Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-06-09

ma. Capt. B. consented to take on board
a commissioner from tne vice king, to ne
gociate with the Chill government for an
exchange of prisoners. and 10 act himself
in the capacity of mediator. On our re-
turn to Valparaiso, had the pleasure to
accompany those gentlemt n to Santiago,
1.-THE capital, about one hundred miles in
the interior.) On our arr'va, in the suburbs
we were met by an officer oil distinction at
the head of corps of dragons, which paid
Capt. B. military honors and escorted Us
to quarters that had been prepared for
Capt. b and most splendidly fitted up by
order of the Supreme director-during our
stay there. our table was every. day sup
Piled in the most sumptuous manner--the
richest wines, fruits and delicaSies If every
description were crowded upon it in the
greatest profusion-in short, every respect
and attention was paid u.s. and we were
suffered to be at no expense whatever. In
consideration, suppose, o. this, the SER
wants, who were also government property.
felt themselves at liberty to puroin every
thing they could lay their hands on, and
they certainly availed themselves OF every
opportunity TO exercise that right-one OF
the soldiers of the guard Of honor that es-
corted US back to the port, stole my sword.
epauletie and chapeau de bras which had
been given him to carry.
Santiago is handsome, regular and well
built ci,y-has from thirty to forty thou
sand inhabitants-t has several very rich
churches, and some other elegant pubic
buildings, particularly a mint, which, l
think, is not surpassed, if equalled, by any
building on the whole continent of Amerl-
ca it is four hundred and eighty feet in
front, two stories high, and every way large
in due proportion, and is built of very
fine white free stone. We spent six days
in the cily-no arrangement for exchange
of prisoners could be agreed on. On our
return to the port we immediately put 10
sea for the river Columbia, N. W. COAST
touching al Lima to land the Spanish com.
missioner. On the 18th August we anchor
ed off the entrance of that river. The bar
being too intricate and dangerous for a
vessel OF the Onlario's draft Of water to
pass in, we manned three boats with fifty
well armed saamen and rowed up the river
to The establishment fouGked there by Mr..
As,or, of New York, but then in the pos
session of the British Y. w. company,
you may recollect that this post was ia
ken from Mr.. Astor during the late war
with England by the treaty of Client 1t
must be restored to US, and understand
it has been actually given up, since we
left there to the United States. agent ap-
pointed to receive it. II is situated on
what is called point George, about 10
miles from the entrance of the river
consists of one lerge frame house, FIVE or
six snail ones, some store houses, shops,
Sc. Around the whole is a strong high
picket to protect them from the Indians,
who are sometimes disposed to he trou-
blesome. Twenty five whites, the same
number Of Sandwich Islanders, with three
six Founders. constitutes the whole force
of the settlement. Captain BiGdle was
not authorized by lis Instructions TO haul
down the English flag and place in its
stead the American stripes we however
took formal possession of the country on
both sides the river, in the name and on
The behalf of the United Safes, with all
the ceremony usual on such occasions -
Wepassed the night uncomfortable enough
in our boats, which we anchored near an
Indian village. The Indians came a
mongst us in considerable numbers with
great familiarity, were very merry and
friendly, offering US their dried salmon to
eat. Their FIRST inquiries were whether we
were king Georges men or Boston men; on
being told Boston men, they repeated Sc
veral times Boston men Rlosh" which
signifies good so you see they under
stand at least one part of the policy of ci-
vilized nations. The greater part OF the
men were entirely naked, and the women
were as little covered as the most relax
ed laws of decency would admit of. They
have, iB coufinon, hat heads and distorted
features the latter Is no doubt, caused by
the operation of flattening the head, which
is done by con6nlng il, in infancy, be-,