The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-10-06
b Y THE MAILS.
Extract Of a letter a'aed Valparaiso, 5th May
1918, 10 q merchant IN .Ne7y York

Extract Of a letter daed Valparaiso, 5tb May
1918, 10 merchant IN Nee York
The U S. sioop Of war Ontario, capt. Bid
die, returned here few days ago from Lima,
with Judge Provost on board, VINO accompa
MED Capt Biddle in his mission, also some
patriot officers who are to be exchanged for
like number of Spaniards, taken at the battle
Of Maipu. This is the first regular exchange
that has taken place since the revolution in
this country, and il is certainly owing 10 the
humane interference of Capt BidIle and
Judge Provost. BY tbe Ontario the loss Of
the battle of Maipu was fist known, and
which dismayeI the citizens Of Lima, as they
had been led to believe that the army of gen
Osoro would soon re conquer Chill, as no ex-
pense bad been spared in equipping it. They
alone contributed | 2 millions of dollars.
The viceroy at Lima treated the officers with
marked Northumberland at the first de-
mand, the Americans who had been so long
confined in prison-and what is very singular
and SO highly honorable 10 Captain BlddIe,
he gave an order that The American vessels
then in the pots Of Chill Nigh sail, and should
not be molesed by the royal cruiser. How
Aattering TO our national glory, that small
ship, SO far distant from the u States, can &C
conplish such important things: it speaks
more than volumes could do in favour Of our
rising and gallant navy and how CALLING to
the pride OF the English, who SO lately preten-
ded to be indignant at the conduct OF the roy
al squadron then blocAadng this port, in per-
hitting the Ontario TO enter Commodore
Bowles, of the Amphion trigate, alleging it
was thereby violated, and, in future, that the
English should not respect it. We now see
this same vessel returning from Lima with
mericans forced from Spanish dungeon
patriot officers TO be exchanged, which, in
part, is acknowledging their soyernment--an
order from the Viceroy that our vessels might
sail from blockaded port without dread of
molestalion from the royal cruisers and all
this after the same vessel rescued from the
guns of the frigate Vergenza the brig Ariel of
baltimore, who certainly would have been
captured. The English are extremely morti-
fed that so much has been performed by a
single sloop of war, and particularly as they
joked SO much when this vessel first arrived.
The day is not far distant when we shall act
that conspicuous part which nature has destin-
ed US TO perform, and those English writer's
who are paid to Willy our country will see
that we do not oyerrate our resources even
within the last 6 years our hopes did not all
tlclpate what we now witness. The govern
ment are entitled TO great credit in sending
ship OF war to these seas, and giving the com
mand to 50 distinguished an officer as Capt
Bddle, who by his correct conduct, com
mands the respect Of all. independent OF all
the advantages stated, the Ontario's being in
these seas has saved a million Of dollars 10
the u S.
1t Gen St. Martin had been enabled TO fol-
low up bis victory, there is no qaeStios but
Peru must have fallen 1t is, however, an e.
vent not far distant. There is great want
OF money here, which parallzes the operations
OF the government. St. Martin is now al
Buenos Ayres, supposed for The purpose OF OBJ
tanmg means TO advance towards Peru. The
patriots have the command OF the seas; they
nave lately received from England large
ship, very far heavier than any which the
opanards have in hese seas Only one fourth
Tie cost was paid IN cash; they have long
credit on the balance. Arms and ammunition
are constantly arriving from England
there is more than can find market