The National Register.
London, England, 1823-04-21 00:00:00

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Letters from Chili to the 10th of December, re-
ceived by way of Buenos Ayres, state, that on •to
that day slight shocks of earthquake had been felt
daily since the 19th of November, when the great
one occurred which nearly destroyed Valparaise and
several other towns. At the above date, the people
could not venture to remain in their houses with the
doors Ant. Business of all kinds was suspended.
Disturbances are said to have taken place in the
province of Conception ; indeed, it is said that that
province has declared its independence, and was
send►ng its Commander-in-Chief with an army to
reform the government of Santiago. It was gene-
rally believed he would be well received: hopes,
however, were entertained that he would support
the Director, O'Higgins, and endeavour to effect
only' a removal of the other members of administra-
tion, whose measures (especially the new regulation
fur trade) had excited great odium amongst the
people.
Letters from Gibraltar of the 19th ult. state, that
a French convoy passed the Straits that morning
froan the Mediterranean, and was off Cape Spartel
in the afternoon. It consisted of nine vessels, apps.
study in ballast, under the escort of a brig of war,
the captain of which asked the master of a Spanish
craft whether he had heard of a French line-of-
battle ship, or knew of any Spanish cruisers. It
was reported that a Spanish ship of the line and a
brig had sailed from Cadiz en a cruise, An Alge-
rine squadron, consisting of a 60-gun ship, and a
50-gun strip, a schooaer, and a corvette (the latter
belonging to the Baahsw of Alexandria), sailed from
Algiers fu Alexandria on the 4th ult. The Consul
of the Kiag of the Netherlands previously declared
to the Dry, that if hii corsairs captured a single
Spanish vesaJ, they wenid immediately be attacked
by the Dutch squadron.
Papers from the United States have just arrived,
of which the latest date is the 24th ult. from ?Jew
York. They contain &deices from Havannah to the
;sth ult., which is several days later than any re-
ceived in London direct, and where it is said great
activity and bustle prevailed, in consequence of an
apprehended attack from the British naval forces in
the West Indies. Every seaman found on shore
was pressed into their service, and efforts were
making to put their military defences in the best
condition. These apprehensions, since the line Mi-
nisters intend to pursue has been so distinctly
marled out, are, of course, wholly without founda-
tion. The only South American news in these
pa;:ers of :it; novelty or interest is that from Lima.
It is under date of the 26th December, from Callao,
and announces that the two days preceding there
had been great rejoicings and illuininutiona at Lima
in cutiraquence of recent information from the pa-
triot army at Arica. It was asserted that a power-
ful Indian chief had espoused the independent cause,
and brought with him 4,000 Indians, and a supply
of cattle and money. Infantry and cavalry had been
leaving Lima in small detachments during the
month, but tile troops sent by Bolivar, and a consi-
derable number of militia, remained in the city.
The last accounts left the Royalist troops in the
valley of Sammoss, a short distance from the Inde-
pendents, whose plan was not to risk a general en-
gagement till sufficient reinforcements arrived to
render victory certain.
Minneesez INDEPENDENCL—About 300 free-
holders sat down to dinner on Tuesday, at the Mer-
►usid, at 11.wknev, to celebrate the return of Messrs.
Byng and Whitbread.—On the health► of the two
members being drunk, they eiteli returned thanks.
The health of Mr. Hume followed, and that gen-
tleman made his acknowledgments at great length.
The chairman, Mr. C. Shaw Lefevre, jun. returned
thanks tin. the same honour paid to him, and the
company separated at a late hour.
A meeting of the Comity of Devon was held at
Exeter on Friday last, for the purpose of petitioning
Parliament for a reform ; the High Sheriff having
refused w convene a county meeting, the same was
held at the instance of five magistrates. Lord
Ebrington presided; and a petition, embracing the
objects for which the meeting was assembled, was
agreed to.
NEWIFUKT ELFCTION.—The recent contest for
this borough was distinguished by such a spirited
uppositioa to the powerful influence of the Duke of
Northumberland, us affords the strongest pomade.
for believing, that at the next general election two
members will be returned on the independent in-
terest, To bring about so desirable a result, the
greater portion of the electors have come to the
manly resolution to revive and confirm the ancient
usages of the borough, whereby the freedom of
election will be effi:ctually secured against all aris-
tocratic dictation. •
g On Thursday last, while eating a beef steak at
the Chequers, Ely, apparently in good health, Mr.
Edward Shin, gamekeeper to E. It. Pratt, Esq. of
kazoo Hall, in Norfolk, fell back on the seat,
and expired immediately. Mr. S. had accompanied
his Wife and daughter as far as Ely on their way to
London: the' coach bad not left Ely above an hour
when the event happened.