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The fact is, I had not the least notion that he would own the paragraph; and, even if I had expected battle, all the persons present, headed by the heroic TRUE BRITON himself, did not appear to me to form a corps too strong for Mr. Dickins and myself.

The story that he tells about poker and tongs is the most whimsical and romantic falsehood that ever was conceived. He flew to the poker, but I never attempted to touch its associate utensil, till after his roaring had brought in his troop, which consisted, altogether, of not less than fifteen or sixteen persons, one of whom was dispatched to fasten the doors next the street. We passed through the troop, went down, and seated ourselves in the office; but no Mr. Heriot ventured to descend till we had quitted the premises.

He declares that I did not hurt him. I am glad of it. Chastisement may be inflicted without breaking bones. If he is satisfied with this part of the affair, I am, and I heartily congratulate him upon the circumstance, begging leave, however, to express my astonishment, that, if he really did regard himself as the victor, he should wait nine whole days, without saying a word of the matter, while I, who according to his account, was the discomfited party, mentioned the affair the first moment I came before the public! I ask, whether it be likely, that we should have acted thus, if the facts had been such as he has stated them?When his narrative appeared, on Monday last, MR. DICKINS, conceiving himself very much aggrieved by it, and observing that the writer advanced certain claims to the character of "a gentleman," deputed a friend to wait on him, in order to obtain that sort of satisfaction, which, in like cases, is generally given by one gentleman to another. Mr. Chapman, who conveyed the message found as much difficulty in getting admittance to MR. HERIOT as he would in coming at a favourite mistress of the Grand Seiguior. Finally, on Wednes. day about noon, after having been surveyed, from head to foot by two or three persons, who were sent to reconnoitre, he obtained the interview, of which, with the suppression of some few circumstances, Mr. Heriot himself has published an account, in that address to the public, where he has had the justice to post himself for a coward.--His objection to afford satisfaction to MR. DICKINS was grounded on the pretext that the latter was not a gentleman; on which subject Mr. Chapman observed, that he was sure Mr. Heriot had too much delicacy to say or to insinuate, that be, Mr. Chapman, was the bearer of a message from a person zukom

he did not know to be a gentleman. The wary True Briton, who saw the rocks rising before him, suddenly tacked about, and replied, that MR. DICKINS might be a gentleman, on other occasions, but that he could not regard him as one, as far as related to the present affair! The truth is, that, if to be born in the first rank of persons in his country; if to have had, through life, none but the most respectable connexions; if to have received a liberal education; if to possess sound principles and extraordinary talents; if to be at once accomplished, gentle, and brave; if these constitute a gentleman, then is MR. DICKINS fully en iled to the character. Nor, can any exception be, on this account, taken to the bearer of the message, who is a son of Colonel Chapman of Virginia, and who is now on his return to America, after having completed his studies in Europe.-On reading this statement, the public will be at no loss to judge of the motives, from which MR. HERIOT refused the satisfaction demanded. --MR. HERIOT has apologized for intruding himself on the notice of the public, an apology very proper for him to make, but which would not become me, because, on the maintenance of my reputation depends, in a great degree, the effect and the public utility of my work. Exceedingly, however, am 1 mortified to have been compelled to make this statement. Little did I once imagine, that I, who used to reproach the Americans with degeneracy; that I, who used to bid them look to the country of their ancestors for examples of frankness and of courage; little did I imagine, that it would ever fall to my lot to announce to the world, that one of my own countrymen, and he too a person who is, or who has been, an officer in his Majesty's service, had, at the frown of an American, shrunk from a True Briton into a despicable poltroon.

August 18th, 1803.

WM. COBBETT,

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-Without entering into the question whether Prince Czartorisky or Count Alexander Woronzow are friendly or inimical to this country, I beg those who wish to know what may be the general disposition of the cabinet of St. Petersburgh, and who are inclined to form a judgment by something more than professions and declarations, to consider the following circumstances. Do not the Russians, in general, feel how much they are in the power of this country, by our being, on account of our

vicinity as well as superior naval force, able, at all times, to block up the Baltic? And do they not feel that by our occupying Malta, we may be able to shut them up in the Euxine also? So that if ever they should be inclined to move in any direction we do not like, we can, from this envied position, stretch forth our naval arm, and say balt.

Is it not known to a certainty that the late Empress had intentions of making herself mistress of the River Amur, and all the country on its left bank to the sea? Had she not views on Jaban, and to obtain a footing in India, and on the opposite side of America? Some such extension is even necessary to Russia, or the establishments on that side of the empire will go to ruin.-Was not a project formed about the year 1790, of sending an army to raise an insurrection of the Mahomedan powers and partizans in India; to profess to have for object the re-establishment of the Mogul on the throne of all India, and to drive us out of the peninsula in case a war with this country had taken place?--Is any one ignorant of the views of that court on Turkey, and of the intention of creating Greece into an independent state, placing the Great Duke Constantine on the throne of Constantinople? Or how much this has been an object of the cabinet, often suspended, but never relinquished for these last hundred years? Why does Russia pay such vast attention to that part of the empire bordering on the Euxine? Why is the junction of the great rivers to convey merchandize from the most distant parts of the country to the Euxine undertaken, and spoken of with so much exultation by the French?

-Cannot France, in a war with this country, procure naval stores from the Black Sea if Malta is wrested out of our hands? Cannot France carry on an immense trade with the Russian ports of the Crimea, Cherson, &c. a trade necessary to make the southern provinces flourish, rich in soil, in productions, in population, and blessed with a healthy and temperate air? Does it appear that Russia can have such, or any advantages in those parts, from us?--What disadvantage will accrue to Russia by the French possessing Egypt? And should at quarrel with this country take place, what objection can Russia have to join the French efforts to humble us in India, or elsewhere? --Is Russia more likely to succeed in all, or any of her projects by our having the dominion of the Mediterranean, or by that dominion being transferred to France?Does it appear from a view of these things, that it will be more agreeable to the Court

of St. Petersburgh to see us in possession of Malta, and able to stop her progress, or to see us shut out of the Mediterranean, and Malta in French, or whar is equivalent, in neutral hands?--If Russia is well inclined towards this country, why does she not oblige Buonaparté immediately to evacuate Hanover, &c as she knows the usurper would not quarrel with her før so trifling an object-Why does the Court of St. Petersburgh not only wish we should evacuate Malta, but why does it not insist on our holding it in perpetuity?--If these projects of the Court of St. Petersburgh should for the moment be laid aside, can any body asure me that they will not at some future period be resumed? And in that case can any one say, that the loss of Malta will not have all the fatal consequences I have stated?--When we have abandoned Malta, and Russia should be favourably inclined to this country, will it be in her power to set France at defiance? Will not France have a strong hold on her in the East ?——Will not our being able to block up Russia on all sides by sea prevent her quarrelling with us, and be a means of preserving a friendly co-operation, which if rightly understood is the true interest of both countries?-When I have a satisfactory answer to these questions, I shall be able to solve the enigma: Is Russia friendly to this country?As to guarantees, surely after the fate of that of the treaty of Luneville and others, nobody can think they are of sufficient force to stop any enterprise of Buonaparte's. Our only guarantees are a British garrison and the affection of the inhabitants-As to Russia's approving of our blocking up the Elbe it argues nothing. She may give us good words, she may, perhaps, act a farce or two; she may lull us to sleep till Malta is out of our hands. There is no language which a subtile court may not hold to gain its ends. Let us look to the state of things. When we know the interest, or what is thought to be the interest of a court, we know its views. The rest is comedy and legerdemain trick.--I beg to know the meaning of all the favours that it has pleased the usurper to confer on the House of Baden, and why, from such hands, they have been accepted.--Let me see strong active measures on the part of Russia. A manifesto that she will support ber guarantees, and a Suwaroff at the head of another army, and above all that Russia will support us in the possession of Malta; for even should she declare war against Buonaparté I will not admit her good dispositions towards this country, without the

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PUBLIC PAPERS.

THOMAS.

Novice of the Blockade of the Ports of Genoa ard Spezia, by the Ships of his Britannic Majesty.-Dated Downing-strert. August 13, 1803

The King has been pleased to cause it to be signifie by the Right Honourable Lord Hawkesbury, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the Ministers of Neutral Powers residing at this Court, that the necessary measures have been taken, by his Majesty's com. mand, for the blockade of the entrance of the Ports of Genoa and Spezia; and that from this time all the measures authorised by the Law of Nations, and the respec ive Treaties between his Majesty and the different Neutral Powers, will be adopted and executed with respect to all vessels which may attempt to violate the said blockade.

AUGUST 20, 1803.

Dispatch from Gen. Grirfield, giving an account of the
Capture of Tobago, by the forces of his Britannic Ma-
jesty.- -Dated Scarborough, Tobago, July 1, 1803.
My Lord,——I have the honour to report to
your Lordship, the surrender, by capitulation, of
the Fort of Scarborough, and the restoration of the
Island of Tobago to the British Government. I
have the satisfaction to add, that this event ap-
pears to be received by the Colony, the inhabi-
tants of which are almost entirely British, with
the liveliest sense of gratitude. The circum-
stances which led to this fortunate and valuable
conquest, were as follow:-On the 25th, Commo-
dore Hood, with the fleet and troops, sailed from
St. Lucia, and yesterday, at day-break, we made
this Island. Abou: five o'clock in the afternoon,
having landed the greater part of the troops, the
two leading columns marched forward towards
Scarborough, and meeting with no opposition in
the defiles of St. Mary's, advanced to Mount
Grace, from which place I sent a summons to the
Commandant-General Berthier, who returned an
answer by proposing terms of capitulation, which
were finally settled about four this morning, and
at eleven possession of the fortress was given to
the British forces; the French garrison marching
out with the honours of war, and laying down
their arms, after passing the guard of honour, un-
der the orders of Brigadier-General Picton -The
fort having surrendered withour resistance, I can
only speak, in general terms, of the excellent dis-
cipline and good conduct of the officers and sol-
diers in this expedition; there is no doubt, had
the French garrison been sufficiently strong to
have hazarded resistance, they would have met
with as obstinate an attack as was experienced by
the garrison of Morne Fortunée.It is next to
impossible for me to say too much in praise of
the co-operation of the Navy. The troops are in
the highest degree indebted to Commodore Hood
for the accommodation afforded to them on board,
and to the judicious arrangements and execution
in the embarking and disembarkation of them by
Captain Hallowell-Captain Draper, my Aide-
de-Camp and Secretary, returning to England, will
have the honour to deliver this dispatch to your
Lordship; I beg leave to recommend him to your
smotice, as an intelligent, diligent, and active offi-

cer.

I have the honour to be, &e.-W. GRIN

FIELD, Lieut. Gen.

R. Hn. Lord Hobart,
&c. &c. &c.

[ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION]

CESAR BERTHIER, General de Brigade, Captain-Gene
ral of the Island of Tobago, in the name of the French
Republic, offers,

Art. 1. To deliver up to the Commander in
Chiet of his Britannic Maj sty's forces, the Fort of
Scarborough, in the same state in which it now is,
together with the artillery, and military stores.→→
Answer. Agreed to.-Art. II. The garrison
shall march out with all the honours of war;
drums beating, and taking their arms and baggage,
----Answer.-
with one piece of field artillery.
Agreed to. The British troops being permitted, at
eleven o'clock to-morrow morning, to have pos-
session of the Fort of Scarborough; and the French
garrison, at the same time, to march out with the
honours of war, drums heating, arms and baggage,
and one piece of field artillery; but the arms are
to be laid down, and the field piece given up as
soon as they shall have passed the Glacis. Art.
111. The Captain-General, his staff, all the offi-
cers, all the persons in military or civil employ-
ments, with all the soldiers, seamen, servants, and
generally all the French attached to the service of
the Republic, with their wives and children, shall
be embarked within a month, and sent back to
France at the expense of his Britannic Majesty.—
Answer.-Agreed to. And shall be sent within
the time, or as soon after as possible.—Art. IV.
A proper vessel shall be furnished as soon as pos-
sible for the conveyance of the Captain-General,
his family, staff, and other persons in his suite,
with the goods and effects belonging to them.————
Answer. Agreed to.-Art. V. The sick and
wounded shall be attended to in the Military hos-
pital of Scarborough, at the expense of his Bri-
tannic Majesty, and sent to France when cured.-
Answer. Agreed to. And they shall be sent to
France as soon as they shall be recovered.-Art.
VI. The property of every kind belonging to the
inhabitants of the Colony shall be respected; their
laws, customs, and usages will be preserved, as
they have hitherto been by the French Govern-
ment. Agreed to.-The Colony will have the
laws existing when under the British Government
previous to its last cession to the French Repub-
lic. Art. VII. The Captain General, Cæsar
Berthier, shall immediately dispatch the National
Brig, Souffleur, now at Scarborough, to apprize his
government of this capitulation. The necessary
passport for this purpose shall be given by the
commander of the naval forces of his Britannic
Majesty. Answer.-Agreed to by me; but sub-
ject to the Commodore's opinion. An unarmed
vessel may be sent to France, and if the Souffleur
is disarmed, she may be sent to France. Art.
VIII. The French merchant vessels now in Scar-
borough Roads, under the batteries of the fort,
shall be allowed to sail for such port of Europe or
Answer.
America as they shall think proper.-

Requires being referred to the Commodore. Provided the property does not belong to persons who have come to the Island since its cession to the French Republic. Art. IX. None of the inhabitants shall be molested on account of the conduct they may have held, or opinions they may have professed under the French Government.Answer,-Agreed to.-Art. X. Du

ring the space of two years, to commence this day, it shall be permitted to such inhabitants as are desirous of quitting the Island, to dispose of their properties, and remove the amount to whatever place they please - Answer.-Agreed to. Providence-House, 30th June, 1803.

W. GRINFIELD, Lieutenant-General, commanding in Chief.

SAMUEL HOOD, Commodore, and Commander in Chief.

12th Messidor, 11th Year of the French Republic. CESAR BERTHIER, Captain-General of the Island of Tobago.

Accepted by order of General BERTHIER, by virtue of his full powers granted to us. L'ANUSS, First Aide-de-Camp.

BAIN NOUSE GENTIL, Aide-de Camp. Whereas the provision made in the 8th Article of Capitulation, did not appear to be clearly understood by the Captain-General, Cæsar Berthier, it is now agreed that the Captain-General take to him the William and Jenny merchant ships to transport the French troops and sailors to France, as well as the property of the Captain-General, independent of the unarmed brig stated; and that proper passports shall be furnished for the purpose, and for sailing under the French flag with a cartel; and that all other vessels are to be considered under the regulations and orders of the British Commander in Chief.

SAMUEL HOOD.

CESAR BERTHIER, Capt. Gen.

Tobago, 4th July, 1803. Return of the French Troops and Sailors in Fort Scarbo rough, in the Island of Tobago, at the time of its surrender to the British force, on the 1st of July, 1803. 3 Captains, 2 Serjeant Majors, 8 Serjeants, 16 Corporals, 73 Grenadiers, 9 Drummers, 120 Sailors.Total 228.-The General and Staff Officers not included.

C. LUXEMBOURG, Capitaine-Commandant. Return of French Prisoners taken at the conquest of the Island of St. Lucia, on the 22d of June, 1802, by the troops under the command of Lieutenant-General William Grinfield.

1 Brigadier General, Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 Major, 10 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 12 Second Lieutenants, Surgeon Major, Surgeon, Assistant-Surgeon, 13 Serjeant Majors, 77 Serjeants, 74 Corporals, 18 Drummers, 402 privates, II Women, 9 Children.-Total, 640.-N. B. One hundred and sixteen of the prisoners, included in the total, are returned sick.

WM. TATUM, Capt. Assist.
Adjutant General.

DOMESTIC OFFICIAL PAPERS. Address of the House of Commons to Ilis Majesty, at the

close of their session on the 12th August, 1803. Most Gracious Sovereign,-Your Majesty's most Jutiful and loyal subjects, the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, have at length completed the supplies granted to your Majesty for the service of the present year-a period memorable for the events which it has produced, and awful for those which may be yet to come. In granting those supplies, Your Majesty's faithful Commons have considered that a crisis without example, demands unexampled efforts and by resolving to raise annually a large

proportion of the supplies for the current year, so long as the war may endure, they have given to all the world a solemn pledge of their inflexible determination to render public credit unassailable.They have also proceeded to revise the system of By consoliYour Majesty's permanent revenue. dating the duties in each of its principal branches, they have simplified its operations, and at the same time they have endeavoured to render its pressure less burthensome by regulating its mode of collection.The commercial interests of this country, to which our attention was called by Your Majesty's gracious commands at the commencement of the present session, have been maturely considered; and measures have been taken for affording material accommodations and facilities to mercantile transactions, by rendering our principal poits free for all nations to import, deposit, and re-export their merchandize, without toll or tax, unless voluntarily brought into our own market for home-consumption. -Nor have

we forgotten to bestow our earnest and serious thoughts upon the safety and efficacy of our church establishment in every part of the United Kingdom. Upon this subject, as comprehending all that consecrates our rational hopes, morals, and policy, we have deliberated with peculiar care and anxiety; and we presume to believe, that the im portant laws which have been passed in aid of our church establishment will materially strengthen and gradually extend its influence throngh succeeding ages. But, Sire, these were cares and objects belonging to times of peace. Wise, polite, and desirable as they might be, nevertheless, called upon now by your Majesty's commands, we have, without hesitation, turned all our thoughts and efforts to meet the renewal of war, persuaded that your Majesty's paternal care preserved to us the blessings of peace so long as they could be retained with safety and honour, and confident that since they have been openly attacked, and the justice of our cause has been made manifest to the world, our appeal to arms will not be in vain.This war we see and know to be a war of no ordinary character. We feel that our religion, laws, and liberties, and existence as a nation are put to the issue, and we have prepared for the contest accordingly. Besides the supplies of money, we have augmented beyond all former example, every species of military force known in this countrywe have met rebellion with prompt and necessary laws and for the defence of a Sovereign endeared to us by long experience of his royal virtues, and commanding not our allegiance alone, but our hearts and affections, the whole nation has risen up in arms. May then the God of our fathers go forth with us to battle, and bless our cause, and establish with victory that Throne which we revere as the bulwark of our liberties; and so shall other nations at length learn, that a free, valiant, and united people is unconquerable, and able to set lasting bounds to an empire of violence, perfidy, and unrelenting ambition. To the Bills which I have now humbly to present to your Majesty, your Commons, with all humility, entreat your Majesty's Royal Assent.

His Majesty's most gracious Speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament.

My Lords and Gentlemen,-1 am at length enabled, by the state of public business, to release you from your long and laborious attendance in Parliament.--in closing the session, I have the utmost satisfaction in expressing the strong sense

which I entertain of that zealous and unwearied regard for the welfare and honour of your country which has distinguished all your proceedings During the continuance of peace, your conduct manitested the just view which you had taken of our actual situation, and of the dangers against which you were peculiarly called upon to provide; and since the ecurience of hostilities, you have displayed an energy and promptitude which have never been surpassed, in the means which you have supplied for the delence of the country, and for the vigorous prosecution of the war.-Your proceedings in consequence of the late treasonable and atrocious occurrences in Ireland, will, I trust, have the effect of preventing any further interruption of its internal tranquillity, and of convincing my loyal subjects in that part of the United Kingdom, that they may confidently rely on that protection to which they are so justly entitled. In the midst of the deliberations, which were occasioned by the immediate exigency of the times, you have not been unmindful of other objects, to which I had directed your attention; and I have great satisfaction in obe ving, that you have completed a system for consolidating the duties, and regulating the collection and management of the several branches of the revenue; and that you have adopted measures which are calculated to afford material accommodation to the mercantile part of the community, and to encourage and extend the navigation and commerce of My dominions.-Gentlemen of the House of Commons,-I shall return you My particular thanks for the liberality and readiness with which you have granted the supplies for the public service.

"It is painful for me to reflect, that the means of necessary exertion cannot be provided without a heavy pressure upon my faithiul people: but I cannot sufficiently applaud that wisdom and fortitude which have led you to overlook considerations of temporary convent nce, for the purpose of preventing a large accumulation of debt during the continuance of the war. You may be assured that there shall be as strict an attention to economy on my part as may be consistent with those preparations and exertions which will be best calculated to frustrate the designs and to weaken the power of the enemy, by whose arrogant preten sions and restless ambition alone thee sacrifices have been rendered unavoidable.- My Lords and Gentlemen,—I at, fully persuaded that, during the cessation of your parliamentary duties, you will continue to be actuated by the same spirit which has been uniformly displayed in your councils. It will be your duty to assist in carrying into effect those important measures which your wisdom has matured for the defence and security of the realm: and particularly to give the most bineficial direction to that ardour and enthusiasm in the cause of their country, which animate all classes of my people.-Justly sensible of the state of pre-eminence in which it has pleased the Almighty to support us, tor so many ages, amongst the nations of Europe, Irdv, with confidence, that, under the continuance of his Divine Protection, the exertions of my brave and loval subjects will prove to the enemy and to the world, that an attempt to ubvert the independence, or impair the power of this United Kingdom, will terminate in the disgrace and ruin of those by whom it may me made, and that my people will find an ample reward for all their sacrifices, in an undisturbed enjoyment of that freedom and security, which, their patretism and valeur, they will have

preserved and ensured to themselves and their posterity."

Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majesty's command, said:" My Lords and Gentlemen, -It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this Parliament be prorogued to Thursday the sixth day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the sixth day of October next."

INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIGN.Mr Drummond, the British Minister at Constantinople, had his first audience of the Grand Vizier on the 13th of June; and, on the 21st was presented, with great pomp, to the Grand Signior.-Abdul Wechab, after being defeated by the Pacha of Damascus, collected great reinforcements, and again obtained possession of Mecca.Tahur, the Albanian chief, who headed the revolt at Cairo, has been assassinated by the people, and the Beys of Upper Egypt have obtained possession of the city.-The Porte, alarmed at these circumstances, is embodying two powerful armies, for the purpose of compelling the submission of the rebels; and the Capitan Pacha, with a considerable fleet sailed from Constantinople on the 26th of June, to co-operate in restoring tranquillity in the Egyptian provinces.-The republic of the Seven Islands has declared its determination to observe the strictest neutrality during the continuance of the war beween England and France. -The new Grand Master of Malta, was installed in presence of an assembly of the knights of the order, held at Messina on the 27th of July. The oath was administered to Signior Tommasi, by the Bailli Trotti. M. Busy

was immediately dispatched to Rome as the representative of the Order at the Holy See. General Vial has been ordered to repair to Messina, to resume his station as ambassador from the French Republic to the Grand Master of Malta.-His Neapolitan Majesty and the royal family still remain at Naples; and, it is said, have no intention of removing to Palermo-Buonaparté arrived at St. Cloud on the 11th inst. where, it is said, he will remain til! the middle of September, and will then proceed to Brest, l'Orient and Rochfort. The privy counsellor, Lombard, who had been dispatched on a mission from the King of Prussia to the First Consul, at Brussels, returned to Berlin on the 8th inst. M. Portalis arived there, from Paris, about the same time.--Considerable military and naval preparations are making in the domi nions of the Emperor of Russia.-The King of Sweden has given orders for the forma tion of a cordon of troops on the frontiers of Pomerania.-Negotiations are said to be

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