Gazette Of The United States

FRANCE

NATIONAL CONVENTION.

DECEMBER 10

LETTER FROM GEN. DUMOURIER.

Liege, Nov. 28.

Citizen President,

" AT the head of the bravest troops in the universe, I attacked yesterday morning at seven o'clock the rear guard of the Imperialists, commanded by Gen. Staray, and consisting of 12,000 men at least. I had not so many for a great part of the day, but when the whole of the National Army displayed itself, the enemy thought of retreating, after having been forced in six villages with the loss of their General.

--" Prudence, and the shortness of the day, prevented me from entering the city. I entered it at nine this morning, and it is impossible for me to describe the joy and the delightful sensations which the inhabitants experienced at our arrival. Republican ideas have here the same characters of reason and energy in France. I dare affirm, that in four days a National Guard will be perfectly organized, and that in fifteen Liege will have a National Convention. The French army shews itself every day more and more worthy of the cause which it supports, and deserves that you should attend to its wants. Our loss does not exceed 15 or 20 men killed or wounded--that of the enemy to 500 or 1000 at least, among whom they have to regret, above all, Gen. Staray. Deserters are arriving continually.

" I have taken up my lodgings in the Palace of the Bishop of Liege, who went off precipitately at three o'clock yesterday morning. I shall cause Citizen Jolever to take an exact inventory of the papers he had left.

(Signed) DUMOURIER.

" P. S. Lieut. Col. Philip Devaux is the bearer of these dispatches."

Kerant moved, that a letter of thanks might be sent to Gen. Dumourier; but this was opposed by several members, who said it would be time enough when he had finished his career.

The committee of public instruction was ordered to draw up a general address to all the armies, and their commanders.

Gen. Dumourier's Aid-du-Camp being admitted to the Bar, said, I cannot yet officially announce to you, that the citadel of Antwerp is taken, but I can assure you that it has surrendered.

December 14. Further particulars were read from the commissioners sent to the Belgic army. On the evening of the 8th of December there was in the army chest 445,000 livres in specie, and 243,000 in assignats. The inhabitants of the country will not receive assignats, which proceeds from a number of forged ones having been circulated by the emigrants. On Saturday night Dumourier waited on the commissioners, and laid before them a letter from the war minister, relative to the march of the army. He told them his views differed from those of the executive council, and that he wished some old experienced officers to decide which were the best. The army has plenty of provisions, and is only in want of cloathing and forage. Their shoes are of a very bad quality, the leather tearing like paper. The men, however, are all anxious to march. notwithstanding they are almost naked.