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satisfied that there was no alternative, but to allow Father Rodrigo to be put to death, or to effect his liberation by an ap peal to force. They did not hesitate to choose, and the latter determination was preferred. The Ulysses, a Portuguese ship of war, and an armed brig, were moored, as close as the water would admit, to two neighbouring Chinese forts, while the Portuguese troops marched out of Macao, and invested the forts on the land side. Mr Roberts, the chief English super-cargo, at the same time ordered the company's ships to suspend their intercourse with the shore; and preparations were made for such offensive measures as the case might require. Affairs being in this train, the Padre was now demanded in due form. It was peremptorily required that he should be forthwith delivered up, unhurt; and it was declared, that in the event of any unnecessary delay, the two forts, which were closely invested, should be stormed, and that the life of every man in the two garrisons should be held answerable for the personal safety of Padre Rodrigo. The Portuguese were resolutely determined to carry their threats into execution; and their resolution did not escape the penetration of the Chinese, who foreseeing the danger and bloodshed that would certainly arise from a perseverance in the attempt, either to punish or to detain the father, wisely acquiesced in the demand, and Rodrigo was triumphantly restored to freedom, to his friends, and his country.

This instance of the good effect resulting from the just, bold, and honourable conduct of the Portuguese on this occasion, is an example that we trust will not be lost in any future case of misunderstanding with the Chinese. Moderation and forbearance, like every other virtue, have their bounds. A passive acquiescence in every caprice and unreasonable prejudice, is an unmanly expedient; it is the sacrifice of a principle to temporary convenience, and must tend to produce, with accumulated force, the evil that it seeks to palliate.

An officer of one of the late China ships reports, that notwithstanding the settlement of the recent differences at Canton, and the re-establishment of commercial intercourse, the principal mandarins at that place have evidently conceived an unfortu nate prejudice against the English, which will not easily be removed. They attribute every misfortune which befalls their people in their transactions with us, as entirely owing to an intention on our part to injure them, and fail not on the slightest pretence to represent their grievance to the superior powers,

WEST INDIES.

CAPTURE OF ST DOMINGO. The city of St Domingo has surrendered to a division of British troops from Jamaica, under the command of MajorGeneral Carmichael, of which the following account is given in his dispatches to Lord Castlereagh.

St Carlos, before the city of St Domingo,
MY LORD, July 8, 1809.

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship, that I sailed from Jamaica on the 7th ult. with the troops as per margin*, and landed at Polingue, the nearest landing place, thirty miles distant from the city of St Domingo, on the 28th inst. when I immediately proceeded to reconnoitre the forts and fortifications, which was completely effected on the 29th, and fully satisfied me that the walls and bastions were assailable by a coup de main; and considering the garrifor a constant siege of eight months, it son, who had bravely defended them appeared to me that prompt and deci sive measures were most prudent before a gallant enemy, and would obviate the evil effect of open trenches, in the rainy season, the only foe to be dreaded by this corps, and which had already made a severe impression on the Spanish natives of the country, four hundred out of six hundred of their best regiment being rendered unfit for service, and would probably be attended with more mortality to the British troops than a conflict upon the walls.

His Excellency Gen. Sanchez, from whom I met, on the 30th ult. the most kind and cordial reception, being very sick some time before, and, I am griev ed to say, still continues so, by fatigue and liver disease, ordered the Spanish troops at the different posts to execute any directions given by me, which they cheerfully performed by a forward movement, immediately and effectually cutting off the communication between the city of St Domingo and the strong fortress of Fort Jerome, which, by covering the only landing place, prevented our communicating with the squad, Having

ron.

*The Royal Irish, 54th foot, 55th ditto, 2d West India regiment, and Porto Rico regiment, in all about 2700 men

Having the same evening refused the French General's application for an ar. mistice, I advanced with a detachment of the Spaniards to the Church of St Carlos, and established my quarters there, within musket-shot of the city, confident that the British troops would be with us that night; which, however, was rendered impracticable, by heavy and incessant rain, until the following night of the 1st, after suffering the greatest fatigue and privations, dragging the field-pieces on bad roads, and dreadful weather, and passages of rivers without proper conveyance.

The 1st of July I received another letter from General Barquier, which I answered, by allowing him until twelve the next day, for an answer.

In consequence of a continual fire of musketry from the walls, whilst the white flag was up, I moved forward with a party of dragoons, and sent an Aid-de-Camp to demand the cause, who was very politely received, and assured by General Barquier, that the inhabi tants were firing at immense numbers of wild pigeons flying over the walls, but that he would give strict orders for it to cease during the suspension of hostilities. On the 2d inst. I received a letter from General Barquier, respecting the movements of the troops to St Carlos, which had been occupied on the 30th ult. when his overture for negotiation was rejected. On the 3d the Commissioners for the capitulation met; those on the part of the French having declared that their instructions were positively not to surrender, which I also understood by prisoners and intercepted letters, and as I did not think myself justifiable in admitting any other terms, the meeting adjourned until a communication could be had with the Commander of the naval forces.

In consequence of bad weather, the answer was not received until the 6th inst, which perfectly coincided with my opinion, as to the only terms that could be granted to the enemy. I was also informed, that the river Huna had overflowed its banks, and we were thus separated from the greater part of the ordnance, stores, and our provisions, which further determined me to bring the matter to immediate issue, as I stated to Captain Cumby, and requested that co-operation in armed seamen, ammu.

nition, and provisions, which I found him ever ready most cordially to afford.

With humble submission to the Almighty Disposer of events, full confidence in a just cause, and British hearts to maintain it, I wrote to General Barquier, on the French garrison again refusing to lay down their arms, and immediately made the following disposi tion:

The first brigade, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Horsford, who preferred that command to the duty of DeputyAdjutant-General.

The second brigade, under Major Curry of the 54th regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Smyth of the 55th regiment, a vaJuable officer, not having joined by the Diego transport, in which he was embarked, being a bad sailer, and whose absence I would have greatly regretted, as well as the excellent officers and men with him, had the expected engagement taken place. On firing the first gun from the enemy, the reserve to be formed of the Royal Irish, and 54th grenadiers;" fifty men of the 2d West India regi ment, and the same number of the Porto Rico regiment, as this body had sufficient cover, as long as the walls of the church and my quarters remained, upon which above twenty guns and one mortar bore, at the distance of 388 yards. I directed Brig. Gen. French, a most active and zealous officer, to take up a position at a hollow about 150 paces distant in my rear; should the garrison attempt a sortie upon the reserve, to wait their close approach, charge bayonets, and follow them into the city. Had the enemy remained within the gates, false attacks and feints, at different points, were to be made during the night; and scaling ladders being prepared, a general assault was to take place in open day, the first favourable opportunity, a lodgement effected upon the bastions, but the troops not to enter the streets till further orders.

During this hour of suspense under arms, the only sensation perceptible was impatience for attack; and the countenance of every British soldier, at that interesting period, depicted a resolute determination to plant the glory of England, with the points of their bayonets, upon the fortified walls of St Domingo. The hour having expired, I sent my Military Secretary, Captain

Twigg, to know the reason the white flag was continued after the time elapsed, and not any answer returned to my letter? He met, at the gate, Lieut. Col. Myers, announcing that the ultimatum had been agreed upon, and the garrison consented to lay down their arms as prisoners of war.

I also detached Major Walker, of the Royal Irish, with the three light companies of the Royal Irish, 54th and 55th regiments of foot, to Fort Jerome, a ve. ry strong fortress about two miles west of the city, with orders, on the com. mencement of the action, to force the gate with a field-piece, and storm by the sally port, the walls being too high for escalade. Upon his summons, Capt. Gillerman, who had no provisions but biscuit left, gave the answer of a brave soldier, that he would abide the fate of the city.

The honour of his Majesty's arms, my Lord, has been maintained without the loss of one British soldier, by shot or sickness, or having recourse to that glorious, but at the same time deplorable, resource-the assault of a populous city. When it is considered the courage and persevering fortitude of the French garrison, with their superiority of position and numbers, I trust his Majesty will not disapprove of the measures taken for their reduction, the magnitude of the object obtained, and the terms granted to the enemy; and which will be delivered to your Lordship by my Military Secretary, Captain Twigg of the 55th regiment, to whom I beg leave to refer for further information, and earnestly recommend him as an officer deserving such mark of favour as his Majesty may be graciously pleased to confer.

I have, my Lord, now a further most gratifying duty to perform, that of making known to his Majesty the most zealous and indefatigable exertions of the following officers-Brigadier-General French, second in command; Lieut.-1 Colonel Horsford, commanding the first brigade; Lieut.-Col. Smith, commanding the royal artillery, whose abilities and unwearied attention surmounted uncommon difficulties; Lieut.-Colonel Myers, Deputy Quartermaster-General, and Commissioner to arrange the articles of capitulation.

The prominent situation of those of
October 1809.

ficers afforded me a constant experience of their zeal, abilities, and anxiety for the most honourable termination of the enterprise, and which sentiments, I can assure your Lordship, actuated every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier, upon the expedition.

It would be ingratitude in me, my; Lord, were I to omit stating, in the strongest possible terms, the cordial cooperation, as I have already noticed and efficient aid the army received, from Captain Cunby, commanding his Majesty's squadron before the city, who also landed two officers, Lieutenants Duncan and Sheriff, with a detachment of seamen, who were of infinite service, and cheerfully underwent the most severe fatigue and labour.

It is impossible for me to pass over in silence the very great assistance I received from William Walton, jun. Esq. an English gentleman who formerly resided in the island, and whose acquaintance with the country, inhabitants, and languages, rendered his voluntary and able service of the most essential benefit, as Private Secretary to me, during the expedition.

I have the honour to be, &c.
H. L. CARMICHAEL,
Major-General, commanding his
Britannic Majesty's Forces at
the city of St Domingo.

(Here follows an uninteresting correspondence respecting the suspension of hostilities.)

GENERAL Orders.

Head-quarters, St Carlos, July 5. 1809. Providence having peculiarly favoured this expedition in a just cause against the French garrison in the city of St Domingo, and having, within less than one month after the embarkation at Jamaica, brought the enemy to propose a capitulation, the Major-General commanding considers the weather now set in so far from adverse to the disposition he has made, that the more severe the rains, the greater the advantage to the British troops, who are not upon any account to be exposed to wet until the' moment of attack. The out piquets and sentries to be immediately supplied with hides; they will observe the utmost vigilance, and preserve their arms constantly loaded and dry, so as ot

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give timely notice should the enemy be daring enough to make a sortie. The Major General will not permit a single soldier's life to be unnecessarily exposed; but should. hostilities recommence at this moment, he is fully pre pared, and trusting in the Almighty Disposer of Events, will lead to glory the gallant troops he has the high honour to command.

Although the enemy, by temerity, involve themselves and the inhabitants of a populous city, in a sanguinary and fruitless conflict, British soldiers, in the moment of victory, will have mercy on a prostrate foe, as the brave and generous cannot be cruel.

By command, T. COLEMAN, B. M.
Acting D. A. Gen.

In consideration of the brave defence of the garrison, under long and severe privations, they will be allowed to march out with the honours of war, and lay down their arms; the officers to wear their swords, and have their parole not to serve until duly exchanged; the men to be prisoners of war.

H. L. CARMICHAEL.

[Here follow the articles of capitula tion, 16 in number, by which the garrison become bound not to serve against Great Britain, or her allies, until regularly exchanged.]

Admiral Rowley has transmitted a dispatch, of the same date with the above, from Capt, Cumby, of the Poly. phemus, who had the direction of the naval operations on this important service. The conduct of all the officers, seamen, and marines, during a close and rigorous blockade of two months, was highly meritorious; and the unremitting perseverance with which the vessels maintained the stations assigned them, through all the weather incident to the season, on a steep and dangerous shore, where no anchorage was to be obtained, and the vigilance and alacrity of the night guard boats, by which the ene my's supply by sea was entirely cut off, and the surrender of the city greatly accelerated, had received his and the General's strongest approbation. The Captain was making the necessary arrangements for embarking the garrison, about 1200 in number, on board the squadron, and dispatching them for Port Royal with all possible expedition.

ITALY.

SUBVERSION OF THE PAPAL STATES. It has been well said that Bonaparte's ambition never sleeps. It cannot wait. the result of his operations against Austria-it must be gratified on the instant, and hence we find a decree drawn up while he was marching to Vienna, which seizes and unites the states of the Pope with the French empire, considering them as merely leaseholds, which were granted by our illustrious predecessor, Charlemagne, and which have now lapsed to him. In all these ambitious strides he seems to take a pride in shewing how far he can outrage and insult the common sense and patience of mankind.

It may be asked why Bonaparte should select this particular moment for annexing the Papal States to France ? To this we may reply, that it is in his policy, whenever he is supposed to be in difficulties, to do something dashing, by which he attempts, and too often succeeds, in awing and intimidating his adversaries. When Austria and Russia were menacing him with a coalition, he seized Genoa-During the peace with England he declared himself King of Italy-and now, when he sees the general belief to be that he is in great danger, he hurls this decree against his enemies, and says, "You think that I am humbled and defeated, and that I shall lower my pretensions and designs-I will convince you that I am not humbled, by seizing the Papal States, at this moment, and annexing them to the French empire."

Rome, June 10.

This morning, about ten o'clock, un-. der a salute of the artillery in the castle of St Angelo, the decree of his Majesty the Emperor and King, by which the States of the Pope are to be united with France, was announced in the principal squares of this city. This happy change in our circumstances was received with the utmost tranquillity, and the inhabitants of Rome have in reality discovered much satisfaction and pleasure on receiving this intelligence, which puts an end to the uncertainties hitherto attending their political existence. The decree, dated from the imperial head quarters, at Vienna, the 17th May 1809, is expressed in the following words:

* Napo

"Napoleon, Emperor of the French, &c. Considering, that when Charlemagne, Emperor of the French, and our illustrious predecessor, presented to the Bishops of Rome various lands, he resigned them only to them as leaseholds, to strengthen the loyalty of his subjects, and with a view that Rome should form a part of his empire.

66

Considering that as the union of the two powers, the spiritual and temporal, has been, since that period, as it is still at this day, the source of incessant disputes; that the spiritual Princes have studied nothing but to augment the influence of a power which enabled them to support and maintain the assumption of others; and for that reason the spiritual powers, which were invariable in their policy, have interfered with the temporal, which change according to the circumstances and policy of the times: "Considering, finally, that all that we have proposed to reconcile to the safety of our armies, the tranquillity of our people, the interest and security of our empire, with the temporal pretensions of the spiritual Princes, has proved in vain,

"We have decreed, and do decree as follows:

Art. 1. The States of the Pope are u nited with the French empire.

2. The city of Rome, the first see of Christendom, so famous for the remembrances which it affords, and the monuments it contains, is declared an imperial and free city. Its government and internal policy shall be regulated in a separate decree.

3. The monuments of Roman grandeur shall be preserved and maintained at the expence of our Imperial treasury. 4. The public debt is declared to be the debt of the empire.

5. The net revenue of the Papal see shall be reduced to two millions of francs, free of all burdens and taxes.

6. The possessions and palaces of his Holiness shall be subject to no burden or taxes, and shall enjoy, besides, various exemptions.

7. An extraordinary consultum, of the 1st of July next, shall, in our name, take possession of the Papal States, and shall make such arrangements that the constitutional government may com

mence its operations there on the 1st of January 1810.

(Signed)

NAPOLEON. H. B. MARET. According to a decree of the same day, May 17. 1809, the extraordinary consulta, mentioned in the former decree, shall consist of the following members-Of the General of Division Miollis, Governor-General, President; Salicetti, Minister of the King of Naples; Degerande, Januet, Del Pozzo, and Debalbe, Secretaries. This consulta is ordered to take possession of the Papal territory, so that the transi tion from the old to the new order of things may be unperceived.

No sooner was the extraordinary consulta appointed and organised, than it issued to the city and states of Rome a proclamation, which, after some pompous professions, concludes thus :

"Rome continues to be the seat of the visible head of the Church, and the richly endowed Vatican, freed from all foreign influence, and raised above all vain terrestrial cares, shall be to the universe the parent and most conspicuous religion. Other pursuits shall preserve in your annals the inheritance of ancient fame; and the sciences, the progeny of genius, patronised by a great man, and enriched by all the antient examples and models, shall no longer depend for the support of their godlike reputation on the labours of former times.

"Such, Romans, is the prospect which is opened to you for the future, and of which the consulta, that has now been made public, is to lay the foundation.

"To secure your public debt, improve your agriculture and arts, in 'every respect to ameliorate your condition, and finally to suppress those tears for the future which the prevalence of abuses has so often caused to flow,-these are the commands, this is the object of our illustrious Sovereign.

(Signed) "SALICETTI. "JANUET. Count MIOLLIS, Governor-Gene ral and President.

In the name of the Committee, "BALBE."

The following curious documents have made their appearance in the French papers. The time was when they would have driven Bonaparte from his throne; but at present we

suspect

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