The history of Don Francisco de Miranda's attempt to effect a revolution in South America, in a series of letters

Front matter

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Letter II

Account of Miranda. — His age. — Leander spoken by the British frigate Cleopatra, and near being sent to Bermuda for trial,— Sailors impressed.— Happy result. 8

LETTER ill.

Spanish schooner brought to. — Conjectures upon this unusual procedure. — Stratagem to deceive the master of the schooner. — Miranda appoints his officers. — Their names and distribution into corps. — Uniforms, &c.— Arrival at Jacquemel. — Accident. 14

Letter IV

Difficulty of getting into port. — A quarrel, and its apprehended mischiefs. — Scene on the deck of the Leander — Form of officers' commissions, — A sail seen. — Complaintof the effects of delay.— Return of Capt. Lewis-. $3 iv

CONTENTS,

Departure from Aruba. — Events till the arrival on the coast. — Singular order* — A great dispute. — Resignation of Lewis. — The Main land in sight. — Sailors enlisted as soldiers. — Ready to land. 57

Letter XI

The Leander attacked by two Spanish Guarda Costas. — The schooners Bee and Bacchus captured. — Rencounter with them. — Lewis not to blame for the loss of the

CONTENTSv schooners. — Names of the officers and men captured.— Discovery of the want of water. — Shape our course for the island of Bonair.— The officers entertain suspicions of their chief. — They have private consultations. — Conduct of the general in the action and subsequent council of war and their determination.— Reflections, Sec* 70

At Bridgetown. — Leander libelled and released, — Arrangements with Admiral Cochrane. — Lewis resigns,— Vanity and philosophy of M. 95

Letter XVI

At Trinidad.— Officers and men engaged there. — General order.— Capt. Johnson.— Foolish handbill,— Departure. i02 LETTER XVII.

Landing on the main. — Result. 109 LETTER XVIII.

At Amba.—EYents after leaving Trinidad^Army di^ A 2

VL

CONTENTS.

embark. — Gain La Vela de Coro. — March to Cor©.—. Disaster at that place. — Return, and evacuation of the Main* 1 \ \

LETTER XIX.

Other events previous to the evacuation of the Main* — Col. Hall's embarrassment — Threat of M« concerning his wounded men,— Capt. Johnson's misfortune. 132

LETTER XX.

M. takes possession of Aruba by proclamation, — Sickness of the men. — Courts Martial. 151

LETTER XXI,

Animadversions of officers on the Expedition. — Curracoa scheme. 169

LETTER XXII.

New captain appointed to the Leander.— His ill conduct and cruelty to the sailors- — Condition of the sick oh board.— Miranda's treatment of capt. Meade, commander of the brig Commodore Barry,— Soliloquy. 188

LETTER XXIII.

Departure from Aruba. — Miranda and suite embark ifc the Seine frigate.— Lieut. Dwyer, an English officer, takes command of the Leander.— Events during the passage,— Arrival at Grenada. 197

LETTER XXIV.

Arrival at Trinidad. — Trimmer concern.— deception of Miranda and his followers at Port of Spain— Straits of the people. 207 LETTER XXV.

Disposition of the British commanders,— Mission to EH-

CONTENTS, , in

gland.— Process against Leander. — Dispersion of ofi> cers and men. — Fate of the prisoners.— Intercepted letters. — Intelligence from de Rouvray.— Characters* 23$

LETTER XXVI.

"Result upon the means, conduct and object of the expedition. — An apology for its agents* 24$

LETTER XXVII,

Notices of Miranda, 279 LETTER XXVIII.

Geographical and statistical notices of Caraccas, $91

J.

PREFACE.

.THE letters in this volume give an account of the commencement, progress and termination of Miranda's attempt to effect a revolution in South America. The facts came within the observation of the writer \ or were obtained by careful enquiry. Tn history, says a great moralist and critick, the whole should be told. The author has told all that appeared to him at once proper to be related and interesting to the reader. These letters were written for the information of the author's friends and to assist his own memory. After much deliberation and some doubt, he has been induced to commit them to the press. . The expedition of Miranda excited attention and expectation at the time and has not ceased to be a subject of speculation. It x PREFACE.

had a certain aspect upon our foreign relations^ and occasioned a discussion of much delicacy respecting the conduct of the American government. It may be of some use to the world, that the agency of Miranda in this enterprise should be detailed and the impression he made on the minds of his unfortunate followers should be known. By the disclosure of the facts, the persons concerned with him may hope to be considered with more equity and perhaps more favour, than they would find, if the publick opinion were left to be formed by the fictions of rumour and the exaggerations of ignorance. It is possible that its developement will create an interest in behalf of that portion of Miranda 1 y s associates, now suffering imprisonment* or slavery in that country, where they dreamed they should enjoy and communicate liberty. This enterprise and its incidents afford a curious exhibition of human nature. The boldness of the

* See an account of their situation in I. H. Sherman's pamphlet printed in New-York by Mc'Farlane and Long-.

MIRANDA'S EXPEDITION.