in my letter of the 30th of last month, yet the report which is just brought me by

the British, I should by no means despair of their ultimate success. -You will see by the date of this, that the Junta are removed from a situation in which they were exposed immediately to be made prisoners.

ber of troops, which would give them the immediate possession of the capital and the central provinces; the war would of the state in which he left Mathen be reduced to an absolute competi- drid, is so strong a confirmation, or, more tion between the two countries in stand- properly speaking, so much exceeds every ing out against the waste of population, thing which I had ventured to say of the enormous as it would be on both sides. I spirit and resolution of the people, that I cannot but think, therefore, that conside- cannot forbear representing to you in the rations both of policy and generosity call strongest manner the propriety, not to say upon us for an immediate effort.-If, how- the necessity, of supporting the determinaever, this view of the subject should not tion of the people of this country by all the appear sufficiently clear or conclusive, to means which have been entrusted to you induce you to take a step which would, I for that purpose. I have no hesitation in am convinced (since you do me the ho- taking upon myself any responsibility nour to refer to me on that subject), meet which may attach itself to this advice, and with the approbation of his majesty's go- I consider the fate of Spain as depending vernment, I would venture to recommend absolutely for the present upon the deciretaining the position of Astorga. The sion which you may adopt. I say for the retreat from that place to Corunna would, present; for such is the spirit and determias far as an unmilitary man may be allow-nation of the people, that if abandoned by ed to judge, be a matter of less difficulty than through Portugal to Lisbon; and we might in that position wait for the reinforcements of cavalry from England, which would enable the army to act in the flat country, which opens immediately-They have determined to remove to Bafrom that point, and extends through the whole of Leon and Old Castile.-I have already troubled you with my political reason on this head. I mention this however, in my humble opinion, only as the least objectionable of two modes of retreat. The object, I should conceive, would be to unite a force capable of repulsing the French, before they receive reinforcements. The covering and protecting Madrid is surely a matter of great moment for effect in Spain, and much more in France and in the rest of Europe; it would be a point of the utmost importance for Buonaparte to be able to pablish a decree or to date a letter from Madrid. The people of the town are full of resolution, and determined to defend it in spite of its situation, which is judged to be an unfavourable one. This determination

ought to be encouraged by a show of support. The siege of Madrid by a pretender to the throne, would be a circumstance decisive against his claim, even if in other respects it had been a just one. No. III.-Copy of a LETTER from the right hon. J. H. Frere, to lieut. general Sir J. Moore, K. B. Dated Talavera de la Reyna, 3rd December 1808.

Sir; Though I have little to add to the general representation respecting the means of resistance at present existing in Spain, which I had the honour of stating

dajoz, where I shall hope to be honoured by your answer. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) J. H. FRERE.

No. IV.-Copy of a LETTER from the right

hon. J. Hookham Frere, to lieut. general Sir John Moore, K. B. Dated Talavera de la Reyna, 3rd December, 1808.

Sir; In the event, which I did not wish to presuppose, of your continuing in the determination already announced to me, of retiring with the army under your command, I have to request that the bearer of this, whose intelligence has been already referred to, may be previously examined before a Council of War. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. (Signed) J. H. FRERE, No. V.-Extract of a LETTER from licut.

general Sir John Moore, K. B. to the right hon. J. H. Frere; dated Salamanca, December 6th, 1808.

I had the honour to receive on the 2nd instant your letter of the 30th ult. [No. II. of these Papers.] in answer to that which Had this army been united and ready to I addressed to you on the 27th November. act at the time of general Castanos's defeat, much as I think it would have been risking it, yet it was my intention to have marched on Madrid, and to have shared the fortunes of the Spanish nation. If I could not have sustained myself there, I thought that by placing myself behind the

regard, what I may be allowed to state at | to receive one hourly. I do not know the least with impartiality and candour towards a person with whom I am no otherwise acquainted than by the honour which he has done me by his correspondence. I mean the immense responsibility which you take upon yourself, by adopting, upon supposed military necessity, a measure which must be followed by the immediate if not the final ruin of our ally, and by the indelible disgrace to the country with whose resources you are entrusted. I am unwilling to enlarge upon a subject, in which my feeling must either be stifled or expressed, at the risk of offence, which, with such an interest at stake I should feel unwilling to excite; but thus much I must say, that if the British army had been sent abroad for the express object of doing the utmost possible mischief to the cause of Spain (with the single exception of not firing a shot against the Spanish troops) they would, according to the measures now announced as about to be taken, have most completely fulfilled their purpose. That the defence of Galicia should be abandoned, must appear incredible. I am, &c. (Signed) J. H. FRERE. No. VII.—Extract of a LETTER from lieut. gen. Sir J. Moore, K. B. to the right hon. J. H. Frere; Dated Salamanca, 10th December 1808.

Colonel Graham, whom I had requested to go to Madrid, returned last night. He got no further than Talavera, where he met two members of the Supreme Junta, from whom he learnt the capitulation of Madrid, with the circumstances relating to it. I own I cannot conceive how the duke of Castel Franco and M. de Morla could have given up the town, if the inhabitants had been very resolute in their determination to defend it. It is, I suspect, like the cry of the armies, who, to cover their misconduct, accuse their chiefs of treachery, and, in the instance of general St. Juan, put them to death.-Although I have little hope of the success of the Spanish cause, for I see no marks any where of enthusiasm or a determined spirit, either amongst the people or the government, yet, as it is possible that it may be roused, and as it is said that forces are assembling in the South, I shall unite the British army, and, in concert with the Marquis de la Romana, undertake such operations as shall appear to us best. I have not yet received an answer from the Marquis to my late letters, but I expect

number of people he has collected, but I hear they are not of a description from which much can be expected.-I have now with me general Hope's division, the artillery and the whole cavalry; which last, however, as yet amounts only to 2,200 men.-Madrid, in the state it is, must occupy a considerable portion of the enemy's force. Saragossa still holds out, and the levies in the South will attract his attention. The whole cannot be turned against us, and in a very few days I hope to have the army in readiness to act. I shall begin to-morrow to put a part of it in motion, and my wish is to unite it at Valladolid.-If, at this moment, this town, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Zamora, were armed, they could defend themselves; it would be of considerable service; as otherwise, when I go towards Valladolid, my communication with Almeida and Portugal, from whence I draw my resources in ammunition, &c. may be intercepted.-A man of energy, as captain general of this province, residing under the protection of this army, and explaining in proclamations or otherwise to the people the services expected from them, and which they The people are left too much without dimight perform, would be of infinite use. rection, and we cannot get, even for money, common intelligence. It is only by colonel Graham, last night, I knew the capitulation of Madrid, which happened the 3rd.

take the liberty to state these particulars to you, as perhaps, by means of the Junta, remedies might be applied.—I shall thank you not to mention any direction in which I mean to move, but to say in general that the British army will act in conjunction with the army of La Romana. No. VIII.-Extract of a LETTER from the

right hon. John Hookham Frere, to lieutenant general Sir John Moore; dated Merida, 14th December 1808.

I was last night honoured by your letter of the 10th [No. V. of these papers,] and was sincerely gratified at learning, that with hopes infinitely less sanguine than I confess myself to entertain of the success of the Spanish cause, you had determined to make an effort in its favour. A resolution taken with such views must have been in a great measure founded upon feelings similar to those which you will have seen very strongly expressed in a letter of which Mr. Stuart was the bearer, and of which I wish now to say nothing more,

than that I feel highly gratified in the idea this country, and the means which exists of your having partaken them with me; for reviving it, would lead to a very and that without communication between long and delicate discussion; I would us, the same sentiments which at that very only say, that if I am at all right in my moment were influencing your conduct, judgment of the cause of the evil, it is alreawere guiding my pen.-Your letter hap- dy done away by the acts of the Junta, and pened to be delivered to me while I was I trust that its effects will not long survive. with the Junta, and I communicated such I have been pressed to write to the Comparts of its contents as were most important mander in Chief in Portugal, to reinforce and gratifying to them, with the reserve the army under your command with all which you pointed out.-You know, I the troops that he can spare, and have alpresume, that general Romana is invested ready transmitted home a representation with the authority of captain general in to that effect.-No official report has yet Leon, Castile, Gallicia and Asturias, and I been received of the capitulation of Macan congratulate you on having to do with drid, nor is it as yet by any means certain a man whom you will find perfectly of a that any formal stipulation existed. Noright mind, and determined to keep every thing has been heard from Morla, Castelman to the performance of his duty. The lar, or Castel Franco, nor is it known placing the towns which you mention in where they are. An order has been a state of defence suitable to the means drawn up, and is to be published, prohiof attack which the enemy might at pre- biting all persons concerned in the capitusent be able to direct against them, would, lation, or holding any command in the I should imagine, fall within the limits of town, from approaching the residence of his authority; but I shall state the sub- the Junta.-The army of Arragon have ject to the Junta, and I have no doubt of repulsed an attack on the 2d. Palafox's their approbation of any measure which official report represents the unfortunate you suggest. The one of giving a tem- action of Tudela as an exceedingly porary species of defence to the open towns bloody one, and that the French confess has, I think, great advantages in a country to a loss of 4,000 men. All the reports like this, which is not overrun with luxury from Madrid represent the force of the and timidity, and where a kind of pro- French as very much reduced. I have vincial pride exists not only in every pro- heard no estimate above 26,000. Indeed vince, but almost in every town; the all these estimates are vague; but officers people would be animated not only against who were witnesses of the attack, are conthe enemy but in rivalry with each other; firmed in the opinion of the weakness of enemy would be obliged to overcome, the enemy, by what they observed of his at the price of his blood, obstacles which appearance and mode of approach.-The had been opposed to him by mere labour; Junta are on their way to Seville. I foland a thousand barriers would be inter- low them from hence to-morrow. This posed against that deluge of panic which province is raising horses and men with sometimes overwhelms a whole nation at great zeal, and sending them forward to once, and of which at one time I was defend the passes of the Tagus, particuafraid I saw the beginning in this country.larly to Almaraz.-The Junta have been With respect to what you mention of received with uniform respect by the directing the public mind by proclama-people, and with great deference by the tion, and other means of popular impres- inferior Junta. sion, Marquis Romana is, with very few exceptions indeed, the man the most capable of judging rightly that I have ever seen. I send enclosed an ordonnance [not transmitted] which has been published in Arragon, and which has not yet appeared in the papers; I will thank you to forward it to Romana by your next opportunity, if it is not printed in the meanwhile. -You will be glad to hear that it is much approved of by the Junta, and that they are well persuaded that it is only in this way that things can be done. The extinction of the popular enthusiasm in

the

HOUSE OF COMMON3.

Wednesday, April 12.

[MINUTES.] On the motion of lord Ossulston it was Ordered: 1. That there be laid before the house, a Return of all Offices regulated or abolished since the year 1782, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Commissioners of Accounts in 1787, or of the Committee of Finance in 1797, together with an account of such as have not been regulated or abolished in pursuance of such recommendation, distin

guishing with respect to these, whether | sir John Newport, the motion was agreed they have not yet fallen in, or have to-Sir John Newport then stated, that he since been filled up: 2. A Return of all had to move for one or two papers relative such Offices in the appointment of the to the Linen Board in Ireland, in order to Lords of the Treasury, or in that of the complete the series of papers already beCommissioners of Excise, as have been fore the house. When these papers should created since the year 1782, together be produced, it was his intention to bring with the date of the first appointment, and the whole subject before the house, and the authority under which it was made to exhibit this Board and its constitution in 3. A Return of all such Offices upon the their proper colours. The hon. baronet conEstablishment in the appointment of the cluded with moving, "That there be laid Lords of the Treasury, or in that of the Com- before the house, copies of all Returns missioners of Excise, as were not included made by the Architect to the Trustees of in the Returns to the Committee on the pub- the Linen Board, from the date of the Relic Expenditure, as being in value under port thereon, together with an account of 2001. per annum, specifying only the de- the money due to the artificers, and of scription of the Office and the number of other claims outstanding; also a copy of Offices of each description.-On the mo- the Statement made in February or March tion of Mr. Huskisson it was ordered: last, relative to repairs, and an account of That the two Bills of Exchange for 50l. all outstanding demands upon the funds of each, drawn by E. Farquhar, and which the Linen Board." Mr. Foster did not were produced in Evidence before the mean to oppose the motion, but rose to vinCommittee appointed to examine into the dicate the character of the Trustees of the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of Linen Board, which was composed of seYork, be delivered to Mr. Charles Cook-venty-two of the most respectable of the ney, the attorney of captain Milbanke, to nobility and gentry in the kingdom, if the whom they belong. On the motion of terms used by the hon. baronet, that he lord Folkestone it was ordered, that the would exhibit them in their proper, coseveral Papers relative to the Bankruptcy lours, were meant to convey an insinuation of Robert Kennett, which were likewise of disrespect to that Board. Mr. Ponsonproduced in Evidence before the said Com- by observed, that he had the honour to be mittee, be returned to Mr. Duff.-Sir one of the Trustees of that Board, and had John Newport, pursuant to notice, moved, not taken any offence at the expressions that there be laid before the house a Copy used by his right hon. friend. The object of the Order or Warrant appointing Beau- of his right hon. friend, who had commuchamp Hill, esq. Inspector-General of Ex-nicated some of his views to him, was to cise in Ireland. The ground upon which he brought forward the motion was, that this gentlemen had admitted, in his examination before the Commissioners of Inquiry, that whilst he was an Inspector of Excise, he used to receive 20 guineas monthly from each distiller in his district. Such conduct rendered him unfit to hold any employment, and yet that gentleman had been since promoted to the office of Inspector-General of Excise in Ireland.-Mr. Foster and Mr. Croker did not mean to oppose the motion, but could not forbear to give testimony to the merit and activity of Mr. Hill as an Excise officer; at the same time, however, admitting that, in consequence of the smallness of the former salaries, not only he, but almost all the other officers of the Excise in Ireland, had been in the habit of receiving fees contrary to law, that practice was now at an end, and it was only in consequence of his exemplary activity that Mr. Hill had been promoted.-After a few words from

expose the defects of the board as it was at present constituted, and when the matter should be before the house, it would appear that the views of his right hon. friend were directed to the welfare of the country. The motions were then agreed to.

[BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.] A division having taken place on a private Bill, the gallery was cleared, during which time as we understand,

Sir C. Hamilton complained of a Breach of Privilege in the arrest of a member coming to the house. All we could col lect on the subject was-from what fell from the Speaker as we entered the gallery, who then observed, that the hon. member was right in bringing it forward, that the Sherifis were responsible for the acts of their officers, and that when the matter was regularly brought before the house, the offender would, no doubt, be made a proper example of.

[PAPERS RELATING TO MR. OGLE.]