and destruction, which he ought to have foreseen or known. There could be no doubt in his mind, before we left St. Domingo, that the Spaniards were apprized of our design; and were prepared to give us a warm reception. He was disappointed in not having the Emperor. If she was necessary, why did he not give up his plan and make some difinitive arrangements for that British assistance, which he said he could have, and indeed, which he always professed, insincerely, I now believe, to expect.

During our skirmish the general behaved with great coolness; and when entreated by his officers to go below, as on his life every thing depended, derided their fears, and kept his place on deck. After our discomfiture and retreat he was in great turmoil.-Sometimes absorbed, sometimes venting himself in bursts of execration against the captain of the Emperor-in complaint at the English for not coming to our help, and sometimes dejected. But he seemed inclined to see us as little as possible; and did not try to explain or vindicate his conduct, or enable us to understand why his schemes had been thus blasted in the bud. It gave him evident uneasiness and displeasure, when of us, intimated a wish to hear a plau

any

sible account of our disaster.

He has now re

sumed a collected and decided manner; and speaks as though the design was still perfectly practicable and the resources for it abundant ; but it had received the late check from a casualty not to be expected again. To show his confident manner, which came to him on a sudden, speaking of one of his field officers, he says, "I hope in two months to see him at the head of ten thousand men." This undiscouraged air of the general serves to keep alive the hopes of the reflecting part of our little band, that he has means to effect his object.

Two days after we sailed from Bonair, the general, who had still an idea of landing on the Main, without being reinforced, called a council of war, at which were present all the officers in his service. When they were convened, he proposed two plans for their consideration.

The first was to proceed to Trinidad for the purpose of obtaining military and naval succours; which he stated would certainly be furnished by the British to facilitate his enterprise; and also, to procure further information respecting South America.

The second proposition was to attempt an immediate landing at Coro.

The council unanimously agreed that we should proceed on our course to Trinidad, where, from the information of the general, they supposed that we should certainly obtain all the assistance necessary to effect the grand ob ject, on which the greater part are bent. The plan of going to Coro was rejected, because it appeared probable to the council that we should again be attacked by the Guarda Costas, which it seemed likely would repair to the Gulf of Coro, under the supposition that we would attempt a landing at that place. Besides, we are so weakened by our loss, that without a reinforcement we cannot attempt any thing with the slightest prospect of success.

Until we reach our destined port, we must patiently bear a number of privations and inconveniences. We have no great supply of water, nor is that little good; we are allowan ced at three pints per day each man, which at this rate will last about twenty days. Our bread, pork and beef are scarce, and by no means the best. Thus situated, you must see, that we have but a gloomy prospect in view, when you add that we have to beat against head winds and contrary currents every mile of the distance to Trinidad.

LETTER XII.

Undignified conduct of his excellency to one of his officers, &c.

May 9th, 1806.

IT belongs to my story to relate an instance of the general's violence, that made me blush for the honour of grey hairs, learning and experience. It happened on the quarter deck in the presence of all the officers and the whole ship's crew at bonair, two or three days after our misfortune. Stung as he is with disappointment, he might plead Orlando's excuse for something uncourteous ;

"The thorny point

"Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the shew
"Of smooth civility."

But what I am going to relate was outrageous passion.

One of the engineer officers, having got into some embarrassment on shore, through want of money, on his return to the ship, was mentioning the circumstance to one of his companions loud enough to be heard by the general who was sitting near, and probably ruminating.

on his disaster. In the course of the conversation this officer had the imprudence to utter something about, "months pay," "can't serve for nothing;" with other treasonable expressions; upon which Miranda ordered him to be silent; and not being instantly obeyed, seized him by the throat and threw him off the ship's gunnel, where he had been sitting, on one of the guns, and after repeated twirls, shakes and twists, dashed him slap on the deck. The engineer, when a little recovered from his fright, opened his mouth to this effect; "you don't mean to strike me again, I hope general,” “strike you again," quoth the general, "yes by G―d I'll exterminate you; where is your respect for your general." "I have always respected you and done my duty sir," answered the trembling officer. "You have not," replied the chief, "so silence this moment sir." "I am not to be treated in this manner general; to avoid it, I will thank you for my discharge and I'll go on shore at this island." "Sirrah" exclaimed Miranda in a rage, "you shall be dismissed when I think proper, and not when you please, you are at my disposal, and I shall retain, or send you away, as it best suits my purpose.' "But I have a right to leave your service," urged the