MY DEAR FRIEND,

In my last letter, we left the Austrian General, Prince of Saxe Cobourg, directing his march towards Choczim. He sat down before that fortress about the middle of March, and immediately began to invest it; but the moment the Turks were informed that the enemy had entered Moldavia, they detached a corps of 40,000 men, to drive them out of the province.

On the approach of these troops, the Prince of Saxe Cobourg was obliged to raise the siege; and, on the 16th and 17th of May, he crossed the Dniester, and retired, with his whole army, out of the Turkish territories: but, being afterwards reinforced by a large corps of Russians, he again, on the 2d of July, advanced towards Choczim, and, by the 23d, the greatest part of the town was reduced to ashes. The Turks, however, continued to defend themselves with great valour, till the end of September, when they were obliged to surrender their post. The garrison, consisting of about 3,000 men, marched out with the honours of war.

The grand army of the Russians, under Prince Potemkin; and the fleet under the Prince of Nassau, are laying close siege to Oczakow. I have already mentioned the Captain Bashaw's departure for the protection of this fortress. The Russian fleet met him at the northern part of the Black Sea; but, finding the Turkish force much greater than they expected, they retreated without giving battle.

The Captain Bashaw immediately threw out the signal for a general chace; but, owing to the superior sailing of the Russian fleet, only four of his line of battle ships got within gunshot of the enemy, and even these could keep up with them but a very short time.

The Russians made the best of their way towards Kimbourn; and the Captain Bashaw, the moment this partial action was over, executed two of his Captains for not having made those exertions he expected, and sailed in pursuit of the enemy, with these delinquents hanging at his yard-arm.

The Turkish ships appear to me just what we conceive of the Spanish Armada; and we have seen how difficult it is for such a fleet to act to advantage against an evading enemy, who, though much inferior in numbers, is considerably farther advanced in nautical skill, and in the science of artillery.

The Russians, with the utmost diligence, secured themselves within the Liman, covered by the guns of Kimbourn and the opposite batteries. The Captain Bashaw, finding their position too strong to admit of a direct attack, embarked his troops in his gun-boats and small-craft, in hopes that, by a coup de main, he should possess himself of the enemy's batteries, and open a passage for his ships; but in this attempt he was unsuccessful; and several of his boats, getting aground, were burnt by the enemy.

I have not heard that he has since been able to throw any succours into Oczakow; but the garrison, which is numerous and well supplied, defend themselves with great resolution; and, in a grand attack which Prince Potemkin made on the out-works, he was repulsed with very considerable loss.

The Russian fleet, though it co-operates with the army, may be said to be itself blocked up by the Captain Bashaw; and, as there is every reason to suppose that the garrison of Oczakow will be able to sustain itself till the severe weather sets in (which, in that climate, surpasses what people in England can conceive), Prince Potemkin will be obliged either to keep the field during the whole winter, to the extreme distress, and probable mortality of his army, or to risk the destruction of his fleet, which will be frozen up, and exposed to the attacks of the Oczakowians.

The following is the Imperial account of the coup de main attempted by the Captain Bashaw:

"Vienna, July 9th.

The accounts from the east of the Crimea are, that the Tartars and Russians have had frequent actions, but with no very decisive success on either side.

Let us now leave the Moscovites, and turn to the Imperialists on the western side of the theatre of war.

Soon after the defeat of Prince Lichtenstein by the garrison of Dubitza, the Turks crossed the Unna, in pursuit of him, and, for some time, pressed him in his intrenchments; but, the moment the news of his disaster reached the Emperor, four squadrons of dragoons, and seven battalions of infantry, were ordered to his assistance.

To lead these troops, and to reanimate his army, the Emperor called forth the great Laudohn--a gallant veteran, to whom every Soldier must look up with veneration and respect. He was now in an advanced age, and had retired from the field of arms, to end his days under the shade of his laurels. The Genius of Austria seemed to call upon him for relief. Roused by her cries, and by the voice of the Emperor and the People, the veteran hero regained the powers of youth, and armed once more to lead the Imperial banners to victory.

When so great a character appears upon the stage, we can scarcely refrain from wishing him success, whatever may be the merits of his cause. An ambitious tyrant may plunge his nation into an unjust war, and his people may be prejudiced enough to support him in it; but the Soldier is neither accountable for the crimes of the one, nor for the follies of the other. His duty as a loyal subject, and his virtue as a patriotic citizen, oblige him to exert himself to the utmost, whenever his services are called upon; and, without entering into the politics by which his country is actuated, he feels himself engaged to promote, to the full extent of his power, the success of her arms, in whatever wars she is unhappily embarked.--Such a character is Marshal Laudohn: but of his Court I by no means entertain such favorable sentiments.

As an Englishman, policy obliges me to wish success to the Turks; for I have already proved to you, that our lucrative trade to the Levant can never be carried on so much to our advantage as whilst Turkey remains in the hands of its present possessors; and, as a Philanthrope, I feel the utmost detestation of the ambitious combination entered into by the Emperor and the Empress, to extirpate the Turks, merely because Nature has been bountiful to their soil, and because their country promised an easy conquest.

These Powers could scarcely imagine that Europe would look on with indifference; but they trusted that they had a sufficient party to prevent any open declaration in favor of the injured Turks. These expectations, however, the disturbances in Brabant, and the total suspension of the power of France, must have frustrated. Blush, then, O Prussia! if you neglect this favorable opportunity of shewing your justice and magnanimity.--But, still more feelingly shall I say, blush, O England! if you do not, at least, insist on an honourable peace for the Turks. Let every thing the Imperial Courts may take from them, be restored; but, above all things, prevent the Russians obtaining any solid establishment on the Black Sea, or infringing the Grand Signior's right to prevent ships of force, or warlike stores, passing the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. Let the Porte, at least, sit down on the same conditions she was forced to accept by the Treaty of Cainardgie--a treaty which created her present distress--a treaty which we ourselves, in an hour of mistaken policy, compelled her to submit to, and which now, that we know our true interests, we are bound to redress.

What has become of that spirit of virtue and generosity, which, not fifty years ago, led us to enter into an expensive war, in favor of Maria Theresa, merely because she was then an unfortunate Princess, oppressed by an ambitious neighbour, whose usurpations, like those of Russia, threatened in time to affect ourselves.

It is, no doubt, a considerable abatement of the honest joy an Englishman feels in contemplating this act of magnanimity in his ancestors, to find, that ingratitude has been the only return which has been made to us. In cherishing Austria and Russia, we may really be said to have nurtured the viper in our bosom, which, in the moment of our distress, attempted a mortal wound, by forming the Armed Neutrality, or, in plain language, a combination to supply our enemies with implements for our destruction.

If justice to the Turks, whom we have reduced to so critical a situation; if a sense of our national dignity; if our dearest interest, and commercial concerns, will not induce us to speak boldly in a moment like this, self-preservation, at least, should affect us. Let us recollect, that Russia is an evil-disposed, aspiring child; that we now have it in our power to curb her proud spirit; but that, if we neglect this opportunity, and allow her to increase in pride and in strength, in a few years, perhaps, she may trample on our breast.

Pax queritur in Bello is a favorite motto, but Wars guarded against in peace, is, in my opinion, a much better one; and this is the motto England ought to choose. There is nothing, in the present state of Europe, that Great Britain can in justice require, but what she must immediately gain. Let her, then, dictate terms to Russia, and check her ambitious views. If she refuses to submit, let threats and preparations to enforce them, be added; and shew me the Power who, at this moment, will dare to oppose the serious threats of England? Vengeance would soon overwhelm her.

The adverse views of France respecting the Turks, have become every day more notorious^[6]. Monsieur Le Roy, a naval Engineer, who was employed in the Arsenal at Constantinople, has been recalled, and was lately here on his return to France. So far, indeed, have that nation carried their unfriendly measures, that even two French Officers of Artillery, and a few Gunners, who were in the service of the Porte at Oczakow, have been withdrawn by the Ambassador.

I think I have said enough to convince you, that, both through interest and through principle, I sincerely hope that the oppressive views of the two Imperial Courts may be frustrated; and yet there is something so fascinating in the appearance of a Hero, that, I confess to you, when the accounts of his success arrived, I did not feel sorry that the walls of Dubitza had not been able to tarnish the laurels of old Laudohn.

This gallant veteran superseded Prince Lichtenstein, and took the command of the army in Croatia, in the month of August. He immediately advanced to Dubitza, which he took on the 26th of the same month: but he had neither to contend with the garrison that repulsed Colonel Kesnowick, nor with the army that defeated Prince Lichtenstein; for the Grand Vizier, having resolved to invade Hungary, and to carry the war into the enemy's country, had drawn together all the troops he could collect, in order pass the Danube in as great force as possible; and, not thinking that the Austrians would so soon return to a place which had already, in this campaign, twice proved fatal to their arms, he reduced the garrison of Dubitza to so small a number, that, according to the Imperial account, at the time it surrendered, it did not amount to 400 men.

Whether it was, that the Emperor did not find himself sufficiently provided to carry the war with vigour into the Turkish territories, or that the sickness which prevailed among his troops frustrated his intended operations, I cannot pretend to say; but, to the surprise of every body, the grand Imperial army, commanded by the Sovereign in person, remained inactive in the neighbourhood of Semlin, the whole of the months of May, June and July, and a considerable part of August; during the greater part of which time, the Grand Vizir was not within an hundred miles of the frontiers.

This Chief was extraordinarily late in taking the held. It was not till the end of July, that he pitched his camp at Nissa; but from this place, he pursued with vigour his grand object, to carry the war into the enemy's country.

For this purpose, he turned out of the direct road to Belgrade, opposite to which, in the vicinity of Semlin, the Imperialists were encamped, and, directing his march immediately towards Hungary, crossed the Danube, and, with his whole force, invaded that kingdom.

The Austrian General, Wartensleben, who had been ordered to watch the motions of the enemy about Orsowa, occupied a strong post in the vicinity of Meadia, from which an advanced corps of the Grand Vizir's army, drove him on the 28th of August.

According to the Turkish plan I saw of this action, the defile lies between two high mountains; and in the bottom, a little within the pass, lies the town. The Austrians were encamped on the hill on the right, which was looked upon as unassailable on the side towards the Turks. But these enthusiastic people stormed these stupendous heights with the most romantic bravery, and carried them, sword in hand.

It was not valour only, which distinguished the Turks on this occasion; for the Seraskier who commanded, sent a considerable detachment previous to the attack, to make a circuit, and get to the interior side of the hill on the left, that, if his efforts were crowned with success, this corps might enable him to reap the fruit of his labours, by appearing on the flank of the enemy, and cutting off their retreat from the town. In this they completely succeeded. Meadia fell into their hands; and General Wartensleben was obliged to retreat towards Slatina, leaving all his magazines in the hands of the enemy.

As soon as the Emperor was informed of the invasion of Hungary, he put his grand army in motion; and, on the 30th of August, he had reached Caransebes, within two days march of General Wartensleben's corps; but the news of this General's defeat, checked his Majesty's progress. On the 3d of September, however, he again resumed his march, and, advancing towards Slatina, fixed his camp at Illova.

In the mean while, the Seraskier and his detachment, after securing the magazines, remained in the neighbourhood of Meadia some days, waiting the arrival of the Grand Vizir, who immediately advanced, to offer battle to the grand Imperial army, and, on the 10th of September, encamped in sight of the enemy. The Emperor, however, declined the attack. The Grand Vizir, therefore, began a war of posts, by which, in a few days, he reduced the enemy to the alternative of either quitting their position, or of seeing their retreat cut off, should their intrenchments be stormed.

Among other movements, a considerable corps were ordered, on the 14th, to turn the right wing of the Austrians. The Turks made this attack with such impetuosity, that they completely routed all this part of the enemy's line, and the Spahis cut to pieces the whole regiment of Wurmser Hussars.

The Grand Vizir was now enabled to cannonade the Emperor's camp; and, on the 21st, having brought all his schemes to bear, and taken every means to frustrate the enemy's retreat, should victory crown the Ottoman arms, he advanced to attack the grand Imperial army. The Emperor, however, did not think fit to risk the event, but broke up his camp, and retreated with the greatest precipitation.

The Turks had now all the honour and advantages of a victory, without the trouble of fighting for one. The Emperor fled before them; and his rear, with a great part of his baggage and artillery, fell a prey to the enemy. Some thousands of his troops were killed, or taken, and his whole army thrown into such confusion, that, in the night, two of his columns, meeting unexpectedly, fired on each other.

It is said that the Emperor once attempted to rally his troops, but that, on this occasion, he himself was very near being taken prisoner.

This glorious success was announced by the guns of the Seraglio, on the 3d of October. A general Thanksgiving was immediately performed, and orders issued for proclaiming the Grand Signior gazi, or victorious.