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to put an end to his doubts, was at
last obliged to send a messenger to his
Excellency. It was with the greatest
difficulty, and not without ample pe-
cuniary promises, that a native could
be found who would undertake the of-
fice. For some strange reason, Mi-
randa detained this messenger so long
after he was prepared to return with
an answer to Colonel Hall, that the
latter, with the remnant of our troops
guarding La Vela, concluded that we
were all taken prisoners, or had been
put to the sword by the Spaniards.
Under this impression, Colonel Hall
thought it expedient, for the time be-
ing, to plant several pieces of cannon
round the house in which he resided;
and took the precaution of having
boats in waiting on shore every night,
to carry himself and, the guard, con-
sisting of twenty-five men, off to the
squadron, in case they should be un-
der the necessity of flying.

Colonel Hall, who had it in charge
from Miranda to entice his country-
men back to their homes, finding his
personal efforts ineffectual, addressed
the following letter to the priest of
that district, in hopes, by gaining the
pastor, to gain his flock.

"Reverend Father,,

"I take the liberty to inclose you one of General Miranda's proclamations and pamphlets, and to inform you, that I intended myself the honour of waiting on you to-morrow, to request that you will be so good as to come into town on Sunday next to celebrate mass. You may rely on the assurance of not being disturbed in any manner in the exercise of your holy functions. In the interval, I beg God to grant you long life and health. I kiss your hands."

This letter was written in Spanish, by Lieutenant Adrien, the Colonel's secretary. The day after it was delivered, this officer, accompanied by Lieutenant Spearing and Doctor Davie, both of the British navy, waited

on the curate. He replied in answer to the letter, that he could not officiate out of the district to which he belonged; but his conduct and manners proved that this was only an excuse. He was surrounded by a multitude of people, who testified no inconsiderable alarm at the presence of our ambassadors; and hovered under the wings of his reverence, as their only safeguard from heretical contamination. The truth was, that the priest wished to have no communication with any of Miranda's followers; he knew, if he came into town, that he should be followed by his flock; and he therefore declined the invitation, with a plausible excuse, lest the people should attach themselves to Miranda, when they had more thoroughly discovered his intentions with respect to their country. It is very evident from this, and other circumstances, that the inhabitants of this country will never listen to the proposals of our Commander-in-chief, unless they are led on and countenanced by their priests; and without the concurrence of the priests his cause could not succeed. These ecclesiastics have too much wisdom to give up a certainty for an uncertainty; to espouse an adventurer and revolutionist against the reigning government, which protects their endowments and immunities, and builds up their influence; and they have probably as a body too much loyalty of feeling and principle, to be seduced by ordinary prospects into a renunciation of their allegiance.

Before we occupied La Vela de Coro, it was understood that Colonel Hall was to be Commandant of that place, when it should come into our possession; but it was not officially known until a general order informed us of the Colonel's promotion.

On our march from the city of Coro, our Chief exhibited conduct that left a strong impression of his inhumanity upon our minds. Desperate ends require desperate means. Shall the

maker

maker of a revolution, and the deliver-, threatened to leave the wounded on

er of a country, restrict himself to the rules, or yield to the visitings of humanity? Be assured such an enter-, prise supposes in him who conducts it, a singleness of view, that can sacrifice the right to the expedient, and the parts to the whole. The wounded of our troops were carried in litters upon the shoulders of the men, and much they suffered in mind and body in this dreary and fearful march.Owing to the weight of the litters, and the offensiveness of the wounds of some of the persons in them, the soldiers and sailors who were willing to do their utmost to help and convey off their distressed companions, but who were weakened by fatigue and hunger, could not support their burden for any length of time, and were obliged frequently to stop and change.Whenever this took place, Miranda flew into a violent rage, pretending it was an unnecessary delay. length he declared, that if the wounded retarded the march of the column, they should be put aside and left on the road! This he said in hearing of the wounded, who expected the barbarous threat would be executed, and they should be left to perish without assistance, or to be cut in pieces by the Spaniards. One of the men at tached to a litter, conveying an officer, declaring that he was so much spent he could go no farther, unless he was relieved; the General said to the sol

dier:

At

"Go on, Sir, I know what you can do "-then turning to the officer directing the order of march, "Suffer no complaint, shoot that man-give me a pistol here; let me do it." This officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Roorbach, in a very spirited and becoming manner, remonstrated with Miranda upon this conduct; endeavoured to check the torrent of curses he was venting against the men; and begged him to have some consideration for the wounded and those who carried them The moment the General

the road, an officer went to the rear of the column, and informed the captain of artillery, and several of his companions, what might take place. About twelve in number determined, if such an attempt was made, to protest against it; if that did not produce the desired effect, they resolved to resist the order at the point of their swords, being assured of the assistance of the men under their command, to whom they had already stated the barbarity of such a proceeding, and who were not less indignant on the occassion than their commanders. This threat of Miranda is perhaps to be attributed to his ungoverned fear of being attacked by the Spaniards, and falling alive into their hands. This fear he may be supposed to have had, and yet not be a coward. I do not deny that he would meet the perils of ordinary battle with real courage.

I am persuaded he would rather fall into the hands of his countrymen dead than alive. Armed horsemen were seen hovering upon the flanks and rear of our column; but they never came within reach of musketry. Midway between La Vela and the city, we forded a river, the banks of which were exceedingly steep; here all thought it probabie we should be attacked, and it was near this place, that the General made the threat of abandoning his wounded to the mercy of fate. But admitting he was not seriously determined to do so, the event proved that he had no occasion to resort to an expedient of so abominable a complexion to hasten the march, as the Spaniards allowed us to pass the river unmolested.They no doubt over-rated our strength, whilst Miranda, in this instance, preferred acting on the defensive, as well from an apprehension of their superior force, as to prove the sincerity of his professions of tender regard towards the people of South America.

In the course of the morning before

our

our march to the city of Coro, about twenty-five or thirty Indians were captured. They were, as is customary in this country, armed with bows and arrows. They preferred joining our standard to being kept as prisoners. As we entered the city they formed part of the advanced guard; but the moment the firing took place, they fled precipitately, leaving their bows and arrows on the ground. It has been reported, that when they saw our men firing at each other, they supposed it was through animosity; and observed, that if Miranda's men fired at each other, they thought their turn would soon come; and therefore, they had better seek safety in flight. Whatever might have been the motive which drove them off, they took good care never to make their appearance afterwards.

It is a satisfaction to reflect, that the property of the inhabitants of La Vela de Coro and the city was respected amidst all our wants; except instances of rapacity in individuals, of a description always to be found in an assemblage of men under arms, and the necessaries taken for our subsis

tence.

The property found in the king's stores being considered as belonging to the free people of South America, was taken in charge for their benefit, by order of the Commander in chief. The whole value of this did not exceed fifteen hundred dollars, which is to be divided among the troops.*What provisions we found in the deserted houses, stores, and gardens of the Spaniards, our hunger obliged us to apply to our own use; had they chosen to stay, it would have been our General's policy to pay in proportion to his ability for what we wanted. I presume, their persons and property

* It consisted chiefly of coarse linens, and furnished one shirt and a pair of pantaloons to each non-commissioned officer and private soldier.

V

would have been inviolate, at least, so, far as they had discovered a willingness to be free, and to take our visit in good part. Though we were thus scrupulous in this respect, we probably shall not have the imputation of forbearance. It is said, no doubt with truth, that, in several instances, those inhabitants, who first came into the town after our evacuation, plundered the houses and stores of those who had not yet returned, and gave out that we were the robbers.Our care in this respect affords almost the only consoling reflection, to be gleaned from a review of our works on the Spanish Main,- As I before observed, nearly all the inhabitants, rich and poor, male and female, the sick and the old, as well. as the healthy and young, had disap-peared, having fled to other places, and to the woods. What a horrid panic must have seized these inoffensive people, to have driven them to measures so extreme; and what a scene of distress must their flight have exhibited. It was not, however, in all cases, their own terror that prompted them to quit their homes; but many, who would rather have encountered infidels than become the companions of wild beasts, were coerced to depart by the Spanish government, The Governor drove the multitude out before him like cattle, and would listen to no entreaties from those who desired to stay. Many, doubtless, thought they might as well perish by the sword as famine; and that they stood at least as good a chance from the clemency of the invaders, as was offered by a retreat into the forests. My heart is wrung to think of the domestic misery that must have been occasioned by this detestable business. Some of it I saw, and heard of more; and have no doubt there existed hundreds of instances of extreme suffering, which we could not know. One morning whilst we were at Coro, a young officer informed me, he had ac

ciden

cidentally seen a sick and helpless old man, who was near dying from want, having had nothing to eat for the last two days. I proposed to take him some of our provisions before we dined. We accordingly proceeded to his apartment with such sustenance and refreshments as we had. At this unexpected relief, his gratitude and joy were more than he could express. He uttered short thanks in Spanish, for he could speak no English; but his face said a thousand grateful things that no language could convey. By a gentleman who accompanied us, who understood Spanish, we learned that the old man's family and servant had left him, taking with them all the provisions in the house, the moment that the firing of our cannon at La Vela was heard. He had been long confined by sickness, and was only strong enough to sit in bed ; but not to reach his crucifix and prayer book, which were on the window board some paces from his bed side. In this situation he must have expired had we not come to his relief. Before our departure from Coro, he and other suffering inhabitants whom we knew, were supplied as far as in our power with a stock of provisions, to serve them till their affrighted friends returned.

ficer. When we considered that this good catholic must have regarded us as enemies to his religion, his king and country, and probably to mankind, his benevolence touched our feelings with peculiar force, and contributed to sharpen the regret we could not but feel at the terror and distress we occasioned.

Though we evacuated the place, it was not from any apprehension of danger to our persons. Whilst there we had several alarms; but none, I believe, more terrific than the following :

On the day of our re-embarkation from La Vela, intelligence was announced at head-quarters, that a corps of Spanish cavalry was advancing against us, A detachment of infantry, with a piece of artillery, was put under march, with a view to prevent their entrance into the town. The Commander-in-chief soon followed; near the environs of the village he found the lieutenant halted, with a cluster of bushes in front. It was then raining in torrents. Miranda supposed this time and place proper for surprising the enemy, then believed to be advancing, by a well-directed fire from the ambush. The General, puffing and fuming as he approached, said, "why don't you fire, Lieutenant? why don't you fire, Sir?" "I see nothing to fire at, General;" replied the Lieutenant."Fire at those bushes, then, Sir," rejoined the General; "Fire, Sir, and let them know we have got guns!"The officer blazed away according to order. What havock was made a

Upon taking my departure from the Main, it is due to gratitude, that I mention the affecting kindness of a Roman priest at Coro, to our sick and wounded. He discovered a most amiable solicitude, both for the comfort of their bodies, and the future welfare of their souls. Towards Colonel Kirk-mong the bushes we know not, as no land, for whose life we entertained serious apprehensions, he exercised the benevolence of a Christian, and the tenderness of a father. He provided for him not only a comfortable but elegant apartment, with several attendants, and every necessary which his situation required. He is held in the most grateful remembrance by that of

return of the killed and wounded has ever been made. The truth is, the Spaniards never approached nearer than within three or four miles of the town and batteries; nor was there any appearance of their force at eleven o'clock the day after, when we weighed anchor, bound to Aruba.

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BY an extraordinary chance, in 1770, the Emperor had an opportunity of indulging the personal admiration which he had conceived for the King of Prussia; and these two great sovereigns were on such good terms as to pay mutual visits. The Emperor allowed me to accompany him, and presented me to the King: it was at the camp of Neustadt in Moravia. I cannot remember if I had, or if I assumed, an embarrassed air; but I recollect well that the Emperor, who perceived it, said to the King, speaking of me : "He looks timid, which I never saw before; he will do better soon." He said this with grace and gaiety, and they went out from quarters, I think to the play. The King, on the way, left the Emperor an instant, and asked me, if my letter to Jean Jacques Rousseau, printed in newspapers, was genuine. I answered: "Sire, I am not so celebrated, as that my name should be borrowed." It is well known that Horace Walpole borrowed that of the King, to write to Jean Jacques the famous letter, which contributed most to turn the head of that eloquent and extravagant man of genius.

the

As we left the play, the Emperor said to the King of Prussia, "There is Noverre, the famous composer of ballets. He has, I believe, been at Berlin." Hereupon Noverre made a handsome dancing-master's bow."Oh! I know him," said the King; 66 we saw him at Berlin; he was very droll ; he mimicked every one, especially our opera dancers, and made us die of laughing." Noverre, who was not at all satisfied with this way of recollecting him, made another handsome reverence in the third position,

hoping that the King would afford him an opportunity of a little revenge. "Your ballets are pretty," said the King; "your dancers have grace, but it is starched grace. You make them, I think, lift their shoulders and arms

too high; for if you recollect, Mr Noverre, your first dancer at Berlin was not like that."-" Sire," said Noverre, "that was the reason why she was at Berlin.”

66 Do

One day that I spent some hours with the King, he said to me: you know who taught me the little that I know: it was your old Marshall Traun; that was a man. You spoke of the French just now are they making any progress?""They are capable of every thing in time of war, Sire," said I; "but during peace, their rulers wish them not to be what they are, and attempt to make them what they cannot be."-" How, disciplined? They were so in the time of Turenne.". 66 Oh, it is not that; they were not disciplined in the time of Vendome, and did not gain battles the less; but they wish them to be our apes and yours, which does not suit them.". "That is what I think; I have already said of their trainers, that they wish them to sing without knowing music."-"Oh! that is true; but only leave them their natural sounds; take advantage of their valour, their agility, and even of their faults; I believe their confusion might put the enemy into confusion.-"These French," said the King, are a brave and amiable nation; it is impossible not to love them; but, my God! what have they made of their men of letters? what a difference of tone! Voltaire, for instance, had an excellent one; D'Alembert, whom I esteem in many respects, makes too much noise, and wishes to cut too great a figure in society; was it the men of letters who gave grace to the court of Louis XIV. or did they receive it from the number of agreeable persons who compo

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