The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

A Letter from Mr. Malone, an Irish Gentleman at the Havanna, dated 24th of April, informs that a Spanish Frigate just arrived there from the Coast of Chili, in South-America, brought News that the native Chilians had absolutely repossessed themselves of the best Part of that Country, having partly destroyed and partly driven all the Europeans from it.

This Insurrection began at the latter End of the Year 1771, and continued till the Middle of last Year, with amazing Success on the Side of the Chilese, who possessed themselves of the whole Island of Chiloe, and several Towns on the Sea Coast of Chile, with the Cities of Conception, Coquimbo, Villarica, &c. They likewise attack'd St. Jago, the Capital of Baldavia, and the Town of Imperial, but after doing much damage were repulsed.

The Governor of Lima, ordered a Fleet of 4 Sail of the Line, three Frigates, and some smaller Vessels, with Troops, Ammunition and Stores, to sail for Chile, to assist the Spaniards, while he gathered an Army of 40,000 men, mostly Indians and metizas, and marched himself at the Head of them. After a tedious March, the Army arrived on the 10th of July, 1772, in the Valley of Arave, where they found a Body of 24,000 Chilese drawn up to oppose them. The Spanish Troops charged them, and after a little Stand, the Chilese seemed to retreat towards Arave, and the Spaniards followed them, till being drawn into a narrow Pass, a Number of fresh Chilese poured in upon them, and made such Havock that the Governor himself, with 11 or 12,000 Men were all that could make good a Retreat, and get into the City of Baldavia, which they fortified and strengthened.

On the 22d of July, the Chilese to the Amount of 100,000 men invested the City, and having a Number of Field-Pieces with them, continued the Siege with great fury. In the mean Time the Ships from Lima arrived in the Harbour of Baldavia, and threw their Men and Supplies into the City, which protracted the Siege till the 2d of August, when the Indians entered at a Breach, and setting fire to every Part of the City, murdered without Distinction, Spaniards, Negroes and Indians. The Governors of Lima and Baldavia, with most of the Spaniards of Note, and above 4000 others escaped on board the Ships where the Treasures were lodged before.

The rest of the Spaniards and their Indians, either fell Sacrifices to the Fury of the Chilese, or retreated to the Country. Baldavia was soon burnt to the Ground, and the Chilese rased every part of it, so that scarce a Vestige remains. The Ships sailed immediately back for Callao, except the Gaucho, which was dispatched with these Advices to old Spain, but put in at the Havanah for Provisions.