered Valencia on
the 18th of June, under court Molitor-
they intend 10 direct re.rogade march
towards barcelona, which place is in
high state OF defence. Gen. Nina,
whose army is not sufficiently numerous
to risk general action, or TO oppose the
march of the French, hangs on their rear
and tanks, keeping up his familiar guer-
rila warfare. Barcelona continued inef>
iectua.ly blockaded by sea.
ihe whole country being under mar.
tIal law the general mails were con.
stantly Ipterfupted,and even private COM
munications by expresses 10 and from
Gibraltar were difficult TO be Effected
The last accounts from general Ballas>
jeros,who now seems commander in chief
IN Andalusis, were that he was directing
his march from the kingdom of Valen-
cha towards the pass of Despenaperos, and
after placing il in state Of defence, to
prevent the passage of more French
troops into ADdalusa from the other
side of Sierra dc Moreno, intended to
proceed towards Cadiz to raise the
siege Of that city. On his march his ar
my was fast increasing its numbers-and
l'c was concentrating the best blood and
talent of the country. Among others
who were passing from CadIz 10 join hun,
and who visited Gibraltar in their route,
were generals Zayas and LalIemand
The former is brave and intelligent
soldier who distinguished himself at Ma.
drid after the desertion of Abisbal. The
latter is too well known in America TO
need any description here.
The received opinion III regard to the
affairs Of Spain, is that even should the
French succeed in restoridg the king to
his absolute power and dispensing the