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It needs but a flight comparative glance at the most piteous ftate of the countries of Southern Germany, formerly fourishing, and now ruined for a long time to come, in order to feel, in its whole extent, the happiness of the Northern parts, which have, for the two laft cam paigns, enjoyed the moft perfect tranquillity.

The King is fully convinced, that it can be unknown to none of his CoStates, who participate in this bleffing, that it is the mere refult of the indefatigable exertions of His Majefty, by which he has laid a safe foundation for the neurality of Northern Ger. many, and most effectually protected it by a corps of his own troops, and of thofe of the two allied Courts. His Majefty has further confolidated this neutrality, by the formal acceffion of his Serene Highness the Elector of Saxony, and the whole circle of Upper Saxony, in virtue of a fupplementary Article added to the Convention of the 5th of August 1796, by which a line of demarcation, extending from the utmost coafts of the North Sea, to the Lower Rhine, and from hence to Silefia, encompaffed the whole North of Germany. The two affociations in this vaft extent of territory, muft remain fepa rate, with respect to the maintenance of the troops, drawn out to cover their neutrality, which is done in Upper Saxony by a Corps belonging to the Elector himself, but with regard to their common defign, they join hands, and by this enlargement, effected by His Majefty, the Neutrality of Northern Germany receives a new and manifeft importance.

The King is likewife firmly refolved to fecure farther, and until the conclufion of the War, the full enjoyment of the Neutrality to all the Affociated States, to protect them and their territories against Every Power, and to defend them in particular, at all times, and in the most effectual and powerful manner, again the incurfions of the Troops of the Belli gerent Powers, against each and every demand of Military Requifitions, of what ever fort, and the Levying of thofe Requifions which might be attempted by exe cation, and against all fimilar burdens of War; like wife to fcreen them by bis most forcible interpofition, during the period of this Neutrality, from all the fubfequent demands of fupplies for the War of the Empire.

Tre underfigned is expressly inftruct. ed to give once more thefe definite and most explicit assurances. It affords in

finite pleasure to His Majefty to have thus fecured the invaluable benefits of the neutrality to all his Co-States, connected with his dominions by their topographical locality, in the fame man. ner as it has been done to his own ter, ritories, and to have thus given them fo ftrong a proof of his friendly fentiments.. Befides the gratifying consciousness of having hitherto accomplished this happy end, His Majefty requires no other proof of gratitude on the part of his Co-States, than that they should conti. nue as heretofore to co-operate in the maintenance of the troops. The King flatters himself the more to find the most perfect readiness on their part, fince the burden which will arife from this measure to the countries thus protected, does not bear the moft diftant comparifon with the manifold evils, and the probable and entire ruin averted from them, efpecially fince the two Courts allied with His Majefty, and furnishing troops in like manner, make the major part of the facrifices required for that end.

This latter circumftance must ftrike all the affociated States with the most perfect conviction, that the continuance of those measures will not be prolonged a fingle moment beyond the period of their indifpenfible neceffity. But the undersigned has His Majefty's direct commands, to declare in the most pofitive manner, that His Majefty deems the continuance of thofe measures ab folutely neceffary for the prefent, as he will only find himself enabled by the corps of troops which is drawn out, covering the line of demarcation, main taining farther, in the most efficacious manner, the neutrality of the countries fituate within their precincts, to fulfil the promifes previously given. Yet in this he will not compromife himself refpecting thofe very poffible events which accompany the viciffitudes of the fortune of War. But whereas the King is under the neceflity of fetting bounda rics to the great facrifices he has already made; and whereas the concurrence far. ther demanded of the protected countries for the maintenance of the troops who defend them, is fo extremely just and equitable; the undersigned has alfo exprels orders, herewith to declare, that in the unexpected cafe of the majority of the States not difplaying the neceffary zeal and alacrity, his Majefty will forthwith withdraw his troops, renounce entirely all the obligations which he has voluntarily taken upon him from motives of Patriotism; fupprefs totally the Convention made for

that purpofe with the French Republic, and confine himself folely to the defence of his own dominions, abandoning all the reft to their own means and refources, and making known his intention to the Belligerent Powers. Should fuch a refolution once be taken, and the corps be withdrawn, no circumstances, of whatever complexion foever, fhall induce his Majefty to recur again to the adoption of fimilar meafures; and the inderfigned is obliged to announce before-hand, that his Majefty will at no rate intereft himself again in the fate of thofe of his Co-States, who fhall not now accept of the friendly proffer of protection, made with fo much friendship, and fo many perfonal facrifices.

The coldnefs which has for fome time past been manifested from various quarters refpecting the maintenance of the troops, has induced his Majefty to an thorize the underfigned to make this frank and explicit declaration, and to give the well-meant warning, not to fuffer themfelves to be deceived by the hope of a fpeedy Peace, but rather to rely upon the fufficiently public-fpirited and patriotic fentiments of the King, and his Majefty's knowledge of the general fituation of public affairs, and to entertain the firm confidence that his Majefty would certainly, and with great pleafure to his Co-States, fave the bur dens required by the maintenance of the troops, if there were the leaft poffibility of fecuring to their territories the benefits of the neutrality, and all the advantages which have hitherto accrued from it, without fuch a measure.

That, however (the faving of the burdens occafioned by the maintenance of the troops), according to the general fituation of affairs, being impoffible, and his Majesty deeming it abfolutely neceffary to preferve the corps of observation till the conclufion of Peace; if the tranquillity and neutrality of Northern Germany are to be maintained, his Majefty doubts not but all his affociated Co-States will fhew their readiness for that purpose, in the maintenance of the troops, difplay proper zeal in a measure fo clofely connected with felf-prefervation, and render practicable the farther execution of the beneficent defigns of his Majefty.

With this confidence, the underfigned, by fupreme command, has the honour to make known to you, &c. &c.

[Here follow two articles, fpecifying the fupplies to be granted, for three months longer, in four, oats, hay, and ftraw, for the Pruffian. Hanoverian, nd Brunfwick troops, at two different

periods, viz.-the 15th inftant and the ift of April. In order to fecure the fubfiftence of the troops in future, the States of Northern Germany are to meet in Convention at Hidelheim on the 20th inftant, or to fend Plenipotentiaries to regulate the quotas of fupplies in neceffaries or in money, for as long as the War may laft.]

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As thofe deliberations (in Convention Hildesheim) will preclude all fubjects not effentially and directly relating to the maintenance of the troops, the underfigned will lofe no time to termi nate them with the utmoft fpeed, and not to detain the Plenipotentiaries a moment longer than fhall be neceffary from following their other affairs. The flattering confidence with which the underfigned has hitherto been honoured in the late Negotiations, make him equally confident that his zeal and activity will be entirely depended upon in that business. He has only most urgently to request, that, for the fake of difpatch, the States may furnish their Plenipotentiaries with full instructions for the purpofe, which has been thus plainly notified, in order not to wafte time in fending for new ones, but that the neceffary refolutions may be taken, not only for the farther fubftantial regulation of the maintenance, but for the obligatory affent to the fame to the end of the War.

The undersigned has it likewife in command to request, that their Excellencies the Plenipotentiaries may arrange matters in fuch a manner, as not to quit the Convention, till the state of affairs fhall permit its fufpenfion or conclufion, fince the gradual departure of many Plenipotentiaries has formerly occafioned a precipitate fufpenfion of the firft Convention, which has been highly prejudicial to the dispatching of bufinefs. His Majefty will allo confider the fulfilment of this with, and the infallible meeting of the Convention, according as it is expected to meet, as a gratifying proof that his Serene CoStates with to do juftice to his efforts and facrifices. And the undersigned alfo looks forward for the defired anfwer, refpecting the fourth fending of fupplies, before the expiration of the prefent month, and hopes to have the honour and pleasure to fee again their Excellencies the Plenipotentiaries at the fecond opening of the Convention, on the 20th of February.

(Signed) DOHм. Halberfadt, Jan. 4th, 1797.

FOREIGN

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[FROM THE LONDON GAZETTES.]

PARLIAMENT-STREET, DEC. 20.

DISPATCHES, of which the following are extracts, have been received by the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, one of his Majefty's Principal Secretaries of State, from Major-General Gordon Forbes, commanding his Majefly's troops in the island of St. Domingo, dated Port-au-Prince, October 9, 1796. I am happy to have the power of affuring you, that our fituation in St. Domingo is by far more favourable at this time than fince his Majefty has been in poffeffion of any part of it. The fuccefs of the very judicious arrangements made by Major-General Bowyer, at Jeremic, and the divifions amongst the enemy in the fouth part of the inland, where al moft all the Republican Whites have been maffacred fince their defeat, has affured the fafety of the important quarter of the Grand Ance.

The fame fpirit of difcord prevailing alfo in the North, and the fuccefs of our troops towards the Spanifh frontiers, have encouraged the remains of Jean François' army to co-operate with us; they have, in confequence, fought feveral battles with the republican party, and have fent us a number of prifoners.

St. Marc's and Mole St. Nicolas are alfo in a frate of perfect fecurity, and the parish of L'Arcahaye was never in a higher ftate of cultivation, nor the Negroes more peaceable and orderly

than at this moment. Indeed fuch is the public confidence, that the Planters are now actually importing from Jamaica a confiderable number of new Negroes. Extract of a Letter from Major-General Gordon Forbes to Mr. Secretary Dundas, daved Port au-Prince, October 9, 1796. IT is with the utmoft fatisfaction I have the honour to inform you, that the enemy, who had made ufe of the utmoft exertion to collect all their force in the Southern part of the Colony for the attack of Jeremie in various points at the fame time, have been defeated every where with very confiderable lofs on their fide, and on cur part fortunately very trifling. Major-General Bowyer, whofe account of the bufinefs I inclofe, has conducted himself, in the difficult fituation of a command of very extensive country and pofts, in the most masterly and judicious manner; and I beg leave to exprefs my marked admiration of

this moft meritorious officer, whofe con

duct on all occafions will, I am confident, recommend him highly to his Majefty's gracious favour. I beg leave alfo to recommend all thofe officers and men under his immediate command, parti cularly Lieutenant Gilman, of the 17th regiment of Foot, of whom he speaks in terms of high approbation. I am happy to inform you that the Major-Genera!, who was wounded in the above gallant defence of the important quarter under his command, is perfectly recovered,

This important defeat of the enemy affures the tranquillity of Jeremie, and particularly as it is certain Rigaud, the Chief of the Blacks to the Southward, has decidedly declared against Santhonax and the Republic, and has caufed almoft all the white people in his power to be maffacred.

Government-Houfe, Jeremie-Houfe,
September 3, 1796.

SIR,

FROM the intelligence you will probably have received from other quarters, you will not be furprized to hear of the pofts on the extremities of this dependency, both East and Weft, being attacked in force on the fame day. On the 8th of Auguft I ordered Lieutenant Bradshaw, with 22 of the 13th Light Dragoons, mounted, to march for Du Centre; and Capt. Whitby, two fubalterns, and 60 privates of the 17th Light Dragoons, with non-commiflioned officers in proportion, embarked the fame evening for Caymites, from whence they arrived, without any accident, at Du Centre and Raymond, which was a fortunate circumftance, as the next day, the 11th, the enemy appeared before Poft Raimond, and, after keeping a very heave fire on the Biock-Houfe, with little effect, they attempted to ftorm it în confiderable force four different times, and were cach time repulfed with great lofs, and their Chief killed. In this bufinefs only one British and two chaffeurs were wounded. Whitby's arrival at Du Centre, he detached Lieutenant Gilman, of the 17th Light Dragoons, with 20 men, to Poft Raimond, who immediately placed him. felf in the Block Houfe with his detachment and a large party of chaffeurs. On the 12th the enemy fill continued before the Block-Houfe, which is fituated on a fmail height about 100 yards

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from the fort, keeping up a fire with mufquetry with as little effect as before, when Lieutenant Gilman made a fuc. cefsful fortie with the whole of the 17th and fome chaffeurs, driving the enemy before him into the woods, who left 16 Whites and 47 Blacks dead on the fpot, and many dead and wounded were af terwards found in the woods and road leading over the mountains to Aux Cayes. Some four-pound hot, a twopounder mounted, feveral firelocks, and other articles, were left by the enemy in their retreat. I am happy to report, that in this gallant affair, the 17th regiment had only two privates wounded. The chaffeurs had one officer, Captain Dutoya, and three chaffeurs, killed, and 14 wounded. It is fuppofed the lofs of the enemy must have been very confiderable indeed, as, from every ac count of spies and deferters, above 40 Whites are among the killed and thofe dead of their wounds and found in the woods, which I can eafily conceive, as the affault of the Block-Houfe was made by about 200 Whites, formerly foldiers in the regiment of Berwick, affifted by the Brigands.

Captain Whitby reports, that the honour of the British fervice was never more ably maintained than in the engagement at Poft Raimond, and ex. preffes himtelf highly grateful to Lieutenant Gilman and the foldiers of the 17th, as well as thofe of the colonial corps, for their active exertions in fo bravely checking the enemy in the attempt on this poft.

Indeed Lieutenant Gilman's intrepidity and cool conduct on this occafion appear to me fo praife worthy, that I should not do juftice to him or my own feelings on this occafion, if I did not ftrongly recommend him to you, Sir, for promotion.

I am also happy to have it in my power to report, that the enemy has been under the neceffity of raising the Siege of Irois, before which they lay eighteen days. On the 11th ult, General Rigaud, with 3000 or 4000 Brigands, appeared before it, and fent a Tammons to Captain Beamish to furren der the fort to the Republic of France. Captain Beamish very properly an fwered, he thould defend it to the laft extremity. The enemy had in the night landed a fixteen-pounder and a mortar, which, with incredible labour, they got up, and opened on the fort next day, within about 450 yards. The moment I heard Irois was invested, I

ordered 100 privates, officers and noncommiffionéd officers in proportion, with Lieutenant-Colonel Hooke of the 17th, to embark for that place, where they arrived fafe. Lieutenant-Colonel Hooke took the command of the fort and troops, in which ftation he has rendered very

meritorious fervices.

Finding the enemy had advanced a confiderable force between Irois and L'Ance Eros, which fhut up by land the communication with Jeremie, I determined, with what force I could collect, to attack them on the Morne Gautier. On my arrival at L'Ance Eros, the 16th, a plan was agreed upon to march in three columns on the 19th, fo as to arrive before Morne Gautier at day-break. Obferving on my approach that a few men of the 17th dragoons were killed and wounded, and that firing at a distance answered no purpose, I determined to attempt to carry the hill by affault, had formed the 17th dragoons for that purpose, ordered the 13th to dismount, and was endeavouring to rally the Negroes, who had been thrown into fome confufion, when I received a hot in my left breast, which caused me to fall from my horse: afterwards I knew nothing of what paffed, except by report; and I was forry to hear that we were under the neceflity of retreat, ing, with the lois of the three-pounder we had with us.

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Fortunately this little check did not affect the safety of the fort; on the contrary the enemy, who must have fuffered more than ourselves, evacuated Gautier, and retired the next day to Rigaud, on the other fide of Irois; and on the 29th Lieu. tenant-Colonel Hooke wrote me he had raised the fiege entirely fo that, Sir, I may now congratulate you on this depen dency being wholly freed from the ene my, and on your having it in your power to acquaint his Majefty's Minifters that he has been beaten and foiled in every quarter of this island under your command, I have not hitherto been able to procure exact returns of the killed and wounded, but I conceive that the 17th regiment had about feven killed and 14 or 15 wounded 4 none dangerously in my affair of the 19th ult. Lieutenant-Colonel Hooke has not yet made his report; but I do not believe more than two were killed at Irois, and three or four wounded, so that the ene my's fhot and fhells had little effect.

I am forry to say that my Brigade-Ma jor Manners received a ball through his thigh; but as it miffed the bone, no bad effect will arife, and he is doing well.

I have the honour to be, &c,
HEN, BOWYER, Major-General.

DOWNING

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I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship, that in the night from the 21 to the 22d, the trenches were opened before Kehl, on the right bank of the Kinzig. The first parallel of this attack, with its communications, proceeding from the right and left flank of the right wing of the line of contravallation, were fo far completed during the night, that before day-break the men were tolerably covered. The enemy did not attempt to interrupt the work, nor had he yet fired a fingle fhot upon the trenches; but early yesterday morning (the 2zd), he made a fudden attack upon the left wing of the line of contravallation, and, after an action, than which nothing could be poffibly more fevere, was driven back into his works with very great lofs. The enemy having, in the courfe of the night from the 21st to the 22d, brought over a large body of troops from Straf. bourg, formed his columns of attack clofe behind the chain of his advanced pofts with fo much filence that hey were not perceived. Juft before the break of day (which however, was rendered extremely obfcure by a very thick mift that lafted the greater part of the forenoon) thefe columns began to advance. The inftant the Auftrian videttes and centries gave their fire, which was the only notice of the approaching attack, the enemy's infantry rufhed on with the utmost impetuofity, without firing a fhot, and in an inftant they were masters of two redoubts of the left of the first line. The village of Sundheim was attacked in the fame manner, and with equal fuccefs; after which, coming in the rear of the curtain that connects the village with the first redoubt to its left, the enemy immediately carried that work, one face of which was not quite finished. Upon this, large bodies of their infantry rushed through the openings in the curtains on the whole front of this wing; and, whilft part advanced against the fecond line, the others endeavoured to make themfelves mafters of the remaining redoubts of the firft; but thefe, though perfectly left to themfelves for a confiderable time

entirely furrounded, cut off from every affiftance, and attacked with fury by the enemy, who frequently got into the ditches, and attempted to climb the parapet, were defended in a manner that reflects the highest honour on the Officers and troops that were in them. The lofs in all of thefe redoubts was confiderable, and in one the artillery drivers were at last obliged to fire the guns, but all the attacks were repulfed.

The enemy's right column, after occu pying the two works which they had carried, puthed on between the dykes to attack the left of the fecond line; but Prince Frederick of Orange (whofe gallant and judicious conduct cannot fufficiently be praised) having rallied his brigade, placed a part of his infantry behind the dyke, which connects the third redoubt from the left of the first line with the work which is on the left of the fecond; and in this fituation he refifted the molt severe attack that can be imagined upon his front; whilft thofe bodies of the enemy's infantry, which had pierced between the redoubt of the first line, were actually in his rear, he not only maintained his poft, but completely checked the enemy's progrefs on this flank.

A great part of the troops of the left wing had been working in the trenches on the right of the Kinzig. General La Tour, who commands the army of the fiege, formed three of thefe battalions which happened to be just returning from work, and retook the village of Sundheim, which he maintained, though the enemy made great efforts to diflodge him. LieutenantGeneral Staader (who commands the left wing) drove back the enemy, who had advanced against the right of the fecond line of it, and retook the redoubt on the left of Sundheim: and the Prince of Orange, advancing between the two dykes, defeated the column with which he' had been fo feverely engaged, and recovered the redoubts it had carried. The enemy then retired into his entrenched camp.

The lofs of the Auftrians amounted to 40 Officers and about 1300 men killed, wounded, and mifling, which, confidering that not more than half the left wing was engaged, is certainly confiderable; but that of the French must have been much greater. The ground round the works was in fome parts covered with their dead bodies, and I am very much within bounds in itating their lofs at 2000 men. During the time the French were in poffeflion of the redoubts on the left, they found means

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