Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-11


tanned, the corvette Bolivar was separated
from The division, and was not in sight on the
LIST May, the day of the battle, nor for seye-
raj days before. On the goth April the brig
yencedor, lieutenant Bro,herton, being off
Point Toucaque, captain BrothertOn observed
vessel to leeward aground he Immediately
directed his course towards the place, and
discovered that it was the brig Pinchincha,
lieutenant Matthews he dispatched to me
the schooner Flor de la Mar, lieutenant Wright,
to inform me ofthis event, which / learned on
the 50th April at eleven o'clock at night. The
next morning made signal to the Maria
Francisco, captain Christie, to approach me
with the intention of dispatching her towards
the brig Pinchincha, that she might render
her every possible assistance, and in case of
the loss eff the brig, 10 save her guns and
whatever else it might be practicable to obtain,
but, while was making the necessary dispo-
sitnns to this effect, signal from the Maria
francisco, announced four strange sails, two
ships and two schooners, which we soon as
certained TO be Spanish Division. Com
mandant Rene Beluche, having arrived from
La Guayra about the same time that the
Spanish Division appeared, | had an interview
with him, and he promised to support me
IN the engagement, which it was now proba-
bile would take place, and not abandon me-
other vessels under his command united TO
mine, / confidently hoped would render the
frst Of May, glorious day for Columbia
Having gained an ofling made signal to
form the line and steered towards Point Ton
| oaque, with hope of falling in with the cor
vette Bolivar. The enemy having the advan-
tage of being tn windward and of superior
sailing, compelled me to engage sooner than
wished L had previously given orders, that
| should one of the larger vessels succeed in
laying herself aboard the frigate, the small yes
sells should so range themselves as 10 board
the former, and by that means reach the deck
ut the frigate-the large vessel which would
have laid aboard the frigate TO serve in this
way as bridge to the small ones made 4
signal TO prepare for boarding, and saw, with
notification, that the small vessels paid no
attention to the signal, but fled without firing
a gun.
The engagement commenced about FORTY
fve minutes after o'clock in the afternoon,
| as nearly as can recollect. The brig indie
pendeDcla, com. Beluche, was engaged nearly
three quarters ofan hour and then made sail
and departed. AS she had sustained for a
considerable time, the fire of the Spanish
Corvette, have no doubt, that he suffered
severely, and that this alone caused him to
leave us. By his departure and that OF the
Maria Francisco were left alone To sustain the
whole fire of the Spanish ships which they
did until forty minutes after six O'Clock when
our vessels being so much injured both ia their
huils and rigging, az To be totally unmanagea-
bic, was obliged TO strike to the superior
force with which was engaged, and which I
ascer,ained consisted of the frigate Constitu
lion of 48 guns, mounting long e4's on her
gun deck, and manned with $50 men the
Corvette Ceres, carrying 26 long 8's and one
twelse FOUNDER on pivot and $50 men
they were from Havana hound to Porto Ca
vello, to which place | was taken with nv
officers and men; the two captured vessels
being towed in by boats Of the port ON the
third and fourth-It is not necessary that I
should make statement to your excellency,
OF the force and armament of the corvet:es
Carabobo and Maria Francisco, as they are
well known 10 your excellency.
| Our loss ~ the two corvettes amounted to
thirty seven killed and twenty one wounded
among which are Mr.. Macay of the Carabobo
and MIR. Benning ofthe Maria Francisca. The
enemy have suffered greatly both in the hulls
and rigging of their vessels /; | have not been
able to ascertain the exact number of their
killed and wounded, hut, from what | have
heard, the number must be very considerable.
arrived here yesterday with all my off
e..
with great satisfaction, to your excellency
the conditions under which we have been
released.
should fail in the duty which owe TO my
officers and men, i'll passed over in silence their
conduct on this occasion but cannot name
any IN particular without doing injustice to
The others therefore take the liberty of re
commanding them all to the favorable notice
of your ExceIleDcy being persuaded. that
although in this unequal combat we have NOT
gathered the laurels Of victory, the high repu
lati9D of the flag of Colombia has not been
injured.
II IS also my duty to make known TO yonr
Excellency, the generous manner in which
we nave been treated by Commandant La
Borde, and all the other officers of The Crigate
Constitution, rs also by the Captain and Of
ilcers of the corvette Ceres. Col. Carrera
The Governor Of Puerto Cavello and his Of
llcers, have also paid as the greatest attention.
RIO JANEIRO.--FO Mr.. Goldman. who
arrived here ON Friday last in the brig Laur,I
we are much indebted for his attention in fur
nlshng us with few nrmbers of the Didrio
de Governo, journal of the Government,
printed at that place. The latest date il thr
9th OF May. The papers are principally oc
cupied with details Of the organization of the
new or constitutional form Df government,
aud regulations respecting the public Offices
and public business in general The follow
Ing abstract oftbeir contents, which friend
acquainted with the Portuguese lauguage en-
ables us to give, will doubtless be acceptable
TO our readers.
The general representative body oftbe late
Province, DOW the Empire Of Brazil is STYLED
The General Assembly Of the Empire" II
commenced lis Preparatory Session ON the
18th April, in the Hall Of the General Coosii.
tuent and Legislative Assembly. at ,,l,irb 20