The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-05-27
FOREIGN .NEHC-

After a considerable lapse OF time, IN which
the mind was occupied BY deep interest rela-
tive to the affairs OF Europe, we are now suppl
ed with late and abundant accounts frem that
interesting portion Of the world. An arrival at
New-York. has furnished US with intelligence
from London to the god of April, from Paris TO
the goth, ana from Bayonne near the seat Of
war, 10 the nth Of that month. Suspense is at
amend, and al hopes and attempts of compro-
mise between France and Spain, are terminated
bv the actual commencement Of hostilities, aud
the violation Of the spanish scrrtory by an iuva-
ding army. On the 7th of April, division of
the French army crossed the Bridassoa, river
on the frontier of Spain, having its rise in the
Pvrenees they encountered there small corps
Of 600 men, consisting entirely of Frenchnicn
aud Italians, whom they pat to flight continu-
ing their march without meeting any opposition
from the Spaoish forces the advanced posts en-
tered BiiJoa and Pitto1ia. in the province of
Biscav previo,e TO the nth April B!5Oa is
about 200 miles from Madrid, and 80 within the
frontier. Although the Spaniards seemed deter
mined TO make no organized opposition to the
approach of the French army, but TO allow il 10
advance as they did that of Bonaparte into the
heart Of the countrvyet the small garrisons ofSt
Sebastian and Pampeiuna, have resolutGly held
out and the French had suffered defeats at both
Of those places At Guateria a few miles west
Of St. Sebastian on the bay Of Biscay, the French
boast Of having taken 200 men, and FIVE pieces
of cannon. If the Spanards had resolved TO
dispute the entrance OF the French into their
territory they would have met them 10 the pass
es Of the Prrences, where there would have been
. prospect OF success; since therefore they
abandoned those strong holds, il cannot be doubt
"a that they intend 10 pursue that mode of war
fare, which has before been found successful
with the same enemy suffer them to come into
the centre Of their country, and then cut them
off in detachmcnts, BY Gucrili4 parties, and BY
destroying their supplies. This is tie most Of
feCtua method, suited 70 the habits Of the people
and to be done at the least expence Of their own
blood. We are confirmed in the belief that tits
course viii be pursued, by tue fact that Burgos,
a rich city Of Old CASTLE, was abandoned about
TIC 1Ath April, before the enemy came near it,
The French army took up three lines Of march
ana probably entered Spain BY three different
passes Of the Pyre0ecs the first taken by the
army of Bayonne through pass of about %
leagues part of the great route from Ratonne
TO Madrid, and is the same taken by joseph
Bonaparte the second pursued by the division
~ Perpignan is about 90 miles through the noun
tains and leads from Perpignan TO Barcelona ;
the third pass and next in importance, leads from
Bayonne to Pampeluna, the capital of Navarro,
and was probably crossed BY the third line of the
army. These divisions were to have formed
line on the Ebro, about 100 miles within the Py-
Tences by the ed April, when it was said a de-
cisive blow would be struck, probably march
upon Madrid but take care gentlemen that the
. blew docs not recoil, that il ia not d back
handed one.
Flying columns of guerillas move about be-
tween the Pyrenees and the Ebro. They hover
round the French, harrass them and leave them
nothing to eat. Morilla commands the army Of
reserve in Gallicia, and takes position between
Leon and Astorga with from Is TO 10000 mon.
1t is stated by a respectable gentleman from Ca
diz, that the most determined spirit prevailed,
and the most rancorous hostility towards the
French name and nation. Not inc most distant
idea was haTboUrcd Of submsson-all ranks
united in the most determined resolution to resist
70 the last extremity. The Contradictions or
srnugglers amounting to $4,000 men, all well
mounted and armt d, are rs unanimous IS the
rest, they are men OF great courage aud intre-
rility.
The Fre?c3 army is divided into four corps and
ten divisions, and two divisions of dragons
The corps unier Marshal Money. is on the
frontier opposite Catalonia, ana is opposed TO
the army Of Nina, the whole not more than
81 600 men. Col. Jarroguay, better known by
IT,. anne Of FL PASTOR, has left the main army
and organizcllis jruetI.as,as mode Of warfare
adopted in S9ain since the days IT SERToRTUs.
The Spaniarls viii avoid every general action,
trusting 70 their usual mode Of attack and de-
fence.
Every private account from the frontier con-
Cured in opinion that the affair Of st. Sebastian