together with their field-pieces, which advanced upon the road. Engineer tools, &c. &c. having been disembarked, a work was begun at the mill, and considerable progress was made.---The same day the cavalry moved to their quarters at Charlottenberg, Jagersborg, and Vanloes, with piquets in the country, and a chain of posts, supported by the first battalion of the king's German legion from Lorgenfree and Kohekolle, under the direction of brigadier-general V. D. Decken. 1g---.The works carried on by parties of 600 men, relieved every four hours, The gun-boats attacked at day-break, but were driven off by the field-pieces which were now protected. Some of the pipes were discovered which convey fresh water to the town from Emdrup. The frigates and gun-brigs having a favourable breeze, took their stations near the entrance of the harbour, within reach of throwing shells into the town. Four twenty-four pounders were brought into the battery at the mill. Great progress was made in the work at that place, and in a howitzer battery in the rear of it, with traverses and cover for the men. Brigadier-general Decken, surprised and took the post of Frederickswork, commanded by a major, aide-de-camp to the crown prince, who capitulated with 850 men and officers, with a foundery and depot of cannon and powder. The king's household, with part of his Danish majesty's wardrobe, plate, wine, and books, were suffered to come out of the town to follow his majesty, (who has withdrawn to Colding) passports having been requested. Some gentlemen residing in the district of Copenhagen, and in the bailiwicks towards Elsineur, having offered their services to accept the office of magistrates and superintendants of police in their respective districts, under the commander of the forces, an order was made for that purpose, and sent to be printed and published, and a commission was given, in reference to a proclamation printed and published in German and Danish, on the day of disembarkation. 20th.---Farther progress made in the works. More ordnance landed and mounted. A patrole on the left having reported that a body of cavalry, with a corps of infantry in their rear, had been seen in front of Roeskilde, colonel Roden sent a squadron to reconnoitre them, which found them assembled near that place, and immediately charged and put them to flight, leaving sixteen or eighteen men killed, and taking three prisoners and twenty-nine horses. The dragoons pursued the enemy to the gates of Roeskilde, where they were received by a heavy fire of infantry, and returned to their quarters. The admiral came to head-quarters in the morning, and returned to his ship. 21st.---Lord Rosslyn's corps disembarked in the north part of Keoge Bay, with two batteries of artillery, sending round the remaining transports to Schoreshard. A strong patrole of cavalry and infantry was sent to cover his landing. Progress made in cutting off the water. Further arrangements made with gentlemen of the country. Passport granted to prince Frederic Ferdinand of Denmark and his preceptor. Notice given that no more passports can be granted; at the same time a recommendation urged to the commanding general to consider the dreadful consequences of making a capital city of such extent stand a siege and bombardment like an ordinary fortress. Great advance made in perfecting the works already in progress which cover our left. A trench pushed forward, and a new battery erected three hundred yards in advance. Brigadiergeneral Macfarlane's brigade landed at Schoreshard. Great progress was made in landing the battering-train and stores for the siege. Fascines made for a new battery on the right. These works being completed will take the enemy's line of advanced posts in reverse, and will cover and secure the advance of the army to a new position.

(Signed)

CATHCART.

General return of casualties from the landing of the troops in the island of Zealand, on the 16th to the 21st of August, 1807 :

Royal artillery-1 officer, 1 rank and file, 2 borses killed; 4 horses wounded. 1st battalion, 92d-1 rank and file killed. 2d battalion, 95th-1 rank and file wounded. 1st battalion, 82d-1 officer killed; 1 officer wounded. 1st battalion, 43d-1 rank and file wounded. Total-2 officers, 2 rank and file, 2 horses killed; 1 officer, 1 rank and file, 4 horses wounded.

Names of Officers killed. Lieutenant Lyons, of the royal artillery. Ensign Dixon, of the Ist battalion 82d.

Name of Officer wounded. Captain Hastings, of the 1st battalion 82d.

Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, August 21, 1807.---My lord,---Being of opinion that the service on which his majesty's forces, at the island of Zealand, are employed, renders it highly expedient that all neutral trade therewith should be for the present suspended, I have judged it my duty to issue an order, (of which I have the honour to transmit your lordship a copy) declaring the said islands, and others contiguous thereto, together with the passage of the great belt, to be in a state of close blockade, and directing that all neutral vessels persisting to enter into the said islands and passage, after receiving due notice thereof, shall be detained and sent to me at this anchorage, intending that such vessels shall not be allowed to pursue their respective voyages until the circumstances of the islands shall permit them to do so, consistently with the object of the present service. I have the honour to be, &c. Viscount Castlereagh, &c. &c. &c.

J. GAMBIER.

By J. Gambier, esq. admiral of the blue, and commander in chief of a fleet of his majesty's ships and vessels employed on a particular service.

Whereas I have judged it expedient, in conducting the operations of his majesty's fleet under my command against Copenhagen, to surround the island of Zealand, and the other islands contiguous thereto, with his majesty's ships, in order to prevent reinforcements, or supplies of any kind whatsoever, from being thrown into the said islands, I do hereby declare them, as well as the passage of the great belt, (extending from a bank or shoal named Hasteen's ground, to the south-east end of the island of Femeren) to be in a state of close blockade, and do also hereby direct the flag officers, captains, and commanders of the said ships, to give notice thereof to any neutral vessels they may find going into any of the ports of the said islands, or into the passage aforesaid, and to require them to desist therefrom; and in case any neutral vessels, after receiving such notice, shall attempt to enter into any port or place of the said islands, or into the passage aforesaid, the said flag officers, captains, and commanders, are hereby authorised and required to detain such vessels, and, leaving their respective masters, and a proportion of their crews on board to assist in navigating them, put a careful petty officer, with as many seamen as may be necessary into them, respectively, and send them to me at this anchorage. Given under my hand, on board the Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, August 21, 1807.

Jos. TROUNSELL.

J. GAMBIER.

By command of the admiral, Admiralty Office, September 5, 1807.---Copy of a Letter to the honourable William Wellesley Pole, secretary of the admiralty, from James Gambier, esq. admiral of the blue, and commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels in the Baltic, dated, Prince of Wales, in the Sound, August 16, 1807.

SIR, I beg you will inform the lords commissioners of the admiralty, that I yesterday morning quitted the anchorage off Elsineur, and in the evening arrived with the fleet and transports off Wibeck, a village about midway, between that place and Copenhagen, where the army was this morning disembarked, without opposition. I have the honour to be, &c.

J. GAMBIER.

Admiralty Office, September 5, 1807.---Copy of a letter from admiral Gambier, commander in chief of a squadron of his majesty's ships and vessels employed on a particular service, to the honourable Wellesley Pole, dated on board the Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, August 19, 1807.

SIR,-The hostile preparations of the Danish government being far advanced, I thought it proper to order the Defence and Comus to put to sea in pursuit of the Danish frigate, which, as I informed you in my letter of the 14th instant, had quitted Elsineur roads in the night between the 12th and 13th. I have now to request you will lay before the lords cominissioners of the admiralty a copy of a letter which I have received from captain Ekins, of the Defence, and one from captain Heywood to him, stating his having come up with and obtained possession of the said frigate. When the inequality of the force between the two ships is considered, with the

trifling injury sustained by the Comus, it will appear unnecessary for me to make any comment on the bravery and skill which must have been displayed by captain Heywood, his officers, and ship's company. I have the honour to be, &c.

J. GAMBIER. Frederickscoarn.---Twenty-six twelve-pounders on the main deck; four six-pounders, and six twelve-pounder carronades on the quarter-deck and forecastle; and two hundred and twenty-seven men. Comus.---Twenty-two nine-pounders on the main. deck; eight twenty-four-pounder carronades, and two nine-pounder carronades on the quarter-deck and forecastle; and one hundred and forty-five men.

Defence, Scaw Light-house, S. E. 10 or 12 miles, Saturday, one P. M. August 15, 1807. SIR,-As the superior sailing of the Comus, in very light winds, has given captain Heywood, his officers, and ship's company, an opportunity to distinguish themselves particularly, by a very gallant action with an enemy greatly exceeding their force, I can, therefore, only regret the late arrival of the Defence, for the means that might otherwise have been afforded me of preventing the bloodshed which has resulted from it, though happily on the part of the enemy only. The crew of the Danish frigate considerably out-numbering the Comus's, I have thought it my duty to receive one hundred of them into this ship. Inclosed I transmit you captain Heywood's letter. I have the honour to be, &c.

To vice-admiral Gambier, &c. &c. &c.

CHARLES EKINS.

His majesty's ship Comus, off Marstiand, August 15, 1807. SIR,-I arrived within hail of the Danish frigate you gave me directions to chace and detain, at twelve o'clock last night, and repeatedly desired that she would submit to detention by this ship, but she refusing, and making all sail from us, I found it necessary to have recourse to arms; after having received a shot from her stern chace gun, we closed with her, and a smart action commenced, which continued about forty-five minutes, when the two ships falling on board each other, the boarders, headed by lieutenant G. E. Watts, assisted by lieutenant Hood Knight, very gallantly boarded on her bow, and finally took possession of her. All under my command conducted themselves in the bravest manner throughout the contest; and I feel happy to report only one person wounded. The loss of our opponent, (which proved to be his Danish majesty's frigate Frederickscoarn, carrying thirty-six guns, twelve-pounders, on her main-deck, and 226 men,) was much more considerable, being 12 killed and 20 wounded, several mortally. I have the honour to be, &c. Captain Charles Ekins, Defence.

E. HEYWOOD.

CIRCULAR NOTICE TO THE DUCHY OF HOLSTEIN, IN REGARD TO ENGLISH GOODS.

"We, Christian VII. by the grace of God, king of Denmark, &c. hereby give notice, that in consideration of the embargo laid, throughout our dominions, upon English goods, we have thought it necessary to cause more particular investigation to be made, in order, as well to ascertain the quantity of such goods, as the circumstances which may belong to each particular case. We, therefore, in pursuance of this end, in the most effectual manner, and to reduce the inquiry into a regular form, have transmitted a schedule, with a view to collect the necessary information, and have caused copies thereof to be circulated. On returning these schedules, which will be expected in three days from the receipt of them, all officers and magistrates concerned will transmit a separate account of all circumstances he may discover, what sums the merchants or consignees may be indebted to Englishmen, and how such are attested. And in all places where English goods and wares have been seized, and declared by the magistrates, or by the officers of customs, or post-office, both are required to assist in making out the lists, and subscribe them jointly; and of this all concerned are required to take notice.

Given under our seal, &c. at Gluckstadt, the 19th of August, 1807.

(L. S.) R.

"C. E. BARON VON BROCKDORFF, "J. G. MORITZ."

Printed and published by G. SIDNEY, No. 1, Northumberland-Street, Strand; Sold by H. T. HODGSON, Wimpole-street; J. BELL, Sweeting's-alley, Cornhill; and by all the News-venders in Town and Country.

Vol. III. No. 12. Saturday, September 19, 1807.

209

HISTORICAL DIGEST.

Price 10d.

EVACUATION OF SOUTH AMERICA. ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES.

Amongst the quantity of official papers which will be found in this number, the most prominent is, the detail of the defeat of our fine regular army by a rabble of volunteers" at Buenos Ayres. The whole of this remote war, from its commence ment to the lamentable catastrophe which marked its close, deserves our most sober reflection; for there are some points connected with it, which certainly demand a better degree of information than any which we, at this time, possess. A small British force, not equal to two regiments, having obtained possession of the populous city of Buenos Ayres, occasioned a great difference of opinion, at home, upon the duty of the commanders of that expedition undertaking it without the express authority of their government. It will be recollected with what zeal this subject was debated here, at the time the first intelligence arrived from South America: but no one seemed to doubt that the prize itself would prove a very valuable one. I have thought it right to make this distinction at the outset, lest I should be accused of any departure from the sentiments I have already maintained upon the question; for though I be not one of that squeamish class of beings who feel a repugnance at altering an erroneous opinion, or of publickly retracting it, (upon due cause shewn ;) yet the public will perceive, throughout the following observations, that I had well considered the subject before I ventured to commit my opinions to their inspection. As far then as the question of duty depended, I ranged myself on the side of those who thought that a certain latitude of discretion was allowable to every commander. on a far distant station, in carrying our arms against an enemy; but, beyond that point the argument did not extend, for nothing further remained to be discussed. However, there was a consideration to be attended to, upon which the policy itself of the measure was to be determined, and upon which, until the present moment, we have had no positive information; and that is, whether the conquest of Buenos Ayres were intended merely with a view of a temporary annoyance of the enemy, by intercepting his treasures and resources, and thereby augmenting the difficulties of his situation, or whether it were undertaken with a view to our permanent establishment in South America? According to the tenour of Sir Home Pophain's dispatch, after the capture of the city, we had no reason to expect that any permanent establishment was contemplated a the time; and from the evidence which he offered, upon his trial, in justification of his conduct, not the least proof was adduced that the immortal statesman, to whom the project was originally submitted, ever entertained the idea of a permanent colonization in that quarter of the world. This is a most important point; and it cannot be examined with too much rigour; for the merits of the question depend upon its truth or falsehood. No circumstance having appeared then, either in the communications of Sir Home Popham to the govern ment, or in the evidence subsequently delivered on his behalf, that either himself or Mr. Pitt cherished the project of conquering the Spanish settlements in South America, I should wish to know upon what principle the opposition writers are now levelling their unceasing invectives against Sir Home Popham, and the present government?→→→ Do they mean to convey to the public the idea, because general Whitelocke, with an army of nearly ten thousand men, has been beaten by the same enemy, who submitted to the British power when before attacked by a tenth part of that force, that the first attack was, therefore, impolitic and inexpedient? If they do, I am ready. to meet them upon that ground also, by reverting to the original object of the first expedition, which was not undertaken with a view to permanent occupation. What Sir Home Popham performed, was done by surprise; the very nature of which suf ficiently shews, that permanent occupancy was not in contemplation; and unless it can be proved, that such a project was acted upon by him, or espoused by Mr. Pitt, to whom his plan was communicated, I defy any one to condemn the measure of the VOL. III.-No. 12.

ず