DOMESTIC POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

The expectation of INVASION has oscillated this week more than usually. At one time, the knowledge of Bonaparte's being upon the coast, coupled with the heavy cannonading heard off Boulogne, convinced us that the enemy were actually embarked. But the next day, we learn that a part of the enemy's flotilla has been captured: and, in an instant, we set the whole force of the French at nought. Amidst all these changes of opinion, however, one thing predominates amongst us to our glory, that whether we believe them embarked or delayed, the magnanimity of the public mind, its ardour aud enthusiasm, are constant.

The question of invasion now divides itself into two parts; first, whether it will or not be attempted at all? secondly, whether the attempt will or will not be yet delayed some time? The first of these questions is the easiest to answer.

Nor can we hesitate, from every kind of observation and information that has reached us, to state decidedly our opinion that it will be attempted: and this we do, not only from the certainty that exists of the vast preparations that have been made, but from a knowledge of the prevalent conviction upon the subject in France. We are informed, by a foreigner, not three weeks from Paris, that not only in the capital and throughout France, but in Holland, (through which he passed,) every one is confident the attempt will be made! Now though this does not prove the resolutions of the Consul's mind, nevertheless, it proves how deeply he is pledged with the nation in this exploit; so deeply, we verily believe, that he cannot extricate himself from the dilemma unless he can contrive a continental war,

As to the precise moment, however, it is not so easy to decide: for so artfully has the enemy displayed himself, and so jealous is he of observation, that all we can do is generally to expect him, as we are generally prepared.

On Wednesday, Sir E. Nepean sent an extract of a letter to Lloyd's, for the information of the Underwriters and Merchants. It is dated 30th October from Gibraltar, and communicates the intelligence of the safe arrival of the whole of the large fleet from England, under convoy of the Excellent, of 74 guns, Captain Sutharm, with the exception of the Flora, Captain Nelson, which was captured just as she was entering the Bay, being some hours a-head of the convoy.

Dispatches have been received by the Hamburgh Mails, from Sir John Borlase Warren, the British Ambassador at Petersburgh.

By letters from Deal, a heavy cannonade was heard, towards Boulogne, the the whole of Wednesday. The accounts given by the different persons who have made their escape from the coast of France, are various. All however, agree as to the formidable state of their preparations. A great proportion of troops are kept constantly on board the boats.

The new fortifications, in the island of Jersey, are nearly completed. The spot chosen, commands the harbour and Elizabeth Castle; and it was by its advantageous position, that the French troops were so effectually annoyed by a party of militia in 1781.

The issue of stamped dollars commenced at the BANK and INDIA HOUSE this week, in payment of the dividends.

IRELAND. By the Dublin mail of the 5th, it appears that the rebel General Clarke, who was confined in Redford Tower, after his apprehension by Captain Cole, with a party of the Fermanagh Militia, contrived to make his escape from the place of his confinement. He was challenged, at the Castle Gate, by the centry, who struct him on the head with the butt-end of his musquet, and fractured his skull. He is yet alive. The Government is in hourly expectation of the appearance of the enemy off the coast. The following is the account given of the effective force -27,000 regulars, 16,000 militia, and 65,000 yeomanry. A powerful armament of gun-boats, floating batteries, &c. are stationed at the mouth of the Shannon, Galway, and Bantry Bay.

COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE.

We have seen a private letter from Captain Bissett, of the RACOON, by which, it appears, that the French have evacuated Port-au-Prince. This intelligence is confirmed by the New York Gazette of the 3d ultimo; in which it is further stated that when General Dessalines entered the place, only ninety-two white people were found there, two of whom were hanged, by order of that Chief, but the remainder were spared, and received a promise of personal protection. The French fleet, says the same account, sailed on the evening of the 9th, and a considerable part of them fell into the hands of the English, to whom the Negroes rendered every assistance, and were of essential service in capturing the French vessels.

By a private letter from the BLANCHE frigate, commanded by Captain Mudge, dated Cape Francois, November 19, we are also informed that he has succeeded in burning and destroying all the French vessels at Monte Christi, which consisted of twenty-one sail of various descriptions; he had three men killed, and eight wounded in thîs ha◄ zardous service. Lieut. Nichols, of the marines, was also wounded, but is in a fair way of recovery.

NAVAL MISCELLANIES.

We had the satisfaction of first announcing to the public the account of Admiral Cornwallis having resumed his station off Brest. It has been since confirmed that the whole of this fleet has now re-asssembled.-The pleasure with which this news was received by the public, and the anxiety that prevailed during the absence of the fleet from its station, are surely the best answer to those hireling SNARLERS who abuse the blockading system! nor is there any thing degrading in that anxiety.-Possessing as we do the means of commanding the enemy's naval force, the public must be anxious that we should keep that command in our power-and that we should not, by letting their ships escape our observation, give them an opportunity of doing us mischief with an inferior force-for, extensive as are our fleets, we cannot exactly cover the ocean with ships!!!-on which supposition alone can the arguments against the blockading system be defended.

The PLANTAGENET weathered out all the late severe gales, without coming into port. She took refuge, for a few hours, under the lée of one of the small islands in the front of Brest roads, and was found alone on her station, braving the French fleet, when the Admiral returned to the blockade !

An attempt was made by sixty or seventy of the Boulogne flotilla, to attack our Cruizers on that station. They did not however persevere-as on the wind freshening a little, they returned into port without firing a shot. Yet these are the gunboats, seven of which, according to the Moniteur of the 27th December, "made two "British ships of the line and a frigate sheer off!!!

Our cruisers remain off the harbour's mouth during the day, just out of gun-shot, and as soon as night falls, they draw as close in as possible. The LEOPARD and SULPHUR were discovered in this situation last week, and in an instant, all the gun and mortar batteries along the coast opened upon them. Only one shot, however, took effect, and struck the LEOPARD, but without doing any considerable mischief.

By a private letter from an officer on board the Racoon sloop, of 18 guns, we learn that upon the surrrender of Port-au-Prince, 80 French officers, including several of the staff, embarked on board a vessel, with an intention to escape to France. As they saw the Racoon upon her station, and expected an attack on her part, they entered into a solemn engagement and bound themselves by an oath not to strike to the English. Upon their putting to sea, Captain Bissett, commanding the Racoon, who had been upon this station for some time, immediately attacked them, and after a fight which continued for eleven hours, at the head of a party, boarded the French ship, and struck their colours. Owing, however, to the loss of several of his crew, and the wounds many of the officers had received, Captain B. could only spare ten men to take charge of the prize. In consequence of which circumstance, after a sail of some hours, the French overpowered our men, and running the ship on shore, took to their boats and escaped.

MILITARY MISCELLANIES.

The court martial on General Burton is closed, but the sentence cannot be published till it has received the sanction of his Majesty. The Duke of Kent, and most of the officers of the third regiment of guards, attended to bear testimony to the General's high character and honourable conduct. At the close of the court martial, the officers who composed it, received orders from the Duke of York to repair to their respective military stations without delay.

The King, on the application of the colonels of the Lancaster militia, has consented to their bearing in their colours, the Red Rose.-Lord George Lenox has taken the command of the garrison at Plymouth. General Sir Charles Green is appointed to succeed the late General Grinfield, as commander in chief of the forces in the Leeward Islands. Major General Barnet succeeds the late Major General Clephane as second major of the third regiment of foot guards. A draft has been made from the three battalions of guards. Sir J. Craig, commander in chief of the eastern district, has ordered all officers under his command to join their respective regiments.

An alarm was given all along the coast near Southampton, a short time since, by the Duke of Cumberland, commanding the district, for the purpose of ascertaining the number and alacrity with which the volunteers wonld turn out. In the course of a few hours near 3,000 had assembled, cheering each other with every mark of eagerness to meet the enemy, whom they thought had really landed.

The Prince of Wales is returned to Brighton. His Royal Highness's regiment is to be relieved by the fifth light dragoons. Signal posts have been erected upon ull the most considerable eminences, throughout the County of Norfolk. The Windsor volunteers have received orders to hold themselves in readiness to do duty at the Castle, in case of the removal of the Staffordshire militia.

The third regiment of foot, commonly called the Buffs, arrived at Cork, on the 4th instant, from Jersey.

DIGEST OF PUBLIC OFFICIAL PAPERS,

The Gazette of Saturday, the 7th, contains the official account of the capture of the five French gun-boats, off Boulogne, part of a convoy proceeding to that port. The account gives but little more detail of the affair than was already known.

The Gazette of Tuesday, contains a notification of the appointment of the Earl St. Vincent, Sir P. Stevens, Sir T. Troubridge, Sir H. B. Neale, Baronets, James Adams, John Markham, and John Lemon, Esqrs. to be his Majesty's Commis sioners for executing the office of High Admiral of the United Kingdoms. &c,

POSTSCRIPT,

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1804.

Letters have this morning been received, by the CHARON, from Gibraltar. On Saturday, the 7th instant, in Lat. 47 N. Long. 11, 18 W. she fell in with Admiral DACRES, in the CULLODEN, and the West India convoy under his command, consisting of 150 sail, all well.

The Charon brings accounts from Gibraltar, of the 22d of December, at which time the Garrison was in high health and spirits.

SIR ROBERT STRAHAN is cruising off the Gut, in the Donegal.

Letters have also been received, dated the 6th inst. off Terrol. Sir E. Pellew's squadron has experienced very heavy gales of wind; but has sustained no damage, except the loss of sails.

It was yesterday very confidently reported, that the French troops had actually embarked at the different rendezvous of their flotillas; but this morning brings no confirmation of it, and the rumour has subsided.

LONDON: Printed by JAMES WHITING, FINSBURY - PLACE.

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That there is (says Cobbett) a necessity for some revision of the Volunteer System, is now denied by no one, who has turned his attention to the subject, and who is not hostile or totally indifferent to the welfare of his country.-And we will meet him fairly on his assertion, after having, with the same brevity stated a similarly general proposition-That in the constitution of the VOLUNTEER SYSTEM, every thing has been accomplished which, combining the IMMENSITY OF THE OBJECT, and the PROMPTITUDE REQUIRED, was possible to the efforts of human intellect. The proofs of this declaration we shall come to presently, requesting only, in the interim, that all dispassionate men will bear it generally in mind, while we take Mr. Cobbett's sentence into consideration.

It is from the known character of a man that his words receive their particular signification. For though we cannot, for one moment, doubt of the mischievous intention with which this opinion is uttered in the Weekly Register, from the known antipatby the writer bears to the system,-an antipathy founded only in his disappointment at the unparalleled and unexpected success ef the measure, still we should have felt no surprise in hearing the warmest advocate of Ministers assert that "THEY had not been able, ultimately, to arrange the best possible organization of "FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN, in the short space of six months" And why should we have felt no surprise in this declaration from the warmest advocate of Ministers? -but because we know that such a man would liberally have allowed for the inconconceivable difficulties of the task, and that the ruling persuasion and impression of his mind would have been,-that though not perfect, the system was as much so as was possible under the circumstances of its creation, unprecedented as they were; and that