Star.
London, England, 1823-08-21 00:00:00

MADRID, AUGUST 7.

The successive situations in which the French have'
been in Spain, especially since the distribution of their
forces, had induced all politicians to form calculations
which have been frustrated by causes and accidents
which they could not take into the account ; it is the
same as with the symptoms of some diseases which
put to shame the aphorisms of the physicians.

In fact, the French would have been in a bad posi-
tion in the Peninsula, if the Constitutional Generals
had been faithful to their oaths, and persevering both
in combat and in resisting the machinations and se.
ductions of their enemies; but we must not look among
the Spanish Generals for that constancy, that disin.
terestedness, that virtue, which, however, distinguish
Mina, the only man of the kind who has yet appeared

in the military annals of the Peninsula of our times.
The defection of Ballasteros is a result of the spit-
tem pursued by the French, which will be felt also
at Cadiz, being connected with plans for producing
disorganization and discord, tending to weaken the
party of the Cortes in that place; so that we may be
in daily expectation of hearing of the defection of
some other General, or of the dissolution, and per-
haps the flight, of the Constitutional Government,
which is environed with -the greatest difficulties.—
Ballasteros might have powerfully served the Consti-
tutional cause; but he has given it a mortal blow, by
his retreat since the departure of Molitor from Ar-
eagon, by his vacillation, and lastly by his submis-
sion, which has led to the disappearance of an army
of twenty thousand men.
Those who calculated on the probity, the perse-
verance, and the military or political talents of Ral-
lasteros have been mistaken. His being a Communes()
induced the violent party in the Cortes to give him
the command. Among the conditions that he has'
made with General Molitor one is, that his troops
shall not be employed against the national forces of
any party. Yet a great number of officers, subale
terns, and soldiers, have offered their services to the
Regency.
This event has caused at Madrid a sensation which
it is impossible to describe; and given rise to reports,
of the speedy deliverance of the King, not in tome-,
quence of au amicable arrangement, but of the in-
evitable flight of the Cortes. However, if' we give
credit to these predictions, and supposing the King
to be delivered as soon is is expected, it is possible
that a geoeral pacification may oat so soon be el--1
fected, unless some copeessiods are made tothe op-
position party; because the number of peiskis im-
plicated is so considerable, and the presence of aj
foreign army will always serve as a pretest for ex-1
citing discontents for though the discipline of the;
French is above all praise, though they scrupulously,
pay for everything, surd may to the !ad italteust

themselves, patty spirit, obstinacy, and poverty will
never cease among the Spaniards.
The Regency has recourse to requisitions to sup-
.poi t its army : the French troops share them in some
degree, and the loan of tO milllois contracted by M.
Etro, is destined 4 in'silieim pre toindemnift the
trestiury of Paris for the adv.
sent y; independently of thi,,qacytnious• expenses of
me 4
ihe French army. It is calculated that elf* sum of
200,Inillions of Teals, in Spanish money, has been
SeitTrom France since the month of January, and
that the sum of 100 millions of francs,
.French money,
is actually in circulation in the Peninsula.
. It icteported that the Duke of Angouteme, refer.,

ring to accounts which he has received from Cadiz,
has asked the assistance of the English Cabinet to
save the Royal Family from the terrible alias of a
conkpiracy c4rrying on there, and that in conse.
quenceof these urgent representations SirW. A'Court
was to go to Cadiz.

The affair of Ballasteros so entirely engages peo-
ple's minds, that we hear little of what is doing else-
where. The Prince continues his journey to Cadiz
without obstacle. All is quiet on the left of the Ebro.
The removal of the line of Custom-houses to that
river has given great activity to the trade of the three
Biscayan provinces and Navarre, their intercourse
with France is increased in an extraordinary degree,
and French goods of all kinds pass almost freely to
the Castilles, and to the capital, where commerce
begins to revive.

‘Ve are tranquil at Madrid, only impatient for the
consequences of the Convention with Ballasteros.

New York Paper's to the 2d instant have reached
us. They contain a good deal of miscellaneous in-
formation relating to South America, where the cause
of independence certainly does not make the progress
that it promised some time ago. In Mexico, a con-
spiracy against the new Government has been disco-
vered. In Colombia, MORALES still disputes every
inch of ground with the forces of BOLIVAR ; and
although in Brazil, the sceptre may depart from
Portug4l, yet there are the elements of strong con•

tention, which may render it unsettled for some time.
The following are extracts:—

PROM THE NEW YORK GAZETTE,
NEW YORK, JULY 31.
FALL OF MARACAIBO.

Caraccas Papers to the 2d inst. and a supplement
of the Colombian() of the 4th, have arrived. The latter
contains an official dispatch from General Manrique,
dated at Maracaibo, the 25th June, announcing the
capture of that place. The Patriot forces effected a
landing at the points Senamayra and Perija, at five.
o'clock. An action ensued, which lasted till nine
o'clock, when the enemy was compelled to retreat to
the mountains, leaving the capital in possession of
the Patriots, who were unable to pursue them, as the
night was very dark, accompanied with heavy rain.
The Royalist force is not stated, but it is said to have
been greater than the Patriots. All the smaller ves-
sels of the enemy were taken, a large park of artil-
lery, ammunition, and 1,000 suits of clothes. The
Patriots lost 40 killed and 150 wounded. The enemy's
loss is stated at 200 wounded and 80 killed.