1812.]

youth as ever carried arms, in the laudable exercise of humanity, and the truly Christian endeavour to preserve those whom he had frequently met in the field as enemies.

The Spanish Cortes have acquitted Lieutenant-general Dou Manuel de Lapena, commander of the Spaniards in the battle of Barrosa, and declare that they are perfectly satisfied with his conduct on that day. As a proof of their high approbation, they have conferred on him the Great Cross of the order of Charles III.

A very daring attempt was made by the Guerilla partizan Zaldivar, on the 8th of last month, to seize and carry off Soult, as he was taking an airing in the public walk of Bella Flor, at Seville. The design had nearly succeeded; but, unluckily, Soult was apprised by a shepherd of his danger, as he was approaching the spot in his coach; upon which he immediately returned to his quarters in the heart of the city.

The Moniteur of the 25th ult. contained, under the head of intelligence from the French armies in Spain, a short dispatch from General Suchet, by which the rumour that General Girard had shot himself proves to be unfounded. In palliating his defeat, the French commander states, that his corps did not in the whole exceed 1300 men, 800 of whom escaped. came it, then, that General Hill made more than that number prisoners ?]

[How

Lisbon papers to the 6th instant state, that the head-quarters of the Allied Army remained at Freynada. General Hill, after some skirmishing with the Enemy at Los Novas, whom he defeated with the loss of 25 killed, 20 wounded, and 15 prisoners, entered Merida on the 30th ult. where he found considerable magazines, the Enemy having previously retreated.

Letters from Oporto to the 12th instant, communicate some particulars of interest respecting the armies in the Peninsula. Lord Wellington was certainly preparing to advance; and whatever latent views his Lordship might have in contemplation, such a movement, compelling Marmont to concentrate his troops, would have an important effect on the Enemy's operations in the South and North-western provinces. The force remaining with Marmont occupied, on the 28th Dec. a line extending from Toledo to Talavera. The French head-quarters were at the latter place. Avila, Momboltan, Tietar, and other places had been fortified. General Brennier was at Placentia. The Central Army amounts to 42,000 men, but it is indifferently equipped.

ITALY.

A fresh eruption from Mount Etna took place on the 27th October. Several mouths

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had opened on the Eastern side of the mountain, which emitted torrents of burning matter, discharged with the greatest force from the interior of the volcano, illuminating the horizon to a great distance. Clouds of ashes also descended in the form of rain upon the city of Catana and its environs, and upon the fields situate at a very great distance. On the 18th of November the eruption still continued, and exhibited appearances of the most terrible disasters.

The magnificent church of Montreale, near Palermo, was burnt to the ground on the 11th December. It was an antique structure, and coutained many curious monuments of antient kings. The entrails of St. Louis, who died before Tunis, and whose body was conveyed to France, were deposited in it.

GERMANY.

The Emperor Francis has met with some opposition from a party in the Hungarian Diet. He has, however, attempted to intimidate them into submission, by announcing his determination not to suffer any resistance to his measures on the part of the States of Hungary. Francis would hardly have used such language, if he did not presume upon the aid of a French force in case of a revolt.

A note transmitted by the Emperor of Austria to the Stadtbolder of Lower Austria, directs that free passage be given to such troops of the French Emperor as are now passing through the Austrian territory, and that proper supplies be granted them on their journey. The marching of these troops in such a direction can scarcely have any other object than the commencement of hostilities against Russia.

Several towns in the circles of Elbogen and Saatz, experienced, on the 12th Dec. a severe shock of an earthquake, which lasted a minute, and was accompanied by a noise resembling thunder.

DENMARK and SWEDEN.

We have advices from Stockholm to the 13th, and from Goltenburgh to the 17th inst. inelusive. They bring no confirmation of the rumoured treaty of peace between Russia and Turkey; but state, that a battle had been fought between the Turkish detachment of 20,000 men qu the island of Slobodse and the Russians, which had terminated in favour of the latter. The date of this action is not assigned; but, from the fact of the Turks having surrendered at discretion, we iucline to think this is the eugagement alluded to in a preceding mail, and which was supposed to have led to the reported pacification.

On the 7th instant, the King of Sweden resumed the reins of government, on which occasion the Prince Royal addressed.a long speech to his Majesty, congratulating

him on his recovery, and pointing out the situation, domestic and foreign, of the kingdom. His Royal Highness stated, that his Majesty, by adopting the Continental System, and declaring war against England, bad ruined the produce of the Customs. That more than 2,000,000 of rix dollars had been employed in recruiting the army, repairing the fortresses, and fleet. That Swedish commerce had been reduced to a mere coasting trade. That the Danish cruisers had given great cause for complaint. That the cruisers under the French flag had committed great injuries, which his Majesty the Emperor of the French had guaranteed to redress. That fifty American ships, driven by stress of weather upon the Swedish coasts, had been released. That Sweden was on the most amicable footing with Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Turkey,

That Swedish intercourse has entirely ceased with South America, owing to the civil war which rages there. His Highness, after stating the exterior relations of Sweden, proceeds by saying, that he has adopted measures to encourage the inanufacture of linen, growth of hemp, &c. &c. That he has carried into execution the solemu declaration of the States, sanctioned by his Majesty, in regard to a national armament, and had ordered the embodying of 15 out of the 50,000 men placed at the disposal of his Majesty. That the disturbances in Scania had been quelled. That the regular army and army of reserve had been new clothed and armed, and the pensions granted to officers and soldiers wounded in the late war augmented. "Your Majesty will perceive by this statement, that notwithstanding the calumniators of Sweden may say, it would require sixty years to organize an army of 60,000 men, she could accomplish it before next April. The object of this augmentation is purely defensive. Sweden has no other wish than that of being able to preserve her liberty and laws."

The last advices from Sweden state, that the French ambassador, Alquier, bad demanded an audience of leave, in consequence of a difference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. From this purpose Bernadotte endeavoured, but in vain, to dissuade Alquier, who left Stockholm without the formality of taking leave, or even of providing a Charge d'Affaires during his absence. From Stockholm, where Alquier made complaint of the influence of England, he has gone to Copenhagen.

RUSSIA.

Letters from St. Petersburg to the 21st lt. state, that peace between the Russians and Turks was signed on the 26th of November. In consequence of this intelligence, the exchange at St. Petersburg

rose to 20. We learn that the peace was accelerated by a destructive battle, in which the Turks were completely overthrown, having been first surrounded by the Russians. The Turks are said to have been so completely dismayed, that they surrendered themselves prisoners of war, to the number, according to the official report from the Russian General Kutusow, published at St. Petersburg, of 35,000 men. The Russians, being completely in possession of the field of battle, found all the magazines and baggage, and took 56 pieces of cannon. The news of this important victory was announced at St. Petersburg on the 8th of December (O. S.) On this defeat of the Turks, they offered to accept those terms which they had previously spurned at: and the signing of pre. liminaries immediately followed; which, we learn, have been ratified at St. Pe tersburg.

Advices from Sweden of a late date state as follows: "Peace between Russia and Turkey was proclaimed, with the usual formalities, at St. Petersburg, on the 26th December."

ASIA.

Lord Minto bas, by a formal proclamation, annexed the island of Java to the possession of the East India Company. As the conquest was made by a King's officer, and chiefly by his Majesty's troops, it has been suggested that, like Ceylon, it should be put upon the footing of a royal acquisition, and the appointment of a Governor left with the Prince Regent.

The East India Company's ships for China will henceforward, in consequence of the reduction of the Island of Java, proceed on their voyage through the Straits of Sunda, instead of passing through those of Malacca; and which will bring them more directly into the course of the trade winds and a smoother sea, and shorten their voyage at least six or seven weeks. AMERICA.

The Report to the House of Repre sentatives of a Committee appointed to consider and report upon those branches of the President's Message which had reference to the foreign relations of the United States, recommends to Congress the completion of the military establishment; the raising 10,000 regulars and 50,000 volunteers; calling out part of the militia; repairing all the vessels of war for service, and advising merchant-ships to arm in their own defence. The American finances, however, seem little able to sustain the 'expences of these warlike preparations. It appears from Mr. Gallatin's budget, that the national expend-' iture exceeds the receipts by 2,600,000 dollars; to cover this deficit it is proposed to make an addition of 50 per cent. to the present amount of duties, or to resort to

the

An article from Washington states, that, on the 6th December, Mr. Porter, after uoticing the objects and views of the Committee in their Report, and dilating on the injustice of Great Britain, said, that it was "the unanimous opinion of the Committee, that these encroachments were such as to demand war, as the only alternative to obtain justice." A series of Resolutions, proposed by Mr. Porter, were then carried; Mr. Randolph in the minority. The House of Representatives, it is said, has determined to recognize the independence of South America.

Experiments are making in the United States, to express oil from the Palma Christi and the Great Sunflower.

Dr. Cathrall, of New York, lately performed the operation for the stone on a boy of 7 years. The operation was completed within the space of 5 minutes from the time of making the first incision, to the extraction of a stone which weighed 1 oz. 1 qr. and 17 gr. On examining a fragment of the stone, a portion of a fine sewing needle, 3 lines in length, was found in its centre.

Official Census of the United States, for 1810.-Grand Total, 7,239,903; of which the Slaves amount to 1,191,364.

IRELAND.

An aggregate Meeting of the Catholics in Dublin has appointed a Board of 450 persons to prepare a Petition to the Prince Regent, respecting the alleged violation committed on the rights of the subject in the dispersion of the late Meeting; with directions not to present it till the restrictions were taken off.

Dublin, Jan. 3. A communication was made to some Catholic Gentlemen at D'Arcy's, that a man of the name of Fisher was very active through the city in attempting to aosociate the ignorant and poor in a conspiracy "to separate the two islands, and extirpate the hereticks." They judged it expedient to communicate the circumstance to some men of consequence and character, and accordingly consulted with Mr. Grattan and the Knight of Kerry, who communicated with Government on the subject, An advertise- ment attributed to the conspirators says nothing of separating the two kingdoms, or extirpating heresy; but is so ambiguously expressed, that it is not easy to say whether it is ironical, and persuasive of the evils it affects to deprecate, or sincere and dissuasive from them.

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Jan. 6. The Catholic aggregate meeting of the county and city of Cork, was held in that city. It was fully attended by Protestants as well as Catholics. They unanimously resolved, that a Petition should be presented to both Houses of Parliament, at the time which a Committee shall think most conducive to its success. It was also agreed to address the Prince Regent.

The Catholic aggregate meeting of Limerick has also met and voted resolutions Similar to those of their brethren in Dublin.

Bills of indictment have been found against upwards of 100 Orangemen for a riot and assault in the county of Fermanagh in July last; but the trials have been put off till next Sessions.

COUNTRY NEWS.

Dec. 25. Lieut. Dumaresque of the Hawke sloop, lying off Caishot Castle (where she brought up to attend on the Duke of Clarence) caine to Southampton, rowed up the river from the ship by six men, to dine with Admiral Ferguson. After he had taken his dinner, he embarked in the same boat for the purpose of returning to the Hawke; a breeze springing up, they found it eligible to set the sail, in doing which the mast fell, and, overpowering the sailors, upset the boats and the whole party, with Shirlock, a musician, whom Lieut. Dumaresque had taken into the boat, at the request of the men, to amuse them during the holidays on board, were plunged into the river. Lieut. Dumaresque, the musician, and five sailors out of the six, were drowned.

Dec. 50. Considerable damage was done by a thunder-storm in Cardiganshire. Seven head of cattle were killed by lightning, which also consumed fifteen stacks of corn, a rick of hay, and killed a farmer in bed at Mabwys, without injuring his children, who were sleeping with him.

Dec. 31. At Portsmouth Theatre, this evening, John Harrison, a young lad, aged 14, the son of a widow, a slopseller, on entering the gallery, rushed down to the front, exclaiming he would either get a front seat, or go into the pit. There being no iron railing, he was precipitated down a height of 50 feet, and died next morning.

Edinburgh, Dec. 31. This night, being the last of the year, and, on that account, devoted, by immemorial usage and the custom of the place, to innocent festvity, the streets of Edinburgh were disgraced by a series of riots, outrages, and robberies, hitherto, we may truly say, without any example. During almost the whole of the night, after 11 o'clock, a gang of ferocious banditti, armed with bludgeons and other weapons, infested some of the leading streets, and knocked down and robbed, and otherwise most wantonly

wantonly abused, almost every person who had the misfortime to fall in their way. After they had fairly succeeded in knocking down those of whom they were in pursuit, they proceeded immediately to rifle them of their money and watches; and the least symptom, on their part, of anxiety to save their property, was a proVocation to new outrages, which were persevered in, until their lives were endangered. These outrages, it is said, were chiefly committed by a band of idle apprentice boys, regularly organized for the purpose, and lurking in stairs and closes, from whence they issued, on a signal given, in large bands, and surrounded and overwhelmed those who were passing by. By the vigilance of the magistrates, who were in the streets, or otherwise actively engaged in the duties of their office, until about five o'clock the next morning, several of these rioters were apprehended on the spot, some of them with the stolen articles in their possession; and the most vigilant inquiries are going on, with a view to root out this nefarious combination against the peace of society, by bringing to justice the perpetrators of these outrages. A reward of 100 guineas has been offered for the discovery of the offenders.

At Perth, in the last week, so intense was the cold, that in a few hours the ice was near two inches in thickness. A number of fine free-stones from Kingoodyquarry were split to pieces at the depot, and the contractors sustained a very severe Joss. The stones having imbibed sufficiently of rain water at their pores, are immediately encrusted with frost; the water is forced into the centre, and, instantly confined, breaks forth with a loud explosion. Two pints Scottish of water had been taken from their centre previous to their breaking.

Jan. 2. An elegant piece of plate, of the value of 2001. was presented by the Geutlemen, Clergy, and Yeomanry of the hundreds of Loddon and Clavering, co. Norfolk, to Sir Edmund Bacon, bart. as a token of their respect,, and as testifying their sense of his upright conduct as a magistrate, and of his particular attention to the improvement of the roads in that neighbourhood.

Jan. 18. A smart shock of an earthquake was felt at many places in Oxfordshire, and the adjoining counties. At Tetsworth, Islip, Bletchindon, Radley, Wolvercot, and, many other villages, the windows were much shaken, and in many houses the shock was distinctly felt. It was accompanied with a deep rumbling noise, similar to a discharge of heavy ordnance. In some places this noise was heard for upwards of ten minutes.

The disturbances in the county of Nottingham still continue. On the 1st inst.

a large wooden hovel, containing a quantity of straw, the property of Mrs. Daykin of Bagthorpe, was set fire to at Basford, the whole of which was consumed. Some frames having lately been broken at Bas- ' ford, the wife of a person who held seven of them, swore to several persons as being concerned in the outrage there committed; on which account, such was the indignation excited against her among some of the stocking-makers at Basford, that it was judged expedient to remove the family with their furniture, escorted by the military, to Nottingham, as a place of refuge.-Thirty more frames were broken at Nottingham on the 4th inst. by the rioters; and at Derby, Loughborough, and the neighbouring places, the disturbances still continued. On the 5th, a stack, containing 20 tons of hay, was set fire to at Mansfield.

A private letter from Nottingham states, that more than 20 lace frames were destroyed on the 12th. Nine of them were broken at Cartergate, between seven and eight in the evening, by 50 or 60 men. On two constables coming up, one of the rioters presented a loaded blunderbuss and another a pistol, and told them if they attempted to interfere, they should receive the contents. The civil and military authorities were soon in motion; but the frame-breakers were no more heard of until the following night at New Radford, where they demolished three frames, which were making a kind of net contrary to their orders, and then dispersed..

His Grace the Duke of Norfolk has presented the Methodists of Worksop with 20 tons of timber towards the building of a Chapel.

A Commission of a singular kind has been sent out to Jersey; to examine into the records, and to reform the Constitution of that Island. It seems that for some time past, the Jurats have disagreed among themselves, and much controversy has arisen from the corruption and abuses that have crept into the antient, free, and pure system of the Senate of Jurats. In consequence of this, a Commission has been issued by the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, to Wm. Osgood, esq. late Chief Justice of Canada, Dr. Swabey, and H. Hobhouse, esq. to go over to the island, to inquire into and report on the abuses, in order that the genuine Constitution may be restored; and these gentlemen sailed some days ago in a frigate.

A very fine three-decked ship, called The Apollo, of 670 tons, mounting 20 guns, intended for the East India Company's service, was launched from Mr. Steemson's dock-yard at Paul, Yorkshire.

The Duke D'Aremberg and Gen. Bron have been conveyed to Oswestry and Welshpool