778 CAPTURE OF BUENOS AYRES. HE conquest of this most valuable and From fogs and baffling winds we did not meet the Narcissus until the sixth day after our arrival in the river, and I had the satis Timportant settlement has been effected,, faction to see in company with her the with almost no loss, by the British forces under the command of Major-Gen. Beresford and Commodore Sir Home Popham. -The expedition was planned at the Cape of Good Hope by these Commanders, in conjunction with Sir David Baird. They set sail from the Cape on the 20th of March, and took on board some troops, and additional stores and provisions at St Helena. From thence they sailed on the 2d of May, for the execution of this important enterprize; and on the 12th of September, the Narcissus frigate, Capt. Ross Donelly, arrived at Portsmouth, with the following accounts of the complete success of this expedition, which were next day published in a Ocean transport, which had parted from Home Popham and myself immediately us previous to our going to St Helena. Sir consulted whether it would be better first to attack the Town of St Philip of MonteVideo, or Buenos Ayres, the capital of the province; and after much reasoning, we determined to proceed against Buenos Ayres, which made it necessary to remove from the line of battle ships, the troops and marines, and such seamen as were incorporated with the latter, and others that had been practised to arms during the passage, into the transports, and his Majesty's ship Narcissus, which was effected on the 16th ult. and though then only about 90 miles from Buenos Ayres, still, though to his skill Sir Home Popham added the most persevering zeal and assiduity,, yet from fogs, the intricacy of the navigation, and continual opposing winds, it was not until the 24th, at night, that we reached opposite to it. We found ourselves the next morning about eight miles from the Point of Quilmes, where I proposed landing, having been informed by an Englishman, who was pilot for the river, and had been taken Fort of Buenos Ayres, July 2. 1806. by the Narcissus out of a Portuguese vesSIR, LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY. Downing Street, Sept. 13. Dispatches, of which the following are copies and extracts, have this day been received by Mr Windham, from MajorGeneral Beresford, commanding a detachment of his Majesty's troops in South America. I had the honour to communicate to you, by my letter dated the 30th of April, the circumstances of my arrival at St Helena, and the result of the application to the Government of that place for troops.The fleet sailed thence the 2d of May, and after a most unexpected long passage made Cape St Mary on the 8th of June. The Narcissus had been dispatched from the fleet on the 27th of May, and Sir Home Popham thought it right to proceed in her, for the purpose of making himself acquainted with the navigation of the river, that no delay might occur in proceeding immediately on the arrival of the troops to such place as our information should induce us first to attack. I had sent Capt. Kennet of the royal engineers (not liking myself to leave the troops) in the Narcis. sus, to make such reconnoitring of the enemy's places on the river as circumstances would admit; and to collect every possible information concerning them, and the strength of the enemy at the several places. sel, that it was an excellent place, and an easy access from it into the country. As soon as the wind would permit, on the 25th, Sir Home Popham took the shipping as near as it was possible for them to go, and at a convenient distance for disembarking, which was effected in the course of the afternoon and night, and without opposition, the enemy remaining at the Village of Reduction, on a height about two miles from us in our front: the whole intermediate space, as well as to the right and left, being a perfect flat but my guide informed me, that though in winter it was impassable, it was then very practicable, and easy for us to pass. It was eleven o'clock in the morning of the 26th, before. I could move off my ground, and the enemy could, from his position, have counted every man I had. He was drawn up along the brow of a hill, on which was the Village of Reduction, which covered his right flank, and his force consisted principally of cavalry (I have been since informed 2000), with eight field pieces. The nature of the ground was such, such, that I was under the necessity of going directly to his front; and to make my line as much as I could equal to his, I formed all the troops into one line, except the St Helena infantry of 150 men, which I formed 120 yards in the rear, with two field pieces, with orders to make face to the right or left, as either of our flanks should be threatened by his cavalry. I had two six pounders on each flank, and two howitzers in the centre of the first line. In this order, I advanced against the enemy, and after we had got within range of his guns, a tongue of swamp crossed our front, and obliged me to halt whilst the guns took a small circuit to cross, and which was scarcely performed, when the enemy opened their field pieces on us, at first well pointed, but as we advanced at a very quick rate, in spite of the boggy ground, that very soon obliged us to leave our guns behind, his fire did us but little injury. The 71st regiment reaching the bottom of the heights in a pretty good line, seconded by the marine battalion, the enemy would not wait their nearer approach, but retired from the brow of the hill, which our troops gaining, and commencing a fire of small arms, he fled with precipitation, leaving to us four field pieces and one tumbrill, and we saw nothing more of him that day. I halted two hours on the field to rest the troops, and to make arrangements for taking with us the enemy's guns and our own, which had now, by the exertions of Capt. Donelly, of the Narcissus, been extricated from the bog.-He had accidentally landed, and accompanied the troops on seeing them advance to the enemy, and I am much indebted to him for his voluntary assistance. I then marched in hopes of preventing the destruction of the bridge over the Rio Chuelo, a river at this season of the year not fordable, and which lay between us and the city; distant from it about three miles, and eight from our them situation, and tho' I used every diligence, I had the mortification to see it in flames long before I could reach it. I halted the troops for the night a mile from it, and pushed on three companies of the 71st, under Lieut.-Col. Pack, with two howitzers, to the bridge, to endeavour to prevent its total destruction. I accompanied this de tachment, but on reaching the bridge, found it entirely consumed; and as the enemy during the night was heard bringing down guns, I withdrew the detachment before fight, as their position was thought too open and exposed to the enemy's fire, who had at nine o'clock, on hearing some of our soldiers go to the river to get water, opened a fire from their guns, and a considerable line of infantry. As soon as it was light, I sent Captain Kennet of the Engineers, to reconnoitre the sides of the river, and found that on our side we had little or no cover to protect us, whilst the enemy were drawn up behind hedges, houses, and in the shipping on the opposite bank, the river not thirty yards wide. As our situation and circum stances could not admit of the least delay, I determined to force the passage, and for that purpose ordered down the field-pieces, which, with the addition of those taken from the enemy the day before, were eleven (one I had spiked and left, not being able to bring it off,) to the water's edge, and ordered the infantry to remain under cover, except the light company and grenadiers of the 71st. As our guns approached, the enemy opened a very ill-directed fire from great guns and musquetry; the former soon ceased after our fire opened, the latter was kept up for more than half an hour, but though close to us, did us but little or no injury, so ill was it directed. We then found means, by boats and rafts, to cross a few men over the Rio Chuelo, and on ordering all fire to cease, the little of them that remained ceased also. The troops which opposed us during these two days appeared to have been almost entirely provincial, with a considerable proportion of veteran Officers. The numbers that were assembled to dispute our passage of the river, I have been since informed, were about 2000 infantry. I had no reason from their fire to suppose their numbers so great; the opposition was very feeble; the only difficulty was the crossing the river to get at them, I cannot omit reporting to you that I had the most just cause to be satisfied with the conduct of every Officer, and all the troops under my command. To Lieutenant-Colonel Pack of the 71st every praise is due, as well as to that excellent regiment. The Battalion of Marines, commanded by Captain King of the Royal Navy, not only behaved with the utmost good conduct, but with a discipline in the field much beyond what could have been expected, though every exertion to effect it had been used by Commodore Sir H. Popham, and every Officer of the Royal Navy during the pas sage. A corps of seamen, who had been drilled to small arms, were also landed; they were between 80 and 90 in number, and I was under the necessity of attaching them to draw the guns, which they did with a cheerfulness and zeal that did them great credit; and I was under great obligations to Captain King for his activity in preparing rafts, boats, &c. to pass the Rio Chuelo. Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, and the St. Helena troops, also merit my thanks for their good conduct; as does Captain Ogil vie, commanding the Artillery, for the manner in which the guns were conducted and served. Captain Kennet, of the Royal Engineers, was particularly serviceable by his intelligence and zeal; as were the Honourable Major Dean, my Brigade Ma jor, and the Honourable Ensign Gordon of the 3d Guards, my Aid-de-Camp. By eleven o'clock A. M. I had got some guns and the greatest part of the troops across the river, and seeing no symptoms of further opposition, and learning that the troops in general had deserted the city, motives of humanity induced me to send, by the Hon. Ensign Gordon, a summons to the Governor to deliver me the city and fortress, that the excesses and calamities which would most probably occur, if the troops entered in a hostile manner, might be avoided; informing him, that the British character would ensure to them the exercise of their religion, and protection to their persons and all private property. Hé returned to me an officer to ask some hours to draw up conditions; but I could not consent to delay my march, which I commenced as soon as the whole had crossed the Rio Chuelo; and, on arriving near the city, an officer of the Governor again met me with a number of conditions, to which I had not then time to attend; but said I would confirm by writing what I had promised, when in possession of the city and the terms granted and signed by Sir Home Popham and myself I have the honour to annex. I also transmit a return : of the killed, wounded, and missing, on the 26th and 27th of June, as well as the return of the ordnance taken. I cannot conclude without assuring you of the unwearied zeal and assiduity of Commodore Sir Homé Popham, in whatever could contribute to the success of this expedition, and of the cordial co-operation and great assistance which I have received from him. I have the honour to be, &c. W. C. BERESFORD, Maj.-Gen. Maj. General Sir D. Baird, Commanding in Chief, c. Actual state of the Troops under the command of Major-Gen. Beresford, at the Point de Quilmes, on the 26th June, 1806. After specifying the number of officers and men in each corps, the following is given as the total. Major-General, T Major of Brigade, 1 Aid de Camp, Assistant Quarter-Master-General, Assistant-Commissary; Surgeon and I Assistant Surgeon (of the Staff); Captain, 3 Lieutenants, and 4 Midshipmen (of the Royal Navy); 2 Lieutenant-Colonels, 2 Majors, 15 Captains, 20 Lieutenants, 7 Names of Officers wounded and missing. -Capt. Le Blanc, of the 71st Regiment, shot in the leg; since amputated above the knee. Assistant-Surgeon Halliday, of the medical Staff attached to St Helena Regiment, missing, Terms granted to the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres and dependencies, by the Com manders in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's forces. These consist of 10 articles. (After the usual stipulations respecting the entrance of the troops, &c. and the marching out of the prisoners with the honours of war,they state, that all bona fide private property, whether belonging to the people, the churches, or the public institutions, shall be unmolested; that all the inhabitants shall receive protection; that the different taxes shall be collected by the Magistrates, &c. as usual, until his Majesty's pleasure be known; that every protection shall be afforded to the exercise of the Catholic religion; that the coasting vessels in the river shall be deli vered to their owners; and that all public property shall be surrendered to the cap. tors.): Return of ordnance, ammunition, and arms captured at Buenos Ayres, and its dependencies, viz. Iron ordnance, of different calibres, from 18 to 3-pounders, 45 pieces.- Brass ordnance, from 32 to 3-pounders, including mortars and howitzers, 41 pieces.-- Total 86. Five hundred and fifty whole barrels of powder, 2064 muskets with bayonets, 616 carbines, 4016 pistols, 31 musketoons, 1208 swords.. · (Signed) J. F. Ogilvie, Capt. commanding Royal and St Helena Artillery. Since the above return was sent to Sir D. Baird, the following guns, left by the Viceroy Viceroy in his flight, have been taken, and armis, &c. received: -Brass ordnance 7 pieces, 139 muskets with bayonets, 71 mus kets without bayonets, 85 pouches, and 39 swords. Extract of a letter from Major-General I trust the conduct adopted towards the people here has had its full effect, in impressing upon their minds the honour, generosity, and humanity of the British character. His Majesty's Ministers will see by the detail of our proceedings, that after the army had passed the Rio Chuelo, the city of Buenos Ayres remained at our mercy, and that, in fact, the only conditions on which I entered were such as I pleased, to offer; and which humanity, and a regard to our national character, would naturally induce me to give under any circumstances. However, to quiet the minds of the inhabitants, we not only consented to put in writing my promises, but acceded to many conditions not expected by them; and, contrary to direct stipulations, gave up to the proprietors all the coasting vessels captured, with their cargoes, and of which I annex a return, and the value of which amounted to one million and a half of dollars, and which being done with the views already exposed, will, I trust, meet with his Majesty's approbation. I have the honour to inform his Majesty's Ministers, that I had detached Captain Arbuthnot, of the 20th Light Dragoons, on the 3d inst. wirh a party consisting of seven dragoons, and twenty infantry, (the whole mounted) to a place called Luxan, fifty miles distant. My principal object was to have the country reconnoit. red, and to see what were the dispositions of the inhabitants; but with the avowed object of escorting back some of the treasure which had been taken from hence, and to prevent its following the Viceroy, which I had reason to suspect was intended, though it was said to be all private property; and, in which case, we had declared, if brought back, it should be given to its owners, if of this city. Captain Arbuthnot returned last night; and I am glad to say with information of a pleasing nature; for your Lordship will see, by this detachment passing so easily thro' the country, that whatever their present inclinations may be, there is no great danger from any hostile intentions against us and Captain Arbuthnot reports rather favourably of the general dispositions of the people. The country to Luxan, as I have already represented, in general the whole of it, is a per fect flat, and the view of the horizon obstructed by nothing but the immense herds of horses and cattle-but principally horn ed cattle. Luxan is situated on a river of the same name, and where there is a bridge over it, and the route leading to all the interior provinces, and I rather think it will be advisable on many accounts that I possess myself of it, which I can do by a small detachment. Much of the treasure was caught actually going to Cordova, and the rest, but for the opportune arrival of the party, would have been pillaged.The waggons conveying this treasure may be expected here to-morrow. Those with the Royal treasure, and that of the Philippine Com pany, arrived some time since, and is already embarked. The tion. Major Deane, who is the bearer of these dispatches, will give any further information to his Majesty's Ministers that they may desire; and I beg to recommend him as an officer deserving of any mark of favour that his Majesty may be graciously pleased to bestow on him. (Then follows a Proclamation, issued by Gen. Beresford to the inhabitants, inviting them to shew their allegiance to their new Sovereign, and repeating the offers of protection held out in the terms of the Capitulation.) The Proclamation thus continues" The Major-General thinks it necessary to acquaint the general and commercial interest of the country, that it is his Majesty's most gracious intention that a free trade shall be opened and permitted to South America, similar to that enjoyed by all others of his Majesty's colonies, particularly the island of Trinidad, whose inhabitants have felt peculiar benefits from being under the government of a Sovereign powerful enough to protect them from any insult, and generous enough to give them such commercial advantages as they could not enjoy under the administration of any other country."-(It concludes with inviting the farmers to supply the markets with provisions, for which they shall be immediately paid; and it adds a promise, that such duties as are found to bear too hard on the enterprize of commerce shall be taken off.) (This Proclamation is followed by another, giving up to the inhabitants all the ships, barges, and craft: and calling upon the owners to see that no imposition is practised on the captors for their liberality. Extract of a Dispatch from Major-Gen. Beresford to Lord Castlereagh, dated Fort of Buenos Ayres, 16th July, 1806. I am now able to transmit nearly an account of the money which has been received as prize under the terms of my agreement with the Acting Governor of the place, previous to my entering the town. The statement shews the various departments and public bodies whence the sum forming the total has been derived. The sum of 1,086,208 dollars is going home in his Majesty's ship Narcissus, and Sir Home Popham and myself have thought it right to reserve here, for the exigencies of the army and navy, a considerable sum; and for the purpose of keeping down the exchange on bills drawn by the respective services, and which would otherwise bring the dollar to an enormous price. It is estimated that the merchandize in the King's stores, principally Jesuit's bark and quick silver, and which is in the Philippine Company's stores, with the little that is retained of floating property, will amount, if it can be disposed of, to between two and three millions of dollars. Of the bullion delivered in, some is claimed as private property, and which shall be delivered in the same spirit of liberality with which, we trust, it will be considered we have acted here. The sum of 61,797 dolJars were yesterday delivered to the Consulada, on their assurance only that it belonged to the people of this town, and they have a claim upon forty or fifty thousand dollars more, which will be settled this day. Total amount of monies, &c. received Plata. I have, therefore, only to give you a short detail of the proceedings of the squadron, previously congratulating their Lordships on his Majesty's forces being in full possession of Buenos Ayres, and its dependencies, the capital of one of the richest and most extensive provinces of South America. To the commerce of Great Bri tain it exhibits peculiar advantages, as well as to the active industry of her manufactu ring towns. And when I venture, in addition, to assure their Lordships of the extreme healthiness of the climate, I trust I only hold out a consolation that the friends of every person employed on this expedi tion are justly entitled to, and which I am satisfied will be equally gratifying to the feelings of every British subject. As I considered it an object of material consequence to obtain the earliest local information in the river, I placed the squa dron under the direction of Captain Rowley on the 27th of May, and preceded it in the Narcissus for that purpose. On the 8th ult. we anchored near the island of Elores; and after passing Monte Video the following day, we detained a Portuguese schooner, by whom the intelligence we had formerly received was generally confirmed. On the 11th we fell in with the Encounter and Ocean transports, near the South coast of the river; and the 13th we joined the squadron. It was immediately deter. mined to attack the capital; and no time was lost in removing the marine battalion to the Narcissus, the Encounter, and the transports, for the purpose of proceeding to Buenos Ayres, while the Diadem blockaded the port of Monte Video, and the Raisonable, and Diomede, by way of demonstration, cruized near Maldonado and other assailable points. Our progress up the river was very much retarded by the shoalness of the water, adverse winds, and currents, continual fogs, and the great inac curacy of the charts; but by the unremit ting and laborious exertions of the Officers and men I had the honour to command, these difficulties were surmounted, and the squadron anchored on the afternoon of the 25th off Point Quilmes a Pouichin, about twelve miles from Buenos Ayres. As it was impossible for the Narcissus to approach the shore on account of the shoalness of the water, the Encounter was run in so close as to take the ground, the more effectually to cover the debarkation of the army in case of necessity: the whole, however, was landed in the course of the evening without the least opposition; consisting of the detachment of troops from the Cape, and that from St Helena, with the Marine Battalion under the orders of Captain King, of the Diadem, which was composed of the marines of the squadron, augmented by the incorporation |