The Portland Gazette

By the Mails.

From the New-York Evening Post.

ATROCIOUS AND BLOODY MASSACRE.

The following extract of a letter written on board the Macedonian, and received this morning gives the first direct information of the bloody conduct of the Spaniards in South America, towards our fellow citizens.

Extract of a letter, dated United States' frigate Macedonian, Callao, Nov. 11, 1820.

"As you, no doubt, long before you receive this, will have heard of the outrage which has been committed on our flag here, I will briefly state to you what I was an eye witness of, and what has since transpired. On the night of the 6th inst. at half past twelve, Lord Cochrane sent in fourteen boats to cut out a Spanish frigate (the Esmeralda) of 44 guns; she was lying within musket shot of the batteries, with 18 gun boats, and two brigs, of 19 guns each, around her. He succeeded in gaining possession of her in about fifteen minutes. We lay about half a cable's length astern of her. As soon as she had cut her cables and paid her head off shore, the batteries, the castles, hulks, and in fact every thing that could mount a gun, began to play away upon her, upon us, and even upon the inoffensive merchantmen in the harbor. We and all the American and English merchantmen immediately slipped our cables, and as the wind was very light, it was some time before we could get out of reach of their guns. It appeared to me that they pointed their guns particularly at us. The shot flew about us thicker than if we had been engaged with a vessel of the same force, within musket shot. But, as is usual with cowards, they were too much confused to take deliberate aim; otherwise they would have sunk us in ten minutes. The only injury we received was our cross-jack-yard shot away, with a little of the running rigging. Immediately on slipping our cables, we paid the ship's head the contrary way to the Esmeralda's, and kept her so until out of gun-shot, at least half a mile apart; so that it is self-evident, there could be no mistake to their firing at us. If any other proof was wanting, the fact that we picked up at least a dozen musket balls on board, after the affair, would immediately set it at rest.

On the morning of the 7th we sent, as usual, a boat ashore to market, with Mr. Marshall, midshipman, of New-York, son of Dr. Marshall of the navy yard, and nine men: when the boat's crew were ordered to toss their oars by Mr. Marshall, being close to the wharf, the soldiers on guard fired into her, killed Mr. Marshall and four of the men; four more badly wounded, and one only escaped to bring the news. Those who were not killed or wounded at first, were pelted, while in the water, with stones, by these blood thirsty villains. There is no excuse for them; there could be no mistake; the American flag was flying in her; the same boat went on shore every morning. The crew were selected as being the most trusty and peaceable men in the ship. Mr. Marshall was selected that morning, as particular confidence could be placed in him, though but a boy of perhaps eighteen. It is impossible for me to describe the sensation this affair has caused on board; the feelings of all are almost wound up to frenzy for their murdered shipmates, and the indignity offered to our flag. But I have not yet done.

On the morning of the 9th, the schr. Rampert, of Baltimore, got under way, by agreement with the authorities on shore, to receive her cargo. Immediately on coming within gun shot of the Castles, they opened on her, with all the vessels, gun boats, &c. in the harbor. The captain and officers, as there was but little wind, and that right on shore, immediately abandoned her, and she sunk before the numerous gun boats, who valiantly came out to take her, could get her on shore. We now communicate with the shore but by flag of truce. I hope we shall communicate no other way. Is that proud flag, which humbled the haughty Briton, to be wantonly insulted by pusillanimous, cowardly, lily-livered Spaniards? Are our innocent shipmates, the pride and future hopes of our country, to be thus wantonly massacred, butchered, and even denied christian burial?

There is, in my opinion, but one way to make them atone for it, and I hope that will be adopted without a moment's deliberation. At the time Mr Marshall was murdered, captain Downes, and Mr. Rodgers were in Lima. On captain Downes' passing the Vice-Roy's palace, several officers and citizens were overheard to say, "there goes the rascal: we will have his blood next." The excuses made by the government for all these outrages, is that they were committed by an enraged populace. I have before heard of mobs committing the greatest excesses, resisting the civil and military power, flying in the face of the justice; but never, until now, did I hear of a mob, which at the most could not consist of 1500 men, taking possession of castles, armed vessels, batteries, and gun boats, defended by at least 3000.

Capt. Downes and Mr. Rodgers had to disguise themselves to get on board. Capt. Downes left all his baggage and two servants in Lima; whether he will ever get them or not, is uncertain.

P. S. A flag of truce has just come off, which brings the news that Mr. Marshall is not dead, but wounded, and in the hospital. 13th November."