1822.] 
we intended in San Carlos, we at Jength 
with infinite difficulty procured a 
change of mules, and left at three 
o'clock in the afternoon for Tinaco, 
where we arrived about seven o’¢locix 
in the evening; a distance of five 
lezcues. 
Vinaco appeared a considerable vil- 
lage, but as we arrived after dark, and 
left it the following morning about 
eight o’clock, I had little opportunity 
of ascertaining its peculiarities, or 
judging of its extent. It was Sunday 
morning wien we left il for Tonaquillo, 
where we arrived about six o’clock in 
the evening. Our roads continued 
level and good, with the exception of 
some places where the rain. for want of 
a channel to escape by, had again set- 
tled into mud. From Tinaco to Tina- 
quillo we found the country more hilly 
tivin that we passed through for several 
days previous, in consequence of the 
intervention of a chain of small moun- 
tains which here intercept the pathway. 
Tinaquillo isa large scattered village, 
similar to many we had previously 
passed through, and did not appear to 
me to contain any thing worthy of par- 
ticular observaiion. 
Shortly after leaving Tinaguillo we 
had the good fortune to fall in with an 
officer who had been engaged at the 
battle of Carabobo, and who obligingly 
offered to conduct us to the spot which 
had been the scere of action, and was 
now very near at hand. -We very 
gladiy availed ourselves of this opper- 
tunity, and after following our con- 
ductor fur about two hours, along a 
very hilly road, we reached the height 
of Buenavista, which had been the 
Spanish point of observation, from 
whence we obtained a distinct view 
over the whole field of Carabobo, and 
of the position occupied by the Spanish 
army. From this we descended again 
into the main road, which we very 
shortly left upon our right, and follow- 
ed a narrow pathway winding round 
among numerous hills to the defile, by 
which the Patriots, with the assistance 
of the British, gained the heights occu- 
pied by the Spaniards, and drove them 
with the point of the bayonet from 
their positions, in the utmost confusion. 
We encountered here a large heap cf 
human skulls and bones—all that now 
remains in this part of the country of 
the unfortunate Godos. The bodies of 
the Patriot soldiers who fell in the ac- 
tion have been conveyed to Tocuyito, 
and there received christian burial. 
Recent Journcy in Columbia. 
107 
From Carabobo to Tecuyito we con- 
tinued on the read by which the Spa- 
niards had: retreated, first to Valencia: 
and thence to Puerto Cavello, observing 
with much interest every spot which 
had been rendered remarkable by any 
particular occurrence at the time, or 
subsequent to the action. 
We ieached the village of Tocuyito 
about five o’cleck in the evening, and 
were hospitably received in the house 
of the Cura; frem thence we departed 
the following morning at day-lightand 
entered Valencia by an exce!lent level 
road three hours subsequent, escorted 
by numerous friends of Don Fernando, 
who met him at a short distance from 
the town, much overjoyed te find him 
well, after a separation of eight years 
duration, marked by circumstances 
of extraordinary occurrence, privation 
and peril. 
I liked Valencia better than any 
town I had yet visited upon the conti- 
nent of America, withthe exception of 
Caraceas. The town is extensive, and 
contains many most excellent houses, 
the streets are long, and tolerably regu- 
lar, and the inbabitants the most affa- 
ble and obiiging people possible. Its 
general appearance is agreeable, clean, 
and respectable. The Spaniards have 
adorned it with the hest bridge, beyond 
all comparison, which I had_ yet seen 
erected in the country. It has. three 
arches, is built of stone and brick, and 
the walis are soconstructed as to form 
a seat allalong each side. Its extreme 
length is probably from 350 to 400 
yards. Beyond this, at the distance of 
about a quarter cf a mile, is what is 
called the Glorieta, a large circular 
seat, built neafly with brick, designed 
as a place for dancing and festivity. 
The bridge and giorieta form the even- 
jug promenade. 
The town is very cheerful, but there 
is of course at present little commerce 
for want of communication with the 
colonies threugh Puerto Cavello. The 
garrison is composed of upwards of 
3000 men, under General Paez; a regi- 
ment of infantry is also stationed on 
the lines of Naguanagua, between Va- 
lencia and the Port. The climate is 
hot, as the thermometer was generally 
during the day at from 86 to 90°, but 
the mornings and evenings are very 
agreeable. Balls and public entertain- 
ments are very frequent, and conducted 
with much harmony and good humour. 
The present popniation of Valencia is 
probably from 7 to 8,000 persons. 
Afler 
