Kentucky Gazette

By The Last Mails.
FROM THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

The following information is derived from a source entitled to great respect. As far as it goes, it may be entirely relied on. It is not of as late date as reports received by way of Philadelphia a few days ago: which were contained in a letter from Carraccas, dated November 4.

Republic of Colombia, Oct. 17.

The republic of Colombia embraces the late Captain-Generalship of Venezuela and Viceroyalty of New Grenada, and is composed of that portion of South America which lies north of the Equator and extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific: it is in extent something larger than the old thirteen United States, and contains about three millions of souls, though it has suffered greatly by the war and emigration. Of the character of this population, of the products of the country, and the blighting system of old Spain in relation to her colonies, your own reading and observation have already informed you. In a region where science, improvement, or commerce were allowed, and where the mind as well as resources of the country seem to have been buried in the deep recesses of its mines, it is impossible, at this time, to foresee what will be its moral, political, and commercial attitude, when a liberal government shall call out its vast capacities. In every point of view, however, it cannot fail to be a source of deep interest to the United States.

The Patriots rely with great confidence upon the favorable disposition of those who originated and effected the late revolution in the peninsula, though they are well aware, that, notwithstanding the seeming unanimity among the constitutionalists, a portion are decidedly hostile to the progress of free principles, and have only yielded to the late changes in the hope, by the aid of the clergy, of effecting a counter-revolution or of enlarging the powers of the monarchy. By this time you will have ascertained the views of the Cortes.

As far as correct information has been received, the Patriots occupy the interior of the country, with the command of its outlets the Orinoco and the Magdalena. The sanguinary character of the war has produced an inveterate hatred towards the Spaniards, and the present resolution of this government is decidedly in favor of the independence of Spain, notwithstanding the late liberal changes in that country. There are daily defections in the Creole ranks from general Morillo, and, before the termination of this campaign, his force will consist chiefly of old Spanish troops, not exceeding 4000 scattered along an extensive seacoast. Indeed, the Spanish do not occupy any entire province, and some of the Dominions along the coast have been lately occupied by the Patriots, at the request of the Creole inhabitants; and, if general Morillo has not already surrendered, or abandoned the country, the probability is, that his forces will be confined to Carraccas, Valencia, and Carthagena. His chief defences are at those points; while the last advices say Bolivar and Paez, at the head of an imposing force of infantry and cavalry, were advancing upon Carraccas.

It will be a desirable event if the present campaign, in terminating the war shall allow so favorable a period to establish the constitution which the Congress is required to prepare at Cucuta in January. Its features must be necessarily, for the present, a subject of conjecture, though it will probably conform, in the most essential articles, to that of the United States. It will then become an interesting inquiry, in what manner they shall propose an extinction of their debt, and whether, upon the return of peace, and the establishment of their independence, their army shall emulate the glory acquired by that of our revolution, in peaceably retiring to private life without pay or subsistence? I fear that another author of "Newburg Letters" may not find the influence of a second Washington to resist his traitorous eloquence. We should, however, hope that these events may terminate as the friends of humanity and free government wish.

24th Oct. P.S. A vessel arrived at this place on the 22d inst. from the mouth of the river Trey on the main, about 80 miles east of Laguira: it had been captured by the Patriots, and was loaded with Cocoa; part of the booty. We learn thus that the campaign has actually commenced. The Patriot generals had advanced to the following positions: Paez in Calaboza, Bermudez in Puerto Cabello, McGregor in Barcelona, Urdaneta in Ocumare. The Spanish generals Morillo, Morales and Tavera, were invested in Caracas. The Gazette at Mompox and the Magdalena, says that St. Martha is in the possession of the patriots. The Queen's battalion of 500, with their arms, &c. had passed over to the patriots in Barcelona. Bolivar is said to be near Cucuta and I presume is engaged in an effort to free Maracaybo, as that furnishes the most direct communication with the seat of the Congress.—Nat. Int.
refusing to treat upon any other terms which might not have for their basis the recognition of the independence of the republic of Columbia; he has thought proper, inasmuch as the resources of the country have become almost exhausted, and thereby rendered it difficult for him to maintain his large armies, which he affirms are sufficient to conquer and liberate Venezuela, Cundinamarca, as well as Quito, to accede to the request of his excellency general Morillo, and is ready to treat with him upon terms of reconciliation, although he might have to make sacrifices on behalf of the republic, such as not to insist upon its absolute independence, and accordingly for that purpose he should be at St. Fernando de Apure, on the 23d of October, to negotiate with his excellency general Morillo.

I have received letters from Angostura, to the 29th of September, from gentlemen of undoubted veracity, and intimately acquainted with the operations of the armies, which advise me that general Bolivar set out from Cucuta for Carthagena, on the 26th of August, which is a distance of nearly 1300 miles, and has assured his government, that he will be again in Venezuela in all October, or the very beginning of November, to put in motion the armies there against the city of Caracas. How is it possible then for him to be in two distinct places so remote from each other, at one and the same time? In fact, the Spaniards acknowledge that he was at Carthagena, in September; how then could he be at St. Christobal the 21st of September; the date of that note? The idea is contemptible. It would be better for Morillo to suppress, if he can, the desertion of his troops and the revolt of Cagua and St. Cruz in the valleys of Aragua, of Tacarigua and Curiepe, a day and a half march from Caracas, and prepare for the overwhelming conflict of general Paez's cavalry in Calaboza, which has been abandoned by the notorious Morales, than to be forging such a degrading and unpardonable note as the one aforementioned.