LETTER XV.

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

Bridgetown, Barbadoes, June 9th, 1806,

WE arrived here the 6th. The rumour among us is such as to make us suppose the expedition is to raise its head again. Admiral Cochrane, who is on this station with three ships of the line and several frigates, intends to further it by putting some of his smaller vessels under the orders of Miranda. No regular troops and but few volunteers will be joined to it here; but it is said they will be obtained at Trinidad.

15th. It is reported that though admiral Cochrane is favourable, lord Seaforth, governor of this island, and general Bowyer, commander in chief of the West India troops are not at all inclined to take up our enterprise. Twenty five or thirty volunteers have joined us here. In this number may be half a dozen gentlemen; the rest I fear,must pass for vagabonds. 18th. Miranda has lately had another dif

ference with Lewis. A few days ago, he pretended to have fears for the fidelity of the Leander's officers and crew; suspecting them of a design to leave port clandestinely. To guard against this danger, an officer of the army and a lieutenant of the Lily were sent on board to take necessary measures of precaution. The sails of the Leander were unbent and stowed awayher lower yards and top gallant masts struck,and thirteen sailors, shipped at New-York, transferred to the Lily, till we should sail for Trinidad. At present this poor ship seems threatened with another more serious peril. Her innocence is brought into question, and she is libelled in the custom house. She stands accused of having been a long time engaged in an illegitimate and contraband trade-meaning the St. Domingo trade; and since she became the reputed property of Don Francisco de Miranda, she is charged with mal-practices, in carrying arms, ammunition, naval stores, and troops to the enemies of the king of England, "under unacknowledged colours," thus setting a bad example to other private vessels. On these accounts the officers of the customs appear to think they ought to take her out of our pos

session; but whether she will be seized or not

is uncertain.

19th. By good luck or good management the general has rescued his ship from the danger which hung over her. He has satisfied those concerned that he ought not to be considered as giving aid to their enemies, though he professes to be the friend of the subjects of Spain. This is the second narrow escape of the kind, which the Leander has experienced. It seems to me that Miranda has not made very good arrangements, or he would not appear in so ambiguous a character to those on whom he relies for co-operation.

Leander at sea, June 21st. Yesterday afternoon we weighed anchor, and sailed from Carlisle bay, in company with the Lily and H. B. M's. brig Express, and a merchant schooner called the Trimmer.

Previous to leaving Barbadoes, a contract was entered into, between general Miranda, for the free people of South America, and admiral Cochrane as agent for his Britannick Majesty ; the basis of which stipulates, that admiral C. shall assist general M. with a certain number of vessels of war immediately, and that he shall hereafter forward such reinforcements

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as he might have in his power to furnish, in case they should be wanted by Miranda; and that in the event of our succeeding, Great Britain shall always be held by general M. and the government which he may establish, on the footing of the most favoured nations; that importations in British bottoms shall receive a deduction of ten per cent, upon the duties paid by all other friendly nations, except the United States of North America.

This provisional agreement is to be sent to England for the approbation of his Majesty and council, and if they see fit and agree to it, the future operations of our expedition are to be carried on with the concurrence and counsel of the British cabinet. How this will be received at the court of St. James, it is impossible for me to say; it appears however, that no definitive arrangements had been settled between them and our commander before, as we had once imagined and hoped. In this contract, Miranda omitted to mention the United States, notwithstanding the warm affection which he professes for our country, until the impolicy of excluding her from the mercantile advantages, which he might have the power to confer, was. stated to him by one of his American officers.

Further disagreements taking place between Miranda and captain Lewis, the latter resigned the command of the Leander a day or two preceding our departure from Carlisle bay. All the mates, the boatswain and gunner and nearly forty of the crew left her at the same time, though not persuaded to do so, by their captain. The ship is now trusted to the manage. ment of a very inexperienced young man-~ whose only recommendation to such a place is his popularity with the remaining sailors. An officer, however, from the Lily is with us, to supply the want of our new commander's naval knowledge.

Leander, near Tobago, June 23d. As the cloud that hung over the expedition begins to break away, and the fortunes of the chieftain become more promising, the expectations of his officers awake, and their solicitude about the possession of his favour appear. He makes a point of saying frequently that the chance of promotion in his service depends on merit. But he is not entirely singular among men, if he allows it a great merit to be disposed to please him on any terms, and be willing to concur in his fondness of himself. Flattery and obsequiousness, with all his philosophy