destroyed the bridges over those two rivers. The enemy's advanced-guard crossed the Criz, having repaired the bridge, on the 23d, and the whole of the 6th corps was collected on the other side of the river; and I therefore withdrew the cavalry through the Sierra de Busaco, with the exception of three squadrons, as the ground was unfavorable for the operations of that army. On the 25th, the whole of the 6th and of the 2d corps crossed the Criz, in the neighbourhood of St. Cambadao; and Brigadier-general Crawfurd's division and Brigadier-general Pack's brigade retired to the position which I had fixed upon for the army on the top of Sierra de Busaco. These troops were followed in this movement by the whole of the corps of Ney and Regnier (the 6th and 2d), but it was conducted by Brigadier-gen. Crawfurd with great regularity, and the troops took their position without sustaining any loss of importance. The 4th Portuguese caçadores, which had retired on the right of the other troops, and the piquets of the 3d division of infantry, which were posted at St. Antonio de Cantaro, under Major Smith, of the 45th, were engaged with the advance of Regnier's corps in the afternoon; and the former shewed that steadiness and gallantry which others of the Portuguese troops have since manifested. 1 CHAP. II. 1810. tish cavalry observing the plain in the rear of its BOOK IX. left, and the road leading from Mortagoa to Oporto, through the mountainous tract which conneets the Sierra de Busaco with the Sierra de Caramula. Caramula. The 8th corps joined the enemy in our front on the 26th, but he did not make any serious attack on that day. The light troops onboth sides were engaged throughout the line. At six in the morning of the 27th, the enemy made two desperate attacks upon our position, the one on the right, the other on the left of the highest point of the Sierra. The attack upon the right was made by two divisions of the 2d corps, on that part of the Sierra occupied by the 3d division of infantry. One division of French infantry arrived at the top of the ridge, when it was attacked in the most gallant manner by the 88th regiment, under the command of the Hon. Lieut.-col. Wallace, and the 45th regiment, under the command of the Hon. Lieut.-col. Meade, and by the 8th Portuguese regiment, under the command of Lieut.-col. Douglas, directed by Major-gen. Picton. These three corps advanced with the bayonet, and drove the enemy's division from the advantageous ground which they had obtained. The other division of the 2d corps attacked farther on the right, by the road leading by St, Antonio de Cantaro, also in front of Majorgeneral Picton's division. This division was repulsed before it could reach the top of the ridge, by the 74th regiment, under the command of the Hon. Lieut.-col. French, and the brigade of Portuguese infantry, under the command of Colonel Champelmond, directed by Colonel Mackinnon. Major-general Leith also moved to his left, to the support of Major-general Picton, and aided in the defeat of the enemy on this post, by the 3d battalion royals, the 1st battalion and the 2d battalion 38th regiment. In these attacks, Major-generals Leith and Picton, Colonels Mackinnon and Champelmond, of the Portuguese service, who was wounded, Lieut.col. Wallace, the Hon. Lieut.-col. Meade, Lieut.col. Sutton of the 9th Portuguese regiment, Major Smith of the 45th regiment, who was unfortunately killed, Lieut.-col. Douglas, and Major Birmingham of the 8th Portuguese regi"As the enemy's whole army was on the ment, distinguished themselves. Major-gen. ridge of the Mondego, and as it was evident Picton reports well of the 9th and 21st Porthat he intended to force our position, Lieut.- tuguese regiments, commanded by Lieut.-col. general Hill crossed the river by a short move- Sutton, and by Lieut.-col. de Arouje Bacellar, and to his left, on the morning of the 26th, leaving of the Portuguese artillery, commanded by Lieute Colonel le Cor with his brigade on the Sierra de col. Arenschild. I have also to mention, in a parMurcella, to cover the right of the army; and ticular mauner, the conduct of Captain Dansey Major-general Fane, with his division of Por of the 88th regiment. Major-general Leith retuguese cavalry and the 13th light dragoons, in ports the good conduct of the royals, 1st batfront of the Alva, to observe and check the move- talion 9th, and 2d battalion 38th regiment; and ments of the enemy's cavalry on the Mondego. I beg to assure your lordship, that I never witWith this exception, the whole army was col-nessed a more gallant attack than that made by lected upon the Sierra de Busaco, with the Bri- the 38th, 45th, and 8th Portuguese regiments un "The Sierra de Busaco is a high ridge, which extends from the Mondego, in a northerly direction, about eight miles. At the highest point of the ridge, about two miles from its termination, is the convent and garden of Busaco. The Sierra of Busaco is connected by a mountainous tract of country with the Sierra de Caramula, which extends in a north-easterly direction beyond Viseu, and separates the valley of the Mondego from the valley of the Douro, on the left of the Mondego. Nearly in a line with the Sierra de Busaco is another ridge of the same description, which is called the Sierra de Murcella, covered by the river Alva, and connected by other mountainous tracts with the Sierra d'Estrella. All the roads to Coimbra, from the eastward, lead over one or the other of these Sierras. They are very difficult for the passage of an army, the approach totheto of the ridge on both sides being mountainous. BOOK IX. the enemy's division which had reached the ridge of the Sierra. CHAP. II. 1810. "On the left, the enemy attacked, with three divisions of infantry of the 6th corps, that part of the Sierra occupied by the left division, commanded by Brigadier-general Crawfurd, and by the brigade of Portuguese infantry, commanded by Brigadier-general Pack. One division of infantry only made any progress towards the top of the hill; and they were immediately charged with the bayonet by Brigadier-general Crawfurd with the 48th, 52d, and 95th regiments, and the 3d Portuguese caçadores, and driven down with immense loss. Brigadier-general Cleman's brigade of Portuguese infantry, which was in reserve, was moved up to support the right of Brigadier-general Crawfurd's division; and a battalion of the 19th Portuguese regiment, under the command of Lieut.-col. Macbean, made a gallant and successful charge upon a body of another division of the enemy, which was endeavouring to penetrate in that quarter. In this attack Brigadier-general Crawfurd, Lieut.-colonels Beckwith, of the 95th, and Barclay, of the 52d, and the commanding officers of the regiments engaged, distinguished themselves. Besides these attacks the light troops of the two armies were engaged throughout the 27th, and the 4th Portuguese caçadores, and the 1st and 16th regiments, directed by Brigadier-general Pack, and commanded by Lieutenant-colonel de Rego Bonito, Lieutenant-colonel Hill, and Major Armstrong, shewed great steadiness and gallantry. The loss sustained by the enemy in his attack on the 27th, has been enormous. I understand that the general of division Merle and General Maucun are wounded, and General Simon was taken prisoner by the 52d regiment, and three colonels, 33 officers, and 250 men. The enemy left 2,000 killed upon the field-of-battle; and I understand, from the prisoners and deserters, that the loss in wounded is immense. The enemy did not renew his attack excepting by the fire of his light troops on the 28th, but he moved a large body of infantry and cavairy, from the left of his centre to the rear, from whence I saw his cavalry in march on the road which leads from Mortagoa over the mountains towards Oporto. Having thought it probable that he would endeavour to turn our left by that road, I had directed Col. Trant, with his division of militia, to march to Sardao, with the intention that he should occupy those mountains; but unfortunately he was sent round by Oporto by the general officer commanding in the north, in consequence of a small detachment of the enemy being in possession of St. Pedro de Sul; and, notwithstanding the efforts which he made to arrive in time, he did not reach Sardao till the 28th at night, after the enemy was in possession of the ground. As it was pro bable, that in the course of the night of the 28th the enemy would throw his whole army upou that road, by which he could avoid the Sierra de Busaco, and reach Coimbra by the high road to Oporto, and thus the army would have been exposed to be cut off from that town, or to a gene ral action on less favorable ground; and as I had reinforcements in my rear, I was induced to withdraw from the Sierra de Busaco. The enemy did break up in the mountains at eleven at night of the 28th, and he made the march expected. His advanced-guard was at Avelans, in the road from Oporto to Coimbra, yesterday: and the whole army was seen in march through the mountains; that under my command, however, was already in the low country, between the Sierra de Busaco and the sea; and the whole of it, with the exception of the advanced-guard, is this day on the left of the Mondego. Although, from the unfortunate circumstance of the delay of Colonel Trant's arrival at Sardao, I am apprehensive that I shall not succeed in effecting the object which I had in view in passing the Mondego, and in occupying the Sierra de Busaco, I do not regret my having done so. This movement has afforded me a favorable opportunity of shewing the enemy the description of troops of which this army is composed; it has brought the Portuguese levics into action with the enemy for the first time in an advantageous situation; and they have proved that the trouble which has been taken with them, has not been thrown away, and that they are worthy of contending in the same ranks with British troops in this interesting cause, which they afford the best hopes of saving. Throughout the contest upon the Sierra, and in all the previous marches, and in those which we have since made, the whole army has conducted themselves in the most regular manner. Accordingly, all the operations have been carried with ease, the soldiers have suffered no privations, have undergone no unnecessary fatigue, there has been no loss of stores, and the army is in the highest spirits. I have received, throughout the service, the greatest assistance from the general and staff officers. Lieutenant-general Sir Brent Spencer has given me the assistance which his experience enables him to afford me; and I am particularly indebted to the adjutant and quarter-master-general, and the officers of their departments, and to Lieutenant-col. Bathurst, and the officers of my personal staff, to Briggeneral Howarth and the artillery, and particu larly to Lieutenant-colonel Fletcher, Captain Chapman, and the officers of the royal engineers. I must likewise mention Mr. Kennedy, and the officers of the commissariat, which department has been carried on most successfully. I should not do justice to the service, or to my own feelings, if I did not take this opportunity of draw ing your lordship's attention to the merits of Marshal Beresford. To him exclusively, under To him exclusively, under the Portuguese government, is due the merit of having raised, formed, disciplined, and equipped the Portuguese army, which has now shown itself capable of engaging and defeating the enemy, I have besides received from him, upon all occasions, all the assistance which his experience and abilities, and knowledge of this country, have qualified him to afford me. The enemy has made no movement in Estremadura, or in the northern provinces, since I addressed your lordship last. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) "WELLINGTON." After the battle of Busaco, in which the French are said to have lost 10,000 men, but according to their own account only 1,100, Massena 1810. did not renew his attack on the 28th, except by BOOK IX. near Mafra. The right of his position was CHAPTER III. Louis Bonaparte's Address to the Dutch Legislative Body, on his Retirement to Bohemia.-Position of the Allies at the End of the Campaign.—The British obtain Possession of Guadaloupe. Amboyna.-Bourbon.-Isles of France and Banda. THE sentiments of Louis Bonaparte, the ExKing of Holland, not agreeing with those of his brother the French emperor, he resolved on retiring to Bohemia. The following are extracts from the remarkable address which be presented to the Dutch legislative body, informing it of the resolution he had been compelled to take, in consequence of the entry of French troops into Amsterdam, of abdicating his throne. “I should be much to blame if I consented to retain the title of king, being no more than an instrument, no longer commanding, not only in the country, but even in my own capital, and perhaps soon not even in my palace. 66 My brother, so violently irritated against me, is not so against my children; and, doubtless, be will not destroy what he has done, and deprive them of their inheritance, since he has not, nor can have, any subject of complaint against the young king, who will not for a long time come to reign himself. His mother, to whom the regency appertains by the constitution, will do every thing that shall be agreeable to the emperor, my brother, and will succeed better than myself, who have had the misfortune never to be successful in my endeavours of that kind. 66 Perhaps I am the only obstacle to the recon ciliation of this country with France; and should "I should be nevertheless a witness of every "In whatever place I may happen to terminate my days, the name of Holland, and the most lively prayers for its happiness, will be my last words, my last wish." This address of Louis gained him high esteem, and placed the character of Napoleon, if possible, in a more detestable light. His son, the Grand Duke of Berg, arrived soon after in Paris, and was received in a very favorable manner by his uncle (the emperor) who told him that the con duct of his father had wounded him to the heart, and that his infirmity alone could account for it; thus, insinuating, and doubtless wishing all the world to believe, that his brother was insane. The crafty emperor took great pains to ascribe the utmost cruelty to the allies, particularly to the British: "The cries of the inhabitants of Ciudad Rodrigo," said he, in the Moniteur," were heard in Lord Wellington's camp, which was only six leagues distant; but all ears were shut against them." A battle was daily expected between Lord Wellington and Massena, but the latter retired, continuing his retreat to Santarem, where he halted and posted himself, being followed by Lord Wellington as far as Cartaxo, where he established his head-quarters. About 400 prisoners were taken from the enemy during these movements. Massena secured the passage of the Zezure by means of this retreat, as well as the power of withdrawing into Spain by Castello Branco; a junction with the reinforcements he expected, and a country as yet not exhausted, from which his army obtained support. At the end of the campaign the allies retained a position which it was not in the power of the French to force. They were in a country which afforded no supplies, whilst the combined army obtained provisions by sea. During this year, the British gained possession of the island of Guadaloupe, with a naval and military force under the orders of Admiral Cochrane and General Beckwith. The French general, Ernouf, was apprised of the intended attack, in consequence of which he concentrated all his forces at Basse Terre. A general engage ment took place on the 23d of February, when victory declared in favor of the British, the French having lost 500 men. So dangerous did the situation of Ernouf become, that he hoisted flags of truce on the 24th, whilst the British troops were advancing; and next morning a capitulation was agreed on, by which the garrison were to have the honors of war, and be sent to England till regularly exchanged. The British arms were also attended with success in the capture of Amboyna, one of the Malacca islands, by a squadron of ships under Captains Tucker, Montague, and Spencer, who, with 176 troops, and the seamen and marines of the Dover, Cornwallis, and Samarang, the whole force amounting only to 40 men, in cluding officers, proceeded up the harbour on the 9th of February, and made good their landing on the 15th, under the command of Captain Court, of the India Company's coast artillery. The ships commenced the attack by cannonading the fort and surrounding batteries, which was continued for two hours and a half, though exposed to a heavy fire of red-hot shot from the heights on the left of the town. In the mean time, the force on shore had stormed the battery of Wannatoo, notwithstanding the determined opposition of the enemy, who had two officers killed, and one dangerously wounded, and the guns were turned upon the enemy in their retreat. Captain Court then proceeded in the arduous undertaking along the heights to turn the enemy's position at Batter Gantong, which commanded the town of Amboyna. After a fatiguing march, ascending and descending hills over which there was no road, and many of them so extremely steep as to require the assistance of the bushes for the men to get up and down by, they reached an eminence which effectually commanded the enemy, who retired immediately, and the battery was entered without opposition. In this state of things, a summons was sent to the governor on the morning of the 17th, and a capitulation was agreed to, by which the island was given up to the British on the 19th; the garrison to be sent to Java at the expence of the captors. The island was defended by 130 Europeans and upwards of 1,000 Javanese and Mandurese troops, exclusive of the crews of three vessels sunk in the inner harbour, amounting to 220 men, aided by the Dutch inhabitants. The loss sustained by the British at Amboyna, and at the destruction of a Dutch fort at Poolo Combu, in the Celebes, was only five killed and nineteen wounded. The English took seven vessels of war of various descriptions, forty-two government supply vessels of different descriptions, and three neu. trals; in all fifty-two. By another letter from Captain Tucker, dated from Amboyna, March 1, it appeared that the valuable islands from Saparona, Harouka, and Nassau-Laut, as well as those of Bouro and Manippa, likewise surrendered to his Britannic majesty's forces. The British were also successful in another expedition in the Indian seas, by which the island of Bonaparte (late Bourbon) was added to his dominions. The expedition consisted of the Boadicea, Neriade, Sirius, and Iphigenia, under the command of Commodore Rowley, and a force of 3,650 European and Indian troops, un 1 181 0. der Lieutenant-colonel Keating, On the 7th of The isles of France and Banda, the only re- BOOK IX. July, a partial landing was effected on the maining possessions of the French in the Indian island, but, owing to the violence of the surf, seas, also fell into the hands of the British. By CHAP. III. the remainder of the force was not put on shore. the capitulation of the Isle of France, the land till the next day, when Colonel Keating ad- and sea forces, officers, subalterns, and privates, vanced to the attack of the capital (St. Denis.) were to retain their effects and baggage; not to Every thing was in readiness, and the grand be considered as prisoners of war, but to be conattack would have taken place in less than half veyed at the expence of the English, with their an hour, when a suspension of arms was de- families, to some parts of European France. manded by a brave, though vanquished ene- Private property, of course, was to be respected, my," and thus, said the colonel, in a few hours and the inhabitants maintained in their religion, has this rich, extensive, and valuable colony, customs, and laws. The following vessels were been added to his gracious majesty's dominions, found at Port Napoleon; La Minerve, fifty-two with a population of upwards of 100,000 souls, guns; La Bellona, forty-eight; L'Astrée, fortyand with a loss on our part comparatively tri- four; La Manchée, forty-four; Iphigeniea, thirfling." By the capitulation, the French troops ty-six; Nereide, thirty-six; (these two were for(fifteen hundred) were allowed the honors of merly English frigates ;) Le Victor, sloop, twenwar; they were to be sent to the Cape of Good ty-two; L'Entreprenant, fourteen; and a new Hope; and the laws, customs, and religion of brig (name unknown,) fourteen; the Charlton, the inhabitants, as well as their private property, Ceylon, and United Kingdom, (formerly Engwas to be insured to them. The loss of the Bri- lish East Indiamen ;) and twenty-eight merchanttish consisted of eighteen men killed, and se- vessels of various burdens, from 150 to 1,000 venty-nine wounded. tous; besides five gun-brigs. CHAPTER IV. Indisposition of his Britannic Majesty.—Consequent Proceedings in Parliament.-The Prince of GREAT was the interest and anxiety excited by the known indisposition of his majesty, and the doubts which were generally entertained, whe ther the royal signature could be obtained to a commission for a further prorogation of parliament pursuant to notice. On the 1st of November, the house of lords met about half-past three o'clock. About four the lord-chancellor rose, and addressed the bouse from the woolsack. 66 My lords.-Your lordships are now assembled without any notice having been given that parliament was to meet for the dispatch of business, and after a notification had been published directing that this parliament should be prorogued to the 29th of this month, and authorising the chancellor to issue a commission under the great seal for such prorogation. My lords, I have to state to your lordships, and I do it with the greatest concern and regret, that in consequence of his majesty's personal indisposition, that commission has not received his majesty's signature. There may be a question, whether the chancellor is authorised to put the great seal to such a commission, without the king's sign manual-and whether such commission would be legal? But The Earl of Liverpool." My lords, under the |