been carried far beyond the niere dictates of duty. The Invincible and Centaur have remained with me the whole time immediately off Tarragona, and Captains Adam, White, and myself have passed most nights in our gigs, carrying on such operations under cover of the dark as could not have been successfully employed in the sight of the enemy; I do not mean as to mere danger, for the boats have been assailed with shot and shells both night and day, even during the time of their taking off the women and children, as well as the wounded, without being in the smallest degree diverted from their purpose.

It is impossible to detail in a letter all that has passed during this short but tragic period. But humanity has given increased excitement to our exertions; and the bodily powers of Captain Adam have enabled him perhaps to push to greater extent that desire to relieve distress which we have all partaken in common. Our own ships, as well as the transports, have been the receptacles of the miserable objects which saw no shelter but in the English squadron; and you will see by the orders which I have found it necessary to give, that we have been called upon to clothe the naked, and feed the starving, beyond the regular rules of our service.

Our boats have suffered occasionally from the shot of the enemy, as well as from the rocks from which they have embarked the people; amongst others the barge of the Blake, which, however, I was so fortunate as to recover, after being swamped and overset, in consequence of a shot passing through both her sides, with the loss only of one woman and child killed out of twelve, which were then on board in addition to her crew. But the only casualty of importance which has happened in the squadron, is that which befel the Centaur's launch on the evening of the 28th, and I beg to refer you particularly to the observations of Captain White respecting Lieutenant Ashworth, whose conduct and whose misfortunes have entitled him to every consideration. I have the honour to be, &c.

Captain Codrington further states, that he had received intelligence that General Contreras was wounded and made prisoner, and that the General personally distinguished himself; that the Governor (Gonzales) with a handful of men, defended himself to the last, and was bayonetted to death in the square near his house: that man, woman, and child were put to the sword upon the French first entering the town, and afterwards all those found in uniform or with arms in their houses; and that many of the women, and young girls of ten years old, were treated in the most inhuman way; and that after the soldiers had satisfied their lust, many of them, it was reported, were thrown into the flames, together with the badly wounded Spaniards; one thousand men had been left to destroy the works; the whole city was burnt to ashes, or would be so, as the houses were all set fire to, the only chance in their favour was the calm weather, and the sudden march of the French, by which some houses might escape.

GENERAL

GENERAL MEMORANDUM.

Whereas from the present distressed situation of Tarragona many families may be obliged to embark without the necessary means of existence, until they can be conveyed to other places on the coast, where the customary generosity of, the people will ensure them a share of what they may have for their own subsistence; it is my direction that the ships of the English squadron furnish them with such provision, for the time of their embarkation and transport, as the humanity and liberality of our country will dictate. A separate account of the provision so expended is hereafter to be given to me, regularly signed by the proper officers, for the information of the Victualling Board, instead of the people being borne for victuals as passengers usually are. (Signed) EDWARD CODRINGTON.

Blake, Tarragona Roads, 25th June 1811.

GENERAL MEMORANDUM.

Whereas, in consequence of the town of Tarragona being taken this evening by assault, numbers of the troops and inhabitants have been received on board the different ships and vessels of the squadron, perfectly naked, it is my direction, that they may be supplied with such articles of clothing as a due regard to decency and humanity may absolutely require.

(Signed)

Blake, Tarragona Roads, 28th June, 1811.

EDWARD CODrington.

List af Killed and Wounded belonging to his Majesty's ship Centaur, in action with the French Troops on the Beach near Tarragona, the 28th June, 1811.

Ship's launch-2 killed, 3 wounded.

Officer wounded.-Mr. Henry Ashworth, Lieutenant, dangerously.

Seamen killed and wounded.-Killed-Henyr Breakbury, ordinary seaman. David Toole, ditto.

Wounded-John Hnghes, quarter-master, lost his left arm; William Lubec, or dinary seaman, slightly on the shoulder.

Tutal-2 seamen killed; 1 Lieutenant, 1 quarter-master, 1 seaman, wounded. JOHN C. WHITE, Captain.

(Signed)

To the above return I beg leave to add, that Lieutenant Ashworth's excellent character and conduct makes me feel most sincerely for his present sufferings; and that there is great reason to apprehend the dangerous wound he has received in the knee joint, by a cannon shot, may render amputation necessary; in the present state of his wound, a stiff joint is the most probable cure to be expected.

(Signed)

JOHN B. WHITE, Captain.

Centaur, off the Coast of Catalonia, July 1, 1811.

Downing-street, August 23, 1811.

Despatches have been received at the office of the Earl of Liverpool, addressed to his Lordship from General Viscount Wellington, of which the following are extracts;

Extract of a Despatch from General Lord Viscount Wellington, dated Portalegro, 25th of July, 1811.

The

The enemy's cavalry left Merida on the morning of the 17th. The enemy have since continued their march upon Almaraz; and on the 20th, one division of infantry had arrived at Placentia. On the same day Marshal Marmont was at Almaraz, and other divisions had marched from Truxillo in the same direction. One division of infantry and cavary still remained at Truxillo, according to the last account.

There is nothing new in the North. Joseph Buonaparte was at Valladolid on the 10th, and proceeded, on the 12th, on his journey towards Madrid..

Extract of a dispatch from Lord Viscount Wellington, dated Castello Branco, 1st of August, 1811.

I have moved the whole army to their left. I propose that they shall take up their cantonments in Lower Beira, instead of Alemtejo.

The army of Portugal remain in the position which I informed your Lordship that they occupied in my dispatch of the 25th of July, excepting that the division at Placentia has extended through the mountains to Bejar and Banos.

By a letter from General Silveira, of the 21st of July, which I received on the 26th, I learnt that General Santocildes had retired with the army of Gallicia from the neighbourhood of Astorga to Mancanal, on the 17th, in consequence of Marshal Bessieres having collected at Benevente a force consisting of 11,000 infantry, and 1500 cavalry.

Admiralty-Office, August 22, 1811.

Copy of a letter from Captain Bourchier, of his Majesty's sloop the Hawke, to Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Bart. dated at sea, August 19, 1811, and transmitted by him to J. W. Croker, Esq.

SIR, I beg leave to state to you, that in obedience to your directions I proceeded in his Majesty's brig under my command to the eastward of St. Marcou, in order to intercept any of the enemy's trade bound to the westward; at two p. m. St. Marcou bearing W. N. by six leagues, we observed from the mast-lead a convoy of French vessels steering for Barfleur; all sail was immediately made in chase, and on our near approach we perceived them to be protected by three armed national brigs and two large luggers, the former carrying from 12 to 16 guns, the latter from 8 to 10 each, apparently well manned. Convinced, from their hauling out from their convoy in close order, it was their intention to attack us, I immediately hove to receive them, and at half-past three p. m. Point Péerce bearing N. W. W. four miles, the action commenced within half pistol-shot, and continued with great spirit on both sides, until we succeeded in driving on shore two of the brigs and the two luggers, with 15 sail of their convoy; but in the act of wearing to prevent the third brig raking us, we unfortunately grounded, which enabled her and a few of her convoy to escape, although having previously struck to us. My whole attention at this time was getting his Majesty's brig by lightening her of her booms, spars, anchors, and a few of her guns, &c, which was effected in an

hour

hour and an half, under incessant discharges of artillery and musketry, which completely lined the shore. I thought it then most prudent to anchor, in order to replace the running rigging; during which time I dispatched the boats under the command of Lieutenant David Price, my second Lieutenant (my first being in a prize) to bring out or de stroy as many of the enemy's vessels as practicable; he succeeded in bringing out the Heron national brig, pierced for 16 guns, mounting only ten, and three large transports, laden with timber for ship-building; the rest were on their broadsides and completely bilged, and was only prevented from burning them by the strength of the tide being against him; which service was conducted in a most masterly and gallant manner under a galling fire of musketry from the beach, lined with troops. Lieutenant Price speaks in very high terms of the gallantry displayed by Mr. Smith, master, and Mr. Wheeler, gunner, who handsomely volunteered their services on the occasion.

The grateful task is now left to me, Sir, to express my sense of admiration of the very steady, uniform, brave, and determined conduct of the whole of my Officers and ship's company, which will ever entitle them to my sincerest and warmest thanks; and I feel I am only barely doing justice to the merits of Lieutenant Price in recommending him most strongly to their Lordship's notice for his spirited conduct in the action, as also in the boats, and, in short, on all occasions; he is a most deserving and meritorious young officer, to whom I feel myself much indebted: nor can I pass unnoticed the zeal and attention of Mr. Henry Campling, purser, who volunteered to command the marines and sinall-arm men, and from whose continued and well-conducted fire I attribute the loss of so few men, which has been trifling when the superiority of force opposed to us is considered, being only one man killed and four wounded.

It is with much satisfaction I add, that his Majesty's brig has suf ferred in nothing but the running-rigging and sails, except what damage she may have received from groundings; at present she makes nearly two feet water an hour, which, with the prizes not being in a condition to proceed themselves, I judged it right to make the best of my way to Spithead with them, which I trust will meet with your approbation. Inclosed is a return of killed and wounded, as also a list of vessels captured, driven on shore, and escaped. I have, &c.

Vessels taken.-National brig La Heron, pierced for sixteen guns, mounting ten, four of them hove overboard to lighten her.

Concord, laden with oak and deal plank.

La Aimable Amie, laden with ditto.

A vessel, name unknown, No. 710, laden with mahogany plank.

Vessels drove on shore.-One National brig, two luggers, names unknown, and

twelve sail of merchant vessels.

Vessels escaped.-One National brig and nine wine-merchant vessels.

(Signed)

H. BOURCHIER, Captain. Return of killed and wounded on board his Majesty's sloop Hawke, Henry Bourchier, Esq. Commander, in action with the enemy, Aug. 18, 1811. Peter Hull, seaman, killed; H. Morolme, carpenter, slightly wounded; An

drew

drew Peerson, gunner's mate, ditto; John Monteith, carpenter's crew, ditto; William Perkis, seaman, severely wounded. Total killed and wounded-5.

(Signed)

H. BOURCHIER, Captain.

Admiralty-Office, August 27. 1811.

Copy of a letter from Admiral Young to J. W. Croker, Esq. Secretary of the Admiralty, dated Marlborongh, off West Capel, August 21, 1811.

SIR,-I transmit to you, for their Lordships' information, an account of a very spirited and successful attack made on four French gunboats, by the boats of a detachment of this squadron under the command of Captain Hawtayne, of his Majesty's ship Quebec.

I have the honour to be, &c.

His Majesty's ship Quebec, Heligoland, Aug. 6, 1811. SIR, I have to acquaint you with a very gallant achievement (the capture of a division of the enemy's gun-boats) which has been performed by boats from this part of your squadron, under the direction of the First Lieutenant, Samuel Blyth, of the Quebec, who had the honour to command a party of brave officers and men that nobly seconded him.

The weather was particularly fine and settled for this kind of service, and they had already captured and sent to me a vaisseau de guerre of the Douanes Imperiales, manned with an officer and twelve men, (one of them was killed before she surrendered); and a merchant vessel which they were towing out, when, being near the Island of Nordeney, on the 3d, four of the enemy's gun-boats were seen at anchor within.

The enemy silently waited the attack, their guns loaded with grape and cannister, (not using any round shot), until the boats were within pistol range, when a discharge took place from their whole line. The first vessel was immediately boarded and carried, but the others with great bravery maintained themselves, severally, until they found their vessels were no longer in their own possession.

The loss sustained was, on our side, four killed and fourteen wound ed; on that of the enemy, two killed and twelve wounded.

The officers employed were,

Lieutenant John O'Neale, Alert.

Lieutenant Samuel Slout, Raven, severely wounded.

Lieutenant Charles Wolrige, Quebec.

Humphrey Moore, Lieutenant royal marines, Quebec, afterwards severely burnt.

Sub-Lieutenant Thomas Hare, Exertion.

Second Master George Downey, Redbreast.

Carpenter Stephen Pickett, Raven.

Master's-Mate Robert Cook, Quebec.

Master's-Mate John M'Donald, Quebec.

Midshipman Richard Millett, Raven, very severely wounded.

Mate James Maggridge, Princess Augusta, wounded.

Mate