shop of Santander. They are ordered to be seized and carried before a military tribunal, and their property, moveable and immoveable, wherever situated, to be confiscated -Then comes a decree, removing the members of the Council of Castile as cowards. No individual can possess more than one commandery in Spain. The Inquisition is abolished. ----The number of convents in Spain shall be reduced to onethird. All personal dues, all exclusive right of fishery, or other rights of the same nature, on the coasts, rivers, and banks of rivers, and all barralities of mills, are suppressed, and all shall be permitted to give a free impulse to their industry. After the 1st of January, the barriers existing from province to province shall be suppressed. While these important measures were in progress at Madrid, Bonaparte does not appear to have lost sight of the army of Castanos, which, after its defeat at Tudela, had proceeded south west, by Borja, Calatayud, and Siguenza, in the direction of Madrid, with intent to cover that city. On the 2d, it was reconnoitred in the vicinity of Guadalaxara, about 22 miles north-east of Ma drid, under the command of Gen. Pena; Castanos having been, according to report, suspended by the Military Junta, we presume in consequence of his defeat at Tudela, an event which has been attributed to an injudicious position of his army on that day. Upon the com munication of this intelligence, the Duke of Istria (Marshal Bessieres) was sent with a large force of cavalry, followed by the Duke of Belluno (Marshal Victor,) to watch its movements. On the arrival of the French at Guadalaxara, they found there only the rear guard of the army of Castanos, the main body having passed, on its retreat, in the di rection of Andalusia. This rear guard the French attacked and dispersed, tak ing 500 prisoners; while, it is said, another French force, under Gen. Ruffin, advanced to Aranjuez, where he put to flight the part of the army of Castanos which had passed Guadalaxara, and, proceeding to Ocano, cut off its retreat to Cuenca. We apprehend, however, that the Spanish army did not mean to retreat to Cuenca, which lies to the eastward, but that it was proceeding, and did proceed, south-west, in the direction of the Sierra Morena, probably to Toledo. The bulletins add, that the divisions of Milhaud and Lasalle were ordered to advance on Portugal by Talavera de la Reyna, that the English were flying on every side, and that the division of Lasalle having fallen in with sixteen English stragglers, put them all to the sword. The stragglers here alluded to, and thus barbarously massacred, were probably. some sick of General Hope's division, which had advanced to the Escurial; and, as we have been given to understand, afterwards rejoined Gen. Moore's army. As to the alleged general flight of the English troops, the French statement is evidently a gasconade. SPANISH ACCOUNTS. These are very confused; but the following private letter appears to contain the best and most interesting information relative to the entrance of the French into Madrid, &c. "Truxillo, Dec. 15.-(The writer sets out with some accounts of the state of the Spanish armies.) Romana, after Blake's reverses, in which he acquired great glory, had united all the dispersed remnants of the army in Leon, amounting to 20,000 men, who were subsequently joined by the reserves of the Asturias and Gallicia, the whole making 35,000 men, of which 1200 were cavalry. The army of Estremadura, after its partial defeat at Burgos, fell back upon Samosierra, and covered that point. The troops that were in Madrid were ordered to proceed to Guadarama to defend that pass, and the reserve of Andalusia was ordered to proceed by forced marches to Madrid; it was also wished that Sir John Moore should march towards Madrid, to assist in defence of the capital, but Sir John refused to divide his troops. The letter then proceeds as follows: "In the mean time we received intelligence of the battle of Tudela, and that Napoleon was marching to Madrid with his whole army, without concerning himself about Castanos or Saragossa. On the 26th it was resolved to fortify the capital, and to organise its inhabitants, as well as circumstances would admit, trusting that the posts of Samosierra and Guadarama would be able to maintain themselves until time was given for the arrival of Castanos, who was coming by way of Siguenza. On "On the 28th, 29th, and 30th of Nov. the enemy attacked Samosierra with the utmost vigour, and with a succession of fresh troops. The garrison, after maintaining its ground, and repelling the enemy with great loss, on the 28th and 29th, was, on the goth, unable to support the fatigue of further resistance; and after gallantly defending itself to the last moment, retreated in good order to Segovia. In consequence of this, the road to Madrid was open to the enemy; and accordingly advanced parties of their horse made their appearance on the 1st instant, in the environs of the city, which not having previously thought of constructing fortifications until the 26th of the preceding month, was in a condition which you may easily imagine; and every one being employed in erecting bulwarks, palisades and other works, there was no time to organize the inhabitants; in addition to which, it is to be considered that the troops of Samosierra, who were advancing from Segovia by Guadarama, and those also of the latter post, could not arrive until the 3d. Castanos likewise found his march towards the capital cut off, and there were in Madrid only 7000 or 8000 veteran soldiers. Nevertheless the peo. ple, undismayed, expressed their determination to prefer total ruin to capitulation. The enemy, in considerable force, attacked the gates of Fuencarral, Toros, and St Bernardino, in the morning of the ad, but they were gallantly repulsed with considerable loss. 46 In the evening, and during the whole night of the ad, the enemy attacked with a considerable quantity of artillery, the gate of Alcala and the Retiro. They were unable to make themselves masters of the former; but the Retiro, in consequence of continued attacks from the preceding evening, fell into their hands at 11 o'clock in the morning of the 3d, with a most dreadful loss on the part of the enemy. The Junta of Armament, taking these circumstances into consideration, and having received the unexpected intelligence that the English troops were retreating upon Portugal, considered all attempts at defence useless-as, on account of the reinforcements which were daily joining the French army, resistance could have no other result than that of the total destruction of the capital, and the loss of twenty thousand troops composing the army already in the city, and those who were that day expected to arrive from Segovia and Guadarama. From these motives, the white flag was hoisted, and the troops evacuated the city in the course of the evening and night, by the gates of Segovia and Toledo. The people, notwithstanding the determination of the Junta, caused the white flag to be lowered, and persisted in the intention of defending themselves. "On the 4th, there were various attacks by the enemy at different gates, but in all of them they were repulsed. Meanwhile the enemy fortified themselves at Retiro; and the people, being without leaders or regular troops, retreated gradually to their own houses. "The state of affairs since is the most surprising and unacountable ever heard of in the world. Up to the 9th, the French had not disarmed the inhabitants, but during the day sent strong detachments to occupy the gates, and in the evening all of them withdrew to the Retiro. The authority of the new King is not recognised by the city, which is entirely governed by its own Magistrates, without any interference on the part of the French. This fact may appear to you incredible; but it is undoubted, and no one is capable of giving any explanation of it. "Of the 22,000 troops who were in the capital, 12,000 have proceeded, under the command of Morla, to join Castanos; and 10,000, under that of Galluzo, to the bridge of Almaran, which is fortifying in order to cover this province. "General Don Benito San Juan has been put to death by his troops at Talavera de la Reyna, and his dead body dragged along the road. This officer commanded at Samosierra; and it must be admitted, that in the defence of that post his conduct was in every respect satisfactory, notwithstanding his being compelled to abandon it. But, according to report, the cause of his unfortunate fate was his having refused to enter Madrid with his troops, on the 3d, alleging that such a step would end in the certain destruction of all of them, Upon this subject he had some altercation with General Heredia, in conse. quence of which the misinformed soldiers committed this gross enormity and injustice on this brave officer." The first accounts relative to Madrid stated that that city had surrendered at discretion. But we learn from Madrid Gazettes of more recent dates, that it surrendered, not at discretion, but upon capitulation. The terms are in substance as follow: "No religion but the Roman Catholic religion to be legally tolerated. Liberty and security to the lives and property of the citizens, including the secular and regular ecclesiastics, with the respect due to churches, &c. also of military officers, &c. They may remove if they chuse. No prosecutions for political opinions or writings. By the 5th article it is provided, that no other contributions shall be exacted, be. yond the ordinary ones that have hitherto been paid; that the laws, customs, and courts of justice, shall be preserved in their present constitution. The troops shall leave their arms and cannon. The armed peasants shall also leave their arms. The individuals that had enlisted among the troops of the line four months ago, are freed from their engagements, and the rest remain prisoners of war until regularly exchanged. The public debts and arrangements of the State shall be faithfully discharged. Generals may continue in the capital, and preserve their rank, or quit it if they please." It will be observed, that to the article providing that " no other contribution," &c. and we believe all that follow, the answer is, "Granted, until the kingdom undergo its definitive organization." There is not one word about King Joseph, nor of the Bayonne Junta, nor of their definitive organization, nor of that constitution there boasted as so full of • freedom, and so likely to produce per manent prosperity to the country. This definitive organization alludes, no doubt, to the change which he threatened in his proclamation after the capture of Madrid, that he would place the crown of Spain upon his own head, and fix another for his brother, and that other will be Portugal. The Supreme Junta bave published the following strong protest against the capitulation: "Spaniards-The hired emissaries of the tyrant, with the design of misleading you, and bringing the Supreme Governing Junta of the kingdom into disre. Jan. 1809. pute, spread reports that the latter have approved the capitulation of Madrid. This sovereign body feel it to be their duty to contradict rumours, the object and tendency of which is to sow distrust between the Government and the people, and to produce general discouragement and anarchy, and to expose to contempt the sacred oath of your representatives. Spaniards, the Supreme Junta, whose motto is 'Death or Liberty,' are far from approving of the capitulation of any town. That which recognizes the usurper, and submits to the law of the tyrant, is not Spanish-it is an enemy. These are the sentiments of the Supreme Junta-sentiments which they will never belie, in word or deed; and whatever you may be told by the partisans of despotism, those vile wretches who sacrifice to a miserable self-interest the sacred rights of their country, be assured that their reports are calumnies-snares laid for you by the tyrant, to entangle you in the mazes of his in.. fernal policy. The country you have sworn to defend, the religion wherein you have sworn to die, the spouses and offspring you have sworn to protect, a captive King whom you have sworn to rescue-all demand the fulfilment of your promise. And ye, brave inhabitants of Madrid, who refused your as sent to a shameful capitulation, and rising superior to others invested with the command, and even to yourselves, pre-ferred death to misery and slavery, persevere in your generous resolution. The momentary occupation of the buildings of the city by the enemy is of no importance, whilst they are not masters of your hearts. Continue to resist them in the very bosoms of your families; place no confidence in their deceitful professions; reflect that to every people they have promised happiness, and all they have plunged into misery. The Junta, who watch over your destiny, will cause numerous reinforcements to march to that unfortunate capital. They have not fo forgotten you; no! keep alive your hopes, retain your bravery and firmness, and your deliverance will be the more glorious, as the danger you have encountered has been great." We regret to learn from the Spanish papers, a circumstance which must prove highly detrimental to the cause of the Spaniards. It appears that strong suspicions picions are now entertained of the loyalty of some of their military leaders, whose character stood high in their optnion when they first took up arms against their invaders. The former services of General Morla should, it might be supposed, place him far above the su pic on of disaffec• tion; yet it has been repeatedly asserted in the Spanish letters and papers, that at that very interview in which he was so grossly insulted by Bonaparte, he sold himself to the tyrant, and that he wrote a letter to Cadiz, "impressing the folly of making any further resistance to the power of the French, which was invincible, expatiating at the same time on the generosity and goodness of the Emperor Bonaparte, and his brother Joseph; and above all, cautioning them against the English, who could now only endeavour to carry off their fleet." But the circumstance of Moria's name being affixed to the capitulation of Ma drid, is considered as a conclusive proof of his treachery, and certainly it wears very much the air of a transaction secretly concluded in the imperial tent, as it bears date the 4th Dec, when he could scarcely have had time to consult any of the authorities in the city. Still, however, we want proof of Morla's treachery. been given to the Duke del Infantado and the former, it is said, is now on his trial at Seville. The Spanish papers contain a letter from Gen. Vives, giving the particulars of some successful operations of the Spaniards in Catalonia. It states that, on the 26th of Nov. a general attack took place on all the posts occupied by the enemy, without the limits of Barcelona, from all of which he was immediately dislodged, and compelled to take refuge under the guns of the fortress, with the loss of six or eight pieces of artillery, and some magazines of ammunition, stores, &c. At the same time a firing was commenced from the right and centre of the line, and the enemy were repulsed as far as the walls of Barcelona, trom which it will not be an easy task for them to advance again. We learn, however, from the French builetins, that Gen. St Cyr had driven the Spaniards from before Barcelona, and had joined Gen. De hesme, and that the French force in Catalonia now amounted to 40,000 men. The bulletins further add, that the garrison of Rosas, amounting to 2000 men, had surrendered to the French, the British men of war stationed there not being able to give them any further relief. The following bulletin was issued from the French army at Madrid previous to its march against Sir John Moore's army. Another officer of high fame (General Castanos) has also been charged with treason, but the case is widely different from that of Morla. Here we have an accuser, and a direct charge. The accuser is Gen O'Neill, who commanded the left wing of the Spanish army in the battle of Tudela, and who has publish ed an account of it. He attributes the defeat of the Spaniards to Castanos, who drew off the centre at the moment when the left wing was completely vic-Charmartin, and the left stretched be torious. It will be remembered, that according to the statement given by the French themselves, they succeeded by a movement against the centre of the Spanish army, which enabled them to interpose a force between the two wings. General O'Neill says, that had Castanos "ordered the centre of the ar. my to sustain us, without doubt it would have been one of the most glorious days for the arms of our King of any record sed in the history of the war." -Castanos, it is said, has since been removed from the command of the army, which has "Madrid, Dec 19.-His Majesty this day reviewed the army which is at Madrid, with all its equipage and appointments. Sixty thousand men, 150 pieces of cannon, more than 1500 carts loaded with biscuit and brandy, formed an assemblage formidable in every respect. The right of the army was stationed on yond Madrid. The Duke of Belluno still continues at Toledo with the whole of his corps. The Duke of Dantzic, with the whole of his corps, still continues at Talavera de la Reyna. The 8th corps has arrived at Burgos. General St Cyr is forming his junction at Barcelona with General Duhesme. Our posts of cavalry are clearing the roads to the borders of Andalusia. The Emperor has given the army a few days of repose. Very fine fortifications are carrying on upon the heights of Madrid. Six thousand men are employed on these works. The The small besieging train, composed of the 24-pounders and of small mortars, is arrived. There have been tound at Talavera de la Reyna, about 60 men in the hospitals, two or three hundred saddles, and some remains of magazines, belonging to the English troops." It appears that Marshal Soult was detached to Leon, with about 16,000 men, to reconnoitre the English army, and that Sir John Moore had formed a plan to cut off this division, before any reinforcements should arrive from Madrid. The difficulties of the country, however, and the bad state of the weather, seem to have frustrated this scheme. We are told that Soult's expedition was a feint, to draw on Sir John Moore, in order to favour a general attack by Bonaparte in person. Be this as it will the British cavalry have had some sharpand successful skirmishes with that of the French. Sir John's report of his operations was published in the London Gazette of the 9th, as follows: Downing Street, Jan. 10. 1809. Dispatches, from which the following are extracts, were on the sth inst. recieved at the office of Lord Viscount Castlereagh, one of his Majesty's prin. cipal Secretaries of State, from Lieut.General Sır John Moore, K. B. Commander in Chief of his Majesty's forces employed in Spain. "Benevente, Dec. 28.1808. "Since I had the honour to address you upon the 16th from Toro, the army has been almost constantly marching through snow, and with cold that has been very intense. The weather, within these few days, has turned to rain, which is much more uncomfortable than the cold, and has rendered the roads almost impassable. On the 21st the ar my reached Sahagun; it was necessary to halt there, in order to refresh the men, and on account of provisions. The information I received was, that Marshal Soult was at Saldana with about 16,000 men, with posts along the river from Guarda to Carriton. "The army was ordered to march in two columns, at eight o'clock on the night of the 23d, to force the bridge at Carriton, and from thence to proceed to Saldana. At six o'clock that evening, I received information that considerable reinforcements had arrived at Carriton from Palencia, and a letter from the Marquis de la Romana informed me that the French were advancing from Madrid either to Valladolid or Salaman. ca. It was evident that it was too late to prosecute the attempt upon Soult, that I must be satisfied with the diversion I had occasioned, and that I had no time to lose to secure my retreat. "The next morning Lieut.-General Hope, with his own division and that of Lieut. Gen. Fraser, marched to Majorga. I sent Sir David Baird with his division to pass the river at Valmira, and followed Lieut. Gen. Hope on the 25th with the reserve and the light brigades, by Majorga and Calderas, to Benevente. The cavalry under Lord Paget followed the reserve on the 26th; both the latter corps entered this place yesterday. We continue our march on Astorga. Generals Hope and Fraser are already gone on; Sir David Baird proceeds tomorrow from Valencia; and I shall leave this with the reserve at the same time; Lord Paget will remain with the cavalry, to give us notice of the approach of the enemy. Hitherto their infantry have not come up, but they are near, and their cavalry is round us in great numbers; they are checked by our cavalry, which have obtained, by their spirit and enterprise, an ascendancy over that of the French, which nothing but great superiority of numbers on their part will get the better of. "The diversion made by our march on Sahagun, though at great risk to ourselves, has been complete. It remains to be seen what advantage the Spaniards in the south will be able to take of it; but the march of the French on Badajoz was stopped when its advanced guard had reached Talavera de la Reina, and every thing disposeable is now turned in this direction. "The only part of the army which has been hitherto engaged with the enemy is the cavalry, and it is impossible for me to say too much in their praise. I mentioned to your Lordship, in my letter of the 16th, the success BrigadierGen. Stewart had met with in defeating a detachment of cavalry at Rueda.Since that, few days have passed without his taking or killing different parties of the French, generally superior in force to those which attacked them. On the march to Sahagun, Lord Paget had iuformation of 600 or 700 cavalry being |