Daily National Intelligencer

FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

By the arrival of the brig Hippomenes, in 20 days from Curacao, we have received papers from that place to the 15th November. They contain some interesting particulars of the war in South America.

SPANISH AMERICA

Extract of a letter from a respectable person, dated Guayana, August 20.

Both Guayanas are at last occupied by the arms of the republic; the capital, or the city of Angostura was evacuated on the 18th July, and on the 3d August Old Guayana. Masters of the whole province, the Independents command the river by very respectable forces. It is impossible to enumerate the articles of war and of commerce which have been abandoned by the Spaniards in both cities. The most part of this rich booty has been taken by our squadron, which chased the enemy down the river, and took from them 21 sail of vessels, say two ships and all the rest brigs.

The Spanish chief La Torre escaped in a light corvette, amid a deluge of shot. Upwards of 1000 prisoners fell into the hands of the Independents, among whom is the bishop, the ecclesiastic cabildo, officers of high rank and a vast number of respectable persons of all classes.

It is most interesting to know, that the Spaniards have lost the public opinion which they formerly enjoyed with the inhabitants. The Independents, on the contrary, hold it in its full length. Tranquillity, order, abundance in all kinds of things, and safety in all its extent, have succeeded to the noise of war; these precious blessings are the result of the great project of the capture of Guayana, which ensures forever the liberty of all the other provinces.

In the province of Caracas the Independents are progressing, being already as far as the town of Orituco. Gen. Zaraza at the head of 2000 men, occupies Caoruta, and extends the movements of his army as far as El Rastro on the one side, and on the other San Sebastian.

Extracts of letters from the 21st to the 29th Sept.

General Zaraza, with 2000 horses, is on the other side of the way to Orituco. General Bermudez, with 2000 infantry, 100 dragoons, and four field pieces, sets out to-morrow (22d) to incorporate his forces with those of the former, and occupy Caballozo and San Carlos where they must be joined by general Paez, with 2000 horses. General Monagas is ordered to take possession of Barcelona with his brigade and 500 infantry. The main body of the army, commanded by the general in chief, Simon de Bolivar, is preparing to march immediately; the squadron and 2000 warriors will be left to protect this province. By next December, the tri-colored flag will be seen waving triumphantly in Caracas, and every single spot occupied by the Royalists shall be liberated by the Liberating Army.

Copy of the Proclamation of Gen. Bolivar.

Simon de Bolivar, general in chief of the army destined to liberate Venezuela.

To the inhabitants of the Valle del Tuy:

Caraquenians! The precious moment is arrived, which was decreed by heaven for the total expulsion of the Spanish government in Venezuela. All those who formerly devoured the bosom of their country, have been converted into faithful defenders of the adorable mother. The Americans have acknowledged their duty, their interest and their glory; they have dropped the murderers' knives to seize the nobler arms of liberty. The Spaniards are now alone engaged in the struggle against America, and they will soon disappear from the field of battle.

Caraquenians! the arms of the republic have triumphed on all sides; from the tedious plains of Casanare to the mouths of the wealthy Orinoco, we have been constantly followed by victory; twenty glorious actions have ensured the fate of Venezuela.

The famous chiefs whom Spain has sent out to domineer over us, have been beaten by our troops, except Morillo, who shuns battles as devoutly as we seek them.

Five thousand men protect this rich province. General Marino, at the head of 2000 men, is contending for the rescue of Cumana. One thousand brave Maturines, commanded by general Roxas, are waiting for the Spaniards at Maturin. The intrepid general Monagas, with his brigade, harass them on all sides at Barcelona. The valorous brigade, commanded by its worthy general Zaraza, consisting of upwards of 2000 men, runs through the plains of Caracas, liberating the people whom force held in submission. The army of general Paez, on which the reverses of Caizada, La Torre, Lopez, Gorin, Ramos, Reyes, Gongorra and many others reflect so much glory, is 4000 strong, and has kindled the flames of insurrection throughout a great part of New Granada.

Caraquenians! Having liberated Guayana, I now cross back to Orinoco, and will soon appear in the middle of your capital with the most formidable army that ever was seen in Venezuela. The forces of Morillo are reduced to a mere skeleton; the paltry reinforcement of 1000 men, lately brought from Spain by Cupini, is not sufficient to take the sole port of Pampatar in the immortal Margarita. Caraquenians! scorn the power of the Spaniards; while we are united they must be conquered.

Head quarters, Guayana, July 1, 1817.

SIMON DE BOLIVAR.

Extract of a letter from Margarita, dated the 18th October.

With respect to the late political occurrences in this island, I will only say, that it is scarcely possible to conceive the bravery which was, for the second time, displayed in repelling the furious invasion of general Morillo. Our situation was really very desperate, as we could not look for any assistance from our brethren on the Main, who were themselves surrounded by dangers of every description.

Under such circumstances, only the inimitable heroism of the people could have undertaken to withstand the colossal forces of the enemy—only a people of heroes could have beheld with disdain an infinite number of barriers opposing their design of a brave resistance.

By one of the many contingencies, which frequently occur in war, the commander of St. Juan Bautista was unable to prevent Morillo from landing on the shores of the Berales, with 3500 men, of the choicest troops of the line.

Notwithstanding some advantages obtained by him, we were forced to come to an engagement, which was bold and bloody, and after four hours of a well directed and uninterrupted fire, we had the inexpressible pleasure of seeing the enemy give way in all directions, with the loss of 400 men; our loss did not exceed 7 killed and 27 wounded.

General Morillo having collected fresh forces, advanced now to Pampatar, and though this fort could not check his audacity, for want of military trains, he received considerable damage from different corps of infantry and cavalry, which had gone out to meet him, and made a terrible havoc among his troops.

On the 31st July Morillo attacked, with his whole forces, the environs of the capital; the superiority of his troops flattered him with the hope of an easy conquest, but here his disappointment was equal to his disgrace, or the valor and intrepidity of 280 infantry and 200 horses, with a piece of artillery, situated on a height, compelled him, in nine hours, to fly disgracefully and precipitately, with the loss of 600 men killed and wounded, when ours amounted to only 26 of the former, and 70 of the latter.

On the 5th of August the whole of the Spanish army invaded the port of Juan de Griego, whose little fort was defended only by a gun and 150 troops, the half of which were unfit for service. A navy of 27 vessels protected the attack, and facilitated its operations; but here they were met by our modern Spartans, with so much enthusiasm, that they were thrice beaten off with great slaughter. However, their fort taking fire, and being already involved in flames, our people saw themselves under the necessity of breaking through the enemy's line with stones, and in the best manner they could, in which hardy attempt but 60 escaped, some wounded, others half consumed and a few unhurt, the rest having remained on the field.

In the late contest this has been the only misfortune which it fell upon our lot to endure; but this very misfortune has shed new lustre on the glory already acquired by the people of Margarita, at the same time that it has covered their oppressors with ignominy. The enemy have lost no less than 600 men; and their leader, deceived in his plan of destroying what the master of the universe has created, embarked precipitately, thereby preventing the poor remnant of his powerful army from finding a grave in the illustrious island of Margarita, which he has so often intended to raze, and which posterity will hail with the appellation of modern Sparta.

It is not improper to add, that the Spaniards have destroyed every thing within their reach; houses, plantations, trees, all were converted to ashes: and even those unfortunate inhabitants who constantly followed their banners, and those who went over to them during the invasion, have been victims of their ferocity.