Star.
London, England, 1823-10-14 00:00:00

PERU.

The following extract from a letter received by a
respectable mercantile house in Paisley, appears in the
Glasgtlco Courier. Llsta., Jess 24, 1823.
a You will no doubt on receipt hereof be surprised to find this
plata again in. possession of the Spanish forces under General Can-
terac, who took possession of the City an the 19th inst. having pre-
viously occupied the same with some flying detachments of cavalry
two days, before.
" The rapid advance of the Spanish General across the Cordif-4
leras, appears to have taken the late Government by surprise, as
four days only expired between the first intelligence of the advance
and the actual appearance of the army before the city. The Colom-
bian, Buenos Ayrian, and Chili troops went out, however, to the
number of about 4000 men, with the iniention of giving battle, but
the numerical forces of the Spanish army amounting to about 8000
men, of which 2000 are very superior cavalry, made it necessary
for them to retire on the fort of Callao, leaving Lima. to its fate;
whose inhabitants, front the first news of the approach of the Spa
nish forces, became perfectly inanimate and panic-struck; and to
their everlasting disgrace (out of a population of 18,000 men capable
of bearing arms, and 9,000 of whom are disciplined) not a man was
there to be found, from the Presidente and Soberano Congreso down-
wards, who possessed virtue, courage, or patriotism enough to de-
fend their capital, or to aid, or lend the least assfstanee to General
Sucre, who commanded the Patriot forces ; and said General and
his companions, seeing that want of disposition on the part of the
lainutoians and Peruvians to aid him, was, from these circumstances
no doubt iuduced to retire under the guns of Callao, where the
army is now encamped.
" Immediately on the advance of the Spanish army before the
city, Captain Prescott went out as flag of truce, to confer with Ge-
neral Canterac with respect to British subjects resident in Lima,
and their respective properties, which, from the conduct of the late
Government, by embargoing every cart and mule for the State, it
was found impossible to move, and he obtained at once from the
General an assurance of security both for their persons and effects.
The General has, however, since levied a contribution on the city
of 350,000 dollars money, with 40,41,0 yards of cloth, and 40,000
yards duck and sheeting for the army, towards which the British
were at first compelled to contribute a part by the city; and in case
said demand is not complied with by the inhabitants the General
threatens them with a general sack of tile city ; but this is looked on
only as a threat, the more effectually to obtain his demands.
" All the British merchants in ,Lima, with the exception of Mr.
Proctor, the Loan Agent from London, and the two Contractors
with the late Government, remained in Lima, the others lied to
Callao, and it is reported here, their properties, wherever found,
will be confiscated,
" To all those who have remained, General Cantkrac has de-
clared his most friendly disposition, and every person here in busi-
ness has already conferred -with him, and by arrangements yester-
day entered into between General Canterac and'Captain Prescott,
the Commander on the station, be has granted free and full pro-
tection of their persons and properties, and full power and license
to trade in this country, and to export their returns in specie, upon,
the same terms and conditions as citizens of the country.
" With British property in the Custom-house, there may yet be
some difficulty with respect to the duties, although none as to secu-
rity, I should hope of property; but I consider myself very fortu-
' nate in having dispatched all my property to my own store, some
days previous to the entry bf the Spanish army, and there is no
doubt, as all communication will he now cut oft with Callao, that
goods will become extremely scarce and considerably enhanced
in price.
" General Camerae being now, as he declares, master of the land,
is extremely desirous of opening sonic port on the coast to free
trade; and it is believed he has been conferring very seriously with
the British Commanderupon the.subject, but what the determina-
tion of parties will be it is impossible to say at present, or what may
be the result of the present warlike operations. General Bolivar
has not yet arrived, nor the last division of his troops, from Guaya-
quil; but the force of the Spanish army here at present is certainly
far superior to the Patriot force. We are also advised here that
an expedition from Chili has sailed for Intermedios with 3,000
men, to join Santa Cruz with the Peruvians, about 5.000 men;
while we are at the same time informed here that General Caratela
is at Arequipa with 6,000 well-disciplined troops to meet them."
Extract from another letter: