most efficacious protection will be afforded them, whatever their situation, whether in the army, the state, or the church. Reflect, Portugueze, on your situation, and consi der well these generous offers while it is time; but let your submission be prompt and sincere, if you wish to avoid the evils from which I would save you, and your country shall shine with new splendour."

On the 20th of March the French ap'peared in considerable force within three leagues of Oporto; but the people feeling much confidence in the strength of the place, expected that it was capable of a formidable resistance. The command of the works was confided, by unanimous consent, to Colonel Arkwick, of the German Legion, whose activity in the whole management entitled him to that honour. He continued his command no longer than the French continued out of sight, for as soon as they appeared, he was displaced, and the command given to the Portuguese. The bombardment commenced on the 27th, and there was some trifling show of resistance; but the moment the enemy came nearer to the town, and made a serious attack, all resistance was at an end; the works were deserted, and the French allowed to enter. About 9000 entered the town on the 29th and 30th; from 6000, to 8000 were left in the rear. The French have obtained possession of about 20 vessels in the harbour, on board of which had been shipped about 3000 pipes of wine. These vessels had been prevented from getting to sea, in consequence of the return of such weather as rendered the bar impassable.

The Bishop exerted himself to the ut most to instil his own brave, spirit into his countrymen, but without the least success. He went on board the Niobe frigate, and got safe to Lisbon alongst with some British officers.

While the French were employed in reducing Oporto, it appears that the Portugueze General, Francisco de Silveira Pento da Fonseca, retook the town of Chaves, with the loss on the part of the enemy of 300 killed and 200 wounded. The rest of the French, to the number of about 600, had retired to the fort of St Francisco.

The Prince Regent has appointed General Beresford, Field Marshal and Commander in Chief of the Portugueze army. The Marshal has in consequence publish ed a Proclamation to his army, announcing his appointment, and calling upon the Portuguese to exert themselves in acquiring a knowledge of the military exercise, and to observe a proper subordination to their of ficers, and recommending to the study of the latter the present state and improve ment of the army;-and as the best me, thod of introducing discipline and a strict

observance of duty into a military corps, consists in the example set by the officers, he hopes they will never fail to give their men a lesson so necessary and important.

Marshal Beresford has issued General Orders to the Portuguese army, on the capture of Oporto by the French, accusing them of the most shameful anarchy and insubordination, as the cause of the loss of that city.

The great city of Oporto, (he says} defended by 24,000 men, with trenches and redoubts furnished with more than 200 pieces of artillery, fell an easy conquest to an enemy of little more than half the number of its garrison, notwithstanding the people and their defenders were loyal and brave, because that enemy had been able to produce, under the appearance of patriotism, disunion, and a general insubordination; the consequences of which must ever be most ruinous. The Marshal therefore hopes that the army will perceive that we ought always to distrust those who have been with the French or their partizans, and whatever reports they may propagate, as they are undoubtedly paid by the enemy to promote confusion and distress-the arms of which they make the most dange

Ious use.

"At the same time, and in the same manner, the enemy made themselves masters of the bridge of Villa Nova. Let the troops be subordinate to their officers, and observe strict military discipline, and our country will have nothing to fear. The enemy is in possession of Oporto; so he was of Chaves; but this place he has lost again, with more than 1500 men, including prisoners, and killed. Brigadier-General De Silveira informs me that he has taken 12 pieces of artillery, a great quantity of arms and ammunition, and 80 horses. Recollect, soldiers, that this officer, when prudence dictated to him the necessity of retiring from Chaves, where, from the nature and number of his forces, he was incapable of resisting the enemy, those pretended patriots raised a cry of treason against him, and induced a great number of the despisers of discipline to attempt the defence of that place, which they surrendered without firing a gun, with the troops that had been deceived by them; but the firmness of the General saved the rest of the army, and placed it in a situation to acquire greater glory, and merit the thanks of its country."

"

Of the ruinous insubordination of the Portuguese soldiery, alluded to by Ge neral Beresford, we have another lamentable instance, in the conduct of their northern army, on the approach of the French to Oporto; though we

en

entertain great doubts of its truth. The following relation is given in private letters from Lisbon, dated March 23. "Upon the approach of the French vanguard, the armed inhabitants of Braga waited upon the Portuguese General, B. Frere d'Andrade, in great numbers, offering to advance and meet the French force; he refused them, alledging it would be imprudence and madness to attack in the passes; that he had provided every thing, and would give them battle. The great number of the people from the country, who hourly joined the citizens from all parts, and the rapid advance of the French, caused the peasantry to be exceedingly clamorous, and even furious. They attacked the General and his guards. A conflict ensued, when the peasantry forced the house, and instantly killed the General and his Aid-de-Camp, literally cutting them to pieces. One of his secretaries, who survived a short time, after receiving several stabs, begged for mercy, and offered to make a tull disclosure. He pointed out the places where the ammunition was buried, together with two papers, which proved that the General had agreed with the French Commander to admit 30,000 troops, in three divisions, into Portugal. The terms, &c. were fully proved; in consequence of which, the Marquis Lola, and three other noblemen, commanders of the for. ces, were seized and sent to Lisbon."

We have no further explanation of this melancholy occurrence; but it is now generally believed that the Portuguese officers were intirely innocent of the charge of treason against their coun try, and that the whole business originated (and the address of General Beresford warrants the inferenee) from let ters and reports circulated by French emissaries, for the purpose of spreading anarchy among the people;-a practice which the French have systematically fallowed in every country which they wished to subdue.

The British Government have determined to assist the Portuguese with a. nother army from England. It already amounts to 30,000 men, and Sir Arthur Wellesley arrived at Lisbon on the 22d of April to resume the command. Gen. Beresford was indefatigable in exercising the Portuguese army, to enable them to co operate with some effect.

SURRENDER OF FORT ROSAS. Accounts have been received from Lord Collingwood, of the surrender of Fort Rosas in Catalonia, to the French, on the 5th of December last, after an arduous siege, in which the enemy suffered an immense loss. His Lordship bestows the highest praise on the heroic spirit and ability of Captain Lord Cochrane, in defending this fortress, though so shattered in its works, against the repeated attacks of the enemy. Lord Cochrane's letter relative to this service (which was not strictly in his-professional line) is interesting, and exhibits a wonderful instance of courage and zeal. It is dated Imperieuse, Bay of Rosas, December 5. 18c8.

MY LORD, The Fortress of Rosas being attacked by an army of Italians in the service of France, in pursuance of discretionary orders that your Lordship had given me, I hastened here.-The citadel, on the 22d, was already half invested, and the enemy making his approaches towards the south-west bastion, which was blown down last war, by the explosion of a magazine, and tumbled into the ditch; a few thin ̈ ́ planks and dry stones had been put up by the Spanish engineer, perhaps to hide the defect. All things were in the most deplorable state, both without and within; even measures for their powder, and saws for their fusees were not to be had; hats and axes supplied their place. The castle of Trinidad, situate on an eminence, but commanded by heights, was also invested. Three twenty-fourpounders battered in breach, to which a fourth was afterwards added; and a passage through the wall to the lower bomb-proof being nearly effected, on the 23d the marines of the Fame were withdrawn. I went to examine the state of the castle, and to give every possible assistance to the Spaniards. I thought this a good opportunity, by occupying a post on which the acknowledged safety of the citadel depended, to render them an effectual service. The garrison then consisted of about eighty Spaniards, and were on the point of surrendering; accordingly I threw myself into it, with fifty seamen and thirty marines of the Imperieuse. Suffice it to say, that about one thousand bags, besides barrels and pallisadoes, suppiled the place of walls and ditches;

and

and that the enemy, who assaulted the castle on the 30th with a thousand picked men, were repulsed, with the loss of their Commanding Officer, storming equipage, and all who attempted to mount the breach. The Spanish garrison being changed, gave good assistance; and Lieutenant Bourman, of the regiment of Ultonia, who succeeded to the command of the Spanish soldiers in the castle, on Capt. Fitzgerald's being wound.. ed in the hand, deserves every thing his country can do for an active and gallant officer. As to the officers, seamen and marines of this ship, the fatigues they underwent, and the gallant manner in which they behaved, deserve every praise.

The citadel of Rosas capitulated at twelve o'clock this day. Seeing, my Lord, further resistance in the castle of Trinidad useless and impracticable against the whole army, the attention of which had naturally turned to its reduc tion, after firing the trains for exploding the magazines, we embarked in the boats of the Magnificent, Imperieuse and Fame. I have, &c. COCHRANE.

The Imperieuse lost in this service, 3 marines killed. and 4 seamen and 3 marines wounded. The Spaniards two killed, and 5 wounded.

WAR BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND FRANCE. The renewal of hostilities between these powers has been confidently anticipated for many months by the politicians of the Continent. But all doubts respecting the final resolution of the Emperor Francis to hazard another contest for the independence of his States, have now vanished. Hostilities have actually commenced, dreadful battles have been fought, and immense numbers have fallen on both sides. Reser ving till our next more authentic and distinct details of these operations than we are at present enabled to give, the following preliminary information seems necessary.

It would appear that the perfidious conduct of Bonaparte to the Royal Family of Spain and the Spanish nation last year, excited the utmost indignation, not only in the Court of Vienna, but throughout the whole of the popu Jous States of Austria. The attachment of the Emperor of Russia to the French

despot, which he avowed so plainly at the conferences at Erfurth, and the unexpected, but temporary rupture of the usual amicable relations between Turkey and Great Britain, induced the Emperor of Austria to take measures for his better security. The recruiting of the army was increased to a vast extent, and in the month of October a force of 400,000 men was embodied in the different provinces, amply provided with military stores and camp equipage. Thus prepared, and having secured the friendship of Turkey, who, notwithstanding the breach with England, was still hostile to the French, the Emperor Francis proposed to the Court of St Petersburgh an alliance between the three Courts. The Emperor Alexander, still under the fatal influence of French Councils, not only declined the alliance, but tommunicated the proposal to Bonaparte. The latter, highly enraged, instructed his ambassador Andreossi at Vienna, to demand, categorically, and without reserve, that the Emperor Francis should acknowledge Joseph Bonaparte lawful King of Spain, that he should deliver up the ports of Trieste and Fiume to the French troops, that he should withdraw all the Austrian troops to beyond 15 leagues from these ports; and finally, that the whole Austrian army should be Andreossi made and enforced with the reduced to 40,000 men. These demands usual insolent and threatening language employed in French diplomatic communications. But the Counsellors of Francis stood firm, and rejected the whole with just contempt. On which Andreossi left Vienna some time in February.

On the 1st of March the Austrian army was put on the war establishment, and the Archduke Charles appointed Generalissimo, with extensive powers. The army was divided into nine Corps, to be commanded by the Archdukes, Prince John of Lichtenstein, Generals Rosenberg, Klenau, and Bellegarde. A great promotion had taken place of officers who had distinguished themselves in former campaigns. The people of the several provinces had testified their loyalty to the Emperor, and their attachment to the independence of their country, by crowding to the army in immense numbers. In the beginning of March, the different divisions of the army began to assemble on the frontiers,

On the 11th of March, the Archduke Charles published the following proclamation at Vienna :

"We, Charles Lewis, Imperial Prince of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduke of Austria, and Generalissimo of the whole Imperial and Royal Army. Our beloved Monarch summons all those of his subjects who are not by law obliged to repair to the standing army, to unite themselves in battalions, in order to serve their country beyond the boundaries of the here ditary dominions, in case it should be menaced by the enemy. When, in the year 1800, the country was in danger, I called out, in the name of the Monarch, the volunteers of Bohemia and Moravia. Thousands soon united to form a legion, which bore my name; and this legion would soon have grown to an army, if a sudden peace had not put an end to their exertions. It is not necessary to appeal to the acts of your ancestors.How many they withstood through fortitude and patriotism, I appeal to yourselves. Ye are still what ye were in the year 1800. The same courage and patriotism that inspired you then, in spire you now. I reckon now as then upon your arm. Some of you are prohibited from abandoning your dwellings, in obedience to the voice of honour, by domestic incidents and occurrences. But these will still remain for the protection of the interior of the empire, the preser vation of property, and the maintenance of good order. But those who are not fixed to their paternal hearths by other duties and relations, are to form themselves into battalions, and may lay claim to all those advantages which our beloved Sovereign has attached to this patriotic resolution."

On the 6th of April the Archduke Charles joined the Imperial army in Bohemia, when he issued the following PROCLAMATION.

"The protection of our country calls us to new exploits. As long as it was possible to preserve peace by means of sacrifices, and as long as these sacrifices were consistent with the honour of the throne, with the security of the state, and with the welfare of the people, the heart of our bountiful Sovereign suppressed every painful feeling in silence; but when all endeavours to preserve a happy independence from the insatiaMay 1809.

ble ambition of a foreign conqueror proves fruitless, when nations are falling around us, and when lawful Sovereigns are torn from the hearts of their subjects; when, in fine, the danger of universal subjugation threatens even the happy states of Austria, and their peaceful fortunate inhabitants, then does our country demand its deliverance from us, and we stand forth in its defence.

"On you, my dear brother soldiers, are fixed the eyes of the universe, and of all those who still feel for national honour and national prosperity. You shall not have the disgrace of becoming the tools of oppression. You shall not carry on the endless wars of ambition under distant climes. Your blood shall never flow for foreign interests and foreign covetousness; nor on you shall the curse alight to annihilate innocent nations; and, over the bodies of the slaughtered defenders of their country, to pave the way for a foreigner to the usurped throne. A happier lot awaits you; the liberty of Europe has taken refuge under our banners. Your victories will loose its fetters, and your brothers in Germany, yet in the ranks of the enemy, long for their deliverance. You are engaged in a just cause, otherwise I should not appear at your head.

"On the fields of Ulm and Marengo, whereof the enemy so often reminds us, with ostentatious pride, on these fields will we renew the glorious deeds of Wurtsburgh and Ostrach, of Liptingen (Stockach) and Zurich, of Verona, of the Trebbia and Novi. We will conquer a lasting peace for our country; but the great end is not to be attained without great virtues. Unconditional subordination, strict discipline, persevering courage, and unshaken steadiness in danger, are the companions of true fortitude. Only an union of will and a joint co-operation of the whole lead to victory.

My Sovereign and brother has invested me with extensive powers, to reward and to punish. I will be everywhere in the midst of you, and you shall receive the first thanks of your country from your General on the field of battle. The patriotism of many of the Austrian Nobility has anticipated your wants: This is a pledge, in the fullest measure, of the public gratitude; but punishment shall also with inflexi

ble

ble rigour, fall on every breach of duty: Merit shall meet with reward, and offence with animadversion, without distinction of person or rank; branded with disgrace, shall the worthless person be cast out, to whom life is dearer than his and our honour.-Adorned with the marks of public esteem, will I present to our Sovereign, and to the world, those brave men who have deserved well of their country, and whose names I will ever carry in my heart.

"There remains one consideration, which I must put you in mind of: The soldier is only formidable to the enemy in arms; civil virtues must not be strangers to him; out of the field of battle, towards the unarmed citizen and peasant, he is moderate, compassionate, and humane; he knows the evils of war, and strives to lighten them. I will pu nish every wanton excess with so much greater severity, as it is not the intention of our Monarch to oppress neigh bouring countries, but to deliver them from their oppressors, and to form, with their Princes, a powerful bond, in order to bring about a lasting peace, and to maintain the general welfare and security. Soon will foreign troops, in strict union with us, attack the common enemy. Then, brave companions in arms! honour and support them as your bro. thers; not vain glorious high words, but manly deeds do honour to the war. rior; by intrepidity before the enemy, you must shew yourselves to be the first soldiers.

"Thus, then, shall I one day lead you back to your country, followed by the respect of the enemy, and by the gratitude of foreign nations, after having se cured, by your arms, an honourable peace, when the satisfaction of our Momarch, the approbation of the world, the rewards of valour, the blessings of your fellow-citizens, and the consciousness of deserved repose, await you. CHARLES, Archduke, Generalissimo."

try, assembled on the frontiers for the protection of the state.

"For these three years past I have made the utmost exertions to procure you, my beloved subjects, the blessings of a permanent peace. No sacrifice, any wise consistent with your welfare and with the independence of the state, however painful, have 1 spared to secure your tranquillity and welfare, by a friendly understanding with the Emperor of the French.

"But all my endeavours have proved fruitless. The Austrian monarchy was also to submit to the boundless ambition of the Emperor Napoleon; and, in the same manner, he strives to subdue Spain, insults the sacred Head of the Church, appropriates to himself the provinces of Italy, and parcels out the German dominions. Austria was to do homage to the great empire, the formation of which he has loudly announced.

"I have adopted all necessary measures to assert the independence of the state. Not only have ye answered my call, but your love for your native country has prompted you to anticipate it. Accept my cordial thanks; they will be repeated by my posterity and yours. Self-defence, not invasion, was our aim. But the conqueror will not allow the Sovereign of his people, strong in their mutual confidence, to pos sess sufficient means to oppose his ambitious views. He declared himself hostile to Austria, unless she should relinquish her measures of defence, and prostrate herself disarmed at his feet. The disgraceful proposal was rejected, and now his hosts are advancing against us, arrayed for battle.

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"I confide in God-in the valour of my armies, in the heroic conduct of my brother, who leads them on to glory, and in you, my beloved people. Our exertions for this war are great; but such they must be in order to attain more securely the important end of self-preservation.

Vienna, April 18. Before his Imperial Majesty left this capital, he was pleased to issue the following

PROCLAMATION.

of Austria, &c.

"People of Austria !-I leave my capital to join the brave defenders of the coun

sake those who do not forsake themselves. "I depend on your love, your tried fidelity to your Prince and country. Depend

ye