The Jupiter of so gun s, was lately wrecked upon a shoal near the Bayonne islands. A Court-martial admonished Captain Baker, for not having a pilot on board. The officers and crew were all acquitted.

The Gazette of the 3d January contains an account of the following captures by the boats of the Standard, Capt. Harvey, off Corfu :—

The Standard fell in with the Volpe Italian gun-brig, carrying an iron fourpounder and 20 men well armed, and the Legere French dispatch-boat, with 14 men well armed. The wind failing, the pinnace and eight-oared cutter were sent in pursuit of them. After two hours rowing, La Volpe was come up with and taken, after a smart resistance. The Legere was run ashore about four miles north of Cape St Mary; the crew formed on the rocks above her, and endeavoured to protect her, but she was soon in possession of the boats, who towed her out, under a fire of musketry from the shore, which was returned with great spirit by the marines in the boats. One Frenchman was seen killed; we had not a man hurt. The boats were commanded by Lieut. Cull and Capt. Nichols of the Marines, both volunteers. A French Ensign de Vaisseau was passenger in the Legere; M. Monier, Ensign de Vaisseau, on the Staff of General Dougelet at Corfu, was taken in La Volpe.

The Gazette also contains a letter from Mr Dyson, master of his Majesty's late brig Maria, Lieut. Bennet, dated Roseau, Dominica, containing the following account of the loss of that vessel. "Desirous of joining the Admiral as soon as possible, he procured from Gen. Ernouf a cartel for four officers and himself. On the morning of the 29th of Sept. he was attacked by a large French corvette, with which she maintained a hopeless contest.-When there was no possibility of saving the ship, and her ensign haulyards were shot away, the French Captain called out, 66 Had she struck?" Lieut. Bennett replied, "No ;" and was shortly after killed by three grape shot he received in his body. The master still ordered the fire to be kept up; but finding the brig sinking, he struck, ran her on shore, and left her a mere wreck. The enemy's vessel was Le Sards, of 16 32

Feb. 1809.

pound carronades, and 4 long 12 pounders on the main-deck, and 2 9-pounders on her quarter-deck. The little Maria had only 12 12-pounder carronades, and 65 men. Her loss was Lieut. Bennett, commander, Mr O'Donnell, midshipman, and 4 seamen killed, and 9 wounded, and recovering in the hospital at Guadaloupe.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. FIRE IN ST JAMES'S PALACE. A most alarming fire broke out, about one o'clock on the morning of the 21st January, in St James's Palace, which burnt with great fury, and was not got under until about eight o'clock. No water could be procured for a considerable time, and then only a small supply, all the pipes being stopped by the frost. The fire being thus unrestrained, and the building containing an immensity of old timber, the flames attained a great height, and assumed a most tremendous appearance. To the immediate spectator, it presented one of the most sublime pictures that can be conceived, as seen through the trees, with its brightness reflected from the snow. The flames were not subdued until one half of the Palace was consumed, including the left wing, with the apartments of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who had but just returned home, when the fire broke out, For the greater part of the time it was not expected that any part of the Palace could escape destruction. A great deal of valuable furniture is destroyed. The Prince of Wales, and the Dukes of York, Kent, Cambridge, and Sussex, attended and remained until a late hour, encouraging the firemen and others in their exertions to stop the progress of the flames, and save the furniture, of which great quantities were carried out of the Palace, and deposited in the area. The Queen's guards were stationed round the Palace, to keep off the crowd and prevent plunder. The fire began in the apartments of Miss Rice, in the eastern wing. Her ser vant-maid, the only person lost or inju red, was found next morning, not burntbut apparently suffocated in the apart ment. It is supposed that her candle set fire to the room, and was the cause of this catastrophe.

STATE

That such is the intention of the Emperor of Russia, his Majesty cannot doubt. His Majesty recollects with satisfaction the lively interest which his Imperial Majesty has always manifested for the welfare and dignity of the Spanish monarchy, and he wants no other assurance that his Imperial Majesty cannot have been induced to sanction, by his concurrence, or by his approbation, usurpations, the principle of which is not less unjust than their example is dangerous to all legitimate Sovereigns.

As soon as the answers on this point shall have been received, and as soon as his Majesty shall have learnt the sentiments of the King of Sweden, and those of the Government of Spain, I shall not fail to receive the commands of his Majesty for such communications as it may be necessary to make upon the ulterior objects of the letter of Count Romanzoff.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed)

GEORGE CANNING.

been prolonged only because no secure and honourable means of terminating it have hitherto been afforded by his enemies.

But in the progress of a war, begun for self-defence, new obligations have been imposed upon his Majesty, in behalf of powers whom the aggressions of a common enemy have compelled to make common cause with his Majesty, or who have solicited his Majesty's assistance and support in the vindication of their national indepen→ dence.

The interests of the Crown of Portugal, and of his Sicilian Majesty, are confided to his Majesty's friendship and protection.

With the King of Sweden his Majesty is connected by ties of the closest alliance, and by stipulations which unite their councils for peace as well as for war.

To Spain his Majesty is not yet bound by any formal instrument; but his Majesty has, in the face of the world, contracted with that nation engagements not less sa

No. 9.-OFFICIAL NOTE.

The King has, uniformly declared his readiness and desire to enter into negotia tions for a general peace, on terms consistent with the honour of his Majesty's Crown, with fidelity to his engagements, and with the permanent repose and security of Europe. His Majesty repeats that declaration.

If the condition of the Continent be one of agitation and of wretchedness; if many States have been overthrown, and more are still menaced with subversion, it is a consolation to the King to reflect, that no part of the convulsions which have already been experienced, or of those which are threatened for the future, can be in any degree imputable to his Majesty. The King is most willing to acknowledge that all such dreadful changes are indeed contrary to the policy of Great Britain.

If the cause of so much misery is to be found in the stagnation of commercial in tercourse, although his Majesty cannot be expected to hear, with unqualified regret, that the system devised for the destruction of the commerce of his subjects has recoiled upon its authors or its instruments, yet it is neither in the disposition of his Majesty, nor in the character of the people over whom he reigns, to rejoice in the privations and unhappiness even of the nations which are combined against him. His Majesty anxiously desires the termination of the sufferings of the Continent.

The war in which his Majesty is engaged was entered into by his Majesty for the immediate object of national safety. It has

ty's mind, than the most solemn treaties.

His Majesty therefore assumes, that in an overture made to his Majesty for entering into negotiations for a general peace, the relations subsisting between his Majesty and the Spanish Monarchy have been distinctly taken into consideration; and the Government acting in the name of his Catholic Majesty Ferdinand the Seventh, is understood to be a party to any negotiation in which his Majesty is invited to engage. (Signed) GEORGE CANNING.

No. 13-TRANSLATION-NOTE. The undersigned, Minister for Foreign Affairs of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, has the honour to reply to the note of the 28th of October, signed by Mr Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to his Majesty the King of Great Britain, and addressed, by his Excellency, to the Russian Ambassador at Paris, that the admission of the Sovereigns in alliance with England to a congress cannot be a point of any difficulty, and that Russia and France consent to it; but this principle by no means extends to the necessity of admitting the plenipotentiaries of the Spanish insurgents; the Emperor of Russia cannot admit them. His empire, in similar circumstances,-and England can recollect one particular instance, has always been true to the same principle. Moreover, he has already acknowledged the King Joseph Napoleon. He has announced to his Britannic Majesty, that he was united with the Emperor of the French for peace as well as for war, and his Imperial Majesty here repeats that declaration. He is resolved not to separate his interests from those of that mo

march;

narch; but they are both ready to conclude a peace, provided that it be just, honourable, and equal for all parties.

The Undersigned sees, with pleasure, that, in this difference of opinion respecting the Spaniards, nothing presents itself which can either prevent or delay the opening of a Congress. He derives his persuasion, in this respect, from that which his Britannic Majesty has himself confided to the two Emperors, that he is bound by no positive engagement with those who have taken up arms in Spain. After fifteen years of war, Europe has a right to demand peace. The interest of all the powers, including that of England, is to render it general; humanity commands it; and such a desire, surely, cannot be foreign to the feelings of his Britannic Majesty. How can it be that he alone can withdraw himself from such an object, and refuse to terminate the miseries of suffering humanity!

The Undersigned consequently renews, in the name of the Emperor, his august master, the proposal already made, to send Plenipotentiaries to any city on the Continent which his Britannic Majesty may please to point out; to admit to the congress the Plenipotentiaries of the Sovereigns in alliance with Great Britain; to treat upon the basis of the uti possidetis, and upon that of the respective powers of the belligerent parties; in fine, to accept any basis which may have for its object the conclusion of a peace, in which all parties shall find honour, justice, and equality.

The Undersigned has the honour to renew to his Excellency Mr Canning the assurance of his high consideration.

Count NICOLAS DE ROMANZOFF. To his Excellency Mr Canning, &c.

No. 15.-NOTE.-TRANSLATION. The Undersigned has laid before the Emperor his master, the note of his Excellency Mr Canning. If it were true that the evils of war were felt only on the Continent, certainly there would be little hope of attaining peace. The two Emperors had flattered themselves that the object of their measure would not have been misinterpreted in London. Could the English Ministry have ascribed it to weakness or to necessity, when every impartial Statesman must recognise, in the spirit and moderation by which it is dictated, the characteristics of power and true greatness? France and Russia can carry on the war so long as the Court of London shall not recur to just and equitable dispositions; and they are resolv. ed to do so. How is it possible for the French government to entertain the proposal which has been made to it, of admit

ting to the negotiation the Spanish insurgents? What would the English Government have said, had it been proposed to them to admit the Catholic insurgents of Ireland? France, without having any treaties with them, has been in communication with them, has made them promises, and has frequently sent them succours. Could such a proposal have found place in a note, the object of which ought to have been not to irritate, but to endeavour to effect a mutual conciliation and good understanding? England will find herself under a strange mistake, if, contrary to the experience of the past, she still entertains the idea of contending successfully upon the Continent against the armies of France. What hope can she now have, especially as France is irrevocably united with Russia?

He

The Undersigned is commanded to repeat the proposal, to admit to the negotiation all the allies of the King of England; whether it be the King who reigns in the Brazils; whether it be the King who reigns in Sweden; or whether it be the King who reigns in Sicily; and to take for the basis of the negotiation the uti possidetis. is commanded to express the hope that, not losing sight of the inevitable results of the force of states, it will be remembered, that between great powers there is no solid peace, but that which is at the same time equal and honourable for all parties. The Undersigned requests his Excellency, Mr Canning, to accept the assurances of his highest consideration. (Signed) CHAMPAGNY.

No. 17.-Official Note, dated Foreign

Office, December 9. 1808.

The Undersigned, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has laid before the King his master the note transmitted to him by his Excellency the Count Nicolas de Romanzoff, Minister for Foreign Affairs of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, dated the 16th-28th of November. The King learns with astonishment and regret the expectation which appears to have been entertained that his Majesty should consent to commence a negotiation for a general peace, by the previous abandonment of the cause of the Spanish nation, and of the legitimate monarchy of Spain, in deference to an usurpation which has no parallel in the history of the world. His Majesty had hoped that the participation of the Emperor of Russia, in the overtures made to his Majesty, would have afforded a security to his Majesty, against the proposal of a condition, so unjust in its effect, and so fatal in its example.

Nor

If these be indeed the principles to which the Emperor of Russia has inviolably attached himself, to which his Imperial Majesty has pledged the character and resources of his empire; which he has united himself with France to establish by war, and to maintain in peace; deeply does his Majesty lament a determination by which the sufferings of Europe must be aggravat ed and prolonged; but not to his Majesty is to be attributed the continuance of the calamities of war, by the disappointment of all hopes of such a peace as would be compatible with justice and with honour.-The Undersigned, &c. (Signed)

GEORGE CANNING.

No. 19.-Official Note, dated Foreign
Office, December 9, 1809.

The Undersigned, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has laid before the King his master, the note transmitted to him by his Excellency M. de Champagny, dated the 28th Novem

ber.

He is especially commanded by his Majesty to abstain from noticing any of those topics and expressions insulting to his Majesty, to his allies, and to the Spanish nation, with which the official note transmitted by M. de Champagny abounds.

His Majesty was desirous to have treated for a peace which might have arranged the respective interests of all the powers engaged in the war, on principles of equal justice; and his Majesty sincerely regrets that this desire of his Majesty is disappointed.

But his Majesty is determined not to abandon the cause of the Spanish nation, and of the legitimate monarchy of Spain: and the pretension of France to exclude from the negotiation the Central and Supreme Government, acting in the name of his Catholic Majesty Ferdinand VII. is one, which his Majesty could not admit, without acquiescing in an usurpation which has no parallel in the history of the world.The Undersigned, &c.

(Signed) GEORGE CANNING. (The intermediate numbers of these Papers are short letters from the different Ministers, merely acknowledging the receipt of their respective official notes.)

BOARD OF INQUIRY. CONVENTION OF CINTRA.

His Majesty having declared his disapprobation of the Convention concluded by Lieut. Gen. Sir Hew Dalrymple with the Commander of the French army in Portugal on the 30th of August last, (both in his answer to the City of London's address, and in the speech at the opening of Parliament) as a measure "which had disappointed the hopes of the British nation," has been pleased to order a Board of Inquiry to assemble at Chelsea, in order to take the said transaction under their consideration. The Members of the Board met accordingly in the Great Room in Chelsea Hospital on Monday the 14th of November. They are as follow:

PRESIDENT. Gen. Sir DAVID DUNDAS.

Generals..........

Earl Moira.

Peter Craig.

Lord Heathfield.
Earl of Pembroke.

Lieut.-Gens.......Sir Geo. Nugent.
Oliver Nicholls.

The Board being constituted, without any formality, the Hon. R. Ryder, Judge Advocate, read his Majesty's warrant, of which the following is a correct copy :

"GEORGE R.-Whereas we were pleased, in the month of July 1808, to constitute and appoint Lieut.-General Sir Hew Dalrymple, Knt. to the command of a body of our forces, employed to act on the coasts of Spain and Portugal, or in such other part of the Continent of Europe as he might hereafter be directed to, and the said Lieutenant-General did, pursuant to our instructions transmitted to him, proceed to Portugal, and did, on the 22d of August 1808, land in that country, and take upon himself the command of the said body of our forces accordingly. And whereas it ap pears, that on the same 22d of August, and subsequently to his having assumed the command, an armistice was concluded as follows (Here is recited the armistice as stated in Sir Hew Dairymple's dispatch.)

"And whereas it appears, that on the 30th day of August 1808, a convention was concluded as follows-(Here is recited the convention, as stated in Sir H. Dalrymple's dispatch.)

We think it necessary that an inquiry should be made by the General Officers herein after-named, into the conditions of the said armistice and convention, and into all the causes and circumstances (whether arising from the previous operations of the British army or otherwise,) which led to them, and into the conduct, behaviour, and proceedings of the said Lieut.-General Sir Hew Dalrymple, and of any other officer or