[635] *Extracts from the
History of Don Francisco de Miranda’s attempt to effect a revolution
in South America. Boston, 1808.
[636] * * * * * 12th, 8 o’clock a.m.—At this
moment a cry from a man stationed at the mast-head announces a sail in
sight; she is too far distant, however, to enable us to distinguish what
kind of vessel. I
[Page 158]
notice it
creates considerable anxiety on board, particularly with the general. We
shall probably know something more of this strange sail before long, as
she is sailing nearly in a line with us; is somewhat to leeward, but if
disposed, may speak us in two or three hours. 11 o’clock a.m.—The
strange vessel turns out to be a large vessel in pursuit of us. Captain
Lewis has shortened sail to let her come up. If she is French or
Spanish, she will probably speak to us in harsh language, and we shall
be obliged to fight. God knows what our fate would be if captured, for I
believe we must appear to them a suspicious set, who are on the high
seas in a very questionable shape. If she is English, perhaps “all may
be well.” I must conclude, as we are going to prepare *for action. Our
sea commander says, “If she is an enemy we must overcome or perish.”
13th.—The affair is settled very much to our satisfaction; but not
without a thousand alternate hopes and fears. Within four hours after my
last, we expected to be now making the best of our way to Bermuda, under
the lee of a British frigate. Yesterday, at half past one o’clock in the
afternoon, we were spoke by the ship seen in the morning; she proved to
be His Britannic Majesty’s ship Cleopatra, of forty guns, commanded by
Captain John Wight. The first lieutenant of the frigate came on board
and examined our ship and crew. We were detained nearly twenty-four
hours, and had ninétéen men pressed, mostly Irish, with American
protections. As a kind of return for the impressed sailors, we received
twelve Americans, who had been taken out of American vessels lately
captured by the Cleopatra, to the list of which the Leander was nigh
being added. Captain Lewis went on board with the t hip’s papers, which
showed her to be the Leander, an American ship bound to St. Domingo.
These were, on examination, declared by Captain Wight to be
unsatisfactory.
[637] A gentleman then by the name of Armstrong
*went on board with instructions from the general, and joined with Lewis
in expostulating with the commander of the frigate, but without effect.
At last the general himself was obliged to appear on board the
Cleopatra. He stated certain particulars to Captain Wight, and showed
him documents which justified the English captain in allowing our ship
to proceed. This event has confirmed our impressions respecting the
nature and objects of this expedition. General Miranda, I think, must
have effected the release of the Leander by explaining a part or the
whole of his plan relative to South America, and by producing
credentials from the British government authorizing, or at least
protecting him in the undertaking.
[638] This idea is strengthened by Miranda
saying that Captain Wight had promised to assist in the enterprise. The
general remained on board the frigate all night, and returned this
morning at eleven o’clock. I am extremely glad we were overtaken by this
ship, for the result tends to put us at ease about the consistency of
our design with the laws of nations, ard proves to the world that we are
not a “band of desperate pirates,” a description given to us by some
persons before we sailed from New York, and propagated afterwards in
whispers through the ship. Besides, the expedition is now placed on a
respectable footing by having, as we presume, the acknowledgment and
countenance of England. We are all in high spirits and in high hopes.
The general now speaks more openly about the enterprise; he expresses
great anxiety to begin his operations, and complains of having been so
long detained in a good wind, notwithstanding it has turned out so much
to the advantage of his project, both on account of the promised
assistance,
[Page 159]
and a certificate
that he procured of Captain Wight, to prevent further search or
déténtion by other British cruisers which we may happen to meet.—(Pages
10, 11, 12, 13.)
[639]
*Grenada, May 20, 1806.
* * * * * On the 24th, at evening, we saw two vessels, one a large
ship, which we endeavored to avoid by tacking; bat the next morning
the same ship being found in chase of us, it was resolved to run no
more. It was at length admitted that we might as well die by sword
as famine. When the ship had got nearly within gunshot, we being to
windward did not bear down, and she fired upon us,-but without her
shot reaching us. Lewis, being persuaded she was English, hove to
and she came up. Seeing a French distinguishing vane at her
mast-head, we began to flutter. But on speaking us, she proved to be
His Britannic Majesty’s sloop of war Lily, who had been for some
time searching for the Leander. The commander, Captain Campbell,
came on board to pay his compliments to General Miranda, and on
returning to his vessel sent us some most necessary and most welcome
supplies. It was détérmined that we should put into this island,
where we arrived the next day. The general and suite disembarked the
moment the ship anchored; and several officers were allowed to step
on terra firma and partake the comforts of
the shore.* * *
[640] The governor of this island, Maitland,
has received our chief with great politeness and hospitality, and
given him encouragement to expect important assistance from the
British in-a second attempt upon the Spanish main. As an earnest he
is answerable for our supplies. *These circumstances a little revive
the spirits of our volunteers, who had become rather sick of their
undertaking and disposed to abandon Miranda.—(Pages 92–94.)
Bridgetown, Barbadoes, June 9, 1806.
* * * * We arrived here the 6th. The rumor 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 favorable, 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. * * * * * (Page 95.)
[641] * * * * Admiral Cochrane undoubtedly
intended to give him all the chance that a sufficient naval force
could supply. In proof of this, several armed vessels, including one
seventy-four, were sent to support the squadron first put under his
orders and supposed to be at Cow, with directions to land a number
of men, as they might
[Page 160]
be
found necessary and useful; but finding that we had departed in an
unaccountable manner, they have naturally concluded that he is
unequal to his enterprise and is not worth supporting. It is not
surprising that their orders should not extend to conducting him
from one part to another of the Caribbean Sea, or to assist in a
second attempt on the main when he had made such a faux pas in the first. Undoubtedly they are ready to seize
the prétéxt which they now have for dissolving a connection attended
with expense to the government and mortification to its patrons;
satisfied that they do more than justice to his claims in conveying
him to a place of safety. * * * (Page 175.)
Trinidad, November 26,
1806.
[642] * * * * Our reception and treatment in
this island are naturally very different from what we experienced
when we were here before. At that time, notwithstanding the
influence of a numerous French and Spanish party, opposed to our
scheme, of course, the governor espoused it; knowing *that it had
received encouragement from higher authorities than himself. The
government house was given to Miranda for his residence, and took
the name of headquarters. The governor and officers, civil and
military, paid him the respect which corresponded to the rank he
claimed. He received many visits, and his design many good wishes
and benedictions from merchants and others, though after some time,
as we delayed long there were signs of distrust; and the popularity
of our project was not sufficient to procure any considerable
quantity of supplies or number of men without money. The means which
were presented to Miranda, by the offer of merchants already
mentioned, he thought proper to reject. * * * * * * * (Page
217.)
[643] *For correspondence relative to the
prevention in the ports of the United States of vessels alleged to
be fitting out to cruise against the commerce of France in 1864, see
vol. 7, Claims of United States against Great Britain, pages
39–42.
