Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-05-25


sod but our officers were good men,
mostly English. who preferred going with
us, to their own couptryman, Captain
Wilkinson, who commanded the San Mar.
tin, which ship had about loo Europeans
and o5o ChiIian. Our intention was to en-
trap the Spanish convoy from Cadiz bound
to Lima. consisting of the Maria Isabella,
and ten transports, with $500 troops on
. board. The fifth day after leaving port,
we lost the Chacabuco; on the 25th, lost
! company with the Anaconda on the 98h
off the isand of St. Mary's, boarded
British whaling ship, which informed US
that the frigate Maria Isabella had gone
into Talcahuana with four of the trans
ports. which determined us to make all
sail for the said port, and on the 29th we
entered the port, receiving a heavy lire
from the frigate and forts from our ports,
not one gun was fired till we got within
good canister shot, when we opened
I tremendous fire OF round and grape, on the
frigate, town and battery. The old Lau-
tsro at the tine was exposed to the most
Calling FIRE from the postshe held, which
she soon silenced. The Maria Isabella,
finding NO hopes OF beating US of, cut her
cables and run in shore within pistol shot
Of the beach. We Immediately sent all
our boats, officers and men, to get her off
as soon as possible, which was not an easy
task, having Iooo troops playing upon us
from behind the houses with musketry.-
They kept up constant firing for six hours
and we as warmly returned it. After
long and tedious time Of 20 hours, we sue
ceeded in getting the frigate of, under
severeire from the enemy. Our loss was
about DO killed and wounded, that OF the
enemy must have been very great. The
Maria Isabella is an elegant ship, mount
ing 60 guns, which capt. Wooster nov
commands. The great patriot lord Coch-
rane has just arrived, which gentleman
was appointed in England commander of
the squadron, from the agent Of this gov
ernment. Had not his appointment been
prior, capt. w. should have had the com
mand. On his arrival, finding what he
had done, he was generous enough TO de-
cline accepting the command, saying that
those who had struck the first blow TO the
enemy was most entitled to that station
that it would be wrong in him 10 placethe
laurels gained by others on his own head.
Pleased with his open and generous con
duct, and being a man of talent and brave
~, we agreed TO bis taking the command
of the squadron, and expect we shall sail
from this 10 attack Lima, which place
think we shall carry without much hard
fighting Should it be our good fortune
totake Lima this summer, you may tx
pect 10 see me the next.
From the .Ncr- York Gazette, .liGy 81.
Messrs. Lang & Turner,
Inland you some of the last Buenos Ayres
Gazettes that had arrived at Monte Video
previous to my leaving that place. Letters
from Bnenos Ayres as late as the 9th Of
Feb. had reached Monte Fideo stating that
considerable alarm existed at that place, in
consequence of approach of pretty strong
force of Montaneras, under the command OF
Andreseto, one of the Artgas generals:
they had already advanced to within l8
leagues Of that city, and by posting them
selves on the principal roads leading from
it, had in great measure cut OH thercom- /
munication with the interior, and OF course |
with their army on the west side OF the con-
tinent 1t was the prevailing opinion at
Monte Video, that gen. Artigas would en- /
deavor to make himself master of Buenos
Ayres. But should that city make splrI- |
ted use of the means it possesses to repel /
such an enterprise, it may very well De
doubted whether he has the power TO effect
it. His forces being almost entirely cavalry
seem lily qualified to storm forts or batter
store-houses. But though this description
Of troops may not be adequate 10 the i'm |
mediate reduction of the city. it is peculiar
~ adapted for harrasing The Buenos Ayre- /,
! ans, and under leader OF the activity and
enterprise of Artegas, will doubtless do
them serious injury.
He ran in degree destroy their trade
with the country, and render very precari-
ons &c moi ;rnnracGcahie their intercourse |