picquets twice yesterday in the morning, but feebly, and they were repulsed; in the afternoon, however, they obliged Sir S. Cotton to draw in his posts to this side of Fraxedas. Capt. Lygon, of the 16th Light Dragoons, was wounded in the morning, and two men of the Royal Dragoons were wounded in the afternoon. A picquet of the regiment made a gal lant and successful charge upon a party of the Enemy's infantry and cavalry, and took some prisoners. The second corps, under Gen. Regnier, has made no movement of any importance since I had the honour of addressing your Lordship last. A patrole, however, belonging to this 'corps, fell in with a squadron of Dragoons, consisting of one troop of the 13th British, and one troop of the 4th Portuguese, belonging to Lieut.-gen. Hill's corps, under the command of Capt. White, of the 13th, and the whole of them were taken, with the exception of the captain and one man, who, I since understand, have been killed. I inclose the copy of Brig.-gen. Fane's report to Lieut.-gen. Hill of this affair, which, it appears, was highly creditable to Capt. White, and the allied troops engaged. No movement has been made, and nothing of any importance has occurred in Estremadura, since I addressed your Lordship last. In the North, the Enemy moved a small body of infantry and cavalry, on the 20th, to Alcanezas; but Gen. Silveira moved towards them from Braganza, and they immediately, retired, Escalhos de Cima, Aug. 22. SIR, I have the honour to report to you, that the troop of the 13th Light Dragoons, and one of the 4th Portnguese Dragoons, forming the squadron under the command of Capt. White, of the 13th, at Ladoera, this morning fell in with a patrole of the Enemy's Dragoons, consisting of one captain, twò subalterns, and about sixty men. Capt. White fortunately succeeded in coming up with them, when he immediately charged and overturned them; and the result has been, the capture of two lieutenants, three serjeants six corporals, one trumpeter, and 50 privates, and about 50 horses. The captain was also a prisoner, but escaped during the bustle on foot. I am happy to say, this has been performed without the loss of a man on our side. Six of the Enemy are wounded. Capt. White expresses his obligation to Major Vigoreux, of the 38th Regiment, who was a volunteer with him, and to the Alteres Pedro Raymundo di Oliviero, commanding the Portuguese troop (which he states to have done its duty extremely well and to have shewn much gallantry); and also to Lieut. Turner, of the 13th Light Dragoons, to whose activity and courage he reports himself to be indebted for several of his prisoners. I trust the whole will be considered to have merited the approbation of the Commander-in-Chief. H. FANE. Lieutenant-general Hill. Admiralty-office, Sept. 22. Letter from Rear-adm. Sir R. G. Keats, to J. W. Croker, esq. Implacable, Cadiz Bay, Aug. 30. SIR, My dispatch, No. 15, will have informed their Lordships of the sailing of an expedition from this port on the the evening of the 22d; I have now the honour to transmit the copy of a Letter I have received from Capt. George Cockburne, of this ship, detailing the particulars of a descent and successful attack made on a strong corps of French troops posted at the town of Moguer. The expedition returned into Cadiz yesterday, with a few prisoners, and some volunteers for the Spanish army, having driven the enemy from Moguer and the adjoining coast with considerable loss, and about 40 killed and wounded on the part of our ally. I have received, Sir, through his Majesty's Minister at this place, the copy of a Letter from his Excellency M. de Bardaxi, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, strongly expressive of the sentiinents of satisfaction and gratitude felt by the Council of Regency at the able and distinguished co-operation afforded Gen. Lascy on the expedition by Capt. Cockburne, the officers and seamen under his command; and it becomes my duty to mark, in the strongest manner. how sensibly I feel the publick service has been benefited by Capt. Cockburne's able, cheerful, and zealous services. I am, &c. R. G. KEATS. Huelba River, Aug. 25. Sin, I have the honour to inform you that, in pursuance of your orders, I sailed from Cadiz on the night of the 22d current, with the vessels and boats you were pleased to place under my command for the purpose of co-operating with the Spanish armament under the orders of Gen. Lasey. On the night of the 23d, being about four leagues to the Southward of the entrance of this river, I received intimation from the General, that he wished to land without farther loss of time on the coast then abreast of us, as it would enable him to get to Moguer (where the French army was supposed to be) considerably sooner than, he could do by water; the whole fleet being accordingly directed to anchor as close close to the shore as they could with safety. I began about ten o'clock to disembark the troops; and the whole of them, as well as their horses, &c. being safely landed, between one and two o'clock, the General commenced his march, keeping along the beach, and being attended by eleven of our flat boats (under Lieut. Westphal, of the Implacable), for the purpose of transporting the army across a large branch of the river, which (after our landing). we were informed, intersected the way to Moguer, and extended a very considerable distance into the country. This precaution having, however, prevented their being delayed in the slightest degree, the army got to Moguer (a distance of 22 miles from the point of debarkation) about eleven o'clock yesterday morning, and the French army being there (according to the information) the Spaniards forgot their fatigues, and proceeded immediately to attack them. The French, not being prepared for such a visit, were soon driven from the town; but, having collected and rallied in the neighbourhood, they attempted to regain what they had lost, and in their turn made several desperate attacks on the Spanish advanced line; but, being worsted in every attempt by the valour and steadiness of the Spanish troops, they retreated at the close of day, and will, I fear, owing to their being principally cavalry, succeed in getting to Seville. Gen. Lascy will, however, I believe, follow them as long as he sees any chance of destroying them; and, on his return from pursuing them, will re-embark and return to Cadiz, or St. Lucar, as circumstances may authorise. The loss of the Spaniards during yesterday was but trifling; that of the French has not yet been ascertained; but I saw several of thein lying dead on the field, and about twelve of them were taken prisoners, who say they were about eleven hundred strong. The cheerfulness with which the Spanish troops bore the fatigue of marching 22 miles, after being without rest for three successive nights, and the steadiness and valour they displayed in the action that ensued, has excited my highest admiration, and made me more sanguine 'than ever in the hope, that such people in such a cause must be ultimately successful. The inhabitants of this neighbourhood also shew scarcely less enthusiasm than the army come to their deliverance, and the manner in which they have greeted our arrival amongst them sufficiently proves their attachment to their legitimate government, and their detestation of the French usurpation. I cannot, Sir, close this account of the transactions of the Spanish army, with Venerable, off the Dodman, Sept. 19. MY LORD, L'Alexandre, a ketch privateer, from St. Maloes, on her first cruize, was captured yesterday by the Venerable, owing to our being very near her on the clearing of a fog. She is pierced for 16 guns, but had only four mounted. She had taken the Peggy schooner, of Bristol, off the Land's End, her crew having previously escaped in their boat to the shore, which was the reason of the privateer shifting her station farther to the Eastward. The Zeno- / bia joined us during the chace. I am, &c. HOME POPHAM. [Sir James Saumarez has transmitted to J. W. Croker, esq. a letter he had received from Rear-adm. Dixon, with one from Lieut. Robert Streatfield, of the Ruby, reporting the destruction of two Danish armed vessels off Lessoe, by two row-boat luggers, under the direc tions of Lieut. Streatfield and Lieut. Stackpoole, of the Ganges, without any loss on our part.] Admiralty-office, Sept. 22. The King having signified to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty his royal pleasure that those Post Captains of his Majesty's Navy who, being Commissioners of the Navy, Victualling, or Transport Service, may have been passed over at any flag promotion, by Officers junior to themselves being promoted to the rank of Rear Admirals, shall be al lowed to wear the undress uniform of a Rear Admiral of his Majesty's Fleet, with the deviations undermentioned, viz.-the epaulettes to be without the star of those worn by Rear-Admirals, and in all respects similar to those worn by Post Captains.-The buttons to contain the arms of the Navy-office (three anchors), or of the Victualling-office (two anchors Admiralty-office, Sept. 25. The Gazette contains the Dispatches from Adm. Drury, Commander in Chief in the East Indies relative to the capture of Amboyna. The following is the account given of the capture by Capt. Tucker, in a letter dated Government House, Castle New Victoria, Amboyna, Feb. 20, 1810, addressed to Vice adm. Drury: "I have to inform your Excellency, that being joined on the 9th by his Majesty's ship Cornwallis, and a Dutch sloop of war (the Mandarine), which she bad taken, I proceeded immediately up the harbour of Amboyna, and anchored in Latitia Bay, from whence we were enabled to examine tolerably well the numerous batteries erected since the English restored the island in 1803, on the different heights commanding the fort and anchorage of Victoria, as well as the anchorage of Portuguese Bay. These anchorages were also farther protected by the fort of Victoria, the sea-face of which is extremely strong, a battery close on the beach, well to the right of the fort, mounting four 12-pounders, one 8-pounder, two six-pounders, and one brass 32-pounder, and a heavy battery built upon piles far qut in the sea, mounting nine 12pounders (iron), and one brass 32pounder. On the morning of the 16th, the plan of attack was determined upon, consultation with Capts. Montagu and Spencer, of the Royal Navy, Capt. Major H. Court, of the Hon. East India Company's Coast Artillery, commanding the troops, and Capts. Philips and Forbes, of the Madras European Regiment.-The arrangements for the attack were, that 400 men, under the command of Capt. Court, should be Landed a little to the right of Portuguese Bay, and advance immediately to the attack of the batteries on the heights commanding that anchorage, as well as the town and fort of Victoria; and that, at the same time, the ships should commence their attack on the Fort, and such batteries as they could be brought to bear upon about two P. M., the boats being all out, and every thing in readiness for landing the party selected for that service, the ships were got under weigh, and stood across the Bay, with the apparent intention of working out to sea; but, by keeping the sails lifting, and other manœuvres, we contrived to drift in towards the spot fixed upon for a landing, at the same time keeping the boats on the opposite side of the ship, so as not to be perceived by the Enemy.-Upon a nearer approach, the preparative signal was made to bear up and sail large; the ships bore up together with a fine breeze, and, passing within a cable's length of the landing place, slipped all the boats at the same moment, per signal. The troops, seamen, and marines, were instantly landed, and formed agreeably to the directions issued by Capt. Court, to whose report of their farther proceedings I beg leave to refer your Excellency.-The ships immediately commenced an attack upon the fort and surrounding batteries, which was continued without intermission for two hours and a ha f, by which time, having drifted very close in, exposed to an extreme heavy fire, particularly from the heights on the left of the town, with red-hot shot, and the object of the attack being accomplished by the unexampled intrepidity of the troops, seamen, and marines, in storming and gaining possession of the heights commanding Portuguese Bay, I took advantage of a spirt of wind off the land, and ordered the ships to anchor there.― During the night, 40 men were landed from the Samarang, and two field-pieces from the Dover, under the direction of Capt. Spencer, who volunteered on this occasion, and succeeded in getting the guns up the heights, over a very heavy and difficult ground. Day-light on the 17th shewed the very great advantage obtained over the enemy in the attack of the preceding day, as he had abandoned in the night the battery on the beach, as well as the water battery, both of which being very low, had inuch annoyed the shipping. Shortly after, some shells were thrown from the Fort at our positions on the heights, without doing any injury, while the shot from our batteries in return were seen to have considerable effect.—This decided superiority, and the ships being ready to advance again, induced me, after landing, and examining, with Capt. Court, the strength of our positions, to send in a summons, a copy of which is annexed; and, in consequence, terms were submitted by the Commandant of Amboyna for the surrender of the island, and, after some alteration, the articles of some distance in the sea; they were both well calculated for defence against a naval attack, and were covered by a very thick parapet.-During the night, two 12-pounders and one 9-pounder were relieved of the spikes, in the Batter Gantong battery, which on the fol lowing day were brought to fire on the fort. The enemy returned our fire (which continued until your summons for the surrender of the town) with shells, but without effect.-Our loss, in obtaining our advantages, was trifling, in comparison with the importance of their consequences, and considering the obstacles the troops had to surmount." The Island was summoned by Capt. Tucker on the 17th February. The answer of the Governor, L'Heukelugt, imputes his situation to the treacherous conduct of the Amboynese inhabitants, and requests a capitulation.-The articles of capitulation follow, by which the garrison are to be conveyed to the island of Java, at the expence of the British Government. The total return of mounted ordnance on the fortification of Fort Victoria, and on the batteries on the heights to the right and left thereof, is 215, and of dismounted iron guns, 18. of capitulation accompanying, were agreed to.-Accordingly, at nine o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the force originally landed under Capt. Court, marched in and took possession of Fort Victoria for his Majesty (the Enemy having previously laid down their arms on the Esplanade), when the British Union was hoisted under a royal salute from the fort and shipping.-I beg leave to congratu late your Excellency on the acquisition of this important colony, defended by 130 Europeans, and upwards of 1000 Javanese and Madurese troops, exclusive of the officers and crews of three vessels sunk in the inner harbour, many of which are Europeans, amounting to 220 men, aided by the Dutch inhabitants and Burghers, who were stationed in the batteries on this very formidable line of defence." Capt. Court's report to Capt. Tucker, of the operations of the troops and seamen employed under the command of the former in attacking the Enemy's out-posts on the 16th February, after stating the carrying the battery of Wannetoo, says: "With the remaining force I proceeded along the heights to turn the Enemy's position at Batter Gantong, situated about 1500 yards distant from, and nearly on the same level with, that at Wannetoo, and which commanded the town of Amboyna and Fort Victoria. This party endured with the greatest spirit and patience a most fatiguing and troublesome march, ascending and descending hills over which there was no road, and many of them so extremely steep, as to require the assistance of the bushes for the men to get up and down by. Their toils, however, were rewarded by our reaching, a little after sun-set, an eminence which effectually commanded the Enemy, and by the satisfaction we experienced on finding that we had pursued the only mode of attack against this post (so strong by the nature of the ground) which admitted a probability of success, otherwise than by a great sacrifice of lives. The Enemy, who was collected in some numbers, retired immediately we were perceived on the heights above them, and we entered the battery without opposition, where we found four iron 12pounders, and one iron 9-pounder.The consequences of our successes in obtaining possession of Wannetoo and Batter Gantong, were observed by the desertion, on the part of the Enemy, of two batteries which had annoyed the ships, and which became exposed to our commanding fire. One of them, called the Wogoo Battery, is situated on the shore, The other is erected upon piles, H. M. S. Dover, Amboyna, March 1. SIR, I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that, since my letter of the 20th ult. the valuable islands of Saporoua, Harouka, and Nasso - Laut, as well as those of Bouro and Manippa, have surrendered to his Majesty's forces under my command. E TUCKER. [Here follows a return of the armed vessels captured, consisting of seven brigs and cutters, from 8 to 16 guns; 42 Government supply vessels of various descriptions, and three neutrals: total 52.] Another letter, from Capt. Tucker, dated Amboyna, Feb. 10, 1810, states the destruction of the Dutch fort at Boolo Combo, on the Celebes, by a detachment of troops, seamen, and marines, landed from that ship, under the command of Capt. Forbes, of the Madras European regiment. We had one. man killed and seven wounded in this service, including Capt. Forbes in the latter. H. M. S. Dover, Amboyna Roads, Feb. 28. SIR, I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that the Enemy's ships and vessels, as undermentioned, have fallen into our hands since the surrender of this island, richly laden, from Souronbaya, with supplies of every kind, for the Government of Amboyna, Banda, and Ternatte.-Ship Patman Damvers, of 360 tons; tons; ship Patholgair, of 450 tons; brig Charlotte, of 50 tons; Ketch Salo Sala, of 80 tons. E. TUCKER, Capt. [This Gazette likewise contains a Letter from Mr. G. Collier, of the Surveillante, addressed to Vice-adm. Sotheby, dated Quiberon Bay, Sept. 5, mentioning the cutting out of a French brig from under the batteries of St. Guildas and St. Jacques, by Lieut. Arbuthnot and Mr. Illingworth, the master's mate, at the head of two boats crews, without loss. Also, on the 7th, of the destruction of a battery, guard-house, and watch-tower, the labour of some months, at the entrance of Coack River, by Mr. Illingworth, at the head of two boats crews, of the Surveillante.-A Letter from Capt. Wolfe, of the Aigle, announces the capture, on the 12th inst. after a chace of 13 hours, of the Phoenix French privateer, of Bourdeaux, pierced for 20 guns, but carrying only 18, and 129 men, commanded by Mons. Jacques Perrond.] Admiralty-office, Sept. 29. Letter from Adm. Sir C. Cotton, Bart. Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, to J. W. Croker, Esq. dated on-board H. M. S. San Josef, off Toulon, July 24. SIR, A continuance of streng gales from the N. W. since the 15th instant, obliged me to take shelter under the. Levant Island with the fleet, from which, however, we were driven as far to the Eastward as Villa Franca. I have been, at length, enabled to gain the rendezvous of Cape Sicie; and, having had communication with Capt. Blackwood, the senior officer in-shore, have received from him an account of his proceedings with the detached squadron under his orders, upon a division of the Enemy's fleet, consisting of six sail of the line (one a three-decker with the Commander in Chief's flag), and four frigates, coming out of Toulon on the 20th inst. for the purpose of enabling a frigate and convoy to get from Bandol, and no less to endeavour to cut off the Euryalus and Sheerwater; and, in justice to the Captains of his Majesty's ships Warspite, Ajax, Conqueror, Euryalus, and Sheerwater, I cannot desist from transmitting to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the enclosed copy of Capt. Blackwood's letter on the subject; and I doubt not their Lordships will view with no small degree of satisfaction the gallantry and steadiness of those ships, and, under the existing circumstances, the determined measure that officer adopted by bringing-to in order of battle, with lis Majesty's squadron, against so superior a force, and engaging the headmost ships of the Enemy's line, which had the Warspite, of Toulon, July 20. SIR, In a former letter, I did myself the honour to acquaint you of the Enemy having twice come out in great force, and failing in an attempt to detach a store-ship to the Eastward, and liberate å frigate in Bandol, where we had forced her to take refuge. This morning they agam came out with six sail of the line, one of themr of three decks, bearing the Commander in Chief's flag, and four frigates; and as the weather was light and variable I found it impossible to prevent the junction of the frigate in Bandol; I therefore endeavoured to collect the squadron, and place ourselves without the Enemy in as good a posture of defence as I could'; but, owing to the situation of the Euryalus and Sheerwater, who were obliged to eross their headmost ships, and the wind rather failing them, whilst the Enemy preserved it so entirely as to render the capture of the Sheerwater certain, if not that of the Euryalus; it became a matter imperatively necessary that I should risk an action, though at the door of the Enemy, and with a force so superior; a step which, without such an object, I should not have considered myself authorized in taking, particularly as you had been unavoidably blown off and out of sight by the late heavy gales. I therefore brought-to, with the Conqueror and Ajax astern of me, in such a position as evinced my determination to protect the frigate and brig; and I am happy to inform you, that the result has proved as creditable to the British flag as I could have wished or expected; for, although the enemy appeared equally as decided to endeavour to cut them off as we were to defend them, the moment they came within: reach of our fire they hauled up in succession their headmost ships, giving us their broadsides, and then tacked, in which we followed their example, by also tacking; a movement for which I am entirely indebted to Capt. Otway's' promptness and good judgment, who being the sternmost ship in our line, and perceiving the Enemy began to retreat,, became the more anxious to-endeavour |