Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Extract to the Editor of the Aurora.
Cadiz, Aug. 15, 1810.

We continue to have plenty of military music here still, from great and small guns, night and day. The French have fortified Matagorda in a most surprising manner: but they fire from it only occasionally, for no other apparent purpose than to inform us they are there, and do not forget we are here. They also fire occasionally from Santa Catalina, a fort at the mouth of port St. Mary's. The fire from this place appears to be only a return of compliments to bomb vessels in the bay, which are constantly throwing shells into the French works; what effect is produced on either side is not known here, though the number of shells thrown is beyond conception, and we can see them fall in and about fort St. Catalina.

It has been in contemplation here to attack the fort of St. Catalina by a disembarkation covered by a flotilla; and a few days ago a number of gun boats and gun vessels got under way for the purpose, but a strong Levanter coming on, the enterprize was abandoned for the moment, but it is said it will be shortly attempted again. An attack by land is also meditated from the island of St. Leon, with a force of 29,000 men, Spanish, English and Portuguese; the French force is not accurately known, but is estimated at twelve thousand. A very heavy cannonade, however, has been going on since the expedition failed, and a great talk of attacks on both sides.

Yesterday there arrived here from Gibraltar 15 transports with troops, which have been landed, and it is said to reinforce those on the island of Leon; and support an attack on the French, who it is expected will be surprised.

I think it probable we shall have some warm work before a great while, but for the security of Cadiz, there is no sort of apprehension. Last evening a grand illumination was observed at port St. Mary's, and at 12 o'clock this day, a general salute was fired from the batteries of the French, said to be for Napoleon's birth day, by others supposed to be for some success of theirs in Portugal, as it is expected the French are on the point of again entering Lisbon, & it is admitted here on all hands that it cannot continue long to resist the French.

There are about four 3 deckers, six 74's and 12 frigates at present here, besides a number of smaller armed vessels, of the 3 combined powers; they make a great deal of noise, but without any other visible effect.

Cadiz is at present well supplied with provisions--flour 13 dollars per barrel; beef 14; pork 16; corn 1 75 per bushel; biscuit 10 dolls. So that tho' the place is besieged it is not blockaded. Exchange is favorable, being at 45, the par is 40 1-2 sterling for the current dollar of Cadiz, which is equal to 3-4 of the hard dollar.

Tariffa, on the Mediterranean, is occupied by the British; Algesiras is re-occupied by the Spaniards, the French having levied a contribution on the place and emptied all the coffers they could find, left it, but can enter it again whenever they please, as there are no preparations to oppose them.

August 14.

Instead of sallying and attacking the French, the British troops are embarking from this city to day; they are supposed to be destined for Lisbon. I have seen about 1500 men embark myself, besides a body of cavalry; but what it means I know not.