Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

If the foreign intelligence received by Captain Gould's Packet, from Baltimore, furnishes nothing of importance in point of fact, it affords abundant matter for speculation. We can very safely infer from the French accounts, that the troops of Napoleon, so far from having been able to make any impression on the patriots of Spain, have been discomfited in their attempts on that country. The emperor promises, to be sure, that he will do great things; but he promised this many months since. Buonaparte was able to overrun the empire of Austria in three months, and nearly to annihilate the Kingdom of Prussia in as many weeks; but his movements in Spain and Portugal have been very different. Six months were nearly elapsed, and we find not one bulletin from the army of Spain. It appears that Joseph Buonaparte's retreat from Burgos, was concealed in France; this event occurred early in October. The emperor is now, as it appears, in earnest, and is determined in person to decide the fate of his brother's pretensions to the crown of Spain. The contest (which has probably terminated ere this day) is one, in which every heart, alive to freedom, must take the deepest interest. We both hope and believe, that in this contest, the cause of humanity and national independence will be avenged. Buonaparte has permitted the Spaniards to collect a force, which by a more rapid movement into their country, he would have prevented. The number of persons who were daily added to the patriot cause, must have made the nation nearly unanimous. They who are engaged, are too well acquainted with the temper of Napoleon to expect any mercy—'conquer or die' must be their alternative.

Of the force of the respective armies, we find it difficult to form any tolerable idea, except as to the British army, which when the force on board the fleet seen by the Captain of the Charleston Packet in the Bay of Biscay arrives, will be about 50,000 men, of which 5000 are cavalry. The French emperor passed through Bordeaux on the 2d of November, and by the 10th he would reach Vittoria, where by the last advices, the main body of the French army were advanced. A short arrival may bring us advices of an important battle.

In noticing the submission of his vassal states, the emperor does the United States the honour of noticing their devotion also. A compliment from this illustrious personage, may be very consoling to the great folks at Washington, but will not alleviate the distress which the measure has produced, and is hourly producing in this poor country.—By the way—the farce of offering Buonaparte to raise our embargo if he would rescind his decrees, appears more and more ridiculous. Our measures of restriction on commerce were what he wished, and which our government either did know, or ought to have known; in the one case it was an act of bare-faced hypocrisy, or in the other, of extreme ignorance to make the proposition.

The Union, government despatch vessel, had arrived at Falmouth, and sailed for France. Lieutenant Gibbon, with despatches for Mr. Pinkney, reached London on the 2d of November; to those despatches no answer could have been received by the late arrival at New York. We should not be surprised if the next advices inform us that our ministers have withdrawn from London and Paris, unless (what no one can well imagine) France and Great Britain have consented to withdraw their measures against neutral commerce.

We continue to-day the extracts from our London papers; some further articles are yet contained in these files, which we must postpone to give place to the Non Intercourse Bill now before Congress. The Freeman's Journal says, the passage of such a law, the British minister has declared, will be the signal for his departure.

In addition to the great number of British troops already in Spain and Portugal, numerous expeditions are frequently putting out. The Courier of the 5th November states, that on the 4th the 16th Light Dragoons marched from Ipswich for Falmouth, and three troops of the 14th from Rumford; both regiments being ordered for Spain. Orders were just sent to Ireland, to prepare for immediate embarkation. a brigade of cavalry and two brigades of infantry : this last named army to be joined by another battalion of the Scots Royals, 73d and 75th Highlanders, 77th and 87th (or prince of Wales Irish horse) 2d battalion 88th or Connaught Rangers. (1st battalion and several companies of the rifle corps. These great exertions to aid two kingdoms in arms, will be opposed by the "undivided energies of France," producing slaughter and devastation too shocking to dwell upon. May an all-wise and adorable God, in such prayer coincide with the will of Heaven, nerve the patriots' aim, and give him strength to turn back the bloody legions of the ruthless invader!