OFFICIAL GAZETTE INFORMATION, CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, From July 1, to December 31, 1808, inclusive. JULY. 2. Captured:the Dutch privateer brig Amstellan, of 12 guns, and 60 men, by the Rosamond, Capt. Walker, June 26; Braganza, Spanish privateer, of 1 gun, and 54 men, by the Wolf, Lieut. Waller, cominander, on the Jamaica station, May 1. 5. An Order in Council, by which the relations of peace and amity are completely re-established between this country and Spain. 9. Dispatches from General Spencer, dated off Cadiz, June 12, stating, that the French squadron, consisting of five sail of the line and a frigate, having placed themselves in a defensive position in the Channel leading to the Caraccas, or Dock-yard, out of the reach of the guns of the fortresses, and having refused to submit, were attacked by the Spa nish gun and mortar-boats, and by hatteries on the side of the Leon. The firing lasted the whole of June 9th, and was resumed by the Spaniards on the morning of the 10th, when a flag of truce was hoisted by the French admiral. This fleet surrendered on the 14th, after the erection of additional batteries. His Majesty's permission to Lord Erskine to wear the Royal Order of Vasa, conferred upon him by his Swedish Majesty. 12. Dispatches from General Spencer and Admiral Lord Collingwood, announcing the surrender of the French squadron in Cadiz, and that the French troops were retiring in every direction towards Lisbon, except some very insignificant parties left to occupy the different small forts and posts on the Spanish side of Portugal; that the Portuguese people are rising in all parts, encouraged greatly by the presence of the English, and that the Spanish frontier on the Guadiana is thus effectually secured from any attack of the French. Also, the sailing of Spanish commnissioners to England, in the Revenge, for the purpose of treating with the British Government on subjects interesting to the two countries. General Spencer says: The Council of Seville, one of the principal provincial jurisdictions in Spain, have laid hold of some statutes in their constitution, which authorise their rejecting the Supreme Council of Madrid, when that capital shall be in the power of foreign troops. They have therefore assumed an independent authority in the name of Ferdinand VII, whom they have proclaimed King; they have formally declared war against France; have appealed to the VOL. V. [Lit. Pan. March 1809] Spanish nation to support them; and their supremacy has been acknowledged by the Councils of several other provinces. In Aus dalusia they collected from fifteen to twenty thousand regular troops, and have put arms in the hands of upwards of sixty thousand peasants. General Castanos is appointed commander-in-chief. Provincial Assemblies are forming in most of the large towns; they have near four thousand cavalry, and a large quantity of artillery, as Seville is a foundery, and one of the largest depots in Spain." Lord Collingwood says, June 15 :-" Application has been made to me this evening by the Supreme Council at Seville and the Governor of Cadiz, to give a passport to a Spanish frigate and four dispatch vessels, to carry to the several governments and presidencies in the West-Indies information of the events which have happened in Spain, and their instructions to the governors; and also that a sloop of war may take out officers to that country, whose presence there is important; this they urge in preference to their going in a Spanish vessel, as it will convey a proof of their connection with Great Britain." Capt. G. A. Creyke, of the Eclipse, off the Bar of Oporto (June 20), announces two revolutions having taken place at Oporto, since June 10. After the Spaniards had de livered the forts into the custody of the Portuguese, and the national colours were everywhere hoisted, the French were again able to establish their authority in consequence of the weak and undetermined measures of the Governor, Louis d'Oliveira; they maintained it till the 16th, the day of Corpus Christi, à great national festival, when it had been usual for the Portuguese regiments to attend with colours flying. The Governor, d'Oliveira, in consequence of orders from Junot, attempted to establish the French flag instead of the Portuguese at the procession. This violent attack on the national custom offended the populace so greatly, that an attempt to compromise on the part of the governor had no effect; and on the 18th, in the evening, they were excited to such a degree of fury, that, countenanced by the priests, the people rose, broke open the arsenals, and supplied themselves with 25,000 stand of arms. From this moment all French authority ceased; and every man, either French, or suspected of being inclined to the French interest, was arrested. The Bishop of Oporto was elected governor, and an army of 20,000 men sent to meet the French, who had advanced to the amount of 300 within six leagues of Oporto. A letter from Capt. Digby, of the Cossack, dated off St. Andero, June 25, states, that with Capt. Daly, of the Comet, he had been employed in assisung the inhabitants of St. Andero, against an expected attack from the 2 T French, and in bringing off such English, and others, as might wish to come away. The French having advanced to within a few miles of the town, Capt. Daly, on the night of the 21st, spiked the guns in two forts, near the town. At day-light, on the mori ing of the 22d, he says, we stood into the bay, and manned and armed two boats from each ship, under Capt. Daly, accompanied by Lient. H. M. Herbert, of the Cossack, and Lieut. Read, of the Marines, with volunteers. They left the Cossack soon after six o'clock, landed about eight, spiked all the guns in fort St. Salvador de Ano, and fort Sedra, and wedged shot in the chambers of them, which renders them quite useless. The magazine was at some little distance, and had five hundred whole barrels of powder in it, besides other stores; part was thrown over the cliffs into the sea; the magazine was blown up about ten o'clock; also, Fort Sedra. The two other forts, on the west side of the bay, they could not attempt, as the surf was too high. Before they set fire to the first train, the French had entered the town, and a strong guard was expected at the forts; the boats left the shore by eleven o'clock, and had just got round the point of De Ano, when a considérable body of French dragoons appeared on the hill, and took 'post near the smoking ruins of the magazine." A letter from Capt. G. H. L. Dundas, dated Euryalus, in the Great Belt, June 12, announces the burning of two large Danish vessels, fitted for the reception of troops; also, the capture of a Danish gun-brig, of the largest dimensions, with 64 men, by the bours of the Euryalus and Cruiser, June 11. 16. The capture of La Vengeance, French privateer, of 9 guns and 86 men, by the Aurora, Capt. Duer, in the West-Indies, May Capture of the Danish privateer Aristides, of 6 guns and 41 men, by the Royalist, Capt. Maxwell. 6. Capt. Dix, of the Cygnet sloop, July 27, announces the capture of the Danish brig privateer, Christina, of 14 guns and 60 men, formerly an English merchantman. 9. Capt. Rood, of the Indefatigable, off Ushant the 2d inst. announces the capture of la Diane letter of marque, of 74 guns and 68 men. A letter from Capt. Inglefield, of the Bacchante, states the capture of the French_brig Grafton, of 14 guns and 105 men, off Jamaica. 13. An Order for the Prorogation of Perliament, from the 20th inst. to the Ist of November. 16. Dispatches from Sir Hugh Dalrym ple, Lord Collingwood, &c. announcing the surrender of the French General, Dupont, to the Spaniards, after the battle of Baylen. Capt. Whittingham, in his letter to Sir H. Dalrymple, dated Andujar, July 21, states in substance as follows:-It having been resolved, that the division of the Marquis de Coupigny should join that of Major-Gen. Reding, in order to attack Baylen with the united force of the two divisions, while the third division and the reserve should occupy the attention of the enemy by a feigned attack upon Andujar, Maj. Gen. Reding entered Baylen July 18, at nine o'clock, with little opposition. The enemy retreated to wards La Carolina. The maj-gen. wrote to the commander-in-chief for orders, whether to advance against Andujar, or to pursue the column which was retiring on La Carolina. Gen. Castanos ordered him to advance upon Andujar without delay. On the 19th, at two o'clock in the morning, the general re ceived information of the retreat of the French from Andujar. Lieut.-Gen. Pena, with the reserve, was ordered to advance immediately towards Baylen. The French began their retreat at nine o'clock, P. M. 18th July. Gen. Reding informed the commander-inchief, that he intended to march from Baylen towards Andujar at three o'clock, A. M. 19th July. At two o'clock, P. M. Gen: Pena's advanced guard came up with the enemy. At this moment an express arrived from Maj. Gen. Reding, to inform the heat.gen. that he had been engaged with the dis vision of Gen. Dupont from three o'clock in the morning till eleven; that he had repulsed the French, and remained master of the field of battle. The guns of the advanced guard of Lieut. Gen. Pena's division had scarcely 2. A letter from Capt. Bathurst, of the begun to fire when a flag of truce arrived to Salsette, off Norgen Island, announces the treat of a capitulation." Lieut.-Gen. Pem capture of the Russian cutter Apith, of 14 halted and formed his division upon the guns and C1 men, four of whom were killed. heights of Umbla, three miles from Bayler: On our side one man was killed. The prize, between four and five o'clock Gen. Casterick, an excellent vessel, only yo years old.aidude.camp to Buonaparte, was sent by Gro. 29. 19. Accounts of the capture of the Italian brig II Ronco, of 16 brass guns and 100 men, by the Unité, Capt. Campbell; also Le Grand Napoleon, French privateer, of 4 guns and 38 men, by the Pylades, Capt. Bligh; also a French tartan, bound for Tripoli, with 700 musket barrels on board. Members returned to Parliament:-Borough of Richmond, the Hon. Laurence Dundas, in the room of Arthur Shakespeare, Esq. accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. Town and Port of Rye, William Jacob, of Dartmouth-street, Westminster, Esq. in the room of Sir William Elford, Bart. accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. AUGUST. Dupont to treat, with Gen. Castapos in person. At nine o'clock, P. M. Maj. Gen. Reding informed the Lieut.-Gen. that during the truce he had been treacherously attacked by Gen. Wedel, from La Carolina, with 6000 men; and that the battalion of Cordova had. been surprised and taken prisoners, with two field-pieces. The negociations lasted till the evening of the 20th. The Marquis Coupigny was detached with his division to take immediate possession of the passes of Sierra Morena. During the negociations, Gen. Castanos received an intercepted dispatch from the Duke of Rovero to Dupont, ordering him to retreat immediately upon Madrid, as the army of Gallicia was rapidly advancing. This deter mined the general to admit the capitulation of Gen. Wedel. off Columbo, having brought in the Pied montaise French frigate, totally dismasted. which she captured after an action renewed three successive days, and on the last day that excellent and gallant officer, Capt. Hardinge, was unfortunately killed.-The St. Fiorenzo had 13 killed, and 24 wounded; the Piedmontaise had 50 killed, and 100 wounded. Capt. Daly, of the Comet, August 11, at sea, informs of the capture of the Sylphe, French national brig of war, of 18 guns, and 90 inen. She was in company with another brig and a corvette, each equal in force to the Comet; but notwithstanding this superiority, Capt. Daly gave chace, and coming up with the Sylphe (who, was most shamefully deserted by her comrades), she struck, after a close action of 20 minutes, in which her se cond lieutenant and six men were killed, and five severely wounded. Not a man was hurt on board the Comet, though her sails and rigging were much cut. The Sylphe is a very fine copper-bottomed vessel and a fast sailer, 20. Capt. Skeene, of the Guerrière, an French Force-Division of Dupont, 8000 rank and file; division of Wedel, 6000.-Total, 14,000. Spanish Force. Reding, 9000; Coupigny, 5000; Pena, 6000; Jones, 5000.-Total, 25,000.-One half peasantry. Nearly 3000 of the French killed and wounded From 1000 to 1200 of the Spa-nounces the capture, July 17, of a French niards killed and wounded. Terms of Capitulation. The division of Gen. Dupont prisoners of war. The division of Gen. Wedel to deliver up their arms till their arrival at Cadiz, where they are to be embarked and sent to Rochefort, privateer, late his Majesty's cutter Barbara, of 12 guns, and 90 men. The captain adds, that she was discovered in the track of the va luable Jamaica fleet, under convoy of the Veteran, of which she had obtained most accurate information as to their strength, num The division of Gen. Dupont is also to re-ber, and situation, from the master of an turn to France by Rochefort. Lieut.-Col. Doyle, at Corunna, and Major Roche, at Oviedo, write, 8th and 9th of August, to Viscount Castlereagh, that letters from respectable authorities at Madrid, also public Gazettes, had been received, stating, that on the 29th of July, in the evening, the French began the evacuation of Madrid. On the 30th the evacuation continued; on the 31st, Joseph Buonaparte, with the remainder of his troops, quitted the capital for Segovia. This was attributed to the French having received an account of the surrender of General Dupont, The French carried with them all the artillery and ammunition they could find means to convey, spiked the cannon, and damaged the powder they left behind; they also plundered the palaces and the treasury; they were followed by the Spanish ministers who had acted under the French, and, in general, by all the French settled at Madrid. Capt. Campbell, of the Unité, off Bermuda, June 1 anudances the capture of the Nettuno and Teulie, two Italian brigs of war, of 10 guns and 160 men each. None hurt on board the Unité; the Nettuno had 27 killed or drowned, and 18 wounded; the Teulie had's killed, and 16 wounded.*.. Capt. G Byng, of the Belliqueux, off Point du Galle, March 18, states his Majes ty's ship St. Fiorenzo that morning anchored American brig, who had himself claimed and received the protection of that convoy, which he betrayed to the enemy in 24 hours after parting company. Capt. Caulfield, of the Russell, Dec. 5, states the capture of the French privateer l'Adèle, of 8 guns, and 143 men, from the Isle of France. 23. Capt. Austen, of the Indian sloop, states his capturing la Jeune Estelle, French privateer, of 4 guns, and 25 men, A Congé d'Elire, empowering the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral church of Bristol to elect a Bishop of that See, void by the translation of the Right Rev. Father in God, John, late Bishop thereof, to the See of Hereford; his Majesty recommending the Rev. Wm, Lort Mansell, D. D. 24. Extraordinary..Dispatches from Admiral Keats, announcing the liberation of the Spanish troops in Denmark. Admiral Keats writes, Aug. 14: By an immediate aud zealous pursuit of the measures recoinmended in the duplicate of instructions received by the Musquito on the 5th instant, his Excellency the Marquis de la Romana, and nearly 6000 of the Spanish troops under his command, were embarked this inorning at Nyborg, which place he took possession of on the gth. By a combination of the same plan, more than 1000 have joined us this morning, by sea, from Jutland, and another thousand are posed our entrance. I even undertook to lithrown into Langeland, to strengthen the berate the vessels employed as transports, propost held by the Spanish forces in that island,vided no interruption was made by any to the where it is proposed to land the remainder, peaceable embarkation of our friends. the moment circumstances of weather will permit our moving. No doubt could be entertained of the honour and patriotism of soldiers, who, indignant at the proposat of deserting their allegiance, though surrounded by hostile battaLions, planted their colours in the centre of a circle they formed, and swore on their knees to be faithful to their country. All were equally anxious of returning to it. But one regiment in Jutland was too distant and too critically situated to effect as escape; and two in Zealand, after having fired on the French Gen. Frision, who commanded them, and killed one of his aides-de-camp, have been disarmed. * It is not easy to express the joy felt by every class of the army at this event. The regiment of Zamora made a march of 18 Danish miles in 21 hours." 27. Capture of the Danish privateer Mosin, of one gun, and 11 men, with a Dutch gun-boat, of three guns, and 26 men, by the boats of the Rosamond and Redbreast, in the rivers Jade and Weser. Capture of four small French privateer schooners, in the West Indies, by the Bellette, Morne Fortunée, Cherub, and Nimrod. 30. The King's grant to the Rev. John Banks Jenkinson, Clerk, M. A, of the place and dignity of a Canon or Prebendary of the cathedral church of Worcester, void by the resignation of Dr. James Plumtre Some untoward circumstances having occaasioned suspicion, and made a premature exe- Member returned to Parliament.-County cution of the plan necessary, the wind and of Clare. Augustine Fitzgerald, of Canigocurrent being adverse, I left the Superb on ran, Esq. in the room of Hon. Francis Nathe 8th, and went in my barge to the Bruns-thaniel Burton, who has accepted the office wick, off Nyborg, and two hours after my of Escheator of Munster. flag was hoisted. On the 9th the general Do took possession of the town. SEPTEMBER. 3. Capture of the French lugger privateer Foudroyant, of 10 guns and 15 men, by the Linnet, Lieut. Tracey, off Cherbourg, Au The grant of a Baronetage to Sir Jonathan Loveu, of Liscombe-House, Bucks, Bart of Great Britain: remainders to the sons of Elizabeth Lovett, his eldest daughter, and of Lætitia Lovett and Arabella Lovett, two other daughters. Although the Danish garrison yielded to offcumstances, an armed brig of 18 guns, the Fama, and a cutter, the Salorinan, of 12,gust 30, moored across the harbour near the town, Te. jected all remonstrance on the part of the Danes, and every offer of security made by The general and myself. The reduction of these vessels being absolutely necessary, and -the Spanish general unwilling to act hostilely against Denmark, such small vessels and boats Extraordinary (same date).—Sir A. Welwas could be collected were put under the com-Isley, under date head quarters, Caldas, Aug. mand of Capt. M'Namara, of the Edgar, 16, describes an affair of the advanced posts, who attacked and took them. On this occa- at Lourinha, occasioned by the eagerness of sion I have to lament the loss of Lieut. Har- the English troops in pursuit of the enemy. vey, an officer of much merit, of the Superb, and two seamen wounded; the enemy had seven killed, and 13 wounded. The Spaniards, irritated at this opposition, departed in some measure from the general's intention, and fired some shot at them before they struck. Fifty-seven sloops or doggers found in the port, were fitted by the seamen, into which great part of the artillery, baggage and stores, were embarked that night and the following day, and removed to the Point of Slypsbarn, four miles from Nyborg, where the army was embarked safely, and without opposition, this morning, notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, and they are now under the protection of his Majesty's ships at -the anchorage off the island of Sproe. The battle of Roleia, Aug. 17, is described by Sir Arthur, in his letter of that date, as consisting in an attack, made by the British troops on the French under Gen. Laborde, strongly posted among the hills, and in the passes, with about 6000 men, of which about 500 were cavalry, with five pieces of cannon. The British, formed into three columus, with 1200 Portuguese infantry, moved about seven o'clock in the morning; the riflemen being detached to keep up the communica tion between the centre and left colununs. The passes were all difficult of access, and some of them were well defended by the ene my, particularly; that which was attacked by the 29th and 9th regiments. These regiments attacked with the greatest impetuosity, and reached the enemy before those whose ti-attacks were to be made on their flanks : the defence of the enemy was desperate, and it was in this attack principally the we sum eird the loss which we have to lament Every unavoidable act of hostility was gidly abstained from, for I did not consider it any to bring away the brig and cutter that Vrejected out offer of security, and fo sibly op ⚫oparticularly of that gallant officer the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Lake, who distinguished sd himself upon this occasion. The enemy was, however, 'driven from vd all the positions he had taken in the passes of s the mountains, and our troops were advanced in the plains on their tops. For a cousiderable length of time the 29th and 9th regi Mments alone were advanced to this point. The enemy here made three most gallant attacks upon the 29th and 9th regiments, with a s view to cover the retreat of his defeated army; in all of which he was, however, repulsed, but he succeeded in effecting his retreat in good order, owing, principally, to my want of cavalry; and secondly, to the dedifficolty of bringing up the passes of the mountains with celerity a sufficient number of troops, and of cannon, to support those > if which had first ascended. The loss of the enemy has, however, been very great; and vinhe left three pieces of cannon in our hands. ogias Return of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 Captains, HI Ensign, 3 Serjeants, 63 Rank and File, horse, killed; 1 Lieut. Col. 3 Majors, 6 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 1 Ensign, 1 Staff, 1920 Serjeants, 295 Rank and File, 2 horses, wounded; 1 Capt. 3 Lieutenants, 1 Serjeant, 1 Drummer, 68 Rank and File, missing. which had been ordered to the position in the course of last night. The cavalry and the reserve of artillery were in the valley. The enemy first appeared at eight o'clock in the morning, in large bodies of cavalry on our left upon the heights on the road to Lourinha; and it was soon abvious that the attack would be made upon our advanced guard, and the left of our position; and Major General Ferguson's brigade was immediately moved across the ravine to the heights, on the road to Lourinha, with three pieces of cannon; he was followed successively by Brigadier-General Nightingale with his brigade, and three pieces of cannon; Brigadier-General Ackland with his brigade, and Brigadier-General Bowes with his brigade: and Major-General Hill was moved to the centre of the mountain on which the great body of the infantry had been posted, as a support; and as a reserve to the whole army. The enemy's attack began in several columns upon the whole of the troops on this height; on the left they advanced, notwithstanding the fire of the riflemen, close to the 50th regiment, and were checked and driven back only by the bayonets of that corps. The 2d battalion, 43d regiment, was likewise closely engaged with them in the Sir Harry Burrard, writing to Lord Castle- road which leads into Vimiera a part of that reagh, from Head Qitarters, Maceira, Aug. corps having been ordered into the church221, says: On my landing this morning, yard to prevent them from penetrating into I found that the enemy's attack had already the town. On the right of the position they commenced, and 1 was fortunate enough to were repulsed by the bayonets of the 97th reach the field of action in time to witness regiment, which corps was successfully sup and approve of every disposition that had been, ported by the 2d battalion, 52d regiment, and was afterwards made by Sir Arthur Wel- which, by an advance in column, took the lesley; his comprehensive mind furnishing a enemy in flank. ready resource in every emergency, and rendering it quite unnecessary to direct any atteration." Dadi Sir Arthur Wellesley thus describes the At length, after a most desperate contest, the enemy was driven back in confusion from this attack with the loss of seven pieces of cannon, many prisoners, and a great number of officers and soldiers killed and wounded. He was pursued by the detachment of the 20th light dragoons, but the enemy's cavalry were so much superior in numbers, that this detachment has suffered much, and Lieute nant Colonel Taylor was unfortunately killed. Nearly at the same time the enemy's attack commenced upon the heights on the road to Lourinha. This attack was supported by a large body of cavalry, and was made with the usual impetuosity of the French troops. It was received with steadiness by Major-General Ferguson's brigade, consisting of the 36th, 40th, and 71st regiments, and these corps charged as soon as the enemy approached them, who gave way, and they continued to advance upon him, supported by the 828, one of the corps of Brigadier General Nightingale's brigade, which, as the ground extended, afterwards formed a part of the first line; by the 29th regiment, and by Brigadier-Gene |