The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

MANTUA, September 5.

Gen. Miollis, commandant of Mantua, has addressed the following letter to the departmental administration of Mantua, dated August 28--"The deep traces of war, which marked the fertile plains watered by the Mincio, will soon disappear; the ancient edifices, which adorned Mantua, as yet our magnificent monuments, which peace promises to restore to their wonted splendour. A new square, worthy of bearing the name of Virgil, will soon embellish this city.

My heart, nevertheless, is penetrated with grief, as often as I reflect on the treasures of the arts abandoned, and become the prey of a total negligence that wallows up every thing. The convent of St. Francis treasured up every historical document which this devoted country could boast. At every step in the church of this name, the attention was fixed by monuments full of interest, for those that take a pleasure in reading the great book of human life. This church and its environs have become the prey of an insatiate rapacity, which it is not in the power of words to express--a new object of pity, pain, and grief, to those who are charmed with instruction. Several other places almost equally interesting, are also abandoned. I invite you, therefore, without loss of time, to save from general destruction, all that can console the arts, at one time so brilliant in this department. I have the honor to propose to you, for this end, the nomination of a commissioner animated with the love of the arts, who may be enabled to collect all those invaluable remains in the different places and houses, where destruction threatens them, in order to be placed in a depot or museum.

I intreat you with the more impatience to set about this work, as public rumour has already announced, that the precious paintings of Rubens, which were in the church of the Trinity, are to be removed from Mantua. I intreat you, in the name of those sentiments, with which the arts inspire you, to order an immediate enquiry on this subject, so that these precious remains may be preserved."