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Monthly Register

For AUGUST 1790.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

STOCKHOLM, July 13.

Tmelenger from the Duke of SuHE Finland mail of yesterday, and dermania, who arrived in the evening, brought the news of the defeat of the Swedish fleets by thofe of Ruffia, on the 3d and 4th inftant.

An unfuccefsful attempt made by the King of Sweden to deftroy the Ruffian coafting fquadron at Viborg, and the approach of the Prince of Nailan, with the Cronftadt divifion, had already rendered the pofition of the Swedes at the entrance of Viborg Bay extremely critical, when the scarcity of ammunition, and the want of provifions, made their return to their own ports a mealure of neceffity.

The King refolved therefore to avail himfelf of a ftrong easterly wind, which fet in on the third, and to let fail with both fleets for Swenfk-Sund and Sweaborg.

The grand fleet had to penetrate thro' a narrow pafs, and to fuftain the fire of four Ruffian line of battle hips, two of which were placed on each fide of the

Strait. After this it had to engage the whole of Admiral Tfchitfchakoff's line, which was drawn up along the coaft, at a finall distance, while his frigates were ranged among the islands which lie nearer the shore.

The Swedish van, under Admiral Modeé, paffed the Strait, without fuffering any effential lofs, firing with great fpirit both broadfides against the enemy. The cannonade from the four Ruffian frips was however fo powerful, and continued to be fo well fupported, that it was refolved by the Duke of Sudermania to make an attempt to burn them. But this operation proved fo unfuccefsful, that the firefhips employed in it were driven upon one of his Royal Highness's own line of battle fhips, and a frigate, both of which blew

up.

This accident feems to have cauf, da degree of confufion among the fhips that were to follow. Four of which ftruck VOL. XII. No. 68. C

upon the rocks, and were le tto the mer with animated force, the Swed's loft cy of the enemy. two more fhips of the line, which were taken by the enemy. The engagement continued all night, and part of the next day (the 4th), on the evening of which the Duke of Sudermania arived at Sweaborg.

On their farther courfe along the coaft,

The fate of the coafting fleet is not fo exactly known, no official accounts ha ying yet been received from it: But it s certain that the King arrived the fame evening in Swen Sound, with a large Prt of the fleet, having loft fix gallies, with eight hundred men (of the Guards) which were taken by the Ruffians, befides a number of finaller veffe's taken or

funk, reported to amount to fixty. The Swedes, is eftimated at feven thousand. whole lofs in men, on the part of the

His Swedish Majetty, having supplied the remains of his fquadron with provi fions and ammunition, and having been joined by the divifim under M. de Cron ftedt, which had not been able to reach the Bay of Viborg, is already failed again, with a view to prevent the Prince of Naf fau, who is faid to be advancing with the Cronstadt and Viborg fquadrons, from getting into the port of Frederickiham.

July 17.

Yesterday morning, at half palt feven o'clock, the King of Sweden's adjutant, Baron Stiernblad, arrived at Uricksdehl with difpatches for the Queen, and brought the news of his Majefty having gained a complete victory over the Ruffian coafting fleet in Swenfk-Sound.

The king having, after the retreat from Viborg, collected his coafting fleet at Swenk Sound, was attacked by the Prince of Naffay on the 9th of July. The battle began at half past nine in the morning, and lafted full twenty-four hours, excepting between twelve and two in the night, when, on account of the darkness, the

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cannonade abated. At half paft nine in the morning of the Icth inftant, the victory was completely decided on the fide of the Swedes, who took, run afhore, or burnt, forty-two frigates and other veffels of the Ruffians, of which, it is faid, twenty-three are likely to be faved. The Swedes have alfo taken prifoners 110 officers, among whom are the Ruffian brigadier Deniseo and the Prince of Naffau's flag Captain, with about two thoufand men.

The King himself commanded during the whole action, and under him Lieutenant-Colonel Cronstedt. His Majesty loft two gun-boats, which were blown up, the Udama-Ingeborg, which was funk by a bomb after the crew had been faved, and fome gun-yawls, which were dif mounted. The lofs of the Swedes in

officers and men is faid to be inconfider able; but the death of Captain Baron Dulen is particularly regretted, who, after he had taken a prame with eight thirty pounders, was killed in the middle of the action.

REICHENBACH, August 5.

Aluta, Pruffia fhall have an equivalent on the fide of Upper Silefia. The King of Pruffia declares that no hoftile er gage ment fubfifis between him and the Belgic provinces, and that he will co-operate with the Maritime powers to appease the troubles in thofe countries, and to restore them to the Auftrian dominions, on condition of the re-establishment of their n cient privileges and conftitution; and the English and Dutch Minifters engage, in behalf of their Courts, (Sub Spe rati) to guaranty thefe conditions.

NETHERLANDS.

BRUXELLES, August 13.

The effect which the Convention between Hungary and Pruffia has had on the minds of the people, and the publi cation of the fentiments of Congreis on that event, have n uch alarmed those who

wifhed a happyi fiue to all the late commo tions. The united strength of thofe two great powers is more than Congress can ever attempt, with any hopes of furces, to refift, and yet there is every thing to be dreaded from the holy zeal of the cler gy, and the defperate violence of the tactious patriots. A civil war feers to be the general opinion, although that idea is more to be attributed to confternation

than to reafon. ·

The Congress has ufed every means in its power to undermine the influence which the letters from their Deputies at Berlin occafioned. They have in confequence publifhed the two following articles throughout the States, in the hope of quieting the minds of the people, but they have failed in their effect.

Copy of a Letter fent to the States of Bra-bant by the Sovereign Congress of the United Belgic States. "

"High and Mighty Lords!

On the 27th ult. declarations and counter-declarations were figned and exchanged here, and have fince been ratified, between Count Hertzberg, on the part of his Pruffian Majefty, the Prince de Reufs and Baron Spielman, Plénipotentiaries of his Hungarian Majefty, Jofeph Ewart. Efq; his Britannic Majefty's Enyoy Extraordinary and Minifier Plenipotentiary, and the Baron de Reede, Envoy Extraordinary and Minifter Plenipotens tiary from the States General of the United Provinces; by which his Hungarian Majefty agrees to open a negociation for a peace with the Ottoman Porte, on the bafis of the ftatus quo, fuch as exifted before war, under the mediation of the allied Courts, and to confent to an imme. diate armiftice with that power; declaring his refolution of standing neuter, and abftaining from taking any part, directly or indirely, in the war, fhould the Em prefs of Ruffia refufe to accede to this negociation. His Hungarian Majefty is to keep Chotzim en Depot, that fortress having been conquered by the united arms of Auftria and Ruffia, but agrees to reflore it to Turkey on a peace, under the guaranty of the King of Pruffia; who accepts the propofitions of the King of Hungary, under this reftriction, that if, in the arrangements of limits between Auftria and the Porte, the former should obtain any acquifition on the fide of the Bruxelles, Aug. 8. 1790.”

"We have enclosed an extract of our refolutions on a letter in circulation, which is reported to be written from Berlin. It has engaged our moft ferious attention, from the evil confequences it may produce, and we defire that you will make thefe refolutions public with all convenient speed.

We are, &c.

High and Mighty Lords, Your affectionate friends, The Sovereign Congress of the United Belgic States.

(Signed){

F. Vanderfmerfch, President.
J. P. Van Eupen.

Extra of the Refolutions of the Sovereign Congress of the United States, August 8.

1790.

"It has been refolved, upon a report made to us of a letter being in circulation, containing certain expreffions which tend to give a ver untavourable idea to the Court of Berlin, of the opinion which the people of Brabant entertain of it, to give orders to the States of Brabant and others belonging to the Union, to publish a difavowal of it on the part of the Congref; and direct their officers to feize all thole cop.es which are not conformable to those we have published.

"And as reports have also been spread, that the Congrefs are going to enter into a treaty with the Court of Vienna, they further declare that nothing can be more falfe, as they doubt not but that all the provinces will be more than ever determined to preferve their independence, which depends on no preliminaries of peace that may be concluded on between foreign Courts; and that it is not even in the power of Congress to treat with any State on the gr und of furrendering the independence and liberty of the United Provinces.

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BRUSSELS, Augufi 11.

The violence of the party, and the high tone of its language, seem to have gone down here, within these few days. The people have been flattered, and have flattered themfelves, that the caufes which gave them fuch rapid and vafi fuccefs in their attempt to shake off their fubjection to the Emperor, would fecure them the enjoyment of their own new government. They have befid-s hoped for affiftance from every power around them, and that the King of Hungary would have full enjoyment for his troops elfewhere. But all thefe hopes are gone, and a moment's fufpenfe is fucceeded by a certainty that the Emperor is marching a very confiderable body of troops towards the Low Countries (30.000 men in three columns is the report of the day), against an enemy, not fpiritlefs, hut unequal, divided, and difcouraged. The pe pie throughout the provinces, indeed, exprefs great averfion to their old malers, but the violence and bigotry of their new ones checks the force they would naturally exert in a caufe that really tended to leave mankind the liberty they pretend to. M. Van Eupen is now gone to the Hague, proba

bly to get the ultimatum of the Dutch refolutions, and not improbably to deter mine on his return according to the fuccefs of his negociation.

It is faid, the army will be preceded by a renewal of the offer made by the King of Hungary in February laft, which will be read by the cannon's fide.

FRANCE.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

PARIS, July 30.

The Society of the Revolution.

The difcourfe was read that had been pronounced by Dr Price at the meeting of the Society of the Revolution in England, held at London the 14th inftant. The fentiments of juftice and humanity, which this difcourfe breathes, in which Frenchmen are invited to unite with the friends of mankind in England, to overthrow the pernicious defigns of tyrants, were highly applauded.

It was voted, That it fhould be printed; and M. Populus, demanded that it thould be read a fecond time in a more numerous meeting.

M. Dufreifle propofed, that they should enquire from this Society, whofe interefts were connected with thofe of the English Parliament, the motives of the formi dable armament that was now putting to fea.

M. Charles de Lameth said, that it was time to establish between England and us, thofe connections which might henceforth prevent tyrants from fubjecting men to bondage and cementing their chainsthat we ought to take occafion of this difcourfe to addrefs the people of England, through the medium of this Society, in order to be alcertained that this nation, formerly our rival, now friend, has no intention of attacking our liberty, by its prefent armaments.

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M. Reubell obferved, hat the Parliament of England wou'd not entrust its fecrets to the Society of the Revolution; and that, befides, he did not think it neceffary to addrefs the people of England, but only to appoint the Prefident to write a letter to the Society, exprefLive of the fatisfaction of the Affembly.

M. Dupont remarked, that the motion of M. de Lameth was neither worthy of the Affembly, nor noble, nor judicious, nor patriotic: that England, is not go

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what France, in its prefent fituation, car do for the aid of Spain.

"According to the mutual agreements his Catholic Majefty defires that the ar maments, and other mealures fuitable to fulfil theie facred engagements, be immediately put in execution.

verned by a Club, but by a Parliament; that the Society of the Revolution of Englind is not the depofitory of the National Councils; that there are precautions of a much higher importance which ought to be taken; that the English fleet, in concert with that of Holland, is at fea, and appears to prepare hoftilities against us; that it is not by fuch contemptible arts, but exertions of power and reafon that we ought to fhun the blows which that nation perhaps is aiming against us; that, in fine, the National Affenibly cannot correspond with a Club, but with the Parliament only, which is the National Affembly of England.

Thefe difcuffions ftopped here, and it was only decreed, that the difcourfe of Dr Price fhould be a fecond time read:

August 2

DEMAND OF SPAIN.

A letter was read from M. Montmorin, Minifter of Foreign Affairs, announcing that the armament ordered by the Affembly is complete; but that, fince its completion, England continues, with more vigour than ever, the augmentation of its mar time forces.

The Minifter adds, that although the difpofitions of the Court of London appear pacific and a nicable, the King is of opinion that the fifety and dignity of the nation demand that an armament should be formed proportionate to that of Great Britain.

"To thefe confiderations, faid M. de Montmorin, I add another-Itis, that the King of Spain deinands, at this moment, the execution of the Family Compact which exifts betwixt it and France.

"The Albiy ought, therefore, immediately to determine upon the aug. raentation of our marine, and the demand made by the King of Spain."

A letter was then read ad reffed to M. de Montmorin, by the Span fh Ambaffador. M. de Fernand Nunes, dated the 7th of June, which, after mentioning the negociation going on with England, concludes thus:

"The ip edy and exact accomplish ment of the Treaty, figned at Paris 15th August 1761, under the title of Family Compact, becomes now an indifpenfible preliminary, in order to be able to treat with fuccefs. It is on account of this abfolute neceffity in which Spain, in spite of itself, is forced to have recourfe to the affiftance of France, that the King, my mafter, orders me to demand exprefsly

"He charges me to add, the prefent flate of this unexpected affair requires an immediate determination; and that the meafures which the Court of France shali take to furnish affiftance, fhall be fo active, fo clear, and fo pofitive, as not to leave the finalleft ground for fufpicion or diftruft; otherwile his Moft Chriftian Majelly ought not to be furprifed if Spain hall feck other friends and other allies amongst all the other Powers of Europe, without excepting any one, upon which it may depend in time of need.

"The ties of blood and perfonal friendship, which unite our two Sovereigns, and the reciprocal intereft which exifts between the two nations, will be always as much attended to in these new arrangements as circumftances will perinit."

The demand made by M. Fitzherbert was alle read, in which he infifts on the neceffity that Spain is laid under from. the circumstances of the cafes, to make full reparation to England-First, By reforing the vells captured; fecondly, by indemnifying the parties;. and laftry, by repairing the injury done to the honour of the British flag.

The Ainbaffador anfwers, That Spain does not owe this reparation to Britain, as the fhips captured were not accompa nied by any ships of the Royal Navy of Britain, and were befides taken in a bay, the exclufive poffeffion of which belongs to Spain.

The Ambaffador, M. Fernand Nunes, in the name of his Catholic Majefty, nevertheless consents to the fatisfaction demanded to be made by Mr Fitzherbert, if it is evident, and can be proved, that injury has been fuftained, and no attack made on the part of the British com mander..

But he does not submit to make this reparation, except on condition of three claufes, which are of fuch a nature as will, in all probability, be rejected by Englan 1.

The examination of this important bufinefs was referred to the Diplomatique Committee.

The following is the report of the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the National

Affembly,

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