The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1821-03-26 (London, England)

SOUTH AMICRICA. " BUENOS •TRES, !MEMBER in, 1820. " On the sth Mat. O'Higgins, Director of Chili, received letters from Lord Cochrane, dated the 9th of November, informing him, that on the sth of November, when lying with the 01-iiggims and Laufaro frigates, and Indepeadencia sloop of war, at anchor oft Lorenzo, he manned the boats of the three ships, and went in person to endeavour to cut out the Esmeralda frigate, of 40 guns and 400 men, she being defended by booms, with a line of gun-boats in front, linked by five men of war en each side, and close under the gulls of the formidable forts of Callao. " About one o'clock the Spanish frigate opened her fire on the boats advancing; his Lordship did not allow them much time, lie was instantly alongside, and boarded ; the Spaniards contested the decks, but could not withstand the assailants—in • fewminutes the frigate was in Lord Cochrasse's possession—her cables cut, and she towed out by the boats without sustaining any damage. A gunboat, commanded by a Lieutenant, Illtewisevfell into his Lordship's possession. In this most brilliant exploit, which surpasses all his former deeds in Europe, the parallel of which, I believe, has never been effected by any man, his Lordship received a musket ball through his right thigh, which fortunately will not long confine him. His loss was 15 killed and 50 wounded ; the Spaniards had 158 killed and wounded, 174 prisoners, the remainder jumped overboard, and endeavoured to swim on shore. Two Captoiris were among: the prisoners; one of them late Captuin of the Praeba frigate. The Esmeralda had just been refitted and provisioned for four months, supposed to be destined for Europe. The Hyperion (English), mid Macedonian (American), frigates, were witness to this most gallant exploit ; they suffered considerably by shut striking them, that were intended for the boats when advancing. The following morning the American frigate sent a boat on shore to market, with twelve men and an Officer; the Royalist mob instantly attacked them, and massacred them all. The cause assigned is, that some of the seamen that swam on shore from the Esserabbi, declared that the Hyperion sod Macedonian (rent boats to assist Lord Cochrane; whireas Lord C. merely advanced from the quarter where they were anchored. Capt. Downes was obliged to procure a strong guard to take him on board, otherwise he would have lost his life. The Viceroy of Peru has been forced to put strong guards over. every foreigner's house, to prevent the mob from murdering them. " General San Martin advanced with his army within esicitt leagues of Lima to the southward ; he then embarked, leaving, however, the second in command, with a strong detachment, who has since been joined by 4,000 men, chiefly blacks..••• SIM Martin sailed to Ancona, about forty miles to the northward of Lima, where he intended disembarking. ill order to cut off all supplies from Lima, whilst Lord Cochrane blockades by sea. Guayaquil, • large and populous province to the northward, has revolutionized itself withoat any bloodshed ; they have to written General San Martin, and intend to co-operate with him. This province is of great conseqUence, and has caused General San Martin to send General Quintana down to concert measures with them. Every thing appears favourable to the liberating of Peru, which will most likely shortly take place.—Guayaquil is the port of Quito. " From Chili we likewise learn that Colonel Frets, who bad been obliged to retreat before the Royalists and Indians into Tulcahuanno, had suddenly attacked them, and completely rooted them, Making a most terrible slaughter, but not taking any prisoners, it being a war of extirpation. Colonel Frere regained possession of Conception, and crossed the River Bio-Bio in pursuit of the fugitive*. " At this place of Buenos Ayres we are at present  .  tranquil. Hodriguet, the Governor, is about forty leagues in the country, with 2,000 men, driving the Indians before him. Nothing decisive has yet taken place. The Slartey, Captain O'Brien, is in Ensenada, heaving down ; the Creole in the outer roads, bearing the broad-pendant ; Sttper% at Monte Video. Sir Thomas Hardy and Starr are welt.  " The following is Lord Cochrsne's present  force  " O'Higgins (formerly Maria lqabella), 50 gains, Admiral Lord Cochrane, Captain Crosby; San Martin (formerly Cumberland, ladiaman), 60 guns, Captain Wilkinson ; Esmeralda, 42 guns, Captain GtSide; Lantana (formerly Wyndham, Indiaman), 44 guns, Captain Delano; lndepentlcuria, 28 guns, Captain Foster; Chacabuco (formerly English Decate), 20 guns, Captain Carey; Galverino, 18 guns, Captain Spry; Aracano, 16 gang, Captain Carter; Purr. don, 12 guns, Captain Cobbett : Montezuma schooner, and two gun-boats."