CHILI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 721, 7 March 1866, Page 7

CHILI.

DEATH OF THE SPANISH ADMIRAL PAKEJA. The Annio Laurie iind tho Prospector- arrived in harbour yesterday, from Valparaiso. We are indebted to the courtesy of James Burtt, Esq., Chilian Consul at this Port, for copies of tlio Jfcrcttr/o and J.a .Patria, to tho 31st December Inst. The intelligence is important and interesting. Tlio Spanish Admiral Pareja lias died. It is said that chagrin at tho loss of tho T irgen do Covadongn, and tho continual harrassmentsofthe war, and complication of affairs, have undermined his health and spirits. On the morning of the 27th [November, the Chilian war ship Esmeralda, lay in wait for, and after a smart engagement, captured the Covadonga, one of the late Admiral Pareja's blockading fleet. The Spaniards lost two men and had 14 wounded; tlio remainder, six officers and about 110 men were taken prisoners of war. The Esmeralda did not lose a single man. Captain .John "Williams, of the Esmeralda, is a Chilian born, but the sou of an Englishman by a Chilian wife.

We also learn that the Republican party in Peru is triumphant, and that, uniting with the Chilians, tlicy determined to overthrow the hated yoke of Spain. Tlio Chilian journal J.a Pat phi says:—"Spain has lost her great ally in the Pacific " and Peru is closed against her. Chile has gained " an ally of great value to her in many respects, " the great naval resources of the neighbouring " republic would at once suffice to turn the " scale in our favour in the event of n contest. '• Hence it is that the termination of the revo- " lution in Peru has been hailed in this country " as the first decisive advantage gained over " Spain." Of the forty odd ports belonging to Chili, some five only, we understand, are blockaded. Neutral vessels can therefore enter or leave the remaining ports at pleasure. DEFEAT AND CAPTURE OF A SPANISH MAN-OF-WAK. (From J.a Patria del Vapor, Pec. 22.) OFFICIAL CIECTtAR 01' THE MINISTER OF INTERIOB BEI.iTIOXS. This Minister has addressed to all Governors of Provinces the following circular informing them of the taking of the Covadonga. Santiago, November 27, 1865. X hasten to communicate to you the following notice, taken from an official communication addressed under yesterday's date by the- commander of the National Steam corvette Esmeralda to the Commander-General of the Marine Department of Valparaiso.

On the morning of the above mentioned day, the Esmeralda left the port of Papudo to give battle to the Spanish gunboat Covadonga, that had sailed from Coquimbo.

After a combat of one halfjiour the Esmeralda made a prize of the Covadonga, and took prisoners her officers and crew.

The prisoners taken are as follows :—the commander, six officers and from ono hundred and ten to one hundred and fifteen of her crew.

"We have happily not lost one single man. The enemy on the contrary, had two killed, fourteen wounded, and amongst the latter an officer. The intrepid commander of the Esmeralda, does not in his note give further particulars respecting this important occurrence, as time was pressing. The close proximity of Papudo to the port of Valparaiso, where the enemy lie in far superior force, allows the affair to be considered as glorious in the extreme. I am, &c„ Alva no Covamu'Bias. TJTE FIGHT. Eyewitnesses of this first naval combat have communicated to us the following details The Esmeralda laid in wait for the Yirgen de Covadonga behind a point of land jutting into the sea a few miles South of the port of Papudo, and as the Spanish vessel drew near, she sailed out with the British flag at her peak. The enemy hove to as if wishing to examine her more closely. The Esmeralda continued advancing towards her, and so soon as she was within range and could bring her guns to bear, she hoisted the three coloured flag of Chile, and opened fire upon the enemy. The first shot went through the bows of the , Covadonga, then a shell burst amidships, dis- | mounting a large gun and levelling a number of men with the deck. Of fifteen rounds fired by the Esmeralda nine struck their mark, although several were fired at long range. When the Covadonga found out that she had met with more than her match in point of firing she attempted to take to her heels but in this she was disappointed, as the Esmeralda giving chase under a full pressure of steam, gained rapidly upon her. After a twenty minutes ran, it appeared that the Esmeralda was determined upon boarding her, This terrrible perspective united'witli the bad condition of his vessel, determined the Spanish Commander to lower his flag to the Republican corvette.

The Spaniards gave undeniable proof of tlieir consternation and unskil I illness.

Their guns were so badly managed that they only fired three shots at the corvette, one of which, a 08-pomider, passed through her bulwarks, but happily caused no further damage. One of tlie Spanish officers admitted afterwards, to a gentleman residing in Papudo, that the excellent management of the Esmeralda, had impeded the Covadonga from using to advantage, her artillery which was much superior. Wo are told that Captain Williams in person, received the sword of his adversary on the quarter deck of his prize. The magnificent management of the Chile artillery, the efficacy of its shots, and the able manner in which the vessel was worked, is worthy of notice, as it forms another instance in the comparatively fresh annals of contention between vessels impelled by steam power. The inhabitants of Papudo and its neighbourhood were eyewitnesses of this interesting spectacle. srAjrisn riusoNEne. The prisoners disembarked from the Covadouga, as also the wounded, cannot complain of the treatment they are receiving at our hands. From the moment the flag was battled dowi tmtil »oW/ fears be*n w?ll provider fot,

The authorities as well as tho people liave treated them with benevolence and shown them consideration. As a proof of the statements we have made, we are informed when the country people of Papudo saw the prisoners disembark with careworn looks and sallow faces, instead of giving vent to insulting shouts of death to the foe or making any hostile demonstration, they raised a subscription to distribute to them meat pies, pancakes, and other little dainty morsels, of which they partook with an. avidity that shewed how much they relished them. The officers were served with an excellent dinner, after which they started for the capital in carriages. LA BESOLTJCION. Yesterday this frigate belonging to the Spanish Squadron, lately occupied in the blockade of Tome and Taleahuano, anchored in this port. In consequence of which these two ports are again open to the commerce of the world. The Esmeralda is a corvettc of 900 tons. When she left Valparaiso her armament consisted of 18 short 32 and 21 pounders, a portion of which have been, it is believed, left in the fortresses to tho South.

On the 26tii November her crew numbered 128 men.

Tlie Covadonga was armed frith three swivel guns, one a 32 pounder, and the other two sixty-eights. S)ie was manned liy 135 111011, ancl owing to tlio narrowness of lier beam, site liad many advantages in an engagement. The prisoners were conveyed to Santiago, where tlioy were provided for with a liberality and kindness which speaks highly in favour of the enlightenment of our people and the moderation of our Government. The nation has celebrated with enthusiasm this first triumph, achieved in the very midst of the enemy's blockade, and with means comparatively slender and inadequate. Congress has voted a well-deserved promotion to the intrepid commander of the Esmeralda. Captain John Williams Kcbolledo, and the Executive has made a general promotion of the other officers. COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS. It is needless to tell our foreign readers that public feeling, which two months of forced inactivity has failed to abate in the least, has been again heightened and emboldened by the occurrances of the last fortnight, both in Chili and Peru. The future is looked forward to with confidence and enthusiasm, and popular opinion does not confine itself within the limits of the present defensive war to which our momentary powerlessness condemns us. On the other hand commerce is resuming its operations. Steamers and sailing vessels are beginning to ply between the ports not under blockade. In every respect our prospects are brightening, and a prosperous future is before us.