Jenks's Portland Gazette

TRANSLATIONS FROM FRENCH PAPERS.

Death of Gen. Joubert.

PARIS, AUG. 30.

Extract of a letter from the Army of Italy, dated 3d Frusidor, Aug. 20.

"MY FRIEND,

The death of the brave Gen. Joubert disconcerts all our operations. I know not what measures the Directory are about to take; but if the army is not immediately re-organized, it will be impossible to do any thing. An inexplicable distaste for the war reigns throughout the camp. It is of the first importance to re-animate the soldiery and re-establish discipline among the troops, without which the enemy will ultimately destroy us; no enterprize will succeed, but, to the contrary, every event will become pernicious to us. Audacity increases with our disasters: and it is astonishing not to find among French troops, that courage which animated them formerly.

I returned from Aqui the day of the engagement; my station was on the left wing, which the brave Joubert commanded—and marching at the head of two battalions, which he had just rallied, he lifted his right arm and ordered them to advance; at that instant a musquet ball struck him just below the armpit and fractured the fifth rib at its entrance, it turned towards the lumbar vertebrae, where meeting with resistance it bounded back and lodged in one of the auricles of the heart. I saw the hero fall and expire! Thus have we lost this consummate officer, this warrior without reproach! In him Italy has lost her friend and defender! If he is not replaced without delay by a capable and virtuous General like himself, invested with full power, all is lost, for the councils of war ruin every important operation.—Genoa is in consternation."

The Executive Directory to Citoyenne Joubert.

"The Executive Directory, Citoyenne, has just learned with regret the loss which the country has sustained in the death of your husband: the important services which he has rendered the Republic, and those which were expected from his genius and courage, will make his memory dear to every good citizen, and universal esteem to be the prize of his virtues.

Your griefs are great no doubt; believe, Citoyenne, that the Directory feels them no less sensibly, and would desire nothing with more ardency than to be able to console them."