Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-31
From the Ne,p. York Commercial .adrertiser.
EyT'cRACTS FROM LETTERS

Written by Lady in South America to her Friend in
the United States
told Won of the excitement and horror pro-
duced by the death OF Monteagredo, for with
all their vices, assassination is very unfrequent
among the Peruvians. His, however, has de-
veloped deep laid plot, which had Bolivar fqg
the first victim, including many of the Colon
bian officers. Rodil was the instigator, and it
is said, letters have been found in which sig
nal was proposed, that was to be holsted upon
tie cathedral, when Bolivar was destroyed, and
Rodil was then to rush into the city with his
troops. >,
Since then the General never goes out with
out a guard A few evenings after our arrival,
he gave ball at the palace, to which we went
The building is any thing but palace in ap-
pearance; it originally could have had no beau.
~ of arc hitec,ure. and is now, as you may sup
pose, in great decay, having been built and In
habiled by Pizarro Since the commencement
of the revolution, it has been stripped OF every
thing valuable, by every party which entered
Lima victorious; the only thing interesting
which is left, is full length portrait OF Colum-
bus, fine animated picture and beautiful
painting.
About nine o'clock, we entered the dancing
hall bv the stairs where Pizarro was murdered;
company Of Colombian officers was stationed
upon them; large band Of musicians, in bright
red dresses, was seated near the door, and all
along the room on either side the ladies were
seated upon low sofas, and looked like so many
automatons. and the center, from one extremity
to the other, was occupied by those involved in
the mazes of the waltz.
We were conducted to the head Of the room,
where the Libertador received US with great
courtesy and even kindness: he said to me
81 wish, Sonora, could express in your own
language, the qualification | feel in seeing L.
dies from the country OF Washington" &c.
&c ! paid him some com plments in return,
which he received very graciously :-Colonel
SANTANA, was my Interpreter; and nothing can
be more ridiculous than TO compliment by the
aid Of another. The ladies Immediately en-
quired our Christian names, by which they adj
dressed us with so much ease and grace, that
we felt like old acquaintance.
The wife Of Marquis Of - was followed
by her two daughters, the eldest not more
than seven both were dressed in satin, lace
and flowers, glittering with diamonds, ear
rings, and broacnes and when expressed my
establishment at the pantomime, another Seno-
rita, Ia child OF eeyen,) was pointed out to
me She was dressed like an old lady, in the
most costly naterials-a turban, with feathers.
and in front Of it diamond valued at $4,000
she is an orphan, end the richest heiress In
Peru, having yearly income OF S3oo,Ooo!-'
she is engaged to Spanish Colonel The
ladies were all splendidly dressed, and quite in
one style as to materials, but with some incon-
gruities as to making an arrangement.
was disappointed in the Spanish country
dance; il is exceedingly monotonous, but is
better suited to their habits and climate than
our gay quadrilles would be; the waltz appear
ed to me as bewildering TO the imagination as
| it would be to my head-but it was charming
to see the grace and velocity with which the
Senoras perform this dizzying but interesting
dance, with their gay and gallant knights, who
appear to great advantage in ii
Bolivar did nor dance; he treated US with
| the most marked attention and respect; and at
| twelve O'Clock, he led me into an adjoining
room, where supper table was laid for three
hundred persons, which was covered with eve.
~ sort Of confectionery, ices, cakes, fruits,
champaign, and every kind of wine; candle
was placed by every plate, which, with the
re large chandeliers, threw such briiancy
over the ladies covered with diamonds, and the
delightful fruits, the beautiful flowers, yielding
the sweetest odour,l that the scene was quite
magical and enchanting.
This is called Refresco, and is usual at all
parties; and supper is never served till or 3 in
the morning.
The god of February, (Washington's Birth
Day. Gen. Bolivar, accompanied by Admiral
Banco and Capt. Foster, of the CHILEAN squad
ron, Capt Mailing, with many officers of the
n. N. Commodore Wright Of the Colombian
Navy, and many Peruvian and American gen.
tlemen, breakfasted on board the frigate Uni
ted States The Libertador was received " it'll
salute of twenty-one guns; the Peruvian and
Colombian flags were hoisted, and the yards
manned; the officers of the ship were in full
dress, and every man in white frock and trow.
sers and red jacket; flowers and fruits were
scattered in every direction, and every thing
presented the appearance of ies,isity and hap
piness; it was one of those lovely and glorious
days, when every heart seems TO expand with
Joy and gratitude and when all nature appears
to respond joyfully to those delightful emo
tons!
Itwas really dejuner la-fourchette, and
many national and complimentary tossts were
drunk much to the satisfaction Of all present
The people of the country seldom take any
breakfast blu, a cup Of chocolate at rising; "a
bout three the doors and windows are all clos.
ed, and they retire to the most remote room in
the house, where they dine; they have great
variety OF courses OF meats and pastry-aller-