force might be spared from the army, and delayed their departure from Sicily, until the 23rd September, when the Warrior sailed from Messina, with the Philomel sloop and transports, carrying about 1,600 troops under the command of brig.-gen. Oswald. The Spartan, at the same time sailed from Malta, with Mr. Faresti, and count Cladan, a Cephalonian gentleman, who had for some time taken refuge at Malta, and whose local knowledge and influence in the country, I hoped would be advantageous to the service. Orders were also sent to capt. Eyre, of the Magnificent, to join them with the Corfu squadron. I have now great satisfaction in informing you, sir, of the complete success of this expedition, and that the French garrison in the islands of Zante, Cephalonia, Ithaca, and Cerigo, have, after a very faint resistance, surrendered to his majesty's arms, the people liberated from the oppression of the French, and government of the Sept Insular republic declared to be restored. (Signed) COLLINGWOOD. Warrior, Bay of Zante, Oct. 3, 1809. Sir, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of the commander-in-chief, that, in pursuance of his lordship's orders, I sailed from Messina on the 23rd ult. in company with the sloop Philomel, two large gun-boats, and the transports, with troops under the command of brig.-gen. Oswald, and proceeded off Cephalonia, where we arrived on the 28th, and continued in sight of the island until the 1st of October, during which days we were joined, as had been previ ously arranged, by the Spartan from Malta, and the Magnificent, Belle Poole, and King-fisher, from Corfu, and anchored that night in the Bay of Zante, just without reach of the nearest battery. At day-light on the following morning, the troops assembled alongside the Warrior, and under cover of the Spartan, Belle Poole, and gun-boats, who soon silenced the batteries, landed division of the army, in the most perfect order, about three miles from the town, and whilst general Oswald was advancing, captain Brenton and Brisbane, and the gun-boats, conducted by Mr. Cole, my first lieutenant, were actively employed in keeping the enemy, who had re-manned their batteries, in check, and covering the second disembarkation, when the whole army moved forward, and closely invested the castle, to which the French had retired from every direction. A proclamation was in the mean time distributed to the inhabitants, explanatory of our views, and find. ing, as was expected, that they rejoiced in the expulsion of these common disturbers of mankind, I forbore attacking with the ships a strong battery on the Mole Head, which could not be taken without destroying a great part of the town, and have the satisfaction of adding, that in the course of the day, the enemy, though advantageously situated in a most important and commanding position, thought proper to capitulate on the terms which I have the honour to inclose. tulation agreed upon for the surrender of Zante; as also of Cephalonia, Cerigo, &c. with the return of ordnance, &c. The Gazette contains also an inclosure from lord Collingwood, giving an account of a very spirited attack made by the boats of the Excellent, Acorn, and Bustard, covered by the sloops, on a convoy of the enemy, in which six gunboats and ten trabaccolas were captured, by captains West and Clephane. Two marines were killed in the action; and one seaman has since died of his wounds. The following are the Resolutions voted at the Common Hall. Resolved unanimously, That the enormous waste of treasure, and unprofitable loss of lives, in the late military enterprizes in which his majesty's forces have been unfortunately employed, have excited mingled feelings of compassion, disappointment, indignation, and alarm among all classes of his majesty's subjects. Resolved, That the whole military strength and resources of this kingdom have been drawn forth to an extent unparalleled in its history, and have been most improvidently applied, and fatally consumed, in unconnected and abortive enterprises, attended with no permanent advantage to Great Britain, without effectual relief to her allies, and distinguished only by the unprofitable valour displayed, and immense sacrifice of blood and treasure. Resolved unanimously, That during these unprecedented failures and calamities, our misfortunes have been highly aggravated by the imbecility and distraction in the cabinet, where it appears his majesty's confidential servants have been engaged in the most despicable intrigues and cabals, endeavouring to deceive and supplant each other, to the great neglect of their public duty, and scandal of the government. Resolved unanimously, That we are of opinion, that in the present arduous struggle, in which we are engaged, the safety of the British empire can alone be preserved by wise and honest councils to direct the public force; and that such councils can alone be upheld by the energies of a free and united people. Resolved unanimously, That such calamitous events imperiously call for a rigid and impartial inquiry; and that an humble address be presented to his majesty, praying his majesty to institute such inquiry. City of London Address, The humble, loyal, and dutiful Ad dress and Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled. Most gracious Sovereign; We your majesty's most faithful, loyal, and dutiful subjects, the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council assembled, most humbly approach your majesty's sacred person, in the perfect assurance that your majesty will graciously condescend to receive the suggestions of your faithful and loyal citizens, on subjects subjects which seriously and deeply affect their interests, in common with the rest of your majesty's people. We have witnessed with deep regret the disastrous failure of the late expedition, as the magnitude of its equipment had raised the just hopes and expectations of the country to some permanent benefit. And we cannot avoid expressing to your majesty the sorrow and indignation with which we are affected, by the unhappy dissentions that have prevailed among your majesty's ministers, and our fears that such dissentions may prove eminently prejudicial to the best interests of the nation. Your majesty's faithful citizens, actuated by loyal attachment to your sacred person and illustrious house, and solicitous for the honour of your majesty's arms and the dignity and solidity of your majesty's councils, are deeply impressed with the necessity of an early and strict inquiry into the causes of the failure of the late expedition; therefore pray your majesty will direct inquiry to be forthwith instituted, in order to ascertain the causes which have occasioned it. Signed by order of Court, To which Address and Petition his Majesty was graciously pleased to return the following answer: I thank you for your expressions of duty and attachment to me and to my family. The recent expedition to the Scheld was directed to several objects of great importance to the interests of my allies, and to the security of my dominions. I regret, that of these objects, a part only has been accomplished. I have not judged it to be necessary to direct any military inquiry into the conduct of my commanders by sea or land in this conjoint service. It will be for my parliament, in their wisdom, to ask for such information, or to take such measures upon this subject as they shall judge most conducive to the public good. Proclamation of the Governor of Minorca, appointed last month by the Supreme Junta. Noble and Loyal Minorquians; It is now five hundred seventy and nine years since Spain liberated you from a barbarous yoke, and bringing to you the light of the faith and liberty, you became the cherished children of the most kind and benevolent mother. The situation of this precious island, and other circumstances which the vicissitudes of time produce, occasioned you to change your governors; but they were temporary changes, and you have always preserved your holy religion, and your laws have been administered with justice. Now there appears in Europe a malignant phenomenon,atyrannical monster to humanity, thirsting for blood and destruction, and determined to count Spain amongst his victims; but she will never lose her heroic valour, though nearly extinguished by the insidiousness and apathy of a languid and depraved government; she will raise her head, and display her ancient golden crown, in defiance of the ferocious attack of the tyrant, and divest herself of the indolence to which the most infamous artifice had reduced her, her, through the cloak of a strict amity and alliance; but the hydra will lose its heads, and the emaciated body will soon be consumed. Minorquians, you have risen at the call of patriotism, which was heard from the most remote parts of the Peninsula, and of Europe. You swore allegiance to and proclaimed the great Ferdinand the VIIth. You have offered to make the utmost sacrifice for the country, and for your legitimate sovereign, and by an admirable union, obedience, and discreet tranquillity, you have formed a shield which will protect your island from the chains which have crippled the exertions of Spain against those men, who are transformed into furies for their iniquitous despot, and have nothing to do but to direct your efforts, since I am invested with the honour of being your chief, or rather your companion and friend. Fill your hearts with ardent loyalty and virtue, and you will become invincible. I am happy to be among youand I shall only hint, that if any disgraceful individual of this land shall suffer himself to calculate upon his own personal situation, and believes the illusive stories of the senseless and besotted Frenchmen, let him go as a spurious child, and find his disgrace and ruin among the slaves; but if he remain among us, he shall suffer all the infamy and the punishment which his heinous offence deserves. But I do not believe that there is a single individual among the forty thousand who inhabit this island, who can commit such an offence. We are all Spaniards, and beloved subjects of Ferdinand, and will be so till our last breath. Minorquians, justice and equity form my character; harmony and obedience towards the government are what I expect, without your giving ear to the papers, or discussions on what ambition or a seditious spirit would call rights and politics. To protect you by the most sincere friendship will be my principal object. Eternal hatred to the tyranny of France; war and christian compassion to his unhappy slaves; honour and gratitude to our generous allies, the English; love and constant loyalty to our country! (Signed) LUIS GONZAGA DE VILLAVA Y AIBAR. Mahon, Dec. 22. General Orders.- Saturday, The following regulations have been substituted for those notified in the general order of the 20th March last, which had been found not sufficiently explanatory of his majesty's intentions: : No officer shall be promoted to the rank of a captain until he has been three years a subaltern. No officer shall be promoted to the rank of major until he has been seven years in the service, of which he shall have been at least two years a captain; and no major shall be appointed to the rank of lieut.col, until he has been nine years in the service. No officer shall be allowed to fill any staff appointment (that of aid-de-camp excepted) until he has been four years in the service. No subaltern officer shall be considered eligible to hold the appointment of aid-de-camp until he has been present with his regiment at least one year." |