The Sun.
London, England, 1824-03-22 00:00:00

STATE OF PERU.

(From the (Hampshire Tekg,rapi.]
The following are extracts from letters which
we have received from naval officers employed on
the coast of Chili and Peru. We have no doubt
whatever of the authenticity of the writers' state-
ments—an assurance we should deem unneces-
sary, didwe not know the great interest which is
at the present
moment attached by 'British mer-
chants to information from that distant quarter:—

" CALLAO, SEPT. 29, 1823.—President Bolivar arrived
here on the Ist instant front Guyaquil, and N. as received with
every mark of respect it was in the power of these people to be-
stow. A report has reached us, that an action has taken place
between General Santa Cruz and General Valdez, in which the
latter was d. feated, with the loss of 300 men. Notwithstand-
ing this event, I must alter my opinion (the writer's former
letters to the printers expressed his confidence in the success of
the Royalists) as it is next to impossible that Geniis! Cantarac
can withstand the forces which will be soon acting against him
on three different points. Besides, public opinion in Lima is
changing against him, though the people are not pleased with
being so often called upon for contributions, as they are told,
' for the salvation of Peru.' Bolivar's first act was to levy a
contribution of 100,000 dollars : and yesterday he seized all the
horses and mules."

" CALLA°, Nov. I.—Bolivar has been called by the. Con,
stitutional Congress of Peru, and by the chiefs of the army (h 0
own words), to the supreme authority by the title of Liber-
tador.' -He is to have the chief military command in all the
territories of Peru, as well as the civil power. He is greatly
esteemed and admired by all. Santa Cruz has requested an
inquiry into his conduct, respecting his recent defeat. General
Miller is appointed to the chief command of the Peruvian
army ; he is greatly esteemed for his valour and military
talent. This appointment has met the general approbation,
and re-established much confidence. The Spaniards have about
12,000 men in Upper Peru ; the Patriots expect to bring into
the field about 18,000. Those from Lima will not be ready to
march in less than seven or eight weeks. Between this and
Pisco, there are 6,000 Colombians, 1,000 Chiliang, and 1,800
Buenos Ayriens ; 2,500 'Cliilians sailed from Valparaiso for
Pisco on the 15th of October, and are no doubt arrived ere this.
The Chilian - army is to be commanded by :General Pintos.
Santa Cruz is yet at Moquigua, with 1,900 Peruvians. Riva
A gu era, the ex- President, has acknowledged Bolivar's authority;
he is at Truxillo, with 3,000 men. Three thousand are to
come here from Colombia ; they are to emliark at Penama ;
and these are not included in the above-stated 18,000. Even
Santa Cruz speaks highly of General Miller. We hear
that the commisioners have arrived at Buenos Ayres; but
Bolivar says that lie shall continue the preparations for war,
but hopes that matters may be settled Without further
bloodshed. The public treasury of the patriots is very desti-
tute. Bolivar, or the Congress, has laid a tax on house pro-
perty ; owners pay one-fourth of rent-100,900 dollars a
month raised this way—to be in force four months from
the date of its operation. The Government is continually
borrowing money of British merchants, which they rather
eicpect to lose. The Aurora frigate, Captain Prescott, soils
on the Bth, for San Blas ; she is to return here the middle of
March, 'then to Valparaiso, then to Rio. She will ultimately
leave the Pacific about May, by which time the Briton, 46, fir
M. Maxwell; will he here. The Tartar, 42, Captain Thothas
Brown, lying here, is now senior officer in the Pacific. The
Fly, 18, Captain Martin, is at Valparaiso. 'l'llo Blossoth, 28,
is expected :here hourly. She is to go to Valparaiso, then to
Rio immediately. There are no French Allips, of war iu the
Pacific. The. American Franklin, 74, and Dolphin brig; are
both at Valparaiso. Lord Wm. Paget, of the Tartar, is ap-
pointed to the Aurora, vice Mansfield, appointed to the Tartar."