Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-02-14
Correspondence Of the Telegraph
U. S. SHIP North CAROLINA,
Port 0f CdLlao, Oct. 1898.

ut the head of government; but his admins
tration is extremely unpopular except with
a few partisans All the Peruyians who
take any interest in political affairs, and the
foreigners without exception are in the OPP
position, and still adhere to the conteder-
alton; and, were it not for the bayonets OF
invaders, would soon put an end to the
existing dynasty and restore the govern
ment.
Under the present administration, Choir
illos has been made port of entry, and is
now the only one in Peru; but such has
been the unsettled state of affairs the last
two years that commerce has greatly de-
clined. and at present affords but very
. trifling revenue to the government. Indeed
within the last two or three months COM
mercal as we'll as every other kind OF bust
ness has completely failed; and both in
Lima and CalIao the warehouses and stores
are closed, and the mercantile part of the
community feel that they are doing very
good business,if, by shutting themselves up
at home, they save their lives and the little
property they may possess. The revenue
being inadequate to meet the current ex-
penses of government, the treasury is sup
piled by forced loans exacted from those
who are known, or supposed to be opposed
TO the usurper,-a m ethod Of raising funds
usually resorted to here in revolutionary
times, and significantly called squeezing.
Orbegaso having sufficiently recovered
from the wounds he had received in the
engagement with the Chlians, threw him
self irto the castle and assumed command
of it, permitting Nicto who by his treach-
cry had forfeited his life and by the usa-
res of the revolutionists was a candidate
for the stake, TO embark and leave the
country, thus putting out of the way for the
time being. one. by whose counsel he had
been duped, and led into his recent acts of
rebellion.
The Chilians have been incessant in
making propositions to Orbegaso, to in
duce him to give up his strong hold but
thus far without effect. To attempt to
carry the castle by storm, or indeed to re-
duce il in any other way by force, would
be an exhibition of folly on the part of the I
INVADERS too gross, not to blast forever the
reputation of their commander. 1t can
never fall into their hands but by bribery,
or treachery and if not gained by these
means, the cause Of Gamarra and his sup
porters must inevitably fail. This position,
once secured, however, Chill, with her
presen, naval strength, would hold Peru.
in opposition to any force the Protector
could martial against her. 1t is reported,
and on good authority, that Orbegaso has
very recently received letters from Santa
Cruz, assuring him of pardon for his late
rebellion on condition THAT he holds out
against the seige till the arrival of the con-
federate army. If this be correct, it is
doubtful whether the gold of Chill will not
prove as inefficien: in the cause, as her
arms. The castle is defended by fifteen
hundred troops with provisions and water
for six months; and from my present infor-
NATION relative to its condition, / have no
hesitation in expressing the belief that it
will remain firm in its adherence TO the
cause of Santa Cruz.
The Chlians have erected a battery OF
heavy artillery at Bella Vista about mile
from Calao, with which they play, but
without much effect upon the castle, and
receive the compliment back in return, in
similar, but more effective style. During
the last Two months, an almost perpetual
connonading has been kept up between the
belligerents; but apparently more for each
others amusement than injury.
The arrival ofthe Protector, at the head
of the main body of the confederate army
from Bolivia, is daily expected, and will
we hope put final end to the war, or
change the theatre of action for including
those quartered in the vicinity of Lima, he
will. it is believed, bring into the field
eight or nine thousand well disciplined
troops,-a number twice as large, at least
as the invading army.
Respectfully, J. #. H.