BRIGADIER-GENERAL ANSTRUTHER'S BRIGADE ARRIVES OFF MONdego. —PROCEEDS TO THE BERLINGS. DESCRIPTION OF THESE ROCKS.INTELLIGENCE OF THE BATTLE OF ROLEIA.-CAPTAIN GORDON IS DISPATCHED TO THE BRITISH CAMP. ΤΟ On board the Westmoreland transport, off the EXMOUTH, DEVON. MY DEAREST FRIEND, You will perceive, from the date of this letter, that we have reached our destination, notwithstanding the gales and baffling weather which we had to encounter in the Channel and Bay of Biscay. B From my last, dated Plymouth, the first of this month, you would learn, that we had once put into Weymouth, and twice into Plymouth; from the latter of which ports we sailed on the morning of the second. By the evening of that day we had passed Falmouth with a fair wind, which unluckily proved of very short duration. However, having at length had the satisfaction of descrying over the distant horizon, the high blue mountains which form Cape Finisterre, we stood in towards the shore. Our Commo→ dore (Captain Austin) shot a head, and made telegraphic signals to some ships of war lying close in, after which we altered our course, and lay up along the coast of Portugal. We had been taught to expect that we should now meet with a good breeze, as the wind is said generally to blow from a northerly direction here: this opinion proved to be correct, and on the following morning, our fleet was dashing through the green billows at the rate of seven knots an hour, all sail set. In this style we proceeded till we reached a bluff head-land, which proved to be Cape Mondego. To the southward lies the small town of Figueras, im the roadstead and barbour of which we observed a number of our transports and men of war riding at anchor. Captain Austin: made the signal for his fleet to lie to, while he sailed and spoke the head-quarter ship, the Donegal, Cap tain Malcolm. Having returned, a signal was hoisted to make sail to the southward, in which course we continued the whole of the night; and yesterday forenoon, we arrived at this anchorage. The rocks, off which we are now lying, are about six in number, perfectly sterile and devoid of any vegetation, except the samphire plant, which is scattered in thick tufts, over these huge blocks of red primeval granite. On the eastern side of the island nearest the shore, stands an old castle, containing within its precincts a semilunar battery; on the embrasures of which are mounted a few pieces of rusty old cannon, which are in a most venerable state of decay. One would imagine they were intended rather to harmonize with the ruins of the edifice, than to amoy the ships of an enemy; since they are nearly all dismounted, and into many of their touch-holes a man's hand may be introduced with much facility. Of this Gothic structure a subaltern of our marines, with a party of twelve or fourteen men, has now the uncontrouled possession; having some days ago succeeded to about as many ragged Portuguese, its former inhabitants. With a few books one might here make oneself an absolute recluse, and yet enjoy many of the substantial comforts of this life for the little garrison is well supplied with hogs, sheep, fruit, &c., by the fishing boats from Penichè, which resort hither to catch a species of mackarel that abound near the rocks. We have just had out of one of these little zebecs, now paddling about the fleet, a tolerable sized basket of mackarel, for the trifling sum of one shilling. On our arrival here we found his Majesty's ship Alfred, commanded by Captain Bligh, with a convoy of victuallers, store, and hospital ships, moving along the coast, for the purpose of supplying the wants of General Wellesley's army: and through them we had our curiosity gratified as to the cause of a tremendous heavy fire of artillery and musketry, which we yesterday heard along the shore. It arose, we were told, from an eagerly contested action, which the gallant General had with the French troops, under Laborde; the result of which is most glorious to our countrymen, who, with more than their usual gallantry, drove the French, posted along some almost inaccessible heights, in all directions. The enemy's fire is said to have been very severe and galling, and to have been checked by our troops solely with the bayonet. The consequences of this victory, which took place near Obidos, have been the capture of three pieces of cannon, and the retreat of the French army, to a position much |