Star.
London, England, 1830-02-18 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICAN REGISTER.

INTERIOR.-CIRCULAR.

Republic of Columbia—Minister of State—lnterior
Department.—Bogota, October 14, 1829.—T0 the Pre-
fect of

As the meeting of Congress approaches, which must
settle the destinies of Columbia, Government participate,
in the wish of seeing it constituted according to general
interests, to practical conveniences, and circumstances
proper to localities, customs, and civilisation.
But let the individuals elected by the people be ever
so worthy of the confidence of their constituents; let the
government and the nation be ever so identified in their
sentiments as to the effect, and support,with all their moral
power of, the august and constituent assembly ; the votes
of the elected might nevertheless bo led astray, and fail
to fulfill the wishes of the represented, were they not
instructed by the latter, and explicitly acquainted with
their opinions. It is therefore the bounden duty of
Government to excite the nation to declare its will, of
which the representatives of the people are to bo
the organ. The hostilities with Peru being sus-
pended, and the moment approaching for the meeting
of the Congress, the period is arrived for seri-
iously meditating on the settlement of the social
compact and the organisation of political powers. Never
could a better use be made of the Press than by employ-
ing it, not in enthralling opinion, but in showing the
true national one with respect to the form of Government,
the code which should be sanctioned, and the appointment
of the Chief of the Administration.

The Liberator President, who only took upon himself
provisionally the supreme command in order to still,.
anarchy, and restore the republic to peace, does not omit
any thing that possibly can make the Congress acquainted
with the wishes of the Columbian people; and never
might that right of petition, enlarged by the organic
decree, be exercised with greater effect and utility, than
on this occasion. Tho Liberator having no personal
views regarding the nature of Government, nor the Ad-
ministration to preside over it, all political opinions, how-
ever exaggerated they may be deemed, will meet an im-
partial reception in the mind of H. E. provided they be
expressed with moderate frankness, and be no way in
opposition to individual guarantees and national inde-
pendence.

At the same time that I have received the orders of
H. E. to make you this explanation, I am desired to
inform you to promote in the department under your
command the development of the public spirit inviting
every cititizen to declare his opinions regarding the sub-
jects which should occupy the next national reprepresen-
tation, either by the way of the press, or by any other
not expressly prohibited. To this effect V. S. will bo
pleased to cause this order to be printed, published, and
circulated, notwithstanding those other invitations V. S.
will be pleased to reiterate in compliance with H. E.'.
directions.

GOD savo V. S.

JOSE MANUEL RESFRIEPO.

The official letter of the honourable the Secretary of
the Interior to the Departmental Prefects, which will be
found in our columns, does great credit in every respect
to his Excellency the LIBERATOR PRESIDENT, as s
monument of his genius and prudence, his refined love of
country, and his deference to national opinion. He evinces
in it a laudable anxiety that the Columbiana speak their
opinions freely with regard to the institutions which they
deem suited for promoting the future welfare of Colum-
bia, as well as the individual they consider best entitled
to be elevated to the Presidency of the Republic. It is
principally for the wise, who are not indifferent to the fate
of the country, and who have talents to influence in any
way the ulterior condition of a people destined by PRO-
♦IDENCE to the highest fortunes, to omit no opportunity
to give their advice upon the important matters of this
state paper. Those who will be deaf to these pa-
triotic excitements of the Father of the Country
must be guilty of a serious and dishonourable
crime, of disgrace to the national dignity, and of
obstructing public happiness. But if intelligent citizens
show to our rulers the right path, and endeavour to rectify
opinions and destroy those fatal errors that more than
once have brought misfortunes and ignominy to the
Columbian people, they will undoubtedly accomplish
their august mission, and make themselves worthy, by
their distinguished services, of the gratitude and praise
of the present and future generations. " Wise, learned,
and literary men," says the immortal author of the Uni-
verscl Moral, " must be considered like citizens who
gather and diffuse doctrines among other people, rendering
labour easy, and combating errors." The soundest un-
derstanding may certainly err ; but it belongs to the
collected knowledge of reflecting men to appreciate,
correct, and carry to perfection, the conceptions that
every ono brings forth to the public. The most interest-
ing truths to general happiness are difficult to be found
out, and they are but tardy fruits of men's investiga-
tions.

DIVISION OF OPERATIONS UPON ANTIOQUIA.
DETAIL OF THE VICTORY OF THE SANTUARIO.

Commandanry in Chief of the Division of Operations.—Head-
quarters at Rionegro, 18th October, 1829.
To the Most Excellent Minister, Secretary of State for the War

MOST EXCELLENT SIR—In my last despatch from
Cassoas I informed your Excellency that I was not de-
cided as to the road I should take to penetrate into this
province ; but on the 13th, on arriving to Aguada, where
the two roads of San Carlos and Seja divide, I learned
that General CORDOVA was intrenched on the height of
Paramo, leading to this town, and that be was cutting
through the more difficult pass. I was also- informed
that this General had sent commissioners to destroy the
bridge of Caldera, and that his orders were but badly
executed. I directly ordered Lieut. CORREA to go with a
party, by the way of Seja, up to the arena' (sandy ground ,)
with instructions to stay there three days, for the pur-
pose of attracting the attention of the enemy ; and at the
same time I directed Capt. ALZATE to proceed with the
2d of Bankers, at forced marches, to occupy the bridge
of Caldera, which was accomplished without opposition.
The 14th the division entered San Carlos. Here I re-
ceived from the first Commander, .Joss MANUEL MON-
TOYA, whom, as announced before to your Excellency, I
had sent in commission to General CORDOVA, the com-
munication and documents, copies of which under Nos.
1,2, and 3, 1 beg to accompany this. The insolent
note of the factious General to my commissioner, and
next his criminal obstinacy in rejecting the very mo-
derate conditions I held out to him with a view to spare
the shedding of blood, determined me to entrust the
destinies of this province to the fate of a battle.
On the 15th I established my bead quarters at Cal-
den. The 16th the whole division made a forced march
and arrived at Baas. Yesterday at 2 a. sa.l was in-
formed by my confidential agents that Genial Cot-
, DOVA was acquainted with my niermsents, but too lass
to harass us on getting oat of the asantain, was il
on to the Santana. At 6 o'clock I broke up the camp
marched on to the sun place. At 11;a. tt. I met the

enemy posted in strong positions at twenty cuadras from
the Santuario. I ordered directly Captain ALZATE, with
the second of flankers to attack briskly the advanced
guards who endeavoured to dispute the pass and
prevent us from forming on a kind of esplanade at
the outlaying of the defile. Our flankers forced the pass,
and the division was able to form in order of battle.
Dining this operation General CORDOVA retired to the
Chapel of the Santuario, where he took a position, leav-
ing one company displayed in guerrilla, in order to de-
fend a broken ground through which we had to pass.
The position of the enemy was excellent ; he formed in
column, with his right resting on the chapel and the left
protected by a troop of cavalry. Behind a neighbouring
house he had posted his reserve. I divided the column
of rifles (cazadores) of Occident in three sections. The
first, composed of the 2d of Rankers, 2d and 3d and
sth of rifles, under the command of the second Com-
mander Lt sox, received orders to march off to force the
broken ground, and attack the centre of the enemy. The
~ccend, consisting of the Ist, 4th, and 6th of rifles,
under the immediate orders of the brave Colonel Ca s-
rs: r. at, was to threaten the left of the enemy, and to draw
them out of the chapel by a feigned retreat. The let of
Hankers and the piquet of cavalry, under the orders of
Colonel CROF roN, remained in reserve. No sooner had
the combat began than General CORDO vn descried me ;
and as he advanced and called me out by my name,
caused the fire to cease to ask the General his purpose.
Ile did the same on his part ; and addressing me, invited
me to save the Republic. I being persuaded that the Ge-
neral spoke in good faith, answered that there was nothing
1 more sincerely wished than to do so, and to spare blood
by friendly arrangements. The General dared to bold
out to me shameful proposals which I repelled with in-
dignation. We then retired to our respective positions,
and I giving out the well-known signal for combat and
victory, Long live thc Liberator, long live the Liberator,
were three times repeated by the troops under my com-
mand, who, defying death, advanced with that enthu-
slam and coolness, inspired by the justice of a good
eftliSe.

On our right the Ist of rifles gave way according to my
instructions, arid the General CORDOVA, elated with
what he thought a sure foreboding of triumph, followed
it with rash precipitation, and caused even his reserve to
advance : henceforth the battle became general.
The factious wishing to imitate the undaunted and
splendid courage of their Chief, fought with desperation.
The combat had already lasted two hours, when I ordered
Colonel CASTELLI and Commander LusoN to charge
with fixed bayonets, and Colonel CROFTON to advance at
full speed with his cavalry. These brave Chiefs, displaying
brilliant proofs of their courage, swept away every ob-
stacle opposed to them. Ilenceforward the astonishing ef-
forts of Gen. Co RDOVA were in vain, who, after disputing
the ground inch by inch, and seeing that every thing
was lost, retired to a tile house (casa de teja) accompanied
by some officers and 20 infantry. Thither our troops
pursued him, and a brisk fire from both the parties en-
sued, till I reached in front cf the house, and ordered our
troops to cease fighting : but the enemy, obstinate to the
hst. did not choose to imitate my example. Some
soldiers, and horses of the officers accompanying me,
were wounded and killed. No alternative was now left
t( me. I gave, therefore, directions to Commander
CA ST ELI.I, and second commander of cavalry, HAND,
to force pie house, and give no quarter to such as re-
'dated. At that moment an officer came to inform me
that a chief of the enemy, supposed to be General
Coßnov A, was seeking me in another part of the field
in order to surrender. I flew to protect him, and found
Commander GIRALDO, and other officers of the enemy,
who sought my protection. On returning to the house,
I found in our power the unfortunate General Connova,
who had just received a mortal wound, and entreated
leave to speak to me. In contemplating his misfortune,
I forgot his perfidy and treason, to remember for a mo-
ment my old friend and comrade. He spoke to me of
his ingratitude and repentance, of the clemency of the
Liberator and the government, and then expired, after
receiving a thousand attentions from onr chiefs and
officers.

It is with the greatest regret I inform your Excellency
chat the blind obstinacy of General Connov A has sacri-
ficed in the combat several Chiefs and Officers, and 200
rank and Sle killed, and a very considerable number
,wounded. Almost all the remaining rebel troops are
p.i..,oners of war, very few having been able to escape;
amongst them is Colonel Salvador Cordova.

Our loss is one Officer and 12 soldiers killed, and 15
wounded.

It is my duty to recommend to government tho con-
duct of the troops under my command in the action of
lesturday, as well as in the whole campaign. This divi-
sion have endured privations not to be believed by those
who never experienced them : rough and horrible roads
and the inclemency of a severe winter, could not abate
their enthusiasm. I ant very much obliged to Colonel
Francisco Urtlaneta for the eminent services tendered
during all th campaign, and in the combat of yesterday.
I particularly recommend the cool and brilliant behaviour
of Colonel Castelli, and the distinguished courage of Col.
Crofton, of the Ist ; Commanders Durrai, the Chief of
the Staff, and Hand, of the 2d ; Commander Luson and
Captain Alzate, who very particularly distinguished him-
self ; Captains Alvarez, Tijada, Razamande, and San
Juan ; the First Lieutenants Sosa, Asuaje, Trajillo,
Correa, and lloyos ; the 2d Urrutia, Machado, Sepul-
veda and Campos ; the first Ensigns Martin Fernan-
dez, Herrera, Rocha, Padron Mina, Delgado y Ro-
driguez. The let of Hankers did not enter into ac-
tion : however, the conduct of Captain Sevillano and
Lieutenant Indabura is worthy of special mention. My
Aid-de-Camp, Lieutenant O'Caw behaved with great
bravery. The piquet of cavalry had a distinguished
dare in the victory.
I perform a very agreeable duty in recommending to
)our Excellency the services of first Commander Jodi
Masud Montoya. His coming to this province, and
ins '40041 counsels, are commended even by the partisans
neral CORDOVA.
The province of Antioqua is now peaceful, and the
la‘li have recovered their sway. These faithful inha-
bitants were not guilty of being misled by General COR-
ig)r A. They have tendered me aid of every kind. I
tscounnend them to the paternal protection of the supreme
government. —I am your Excellency's attentive obedient
Servant,
DANIEL F. O'LEARY.

Gaceta de Columbia.

Viscount MaLvtia.s entertained the Cabinet Ministers
to dinner yesterday evening, at his residence in the Ad-
miralty for the first tune this season.
Mr. Berries is to retain his situation of Master of the
Mint, in addition to his other appointment of President
the Board of Trade. The office of Treasurer of the
Nary will not, as hitherto, be united to another, it being
round to require more time and attention than was for-
merly thought neeesssary. By this new arrrangement a
oeing under the head of salaries will accrue to the
untly.
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