Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-12

of affairs in that quarter, which we now pre-
sent 10 our readers.
The government of Caracas having re-
ceiyediuformationt that division of patriot
troops under the command of Gen. Bcrmu-
DEE, We're rapidly advancing towards the cap
ital, in direction where there was not force
enough TO oppose them, hastily despatched
Col. Esturriz, with reinforcement of a few
companies of the regiment of Castillo, for
the purpose of checking their progress. Es-
turriZ met and attacked the patriots ut or
near place called Rio Chico, and after a
short contest the affair terminated in the dis
comfiture of the royalist commanders. The
troops which escaped from this action return
ed toward Caracas, and having unitedthem-
seves to few additional men of the same
regiment. and the Valencia regiment of mi
litia, under Lieut.. Col. Arbuthnot, again gave
battle to the enemy near Guarenas, when
they We're again worsted, and Lieut.. Col
Arbuthnot, in the act of galantly animatiDg
his men, lost his life.
After the loss of these two actions, the
Captain General, Correa, proceeded TO collect
such description of forcesas could well be got
together, and marched in the direction of Pc
tare, in the hopes of being there reinforced !;
being disappointed, however, and finding that
his force had so dwn,lied away Us TO be in
capable of making stand against an enemy,
already superior in number, he returned TO
Caracas on the morning of the 14th inst.
and having summoned Junta, the abandon
ment of Caracas was there determined on.
In consequence of which many of the inhab-
itants, terrified at the impending danger, ra-
pidly left the city, some taking the road TO
La Guayra, others proceeding in the direc-
ton of San Pedro, or 10 other places in the
interior.
Up to Monday last, between the hours of
two and three in the afternoon, Caracas had
not been taken possession Eybut an hour or
two afterwards, 4 gentlcm Fmiiwho was on the
road from thence to La fStayra, distinctly
heard the firing of cannoif and ringing of
bells, from which, was inferred the entry of
the Patriots. That same night a council OF
war was held in La Guayra, when the evac-
uation of that place was also agreed On ac-
cordingly the guns were spiked, and the am
munltion still on shore thrown into the sea-
All the powder that Glanced 10 be in the
stores having been previously embarked on
board of two Spanish vessels for the purpose
of being carried to Puerto Cabello. Although
information had few days previous been re-
ceived in La Guayra of the disaster that had
hefallen EsturIiz force, yet the thing had
subsequently been so CLOSED over, rs in
some degree at least TO dispol the alarm tilat
the intelligence OF it had at first excited /:
when, therefore, about noon On Sunday last
the alarm guns were fired, apt proclam,--
calling upon all inhabitants Without distinc-
ton to arm in defence of the country, con
sternation and alarm was yisibly depicted in
every countenancc.
The day passed off quietly, but about mid
night, mules. laden with baggage and effects.
and number ofpersons of both sexes arrived
from Caracas immediately all was hurry
and confusion, each endeavouring TO secure
such property as could We'll be got on board
the shipping in the road. From this hour I'M
til late on Monday evening, the wharf was lii
orally crowded with goods of every descrip-
ton, and from the almost utter impossibliiy
of obtaining the means of conveying them
on board. although most extravagant prices
were given for sit is supposed that pro
pcrty to considerable amount was inevita-
bly, left behind and we are assured that
goods were actually shipping at midnight
on Monday.
La Guayra was finally abandoned on the
morning of Tuesday last, whenthc few troops,
that had not yet embarked were sent ofi,and
between the hours of nine and ton, the indie
pendent flag was seen hoisted on the princi-
j.,
the shipping at the time of the change were
still at anchor. Here again all was hurry
and hustle, butby considerable cxertion, how
ever, the whole of the fleet consisting in all of
forty five sail, managed by getting ont boats
ahead to tow them, and with The aid of the
little breeze that prevailed, to escape from
the bay i'll safety, and with the exception
of the two vessels mentioned above, proceed
ed to Puerto Cabello, under Convoy of the
Spanish frigate i4igera, which had been for
some days cruzing in the offing.
Up to the time of the departure of the fleet
from La Guayra no intelligence of any action
having been fought between the main divisions
OF the contendng armies has been received.
BY arrivals yesterday from Puerto Cabello
we have however learnt, that generals La
Tore and Morales had formed a junction AT
Pao, a town lying between CalaDoza and
San Carlos, and close TO the Republican
headquarters, from which it may be infer
red that decisive engagement has by this
time very probably taken place.
Spanish man of war schooner arrived
at Puerto Cabello on Wednesday, from the
Havana.
We learn from Maracaybo, that brig be-
longing to Brion's squadron which was ear
rying troops from St. Martha to that place,
was run ashore in the Gulph, and received
so much damage on the rocks as to be rem
dered unfit for the service.
During the present week there have been
many arrivals from Coro, EACH vessel COM
yeying a considerable number of the nhabi-
tants of that place, among whom is the Gov
ernor, Don Correa, several civil and military
officers and privates, and a few clergymen
computed to amount in all to between and
500 persons.-From what we have been able
to learn of the particulars of this event, it
appears that the inhabitants of Coro became
exceedingly alarmed at the threatened attack
upon the place by the Independent forces ia
MaraCaybO. q part Of Which had hppr nut n,