The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1773-10-07

d" have taken this opportunity of iend-
ing you, by the Governors exp:sfs Chat is
now letting of tor Porto Bslo from whence
a yenei will fail Immediately for Old Spain)
an accouat, as nearly authentic as poAible,
of the late fuccels of the Chileie sganit the
Spaniards in Chill, which is now slmof all
in the ponsiiion of the natives, except the
city of Copiapo, which remained with the
Spaniards when the adyices came away but
could no. be expected to be held long, as the
Indians were then attacking il with al their
force. All the forces which could be raiied
nv the Spaniards have been repeatedly beat,
efoeciay the lait army which was COLLECTED,
and headed by Don Pedro de la Gaz,ios,
Governor Of Baldwin, i, coniiifed of about
$500 Spaniards, land about 1900 AAves and
Servants. This army let Out from Oiorno in
order TO attack the Araneans and their con-
federaes, who, TO the number of 10000
foot.and near {, 900 horles, were encamped
ON the banks of the river Copiapo, intending
TO attack the city of the fame name, which
ffands a. the mouth Of the river in 2odegrees
north latitude. The Spaniih army, for
tunately as they imagined, made an encamp-
meut between the city and the Araneans, bu,
did no, remain there long before they were
attacked. The battle continued long and def
pera,e, the Spaniards fought with the utmoG
bravery they fought for every thing, their
religion, liberty, poileiiiOns and lives, but
they fought in vain ;the fuperiority of mum
Re prevailed, to which was added the trea
cherry Of the Aayes and fervan,s, who when
they Jaw their m Alters mutt have been defeat
ed, deferied over to the Chilefians, and com
pIeatly 6niihed the victory. Only $50 of
the Spaniards efcspcd into Copispo, the ref
were allkilled in the field, but they fold their
lives mott dearly, as it was computed about
1900 Chiefe fell in the contention, and
ya(f number was wounded. Thole Spaniards
which efcaped proved Of infinite ferVice to
thofe already in the city, as they helped to
defend the Notifications, which were very
llroug, and all the cannon faged out of the
General ruin was mounted on the walls: In
faa, Copiapo was the only poHe0iou, the
(oe magazine of the unfortunate SpaniaTds,
all their wealth, all their flores, all their ex-
neaaucies were cloied within thoie walls,
which they were to defend with their lives,
and 70 they have like brave men; but have
found means of tending notice to the Vice
row of Peru, that they mutt infallibly be all
extirpa'ed unIefs they have immediate iuc-
cours. The Vlceroy in coniequence is max
ing every preparation to relieve them, but i;
is feared all will prove in vain The whole
force of all new Spain would certainly b,
p(uAicien, 10 re.tore the Affairs of Chill into
their former channel. The Chilefians are
now formidable enemies, naturally brave,
and reloluic; they were always nealy too
powerful for the Spaniards, but now they
have learnt, and fight under European di(ci
pine; they have cannon and fmall arms,
which they now know the perfea uie of,they
fight on horfc back, and are really an over
match for the Spaniards at their own weap.
ons. The Indians Of Ia Plata, Patagonia,
and all the contiguous countries, are ready
20 initiate the example of the Chilefe, and
have already rofe in fome parts The diff
afeeioa is indeed 70 general, that il is not
improbable, that the whole dem Mon of Spain
in South America will be foon entirely de
Rroyed. Prior to the battle of CopiAPc, the
Araiques had entierely defroyed the towns
of ST. Iago, Coquimbo, Conception, Bal
diva, Imperial, Villa Rca, Oforno, Caftrc.
Guafco, Angel, Mendoza, Oromorte ; in
fhon all the cities, towns, and fortreiies, they
haze taken 70 much pain to raze and defroy,
that the f,nallsR veftige does not remain to
tell where thOfe places formerly food"
We are credibly informed that three of