Mr. Pickering's Letters.

FROM THE BOSTON REPERTORY.

events, which might or might not take place. But it was the fact of their actual revocation; not a promise to revoke, which the pre sident was authorised by law to proclain. It was this maturated proclamation, for issuing which Mr. Madison ought to have beca impeached; combined with the emperor's conditional or promased cut which, the government is now preparing to plunge our country revocation of his decrees, that twisted the kust about our needs, to into a war with Great-Britain. But, before this knot received t France. As he had left France long after the first of November, finishing twist by an act of congress, a new minister anved from 110, on which day Mr. Madison had proclaimed the French deerees whether they had been revoked or not; for the conduct of the to have been revoked, it was supposed he could settle the point emperor in seizing and detaining American vessels subsequent to ous and devoted partizans of France, whether the decrees iad been the first day of November, had excited doubts even among credurevoked. The then secretary of state, Mr. Smith, allies that he very soon expressed his doubts to the president, even within about the more ready to seek information of the new French mister, as soon as he had been received by the president. Mr. S. accordingly a month after his proclamation had been issued. He was, therefore, conversed with the French minister on the subject of the decrees and the situation of our commerce with France; concluding the interview by observing to the French minister, that he would propose in writing, the several questions which had been stated in form of a letter to the French minister. The first question was, the conversation. Mr. Smith committed them to paper, in the were the Berlin and Milan decrees revoked in whole or in part

LETTER I.-To the citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusette, Constrained by my circumstances, to the constant and laborious management of my little farm, I can ill spare the time necessary to the examination of the state of our public affairs, and the conduct of our rulers. But, I consider my farm, my labor, and my life of small account, if our public affairs are to proceed in their present downward course. I therefore suspend my labors, in order to lay before you some facts, some truths, and sonie reflections, which conceive highly important to your interests, safety and freedom; with which my own are indissolubly united. The attempt, I con fess, is attended with discouragements. Newspapers are the usual means of conveying information to you: and a free press has ever been considered as the shield of our rights and liberties: but those means are perverted, and that shield is changed into a mischievous weapon of annoyance. Misrepresentations and falsehoods spread over the country in newspapers devoted, not to the public welfare, but to build up and support a party, who seek their own and not your advantage, have deceived you into a belief, that your national rulers have conducted your affairs wisely and honestly; and that they and those who are their professed admirers and abettors in the several states, are the only friends to the people, the only real patriots. And how are you to be undeceived?" how are you to come to the knowledge of the truth?" A vast proportion of the first day of last November? Or, have they at any time pos people read those papers only, which, with the fatal industry, disse ninate the misrepresentations and falsehoods which have deceived you. They studiously omit and reject all those truths which would correct the errors, by which so many are influenced to their own harm and the approaching ruin of the country. If, however, my voice cannot reach you all, it may be heard by many, and contribute to their confirmation in the patriotic course they now pursue.

WAR WITH GREAT-BRITAIN.

terior to that day been so revoked? Or, have you instructions from your government to give to this government any assurance or explanation in relation to the revocation or modification of those congress was of necessity to close their session on the third of decrees?" This letter was dated the 20th of February, 1811, and March. highest importance to the commerce, and now in its consequences, The information sought by that question was of the to the peace of our country. But, Mr. Madison disapproved of it? Yesterday I received from an experienced, discerning and upright withhold from congress any information that might be useful to Mr. Smith" entreated him, but in the most delicate manner, not to member of congress, a letter dated the third instant, in which he them at so momentous a juncture." Such are Mr. Smith's own says: "The aspect of affairs more strongly indicates war ap-words, in his public statement of the ease. proaching than at any other period during the session, I believe, until very lately, some confidence has been placed in the effect of And congress, (groping in the dark, or rather walking, only by the The letter was not sent. The information was not obtained. our scare-crow plan of warfare, or that the idea of our preparations light shed upon their path by Mr. Madison, a light that served but would produce, on the part of Great-Britain, a relaxation in her to make darkness vissible) by an act passed the second of March, maritime systein. It has entirely failed in its intended effect; and forbidding all importations from Great Britain, gave the finishing has, on the contrary, produced unjon [in Great-Britain ;] so that twist to the knot. "Our commerce, consequently for a whole year and now our government has no choice left, but either to recede from the more, has been struggling for breath under the hands of the hangground they have taken, or procced to the last resort;" that is to man, and now by the embargo it is strangled. Nothing remanis war. I have all along been fearful that a series of blunder and but to cut down the body and burn it under the gallows. This the mismanagement, to give them no harsher epithet, would lead to that impending war is to accomplish. But why should president Madiresult. My fears are, I believe, like to be realized. The high son oppose Mr. Smith's most important inquiry? It is the presi sense of honor which the advocates of the present measures profiss dent's constitutional duty to "give to congress information or the forbids a retreat: there is, therefore, no alternative but to fight. state of the union ;" and his oath of office enforces the obligation. If the people at large have that high sense of national, or rather" The state of the union" means the situation or condition of the congressional honor, which men of this stamp profess, they have United States in regard to foreign nations as well as among nothing to do but to shed their blood and waste their treasure, in themselves. the prosecution of this war." My respectable friend then adds, "The crisis is fast approaching. The advocates of the present Did he fear that by the confession of the French minister himself, Was Mr. Madison afraid that the real truth should be known? war have been all along flattering themselves that it would be a his November proclamation should be proved unfounded and false? popular war. That impression will, I think, prove fallacious. Or was it a blind devotion to, or treacherous concert with France, Great attention will be paid to the approaching elections. Every which governed his conduct in this matter? I have stated the vate given for Gerry in Massachusetts will be considered here as a material facts: you will form your own conclusions. A series of vote in favor of the war measures of congress." Yes, fellow-citizens, abandoning your greatest and best interests, executives of the United States for several years past, some of deceptions and double-dealings, which I have witnessed in the you are to engage in a destructive war for honor-You are to fight which I have heretofore exhibited to the public, leave me no choice: for honor-for congressional honor" (a happy distinction of my I can form but one conclusion, and that is that you are betrayed; friend's-not for national honor, but for the honor of a set of men, a that your best interests are sacrificed, and your safety, liberty and majority of whom, together with the administration, and Thomas independence hazarded to enable the French emperor to extend las Jefferson, the master-spring at their head,) have been reviled, and conquests, and finally to destroy the only power yet unsubdued. figuratively speaking, cuffed, and spit upon by Bonaparte. To his own subjects, while he has grinds them to powder by his exactions mutual, where something is to be performed on one side as well as I have already remarked, that where promises or compacts are for his treasury and his armies, he yet shews some respect, but to on the other, if one party fails in the performance, the other is disour rulers in all bis words and actions for four years past, nothing charged. Now if the French emperor's Berlin and Milau dcerces, but contempt. And finally, he has told them explicitly that they which so atrociously violated our rights as a neutral nation, were were "destitute of honor all which they have borne with the revoked, then the United States, were not bound to revive and entameness of slaves. And yet these men now talk of honor! and force the non-importation law against Great Britain. But those are urging you into a war to defend it!-No, fellow-citizens! it is a decrees were not revoked on the 1st of November 1810, nor have war to rescue them from merited disgrace, and not to save or defend they been since revoked. On the contrary, the emperor has repeatthe honor of our country. The French emperor has contrived to edly declared them to be the fundamental laws of his empire. Nor twist a knot about our necks, as one of the members said, " A knot has he so modified them that they cease to violate our neutral which," he added," must be cut by the sword of war!" But war rights. Many of our vessels have been captured and condemned, with whom? With him who twisted the knot? No, with Great- which were solely engaged in the commerce, which no other laws Britain! But how could Bonaparte twist sach a knot about our prohibited; and their condemnation proves those decreestu be still necks without the aid, the co-operation of our own rulers? And if, in force. But of what avail is it, if those deerees were repealed? in concert with them, how but by treachery? But, it is said, they The neutral rights and the interests of the United States, require have made a "compact" with him: (and this is the knot twisted that our commerce should be perfectly free with all nations which about our necks) and every agreement ought to be sacredly per-are willing to admit our vessels into their ports, whether they be formed. True: honest men will always fulfil their engagements; neutral, or the enemies of France. Notwithstanding which, the but where promises and compacts" are mutual, where something armed vessels of the emperor take, burn, destroy all our vessels is to be performed on one side as well as on the other, if one party destined to Spain and Portugal and their dominions, which he has fails in the performance, the other is discharged. The pretended treacherously invaded and endeavored to subdue. But he has not "compact" was, that if France revoked or modified her decrees stopped here. In the Baltic sea, French armed vessels make so that they should cease to violate our neutral commerce, and prizes of all the American vessels they can find, althoug.. bound to Great Britain did not revoke or modify her orders in council in Sweden and Russia, nations at peace with France; their papers like manner, then the United States were to prohibit all importa-are sent to Paris, and all are indiscriminately condeinned; fus imtions of the products and merchandize of the British donations. perial majesty himself frequently sitting and passing the iniquitous But France did not so revoke or modify her decrees; and president sentences and condemnation. The president and compes know Madison's proclamation of Nov. 3. 1810, stating that the French all this: for the facts are published in the newspapers, ut admit decrees in question had been so revoked or tuodified was false in of no doubt; yet are they driving the United States into a war fact; for the emperor's declaration in the letter of his minister with Great Britain, (for such is the avowed object of dl their way Champagny, to the American minister in Paris, was conditional, preparatious,) under the pretence of pertolling its unfounded amoufiting only to a promise to revoke his decrees, on certain future compact with a faithless tyrant!

I repeat, that even if the Berlin and Milan decrees had been, ried in its ruins. An unsuccessful sortie was afterexplicitly and forinally revoked, the pretended "compact" would not be binding on the United States; seeing the French emperor wards made: the Spaniards were defeated with thus causes our vessels and their cargoes to be captured and con- great loss; and the French entered the town with demned, or bernt, sunk, and destroyed at sea, in violation of our those who escaped slaughter. A sanguinary contest neutral rights: setting at defiance his own treaty with the United

States as well as the law of nations. And yet this perfidious then took place in the streets, in which the French monster our government seem anxious to conciliate, to gain his again had the advantage. Some of the inhabitants good will! to perform a compact which was without a considera tion, and which if it had been founded, he had violated and conti in despair sprung a mine, by which a considerable part of the city was destroyed and great carnage

Lues most grossly to violate on his part!

I am lost in astonishment at this state of things! Upon any fair produced. The number that perished French and and honorable principle, it is utterly incomprehensible.

Hume in his History of England, vol. vin. says, "An important Spaniards, was estimated at several thousands. The project was formed, not only to raake the king (Charles II.) master remainder of the Spaniards defended themselves for of the city (London,) but by that example to gain him the ascendant in all the corporations of England, and thereby give the greatest some time; but at last surrendered at discretion, the wound to the legal constitution, which the most powerful and most French having refused a capitulation. But immedi arbitrary monarchs had never yet been able to inflict. All the ately on obtaining possession, the general issued a

royalists, though Englishmen, and even, to a certain degree, lovers

sure."

of herty, were yet Biduced, from enmity to the opposition faction, proclamation containing a general pardon, in the and from the desire of superiority, to concur in this violent mea-name of king Joseph; and a stop was put to all hostile Will this fact from Home aid us in attempting to account for acts on the part of the French troops. The personthe conduct of some honorable gentlemen at Washington ? TIMOTHY PICKERING.

April 5th, 1812.

The war in the Peninsula.

CHAPTER I.

al heroism that was displayed by the Spaniards in the sieges of Zaragoza and Gerona, equalled, if they did not exceed that of the 15th and 16th centuries. General Palafox, the gallant leader of these unfortunate people, was too formidable a man to be left in Spain and he was therefore sent a prisoner into France. Thousands of other Arragonese prisoners were sent to France, and on their way most brutally treated. Some of them that were unable to walk were shot. It is recorded for the honor of

Joseph Bonaparte enters Madrid. Second siege and surrender of Zaragosa. Heroism of the women. Bourdeaux, that they were treated with great huPalafox sent a prisoner to France. Various skir manity and compassion in that city. It is remarkamishes between the different forces. Treaty between ble that the French were much more humane toGreat Britain and Spain. Sir Arthur Wellesley wards the English, as well as towards the Russian sent to the Peninsula to aid the Patriots. Disgrace- and Austrian than their Spanish prisoners. ful conduct of the Spaniards at Belchite. Blake

is driven out of Arragon.

ficult to be traced.

From the period that Bonaparte left Spain to preThe public entry of Joseph Bonaparte into Ma- pare for war against the emperor of Austria, the drid took place on the 22nd of January 1809: the operations of the French armies in Spain become sullen gloom and discontent which were legible in not only much less interesting, but much more difthe features of the inhabitants of the capital, formed His marshals were by no a striking contrast with the parade of the French skill or judgment. means distinguished for their activity, or even their troops, and the execrable meanness of such of the Spanish grandees as received and acknowledged About the beginning of March, the army which him as their legitimate sovereign. While these Cuesta commanded, was posted on the Tagus, in scenes were acting at the capital, Zaragoza was suf order to defend the passage of that river, and to prefering the horrors of a second siege. Bonaparte vent the entrance of the French into Portugal. But had not forgiven the disastrous defeat whieh his ar this force not being equal to this purpose, he was my had met before the walls of this city. Early in obliged to retreat on Truxillo, and leave the passage the month of January a second siege was commenc-of the Tagus open to them. Here it was deemed ed, and on the 21st of February, in the midst of prudent not to remain long, as the duke of Belluno ruins and dead bodies, it was compelled by all that was pushing on against him in one direction, while could assail and overcome human nature, to capitu general Sebastiani was advancing towards Man Yalate. The heroism, patience and constancy of the nares.

Arragonese in this second siege were not inferior to The first place in Portugal against which the those displayed in the first. Some of the particuFrench directed their efforts, was Oporto. It was lars, selected from Mr. Vaughan's narrative, may an object of considerable importance to make thembe recounted. A considerable body of the enemy selves masters of this city, both on account of its was decoyed into the town by a stratagem, which commerce with England, and because, by the capwas devised by the women-who had enrolled them-ture of it, they hoped to have a safe road to Lisbon, selves into a regiment to the amount of 800-within At this time Oporto was defended by 24,000 men. the walls of Zaragoza, a large number of white and more than 200 pieces of cannon. It was therehandkerchiefs waving on the battlements and ram-fore expected it would offer a formidable resistance, parts, seemed to indicate that the inhabitants had at if it did not baffle the most vigorous and persevering last determined on submission. The French party efforts. But unfortunately, jealousy and distrust were defeated and almost all of them destroyed in arose between the army and the people. Disunion the streets. The women in this action zealously, and insubordination ensued. The enemy, who prosupported their countrymen in various ways. It bably occasioned it, were thus enabled to make was lamentable to perceive, after the affair was over, themselves masters of it with little loss, and after a how many of those heroic women were killed or short and feeble resistance. About the same time wounded. When the commander of the French they advanced against Chaves. General Francisco summoned the town declaring, that if it did not de Silviera, who commanded there, prudently resurrender on that day he would storm it and put all tired at their approach, though, by this conduct be the inhabitants to the sword, Palafox assembled his exposed himself to the censure and suspicion of troops and the armed inhabitants of the city in the the people. Having collected a reinforcement he churches, where they solemnly swore to defend the returned and retook Chaves, with 12 pieces of arcityto the last and rather than surrender to be bu- tillery and 1500 prisoners.

The situation of the principal Spanish and French to retreat. The loss of which he sustained in this armies in the beginning of April, was as follows: engagement was very great: upwards of 170 offiThe marquis of Romana with the remainder of his cers were either killed, wounded or taken prisonforces, was at Villa Franca. General Cuesta, hav-jers; and the loss in rank and file bore rather a ing been joined by a corps under the duke d'Albu- greater than the usual proportion to this number of querque, had halted in his retreat before the French othicers. The supreme junta issued a decree from at Vera Cruz. General Reding, having suffered Seville, declaring that the general of the Estramaseverely in an attempt to surprize Barcelona, and duran army and the corps who had withstood the in some engagements near Tarragona, had been re enemy before Medellin had deserved well of their inforced by the army of Blake, and both were em- country. Cuesta was promoted; the most distinployed in opposing the progress of the French in guished officers were advanced a degree and the Catalonia. With regard to the French forces, soldiers were decorated with badges of honor and marshal Soult was at Oporto; marshal Ney in the received double pay for a month. Of the recicants neighborhood of Corunna and Ferrol; and marshal who had basely shrunk in the hour of need some Victor was advancing towards Lisbon, on the right were suspended or cashiered, among the officers, side of Badajoz, after havingcompelled the Spanish and the pay of both officers and men was reduced forces under Cuesta and duke d'Albuquerque to re- for the space of one month.

treat before him. The disposition of the British After this defeat of the Spaniards, the French, government had not been damped by the ill success under Victor, immediately entered Merida, where, of the first campaign on the contrary, their dis and between which place and Badajoz they remain position to support them, was, early in the year, ed for a considerable time stationary; alter which expressed to the world by a solemn treaty of alliance they marched from the Guadiana to the Tagus, and between Great Britain and Spain. This treaty was having forced the bridge of Alcantara, proceeded negociated in London by Don Pedro Cevallos, as down the river, with their face towards Abrantes minister of the Junta, acting in behalf of Ferdinand-and Lisbon. Cuesta on the confines of Estramafor the farce of using the name of this miserable dura and Andalusia re-assembled and strengthened creature was still preserved. The most important his broken army, which increased fast in numbers, feature in this treaty, is the promise of his Britannic although they were, for some time, greatly in want majesty not to acknowledge any other king of of arms. It is the noble character of the Spanish Spain and of the Indies, than his Catholic majesty nation to rise under misfortune. Though, like all Ferdinand VII. his heirs or such lawful successor raw and undisciplined troops, they were subject to as the Spanish nation shall acknowledge."-And it panics, and were easily drawn to follow any examwas further agreed, that neither party should make ple of flight, they were easily rallied. Though dispeace with France without the consent of the other. persed, they re assembled. Though vanquished, the The character of the war in Spain, at this period unconquerable will, remained to defend their counis sufficiently illustrated, by the complete victory try at the risk of their lives. It is this invincible gained, 28th March, at Medellin, by marshal Vic spirit of liberty, which, by protracting the war, tor over general Cuesta; and the celerity with and keeping up a warlike disposition and warlike which the Spanish general was enabled to re-assem habits, may be favored by some of those events ble and recruit his broken and dispersed army and which we call chance, that sustains our hopes and exagain to make head against the enemy. On that pectations, that they may be ultimately triumday, the Spanish general found the whole division phant.

under Victor, consisting of about 20,000 infantry In pursuance of the treaty between Spain and and 3000 cavalry, drawn up in front of Medellin, a Great Britain and the stipulations of assistance intown on the Guadiana, in the province of Estrama- to which the latter had entered, and also for the dura. The French infantry, formed into close purpose of delivering Portugal from the French columns presented a formidable front to their oppo- forces which infested it, sir Arthur Wellesley was nents for repelling an attack; and at the same time dispatched to that country with an amy, which, one fitted for making one, if it should be deemed though not very numerous, was extremely well advisable. The flanks of the infantry were covered equipped and provided, and was deemed by the ge by the cavalry, and in their front were raised six neral himself sufficient for the protection of Portubatteries. Cuesta commenced a rapid and general gal. The situation of Soult, indeed, began to be attack upon them. His infantry advanced with very hazardous; cut off as he was from any imme great steadiness and gallantry, notwithstanding a diate and effectual communication and support, and galling fire from the enemy's battery. The mancu- dependent for the supply of his army upon an ex vres which he directed for the purpose of gaining hausted and hostile country. In advancing from possession of these batteries, were executed with a Gallicia into Portugal, he seems to have calculated promptitude, precision and regularity, that would upon uniform success, and an open and unopposed have done honor to the most veteran and experi-route into the very centre of that kingdom. enced troops. The left wing of the Spanish infan- does not appear to have taken into the account the try advanced within pistol shot of the French.-resistance which the Portuguese were capable and The first battery was already taken. The French disposed to make, which, though not so general and cavalry made a charge, in order to regain it. Two uniform as could have been wished, required great regiments of Spanish cavalry and two squadrons of circumspection on the part of the French general, chasseurs were ordered to oppose them. But in-disconcerted his plans, and weakened his armies. stead of executing this order, the whole immediate- After he had made himself master of Oporto by the ly wheeled round, fled before the enemy, and threw pusillanimity and insubordination of its inhabitants, the left wing of the Spanish army into confusion. his intention undoubtedly was to march towards the The French, perceiving this, directed their undi-south of Portugal where he expected to effect a vided efforts against the right and centre of the junction with Victor, But after he had experiene. Spaniards. General Cuesta did every thing in his led the resistance of the Portuguese and had heard power for the restoration of order in his left wing, hat another formidable British army had again and to check and repel the attack on his centre and landed on the peninsula, he attempted to retrace right. But his efforts were in vain-he was obliged his steps, and to force a passage into Spain by the

He

way of Zamora.

across this river.

For this purpose it was necessa-jand was diverted from his purpose only by the inry to gain the important pass of Amarante; but aftelligence he received of the flight of Soult and the ter five days fighting, in which all his efforts were consequent return of sir Arthur Wellesley. met and succesfully resisted by general Silviera, the When marshal Ney evacuated Corunna, he at marshal was again obliged to retreat upon Oporto.first took the road to Vigo. Thither also a body of At this period marshal Victor was at Madrid, while Spaniards under the Conde de Norona forming the general Cuesta occupied a position at Monasterio, left at Romana's army were on their way, with the with his advanced guard at Los Santos. Conceiv two-fold view of obtaining supplies and occupying ing that the army under Victor was sufficiently an advantageous position. On the 17th June the watched by the Spaniards under Cuesta, sir Arthur opposite armies met at at the bridge of St. Jago, on Wellesley determined to drive Soult out of Oporto. the smail river of Soto-major, within three leagues While he proceeded, therefore,towards this city,mar of Vigo. The Spanish troops amounted to 9000, of shal Beresford, who commanded a body of Portu- which only two thirds were armed, and they had guese troops whom he had disciplined, directed his some small field artilery, with two 18 pounders.route to the upper Douro. But Soult, aware of the The French under the command of marshal Ney, force that was marching against him; sensible of and general Loison, amounted to 8000 men; of his own inferiority and desirous of giving Victor which 2500 were cavalry; and they had only five 12 an opportunity to push into the south of Portugal, pounders for their artillery. The French made se. withdrew the man body of his army, but left his veral attempts to cross the river, but meeting with a rear-guard, in order to entice sir Arther furthur in rigorous opposition they gave up the design for that the pursuit. When the advanced guard of the day. But it was renewed on the succeeding day, British arrived at Vendasnovas, they fell in with at first with partial success: some of them passed the outposts of the enemy, consisting of about 4000 the bridge of Lodi, but they were repulsed in passinfantry and a few squadrons of cavalry. The ing that of St. Jago. Foiled at this part of the riFrench position was strong: they occupied the ver they endeavoured to conceal another meditated heights above Grijon, having their front covered by attack, a league and a half higher up, against the wood and broken ground. But their left flank was bridge of Caldenos. Here they were received with soon covered by general Murray, while their right so determined a resistance that they were obliged to was vigorously attacked by a Portuguese regiment relinquish the attack: and on the morning of the and at the same time their centre was driven in by 9th they commenced a rapid retreat upon St. Jago, major Way. After a short resistance they fled throwing their dead bodies into pits and wells.— and during the night they crossed the Douro, and When the French had sufficient time it was their destroyed the bridge. To assist the marshal Be-practice on some occasions, in order to conceal the resford, it became necessary that sir Arthur Wel-number of their killed, to burn the bodies of the lesley should lose no time in pursuing the enemy dead and bury the ashes. The Spaniards, in these The passage was difficult and actions, were very materially assisted by four gundangerous but it was effected with complete suc-boats, sent up the river by the British commodore ces and without disorder. At first the enemy ap at Vigo. peared not disposed to oppose their crossing; but as soon as the first battalion, under general Paget was landed, and had taken a position, the French poured down upon them, hoping, as they were alone and unsupported, to conquer them by supe riority of numbers. In this they were mistaken; for this single battalion bore the attack with great steadiness until it was supported by the other divi sions of the British army. While the French were renewing their attacks, general Murray, having June, near Belchite. The centre was defended by crossed the river at Ovintas, appeared on their left a bridge: the right and left wings were covered by flank and general Sherbrooke, having forced his intrenchments; and the front was protected by way into the city of Oporto, and crossed the river deep ravines. Blake trusted greatly to the strength at the ferry, threatened their right flank. Dismay. of his position, and received from his troops the ed and thrown into confusion by these manoeuvres, most positive assurances that they would do their they retired hastily towards Amaranthe, having duty. The enemy at first appeared on the heights, behind them several prisoners and five pieces of and soon afterwards directed their attack against cannon. (12th may) sir Arthur Wellesley hoped the left flank of the Spanish army; this attack to be able to cut off the retreat of Soult. The supported by 20 discharges of cannon was comPortuguese general, Silviera, was posted upon the pletely successful. According to the account of Fomaga. If he had been able to have maintained the battle published by Blake, one of his regiments that position, no retreat would have been open for was thrown into confusion or struck with a panic the French but across the Minho. On this point sirby one of the enemy's grenades. The utmost disArthur intended to press them so closely, that they order prevailed: regiment after regiment fled with. would not have been able to effect the passage. But out discharging a gun and in a short time, only the the loss of the bridge of Amaranthe, which gen. Sil general and officers were left to oppose the enemy. viera was unable to defend against Soult's army, af. In their flight, the Spaniards not merely abandoned forded the French an opportunity of escaping into their baggages, but even threw away their arms. the north of Spain. The British pursued them a short One regiment only, the first regiment of Valencia, distance, and in the skirmishes which took place, rallied about two leagues from the field of battle; they were uniformly successful. Sir Arthur at length but they were dispersed or cut down by a body of gave up the pursuit in order to march to the south hussars. After this defeat, so disgraceful to the of Portugal, where his presence was become neces- soldiers, Blake was obliged to abandon Arragon sary, in order to protect Lisbon from Marshal and at a distance from his enemy to endeavor to Victor. This general finding the capital open to restore discipline to his army.

his attack, commenced a rapid march towards it,

Gerona.

In the north east of Spain, the army of Blake was principally occupied in endeavoring to relieve He also made an attempt to regain possession of Zaragoza, in which he not only completely failed, but exposed his army to a fatal defeat at Belchite. He was opposed by the French general Suchet. The Spanish army having been compelled to retreat, took up a strong position, on the 17th

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

"Things as they are.

دو

England"—a silent and unhallowed British in fluence, that forces its way in our closets, and conceals it It is not from enmity to Great Britain, and much elf in the most secret recesses of our heart. less from love to France (as, by a strange associ Our language, manners and customs are Brish. ation of ideas, is very charitably supposed by some) Descended chiefly from the stock of that country, that we open the wound cicatrised by the lapse of and separated, as nations, only a few years, during thirty years, and point the public attention to the which we have been most intimately connected in events of the revolution. We neither desire to ex-commercial and other pursuits, it seems impossible cite old animosities" or stir up new dissentions ;-for us to dwest ourselves of an interest in her wel our soul is attuned to peace, if peace can be main-fare, though her conduct is in direct hostility to our When news of her tritained with SAFETY-but we have an earnest wish own peace and prosperity. to bring ourselves, and the people, to a NATIONAL umphs are received this interest shews itself withfeeling; and to the spirit of those times from which out a blush-the intelligence is called "glorious " we have so widely wandered. and, in adverse circumstances, "distressing." We

Mrs. Adams, in the very interesting sketch we ex-extend this principle still further-an Englishman tracted from her work for our 34th number, (sce is not in our country two weeks before he feels himpage 129) has emphatically observed, that "while self authorised to condemn the president and laugh almost every historian of the American revolution at the government; and we listen to him patiently. (native or foreign] has celebrated the virtues and la I think I have as little love for the British as most mented the death of Andre, HALE has remained unmen, yet am very certain that this subtle influence noticed, and it is scarcely known that such a cha has its effect upon me, "democrat" or "jacobin" racter existed." She might have gone further and that I am-I could not permit a Frenchman, though said, while almost every infant in America was my life were endangered by it, to speak of any taught to pity the former, that few even of his fellow-country and government, as Englishmen frequently soldiers remembered the latter. The cause of this do in my presence. On the instant that a Frenchwill appear in the sequel; and is of great interest man should broach a political discussion, I would that the fact should be solemnly investigated. regard him as a foreigner, and forthwith enquire If we draw a comparison between the two men what right he had to meddle with the matter? I un.imely deceased, who most deserves commissera- should immediately separate my interest from his, But, tion-whose memory should we hold in grateful re and draw a line of demarkation between us. membrance? HALE, though justly punished by the from custom, which is second nature, handed down laws of war, never compromitted his honor; he from father to son, a certain something of the coinlived and he died like a man. Andre, liable to death nial dependance remains, and I cannot bring_my by the same laws that condemned Hale, superadded mind to the same state of repulsion when an Eng thereto a partnership, or chief agency, in the most lishman speaks; though he may in half an hour utdetestable of crimes. It is no palliation of his guilt ter more offensive language than in my whole life I that it has been the practice of Great Britain to have heard from Frenchmen, very few of whom conquer by treachery for ages-the broad mantle of meddle with politics at all. I admit an Englishman the common law itself would not screen him, and he to find fault with our constitution, though he has doubly forfeited his life. We, Americans, are ac never seen it-to say that our turkies are not half so customed to associate the idea of every thing that tender as the turkies are in England, though he neis hideous with the name of Arnold-yet we cannot ver tasted one at home; and will permit him to discover any honest distinction between the man swear that our Champaign wine, (which we call cywho tempts another to commit a crime and he who der) is not half so good as theChampaign he was accommits it. It is a vulgar saying, that "the recustomed to drink in "Lunnun !"-Nay, though in ceiver is as bad as the thief"--and, indeed, he seems one of the pools of my country we could drown the more to blame who deliberately projects a treason, whole island of Great Britain, I do not know but than he who enters into the plan, allured by a golden that I would allow him to say that Yorkshire was prospect held out to him. It is true, that Arnold larger than the United States!-For I cannot altowas held to us by ties that Andre knew not; but,upon gether divest myself of the idea that he has a right I think if every man the broad scale of moral justice, their offence was to speak on such things. will examine his own heart and experience, and be equal. honest enough to confess it, that he will have cause to acknowledge himself influenced by the same feelings that I am.

The moral, as well as the military law, sentenced Andre to death-yet, because he did not interfere on behalf of this man, the character of WASHINGTON But the most powerful excitement of this foreign has been harshly treated in America as well as in Europe-the case is adduced in proof that his heart was influence is the quantity of BOOKS with which we callous to the sufferings of his fellow creatures are inundated from England, whose authors, very Though he allowed to Andre every comfort that his naturally, extol the government and resources of situation would admit of―time was granted him to their country, and speak of their king himself as prepare himself for his fate—his friends had free ac-great, intelligent and munificient! The streami oể cess to him, and he was consoled even by his na royalty flows in upon us in ten thousand channels-tional enemies-he was denied nothing that he could seizes as in "season and out of season," and geneI believe the most palpable reasonably ask for.-Refer to the article, and rally has some effect.

see how the gallant Hale was treated-condemned falsehood may be so often repeated that he who to sudden death, and deprived of every thing, but first made it shall believe it-such is the frailty of his own virtue, that could console him! We know human nature; and hence the excessive forcin not that he was destitute of any private grace that British influence that predominates amongst us: Andre boasted-why then the grand distinction? with which, however, we on the sea-board are not e Why should Americans be taught to dwell with tender-infected than the people of the interior, who less ness on the recollection of Andre, while they treat frequently come in contact with it, in the shape of Hale with indifference? The fact is, and we feel tru-a bale of goods, a newly printed British volume, a ly humbled while we confess it, that there is still a fresh imported Lannun blood, or a flippant ManLonging after things appertaining to the "majesty of chester rider.