Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-17

leave the constitutional question to be
settled by the new Legislature. The
election of members to both houses
would turn mainly on that question,
and there would be no doubt but the
decision Of the new Assembly would
be consonant to the construction which
a majority Of the people ale disposed
to give to the disputed clause ut their
constitution. And whatever construc-
ton The people chosse to put upon the
instrument, will be cheerfully acqui-
esced in, as the supreme law oil the
land.
We sometime ago translated from
one of our South American papers an
article which gave an account OF the
Capture Of Colombian vessel on its
way to Callao with reinforcements to
the besieging army, by Spanish brig
OF war. The circumstance happening
at the time when the whole ofthe Span
ish military force had surrendered In
Peru, and the naval force had either
returned to Spain or was voluntarily
given up to the Patriots, excited some
surprize; bat in perusing late file OF
Lima papers, we find the following
statement of the transactions Which
satisfactorily accounts for the procee-
ding:-
"Despatches dated the 18th CT April
from the Intendant Of the south OF Co
lombia, to the Supreme Government
of Peru have been received, stating,
that the Spanish bilander Of war, Real
Felipe, had anchored the day before at
the mouth of'he River of .Guayaquil.
She had been sent by the Commander
of the Province of Chloe to the inter-
mediate ports, to ascertain the state OF
the amy Of Olaneta, his situation and
resources, without deviating in the least
from this sole subject OF his commits
sion, even for the purpose Of making
prizes. Disregarding however these
instructions, her captain d. Juan Viii
la, devoted himself to piracy, and di-
rected his course to the North OF Peru,
and took on the 25th of March, twenty
eight leagues distant from the port she
was bound to, the Colombian brig El-
ena, with 100 barrels oil powder, 2 Of
6cers and So artillerymen who were on
board, on their way to the siege ofCal-
lao, after treacherously hosting the
CHILEAN flag, and firing a shot, then
striking it, hosting Spanish colours,
and firing four shots which dismasted
her foremost. The captain and officers
were then ordered on board, and did
..ot return to the Elena, until they had
been plundered, the whole OF the crew
confined below deck, all the arms taken
away, and the powder ordered to be
thrown overheard. His intention was
to disembark her people on one OF the
Galapagos islands and burn the vessel:
but on the 5lst Of the same, on coming
in sight Of them, Lieut.. ID Pedro Vicu-
MIA, charged with the custody OF the
prisoners, calling to mind that he was
an American, in union with the purser,
Andres Rodriguez, the boatswain Jose
Ramirez and the gunner Jose Ramirez,
fred with the love of their country,
seized the captain, and having prevail
I'd on the crew, by their persuasions,
they all declared for liberty and sailed
for Guayaquil. Capt. Villa wishing
to conceal the unsettled state Of Chloe
and prolong the Spanish dominion in
that quarter, tore in pieces the dcs-
patches of the Governor, Quintanilla,
addressed to any Spanish Military
Chief on the coast Of Peru, which being
Joined together, was easily deciphered.
At a late meeting Of the Canal Com
missioners in Utica proposals were o.
pened for purchasing the right to use
the surplus water at various points on
the middle aud western section on the
Erie canal The Geneva Gazette states
that the water at Black Rock, was bid
off at the large annual rent of SS4oo.-
That at the mouth Of ronewanta creek
at 1920; the north half Of which was
purchased by Messrs. John and James
Sweeny, and George Goundry, who
own a valuable tract Of land on that
side Of the creek, and who have laid
out village at its mouth, the location
of which is not inferior, perhaps, to a
NV other on the Niagara.