and I was likewise of opinion, that the sooner the defensive line should be ta ken up, the more likely were the troops to be able to defend it. Accordingly I marched on the 4th, and crossed the Tagus by the bridge of Arco Bispo, and have continued my route to this place, in which I am well situated to defend the passage of Almaraz and the lower parts of the Tagus. General Cuesta crossed the river on the night of the 5th, and he is still at the bridge of Arco Bispo. About 2000 of the wounded have been brought away from Talavera, the remaining 1500 are there; and I doubt whether, under any circumstances, it would have been possible or consistent with humanity, to attempt to remove any more of them. From the treatment which some of the soldiers wounded on the 27th, and who fell into the hands of the enemy, experienced from them, and from the manner In which I have always treated the wounded who have fallen into my hands, I expect that these men will be well treated; and I have only to lament, that a new concurrence of events, over which from circumstances I had and could have no controul, should have placed the army in a situation to be obliged to leave any of them behind. I have the honour to be, &c. ARTHUR WELLESLEY. September 2.

A Dispatch of which the following is a copy, was yesterday morning received at the office of Lord Castlereagh, from Lieutenant General the Earl of Chatham, dated Head-quarters, Bathz, August 29:

MY LORD, Major Bradford delivered to me your lordship's dispatch of the 21st instant, signifying to me his Majesty's commands that I should convey to Lieut.Gen. Sir Eyre Coote, the General and other officers and troops employed before Flushing, and particularly to those of the artillery and engineer departments, his Majesty's most gracious approbation of their conduct; and which I have obeyed with the most entire satisfaction. I had the honour in my last dispatch of acquainting your lordship with my intention of proceeding to this place, and I should have been most happy to have been enabled to have announced to your lordship the further progress of this army. Unfortunately, however, it becomes my duty to state to your lordship, that, from the concurrent testimony from so many quarters, as to leave no

doubt of the truth of the information the enemy appears to have collected so formidable a force, as to convince me that the period was arrived, at which my instructions would have directed me to withdraw the army under my com mand, even if engaged in actual opera tion. I had certainly early understood on my arrival at Walcheren, that the enemy were assembling in considerable force at all points; but I was unwilling to give too much credit to these reports, and I was determined to persevere, until I was satisfied, upon the fallest infor mation, that all further attempts would be unavailable.

From all our intelligence it appears, that the force of the enemy in this quar ter, distributed between the environs of Bergen-op-Zoom, Breda, Lillo, and Antwerp, and cantoned on the opposite coast, is not less than thirty-five thousand men, and by some statements it is estimated higher. Though a landing on the continent might, I have no doubt, have been forced, yet, as the siege of Antwerp, the possession of which could alone have secured to us any of the ulterior objects of the expedition, was by this state of things rendered utterly impracticable, such a measure, if successful, could have led to no solid advantage; and the retreat of the army, which must at an early period have been inevitable, would have been exposed to much hazard. The utmost force (and that daily decreasing) that I could have brought into the field, after providing for the occupation of Walcheren and South Beveland, would have amounted to about 23,000 infantry and 2000 cavalry. Your lordship must at once see, even if the enemy's force had been less numerous than represented, after the necessary detachments to observe the garrisons of Bergen-op-Zoom and Breda, and securing our communications, how very inadequate a force must have remained for operations against Lillo and Lietkenshoeik, and ultimately against Antwerp, which town, so far from being in the state which had been reported, is, from very correct accounts, represented to be in a complete state of defence; and the enemy's ships had been brought up and placed in security under the guns of the citadel.

Under these circumstances, however mortifying to me to see the progress arrested of an army, from whose good conduct and valour I had every thing to

hope, I feel that my duty left me no other course than to close my operations here; and it will always be a satisfaction to me to think that I have not been in duced lightly to commit the safety of the army confided to me, or the reputation of his Majesty's arms. It was an additional satisfaction to me to find that the unanimous opinion of the lieutenant-generals of this army, whom I thought it right to consult, more out of respect to them, than that I thought a doubt could be entertained on the subject, concurred entirely in the sentiments I have submitted to your Lordship. I am concerned to say, that the effect of the cli mate at this unhealthy period of the year is felt most seriously, and that the num ber of sick already is little short of 3000 men. It is my intention to withdraw gradually from the advanced position in this island, and sending into Walcheren such an additional force as may be necessary to secure that important possession, to embark the remainder of the troops, and to hold them in readiness to avail myself of his Majesty's further commands, which I shall most anxiously expect. I have the honour to be, &c.

CHATHAM.

Admiralty Office, Sept. 2. Extract of a letter from Rear-Admiral Sir R. J. Strachan, Burt. K. B. to the Hon. W. Wellesley Pole, dated on board his Majesty's ship the St. Domingo, off Bathz, the 27th August, I have now to acquaint you, for their Lordships' information, that the flat boats of every description of vessels being assembled, and every necessary arrangement made on the part of the navy, for landing the army near Santfleet, on the beach which had been previously reconnoitered, and not hearing from the Earl of Chatham respecting his intentions, I communicated with his lordship on the 24th inst, and on the following day I found his lordship had not come to a de

termination, on account of the increased force of the enemy, and the army geting sickly, and that he had sent for the generals to consult; I therefore, on the morning of the 26th, wrote to his lordship, and soon after went on shore to the meeting of the lieutenant-generals of the army, taking with me Rear-Admiral Sir R. Keats; I found them decidedly of opinion that no operation could be undertaken against Antwerp, with any prospect of success, at this advanced season. of the year, and the enemy increasing in

strength, and our own forces diminished by sickness, and that as the taking of Lillo and Liefkenshoeik would not insure our obtaining the ultimate object of the expe dition, without Antwerp being reduced, and the country near these fortresses being inundated; it was also their de cided opinion, that the army ought not to make any attempt on them. I had already, in the most unqualified manner, offered every naval assistance to reduce these fortresses, and also in aid of every other operation of the army. Conceiving the subject of the deliberations of the generals perfectly military, I withdrew with Sir R. Keate. The ships of the enemy, which were above the town of Antwerp about five miles, have come down, and are now extended along the river face of it, except two of the line lower down, in the reach above Liefkenshoeik and four frigates went to Lillo. An immense number of small gun-boats are on the boom; behind them a crescent of sixty gun and mortar-brigs. The battery between Lillo and Frederick Hendrick is finished; it has ten guns. The enemy has been driven from that which he was constructing on the Doel side with loss, by the fire of our bombs and gun-vessels.

Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane has transmitted to the Hon. W. Wellesley Poole, a letter from Capt. Pigot, of his Majesty's ship Latona, giving an ad count of his having, on the 18th of June last, captured La Felicite, a French fri gate, pierced for 42 guns, but having only fourteen of her main-deckers moun ted, and 174 men on board. She had left Guadaloupe, in company with another frigate, bound to France with colonial produce. Her consort escaped through superior sailing, after a long chace by his Majesty's sloop Cherub.

Despatches, of which the following Downing Street, Sept. 4. are copies, were yesterday morning received by Lord Castlereagh, from Lieut-General Sir J. Stuart, dated Ischia, 5th and 9th July last.

Ischia, July 5.

'MY LORD-In my dispatch to your lordship of the 9th ult. from Milazzo, I did myself the honour to acquaint you with a project which I had formed, in concert with Rear Admiral Martin, to make such a

movement as, although it should produce no issue of atchievement to ourselves, might still operate a diversion in favour of our Austrian allies, under the heavy pressure of reverse with which we had learned at the period, they were bravely but unequally struggling.

The first measure that suggested itself to our contemplation, was a menace upon the kingdom and capital of Naples, and the army as within detailed being embarked, we sailed under convoy of his Majesty's ships Canopus, Spartiate, Warrior, and some frigates and smaller vessels, on the 11th of last month, leaving orders to the division of his Sicilian Majesty's troops, which had been placed under my conduct, and were waiting my instructions at Palermo, under the command of Lieut. General de Bourcard to proceed to a given rendezvous. His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, I found at our subsequent junction, had embarked with this division. Our appearance on the coast of Calabria, which we reached on the morning of the 13th, had the effect of inducing the body of the enemy stationed in that province, to abandon for the purposes of immediate concentration, the greater part of their posts along the shore, when those upon the line opposite Messina were seized and disarmed by a corps under Lieut. Colonel Smith, who had been detached from the fleet immediately after our sailing from Milazzo, with provisionary orders for that purpose. Major-Gen. Mackenzie, who sailed with me, as designed to bear a part in this expedition, returned also at my request about this period, for the general superintendance of these services, as well as to hold the genetal command in Sicily, which becomes a charge so important during the term of our present operations.

On the 24th ult. the advanced division of the British and Sicilian fleet

VOL. VI.

namely that which contained the British troops, anchored off Cape Miseno in the vicinity of Baia, when our preparations were immediately made for a debarkation upon the island of Ischia; and the necessary arrangements and dispositions of boats being intrusted by the Admiral to Sir F. Laforey, a descent was forced on the following morning by the troops (2380) commanded by Major General Macfarlane, assisted by the Hon. Brig.-Gen. Lumley, under the immediate fire of his Majesty's ships Warrior and Success, aided by the British and Sicilian gun-boats, in the face of a formidable chain of batteries, with which every acces sible part of the shore was perfectly fortified.-These were turned and successively abandoned as our troops gained their footing. About two hundred and fifty or three hundred men of the 1st. legere, in the first instance fell into our hands. Gen. Colonna, who commanded, retired with his principal force into the castle, where he rejected a summons from Major-Gen. Macfarlane, and held out until the 30th ult. when a breaching battery having been erected against his works, he surrendered upon terms of capitulation.

As it was conjectured by the ad miral and myself that the success and promptitude with which the landing upon Ischia was effected, might probably operate an influence upon the adjacent garrison of Procida, a summons was immediately sent to the commandant thereof, who, in the course of the day, submitted to our proposed terms; an event which contributed most fortunately to the almost entire capture or destruction of a large flotilla of about forty heavy gun-boats, which attempted their passage during the night and following morning to Naples from Gaeta, and expected to find protection, as well as co-operation, under the artillery of the for

Ff

tress, in their passage through the narrow streight that separates the is land from the main.

This important service was executed by Captain Staines, of his Majesty's ship Cyane, assisted by the Espoir sloop, and the British and Sicilian gun-boats. It is with regret I add, that in a subsequent intrepid attack upon the frigate and corvette of the enemy in the bay, the above gallant officer has received a wound, which must for some time deprive the service of his assistance. The amount of prisoners who have fallen into our hands, already exceeds one thousand five hundred regular troops, exclusive of their killed and wounded, both of military and marine, in different partial encounters, which we have reason to think are considerable. Among the prisoners are a general of brigade, two colonels, and upwards of seventy officers of progressive ranks.

Nearly one hundred pieces of ordnance, with their corresponding stores, have also become our capture. It is with much greater satisfaction, however, my Lord, than any that can be derived from these local or momentary advantages, that I contemplate our success in the materiel and important object of diversion for which this expedition was designed. A considerable body of troops which had been recently detached from Naples as a reinforcement to the army in Upper Italy, as well as almost the whole of the troops which had been sent into the Roman states to aid the late usurpation of the papal dominions, were precipitately recalled on our first appearance on the coast; and I venture to hope, that the check which has been operated, and which I shall endea vour to preserve, will have already, though remotely, contributed to support the efforts of our brave allies.

The preponderating regular force which the enemy has how assembled in the contiguity of Naples, aided

by a large body of national guards, preclude the hope, at this moment, of any attack upon the capital. But our footing upon these healthy islands, (which were essentially neces sary to us as a temporary lodgement as well as depot,) in affording us the earliest means of information, is also a position from which we can profit by circumstance, or can move with facility and promptitude to ulterior objects; while our enemy, who are observing us from the unwholesome plains of Baia, must be kept on the alert by the uncertainty. of our operations, and harrassed by the neces sity of corresponding with our every movement.

A flotilla of gun-boats, which I found it necessary to fit out at Messina to aid the army in that narrow streight, under the direction of Capt Reade, of the quarter-master-gencral's department, has acquired the approbation of the admiral by their conduct upon this service. Captain Cameron, of the 21st regiment, who commanded a division of these boats, is unfortunately among the few who have fallen.-I have the honour to be, &c.

J. STUART.

[Here follow the articles of capitulation, of the castle Ischia, and those of the island of Procida, by which the gar risons were to be sent prisoners of war to Malta, there to be exchanged; private property to be respected, and the inhabitants not to be molested for their past political opinions.]

Return of the killed and wounded belonging to the army under the command of Lieut-Gen. Sir John Stuart, K. B. &c. between the 24th and 30th of June.

Total-1 subaltern, 1 bugle, 2 rank and file, 2 marines, killed; 1 captain, 2 serjeants, 5 rank and file, and 2 marines, wounded.

regiment and chasseurs Britanniques which were to be joined at the Faro by the 21st regiment, with orders to occupy and disarm the posts upon the Streights opposite to Messina, upon the late retreat of the enemy upon the first appearance of our armament upon the coast of Calabria. An attempt to reduce the castle of Scylla was attended, in the first instance, with disappointment, from the sudden re-appearance of a large preponderating force of the enemy, which constrained Lieut.-Col, Smith to raise the siege, and embark for Messina; a measure which was effected, I am happy to say, on the 20th ult. without the smallest loss, but that of his besieging train, which necessarily became a sacrifice. It fortunately, however, has proved only a sacrifice of the moment, The official reports from Major-Gen. Mackenzie state to me, that on the night of the 2d. inst. the enemy, from some sudden panic, retreated again from the coast, having previously blown up the works of Scylla, and not only left us again our captured stores, but an immense quantity of ordnance and stores of their own, which had been placed in depot. Major-General Mackenzie mentions to me in particular, that 30 pieces of brass cannon, had been thrown from the rock into the sea, from whence, however, there could be no difficulty in raising them, the water being extremely shallow.

These stores had been progressively assembling, I am informed, by means of coasting navigation for a considerable time past, as preparatory to the long menaced, and I bclieve really intended invasion of the kingdom of Sicily.

The conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Smith during the course of this ser vice, although attended with a momentry reverse, has been represented to me by Major-General Mackenzie in terms of great approbation, with every praise to the zeal and perseve

rance of the troops employed under his orders. He has also expressed great acknowledgements to the active assistance of Captains Crawley and Palmer of his Majesty's ships Philomel and Alacrity, who were his co-operators on this service,

The great disunion of party in the province, was a material obstacle to every means of intelligence, and led to the loss of a detachment of the 21st regiment, which had been sent at the solicitation of the inhabitants of the town of Palmi for their protection. General Murat directed a flag of truce to me after our arrival here, to offer to treat for an exchange of three officers, four non-commissioned officers,and eighty men of this party, who were stated to be prisoners, and on their march to Naples. I had scarcely agreed to the measure, when in a secming fit of humour, occasioned by a dissatisfaction at the terms of capitulation at this island, he sent another flag again to me withdrawing the former offer, and declining any furthur correspondence or communica cation with me whatever. I have the honour to be, &c,

J. STUART. Return of casualties in the division of the army, under the orders of LieutCol. Smith, during the seige of Scylla Castle, and at Palmi, from the 13th to the 28th of June.

Total, 1 captain, 1 rank and file, 1 mule killed; 9 rank and file wounded; 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 4 serjeants, 2 drummers, 76 rank and file, prisoners, 24 rank and file, 4 horses, 11 mules, missing.

[This Gazette contained the offi cial account of the surrender of St, Domingo, which event took place on the 17th of July, General Carmichael went with a competent force from Jamaica, and effectually blockaded the place. The French garrison being very weak, sent out a flag of truce after three days, and surrendered.-The French troops are to be conveyed to France, not to serve