The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-13 00:00:00

COLOMBIA.

A document hay appeared in the American Papers, pur-
porting to be the report of an agent employed by a commer-
cial house in Havannah, at the request of the Government
of Cuba, to proceed to Carthagena, for the purpose of pro-
curing the information. After giving a statement of the
Colombian navy and army, which we may take another op-
portunity of :eying before our readers, the report proceeds—
" From conversations held by me and in my hearing with the
Commodore of the fleet (Commodore Swain, who is an American),
a captain of the navy, who is also an American, and with many other
officers in subordinate situations—with the surgeon of the Commo-
dore's ship, with whom I was personally acquainted, and who came
out as one of the suite of Mr. Anderson, hlinister of the United
States to Colombia—with a Foreign Consul, and also with the act-
ing partner of an English mercantile house of the first respectability,
who are greatly in the confidence of Government, and have made
contracts with them for large amounts—with the agent for the per-
sons in New York, who contracted to build the frigate, who knows
the pecuniary resources of the country well, together with many
other respectable persons, Spanish, French, and American, I have
obtained the following opinions and information:
" That the original intention of the vessels in port and fit for sea
at this time. under Colomtian colours, was to Join the Mexican
force, for the purpose of assisting them to reduce the castle of St.
Juan de Ulloa. From want of energy, but much more from the
want of seamen, the delay was so great, that this object was ac-
complished without them. Reports were general at that time that
the combined forces intendel to blockade Havannah, and again it
was stated that the combined fleets would proceed to Carthagena,
and take troops for the purpose of landing them on the island of
Cubs, and to effect a revelution there. But nothing trantpircd
officially respecting these later objects. It was the talk of the
people, not of the Government. The belief then seemed
to be, that to invade the Island of Cuba was not a difficult
undertaking, and could be effected with but few vessels—
the Spanish naval force in Havannah not being so great
RA it is now, and the diflictity of procuring seamen for the Colom-
bian navy rot so well ascertained as it now seems to be. Since that
period the vessels have remained in suspense and in an inactive
state, until within a short tine. When the news came from Boli-
var that he should be in Carthagena about the first or middle of
April, with an order that the naval armament should rest as it was
until his snivel, he supposed that the Congress which Is about to
assemble at Panama, where he was to attend, would rise about that
time, and that the tcsult of their deliberations would be something
decisive as to the fir ore operations of the navy.
" It is now ascertained that the Congress will not assemble so
early as was contemplated, and probably will not rise before the
middle of May, and more probably not before the middle of June.
It is not supposed that the result of their deliberations will be to
invade Cuba or blockade Havannah ; for the opinion is that Go-
vetnnient are too much in want of sailors and too poor to attempt
any thing like offensive war.
" Another circumstance has arisen since the order came from
Bolivar, via. the possibility of his proceeding to Buenos Ayres in
person, to ;task in quelling the disturbances there. An intelligent
gentleman with whom 1 conversed, and who left Panama on the
20th of January, told me that he had an interview with General
Carrera, commander of the troops there, to endeavour to obtain a
contract for supplying them with provisions. He learnt from the
General that it was very possible that Bolivar would procetti to La
Plata. and that he himself could not enter into any agreements
until it was known what course things would take. The current
opinion in Carthagena however is, that he will not go; that his en.
gagement to attend the general Congress will supersede every other

" The authorities before mentioned by me, I may say, one and
all, to whom I have put the question, and who, in the course of
conversation. I have heard express an opinion upon it, particularly
the naval officers who are most conversant in these *faint, agree,
that if an attack is totde, or a landing attempted upon the islankof
Cuba, it will be on the north side, the nearest convenient land-
ing-place to the windward of Matanzas, at or between Port Prin-
cipe and Matanzas. This is thought here to be moat expedient,
and the most convenient place to commence their operations,
in subjugating the island. Not • word is said about Porto
Rico.

" The inquiry was a delicate one. and it cannot of course be sup.
that the infiinnation (*mined can amount to a full certainty.
r know it to be the opinion of the Commodore, and I think it may
be pretty securely relied upon. No one thinks the expedition will
take place in the present state of things, but that it will be post-
poned to an intlefinite•time, if attempted at all. The thing has
been talked about so much, that it now entirely ceases to be a
matter of interest in Carthagena. In fine, the idea is ridiculed.
There is so little energy 09 the part of the Government, and so
little spirit in the navy, that the hest informed now think the ves-
sels will be suffered to decay in the harbour, before any thing
is done.

_
It is thought here that the Government of Cuba are preparing
for defence, the expedition against it having been so much talked
about. The reasons why the opinion is so general that the fleet
will not attempt invasion or blockade. I have partly given above.
Embodied they are these:—Want of naval officers and seamen,
since there are not good seamen enough in the whole Colombian
navy to man three frigates well, and not much more than enough
to man two—(this is calculating that the Swedes will not remain
in the service, and undoubtedly the greater part of them will return
home.) The want of good officers is very much felt. A great
many of the foreign officers heretofore in the service have already
quitted it. They entered the navy under the expectation of making
tortunes,but have been egregiously disappointed. Those who are now
in it find it very difficult to get their pay. Besides which the native
Creoles are jealous of them, and the policy of Oovemment seems to
be to get Creole commanders and foreign seamen, and thus
the stimulus to exettion is lost, there being but little hopes of pro.
motion. It is thought most of them will leave the service when
a fair opportunity presents. The sailors, particularly the foreign
sailors, are discontented at not being able to get their pay, nor obtain
thelt discharge. The Engissh sailors in the service have sent to
the Admiral at Jamaica, and offered themselves for the English
navy, stating that their time had expired. The Admiral however
would not interfere. Under these circumstances there is no spirit
among most of the officers nor the men.
" Another imp:dinient is, that the Government are greatly in
debt, and very much in want of inoney—there is not a dollar in the
treasury of Carthagena. The Europeans, who have heretofore en.
tertained a very erroneous idea of this country, its government, and
resources, begin to lose faith in their responsibilities. There is a
general complaint of a want of exertion in the Government. It is
also very doubtful if they have ever entertained a serious Idea of
invading Cuba or Porto Rico; or it' they have, it is not probable
they intended to do it at present.
In the present state of the navy, even if they have pecuniary
resources at hand, it would require a long time to get in readiness.
They must have transports and look to foreign countries for re-
sources, fur they have none of their own, except those already in
the service, and it would take a long time to make them out of the
landsinen. In short, no well-informed man in Carthagena thinks
Cuba or Port Rico will be Invaded.
" These are the results of my inquiries. There are, however,
mow, the populace various opinions of course ; but those most
to be relied upon, hold to the opinions above stated."
FACILITY OF COMMUNICATION RETVIEfN LIVERPOOL
ANI) DUBLIN.--The speed• and regularity of the eteam-
packets is such, at the present season, that a clerk in a
merchant's office left Liverpool after the hours of business
on a Saturday evening, passed the Sunday with a friend in
Dublin, and was at Liverpool before the office opened on
Monday morning.

CITY ELECTION.
(TRIAD DAY.)
At the usual hour this morning the Candidates appeared on the
hustings, and were greeted by their respective friends. The sup.
porters of Aldennan Thompson and of Alderman Waithman ap-
peared to persevere with unabated zeal to procure votes for their
farouritee. The polling wee very brisk throughout the day,
and indicated a protracted contest. The friends of Alderman
Waithman and of Alderman Wood almost uniformly vote for them
jointly—a circumstance which was the subject of much conversa-
tion in the City during the day, and as yet no correct opinion can
be formed as to the issue of the contest. Some few of the Livery
persisted in giving their votes for Alderman (Jarrett, but he is now
considered entirely out of the question. The poll closed at three
o'clock, when the Sheriffs and other officers, together with the Can.
didates, retired to a room adjoining the Hall, where the votes of
the day were calculated. At half-past three they all returned,
when the following numbers were posted up :
Mr. Alderman Thompson 2087 31r. Ward 1548
Mr. Alderman Waithman 1711 I The Lord Mayor • 1463
Mr. Alderman Wood 1654 Mr. Alderman Garrett 305
Mr. Alderman Thom nos; then came forward to the front of
the hustings, and was received with loud cheers, which continued
for some minutes. After silence war restored, the worthy Alder-
man begged to assure the Livery that it was most gratifying to his
feelings to have to acknowledge the distinguished and unprece-
dented support which the day's poll shewed that lie had received
from the Livery of London ; and he would only occupy their at-
tention whilst he solicited most earnestly a continuation of the same
support. (Cheers.) And if he should be so fortunate as to become
mew Representative in Parliament, it would be his unceasing soli-
citude through life to deserve the inestimable satisfaction of being
honoured with their confidence and good opinion. (Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman IVAiTHMASr then came forward ; he was also
received with cheers. He said, that when last he had the honour
of addressing them, he had requested of them most particularly ti
continue their exertions in his support, and it was the more nem•
teary for them to do so, as he stood upon public opinion alone.
(Cheers.) As that was the case, it was evideat the result of the
contest depended entirely upon themselves. (Hear, hear.) Their
exertions upon that day, as well as upon the preceding days of the
election, demanded his warmest acknowledgements, and he de-
rived the greater satisfaction from it, as he considered it one great
effort towards arriving at the purity of election. lie could wish to see
the time, but he feared it would not occur during his life. when the
electors would come unsolicited to the poll, and give their votes;
and he further hoped, that the noble example of Westminster would
be generally followed in reaming hlembers free of expense. By
the principles of the Constitution, the Members of the House of
Commons were paid by their constituents; but latterly it was the
practice that they should be paid by the 31inisters (hear, hear);
and when they saw individuals coming to claim their suffrages at a
great expense and sacrifice of property, was it reasonable to sup-
pose that such candidates would prefer the interest of tile public to
their own ? The public had not yet arrived at that proper state of
feeling which was requisite to conduct their elections on perfectly
independent principles, and he hoped the electors would begin
their reformations by reforming themselves. (Hear, hear, hear.)
With respect to the state of the poll, he must, while he ex-
pressed a great satisfaction at the result. again repeat that he
bad no local Committees, nor had lie any of that influence
which might be used by others ; he depended entirely upon the in.
dustry of his friends, and upon the influence of public opinion
for the successful termination of the election, and he particularly
requested of his friends to use their exertions in bringing his sup-
porters to the poll without delay. If any remissness or delay took
' place on that day, he hoped it would be repaired tomorrow (this
day); as yet he must say that his friends had kept pace with the
greatest efforts which had been made, for on that day he polled
more than had been polled on the last day of the election ; and he
hoped when his friends returned home they would use all their ex-
ertions in getting their friends to flock to the poll to-morrow (this
day), and every succeeding day of the poll. There was one fact
which he wished to remind them of, and to impress as forcibly
as he could, and that was, that the poll would close on Friday ; and
the reason he was so particular in doing so was, that en opinion
had gone abroad that the poll would be open on Saturday, which
lie again begged to assure them was not the case, and he earnestly
requested of his friends not to be keeping themselves in reserve to
the last day ; he begged they would use no reserve with him (a
laugh), and upon that point he wished his supporters to be guided
by the discretion and opinion of his Committee, who were the best
judges of what wculd most conduce to his success. The reason lie
dwelt so much upon that point was, that he attributed his defeat at
the last election to the fact, that, on the last day of it, ft was found
six hundred votes were in reserve for him, three hundred of whom
were not able to come to the poll; and he would on this occasion
earnestly solicit of his friends not to run any risk by delay. Ile
hoped such of his friends as were present would withdraw, and con.
sult with his Committee; and he hoped, on the next and succeeding
days, to see them prevailing with their respective friends to come
up as early as possible to the poll. He begged to thank them most
sincerely for their patient hearing. (Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman Noon next appeared on the front of the hush
ings, and was received with loud cheers. It was some time before
he could procure a hearing. He commenced by saying that he was
sure his worthy friend (Alderman Waithman) did Nit wish the
Livery to withdraw without giving him (Alderman Wood) a hear-
ing. lie said that they had come to perform their duty as electors
with perfect good humour. lie believed there were some few
amongst them who felt a degree of displeasure at the state of the
poll, but he assured those gentlemen that he felt no unpleasant sen.
sation towards them (hear, hear), nor would he ever feel the
slightest animosity towards those who opposed them. He had not
canvassed out of London, nor was it in lilt power to canvass a great
part of London ; but friends flocked unsolicited to him front die.
ferent parts of the country where Liveryinen resided, and this he
considered a proof that he had acted upon principle, and that he
was supported upon principle; and, in support of this assertion,
he would, as he had done before, refer to his votes in Parliament.
Those votes he had, through the kindness of a friend, been able to
procure. Ile had them then in his pocket, and would refer the
Livery to them, but that he did not wish to detain them ; but he
could state that lie had, during the last session, voted forty times
I against any increase of unnecessary taxation, and against encroach.
ments on the liberty of the subject. (Hear.) He begged of the
Livery to refer to his votes, and if they were not satisfied with his
acts, not to vote for him. He telt no uneasiness at the place which
he occupied on the pell. At the last election he was only third on
the list until the last day, and he relied on the feelings of them as
Englishmen to return him on the last day of the present election
triumphantly. (Cheers.)
Mr. WARD then came forward, and was received with cheers
by his friends, and marks of disapprobation ; a mingled uproar of
hisses and cheers continued some minutes, during which time the
gentleman made several attempts to address the liverymen; indeed
during the time he was speaking it was difficult to catch bis obser-
vations, in consequence of the noise. NVe understood the gentle-
man to nay, that he had again to thank the Livery for the great sup-
port which he had received, and for the place which he was enabled
to take on the poll. He had received fifty-six votes more on that
day than on the last (lay of the election, and if such increase con-
tinued, there could be no doubt of his final success. Here the
gentleman experienced considerable interruption ; he said that on
Friday die Livery did hint the honour to listen to him, and on Sa.
turday also he was favoured with a hearing, but it seemed that on
this occasion, by way of variety, he should have to listen to them.
(A laugh.) lie would, therefore, not trespass further than to
thank them for the support which he had received.
The Lone Melton then came forward, and was received with
cheers. He said ft then became his duty to address the Livery, and
although he could not address them with exulation upon the situa.
tion which he held on the poll, he could and did address them
with equal respect, and as much gratification, and with as much
confidence in the result of the election, as any of the gentlemen
who lied preceded him. ( Hear, hear.) On the first day of the
election, when he had the honour of addressing the Livery, he said
that he had been promised as respectable and as large a support as
ever before had been pledged to any individual ; and if those per-
sons who had promised him their support rould come forward
during the contest, instead of the lowest he would be the highest
on the list of the candidates. With regard to the issue of the
contest, he assured them that it gave him no uneasiness. lie had
not attended to electioneering, and even yesterday, (Sunday) he
had spent with his family with as much tranquillity as if no such
contest existed. He had come forward at the request and solicita-
tion of a great body of the Livery, and his only consideration in
yielding to their wishes was, whether he could devote himself use-
fully to the interests of his constituents; die result of the election he
left entirely with the Livery, rind he was fully satisfied that,
in deciding, they would not be it fluenced by great names, but that
they would give their auflkages to those whose zeal, industry, and
whose habits of business qualified them to be useful Representatives
of the City of London, the welfare of which was of so much im-
portance to them all. If they returned hint. he would not yield to
any person in those qualities which he mentioned—.zeal, industry,
and perseverance for the interest of the City which he should repre.
sent. (Hear, hear.) They often had applications for their suf.
(rages from Candidates possessing greater talents than he could lay
c'aim to, but he would venture to say that no more independent
Candidate had ever presented himself for the City of London.
They had been called upon to make exertions. lie would call upon
them to examine his conduct, and if they found him worthy to give
him their support, and if they should return him, it would be
the pride and pleasure of his life to continue deserving their good
opinion. He begged to assure the Livery that he had no influence
to exert. That influence which he might be supposed to possess in
the election
consequence of his situation, he hail divested hitnself of at the out.
his most grateful thttahonehnkism,leafentndlesihehtiuslisropunetrodr
set. He would not detain the Livery any longer. but return them
Liverymenthemselves. ((Cheers.
"se;
w"TihdebeCanaraidatesble y,t ht
sod t h result
e of
panted.
A public dinner was given on Thursday last, at Mor-
peth, to Lord Howick, by the Blue and Buff party. His Lordship
was met by a large party of freeholders at the entrance of the town,
and escorted by them to the committee-room in procession. At
dinner the chair was filled by William Ord, Esq.. one of the late
Members for the town. Alter Lord Howick had returned thanks
for the honour done him, the health of hlr. Lambton was drank
with great enthusiasm. Mr. Lambton, whom indisposition had
prevented from joining the party till dinner was over, then rose,
rust in a most spirited and eloquent speech, advocated the cause
they were met to support. He described, in an animsted manner,
the universal wish to see the sots of Earl Grey among the Represen-
tatives of the county, and adverted to the attacks made upon him-
self by the Beaumont family. which he treated in a very happy vein
of ridicule. Mr. Liuubton's address was received throughout with
the loudest cheers. A series of patriotic toasts were afterwards
drank, and hilarity was kept up to a late hour.