Harpers Ferry Free Press

IMPORTANT FROM SPAIN.

The arrival at Boston of the brig Prudent, Ellis, in 37 days from Malaga, brings the following note from Mr. Barrell, U. S. consul at Malaga, containing highly favorable and most cheering intelligence from the Peninsula.--N. Y. Ev. Post.

"News has just reached us, that Riego, after giving the French a complete beating in the streets of Jaen, leaving 700 of them dead, besides wounded, proceeded on his march, and was in a place called La Carolina, rapidly marching towards Madrid, and was in expectation of joining with Martin, the Empecinado, and but little doubt remains that he is at this moment within a few leagues of the capital of Spain. The authorities of this place spread a report two days since, that he was captured, but it was merely to deceive the ignorant and keep alive the hopes of the serviles, more properly called the banditti of Spain.

"If the Government in Cadiz remain firm a very short time longer, the face of affairs in this unhappy country will wear a different aspect, and Europe may have to thank Spain for saving all the Continent from despotism.

"The conduct of Riego while in this place has been reported in the Gibraltar Chronicle, in a shameful light--false in every respect and a tissue of lies. He acted like a gallant soldier, and a firm unshaken patriot; and among all the Generals in Spain, he has proved himself capable of acting for his unfortunate country in the true style of the old Romans."

Malaga, 20th Sept. 1823.

The following extract of a letter from an intelligent gentleman in Malaga to his friend in Boston, dated Sept. 20th, amply confirms the above pleasing intelligence.

"I am sorry to say, that the war wears now more than ever, the character of a civil war, as the forces of the French are not adequate to their views. Gen. Riego left this place with 4 or 5000 men on the 3d for the interior, and although the French and Spanish royal troops, amounting to more than 10,000 men, followed him in every direction, and had shut him up in this neighborhood, he has got clear by terrible and daily fights, and we have accounts to-day of his being in the Carolina with a very courageous, though small body of troops, equal to what he took from hence; as many have joined him after the losses he must have experienced. I have hardly any time to say more, as the master of the brig Prudent is now going on board. We are anxiously waiting the end of the present contest; in the mean time, trade, tranquillity, and confidence, have fled away."

Captain Ellis, who received the above note from the hands of Mr. Barrell, states that nothing was known at Malaga respecting Cadiz, all communication between the two places having been cut off. Malaga is on the Mediterranean and distant 100 miles from Cadiz. Jaen, where the gallant Riego so completely beat the French, is about 80 miles from Malaga. It is the capital of the province of Jaen, in Andalusia, and 195 miles distant from Madrid, to which Riego was rapidly advancing. If he catches the Regency, it is more than probable he will ship them off from Spain, as he did the refractory priests at Malaga. The French, it would appear, had very few troops between Jaen and Madrid.

Capt. Ellis adds, that he was in the vicinity of Cadiz several days in light foggy weather, and heard a continual firing of cannon.