The National Register.
London, England, 1820-06-04 00:00:00

CHILI.

The following is an extract of a letter from the
Agents to Lloyd's at Santiago tie Chili, dated Feb.
iB, and received by the Hydra whaler, arrived at
Eyrnouth

c consider the capture of the strong fortress
of Valdivia of such consequence to those engaged in
the trade of Chili, that we hasten to communicate
the same through you. It was attacked by Lord
Cochrane on the night of the 11th current, with
's4o soldiers of a Chili regiment, and the sailors and
►oariues of the frigate O'Higgins, brig Intrepid, and
schooner Monteguma. By day-light eight batteries
were carried, and in the ecurse of the ensuing morn-
iag the town, castle, and fortresses, with 116 pieces
of brass cannon, all the Spanish Royal depot, and
400 soldiers of the regiment of Cantabria, were
taken possession of; the transport Dolves (cut out
of Talcahuano), and a small vessel, retaken. This
was the only point the Spaniards had left in the
state of Chili."

Some further details of the operations of Lord
Cochrane, previously to the important capture, are
communicated in a letter from Valparaiso of the .22c1
of February. It appears that, after raising the
blockade of Callao, he proceeded up the river of
(ivayaquil in pursuit of the Prueva frigate; but
that vessel, having lauded her guns and the greater
part of her stores, was carried so high up the river
that Lord Cochrane was not able to follow her. He
succeeded in making himself master of the small
islend of Puna, which covers the entrance of the
river of Guayaquil, and subsequently captured two
large Spanish merchant vessels, the Agtiila and the
Begonia, one of i,OOO, the other of 700 tons. The
general state of affitirs in Chili had assumed a flou-
rishing aspect. General San Martin had arrived at
the capital from Mendoza, much improved in his
health, and there was every expectation that the
expedition againt Peru would proceed to its destina-
tion by the latter end of March. Nearly 7,000
troops could be rendered disposable for that object.
The resources of the Government had been mate-
rially benefitted by the high duties on Chili produce.
which had been exported in large quantities to Peru.
This circumstance presents an extraordinary picture,
in the supply of one state with the means of sub-
sistence by another, which at the same time carried
on with her the most deadly and exterminating
warfare. The English ships in the Pacific, who
Lad become in this traffic, by licenses from each
power, the medium of communication between both,
and made large profits by it. The Chili Govern-
ment had made some liberal enactments calculated
to encourage the intercourse of foreigners, and to
promote the extension of their own trade. It had
been proposed to levy the full duty of 344 per cent.
on all goods in transit, afterwards reshipped for the
ports of Peru; but, on a representation of the int-
policy of this measure having been made by the
British merchants, the Government gave permission
that all goods declared fur export, when entered at
the Custom-house, might be reshipped by a payment
of one per cent. on the valuation. On all goods
not declared for export, when entered, a duty of 74
per cent. was imposed. The squadron intended to
is -smite the blockade of Callao was expected to sail
from Valparaiso immediately, when the embargo on
merchant vessels in that port would be removed.

Extract of a letter from Valparaiso, dated Feb.
f.'2.—" I told you in my former letter of Lord
Cochrane's entrance into Guayaquil, but u the
letter may not have arrived, I will recapitulate this
'wads :—Lord Cochrane went there with the Lautaro
in search of the Prueva frigate ; at night lie entered
the river alone, attacked and took two large mer
chant vessels, one of 32 guns, 900 tons burden; the
other of 26 guns, 600 tons burden ; such a thing
before was never known. The entrance into Guay.
aquil river, on account of its difficult navigation,
was never attempted except in broad day-lignt, and
then with a pilot. The two prizes have arrived
here; they are laden with timber. The Lautam
arrived six weeks ago, having a few days before her
arrival left the Admiral, whose arrival was also
hourly expected. Many days elapsed, and anxiety
was at its height, when a Spanish brig of war, the
Potrillo, came in ; she had been captured by him
off Valdivia, whither she had been sent from Callao,
with money and stores for the support of that strong
place. Lord Cochrane had sailed there to recon-
noitre ; he looked in, and had just taken in his torn-
lions for the purpose of making a dash, when the
trig hove in sight, which he chased and captured.
Sue had on board 20,000 silver dollars, and stores
worth 40,000 more. He wrote to me on the 22d
t January, saying the military commander on that
t.tion 1.4 d agreed to co-operate with him, and that
is i::C Spia:;a: of a few hours he should dispossess the
-iemy of their hitherto impregnable hold, and
w'io!ly free the southern provinces. He took i. 50
tr.s,ps on board the O'Higgins, the Montezuma
•e: o .ner cf 10 guns, and the Intrepid brig; hut in
the harbour of Conception, the frigate