List of the Portuguese fleet that came out Alfonso de Albuquerque, of 64 guns Minerva, of 44 guns And one other, name not as yet known, Voador, of 22 guns Schooner. Curioza, of 12 guns. His Majesty's ship Hibernia, 22 SIR, In another dispatch of this day's date, I have transmitted a list of the Portu guese fleet that came out of the Tagus on the 29th ult. which I received that day from the hands of the Admiral com. manding it, when I went on board the Principe Real to pay my visit of respect and congratulation to his Royal Highness the Prince of Brazil, who was embarked in that ship. I here enclose the list of those left behind. The absence of but one of the four ships is regretted by the Portuguese (the Vasco de Gama) she being under repair: Her guns have been employed to arm the Freitas, sixty-four, a new ship, and one of those which came out with the Prince. The other three are mere hulks; and there is also one ship on the stocks, the Principe Regente, but she is only in frame. The Prince said every thing that the most cordial feelings of gratitude towards, and confidence in, his Majesty and the British nation might be supposed to dictate. I have by signal (for we have no other mode of communicating in this weather,) directed Captain Moore,' in the Marlborough, with the London, Monarch, and Bedford, to stay by the body of the Portuguese fleet, and render it every assistance. I keep the Hibernia close to the Prince's ship. I cannot as yet send the Foudroyant, Plantagenet, and Conqueror, on to Admiral Purves, according to their Lordships order of the 14th, which I trust will be the less felt as an inconvenience off Cadiz, as they appear to have been ordered thither with reference to the Russians being within the Straits, before it was known they were on my station. I have the honour to be, &c. W. SIDNEY SMITH. List of the Portuguese ships that remained in Lisbon. S. Sebastiano of 64 guns-unserviceable without a thorough repair Maria Prima, of 74 guns-unserviceable; ordered to be made into a floating battery, but not yet fitted Vasco de Gama, of 74 guns-under re pair, and nearly ready Princessa da Beira, of 64 guns-condemned; ordered to be fitted as a floating battery. Frigates. Fenix, of 48 guns-in need of thorough repair Amazona, of 44 guns-in need of ditto SIR, W. SIDNEY SMITH. Hibernia at sea, lat. 37 deg. 47 min. long. 14 deg. 17 min. Dec. 6. 1807. I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I succeeded in collecting the whole of the Portuguese fleet, except a brig, after the gale, and that the weather was suci as to allow the necessary repairs and such distribution of supernumeraries and resources to be made as to enable Vice Admiral Don Manuel d'Acunha Sottomayor to report to me yesterday all the ships capable of performing the voyage to Rio Janeiro, except one line of battle ship, which he requested might be conducted to an English port. I meant meant to escort her part of the way, but she did not quit the fleet with me last night as settled; I hope, however, she may arrive safe, as she is not in a bad state, being substituted for the Martino de Freitas, which was at first destined to go to England in conse. quence of a fresh arrangement made yesterday, on the latter being found in the best state for the voyage of the two. I have detached Captain Moore, in the Marlborough, with the London, Monarch, and Bedford, to attend the Portuguese fleet to the Brazils, I have thought it my duty, in addition to the usual order, to take the above ships under his orders, to give Captain Moore one to hoist a broad pendant after pas. sing Madeira, in order to give him greater weight and consequence in the performance of the important and unusually delicate duties I have confided to him. I feel the most perfect reliance in that officer's judgement, ability, and zeal. The Portuguese ships did not, after their reparation, want more provisions or slops from us than the list enclosed, which I supplied from this ship and the Conqueror. This dispatch will be delivered by Captain Yeo, of his Majesty's sloop Confiance, who has shewn great address and zeal in opening the communications by flag of truce, which it was the interest of those in power, who were against the measure of emigration, to obstruct. Lord Strangford speaks of his conduct in terms of warm approbation; on this ground I beg leave to recommend him to their Lordships, to whom his general merits as an officer are already well known. Having been in Lisbon without restraint during the intercourse, he is qualified to answer any questions their Lordships may wish to put to him. -I have the honour to be, &c. W. SIDNEY SMITH. Memorandum. The Diana merchant vessel, having on board about sixty British subjects, who had been detained in consequence of the embargo, came out of the Tagus in company with the Portuguese fleet, and it is supposed that she bore up for England at the commencement of the gale. The following is a translation of the proclamation issued by the Prince Regent of Portugal, before he quitted Lisbon. PROCLAMATION. Having tried by all possible means to preserve the neutrality hitherto enjoyed by my faithful subjects, having exhausted my Royal Treasury, and made innumerable other sacrifices, even going so far as to shut the ports of my dominions against the subjects of my ancient and royal ally, the King of Great Britain; thus exposing the commerce of my people to total ruin, and consequently suffering the greatest losses in the collection of my Royal revenue of the Crown, I find that the troops of the Emperor of the French and King of Italy (to whom I had united myself on the Continent, in the hope of being no more disturbed,) are actually marching into the interior of my kingdom, and are even on their way to this capital; and desiring to avoid the fatal consequences of a defence, which would be far more dangerous than profitable, serving only to create an effusion of blood, dreadful to humanity, and to inflame the animosity of the troops, which have entered this kingdom with the declaration and promise of not committing any the smallest hos tility; and knowing also, that they are most particularly destined against my Royal person, and that my faithful subjects would be less alarmed were I ab. sent from this kingdom, I have resolv ed, for the benefit of my subjects, to retreat, with the Queen my mother, and all my Royal Family, to my dominions in America, there to establish myself in the city of Rio de Janeiro until á general peace. And moreover, considering the importance of leaving the Government of these kingdoms in that good order which is for their advantage, and for that of my people (a matter which I am essentially bound to provide for,) and having duly made all the reflections presented by the occasion, I have resolved to nominate, as Governors and Regents of these kingdoms during my absence, my truly be loved cousin the Marquis de Abrantes, Francisco de Cumha de Menezes, Lieu. tenant-General of my forces, the Principal Castro (one of my Council and a Rigido de Justica,) Paetro de Mello Breynar, Breynar, also of my Council, who will act as President of my Treasury during the incapacity of Louis de Vasconcellos E. Souza (who is unable to do it at present on account of illness ;) Don Francisco de Noronha, President of the board of Conscience and Religious Orders; and, in the absence of them, the Conde de Castro Mazion (Grand Hunts man,) whom I have nominated President of the Senate, with the assistance of the Secretaries thereof; the Conde de Sampayo, and in his absence, Don Miguel Perreira Forjaz; and my Attorney General Joas Antonia Sulter de Mendonca, on account of the great confidence which I have in them, and of the experience which they possess in matters of government, being certain that my people and kingdom will be governed and directed in such a manner, as that my conscience will be clear, and that this Regency will entirely fulfil its duty, so long as it may please God that I shall be absent from this capital; administering justice with impartiality; distributing rewards and punishments according to desert. And these Regents will further take this as my pleasure, and fulfil my order in the form thus mentioned, and in conformity to the instructions signed by me, and accompanying this decree, which they will communicate to the proper departments. (Signed) THE PRINCE. Palace of the Adjuda, 27th Nov. 1807. ADDITIONAL EDICTAL, OR PROCLA MATION, ISSUED BY THE PRINCE RE- Instructions to which my Royal Decree of the 27th Nov. 1807, bears reference. The Governors whom I was pleased to nominate, by my Royal Decree of this present date, to govern these kingdoms during my absence, will have the usual oaths administered to them by the Cardinal Patriarch, and will attend with all solicitude, vigilance, and activity, in the administration of justice, distributing the same impartially, and maintaining a rigorous observance of the laws of this kingdom. They will preserve to the natives all the privileges which had been granted to them by me and my Royal Prede cessors. The plurality of votes will decide on the reports which the respective Tribunals may lay before them, regulating themselves according to the laws and customs of the kingdom. They will direct literary professions, offices of criminal and civil judicature and revenue, according to the forms heretofore practised by me. They will protect the persons and properties of my loyal subjects, selecting for military occupations those who may be deemed worthy thereof. They will endeavour to preserve, to their utmost, the tranquillity of this kingdom, to provide for the troops of the Emperor of the French and King of Italy good quarters, and to supply them with every thing they may require, during their stay in this kingdom, averting all and every insult that may be intended, and punishing with rigour any that may occur; maintaining always the good harmony which ought to be displayed to the armies of nations with whom we find ourselves united on the Continent. Should it by any occurrence happen, that any of the said Governors are ab sent, a plurality of votes will elect a successor. I trust to your honour and virtue, that my people will not suffer inconveniencies during my absence; and should it be God's will that I should return shortly to my kingdoms, that I may meet every one contented and satisfied, reigning among them that good order and tranquillity which should exist among subjects who have rendered themselves so worthy of my paternal The following are the principal members of the Royal Family of Portugal, who have embarked for the Brazils: Maria Francisca Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal and Algarva, born December 17, 1734, married her uncle, Don Pedro III. King of Portugal, who died the 25th of May, 1786. Juan Maria Joseph Lewis, infant of Portugal, Prince Regent, born the 13th of May 1767, and married June 9, 1785. Charlotta Joachima, Infanta of Spain, and Princess of Brazil. Maria Ann Francisca Josephina, sister of the Queen, born Oct. 7, 1736. Maria Francisca Benedictina, sister of the the Queen, born July 24. 1746; married Joseph Francis Xavier, Prince of Brazil, who died the 10th of Sept. 1778. The following are the children of the Prince Regent: Don Antonio, Prince of Beira, born August 12. 1798. Michel, &c. born Oct. 26. 1302. Maria Theresa, born April 29, 1793. Isabella Maria Francisca, born May 19, 1797. Maria Francisca, born April 22, 1800. Isabella Maria, born July 4. IS01. There are about 4000 troops of the line on board the fleet, which transports in all from 16,000 to 18,000 of the loyal subjects of Portugal from Europe to America. All the ships are crowded, and on board the Principe Real, where are the Royal Family, there are no less than 412 persons, besides the crew. Among the noble emigrants, are the Minister of Marine, Don John D'Almeida, Don Rodrigues De Souza, and Gen. Forbes, now in his 75th year, who has been at the head of the Portuguese army for many years, The Prince Regent carried off with him the church plate, and all the treasure, jewels, and archives, appertaining to the Government. Lord Strangford, who is arrived in England in the Confiance sloop of war, we understand, accompanied the fleet till it had reached near to the Western Isles, and had a very quick passage home. The day on which the fleet left Lisbon was remarkably fine, and the spectacle of course was grand and affecting. It afterwards encountered a strong gale of wind, and sustained some damage, which thirty British seamen were sent on board each ship to assist in repairing. What is very extraordinary, the Queen, whose mental ailments are well known, experienced a very great improvement in her state of health, after having been a few days at sea. The advanced guard of the French had arrived at Mafra, about twenty-five miles from Lisbon, on the 30th, and would probably reach the capital on the next day. The following particulars are given in the French papers;— Madrid, Dec. 8. "The French army, under the command of General Junot, arrived on the 26th of November at Abrantes. The advanced guard had entered that city before the Portuguese government knew of the army having marched. The troops marched ten leagues a-day thro bad roads and constant rain. "As soon as the Prince Regent was informed of the proximity of the French troops, intrigues were set at work on all sides, and the Prince resolved to embark on board the ships with his treasures, and every thing most precious. On the 30th of November, the advanced guard of the French troops arrived at Lisbon, and on the 1st, the anniversary of the day on which the House of Braganza rose against the Spaniards, and hoisted its standard against theirs, on that same day the Braganza flag was replaced by that of the French. To this singular circumstance, which the Portuguese superstition did not fail to remark, was added another-a horrible earthquake was felt six hours before; but the moment the French flag was hoisted, the tempest ceased, and the weather became serene! "The six Portuguese ships of the line, laden with women, children, furniture, &c. without water, badly provisioned, set sail, some say for the Brazils, but probably for England. "There was a moment of fear; a great city like Lisbon has more risk to run in such moments, from revolution on the part of the populace, than on the part of the enemy. But à French battalion arrived in time to establish order. "The success of this expedition, remarkable for the extraordinary promp titude of the march of the troops, and the activity of the General in Chief, has placed in the hands of the French six frigates, twelve brigs, four sail of the line, several on the stucks, and an arsenal well stocked with timber and iron. "All the English property, whether moveable or immoveable, has been put under sequestration." - General Junot's proclamation, upon entering Lisbon, states in substance, that the French army entered that city to save the Prince and the country from the influence of England; but that the Prince, so respectable for his virtues, has suffered himself to be guided by the advice of some bad persons about him, and has thrown himself into the arms of his enemies; that these persons insinuated apprehensions for his personal safety; his subjects have been considered as as nothing, and their interests have been sacrificed to the cowardice of some courtiers." Inhabitants of Lisbon," adds the General in Chief," remain quiet in your houses; neither fear my army nor myself: we are only terrible to our enemies and to the wicked. The Great Napoleon, my master, has sent me to protect you I will protect you." "General Delaborde has been appointed Commandant of Lisbon, and of all the troops in that city. "We hoped that the Prince, knowing at length what were the real interests of his kingdom, was preparing to accede to the grand confederacy of Europe; but all these demonstrations were only so many ruses to gain time. And what use has he made of this time? He has deserted the throne which he might have rendered free. The result of his wise manœuvres is to ensure himself, till fresh incidents happen, the post of Viceroy or Governor of an English Colony. His conduct has proved the necessity of the expedition to Portugal. The expedition of the English will soon convince him of their gratitude. But Europe sees with joy, that an alliance, which unites the two most powerful Sovereigns of Europe, could never be eemented at a more critical moment. This compact alone can guarantee it from the incessant aggressions of a maritime despotism, whose surest and richest spoils are always the wrecks of the thrones it pretends to protect." SPAIN. PRINCE OF ASTURIAS. According to authentic information from Spain, the following are the ques tions put to the Prince of Asturias by the Commission appointed for his examination, upon the discovery of the reported conspiracy at Madrid, together with the answers of his Royal Highness. Those questions and answers preceded his Royal Highness's liberation; and the document from which we have extracted them contained also the articles which are afterwards alluded to. From the whole, we derive ample con. firmation of the opinion we expressed upon the subject of this conspiracy, when the first intelligence respecting it reach ed this country: First Question-What motive had your Royal Highness to conspire against the life of the King your father? Answer-I am struck with horror and amazement at hearing the question; and I only answer, that I am a Christian, and I fear God. Second Question-What means the countersign that your Royal Highness carried upon you, secreted in the lining of your coat-for what purpose was it, and who gave it you? Answer-I am unacquainted with the meaning of the countersign, and I declare it was the first time I put on that dress. Those who stitched it can answer this charge. Third Question-What motive has your Royal Highness for carrying on a correspondence with the Emperor of the French, and to what end did you carry it on? Answer-The correspondence I have had with the Emperor of the French is, entire and unaltered, in my possession, and ready to be put into the hands of the King, my father; for it contains nothing offensive to his Royal Person. Fourth Question-What motive had your Royal Highness for having con stantly four horses saddled, and in readiness, indicating appearances of a flight? Answer-Certainly I bad given this order, with a view of putting myself at the head of the French army, from whence I professed to make manifest to my father what I had never done, namely, every thing relative to the mal-administration and mis-government of the Prince of the Peace, and the state of decline in which he has placed the kingdom. Then follows the two letters from the Prince of Asturias, to the King and Queen, dated Nov. 5-already published. Then the Royal Decree which accompanied the two letters, to be circulated throughout the nation, for the alleviation and comfort of the people, who had been alarmed and afflicted by the King's first decree, The following is a copy of a letter handed about at Madrid, purporting to be addressed by Bonaparte to the Prince of Asturias. Whether it was written to that Prince previous or subsequent to the discovery of the conspiracy, cannot be precisely ascertained, as no date has appeared on the copy : Be |