Historical Affairs. SOUTH AMERICA, Tmation is extracted from a CharlesHE following extraordinary infortown paper of the 24th of December: The Franklin, Captain Uhranstram, sailed from Buenos Ayres on the 14th * October, and about a week previous to her sailing, all the neutrals received notice from the Spanish Government to depart from the River Plata, loaded or unloaded, within 40 days from the date of the order. The Spanish Government suspected the Americans and Portuguese of acting as spies to the English; and it is the general opinion, that, during the term of two years, no neutral ships will be admitted into the River Plata, on any pretence whatsoever, even if they should be furnished with a royal licence. General Liniers had entered into a new treaty with the Commander of the British squadron in the river; which consisted of a fripate, a sloop of war, and a cutter. By this treaty it was agreed, that the British should not molest the river trade, that is to say, the trade between Monte Video and Buenos Avres, or any of the ports above Monte Video. On the other hand, the Spanish Government have stipulated to supply the British squadron, or any ships of that nation that may put in there, with necessaries. Maldonado was the port appointed for their rendezvous; and this treaty was to continue in force during six months. On the 17th October Captain Uhranstram was boarded off Maldonado by the British frigate Nereide, who took the chief mate out of the ship, he being an Englishman, but otherwise treated him very politely. The sloop of war and cutter were also in sight, and stated that it was their determination not to moiest the river trade, as the Spaniards supplied them with every thing they wanted. By another conveyance we learn, that the above treaty had received another explanation :-Liniers, and his friends, it is said, purchased nearly the whole of Brium includes neutrals, the British property, previous to the that he and his friends may amass wealth, in the mean time, by the sale of their stock of goods. AMERICA. Dispatches from Mr Armstrong, the American Minister at Paris, and the arrival of Mr Monroe from England, have induced the American Government to lay an embargo on all their own shipping, as a measure of precaution, to prevent their falling into the hands of an enemy, in case war should be declared. An act for this purpose was hastily passed by the Congress, (Dec. 22.) on a message from the President, which was discussed with closed doors. The embargo does not affect foreign ships. The precise contents of the dispatches were not generally known to the public in America, but they were understood to be unfavourable to that country, and a war with France was spoken of as an event equally probably as a war with England. With one or the other it was considered inevitable. It was believed that Bonaparte had declared that he would allow of no neu. trality, and had determined to enforce his decree against neutral commerce to its utmost extent, which must produce retaliation on the part of England: so that, between both, the Americans apprehended that they would lose the whole of their trade. On this account the public mind was very gloomy; and the arrival of Mr Rose was anxiously expected. The embargo is deprecated in strong terms, even by the warmest friends of the President. It has been denounced as a measure originating in a mandate from France, and intended to aid Bonaparte in his scheme of destroying British commerce. Besides, it has caused nume numerous failures, and a total stagnation of all trade. A house in New York has failed for 800,000 dollars. has fallen to 4 and 34 dollars. Flour The embargo took place at Charlestown on the 4th Jan. and ought to have reached Savannah on the 7th, but not arriving till the evening of the 8th, several Americans, whose cargoes were nearly completed, took the opportunity to get off. A bill supplementary to the embargo act passed on the 2d Jan, by a majority of 68 to 22. It consists of three sections, the first of which prohibits the departure of all coasting vessels without security that their trade shall be confined to coas ting only along the shores of the United States. The second subjects any vessel violating the embargo to forfeiture of the ship and cargo. The third extends the prohibitions to all armed vessels, except vessels of the State. Mr Rose had arrived at Norfolk, in the Statira frigate. Before he landed, he informed the commanding officer of the port, that his instructions were not to land, until he had received assurances that the officers and crew of the ship in which he came should be receiv. ed with hospitality, and put on the same friendly footing as the officers and ships of France, or any other country in amity with America. The com. manding officer not being instructed how to act in this case, sent off an express to Washington, and an answer was returned, which proving satisfactory to Mr Rose, he landed, and proceeded on his journey to Washington. A report was current in America, and had occasioned a strong sensation, that Bonaparte had offered to guarantee the possession of Canada and Nova Scotia to the United States, provided they would declare against England, and that he had obtained the cession to France by Spain of the Floridas. Dr Ballus, surgeon of the Chesapeake, who arrived at Washington from France on the 17th Dec. and is the bearer of dispatches from Mr Armstrong, reports, that in a conversation between the Emperor Napoleon and Mr Armstrong, which took place in his presence, the Emperor remarked," that any country in which a British Minister was permitted to reside, would be con. sidered the enemy of France." NEW SOUTH WALES. Government have official accounts from Botany Bay of the 18th of March, which state, that a conspiracy of the Irish convicts, which had been planning some months, had been discovered and defeated: they were headed by O'Dwyer, the Irish rebel. They were to risk their success on seizing the arms of the loyal inhabitants, and, in order to effect this, the Irish servants of the inhabi tants were, at a certain time to be fixed, to massacre their masters and the prinseized for trial, and put on board the cipal inhabitants. O'Dwyer had been Porpoise; Byrne also, Burke, and some other ringleaders, had been apprehended. The Sydney Gazettes give sad details of losses occasioned in the settle. ment by a flood, whereby corn, stock, and buildings, were destroyed to the value of L. 35,000. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. The King of Spain has issued a furious decree, announcing his adoption of all Napoleon's recent measures against British commerce. His most Catholic Majesty is not a little surprised, that af ter he took the trouble, in February last, to declare the British isles in a state of blockade, they should still make any pretensions to sovereignty, or even equality, on the seas. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs has presented a report to Napoleon, intended as a justification of the attack upon Portugal; but the only accusation brought against that Government is its refusal to confiscate the property of the English. It appears from the same report, that considerable apprehensions were entertained by Spain for the safety of Cadiz and Ceuta. The British government have accounts that the French and Spaniards were making great preparations for the siege of Gibraltar with an army of 140,000 men, and 200 gun boats. ProVisions were extremely scarce in the southern provinces of Spain, but every effort was making to procure them for the army destined to undertake the siege. All this may be a feint. A proclamation has however been issued at Gibraltar by the Lieutenant Governor, against the exportation of grain, on the pre presumption that such exported grain might facilitate the hostile purposes of the enemy. The private accounts from Lisbon are much at variance, but they all agree in representing the misery of the inhabitants as extreme. They are to the following effect "There were 14,000 French troops in the city. On their entry they were received with marked disgust, nor could they proceed on their march until covered by Portuguese troops. On the 13th of December the populace rose upon the French troops, which is represented by the French as a matter by no means serious, only ten soldiers being killed. Since that disturbance, how. ever, the guards of the city had been doubled, cannon were placed in the principal streets and squares, and not more than ten of the inhabitants were suffered to assemble together in the streets. Junot's palace was well bar. ricadoed and guarded; when he went with his suite to the opera, he took his seat in the Prince's box, on which all the Portuguese present put on their hats, and instantly left the theatre. Not a night passed but some of the French were murdered, and, owing to the threats of the inhabitants, no attempt had been made to hoist the French fags on the forts. Junot had converted the convents into barracks, and had imposed a heavy contribution to clothe his troops, who were almost all naked. The scarcity of provisions was extreme, the blockading squadron cutting off all supplies, and the French not permitting the fishing boats to go without the bar, and each boat having on board as many French soldiers as fishermen. From the statements in the Dutch papers, which are, in this case, better entitled to credit, the insurrection ap pears to have been very serious. They state, that on the evening of the 13th of December, the people assembled in the principal squares; troops were sent to restore peace, but the insurrection extended to every part of the city, and the troops were obliged to fire. Of the extent of the carnage we are not informed, for there is a manifest anxiety to conceal particulars; but the troops, it is acknowledged, were obliged to semain under arms for 48 hours, the people incessantly endeavouring to renew the disturbance. At length, after 38 of the ring-leaders were secured, the military, as it is expressed, "gained a victory." All the private letters confirm the accounts of the insurrection, and add that the French were held in the utmost detestation; but, since this affair, the Portugueze were so closely watched, and in so defenceless a state, that effectual or salutary resistance was out of the question; several of them had succeeded in escaping to the British squadron, and, to prevent others from following their example, a number of the French military had been dispersed on board the craft in the Tagus, to prevent the passage of boats down the river. Others of the French troops were stationed at various points of the coast. According to accounts of the most recent date, the spirit of insurrection had entirely subsided, and a sullen apathy, from which no less danger may be apprehended, supplied its place The insurrection, though unsuccessful, produced some good effects. The French abated of their insolence, and shewed a greater desire to conciliate the inhabitants. The civil government appointed by the Prince Regent remained untouched. The ancient laws continued to be administered by the ancient magistracy, and the public departments were directed by the same persons who had the controul of them when the Court emigrated. Junot had taken up his residence at the house of an opulent Portugueze merchant, where he kept an open table, for which he obliged the merchant to pay 36 piastres daily. He had also imposed heavy contributions on all the Irish who remained in Lisbon. So irritated were the Portugueze by the presence of the French troops, and the privations which they experienced, that Junot, who had prepared a proclamation, ordering the Portuguese national troops of three provinces to deliver up their arms, deemed it dangerous to issue it, and it was suppressed. The insurgents who were condemned by the military tribunals were afterwards pardoned. Mr Bell was allowed to remain at Lisbon as agent for English prisoners, The new decrees and orders of the French General Junot had been regu. larly transmitted to the Regency, and by by them put into execution. The furaiture of the British Assembly Room had been sold by Junot for L. 600 Sterling; the lower apartments were immediately afterwards directed to be converted into stables; and the upper rooms, which are very elegantly constructed and furnished, were presented to Beauharnois, who has taken up his residence there. The sum of British property, which, by virtue of the decree of the 5th December, had been entered with Mons.Legoy, did not amount to 40,000l. Sterling, and no efforts on the part of the people were attempted to be made to increase the amount. The seals had not been rased from the doors of the Offices of Customs; but this was daily expected, under the superintendance of officers, who had been charged to inquire into the nature and value of the property. Such as should be found to be in any manner connected with British subjects was to be confiscated as British property; and such as should clearly appear to belong to the subjects of Portugal was to be restored, and allowed to be sold for their benefit. The Russian squadron had expended the greatest part of their supplies, and would, it was supposed, be obliged to put to sea to avoid starving. All British subjects were imprisoned in the English hospital, with the exception of the females, who were allowed to remain in their houses. In the midst of all this distress, not a soul was permitted to leave the country; every applica. tion for a passport had been refused. At St Ubes all was quiet, not a Frenchman had appeared there; it required all Junot's force to keep Lisbon in check. In pursuance of a convention between their Majesties the Emperor of the French and King of Italy, and the King of Spain, Tuscany has been eeded to his Imperial Majesty ; and yesterday evening the Queen (to whom other states are to be assigned) departed hence with a train of between 40 and 50 carriages, containing baggage and private property; after which the Etrurians were discharged from their oath of allegiance, and the Government declared to be dissolved by the following proclamation: "Charles Louis, Infant of Spain, King of Etruria, &c. and on the part of his Majesty, her Majesty Maria Louisa, Infanta of Spain, Queen Regent of Etruria. "Whereas his Majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy has informed us, that, by virtue of a treaty concluded with his Catholic Majesty, other States are appointed for us in exchange for the Kingdom of Etruria, ceded to the most illustrious Emperor by the aforesaid treaty; we consider our reign in Etruria as dissolved from this day, and hence discharge the Etrurian nation from every oath of allegiance towards our royal person. and of the memory which we shall at all times retain of the faithful attachment which they have displayed during the time of our government. "Yet we cannot separate from subjects so dearly beloved, without publicAs to what may be ultimately they assuring them of our entire, gratitude, fate of Portugal, we are yet without any certain information. Some accounts say, that the Prince of Asturias is to be declared Sovereign both of Spain and Portugal, and that his father is to abdicate the throne of the former kingdom: Spain ceding to France Porto Rico and Cuba, with a free trade to her South American possessions. Other letters say, that the Queen of Etruria arrived at Madrid on the 27th of December on her way to Portugal, where she was invested with the supreme authority, as Queen, and guardian of her infant spa, "Yet, if there is a thought which can diminish our affliction at such a separation, it is this, that the kingdom of Etruria that so obedient a nation becomes subject to the happy government of a monarch who is adorned with the most heroic virtues, among which the constant care is pre-eminent with which he labours to ensure the prosperity of the people under his authority. "MARIA LOUISA. "Given the 10th of Dec. 1807." LEC LEGHORN, Dec. 26. No merchantman shallsail from any port with goods of any description whatever." All the towns and provinces of the former kingdom of Etruria have now taken the oath of allegiance to the Em... Napoleon's ingenuity has conceived peror and King Napoleon. The Etru- and brought forth another decree against rian troops are gone into Upper Italy, British commerce, which was published and in their stead a numerous garrison Jan. 11. to the following effect:is arrived here. The numerous towers along our sea-coast, which served the inhabitants as a protection against the Barbary rovers, have been in like manner occupied by the French, and put into a better state of defence. In our fort, which protects the town and the harbour, preparations have been made to receive the English with red-hot balls, whenever they may venture to at tack us. Within a short time, some frigates will be set upon the stocks. The dissolution of the Government of Etruria has occasioned much embarrassment to the merchants of Leghorn. The French had seized a large quantity of merchandise, under a pretence of its being English and Sicilian property. The merchants protested in vain-the French insisted upon selling it, and promised that the owners should be indemnified, if it were proved to be Etrurian property. It was sold for about two and a half millions of francs.-It was proved to be Etrurian property, but the Government was dissolved, and there is little probability that the merchants will ever recover a farthing. Malta, according to the last letters, was full of people from all parts of the Mediterranean; the stoppage of trade in Turkey and the Black Sea having cau. sed numbers to take up their abode there. Provisions were extremely dear, and lodgings scarcely to be had. FRANCE. Another decree has been issued by Napoleon, the object of which is to cut off all possibility of communication with England. It is dated Dec. 18th, and is to the following effect : "It orders, that a strict embargo should, on the 1st of January, be laid on all vessels which might be found in any of the ports of France, or any of the ports under its controul or dominion, whether such vessels belonged to any of the countries in alliance with France, or sailed under any neutral flag. All exportation is to be prohibited from the ports of France without any exemption. "Any one of the crew of a vessel entering a French port, who shall declare that the ship has come from England, or her colonies, or from any country occupied by English troops, or that it has been visited by any English vessel, shall receive one-third of the produce of the net sale of the ship and cargo, if his de. claration shall be proved correct. Any public functionary, who shall be convicted of having favoured the contravention of the deerees of the 22d Nov. and 18th Dec. shall be punished as if guilty of high treason." While such a regulation remains in force, it is not very likely that any neutral vessel will enter into a French or Dutch port; and indeed, according to a variety of concurring accounts from the French coast, all trade whatever is interdicted-an embargo is laid upon all vessels in French ports, to continue till the end of the war, and a similar measure is to be adopted in Holland and Spain. The letters from France, however, complain bitterly of the ruinous consequences which result from these. measures to every part of the Continent. Napoleon, however, carries his views still farther, and his journals are filled with projects for attacking us in the East Indies, and, as they express it, "striking us to the heart." They demonstrate, to their own satisfaction at least, that a French and Russian army, with the cooperation of Persia, may easily reach the East Indies in about five months! Notwithstanding the peace of the Continent, Napoleon has called out 80,000 men of the conscription of 1809. The motives for the measure are stated to be to carry war into England and Ireland, and deliverance to India. By another decree, Kehl, Cassel, Wesel, and Flushing, are united to France. It is obscurely hinted in the Moniteur, that there have been some popular commotions on the Continent "the inevitable consequence of the war," particularly in the Duchy of Warsaw, and that the French troops had rendered essential service in quelling them. In the present privation of alf |