The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-12-08 00:00:00

_
SIEGE OF CALLAO.

Adviccs have been received from Lima to the beginning
of August. The following extract from a private Later
contains the fullest account of the siege of the Castles of
Callao which has been received in England, and, as it also
gives a description of the situation and defences of the
fortress, will be read with interest :
" Callao is situated on a neck of low land that projects into tho
pea, and contAined before the war about 4.000 inhabitants The
fortifications consist of three castles, mounting together one hon.
tired and ninety pieces of heavy ordnance, and entnmand the town,
the harbour, and the whole neck of land across which they are sb.
tuated. They are built of heavy moue-work, incliniq inwards
from the base, and surrounded by deep wide moats, with heavy
draw-bridges across, in the ancient style. The walls are so stung
that no artillery can penetrate them; their inclination intrude
from the base causes t'e balsa which strike them horizontally to
glance over; besides, they are protected by trenches thrown up ca
the outside, nearly to the muzzles of the guns; and which ea
answer as a breast-work for troops outside.
" Six months ago, when the Patriots a second time got panes.
sion of Lima, it was expected Rodil would have immediately es-
pitulated and surrendered Callao: instead of which, be drove the
old men, women, and children, trom the town, laid up stores of
pruviaiona foe his troops, and defied his antagonists. Was force
at that time was IMO men, but tit number is reduced by death
and desertion to about 800. They are blockaded by a squadron
of five or six vessels, and besiegal on land by a Patriot three of
1.000. The castles contain immense stotea of ammunition and con•
siderable wealth.

" Rodil is a determined man, in desperate circumstances. Ile
may be reduced by disease and desertion, but will never voluntarily
surrender. His boats fish in safety under the guns of the castles,
and he has land enough within their protection to raise vegetables
for his troops.
" The besieging army occupies a small town called Belli.
vista, on the road to Lima, about three.quarters of a mile from
the castles. This town is nearly destroyed by the guns of
the castles; there is scarcely a house remaining habitable, sod
the soldiers are prineipally sheltered in tents behind the remaining
walls.
" There has been daily fighting for the last three months, and
frequent skirmishing between the troops. The firine from the castles
is at times tremendous. They certainly return the Patriots ten shell
for one.
" I visited the Patriot camp a few days age, and leaving
my horse at Bellaviata, proceeded on foot along the trenches,
which project in short angles from the town, about halts mile to.
wards the castles, and within a few hundred yards of them.
" These trenches are dug about three feet deep, and the loose
earth thrown up on the side towards the castles, and staked ; to
that the trench and breastwork together are about as high u the
head, and behind them I felt tolerably safe from the he ',Fa
whistled over me. Whilst looking over the mitrenthmentst It
lower end, towards the castles, I observed one of the fishing box
full of men, pulling towards the blockading vessels. They were
deserting from the aides, which instantly opened a melt td•
mentions fire upon the boat. The shot dashed the water shoe: her
without appeanng to do her any serious damage.
" I took this opportunity, whilst they were enraged on theses
side, to gn beyond the entrenchment, and view the castles. They
did not appear to have received the least impression from the hew
firing that had been made on them by the besiegers. They bad e
very military appearance; the Royal Standard was flying; the
sentinels were marching on the battlements ; and evert doge,'
peered to be In perfect order. Ido not think they can be taken by
assault ; the moat is too wide to be passed without much lbw;
the land is so low they cannot be undermined, and they limbo"
bombarded without any perceptible effect. The besieged he"
made every preparation for defence. I was told by Offices in the
Patriot camp that the walls were covered with bomb-shells, rail
to be tired and roiled on any assaulting party.
" I had not much time to make nbservitions ; the boat escs7ed
and the firing against the enerenchments recommenced, and eves
within them it was rather warm quarters for a disinterested wee'
tator. On returning to Bellavista, I observed several Officers col-
lected to see the boat escape, and found among them the chid
engineer, who is a Frenchtmon„ and speaks a little Ecei‘!'.
" It appears Rodil is most apprehensive of disaffection among
his troops. He. however, has one regiment that he enlisted et
Arequipa, in which he placed great confidence. Ile peewee"
most rigid discipline; no three persons see allowed to conittle
together privately ; and any sign of discontent is punished yob
instant death. At one time a Colonel spoke to him, of their sites-
tion, told him the troops were loyal, and determined to die under
his command, in defence of the modes, but they were desirous to
know shot prospects he had of success.
" Rndil immediately had the troops paraded. informed thOU
his affairs were desperate, and he did not wish any to ecedei3
him who were discontented ; but desired them to use that titar
signify their sentiments, and ordered those who were dissativfixl te
ground their arms, and advance in front. Accordingly Arta fell.
men, including the Colonel and some Offi:en, marched out et
the
were when he instantly ordered the line to fire on them. And
were all executed. It was an awful stratagem to distort I'4
rid himself of the disaffected, and to awe the garrison into furore
silence.
" A few such men as Roth! would ruin the Patriot esuee,i°
this country, and literally be worth the Indies to Ferdinand.
Liverpool Albion.

Yesterday Mr. Bolland handed round to his brother bc.
risters, at the London Sessions, a letter, which iwe "114
senior practitioner at the sessions,
had received frJa:
Lord Mayor, ruesting him to notify to the gentlemen 0'
eq
the bar, that whenever their avocations brought them
ro
the Old Bailey Sessions House the table would be open ro
them all. This hospitable practice prevailed until *Wu'.
29 years ago, when it was discontinued, and the custom 01
giving personal invitations to the banisters alternately 03
different days was substituted. This regulation will maw
ially increase the expenses of the session, which fan caw
the purses of his Lordship and the Shelia.

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greatest import:
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FAST

The Right Hoc
the Duke of york
St their house in 1
Quintin Dick,
in Curzon-street.

The Duke of V

Caitie-,61;;;
Lord and Lad 3
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T. W. Dear r°
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The Earl of Be
Viscount Bern:
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Lord Selzer has
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Mr. and Mrs. I
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Sir Colin, Lad;
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from ditto :-51;:
bury Park, Surre,
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Rev. r.. Sunid

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