Star.
London, England, 1818-01-14 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

The Leeward Island packet has brought letters from
Trinidad to the 27th November, which exhibit a fa-
*gamble picture of the progress of the Independents
OS the Main :

" PORT OF SPAIN, NOV. 26.

" I wrote to you by the last Leeward Island packet,
a few days ago, since which our port has been so
completely blockaded by a Spanish brig . and
schooner, and a parcel of armed launches, that our
communications with Guayana have been intercepted,
and our supply of mules and cattle at the tom-
mencement of the crop rendered very precarious,—
The Spaniards confined to the coast, have literally
nothing to eat themselves, nor to offer us in the way
of trade ; and of course it is very galling, both to
the merchants and planters, to see two Spanish pri-
vateers in our port, and the launches anchoring and
cruising on our very coasts from Point Hicacos.
" The brig of war on our station is, I understand,
gone up the Orinoco, so that we have, at this cri-
tical moment, no naval force to protect a valuable
trade, even on our own coasts, and to prevent the
infractions of our territorial and maritime rights
which the present class of marauders are at all times
disposed to infringe. I only speak of this as an un-
lucky occurrence, for the sloop of war has, no doubt,
good reasons for her absence, and the appearance of
this flotilla was sudden ; nor can it exist a moment
longer than Brion is advised of its being in the Gulph.

" Since I wrote the foregoing, I have seen a great
many letters from Guayana, dated up to the 16th inst.
A schooner loaded with mules, having luckily heard
of our blockade, landed them at Guape, and the su-
percargo has arrived in a boat. The flechera also,
in which Captain Ryan, of the ship Two Friends,
I went up to Guayana, is also just returned. I have
not seen him, but I am told General Bolivar hasfully
confirmed all the contracts. made in London by order
of the Venezuelean Government, and of course he
will write to those concerned by this packet.
" The news which I have collected from twenty
private letters which I hai,e read, from the most
respectable sources, and which you may rely upon,
announce that General Bolivar, having received a
dispatch from General Saraza, stating that General
Morillo had advanced to San Sebastian de los Reyes,
with the view of collecting his forces at Calabozo,
had suspended his expedition to San Fernando de
Apure, and marched direct against Morillo with an
army of five thousand men, well disciplined and
equipped, and provided with every thing necessary,
leaving General Paez to blockade San Fernando with
his cavalry and cover that valuable country. A de-
tachment of infantry has also been sent to assist him.
General Morillo's means are so inferior, and he is
so-generally detested even by the Spaniards, that his
destruction appears inevitable.
‘, A confidential letter from the Intendant ofl
Guayana to an emigrant friend here, states this
article as I give it to you, and adds, that General
Marino having fully recognized General Bolivar as
supreme Chief, Civil and Military, had received
orders to co-operate with Bermudez and Monagasin,
in expelling the Spaniards from the province of Cu-
mana, that is the city of Cumana (where they have
about 400 men) and the other towns on the coast,
where they may have as many more, all half starved,
as even the Patriots would have•been, but for the re-
sources from the interior.

Besides Brion's squadron, the river Orinoco is
protected by 35 gun-boats, and 25 large fiecheras,
commanded by Dias, who, during the siege, with
five launches destroyed the Spanish flotilla of l'6
He is a Margaritanean, or modern Spartan, and I
have read an account of that exploit in the Eng-
lish papers.

Margarita is now so fortified by art, and de-
fended by native valour, that they would laugh to
scorn any expedition the Spaniards can send out.—
Arismendi is building several heavy launches, to
carry each a 12-pounder forward, and a 9-pounder
aft. This is his fort ; the ship Two Friends is lylhg
there ; the Captain is now here going to join her, and
I hope to give a good account of the supporters of
Despotism and the Inquisition.

A late letter from a Catalan Merchant, dated at
La Guayra, within this month, to his compadre here,
says, he tenido la fortuna de sacar ami familia de
Caracas y emviatia a Puerto I have been
fortunate enough to get my family out of Caracas,
and send them to Porto Rico.' How do the Spaniards
stand there, when a Catalan resorts to this precau-
tion? It now appears there is no doubt of the revo-
lution planned there by the Spanish Liberates, which
involved the banishment to Puerto Rico of the Cap-
tiro-General Moro, and the severer punishment of
others--at least it is so detailed by some persons lately
from Caracas.

“ We have eighteen of the officers of the ship Two
Friends, and thirty that came out in the brig Glad-
win, now here. The eighteen of the former, and eight
of the latter, are resolved to go on and join Bolivar ;
22 are either vacillating, or resolved, it is said, to re-
turn. If they should do so without proceeding to
Guayana, where the supreme Government resides,
whatever they may allege, they are alone to blame
Every pains has been taken by the Spanish party here.
to dissuade them from persevering in their plan. I

am not surprised at the Spanish Royalists doing so ;
but While t think nothing could tend more to extend our
commecial klaerce, thanthe introduction of respec-

table Englishmen among the natives of South Arse,

rice, I am not equally clear as to the policy of Eng.
lishmen's joining in such counsel. However, in,',
as have no opinion of their own, too frequently snfita
by following that of others; for the man who w
not give give you a dollar, is always ready to gist
you advice. Ce ne coute rien.--Whaz effect, the
news received this day from Guayana, and the de„
cisive events preparing, may have on their detertra.
nation, I cannot pretend to say ; but it is to be en.
grated, that those who secede, did not make up foci
minds before they left home.
" General Bolivar has established a Provisional
Council and a Tribunal de Alta Justicia in C-axyana,
until a National Congress can be legally eon7oked
in Caracas ; and in such high estimation dor he
stand, and in such high opinion are his Institneoa,
held by his countrymen, that every act tends tom.
solidate public order anti security. The execazior. of
so popular a man as Piar for a great delinqacx-,
after a long and impartial trial, has done most to
consolidate good order and discipline than any men.
sure for many years. It was the result of impeinn
and melancholy necessity! Had Marino perte-end
one moment longer in his obstinacy and fo;
would doubtless have shared the same fate, ea
been an exile. The Orders of General Soli-at,
the Proclamation of General Bermudez, left linana
alternative but submission and order.

iF, 4

“ Some people are alarmed here for the nine ef
their warehouses; for they suppose, this if S3_•2
America be free, the direct trade to the Main 7-1
supersede the necessity of them. This, at worst, ca
only be to a certain extent ; but is the trade of Great
Britain as a nation to be sacrificed to the transit tdie
of a colony? Such a pretension can only snit Et
meridian of Cadiz, and would be scouted in England,
both in Parliament and upon 'Change. I expect sots
to communicate great results in favour of South A.
rican liberty, and of a free trade with that fine mu,
try, in consequence of the vigorous, and, I trtm,
dicious movements of Bolivar, whose exertions :r4
perseverance have justly entitled him to his presem
high command. The Caracas Gazette says, ” sties
single hair of his whiskers to fall in any part aka*
rice, it would create a revolution." I would wkisixt
the editor, 44 the truth is not to be told at all Urce:
Liset et ab haste (loath."
A Letter from Irun, of the 15th ult. states as fel-
lows :--" The Expedition which is about to paned
from Cadiz to our colonies in South America, =de
the protection of a Russian squadron, will be ea
powered to make proposals to the In...urge:lts, r. :
continue hostilities, according to circumstances. Se-
veral Civil and Military Commissioners are n: ac-
company it, who will offer terms of arrangers

equally advantageous to the inhabitarm of
America and to the mother-coantry. It is alibi,
that two of the most preponderant Powers in &tope
will act as mediators, and guarantee the strictest:ca.
tion of the terms of pacification. Such, at 1,..•5t, aR
the reports circulated at the Court and in 1::e
informed circles of Madrid."

Thus the system pursuing for the purpose of ape
subjecting the South Americans to the galling yoke
of the Spanish Monarchy and the Inquisition, begin
to unfold itself. The Russian ships are to carry cot
I Civil and Military Commissioners, whose mission is
to cajole the inhabitants again to embrace LS&
chains. The offered mediation of this country has
been frequently spurned by the Spanish Govers-
ment : Russia, Austria, and Prussia, are now called
in ; and, if we may credit reports, our own Govern-
ment again is willing to mediate—along with them!
Early in July, 1810, the first offer of mediation on
the part of this country was laid before the Spanish
Regency then established in La Isla de Leon, what
some of the Members of the Central Junta had as-
sembled. This mediation was totally rejected, aid
on the Slst of the same month a thundering deem
of blockade was issued against Venezuela by the Re-
gency, the inhabitants of which provinces by anotkr
decree had been previously declared rebels and °c-
laws. In the course of this transaction the real spirt
of the Spanish Government was evinced.
Early in 1811, Great Britain proposed a second
mediation to the Cortes, and the answers gives,' art
contained in a decree of nine Articles issued by the
said Cortes on the 19th June, and published i I c'
Paper 20th August, 1811, of which the substzoce
was, that the South Americans should acknowledge
the sovereignty of Spain before the atedia6m tut
place, which was, in fact, the main point in dipate,
and chiefly called for the measure proposel,—Go-
vernment declined carrying through a-media:km m
a basis so objectionable in all its parts.
Towards the dose of 1811, the British Governmcr
again undertook a mediation, and Messrs. Cocas:um
Summunm, and MORIER, were named as Commis-
sioners. A man of war was fitted out, at a con::
rable expense, and proceeded to Cadiz. Tne affi
was laid before the Cortes, and the del:bcratiess
thereon published in the STAR on the 26th cf
gust, 1812. After many expressions of distrust rt
specting the views of Great Britain in this rereved
attempt to interpose, it was determined, that oat?*

partial mediation could be accepted, llexico not
be excluded, as it was there unsafe to give access to
the British. On these terms Government refuseli
interfere, and the expense was consequently
thrown away. •

Thus were three distinct attempts on the part l
the British Government to *arrange the clisDenvz

en these Colonies and the Mother '
Led by the Spanish Government, at a
Liation was practicable, when it might
he effusion of blood, and been ser-
contest in which we were then en•
that can be its object in 1818, when
flood has been spilt ; when the South
.e gained the object for which they
png contending ; and when they are
eaping all the fruits of their labours ?
hree positive and ignominious rebuffs
iards ; shall we now court one from
ricans ? Let us at least hope that this
ever join in any expedition for the pur-
ng on them a disgraceful yoke which,
;, they have been struggling to shake off.
gociations, as our Readers have been
carrying on at Paris. The following
win them of some particulars respecting
worth knowing. As to the issue, we
fears whatever. The South Americans
cir point in spite of the Holy Alliance,
great Britain join in the ungracious work
again to subject their neck to the vilest
er oppressed and degraded any of the
DAM.

" PARIS, JANUARY 4.-
v was never before so mush the theatre
intrigue and bustle. It-would appear
[ties of half the globe were to issue from
holding and to be holden in this place,
e projects are hatching. With regard to
is on European politics, I consider you
'ell informed through other channels,
letters shall, therefore, only touch on
subject that seems to excite a lively in-
;land.
'y her unwearied exertions, has at length
Prince Regent's Ministers to undertake,
s in, a mediation, though some difference
fists on the subject of the terms—a point
Beak to be established. In this plan
I. the three great Continental Powers,'
tria, and Prussia, have entered ; and
ge, seeing that they have nothing directly
r are warm, it not the warmest partisans,
'less thought that Great Britain will have
uence in this affair, for reasons which I

:ertain fact that the Spanish Minister,
it is well known, is anti-English, had
reated with Russia, not only on the sub-
ttion, but also respecting the aid neces-
le Spain to reconquer her former Colo-
s the British Ministers complained, be-
ad been the first to offer their mediation,
the time of the Cortes, and to prevent
siting is a fresh effort, was evidently a
ist. Proofs of the strict manner in which ,
been observed during the present con-
so alleged, and, it is stated, that certain
ions from the South American Agents,
spective answers, were also brought for-
a such professions, the co-operation of
Kinisters could not be rejected, and the
the Spaniards call it, of the Slave Trade,
ently made for 400,0001. sterling, whereas
re, I am assured, a million sterling was
ides hopes of a loan to a certain amount.
that in• England you never could have
at King Ferdinand possessed such good
id such adepts in negotiation.
:inisters of the Prince Regent then gained
tendency in the Madrid Cabinet. This
i felt, and became jealous. As a counter-
stirred up Austria, Prussia, and I am not
hand also is not of the number, to mediate
h herself, between Spain and South Ame-
e same manner as they had done between
Portugal. This plan the Madrid Cabinet
,ted, much to the dismay of the Prince
dinisters, who wished to act alone, and
e negotiations being opened in Madrid,
y alleged could be better done in Lon-
length they consented that the negocia-
d be opened on the Continent, insisting,
ss, that the place should be out of Spain,
was eventually fixed upon, nay the parties
ly at work.

: v:ill be the issue of this strange and party-.
:onclave, it would be impossible to tell, but
it the confidence of Spain in the sincerity
fissions lately made to her daily diminishes.
roes, by long and fatal experience, that the
iyire is deeply interested in the indepen-
Sxth America, and on this head, to the
King Ferdinand's Ministers it must be said,
x deceive themselves.

Spanish Government is persuaded that all
ments sent from England are not the work.
luals, but moved by a more powerful,
dden spring, and all attestations to the con-'
Id be of no avail. To think otherwise, they
iced, would be a libel on the understanding
ders of a mercantile and enterprizing na-
aversing the other day with a Spaniard,
ill those secrets, on the subject of British
I q.loted to him the instance of a port in
Ino;6s where the Royalist flag was received
Imcd, but where that of the Independents
upon. His answer was, that he was very
e cannon were not loaded with shot.

a pity, therefore, your Ministers shenld
at least t'-e credit of emir delicacy and