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LETTER LIV.

DESTRUCTION OF THE FORTS SURROUNDING CADIZ

FRENCH PRISONERS

ENGLISH GARRISON EXPECTED PEOPLE OF ST. MARY'S PREPARING TO

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FLY - FLAG OF TRUCE.

CADIZ, FEB. 1810.

IF

any thing could conquer the gravity of Spaniards, we might naturally expect that an approaching siege would infuse some degree of activity into the conduct of the people, but the characteristics of the nation are patience and perseverance, not vivacity and zealous exertion. The number of the citizens who daily assemble on the ramparts, and, wrapped in their long cloaks, spend hours silently gazing on the explosions of the forts that surround the bay, which the English sailors are busily employed in blowing up, naturally excites this remark. They appear indifferent spectators of the events around them, rather than the persons for whose security these exertions are made.

Our countrymen are labouring with great activity in destroying all those batteries which may annoy the shipping at their anchorage in the bay. The castle of St. Catharine, near St. Mary's, is strongly built, and requires great exertions to demolish it; but by the help of gunpowder under the buttresses which support the arches on which the platforms are constructed, they have nearly reduced it to a heap

of ruins. Fort Matagorda and Fort Louis, two other forts, situated on the points of land which form the entrance of the canal leading to the arsenal, are undergoing the same operation, and will in a few days be totally destroyed; and until they can be re-constructed, the vessels will remain in security in their present anchorage; but as it is scarcely possible to prevent the enemy from re-building them, the shipping must move nearer to the entrance of the bay; and if the number of vessels be as considerable as at present, there will be great danger of the contracted anchoring ground being too much crowded.

Whilst these attentions are paid by the British to the safety of the shipping, the Spaniards are occupied in demolishing every house, shed, and wall, on the neck of land beyond the gate, so as to leave no shelter near the glacis, if the enemy should succeed in forcing his way to that front. There is something very striking in the effect of these various labours of destruction. The sounds of explosion have never ceased, day or night; and as there is a great scarcity of charcoal, the wooden parts of the buildings blown up have been carefully preserved, and brought into the city to be used for fuel.

Amidst the confusion which the aspect of affairs has occasioned, the Junta of this city have behaved with great liberality towards the British subjects. The Custom-house being shut, no property can be shipped off, but they have determined to allow the English to remove their effects without undergoing that usual process of examination, which was formerly rigidly practised by the officers of the revenue. This indulgence is felt as an act of liberality, and our countrymen are availing themselves of it with as much eagerness as the present

scarcity of labourers will permit. The Junta have purchased all the provisions they have been able to collect ; and it fortunately happens, that several American vessels have lately arrived, loaded with flour, rice, and salt fish, which have added a seasonable supply to the stores collected within this place.

The prison ships, on board of which a considerable number of Frenchmen are confined, have been removed lower down into the bay, where they are under the guns of the British and Spanish ships of war. These unhappy men have been shamefully neglected amidst the late events: they have been sometimes for days without food; at other times without water; and, so excessive have been their sufferings, that many have escaped the centinels, plunged into the water, and swam to the British ships, to implore food for a single meal, and have uttered complaints to the British officers, which they had not the power to remedy.

It is well known, that more than twelve months ago, the British government, in its earnest wish to assist the cause of Spain, projected and submitted to the Junta, a plan of operations materially different from that which has since been adopted, by which the British army would have advanced to the Sierra Morena, and have been enabled to act a more beneficial part in the assistance they have rendered. But to this plan it was indispensably necessary that they should have possession of Cadiz, from whence to receive supplies; and to which to retreat in case of necessity. The propriety, therefore, of garrisoning this important post with British troops was so obvious, that General Sherbrooke was sent out with a force for that purpose, not anticipating any objection on the part of the Spaniards: but the

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Junta, whose jealousy and indecision have nearly ruined their country, would not permit the troops to land, and the people of Cadiz applauded their determination. Now, however, when the enemy is approaching, the sense of immediate danger has removed their hensions of the good faith of their ally, and the people of Cadiz have clamoured as loudly for a British garrison, as they before did against the admission of foreign troops. Dispatches have been sent to Lisbon and to Gibraltar, earnestly pressing for assistance; and all the anxiety now discovered, is for the arrival of those very means of defence which, when danger was more distant, had been decidedly, not to say insultingly rejected.

The infantry of the Duke of Albuquerque's army has entered the Isla, whence one regiment has been marched into this city. They appear weather-beaten and ragged; but having been supplied with good great coats, their appearance is already somewhat improved; whilst the gallant commander discovers in his manners, his countenance, and his conversation, that determined spirit, which inspires confidence in all who meet him.

Notwithstanding the rapid advance of the enemy, and the pro spect of an impending siege, the gaiety and dissipation of this city is not in any degree diminished. The public walk and the square are as lively as at any time; and, from the great influx of distinguished fugitives, more crowded with the gayest company than at any former period. The government have, indeed, ordered the theatre to be shut; but the private parties, for gaming, and other amusements, have only been more numerous and more crowded in consequence of it. The scarcity of provisions is not perceptible at the tables of the

rich; who, regardless of the increased prices, spread as sumptuous a board as when there was no alarm.

The fortification across the narrow neck of land leading to the town is now proceeding with much alacrity, and will probably be completed in a few weeks. In order to prevent the enemy's horse from passing the extremities of the battery, which might be done when the tide is low, the rejas, or iron gratings before the windows of the public buildings, have been removed, and are placed on the beach, where they form an excellent chevaux de frise, which it is impossible for cavalry to penetrate.

The French have not yet appeared in sight. The inhabitants of St. Mary's, like those of every other place which they approach, are prepared for flight: but as there is no escape but by water, and the number of boats is not sufficient to convey to this place any considerable proportion of the population, the demand for water conveyance has raised the price of boat-hire to an enormous rate, and only the richer inhabitants can, therefore, avail themselves of it. Besides which, the restrictions on the reception of strangers into this city have been increased. Thousands are now waiting without the landgate to obtain admission, and many boats filled with passengers are lying at the wharfs till their friends can gain permission for them to

land.

A flag of truce has been received from the French General Victor, Duke of Belluno, addressed to the Junta of Cadiz, in which he states, that he has advanced into this part of the country by orders from King Joseph; that he is ready to receive the submission of his subjects; and as the respective capitals of the four kingdoms of

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