After the arrival of Mr Foster in America, his cor respondence with Mr Monroe, the Secretary of State, related chiefly to the British orders in council ; the one party asserting, that the Berlin and Milan decrees were effectually repealed, while the other maintains that their repeal was merely partial and fallacious. The Ameri eau minister contends, that we arc bound to respect the solemn declaration of the French government on the 5th of August 1810, that the decrees were repealed ; and he alleges, that the liberation of four or five Ameri can vessels, which had been captured and brought into French ports since the 1st of November, is a convinc ing proof of the sincerity ol France. Mr Fover, on the other hand, maintains, " that the seizure of American vessels by the French since the 1st of November, and the positive and unqualified declarations of the French government, are stronger proofs of the continued exist ence of the Berlin and Milan decrees, than the restora tion of five or six vessels, too palpably given up tor falla cious purposes, or in testimony of satisfaction at the attitude taken by America, is a proof of their revocation, or of a return to the principles of justice." In adjusting the affair of the Chesapeake and Leo pard, which had so long been a subject of difference between the two countries, the British ambassador was more successful. Ile was authorised by the Prince Regent to offer the immediate restoration of the men who, in consequence of admiral Berkeley's orders, were forcibly taken out of the Chesapeake, to the vessel from which they were taken ; or, if that ship should be no Ion ger in commission, to such sea-port of the United States as the American government might name for that pur pose. Mr Foster was also instructed to offer to the American government a suitable pecuniary provision for the sufferers, in consequence ol the attack upon the Chesapeake, including the families ol those seamen who unfortunately fell in the action, and of the wounded ma riners. These offers of reparation were accepted as satisfactory by the American government ; and the symptoms of a conciliatory disposition, which were on this occasion evinced by both governments, encouraged a hope that every other ground of difference would spee dily be removed. These hopes, however, subsequent events have shewn to be fallacious. The report of the committee of foreign relations, on the President's mes sage, plainly intimates, that war alone can decide the differences which subsist between the two countries ;• and naval and military preparations are recommended as the prelude to a declaration of war. The threatening attitude which America has now assumed, appears somewhat inconsistent with that hesitating policy which she has maintained since the 2(1 of February, respecting the enforcement of the non-intercourse act ; and a short time will shew, whether her warlike preparations are the spontaneous efforts of an independent people, de termined to redress their wrongs.—or the ostentatious menaces of a faction, blinded by foreign influence, and expecting to obtain a compliance with their views, from the hazardous chances of war.
On the 7th of January, parliament was opened by speech from the Prince Regent, which was delivered by commission. The Regent expressed his deep sorrow at the continuance of his majesty's indisposition, and at the unhappy disappointment of those hopes of his ma jesty's early recovery, which had been cherished by his family and his people. Parliament was congratulated on the complete success of the measures which had been pursued for the defence and security of the kingdom of Portugal. The surprise of general Girard's division by general Hill, was noticed as a brilliant and important enterprize ; and the consummate judgment and skill displayed by lord Wellington in the direction of the campaign, received its full praise. The perseverance and gallantry of the Spaniards, and the fitness of the new system of warfare to the actual condition of the Spanish nation, are adduced as reasons for continuing to afford the most effectual aid to the Spanish people. The cap
ture of the islands of Bourbon and the Mauritius, and of the settlement of Batavia, are noticed as giving great additional security to the British commerce and posses sions in the East Indies. The speech recommends to the attention of parliament the propriety of providing such measures for the future government of the British possessions in India, as shall secure their internal pros perity, and enable us to derive from these flourishing dominions the utmost degree of advantage to the com merce and revenue of the united kingdom. The speech regrets, that though the affair of the Chesapeake had been finally settled, various important subjects of differ ence with the government of the United States still re mained unadjusted, and states, that the Prince Regent will continue to employ such means of conciliation as may be consistent with the honour and dignity of his majesty's crown, and with the due maintenance of the maritime and conimercial rights of the British empire.
The only subject of national importance which has been brought under the consideration of parliament, was the state of Ireland. On the 31st of January 1812, Lord Fitzwilliam, in the House of Pee rs, moved for a commit tee of the whole house to take into consideration the state of Ireland. After a long debate, in which the usual arguments for Catholic emancipation were elo quently urged, the motion was rejected by a majority of 83, the numbers being 162 and 79. Tne same motion was made in the House of Commons by Lord Morpeth. The debate continued two days, and the motion was lost by a majority of 94, the numbers being 229 and 125.
The Spanish campaign of 1812 was opened by an event highly disastrous to the cause of the allies. The army under general Blake, which was posted in the entrenched camps of Manessa and Quarte, in the neigh bourhood of Valencia, was attacked on the morning of the 26th December, by the French army under Marshal Suchet. After a severe battle, in which the Spaniards displayed the greatest gallantry, the French succeeded in forcing the entrenched Camps of Quarto and Alanessa, and the cannon, baggage, and caissons of the Spaniards fell into their hands. General Count Reille arriving at this moment on the Aldenga, turned the enemy, and made a great number of prisoners. General Blake being thus cut off from the road of Murcia, threw him self with his troops into Valencia, which was immediate ly invested by the French. On the night of the 22d of January, the French opened trenches within 70 or 80 toises of the Spanish works, and in the space of four days their mines were carried within 50 toises of the fosse. In consequence of these preparations, the Spa niards abandoned their fortified lines, defended by 80 pieces of cannon. On the 5th of January, the bombard ment of the town commenced ; and, on the 6th, Suchet offered a capitulation, which was refused. In the space i of three days, 2700 bombs were thrown into the city, which was on fire in several places. Two batteries of 10 24-pounders each, were erected for the purpose of making a trench in the interior defences, and the engi neers had effected a lodgment in the out-houses of the suburbs, and placed mines under the two principal gates. In order to avoid the dreadful consequences of an assault, general Blake accepted a capitulation, by which the Spanish troops were permitted to march out with the honours of war, and lay down their arms be yond the bridge on the left bank of the Guadalaviar. By the surrender of Valencia, 16,131 troops of the line, 374 pieces of artillery, 180,000 pounds of powder, 3,000,000 of cartridges, 1800 cavalry and artillery hor ses, 21 stand of colours, and 893 officers, fell into the hands of the French. Marshal Suchet has, in conse quence of this important capture, been honoured witb the title of Duke of Albufera.