was on its way from Perpignan to relieve Gerona,) besides 400 prisoners. General Macdonald was at Severa a few days since, but so reduced in his army, having now only 6000 men, that it is generally thought he will not get back to Barcelona. Cadaqués, and all the small holds the French had near Rosas are abandoned, and the whole are gone to that garrison. The French are also in a bad way before Tortosa, as all the forts which they had thrown up have been washed down by the heavy rains. * * * *.”
“Sir,– I have great pleasure in sending to you, by the Blossom, the important intelligence of the surrender of Figueras to the Spaniards, on the 10th instant, and that St. Philon and Palamos were taken possession of by the Cambrian and Volontaire on the 12th and 14th, the guns all embarked, and the batteries destroyed. I am now on my way to Rosas and Cadaqués, and I have reason to hope the latter place, with Selva, will also shortly be ours.
“The fall of Figueras has roused the Spaniards, who are arming in all directions, and Hostalrich and Gerona are at this moment garrisoned by Spanish troops. The only correct account I can learn is, that 400 Italians, with 200 French troops, were left to protect Figueras; and that the former, disgusted with the treatment they daily received from the French, and being also half starved, opened the gates of the fortress to a body of Spaniards, apprised of their intention, who rushed into the castle, and put every Frenchman to the sword. About 2000 effective Spanish troops are in full possession of this important place; and General Sarsfield is on his way with more, as well as supplies of every kind.
“The French General, d’Hilliers, who has the command in Catalonia, on hearing of the fall of Figueras, has abandoned all his holds in Spain, except Barcelona, and is collecting the whole of his force to attack it, as well as to prevent supplies from getting in; but I am told a quantity of provisions was concealed in the town, unknown to the French, which has been given up to the Spanish troops in the castle, who are in the highest spirits possible. The Termagant continues to watch Barcelona; and I purpose remaining off here with the Volontaire, ready for any thing that may offer, as under all the existing circumstances, I think it likely Rosas may give in.
“I also beg leave to inform you, that a large settee, deeply laden with grain for Barcelona, was, the night before last, most handsomely cut out from under the Medas islands and batteries, by the boats of this ship, led on by Lieutenant Conolly, without a man being hurt. I beg leave to offer you- ↑ Captain Fane being taken prisoner at Palamos in Dec. 1810, Sir Charles Cotton very handsomely appointed Captain Bullen to the Cambrian, she being a much larger and finer frigate than the Volontaire. He however left the latter with much reluctance.
