A narrative of the expedition to the rivers Orinoco and Apuré, in South America; which sailed from England in November 1817, and joined the patriotic forces in Venezuela and Caraccas

Preface

THE preface to a work, it is well known, is generally the part last written. Since the following pages were composed, every event has conspired to corroborate the author's opinions as to the ultimate issue of the Spanish American contest ; and the lesson which he deemed it right to offer to his countrymen, a lesson which he has himself been taught by hard experience, has been made more impressive by the legislative enactment against British co-operation with the Independents in South America. But even without that legal barrier to native adventure in this foreign cause, he ventures to think that the example of the first En-

a2

IV I'llKlACr..

glish colonel, who led a force to the aid of the Patriots, — that the simple nan'ative of the difliculties, privations, and insults to wliich he vras subjected, — that the sufferings of his fellow-soldiers, liis own unexampled ill-treatment, and the base juggling by which his just claims have been defeated, would suffice as a warning to such of liis deluded countrymen as are inspired by feelings similar to those which embarked him in this ungratefid service.

If the early portion of his work should lie considered to be too minute in its details, he trusts that his motive for entering into them will prociu*e his pardon : he wished that every man espousing the measure of a voyage to the Spanish Main should have his eyes opened to every danger whicli attends, not merely the last efforts in the field of battle, which a soldier knows how to support even in a burn-

PREFACE. V

ing clime and destitute of the necessaries of life, but the apparently smooth and easy progress to that region where valour and enterprise may animate the soul to more than mortal endurance. There is no honour to be acquired in the starvation and perils of the tedious voyage, whatever there may be in the after- war; and even in that conflict the author can scarcely imagine the Briton engaged, who wovild not shrink in disgust and horror, rather than rise in the pride of triumph, at the merciless massacre of unarmed prisoners, and the infernal sporting with human sufferings.

The utter want of a coitimissariat, and the intolerable heat of the climate, involve a compUcation of miseries which no European constitution can withstand; and the author has to lament the death of the great majority of his companions, who perished, like infected lepers, without sustenance and

VI PRElAt K.

without aid from the unfeeling wretches in wliose behalf they fell.

In his characters of the insurgent leaders, the author has been guided by a sense of truth and justice alone. The barbarities in which some of them indulged were incredible, did not the chopping off of a woman's hands, as in the case of Mrs. Bruton, and the murder of a royalist officer, with circumstances of savage refinement, almost unequalled in the annals of ferocity (see pages 420, 421), too horribly confirm the appalling tale.

The Narrative is the plain one of a soldier ; and, therefore, the author sohcits a favourable construction of its defects. If it foreshows to others what they have to expect from embarking in the patriot cause, it will jierforin the purpose for which it was written ; and if any number of Britons

PREFACE. Vli

are thus saved from becoming the victims of jealousy, treachery, falsehood, and oppression, he will carry to the grave with him the consolation that he has neither suffered nor laboured in vain.

If any delay has occurred in giving this work to the world, it has arisen from a wish to afford full time and opportunity to the government of Venezuela to do that justice which would well become so good a cause as that at the head of which it is placed. It now appears, not to prejudice those efforts for emancipation, in which the author was so prompt to join, but to put his countrymen on their guard, and, by turning the public eye to the subject, ensvire to them that reception and treatment which their conduct deserves.

CONTKNTS.

Chapter I

British feelings with regard to the South American contest, — The author determines to offer his services to the patriots.— Negotiations with the deputies or agents in London, and their final arrangement. — Preparations to equip a regiment. — Officers filled up. — A regiment of lancers also proposed and accepted. — A corps of riflemen forming under other officers. — Difficulties in procuring a vessel of sufficient tonnage for the transport of the troops. — Other corps raising by Lieutenant-Colonels Hewitt and Wilson. — Delays. — Don Mendez's plausible assurances. — New arrangements. — Corps of artillery. — Non-interference of the British government. — The Dowson, Indian, and Prince, ships of large burthen, got afloat for the reception of the expedition. — Anxieties, hopes, and exertions. — The men begin to embark.— Entertainment given to Don Mendez. — His protestations, and concluding blessings. ... . . Page 1

CHAPTER H.

Preparations for immediately embarking. — Mess formed. — Fresh delays and fortunate disappointments. — The ship Emerald obtained, and hopes of a speedy departure revived.— Arrears of payment among some of the officers, owing to the long delay ; provided for by the author. — Three of them behave dishonourably, and withdraw. — ^The

Contents

Emerald is bouglit for the service of the Venezuelian republic. — Artillery embarked in the Britannia, of four hundred tons. — Manoeuvres and little jealousies. — Farewell dinner at the London coffee-house. — Desertions from the ship, and precautions not to enlist deserters from the king's service. .... Page 34

Chapter III

Entertainment on board the Emerald. — Impediments thrown in the way by the contractors. — The caterer neglects to provide the mess. — ^His shameful conduct. — Arrest for debt, and detention of the necessaries. — Distress and exertions to remedy it. — Liberal friends. — On board the Emerald.— Gaming prohibited under certain penalties. — The British service assumed as the model on which to form the Anglo-American. — The expedition sails. — Boisterous weather till they reach INIadeira, in fifteen days from the river Thames. — Alarming deaths among the pigs and poultry. — Defalcations in the crockery- ware. — Arrival in the Bay of Eunchal. — Foiled in an attempt to land. — Fired at, in a second endea\our, and peremptorily refused admission to the island. — Fruits and wine sent on board, — Sail from Madeira. — Fine weather. — Exercises. — Insubordination of the troops. — Measures taken, and oath administered. — Several privates jmnished, and one officer dismi.>^sed, for theft. — Pass Antigua, and make Saint Bartholomew.— Land at Gustavia. — Its site and appearance. — Hospitable treatment. — Singular interview and conversation.— Piracies and spies. . . CJ3

Chapter IV

The oflRccrs appear on shore in iiniform. — Riotous. wldiers. — Vii»it to the governor. — His hospitable reception. — Want

CONTENTS. XI

of water in the isUuul : means to supply it: barren soil. — The governor. — Government house. — Breakfast given by the governor. — Mr. ReynoUls, a resident : his kindness. — Visit the fort and barracks. — The interior of the island : delightful prospect. — Longevity of the natives and European inhabitants. — Kindness of the islanders. — Orders to sail. — A vessel arrives j turns out to be the Prince, with Colonel Wilson and his troops on board. — The Britannia also arrives, with Colonel Gilmour and the artillery. — Want of cordiality in the different colonels. — Receive the afflicting news of the loss of the Indian, with all on board. — Sailing delayed. — Mutinous state of the soldiery. — Three of them sent to Saint Kitt's. — Ball and supper in honour of the Crown Prince of Sweden's birth-day. — The company.— French officer. — Military orders of merit, granted or taken. — A ship comes into the harbour. — The Emerald visited by a naval lieutenant from her, in the service of the independents. — His intelligence that she is a royalist prize, of which he is prize-master. — Piratical conduct of the crew. — This ship, the Victory, and the Emerald sail together. ..... Page 101

Chapter V

Duel. — Four officers resign. — The Victoria, unable to keep company, is scuttled and left adrift. — Land at Grenada. —State of parties there : the effect of their contradictory assertions upon the expedition.— Heavy baggage shipped on board the schooner Liberty, for the Orinoco. — The schooner detained by the governor. Rial. — Three of the men claim to be released from the independent service. — The author called to an account for the destruction of theSpanish ship, punishment of men, &c. — His justification. —Various inconveniences. — The schooner sails. — The rest of the expedition embark in the schooner Republican. — Her horrid state ; her piratical crew and intentions. — Con-

<. ONTKNTS.

spirary, and mcasllro^ in roiiso(iuenco. — Unfortunate duil. — Mr. Braybrooke killed. — Their sailing prevented. — Leave the schooner, and return to the Emerald. Page lij

CHAFfER VI.

The Emerald seized. — Further desertions. — Forty men abandon the cause. — The Republican ilies in the night. — The council release the Emerald. — Three officers leave the service. — Sail for Cariacou. — The island of Grenada ; its beautiful and romantic scenery. — British soldiers offer to desert, and join the independents j rejected by the autlior. — Arrive at Cariacou — The Britannia, Prince, and Dowson, pass for Grenada. — Cariacou and its North-British inhabitants.— The treatment of slaves. — Instances of their welfare and happiness. — The Grenadine islands. — Sail from Cariacou. . . . . loy

CHAPTER VJI.

Return off Grenada. — Joined by the Dowson. — Accounts cf dissensions in Colonel Wilson's corps, &c. — Plan of operations suggested. — Arrival of an agent, Mr. Hudson, from the Main. — His appearance and conversation, &c. — Secret project to seize a West India island. — h'eizurc of the Prince. — Breaking up of the corps of artillery. — Mysteriousncss of Mr. Hudson. — The author suspects him. — Resolves on abandoning the object proposed under a secret oath. — Music, and its interruption. — The Britannia joins, with only five officers on board. — T'ltimately cpiit (irenada, leaving the Prince under embargo. — Ifcach Saint Lucia, and fall in with the \'enezuclian schooner of war the Tiger, in which embark for the Orinoco. . . ig-i

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Tlie Tiger proceeds. — Off Martinique.— Water runs short. — Supplied by an American. — Make the Orinoco. — Mode of entering the river. — Distress for water. — Imprudence in drinking the brackish water of the river, and illness of the men. — Ocular deception resembling the mirage of the desert. — Proceed up the river. — The current. — Accident, and interesting scene which followed. — The river and its banks of forest. — Alligators. — Water serpents. — Wild beasts. — Meet the Liberty schooner returning down the Orinoco. — The river narrows. — Arrive at the Indian village of Santa Pans. . , . Page 214?

CHAPTER IX.

Santa Pans. — Supplies. — Missions. — Rapids in the Orinoco. — ^Illness of officers and men.-;-Town and fort of Old Guyana. — Meet Admiral Brion's squadron coming down. ■ — Brion visits the Tiger ; his reception and intelligence. — His appearance. — Qualifications. — The commandanta Rosalis. — The author lands. — Flechera. — Taking of Guyana by the patriots ; massacre of three hundred of its defenders •^Naval and other stores. — Breakfast with Brion. — Arrangements.— Continue to proceed up the river. — ^First casualty in the expedition j death of Serjeant-major Higgins. — Tiger runs aground, is got off, and anchors off Angustura, ..... 228

CHAPTER X.

Angustura. — General Bermudez. — Meet Colonel Wilson and other officers of theRed Hussars. — Casualties.— Melancholy

XIV deuth of Colonel Macilonal«l. — 'llic troojjs laiulcil, jtaraded, and barracked. — Dinner given by Jiernuulez. — His aj)- jicarance and character. — General iSIontillo j his character, and propensity to intemperance.— Sudden quarrel. — Difficulty of comina^ to an understanding through an interpreter.— Tlie author is put under arrest. — E.xtraordinary proceedings. — Reconciliation. — Death of Lieutenant Plunkett. — lufringenjcnt of Don IMendez's engagements. — Departure of Cieneral Bcrmudc/. — Funeral of Lieutenant Plunkett. — Great sickness. — A\'ant of necessaries in the hospitals. .... Page 243

CHAnEU XJ.

The author's rank confirmed by Bolivar. — Barren honours. — Utter want of money. — Ways and means ; a dinner or a ball. — The latter determined on. — Tlie ladies. — Marriages hiid aside. — Bolivar's aunt. — The i)all ; mixed company. — (ieneral Montillo. — Lieutenants Pritt and Lamb wish to resign. — Orders from Bolivar to incorporate the British, &c. — Lieutenant-Colonel English's account of his journey. — State of the expedition. — Loss of the Rabbit. — Embarrassments of the English — Pay promised ; obliged to sell their clothes, &c. — Bad effects of the provisions, of the rum, and of the water of the Orinoco. — Death of Cornet Davies. — Cirand parade. — The officers swear allegiance to the republic.— The men refuse, unless paid their eighty dollars, as stipulated by Don Mendez in London. — Proceedings in consequence. — Pinal arrangement. . 275

CHAFPER Xn.

The governor and council raise money by a forced loan.' The troops again di5ai)pointcd, and the money restored.-

CONTLNTS.

Arrival of a valuable cargo froni London. — Celebration of the eighth anniversary of the republic. — Ceremonies, religious and festive. — Indian dance and dress.— Debility of Europeans, induced by the heat of the climate and augmented by the badness of the provisions. — A country-house procured for the invalids. — Saddler's shop and sale of goods at Angustura. — Mode of catching bullocks in South America. ..... Page 304

CHAPTER XIII.

Arrival of the Hunter at Angustura. — Valuable supjjlies. — Masonic-lodge.— Mission to biing on deserters from the West Indies. — General Soublett ; his character, &c. — The British convalescent, and reported fit for service. — Orders issued for the payment of bounties; their marvellous effects upon the whole and sick.— Castle-building. — Disappointment.— Rations for the passage up the river; dried beef or tasso ; rum. and cassava-cake. — Further sacrifices of the officers. — Embark for San Fernando. — Flecheras. — Sudden illness and death of Cornet King. — Encroachments of the governor. — Fresh differences. — Account of Angustura. — Bolivar's attachment to women; his campaign mistresses, and mode of providing for them.— Military remarks on the defences of Angustura. — Its capture by General Piar; account of that Negro commander. — Shot by Bolivar. — The ladies of Angustura. — Compliments.— Smoking segars. . . . . 319

CHAPTER XIV.

Naval characters at Angustura; Dias and Paddillio.— The former a savage ruffian^ commander of the gun-boats ; the latter a shade better. — Proceed up the Orinoco ; land near an Indian village; friendly supplies. — A night on shore in

XVI I ONTENTS.

the forest. — The Orinoco. — 'J imber of immense size. — Birds in prodigious numbers and varieties. — Monkeys. — Serpents. — Oiher animals and reptiles. — The devil-sticker. — Lizards. — Alligators. — Porpoises. — Dog-headed fish. — Other fish of the Orinoco. — Poisonous cray-fish. — Stinging fish, and its dangerous effects. — Tenth day of the passage ; hail a canoe, and learn that the royalists are in force above. — Storm on the Orinoco. — Boca inferna, or hell's gate. — Great basin. — A modern and real Charybdis. — Extraordinary scene. — Attempt the Rapids, and bring to for the night. .... Page 3-12

CHAPIER XV.

Morning. — Pass the narrows. — Indian village. — Cuicara. — Cooley, one of the farriers, lost while bathing. — Instance of intrepidity. — Orders to proceed to the Apure. — Colonel Wilson's levies on the natives. — Bad accounts of the patriot cause. — Mouth of the Apure. — Excessive population on its banks. — Crocodiles. — Tigers. — Immense flocks of birds.^ Curious anecdote of the mocking bird. — Boats of Saint Fernando brought to. — Pass the night within trumpetsound of the royalists. — Loss of a man, supposed to be carried off by a tiger. — Arrive at San Fernando. — Colonel \Vilson's assault on the master tailor. — Flight of the patriots. — Horse swimming the Apur6 — badly managed. — Murdered prisoners, ... . .361

CHA1»TER XVI.

San Fernando. — Received by General Bolivar.— Description of that celebrated person. — Miserable state of affairs. — The hospital. — Murder of prisoners. — Alarm; General Sedeno flying from his troops.— General Paez. — Military anarchy. — The first Venezuelian Hussars paraded before

CONTENTS. XVU

Bolivar. — Want of discipline in the British. — Cornets Collins and Hodge tender their resignations. — Drunkenness.— Contradictory orders. — Deceitful proceedings. — Disorders. — Determine to return to Angustura, but find the flechera in the possession of the natives, who refuse to disembark. — Mutiny and desertion of the majority of the officers and men to join Paez, under Colonel Wilson and Major Trewren. — Embarkation of Bolivar. — Robbery of stores. — Quarrels among the British. — The author sails, with those who remain attached to him, down the river.

CHAPTER XVn.

Morning. — The company in the flechera. — Passage down. — Inconveniences. — ^Naval bed of Ware. — Overtake Bolivar. — Attack from the royalists apprehended. — Offer of services to attend the general-in-chief as a guard of honour accepted. — Misconduct of the captain of the flechera. — Increased numbers of alligators and crocodiles. — Recollection and description of the troops at San Fernando. — Sedeno's cavalry. — Paez's cavalry. — His extraordinary character.— His horrible system of retaliation. — Anecdotes of his barbarity. — Arrival of the flechera at the mouth of the Apure. — Cuicara. — Changes in consequence of the rise of the river. — Proceed down the Orinoco. — 111 treated by Bolivar.— Dreadful storm. — Arrival at Angustura. 407

CHAPTER XVIII.

Continued ill usage. — ^Missions of Lieutenant-Colonel English and another to recruit in England.-— The author thinks of the same expedient to reimburse his expenditure for the republic. — Arrival of part of the second Hussars. — Nothing but carrion beef furnished in the rations to the British. — The author resists this unworthy treatment,—

b

I'lll CONTENTS.

Unsatisfactory interview with Bolivar. — Disposal of the officers.— French captain. — Straits to which the British are reduced. — Second audience of Bolivar. — Its angry conclusion. — Colonel Rooke put in command of the British at Angustura. — Return of Colonel Wilson announced j charge against him of tampering with Paez to recede from Bolivar. — Colonel Wibon placed in arrest. — His aides-de-camp arrested, but released soon after. — Adjutant-General Montebrune suspended and broken. — The author prepares for his departure. — Sells his equipments^ &c. to enable him to take his passage. Page 426

CHAPTER XIX.

Objects of a last interview with the chief. — Bolivar's concluding sentiments. — Embark without the two hundred dollars ordered to be paid by him, in the \\'illiam, Captain Cant. — Former wreck of that oflicer. — Miserable accommodations. — Kind and acceptable i)rcsent. — Fraudulent conduct of the republic with regard to its currency. — The ship anchors; superstitious reason for that measure. — Funeral of a sailor. — Farewell view of the republic of Venezuela, and its leading characters. — Bolivar. — ^The native troops. — Retaliation. — Anecdote of Captain Chamberlain ; his tragical death. — Cienoral Marino. — (icncral Arismendi. — General Saraza. — General Anashuartique. — General Valdez. —General Soublette. — General Martin. — Colonel Rooke. — Native women. — Productions; vegetable cochineal. 451

CHAPTER XX.

The cargo of the William. — The passengers. — Captain Elsam and his plans. — Major Perkins j his death. — His female companion. — The tichooner leaves Old Guyana. — Arrives at Santa Pans. — Loss of mules. — /Vmcrican vessel with

CONTENTS. XIX

arms for the patriots. — Brion's squadron. — Visit him on board the Emerald, — Account of that vessel, — An American agent on his way to open negotiations between the United States and Venezuelian republic. — Danger of being blown up. ..... Page 4/2

CHAPTER XXI.

The schooner pursued by Spanish gun-boats, — Means by

which they are frightened off. Privations during the

voyage. — Arrive at Tobago. — Imposition practised by Mr. Cant. — Agree for a passage home. — ^Difficulties. — Arrangement.— Cross the island to Sandy Bay.— Embark in the George^ a vessel infected with the fever.— Accommodations.— Sail, — Misfortunes at sea, as if to conclude the whole of this luckless expedition in the same distress. — Arrival in London. . . . . 49 1

CHAPTER XXII.

Visit to Don Mendez. — He and Mr, Walton assert the treachery of Colonel Wilson. — Mendez evades the fulfilment of his engagements. — The author has him arrested. — He surrenders to the King's Bench prison. — Further proceedings. — Concluding reflections^ and view of the present state of the contest in Venezuela. , . , 5 14

Conclusion. ..... 525

Appendix. . . • I • • 529

ERRATA.

Page 12, /or apothecary, read assistant surgeon.

63, line 5, insert it after remedy.

83, line 17,/or who, read whom. 131, note, line A, for by, read in consequence of. 147, insert the before carinage. 155, note, deU and regimental order for embarkation. 2\3,for Streluitz, read Slrenuilz. 354, jfbr Godys, read Godoys. 375, line 22, for bathing read rainy.

430, line 4 from bottom, /ur is, read with a third are.

431, line A, for Champ, read Chomprey.^ 467, line 9 from bottom, dele Tery. 476,^>r Streluitz, read Strenuitz.

4 80, /or Powlis, read Powlcs.

Owing to the loss of some olficial documents, and other accidents, some of the papers in the Appendix are not introduced exactly in proper order, and one letter being transcribed from the original notes, may not be verbatim correct: but for thes-e and such other deficiencies as may have escaped an author not of literary habits, Colonel H. solicits the indulgence of his readers.

NARRATIVE.

Chapter I

British feelings, with regard to the South American contest, —The author determines to offer his services to the patriots.— Negotiations with their deputies or agents in London, and their final arrangement. — Preparations to equip a regiment. — Officers filled up. — A regiment of lancers also proposed and accepted. — A corps of riflemen forming under other officers. — Difficulties in procui-ing a vessel of sufficient tonnage for the transport of the troops. — Other corps raising by Lieutenant-Colonels Hewitt and Wilson. — Delays. — Don Mendez' plausible assurances. — New arrangements. — Corps of artillery.— Non-interference of the British government. — The Dowson, Indian, and Prince, ships of large burthen, got afloat for the reception of the expedition. — Anxieties, hopes> and exertions. — The men begin to embark. — Entertainment given to Don Mendez. — His protestations, and concluding blessing.

Having been invited to London by a friend, to whom several gentlemen in the mercantile world had expressed their full conviction of the ultimate success of the Independents in South America, if aided and assisted by officers j^nd men from Great Britain, together with a promise of coming forward with pecuniary resourses, if old officers could be influenced to embark in the cause of the patriotic government, and exercise their talents in the provinces of Venezuela, Carracas, and New-Grenada, I hastened to the metropolis, in order to have the terms, expectations, and probability of the final event more perfectly explained to me. I soon ascertained that the prospects held out by the agents employed by the republic, then resident in London, were more than ideal, and was inclined to think more seriously of the chance of a fortunate issue to the cause of the patriots, who had been, for the last seven years, fighting hard for freedom and delivery from the galling iron yoke of Ferdinand the Seventh.

It was a cause which seemed to me to have gained luiiversal approbation from every Briton, who took time sufficient to search into the views of the contending parties, and to place in the scale of nature and of reason the opposing mandates of a monarch, treating his once loyal subjects like slaves and brutes, " born only for his will," and acting, on every occasion, as a demotic tyrant towards nine hundred thousand souls, who at length threw off the yoke, and dared to asseit their claims to libertv, confidence, mutual friendship, and aftection, — the rights of

ORINOCO AND APURE. O

commonwealth, and the prosperity of that country, of which their ancestors were the aborigines, and whose fertile vales and plains were depopulated and laid waste by usurpers, whose descendants still sought to drench themselves in the blood of their offspring. — The shouts were now for independence : and success to the enterprize of the Spanish South American patriots, and a glorious triumph to their cause, came from the mouth of nearly every Briton! It was not sufficient for me to wish them success : I felt I might do more ; and I determined to lend my personal assistance in promoting it. With this resolution, and the approbation of my friend, (whose high rank in the army of Great Britain, and whose experience in military matters, was as distinguished as his name was honoured, loved, and respected), I presented myself at the house once belonging to the deceived and truly unfortunate Miranda, where his widow and infant son still reside, and where the agent from the republic of Venezuela, Luis Lopez Mendez, takes up his permanent abode. On the evening of the 14th of May, I8I7, I was introduced to this great personage by a little personage, who acts as secretary, interpreter, and compiler of news ; in whom, I since understand, all the fabricated falsehoods and occurrences of the day find a mouth-piece ; and whose various communica-

b2 tions from the real scene of action on the continent of South America are so constantly displayed through the channel of the *' Morning Chronicle." — I offered the *' Deputy from Venezuela'* (for by such aj)pellation was he made known to me), in the presence of the deputies from ChiJi, Peru, Mexico, and Santa Fc, who were then assembled in a kind of congress, (which was indeed their almost diurnal custom ; choosing, however, the hour of nine o'clock, P. M. for holding their consultations, and receiving the reports of their secretary, relative to the observations and occurrences of the morning), my proposals and plans for raising a regiment of hussars for the service of the Venezuelian republic, properly clothed, and oquij)ped with arms and accoutrements.

Having had my proposition fully exj)]aiued to the Venezuelian deputy, and obtained his consent to all the measures and articles laid before him, I retired to place tlie same in projier form on paper, for his perusal previous to the perfect copy being presented to him for his signature of aj)})r()bation.

In a few days after, 1 waited on Don Luis Lopez Mendez with the articles drawn out, ol" which the agreement marked A in the Appendix is a correct co])y.

Thus armed and pre))are(i for active exertions,

I commenced my operations by visiting the shops. of tlie various tradesmen necessary to be employed in the equipment of my officers, and the regiment in general.

I began with the saddler, and soon came to an agreement with him, to furnish the whole of the horse appointments, &c. The officers were to be equipped, on their own personal responsibility for payment, at a certain estimate agrfeed upon ; and the non-commissioned officers and privates were to be completed, agreeable to another approved estimate, the payment of which, to the different tradesmen, was to be guaranteed by the resident deputy in England, Don Luis Lopez Mendez, by orders on the Venezuelian republic, and other collateral securities, settled and arranged betw een the above named parties. The clothier came forward in a similar manner, but annexed an additional security to the guarantee for payment to himself, by obtaining an auxiliary responsibility in the person of a monied man, who now advanced to support the master saddler in all the contracts he chose to undertake. The consequence was, that Messrs. Thompson and Mackintosh became the whole and sole contractors for completing the intended regiment of hussars in clothing, saddlery, horse appointments, arms, &c. Having thus established the means for our full equipment, I directed patterns of clothing, caps, saddles, accoutrements, sabres, pistols of a peculiar construction (by M'hich I saved the expense of a second pistol and carbine per man), to be prepared for my ins])ection and approval, and caused a button-mould to be engraved, denominative of my regiment, and emblematic of the service on >vhich I was about to lead it.

My next exertions were to procure good and efficient officers, and non-commissioned officers, to aid my further proceedings.

From the numerous applications which I had received from officers on the half pay and retired lists, previous to my final arrangement with Luis Lopez Mendez, I flattered myself I should have been enabled to have selected, without the smallest difficulty, cavalry officers, whose well known character for discipline and bravery in the field would do honour to my corps ; whose gentlemanly manners and deportment would ensure mutual friendship and esteem from each other, and whose cheerfulness and conviviality, at the mess-table, would keep us all in mirth and good humour. — As I intended to give each cavalry officer, who did me the honour to enrol himself under the banners of my regiment, one step of rank in addition to that which he had held, or was still holding, in the British service, and as I disdained to accept a bribe for pro-