tions? The executive. Congress decrees the measure, and pro

eld on the original resolutions to provide for an additiond military, that war was to commence in less than 60 days, between Great force, and in every step since taken; and does it now beco ne him Britain and the United States, that they would venture their proto censure us for the want of preparations, which want he has oc-perty abroad in the manner which seems to be wished for. They casioned? But, sir, I am satisfied, notwithstanding the means have been induced by a total perversion of the real intention of the which have been employed to preventit, the country will be pre-majority of Congress, to think that such an event was not in con pard before the expiration of the embargo. Upon this point I templation. It is time they should be und,ceived. wish to be explicit and to leave nothing to implication which may The gentleman from Virginia supposes, that with a very few exmisicad. On the first day of April we received the President's ceptions, the majority in this house are anxious to get out of the mussage recommending au embargo for 60 days: the views of the scrape into which they have been precipitated. I imagine that executive and the motives which led to that step were fully explain-gentleman did not consult us usual accuracy of expression, when d to the committee on foreign relations in that informalintercourse he permitted himself to employ this phraseology. Does the gentle which took place between the secretary of state and the committee. man mean to say, that the majority would surrender the national Ti gentleman from Virgida was present, heard and partook in rights, and tamely submit to the wrongs and insults which have the conversations, and has a periect knowledge of the whole trans-been heaped upon us by Great Britain? If so, he is in a gross error actou. The onlargo was advised as a preliminary to war with of which I hope in a few days to see him convinced. But if he Great Britain; it was so understood by every member of the cour means that we are anxious to be relieved from our present en mitter, and with that impression the executive recommendation barrassments by a just and honorable peace, the sentiment curres was received in this hous2. ponds with the wishes of every friend to as country. Waris not Congress on various occasions, during the present session, had desired by any one. Necessity, not choice, has induced us to rạ manifested a determination to go to war. The executive had seen sort to this last appeal of nations. There is no prospect of an adthis-he recommends an cimbargo for 60 days, commencing on the justinent by amicable negociation. Shall we then submit or go frst day of April. Can any man believe, that he had not an eye to on? There is no difficulty in the decision, and I trust that every what would be the state of the country, as it relates to preparations, member of the majority will do his duty without fear or tremb at the expiration of that time? Who, sir, is to make the prepara-ling. The gentleman from Virginia charges the majority with not vides the means, the executive is to employ the means furnished having courage enough to lay the taxes, and says we have turned to carry the measure into edect. I consider it the duty of the exe- our backs upon them. In this he is also mistaken. The resolu cutive, and he, no doubt, is well acquainted with the true state of tions reported by the committee of ways and means, and adopted the nation. He is to prosecute the war; he is responsible for all the by the house, on the subject of taxes, made them contingent on a great military movements of the armies of the United States; of state of actual war. Whenever that point is finally sculed, the course, it should be ins privilege to determine at what time hostili- necessary taxes will be imposed for supporting the public credit ; ties should commence, so far as it depends on this government. He and I did suppose that the intention of the house upon this subject has excroised this privilege; and by recommending an embargo for could not be easily misunderstood. In the event of war, taxes will 60 days, has declared that he would be prepared to act at the terui- be indispensable; and I have no doubt the people will cheerfully nation of it. Gentlemen deceive thems. Ives, when they suppose submit to them. We have not then turned our backs upon the that we shall find ourselves as mprepared at the end of the embar taxes, as the gentlemau may have imagined. go 25 we now are, and endeavor to prove this by showing that pre- Permit me now, sir, to call the attention of the house to the jecations have hitherto progressed slowly. It is not correct to argue subject of our secret proceedings, while the bill laying an embar respecting the future from the past, where circumstances are essen go was under discussion. The world was then shut out; none but tolly different. Until lately, the officers were not appointed, the select men, choice men of the people was in this hall-and, strange recruiting service for the new army had not commenced; the case to tell, a mutilated, unfair and false representation of our proceeds is now different; most of the officers are at this time at their respec-ings, shortly appeared in the public prints! Sir, I would use tive posts, and the recruiting service procceds with such rapidity stronger terms, did I not know that the report must have been furas to pronist, a competent force in a short period. Your fortifica- nished by some member of this house. Among other misreprese tions on the sea board are daily strengthening: and where so many tations contained in that report, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. are actually engaged, much may be done in a short time. The in- Randolph) was stated to have said on this floor, that the Secretary Lia, who constitute our great national defence, have been called of state had observed to the committee of foreign relations, that for from the different states. From all this, I infer, that we may should New-York or some other cities on the seaboard be destroy. safely ere long bring before this house a subject which will put aned by the enemy, it would not materially affect the great interests end to this embargo-not by a bare repeal of it, but by open and of the nation. Sir, the secretary of state made no such observa2vowed hostilities, or by granting letters of marque and reprisal, tion to the committee, nor did the gentleman from Virginia nake hich is equivalent to a declaration of war. any such statement to this house. The same gentleman is also

Gentlemen affect to believe that we shall relapse into the old made to say, that he knew the embargo was not intended as a precommercial restrictive system as a substitute for war. There can cursor of war; thereby conveying the idea that he had a knowbe no ground for such apprehensions; no such wish or intention ledge of the secret intentions of others, which were at variance with has been expressed on this floor or disc where, (so far as I have their professions. In this respect injustice was done to his state learned the sonuments of others) by a single ember. For my-mcns. He only said (to the best of my recollection) that war was self, I can say that I feel an entire aversion to such a system, not the necessary consequence of an embargo. with a view to coerce both or either of the belligerents to respect The gentleman from New-York admonishes us that if we go to our rights. It has been tried, the experiment has failed to pro- war, we ought to take the hearts of the people with us. Sir, we all duce the desired effect; we ought not longer to rely on it, but know that without this nothing effectual can be done. But is this take the only stronger incasure that remains. I voted for the en-object to be attained by a variable policy, which is to-day one bargo, as so I believe a ranjority of congress did, as a fair warning thing, to-morrow another; no, convince them by a firm and deten to commercial men, that war was to follow it to cuable them to mined conduct of your intentions, and they will go with you in secure their property from the grasp of the enemy, and to restrain every extremity, against any foreign foe with whom you come in any further adventures under the delusive expectation of peace, collision. This sir, is conformable to the long established usage of all wise naCoLs; and had congress declared war, without such a precannon, it would have brought on us the merited censure of every enlight

Sir, every member on this floor must feel for the situation of the petitioners; they are suffering; it is a misfortune that this should be the case-but certainly it is some alleviation, to reflect that this sacrifice is not made waltonly, but with a view to secure national But, sir, we are exultingly told, that the loan required by the go-independence, individual liberty and a permanent security for vernment to proscente the war, Las failed. This, to a certain property.

ened citizen.

tent, I adunt; but it has not failed to such a degree, as to impede I regret, sir, that I have trespassed so long on the patience of our progress. It is a fact unich to be lamented, that there exists the house in discharging what I deemed to be my duty. I hope the this country an organized opposition to the constituted author-motion of my colleague will prevail.

tits, whose influence is seen and felt on this floor; and whenever Me, Wright-Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. en appeal is made to the patriotism of the people, its effects are Randolph,) in the large range he had taken in this case, has presed transfused from one extremity of the United States to the other, in review before us all his objections to the embargo, and arraign for the purpose af defeating the measures which are adopted toed the majority of this house for the adoption of so ruinous a promaintain the honor of the nation. Yes, sir, every exertion has jeet. He tells us that the embargo forced our seamen into the been made to weaken the art of the government by means the power of Great Britain at upwards of fifty dollars per month, and most disgraceful. The people have beep, admonished to withhold that without a very hot press in the British ports, where he insinu teir resources from us, in an hour of great public difficulty and ates they will be left by their American eaptains, they will be in 6. Si on the eve of a war with a foreign power, it is surely pressed into the British service. The embargo itself did not preno subject of congratulation to see a set of man combining together duce this effet, which it was in reality intended to remedy, but to weaken their own country, and thereby indirectly give an ad- the disclosure of the secret intention of congress to lay it, in which ..mage to the enemy. Sir, I venture to predict, that if war is the breath of suspicion has never implicated me. But in the em on begun, the difficulties,which now present themselves to this bargo, or rather the disclosure of its being about to take place, proposed loan, will vanish. The distinction of federalists and re-forced our seamen jato the power of our enemy, and was therefore publicans will cease; the united energies of the people will be objectionable, how can the present proposition to export, without Frought ban action; the enquiry wit be, are you for your coun-restriction, in an unarmed state, our productions, be secured from my 6, "gmatist it? the same objection? Our ships that carry our products to market

The cutleman from Virginia said, that he came darn to the vast be manned; and how, I ask, are these men to be secured house unday to advise us to treat this petition respectfully. Sir, from impressent? But, sir, we are charged by the same gentl h the goath an not come wmn to the house, we should not man with being governed by certain ministerial prints in our con have teated this crany other petidon with disrespect. The perig.casional measures; that the Aurora, the D. nocratie Press, the Four rusk for that which cannot be granted; we answer them Wh, and the Intellig ncer, are edited by foreigners who have plz ly and promptly. Is it not not respectful to treat thean come here to disturb our repose by goading us on to war. Sir, I Tax, than to excit, hopes ante pectations which it is not our inita conviction of the impropriety of that suggestion, as inappli ntion to realize? Sir, I humility conceive it is. Te grunt the able not only to myself, but to the whole house. We, sir, have player of this petition, and, thereby enable the petitioners to hate governed by an honest zeal to represent our constituents in zart keir property on the ocean, would be to itht on them a avenging the wrongs of our country, and a firm conviction of the sigulinjury. "I cannot believe if these petitioners seriously thought wiston and policy of the weasures adopted for that purpose. But

I feel it due to those printers who cannot be heard in their own de fence, to say that they have just claims on the gratitude of their

The battles of Trenton and Princeton were not

adopted country for their patriotic exertions in supporting the very important in their impression on the enemy, principles of our glorious revolution, and defending the measures but were of essential consequence, as they served of the executive and legislative departments from the abominable to illustrate the fortitude and intrep dity, and deveslanders of the enemies of our liberties and independence, those miscreant native printers, who have evinced the strongest disposi-lope the resources of the American commander. tion to plant daggers in the vitals of the liberties of their native The subjoined sketch of the revolutionary sercountry, under a foreign golden influence, I have no doubt. Sir, vices, rendered by gen. Dearborn, is imperfectly I wish the representatives on this floor, elected by the American people, would test their devotion to their country's cause, with half collected from his brothers in arms.

the practical patriotism of these foreign printers, we should feel

When the British sent a detachment to destroy much less difficulty in preparing and progressing to avenge on the military stores in the vicinity of Lexington, wrongs. Sir, the gentleman from New-York (Mr. Bleecker) hus!

told us that he is pleased with the signs of the times, and that ere Mr. DEARBORN, then a young gentleman in the long there shall come a voice from the east in the language of study of medicine, resided at Nottingham, in New

thunder, that shall make itself heard from Maine to Georgia, from

the Atlantic to the Mississippi. What, sir, does that geatleman Hampshire. Animated by the patriotic resistance expect to alarm congress, and by this threat of civil war to coerce a of the Americans, immediately on being informed majority of this house to submit to be governed by a minority? If

he docs, sir, he will find himself mistaken; nor can I believe that of the battle by express, he assembled the inhabisuch a disposition exists in the east to any considerable extent, any tants, and observed that the time had now arrived, thing the slanders of a Henry, and the predictions and male-die- when the rights of the American people must be

tions of the gentleman from New-York, to the contrary notwith

standing. But sir, should the signs of treason and civil war disco- vindicated by arms, or an odious despotism would The militia had alver themselves in any quarter of the American empire, I do not forever be rivetted upon them.

lieve they will produce that effect; and I can tell that gentleman,

British planet.

that in such an event, I have no doubt, the evil would soon be radi-ready gathered and impressed with these sentiments, cally cured, by hemp and confiscation; and to assure him of my ex-a company of sixty five men armed and accoutred, ections to effect their inmediate application. The gentlemen talk paraded at one o'clock of the next day after the of signs and tokens abroad, and of the influence of the plancts. Sir, the archives of our own house, the vote on the bill for the protec Lexington battle. DEARBORN advanced with them tion of 6257 impressed American seamen on board the British ships in such rapidity, that they reached Cambridge of war, groaning under a worse than Egyptian bondage, furnish a Common, a distance of fifty miles, in 20 hours.-strong sign of the times, and show that a certain portion of the representatives of the American people are under the influence of a After remaining at Cambridge several days, there Mr. Berker said that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. being no immediate occasion for their services, Wright) had altogether misunderstood him. He, (Mr. Bleecker) they returned. DEARBORN, was soon after comhad no reference to any particular section of the union; but said, missioned a captain in one of the New Hampshire that if gentlemen persevered in their project of going to war regiments under the command of col. STARK, and within sixty days in the present unprepared state of the country, the people, in whatever part of the union they might be, who are such was his popularity, and the confidence of the to suffer the privations and calamities of the war, would soon put people in his bravery and conduct, that in ten days The question was then taken, and decided in favor of postpone from the time he received his commission, he enment of the consideration of the petitions to the fourth day of listed a full company and marched again to Cambridge. On the morning of the glorious seventeenth of June, information was received at Mystic, [now Medford] where Dearborn was stationed,

down all their measures.

July.

Major-general Henry Dearborn, that the British were preparing to come out from

Boston, and storm the works which had been thrown up on Breed's Hill the night before, by the Americans.

Commander-in-chief of the Northern Army. Courage and alacrity in armies are principally inspired by confidence placed in the commanders. The regiment to which he was attached was im However dangerous the position of a corps may be mediately paraded, and marched to Charleston in the field of battle, if it is convinced the dangers Neck. Dearborn's company composed the flank encountered are for the general good of the army, guard to the regiment. They crossed the neck unthey will be endured not only with firmness but der a galling fire from the British men of war and cheerfulness. This truth obtains with regard to floating batteries, and having sustained some loss, the plans, arrangements and operations of an army. arrived at the heights. The action soon commencThe duty of a soldier is peremptory; he is not per-ed and the Americans stood their ground until their mitted to inquire into its expediency, or to doubt ammunition was expended, and they could no lonits propriety: in order, therefore, that he perform ger beat off the British bayonets, with the butt ends it with alacrity, it is necessary that he have unli- of their muskets. Dearborn carried a fusee into mited confidence in the source from which it flows. the battle of Bunker's Hill, and fired regularly with To doubt in the hour of danger, is to be destroy-his men. The next arduous service in which he was ed. All consummate commanders have made it a engaged, was the expedition to Canada, through principal object to gain the confidence of their the wilds of Kennebee, under the command of gentroops, and to restore it whenever startled by action eral Arnold. He was not ordered on this dangeror misfortune, by masterly strokes of address and ous and difficult service, but persuaded a captain policy. When Cæsar, with a view to surprise, who was drafted to exchange places with him.advanced rapidly on Arisvistus, the German chief, Thirty two days were employed in traversing the his soldiers from accounts of the strength and fero hideous wilderness between the settlements on the city of the Germans, became alarmed, and under Kennebec and the Chaudiere, in which every hardvarious pretences muttered their resolution not to ship and fatigue of which human nature is capable, obey, if ordered on such an unprepared for service. was endured indiscriminately by the officers and -Caesar assembled them, and informed them troops. On the highlands between the Kennebec he had understood that some of them had disguised and St. Lawrence, the remnant of provisions was their fears under the dificulties of the ways and divided among the companies, who were directed to want of provisions. I am not now to be told (says make the best of their way in separate divisions to he) what is due to my trust, or that an army must the settlements of the Chaudiere. The last fragbe subsisted. At precisely two in the morning, 1ment of food in Dearborn's company was shortly shall decamp; if followed with the tenth legion, consumed, and he was reduced to the extremity of alone. His troops, humiliated and impatient to dividing a large dog which accompanied him, with retrieve their reputation, advanced with confidence his comrades. When they reached the Chaudiere, to victory, from colds, extreme hardship and want of susten

ance, his strength failed him, and he was unable to Indians, in the retreat of St. Clair, when pressed walk but a short distance without wading into the on by Burgoyne's army. When the advance of river to refrigerate and stimulate his limbs.-With Burgoyne was checked, and he encamped on the difficulty he reached a poor hut on the Chaudiere, heights of Saratoga, Dearborn was appointed lieut. when he told his men he could accompany them no colonel commandant of a partizan corps of three farther, animated them forward to a glorious dis hundred men, stationed in front, to act as a corps charge of their duty, and would suffer no one to re- of observation in concert with Morgan's riflemen. main to attend him in his illness. His company In the famous engagement of the 19th of September, left him with tears in their eyes expecting to see colonel Morgan himself commenced the encounter him no more --Dearborn was here seized with a by driving in the out-posts and picket guards of the violent fever, during which his life was in danger right wing of the British army, which was comfor ten days, without physician or medicine, and manded by general Burgoyne in person. In the with scarcely the necessaries of common life. His hard fought battle of the 7th of October, he was in fine constitution at last surmounted the disease, and the division of general Arnold, who commenced a as soon as he was able to mount a horse he proceed furious and persevering attack on the right wing of ed to Point Levi, crossed over to Wolf's cove, and the British forces. Whilst Arnold pressed hard on made his unexpected appearance at the head of his the enemy, Dearborn was ordered to pass the right, company a few days before the assault on Quebec.-and take possession of eight heavy cannon which At four o'clock in the morning on the 31st of De- played over the British into the American lines. In cember, in a severe snow storm, and in a climate executing this order, he was charged by a corps of that vies with Norway in tempest and intense cold light infantry, which he repulsed with fixed bayo the attack was commenced. Dearborn was attach-nets, gained the eminence, took the cannon and ed to the corps under general Arnold, who was corps of artillery attached to them, and having diswounded early in the action, and carried from the posed of them, made a rapid movement into the rear field. Morgan succeeded to the command, and of the British lines, and gave a full fire before his "with a voice louder than the tempest" animated approach was discovered. The British were soon the troops as they stormed the first barrier and en-after forced into a precipitate retreat, and Dearborn tered the town. Montgomery had already hled on assisted in storming their works through the whole immortal ground, and his division being repulsed extent, under a tremendous fire of grape and mus the corps under Morgan was exposed to a sanguina ketry. Arnold was wounded in the same leg which ry but unavailing contest. From the windows of suffered when Dearborn followed him to the assault the store houses, each a castle, and from the tops of of Quebec, and was repulsed from the works after the parapets, a destructive fire was poured upon the having gained a temporary possession of them; but assailants. In vain was the second barrier gained lieut. colonel Brooks having gained the left of the by sealing ladders; double ranks of soldiers pre-encampment, was enabled to maintain his ground. sented a forest of bayonets below, and threatened During the long contested battle, which decided inevitable destruction to any one who should leap the fate of Burgoyne's army, Dearborn was unable from the walls.-Dearborn maintained for a long to rest, or take any refreshment from daylight until time this desperate warfare, until at last he and the late at night. The succeeding winter he passed in remnant of his company overpowered by a sortie camp at Valley Forge, with the main body of the of two hundred men with field pieces who attacked American army, commanded by Gen. Washington him in front and tear in a short street, and compell-in person.

war.

ed him to surrender. The whole corps originally At the battle of Monmouth, the spirited conduct led on by Arnold were killed or made prisoners of of col. Dearborn, and a corps, under his command,* Dearborn was now put into rigid confine attracted particularly the attention of the comment, with a number of other officers, who were mander in chief. After Lee had made a precipitate not allowed to converse with each other, unless in and unexpected retreat, Washington among mea the presence of the officer of the guard. While insures which he took to check the advance of the prison he was urgently solicited by the English off British, ordered Dearborn with three hundred and cers to join the British was promised a colonel's fifty men to attack a body of troops which were cominission if he would accept, and was assured if passing through an orchard on the right wing of he refused, that he would be sent out to England the enemy. The Americans advanced under a hea in the spring and inevitably hanged as a rebel. The vy fire with a rapid step and shouldered arms. The only reply he made to their solicitations or menaces was, that he had taken up arms in defence of the enemy filed off and formed on the edge of a mo rass-The Americans wheeled to the right, reliberties and rights of his country; that he never ceived their second fire with shouldered armswould disgrace himself or dishonor his profession marched up until within eight rods, dressed, gave by receiving any appointment under Great Bri-a full. fire, and charged bayonet. The British hav tain, but was ready to meet death in any shape raing sustained considerable loss, fled with precipita ther than relinquish the glorious cause he had tion across the morass, where they were protected espoused.

by the main body of the army. What troops are In May, 1776, col. Meigs and himself were per those," enquired Washington, with evident pleamitted to return on their parole. They were sent sure at their gallant conduct:- Full blooded Yanround to Halifax in a ship of war, and treated with kees from New Hampshire, sir," replied Dearborn, the usual contumely and hauteur of English off He accompanied general Sullivan in his expedition cers, who would not deign to speak to Americans, against the Indians, and in the battle was attached nor even allow them to walk the same side of the to general Poor's brigade. When the disaffection quarter deck with themselves. They were put and treason of Arnold transpired, he was stationed ashore in Penobscot bay, and returned by land. In at West Point, and was officer of the day at the exthe March following, Dearborn was exchanged, ecution of major Andre. In 1781, he was appoint and appointed major to the third New Hampshire ed deputy quarter master general with the rank of regiment, commanded by col. Scammell. In May colonel, and served in that capacity at the siege of he arrived at Ticonderoga, and was constantly in

the rear guard, skirmishing with the British and * Col Gilley was also attached to this corps.

Yorktown. In short, there was scarcely a battle wards Madrid. A complete junction of their ar between Yorktown and Quebec during the long mies was effected on the 20th July, and immediate protracted war, in which colonel Dearborn did not measures were taken for carrying into effect the take a brave, active and conspicuous part. plan that had been adopted. Sir Robert Wilson,

Soon after the peace he moved into the District who commanded a body of Portuguese troops to the number of three or four thousand men, which of Maine, where he was engaged for several years he had brought into a state of excellent discipline, in agricultural pursuits. He was appointed majorgeneral of the militia, and elected to represent the was ordered to proceed to Escalona on the river district of Kennebunk in the congress of the United Alberche, and the corps under Venegas advanced to Argonda. The main strength of the allied army States. No man was ever more popular in the dis marched on towards Ollala, where the enemy was trict in which he resided, or will be longer rememposted. After these preparatory and auxiliary bered by its inhabitants, than general Dearborn.On the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the presidency, movements had been made, the main British and Spanish army proceeded to Talavera, where the he was appointed secretary of war. During a long and arduous discharge of the important duties of right of the enemy's outposts were turned, and driven back by the Spanish guards, under the this office, his political enemies have given him cre duke of Albuquerque, aided by two British regidit for the economy, dispatch, and punctuality, which he introduced to the department. In the ments under general Anson. Early on the morning of the 24th it was discovered that the French discharge of the duties of the war department, had retreated towards Torrijos, in order to form a general Dearborn has had an opportunity to fami

The British

liarize himself with the improvements in modern junction with general Sebastiani. tactics, and the economy of war, and to keep alive army not being able to continue the pursuit on ac count of the great deficiency of the means of transand add to his former stores of military knowledge. port, they were followed by Cuesta as far as Santa When we consider the strength of his constitution, Ollala. In the mean time, all the French forces in the decision and promptitude of his mind, his great that part of Spain were united, consisting of the military acquisitions, his tried patriotism and long divisions of marshal Victor and general Sebastian, services so honorably rendered; we are induced the guards of Joseph Bonaparte, amounting to without hesitation to say, that in no person could be confided with more hope and assurance, the des tinies of the northern army.

The war in the Peninsula..

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 158.) Junction between general Cuesta and sir Arthur lesley. Battle of Talavera. The British march to Oropesa. The French advance from Placentia. Sir Arthur Wellesley retreats to Badajos.

8000 men, and the garrison of Madrid. This force was commanded by king Joseph in person, aided by Jourdan, Victor and Sebastiani. With this force, the advanced guard of Cuesta was attacked, and compelled to fall back upon the British with. very considerable loss.

Sir Arthur Wellesley perceiving that it was the object of the enemy to attack the combined armies, Wel-chose a position in the neighborhood of Talavera del Reyna, a town half way between Placentia and Madrid, and about 60 or 70 miles distant from both; and general Cuesta having consented to take this position, on the morning of the 27th the British general, Sherbrooke, was ordered to retire with his In the mean time sir Arthur Wellesley, after his corps to its station in the line, leaving general Macreturn from the pursuit of marshal Soult, had re- kenzie, with a division of infantry and a brigade of mained long inactive in the vicinity of Lisbon; not cavalry, as an advanced post in the wood on the from his own disposition, which was full of ardour right of the Alberche, which covered the left flank and activity in the cause, and adventurous in quest of the allies. The position of the troops at Taof personal reputation. He was as anxious as pos- lavera, extended rather more than two miles. sible to strike some decisive blow; but before this The ground was open upon the left, where should be attempted, it was necessary that some the British army was stationed, and it was com plan of co operation should be concerted between manded by a height, on which there was drawn him and the Spanish generals, particularly general up in echelon and in second line, a division of inCuesta. He was not more solicitous to obtain the fantry under major general Hill. Between this co-operation of Cuesta, than desirous that the Spa height and a range of mountains still further to the nish general should not make any attempt of im- left, there was a valley which was not occupied, as portance without that of the English army. He it was commanded by the height just mentioned, therefore obtained a promise from him that he and the range appeared too distant to have any inshould suspend his operations till the English had fluence upon the expected action. The right wing reached the Tagus. It appears from the correspon of the allied army, consisting of Spanish troops, dence between the marquis of Wellesley and Mr. extended immediately in front of the town of TalaCanning, that sir Arthur had to encounter many vera down to the Tagus. This part of the ground obstacles in managing and coming to a clear under- was covered with olive trees, and much intersected standing with the central junta, and that the junta by banks and ditches. The high wood leading from found as much difficulty in calling forth the means the bridge over the Alberche, was defended by a and energies of the nation; in guiding general heavy battery in front of a church, which was ocCuesta, who was a crusty old gentleman, of un-cupied by Spanish infantry. All the avenues of the doubted bravery and decision of character, but who town were defended in a similar manner, and the was considered by most military men as not fitted town itself was occupied. In the centre between in any other respect for the command of an army. the English and Spanish armies, there was a comHe was partial to a kind of harrassing warfare, manding ground, on which the English had begun and not very willing to run the risk of any great to construct a redoubt, with some open ground in and decisive battle. At length, however, a plan of its rear: here was posted a division of infantry, sup. co-operation was concerted between the Spanish and ported by a brigade of dragoons and some Spanish British generals, and both began their march to cavalry.

On the 27th of July the French made a sudden,desired him to choose which he would do: and sir attack upon the advanced post under general MacArthur determined to go, because, as he states in kenzie, who withdrew in excellent order though his despatches, he thought his force would "most not without some loss, on the left of the position likely do the business at once and without contest." of the combined armies. Towards the evening the On the 3rd of August the British left Talavera, and French made an attempt to overthrow the Spanish marched to Oropesa. On the evening of the infantry, which formed the right wing of the army, same day, advice was received that the French, but without success. They then commenced a stated to be 30,000 strong, having advanced from general attack upon the allies, by a cannonade on Placentia, were between the British and the bridge the left of their position, and by an attempt with of Almarez and almost at the same time sir Arthe cavalry, to overthrow the Spanish infantry, in thur was informed that general Cuesta was on the which they failed. A division was then pushed point of quitting Talavera, leaving the sick and along the valley on the left of the height occupied wounded, to fall into the hands of their enemies.-by major-general Hill, of which the French gained To this he was compelled by the want of means of a momentary possession: but that officer quickly conveyance. As soon as Cuesta's march was regained it by an attack with the bayonet. The known, it was to be expected that Victor would attack was repeated in the night, and again at day-advance with 25,000 strong, leaving 10,000 to watch light on the morning of the 28th; but without giv-Venegas. The British army, if unsuccessful in a ing any advantage. The French were not more contest with this force, or with that of Soult and successful in their attack on general Campbell.-Ney would be without a retreat-and if the latter, They were completely repulsed by that officer, sup avoiding an action, should wait the arrival of Vicported by a regiment of Spanish cavalry and two tor, it would be exposed to a general action with at battalions of Spanish infantry. The next attack least 50,000 men, and be equally without a retreat. was upon general Sherbrooke's division which form In this embarrassing situation the most rapid reed the left and centre of the first line of the army; treat was unavoidable, though the troops were very but it was repulsed with great slaughter by the Bri- unequal to it; having been without their allowance tish bayonets. The brigade of guards which form- of provisions for several days. Sir Arthur Wellesed part of this division, in their eagerness to pursue ley deemed it adviseable to retire by the bridge of the enemy, advanced too far, and were thrown into Arco Bispo, and to take up a strong position at a temporary confusion, by exposing their left flank, Deleytosa. General Cuesta also retired to the to the fire of a battery. A part of general Cotton's same bridge, where he crossed the Tagus, on the cavalry observing this pushed forward and covered following evening (5th August.) He brought with their retreat. The French being thus completely him about half the sick and wounded from Tafoiled in every attempt, having lost 20 pieces of can- lavera; the other half remained there and were non and some prisoners, retreated in the most regu-treated by the French with great humanity. The lar order across the Alberche. Their loss in killed reason which Cuesta assigned for abandoning the and wounded was supposed to be nearly 10,000 men. important position at which he had been left, was The loss of the British was proportionally severe, that the enemy was moving upon his flank and had amounting to nearly 6000 men, among whom were returned to Št. Ollala in his front; and further, major-general Mackenzie, and brigadier-general that without his assistance sir Arthur would not be Langworth as the Spanish troops were only par-sufficiently strong to cope with the force that was tially engaged, their loss was comparatively small, approaching from Placentia. These reasons did not exceeding 1000 men, in killed, wounded and not appear sufficient to sir Arthur, as we learn from - missing. his despatches of the 8th, to justify him in giving

The joy of victory was but of short duration.-up so important a post as Talavera, for exposing the The British troops had scarcely time to congratu- combined armies to an attack in front and rear, and late themselves and their allies on this brilliant for abandoning his hospital. But sir Arthur did achievement, when they heard that Soult, Ney not state the whole of Cuesta's reasoning. That and Mortier, having formed a junction, had ad general represented to sir Arthur, "not only that vanced through Estremadura and were already in he thought it his duty to fly to the assistance of his their rear. No time was left for delay or hesitation: good ally, but lest, in the case of a defeat of the the army could be saved only, to use the words of British army, the Spaniards should find themselves sir Arthur Wellesley, "by celerity of movement." between Victor and Soult, with the most perfect The bridge of Alvarez, by which one of the divi certainty that they must share the same fate if they sions was to have crossed the Tagus, was destroy-should remain at Talavera." Under these impres ed, so that the whole troops were obliged to be con- sions, following the same route with the British, he veyed over the Arcobispo. As no doubt could be arrived at Oropesa, where he was surprized to find entertained that the army of Victor, though defeat them, as he had supposed that sir Arthur Wellesed at the battle of Talavera, would again advance, ley had gone in quest of the French, who was still as soon as he heard of the approach of the forces at Naval Moral. He was still more surprized to under Soult, Ney and Mortier, it was necessary learn that the British general was determined not to that part of the combined troops should remain at hazard an action with Soult, without securing a reTalavera, as well for the purpose of checking Vic treat in case of discomfiture, and for this end tak tor as to take care of the wounded. Gen. Cuesta ing up a position beyond the Tagus, The reasonaccordingly proposed that half of the army should ing which he employed to induce sir Arthur to march to the rear to oppose the enemy, while the come to battle would, no doubt, have had its effect other should remain at Talavera. Sir Arthur said upon the mind of the British commander, if he that if by half the army he meant half of each could have reckoned on the prompt and steady coarmy, he could only answer, that he was ready operation of his allies, military and political. But either to go or stay with the whole British force, his uniform experience on this head had taught him but he could not separate it. General Cuesta then to make a just estimate both of the one and the other. He remained some time unmolested by the *See sir Arthur Wellesley's letter to lord Cas-French at Deleytosa, and was enabled to recruit his tlereagh, 29th July 1869. army; but finding that the junta were by no means