ably loft. I understand, from the report from the feveral officers, that he was La Felicité, of 40 guns, upon a cruize, and had left Breft fix days. Having feen two fhip corvettes to windward of Point de Ras, I give chace, in company with his Majefty's thip Arethufd, when the enemy food into the bay dlodierne, and anchored off the Ga melle Rocks: Perceiving my intention of cloting with them, they got under weigh, and run aground under cover of three batteries. The two fhips continued engaging till a quarter after fix P. M. when the corvettes mafts went by the board, and the crews got on fhore. I immediately ordered our boats manned and armed, with directions to put themselves under Sir Edward Pellew's ørders, and to set the enemy's fhips on fire, or otherwife deftroy them; which fervice was fully performed, he having reprefented to me that there were from 20 to 30 killed and wounded in the Alert, and a greater number in L'Efpion; and that it was impoffible to remove the wounded to the two frigates, as many of them must have fuffered in fo doing: For the fake of humanity I judged it proper te let them remain, as the enemy's veffels were bilged and fcuttled, the rocks appearing through their bottoms; and it being impoffible to get them off, it would have occafioned much delay; being then only nine leagues from Breft, I therefore brought away 52 prifoners, and flood to fea. I have great pleasure in faying, that the deftruction of the French veffels was obtained with very trifling lofs, as will be feen in the margint, and that every effort was made by the officers and men in the different fhips, in the execution of their duty, which was performed with the utmost alacrity, and will, I truft, meet with their Lordships approbation. I beg leave to add, that the fquadron on the 27th inft. recaptured the Queen of London, from Jamaica; alfo the Mary a brig from New Orleans, bound to London, laden with furs, indigo, &c. &c. A lift of French foips of war destroyed by the fqua- Le Felicité, L'Efpion, Alert, 18 18 9 ditto, Men. 350 200 200 FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. ACCOUNT OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY, By an Officer in the East India Company's fervice, who was at Canton during the time of Lord Macartney's vifit to Pekin, Sc LORD Macartney, with his fleet, the Lion, of 64, the Hindoftan, and three small veffels, arrived at the mouth of the river leading up to Pekin, in July last year, where the fhips anchored, though a very great diftance from the land; the fmall veffels could almoft get to the mouth of the river, where he found in waiting to receive him many boats, and two Mandarins of great rank, with the fhore lined on all fides with thousands of people; he was attended by Sir G. Staunton and all his retinue. On his arrival at Pekin, the Emperor ordered a large house, with every kind of accommodation, provifions, &c. to be procured him, his retinue, and ships, at the expence of government. The ships were ordered to a port called Tez Chew, about four days fail to the fouthward, where Lord Macartney left them to wait further orders, and where every accomodation, and in fact every thing they wished for, was allowed them gratis. The fhips were permitted to go to any harbour or river on the coaft without moleftation. As an inftance how delicate and extended was their protection, a Mandarin of fome rank had infulted one of the midshipmen of the Lion; a complaint was lodged, and the offender was degraded by the ornament of his button and cap being taken from him, and he was bamboo'd or flogged feverely. Several inftances of this kind had happened, and the greatest atten tion was paid to any complaints against the Chinese. Lord Macartney and fuite left Pekin the beginning of September, for Gehol, the country refidence of the Emperor, about 150 miles diftant, and on the 14th he was introduced. The ceremony used The two laft fhips were formerly in our fervice. on this occafion was exactly fimilar to † Diamond, 5 wounded. Santa Margaritta, I wounded. VOL. LVÍ. that obferved on the introduction of the Dutch embaffy in 1616. On the 20th they fet out on their return to Pekin where 4 E where they arrived on the 26th, and on the 30th left that city on their route to Canton attended by a large guard, and fupplied with carriages, &c. in abundance. The Emperor took much notice of Sir G. Staunton's fon, who spóke a little Chinese to him; he appeared fenfible and inquifitive; he was 85 years of age on the 17th of September, but had every appear ance of health and vigour; he was dreffed in yellow, with a profufion of einbroidery: On Lord Macartney's quitting Pekin the Emperor ordered three Mandarins of the firft rank to attend him, and to fee that nothing which might tend to his accomodation fhould be wanting; and what is very uncommon, he gave him permiffion to vifit any city or province throughout China. The following, which is a literal traní lation of the Pekin Gazette, will inform you of the particulars of his reception, &c. PEKIN GAZETTE. On the 8th day of the feventh month, July, the Hock Sue, a very great Mandarin, named Ho Cune, informed the Emperor a very great Mandarin had arrived at Pekin, at nine o'clock, and that he was at the Emperor's palace; that the King of England had fent him as his ambaflador to the court of Pekin, and that his Lordfhip wished to be admitted to the Empe ror's prefence. The Emperor immediately ordered all his court and relations to put on their best apparel, to be in readinefs to receive his Lordship, and to wait till the Emperor was ready. The Emperor foon arrived, and being feated in his ftate chair, ordered the Hock Sue to defire the great English Mandarin, Lord Macartney, to walk in. His Lordfhip entered, holding forth his credentials to deliver to the Emperor. The Emperor defired a very elderly Mandarin of his court, named Hockchune to receive the paper of his Lordship, and to read it. He then read to him that the King of England had fent 19 different articles, the manufacture of England, as a prefent to him the Emperor of China. His Lordship then addreiled the Emperor by proftrating himself nine times with his head to the floor, according to the Chinese cuftom; and the Emperor ordering him a chair on his left hand, the greatest honour he could pay him in the court of Pekin, ordered him a cup of tea, and took one with him. After fome time the Emperor retired to his dinner, and commanded four of his greatest Mandarins to dine with his Lordship. After dinner the Emperor returned. His Lordship with the four great Mandarins alfo returned, when he thanked the Emperor for his repaft. The Emperor then begged him to be feated as before, and spoke to his Lordship as follows: The King of England has fent you with 19 different articles as prefents to me; I beg that your Lordship will fend them to my palace.' He then retired. The following is the account: Aa orrery. One pair of globes. One ther mometer. One pair of merlin chairs. Two large brafs guns. One bottle of phofphorus. A view of Windfor. A carpet made of gold thread. Two large handfome woollen carpets. One pair of gold embroidered faddles. One fummer coach. One winter ditto. Ten broad fwords One pair of elegant chandeliers. A model of a hundred gun fhip richly orna mented. One bale containing very fine cloths, camlets, &c. &c. ARRIVAL AT CANTON. About the 20th of November laft, Lord Macartney and his retinue arrived at Cas ton, by water; I was not a little aflonis ed to fee the great preparations that were making for his reception, many weeks previous to his arrival; the troops, fuch as they are, were exercifing continually; one of the most superb houfes I ever faw in China was, by order of the Emperor, fitted up for him in a ftyle truly elegant, and, to their credit I fay it, without the leaft regard to the expence; the ornaments of the Chinefe and English fashion; the rooms all in the English ftyle; the grounds in the Chinese; and such an abundance of provifions of all kinds collected for the occafion, that it was impoffible to con fume them while they remained in Canton. His Lordfhip was attended by ali the principal people in the country; the fhores were lined on all fides with troops, and the river with their men-of-war boats, who all went through their evolutions on his appearing in fight. A Chinese camp was pitched in the way to his houfe, and the whole of the paffage was covered and lined with filks and cloths of different kinds, in the Chinese ftyle and left he fhould find a difficulty in landing, they erected a bridge out into the river for a hundred yards, and decorated it in a grand ftyle, to prevent that inconvenience. On the firft day of his arrival a grand dinner was provided by the Emperor; on the fecond, the Viceroy of Canton and all the great officers of ftate gave him one, and alfo dined with him; but to give you an idea of what they expected to fee on his Lordship's arrival, the Viceroy and the great men of state were practifing for a week before to make use of a knife, fork, and spoon, according to his own cuftom. On the third day the Security Merchants of Canton gave him another great dinner, at which, however, none of them were prefent; I believe his Lordship had kinted he would not allow it. On Christmas-day he dined at the Com. pany's factory, where moft of the India Company's officers were invited; he was in good health, but did not express himfelf by any means pleafed with the refult of his embaffy; in fact, he has not done any thing material to the interefts of Great Britain, or the Company at Pekin; the only object he accomplished was, to induce an order from the Emperor, that all officers under government, fhould wear woollen cloth three months in the year. I muft fay, fo far from this embaffy having been of fervice the time I was there, it was much the contrary, as I never faw fuch a ftagnation to trade in China during the many years that I have been engaged in the fervice; not an European article would fell for its original coft, and money was fo fcarce that it almoft put a ftop to all commerce. Lord Macartney was expected to remain only a few days in Canton, and then to go to Macao. The Lion was lying highEr up than any fhip of war was ever fuffered to go before, at Whampoe. I underftand the Chinese were fo jealous of his Lordship at Canton, that they limited the time of his remaining there, and intimated that he must then leave it; they fixed his refidence on the contrary fide of the water from the city of Canton; apprehenfive, I understand, left he should with to be in the city, which they did not approve, though I believe, had he wished it, they must have admitted him, as it was the Emperor's orders. I understand all the prefents were accepted but one, and an immenfe quantity returned to go to Europe from the Emperor. So much attention did they pay to the English, that not even a feaman belonging to the fhips returned without receiving fome prefent. I was informed by one of the Security Merchants, when I obferved the great expence of the embaffy to the King of England, that the expence of it to the Emperor of China would amount to one million of dollars. NORTHERN FRONTIER. Auguft 9. Several batteries began to be erected in the front of the British camp near Breda, all was quiet at that time in that quarter, measures were taking for putting Breda into the best state of defence. The Auftrians were receiving fupples of troops to ftrengthen their armies and regain those posts which the republicans had feized. The belieging army at Sluys confifting of 27,000 inen, were attacked by a dreadfal dyfentery which had broke out amongst them and carried off numbers. At Tournay and Courtray at this period also a peftilential fever broke out. The French in confiderable force entered and took poffeffion of Treves, obliging the Auftrians to fall back towards their fortreffes on the Rhine. On the roth, the French after an ob ftinate engagement obliged the Auftrians to abandon their entrenchments near Treves, that city was in confequence forced to furrender to the republicans. On the 14th, all was quiet in the British camp near Breda, the Dutch had marched fome of their beft troops into that city. On the 19th, General Benler made a fuccefsful fortie from Luxembourg, and compelled the enemy to fall back towards Treves and the Mozelle. By the 20th, the Auftrians in confiderable force were repaffing the Meufe, to refume their pofts, and had gained fome advantages over the enemy in that quarter. On the 26th, the French made an attack on the advanced pofts of the British army, and of the Dutch forces in the neighbourhood of Breda. They at firft fucceeded in their attempts, but the British posts were foon recovered with very inconfiderable lofs. The Dutch fortrefs of Sluys after a brave and honourable refistance, furrendered to the republican army, befieging it, 26th Anguft, the dyfentery was faid to have much reduced the strength of the garrifon, it had alfo raged for fome time with great violence in the befiegers' camp. When this place furrendered their plan was fuppofed to be, to proceed without delay against Phillipine. The contributions which they have raifed in Flanders hath been very confiderable; where there is no fpecie they take goods, which they fend to Dunkirk and to Life, their grand depot. 28th, the British army moved from the camp at Oufterhoot on their rout to Boisle-Duc, which the French were approaching in great force. A prodigious fall of rain took place previous to the movement 4 2 of of the British army, which has rendered the country round Breda a perfect marsh. The object of the Duke of York appeared to be to draw nearer to Maeftricht, that he might preserve the communication open, and be enabled to cooperate with the grand Auftrian army. The Prince of Saxe Cobourg hath refigned the command of the Auftrian armies, he is fucceeded by General Clairfait. Breda was declared to be in a state of fiege, the gates were fhut, and the out pouts called in, feveral houfes in the fubburbs were blown up to prevent the operations of the enemy in making their approach. Sep. 4. Gen. Clairfait took upon him the command of the army at Touron le Compte. The Prince of Saxe Cobourg fet out for Vienna, after taking leave of the army by the following addrefs:-'His Majefty having vouchfafed to comply with my moft humble reprefentation, by accepting my refignation of the command in chief of the army, which my want of health, added to the weakness of my bodily frame, would not permit me any longer to hold; and this command having been immediately intrufted by his Majefty to his Excellency Monfeigneur Count de Clairfait, General of artillery, I take this mode to announce the above change in the army. At the fame time. I avail myself of this opportunity to testify to all the Generals and Officers, as well as to the whole army in general, my ftrong regret at this feparation. I beseech them to be convinced that my efteem for the troops who have manifefted fo much bravery, and my gratitude for their good will, their fidelity, and perfonal attachment, will be everlastingly and deeply impressed on my mind, as their recollection will be always dear to me. My prayers for the fuccefs and glory of their arms will follow them every where; and tho' for the prefent I ceafe to be their chief and their guide, I fhall never cease to admire their merits, to rejoice in their exploits, and to be proud of their friendhip. I am perfuaded that they will receive this expreffion of my fentiments, as the profufion of a heart deeply penetrated, and as the latest proof of my attachment and esteem. (Signed) THE PRINCE OF SAXE COBOURG.' By the 7th of Sept. the French had feized the pofts at Cufterhoot, &c. which had been lately abandoned, by which means they had completely invested Bre AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTH. On the 10th Auguft the revolutionary tribunal of Geneva finifhed its proceedings. By its decifion, the majority of the wealthy inhabitants will lofe their fortunes, and are banished; and 23 of the principal gentlemen of the city ha ving refufed to obey the proclamation, ordering those who had fled to return inftantly, have had all their effects confifcated, and have been shot in effigy! In confequence of the rapid fucceffes of the French in Spain, the Spanish Government has published an addrefs to the people of the province of Bifcay, for the purpose of tranquillizing their minds with refpect to their prefent fituation. It flates, that the late fucceffes of the French on their frontier have been greatly magnified; and that the body of foldiers who lad down their arins to the French, were compofed of a feeble and undisciplined rabble. It concludes with ordering, that the whole province of Bifcay fhould rife in a mafs, and that every man, from the age of 16 to 60 years, fhould enrol himself, and ferve without any exception whatever. The levies are to be raised immediately; and it is fuppofed this province alone will furnish from 50,000 to 60,000 men: Admiral Langara arrived at Hieres on the coaft of Provence, the beginning of Auguft, with a fleet faid to confift of 14 fail of the line and frigates, to aflift in the blockade of the French squadron in the Gulph of Juan.' A royal document hath been published at Naples, relative to the war, and the apprehenfions of an invafion of Italy by the French. For the preservation of their religion, lives, and properties, a general arming is refolved on. The Universities are to furnish their quota, and Barons and Bishops are exhorted to give their af fiftance in promoting it. PARIS. The following is a fhort fketch of the late memorable occurrences:-After the decree of arreft was iffued against Robefpierre, St Juft, and Couthon, they were fent to the Luxembourg; but the adminiftrator of the police there would not receive them as prifoners; they were then taken to the town-house, where they were received with open arms. Henriot who and rode about the ftreets at the head of was alfo arrefted, found means to escape, fome horfe, and accompanied by all his for that Robefpierre was arrefted, and adjutants, defiring the people to arm, liberty trodden under foot; he was believed by by fome, particularly the cannoneers, and between nine and ten o'clock found himfelf at the head of about 4000 men on the Place de Caroufel. The commune rang the tocfin, and the Place de Greve was filled with armed men, and a number of pieces of cannon. Robefpierre, St Juft, and Couthon, with the commune, formed themfelves into a National Convention, declared the other reprefentatives of the people traitors to the country, and outlawed them; fent circular letters to all the diftricts; appointed a revolutionary tribunal to condemn all thofe to death who fhould oppose them, of which Dumas was made prefident. Sijas, Vivier, and others founded the alarm bell at the Jacobin club, which alfo declared in favour of Robespierre; in a word, all Paris was in motion, and a civil war was on the point of breaking out. The National Convention, on their part, were not idle : Henriot, Robefpierre, Couthon, St Juft, and all the members of the commune, were outlawed; a proclamation was puBlithed and read in all the diftricts of Paris, reprefenting the danger the country was in, to the people. This had its effect, and the people declared for the Convention: part of the troops quitted Henriot, and twelve deputies were appointed to direct the military operations. Between two and three o'clock in the morning Bourdon de l'Oife appeared on the Place de Greve, and read the decrees of the Convention to the people, and flew with a fabre between his teeth, and a piftol in each hand, to the hall of the commune, at the head of fome refolute men. This bold proceeding confufed the mutineers. Robespierre was wounded with a pistol on the chin; his fon jumped out of a window, and broke his leg and arm; Couthon ftabbed himself twice; and one Coffintal, a member of the commune, enraged that Henriot (who had declared, upon forfeiture of his head, that all Paris was in their favour,) had deceived them, abfolutely threw Henriot out of a window, who, thus bruifed and wounded, found means to hide himself in a fewer, from whence he was afterwards dragged all over blood and mud. The town-houfe was fo furrounded that none of the mutineers could efcape, and they were all fent to the committee of public fafety. Gendre did at the Jacobin club as Bourdon de l'Oife had done at the town-house; he was going to fhoot the prefident, but fearful left he might mifs his aim, or hit fome one elfe, he only arrested him, fhut up the club, and took the keys to the Convention. At break of day the tumult was over. On the following day, between fix and feven o'clock in the evening, twenty-two of the mutineers received punifhment amidst an innumerable crowd of people of all fexes, crying, Long live the republic! down with the tyrant! down with the Cromwell!' Couthon was guillotined first, then the younger Robefpierre, and next Henriot. Robefpierre himself was the laft but one. The applaufes and cries were doubled when he afcended the fcaffold, where he stood two minutes, whilft the executioner took off the cloth which covered his wounded face; he did not fay a word. Not one of the culprits fhewed the leaft firmness or courage, but all died like cowards. On the next day (Tuesday July 30,) seventy-one members of the municipality were condemned to death. A general maffacre was apprehended from the late tumults which fubfifted among the members of the Convention. But this event feems to be entirely dif connected with any confpiracy, whether real or pretended, against the republic. It has arifen from a ftruggle of life and death between two parties, either of which could only find its eventual safety in the deftruction of the other; and has been preparing fince the commencement of June laft. At that time there was a queftion of accelerating the trials of the revolutionary tribunal, for the organization of which a decree was framed on the 10th, but not without much oppofition' from the party ftyled the party of the Mountain? And they fucceeded fo far as to annex to it a new article, by which it was declared, that although it was lawful for thefe committees to apprehend any member of the Convention, the latter fhould not be delivered over to the revolutionary tribunal, till after a decree of accufation by the Convention itself. This measure was carried by Merlin of Douay, feconded by Bourdon de l'Oife, not without much refiftance on the part of the Robespierrian party, who were guilty of the groffeft outrages to the men of the Mountain. Robespierre himself called them a fet of plotters and intriguers, and charged one of them, Tallen, with having infulted two citizens belonging to the committee of public safety, with a view of rendering that committee contemptible in the eyes of the populace. |