The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-08-25
From the National Advocate.
PATRlO rISM OF THE CITY OF LIMA.

OF three wears III Lima, ana Withtsseu .iie
various changes which within that time
have taken place in that capitl, has turn-
ishsd US with some interesting FACTS IRON his
own observation, calculated to show at once
the severe TRIALS to which the inhabitants
have been subjected, and the spirit which
they preserved through them all.
After the battle OF Junin, in which the
Spaniard, suffered the loss of their cavalry,
the nest efficient portion Of their army III
Peru, they retired to the fortress Of Ci.ao
under Gen. Rodil, and did not pretend to
keep anv regular post in Lima. The pat
riots in the meantime were exerting them
selves to assemble a heavy force about Hu-
ancayo aud as their cause was on the adj
vance, reports were constantly IN circulation
that they intended speedily to take posses
sion Of the capitol. Fheir appearance was
however delayed, and they contented them
selves with keeping the rumours alive from
September till December that the Span
iards might be prevented from undertaking
anv CLANS of their own. During this time
the CITY OF Lima was left absolutely with
out any government whatever, and the state
OF things WAS agitating and distressing IN the
extreme. Lying between the two hostile
arnies, vet at too great a distance 70 pc
commanded By either, It was frequently oe-
cupie1 for ii ljttle time by small parties from
both, which made it repeatedly the scene OF
contest ana Of bloolshed. 1t was for lensth
oftine matter Of frequent occurrence, TO
see a body OF Spanish Of Patriot troops en-
Ter the city il the morning and atter enjoy
ing undisputed authority tor few hours, to
be suddenly attacked By a larger numhef OF
their enemies, and driven preciptateiy a
gain into the country, perhaps to seek
rei"torcemeat and return to renew the con
test.
For the citizens, who took no share IN
these'frcqueat and often bloody sAirmiShcs,
this situation Of affairs, 50 long continued,
was productive ot thousand trials Many
Of them fed from the city, to seek security
il more secluded situations; but thousands,
IN capitol Of that Size, knew not whittier
to 70. or we're totallv unable to remove their
families or themselves. Their only alter
native therefore was, to shut themselves up
ii their houses; toY the insecurity Of walk
ing in tie streets was 50 great that itrelulr
ed no li.t!c resolution q appear even in the
dav time; and after dusk there was no such
thing IS going out Even those who We're
obliged to leave the houses at mid-day al
ways armed themselves with swords aud
pistols, and before they dare venture into
the street opened their gates with Caution.
aid sUspic.0usiy reconuoitered the way in
every direction. When two persons met,
who vas not personally kAown to each other
they eyed each ether with distrus;, and
with one consent came no nearer thln they
we're compelled to 10 by the narrowncss Of
the street. Llfc seemed the great object
Of every ones attention; and the risquts to
which they felt themselves exposed made
,hem feel content with this alone.
fla stranger had entered Lima at this
time, he would have imagined the city 1Cs-
clatc. The streets were still to a meldn
choly degree. and he might have supposed
it desoiatel 81 famine or the plague. Many
ot the inhabitants themselves undoubtedly
entertained 4 very imperfect ileA Of the
number Cf people remaining with them IL
the city: great numbers were known % have
gohe, AMI the few VINO made their appear
ance during thesc three months Induced n
least some 10 suppose the city almost de-
serted. 4 few persons were no~ and then
;2,5c seen here and there, appearing ~ i
winlow ora balcony, but lUnIrtds and tsou-
sands 1t families were CLOSELY confined III
their houses, with doors barricadel and
arms prepared for n defence, against tie
attacks Of those lawless bands OF soldiers
who frequently infested the city, and the no
less continued depredatons ut SOLITARY Or
associated robbers from the most Abandoned
classes Of inhabitants. Dead Bodies were
every d4y to be seen living in the streets,
and more than one ass ssiUlti0n WIS usually
pcrpeirated every night. Petty skirmishcs
between pl4tnons OF soldiers often rendered
i, doubly hazardous TO leave the house, and
the disturbances they created, with their
cries and the frequent reports OF their fire.
arms, tended to keep the city in a coastau.
state Of anxiety and alarm. The foreign
merchants, whose dwellings and stores nat
uraly offered the greatest temptations to
the lawless, We're particularly watched and
guarded, and bv them, as ardcntly as by auy
the re-estabi ,hment Of law and security Was
looked for with imp4tience.
II December when the approach Of a
strong Patriot force mad been more conf
deatly repeated and was anXiousy awaited
from hour to hour, body Of tAeir troops
made their appearance, reached tile city,
and entered the gate. The news spre al
Ike wid-hre-rhe Patriots haye come, ran
from mouth 10 mouth, 5000 men-thi, IS
their vanguard, and tAe oplaiatIs, have
lost Lima forever A small boay Of Spanish
soldiers, who had been in the city for several
days, had hasteped their retreat as soon u
the, ascertained the approach Of their enc
rn-s. 50 that the Patriots found the gate,
jo,tuily thraWn open, no one lctt TO Oppose
their entrance, and the inhabitants pourHe
ont Of tatir dwellings By thous gnds to vel
come their arrival. At any previous time
il would have been difficult to strtnserts
i al -H