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Letter from a British officer to the editor of
ji ' the London Courier.
.Description cf the Island of Uwuen, or Ween,
senate in the centre of the Sound, betiieen
Denmark and S'weden.
This island was the residence of Tj'cho-
Brahe, who had here the famous observato-
ry and prinfnjr-office, built for him by the
'King of Denmark, and of which nothing
now remains but some trifling ruins. It
belonged by the Treaty of Roschi'd, in
1^58 to Sweden. It has been for some
time regarded as neutral, and has only fifty
or sixty families in it, principally fishermen.
It contains about 8000 geometrical paces in
circumference—is mountainous, very fertile,
and.is well supplied with water. It possass-
• es fctvo excellent harbours, one on the North
artd the other on the South, which renders
it a cap'tal station for thoroughly command-
ing the pening or shutting of the Sound :
4'd it may be,- in the present situation of af-
fairs, rendered as invulnerable as Heligoland
or Gibraltar, with a little attention and acti-
vity, requiring only two or thrse thousand
men to keep possession of it. Ramparts &
bastions, and a strong fort in the centre,
should immediately be erected ; one month
alone would suffice to erect at both its har-
bours, every thing necessary for the present,
and to trace out all other works so as to
prevent any thing like a coupde main being
attempted. Bivery thing necessary for either
constructing barracks,erecting fortifications,
&c. may now be had from Copenhagen,
where our fleets and armies can command all
it possesses. Six battalions and a quantity
of masrns, carpenters, smiths, &c. would
suffice to render the Island tenable during
the whole of this winter, and next spring
the whole might be so far completed, that in
less than 12 months it might be rendered
impregnable. It may always be well served
with provisions, either from Sweden, Zea-
land, or England, during war. A fleet of
three or four men of war with some small
craft, should be stati ned for protecting the
works, and for closing the S und. This
fleet might winter at Malmoe, in Sweden,
during the frosty season, and retake its sta-
tion immediately after the sea became navi-
gable.
It may, perhaps, be objected that an ex-
pedition from Zealand might attack it dur-
ing the winter ; but it is very rare indeed
that the sea is frozen sufficient in this
straight to enable an army to pass, as the
current is exceedingly strong between the
island and the neighbouring coasts. Howe-
ver if that should happen to be the case, the
batteries might easily be multiplied on the
straight, and in advancing the fortifications
nearer the sea ; six battalions would be more
than sufficient to resist any attack that could
be made against it, as it could not last more
than 24 hours, the enemy not being able
to open trendies, nor erect batseiies on the
ice, which might be rendered impracticable
by bombs and other contrivances to break it.
And indeed it can only be during this win-
ter that any thing of the kind could be at-
tempted, for by the next, a triple row of
fortifications would be ready, and render
the place like Gibraltar, perfectfy impregna-
ble. Therefore the objections is chimerical.
Thus would these no very extensive f rtifi.
cations, secure to us during the war, and
perhaps for ever, the empire of the sound,
and ot course the whole of the Baltic.
BOSTON, Dec. 1.
Arrivnd, brig Henry, McLellan, of Port-
land, Guadaloupe,- 26 days, sugar and cof-
fee. ,.
Below, a ship and t" o brigs. One of
the brigs is supposed to be the Liberty, from
Gtindalonpe, via the Vineyard.
Entered, C met, Grew, Alexandria ;
Three Friends.'Wixson, Savannah ; Olim-
pus. Trott, Waldoboro.
Cleared, packet, Little, Waldoboro ;
Hanger Basset, Passamaquoddy; ship Bru-
tus, Smith Cherbourg ; brigs Enterprize,
I, -veil. St. Croix :-Robert, Mitchell, do.;
Sally, Pickett, Nantz ; Eliza, Norton,
Leghorn ; Sally and Mary, Cobb, Alicant ;
schrs. Harmony, Hopkins, Havana ; Morn-
ing Star, Smith, do.; Isabella, Bliss, Cay.
enne.
NEW-YORK, December 4,
Arrived, ship Calipso, Buik, 44 days
from Bordeaux, wine, brandy and dry
goods. Left ship Felix, Ross, for New-
York discharging ; Fame, Crowell, do. ;
Susan, Howard, do. in 10 or 12 days ;
Amity Harrison, do. in 20 ; brigs Midas,
Pobell, do. uncertain ; Mentor Parks, do.
do. ; ship L renza. Dill, for Philadelphia,
in 15; brig Nancy, Mitchell, do. ioj-shfp
Arj.° Hunt Brston, in 15; brigs Ranger,
oh certain; Dolphin, Merchant, do. ih 12;
"Washington. Adams, for New-Yi rk, in 4 ;
Thomas Jeffi ;rson, Goodrich, of Boston.
uncertain ; William Dow, for Baltimore,
in 8 ; ship Pamelia Taylor, of Charleston,
for the Baltic, in 6 ; John and Francis, Sit
linian, for Charleston, in 6; Franklin,
Whiteh ck, for New-Orleans, in 18; Sa-
rah, Suit* n, do. in 20. In lat. 49, 25,
Song. 4, wasb< arded by the British frigate
Eemcraid, and treated politely. November
52d. inlat. 45, 32, Jong. 10, passed a large
convoy of do sail under convoy of the two
frigates. Nov. 24. h,. 38, 22, long. 66,
• puline, had.arrived from
a cruize ; the latter with Spanish schooner
L'Amiableoness, from VeraCruz for Havana
having on board 27,000 dollars. The schr.
Monongahela Farmer. Clapp, from New-
Yoik forHavanna was ashore on the Ba-
hama bank-rexpected to be got off with lit-
tle injury. The sloop Lilly, Munroe, had
arrived at Nassau in 18 days from R- Island.
Below, last night, a brig, supposed to
A>e the Troy, from Matanzes.
Cleared—ship Amiable Matilda, Hilliard,
Mediterranean ; sloop Edward Rodgers,
St. Croix.
The schr. Resolution, from Savannah,
driven on Cony-Island during the late gale,
arrived in port yesterday not materially in-
jured.
By the Calypso, Burke, arrived at this
port on Thursday night, in 44 days from
Bordeaux, we have received files if Bor-
deaux papers to the 13th and Paris dates to
the loth Oct.
Captain B. informs, that on the 22d Oct.
in lat. 46^ long. 7, he was boarded by the
British frigate La Revolutionaire, then in
company with the Pom na frigate, who
having hoisted several signals, the officer of
the La-Revolutionaire informed captain B.
that the Telegraphs of the frigate intimated
the capture of ten sail of the line of the
RussiaH fleet, off the Dardanelles.
After a hasty perusal, the following ap-
peared to be the only aritcles worth translat-
ing:
Paris, October 4.
A letter just received from Dunkirk, con-
tains the following information.
The Boulogne Flotilla is arming and
equipping with the greatest expedition ; the
necessary oiders have been given to this ef-
fect : and the departure ot his excellency
the minister of marine, for the coasts on
the north of Prance, in some degree corro-
borates the general opinion, that measures
are adopting to attack England. Many
troops are on their inarch for the coast, and
the camps at Boulogne will soon be as nu-
merous as they were two years ago.
Oct. 5.
M. de Lindholm, aid-de-camp to the
prince royal of Denmark, has set out for
head quarters at Kiel. Prevf us to his de
parture, he received from his majesty the
emperor, a superb snuff box, garnished with
diamonds, and ornamented with his majes-
ty's portrait.
M. Laforet, formerly ambassador at Ber-
lin, is appointed ambassador to Russia.
Oct. 10.
By a decree of his imperial majesty Bona-
parte, dated 7th Octohei, citizen Pichon,
consul general and charge d'affairs near the
United States ot America was deprived of
his functions for having (amongst other
charges) gone beyond the powers with uhich
he was invested.
Vienna, Sept. 24.
The court Gazette has published an act
of amnesty of the new sultan Mustapha IV,
in favor of the corps of Jannissanea, who
t ok so active a part in the late revolution,
and deposition of the sultan Seiim.
Tht measures adopted by the Russian go-
vernment against English cowimerce, and
its refusal to renew the commercial treaty,
A treaty which, as experience has proven,
was as prejudicial to the Russians, as it vir.s
advantageous to the English, have occasion-
ed great difficulties. Since the peace of
Tilsit, the coldness between the two courts
has augmented and the violation of the law
of nations by England in her attack on
Denmark, v. ill probably occasion a rupture
between the two countries. As soon as the
general revitiw of the Austrian troops is ter-
minated the arch-duke Charles will return
to Paris.
Falmouth, Oct. 14.
Arrived, American brig Mary, capt.
Rice, 9 days from Oporto, with wines.
The greatest bustle prevailed there in ship-
ping oil the British property, &c. in conse-
quence of orders from the Portuguese go-
vernment 10 shut the ports against the En-
glish, which was expected to take place
about the 15th inst. In expestation of the
sailing of the convey from Oporto, 20 fun-
boats, &c. sailed from Vigo to intercept
them, 10 of the gun-boats were sunk, and
4 driven on shore and destroyed by an En-
glish frigate and a brig, the resuming 6
got back to Viga. No accounts had been
received at OpOrto of any French troops be-
ing on their march for Portugal. Also ar-
rived American ship Cabinet, Beatson,
from Norfolk, 29 days passage, with to-
bacco, for orders.
Cowes, Oct. 16.
Mr. Mnros, surgeon of the Chesapeake,
arrived here yesterday morming express from
London, and immediately proceeded on
board the Revenge American schooner,
captain Reeves, which vessel has been ly-
ing here sometime, waiting his return.—
The Revenge sailed this morning on her
return to America.
Londok, Oct. 17.
There is reason to believe, that all the
British ships in the ports of Russia are ac-
tually under embargo at this moment. The
latest arrival from St. Petersburg is that of
the American vessel Pigou, which sailed
from thence on the 26th ult. on the proceed-
ing day, information was received from the
British Ambassador, that it was probable
an embargo would be laid on all British
shipping immediately, and he therefore re-
commended that they should proceed to sea
with all possible expedition. Inconsequence,
about 15 vessels, among; hich was the Pi-
gou, came out of Cronstadt. The latter is
the only ship of the fleet yet arrived, but
the remainder may be hourly expected.—
There was not, we understand more than
eight or nine British vessels at Cronstadt or
St. Petersburg, when the Pigou sailed.
NEW-HAVEN, Dec. 1.
Died at his house, at Windsor, on the
26th inst. at 13 o'clock, Oliver Elswoktii,
aged 62 years.
In private life, he was uniformly a pattern
of all the cardinal virtues. His death there-
fore to his family is an affliction inexpressi-
bly great. His native state is deprived of
one of her brightest ornaments. The United
States have 'ost one of her best and greatest
men.
PHILADELPHIA, December 5.
A rrived,sclir. William Earnest, Lunenberg,
12 days, fish and oil.
Cleared, ship Venus, King, Isle of France ;
brig Sophia, Arundle, Algiers ; sch'rs Juno,
Fuller,Charleston ; Ruby, Macy. Nantucket;
sloop Three Sisters, Murphy N. York.
IMPORTANT.
In addition to the information in the Lon-
don papers received by the Leopard, arrived
at New York, we have the pleasure to assure
our readers that we have perused private
letters, of as late date as the 17 h of October,
from respectable houses in London to their
correspondents in this city, which state,
that there were the strongest reasons for
believing in an amicable adjustment of our
differences with Great Britain ; that the mis-
sion of Mr, Rose, as envoy extraordinary to
the United States, was expressly made to
effect this desirable purpose; that the ap-
pointment of sir John Borlase Warren, who
is considered as one of their best admirals,
and an accomplished gentleman, to succeed
admiral Berkeley on the American station, is
made from the same conciliatory motives ;
and that it was understood the blockade of
their enemies' ports would not (as had been
sometime ago supposed) be rigorously en-
forced ; and, under this impression, these
letters advise a continuance of shipments.
On the 17th of October, advice had reached
London, that a treaty offensive and defensive
had been concluded between Fiance & Den-
mark ; all hopes of a reconciliation with the
latter power were at an end.
Combining these advices with opinions
recently expressed from the highest autho-
rity at Washington, we are led to the pleas-
ing conclusion that the government of the
United States and Great-Britain will prefer
the pe.ee and prosperity of their respective
countries, to war and desolation, the state-
ment of the rumoured purport of Mr. Can-
ning's note, as given in the National Intel-
ligencer, to the contrary notwithstanding.
[ 'egister.]
Private Correspondence.
(Communicated for the Register.)
Extract of a letter from Rotterdam, dated
September 29, received via London.
" We are this instant informed by the
arrival of the French post with a new decree
of the emperor, authorising al> cruizers to
detain and carry in as lawful prize, all ves-
vels bound to or from England. This has
been officially notified to the American mi-
ni-ter at Paris, who has sent off an express
to his government via Bordeaux."
From Algesiras, Oct. 1.—" We learn
that the English will capture and send into
Gibraltar any American vessel bound from
one enemy's port to another, even in bal-
last. Several vessels ho were destined to
Malaga had concluded to return home. The
Spaniards are capturing all vessels bound to
or from an English port, under Bonaparte's
blockading decree."
Erom St. Kitts, Oct. 27.—It is said that
Admiral Cochrane is gone to leward for the
purpose of taking possession of the Danish
islands, and of all vessels bearing the flag
of that nation. His majestys ship St. Chris-
topher, has detained all Ameaicans in this
road ; and we understand the same mea-
sures have been adopted in the other islands.
From this precautionary act we are led to
infer, that the differences subsisting between
Great-Britain and America are not like'y to
be as amicably adjusted, as we were induc-
ed to hope.
From Norfolk-
" The seamen who deserted from the
Halifax, not oaly rose on their officer, but
insulted their captain in the open streets,
having enlisted in the service of the United
States the same day. On the other hand
a little time before that, some men deserted
from the French frigate Cybelle lying itl this
port, and enlisted with an officer of the U.
States. They vvete demanded by the French
captain, who received them from the Ame-
rican officer, having delivered them to an
armed force sent from the frigate to receive
them. This was known to the British offi-
cers."
NORFOLK, Nov. 30.
On Saturday arrived here the fast sailing
ship Sheffield Capt. Davis, left Helveot the
14th of October, and the Channel the 22d.
By this ship we have received files of Dutch
papers to the 10th, and hope to be able to
get some translations for this day's paper.—
We learn by this vessel, that the Decree of
Bonaparte dated at Berlin, declaring Great
Brirain and hsr dependencies in blockade,
has been republished in France and Hol-
land, tvith orders to enforce it without re-
spect to the vessels of any nation. The de-
crees relative to intercourse with England,
are enforced with great rigour. A camp
was agaia forming at Boulogne to alarm the
English, or what is probable, to furnish a
pre ext for keeping up a military force that
may he able to fix the destinies of continen-
tal Europe as the emperor Napoleon plea-
ses.
A pilot from Driver boarded the Sheffield
on lh» Nineteenth of October, informed that
Mr. Monroe was in London on the Seven-
teenth of that month, aud that the Revenge
was at Covves,
The pilot's report at Dover we believe
was correct as far as it went, and we think
augers well. Mr, Monroe would hardly re-
main, without he judged there was a pros-
pect of bringing matters to a favourable
issue.
By St. Kin's papers to the 30th of Oct.
we notice that in consequence of a rep >rt
that war had been declared between the U.
States and Great Britain, that a 1 American
vessels had been seized. The report was
contradicted in a few days, and the vessels
put into possession of their master's again.
Arrived, ship Sheffield, Davis, 40 days
from Rotterdam, and 35 from the channel,
Left at Rotterdam the 14th Oct. ship Jane,
Evans, to sail in 8 or 10 days ; brigs Roe-
buck Bolan, uncertain ; Orion, Tenney,
of Newbedford, for New York ; Reward,
Thompson, of Portsmouth, N. H for New-
York ; Enterprize. Newel, of Seabrook,
for North Bergen, the first wind. Came
out of Helveot, and down channel, with
the ship Alonzo, Clark, of and bound to
New-Bedford, and the ship Recovery, Webb,
of Salem, bound to Lisbon. Spoke, Oct.
iy,. off the beach head ship Elvira, Brown,
of and for Philadelphia. |
