wounded. Gen. Colbert advanced to see if the cavalry could form; his hour was arrived, a ball struck him in the forehead, and he lived but a quarter of an hour. There are two roads from Astorga to Villa Franca. The English took the right, the Spaniards the left; they marched without order, were cut off and surrounded by the Hanoverian Chasseurs. A general of brigade and a whole division laid down their arms.-The head-quarters of the duke of Dalmatia were, on the 4th in the evening, at the distance of ten leagues from Lugo. On the 2nd his Majesty reviewed at Astorga the divisions of Laborde and Loison, which form the army of Portugal. These troops see the English flying, and burn with impatience to get up with them. -His Majesty left as a reserve at Astorga, the corps of the duke of Elchingen, who has had his advanced guard on the passes into Gallicia, and who is enabled in case of emergency, to support the corps of the duke of Dalmatia. Since the 27th ult. we have taken more than 10,000 prisoners, among whom are 1,500 English. We have taken also more than 400 baggage waggons, 15 waggons of firelocks, their magazines, and hospitals. The English retreat in disorder, leaving magazines, sick, wounded, and equipage. They will experience a still greater loss, and if they be able to embark, it is probable it will not be without the loss of half their army. But informed that the army was reduced below 20,000 men, resolved to remove his headquarters from Astorga to Benevente. We found in the barns several English who had been hanged by the Spaniards; his Majesty was indignant and ordered the barns to be burnt; the peasants, whatever may be their resentment, have no right to attempt the lives of the waggoners of either army. His Majesty has ordered the English prisoners to be treated with all the respect due to soldiers who have manifested liberal ideas, and sentiments of honour. On the 4th, at night, the duke of Dalmatia's head-quarters were ten leagues from Lugo.-Gov. De St. Cyr's division entered Barcelona on the 17th. On the 15th he came up with generals Reding's and Vives's troops at Lieras, and completely routed them. He took six pieces of cannon, 30 waggons, and 3000 men.— We have received the confirmation of the news announcing the arrival of the 7th corps, under gen. Gouvion St. Cyr, at Barcelona. He entered that place on the 17th. On the 15th, he fell in with the troops commanded by generals Reding and Vives, and completely dispersed them. He took from them six pieces of cannon, 30 caissons, and 3000 men. By means of the junction of the 7th corps with the troops under general Duhesme, we have a large army at Barcelona.-When his Majesty was at Tordesillas, he had his head quarters in the outward buildings of the royal convent of St. Claire. It was to this convent that the mother of Charles V. had retired, and where she died. The convent of St. Claire was built on the scite of a Moorish palace, of which about two halls remain in fine preservation. The abbess was presented to the Emperor. She is 75 years of age, and for 65 years she had not gone out of her cloisters. She was considerably moved when she passed the threshold; but she conversed with the Emperor with much presence of mind, and obtained several favours for her friends. Intercepted Letter to the Marquis De Romana : "Sir, I should not have detained your instructions so long, had not sir John Moore returned very late to Villa Franca. He arrived greatly fatigued. I delivered your letter to him, to which he cannot return an answer till to-morrow; but he desired me to inform you, that he would set out at an early hour. There are at Bene vente, 2 or 300 of the French cavalry, who annoy our stragglers between Benavente and Villa Franca. General Moore begs you will place a battalion on the heights over the road, where they may fire on them without any risk.—There is no news. We know nothing of the movements of the French, and we continue to retreat. I am not certain that sir J. Moore will allow me to return to your excellency. In that case, permit me to express an hope of meeting with you in London, in better times; for be assured, sir, I retain a grateful recollection of your kindness, and am with the greatest respect, &c. M. LYMER." Villa Franca, Jan. 2, 1809. Twenty-Sixth Bulletin, dated, Valladolid, January 7. AFTER gen. Gouvion de St. Cyr entered Barcelona, he proceeded to the Lobregat, and forced the enemy's intrenched camp, and took 25 pieces of cannon. He then took Tarragona, a place of great importance.-The annexed Reports of generals Duhesme and St. Cyr, contain the details of the military events that have taken place in Catalonia to the 21st of December. They do the greatest credit to gen. St. Cyr. Every thing that has taken place at Bar. france, excite discord and blood, you are not the ministers of the Gospel! The period when Europe beheld, without indignation, the massacre of Protestants celebrated by illuminations in great cities can never be revived: The blessings of toleration are the first rights of man; it is the first maxim of the Gospel, because it is the first attribute of charity. If there was a time when some false teachers of the Christian religion preached intolerance, they had not then in view the interest of heaven, but those of their temporal influence; they wished to be powerful amongst ignorant people. When a monk, a theologist, a bishop, a pope, preaches intolerance, he preaches his own condemnation; he gives himself up to be the laughing-stock of nations.→ The duke of Dalmatia will be to-night at Lugo. Numerous coluinns of prisoners are on their march thither.-Gen. Davenoy proceeded with 500 cavalry to Toro. He came up with two or 300 men, the remains of the insurrection. He charged them, and killed or took the greater part. The colonel of the Dutch hussars was wounded in the charge. Twenty-seventh Bulletin, dated Valladolid, celona is to the praise of gen. Duhesme, who has displayed great talents and firmness.-The troops of the kingdom of Italy have covered themselves with glory; their excellent conduct has sensibly affected the Emperor. They are in truth chiefly composed of the corps formed by his Majesty in the campaign of the year five. The Italian picked men are as wise as they are brave; they have given rise to no complaint, and have shewed the greatest courage. Since the time of the Romans, the people of Italy had not made war in Spain. Since the Romans, no epoch has been so glorious for the Italian arms-The army of the kingdom of Italy is already 80,000 strong, and good soldiers. These are the guarantees which that fine country has of being no longer the theatre of war. His Majesty has removed his head-quarters from Benevente to Valladolid: He received to-day all the constituted authorities. Ten of the worst of the lowest ranks have been put to death. They are the same who massacred gen. Cevallos, and who for so long a time have oppressed the better sort of people. His Majesty has ordered the suppression of the Dominican convent, in which one Frenchman was killed. He testified his satisfaction at the convent of San Penete, whose monks are enlightened men, THE duke of Dalmatia, after the battle who, far from having preached war and of Prievas, proceeded to expel the English disorder, of having shewn themselves from the post of Piedra Fella. He there greedy of blood and murder, have employ- took 1500 English prisoners, five pieces of ed all their cares and efforts to calm the cannon, and several caissons. The enemy people and bring them back to good order. was obliged to destroy a quantity of bagSeveral Frenchmen owe their lives to them. gage and stores. The precipices were The Emperor wished to see these religious filled with them. Such was their precimen; and, when he was informed they pitate flight and confusion, that the diviwere Benedictines, whose members have sions of Lorge and Lahoussaye found always rendered themselves illustrious in among the deserted baggage, waggons literature and sciences, both in France and filled with gold and silver; it was part of in Italy, he condescended to express the the treasure of the English army. The satisfaction he felt at owing this obligation property fallen into our hands is estimated to them. In general the clergy of this city at two millions-On the 4th, at night, are good-The monks who are really dan the French advanced guard was at Casgerous are the fanatic Dominicans, who had tillo and Nocedo. On the 5th, the enemy's got possession of the inquisition, and who rear-guard was come up with at Pueste having bathed their hands in the blood of and Ferren, the monent it was going to a Frenchman, had the sacrilegious cow-blow up a bridge, a charge of cavalry ardice to swear on the Gospel that the un- rendered the attempt useless.-It was the fortunate man who was demanded of them same at the bridge of Cruciel.--On the was not dead, and had been carried to the 5th, at night, Lorge and Lahoussaye's dihospital, and who afterwards owned, that vision were at Constantine, and the enemy after he had been killed he was thrown into a short distance from Lugo. On the 6th a well where he had been found: Barba- the duke of Dalmatia was on his march to rians and hypocrites, who preach intole-reach that city. (To be continued.) Jan. 9. LONDON: Printed by T. C. HANSARD, Peterborough Court, Fleet Street; Published by R. BAGSHAW, Brydges-Street, Covent-Garden: Sold also by J. BUDD, Pall-Mall. VOL. XV. No. 9.] LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1809. [Price 10d. A cowardice, too, of the basest kind, participating of the most depraved and odious qualities, deserv"ing of that execration which the best feelings of humanity would pronounce on the base assailant of female weakness."--MR. CANNING, in the Debate of 27th Jan. 1809. 321] DUKE OF YORK. (Continued from page 314.) BEFORE I proceed with my Analysis of the cases, I shall offer some observations, upon the Letter, with which the Duke of York has treated the House of Commons and the public; but, previous even to those observations I feel myself called upon to notice the re-examination of Miss Taylor, who, as the reader will recollect, was a principal witness in the case of French and Sandon's levy, and whose testimony, he will also recollect, remained unshaken, up to that part inclusive, which was wrought into the analysis of the case, in my last number.This re-examination appears to have arisen from a man of the name of Frederick Shmidt, or Smith, having given information to some one, that Miss Taylor's father was, at one time, called Chance; and, from a discovery, which had been made, that she was not a legitimate child; that her father and mother were not married. I shall now give this re-examination as I find it reported, including the intervening observations of the several members, who spoke upon it. BY MR. BRADSHAW. Do you recollect your paternal grandfather?-I do not, he was dead before I was born. Might not your father have taken the name of CHANCE without your knowledge, and from pecuniary embarrassments? How then should I know it. After some moments the witness, in tears, replied-Yes. How long was she confined? — Two years. The witness was ordered to withdraw. MR. PERCEVAL stated that gentlemen opposite, when ready to depreciate his mode of examination, appeared to forget that the witness had represented herself, in her former examination, as the legitimate daughter of married parents, although it was now clear, by the imprisonment of her mother, that she never was married to the father of Miss Taylor. MR. W. SMITH did dislike the tenor of the examination which was followed by the opposite side. It had in the previous part a tendency to cast imputations upon the character of the witness herself; but, that having failed, her veracity was to be questioned, because she had the misfortune to be the offspring of an illicit connexion. Her delicacy in endeavouring to conceal that circumstance, in his opinion, instead of weakening, strengthened her yet unshaken claims to credit. MR. WHITBREAD considered the question for the decision of the Committee was not, whether Miss Taylor's birth was respectable, but whether her testimony was credible? Besides, he believed the Chancellor of the Exchequer had assumed more than the evidence would justify, when he asserted that Miss Taylor had represented herself to the Committee as the daughter of married parents. Her former evidence was then read, and it appeared that no such statement was made by her. SIR JOHN SEBRIGHT declared, that the impression which the first answer of the witness, on her former examination, nameiy, that she was the daughter of a gentleman, made on his mind, was, that she was an illegitimate child. MR. W. WYNNE said, it was not to be endured, that because, from an amiable reluctance, the explanation of the witness L did not run before decorum and sensibility, that, therefore, a suspicion was to be entertained of her veracity. MR. BARHAM. Really this is an attempt to discredit a correct witness, not upon her own testimony, but upon the errors of her parents. 66 The Letter of the Duke of York, to the House of Commons, we must first insert. It is a document of a very curious nature, and the proceedings upon it must, and will, be, in the end, of the greatest consequence to the country. To the Speaker of the House of Commons.— Horse Guards, February 23rd, 1809."Sir, I have waited with the greatest anxiety until the Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire "into my conduct, as Commander in "Chief of his Majesty's Army, had closed "its examinations, and I now hope that it "will not be deemed improper to address "this letter, through you, to the House of "Commons. I observe with the deepest concern, that in the course of this in"quiry, my name has been coupled with "transactions the most criminal and disgraceful, and I must ever regret and lament, "that a connection should ever have ex"isted, which has thus exposed my cha"racter and honour to public animadver"sion. With respect to my alledged of 66 my official duties, I do, in the most so"lemn manner, upon my honour, as a prince, distinctly assert my innocence, not only by denying all corrupt participation in any of the infamous transactions which "have appeared in evidence at the bar of "the House of Commons, or any connivance at their existence, but also the slightest knowledge or suspicion that they "existed at all.-My consciousness of in"nocence leads me confidently to hope, "that the House of Commons will not, Frederick Shmidt, upon being examined and cross-examined, gave no testimony," that Miss Taylor ever knew that her father went, upon any occasion, by the" name of Chance; so that, there was nothing now came ont, which did not tend to confirm, rather than to weaken, her former claims to credibility. In her former evidence, she did not say that she was a legitimate child; she did not say, that her father and mother were married; but, suppose she had said so; good God! would that have impeached her general veracity? Because she, whose very bread depended so much upon the character of her connections; who had a sister keeping a boarding-school, in partnership with herself; who had two brothers in the naval and three in the military service, all bearing commissions; was her general" fences, connected with the discharge of veracity to be impeached, because she did not state, because she disguised, a fact not at all connected with the matter upon which she was examined, and a fact, the proclaiming of which must, at once, greatly injure, not only herself, but her father, mother, sister, and brothers?It is but justice to the House of Commons to say, that they do appear to have received," with great applause, the sentiments of Mr. Smith, Mr. Whitbread, Sir J. Sebright, Mr. Wynne and Mr. Barham; and, in this respect, at least, the voice of the" upon such evidence as they have heard, country is decidedly with that of the House. There is but one sentiment upon this subject. The treatment of Miss Tay-" lor is in the mouth of every person, who talks upon matters connected with the inquiry. The press, with the sole exception, I believe, of the Nabobs' Gazette, has been unanimous in endeavours to do her justice; and, I do hope, that, when the affair is all over, if she shall still be found to have adhered to the truth, the public will consider the ruin, to which she has been exposed, and will yield her other protection than that which is given by words; for, as far as I am able to judge, an object more worthy of compassion and of support never presented itself to the people of this kingdom, who, whatever faults they may have, do not number amongst them that of a want of compassion, or of justice towards the injured." 1 "adopt any proceeding prejudicial to my "honour and character; but if, on such testimony as has been adduced against me, "the House of Commons can think my "innocence questionable, I claim of their "justice, that I shall not be condemned "without trial, or be deprived of the bene"fit and protection which is afforded to "every British subject, by those sanctions "under which alone evidence is received "in the ordinary administration of the "law. I am, Sir, your's, &c.-FREDE"RICK."Now, I will venture to assert, that, of the fourteen millions of people, of which this nation consists, there is not one, except those who are the advisers of the Duke of York, who would have expected, under such circumstances, such a letter from him. It really would appear, that he looks upon the evidence that has been given against him as being discredited, not only by the House, but by the country; and, that his simple denial, upon his "ho"nour, as a prince," is quite sufficient to do away the effect of all that has passed in the House of Commons, within the last interesting month. Here we have a most striking instance of the blinding effects of long-enjoyed power, and long-continued flattery. A person, so circumstanced, does not see with the eyes, or hear with the ears, of men whom no one has an interest in deceiving. Blessed advisers he must have, who, while such a mass of positive and corroborated and strongly presumptive evidence lay against him, took up his pen to give it a simple negation, upon his bare word; who, in the face of his two letters, wherein Clavering's application is mentioned, and wherein, in consequence of a request of Mrs. Clarke, it is stated that he will endeavour to procure O'Meara an opportunity of preaching before royalty; who, in the face of these letters, tells the House of Commons, that he never had "the slightest knowledge or "suspicion," that these corruptions existed at all. Blessed advisers that man must have, especially after the inquiry into the origin of the short note respecting Tonyn's promotion, and which note does, at last, set at defiance all the attempts to make it out a forgery." Blessed advisers, to say, in the face of all this, that he never had even a suspicion that such things existed; and to appear confident, that, in consequence of this bare assertion, upon "the honour of a prince," the House of Commons should, with their month's examinations of witnesses before them, stop short, in a moment; or, at least, that they should come to no decision, upon that evidence, prejudicial to his honour and character! Blessed advisers that man must have!Why, upon reading this assertion, as opposed to the evidence taken at the bar of the House, the observation that starts from every mouth, is this: "Oh! "then, why was there any inquiry at all? "If the Duke's assertion, upon his honour "as a prince, be sufficient to knock down "all this evidence, why not have appealed "to that word, when Mr. Wardle brought "forward his charges? And why not "have brought the Duke's denial; the "Duke's "distinct assertion," to set "against Mr. Wardle and his charges, and thereupon, voted the charges to be "false and malicious, and the work of a "jacobinical conspiracy against the il"lustrious House of Brunswick ?"- -But, it has been contended, that there is nothing, in this letter, trenching upon the privileges of the House; no attempt to deter them from proceeding, in their own way, with respect to the charges and evidence against the Duke. Mr. Whitbread, on the day after the letter had been read to the House, spoke of it as an attack upon its privileges, and observed, that the Duke might as well have written a letter to the House before any proceedings had taken place, asserting his innocence, and suggesting, that they ought not to proceed. Mr. Perceval denied this, and said, that the Duke merely asserted his innocence, and requested that, should that innocence still be doubted, he might be allowed to go to trial, without any further previous proceedings against him; and that he (Mr. Perceval) saw nothing unconstitutional or improper in this.- -No? Well said, Mr. Perceval! It may be "constitutional," for that is a very accommodating word; and, it may be " proper" too; but, if the letter has any meaning at all in it, it is this; that the House will do wrong, that they will be guilty of an act of injustice, if they take any step in the business, prejudicial to the Duke; and, that, at most, they ought to leave his conduct to be judged of by others than themselves. This, indeed, is admitted by Mr. Perceval; it cannot be denied; and, if this be not dictating to the House what they ought, or rather, what they ought not, to do, I know not the meaning of the word dictate. There may have been letters, sent, by accused persons, to the House of Commons; but, I defy Mr. Perceval to produce an instance of such a letter as this; a letter, expressing a "confident hope,' that the House, who have taken evidence upon the case, will not, to the prejudice of the accused, proceed to any step, grounded upon that evidence.Then, observe, the whole of the evidence, taken by the House, and many parts of which great numbers of the members have expressly declared to be unshaken; the whole of this evidence, in a lump, not excepting even that contained in his own letters and note, is branded as false by the party accused. He presumes, before the summing up has taken place in the House, to tell them how they ought to decide upon the quality of the evidence; he, upon his bare word, and without pretending to possess the means of proving what he says, takes upon him to tell the House, that they ought to regard as a liar every person, who has given evidence against him.Nay, he further presumes to say, that, if the House |