"It is Major General Phillips' positive orders, that no part of the property of Col. Theodorick Bland, receive any injury from his Majesty's Troops. J. W. NOBLE, April 25th, 1781. Aid de Camp, Major G. Phillips. warehouse, their front the morass, opposite to the ware-ther received the following protection from General house, terminating at Blandford bridge, (g) which Dick Phillips: had taken up as his infantry crossed. This was our last resistance. The enemy advanced in front, their infantry and German Riflemen; against these, our battalion kept up a steady and constant fire, until they were ordered to retreat, which was not until four pieces of cannon from the hill, between Dr. Black's and Mrs. Bolling's, flanked them effectually; they then retreated in order, along the causeway, by the river to Pocahontas bridge, which they took up; but ascending the hill to gain the Heights, by T. Shore's house, (h) the enemy played their cannon with such skill, that they killed and wounded ten of our men. All of the wounded are since dead. Our cannon was served well from Baker's, (i) but the enemy's extreme caution, has prevented our getting an account of their killed and wounded; the former though, it is clear, was not less than fourteen. The latter were sent down the river in their gun-boats. By the way, these gun-boats are of infinite use to the enemy; bringing them up in force to the shallowest landing. They carry from fifty to eighty men. After our militia had gained the hill, they retreated towards Chesterfield court house, where they halted the next day. This little affair shows plainly the militia will fight, and proves that if we had force to have occupied the Heights, they would not with that force have entered the town. In consequence of this action, I was obliged to abandon my house, leaving all to the mercy of the enemy. The enemy, the next day, ordered the inhabitants to move out the tobacco, or the warehouses should be consumed with it. By the exertions of the people, the tobacco was removed, and by the soldiery burnt, and the houses spared, except Cedar-Point, (j) which was put in flames by a soldier without order. The day after this business, the whole army crossed the Appomattox, and then after burning the bridge,* proceeded to Osborne's, (k) and having there destroyed the shipping to a great amount in value and number, and shipped off the tobacco, they marched on to Manchester, where, on Richmond-hill, we remained with a superior force, (I mean to the detachment sent for this purpose,) quiet spectators of the destruction of all the warehouses and tobacco, with several dwelling-houses adjoining. They marched that evening to Osborne's, and on Tuesday, the 31st, they embarked at the Hundred, () and sailed down the river, as far as Burwell's, (m) where upon the arrival of an advice-boat, they all stood up the river, and arrived in the night of last Thursday, again in Petersburg, and I was again obliged to retreat, leaving them in possession of all my estate. They have not as yet burned my mills, but have taken all the bread and flour, to the amount of £800, or £1000-eleven of my best negroes the first time, and now I expect they will get the rest. Your man I sent to Amelia. I believe he is yet safe. Your fa 'Major General Phillips is very happy to show this favor, on account of Col. Bland Junior's many civilities to the troops of convention, (n) at Charlottville." The troops still continue at Petersburg, and expect Lord Cornwallis from Halifax, where the van of his army, under Tarleton, is arrived. It is very clear, without naval aid the enemy will be possessed of the lower country, as the people are tired of the war, and come to the field most reluctantly. This added to our exhausted finances, and bad councils, with a powerful enemy in the country, are prognostics of no favorable complexion. In my last, I touched largely upon the conduct of our Eastern friends, in this day of peril, compared with our conduct to them, in their day of trial. Greene is in South Carolina, but how employed, we are not informed. Before you receive this, it is probable the enemy will have penetrated to Fredericksburg, and have destroyed all the tobacco in their route. I beg to hear if we are to expect any assistance from the eastern confederates, or our allies. If you write, Geo. Nickolson, who is in Philadelphia, will give a ready conveyance to the letter. Jack, who is the only one of my family with me, joins in affectionate regards to Mrs. Bland, and Bob, with your sincere friend, J. BANISTER. I begged you, in my last, to send the newspapers. (n) Burgoyne's army captured at Saratoga. SONG. WRITTEN IMPROMPTU. How cold are they who say that Love Must first be planted in the heart, To make its leaves and blossoms start! Up to its full and perfect form; It bends not, breaks not in the storm. How cold are they who say that Love Must, like the diamond in the mine, Ere we can see its beauties shine! As Evening's first, rejoicing star! P. BENJAMIN. A LEAF FROM AN UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT. BY J. N. REYNOLDS. Visit to the Volcano of Antuco, in 37° South latitude. Inexhaustible magazine of combustibles, contained in the Andes; Tremendous effects of volcanic action in that region; Return to Los Angelos. The hollows between these gigantic fragments, are covered to a considerable depth with cinders, ashes, and calcined rocks, the surface of which, is slowly crumbling into soil, and becoming capable of vegetation. From east to west the base of the volcano must have been at least fourteen miles in extent. The mas sive materials grouped within this interval, constitute what may be termed secondary mountains--smooth externally, and clothed with a coarse grass. The sides of the crater, have doubtless, at some remote period, fallen in and smothered the subterranean fire; while the river first making its way over, has afterward worn deep channel through the wreck. We examined carefully the dismembered ruins, ascended all their elevations, penetrated their lowest depths, and found that On November 12th, having succeeded in procuring a guide, as well as fresh horses from the neighborhood of Antuco-one of the border villages of the province of Conception, Chili-and provisions for five days, we started for the volcano, which is situated among the Cordilleras, and from whence we were only twenty-from the bed of the stream to the loftiest pinnacle, all five miles distant. The road, stony and irregular, wound for most of the way along the banks of the La Laja, sweeping chiefly through a narrow valley, which afforded few attractive spots for cultivation. The precipices on either side are high and frowning, and the traveller, at each step of his progress, beholds some new and picturesque feature of the volcano opening on his view. Within nine miles of Antuco, we passed an old castle, built in 1810, as an outpost for defence against the mountain Indians, but now in a state of utter dilapidation. No pen can do justice to the scenery upon which we were now entering. Westward, the valley gradually sank into and was lost in the plain at the base of the mountain; while to the East, the eye grew weary of scaling the stupendous eminences towering one above another, until their summits were "swathed in the stooping clouds." At five o'clock, P. M., we were within a league and a half of the base of the volcano. Here we found quarters for the night, in a little fortress, commanding an important pass on the road of Pinchera, the mountain robber, and occupied by thirty-six men. Such were the advantages combined in this post, that even with this handful of soldiers, we might, in case of attack, have set the mountaineers at defiance, however superior in point of numbers. The latter part of the evening was not very pleasant, and the higher parts of the mountain being obscured, our prospect was more circumscribed, though still interesting. In ascending the stream, we had observed for the space of several leagues, both on elevated positions and in the water, immense quantities of rounded stones of volcanic origin, which we knew could not have been projected from the active volcano of Antuco. We had therefore looked carefully, as we advanced, for the evidence of some extinguished crater. On reaching the fort just mentioned, we had discovered that the spot on which it was built, and the land for some distance around, constituted the site of a once glowing abyss, which had long ceased to burn. The river La Laja, which bursts down from its source with astonishing rapidity, and rushes through a channel of decomposed lava, across the base of the present volcano, seems to divide the old volcanic ruins into two nearly equal parts. On either side of the river, the walls of the ancient chasm yet remain-they are of immense height, and still form auxiliary portions of the main elevation. are composed of the various products of volcanic action tumbled together in the greatest imaginable confusion. While standing on a commanding point of the scorched and vitrified pile, we noticed, still farther in the recesses of the mountain, the mouth of an immense cave. Its position was near the base of the principal ridge and most elevated part of the Andes in Chili-save only the Peak of Descobozado. The opening seemed to be situated about one thousand feet above the source of a mountain stream, tributary to the La Laja, which it joined near the fort in a leap of at least two hundred feet over a perpendicular precipice. From the bottom of this steep, the white foam continually sprang, falling like a shower of snow on the dark foliage of a grove of cedars which overhung the banks of the river. On the thirteenth of November, we had prepared for an ascent of the volcano; but, as it commenced raining, and thick clouds were veering about the summit, we were compelled to defer our expedition. Unwilling to lose the time, however, we set off for the base of the main ridge; determined, if possible, to reach and enter the cavern we had descried on the preceding day, Our route lay eastward, along the margin of an im petuous torrent, which dashed downward at an angle of at least twenty-five degrees. Substances which had, like those already adverted to, manifestly been subjected to the action of fervent heat, strewed our path in the same singular disorder. Rocks, from one to a thousand tons in weight, lay piled in heaps, probably as they had alit after being ejected by the convulsive throes of the laboring mountain. In other places, im mense hills of Tufee rose before us. All that we saw indicated the eruptions to have been of ancient date. In some spots considerable soil, vegetation, and even several species of trees of large growth, such as the rolu, coyque meu, &c., had sprang up from the midst of desolation. After toiling on for more than a league, we reached the base of the main ridge, when a scene was presented, on which a connoisseur in volcanoes would certainly have luxuriated. At the head of a stream, formed by the numerous little rivulets, which dash, mingling and foaming, down the sides of the acclivity, is an area of perhaps one hundred acres, perfectly level, withou timber, destitute of shrubs or large stones, and covered with grass. Here, evidently, had once been the funnel of a crater. On three sides, the walls of the abyss were still standing, composed of hornblende rock. In many parts, they towered almost perpendicularly, to their dashing waters served as an interlude at each pause in the loud sport of the elements. On the morning of Sunday the 15th, the storm in the valley had in some degree abated. The thunder and lightning had ceased, but the snow still fell and drift the height of five thousand feet, and were partially At intervals, the flames of the volcano might be seen, calcined and cracked in all directions; the fissures, ge- though generally they were veiled by the drifting snow. nerally, however, running parallel with the sides. Meanwhile, the falls of the descending torrents, which These openings, doubtless, had once been subsidiary were swoln by the rains and rising every moment, outlets to the fire and steam generated below. Im-bearded the mountain with foam, while the roar of mense shelving pieces of the rocks and mountain, which have been detached since the falling of the volcano and filling up of the main crater, lie strewn in picturesque masses around. One of these we ascended, climbing from stone to stone, for about one thousand feet to the mouth of the cave. This we found was di-ed on the most lofty elevations. The day was unfavorvided into two apertures, which had, probably, in other days, acted as safety-valves to the mighty engine below. They were smooth and black as the chimney of a furnace, and descended so suddenly to the northeast, that although we had provided ourselves with torches and every thing necessary for the purpose, we found it impossible to enter them. It was now late in the afternoon, and as the rain began to fall in torrents, we hurried back to the fort. The wind was from the north, which, it may be here mentioned, invariably brings foul weather in Chili, where the northern and southern are almost the only winds known to blow. It has been matter of inquiry, whether volcanos are most active during storms, or if they be in any manner affected by them. As our position was at the foot of one, at this period, probably, the most active on the globe, we enjoyed a good opportunity of making observations in reference to this subject, and accordingly had watched nearly all the preceding night, in order to ascertain the truth. The weather at that time was unsettled. The wind was gentle, and we remarked that the clouds were darker and heavier around the summit of the mountain, than about other peaks of even greater altitude, forming a curious contrast to the stream of fire issuing from its crater. As night gathered, the wind began to blow powerfully from the north, and a scene occurred which can never be erased from our memory. A violent conflict of the elements, witnessed from an elevated position among the Andes, is terrific and even awful. Perhaps, in this instance, there was something in the loneliness of our situation, which added to the natural grandeur of the spectacle. The wind swept with exceeding violence up the valley of Antuco, from the point where the eminences subside entirely, and the country expands into a vast plain. Below, the rain continued to rush down in sheeted floods, while upon the mountain, the tempest expended itself in drifting snow and hail. During the greater part of the night, lightning issued in one tireless flash, from a cloud that seemed to gather, concentrate, and repose, on the apex of the volcano. The peals of thunder were fierce and deafening, as they reverberated along those everlasting collonades of rock-" the masonry of God"—whose spiral capitals were probably surrounded by the blue ether, far above the region of storms. "The sky is changed-and such a change! Oh! night, able for our projected attempt, and from other consider. ations, we felt disposed to rest. In the night the water had run under and over us, nor were we able during the day, to accomplish the drying of our clothes. As may be supposed, the increased flood of water in the La Laja, pouring itself through a narrow channel, together with the falls near the fort which were doubled in volume, kept the valley in a continual foam. Monday the 16th, brought us a clear sunrise, with a southerly wind. The smoke and fire from the volcano, seemed to rise from a mountain of snow, the recent heavy fall having completely enveloped it in a white and dazzling mantle, so that all we could hope to accomplish, was an excursion about its base to examine the escoria or lava, and visit the lake which forms the source of the river La Laja. At the very moment we were ready to depart, the sentinel reported that he saw four of Pinchera's men, in the pass along which we intended to travel, evidently spies, reconnoitering to ascertain the practicability of passing the fort. They were seen but for an instant, according to the sentinel's account, and some doubts existed in our minds as to the reality of their appear. ance. The little fortress, however, was put in a condition for defence, and ammunition served out. As it stopped our proceedings, suspicion was with us equiva lent to the actual knowledge of danger; and it was clear, that if it could not be removed, the object of our journey would be defeated. We, therefore, proposed to the officer, to take one soldier and proceed on horseback to reconnoitre. Having arrived at the point proposed, about a league from the fort, we perceived the tracks of horses, and in one or two places among the bushes, the extinguished remains of small fires; but both bore evident marks of not being of very recent date. It seemed, therefore, certain that if persons had been seen in this direction during the morning, they must have been on foot, and if so, not very likely to hazard an attack alone and unsupported. We passed the remainder of the day on the escoria, at the foot of the volcano. Here, all around us was new, curious, and interesting. The first eruptions from this summit, must have been of a vast and terrific character. The river passes between banks of decomposed lava and over a bed of escoria, which latter, making in upon the opposite mountain, has raised the stream far above its original channel. The lower lava is more solid and may be compared to massive pot metal. In some places it forms a wall sixty feet high, upon the banks of the river, and in a few instances along the shore, where it appears to have been cooled by the water, presents a side surface as smooth and regular as that of an artificial embankment. VOL. V.-52 So much has the La Laja been elevated in two | position of the order of time in which they had been places by these eruptions, as to form in each instance, formed, and in contemplating the enormous power nea beautiful cascade, the spray of which is almost con-cessary for their production and ejection; here the ima stantly spanned by the rainbow. gination itself appeared unable to conceive the magnitude of the operations which had occasioned the ruin we beheld. To suppose one side of a mountain com. posed of solid rock, suddenly torn off by an explosion, would hardly account for the mass of heterogeneous material which lay around. The quantity of lava was not by any means so large as in the two channels already mentioned; but rocks of vast size, split asunder, and which had, apparently, been flung from their foundations like pebbles from a sling, were scattered thickly about us-some partly melted and partly cal cined. We noticed one crag more than one hundred feet in length and twenty in diameter, which, from the depth to which it had indented the spot where it fell, must have been hurled high into the air from its original In the later overflowings of the vast caldron, the liquid lava appears to have made its way not only over but through the old formation, literally melting a pas- | sage through the solid mass. At one point it seems to have urged its course by an undercurrent from the crater to the very banks of the river, a distance of at least two leagues, where it appears to have emerged for the first time, and is piled up in shelving flakes, thin, but of immense superficial magnitude. The lava has descended in two currents, one on the north, the other on the north west side of the mountain, and both passing into the river. One of these streams flowed along the windings of a valley, and the space between them is occupied by volcanic remains; but of so ancient and decayed a character that all traces of layers mark-position. In the vicinity and upon the edge of the lake, ing distinct eruptions are lost in one confused mass of burnt materials, belonging to some older volcano, from the ruins of which, the existing one has uplifted its burning crest. While engaged in making these observations and obtaining specimens for our collections, at the base of the mountain, we took the precaution to have our horses kept near us, and a servant so stationed as most effectively to guard against surprise. In the evening we returned to the fort. the rocks also appear to have been affected by fire—in some parts, fragments having been blown off, and in others, the summits partially calcined. They presented as beautiful a structure of basaltic columns as can be imagined; being all perpendicular, five-sided, and ge nerally about two feet in diameter. In the water, which was singularly transparent, the ends appeared as regular and well jointed as if they had been hewed and placed by the hand of the artist. Unquestionably, they are in their primitive position. The lake, which is exceedingly beautiful, spreads from northwest to southeast, round the base of the volcano, while an arm of its waters stretches away toward the north to a con On the 17th of November, we again started with the purpose of visiting the lake to the north of the volcano, the weather being still too inclement for our meditated ascent. We proceeded on our former track until we reached the farthest point attained on the pre-siderable distance. vious day. Beyond this, the beds of lava were, in extent, more enormous than any we had before seen; and we felt how difficult it was to imagine, how impossible adequately to describe, the tremendous commo-channel of the river; or, as it may be more appro tions that must have shaken and rent the solid walls of that gigantic furnace, when the fused volumes leapt in blazing cataracts from its summit. As the river, as well as the range of mountains to the north, assumed a more easterly direction, the space between the mountain and the former was decreased, and the channel of lava became more narrow and massive in proportion. In one place, the river descended for almost half a mile upon an inclined plane of escoria, at an angle of more than thirty degrees. The stream, here, is most impetuous, flinging up as it flies a perpetual cloud of spray. On arriving on the northern side of the lake, at the head of the pass, our guide positively refused to accompany us farther. He said we had now passed the worst portion of the road-that within a short distance we should see the Pampas of Buenos Ayres-that the road was level and sandy-and that only one elevation, which was also a slight one, lay between us and the Pincheras. If we fell in with an advanced party, retreat would be out of the question, as we were already more than four leagues from the fort. Having procured fresh horses from the neighborhood of Antuco-animals raised among the mountains, and which had given proof of their excellence in rough places the day before-we felt little apprehension, although alone, in journeying onward. If we had before been deeply interested in examining the layers of lava, in drawing conclusions from their To us, it seemed certain that this sheet of water had been accumulated in consequence of the lava running against the mountain on the other side, and choking the priately termed here, the huge torrent of the hills. The arm or inlet which runs up to the north, and a si milar one which branches out in a southeasterly direction, have probably been the beds of tributary streams. According to tradition, the lake has no bottom. We had no means of fathoming it, and could only estimate its depth by comparison. From the surface of the lake to the point where the river ceases to flow on lava, we found the distance to be one league and a half. In addition to the several perpendicular falls and angular descents already designated, the general current is very rapid in its downward course. By taking the mean declination of the stream, from the superfices of the lake to the place where the lava terminated, and then the side of the angle, with certain allowances, for the depth of the lake, we arrived at the conclusion that it could not be less than one hundred fathoms or six hundred feet in the deepest part. This may appear incredible, nevertheless we hazard the opinion, leaving it for future and better judges to correct or confirm it. While we speak of the lava as being six hundred feet in thickness, it is proper to remark that the volcano in the part referred to, is exceedingly steep, and that the fiery matter thrown from its summit has been forced down into a narrow channel, where the lake is formed. com In the afternoon we retraced our steps for more than two leagues to the point whence we proposed mencing our ascent of the volcano. The day was On the 19th, it rained during the entire day in the town, and snowed heavily on the Cordilleras. The 20th was still worse-and in the night the snow fell so as not only to cover the lofty summits, but also the low hills. Sunday, the 21st, brought us a clear morning. The wind blew from the south, and our hope of climbing the mountain once more revived, though we were aware the toil would be much increased by the accumulated masses of new fallen snow. During the last two days we had witnessed the performance of a funeral ceremony, which, so conducted, is a spectacle which must always appear singular, and even disgusting to a foreigner. again unpropitious, and the sky darkened by heavy masses of tumultuous clouds; but having finished our excursions about the base, we were resolved, if possible, to survey the wonders of the mountain itself. We saw no indication of a path, and continued to toil upward, from one eminence to another, without any settled route, as inclination or opinion suggested. It was our design to make our way about a league with horses, after which we knew we should be compelled to ascend on foot and without a guide, as no native had been known to venture beyond the point alluded to. At six o'clock in the evening, having passed places where a single false step of our horses would have precipitated them and us hundreds of feet below, we arrived at the It is the custom of Chili, when a child dies, under the spot where we intended to pass the night, and whence age of seven years, instead the sorrow usually and natuwe were to start on our unassisted toil on the morrow. rally felt at such times, to make the bereavement an ocWe had now gone too far to retreat, although the low-casion of merriment—in short, to give a feast and a dance. ering aspect of the skies promised little for the coming | An infant, but a few months old, had died in one of the morning, and still less for the comforts of the night. After securing our horses near us with lassos, and making a rude bed of our saddle gear, we retired to rest at an early hour, under such protection as was afforded by a large shelving rock. If a cloud be visible in this vicinity, it will invariably be seen hovering about the crown of the volcano. The immense volume of steam constantly ascending and rarifying the atmosphere, seems to be the cause of attraction. The rain soon began to gush down plenteously and fast. At midnight it was succeeded by a snow and hail storm, which continued till morning. The crater, as if it acknowledged a secret sympathy with the elements, was more active than it had been during the day, discharging, at short intervals, gushes of smoke and fire, with explosions like those of heavy artillery. In the morning every thing about us was swathed in snow, and our prospect very limited. Indeed it was with great difficulty, and not a little apprehension, that we managed to descend; the wind being so powerful that we only kept our seat in the saddle by great exertion. We passed the greater part of the day at the fortress; but seeing no indication of fine weather, and the late snow being an effectual bar to the prosecution of our adventurous journey for the present, while, above all, we were totally destitute of provisions, we returned late the same evening to Antuco. We found | the town restored to a state of comparative quiet; two or three families now venturing to remain in their own houses during the night. With one of these we took up our lodging. Previous to our departure from Los Angelos, we had despatched a servant to Conception on business. On our arrival at Antuco, we found that he had arrived there the evening preceding. He was the bearer of two letters, forwarded by the British Consul, from the governor of Valparaiso-one written in his official capacity, and the other a friendly private communication, recommending us to the protection of General Prieto, in our southern excursion, under whatever circumstances we might be placed. In these letters it was announced that they were given at the solicitation of Mr. Hogan, the American consul general. The English consul sent us also a file of British papers-which, though a year old, were the latest received. They contained news for us, and served to enliven the few days we were necessitated to remain inactive at Antuco. little mountain huts, and, for some reason, the house we occupied was selected for the performance of these, as it seemed to us, unnatural rites. Much preparation was made as the day advanced-one bringing bread, others a few chickens, and each guest contributing something throughout the circle of friends. In the afternoon the little corpse was brought in, dressed up more like a living subject for a May ball, than a tenant for the grave. It was seated erect in a chair, which was placed on a table at one end of the room. The hands were crossed, tied together with a ribbon-and held between them a little bunch of flowers. Over the head was suspended a piece of muslin, which extended from the chair to the ceiling, and being brought forward, fell in folds like a curtain. Around the brow was twined a wreath of flowers, and an arch of the same compassed the front of the table. Various other ornaments of a simple character were also distributed about the body. In the evening there had assembled, from rock and dell, not less than sixty persons, of all ages-and for at least one night and the following day they apparently forgot all sorrow, in their cheerful and favorite dance, with its accompaniments of the song and the guitar. With the conclusion of the feasting and dancing, they seemed to consider the last offices due to the dead were finished, for not a relative attended the deceased child to the place of interment, nor was there observed throughout, what would be considered in other countries the least show of decorum or solemnity. On Tuesday, the 22d of November, the weather being fine, and our limited time precluding longer delay, we set forth on the second attempt to scale the mountain-and after taking dinner at the fort, arrived by four o'clock, P. M., at the place where we had slept a few nights previous. On this occasion we brought no guide, as we found them timid and useless-and only a single attendant to take charge of the horses. As the afternoon was favorable, we were enabled to ride a mile beyond the point where we had dismounted on our former excursion. Leaving our steeds to the care of the servant, we set out on foot to ascertain, if possible, what route it would be most judicious to pursue in the morning. The snow in some places was of great thickness, and as the day had been very warm, we sunk to a considerable depth in plunging through it. At night we slept by our horses, on the W.S.W. side of the mountain. There was a constant discharge |