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THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Boston, Friday, December 31, 1813BREAKING NEWS
New York, December 28
The editors of the New York Gazette were last evening favored with several extracts of letter to a highly respectable German house in this city, received by the Maria Helena, arrived at Boston, which they intend giving tomorrow.
In the mean time, we give the following as the leading articles:
A letter from Berlin, of the 7th October says, "Germany begins to breathe again, and looks forward to better times; so far from apprehending any danger here at present, it is more than likely according to present appearances, that not only all Germany, but even Holland, will be liberated from French tyranny in the course of this year. It is expected that Davoust will shortly be compelled to evacuate Hamburg. The light troops of the Allies have advanced as far as Cassel. The Danes, when once their communication with the French is interrupted, will have to join the Allies."
A letter from Berlin of the 18th of October states, that Bonaparte had attempted at four different times, to penetrate into Bohemia, and was repulsed each time with great loss.
That Bernadotte, with his army, had crossed the Elbe at several points, and at the last date, had pitched his head quarters at Dessaw, a strong town of Upper Saxony, situated on the Elbe, about 35 miles north of Leipsic.
That the Bavarians deserted the French standard, and declared in favor of the Allies.
That the Saxons were waiting for the retreat of the French to enable them to adopt the same course.
That an accommodation of differences between the Danes and the English was supposed to be near at hand, as on the late arrival of a courier from England, the exchange rose very considerably.
That the British have fire upon and captured several American vessels even in Swedish ports.
That the Allies were never in higher spirits; and that a great decisive battle was soon expected.
A letter from Genoa, of the 5th of October, states this important fact, that Venice was in possession of the Austrians -- of course, the viceroy's army must have been totally defeated.From the New York Evening Post
We stop the press to say, that a letter has just been received by a mercantile house in this city, of the first respectability, dated Berlin, October 9th, which states that the Crown Prince (Bernadotte) had crossed the Elbe at four different points, and that a decisive battle was momentarily expected. The Saxons and Bavarians had joined the Allies, and Denmark, it was confidently expected, would soon follow their example. In consequence of which, the paper currency of Denmark had risen two hundred percent in three days.
It will be seen that the most important fact stated above, is, that the Bavarian forces have joined the Allies. We do not place implicit confidence in this statement, yet, independent of the authority of these letters, there is much reason to believe it. It is an event which we have for some time past had reason to hope would take place.
Maximillian Joseph, hereditary Elector of Bavaria, was recognized as King by the treaty of Pressburgh, between France and Austria. To reward him for his services against the Emperor of Germany (to whom he owed allegiance) in the war that preceded that treaty, Bonaparte procured for him this title, with an accession of territory, equal to the whole extent of his electorate.
The kingdom of Bavaria is the most powerful member of the Confederation of the Rhine. Its population is 3,650,000, and it contracted by the articles of confederation, in consideration of Bonaparte's being the Protector of the Confederation, to furnish in all wars in which the French should be engaged, 30,000 men to every 200,000 furnished by France. This engagement seems to have been strictly performed, and the King has until the present war, given every possible proof of his attachment to his master Napoleon. His troops were actively employed in the Russian campaign, but were principally attached to the part of the army which suffered the least loss.
How many Bavarian troops are incorporated with Bonaparte's army, we know not, but probably all who escaped from Russia last winter. The commander of what is called the Bavarian army is General Count Wrede, who has been often highly commended in the French bulletins. This army has been raised since Bonaparte's return from Russia, and was destined by him to co-operate on the side of Italy with the Viceroy against Austria. This army, however, has been for several months, motionless, near the borders of Austria, and this inaction tends to confirm the belief that the king is disposed to throw off the yoke of his protector. The most particular account which we have lately seen from this army is contained in the following paragraph, extracted from a Paris paper, which we published two or three weeks ago.Augsburgh, September 29
The last letters from Saltzburg make no mention of military events. Gen. Count Wrede's H.Q. are at Brannau. His army extending from that city to Saltzburg, amounts to about 40,000 Bavarians and allies, and wait the advance of the Viceroy of Italy to form a junction on their way to Vienna.The statement that Venice was in possession of the Austrians, previous to the 6th October, we think cannot be true.
Postscript: Since writing the above, this morning's mail has brought the New York papers, from which we can make only the following important extracts. The latest previous date from the Crown Prince was September 23rd.
Gottenburg, October 7
The last news from the continent is favorable. Zehernichoff was at Cassel, Walmuden at Hanover, Woronzow, with 15,000 men, 4 German miles from Brunswick, Dornberg at Harburg, the Hanseatic Legion and other free corps under the wall of Lubeck.
The Crown Prince has crossed the Elbe at four different points, and his corps were at Dessau Eisleben, Halle and Halberstadt. The Austrians were near Leipsic, where Napoleon had his headquarters, and where a decisive battle was shortly expected.October 18
Two accounts from Germany continue favorable, on the 9th October, the head quarters of the Crown Prince were at Halle; a corps of light troops have been at Cassel. In all probability Napoleon has left Dresden, although the allies have not taken possession of it. An important battle, it is expected, will be fought shortly, south of Halle. The position of the allies is as follows:
The grand Russian, Prussian and Austrian army, advances into Saxony by way of Eger. Gen. Blucher crossed the Elbe on the 3rd inst., near Elsterwerds, above Wittenberg. Benningsen, with his corps of reserve, is behind Dresden. The head quarters of the Crown Prince is at Halle, and his light troops and the Prussian landswher have advanced as far as Brunswick. Walmoden, with his corps, is watching the motions of Davoust, who confines his operations to carrying off every thing valuable from Hamburg to France. The Bavarians have joined the Allies, and the Saxons will no doubt do the same whenever they can.From Portugal
Extracts from a Letter dated Lis bon, October 14.
"It is said that Soult has been called to the North to supply the place of the chief of the staff to Napoleon, vacant by the sickness of the celebrated Berthier, and that Suchet had gone to Paris; but these are here, mere reports."From Sweden
Passengers in the Swedish vessel from Gottenburg, whose arrival we announced in our last, mention that the last advices from the Allied army were about the 16th October; that there had not been any recent fighting; but that Bernadotte's H.Q. had been transferred to the left bank of the Elbe. That it was reported in Gottenburg, that Lord Walpole had visited the Emperor Alexander, and had repaired to St. Petersburg, to confer with our Envoys.
Capt. Bond, on of the passengers, had despatches from Mr. Adams for government.
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