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he proceedings of their directors ince the general meeting in June last, and approved of their continued atention to different objects of improvement, as appeared from the preniums voted by them for the year 808, for raising green crops, melioating the breed of cattle, to ploughnen for improvement in ploughing, and for the introduction of woollen manufactories into the Highlands; also for essays, containing informaion on different useful subjects. The Society approved of the zeal and attention shewn by the conveners of committees, and other resident memters of the Society in the country, who had paid proper attention to the olack cattle and plowing competi(ions; the last of which had been found to excite much emulation and approbation in the districts in which hey had been given.

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The Society having, at last geneal meeting, voted premiums for the Corection of machinery, and the introduction into Kintyre, Argyleshire, of manufactory for carding and spining of wool, and making the same nto cloth,-it appeared, by a letter rom Mr D. Clark, of Campbleton, hat he had already, besides the opeations of carding and spinning, maufactured nearly 2000 yards of cloth, nd would soon be able to carry on his useful branch upon a more exensive scale. The Meeting referred Mr Clark's letter, with one from Mr Thomas Parker, of Yorkshire, relaive to the introduction, among the enantry in the Highlands, of small nachines or frames for the spinning of wool, and the proper mode of sortng or stapling it, to the directors; nd the Meeting expressed their ac:nowledgments to Mr Parker for this ommunication.

The Society also approved of the

resolution of the directors, to vote a premium of twenty guineas to Mr James Veitch, at Inchbonny, near Jedburgh, for an improved plough, constructed by him, and other machinery.

A plan for the establishment of a Caledonian asylum in London, for the maintenance and education of the sons and daughters of Scottish sailors, soldiers, and marines, brought forward by the Highland Society of London, and communicated by them to this Society, through Sir John Sinclair, Bart., was laid upon the table, with the report from the directors thereupon.

The attention of the Society was now called to the highly-meritorious and spirited conduct of two individuals, who, among many others of our gallant countrymen, had particularly distinguished themselves at the battle of Vimiera, so as to attract the notice of Major-General Fergusson, under whose command the 71st Highland regiment, to which they belonged, had been placed. General Fergusson, in his letter, states, that Angus Mackay (then a corporal in the 71st regiment, but who had since been very deservedly promoted to a commission) was the person who had on the above occasion refused to accept of the French general Brenier's watch and purse, when tendered to him by that officer, at the time he was taken prisoner; and that Stewart, the piper of the grenadier company of the same regiment, had, after being severely and dangerously wounded, continued to play upon his pipe, to animate the men. General Fergusson expresses a hope that this Society would confer some public mark of its approbation upon these men

for their conduct.

The Meeting, with much approba

tion, and agreeable to the suggestion of the directors, unanimously resolved, that a gold medal, with suitable device and inscription, should be presented by the Society to Mr Mackay, as a mark of the sense the Society entertains of his meritorious, manly, and disinterested conduct, as above stated. And that a handsome stand of Highland pipes, with a proper inscription engraved thereon, shall be given to Stewart the piper, for his highly-spirited and laudable conduct at the battle of Vimiera.

The Society having proceeded, on the motion of the treasurer, to the election of president, vice-presidents, and other officers for the current year, the following noblemen and gentle men were chosen, viz.

His Grace the Duke of Athol reelected president.

Vice-Presidents.

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James Ross Farquharson, of Inve cauld, captain in the Royal Navy. Thomas Miller, Esq., of Glenle

Among a variety of other matte referred to the directors, were co munications from Sir John Sincla Bart., and Mr Henderson at Brech Castle, upon the cultivation of spri wheat, and the smut in wheat; an from Mr Wilson of Kelvinbank, lative to oak and fir woods. T Meeting then voted the thanks of Society to Lord Viscount Cathcar for his conduct in the chair, and t support given by his lordship, oneve occasion, for promoting the views the institution.

13th. Several persons lost their liv one night last week, in attempting return home from Whitby marke Christopher Swales, a blacksmith Goatland, about ten miles fro Whitby, on his return, called up his son at Sleights, who, seeing father determined to proceed on

journey, undertook to accompany him over the most difficult part of the kroad. Having travelled a few miles, the old man grew so faint, that his dison was under the necessity of taking him upon his back. After encountering the greatest difficulties, they Kreached the end of their journey, but hot before the father had suffered so severely from the cold and fatigue, that he expired almost immediately on entering the house. The son was lso reduced to such a state of weakess, by the exertions he had been compelled to make, that his recovery vas for some time doubtful. Another ufferer from the severity of the storm vas a young woman of the name of Sellers, likewise a resident in Goatand. The most pressing entreaties of ter friends at Whitby could not preail with her to stay the night; her onstant reply being, that if she did ot go home, her mother would conlude that something had happened her. On the evening of the 18th, he was found sitting upon the snow a the moor, with her horse standing y her, and the bridle in her hand, early frozen to death; but on beg taken to a farm-house, she soon covered. She must have been exosed to the severe storm not less an 30 hours. A farmer of Liveron, called Reuben Rodger, also rerning from Whitby, lost his life ear Scalingdam, from the inclemency the weather. His body was found few days afterwards under the snow; e people who discovered him being rawn to the spot by observing a ick placed upright in the snow; hich measure, it appears, the decea. d had adopted as a signal, when hausted nature had been compelled resign the hopeless contest. Two en have been found on the moor, ar Cock Moor-hall, in the neigh

bourhood of Scarborough, who had perished in the storm on Saturday, the 17th ult.

The Monticello, which arrived yesterday from Lima, brings an account that the inhabitants illuminated their houses for three successive nights, in honour of the gallant resistance which they understood the mother country made to the French. They, as well as the rest of the inhabitante of that colony, were unanimous in their determination not to submit to, or connect themselves in any way with France, whatever might be the issue of the contest in Old Spain.

About a fortnight ago, the Monticello fell in with the wreck of a ship, which being laden with timber, was prevented from sinking. There was only one mau alive on board, out of eleven, that composed her crew; and, shocking to relate, this wretched being had preserved his existence by feeding on the bodies of his comrades. He had been upwards of forty days upon the wreck.

Letters, dated the 16th ult., were yesterday received from Cadiz. They state, that several French had been put into prison on the preceding Saturday. Some of these, who had been long resident in that town, were suspected, and upon strong grounds, of being inimical to the government of Ferdinand VII. The motive for arresting others was, to save them from the violence of the populace, who menaced their destruction.

It was generally understood at Cadiz, at the date of these letters, that Madrid held out so late as the 11th ult., though we know it surrendered on the 4th. It is painful to observe the want of regular communication which appears to prevail, and the consequent ignorance in which the people remain, with regard to the real

state of their affairs. The government, however, may have reasons of their own for occasional concealments for a time, after the truth is known to them.

The accounts from Lisbon by the last packet all agree in stating, that the government were extremely ac-, tive in their exertions to animate the people, and to induce them to make the most determined resistance to the entrance of the French into Portugal. The levy en masse, and the general arming were proceeding with as much success as could be expected. Several persons, the greater part Frenchmen, had been arrested at Lisbon. They were suspected of holding communication with Buonaparte's army. 14th.-The London Gazette of the 10th contains the particulars of General Moore's retreat, first from Sahadun (where he was upon the point of attacking Soult's corps) to Benevente, and from thence, by Astorga, towards the north-west angle of Spain. It appears from it that Sir John Moore intended to have attacked Marshal Soult, who was stationed at Saldana, with a force of about 16,000 men, on the 23d ult.; but that he was induced to abandon this design, on hearing that the enemy had received reinforcements from Palencia, and that Buonaparte had left Madrid with a numerous army, and was advancing by forced marches against his rear. He therefore determined to retreat to Benevente and Astorga, from which latter place his latest letter is dated, on the 31st ult. The following letter from Lord Paget, published in the same gazette, gives a high idea of British valour. It is addressed by Lord Paget to General Moore.

Benevente, Dec. 29, 1808. SIR-I have the honour to inform you, that about nine o'clock this

morning I received a report that t enemy's cavalry was in the act crossing the river at the ford bel the bridge. I immediately sent do the piquets of the night, under Li tenant-colonel Otway, of the 18 Having left orders that the cava should repair to their alarm posts. went forward to reconnoitre, a found three squadrons of imper guards formed, and skirmishing w the picquets, and other cavalry int act of passing.

I sent for the 10th hussars, who ving arrived, Brigadier-general St art immediately placed himself at head of the piquets, and with the most gallantry attacked. The 1 hussars supported in the most Į fect order.

The result of the affair, as far a have yet been able to collect, is ab 30 killed, 25 wounded, 70 prison and about the same number of hor

It is impossible for me to av speaking in the highest terms of those engaged. Lieutenant-cold Otway and Major Bagwell hea the respective night piquets. 1 latter is slightly wounded. The most zeal was conspicuous in whole of my staff; and I had m volunteers from head-quarters, other officers of your army. Amon the prisoners is the general of di sion, Lefebvre, (who commanded cavalry of the imperial guard,) two captains. Our loss is, I fe nearly 50 men killed and wound I will send a return the moment I collect the reports.

I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) PAGET, Lieut-G To Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Moore, K.

I have forwarded the prisoners Baniza. On the other side of river the enemy formed again; and this instant three guns of Captain 1

Donovan's troop arrived, which did considerable execution.

The troops and ships at Portslymouth, ready to sail for Spain, are Countermanded.

PLYMOUTH. Extract of a Letter.the The Cheerful has made this port from ro Coruna, in the short space of 48 hours, and brought over Captain Wyndham, of aide-de-camp to General Moore, with redispatches for government, with which the immediately set off for town.

"The Cheerful also brought over Lieutenant-general Lefebvre, commander of the imperial guard, and member of the Legion of Honour, who was taken prisoner by Lord PaTget's detachment, or corps, in an engagement which took place at Bene

vente.

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Captain Wyndham left the comemander-in-chief at Astorga the 30th of December, from which place, I am sorry to say, our army were on the point of retiring, to take possession of the heights of Villa Franca, in order to secure a retreat; Buona. parte, with an immense army, being only three leagues in their rear, having withdrawn his attention from every other object, in order to cut off our troops, or else bring them to a general engagement, under very great lisadvantages.

"General Lefebvre did not quit the cabin during the whole of the passage, being very sea-sick, never having been on the salt water before. He quitted the French army at MaArid the 21st ult., but was so cauiously reserved, that it was impossiole to gain any information from him elative to the existing state of affairs. He is most superbly dressed, with a profusion of gold and fur trimming. He is at present at the Globe Inu, Plymouth, but it is said will be sent o Reading, on his parole.

"The Cheerful also brings accounts that Napoleon has dispatched 40,000 troops towards Portugal."

The American papers arrived on the 10th are to the 16th ultimo. They contain all the proceedings and debates relating to the embargo. The discussions in both Houses, particularly in the Senate, lasted for several days. The opponents of the embargo, however, were stronger in argument than in numbers, for they were every where beaten by an immense majority. The principle of the measure, as expressed in various resolutions, was carried in the Senate by 25 to 6, and in the House of Representatives by 84 to 21. The committee to whom that part of the President's speech relating to the embargo was referred, after some days deliberation, produced a voluminous report, in which they suggested the adoption of a non-intercourse bill, and also an act to amend and render more effectual the embargo act. We have not leisure to make a complete abstract of the arguments by which the committee support and enforce their recommendation. The principal appear to be, that our orders in council were issued before our government was apprized of the conduct which that of the United States intended to pursue with respect to the French decrees, which, as well as the British orders, were, as far as related to America, contemporaneous acts of aggression, and sufficient cause of war against both nations. The debates were long and animated. The celebrated Mr Randolph, who certainly will never be suspected, by those who have marked his political career, of being in the least disposed to surrender the honour of his country, spoke with his usual eloquence

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