Star.
London, England, 1817-01-04 00:00:00

ST. THOMAS'S, NOVEMBER 26, Isis•

After the detest of the Royalists near Barcelona
and the evacuation of the latter from the island of
Margarita, it was thought that the Insurgents would
have marched direct on Caraceas ; and there it little
doubt that in that case they would have carried the
pine, so great was the scarcity of troops in which
they were in the capital, and so general the terror
that had, been spread in consequence of Morales's de-
feat, which had been complete, since out of 9000
men with hint he had only been able to save 300,
and he had besides lost the whole waterid of his army.
But the Independent Chiefs were not in unison With
regard to the ulterior measures that were to be adop-
ted. 24,Gregor, who- certainly possesses most talent,
wished to march straight on Caraccas, without gie.
lug his enemy the time to look round him. The
other Chiefs were, however, of a different opinion ;
whence disputes originated among them. M'Gregor
withdrew, and hes been here for the last several days.
clt is thought he has entirely abandoned the cause, at
Ileast of this part of Spanish America. He bas
Vaught nothing away with him. Pon, another of
the Chiefs, has marched with part of the troops on
i Guayana • the rest have remained to follow up the
siege of Cumana.
These wrong steps on the part of the Independents
have given Morales an opportunity of retiring to 'the
Tui, where he collected the fugitives, &c. and re-
ceived the reinforcements sent to him from Puerto
Rico, as well as those which had evacuated Marga-
rita. It is thought that his army is not only at pre-
sent sufficiently capable of protecting Caraccas, but
also of acting on the offensive. The Independents,
accerding to appearances. have lost their blow. They
have scattered their forces, and now offer to Morales,'
who is a strong-headed man, notwithstanding he was.
never a military man, the opportunity of beating them.,
in detail. Morales is however reproached with the
greatest cruelties.
Now the possession of the greatest part' of Vene-
zuela appears secured to the Spaniards, but it is im-
possible to say how long this state of things will last.
Beth parties are in want of streegth, and mote par-
ticularly of money, and the Independents have no
Chief capable of leading them on, or any fixed plan.
From all this it sesuits, that the unhappy country
is. depopulated and ruined, and if these dissentions
continue much longer, •it will become t complete
desert. Here there are * 'great number of Simi*
Independent families who. emigrated from Caraccaso
They are literally dying from.hungee. At CaraceisS
they have even Mused to receive wonieit. and OW
.dren desirous to return bonne. The Royalist Chiefs,
'have not acted. in ausli.a, manner as to Conciliate the
Inhabitants of the country. .
It..enthe.returp of •Ferdinand VII, to Spain, con-
ciliator y liiiasnres had been adopted, me gre.atast part
,of the Creoles, who, front this war expected no other
than their ruio;through the emancipation of their
dames, would have.rejoined-She
and deluded
cause, but
they have been drivento despair, autideludeti persons,
who by this time'would:have peen rendeted faithful
subject; of Spairr, on the contrary,,her greatest
eneunes.• The,iieme faults.apparently are committing
id every part of the• world: •.
It is Rut corsectly .linoWn where Bolivar is, Some
say he is.at Port cu Prince, to which place Brian with
drew with Hs crew. atter his shipwreck on Pine Island.
It is said Brian and Bolivar have quarrelled. A
pleat number of Independent privateer ere cra-
w% is then etas. .