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incorporation of some seamen, and three companies of Royal Blues from the same source of enterprise, which had been reguJarly trained for that duty, and dressed in an appropriate uniform. The enemy was posted at the Village of Reduction, which was on an eminence about two miles from the beach, with the appearance of a fine plain between the two armies; which, however, proved on the following morning to be only a morass in a high state of verdure. This, in some measure, checked our advancement; nor did the enemy open his field train till the troops were nearly in the middle of the swamp, from whence he thought it was impossible for them to be extricated.

The able and excellent disposition of General Beresford, and the intrepidity of his army, very soon however satisfied the enemy, that his only safety was in a precipitate retreat, for we had the satisfaction of seeing from our ships near 4000 Spanish cavalry flying in every direction, leaving their artillery behind them, while our troops were ascending the hill with that coolness and courage, which has on every occasion marked the character of a British soldier, and has been exemplified in proportion to the difficulties and dangers by which he was opposed.I have probably trespassed on a line that does not immediately belong to me, but I could not resist the gratification of relating to their Lordships what I saw; assuring myself, at the same time, they will be convinced, if the enemy had given the squadron an equal opportunity, I should have had the pleasing duty of reporting an honourable issue to the effect of their zeal and exertions. On the 26th, in the morning, we saw some firing, near the banks of the River Chuelo, but it blew so hard that it was totally impracticable to have any communication with the shore during that day.

Early on the 28th, a royal salute was fired from the Castle of Buenos Ayres, in honour of his Majesty's colours being hoist ed in South America, and instantly returned by the ships lying off the town.-I now consider it to be a proper moment for acknowledging, in terms of the sincerest gratitude, my high sense of the zealous and animated conduct of every officer and man in the squadron which I have the extraor dinary good fortune to command.Capt. Rowley, with Capt Edmonds under his orders, continued as long as the weather would permit an advantageous demonstration off Maldonado.-Capt. Donelly, who did me the favour of requesting I would go up the river in the Narcissus, and to whom, from his rank, no specific service could be assigned in our small scale of ope rations, applied himself on every occasion

where he could promote the objects of the Expedition and as he is charged with this dispatch, I take the liberty of recom mending him to their Lordship' s protec tion, under a full conviction they will obtain, through him, every information which they have a right to expect from an offcer of great intelligence and long meritorious service.

I consider Captain King, with the Offi cers of the Marine Battalion, so completely under the report of Gen. Beresford, that I shall only state to their Lordships my extreme satisfaction on hearing personally from the General how highly he apprecia ted every part of their conduct, particularly the celerity with which they transported the artillery and troops across the Rio Chuelo after the bridge was burnt by the

enemy.

Lieut. Talbot of the Encounter manifes ted great zeal in every instance where it was necessary to call on him; Lieut. Groves of the Diadem was also very active in landing the ordnance and ordnance stores, and I think it highly proper to state to their Lordships, that the Masters and Crews of the different transports behaved with great attention during the whole of this service.

By the terms granted to the inhabitants after the capture of the city, their Lordships will see that the coasting vessels in the river, supposed with their cargoes to amount to one million and a half of dollars, were restored to the proprietors; for an early record to the country of the great liberality of his Majesty's Government. I have the honour, &c.

H. POPHAM.

I have sent Lieut. Groves to take possession of Ensenaba de Baragon, a port to the eastward of Buenos Ayres, where I understand there are two gun-vessels and two merchant ships. H. P.

Buenos Ayres is situated on the south side of the celebrated river la Plata, about 150 miles from its mouth. The river at that city is about 20 miles broad. The province of la Plata is of immense extent, being 1500 miles in length, and 1000 in breadth. It is one of the most fertile countries in the world, and the climate is delightful. The capital city of Buenos Ayres lies in 36 degrees, south latitude, and is said to contain 70,000 inhabitants, who are a mixture of Spaniards and native Americans. It is the greatest trading town in South America, being the mart of European merchandize, and from whence the treasures of Chili, Peru, and la Plata, are exported to Europe.

The conquest of this capitál of one of the richest of the Spanish South American settle

settlements, which has been effected with a bravery and humanity equal to the judgment with which it was planned, probably will be the most important that has ever been atchieved by this country. It will open to us a considerable part of the Continent of South America, and when connected with the enterprize of General Miranda, affords a prospect of wresting from Spain the whole of her invaluable possessions in South America, the finest countries in the world, of establishing new markets for our commerce, and of creating a new and boundless field for the industry and enterprize of this country.

Several conferences have been held at the Board of Trade, to consider of proper measures for facilitating a commercial ́intercourse between this country and the newly acquired possessions. Several merchants, principally those concerned in Spa nish houses, attended. One of the first points suggested by the merchants was, that the trade with Buenos Ayres should be thrown open to neutrals; but upon mature consideration, the idea was abandoned; as it would throw the trade, in a great degree, into the hands of the Americans. It was therefore determined, that it should be carried on exclusively in British bottoms.

The London Gazette of Sept. 20. accordingly contains an order in Council allowing his Majesty's subjects to trade to Buenos Ayres, in British ships, under the same conditions and restrictions as to our colonies in the West Indies, and South America; and also to allow the importation of all goods and commodities the growth of Buenos Ayres, under the same restrictions; and the Commanders who captured Buenos Ayres having reduced the duties on importation from 344 to 12 per cent. his Majesty confirms the same, except with regard to German linens, and prohibits the importation of slaves into Buenos Ayres.

The commercial part of the community are under the highest obligations to Sir Home Popham. This gallant and patriotic Commander has sent a circular letter to all our principal manufacturing towns, pointing out the importance of this new acquisition, and giving an account of its productions, and of the articles of British manufacture that may be most wanted. The productions of the country are,

Indigo, tobacco, Vicuna wool, cotton, tyger skins, seal skins, copperas, figs, dried tongues, dried beef, hams, saffron, cochineal, cocoa, hemp, hair, wheat, gums, drugs, besides gold, silver, and precious stones, exclusive of hides and tallow, which he considers the great staple, one million four hundred thousand being annually exported.

The articles of British manufacture most in demand in the Spanish West Indian Empire are

"The light western woollen cloths, printed linens, the articles usually made up at Birmingham for the African trade, naniely, hardware. rings of small value, and buttons, with a metal buckle of enormous size, universally worn throughout Spanish America; the plated Sheffield goods; and a knife of a particular make,made at the latter place, in universal use in these provinces; flowered cotton and Manchester velvets are also

peculiarly adapted and in request for this market; and universally the muslins, calicoes, cottons, and printed linens, the manufacture of England and Scotland."

The value of the exports of hides and tallow alone from Buenos Ayres, is estimated at from three to four millions Sterling, and the other exports at an equal sum; in exchange for which, the inhabitants will henceforth receive British manufactures. Orders to the amount of several millions are already announced as ready for execution, and ships are loading with the greatest activity.

On the 9th of October, the armed brig Garland, Capt. Gordon, sailed from Greenock for Buenos Ayres, with a valuable cargo, being the first vessel that has cleared out from Britain for that colony.

The specie brought home in the Narcis sus from Buenos Ayres, has been landed at Portsmouth, and arrived on Sept. 20. in London. It was conveyed in 8 waggons, each containing near 5 tons of dollars, under the charge of 30 sailors, dressed in the uniform which they wore when they attacked the Spaniards on shore. The British colours were hoisted on the waggons, with the Spanish underneath.

MIRANDA'S EXPEDITION.

Accounts from Trinidad inform us of the sailing from thence, on the 24th of July, of this bold and enterprising chieftain, on his long projected scheme of revolutionising South America, by breaking the yoke of Spanish oppression in that extensive and valuable country. His force has been considerably augmented at Trinidad; where, besides upwards of 300 volunteers who joined his standard, he obtained several experienced officers, and carried on such a communication and intercourse with his adherents on the Main, as give sanguine hopes of his ultimate and ample success. Miranda has assumed the title of "General in Chief of the Army of Columbia," and issued all his commissions under it. The British sloop of war, Lilly, and brigs Express and Attentive, with the Prevost, Mosambique; and Trimmer schooners, and three gun.

boats,

boats, constitute his naval force; and when the last accounts left Trinidad, they had arrived at Guaira, within the Gulph of Paria, from whence it was thought Miranda would march across the Cumana, and

from thence to Barcelona, expecting the country through which he passed to join him, as he was assured of their being well affected to his cause, and was anxiously expected at Caraccas.

The American papers contain a letter from an officer in this expedition, which states that Sir J. B. Warren had brought orders to the Governors of the British islands, to render Miranda every assistance in their power. Another letter from Trinidad states, that, according to information received there from the Main, Don Pedro Minto, the particular friend of Miranda, and his most powerful partizan, was advancing towards Caraccas, with an army of 15,000 men, and impatiently waited for the General to commence more effectual operations. Not a doubt was entertained of his success, to which the intelligence of the capture of Buenos Ayres, should it have preceded his debarkation, would essentially contribute. Twelve of the officers on board Miranda's captured schooners are stated to have been executed at Porto Cavallo.-The heads of the officers were afterwards exposed on poles in the town. There were amongst them se veral of the most respectable families in New-York and Philadelphia.-The crews have been sent to the mines !

By posterior accounts received from Jamaica, we learn that Miranda had entered

the Galph of Venezuela, and had actually Janded, and taken possession of Coro in the Carracas; that he had been successful in several engagements with the Government forces, and was penetrating into the coun. try.

AMERICA.

We meet with a correspondence, somewhat interesting, in the American Papers, on the subject of the above expedition, which is in substance as follows:

"The son of the American Colonel Smith, and grand-son of Mr Adams, the late President of the United States, accompanied General Miranda, and was taken in one of the schooners. The Spanish Ambassador in America wrote to a friend of the Colonel, stating that all the persons taken in the schooners would be executed as pirates; that he was desirous of saving the life of the Colonel's son, but would only interfere upon condition that Col. Smith would make a full disclosure to him of all the

Oct. 1806.

information which he possessed respecting Miranda's plans. The Colonel, in his reply, after stating, that the persons accompanying Miranda, in the Leander, were not informed of his pro-. jects and plans, and expressing his hopes that the dignified character of the Spanish nation would not be tarnished by acts of passion and barbarity, in the infliction of harsh unmerited punishment upon any person taken in the schooners, which might have the effect of rousing a spirit of indignation and resentment, which could not fail of being attended with strong marks of just revengethus, with Spartan resolution, proceeds:

"With respect to my son, he was not made acquainted with the plans of General Miranda; he went with him as a young companion, to share his fortune and fate; he was accompanied by some of his friends capable of deeds of hardship and valour-worthy their leader-worthy his cause.-Whatever may be the situation and fate of the persons taken on board the schooners, I can never tacitly sanction the lash of tyranny on his associates, and snatch my son from a participation in their fate, whatever it may be. Nothing but the Marquis's want of an acquaintance with me can plead his cause for the indelicacy of his propositions. Do me the favour, my friend, to assure him, that were I in my son's situation, I would not comply with his proposals to save myself, and I would not cast so great an indignity upon my son, my family, and myself, as to shelter him under the shield of infamy and disgrace."

It is too generally believed that the young gentleman above alluded to is among the unfortunate sufferers.

The trial of the persons implicated with Miranda commenced at New York, before the Circuit Court of the United States, on the 15th of July. Several of the principal Officers of the American Government had been subpoenaed as witnesses on behalf of the defendants, Messrs Ogden and Smith; but had refused to attend the Court. The trial excited much interest, and continued several days, when the Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

A transaction not very honourable to the United States has been disclosed, which has occasioned another ferment among the people.-It appears that Bo

naparte

naparte, through the medium of his military ambassador, Gen. Turreau, has extorted from the Government two millions of dollars, as the price of his mediation to settle the differences betwixt Spain and the States. "Will the world believe, (says the Boston Centinel), that . the Emperor of the French had the insolence to inform our Government, that, unless we sent him, to help to support the pomp and parade of his Throne, Two Millions of Dollars, in specie, Spain should go to war with the United States repecting Louisiana, and that, France, as her ally, would assist her in the war? Yet such is the fact. And more: Such has been the trepidation with which the whiskers of this Warrior Minister have struck the Administration of our Government, that Congress has complied with the demand, and the parasites of the Executive have been called upon to close the doors of Congress, to vote this immense sum of money in secret Divan, and send it off to France-not to Spain-with most infamous haste!-Tell it not in Europe! publish it not in the streets of America!

Lest we become a bye-word and a reproach among the nations.-Let the word Independence be erased from our records, and the declaration thereof sent off with our tribute money."

This extraordinary and degrading measure is attributed to the President and the Secretary of State, who recommended it to be done under the head of a bill "for making provision for defraying any extraordinary expences attending the intercourse betwixt the United States and foreign nations." It was first introduced in the House of Representatives, and was discussed and passed with shut doors.-From thence it was transmitted to the Senate, with a message importing the secrecy of the com munication, and stating it to be a bill "to enable the President to commence with more effect the negociation for the purchase of the Spanish territories on the Gulph of Mexico, and eastward of the river Mississippi," (meaning the two Floridas). The Senate passed the bill in the same secret manner, and the President put his signature to it on the 13th of February.

On the 31st of March, the injunction of secrecy was removed on the motion of Dr Leib, and the whole proceedings

were published. In the beginning of April, the United States sloop of war,. Hornet, Captain Skipwith, sailed from New York for France, with the whole treasure on board, (60 tons of precious silver); but how far this goodly portion of tribute money will go to moliify the haughtiness of Spain's master in Paris, time only will discover.

The printing office of the New York Gazette was totally destroyed by fire, with all the materials, on the 1st Sept. It is singular that, for some days previous to this calamity, a series of essays had appeared in that paper, on the precautions to be taken agains fire, and the propriety of insuring.

Letters from Charleston state, that a violent tornado was experienced there on the 20th of August. The wind being to the northward, the damage on shore was confined to the destruction of several trees and fences. Several ships in the harbour were wrecked.

The late hurricane on the coast of America, which proved so disastrous to Sir R. Strachan's fleet and the Jamaica convoy, has done infinite damage to the American traders. The New York papers teem with losses of this kind, even before their own harbours; and in very few instances were the crews saved.

RUSSIA.

The Treaty concluded by M. d'Oubril at Paris, has been published by the Russian Government: Its provisions are in substance as follow:

"Russia was to give up Cattaro and Dalmatia, and France was to restore Ragusa to its former independence to be under the protection of the Porte. The independence of the Ionian Republic was to be acknowledged by both Powers: The Russian troops were to remove to the Seven Islands, and only 4000 men to be kept there, who were to be withdrawn when his Imperial Majesty judged necessary. The independence of the Porte and the integrity of its territories were to be guaranteed; the French troops were to retire from Germany, and in three months were all to have returned to France. Russia was to mediate a peace between Prussia and Sweden; and Bonaparte consented to accept the mediation of Russia to restore peace between Britain and France."

These terms, as we have already sta

ted

ted, have been declared by the Court of St Petersburgh, not only not agreeable to his instructions, but directly contrary to them; not only not consistent with the principles on which his Majesty, the Emperor of Russia, was willing to conclude Peace, but directly contrary to those principles.

His Imperial Majesty has also issued a Manifesto, reiterating his determination to consent to no peace that shall be in. consistent with his faith towards his allies, with his own dignity, and with the general security of Europe. This Manifesto shall appear in our next.

The new Russian levies, amounting to 200,000 men, are nearly completed.

NEW IMPERIAL EXCHANGE. A letter from Petersburgh contains the following statement:

A scene truly gratifying to the English merchants here recently took place. On the occasion of laying the first stone of a new Exchange, every English merchant in the place was invited. This ceremony being concluded, our merchants were invited to a splendid entertainment, at which the Emperor presid-, ed in person. The ease and affability displayed in his Majesty's deportment was the theme of admiration amongst his guests. Every delicacy that could be procured, was spread on the tables; cherry-trees in full bearing on each side of the table, and the choicest wines gave a zest to the treat.-During the desert, the Emperor took the opportunity of presenting to every British merchant a gold medal, of the value of about six guineas, having on one side a striking likeness of the Emperor, and on the reverse an elevation of the Imperial Exchange, as intended to be built. His Majesty at the same time desired them to preserve it as a memorial of his respect for the first commercial nation in the world, and as an indication of that strict friendship which he always wished to manifest towards England. After drinking several appropriate toasts, the company departed at a late hour, highly delighted with their entertainment, and the attentions with which they had been honoured by his Majesty. Only 250 medals were distributed, and the dye from which they were taken was immediately destroyed.

CONTINENTAL WAR.

There now remains no doubt of the

renewal of the war on the Continent.

The accumulated insults and encroachments of the French Ruler have at

length exhausted the patience, and rous

ed the spirit of the Prussian Monarch, and Gen. Knoblesdorff was sent to Paris

to remonstrate and demand. The cou rier who was sent by the General, with the Answer to the propositions of which he was the bearer, arrived at Berlin on the 17th September. It is asserted he has brought a demand from Bonaparte of the cession of the whole of Westphalia, with the county of Mark-a cession which Prussia has in the most decisive manner refused.

All hopes of an accommodation having thus failed, his Prussian Majesty has left his capital to place himself at the head of his army. On the 20th Sept. accompanied by the Queen, he set off from Potsdam for Magdeburgh, and proceeded to Halle, Meresburg, and Nauenburg, the head-quarters of the army. The Queen returned immediately to Berlin. The Prussian army, increasing in strength daily, is advancing. General Kalkreuth has taken the position of General Blucher; his right posted towards Munster; his left on the side of East Friesland. General Blucher, who has joined General Kalkreuth, has moved more to the left, and occupies the territory of Waldeck, opposite to the Hessian frontier. General Ruchel, whose head-quarters are at Gottingen, has ad vanced his position in a right line partly towards General Blucher.-The Grand Army is commanded by Marshal Mollendorf and his Majesty in person, and is computed at 70,000 infantry and 16,000 cavalry. Its present station is in the vicinity of Erfurth.-To the left are the troops in Silesia, under the Prince Hohenlohe, to which 20,000 Saxons are to be added. The Prussian troops thus occupy a line extending from Munster, on the Ems, to Meresburg on the Saale.

The army of reserve, which had assembled at Custrin, under Prince Eugene of Wirtemberg, has advanced by forced marches towards Berlin, in order to support the grand army, if necessary.

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