tions of joy. In the latter place there was a grand ball in the evening, at which the Duchess of Buccleugh presided.

19th. This day the Session of Parliament was opened by commission. For particulars our readers are referred to the History, Chap. I. 20th.-ARMISTICE AND CONVENTION OF CINTRA.-Copy of the official communication made to Sir Hew Dalrymple on the subject.

"The King has taken into his consideration the report of the Board of Inquiry, together with the documents and opinions thereunto annexed.

"While his Majesty adopts the unanimous opinion of the Board, that no farther military proceeding is necessary to be had upon the transactions referred to their investigation, his Majesty does not intend thereby to convey any expression of his Majesty's satisfaction at the terms and conditions of the armistice and convention.

"When those instruments were first laid before his Majesty, the King, reserving for investigation those parts of the definitive convention in which his Majesty's immediate interests were concerned, caused it to be signified to Sir Hew Dalrymple, by his Majesty's secretary of state, that his Majesty, nevertheless, felt himself compelled at once to express his disapprobation of those articles in which stipulations were made, directly affecting the interests or feelings of the Spanish and Portuguese nations.

"At the close of the inquiry, the King, abstaining from any observations upon other parts of the convention, repeats his disapprobation of those articles; his Majesty deeming it necessary that his sentiments should be clearly understood, as to the impropriety and danger of the unautho

rised admission into military conventions of articles of such a description, which, especially when incautiously framed, may lead to the most injurious consequence,

"His Majesty cannot forbear farther to observe, that Lieutenant-Ge neral Sir Hew Dalrymple's delay in transmitting, for his information, the armistice concluded on the 22d of August, until the 4th of September, when he, at the same time, transmitted the ratified convention, was calculated to produce great public inconvenience, and that such inconve

nience did in fact result therefrom."

SINGULAR ROBBERY.-A young gentleman of the name of Stewart, who had lately arrived in town, from the Highlands of Scotland, was, some evenings ago, robbed in the Green Park, of his watch and some silver, by a lady, (supposed to be a man in female attire,) in the following singular manner. As he was walking, about nine o'clock, in St James's Park, on his way to Pimlico, where he lodges, he was familiarly accosted by a tall lady, elegantly dressed, and prevailed upon to accompany her through the Green Park, to her residence in Halfmoon-street, Piccadilly, to partake of a comfortable supper; and as soon as they arrived at the west end of the reservoir, she made a sudden halt, and presenting a pistol to the gentleman's breast, she swore, that unless he placed his watch and all his money on the seat, he was a dead man, With the utmost dread and amazement, he complied with her demand; and after she laid up the plunder, she opened the door leading into Piccadilly, by means of a key, and, on shutting the same behind her, warned him in future to beware of bad company, and wished him good bye.

21st. Our readers may recollect, that, about twelve months ago, several symptoms of dissatisfaction with the conduct of the mother country, manifested themselves in the island of Jamaica: we are sorry to say, that fresh occasion of disgust has lately arisen. It will be remembered, that, at the latter end of last May, a mutiny took place in a negro corps, during which the mutineers murdered two of their officers, Major Darley and Lieut. Ellis, and others were likewise slain in the confusion. No coroner's inquest having been held upon these murders, the legislature of the island, on their assembling, immediately requested his Grace the Duke of Manchester, the governor, to cause to be laid before it copies of the military proceedings against the offend

ers.

This request of the House of Assembly being indicated by his grace to the commander-in-chief, Major-General Hugh L. Carmichael, that officer flatly refused compliance with it, and prohibited "all military per. sons from answering any questions that the legislative body might put to them respecting the late mutiny :" whereupon the House forming a general committee on the state of the island, entered upon a string of resolutions, the purport of which was, to declare their powers in that island analogous to those of the British parliament in this; and that, of course, it was their undoubted right to examine all papers, records, and persons, respecting any subject under investigation in that house; of which rights and privileges the conduct of MajorGeneral Carmichael was a complete breach, and is declared to "have excited the greatest alarm, and, in its consequences, to involve the tranquil lity and safety of the colony." Mr Speaker was then directed to issue his

warrant, requiring the attendance of Major-General Carmichael himself at the bar of the house. With this requisition the commander refused compliance; and his grace the governor declared his perfect agreement in the principle of such refusal. The consequence of this was, that a motion was carried, nem. con., " That Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to take Major-General Carmichael into custody of the serjeant at arms, for a contempt for that house."

Other resolutions were likewise agreed upon: 1st, Reprehensive of the conduct of the governor, in interfering in any matter pending its agitation in the House of Assembly; 2dly, Declaring his grace's approbabation of Major-General Carmichael's refusal to obey the Speaker's requisition, a breach of privilege; and lastly, avowing that they will proceed to no other business till reparation be made for this breach.

Upon this, the bills that were already passed being confirmed, the session of the house was prorogued, by the following speech from the go

vernor :

"Gentlemen of the Council, "Mr Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly,

"The House of Assembly having ordered the attendance of the commander of his Majesty's forces at their bar, and intending, as it appears to me, to enforce that order, a measure certainly novel, and giving rise to a question of the greatest magnitude, as it tends, in fact, to devolve the command of any British army in this island upon that House, I feel it incumbent upon me, however I lament any interruption to the harmony subsisting between the different branches of the legislature, to take such measures as shall bring so important

a point before the highest authority, previous to any further proceedings. I do therefore, in his Majesty's name, prorogue this General Assembly until Tuesday, the 27th day of December next; and it is hereby prorogued accordingly." See Chronicle, May 1808, p. 109.

This prorogation is stated to have thrown the island into the highest state of ferment.

23d.-FIRE AT ST JAMES'S PALACE. On Saturday morning, about two o'clock, the attention of one of the centinels in the palace-yard was engaged by the violent barking of a dog in the south-east wing of the building, and shortly after, he observed an unusual smoke to issue from the spot: an alarm was immediately given, and several engines, with their accustomed alacrity, attended. A considerable time, however, elapsed before the necessary supply of water could be obtained. At length the expedient of procuring a supply of water from the canal in St James's Park, a distance of nearly 1000 yards from the conflagration, was resorted to, by placing engines at proper intervals, and forcing the water from one to another through their pipes, in succession, from the canal, across the park and royal gardens, to the south side of the palace; but the supply thus procured, even had it been uninterrupted by the obstructions and accidents which must inevitably occur in its progress from so distant a source, was barely sufficient to keep the engine nearest the flames at work; and the supply from the pipes and pumps on the northern side was equally scanty. Under these circumstances, the exertions of the firemen and assistants were directed to cutting off the communication, and removing the furniture and articles

of value to the gardens, courts, and areas in and about the palace.

About three o'clock, the roof of that part of the building which was on fire, fell in with a tremendous crash. The lead of the roof had previously descended in liquid torrents, to the great danger of the firemen working under it.

The fire appears to have broken out in the apartments situated between the armoury, and his Majesty's private entrance into the palace, from St James's Park.

The flames very soon spread to the whole east wing of the inner courtyard, on the left-hand side as it is entered. In this wing were the Queen's private drawing-room, bed, and other apartments; and adjoining, behind it, were the apartments of her attendants on the palace establishment. At the end of the wing were some apartments of the Duke of Cambridge, which extended to the front next the park. The whole of the east wing of the inner court-yard was speedily in flames, and is entirely burnt down; that being the only wing of four in this court-yard which is burnt, the others being scarcely damaged.

The Queen's xerman chapel, situated immediately adjoining the conflagration, was not injured, from the durability of its construction; and it was found extremely useful as a place of deposit for such property as was saved from the flames. The principal sufferers among the royal domestics are, Mrs Planter and Mrs Davenport, who have lost all their furniture. The tapestry of the grand drawingroom is damaged. The chandeliers, looking-glasses, silver plate, &c., are safe.

The inhabitants of the palace were seen issuing in all directions from their

apartments, half naked; and every ef fort was made to save the furniture and effects. Little, however, was saved of that part which was on fire. 24th. At two o'clock yesterday morning, the Lord Mayor received the following letter from Lord Castlereagh, and at seven o'clock his lordship communicated the same to the public in the usual manner :

"Downing-street, 24th January, One, A. M.

"MY LORD, "The Honourable Captain Gordon, aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird, is just arrived, with dispatches from the lieutenantgeneral, communicating the intelligence, that after a hard fought, and bravely contested action of three hours, which ended in the complete repulse of the enemy, the British army embarked unmolested, and without any loss, except that which took place in the action. The whole were left at sea by Captain Gordon, proceeding for Portsmouth with a fair wind.

"The commander-in-chief received a cannon-shot, which shattered his shoulder, early in the action; but he lived long enough to know his meritorious exertions had secured the defeat, and disappointed the hopes of the enemy. Lieut.-General Sir D. Baird being severely wounded in the arm, had been obliged to suffer amputation; but there is every reason to hope that he will recover.

"I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) "CASTLEREAGH." The gazette, containing the dispatches on the subject, our readers will find among the State Papers, A. at the end of the Chronicle.

Some details respecting the battle of Coruna, the fate of General Moore, the embarkation and landing of

our troops in England, &c., which have been collected and arranged in their proper order.

The following particulars of the death of Sir John Moore are communicated on the authority of one of his attendants and friends :

"I met the general on the evening of the 16th instant, as some soldiers were bringing him into Coruna, supported in a blanket with sashes. He knew me immediately, though it was almost dark, squeezed me by the hand, and said, Do not leave me.'He spoke to the surgeons, on their examining his wound, but was in such pain he could say but little. After some time, he seemed very anxious to speak to me; and, at intervals, expressed himself as follows:-The first question he asked was, Are the French beaten?' which inquiry he repeated to all those he knew, as they entered the room. On being assured by all that the French were beaten, he exclaimed, I hope the people of England will be satisfied. I hope my country will do me jus tice. You will see my friends as soon as you possibly can tell them every thing-say to my mother'-(Here his voice failed him,)- Hope Hope-I have much to say, but cannot get it out. Is Colonel Graham, and are all my aides-de-camp well?I have made my will, and have remembered my servants--Colborne has my will and all my papers.'

66

Major Colborne (his principal aide-de-camp) then came into the room; he spoke most kindly to him, and then said to me, Remember, you go to- -, and tell him it is my request, and that I expect he will befriend Major Colborne; he has been long with me, and I know him most wor thy of it.' He then again asked Major Colborne if the French were beat

en; and on being told they were repulsed on every point, he said, It was a great satisfaction to him, in his last dying moments, to know he had beat the French.'

Is General Paget in the room? On my telling him he was not, he said, Remember me to him. I feel myself so strong, I fear I shall be long dying: I am in great pain.' "He then thanked the doctors for their attention.

"Captains Percy and Stanhope came into the room. He spoke kindly to both, and asked Percy if all his aides-de-camp were well. He pressed my hand close to his body, and in a few minutes died, without a struggle.

"He said to me, while the surgeons were examining his wound, You know I have always wished to die this way.' As far as I can recollect, this is every thing he said, except asking to be placed in an easier pos

ture.'

Ministers lately received an account of the loss of part of the baggage belonging to the light horse under the command of Sir John Moore. We understand that the muleteers who had been hired to carry the luggage took fright on the appearance of the French cavalry, cut the bands which kept the packages on the backs of their mules, dropped and left them to be picked up by friend or foe, while they scampered off, and took shelter in their native mountains. It was not owing to treachery or theft, but to personal fear, that the British owe that loss; for those muleteers are proverbial for their honesty. We are sorry to say that our officers had in general too much baggage; and this may act as a lesson to them in future.

General Beresford walked alone

about Coruna for half an hour after the last embarkation of the troops, for the purpose of bringing off any stragglers he might find.

The only British cavalry in the field during the battle before Coruna, was a party of the 15th, consisting of about 40 men, under the command of Lieut. Knight. They comprised the whole of Sir John Moore's escort. Lieut. Knight was close by Sir John when he received his mortal

wound. The shot struck the ground before it reached the commander-inchief.

PLYMOUTH, Jan. 21.-This morning arrived the Alfred transport, Captain Lumley, from Coruna, with about 300 wounded soldiers. By this vessel we have received accounts of the retreat and embarkation of the British troops from Coruna, which commenced on Sunday last; but the day following, the French, by pushing hard, advanced close to Coruna, under the command of Soult, who had been reinforced by Junot, and commenced a general attack on the British troops that were not embarked, on account of the transports not arriving in time from Vigo, &c. The covering regiments, amounting to about 7000 men, which were the 81st regiment, the 2d, and the Royals, or Queen's, withstood the attack in the most valiant manner possible, and occasioned dreadful slaughter among the French troops; but we are concerned to say, that the British have suffered greatly, particularly the 81st. Great confusion prevailed among the transports in getting out of the harbour, owing to their numbers, and it blowing a gale at south. Five of the transports are ashore, and it is said have been burnt. The loss of the officers and soldiers baggagea nd stores is very great, as well as horses. The