Campaigns and Cruises, in Venezuela and Ned Grenada, and in the Pacific Ocean; from 1817-1830

CAMPAIGNS

CAMPAIGNS AND CRUISES,

VENEZUELA AND NEW GRENADA,

AND IN

THE PACIFIC OCEAN;

FROM 1817 TO 1830:

WITH THE

NARRATIVE OF A MARCH FROM THE RIVER ORINOCO TO
SAN BUENAVENTURA ON THE COAST OF CHOCÒ;

AND

Sketches of the West Coast of South America

FROM THE

GULF OF CALIFORNIA TO THE ARCHIPELAGO OF CHILÖE.

ALSO,

TALES OF VENEZUELA:

ILLUSTRATIVE OF REVOLUTIONARY MEN, MANNERS,
AND INCIDENTS.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

LONGMAN AND CO.

PRINTED BY H. E. CARRINGTON, CHRONICLE OFFICE, BATH.

1831.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE author of the following pages has endeavoured to lay before the reader a brief and unvarnished narrative of events, as they occured under his own observation, during a long residence in South America, with a general description of the countries through which he passed; and has given anecdotes connected with the Campaigns and Cruises which he witnessed, and with the celebrated chiefs under whom he served.

The authenticity of these particulars may be relied on ; for the writer has related such facts only as he can vouch for from his personal knowledge, or has derived from unquestionable sources of information, in the countries through which he travelled.

It was not until he had completed the work, a few months after his return to England last year that he was at all aware how numerous a collection

of Personal Narratives, Journals, Tours, Wanderings, and Residences in that portion of the New World, has issued of late years from the press.

But may not one, who was among the earliest volunteers that assisted to clear the land with their personal exertions, be allowed to glean after the harvest has been gathered in? especially as 1. single individual, as far as he is aware, has ti versed the country to such an extent, nor resided in it for so long a period, and in such eventi. times.

As the mass of available matter, which the author had accumulated, appeared to him so copious, that he feared, were he to embody it all i his narrative, he might be accused of plagiarism, of the still less venial offence against many readers, -the "bestowing all his tediousness upon them," he has been induced to give his stray anecdotes, and waste sketches of scenery and manners, a loc: habitation and a name, in the annexed "Tales o Venezuela."

Bath, June 27th, 1831.

CONTENTS.