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sits by the police, in order to verify whether they conform to the laws. Whence has this extraordinary rigour arisen? It seems to require no com

ment.

French troops continue to march to Boulogne. They are to assume the name of the Grand Invading Army of England.

An address was transmitted from the British prisoners at Verdun, to the Electress, now Queen of Wirtemberg, (formerly our Princess Royal,) at a period when, it was supposed, that the extraordinary success of Bonaparte would have rendered him accessible to the softer emotions of humanity, in which, after setting forth their sufferings dur. ing a strict confinement of two years and a half in France, they took the liberty of suggesting, that an application on her part to the Emperor of the French, might have the effect of restoring them to their native land, and of removing the principal obstacle to a general exchange of prisoners. Her Royal Highness felt herself under the bitter necessity of returning an answer, expressive of her sincere sympathy in the misfortunes of her countrymen, and of her earnest desire to assist them; but her power equalled not her good will. Any polite attention, she adds, shewn to her by the Emper of the French, during his stay at Louisbourg, did not authorise her to interfere in a business which must be settled between the two Governments.

ITALY.

The French took possession of Venice and its territories on the 19th Jan. Bonaparte has formed the project of making Venice again a great commercial place, and has asked the inhabitants only to tell him what can be done to accomplish this object. The inhabitants of Venice understand commerce much better than the Emperor of the French; and they have informed him, that nothing he can do for them will be of half so much importance as to make peace with England.

CONQUEST OF NAPLES.

The doom of the Neapolitan Monar. chy was sealed on the same day that the peace of Presburgh was signed. On that day (viz. 27th Dec.) Bona

March 1806.

parte issued a Proclamation to his army, in which he enlarges on the forbearance and moderation which he had exercised towards the perfidious Court of Naples; three times he had pardoned its treachery, and he proceeds

"Shall we grant a pardon a fourth time?-Shall we, for a fourth time, place any confidence in a Court without truth, honour, or common sense? No! No! The Neapolitan Dynasty has ceased to reign; its existence is incompatible with the repose of Europe, and the honour of our crown. Soldiers! March, drive into the sea, if they will wait your attack, those feeble battalions of the tyrants of the sea. Shew to the world the manner in which we punish the perjured. Lose no time in informing me, that the whole of Italy is subject to my laws, or those of my allies," &c.

Conform to this declaration, Gen. St. Cyr was detached from Massena's army, with 30,000 men, in the beginning of January, for the conquest of Naples, and was desired to halt in the Roman territory till the arrival of the Marshal with an additional body of troops. Massena accordingly arrived at Rome on the 17th Jan. and the greater part of his army, from that day to the 22d, filed off under the walls of that city. Joseph Bonaparte, who is to supersede Massena in the command of this army, arrived at Rome a few days after, and published a proclamation to the troops, in which, in the true style and spirit of jacobinism, he draws a distinction between the Neapolitan Government and the people, and desires his troops to remember, that though it is their duty to punish a government which has been unfaithful to its treaties, they are not at war with the people.

In the beginning of Feb. the French entered the Neapolitan territory. The advanced guard passed the river Garigliano, which divides the Roman from the Neapolitan territory on the 4th of February. On the following day, Prince Joseph addressed from his head quarters at Ferentino, a proclamation to the people, which equals in effrontery any thing that ever preceded it. He stiles himself "Governor of the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily," he assures the Neapolitans, that Napoleon has no other wish than to re-establish in Europe, the

respect

Palermo in the end of October; but the Queen, with the hereditary Prince, re

respect which is due to public faith; that" their laws, property and religion are to be respected;" and that "in e-mained, and we were told, that the Nea

very French soldier they will find a brother."

About the 9th of February Prince Joseph formed the army into three divisions: the centre under Marshal Massena, marched by San Germeno and Capua; the right under Gen. Regnier, by Terracina and Gaeta; and the left division, composed of Italian corps, commanded by General Lecchi, proceeded by Istri. General Regnier, on his arrival at Gaeta, summoned the Prince of Hesse to surrender.-The latter signified his intention to defend it to the last extremity. On the receipt of this answer, General Regnier ordered an attack to be made on the redoubt of St Andrew, which was defended by six pieces of cannon, and took it. General Grigny, an officer of distinction, lost his head by a cannon ball.

On the 12th, the centre division invested Capua, which answered to the summons, by a discharge of artillery. On the morning of the 13th, deputies from the city of Naples presented themselves to the Prince, and signed the delivery of Gaeta, Capua, Piscara, Naples, and other strong places. General Partonneaux entered Naples, and the forts were immediately occupied. The Neapolitan officers having requested to serve, the Prince formed several Neapolitan corps, and ordered the Neapolitan officers who were in the pay of the kingdom of Italy, to enter into it.

The overthrow of the Neapolitan Monarchy appears to have been equally rapid and complete.-With the exception of some trifling resistance made by the fortress of Gaeta, the capital and its dependencies have become the property of Napoleon. Capua, Piscara, and all the other garrisons, were occupied by the French army, a considerable body of which was on its march to effect the reduction of Calabria. On the 15th Feb. Prince Joseph Bonaparte, who is, no doubt, destined to be the founder of the Corsican Dynasty in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, made his solemn entry into Naples. On the following day he caused to be posted up Bonaparte's Proclamation, decreeing the destruction of the Neapolitan Dynasty. The King of Naples sailed in a British frigate for

politan army was so much increased, that with the assistance of 30,000 Rusians who landed from Corfu at Naples in the beginning of November, and 9000 British under Sir James Craig, who had arrived from Malta about the 24th of the same month, a vigorous resistance was to be opposed to the enemy. No such thing appears to have been attempt. ed, and the Queen, with the Royal Family, found it likewise necessary to retire to Sicily about the end of January. The Queen is stated to have carried away with her property to an immense amount; but she was nearly lost on her voyage. A frigate, two brigs, and fifteen transports, with arms, &c. on board, were driven back on the coast of Naples, and taken possession of by the French. The enemy found 200 pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of ammunition, in the city. The Royal Family have once more taken refuge at Palermo, where, unless protected by our squadrons, they will be exposed to further disgrace and calamity. We are left completely ignorant of the conduct pursued by the Queen of Naples, and the hereditary Prince, on the enemy's approach, previous to their embarkation; nor have we any grounds to ascertain the measures taken by the Russian and British troops, either for the defence or the evacuation of the Neapolitan territory.

The following letter from an officer in Sir James Craig's army, confirms the supposition that the British forces which sailed last year for Malta, were destined to act in conjunction with the Russian army at Corfu, in defence of the Kingdom of Naples against the invasion of the French.

Castellamare, Naples Bay, Dec. 2. "We sailed from Malta on the 3d ult. with about 10,000 men under Sir James Craig, all in the highest order. On the 7th we joined the Russian convoy off Sicily, having about 14,000 land troops on board. The whole then steered for the Bay of Naples, in which we arrived after a passage of 18 days. We expected to find the city and country both occupied by the French army under Gen. St Cyr, and measures were accordingly preconcerted on our part to force our

landing

landing, and to dislodge them. On our arrival, however, we found that the enemy had abandoned their positions upon the information of our approach, and had already repassed the frontier, so that instead of a hostile reception, we had to expect the warmest welcome.

"The Russian divisions were landed at the Mole of Naples, and are quartered in and about that city. The British troops were disembarked the day after our arrival at Castellamare, by Sir John Stuart, under whose immediate command we are now cantoned at this place, at Torre del Greco, and at other places in different directions throughout the neighbourhood.

"Sir James Craig is established at Naples; and, as it is understood that he is to have a general command among the Allied Forces at large, Sir John Stuart will remain principal in command of the British column. As we are almost all of us here Egyptian regiments, we have already seen his promptitude and abilities so gallantly and successfully exerted, that we have every confidence in our leader.

"The strictest discipline has been enjoined to, and is observed by, the troops. The inhabitants in consequence treat us with great tokens of affection. Their regard, however, is much increased by a circumstance which they were not much accustomed to meet with from their late French Protector-They are paid for whatever they furnish. Every exertion is making by Sir James Craig, as well as by our ambassador at this Court, to procure the necessary supplies of horses, waggons, &c. for our future movements, and in the course of a very few days we expect that our cavalry, as well as our artillery, will be completely mounted.

"General Lacy, (an Englishman by birth) who commands the Russian troops, and Sir James Craig, are to be at the head of the allied forces of the whole kingdom, including the Neapolitans.

"On the 30th ult, we were reviewed by their Sicilian Majesties near this place. Sir John Stuart commanded the line. We exceeded eight thousand Sir James Craig accompanied their Majesties, who expressed their admiration at the appearance of the troops, and their confidence in the support which had been thus furnished them by

men.

the King of Great Britain against the common enemy.-It was a curious circumstance to contemplate a British army manoeuvring at the foot of Vesuvius, whose lofty crater was discharging its smokey volumes over their heads. The day was fine, the ground of review was the sea beach, and the prospect of all the British ships of war and transports in the Bay, decorated with their brightest colours, contributed to render the whole one of the most impressive spectacles that could be imagined-Add to all this, that the regiments which were reviewed are some of the finest of the British army."

Accounts, however, have been received from Naples, dated Jan. 19. stating, that the Russian army had been all re-embarked at Baia Mole in the Bay of Naples, and also the British forces at Castellamare, and that they were all to sail immediately either for Sicily or Sardinia. The failure of this well-intended expedition is attributed to the defection of the Neapolitan army, occasioned by the intrigues of French emissaries, which have been too generally successful.

HOLLAND.

Letters from Rotterdam state, that the preparations for invading this country are resumed with the greatest activity; that seven sail of the line are ready for sea in the Nieu Diep, and that the transports lately laid up are refitting, and are to proceed to the Helder to take on board troops. In the mean time the sufferings under which that country labours are described as overwhelming. The letters say

"The present system of taxation falls insufferably hard on the middling class; and as the former mode of taxing the rich produced emigration, it is beyond doubt that the present one will produce starvation. There is no hole to creep out at; no subterfuge; the only hope is Peace. Once, failures were hardly known here; they now occur daily. Robbery and murder were also unfrequent; within the last two months seven or eight felons have been broken on the wheel. It has even been in contemplation to promulgate a law, that no woman should be seen in the streets after a certain hour, alone."

Proclamation follows preclamation in the Batavian Republic against the in

troduction

troduction of British commodities.--
On the 1st Feb. one was issued, prohi-
biting under the severest penalties, the
subjects of Holland from holding any
commercial or friendy intercourse what-
ever with the subjects of Great Bi-
tain. Private letters, however, say,
"that much of the severity of the regu-
lations which affected the commercial
interests of that country, more especial-
ly as connected with England, has been
remitted, and a further relaxation of
those resstraints is daily expected."——
A considerable part of the Batavian
troops which co-operated with the
French in Germany, are arrived in the
interior of Holland.

Letters from Holland contain accounts of the disastrous effects produced in that country by the late high winds.A very large extent of territory was inundated, and most of the roads rendered impassable. The damage done is immense, and a vast expence will be incurred for the repairing of the dykes, which are in many parts broken, and otherwise materially injured.

It is highly creditable to the Dutch Government, that, unawed by the example of their inhuman Dictator, they have ordered all the British prisoners recently wrecked on their coast, to be liberated and sent home, upon a signed agreement for their exchange.

SACKING OF MEDINA.

Advices have been received from Mr Barker, the East India Company's Resident at Bagdat, containing an account of the capture of Medina by the Wahabees, whose army, having been reinforced from the desert, has overwhelmed the adjacent country, and taken the city by assault, with infinite bloodshed and devastation. They set fire to Medina in various places, destroyed the mosques, after having ransacked them of their valuable shrines and treasures and completely demolished the tomb of the Prophet. Some thousands of females of the first rank were carried off by the besiegers into the deşert, with a number of the principal male inhabi

tants.

A troop of camels were also sent away with jewels and other treasure to an immense amount. Judda had also been taken by these marauders, and the inhabitants were forced to give up all their property to save their lives.

NAVAL OFERATIONS.

The Earl of St Vincent has been appointed by the new Ministry to the comn and of the Channel fleet, in room of Admiral Cornwallis, who, it is said, is to be rewarded with a Peerage for his services. On the 12th of March, his Lordship hoisted his flag on board the Hibernia of 110 guns at Portsmouth, and sailed next day with some ships of the line to resume the blockade of the port of Brest.

We have at length received accounts of the operations of a French squadron which sailed from Rochefort so long ago as the beginning of July last, on a roving cruize, and which has so successfully baffled the pursuits of different divisions of British ships sent in quest of it, as to have obtained the name of the "Invisible Squadron."-This fleet consisted of four large ships of the line, three heavy frigates, and three corvettes. On the 19th of July, they captured the Ranger sloop of war, Capt. Coote, in the Bay of Biscay, and some days after the Dove Cutter, and several merchantmen both outward and homeward bound. On the 27th of September they fell in with the convoy from St Helena, and took, after a severe action, the Calcutta of 54 guns, Capt. Woodriffe.— (See Mag. for Dec.)-On the 10th of October, off Vigo, they fell in with the Oporto fleet, and cap'ured four of the most valuable. Having now a considerable number of prisoners, and their provisions and water beginning to fail, they attempted to return to Rochefort; but their look-out corvettes fell in with Sir Chas. Stirling's division in the Bay, which they escaped from in the night by quick sailing. The enemy then attempted to reach Cadiz ; but receiving intelligence that Lord Collingwood's fleet was off that port, they bent their course for Teneriffe, where they arrived about the middle of November.They here sold (we are told in the French papers,) 18 of their best prizes, and having refitted and victualled, again set sail, and arrived at Rochefort on the 24th December, when they landed all their prisoners, who, we are happy to be informed, were in good health. On the 13th of Jan. the prisoners were all marched off from Rochelle to Verdun, where they arrived on the 11th of Feb. a distance, by a circuitous course they

took,

took, of 600 miles. The march was extremely fatiguing, from wet weather and deep roads. -The accommodation at Verdun is said to be comfortable, but very expensive.

-

Among the ships taken by the Rochefort squadron, we regret to find the Belle packet for India, in the end of October, when only ten days out from Portsmouth. She had on board dispatches of importance, and a number of private letters, the latter of which appear to have fallen into the hands of the enemy, as extracts from these have been published in the French papers, tho' they contain no public information, and relate chiefly to the private affairs of the parties.

The Eari Howe frigate, having on board the Marquis of Wellesley and suite, is arrived at Portsmouth from the East Indies.

By the late overland dispatch we learn, that Linois's squadron was fallen in with in October by an American, off the Laccadive Islands. There had been a serious mutiny on board the Marengo, which was with difficulty quelled. Some of the mutineers had been put in irons, but Linois found it necessary to liberate them, and cajole them with promises of plunder. The crew of the Marengo had been informed of the death of the Governor-General, and expressed a hope that war would be rekindled in the southern provinces, in the event of which, they should find friends among the natives on the coast.

The Gazette of the 1st March contains two letters, transmitted by Sir Home Popham, from Capt. Donelly, of his Majesty's ship Narcissus, who had been detached to procure intelligence. The first dated Coast of Africa, states that he fell in with a brig and a schooner French privateers, with the Horatio Nelson, which they had taken, and which carried 20 nine, and two 12 pounders. The latter, with the brig, mounting 12 guns, with 70 men, were taken. The schooner escaped. Capt. D. rejoices that this nest of thieves (for they plundered indiscriminately) was destroyed, particularly as many valuable vessels had just come to the coast.

The second letter, dated off the Cape of Good Hope, Dec. 15. states that the Narcissus had fallen in with a French ship of war, which she chaced for some

time and obliged to run on shore. Her masts and bowsprit soon after went by the board, and her boats went adrift.As her situation was extremely perilous, Capt. D. humanely forbore firing at her, although she vauntingly displayed those colours which she could not protect. It is feared that the greater part of her crew perished. Immediately after Capt. D. captured a Dutch sloop, with naval stores, from the Cape Town, from whose people he learned, that the vessel run on shore was a French ship of 32 thirty-pounders (short guns) and 250 men, and had just sailed from Table Bay; that she had on board the ordnance, &c. of L'Atalante French frigate, lately lost there, and was bound with them to the Mauritius, where ordnance stores were wanted to fit out other ships.

La Libre French frigate, of 40 guns and 280 men, is taken by the Loire and Egyptienne frigates, after an obstinate defence for half an hour, in which the enemy had 20 men killed and wounded, and was so much damaged that all her masts went overboard after she was ta

ken possession of. The Egyptienne had eight men wounded, one of them since dead. La Libre sailed from Flushing on the 14th of Nov. in company with a French frigate of 48 guns, from which she parted, in a gale, on the 9th Dec. off the coast of Scotland. The officers of La Libre are apprehensive that their consort is lost, as the weather was extremely tempestuous when they parted.

The Druid frigate has taken the Prince Murat French privateer, of 18 sixpounders and 127 men; a coppered ship, and a fast sailer.

We have the satisfaction to announce the safe arrival, at Yarmouth, and in the Humber, of all our troops from the Continent. The officers and troops are Lieut. Gen. Lord Cathcart, Lieut.Gens. Dundas and Don; aid-de-camps, Capts. Ainslie and Jarvis; Major-Gen. M'Kenzie Fraser, aid-de-camp, Capt. Woodhouse; Major General Sir Arthur Wellesly, aid-de-camp the Hon. Capt. Stanhope; Major General Sherbrooke, aidde-camp Capt. Thomson; Major Gen. Hill; aid de camp Capt. Peebles; Maj.Gen. Paget; Assistant Adjutant GenLieut Col. Bradford; Deputy Inspector of Hospitals Dr Patrick, with several

other

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