Star.
London, England, 1817-04-04 00:00:00

goUTH AMEItCA.

Tilt Wowing is a dc.ail of the various operations
of General Bolivar and his army previous to the ac-
ticn at Barcelona, followed by a comparative state-
ment of the forces of both parties:
" General Bolivar arrived at Margarita towards
the end of December, in company with Admiral
Brion, in the schooner called the General Marino,
having on hoard 1,000 muskets, a large quantity of
powder, stores, swords, uniforms, &c. A !age
quantity of warlike stores were also sh:pre.! on hoard
the squadron that was to follow him, under the com-
mand of Commodore Villaret, as well as a consider-
able armament. General Bolivar did not stay in
Margarita more than three days, which he speht in
examining the military posts, and making the neces-
sary arrangements to complete the fortifications of
Pampatar, as well as the manner in which the Conti
of Admiralty was to be established in that island.
He then proceeded on to Barcelona, where lie %CAS
received with the same enthusiasm his presence had
excited in Margarita. He was accompanied by Ad •
-
miral Brion, Intendant-General Zea, and Bagatlier.
General Soubletti ; and Generals Arismendi, Morn.
gas, and Freites, assembled to welcome him on his
arrival. Deputies acre, for the same purpose, sent
from the other Generals whose duty prevented them
from coming in person. Six days were spent in the
greatest rejoicings, and LJlivar, who knows no other
enemies than chute of his country, heaped favours on
all those against whom it might be imagined he re-
taiaed any resentment. The most perfect and cor-
dial union was established, and all, united, swore
they would fight under Bdlivar, and sacrifice their
lives and fortunes for the great cause of their inde-
pendence.
4. In the mean time the military preparations were
not neglected, nor were administrative measures over-
looked. The freedom of trade was proclaimed,
hence no kind of merchandise is now prohibited, and
the duties on foreign goods are retuced to one half
of what was formerly paid under the Spaiiishpo-
vernment. Arms, powder, and warlike stores' arc
exempt from duties, as well as the produce of the
country received in exchange for them.
" A Decree of Sequestration against Spanish pro-.
pert; was issued on the most liberal terms, which
rather appears an invitation to Spaniards to join the
Independents, at the same time that the Decree of
Sequestration published by the Spanish Government,
scarcely leaves any property exempt from confisca-
tion, since by it it suffices not to have taken an active
part in the war, to cause tl.e total loss of property.
•' Bolivar did not wish to take the field till he had
called the Congress together, and it is to be assembled
in Margarita. with a view to form a Government,
and accept the mum:Whin lie has made of the hi:-
preme commend. By anot':er decree the ports of
Guayana, Cuniana, 143 Guirf, and Puerto Cavell°,
were declared to be hi a state of blockade.

•r With regard to military operations, Bolivar de-
termined that a general assemblige of the forces,
should take place in El Chaperro, situated al the
commencement of the Great Plains (Los Limos.)
For this purpose he sent orders to Guayana, to Gen.
Piar, who was marching on Angostura,, instructing
him-to accelerate his operations. and complete the
occupation of that part of the country, and come on
with his disposable force to the point agreed upon,
leaving there General Cedeno with 1.000 men. Si-
milar orders were also transmitted to General Marino,
in order that he might push the siege of Comma ;
and a General Officer was sent to combine a plan of
operations with the New Granada Army, under the
command of General Urdaneta, who, according to
&deices received from General Zaraza, was already
in commilnication with that of Venezuela. General
Monagas marched forward to Aragoa, one day's
journey from Chaparro, to assemble the flyirre camps
of cavalry ; in the mean time that General Zaraza,
Commander-in-Chief of the Plains," performed the
same operatin in San Diego Cabrutica, with all the
forces under his command. It being in the mean
time desirable actively to employ the troops stationed
and collected in Barcelona, Bolivar condescended,
with General Arismendi's request. to march along
the coast, and take several magazines of produce,
end tb destroy a body of four or five hundred men,
who were making incursions on the left hank of the
►iver Unare. With this view, 700 men pushed for-
wards on the 6th of January, with General Bolivar
at their head, and on the following day General Aris-
mendi proceeded by sea to join him at Pirko, carry-
ing with him tour launches of 120 oars each, and
two 12-pounders. These vessels proceeded along the
coast till they arrived at the point agreed on, where
they were to wait for the land forces, which were di-
vided into four bodies, in order to surround the Roy-
Aids. who occupied the fortified and inaccessible post
of Clarines. The result would Wave been secure. it
they had not deviated from the above plan ; but the
intrel•id Colonel Hernandez, impelled by his known
valour, and notwithstanding be was perfectly well
acquainted with the local situation of the place, in-
tilted so much on being allowedro attack the enemy's
position, not doubting he could take it. that unlorto-
netely for him, and 200 men be commanded, the
measure was at length consenter:l.m.
66 It was necessary to ascend two by two, and
sometimes one, along a narrow pass, situated be-
tween a thick wood, where the enemy, without
being seen. was able to cause a horrid carnage. Ne-
vertheless, Colonel Hernandez, who, according to
custom, marched i.pidly on in the midst of dangers,
reached the intrenehment, cried out 4, Long live our
country." and fell. Those who followed him then
fled precipitately, and spread such consternation
among the rest, that they would have been drowned
in the river. if General Bolivar had not instantly pro-
ceeded to the pass to prevent precipitation in the em-
barkment, whilst General Atismendi assembling a
handful of brave followers, kept the enemy at bay.
He did not reaolve to penetrate the wood bounded by
the deer, and on the banks of the latter 80 men were
left behind, but the neat day picked op by the boats.
They then retreated on Barcelona, where it was as-
certained that the total loss had been 160 men, in-
eluding siz Officers, among whom was General•Ari►-
siendi's first And-de-Camp. They could not lose
more than fifty muskets, one 9-puunder, and a small
quantity of baggage. but no warlike stores whatever.
Nevertheless the Caracas Govrionnent has thought it
convenient to celebrate this small triumph as a deci-
sive victory, even rating the number of killed is high

is 500. and ionsiets taken to 4.00, as if the
division had thrown down its arms. It is essenti.d
to recollect, that the Gazette which gives this report,
is the same that some time ago announced the death
of General hltGregor with such minute chcum_
stances, that when he himself read it, he said he could
scarcely disbelieve Ir.
" This :.mall misfortune, sufficiently w'Ai cnmpens3.
ted by the numerous advantages zained in other points,
in no way iijures the orr.r.iotr of tilf, Indepeni!ent!,
whose superiotity is decided. Genetr.l Marino, whe,
in consequence of Piar's n
by which the fruits of the orii.iant v;ctl.r.i at
were for the moment lost, had %Oil:di aWil from Cu.
mama, has again returned so straii,Stea the siege (1
this place with fresh int:xi. He only ilist?n•ly
recovered his former p )sitiJns, but :le to: k the sir,;ig
place called La Ensenada, in spite of the brisk fire of
the enemy, together with seven vessels of war. Ile
also obtained possession of the adjacent toWit of Ser.
ritos, the lot tg;ed Convent of tile Capuchins. all
suburbs, tht• eammanding Fo.it:on of the noouotaio,
and thus compelled the coemy to concentr.3e the
of his truces within the Lrtrenchments of the
town. He had made his arrangements to take ti 4
place by assan:t I:t.seei! :he 27th mil 28th JanuAty,
when he received Advice hoin r.drhiral Brion that
the Spaniards were abaci to evaciiatiy it, and. that it
would be better to sokpund his operations till the
blockading squadron had returned horn Barcelona,
whither it had gone to refit. It is reported that ti .e
dexterous Spanish General who commanded in C.-
mana had availed himself of this contingency, ai 4
evacuated the town on the hth inrant, but hitherto
we have not received the official details.

" In the mean time, Brian, this illustrious frier.;!
of American liberty, is labouring with all the con-
stancy and activity so characteristic on hi. former ex-
ertions, in the creation of a military marine. It At
incredible how much he has advanced in so short a
time, and indeed there are grounds to expect he will
realize his promises made to the people of Margarita,
when he excited them to support his grand project.
6 And this same navy,' he then said, e i will pledge,
shall shortly be powerful and {crate ; soon shall it
tarry consternation and dread to the very walls of
Cadiz, and convey back to the shores ot tie Penin-
sula the same ravages and blood with which the in-
sensate obstinacy of Spain to oppress us, has desola-
ted and inundated our counti-y.' His attention extends
even to smaller objects, and his foresight goes Sc) tar
as to anticipate the most remote results. He is al-
ready busied in preparing the means to establish a
school for the Navy ; rust, in fororing .an arsenal, ii
constructing gun-boats, in the equipment and ainia-
ment of Veil lOUb vessels, and next in organizing
of Mashies, the driliiug of whom has been given is
charge to Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, his lit st
di-Camp. Its squadron is at present composed ef.—
" Brig, Indio Litoi ;
" Schootiers—Mitino, Guertera, Julien Adele, Cott',
Jutical, Aurora, Math.' ;
" Sloop, Muntca; Felucca', three;
" Latoiches, from tio to oars each, sir-
" I 'mai vessels, nineteen.
" All these vessels are well armed, found are
manned. A good ship and two more schooners a!!
besides preparing. The schooner Josephine is en
peeled horn Hayti. where she was left refitting; and
Commissioners have been sent to purchase an exec:-
lent brig, as well as Brown's 30 gun corvette, c 0..-
denmed is Antigua. Two Buenos Alres vessels
have also joined us.
66 No less activity reigns in the levied orgattizati
of land troops. Genesee Arismendi left Barct'
the day atter the retreat from Clarinet, to ascclers
the concentration of forces in the Chapurro, se!'
.General Zsraza had already arrived with 1000
Various parties belonging to his division, which
scouring the banks of the Orinoko, are already
lecting at San Diego de Cabrutica, and their ni
bers are estimated at more than 1000. Colcnel
fame, also belonging to the same division, with.
cavalry, is observing the movements of the enemy it.
the vicinity of Orituco. General it.lonagas is in Ar-
gue with 700 cavalry, including the small dear:
ments of Campo() and CATIACO. According to to
last accounts from General Roxas, stationed in Nii•
turin, his division cannot be less than 700, nearly
infantry. General Cedeno commands 1000 of to
best cavalry in Guayana, and General l'iar, ace:,
ing to the last advices, was daily increasing his di
Eon, which already amounted to 201,) men, duet
infantry. There are besides many par.ics scatters
all over the territory of Venezuela, whidi are no:
communication with the armies, am! of which la;
information has been obtained unless disough the!
races Gazettes, which every thy anin,unce their,
piece destruction. Hence does it appear
actual forces of tne Independents of Vsuezuela,wi
out reckoning these flying parties, may be estireal
at 7900 infantry, and '2550 cavalry, including'
men in the head-quarters of Barcelona. It to
are added the forces of New Granada acting in
nezuela, between Calabozo and San Fereandu,

composed ot 5000 infantry and 1;500 cavalry, i: ww
follow that the Independents hr.tl a tome equal
12,900 infantry, acid 60:7,0 limy!, as per auur
Swell-tent. Tie attillety, dues not es 4
one hundred mot.

General Zaraza's Division
Ditto hi various parties
General Marino
General koala
General Piar
Colonel infante -
General Monagas
Central eetleno
Head-quarters at Barcelona
Artillery - •

Total forces of Venezuela
Dimlon of New Grao.uls

&MOO

Total tinned Forces - -12,9 t 0 6,05 U
i• The forces of the Royalists, estimate(
reports brought in by the spies, and the
cotresponJence, Limon' to 5,350, though
any distinction of cavalry, because they tl
do not give these details; but it is well ko
have few mounted troops. These forces are
in the following manner I—(iumana, abut'
of which 4(X) Att. Spanish regulars—Guy)
lOU country militia—Caracas, SW Spanish
,belonging to the infantry regiment of Cal
200 armed shopkeepers, enlisted to do Jut).
Cavell°, I2U veteran Spaniards,
laymen of the castle, armed shopkeepris,
chttuya and Alcagracia, ben is their principal

a organizing botli-s
has been given is
csun, his 61st
eat composed ef—
, ]even Adele, Cott.,
,
armed, found arl
more schooners
:r Jorephina is er.
Is kit refitting ; and
purchase an excel-
pun corvette, c,,r-
enos A) res vessels
levied organisation
endi left Barce:caa
trines, to accelerate
e Chapati°, whe:e
ved with 1000 Meth
iivisiou, which were
ko, are already co:-
:Ica, and their nitni•
1000. Colrnet 1,..
division, with. Z:7J
flea ut the enemy
Nlunagas is in Ai,
the small dear:
According to
as, stationed in !slt•
than 700,
mands IWO el t.c
eneral Piar, :secans
r increasing his Jim.
2ULO men, chid!
my par.ies scatterel
la, which are no:::
and of which lir.e
less thsough the C•
anin,wice their cow
it appear th.it
of Venezuela, wit.:
t, may be estimatti
Fairy, including
:aorta. It to the
anida acting in V.
San Fermniu,
iOO cavalry, it
d a force equal
.e, as per anneal
dues nut clad
Was. Car. T
1,010 --
I.*
r,sou 400 %.*:
t.OO
—21 n
7,000 9"
7,900 2,550 10.
fr,ooo 3,2 i 0 B.s
2,9( 0 6,050 10:
estimated by
and the I itticqt•
iO, tin ugn v:10
se they themiclrs
is well known
e forces are divide
nab about 700016'
ars—Guyra, at,
0 Spanish seitufas
mit of Cavil:, 'sj
0 do Jut;.—?'„
II:, Ali'.
thopkrepet
leir principal EPTI

. .
cor,pnted of 1,100 Spanish Infari:ry, '2oodragOong,
rid 7(X) country militia. The latter are at Altagra.
tia, under the command of Brigadier-General Mo-
...des, who acts under General Reel, the commander
t,f the divisions ot Orinr_.o, San Fernando ant. Apure
ketween the I trier place and C dah,,zo, Gur•in ‘las
tram 501) to 600 men, among whom Are some S-a-
iard,. Ne,ir Nutrias is Grt,:ral Reyet, wirt 500
teen, all Veneznelians. fn V,riaas is Iltigadirr-
Gelieral Calzida, with 1,000, bek.iging t 4 Vote-
stela and New Granada.— In Guayan t the Governor
las 400 S?anish regulars. and abut a. 1114.1 more
wintry tr-ops. Ia Clarinc:. Ximenez is stationed
,i,t, 400 armed peasantry. lii Tacarigv a, Rio Chico,
Ccr,, pe, tivapn, and the neighbouring towns. there
it only one Comminder. named Gail triza, who has
great influence over the inli tbitants, hut they are dis-
;:ined. It is deserving of notice, that in points so
inportant as Calaboza, Valencia, Victoria, and Ma-
.,,.r, tidy a few s, rjeants and corporals are to be
touu 1, driling recruits.
is the statement of the Royalist
frttes;

(, r.ua

rktr;t"
Altsracit
Ferriu:do de Ar Lre
Apure
Vannas

Spar.lards. Creoles. Total.
3uo 400 ico
1:,0 100

- 500

300 Z
2( 0
1,40 It°
1300 600 19J)
600 600
500 506
tooo 10t)0
400 800
461 400

400