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The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
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Official letter from Don Joseph de Palafox y Melzi reports French army's flight from Saragossa after two-month siege and failed night attack; Spanish forces pursue retreating enemy, celebrate with artillery and upcoming Te Deum; suggests provincial deputies meeting on 10th Sept.
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FOR THE PHILADELPHIA GAZETTE.
[From Spanish Papers.]
Official information received by the Senior Governor of the council at Madrid, from his excellency don Joseph de Palafox y Melzi, dated at head quarters, Saragossa the 14th August.
The illustrious senior governor, ad interim, of the council, received yesterday by an extraordinary courier, the following official letter addressed to him by his ex. don Joseph de Palafox y Melzi, captain general of the army and kingdom of Aragon.
Illustrious Sir,
I have the satisfaction of communicating to you that the French army, which during two months had invested this city, exercising a course of conduct the most abominable that ever was witnessed, have fled this morning before day, abandoning a large field of artillery, ammunition, provisions, and many other effects.—During the night, they attempted a fresh attack by the narrow pass to which they were confined, but were repulsed with so much valour and intrepidity by the brave troops under my command, that they were compelled to fly with great precipitancy.
I sent off last night a division of 4000 men of my choicest troops, to cut off their retreat by the way of Navarre, where they will be joined by more troops, and by the armed peasantry of the country. The troops which to the number of 6000 that arrived here this day from Valencia, joined by 4000 more of my army of Catalonia, will immediately pursue to harass the rear of the enemy, & to prevent them from committing their accustomed robberies and perfidious vexations, on the people of the country.
This happy event was celebrated here to day by a general discharge of artillery, and the ringing of bells, and to-morrow a solemn Te Deum will be sung in thanksgiving to the Almighty.
It would now be very proper to accelerate the meeting of deputies from all the provinces of Spain, and I deem it expedient that a day should be fixed for that purpose, which might be the 10th Sept. next. The same idea I communicate to all the other generals and supreme Juntas of the whole kingdom, and make it known to your Lordship, that you may be pleased to communicate to the council.
God guard your Lordship many years,
(Signed) JOS. de PALAFOX y MELZI
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Saragossa
Event Date
14th August
Key Persons
Outcome
french army fled, abandoning large field of artillery, ammunition, provisions, and other effects; repulsed in night attack; pursued by spanish troops
Event Details
French army invested Saragossa for two months, conducted abominable acts, attempted fresh attack at night but repulsed by Spanish troops; fled before day; Spanish division of 4000 sent to cut retreat via Navarre, joined by more troops and peasantry; 6000 from Valencia and 4000 from Catalonia to pursue and harass rear